Peer Review of Scientific Information

Proposed Rule to List Four Southeast Fishes

About the Document

Title: Proposed Rule to List the Cumberland Darter, Rush Darter, Chucky Madtom, and Laurel Dace as Endangered Throughout Their Ranges

Summary:  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is proposing to list the Cumberland darter, rush darter, chucky madtom, and laurel dace as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).  The Cumberland darter occurs in Kentucky and Tennessee, the rush darter occurs in Alabama and the chucky madtom and laurel dace both occur in Tennessee.  If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to these species.  We have determined that critical habitat for these species is prudent but not determinable at this time.

Type of Review:  Influential

Timeline of the Peer Review (Estimated Dates):

     Draft document disseminated:  Winter 2009
    
     Peer review initiated:  Winter 2009

      Peer review completed by:  Spring 2009

      Date Document will be finalized:  Winter 2010

About the Peer Review Process:

The Service will solicit written comments from six independent scientific reviewers.  Formal request for peer review will be made by individual letters to experts with the Georgia College and State University, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, University of Alabama, and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.  Reviewers will be selected by the Service for their recognized expertise in these fishes and their habitats.  This review will occur concurrently with the public comment period for the proposed action.  The public comment period is anticipated to be open sometime in the winter of 2009.  The Service will use the information received from the peer review, as appropriate, to develop the final listing rule for the four fishes.

About Public Participation:

Public comments on the four fishes proposed listing rule will be sought with a Federal Register announcement expected in the winter of 2009, and the distribution by mail and press release of this announcement to interested parties.  This comment period will end 60 days from the date it publishes in the Federal Register.  This peer review plan is made available on this website to allow the public to comment and monitor our compliance with the Office of Management and Budget’s “Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review.”

Contact:

Stephanie Chance, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Tennessee Field Office, 446 Neal Street, Cookeville, TN 38501; telephone: 931-528-6481; facsimile: 931-528-7075.