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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR We will post all comments on http:// Section 4(b)(6) of the Act and its www.regulations.gov. This generally implementing regulations at 50 CFR Fish and Wildlife Service means that we will post any personal 424.17(a) require that we take one of information you provide us (see the three actions within 1 year of a 50 CFR Part 17 Public Comments section below for proposed listing: (1) Finalize the [Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2012–0101; more information). proposed listing; (2) withdraw the 4500030113] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: proposed listing; or (3) extend the final determination by not more than 6 RIN 1018–AY25 Wally ‘‘J’’ Murphy, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New months, if there is substantial Endangered and Threatened Wildlife Mexico Ecological Services Field Office, disagreement regarding the sufficiency and Plants; 6-Month Extension of Final 2105 Osuna NE., Albuquerque, NM or accuracy of the available data Determination for the Proposed Listing 87113; by telephone 505–346–2525; or relevant to the determination. Our of the Zuni Bluehead Sucker as an by facsimile 505–346–2542. Persons review of the information described Endangered Species who use a telecommunications device below suggests there is substantial for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal disagreement regarding the taxonomic AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Information Relay Service (FIRS) at status of some populations that we Interior. 800–877–8339. considered Zuni bluehead sucker in the ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: proposed rule. The following discussion comment period. describes these disagreements. Background In the proposed listing rule, we SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a The Zuni bluehead sucker is a small reported that the Zuni bluehead sucker 6-month extension of the deadline for a fish that is believed to be endemic to has been documented in three discrete final determination concerning the streams in east-central and watersheds—the watershed listing of the Zuni bluehead sucker west-central New Mexico. On January in New Mexico, the Little Colorado (Catostomus discobolus yarrowi) as an 25, 2013, we published in the Federal River watershed in Arizona, and the San endangered species. We also reopen the Register a proposed rule (78 FR 5369) to Juan River watershed at the borders of comment period on the proposed rule to list the Zuni bluehead sucker New Mexico and Arizona. However, the list this species as an endangered (Catostomus discobolus yarrowi) as an taxonomy of the occurrences of the species. We are taking this action endangered species under the subspecies outside of the Zuni River because there is substantial Endangered Species Act of 1973, as watershed has been disputed and disagreement regarding the sufficiency amended (Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), remains in question. In the Zuni River or accuracy of the available data because we found the subspecies in watershed of New Mexico, the relevant to our determination regarding danger of extinction. On the same date, subspecies is believed to be restricted to the proposed listing rule, making it we also published in the Federal three isolated populations in the upper necessary to solicit additional Register a proposed rule to designate Rio Nutria drainage (Carman 2008, pp. information by reopening the comment critical habitat for the Zuni bluehead 2–3). Streams in the upper Rio Nutria period for 30 days. sucker (78 FR 5351; January 25, 2013). drainage of the Zuni River watershed DATES: The comment period end date is Identified threats to the subspecies include the Rio Nutria, Cebolla Creek, February 10, 2014. If you comment included water withdrawals, and Rio Pescado, in addition to using the Federal eRulemaking Portal sedimentation, impoundments, housing Tampico Spring and Agua Remora (see ADDRESSES), you must submit your development, and predation by Springs, which are headwater springs to comment by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on nonnative green sunfish (Lepomis Rio Nutria. In eastern Arizona, there is the closing date. cyanellus). We believe the range of the evidence that the subspecies occurs in subspecies has already been reduced by low numbers in the Kinlichee Creek ADDRESSES: You may submit written comments by one of the following approximately 90 percent in New area of the Little methods: Mexico, but we do not know the extent watershed and Canyon de Chelly area of (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal of potential range reduction in Arizona. the San Juan River watershed (Hobbes eRulemaking Portal: http:// Low water levels from drought and 2000, pp. 9–16; Albert 2001, pp. 10–14; www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, water withdrawals in remaining David 2006, p. 35). Both the Kinlichee enter FWS–R2–ES–2012–0101, which is occupied streams have reduced the Creek and Canyon de Chelly areas occur the docket number for the proposed rule available habitat for the subspecies. The on the Navajo Nation. Streams in the to list the Zuni bluehead sucker as proposed listing rule had a 60-day Kinlichee Creek area include Red Clay endangered. Then, in the Search panel comment period, ending March 26, Wash, Black Soil Springs, Scattered on the left side of the screen, under the 2013. For a description of previous Willow Wash, and Kinlichee Creek Document Type heading, check on the Federal actions concerning the Zuni itself. Streams in the Canyon de Chelly Proposed Rules link to located the bluehead sucker, please refer to the area include Tsaile Creek, Sonsela proposed rule. You may submit a proposed listing rule (78 FR 5369; Creek, Crystal Creek, Coyote Wash, comment by clicking on ‘‘Comment January 25, 2013). Since the publication Whiskey Creek, and Wheatfields Creek. Now!’’ of the proposed rules, we have found These streams originate along the (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail substantial scientific disagreement western slope of the Chuska Mountains or hand-delivery to: Public Comments about the status of the Zuni bluehead in New Mexico, flow through Arizona, Processing, Attn: FWS–R2–ES–2012– sucker as explained below, and we are and eventually flow into the San Juan 0101; Division of Policy and Directives therefore reopening the comment period River. It is the taxonomic status of these Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife for the proposed listing rule and populations in the Kinlichee Creek area Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS extending the schedule for the final of the watershed 2042–PDM; Arlington, VA 22203. determination for 6 months in order to and the Canyon de Chelly areas in the We request that you send comments solicit and analyze information that will San Juan River watershed that is in only by the methods described above. help to clarify these issues. question. A map for geographical

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reference is available for review on the subspecies. It is believed that the first occurred about 1.1 million years ago New Mexico Ecological Services Field specimen of the Zuni bluehead sucker based on aging fossils. Office Web site at http://www.fws.gov/ was collected from the Zuni River near In 1983, Smith et al. (entire) formally southwest/es/NewMexico/. Zuni Pueblo in McKinley County, New designated Zuni bluehead sucker as a During the public comment period on Mexico, in 1873 (Cope 1874, p. 138). subspecies. Based on a review of the proposed listing rule, we received The next collection was made in 1926, morphological (pertaining to the multiple comments regarding our from the Zuni River, near Zuni Pueblo physical form and structure of the fish), interpretation of scientific literature (Propst et al. 2001, p. 159). It was not meristic (quantitative features of fish, related to the genetics of the Zuni subsequently collected in New Mexico such as fins or scales), and biochemical bluehead sucker. Commenters were until W.J. Koster (University of New genetic data, Smith et al. (1983, pp. 1, particularly concerned with whether or Mexico, Museum of Southwestern 45–47) determined that that the Zuni not populations on the Navajo Nation, Biology) collected the species in the Rio bluehead sucker subspecies is an which include the Kinlichee Creek area Pescado in 1948, and in the Rio Nutria intermediate between Rio Grande sucker of the Little Colorado River watershed and bluehead sucker, with the Rio in 1960 (Propst 1999, p. 49; Propst et al. and the Canyon de Chelly area of the Nutria population (Zuni River 2001, p. 159). San Juan River watershed, that were watershed) characters (characters are recognized in the proposed rule as Zuni The Zuni bluehead sucker subspecies attributes or features that distinguish a bluehead suckers are appropriately is believed to have originated as a subspecies, such as coloration) more classified as such rather than a different hybrid of the Rio Grande sucker like Rio Grande sucker and Kinlichee subspecies of the bluehead sucker (see (Catostomus plebeius) and the bluehead Creek (Little Colorado River watershed) Taxonomy and Genetics section, below). sucker (C. discobolus) from the Little characters more like bluehead sucker. In addition, since the closing of the Colorado River. Historically, the Based on morphology, they assigned comment period, we have received bluehead sucker occurred in streams fish samples in Kinlichee Creek (Little additional information and genetic and rivers in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado River watershed) as Zuni analyses of the bluehead sucker Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. bluehead suckers and Whiskey Creek populations found on lands of the Gerald R. Smith (University of fish samples (in the Canyon de Chelly Navajo Nation, including both the Michigan) was the first person to area of the San Juan River watershed) as Kinlichee Creek area and the Canyon de provide evidence for the hybrid origin bluehead suckers. However, Smith et al. Chelly area (Unmack et al. 2012, entire; of the Zuni bluehead sucker (Smith (1983, p. 46) could not genetically Hopken et al. 2013, entire; Douglas et al. 1966, pp. 87–90). Smith (1966, pp. 87– differentiate Kinlichee Creek samples 2013, entire). In particular, both the 90) and Smith et al. (1983, pp. 37–38) from Whiskey Creek fish samples. In Hopken et al. (2013) and Douglas et al. hypothesized that the subspecies other words, based on genetics, fish (2013) reports find that the populations resulted from a prehistoric geological from Kinlichee Creek (Little Colorado on the Navajo Nation should not be event in which two species of sucker River watershed) and Whiskey Creek (in categorized as Zuni bluehead sucker, that were formerly geographically the Canyon de Chelly area of the San thereby contradicting the information separated came into contact with one Juan River watershed) are the same. we presented in the proposed rule. This another in the late Pleistocene (which Further study by Crabtree and Buth new information and data, along with occurred more than 11,700 years ago) (1987, p. 843) replicated and expanded input we received during the comment and exchanged genes through upon the Smith et al. (1983, entire) genetic analysis and reevaluated their period, have led to substantial scientific hybridization over some time. Since data and interpretation. This study disagreement about the status of these collections of Zuni bluehead suckers provided supporting evidence populations as explained in more detail occurred as early as 1873, Smith (1966, confirming assignment of populations in below. p. 88) discounted that the origin of the In conclusion, section 4(b)(6) of the the Zuni River headwater streams as the subspecies could be a product of human Act allows the Service to extend the Zuni bluehead sucker subspecies based translocation and, instead, proposed final determination by not more than 6 on the presence of unique alleles at months, if there is substantial that a stream capture occurred causing several loci (loci are specific locations of disagreement regarding the sufficiency the two suckers to come into contact. A a gene or DNA sequence on a or accuracy of the available data stream capture is a geomorphological chromosome). However, they relevant to the determination. In light of phenomenon occurring when a river recognized that Smith et al. (1983, pp. the substantial disagreement regarding drainage system or watershed is 42, 46) attributed a broader geographical the taxonomic status of some diverted from its own bed and flows range to the Zuni bluehead sucker. The populations that we considered Zuni instead down the bed of a neighboring genetic analysis by Crabtree and Buth bluehead sucker in the proposed listing stream. During this particular stream (1987, p. 852) did not support the rule, we are reopening the comment capture, part of the headwaters of San geographical range identified by Smith period for the proposed listing rule and Jose Creek (a Rio Puerco—Rio Grande et al. (1983, pp. 42, 46). Crabtree and extending the schedule for the final tributary where Rio Grande sucker Buth (1987, pp. 851–852) suggested that determination for 6 months in order to occurred) were brought into the the genetic interaction between the Rio solicit and analyze information that will headwaters of the Zuni River (a Little Grande sucker and bluehead sucker is help to clarify these issues. We will Colorado River tributary where limited to the upper Rio Nutria make a final determination no later than bluehead sucker occurred); this caused populations in the Zuni River July 25, 2014. Rio Grande suckers from San Jose Creek watershed. Thus, the findings of to intermingle with resident bluehead Crabtree and Buth (1987, entire) suggest Taxonomy and Genetics suckers in the Zuni River (Smith et al. that the Zuni bluehead sucker Although there is disagreement 1983, p. 45). Unmack et al. (2012, p. 29) subspecies occurs only in the Zuni regarding where the Zuni bluehead estimated that the introgression (gene River watershed of New Mexico. sucker occurs, our review of the flow from one species into the gene pool Our analysis of morphological and available information has concluded of another species) between the Rio genetic information supports the that the Zuni bluehead sucker is a valid Grande sucker and bluehead sucker recognition of the Zuni bluehead sucker

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as being distinct from both the Rio Chelly area of the San Juan River Similar results were concluded for both Grande sucker and the bluehead sucker watershed). Therefore, the nuclear DNA Agua Remora and Tampico Springs in (Smith 1966, pp. 87–90; Smith et al. analysis presented by Dowling in 2012 the Zuni River watershed of New 1983, pp. 37–38; Crabtree and Buth suggests that, based on the presence of Mexico (Turner and Wilson 2009, p. 8). 1987, p. 843; Propst 1999, p. 49). Based Rio Grande sucker alleles (via nuclear Conversely, the nuclear DNA (via on our review of the best available DNA), the Zuni bluehead sucker microsatellites) analyses by both scientific and commercial data, we subspecies occurs in certain streams of Schwemm and Dowling (2008, entire) concluded in the proposed listing rule all three watersheds: the Zuni River and Turner and Wilson (2009, p. 8) that the Zuni bluehead sucker is a valid watershed, the Little Colorado River found alleles related to both bluehead subspecies. watershed, and the San Juan River and Rio Grande suckers, albeit in low Although the Zuni bluehead sucker is watershed. frequency for Agua Remora and a valid taxon, there is substantial Unmack et al. (2012, p. 20) assigned Tampico Springs in the Zuni River disagreement as to which populations of Zuni bluehead sucker to a complex watershed of New Mexico. Note that the fish should be assigned to the Zuni (group of related species) of ancient these results were based on one specific bluehead sucker subspecies based on Arizona and New Mexico lineages that microsatellite, whereas the Hopken various interpretations of the share molecular, meristic, and et al. (2013, entire) nuclear DNA test morphological and genetic analyses. In osteological (osteology is the study of analyzed 16 different microsatellites to the discussion below, we review the bone structure and function) identify levels of introgression with results of three recent studies related to characteristics of bluehead sucker and other species of suckers known to the evolutionary relationships of the Rio Grande sucker. Their study hybridize with bluehead suckers (e.g., populations we have considered to be included populations found in the Rio Grande sucker) and tested Zuni bluehead sucker. headwaters of the San Juan and Little distinctiveness of the bluehead sucker In 2012, Thomas Dowling (a geneticist Colorado Rivers (including the Zuni across several drainages. Hopken et al. at Arizona State University) presented River headwaters) in northeastern (2013, p. 966) did not find fish in the the Schwemm and Dowling (2008, Arizona. This assignment was based on Canyon de Chelly area of the San Juan entire) data that some bluehead sucker the information provided above (Smith River watershed or in Agua Remora of found in the Kinlichee Creek area of the 1966, entire; Smith et al. 1983, entire; the Zuni River watershed to be Little Colorado River watershed and the Crabtree and Buth 1987, entire; introgressed and, therefore, concluded Canyon de Chelly area of the San Juan Schwemm and Dowling 2008, entire). that fish from both sampling locations River watershed also contain Rio Their assignment suggests that the Zuni belonged to the bluehead sucker species Grande sucker alleles, suggesting that bluehead sucker subspecies originated of the Colorado River rather than the these fish may be the result of the from three separate but adjacent Zuni bluehead sucker subspecies. introgression between Rio Grande drainages (San Juan River, Little Canyon de Chelly in the Little Colorado sucker and bluehead sucker described Colorado River, and the Rio Grande) in River watershed and Agua Remora in above (Service 2012, entire). Schwemm the Pleistocene via multiple stream the Zuni River watershed were both and Dowling (2008, entire) investigated captures. Therefore, the Zuni bluehead identified to have distinct gene pools the extent of introgression of Rio Grande sucker subspecies is not restricted to the from one another and other bluehead sucker within bluehead sucker within headwaters of the Zuni River watershed, suckers (Hopken et al. 2013, p. 966). In the Little Colorado River drainage but includes others areas in the Little other words, the Hopken et al. (2013, (Kinlichee Creek area and Zuni River Colorado River (Kinlichee Creek area) entire) paper indicates that the watershed area) and San Juan River and San Juan River drainages (Canyon populations in the Little Colorado River drainage (Canyon de Chelly area) de Chelly area). through analysis of both mitochondrial Hopken et al. (2013, entire) published watershed and Zuni River watershed are and nuclear DNA sequences. The a paper after the publication of the geographically isolated and reflect low mitochondrial DNA analysis identified proposed listing rule that evaluates gene flow. These results are in three distinct lineages (ancestry) and bluehead suckers rangewide using both disagreement with the results of the one distinct sublineage: (1) Mainstem mitochondrial and nuclear DNA to infer nuclear DNA analysis provided by Colorado River/San Juan River bluehead evolutionarily significant units and Dowling in his 2012 presentation of the sucker lineage; (2) Canyon de Chelly management units. These researchers Schwemm and Dowling (2008, entire) bluehead sucker sublineage (in San Juan looked at 39 sampling locations; report. River watershed); (3) Little Colorado however, only 2 (Canyon de Chelly in Despite their analysis of the Canyon River bluehead sucker lineage; and (4) the San Juan River watershed and Agua de Chelly populations (San Juan River Rio Grande sucker lineage. The Rio Remora in the Zuni River watershed) watershed) of bluehead suckers, Hopken Grande sucker lineage was found in were relevant to the Zuni bluehead et al. (2013, entire) did not analyze the only one upper Little Colorado River sucker. The mitochondrial DNA only Kinlichee Creek populations within the population: the Rio Nutria of the Zuni detected bluehead sucker haplotypes Little Colorado River watershed in River watershed in New Mexico. (combination of alleles at adjacent Arizona. In cooperation with the Navajo However, the nuclear DNA not only locations on a chromosome) in Canyon Nation, the Service collected additional identified Rio Grande sucker alleles in de Chelly (San Juan River watershed in genetic tissue samples for analysis in the Rio Nutria in New Mexico Arizona) and Agua Remora (Zuni River 2013. Douglas et al. (2013, entire) used (consistent with mitochondrial DNA watershed in New Mexico). Results are these additional genetic tissue samples analysis), but also identified Rio Grande consistent with the Schwemm and to expand upon the Hopken et al. (2013, sucker alleles in bluehead sucker Dowling (2008, pp. 7–10) mitochondrial entire) paper results, applying the same populations in Black Soil Springs and in DNA analysis of the fish in the methods. The results of the Kinlichee Creek as it flows through Bear Kinlichee Creek area of the Little mitochondrial DNA analysis by Douglas Canyon (both populations are in the Colorado River watershed and the et al. (2013, pp. 19–20) were very Kinlichee Creek area of the Little Canyon de Chelly area of the San Juan similar to Hopken et al. (2013) for Colorado River watershed), and in River watershed, both of which are samples within the Navajo Nation Wheatfields Creek (in the Canyon de located within the Navajo Nation. (Kinlichee Creek area of the Little

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Colorado River watershed and Canyon Buth 1987,entire; Hopken et al. 2013, (1) The historical and current status de Chelly area of the San Juan River entire; Douglas et al. 2013, entire), and distribution of the Zuni bluehead watershed), except a third bluehead whereas other studies support that Zuni sucker, its biology and ecology, specific sucker haplotype was identified and the bluehead sucker is also found in the threats (or lack thereof) and regulations Rio Grande sucker haplotype was Kinlichee Creek area of the Little that may be addressing those threats, present in Rio Nutria in the Zuni River Colorado River watershed and the and ongoing conservation measures for watershed in New Mexico. This is Canyon de Chelly areas of the San Juan the subspecies and its habitat. consistent with Schwemm and Dowling River watershed (Smith et al. 1983, (2) Whether or not the populations in (2008, entire). As in Hopken et al. (2013, entire; Schwemm and Dowling 2008, the Kinlichee Creek area of the Little p. 966), Douglas et al. (2013, pp. 15–16) entire; Unmack et. al. 2012, p. 20). All Colorado River watershed and the evaluated levels of introgression with of the literature discussed in this Canyon de Chelly area of the San Juan other species of suckers known to document and a map for geographical River watershed should be considered hybridize with bluehead sucker (e.g., reference is available for review on the the Zuni bluehead sucker subspecies. Rio Grande suckers) and tested for New Mexico Ecological Services Field (3) Additional information relevant to distinctiveness between the Zuni River Office Web site at http://www.fws.gov/ the genetic analysis of Zuni bluehead watershed populations and populations southwest/es/NewMexico/. sucker populations. in the Little Colorado River watershed As discussed earlier, section 4(b)(6) of (4) Additional information relevant to and the San Juan River watershed, and the Act and its implementing the morphology of Zuni bluehead they compared the results with other regulations at 50 CFR 424.17(a) require sucker populations. (5) Information regarding genetic drainages of the Colorado River Basin that we take one of three actions within disagreements related to other suckers (Colorado River in the Grand Canyon 1 year of a proposed listing: (1) Finalize or similar species of fish that could be and Upper Colorado River areas in Utah, the proposed listing; (2) withdraw the used as a surrogate to better understand Colorado, and Wyoming). No proposed listing; or (3) extend the final the genetics of Zuni bluehead sucker introgression was detected with any determination by not more than 6 other suckers, except for samples from (6) An explanation for the apparent months, if there is substantial discrepancy between nuclear DNA Rio Nutria, which exhibited genotypes disagreement regarding the sufficiency of a mixed origin consistent with the analyses. We are seeking clarification to or accuracy of the available data explain the presence of Rio Grande subspecies assignment. These results relevant to the determination. Therefore, suggest that the Zuni bluehead sucker is sucker alleles by using a singular in consideration of the substantial microsatellite marker (Schweem and restricted to the Zuni River watershed. disagreements surrounding the Zuni In addition to Hopken et al. (2013, Dowling 2008) whereas 16 different bluehead sucker’s taxonomic status in microsatellites did not detect any Rio entire), Douglas et al. (2013, p. 16) some locations, we are extending the identified one more population of Grande sucker alleles (Douglas et al. final determination for 6 months in 2013). bluehead suckers that constitutes a order to solicit and analyze additional unique gene pool (Kinlichee Creek in (7) An explanation for the overlap in information that will help to clarify morphological characteristics in Smith the Little Colorado River watershed). these issues. Consequently, our final These combined results conclude that et al. (1983, entire) where he assigned determination on the critical habitat bluehead suckers from the headwaters bluehead suckers in Kinlichee Creek designation for the Zuni bluehead of the Little Colorado River watershed (the Little Colorado River watershed) as sucker will be also delayed until we (Zuni River area where the Zuni Zuni bluehead sucker. make a final listing determination for bluehead sucker recognized subspecies If you previously submitted this subspecies. Therefore, we will make occurs and Kinlichee Creek area) and comments or information on the a final determination on the proposed the San Juan River watershed (Canyon proposed listing rule, please do not listing rule no later than July 25, 2014. de Chelly area) are distinct from each resubmit them. We have incorporated other and any other bluehead suckers Public Comments them into the public record, and we will within the species’ range. fully consider them in the preparation Since the publication of the proposed We will accept written comments and of our final determination. Our final rule to list the Zuni bluehead sucker as information during this reopened determination concerning this proposed an endangered species (78 FR 5369; comment period on our proposed listing listing will take into consideration all January 25, 2013), there has been for the Zuni bluehead sucker that was written comments and any additional substantial disagreement regarding published in the Federal Register on information we receive. whether the bluehead suckers found January 25, 2013 (78 FR 5369). We will You may submit your comments and within the Kinlichee Creek area of the consider information and materials concerning the proposed rule Little Colorado River watershed and the recommendations from all interested by one of the methods listed in Canyon de Chelly area of the San Juan parties. We intend that any final action ADDRESSES. We request that you send River watershed are appropriately resulting from the proposals be as comments only by the methods characterized as Zuni bluehead suckers. accurate as possible and based on the described in ADDRESSES. This has led to substantial disagreement best available scientific and commercial If you submit a comment via http:// regarding the current range of the data. www.regulations.gov, your entire subspecies in Arizona and New Mexico. In consideration of the disagreements comment—including any personal As illustrated by the above surrounding the data used to support identifying information—will be posted discussion, the best available scientific the proposed rulemaking, we are on the Web site. We will post all information is unclear as to which extending the final determination for 6 hardcopy comments on http:// populations of fish should be attributed months in order to solicit information www.regulations.gov as well. If you to the Zuni bluehead sucker subspecies. that will help to clarify these issues. In submit a hardcopy comment that Some studies support that Zuni addition to the information requested in includes personal identifying bluehead sucker subspecies occurs only the proposed listing rule, we are information, you may request at the top in the Rio Nutria within the Zuni River particularly interested in new of your document that we withhold this watershed in New Mexico (Crabtree and information and comments regarding: information from public review.

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However, we cannot guarantee that we copies of the proposed rule on the New Mexico Ecological Services Field will be able to do so. Internet at http://www.regulations.gov at Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Comments and materials we receive, Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2012–0101, or CONTACT). by mail from the New Mexico Ecological as well as supporting documentation we Authority Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER used in preparing the proposed rule, INFORMATION CONTACT). will be available for public inspection The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as on http://www.regulations.gov at Docket References Cited amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). No. FWS–R2–ES–2012–0101, or by A complete list of references cited and appointment, during normal business a geographical reference map in this Dated: December 30, 2013. hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife rulemaking is available on the Internet Stephen Guertin, Service, New Mexico Ecological at http://www.regulations.gov and Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/ [FR Doc. 2014–00164 Filed 1–8–14; 8:45 am] INFORMATION CONTACT). You may obtain NewMexico/ and upon request from the BILLING CODE 4310–55–P

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