View Rule

FWS proposes to establish a nonessential experimental population (NEP) of the Santa Ana sucker (Catostomus santaanae) in the formerly occupied rivers and larger tributaries of the Los Angeles Basin under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act. The rule would also propose the translocation of Santa Ana sucker into some of these rivers and tributaries with suitable habitat that lack historical records but are still within the presumed historical range. Establishment of this NEP will facilitate reintroduction of Santa Ana sucker in the region and provide for allowable legal incidental taking of the Santa Ana sucker within the NEP area. The best available data indicate that reintroduction of the Santa Ana sucker into formerly occupied rivers and larger tributaries of the Los Angeles Basin and into some of these rivers and tributaries with suitable habitat that lack historical records is biologically feasible and will promote the conservation and recovery of the species.