Frequently Asked
Questions about
SHOWY STICKSEED (Hackelia venusta)
Q. What is showy stickseed (Hackelia venusta)?
A. Showy stickseed is a perennial, herbaceous plant in the Borage family (Boraginaceae). The plant is a short, moderately stout species, 8 to 16 inches in height, and forms 5-lobed, white flowers. Showy stickseed grows on sparsely vegetated, granitic scree on unstable, steep slopes on the east slope of the central Cascade Mountains of Washington. The species has always been restricted in its distribution, the one population is found entirely on USDA Forest Service land.
Q. Why is the Service listing the showy stickseed as endangered? What are the primary threats to its survival?
A. The Service uses five factors to determine if any species qualifies as endangered or threatened. Four of the five factors apply to this species. They are: 1) the present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of the species habitat or range; 2) overutilization for commercial, scientific, or educational purposes; 3) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and 4) other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence.
This plant is being listed because it is known from one location that occurs on less than one hectare (2.5 acres). Surveys conducted in 2001 observed approximately 500 plants. The major threats to the species are collection, physical disturbance to the habitat, intense wildfire, and changes to the composition of the plant community brought on by fire suppression. In addition, highway maintenance activities, low seed production, poor germination, competition from native trees and shrubs, and nonnative noxious weeds that encroach upon the habitat of showy stickseed threaten the species.
Q. What are the major factors that contributed to the Service's decision to not designate critical habitat for showy stickseed?
A. The primary reason for not designating critical habitat for showy stickseed is because the species has been repeatedly collected for many decades. The Service was concerned that publishing maps that show where the plants are found would increase the notoriety of the species and exacerbate the threat of collection.
Because the species is an endemic plant known only from one location, the Service
felt that the designation of critical habitat would not benefit the species
beyond the protections provided by listing it under ESA. An effect determination
for an action that would adversely modify or destroy critical habitat would
also jeopardize the continued existence of the species, therefore there would
be no additional benefit from designating critical habitat beyond that provided
by listing the species.
Q. What protections does Endangered Species Act (Act) listing offer the species?
A. Upon publication of the final rule, a variety of conservation measures under the Act will go into affect. These include public awareness and recognition of the species, development of a recovery plan, consultation with the Forest Service on activities that could affect the species, and prohibition against certain activities such as collection. Collectively, these measures are used to secure the survival and recovery of the species.
Q. What is the past history of conservation for the showy stickseed?
A. Showy stickseed has been under review for listing since 1975. It was one of the first species considered for listing when it was assessed in the Red Book, a report published by the Smithsonian Institution. In 1976, it was one of 1,700 species proposed for listing as endangered, published in the Federal Register, due to the concerns brought forward by the Smithsonian report. The species was designated as endangered by the Washington State Natural Heritage Program since 1981. However, there is no state Endangered Species Protection for plants, therefore, no legal requirements for protection of the species at the state level.
Q. Does the Endangered Species Act protect plants differently than it does animals?
A. Yes, in some ways it does. While the Act prohibits "take" of listed animals wherever they occur, it prohibits "take" of listed plants only under certain circumstances. The Act prohibits destruction of listed plants on Federal land, but provides little protection from activities on private lands unless the activity is federally administered, authorized, or funded or is in violation of any State laws or criminal trespass law.
In those cases where an activity that may affect a listed species is federally administered, authorized, or funded, the Federal agency must consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that the activity does not jeopardize the species.
The Act requires all Federal agencies to help recover both listed plants and wildlife, and prohibits them from jeopardizing the continued existence of either listed species by any action they authorize or fund. The provisions for recovery planning and partnerships with the State also are the same for plants and animals.
Q. What happens if the plant is found on my private property?
A. No populations of this species are currently known from private lands.
If it were to be found on private property, the Endangered Species Act prohibits
anyone from removing, cutting, digging up, damaging or destroying any listed
plant on any ownership if it is in knowing violation of a State criminal trespass
law. If an activity likely to result in harm to the plants requires a Federal
permit or other involvement of a Federal agency, consultation with the Service
is required. If Federal agencies are not involved, with permission from the
landowner there is no prohibition against take for plants. In essence, activities
on private land that do not violate State trespass or other laws, are not prohibited
by the Act. The Endangered Species Act strives to place the primary responsibility
for protecting listed plants on Federal agencies.
Q. Will pesticide regulations be affected by the listing of this plant, given
its location near a public highway where herbicides may be used?
A. Labeling of pesticides and herbicides is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. With proper application, most impacts to this species will be avoided.
If using pesticides and herbicides is determined to adversely affect the species, the EPA must consult with the Service. In these cases, the Service works with the EPA and the State to ensure that product labeling is adequate to protect the species.
Q. What recovery activities will the Service undertake for this plant?
A. Recovery planning will commence soon after the listing of the species. Recovery plans describe site-specific management actions that contribute to the conservation of the species. In addition, such plans include objective, measurable criteria, which, when met, would allow for the delisting of the species. Recovery plans also include estimates of the time required and the cost to carry out those measures needed to delist and to achieve immediate steps toward that goal.
The Service will seek participation of all affected parties to ensure that the recovery plan is biologically sound and can be implemented by all of the partners who will coordinate recovery activities for the species. The Service will use the best scientific information available in planning for the recovery of this species.
Q. The Service has often established partnerships with other agencies and private parties to protect declining species. Is there potential to develop partnerships for this species?
A. Yes. The Service actively encourages partnerships with landowners, involved agencies, industry and conservation groups, and other interested parties. Many opportunities exist to help conserve and recover this species, leading to its eventual removal from the endangered species list. Parties interested in playing a role in the recovery of this plant should contact the Service.
MORE QUESTIONS?
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Western Washington Office-Endangered Species Program
510 Desmond Drive SE, Suite 102
Lacey, WA 98503-1263
(360) 753-9440