BOARD02180

• Board Meeting Date: 1/22/2003
• Description: WSP Section - Colorado River Issues
• Board Meetings - Doc Type: Memo

.

November 25, 2002

Ms. Gale Norton, Secretary
U.S. Department of the Interior
1849 C StreetN.W.
Washington, D.C. 20240
Fax: [phone]

Mr. Steven Williams, Director
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
1849 C Street N.W., Room 3256
Washington, D.C. 20240
Fax: [phone]

Via Telefax and Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested

Re: 60-Day Notice of Violations ofthd Endangered Species Act

.

Dear Secretary Norton and Director Williams:

On behalf of the Grand Canyon Trust and other interested parties, we hereby
provide you with notice, pursuant to Section 11 ofthe Endangered Species Act ("ESA"),
16 U.S.C. 9 1 540(g), that you are in violation of the ESA by approving the humpback
chub (Gila cypha), Colorado pikeminnow (Ptych;ocheilus Lucius), bonytail (Gila elegans),
and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) "Recqvery Goals" as amendments and
supplements to the to the pre-existing Recovery Plans for these species.

The humpback chub, Colorado pikeminnow, bonytail, and razorback sucker
Recovery Goals were signed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ("FWS") in August
2002 and incorporated as amendments and supplements to the existing Recovery Plans
for these species. The combined documents (boj:h the new "Recovery Goals" and the pre-
existing "Recovery ~lans") now comprise the etj,tire ESA "Recovery Plans" for the four
species (the "Plans"). The Plans were prepared pursuant to Section 4(f) ofthe ESA, 16
U.S.C. 9 1533(t). Section 4(t) provides that recovery plans shall be developed and
implemented for the conservation and .survival 9f endangered and threatened species. 16
U.S.C. 9 1533(t)(l). .

The importance of recovery plans in the effort to "recover" imperiled species
cannot be overemphasized: a recovery plan constitutes the lone opportunity under the

.