We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are providing this notice to advise the public that an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared in conjunction with a new proposed rule, designating critical habitat for the endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus). On November 21, 2000, the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, in Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District v. Bruce Babbitt et al., State of New Mexico Engineer ex rel the State Engineer, New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, and the New Mexico Attorney General v. Bruce Babbitt et al., and Forest Guardians et al. v. Bruce Babbitt et al., CIV 99-870, 99-872 and 99-1445M/RLP (Consolidated) ordered us to issue within 120 days both an EIS and a new proposed rule designating critical habitat for the Rio Grande silvery minnow. Public scoping meetings will be held on April 17, 2001, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico, on April 23, 2001, at the New Mexico State University Instructional Building, Carlsbad, New Mexico and on April 24, 2001, at the Pecos County Commission, Fort Stockton, Texas.
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