RECOVERY PLAN

Recovery Plan for Prairie Species of Western Oregon and Southwestern Washington

Link to Recovery Plan

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a final recovery plan to address the survival needs of 13 rare species (two butterflies and 11 plants) native to the prairies of Oregon’s Willamette and Umpqua Valleys and southwestern Washington.  Prairies in this region are among the most endangered ecosystems in the United States, with less than 1 percent remaining.

The plan covers six species listed under the Endangered Species Act and recommends conservation strategies for seven other rare species, some of which are protected under state law.  Listed species are the Fender’s blue butterfly, Willamette daisy, Bradshaw’s lomatium, Kincaid’s lupine, Nelson’s checkermallow, and golden paintbrush.  Others are the Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly, pale larkspur, Willamette Valley larkspur, peacock larkspur, shaggy horkelia, white-topped aster, and Hitchcock’s blue-eyed grass.

CRITICAL HABITAT

Designation of Critical Habitat for Fender's Blue Butterfly, Kincaid's Lupine, and Willamette Daisy

On October 31, 2006, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated approximately 3,720 acres of critical habitat for the three Oregon species native to the prairies of the Willamette Valley.

The individual designations for the species total 3,010 acres for Fender’s blue butterfly in Benton, Lane, Polk, and Yamhill Counties, Oregon; 585 acres for Kincaid’s lupine in Benton, Lane, Polk, and Yamhill Counties, Oregon and Lewis County, Washington; and 718 acres for the Willamette daisy in Benton, Lane, Linn, Marion, and Polk Counties, Oregon.

News Release (10/31/06)
Q&A Sheet
Federal Register Notice (10/31/06)
Literature Cited in Final Critical Habitat Designation

USFWS Critical Habitat Portal (includes online mapper)