[Federal Register: April 2, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 63)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 16217-16218]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02ap98-41]
[[Page 16217]]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of
Reclassification of Four Candidate Taxa: Pediocactus Paradinei (Kaibab
Plains Cactus), Castilleja Elongata (Tall Paintbrush), Dalea
Tentaculoides (Gentry's Indigobush), and Astragalus Oophorus var.
Clokeyanus (Clokey's Eggvetch)
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of candidate taxa reclassification.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In this document, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service)
provides the explanation for changes in the status of Pediocactus
paradinei (Kaibab plains cactus), Castilleja elongata (tall
paintbrush), Dalea tentaculoides (Gentry's indigobush), and Astragalus
oophorus var. clokeyanus (Clokey's eggvetch), plant taxa that are under
review for possible addition to the List of Endangered and Threatened
Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).
These taxa are being removed from candidate status at this time.
ADDRESSES: Questions concerning this notice should be submitted to the
Chief, Division of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
1849 C Street, N.W., Mail Stop 452 ARLSQ, Washington, D.C. 20240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E. LaVerne Smith, Chief, Division of
Endangered Species (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone: 703/358-2171).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Candidate taxa are those taxa for which the Service has on file
sufficient information to support issuance of a proposed rule to list
under the Act. In addition to its annual review of all candidate taxa,
the Service has an on-going review process, particularly to update taxa
whose status may have changed markedly. This notice provides the
specific explanation for the reclassification of four plant taxa.
It is important to note that candidate assessment is an ongoing
function and changes in status should be expected. Taxa that are
removed from the candidate list may be restored to candidate status if
additional information supporting such a change becomes available to
the Service. Requests for such information were issued by the Service
most recently in the plant and animal candidate notice of review
published in the Federal Register on September 19, 1997 (62 FR 49398).
Findings
Pediocactus paradinei (Kaibab plains cactus) occurs in pinyon-
juniper woodlands and sagebrush valleys in Coconino County, Arizona.
The cactus is known from 36 sites across a 150 square mile (390 square
kilometer) area. The species was considered to be threatened by off-
road vehicle use for recreation and fuelwood gathering, road
construction, recreational activities, livestock grazing, vegetation
manipulation, and collection. In October of 1996 the U.S. Forest
Service and the Bureau of Land Management developed a Conservation
Assessment and Strategy for management of the species. Implementation
of the strategy since that time has resulted in off-road vehicle use
and other recreational activities being restricted in certain areas;
road construction impacts being addressed in project proposals;
fuelwood harvesting being restricted or prohibited; livestock grazing
being eliminated in certain areas; vegetation manipulation of pinyon-
juniper woodland being addressed through better management coordination
and research; and ongoing research to address management needs on an
ecosystem level. The available information currently indicates that the
degree of the threats to P. paradinei does not warrant issuance of a
proposed rule nor continuation of candidate status for this species.
Castilleja elongata (tall paintbrush) is known from four
populations in Big Bend National Park in Texas, administered by the
National Park Service. Habitat loss from range management practices is
thought to have caused extirpation of C. elongata from historical
locations. The remaining four populations are considered threatened
primarily by trail construction and maintenance, trail erosion, natural
events, and genetic problems associated with small population size.
However, the taxonomy of C. elongata is now in question. The available
information concerning whether C. elongata should be classified as a
distinct species is conflicting. Several university scientists
considered experts on this group agree that more information is needed
before a determination can be made regarding the taxonomy of C.
elongata. The last published treatment of C. elongata incorporates the
species into C. integra, while publication of two other treatments
which maintain C. elongata as a species have been canceled. Based on
the available information, the Service cannot conclude at this time
that C. elongata meets the Act's definition of ``species.'' Research is
underway to clarify the taxonomic status of this plant. If information
becomes available indicating that C. elongata should be considered a
distinct taxon, the Service will reevaluate its status. The National
Park Service has advised the Service that it is committed to conserving
the populations of C. elongata by (1) not locating new trails or other
recreational amenities in habitat areas of the plant; (2) developing
policies and procedures to improve communication between resource
managers, trail crews, and other maintenance personnel to prevent
impacts to the plant from maintenance activities; (3) if necessary,
rerouting trails to decrease visitor access and actual or potential
impacts to the plant and its habitat, placing signs to encourage hikers
to stay on trails, and prohibiting tethering of horses and trail
animals; (4) improving visitor interpretation programs and staff and
volunteer training materials to increase awareness of the potential
adverse impacts of activities in fragile habitats; (5) conducting
studies to determine the need for prescribed fire in maintaining the
habitat for the plant, and until management needs are identified,
protecting all known populations of the plant from fire; and (6)
designing any revegetation or erosion control projects to avoid impacts
to the plant and its habitat. In addition, seeds of C. elongata are
being collected and transferred from known populations into seed banks
or cultivation refugia. Therefore, the Service is removing C. elongata
from candidate status.
Prior to 1995, Dalea tentaculoides (Gentry's indigobush) was known
from a single site in the Sycamore Canyon drainage within the Coronado
National Forest in Arizona. The species was considered to be threatened
by erosion and sedimentation caused by the impacts of livestock grazing
in the upper watershed, grazing by cattle entering the U.S. from Mexico
through cut border fences, and natural events. Since 1995, two
additional populations have been discovered, one in southern Arizona,
and one in Mexico over 250 miles (402 kilometers) south of the U.S.
border. The Sycamore Canyon site is located within a designated
Wilderness Area and Research Natural Area. Although the upper watershed
is not within the Wilderness Area and Research Natural Area, it is
within designated critical habitat for the Sonoran chub (Gila
ditaenia), a
[[Page 16218]]
threatened species. Institution of improved livestock grazing practices
in the upper watershed through the section 7 consultation process for
the Sonoran chub has lessened the threat of impacts to D. tentaculoides
from erosion and sedimentation. There is no evidence that grazing by
cattle entering the U.S. from Mexico has reduced the size of the
Sycamore Canyon population. The discovery of two additional populations
has reduced the threat that a natural event which could extirpate a
population could cause extinction of the species. The available
information indicates that the degree of the threats to D.
tentaculoides does not warrant issuance of a proposed rule nor
continuation of candidate status for this species.
Until 1995, Astragalus oophorus var. clokeyanus (Clokey's eggvetch)
was believed to occur at only 13 sites in the Spring Mountains in
Nevada. The taxon was considered to be threatened primarily by
recreational activities at the U.S. Forest Service's Spring Mountains
National Recreation Area, by military activities and feral horses at
the Nellis Air Force Range, and by military and energy projects at the
Department of Energy's Tonopah Test Range and Nevada Test Site. Since
1995, 15 additional populations have been discovered. Also,
conservation actions and policies to protect A. oophorus var.
clokeyanus on Forest Service, Air Force, and Department of Energy lands
are now in place and are being implemented. Based on this information,
continuation of candidate status for this taxon is not warranted.
Author
This notice was compiled from materials supplied by staff
biologists located in the Service's regional and field offices. The
materials were compiled by Martin J. Miller, Division of Endangered
Species (see ADDRESSES section).
Authority
The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.
Dated: March 30, 1998.
Jamie Rappaport Clark,
Director, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8610 Filed 3-31-98; 9:04 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P