ETWP; Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Spikedace and the Loach Minnow

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose designation of critical habitat pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for the spikedace (Meda fulgida) and the loach minnow (Tiaroga = (Rhinichthys) cobitis). This proposal is made in response to a court order in Southwest Center for Biological Diversity v. Clark CIV 98-0769 M/JHG, directing us to complete designation of critical habitat for the spikedace and loach minnow by February 17, 2000. We are proposing as critical habitat a total of approximately 1,443 kilometers (km) (894 miles (mi)) of rivers and creeks for the two species. The entire designation is proposed as critical habitat for the loach minnow, and approximately 1,325 km (822 mi) of those miles are also proposed as critical habitat for the spikedace. Proposed critical habitat includes portions of the Gila, San Francisco, Blue, Black, Verde, and San Pedro rivers, and some of their tributaries, in Apache, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Pima, Pinal, and Yavapai Counties in Arizona; and Catron, Grant, and Hidalgo Counties in New Mexico. If this proposed rule is finalized, Federal agencies proposing actions that may affect the areas designated as critical habitat must consult with us on the effects of the proposed actions, pursuant to section 7(a)(2) of the Act.