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The Arkansas Association of Conservation Districts notes on its website that the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (“Service”) announced the availability of a final recovery plan for the Yellowcheek Darter.

The July 5th Service Announcement noted that the Yellowcheek Darter is listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (“ESA”).

The Service describes the Yellowcheek Darter as a small fish native to the Little Red River basin in Arkansas. It further notes that it:

. . . is found in headwater streams with clear water, permanent flow, moderate to strong riffles, and gravel, rubble, and boulder substrates.  Historically, the Yellowcheek Darter has been found in the Little Red River in its four major forks (Devils, Middle, South, and Archey) in Cleburne, Searcy, Stone, Van Buren counties.

Recovery efforts that have already been undertaken contributing to its conservation include voluntary agreements among private or nonfederal-federal landowners. Also referenced are efforts to restore three river miles of the Archey and South forks of the Little Red River that were channelized for flood control in the mid-1980s.

The Yellowcheek Darter Recovery Plan describes:

• Actions necessary for its recovery;
• Criteria for delisting the fish; and,
• Estimation of the time and cost for implementing necessary recovery actions.

A link to the Services Recovery Plan website can be found here.