1. the development or modification of land adjoining ponds or wet- 

 lands thus leading to increased siltation or pollution of the 

 water source, 



2. the draining of ponds or wetlands known to contain this species, 



3. the dumping of pollutants directly into ponds or wetlands, 



4. an increased disturbance to nesting areas adjacent to ponds by 

 humans and their pets, and 



5. collection and harassment by people. 



On June fi, 1977, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a 

 notice that a review of the status of 12 species of turtles, including 

 K. f_. spooneri , was being conducted (Dodd, 1977). In response to the 

 notice, comments were received from a number of biologists as to the 

 precarious status of this subspecies. In addition, literature records 

 were checked, persons familiar with the biology of the turtle were 

 consulted, and the Brown and Moll (1978) report was carefully reviewed. 

 As a consequence of this review, the Service proposed that the Illinois 

 mud turtle be listed as endangered under provisions of the Act, and 

 proposed to include areas on Big Sand Mound and in Sand Ridge State 

 Forest as critical habitat (Dodd, 1978). Before final action could be 

 taken on the proposal , however. Congress passed the Endangered Species 

 Act Amendments of 1978 (PL. 95-632; 92 Stat. 37S1). 



On March 6, 1979, the Service withdrew all critical habitat proposals 

 until such time as they could be reproposed in accordance with the 1978 

 amendments. On December 7, 1979, the Service reproposed critical habitat 

 for the Illinois mud turtle to include anl6rea slightly smaller than 

 that in the original proposal for Big Sand Mound (Dodd, 1979). This 

 revised area had been suggested by representatives of Iowa-Illinois 

 Gas and Electric Co., LGL Ecological Research Associates, and Monsanto Inc. 

 at a meeting with the Service in September 1978 at the Office of Endangered 

 Species, and was based on information about land use and the movement of mud 

 turtles on Big Sand Mound. At this meeting, the Service agreed that the 

 suggested changes presented a more accurate delineation of critical habitat. 



In conjunction with the reproposal for critical habitat, the Service 

 held public meetings in Springfield, Illinois, on January 30, 1980, and 

 at Muscatine, Iowa, on January 31, 1980, to explain the proposal, answer 

 public questions, and to solicit additional information on the biology of 

 the turtle and the economic effects of a critical habitat designation on 

 federally authorized and funded projects in the area. No public hearings 

 were requested on either the proposal or reproposal. All public comment 

 periods closed on March 22, 1980. 



