U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the proposed critical habitat for the endangered Texas hornshell, a freshwater mussel found in Texas and New Mexico. The Texas hornshell was listed as endangered on Feb. 9, 2018.

The Service is proposing to designate 463.6 river miles of critical habitat for the hornshell. The proposed habitat is located in five units in the Rio Grande (304.1 river miles), Black River (9.7 river miles), Delaware River (31.1 river miles), Pecos River (85.7 river miles), and Devils River (33 river miles). The units are located in Eddy County, N.M., and in Culberson, Brewster, Terrell, Pecos, Val Verde, Kinney, Maverick and Webb counties in Texas.

The proposed rule was available in the Federal Register Reading Room on June 9, and published in the Federal Register on June 10. Publication of the proposal begins a 60-day comment period that closes on Aug. 9. On Tuesday, June 29, the Service will hold a virtual informational meeting from 5-6 p.m. MDT, followed by a public hearing from 6:30-8:30 p.m. MDT. Anyone wishing to make an oral statement at the public hearing must register before the hearing. Visit zoom.us/meeting/register/ to register.