US Fish & Wildlife Service
Date of this Version
11-7-1993
Abstract
The pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus Forbes and Richardson) was listed as an endangered species on September 6, 1990 (55 FR 36641) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) as amended. The range of the pallid sturgeon overlays three U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Regions: Region 3, Region 4, and Region 6, with Region 6 having been designated the lead Region for recovery (research functions are provided to all Service Regions by Region 8). Because of the wide range of the pallid sturgeon, its believed extreme rarity, numerous threats to species survival, and paucity of information on species life history and habitats, an eight-member, multi-disciplinary recovery team was established to develop this Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Plan (Recovery Plan). In development of the Recovery Plan, the recovery team utilized the expertise of other sturgeon researchers and managers and published literature.
The Introduction section, Part I, of this Recovery Plan describes the distribution, status, life history, and habitat-association information that is known about the pallid sturgeon. Reasons for listing and threats to the species are also described.
The Recovery section, Part II, provides the short- and long-term recovery objectives and actions needed to achieve recovery. Recovery tasks, which can be independently funded and carried out, are described for each action.
The Implementation Schedule, Part III, of the Recovery Plan is essentially a summary table that indicates task priorities, task descriptions, duration of tasks, the agency or entity with the responsibility or administrative authority to fund or carry out the task, and lastly, estimated costs. All priority 1 tasks are listed first, followed by priority 2 and priority 3 tasks. Because of the immediacy for implementation of recovery actions to prevent extinction of the species, most tasks are assigned priority 1.
This Recovery Plan is subject to modification as needed by new findings, changes in species status, and the completion of recovery tasks.
Comments
Prepared by the Pallid Sturgeon Recovery Team.