9669

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9669
• Author: U.S. Department of the Interior.
• Title: Policy and Guidelines for Planning and Coordinating Recovery of Endangered and Threatened Species.
• USFW Year: 1990.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE RECOVERY PLAN FOR THE OZARK CAVEFISH

Current Status: This species is listed as threatened. Fourteen populations
are known from the three states of Missouri (7), Oklahoma (3) and
Arkansas (4). Historically, the species occurred in 24 caves of the same
region.

Habitat Reauirements and limitina Factors: The Ozark cavefish inhabits
cave streams of the Springfield Plateau in southwest Missouri, northeast
Oklahoma and northern Arkansas. Habitat loss and decreasing water quality,
due to urbanization, are the principal threats. Declining bat populations,
which provide an energy source to the caves, and normal low reproductive
rates of the cavefish also threaten the species' survival.

Recovery ,Objective: Delisting.

Recovery Criteria: To establish and/or maintain viable populations of the
Ozark at twelve locations.

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Actions Needed:
1. Monitor existing and experimental populations.
2. Establish five new populations and augment selected existing
populations.
3. Determine recharge zones for caves of existing and experimental
populations.
4. Develop and implement protection of recharge zones for each site of
existing and experimental populations.
5. Eliminate threats/habitat degradation through a combination of
consultation/permitting/cooperative programs.

Costs (SOOO's):
Year Need 1 Need 2 Need 3 Need 4 Tota 1
1990 3.0 .0 15.0 5.0 23.0
1991 3.0 60.0 10.0 5.0 78.0
1992 3.0 20.0 .0 5.0 28.0
1993 3.0 20.0 .0 5.0 28.0
1994 3.0 20.0 .0 5.0 28.0
1995 3.0 20.0 .0 .0 23.0
1996 3.0 20.0 .0 .0 23.0
1997 3.0 20.0 .0 .0 23.0
1998 3.0 20.0 .0 .0 23.0
1999 3.0 .0 .0 .0 3.0
2000 3.0 .0 .0 .0 3.0
Total Cost
of Recovery 33.0 220.0 25.0 25.0 283.0
Date of Recovery: Delisting should be initiated in 2000, if recovery
criteria are met.
OS/25/90