(AP) -- PERRYVILLE, Mo. (AP) -- Officials in Perryville hope to convince the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service they can produce their own plan to protect a rare fish believed to exist only in underground cave streams near the southeast Missouri community.

The service is considering an endangered species designation for the Grotto sculpin. But community leaders in Perryville worry the designation could have crippling consequences for economic development.

The Southeast Missourian reports that Perryville leaders are developing their own conservation plan. The service gave the community until the end of January to come up with the plan.

An endangered species designation could mean restrictions and costs for landowners, farmers and industries. Some residents fear property values would go down.

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Information from: Southeast Missourian, http://www.semissourian.com

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