Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the Razorback Sucker From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to reclassify the razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) from an endangered species to a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The proposed downlisting is based on our evaluation of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the species' status has improved due to conservation actions and partnerships, and the threats to the razorback sucker identified at the time of listing in 1991 have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species is no longer currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, but it is still likely to become so within the foreseeable future without current active and intensive management. We also propose a rule under section 4(d) of the Act that provides for the conservation of the razorback sucker.