[Federal Register: May 11, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 90)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 25216] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr11my99-11] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Reclassification of Lesquerella stonensis (Stones River bladderpod) AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of candidate taxa reclassification. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In this document, we explain the changes in the status of Lesquerella stonensis (Stones River bladderpod), a plant that is under review for possible addition to the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are removing this species from candidate status at this time. ADDRESSES: You may submit questions concerning this notice 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: Chief, Division of Endangered Species (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone: 703/358-2171). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background Candidate taxa are those taxa for which we have on file sufficient information to support issuance of a proposed rule to list under the Act. In addition to our annual review of all candidate taxa, we have 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 this species. It is important to note that candidate assessment is an ongoing function and changes in status should be expected. We may restore species to candidate status that are removed from the candidate list if additional information supporting such a change becomes available. We most recently requested such information in the plant and animal candidate notice of review published in the Federal Register on September 19, 1997 (62 FR 49398). Finding Lesquerella stonensis Rollins (Stones River bladderpod), a small winter annual plant, occurs in three populations found in the floodplain of the Stones River, Rutherford County, Tennessee. The three populations are divided among 20 sites located on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (COE) lands, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's (TDEC) lands, and privately owned lands. Over half of the known populations are on lands managed by the COE and the TDEC. This species requires annual disturbance in order to complete its life cycle. Historically, natural events such as flooding maintained its habitat by removing perennial grasses and woody plants that quickly invade the floodplain without regular natural or artificial disturbance. Annual crop production is currently the primary means of artificially maintaining L. stonensis' habitat, provided there is no fall planting and herbicide use is limited. The Smithsonian Institution's January 9, 1975, report to Congress on those plants considered to be endangered, threatened, or extinct (House Document No. 94-51) included Lesquerella stonensis. We first designated Lesquerella stonensis as a candidate species in the December 15, 1980, Notice of Review (45 FR 82480). In designating this species a candidate, we considered the encroachment of more competitive vegetation and the loss of habitat through conversion of land to uses other than cultivation of annual crops as the primary threats to the species. In 1994, we entered into cooperative agreements with TDEC and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to determine the management regimes needed to protect and to maintain healthy, viable populations of Lesquerella stonensis. This information provided the basis for the 1998 Cooperative Management Agreement (CMA) among the Service, TWRA, TDEC, and COE for the conservation of L. stonensis. Under the CMA, appropriate agricultural management techniques will provide the disturbance required for the species. We believe that the CMA secures into the foreseeable future the 14 sites where the species occurs on public conservation lands. These populations are distributed over the historic range of the species. The TDEC will continue to work with the owners of the six privately owned sites to gain appropriate management for these sites and to obtain long-term protection for them. We conclude that habitat loss and modification are not likely to cause L. stonensis to become endangered or to be in danger of extinction in the foreseeable future over all or a significant portion of its range; therefore, neither the issuance of a proposed rule nor continuation of candidate status for this species is warranted. Author Staff biologists in our regional and field offices prepared the evaluation summarized in this document by Scott Hicks, 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: April 14, 1999. Jamie Rappaport Clark, Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 99-11746 Filed 5-10-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P