[Federal Register: November 22, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 225)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 67711-67754]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22no06-32]
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Part II
Department of the Interior
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Fish and Wildlife Service
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50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical
Habitat for Arenaria ursina (Bear Valley sandwort), Castilleja cinerea
(ash-gray Indian paintbrush), and Eriogonum kennedyi var.
austromontanum (southern mountain wild-buckwheat); Proposed Rules
[[Page 67712]]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AU80
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of
Critical Habitat for Arenaria ursina (Bear Valley sandwort), Castilleja
cinerea (ash-gray Indian paintbrush), and Eriogonum kennedyi var.
austromontanum (southern mountain wild-buckwheat)
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to
designate critical habitat for Arenaria ursina (Bear Valley sandwort),
Castilleja cinerea (ash-gray Indian paintbrush), and Eriogonum kennedyi
var. austromontanum (southern mountain wild-buckwheat) under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total
approximately 1,511 acres (ac) (611 hectares (ha)) of land in San
Bernardino County, California, fall within the boundaries of the
proposed critical habitat designation for these three plant species.
The majority of the lands within the proposed designation are under
Federal ownership (1,394 ac (564 ha)); however, some State (4 ac (2
ha)) and private lands (112 ac (45 ha)) are also included.
DATES: We will accept comments from all interested parties until
January 22, 2007. We must receive requests for public hearings, in
writing, at the address shown in the ADDRESSES section by January 8,
2007.
ADDRESSES: If you wish to comment on the proposed rule, you may submit
your comments and materials identified by RIN 1018-AU80, by any of the
following methods:
(1) You may send comments by electronic mail (e-mail) to
fw8cfwocomments@fws.gov. Include ``RIN 1018-AU80'' in the subject line.
(2) You may fax your comments to Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor,
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office at 760-431-9624.
(3) You may mail or hand-deliver your written comments and
information to Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife
Office, 6010 Hidden Valley Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011.
(4) You may submit your comments at the Federal eRulemaking Portal,
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting
comments.
Comments and materials received, as well as supporting
documentation used in the preparation of this proposed rule, will be
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business
hours at the Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office at the above address
(telephone 760-431-9440).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor, Carlsbad
Fish and Wildlife Office, at the address or telephone number listed
under ADDRESSES. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the
deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at
800-877-8339, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Comments Solicited
We intend that any final action resulting from this proposal will
be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, comments or
suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the
scientific community, industry, or any other interested party
concerning this proposed rule are hereby solicited. Comments
particularly are sought concerning:
(1) The reasons any habitat should or should not be determined to
be critical habitat as provided by section 4 of the Act, including
whether the benefit of designation will outweigh any threats to the
species due to designation.
(2) Specific information on the amount and distribution of Arenaria
ursina, Castilleja cinerea, or Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum
habitat, and what areas that were occupied at the time of listing that
contain features essential for the conservation of the species should
be included in the designation and why, and what areas that were not
occupied at the time of listing are essential to the conservation of
the species and why.
(3) Land use designations and current or planned activities in the
subject areas and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat.
(4) Any foreseeable economic, national security, or other potential
impacts resulting from the proposed designation and, in particular, any
impacts on small entities.
(5) Whether our approach to designating critical habitat could be
improved or modified in any way to provide for greater public
participation and understanding, or to assist us in accommodating
public concerns and comments.
If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments and materials
concerning this proposal by any one of several methods (see ADDRESSES).
Please submit e-mail comments to fw8cfwocomments@fws.gov. Please
include ``Attn: RIN 1018-AU80'' in your e-mail subject line and your
name and return address in the body of your message. If you do not
receive a confirmation from the system that we have received your
message, contact us directly by calling our Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife
Office at phone number 760-431-9440. Please note that comments must be
received by the date specified in DATES in order to be considered.
Our practice is to make comments, including names and home
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular
business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold
their names and home addresses, etc., but if you wish us to consider
withholding this information, you must state this prominently at the
beginning of your comments. In addition, you must present rationale for
withholding this information. This rationale must demonstrate that
disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy.
Unsupported assertions will not meet this burden. In the absence of
exceptional, documentable circumstances, this information will be
released. We will always make submissions from organizations or
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as
representatives of or officials of organizations or businesses,
available for public inspection in their entirety.
Role of Critical Habitat in Actual Practice of Administering and
Implementing the Act
Attention to and protection of habitat is paramount to successful
conservation actions. The role that designation of critical habitat
plays in protecting habitat of listed species, however, is often
misunderstood. As discussed in more detail below in the discussion of
exclusions under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, there are significant
limitations on the regulatory effect of designation under section
7(a)(2) of the Act. In brief, (1) designation provides additional
protection to habitat only where there is a federal nexus; (2) the
protection is relevant only when, in the absence of designation,
destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat would in
fact take place (in other words, other statutory or regulatory
protections, policies, or other factors relevant to agency decision-
making would not prevent the destruction or adverse modification); and
(3) designation of critical habitat triggers the prohibition of
destruction or adverse modification of that habitat, but it does not
require
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specific actions to restore or improve habitat.
Currently, only 476 species, or 36 percent of the 1,311 listed
species in the United States under the jurisdiction of the Service,
have designated critical habitat. We address the habitat needs of all
1,311 listed species through conservation mechanisms such as listing,
section 7 consultations, the section 4 recovery planning process, the
section 9 protective prohibitions of unauthorized take, section 6
funding to the States, the section 10 incidental take permit process,
and cooperative, nonregulatory efforts with private landowners. The
Service believes that it is these measures that may make the difference
between extinction and survival for many species.
In considering exclusions of areas proposed for designation, we
evaluate the benefits of designation in light of Gifford Pinchot. In
that case, the Ninth Circuit invalidated the Service's regulation
defining ``destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat.''
In response, on December 9, 2004, the Director issued guidance to be
considered in making section 7 adverse modification determinations.
This proposed critical habitat designation does not use the invalidated
regulation in our consideration of the benefits of including areas in
this proposed designation. The Service will carefully manage future
consultations that analyze impacts to designated critical habitat,
particularly those that appear to be resulting in an adverse
modification determination. Such consultations will be reviewed by the
Regional Office prior to finalizing to ensure that an adequate analysis
has been conducted that is informed by the Director's guidance.
On the other hand, to the extent that designation of critical
habitat provides protection, that protection can come at significant
social and economic cost. In addition, the mere administrative process
of designation of critical habitat is expensive, time-consuming, and
controversial. The current statutory framework of critical habitat,
combined with past judicial interpretations of the statute, make
critical habitat the subject of excessive litigation. As a result,
critical habitat designations are driven by litigation and courts
rather than biology, and made at a time and under a timeframe that
limits our ability to obtain and evaluate the scientific and other
information required to make the designation most meaningful.
In light of these circumstances, the Service believes that
additional agency discretion would allow our focus to return to those
actions that provide the greatest benefit to the species most in need
of protection.
Procedural and Resource Difficulties in Designating Critical Habitat
We have been inundated with lawsuits for our failure to designate
critical habitat, and we face a growing number of lawsuits challenging
critical habitat determinations once they are made. These lawsuits have
subjected the Service to an ever-increasing series of court orders and
court-approved settlement agreements, compliance with which now
consumes nearly the entire listing program budget. This leaves the
Service with little ability to prioritize its activities to direct
scarce listing resources to the listing program actions with the most
biologically urgent species conservation needs.
The consequence of the critical habitat litigation activity is that
limited listing funds are used to defend active lawsuits, to respond to
Notices of Intent to sue relative to critical habitat, and to comply
with the growing number of adverse court orders. As a result, listing
petition responses, the Service's own proposals to list critically
imperiled species, and final listing determinations on existing
proposals are all significantly delayed.
The accelerated schedules of court-ordered designations have left
the Service with limited ability to provide for public participation or
to ensure a defect-free rulemaking process before making decisions on
listing and critical habitat proposals, due to the risks associated
with noncompliance with judicially imposed deadlines. This in turn
fosters a second round of litigation in which those who fear adverse
impacts from critical habitat designations challenge those
designations. The cycle of litigation appears endless, and is very
expensive, thus diverting resources from conservation actions that may
provide relatively more benefit to imperiled species.
The costs resulting from the designation include legal costs, the
cost of preparation and publication of the designation, the analysis of
the economic effects and the cost of requesting and responding to
public comment, and in some cases the costs of compliance with the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
These costs, which are not required for many other conservation
actions, directly reduce the funds available for direct and tangible
conservation actions.
Background
This proposed rule addresses critical habitat for Arenaria ursina
(Bear Valley sandwort), Castilleja cinerea (ash-gray Indian
paintbrush), and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum (southern
mountain wild-buckwheat) because they largely occupy the same habitat,
referred to as pebble plain habitat. For additional information on the
biology and ecology of these species, refer to the final rule listing
them as threatened that was published in the Federal Register on
September 14, 1998 (63 FR 49006). It is our intention to discuss only
those topics directly relevant to the designation of critical habitat
in this proposed rule.
Pebble Plain Habitat
Pebble plains are characteristically treeless openings surrounded
by montane pinyon-juniper woodland or coniferous forest. This ``dry
meadow-like'' habitat, which occurs on clay soils covered with
quartzite pebbles, is unique to the San Bernardino Mountains of San
Bernardino County, California. Pebble plains are remnants of a
Pleistocene lake bed (Derby 1979, pp. 11-14; Krantz 1983, pp. 9-10).
Pebble plains are the result of a combination of soil and climatic
factors that support a unique assemblage of plant species, some of
which are restricted endemics while others represent disjunct
occurrences of species more common elsewhere (USFS 2002, p. 12).
Pebble plain vegetation is comprised of various combinations of the
73 plant taxa recorded from pebble plains (USFS 2002, p. 12). While
Arenaria ursina and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum were the two
indicator species that characterized pebble plains when they were first
described as a unique habitat type (as pavement plains) (Derby 1979, p.
77), Ivesia argyrocoma (silver-haired ivesia) is also considered a
strong indicator of pebble plain habitat (USFS 2002, p. 14). Castilleja
cinerea is nearly restricted to pebble plain habitat but does occur in
non-pebble plain habitat, such as upper montane coniferous forest,
meadows, and pinyon-juniper woodland. These non-pebble plain areas lack
either one or both of the two former indicator species and quartzite
pebbles or cobbles.
Each of the three listed pebble plains species has a natural mosaic
distribution among the various pebble plain complexes. The distribution
of each plant may change locally over time but generally extends
throughout a pebble plain complex. The fact that these three plant taxa
essentially occupy the same habitat is reflected here in the
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description and mapping of the critical habitat units and subunits. In
a study on the distribution of pebble plain plant species within three
pebble plains in the San Bernardino Mountains, Derby (1979, p. 77-78)
concluded that, while perennial plant species present on pebble plains
tend toward evenly spaced overall distributions, some perennial
species, including Arenaria ursina and Castilleja cinerea, are
restricted to microhabitat niches within the habitat (such as on
northwest exposures). Each of the pebble plain complexes identified by
the Forest Service supports all three of the pebble plain species with
five exceptions: Coxey Meadow, Rattlesnake, Grinnell Ridge, Snow
Valley, and Sugarloaf Ridge (USFS 2002). Coxey Meadow and Rattlesnake
complexes do not support any of the three listed species and are not
proposed as critical habitat. Grinnell Ridge and Snow Valley complexes
support only C. cinerea. Grinnell Ridge is not considered in this
proposed designation because the area was last surveyed in 1994 and we
are unable to determine whether the mapped area represents the species
occurrence or the pebble plain boundary (Eliason 2006b, p. 1). Of the
five pebble plain complexes mentioned above, only two, Snow Valley and
Sugarloaf Ridge, are being proposed as critical habitat for C. cinerea
and A. ursina , respectively.
Pebble plain complexes were first described and delineated by Neal
and Barrows (1990, p. 11) who grouped pebble plains that were clearly
clustered and isolated from other complexes and presumed to have
comparable origins. According to the final listing rule, nine pebble
plain complexes were described at that time (Neel and Barrows 1990, pp.
1-33): Arrastre/Union Flat, Big Bear Lake, Coxey Meadow, Gold Mountain,
Holcomb Valley, North Baldwin Lake Onyx Ridge/Broom Flat, Sawmill, and
South Baldwin Ridge/Erwin Lake. The final listing rule also discussed
pebble plains in the Lost Creek area (within the area now referred to
as the Grinnell Ridge Complex) and the Snow Valley Ski area (within the
area now referred to as Snow Valley Complex). The Grinnell Ridge and
Snow Valley areas were named as pebble plain complexes in 2002 (USFS
2002, p. 30, 53). Of the 11 complexes discussed in the listing rule,
all except Coxey Meadow were known to be occupied at that time (Table
1).
Each of the three listed species was known to occur in the 1970s,
prior to the time of listing, on pebble plains within the area now
referred to as the Fawnskin Complex (CNDDB 1997a, 1997b, 1997c)
(12 in Table 1). While this area was not identified in the
final listing rule, we consider it to be occupied at the time of
listing based on pre-listing occupancy records in our files. Since
listing, two other pebble plain complexes have been identified and
mapped--Rattlesnake and Sugarloaf Ridge (USFS 2002, p. 57, 66)
(13 and 14, respectively, in Table 1). However, only
the Sugarloaf Ridge complex is known to be occupied by the species
discussed in this proposed rule.
Species Descriptions
Arenaria ursina (Bear Valley sandwort)
Arenaria ursina is a low tufted perennial plant in the
Caryophyllaceae (pink) family. A. ursina produces seeds by selfing
(self-pollinating) and entomophilous (insect-mediated) outcrossing
(O'Brien 1979, p. 80). The seeds of Arenaria ursina are flat,
reticulate, measure 2 millimeters (mm) (0.079 inches (in)) long, remain
in open erect capsules for up to 2 months, and can bounce out of the
capsule in a strong wind (O'Brien 1979, p. 81). Small syrphid flies and
bees appear to be the primary insect pollinators for this species
(O'Brien 1979, p. 82; Freas and Murphy 1990, p. 6). However, Freas and
Murphy (1990, pp. 7, 8) state that there is no evidence indicating that
either wind- or pollinator-mediated dispersal plays a role in gene flow
between pebble plain sites. Therefore, it appears that species
persistence in each pebble plain is regulated by internal processes.
Arenaria ursina is found on pebble plains and dry slopes in pinyon
and juniper woodland in the northeastern San Bernardino Mountains (63
FR 49006; September 14, 1998). A. ursina has one of the most restricted
ranges of any of the pebble plain restricted endemic plants, second
only to Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum. A. ursina exhibits a
patchy distribution within pebble plains and appears to prefer areas
with low levels of shade and leaf litter accumulation (Derby 1979, p.
42). Species associated with A. ursina include E. k. var.
austromontanum, Antennaria dimorpha, Arabis parishii, Dudleya abramsii
spp. affinis, and Ivesia argyrocoma (USFS 2002, p. 17).
According to the final listing rule, Arenaria ursina was known from
eight pebble plain complexes in the vicinity of Big Bear and Baldwin
Lakes (63 FR 49006). This species was also known to occur in the 1970s,
prior to the time of listing, on pebble plains within the area now
referred to as the Fawnskin Complex (CNDDB 1997a). As stated above,
while this area was not identified in the final listing rule, we
consider it to be occupied at the time of listing based on pre-listing
occupancy records. Currently, A. ursina is known to occupy 10 pebble
plain complexes in the vicinity of Big Bear and Baldwin Lakes (USFS
2002, p. 90). This occupancy includes the Sugarloaf Ridge complex,
which was found to be occupied by this species about 3 years ago, after
the 2002 Pebble Plain Management Guide was finalized (Eliason 2006a, p.
1).
Table 1.--Pebble Plain Complexes in the San Bernardino Mountains, California, Occupied at the Time of Listing
(OTL), Currently Occupied (CO), or not Known To Be Occupied at the Time of Listing or Currently (NO) for Each of
the Three Listed Pebble Plain Species
[Pebble plain complex names follow USFS 2002]
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Castilleja Eriogonum kennedy
Pebble plain complex Arenaria ursina cinerea var. austromontanum
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1............................. Arrastre/Union Flat.. OTL, CO......... OTL, CO......... OTL, CO
2............................. Big Bear Lake........ OTL, CO......... OTL, CO......... OTL, CO
3............................. Coxey Meadow......... NO.............. NO.............. NO
4............................. Gold Mountain........ OTL, CO......... OTL, CO......... OTL, CO
5............................. Holcomb Valley....... OTL, CO......... OTL, CO......... OTL, CO
6............................. North Baldwin Lake... OTL, CO......... OTL, CO......... OTL, CO
7............................. Broom Flat (Onyx OTL, CO......... OTL, CO......... CO
Ridge).
8............................. Sawmill.............. OTL, CO......... OTL, CO......... OTL, CO
9............................. South Baldwin Ridge/ OTL, CO......... OTL, CO......... OTL, CO
Erwin Lake.
10............................ Grinnell Ridge....... ................ OTL.............
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11............................ Snow Valley.......... ................ OTL, CO.........
12............................ Fawnskin............. OTL, CO......... OTL, CO......... OTL, CO
13............................ Rattlesnake.......... NO.............. NO.............. NO
14............................ Sugarloaf Ridge...... CO.............. CO..............
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Castilleja cinerea (ash-gray paintbrush)
Castilleja cinerea is a semi-parasitic perennial in the
Scrophulariaceae (figwort) family. Recent taxonomic studies (Olmstead
et al. 2001, p. 350) have placed the genus Castilleja and other plant
genera formerly in the Scrophulariaceae into the Orobanchaceae
(broomrape) family. This proposed rule includes a change to the list of
Endangered and Threatened Plants at 50 CFR 17.12(h) to reflect this
taxonomic change. This taxonomic change was explained by Olmstead
(2002, pp. 13-22) and is accepted here.
Known hosts for this root-parasite in pebble plain habitat include
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum, E. k. var. kennedyi, E.
wrightii var. subscaposum, and in non-pebble plain meadow margin
habitat include Artemisia tridentata, A. nova, and A. ludoviciana (USFS
2002, p. 92). All Castilleja species are parasitic, and this species is
distinguished from other Castilleja in its range by short-haired stems
and leaves, yellowish flowers, calyx lobes of equal length, and
perennial nature (63 FR 49006; September 14, 1998).
The seeds of Castilleja cinerea are loosely held in the open erect
capsules, taking about a month to fall onto the ground after
maturation. The dispersal agent (such as wind or foraging animals) for
this species is unknown. Moreover, seeds are the product of self-
pollinating outcrossing (O'Brien 1979, p. 67), and insect visitation
does not appear significant for Castilleja species (Duffield 1972, pp.
110-114; O'Brien 1979, p. 69; Freas and Murphy 1990, p. 6).
Castilleja cinerea is usually found on pebble plain habitat, but
also occurs in other habitats including upper montane coniferous
forest, meadows, and pinyon-juniper woodland (USFS 2002, pp. 17, 92).
Species associated with C. cinerea on pebble plain habitat include
Artemisia nova, Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum, Erigeron
aphanactis (fleabane daisy), and Poa secunda ssp. secunda (pine
bluegrass) (USFS 2002, p. 17).
According to the final listing rule (63 FR 49006; September 14,
1998), Castilleja cinerea was known from fewer than 20 localities,
mostly on pebble plains, but also from several localities in pine
forest habitats near the Snow Valley Ski area, along Sugarloaf Ridge
(part of the Sawmill Complex), and in the vicinity of Lost Creek
(within the area now referred to as the Grinnell Ridge Complex). This
species was also known in the 1970s, prior to the time of listing, to
occur on pebble plains within the area now referred to as the Fawnskin
Complex and in non-pebble plain meadow margin habitat adjacent to Big
Bear and Baldwin lakes (CNDDB 1997b). While these areas were not
identified in the final listing rule, we consider them to be occupied
at the time of listing based on pre-listing occupancy records in our
files (CNDDB 1997b). This species is now known to occur in 11 pebble
plain complexes (see Table 1 above) and several non-pebble plain
habitat areas (USFS 2002, p. 92). The 11 pebble plain complexes include
the Sugarloaf Ridge Complex, which was found to be occupied by this
species about 3 years ago, after the 2002 Pebble Plain Management Guide
was finalized (Eliason 2006a, p. 1). While the pebble plain in the
Grinnell Ridge Complex was known to be occupied by Castilleja cinerea
at the time of listing (Table 1), the area was last surveyed in 1994
and we are unable to determine whether the mapped area represents the
species occurrence or the pebble plain boundary (Eliason 2006b, p. 1).
Additional information is needed for us to determine if this area
should be considered currently occupied by this species.
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum (southern mountain wild-
buckwheat)
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum is a woody-based, cushion-
like, perennial plant in the Polygonaceae (buckwheat family). This
species is often confused with E. k. var. kennedyi, E. k. var.
alpigenum, or E. wrightii spp. subscaposum, but it can be distinguished
from these taxa by its longer, unbranched flower stalks, leaves,
fruits, and involucres (63 FR 49006; USFS 2002, pp. 93-94).
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum produces seeds by self-
pollinating and insect-mediated outcrossing (O'Brien 1979, p. 97).
Numerous types of wasps, bees, and flies have been recorded as
pollinators on this plant (O'Brien 1979, p. 99; Freas and Murphy 1990,
p. 6). This species produces single-seeded fruits, the majority of
which remain at the base of the parent plant after falling off (O'Brien
1979, p. 99). While Freas and Murphy (1990, pp. 7, 8) detected seeds of
either E. k. var austromontanum or E. k. var. kennedyi in seed traps
placed along pebble plain-forest edges, they state that there is no
evidence indicating that either wind- or pollinator-mediated dispersal
plays a role in gene flow between pebble plain sites. Therefore, it
appears that species persistence in each pebble plain is regulated by
internal processes.
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum has the most restricted
range of any of the pebble plain restricted endemic plants, although it
may be the dominant plant on pebble plains where it occurs. It was one
of the taxa identified as characteristic of the unique pebble plain
habitat first described by Derby (1979, p. 32). Although this taxon
typically occupies clay soils with pebbles or cobbles, E. k. var.
austromontanum also occurs on sandy, clay soils (e.g., Burnt Flat) or
clay soils lacking pebbles or cobbles (e.g., areas at North Baldwin
Lake) (USFS 2002, p. 94). This species prefers areas with low levels of
shade and leaf litter accumulation (Derby 1979, p. 42).
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum was known from seven pebble
plain complexes at the time of listing (63 FR 49006; September 14,
1998) (see Table 1 above). This species was also known in the 1970s,
prior to the time of listing, to occur on
[[Page 67716]]
pebble plains within the area now referred to as the Fawnskin Complex
(CNDDB 1997c). As stated above, while this area was not identified in
the final listing rule, we consider it to be occupied at the time of
listing based on pre-listing occupancy records in our files (CNDDB
1997c). The species is now known to occur in nine pebble plain
complexes (see Table 1 above) including the Broom Flat Complex that was
not known to be occupied by this species at the time of listing (USFS
2002, pp. 62, 94). However, the Broom Flat complex was known to be
occupied by Arenaria ursina and Castilleja cinerea at the time of
listing.
Threats to Pebble Plain Habitat
Major threats to the listed pebble plains species include
development on private lands, off-highway vehicle (OHV) use off of
designated routes, road maintenance activities, ground disturbance that
affects surface hydrology, mining activities, recreational activities,
habitat fragmentation, and the invasion of nonnative Bromus tectorum
(cheatgrass). See the ``Special Management Considerations or
Protection'' section for further discussion of the threats to the
listed pebble plains species.
Previous Federal Actions
Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var.
austromontanum were federally listed as threatened on September 14,
1998 (63 FR 49006). These species are not currently listed as
endangered, threatened, or rare by the State of California. At the time
these plants were federally listed, the Service compared the value of
designating critical habitat to the detrimental effects of increased
collection, vandalism, and other human activities. The Service found,
based on these factors, that designation of critical habitat for A.
ursina, C. cinerea, and E. k. var. austromontanum was not prudent. On
September 13, 2004, the Center for Biological Diversity and the
California Native Plant Society filed a joint lawsuit challenging the
Service's failure to designate critical habitat for six California
plant species, including A. ursina, C. cinerea, and E. k. var.
austromontanum (Center for Biological Diversity, et al. v. Norton, No.
ED CV-04-1150 RT (SGLx)). In an April 14, 2005, settlement agreement,
the Service agreed to submit to the Federal Register a proposed rule to
designate critical habitat, if prudent, on or before November 9, 2006,
and a final rule by November 9, 2007. This proposed rule complies with
the April 14, 2005, settlement agreement.
We have reconsidered our not prudent finding, and now believe that
identification of primary constituent elements and essential areas
(critical habitat designation) may provide educational information to
individuals, local and State governments, and other entities. Because
these species are so limited in their ecological and geographical
ranges, and many of these pebble plains are adjacent to or bisected by
classified and unclassified roads, most landowners and collectors have
been aware of their presence since publication of the final listing
rule in 1998. We do not have any documentation that over-collection has
increased significantly since these species were listed and now believe
that the benefits of identifying essential habitat for these species
outweighs the potential risk of over-collection.
Critical Habitat
Critical habitat is defined in section 3 of the Act as--(i) the
specific areas within the geographical area occupied by a species, at
the time it is listed in accordance with the Act, on which are found
those physical or biological features (I) essential to the conservation
of the species and (II) that may require special management
considerations or protection; and (ii) specific areas outside the
geographical area occupied by a species at the time it is listed, upon
a determination that such areas are essential for the conservation of
the species. Conservation, as defined under section 3 of the Act means
to use and the use of all methods and procedures which are necessary to
bring any endangered species or threatened species to the point at
which the measures provided pursuant to the Act are no longer
necessary. Such methods and procedures include, but are not limited to,
all activities associated with scientific resources management such as
research, census, law enforcement, habitat acquisition and maintenance,
propagation, live trapping, and transplantation, and, in the
extraordinary case where population pressures within a given ecosystem
cannot be otherwise relieved, may include regulated taking.
Critical habitat receives protection under section 7 of the Act
through the prohibition against destruction or adverse modification of
critical habitat with regard to actions carried out, funded, or
authorized by a Federal agency. Section 7 requires consultation on
Federal actions that are likely to result in the destruction or adverse
modification of critical habitat. The designation of critical habitat
does not affect land ownership or establish a refuge, wilderness,
reserve, preserve, or other conservation area. Such designation does
not allow government or public access to private lands. Section 7 is a
purely protective measure and does not require implementation of
restoration, recovery, or enhancement measures.
To be included in a critical habitat designation, the habitat
within the area occupied by the species must first have features that
are essential to the conservation of the species. Critical habitat
designations identify, to the extent known using the best scientific
data available, habitat areas that provide essential life cycle needs
of the species (i.e., areas on which are found the primary constituent
elements, as defined at 50 CFR 424.12(b)). Habitat occupied at the time
of listing may be included in critical habitat only if the essential
features thereon may require special management considerations or
protection. Areas outside of the geographic area occupied by the
species at the time of listing may only be included in critical habitat
if they are essential for the conservation of the species. Accordingly,
when the best available scientific data do not demonstrate that the
conservation needs of the species require additional areas, we will not
designate critical habitat in areas outside the geographical area
occupied by the species at the time of listing. An area currently
occupied by the species but not known to be occupied at the time of
listing will likely, but not always, be essential to the conservation
of the species and, therefore, typically included in the critical
habitat designation.
The Service's Policy on Information Standards Under the Endangered
Species Act, published in the Federal Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR
34271), and Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Pub. L. 106-554; H.R. 5658)
and the associated Information Quality Guidelines issued by the
Service, provide criteria, establish procedures, and provide guidance
to ensure that decisions made by the Service represent the best
scientific data available. They require Service biologists to the
extent consistent with the Act and with the use of the best scientific
data available, to use primary and original sources of information as
the basis for recommendations to designate critical habitat. When
determining which areas are critical habitat, a primary source of
information is generally the listing package for the species.
Additional
[[Page 67717]]
information sources include the recovery plan for the species, articles
in peer-reviewed journals, conservation plans developed by States and
counties, scientific status surveys and studies, biological
assessments, or other unpublished materials and expert opinion or
personal knowledge. All information is used in accordance with the
provisions of Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Pub. L. 106-554; H.R. 5658)
and the associated Information Quality Guidelines issued by the
Service.
Section 4 of the Act requires that we designate critical habitat on
the basis of the best scientific data available. Habitat is often
dynamic, and species may move from one area to another over time.
Furthermore, we recognize that designation of critical habitat may not
include all of the habitat areas that may eventually be determined to
be necessary for the recovery of the species. For these reasons,
critical habitat designations do not signal that habitat outside the
designation is unimportant or may not be required for recovery.
Areas that support populations, but are outside the critical
habitat designation, will continue to be subject to conservation
actions implemented under section 7(a)(1) of the Act and to the
regulatory protections afforded by the section 7(a)(2) jeopardy
standard, as determined on the basis of the best available information
at the time of the action. Federally funded or permitted projects
affecting listed species outside their designated critical habitat
areas may still result in jeopardy findings in some cases. Similarly,
critical habitat designations made on the basis of the best available
information at the time of designation will not control the direction
and substance of future recovery plans, habitat conservation plans, or
other species conservation planning efforts if new information
available to these planning efforts calls for a different outcome.
Methods
As required by section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we use the best
scientific data available in determining areas that contain the
features that are essential to the conservation of Arenaria ursina,
Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum and the
habitat requirements of these species. These sources included, but were
not limited to, the proposed (60 FR 39337; August 2, 1995) and final
(63 FR 49006; September 14, 1998) rules to list these species; data and
information published in peer-reviewed articles; data and information
contained in reports prepared for or by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS);
discussions and site visits with species experts including USFS
personnel; data and information presented in academic research theses
and dissertations; data provided by the California Department of Fish
and Game Natural Diversity Data Base (CNDDB); herbarium records; data
submitted during section 7 consultations; and regional Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) data.
Primary Constituent Elements
In accordance with section 3(5)(A)(i) of the Act and regulations at
50 CFR 424.12, in determining which areas to propose as critical
habitat, we consider those areas occupied by the species at the time of
listing that contain physical and biological features (primary
constituent elements or PCEs) that are essential to the conservation of
the species, and that may require special management considerations or
protection. These include, but are not limited to, space for individual
and population growth and for normal behavior; food, water, air, light,
minerals, or other nutritional or physiological requirements; cover or
shelter; sites for breeding, reproduction, and rearing of offspring
germination and seed dispersal; and habitats that are protected from
disturbance or are representative of the historic geographical and
ecological distributions of a species.
The specific primary constituent elements required for Arenaria
ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum
are derived from the biological needs described in the Background
section of this proposal. They include those habitat components
essential for the biological needs of each species, including seed
germination and seedling growth, flower production, pollination, fruit
production and seed set, and genetic exchange.
Space for Individual and Population Growth and Normal Behavior; Food,
Water, Air, Light, Minerals, or other Nutritional or Physiological
Requirements
Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var.
austromontanum require pebble plains or dry meadows in openings within
upper montane coniferous forest, pinyon'juniper woodlands, or Mojavean
desert scrub at elevations between 5,900 to 9,800 feet (1,830 to 2,990
m) for individual and population growth (PCE 1).
These typically treeless openings are the result of a combination
of soil and climatic factors that support an assemblage of plant
species found only in the San Bernardino Mountains, California (USFS
2002, p. 12). Frost heaving and alternating wet and dry cycles force
associated quartzite pebbles to the soil surface in areas of shallow
clay deposits (PCE 2) to create the characteristic appearance of the
pebble plains (Derby 1979, p. 61; Krantz 1983, p. 10; USFS 2002, p.
22). These soils have an extremely slow infiltration rate and, thus,
have a high runoff potential (Neel and Barrows 1990, p. 8).
The establishment of tree species on pebble plains appears to be
limited primarily by high clay content in the soil (Derby 1979, p. 74).
Trees that become established alter the surrounding microhabitat by
increasing leaf litter and shading and probably reducing temperature
extremes (USFS 2002, p. 15). The increase in leaf litter under trees
appears to reduce the densities of all three of the listed pebble
plains species and increase tree and shrub seedlings under the tree
canopy (Derby 1979, p. 72). Pebble plain species flourish in their
specific environment, but they cannot compete with other plant species
adapted to shaded areas, or areas where heavy litter layers accumulate
(USFS 2002, p. 15).
Pebble plains are typified by the presence of one or more of the
following associated species: Ivesia argyrocoma, Eriogonum kennedyi
var. kennedyi, Allium parryi, Antennaria dimorpha, Arabis parishii,
Astragalus purshii var. lectulus, Dudleya abramsii var. affinis,
Echinocereus engelmannii, Erigeron aphanactis var. congestus, Eriogonum
wrightii var. subscaposum, Lewisia rediviva var. minor, and Mimulus
purpureus.
In addition to pebble plain habitat, Castilleja cinerea is also
found in dry meadow margin areas that lack either Arenaria ursina and
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum or both and quartzite pebbles or
cobbles. However, as a semi-parasitic perennial plant, this root-
parasite requires host plant species found in pebble plain habitat
(Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum, E. k. var. kennedyi, and E.
wrightii var. subscaposumon) and host plant species found in both
pebble plain and non-pebble plain habitat (Artemisia tridentata, A.
nova, and E. wrightii var. subscaposumon) for individual and population
growth and for its nutritional and physiological requirements (PCE 3)
(USFS 2002, p. 92).
[[Page 67718]]
Sites for Reproduction, Germination, Seed Dispersal, or Pollination
While pollination (via selfing, wind, or insect) is important for
maintaining genetic diversity within a pebble plain (Duffield 1972, pp.
110-114; O'Brien 1979, pp. 67, 82, 97, 99; Freas and Murphy 1990, p.
6), limited research indicates that little genetic material is
exchanged among pebble plains (Freas and Murphy 1990, pp. 6-8).
According to Freas and Murphy (1990, p. 6), observed pollen transfer
distances were less than 4 meters (13 feet).
Primary Constituent Elements for Arenaria ursina, Eriogonum kennedyi
var. austromontanum and Castilleja cinerea
Under our regulations, we are required to identify the known
physical and biological features (PCEs) essential to the conservation
of Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var.
austromontanum. All areas proposed as critical habitat for each taxon
are currently occupied, within the taxon's historical geographic range,
and contain sufficient PCEs to support at least one life history
function.
Based on our current knowledge of the life history, biology, and
ecology of the species and the requirements of the habitat to sustain
the essential life history functions of the species, we have determined
that the PCEs for Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum
kennedyi var. austromontanum are:
(1) Pebble plains or dry meadows in openings within upper montane
coniferous forest, pinyon'juniper woodlands, or Mojavean desert scrub
in the San Bernardino Mountains of San Bernardino County, California;
at elevations between 5,900 to 9,800 feet (1,830 to 2,990 m) that
provide space for individual and population growth, reproduction and
dispersal; and
(2) Seasonally wet clay or sandy, clay soils, generally containing
quartzite pebbles, subject to natural hydrological processes that
include water hydrating the soil and freezing in winter and drying in
summer causing lifting and churning of included pebbles, to provide
adequate water, air, minerals, and other nutritional or physiological
requirements to the species.
We have determined that Castilleja cinerea also requires the
following PCE:
(3) The presence of one or more of its known host species, such as
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum, E. k. var. kennedyi, and E.
wrightii var. subscaposumon in pebble plain habitat and species such as
Artemisia tridentata, A. nova, and E. wrightii var. subscaposumon in
pebble plain and non-pebble plain meadow margin habitat that provide
some of the physiological requirements for this species.
This proposed designation is designed for the conservation of those
areas containing the PCEs necessary to support the life history
functions that are the basis for the proposal. Because not all life
history functions require all the PCEs, not all critical habitat will
contain all the PCEs.
Units are designated based on sufficient PCEs being present to
support one or more of the species' life history functions. Some units
contain all PCEs and support multiple life processes, while some units
contain only a portion of the PCEs necessary to support the species'
particular use of that habitat.
Criteria Used To Identify Critical Habitat
As required by section 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act, we use the best
scientific and commercial data available in determining areas that
contain the features that are essential to the conservation of Arenaria
ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum.
To delineate the proposed critical habitat boundaries associated with
habitat occupied by the listed species, we relied on GIS data provided
by the USFS's San Bernardino National Forest (SBNF). SBNF personnel
mapped pebble plain and some non-pebble plain habitat on SBNF lands for
the 2002 Pebble Plain Management Guide using a combination of 1:10,000
air photos, 1:24,000 orthographic photos, 1:24,000 topographic maps,
and ground-truthing with global positioning system (GPS) units (USFS
2002, p. 30). We also worked with SBNF personnel with species and
habitat expertise to determine the status of pebble plains being
considered for designation (habitat quality and land ownership).
Working with SBNF personnel with knowledge of pebble plains species
and habitats, we then identified pebble plains within each of the 12
occupied pebble plain complexes that met the following criteria for
each of the three listed species: (1) Contained the PCEs, (2) known to
be occupied at the time of listing and currently occupied; (3) if not
known to be occupied at the time of listing, currently occupied and
essential to the conservation of the species; (4) large or well-defined
relative to other pebble plains in the complex; and (5) least disturbed
by anthropogenic threats (such as unauthorized vehicle use) relative to
other pebble plains in the complex. The majority of the pebble plains
(14 of 22) being proposed as critical habitat contain all three of the
listed species. To the extent possible, we included the larger pebble
plains within a complex that were proximal to other relatively large
pebble plains occupied by the listed species in order to capture areas
with presumably higher species diversity. Ciano (1984, p. 14) examined
species variability on pebble plains in relation to island biogeography
theory and found that the number of species within a pebble plain
increased with the size of the pebble plain and decreased as distance
from other pebble plains increased; thus larger pebble plains located
closer to other pebble plains had higher species diversity.
For non-pebble plain meadow margin areas (Mojavean desert scrub--
PCE 1) containing Castilleja cinerea, we identified those occupied
areas that: (1) Contain unique habitat characteristics (such as soil
type--PCE 2)) relative to other non-pebble plain areas occupied by the
species, and (2) are within areas with the least amount of disturbance
by anthropogenic threats (such as unauthorized vehicle use) relative to
other occupied non-pebble plain habitat.
For the purposes of this rule, occupied ``at the time of listing''
is defined as those occurrences or areas identified in the final
listing rule (63 FR 49006; September 14, 1998) or those areas known to
be occupied prior to the publication of the listing rule according to
occupancy data in our files (CNDDB 1997a, 1997b, 1997c). Table 1 above
lists the pebble plain complexes occupied at the time of listing and
currently occupied for each of the three listed pebble plain species.
We are not proposing any unoccupied areas or areas outside the
geographic area presently occupied by the species.
When determining proposed critical habitat boundaries, we tried to
avoid including within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat
developed areas such as buildings, paved areas, and other structures
that lack PCEs for Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum
kennedyi var. austromontanum. The scale of the maps prepared under the
parameters for publication within the Code of Federal Regulations may
not reflect the exclusion of such developed areas. Any such structures
and the land under them inadvertently left inside critical habitat
boundaries shown on the maps of this proposed rule have been excluded
by text in the proposed rule and are not proposed for designation as
critical habitat. Therefore, Federal actions limited to these areas
would not trigger
[[Page 67719]]
section 7 consultation, unless they may affect the species or primary
constituent elements in adjacent critical habitat.
We are proposing to designate critical habitat on lands that we
have determined were occupied at the time of listing or are currently
occupied by Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, or Eriogonum kennedyi
var. austromontanum and that contain one or more of the primary
constituent elements to support life history functions essential for
the conservation of these species.
Special Management Considerations or Protection
When designating critical habitat, we assess whether the areas
determined to be occupied at the time of listing contain primary
constituent elements that may require special management considerations
or protection.
As stated in the final listing rule, major threats to all three
listed pebble plains species throughout their range include land
development, off-highway vehicle (OHV) use off of designated routes,
road maintenance activities, ground disturbance that affects surface
hydrology, mining activities, recreational activities, and nonnative
plant species (63 FR 49006; September 14, 1998). The use of OHVs off of
designated routes has historically been the greatest threat to pebble
plains habitat (63 FR 49006). The primary constituent elements for the
listed pebble plains species may require special management
considerations or protection to minimize impacts associated with--(1)
Vehicle use and road maintenance; (2) recreational activities; and (3)
the presence of nonnative species (63 FR 49006; USFS 2002, p. 17; USFS
2005, pp. 207, 249, 293).
All of the pebble plain complexes have some degree of impact
associated with the USFS-authorized and unauthorized use of vehicles
and associated maintenance (USFS 2002, pp. 20, 25, 30-68). Vehicle use
and road maintenance could introduce invasive, nonnative plants,
increase the potential for unauthorized routes to develop (leading to
the crushing and burying of individual plants and soil compaction), and
cover individuals with dust and mud that can impair physiological
functions (USFS 2002, p. 20; USFWS 2005, pp. 233, 238, 243).
Along with soil compaction, soil erosion resulting from vehicle use
could significantly alter the soil composition required by the listed
species (PCE 2). During the wet season, vehicle traffic directly
disturbs or destroys vegetation and creates deep ruts that change the
hydrological patterns over the pebble plain (USFS 2002, p. 20). Vehicle
traffic also increases breakdown in natural soil aggregates (structure)
(Sadler, pers. comm. 1989 cited in USFS 2002, p. 22). Changes in the
hydrological pattern associated with a pebble plain could alter the
soil composition by allowing for erosion of clay sediments during
rainfall events, leaving only large cobbles and pebbles (PCE 2). These
changes to the soil morphology and composition could result in
alterations to the vegetation structure and composition of the area,
allowing for the invasion of native and nonnative plant species that
could out-complete the listed species for space and resources and
further alter the soil composition by increasing organic debris (PCEs
1, 2, and 3).
The invasion of nonnative plant species can result in crowding,
overshadowing, and altering fuel loads and hydrology (USFS 2002, p.
25). While fire has not been considered an important factor in shaping
the pebble plain community, the establishment of an introduced species,
such as cheatgrass, might provide the fine fuels to allow fire to
spread more readily and result in alterations to the composition and
structure of the pebble plain community (USFS 2002, pp. 19-20). Pebble
plain species flourish in their specific environment, but they cannot
complete with other plant species adapted to shaded areas or sites
where heavy litter layers accumulate (USFS 2002, p. 15). The invasion
of nonnative species may alter the soil composition (PCE 2) or cause an
increase in the amount of leaf litter, allowing for the eventual
encroachment of adjacent native shrub and tree species into the pebble
plain, and diminishing the habitat available to pebble plain obligate
species and host species (PCE 1). Derby (1979, p. 72) found lower
densities of all three of the listed species in pebble plain areas
where leaf litter was abundant under trees.
The USFS prepared the 2002 Pebble Plain Management Guide (USFS
2002, p. i) as an update to the 1990 Pebble Plain Habitat Management
Guide and Action Plan by Neal and Barrows. The 2002 Pebble Plain
Management Guide was designed to provide management direction for the
conservation of pebble plain habitat in the SBNF, to aid in recovery of
the three federally listed plants, and to improve conditions for Forest
sensitive species occurring in this habitat. The 2002 Pebble Plain
Management Guide identifies the following management goals necessary to
reduce impacts to pebble plain habitat--protecting pebble plain habitat
throughout its geographic range, reducing habitat loss and
fragmentation, maintaining site viability, and encouraging compatible
uses (USFS 2002, p. i).
The USFS has completed many of the actions outlined in the plan to
avoid and minimize impacts to the three listed pebble plain species
including, but not limited to permanently closing some roads bisecting
pebble plains, installing fencing or gates along some roads to prevent
unauthorized access onto adjacent pebble plains, establishing alternate
trails, adding law enforcement patrols, relocating special events out
of pebble plain habitat, and posting of signs to keep vehicles out of
sensitive habitat; however, ongoing unauthorized use is still occurring
in all of the pebble plain complexes (USFS 2002, pp. 30-68). See the
``Unit Description'' section for a discussion of the special management
considerations or protection that may be needed for each unit or
subunit being proposed as critical habitat.
Proposed Critical Habitat Designation
We are proposing a total of 1,511 ac (611 ha) of Federal, State,
and private land within 11 units, with 9 of these units further divided
into 20 subunits, as critical habitat for Arenaria ursina, Castilleja
cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum. Table 2 below
provides the approximate area of each unit or subunit being proposed as
critical habitat for Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum
kennedyi var. austromontanum. Table 3 below provides landownership
sizes in each unit or subunit. Table 4 outlines the units and subunits
proposed as critical habitat and the total area for each species. Since
these species often occur in the same pebble plains, the total area
being proposed as critical habitat for each species will not equal the
total area being proposed for all three species combined.
While the pebble plain in the Grinnell Ridge Complex was known to
be occupied by Castilleja cinerea at the time of listing (Table 1), the
area was last surveyed in 1994 (Eliason 2006b, p. 1), and we cannot
determine whether the mapped area represents the species occurrence or
the pebble plain boundary. Moreover, this pebble plain is located in a
remote area in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area on SBNF and is not
easily accessible. We do not have sufficient information to determine
that this area has the features that are essential to the conservation
of the species as defined for the purposes of this critical habitat
designation, and therefore we are not proposing to
[[Page 67720]]
designate the Grinnell Ridge Complex as essential habitat.
The critical habitat areas described below constitute our best
assessment at this time of areas determined to be occupied at the time
of listing, containing primary constituent elements that may require
special management considerations or protection, and those additional
areas that were not occupied at the time of listing but were found to
be essential to the conservation of Arenaria ursina, Castilleja
cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum.
Table 2.--Proposed Critical Habitat (acres (ac), hectares (ha)) for Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum. The Abbreviation ``ppn.'' Refers to the Pebble Plain Number Identified
in the USFS Pebble Plain Management Guide (2002)
[Area estimates reflect all land within critical habitat unit boundaries]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total area Total area Listed species in
Proposed critical habitat unit Pebble plain complex and of unit (ac of subunit unit or subunit
subunit name (ha)) (ac (ha)) \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................... Arrastre/Union Flat
1A (ppn. 100)............ 298 (121) 69 (28) 1,2,3
1B (ppn. 87)............. ............ 229 (93) 1,2,3
2..................................... Big Bear Lake
2A (ppn. 248)............ 28 (11) 21 (9) 1,2
2B (ppn. 254)............ ............ 6 (2) 1,2,3
3..................................... Broom Flat
3A (ppn. 311)............ 384 (156) 58 (23) 1,2,3
3B (ppn. 285 & 309)...... ............ 326 (132) 1,2
4..................................... Fawnskin
4A (ppn. 301)............ 41 (17) 15 (6) 1,2,3
4B (ppn. 302)............ ............ 24 (10) 1,2,3
4C (Juniper Point)....... ............ 2 (1) 2
5..................................... Gold Mountain
5A (ppn. 188)............ 105 (42) 62 (25) 1,2,3
5B (ppn. 192)............ ............ 43 (17) 1,2,3
5C (South Baldwin meadow) ............ 0.3 (0.1) 2
6..................................... Holcomb Valley
6A (ppn. 98 & 109)....... 72 (29) 28 (11) 1,2,3
6B (ppn. 153)............ ............ 44 (18) 1,2,3
7..................................... North Baldwin Lake
7A (ppn. 128)............ 351 (142) 320 (129) 1,2,3
7B (ppn. 168)............ ............ 4 (2) 2
8..................................... Sawmill
8A (ppn. 236)............ 50 (20) 44 (18) 1,2,3
8B (ppn. 224)............ ............ 5 (2) 1,2,3
9..................................... Snow Valley (ppn. 270)... 26 (10) NA 2
10.................................... South Baldwin Ridge/Erwin 23 (9) NA 1,2,3
Lake (ppn. 212).
11.................................... Sugarloaf Ridge
11A (ppn. 294)........... 161 (65) 127 (51) 1,2
11B (ppn. 289)........... ............ 34 (14) 1,2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................. 22....................... 1,511 (611)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 1 = Arenaria ursina, 2 = Castilleja cinerea, 3 = Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum.
Table 3.--Landownership (acres (ac), hectares (ha)) in Units or Subunits
Being Proposed as Critical Habitat for Arenaria ursina, Castilleja
cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total area (ac
Unit or subunit Landowner\1\ (ha))
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1A................................ USFS................ 69 (28)
1B................................ USFS................ 229 (93)
2A................................ USFS................ 21 (9)
2B................................ USFS................ 6 (2)
3A................................ USFS................ 58 (23)
3B................................ USFS................ 255 (103)
Private (The 71 (29)
Wildlands
Conservancy).
4A................................ USFS................ 15 (6)
4B................................ USFS................ 24 (10)
4C................................ USFS................ 2 (1)
5A................................ USFS................ 62 (25)
5B................................ USFS................ 43 (17)
5C................................ USFS................ 0.2 (0.1)
6A................................ USFS................ 22 (9)
Private............. 6 (2)
6B................................ USFS................ 44 (18)
7A................................ USFS................ 320 (129)
[[Page 67721]]
7B................................ CDFG................ 4 (2)
8A................................ USFS................ 15 (6)
Private............. 30 (12)
8B................................ Private............. 5 (2)
9................................. USFS................ 26 (10)
10................................ USFS................ 23 (9)
11A............................... USFS................ 127 (51)
11B............................... USFS................ 34 (14)
---------------
Total......................... .................... 1,511 (611)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ USFS = U.S. Forest Service (lands in the San Bernardino National
Forest), CDFG = California Department of Fish and Game.
Table 4.--Units or Subunits and Total Area (acres (ac), hectares (ha))
Being Proposed as Critical Habitat for Arenaria ursina, Castilleja
cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total area (ac
Species Unit or subunits (ha))*
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arenaria ursina................ All except 4C, 5C, 1,478 (598)
7B, 9.
Castilleja cinerea............. All................... 1,511 (611)
Eriogonum kennedyi var. All except 2A, 3B, 4C, 970 (393)
austromontanum. 5C, 7B, 9, 11A, 11B.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* These species often occur in the same pebble plains. Therefore the
total area being proposed as critical habitat for each species will
not equal the total area being proposed for all three species
combined.
Unit Descriptions
We present brief descriptions of all units and subunits below and
reasons why they meet the definition of critical habitat for Arenaria
ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum.
Each subunit is named using the pebble plain occurrence number (for
example ``ppn. 100'') as identified in the USFS's 2002 Pebble Plain
Management Guide.
Unit 1: Arrastre/Union Flat
The Arrastre/Union Flat pebble plain complex consists of 33 pebble
plains of varying size that total approximately 377 ac (153 ha) of
habitat, the majority of which are on the San Bernardino National
Forest (SBNF) land (USFS 2002, pp. 32, 47). Pebble plains in this
complex have historically been, and continue to be, impacted by vehicle
use related to woodcutting and camping activities not authorized by the
USFS (USFS 2002, p. 47). Pebble plains in this complex are also
threatened by the invasion of nonnative cheatgrass (USFS 2002, pp. 47-
48).
We are proposing to designate as critical habitat approximately 298
ac (121 ha) within this complex consisting of two pebble plains in the
SBNF: Subunit 1A (ppn. 100) is 69 ac (28 ha) and Subunit 1B (ppn. 87)
is 229 ac (93 ha) (Tables 2, 3). Subunits 1A and 1B were known to be
occupied by all three listed plants at the time of listing, and all
three listed species continue to occur within these subunits (Table 1).
Subunits 1A and 1B contain the PCEs for each of the listed species; are
large, well defined pebble plains; are within the northernmost pebble
plains in the designation; are within the geographic range occupied by
the species at time of listing; and represent the least disturbed
pebble plains in this complex.
Both subunits are bisected by existing USFS roads. As outlined in
the USFS's Pebble Plain Management Guide (USFS 2002) and the USFS's
Biological Assessment for the Revised Land Management Plans (USFS
2005), the USFS has undertaken various actions to minimize impacts to
pebble plains under its jurisdiction in this complex, including
permanently closing roads, installing fencing along roads to prevent
unauthorized access on the adjacent pebble plain, ripping (defacing)
some roads to discourage vehicle trespass around fences, and posting
signs to keep vehicles out of sensitive habitat. However, unauthorized
vehicle use still occurs on the pebble plains in this complex (USFS
2002, pp. 48, 48a). Special management may be required to protect and
maintain the PCEs supported by Subunits 1A and 1B due to the potential
impacts of unauthorized use and invasive nonnative plant species (such
as cheatgrass) that occur in some of the other pebble plain complexes.
Unit 2: Big Bear Lake
The Big Bear Lake pebble plain complex consists of a series of 39
pebble plains of varying sizes within and adjacent to the City of Big
Bear Lake. This complex totals approximately 96 ac (39 ha) of habitat
on private and SBNF lands (USFS 2002, pp. 31, 37). Prior to residential
development in Big Bear Valley and the construction of Big Bear Dam,
pebble plain habitat was more widespread and more contiguous in this
complex (USFS 2002, p. 38). Threats to pebble plain habitat on private
lands include residential development and trampling from horses and
hikers, and on USFS lands they include trampling, soil compaction, and
unauthorized vehicle use through dispersed recreation (USFS 2002, p.
39). Pebble plains in this complex may also be threatened by the
presence of invasive nonnative plant species (such as cheatgrass) that
occur in other pebble plain complexes (USFS 2002, pp. 47-48, 45, 50,
56, 64).
We are proposing to designate as critical habitat approximately 28
ac (11 ha) within this complex consisting of two pebble plains in the
SBNF--Subunit 2A (ppn. 248) is 21 ac (9 ha) and Subunit 2B (ppn. 254)
is 6 ac (2 ha) (Tables 2, 3). Subunit 2A was known to be occupied at
the time of listing by Arenaria ursina and Castilleja cinerea, and both
species continue to grow within this subunit (Table 1). This subunit is
not proposed as critical habitat for Eriogonum kennedyi var.
[[Page 67722]]
austromontanum. Subunit 2A contains the PCEs for both species, is a
relatively large and well defined pebble plain, represents the least
disturbed pebble plains remaining in this complex, and is within the
geographic range occupied by the species at time of listing. Subunit 2B
was known to be occupied at the time of listing by all three listed
species, and these species still occur within this subunit (Table 1).
Subunit 2B contains the PCEs for each of the three species, is a
relatively large and well defined pebble plain, represents the least
disturbed pebble plains remaining in this complex, and is within the
geographic range occupied by the species at time of listing.
Both Subunits 2A and 2B historically have been impacted by
recreational activities (USFS 2002, pg. 38). Subunit 2A, in the Aspen
Glen area, is bisected by a recreational trail, which is used by
horses, hikers, and mountain bikers. Subunit 2B, in the former Snow
Summit Ski Area, has historically been the site of annual bicycle races
and is bisected by several classified and unclassified bicycle trails.
USFS has undertaken various actions to minimize impacts to pebble
plains under its jurisdiction in this complex, including installing
fencing along trails to prevent further encroachment into the pebble
plain, establishing alternate paths, installing gates and fencing to
prevent motorized access to pebble plains, relocating annual bicycle
races to other sites (USFS 2002, p. 39; USFS 2005, p. 208), and closing
the Snow Summit Ski Area (USFS 2005, p. 250; USFWS 2005, p. 233).
However, special management may be required to protect and maintain the
PCEs supported by Subunits 2A and 2B.
Unit 3: Broom Flat
The Broom Flat pebble plain complex consists of 23 pebble plains of
varying size that total approximately 752 ac (304 ha) of habitat, the
majority of which are in the SBNF (USFS 2002, pp. 33, 62). Pebble
plains in this complex have historically been impacted primarily by
unauthorized vehicle use and are now being impacted by the presence of
invasive nonnative plant species (such as cheatgrass and common
knotweed (USFS 2002, p. 64)).
We are proposing to designate as critical habitat approximately 384
ac (156 ha) within this complex consisting of two pebble plains on
Federal (SBNF) and private lands (The Wildlands Conservancy): Subunit
3A (ppn. 311) is 58 ac (23 ha) and Subunit 3B (ppn. 285 and 309) is 326
ac (132 ha) (Tables 2, 3). Subunit 3A was known to be occupied at the
time of listing and is currently occupied by Arenaria ursina and
Castilleja cinerea. Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum is also
currently found in this subunit, but it was not known from here at the
time of listing (Table 1). Subunit 3A contains the PCEs for each of the
species, and is essential to the conservation of E. k. var.
austromontanum because it is a relatively large pebble plain that
represents the least disturbed pebble plains in this complex, and is
within the eastern/most pebble plain complex in this designation.
Subunit 3B was known to be occupied at the time of listing by Arenaria
ursina and Castilleja cinerea, and both species still occur within this
subunit (Table 1). Subunit 3B is only being proposed as critical
habitat for these two species. Subunit 3B contains the PCEs for both
species, is a relatively large pebble plain, represents the least
disturbed pebble plains in this complex, is within the geographic range
occupied by the species at time of listing, and is within the eastern/
most pebble plain complex in this designation.
Both subunits are bisected by existing USFS roads. USFS has
undertaken various actions to minimize impacts to pebble plains under
its jurisdiction in this complex, including permanently closing roads,
installing fencing along roads to prevent unauthorized access on the
adjacent pebble plain, ripping some roads to discourage vehicle
trespass around fences, and posting signs to keep vehicles out of
sensitive habitat; however, these barriers are in need of constant
monitoring and repairs (USFS 2002, p. 64). The pebble plain in Subunit
3A may also be impacted by cattle trespass from the Rattlesnake grazing
allotment and burro use associated with the Burro Herd Management Area
(USFS 2002, p. 64). Special management may be required to protect and
maintain the PCEs supported by Subunits 3A and 3B.
Unit 4: Fawnskin
The Fawnskin pebble plain complex consists of 15 pebble plains of
varying sizes that total approximately 64 ac (26 ha) of habitat on
private and SBNF lands (USFS 2002, pp. 32, 44). Pebble plains in this
complex have historically been and are currently being impacted by
urban development, unauthorized vehicle use, and the presence of
invasive nonnative species (such as cheatgrass) (USFS 2002, pp. 45).
We are proposing to designate as critical habitat approximately 41
ac (17 ha) within this complex consisting of two pebble plains and one
non-pebble plain meadow margin area in the SBNF. Subunit 4A (ppn. 301)
is 15 ac (6 ha), Subunit 4B (ppn. 302) is 24 ac (10 ha), and Subunit 4C
(Juniper Point) is 2 ac (1 ha) (Tables 2, 3). Subunits 4A and 4B were
known to be occupied at the time of listing by all three listed species
and these plants continue to occur within these subunits. Subunit 4C
was known to be occupied at the time of listing and is still occupied
only by Castilleja cinerea (Table 1). Subunit 4C is being proposed as
critical habitat only for C. cinerea. Subunits 4A and 4B contain the
PCEs for all three of the listed species, are within the geographic
range occupied by the species at time of listing, and are relatively
large and the least disturbed pebble plains remaining in this complex.
Subunit 4C (Juniper Point) is essential to the conservation of
Castilleja cinerea because it contains the PCEs for the species, is
within the geographic range occupied by the species at time of listing,
represents a unique habitat type (non-pebble plain meadow margin) for
the species (Engelhard 2006), and is important for maintaining genetic
diversity for the species. This subunit is also one of the few occupied
non-pebble plain meadow margin areas remaining that is relatively
undisturbed.
Both Subunits 4A and 4B are bisected by several unclassified roads
associated with existing USFS roads. While USFS has undertaken various
actions such as permanently closing roads and posting signs to keep
vehicles out of sensitive habitat, barriers have been repeatedly
breached over the past decade and unauthorized vehicle use along some
of the unclassified roads still continues (USFS 2002, pp. 45-46).
Subunit 4C is within a fenced area adjacent to Big Bear Lake owned by
the USFS. The area contains a paved trail for hiking and is across the
street from the ranger station. Special management may be required to
protect and maintain the PCEs supported by Subunits 4A and 4B due to
the potential impacts of public vehicle use outside of designated areas
and the invasion of nonnative plant species (such as cheatgrass).
Special management may also be required to protect and maintain the
PCEs supported by Subunits 4A, 4B and 4C due to the potential impacts
of dispersed recreation and OHV use outside of designed areas.
Unit 5: Gold Mountain
The Gold Mountain pebble plain complex consists of 18 pebble plains
of varying sizes that total approximately 88 ac (36 ha) of habitat on
private and SBNF lands (USFS 2002, pp. 32, 52). Pebble plains in this
complex have historically been impacted by USFS-authorized vehicle use
and vehicle use associated with woodcutting and rock
[[Page 67723]]
collecting not authorized by the USFS (USFS 2002, pg. 52). Pebble
plains in this complex may also be threatened by the presence of
invasive nonnative plant species (such as cheatgrass) that occur in
other pebble plain complexes (USFS 2002, pp. 47-48, 45, 50, 56, 64).
We are proposing to designate as critical habitat approximately 105
ac (42 ha) of Federal land (SBNF) consisting of two pebble plains in
this complex and one non-pebble plain meadow margin area adjacent to
this complex. Subunit 5A (ppn. 188) is 62 ac (25 ha), Subunit 5B (ppn.
192) is 43 ac (17 ha), and Subunit 5C (South Baldwin meadow) is 0.3 ac
(0.1 ha) (Tables 2, 3). Subunits 5A and 5B were known to be occupied at
the time of listing and are still occupied by all three listed species
(Table 1). While the non-pebble plain meadow margin habitat in Subunit
5C was not identified in the final listing rule (63 FR 49006; September
14, 1998), it is currently occupied by Castilleja cinerea and is
considered to have been occupied at the time of listing based on pre-
listing occupancy records (CNDDB 1997b). Subunit 5C is being proposed
as critical habitat only for C. cinerea.
Subunits 5A and 5B contain the PCEs for each of the three listed
species, are relatively large and well-defined pebble plains, represent
the least disturbed pebble plains in this complex, and are within the
geographic range occupied by the species at time of listing. Subunit 5C
is essential to the conservation of Castilleja cinerea because it
contains the PCEs for the species, it is within the geographic range
occupied by the species at time of listing, and represents a unique
habitat type (non-pebble plain meadow margin) for the species,
representing an area that is important for maintaining genetic
diversity for the species. This subunit is also one of the few occupied
non-pebble plain meadow margin areas remaining that is relatively
undisturbed and also supports other federally listed plant species
(such as Sidalcea pedata).
Subunits 5A and 5B are bisected by Forest Road 3N69 and several
unclassified roads. While USFS has undertaken various actions such as
closing the area to woodcutting, permanently closing roads, and
conducting area patrols, unauthorized vehicle use continues to impact
these pebble plains (USFS 2002, p. 53; Engelhard 2006). Subunit 5C is
threatened by occasional unauthorized access by equestrian and OHV use
by adjacent private landowners (Engelhard 2006). Special management may
be required to protect and maintain the PCEs supported by Subunits 5A,
5B, and 5C due to the potential impacts of dispersed recreation and OHV
use outside of designed areas. Special management, such as the
development of a routine monitoring and removal program, may also be
required to protect and maintain the PCEs supported by Subunits 5A and
5B due to the invasion of nonnative plant species (such as cheatgrass).
Unit 6: Holcomb Valley
The Holcomb Valley pebble plain complex consists of 96 pebble
plains of varying sizes that total approximately 460 ac (186 ha) of
habitat primarily in the SBNF (USFS 2002, pp. 31, 40). Pebble plains in
this complex have historically been impacted by USFS-authorized and
unauthorized vehicle use, previous silviculture treatments, campground
development, dispersed recreation, and access or maintenance associated
with a gas pipeline (USFS 2002, pp. 41-42). Pebble plains in this
complex may also be threatened by the presence of invasive nonnative
plant species (such as cheatgrass) that occur in other pebble plain
complexes (USFS 2002, pp. 47-48, 45, 50, 56, 64).
We are proposing to designate as critical habitat approximately 72
ac (29 ha) within this complex consisting of two pebble plains on
Federal (SBNF) and private (Boy Scouts of America (BSA)) land: Subunit
6A (ppn. 98 and 109) is 28 ac (11 ha) and Subunit 6B (ppn. 153) is 44
ac (18 ha) (Tables 2, 3). The majority of Subunit 6A is in the SBNF,
though a small portion occurs on private land owned by the BSA
(Hitchcock Ranch). Subunit 6B is entirely within the SBNF. Subunits 6A
and 6B were known to be occupied at the time of listing and are still
occupied by all three listed species (Table 1). Subunits 6A and 6B
contain the PCEs for each of the three listed species, are within the
geographic range occupied by the species at time of listing, are among
the northern most pebble plains in this designation, are relatively
large and well-defined pebble plains, and represent the least disturbed
pebble plains in this complex.
USFS has undertaken various actions, such decommissioning and
rehabilitating certain roads, installing fencing along roads to prevent
unauthorized access on the adjacent pebble plain, posting signs to keep
vehicles out of sensitive habitat, relocating special events formerly
in pebble plain habitat (such as the Mountain Man event), and
discontinuing camping permits in certain areas to reduce the impact in
these areas. However, pebble plains in the Holcomb Valley Complex
continue to be impacted by unauthorized vehicle use (USFS 2002, p. 40).
Special management may be required to protect and maintain the PCEs
supported by Subunits 6A and 6B due to the potential impacts of
dispersed recreation and OHV use outside of designed areas and the
invasion of nonnative plant species (such as cheatgrass).
Unit 7: North Baldwin Lake
The North Baldwin Lake pebble plain complex consists of 12 pebble
plains of varying sizes that totals approximately 527 ac (213 ha) of
habitat primarily in the SBNF (USFS 2002, pp. 33, 54). Pebble plains in
this complex were historically, and continue to be impacted, by
authorized and unauthorized vehicle use, mining activity, residential
development, burros, and invasive nonnative plant species (such as
cheatgrass and Lepidium perfoliatum (clasping pepperweed)) (USFS 2002,
pg. 56).
We are proposing to designate as critical habitat approximately 351
ac (142 ha) within this complex consisting of one pebble plain and one
non-pebble plain meadow margin area on Federal (SBNF) and State (CDFG)
lands: Subunit 7A (ppn. 128) is 320 ac (129 ha) and Subunit 7B (ppn.
168) is 4 ac (2 ha) (Tables 2, 3). All of Subunit 7A is in the SBNF and
all of Subunit 7B in the CDFG's Baldwin Ecological Reserve. Subunit 7A
was known to be occupied at the time of listing and continues to be
occupied by all three listed plants (Table 1). While the non-pebble
plains meadow margin habitat in Subunit 7B was not identified in the
listing rule, it is currently occupied by Castilleja cinerea and is
considered to have been occupied at the time of listing based on pre-
listing occupancy records (CNDDB 1997b).
Subunit 7A contains the PCEs for each of the three of the listed
species, is within the geographic range occupied by the species at time
of listing, is a relatively large and well defined pebble plain in this
complex, and represents one of the least disturbed pebble plain in this
complex. Subunit 7B contains the PCEs for Castilleja cinerea, is within
the geographic range occupied by the species at time of listing, and
represents a unique habitat type (non-pebble plain meadow margin
habitat with alkali soils) and the only area known to support this
species on alkali soils. This occurrence represents a unique portion of
the range of environmental variability for the species and is important
for maintaining genetic diversity of the species. This subunit is also
one of the few occupied non-pebble plain meadow margin areas remaining
that is relatively undisturbed. This area also supports
[[Page 67724]]
other federally listed plant species (such as Sidalcea pedata and
Thelypodium stenopetalum).
Subunit 7A is bisected by several unclassified roads associated
with existing USFS roads and Subunit 7B is adjacent to an existing
road. USFS has undertaken various actions such as permanently closing
roads, installing fencing along major roads adjacent to pebble plain
habitat, and posting signs to keep vehicles out of sensitive habitat.
However, authorized and unauthorized vehicle use continues to impact
pebble plains in the North Baldwin Lake Complex (USFS 2002, p. 57).
Special management may be required to protect and maintain the PCEs
supported by Subunits 7A and 7B due to the potential impacts of
dispersed recreation and OHV use outside of designed areas and the
invasion of nonnative plant species (such as cheatgrass).
Unit 8: Sawmill
The Sawmill pebble plain complex consists of 22 pebble plains of
varying size that total approximately 396 ac (160 ha) of habitat on
private and Federal land (SBNF) (USFS 2002, pp. 32, 49). Pebble plains
in this complex were historically, and continue to be impacted by
authorized and unauthorized vehicle use, residential development, and
invasive nonnative plant species (such as cheatgrass) (USFS 2002, pp.
50).
We are proposing to designate as critical habitat approximately 50
ac (20 ha) within this complex consisting of two pebble plains on
Federal (USFS) and private lands: Subunit 8A (ppn. 236) is 45 ac (18
ha) and Subunit 8B (a portion of ppn. 244) is 5 ac (2 ha) (Tables 2,
3). About half of Subunit 8A is in the SBNF, while the other half is on
private land within an area protected from development by a
conservation easement. Subunit 8B is entirely on private land within an
area protected from development by a conservation easement. Subunits 8A
and 8B were known to be occupied at the time of listing and continue to
be occupied by all three listed species (Table 1). Subunits 8A and 8B
contain the PCEs for each of the three listed species, are within the
geographic range occupied by the species at time of listing, are
relatively large and well-defined pebble plains, and represent the only
pebble plains remaining in this complex that have not been destroyed or
significantly degraded by residential development.
The southern portion of Subunit 8A is on private land and protected
by a conservation easement held by the local homeowners' association
and established as part of the Moonridge residential development
(Engelhard 2006). The northern portion of this subunit is bisected by a
partially devegetated vehicle track that allows foot access to this
fenced pebble plain, which is used heavily by local residents. Subunit
8B is bisected by several unclassified roads associated with
woodcutting and dispersed recreation (USFS 2002, pp. 50-51). USFS has
undertaken or participated in various actions, such as posting signs to
keep hikers and vehicles out of sensitive habitat. However, authorized
and unauthorized dispersed recreation and unauthorized vehicle use
continues to impact pebble plains in the Sawmill Complex, including the
northern portion of Subunit 8A (USFS 2002, p. 51; Engelhard 2006).
Special management may be required to protect and maintain the PCEs
supported by Subunits 8A and 8B due to the potential impacts of
dispersed recreation and OHV use outside of designed areas and the
invasion of nonnative plant species (such as cheatgrass).
Unit 9: Snow Valley
The Snow Valley pebble plain complex consists of 3 pebble plains of
varying sizes that total approximately 33 ac (13 ha) of habitat in the
SBNF (USFS 2002, pp. 30, 31). Pebble plains in this complex were
historically impacted by vehicle access, residential development, and
heavy-use recreation (such as skiing or biking) (USFS 2002, pg. 30).
Pebble plains in this complex may also be threatened by the presence of
invasive nonnative plant species (such as cheatgrass) that occur in
other pebble plain complexes (USFS 2002, pp. 47-48, 45, 50, 56, 64).
We are proposing to designate as critical habitat approximately 26
ac (10 ha) within this complex consisting of one pebble plain within
the SBNF: Unit 9 (ppn. 270) (Tables 2, 3). Unit 9 was known to be
occupied at the time of listing and is still occupied by Castilleja
cinerea (Table 1). This unit is being proposed as critical habitat only
for C. cinerea. It contains the PCEs for the species, is within the
geographic range occupied by the species at time of listing, is within
the western most pebble plain complex in this designation, represents a
unique habitat type (pebble plain habitat with granitic soils), and
supports the only known occurrence of this species on granitic soils.
This occurrence represents a unique portion of the range of
environmental variability for the species and is important for
maintaining genetic diversity for the species.
Unit 9 borders Highway 18 and is within a heavy recreational use
area. USFS has undertaken or participated in various actions, such as
posting signs to keep hikers out of sensitive habitat. However,
dispersed recreation, and unauthorized vehicle use continues to impact
pebble plains in the Snow Valley (USFS 2002, p. 51). Special management
may be required to protect and maintain the PCEs supported by Unit 9
due to the potential impacts of dispersed recreation and OHV use
outside of designed areas and the invasion of nonnative plant species
(such as cheatgrass).
Unit 10: South Baldwin Ridge/Erwin Lake
The South Baldwin Ridge/Erwin Lake pebble plain complex consists of
15 pebble plains of varying sizes that total approximately 87 ac (35
ha) of habitat on private and SBNF lands (USFS 2002, pp. 33, 49).
Pebble plains in this complex were historically, and continue to be
impacted by authorized and unauthorized vehicle use, residential
development, and invasive nonnative plant species (such as cheatgrass)
(USFS 2002, pg. 50).
We are proposing to designate as critical habitat approximately 23
ac (9 ha) within this complex consisting of one pebble plain in the
SBNF: Unit 10 (ppn. 212) (Tables 2, 3). Unit 10 was known to be
occupied at the time of listing and still is occupied by all three
listed plants (Table 1). This unit contains the PCEs for each of the
three of the listed species, is within the geographic range occupied by
the species at time of listing, is a relatively large and well-defined
pebble plain, and is the only occupied pebble plain in this complex
that has not been destroyed or significantly degraded due to
residential development.
Unit 10 is bisected by a partially devegetated vehicle track that
allows foot access to this fenced pebble plain, which is used heavily
by local residents (USFS 2002, pp. 50-51). USFS has undertaken or
participated in various actions such as posting signs to keep hikers
out of sensitive habitat. However, dispersed recreation, and
unauthorized vehicle use continue to impact pebble plains in the South
Baldwin Ridge Complex (USFS 2002, p. 51). Special management may be
required to protect and maintain the PCEs supported by Unit 10 due to
the potential impacts of dispersed recreation and OHV use outside of
designed areas and the invasion of nonnative plant species (such as
cheatgrass).
Unit 11: Sugarloaf Ridge
The Sugarloaf Ridge pebble plain complex consists of 22 pebble
plains of
[[Page 67725]]
varying sizes that total approximately 573 ac (232 ha) of habitat in
the SBNF (USFS 2002, pp. 33, 58). Pebble plains in this complex were
historically and continue to be impacted by authorized and unauthorized
vehicle use and dispersed recreation (USFS 2002, p. 58). Pebble plains
in this complex may also be threatened by the presence of invasive
nonnative plant species (such as cheatgrass) that occur in some of the
other pebble plain complexes (USFS 2002, pp. 47-48, 45, 50, 56, 64).
We are proposing to designate as critical habitat approximately 161
ac (65 ha) within this complex consisting of two pebble plains within
the SBNF: Subunit 11A (ppn. 294) is 127 ac (51 ha) and Subunit 11B
(ppn. 289) is 34 ac (14 ha) (Tables 2, 3). Subunits 11A and 11B are
known to be occupied by Castilleja cinerea and Arenaria ursina.
However, since the Sugarloaf Ridge complex was found to be occupied by
these species about 3 years ago, after the 2002 Pebble Plain Management
Guide was finalized (Eliason 2006a), these subunits are not considered
to have been occupied at the time of listing (Table 1).
Pebble plains in Subunits 11A and 11B are being proposed as
critical habitat for Arenaria ursina and Castilleja cinerea only. They
contain the PCEs for both species, are within the geographic range
occupied by the species at time of listing, are relatively large pebble
plains, and represent the least disturbed pebble plains in this
complex. In addition, the A. ursina occurrence in the Sugarloaf Ridge
complex is the within the southern most pebble plain complex in this
designation, is the highest elevation occurrence known for this
species, and is considered disjunct from populations in other
complexes. The C. cinerea occurrence in this complex is morphologically
distinctive from populations in other complexes (USFS 2002, p. 58; Bill
2006). These occurrences represent a unique portion of the range of
environmental variability for these species and are important for
maintaining genetic diversity for the species.
Several unclassified roads occur in or adjacent to Subunits 11A and
11B (USFS 2002, p. 59). USFS has undertaken various actions such as
posting signs to keep walkers and vehicles out of sensitive habitat
within the Sugarloaf Ridge Complex overall. However, dispersed
recreation and unauthorized vehicle use continues to impact pebble
plains in the Sugarloaf Ridge Complex (USFS 2002, pp. 58-59). Special
management may be required to protect and maintain the PCEs supported
by Subunits 11A and 11B due to the potential impacts of dispersed
recreation and OHV use outside of designed areas and the invasion of
nonnative plant species (such as cheatgrass).
Effects of Critical Habitat Designation
Section 7 Consultation
Section 7(a) of the Act requires Federal agencies, including the
Service, to evaluate their actions with respect to any species that is
proposed or listed as endangered or threatened and with respect to its
critical habitat, if any is proposed or designated. Regulations
implementing this interagency cooperation provision of the Act are
codified at 50 CFR part 402.
Section 7(a)(4) of the Act requires Federal agencies to confer with
us on any action that is likely to jeopardize the continued existence
of a species proposed for listing or result in destruction or adverse
modification of proposed critical habitat. This is a procedural
requirement only. However, once proposed species becomes listed, or
proposed critical habitat is designated as final, the full prohibitions
of section 7(a)(2) apply to any Federal action. The primary utility of
the conference procedures is to maximize the opportunity for a Federal
agency to adequately consider proposed species and critical habitat and
avoid potential delays in implementing their proposed action as a
result of the section 7(a)(2) compliance process, should those species
be listed or the critical habitat designated.
Under conference procedures, the Service may provide advisory
conservation recommendations to assist the agency in eliminating
conflicts that may be caused by the proposed action. The Service may
conduct either informal or formal conferences. Informal conferences are
typically used if the proposed action is not likely to have any adverse
effects to the proposed species or proposed critical habitat. Formal
conferences are typically used when the Federal agency or the Service
believes the proposed action is likely to cause adverse effects to
proposed species or critical habitat, inclusive of those that may cause
jeopardy or adverse modification.
The results of an informal conference are typically transmitted in
a conference report, while the results of a formal conference are
typically transmitted in a conference opinion. Conference opinions on
proposed critical habitat are typically prepared according to 50 CFR
402.14, as if the proposed critical habitat were designated. We may
adopt the conference opinion as the biological opinion when the
critical habitat is designated, if no substantial new information or
changes in the action alter the content of the opinion (see 50 CFR
402.10(d)). As noted above, any conservation recommendations in a
conference report or opinion are strictly advisory.
Once a species is listed or critical habitat is designated, section
7(a)(2) of the Act requires Federal agencies to ensure that activities
they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the
continued existence of such a species or to destroy or adversely modify
its critical habitat. Recent decisions by the 5th and 9th Circuit
Courts of Appeals have invalidated our regulatory definition of
``adverse modification'' at 50 CFR 402.02 (see Gifford Pinchot Task
Force v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 378 F. 3d 1059 (9th Cir 2004)
and Sierra Club v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service et al., 245 F.3d 434,
442F (5th Cir 2001)). Pursuant to current national policy and the
statutory provisions of the Act, we determine destruction or adverse
modification based on whether, with implementation of the proposed
Federal action, the affected critical habitat would remain functional
(or retain the current ability for the primary constituent elements to
be functionally established) to serve its intended conservation role
for the species.
If a Federal action may affect a listed species or its critical
habitat, the responsible Federal agency (action agency) must enter into
consultation with us. As a result of this consultation, compliance with
the requirements of section 7(a)(2) will be documented through the
Service's issuance of: (1) A concurrence letter for Federal actions
that may affect, but are not likely to adversely affect, listed species
or critical habitat; or (2) a biological opinion for Federal actions
that are likely to adversely affect listed species or critical habitat.
When we issue a biological opinion concluding that a project is
likely to result in jeopardy to a listed species or the destruction or
adverse modification of critical habitat, we also provide reasonable
and prudent alternatives to the project, if any are identifiable.
``Reasonable and prudent alternatives'' are defined at 50 CFR 402.02 as
alternative actions identified during consultation that can be
implemented in a manner consistent with the intended purpose of the
action, that are consistent with the scope of the Federal agency's
legal authority and jurisdiction, that are economically and
technologically feasible, and that the Director believes would avoid
jeopardy to the listed
[[Page 67726]]
species or destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat.
Reasonable and prudent alternatives can vary from slight project
modifications to extensive redesign or relocation of the project. Costs
associated with implementing a reasonable and prudent alternative are
similarly variable.
Regulations at 50 CFR 402.16 require Federal agencies to reinitiate
consultation on previously reviewed actions in certain instances,
including where a new species is listed or critical habitat is
subsequently designated that may be affected by the Federal action,
where the Federal agency has retained discretionary involvement or
control over the action or such discretionary involvement or control is
authorized by law. Consequently, some Federal agencies may request
reinitiation of consultation with us on actions for which formal
consultation has been completed, if those actions may affect
subsequently listed species or designated critical habitat or adversely
modify or destroy proposed critical habitat.
Federal activities that may affect Arenaria ursina, Castilleja
cinerea, or Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum or their designated
critical habitat will require section 7 consultation under the Act.
Activities on State, Tribal, local or private lands requiring a Federal
permit (such as a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers under section
404 of the Clean Water Act or a permit under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the
Act from the Service) or involving some other Federal action (such as
funding from the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Aviation
Administration, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency) will also
be subject to the section 7 consultation process. Federal actions not
affecting listed species or critical habitat, and actions on State,
Tribal, local or private lands that are not federally funded,
authorized, or permitted, do not require section 7 consultations.
Application of the Jeopardy and Adverse Modification Standards for
Actions Involving Effects to Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum and Their Critical Habitat
Jeopardy Standard
The Service applies an analytical framework for Arenaria ursina,
Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum jeopardy
analyses that relies heavily on the importance of core area populations
to the survival and recovery of these species. The section 7(a)(2)
analysis is focused not only on these populations but also on the
habitat conditions necessary to support them.
The jeopardy analysis usually expresses the survival and recovery
needs of Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi
var. austromontanum in a qualitative fashion without making
distinctions between what is necessary for survival and what is
necessary for recovery. Generally, if a proposed Federal action is
incompatible with the viability of the affected core area
population(s), inclusive of associated habitat conditions, a jeopardy
finding is considered to be warranted, because of the relationship of
each core area population to the survival and recovery of the species
as a whole.
Adverse Modification Standard
The analytical framework described in the Director's December 9,
2004, memorandum will be used to complete section 7(a)(2) analyses for
Federal actions affecting critical habitat for Arenaria ursina,
Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum. The key
factor related to the adverse modification determination is whether,
with implementation of the proposed Federal action, the affected
critical habitat would remain functional (or retain the current ability
for the primary constituent elements to be functionally established) to
serve its intended conservation role for the species. Generally, the
conservation role of critical habitat units for these species is to
support viable core area populations.
Section 4(b)(8) of the Act requires us to briefly evaluate and
describe in any proposed or final regulation that designates critical
habitat those activities involving a Federal action that may destroy or
adversely modify such habitat, or that may be affected by such
designation. Activities that may destroy or adversely modify critical
habitat may also jeopardize the continued existence of the species.
Activities that may destroy or adversely modify critical habitat
are those that alter the PCEs to an extent that the conservation value
of critical habitat for Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, or
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum is appreciably reduced.
Activities that, when carried out, funded, or authorized by a Federal
agency, may affect critical habitat and therefore result in
consultation for the Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, or Eriogonum
kennedyi var. austromontanum include, but are not limited to the
following (please see the ``Special Management Considerations or
Protection'' section for a more detailed discussion on the impacts of
these actions to the listed species):
(1) Actions that result in ground disturbance to pebble plains.
Such activities could include, but are not limited to: Residential or
recreational development, OHV activity, dispersed recreation, new road
construction or widening, existing road maintenance, and grazing (such
as cattle and burros). These activities could impact pebble plains by
damaging or eliminating habitat, altering soil composition due to
increased erosion, and allowing nonnative invasive plant species to
invade. In addition, changes in the soil composition may lead to
cascading changes in the vegetation composition, such as growth of
shrub cover that decreases density or eliminates pebble plain species.
(2) Actions that result in alteration of the hydrological regime of
the pebble plain habitat. Such activities could include residential or
recreational development adjacent to pebble plains, OHV activity,
dispersed recreation, new road construction or widening, and existing
road maintenance. These activities could alter surface layers and
hydrological regime in a manner that promotes loss of clay components
of soil matrix necessary to support the growth and reproduction of the
pebble plain species.
All of the units and subunits proposed as critical habitat contain
features essential to the conservation of Arenaria ursina, Castilleja
cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum. Federal agencies
already consult with us on activities in areas currently occupied by
Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var.
austromontanum or if these species may be affected by the action, to
ensure that their actions do not jeopardize the continued existence of
these species.
Exclusions Under Section 4(b)(2) of the Act
Section 4(b)(2) of the Act states that critical habitat shall be
designated, and revised, on the basis of the best available scientific
data after taking into consideration the economic impact, national
security impact, and any other relevant impact, of specifying any
particular area as critical habitat. The Secretary may exclude an area
from critical habitat if he determines that the benefits of such
exclusion outweigh the benefits of specifying such area as part of the
critical habitat, unless he determines, based on the best scientific
[[Page 67727]]
data available, that the failure to designate such area as critical
habitat will result in the extinction of the species. In making that
determination, the Secretary is afforded broad discretion, and the
Congressional record is clear that in making a determination under the
section the Secretary has discretion as to which factors to consider
and how much weight will be given to any factor.
Under section 4(b)(2), in considering whether to exclude a
particular area from the designation, we must identify the benefits of
including the area in the designation, identify the benefits of
excluding the area from the designation, and determine whether the
benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion. If an
exclusion is contemplated, then we must determine whether excluding the
area would result in the extinction of the species. In the following
sections, we address a number of general issues that are relevant to
any exclusions we may consider.
We are not aware of any habitat conservation plans under
development for Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, or Eriogonum
kennedyi var. austromontanum on any lands included in this proposal,
and the proposed designation does not include any Tribal lands or trust
resources. During the development of this proposal, we coordinated with
SBNF staff to seek input on the appropriate areas to include in
proposed critical habitat that would be essential to Arenaria ursina,
Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum on SBNF
lands.
We examined the USFS's 2002 Pebble Plain Management Guide
(Management Guide), which was designed to provide management direction
for the conservation of pebble plain habitat in the SBNF, to aid in
recovery of the three federally listed plants, and to improve
conditions for Forest Sensitive species occurring in this habitat and
identifies the following management goals and actions necessary to
reduce impacts to pebble plain habitat: protecting pebble plain habitat
throughout its geographic range, reducing habitat loss and
fragmentation, maintaining site viability, and encouraging compatible
uses (USFS 2002, p. i).
We also examined the USFS's Revised Land and Resource Management
Plans for the Four Southern California Forests, California (Forest
Plan) that was approved in September 2005, and the Service's biological
opinion that was issued on the Forest Plan on September 15, 2005. While
the USFS has implemented many of the actions outlined in the Management
Guide and Forest Plan, we believe ongoing unauthorized activities
continue to require special management. Therefore, we are not proposing
to exclude any areas under section 4(b)(2) of the Act.
The Service is conducting an economic analysis of the impacts of
the proposed critical habitat designation and related factors, which
will be available for public review and comment. Based on public
comment on that document, the proposed designation itself, and the
information in the final economic analysis, habitat containing
essential features for Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, or
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum may be excluded from final
critical habitat by the Secretary under the provisions of section
4(b)(2) of the Act. This is provided for in the Act, and in our
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.19.
Economic Analysis
An analysis of the economic impacts of proposing critical habitat
for Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var.
austromontanum is being prepared. We will announce the availability of
the draft economic analysis as soon as it is completed, at which time
we will seek public review and comment. At that time, copies of the
draft economic analysis will be available for downloading from the
Internet at http://www.fws.gov/carlsbad or by contacting the Carlsbad
Fish and Wildlife Office directly (see ADDRESSES).
Peer Review
In accordance with our joint policy published in the Federal
Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270), we will seek the expert
opinions of at least three appropriate and independent specialists
regarding this proposed rule. The purpose of such review is to ensure
that our critical habitat designation is based on scientifically sound
data, assumptions, and analyses. We will send copies of this proposed
rule to these peer reviewers copies immediately following publication
in the Federal Register. We will invite these peer reviewers to
comment, during the public comment period, on the specific assumptions
and conclusions regarding the proposed designation of critical habitat.
We will consider all comments and information received during the
comment period on this proposed rule during preparation of a final
rulemaking. Accordingly, the final decision may differ from this
proposal.
Public Hearings
The Act provides for one or more public hearings on this proposal,
if requested. Requests for public hearings must be made in writing at
least 15 days prior to the close of the public comment period. We will
schedule public hearings on this proposal, if any are requested, and
announce the dates, times, and places of those hearings in the Federal
Register and local newspapers at least 15 days prior to the first
hearing.
Clarity of the Rule
Executive Order 12866 requires each agency to write regulations and
notices that are easy to understand. We invite your comments on how to
make this proposed rule easier to understand, including answers to
questions such as the following: (1) Are the requirements in the
proposed rule clearly stated? (2) Does the proposed rule contain
technical jargon that interferes with the clarity? (3) Does the format
of the proposed rule (grouping and order of the sections, use of
headings, paragraphing, and so forth) aid or reduce its clarity? (4) Is
the description of the notice in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
of the preamble helpful in understanding the proposed rule? (5) What
else could we do to make this proposed rule easier to understand?
Send a copy of any comments on how we could make this proposed rule
easier to understand to: Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department of
the Interior, Room 7229, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. You
may e-mail your comments to this address: Exsec@ios.doi.gov.
Required Determinations
Regulatory Planning and Review
In accordance with Executive Order 12866, this document is a
significant rule in that it may raise novel legal and policy issues,
but it is not anticipated to have an annual effect on the economy of
$100 million or more or affect the economy in a material way. Due to
the tight timeline for publication in the Federal Register, the Office
of Management and Budget (OMB) has not formally reviewed this rule. We
are preparing a draft economic analysis of this proposed action, which
will be available for public comment, to determine the economic
consequences of designating the specific area as critical habitat. This
economic analysis also will be used to determine compliance with
Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Flexibility Act, Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, Executive Order 12630,
[[Page 67728]]
Executive Order 13211, and Executive Order 12875.
Within these areas, the types of Federal actions or authorized
activities that we have identified as potential concerns are listed
above in the section on Section 7 Consultation. The availability of the
draft economic analysis will be announced in the Federal Register and
in local newspapers so that it is available for public review and
comments. The draft economic analysis can be obtained from the Internet
Web site at http://www.fws.gov/carlsbad or by contacting the Carlsbad
Fish and Wildlife Office directly (see ADDRESSES).
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., as
amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
(SBREFA) of 1996), whenever an agency is required to publish a notice
of rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare and make
available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis that
describes the effects of the rule on small entities (small businesses,
small organizations, and small government jurisdictions). However, no
regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of the agency
certifies the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. The SBREFA amended the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (RFA) to require Federal agencies to provide a
statement of the factual basis for certifying that the rule will not
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
At this time, the Service lacks the available economic information
necessary to provide an adequate factual basis for the required RFA
finding. Therefore, the RFA finding is deferred until completion of the
draft economic analysis prepared under to section 4(b)(2) of the Act
and E.O. 12866. This draft economic analysis will provide the required
factual basis for the RFA finding. Upon completion of the draft
economic analysis, the Service will publish a notice of availability of
the draft economic analysis of the proposed designation and reopen the
public comment period for the proposed designation for an additional 60
days. The Service will include with the notice of availability, as
appropriate, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis or a
certification that the rule will not have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities accompanied by the factual
basis for that determination. The Service has concluded that deferring
the RFA finding until completion of the draft economic analysis is
necessary to meet the purposes and requirements of the RFA. Deferring
the RFA finding in this manner will ensure that the Service makes a
sufficiently informed determination based on adequate economic
information and provides the necessary opportunity for public comment.
Executive Order 13211
On May 18, 2001, the President issued an Executive Order (E.O.
13211) on regulations that significantly affect energy supply,
distribution, and use. Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to
prepare Statements of Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions.
Although this proposed rule to designate critical habitat for Arenaria
ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum
is a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, it is
not expected to significantly affect energy supplies, distribution, or
use. Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action and no
Statement of Energy Effects is required.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.)
In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C.
1501), the Service makes the following findings:
(a) This rule will not produce a Federal mandate. In general, a
Federal mandate is a provision in legislation, statute or regulation
that would impose an enforceable duty upon State, local, tribal
governments, or the private sector and includes both ``Federal
intergovernmental mandates'' and ``Federal private sector mandates.''
These terms are defined in 2 U.S.C. 658(5)-(7). ``Federal
intergovernmental mandate'' includes a regulation that ``would impose
an enforceable duty upon State, local, or tribal governments'' with two
exceptions. It excludes ``a condition of Federal assistance.'' It also
excludes ``a duty arising from participation in a voluntary Federal
program,'' unless the regulation ``relates to a then-existing Federal
program under which $500,000,000 or more is provided annually to State,
local, and tribal governments under entitlement authority,'' if the
provision would ``increase the stringency of conditions of assistance''
or ``place caps upon, or otherwise decrease, the Federal Government's
responsibility to provide funding,'' and the State, local, or tribal
governments ``lack authority'' to adjust accordingly. At the time of
enactment, these entitlement programs were: Medicaid; AFDC work
programs; Child Nutrition; Food Stamps; Social Services Block Grants;
Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants; Foster Care, Adoption
Assistance, and Independent Living; Family Support Welfare Services;
and Child Support Enforcement. ``Federal private sector mandate''
includes a regulation that ``would impose an enforceable duty upon the
private sector, except (i) a condition of Federal assistance or (ii) a
duty arising from participation in a voluntary Federal program.''
The designation of critical habitat does not impose a legally
binding duty on non-Federal government entities or private parties.
Under the Act, the only regulatory effect is that Federal agencies must
ensure that their actions do not destroy or adversely modify critical
habitat under section 7. While non-Federal entities that receive
Federal funding, assistance, or permits, or that otherwise require
approval or authorization from a Federal agency for an action, may be
indirectly impacted by the designation of critical habitat, the legally
binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical
habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency. Furthermore, to the
extent that non-Federal entities are indirectly impacted because they
receive Federal assistance or participate in a voluntary Federal aid
program, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act would not apply; nor would
critical habitat shift the costs of the large entitlement programs
listed above on to State governments.
Due to current public knowledge of the species' protection and the
fact that virtually all of the proposed critical habitat is on Federal
lands, we do not anticipate that this rule will significantly or
uniquely affect small governments. As such, Small Government Agency
Plan is not required. However, we will further evaluate this issue as
we conduct our economic analysis and revise this assessment if
appropriate.
Takings
In accordance with Executive Order 12630 (``Government Actions and
Interference with Constitutionally Protected Private Property
Rights''), we have analyzed the potential takings implications of
designating critical habitat for the Arenaria ursina, Castilleja
cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum in a takings
implications assessment. The takings implications assessment concludes
that this designation of critical habitat for the Arenaria ursina,
[[Page 67729]]
Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum does not
pose significant takings implications. However, we will further
evaluate this issue as we conduct our economic analysis and review and
revise this assessment as warranted.
Federalism
In accordance with Executive Order 13132, the rule does not have
significant Federalism effects. A Federalism assessment is not
required. In keeping with DOI and Department of Commerce policy, we
requested information from, and coordinated development of, this
proposed critical habitat designation with appropriate State resource
agencies in California. The designation of critical habitat in areas
currently occupied by Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, or Eriogonum
kennedyi var. austromontanum imposes no additional restrictions to
those currently in place and, therefore, has little incremental impact
on State and local governments and their activities. The designation
may have some benefit to these governments in that the areas that
contain the features essential to the conservation of the species are
more clearly defined, and the primary constituent elements of the
habitat necessary to the conservation of the species are specifically
identified. While making this definition and identification does not
alter where and what federally sponsored activities may occur, it may
assist these local governments in long-range planning (rather than
waiting for case-by-case section 7 consultations to occur).
Civil Justice Reform
In accordance with Executive Order 12988, the Office of the
Solicitor has determined that the rule does not unduly burden the
judicial system and meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2)
of the Order. We have proposed designating critical habitat in
accordance with the provisions of the Endangered Species Act. This
proposed rule uses standard property descriptions and identifies the
primary constituent elements within the designated areas to assist the
public in understanding the habitat needs of Arenaria ursina,
Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)
This rule does not contain any new collections of information that
require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This rule
will not impose recordkeeping or reporting requirements on State or
local governments, individuals, businesses, or organizations. An agency
may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to,
a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
National Environmental Policy Act
It is our position that, outside the Tenth Circuit, we do not need
to prepare environmental analyses as defined by the NEPA in connection
with designating critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of
1973, as amended. We published a notice outlining our reasons for this
determination in the Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR
49244). This assertion was upheld in the courts of the Ninth Circuit
(Douglas County v. Babbitt, 48 F.3d 1495 (9th Cir. Ore. 1995), cert.
denied 116 S. Ct. 698 (1996).
Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes
In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994,
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, and the Department
of Interior's manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our
responsibility to communicate meaningfully with recognized Federal
Tribes on a government-to-government basis. We have determined that
there are no Tribal lands supporting habitat for Arenaria ursina,
Castilleja cinerea, or Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum that
meets the definition of critical habitat. Therefore, designation of
critical habitat for Arenaria ursina, Castilleja cinerea, and Eriogonum
kennedyi var. austromontanum has not been proposed on Tribal lands.
References Cited
A complete list of all references cited in this rulemaking is
available upon request from the Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish and
Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES section).
Author(s)
The primary author of this package is the staff of the Carlsbad
Fish and Wildlife Office.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.
Proposed Regulation Promulgation
Accordingly, we propose to amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter
I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below:
PART 17--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544; 16 U.S.C.
4201-4245; Pub. L. 99-625, 100 Stat. 3500; unless otherwise noted.
2. In Sec. 17.12(h), revise the entries for ``Arenaria ursina'',
``Castilleja cinerea'', and ``Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum''
under ``FLOWERING PLANTS'' to read as follows:
Sec. 17.12 Endangered and threatened plants.
* * * * *
(h) * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species
-------------------------------------------------------- Historic range Family Status When listed Critical Special
Scientific name Common name habitat rules
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flowering Plants
* * * * * * *
Arenaria ursina.................. Bear Valley sandwort U.S.A. (CA)........ Caryophyllaceae.... T 644 17.96(a) NA
* * * * * * *
Castilleja cinerea............... Ash-gray Indian U.S.A. (CA)........ Orobanchaceae...... T 644 17.96(a) NA
paintbrush.
[[Page 67730]]
* * * * * * *
Eriogonum kennedyi var. Southern mountain U.S.A. (CA)........ Polygonaceae....... T 644 17.96(a) NA
austromontanum. wild-buckwheat.
* * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. In Sec. 17.96(a), as set forth below:
a. Add ``Family Caryophyllaceae'' and ``Family Orobanchaceae'' in
alphabetical order of the family names;
b. Add a critical habitat entry for ``Arenaria ursina'' under
Family Caryophyllaceae and a critical habitat entry for ``Castilleja
cinerea'' under Family Orobanchaeae; and
c. Add a critical habitat entry for ``Eriogonum kennedyi var.
austromontanum'' in alphabetical order under Family Polygonaceae.
Sec. 17.96 Critical habitat--plants.
* * * * *
(a) Flowering plants.
* * * * *
Family Caryophyllaceae: Arenaria ursina (Bear Valley sandwort)
(1) Critical habitat units for this species are found in San
Bernardino County, California. The critical habitat units designated
for this species are related to those set forth elsewhere in this
section for Family Orobanchaceae: Castilleja cinerea (Ash-gray Indian
paintbrush) and Family Polygonaceae: Eriogonum kennedyi var.
austromontanum (Southern mountain wild-buckwheat). Because all of the
critical habitat units for these three species are designated for
Family Orobanchaceae: Castilleja cinerea (Ash-gray Indian paintbrush),
the units are set forth in text and depicted on the maps in the
critical habitat entry for that species.
(2) The primary constituent elements of critical habitat for
Arenaria ursina are the habitat components that provide:
(i) Pebble plains or dry meadows in openings within upper montane
coniferous forest, pinyon-juniper woodlands, or Mojavean desert scrub
in the San Bernardino Mountains of San Bernardino County, California,
at elevations between 5,900 to 9,800 feet (1,830 to 2,990 meters) that
provide space for individual and population growth, reproduction, and
dispersal; and
(ii) Seasonally wet clay or sandy, clay soils, generally containing
quartzite pebbles, subject to natural hydrological processes that
include water hydrating the soil and freezing in winter and drying in
summer causing lifting and churning of included pebbles, to provide
adequate water, air, minerals, and other nutritional or physiological
requirements to the species.
(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as
buildings, aqueducts, airports, roads, and other paved areas) and the
land on which they are located existing on the effective date of this
rule and not containing one or more of the primary constituent
elements.
(4) The applicable units and subunits of critical habitat for
Arenaria ursina are 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 7A,
8A, 8B, 10, 11A, and 11B in the critical habitat entry for Family
Orobanchaceae: Castilleja cinerea (Ash-gray Indian paintbrush).
* * * * *
Family Orobanchaceae: Castilleja cinerea (Ash-Gray Indian Paintbrush)
(1) Critical habitat units for this species are found in San
Bernardino County, California. The critical habitat units designated
for this species are related to those set forth elsewhere in this
section for Family Caryophyllaceae: Arenaria ursina (Bear Valley
sandwort) and Family Polygonaceae: Eriogonum kennedyi var.
austromontanum (Southern mountain wild-buckwheat). Because all of
critical habitat units for these three species are designated for
Castilleja cinerea, the units are set forth in text and depicted on the
maps below in the entry for this species.
(2) The primary constituent elements of critical habitat for
Castilleja cinerea are the habitat components that provide:
(i) Pebble plains or dry meadows in openings within upper montane
coniferous forest, pinyon-juniper woodlands, or Mojavean desert scrub
in the San Bernardino Mountains of San Bernardino County, California,
at elevations between 5,900 to 9,800 feet (1,830 to 2,990 meters) that
provide space for individual and population growth, reproduction, and
dispersal;
(ii) Seasonally wet clay or sandy, clay soils, generally containing
quartzite pebbles, subject to natural hydrological processes that
include water hydrating the soil and freezing in winter and drying in
summer causing lifting and churning of included pebbles, to provide
adequate water, air, minerals, and other nutritional or physiological
requirements to the species; and
(iii) The presence of one or more of its known host species such as
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum, E. k. var. kennedyi, and E.
wrightii var. subscaposumon in pebble plain habitat and species such as
Artemisia tridentata, A. nova, and E. wrightii var. subscaposumon in
pebble plain and non-pebble plain habitat that provide some of the
physiological requirements for this species.
(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as
buildings, aqueducts, airports, roads, and other paved areas) and the
land on which they are located existing on the effective date of this
rule and not containing one or more of the primary constituent
elements.
(4) Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were
created on a base of USGS 1:24,0000 maps, and critical habitat units
were then mapped using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates.
(5) The applicable units and subunits of critical habitat for
Castilleja cinerea are 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C,
6A, 6B, 7A, 7B, 8A, 8B, 9, 10, 11A, and 11B.
(6) Note: Index map of critical habitat units for Family
Caryophyllaceae: Arenaria ursina (Bear Valley sandwort), Family
Orobanchaceae: Castilleja cinerea (Ash-gray Indian paintbrush), and
Family Polygonaceae: Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum (Southern
mountain wild-buckwheat) (Map 1) follows:
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(7) Unit 1: Arrastre/Union Flat, San Bernardino County, California.
From USGS 1:24,000 quadrangle map Big Bear City.
(i) Subunit 1A. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27 coordinates
(E,N): 512434, 3795966; 512436, 3795961; 512446, 3795966; 512450,
3795966; 512469, 3795969; 512508, 3795965; 512533, 3795959; 512537,
3795959; 512539, 3795960; 512549, 3795964; 512560, 3795961; 512568,
3795954; 512573, 3795948; 512573, 3795936; 512571, 3795930; 512568,
3795927; 512565, 3795927; 512563, 3795927; 512563, 3795924; 512561,
3795914; 512556, 3795904; 512555, 3795903; 512554, 3795901; 512548,
3795879; 512535, 3795835; 512544, 3795791; 512546, 3795790; 512554,
3795787; 512568, 3795779; 512576, 3795774; 512582, 3795771; 512592,
3795764; 512595, 3795753; 512595, 3795747; 512591, 3795739; 512584,
3795732; 512581, 3795731; 512575, 3795727; 512569, 3795727; 512560,
3795728; 512552, 3795733; 512544, 3795739; 512542, 3795740; 512541,
3795739; 512540, 3795738; 512525, 3795717; 512469, 3795694; 512447,
3795680; 512445, 3795679; 512427, 3795653; 512428, 3795649; 512450,
3795617; 512476, 3795588; 512476, 3795588; 512504, 3795564; 512514,
3795552; 512541, 3795525; 512546, 3795509; 512548, 3795508; 512553,
3795501; 512554, 3795500; 512558, 3795490; 512566, 3795479; 512573,
3795468; 512584, 3795444; 512586, 3795433; 512588, 3795412; 512594,
3795398; 512601, 3795395; 512607, 3795395; 512627, 3795401; 512632,
3795400; 512641, 3795402; 512654, 3795400; 512675, 3795405; 512691,
3795401; 512699, 3795397; 512703, 3795397; 512707, 3795394; 512715,
3795393; 512718, 3795391; 512730, 3795388; 512740, 3795378; 512742,
3795374; 512746, 3795371; 512770, 3795357; 512806, 3795330; 512815,
3795317; 512837, 3795311; 512856, 3795327; 512872, 3795330; 512883,
3795343; 512886, 3795339; 512900, 3795331; 512905, 3795319; 512909,
3795312; 512913, 3795307; 512913, 3795306; 512913, 3795305; 512914,
3795303; 512920, 3795287; 512924, 3795286; 512935, 3795275; 512938,
3795270; 512944, 3795264; 512948, 3795258; 512953, 3795250; 512955,
3795245; 512954, 3795239; 512953, 3795233; 512949, 3795225; 512946,
3795221; 512949, 3795219; 512976, 3795203; 512998, 3795196; 513008,
3795189; 513014, 3795187; 513019, 3795183; 513030, 3795176; 513031,
3795173; 513048, 3795163; 513049, 3795158; 513051, 3795154; 513053,
3795150; 513053, 3795143; 513053, 3795142; 513056, 3795131; 513053,
3795122; 513053, 3795109; 513055, 3795098; 513059, 3795095; 513062,
3795091; 513066, 3795086; 513069, 3795084; 513072, 3795077; 513076,
3795073; 513079, 3795066; 513080, 3795064; 513083, 3795057; 513083,
3795052; 513083, 3795047; 513082, 3795043; 513080, 3795036; 513080,
3795034; 513079, 3795025; 513077, 3795018; 513075, 3795011; 513075,
3795007; 513072, 3794999; 513069, 3794994; 513066, 3794989; 513058,
3794982; 513053, 3794982; 513047, 3794982; 513037, 3794982; 513035,
3794981; 513017, 3794975; 513010, 3794975; 513006, 3794978; 513000,
3794981; 512993, 3794985; 512988, 3794988; 512973, 3794993; 512965,
3794993; 512960, 3794991; 512951, 3794990; 512944, 3794988; 512938,
3794987; 512934, 3794988; 512924, 3794989; 512915, 3794991; 512897,
3794997; 512886, 3795001; 512875, 3795007; 512866, 3795012; 512852,
3795026; 512850, 3795031; 512847, 3795037; 512848, 3795042; 512848,
3795045; 512856, 3795057; 512861, 3795057; 512871, 3795053; 512875,
3795052; 512883, 3795047; 512863, 3795065; 512861, 3795066; 512853,
3795072; 512853, 3795075; 512847, 3795081; 512851, 3795097; 512867,
3795120; 512875, 3795132; 512879, 3795132; 512881, 3795135; 512913,
3795143; 512919, 3795177; 512903, 3795187; 512899, 3795188; 512884,
3795190; 512840, 3795190; 512839, 3795192; 512835, 3795194; 512826,
3795195; 512825, 3795196; 512811, 3795199; 512812, 3795203; 512811,
3795204; 512811, 3795217; 512800, 3795241; 512793, 3795247; 512785,
3795251; 512778, 3795254; 512765, 3795263; 512732, 3795279; 512696,
3795299; 512648, 3795303; 512621, 3795315; 512618, 3795316; 512607,
3795318; 512601, 3795321; 512585, 3795327; 512561, 3795335; 512558,
3795344; 512555, 3795349; 512545, 3795359; 512533, 3795366; 512510,
3795373; 512508, 3795373; 512500, 3795376; 512498, 3795372; 512497,
3795370; 512495, 3795367; 512492, 3795368; 512490, 3795372; 512490,
3795379; 512489, 3795379; 512484, 3795381; 512485, 3795387; 512482,
3795398; 512482, 3795418; 512485, 3795432; 512484, 3795433; 512486,
3795443; 512486, 3795452; 512453, 3795490; 512413, 3795508; 512409,
3795509; 512408, 3795507; 512406, 3795499; 512398, 3795500; 512390,
3795509; 512386, 3795512; 512354, 3795501; 512340, 3795496; 512357,
3795495; 512366, 3795491; 512362, 3795478; 512360, 3795467; 512361,
3795466; 512364, 3795462; 512368, 3795462; 512373, 3795469; 512376,
3795462; 512392, 3795462; 512392, 3795461; 512393, 3795461; 512401,
3795463; 512406, 3795462; 512408, 3795459; 512429, 3795455; 512432,
3795454; 512437, 3795449; 512437, 3795446; 512434, 3795435; 512431,
3795430; 512434, 3795422; 512433, 3795419; 512434, 3795416; 512432,
3795410; 512433, 3795405; 512430, 3795402; 512428, 3795397; 512423,
3795395; 512421, 3795393; 512393, 3795381; 512369, 3795385; 512368,
3795386; 512367, 3795386; 512351, 3795394; 512339, 3795398; 512339,
3795414; 512342, 3795418; 512342, 3795425; 512350, 3795437; 512339,
3795449; 512324, 3795455; 512306, 3795472; 512299, 3795481; 512283,
3795473; 512264, 3795473; 512249, 3795472; 512248, 3795473; 512247,
3795473; 512237, 3795473; 512228, 3795473; 512223, 3795475; 512207,
3795477; 512189, 3795483; 512172, 3795485; 512165, 3795492; 512163,
3795493; 512156, 3795496; 512155, 3795496; 512150, 3795497; 512149,
3795498; 512135, 3795504; 512124, 3795510; 512100, 3795517; 512095,
3795519; 512080, 3795516; 512060, 3795516; 512044, 3795536; 512052,
3795560; 512056, 3795588; 512064, 3795616; 512064, 3795617; 512065,
3795620; 512081, 3795644; 512087, 3795650; 512088, 3795651; 512089,
3795652; 512101, 3795664; 512123, 3795675; 512123, 3795688; 512123,
3795695; 512122, 3795699; 512119, 3795715; 512111, 3795727; 512119,
3795747; 512125, 3795759; 512133, 3795784; 512135, 3795798; 512143,
3795822; 512155, 3795842; 512171, 3795857; 512199, 3795878; 512223,
3795886; 512228, 3795889; 512235, 3795890; 512242, 3795892; 512248,
3795895; 512282, 3795913; 512334, 3795929; 512377, 3795941; 512380,
3795941; 512383, 3795942; 512387, 3795942; 512394, 3795943; 512397,
3795947; 512412, 3795966; 512417, 3795971; 512422, 3795975; 512427,
3795979; 512430, 3795978; 512434, 3795966.
(ii) Subunit 1B. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27
coordinates (E,N): 513282, 3797202; 513312, 3797195; 513346, 3797179;
513347, 3797179; 513352, 3797178; 513378, 3797155; 513382, 3797151;
513404, 3797137; 513430, 3797126; 513434, 3797122; 513438, 3797119;
513475, 3797110; 513503, 3797106; 513500, 3797115; 513500, 3797124;
513510, 3797137; 513520, 3797137; 513532, 3797131; 513545, 3797124;
513554, 3797111; 513554, 3797108; 513567, 3797110; 513599, 3797116;
513650,
[[Page 67733]]
3797107; 513655, 3797103; 513659, 3797103; 513666, 3797099; 513668,
3797098; 513694, 3797083; 513708, 3797069; 513727, 3797057; 513758,
3797027; 513788, 3796985; 513797, 3796978; 513801, 3796976; 513815,
3796968; 513834, 3796962; 513876, 3796962; 513926, 3796970; 513952,
3796981; 513956, 3796985; 513979, 3797000; 514002, 3797019; 514028,
3797035; 514070, 3797061; 514093, 3797069; 514129, 3797075; 514136,
3797079; 514216, 3797087; 514238, 3797082; 514329, 3797076; 514364,
3797073; 514406, 3797069; 514444, 3797046; 514455, 3797019; 514448,
3797004; 514444, 3797001; 514441, 3796991; 514418, 3796945; 514401,
3796935; 514398, 3796928; 514393, 3796914; 514396, 3796911; 514384,
3796831; 514384, 3796806; 514387, 3796798; 514383, 3796764; 514375,
3796741; 514362, 3796721; 514357, 3796709; 514343, 3796691; 514329,
3796661; 514318, 3796650; 514303, 3796631; 514288, 3796623; 514276,
3796625; 514270, 3796622; 514239, 3796625; 514197, 3796645; 514171,
3796637; 514166, 3796635; 514151, 3796626; 514106, 3796587; 514064,
3796561; 514003, 3796519; 513965, 3796488; 513946, 3796458; 513946,
3796457; 513959, 3796433; 513996, 3796392; 514005, 3796381; 514022,
3796370; 514030, 3796350; 514036, 3796343; 514043, 3796339; 514101,
3796309; 514102, 3796309; 514108, 3796307; 514111, 3796304; 514142,
3796287; 514170, 3796255; 514215, 3796208; 514291, 3796164; 514355,
3796119; 514424, 3796055; 514439, 3796024; 514451, 3796009; 514449,
3795971; 514450, 3795964; 514443, 3795894; 514441, 3795891; 514440,
3795890; 514393, 3795830; 514332, 3795801; 514321, 3795800; 514291,
3795789; 514262, 3795785; 514258, 3795783; 514231, 3795781; 514227,
3795781; 514226, 3795781; 514155, 3795776; 514144, 3795785; 514116,
3795789; 514088, 3795817; 514047, 3795891; 514018, 3795938; 514005,
3795973; 513980, 3796014; 513957, 3796046; 513948, 3796055; 513865,
3796109; 513828, 3796145; 513797, 3796168; 513780, 3796186; 513762,
3796200; 513760, 3796201; 513723, 3796230; 513687, 3796286; 513678,
3796295; 513674, 3796304; 513669, 3796313; 513661, 3796338; 513655,
3796353; 513652, 3796365; 513634, 3796408; 513630, 3796430; 513628,
3796432; 513627, 3796434; 513625, 3796439; 513622, 3796448; 513622,
3796451; 513619, 3796455; 513615, 3796461; 513612, 3796466; 513607,
3796471; 513601, 3796475; 513594, 3796479; 513581, 3796480; 513579,
3796481; 513577, 3796481; 513568, 3796491; 513563, 3796494; 513561,
3796495; 513560, 3796500; 513560, 3796506; 513560, 3796508; 513562,
3796511; 513567, 3796513; 513573, 3796517; 513578, 3796520; 513586,
3796523; 513592, 3796524; 513582, 3796530; 513580, 3796555; 513590,
3796564; 513595, 3796566; 513601, 3796566; 513598, 3796573; 513589,
3796592; 513581, 3796602; 513570, 3796605; 513551, 3796618; 513539,
3796656; 513548, 3796669; 513548, 3796676; 513571, 3796707; 513590,
3796760; 513590, 3796810; 513587, 3796851; 513586, 3796856; 513584,
3796863; 513571, 3796887; 513565, 3796881; 513546, 3796877; 513512,
3796881; 513489, 3796900; 513481, 3796923; 513481, 3796924; 513465,
3796924; 513438, 3796920; 513432, 3796923; 513431, 3796922; 513380,
3796910; 513348, 3796878; 513329, 3796849; 513326, 3796805; 513300,
3796757; 513293, 3796749; 513291, 3796739; 513275, 3796710; 513273,
3796706; 513268, 3796698; 513256, 3796676; 513232, 3796652; 513204,
3796636; 513196, 3796629; 513168, 3796629; 513162, 3796631; 513162,
3796628; 513162, 3796619; 513158, 3796609; 513155, 3796603; 513149,
3796597; 513138, 3796593; 513131, 3796584; 513128, 3796581; 513148,
3796577; 513167, 3796562; 513167, 3796528; 513152, 3796516; 513146,
3796511; 513141, 3796511; 513118, 3796501; 513119, 3796501; 513131,
3796493; 513134, 3796488; 513145, 3796482; 513149, 3796466; 513145,
3796450; 513137, 3796434; 513126, 3796434; 513115, 3796429; 513106,
3796427; 513100, 3796425; 513087, 3796427; 513085, 3796426; 513082,
3796427; 513085, 3796425; 513089, 3796424; 513094, 3796423; 513099,
3796421; 513103, 3796421; 513107, 3796420; 513109, 3796419; 513120,
3796414; 513122, 3796411; 513123, 3796407; 513123, 3796401; 513121,
3796389; 513110, 3796387; 513089, 3796387; 513085, 3796387; 513080,
3796383; 513075, 3796378; 513069, 3796376; 513065, 3796378; 513061,
3796380; 513038, 3796401; 513031, 3796403; 513022, 3796403; 513016,
3796403; 513010, 3796404; 513007, 3796408; 512998, 3796427; 512993,
3796432; 512984, 3796432; 512976, 3796431; 512967, 3796430; 512958,
3796430; 512948, 3796431; 512942, 3796435; 512942, 3796440; 512943,
3796447; 512947, 3796453; 512958, 3796458; 512968, 3796460; 512981,
3796461; 512990, 3796462; 512998, 3796461; 513002, 3796462; 513000,
3796463; 512996, 3796465; 512992, 3796472; 512986, 3796477; 512982,
3796485; 512977, 3796493; 512985, 3796499; 512986, 3796501; 512996,
3796509; 513006, 3796518; 513003, 3796519; 513001, 3796524; 513001,
3796528; 513003, 3796531; 513006, 3796533; 513013, 3796536; 513026,
3796540; 513031, 3796543; 513019, 3796558; 513004, 3796600; 513004,
3796623; 513001, 3796637; 513009, 3796690; 513024, 3796717; 513039,
3796763; 513070, 3796797; 513089, 3796843; 513096, 3796872; 513099,
3796901; 513095, 3796915; 513094, 3796917; 513076, 3796939; 513072,
3796962; 513087, 3796975; 513089, 3796980; 513123, 3797003; 513126,
3797015; 513126, 3797031; 513106, 3797069; 513087, 3797088; 513084,
3797137; 513096, 3797163; 513103, 3797175; 513141, 3797195; 513182,
3797197; 513184, 3797197; 513218, 3797201; 513240, 3797201; 513255,
3797202; 513282, 3797202.
(iii) Note: Map of Unit 1, Subunits 1A and 1B (Map 2), follows:
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(8) Unit 2: Big Bear Lake, San Bernardino County, California. From
USGS 1:24,000 quadrangle map Big Bear Lake.
(i) Subunit 2A. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27 coordinates
(E, N): 506933, 3788172; 506933, 3788172; 507055, 3788172; 507058,
3788169; 507058, 3788169; 507166, 3788172; 507208, 3788170; 507213,
3788165; 507215, 3788157; 507213, 3788134; 507205, 3788104; 507197,
3788062; 507176, 3788009; 507151, 3787955; 507123, 3787915; 507111,
3787897; 507087, 3787865; 507069, 3787840; 507045, 3787831; 507043,
3787831; 507040, 3787820; 507041, 3787818; 507036, 3787807; 507036,
3787807; 507036, 3787806; 507036, 3787806; 507025, 3787783; 507009,
3787755; 507006, 3787754; 507000, 3787747; 506974, 3787747; 506974,
3787747; 506973, 3787747; 506968, 3787747; 506967, 3787748; 506954,
3787751; 506938, 3787779; 506942, 3787811; 506954, 3787842; 506966,
3787866; 506974, 3787869; 506956, 3787901; 506949, 3787935; 506941,
3787974; 506938, 3788020; 506941, 3788043; 506939, 3788042; 506926,
3788042; 506907, 3788042; 506901, 3788049; 506892, 3788058; 506885,
3788071; 506885, 3788093; 506888, 3788115; 506895, 3788135; 506911,
3788153; 506933, 3788160; 506933, 3788172.
(ii) Subunit 2B. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27
coordinates (E, N): 507777, 3788001; 507780, 3787993; 507783, 3788009;
507791, 3788029; 507801, 3788015; 507806, 3788013; 507806, 3788005;
507811, 3787989; 507811, 3787973; 507811, 3787949; 507810, 3787946;
507810, 3787941; 507807, 3787932; 507806, 3787930; 507804, 3787929;
507803, 3787925; 507802, 3787925; 507790, 3787909; 507764, 3787877;
507732, 3787851; 507704, 3787839; 507688, 3787829; 507686, 3787828;
507682, 3787826; 507682, 3787827; 507678, 3787826; 507674, 3787876;
507666, 3787929; 507659, 3787975; 507659, 3788001; 507669, 3788023;
507682, 3788035; 507707, 3788042; 507729, 3788042; 507752, 3788036;
507767, 3788013; 507769, 3788006; 507777, 3788001.
(iii) Note: Map of Unit 2, Subunits 2A and 2B (Map 3), follows:
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(9) Unit 3: Broom Flat, San Bernardino County, California. From
USGS 1:24,000 quadrangle map Onyx Peak.
(i) Subunit 3A. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27 coordinates
(E,N): 525644, 3786958; 525650, 3786943; 525657, 3786886; 525619,
3786867; 525580, 3786879; 525577, 3786894; 525574, 3786905; 525542,
3786911; 525498, 3786892; 525473, 3786847; 525450, 3786817; 525440,
3786790; 525442, 3786753; 525491, 3786702; 525528, 3786682; 525545,
3786658; 525552, 3786616; 525518, 3786601; 525472, 3786618; 525418,
3786655; 525374, 3786645; 525352, 3786596; 525312, 3786569; 525288,
3786552; 525285, 3786508; 525261, 3786459; 525229, 3786435; 525185,
3786425; 525148, 3786423; 525114, 3786442; 525107, 3786462; 525112,
3786503; 525121, 3786543; 525151, 3786587; 525190, 3786606; 525202,
3786658; 525246, 3786724; 525278, 3786795; 525327, 3786873; 525374,
3786910; 525377, 3786968; 525396, 3786994; 525428, 3787032; 525469,
3787091; 525533, 3787152; 525580, 3787209; 525619, 3787254; 525644,
3787311; 525657, 3787355; 525688, 3787387; 525733, 3787419; 525746,
3787419; 525771, 3787444; 525771, 3787508; 525777, 3787565; 525771,
3787616; 525777, 3787641; 525815, 3787629; 525834, 3787597; 525860,
3787552; 525898, 3787527; 525911, 3787495; 525904, 3787457; 525904,
3787425; 525892, 3787368; 525860, 3787324; 525828, 3787260; 525784,
3787203; 525777, 3787152; 525765, 3787127; 525733, 3787121; 525688,
3787076; 525644, 3787019; 525638, 3786974; 525644, 3786958.
(ii) Subunit 3B. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27
coordinates (E,N): 525111, 3785431; 525155, 3785406; 525142, 3785419;
525199, 3785419; 525250, 3785412; 525307, 3785393; 525365, 3785362;
525378, 3785345; 525421, 3785349; 525497, 3785323; 525558, 3785296;
525600, 3785262; 525661, 3785220; 525706, 3785197; 525744, 3785182;
525813, 3785170; 525870, 3785170; 525950, 3785201; 526053, 3785243;
526125, 3785292; 526198, 3785323; 526247, 3785330; 526297, 3785338;
526358, 3785338; 526411, 3785327; 526457, 3785292; 526491, 3785262;
526529, 3785227; 526556, 3785170; 526556, 3785132; 526552, 3785079;
526548, 3785022; 526540, 3784978; 526562, 3784983; 526585, 3784983;
526610, 3784977; 526632, 3784967; 526642, 3784945; 526639, 3784907;
526632, 3784885; 526616, 3784847; 526604, 3784834; 526588, 3784815;
526575, 3784789; 526562, 3784774; 526617, 3784774; 526651, 3784759;
526651, 3784751; 526662, 3784735; 526662, 3784724; 526642, 3784701;
526625, 3784671; 526614, 3784655; 526626, 3784653; 526636, 3784634;
526632, 3784615; 526616, 3784593; 526604, 3784577; 526594, 3784567;
526582, 3784558; 526575, 3784548; 526562, 3784542; 526550, 3784535;
526547, 3784534; 526522, 3784488; 526509, 3784440; 526506, 3784412;
526495, 3784379; 526459, 3784332; 526457, 3784330; 526449, 3784321;
526434, 3784252; 526415, 3784229; 526418, 3784219; 526423, 3784219;
526430, 3784207; 526436, 3784191; 526442, 3784178; 526445, 3784162;
526439, 3784151; 526445, 3784130; 526476, 3784019; 526510, 3783943;
526522, 3783890; 526541, 3783795; 526567, 3783692; 526579, 3783627;
526606, 3783581; 526647, 3783490; 526680, 3783446; 526713, 3783425;
526764, 3783396; 526818, 3783371; 526861, 3783342; 526873, 3783324;
526876, 3783323; 526878, 3783320; 526913, 3783270; 526922, 3783257;
526963, 3783235; 526981, 3783233; 527032, 3783219; 527050, 3783204;
527064, 3783175; 527075, 3783143; 527071, 3783137; 527074, 3783128;
527051, 3783117; 527037, 3783121; 527006, 3783124; 526970, 3783139;
526945, 3783150; 526930, 3783150; 526898, 3783168; 526872, 3783183;
526869, 3783183; 526840, 3783163; 526840, 3783139; 526843, 3783117;
526861, 3783088; 526890, 3783052; 526911, 3783037; 526907, 3783059;
526904, 3783081; 526901, 3783107; 526917, 3783113; 526926, 3783107;
526939, 3783094; 526946, 3783072; 526955, 3783069; 526958, 3783062;
526961, 3783031; 526961, 3783008; 526960, 3783003; 526974, 3782994;
526978, 3782969; 526979, 3782968; 526979, 3782967; 526981, 3782954;
526976, 3782944; 526975, 3782934; 526937, 3782873; 526904, 3782868;
526894, 3782863; 526880, 3782865; 526853, 3782861; 526788, 3782899;
526724, 3782957; 526678, 3783010; 526653, 3783029; 526644, 3783034;
526634, 3783043; 526613, 3783059; 526600, 3783077; 526571, 3783103;
526524, 3783161; 526489, 3783206; 526476, 3783219; 526473, 3783226;
526448, 3783262; 526452, 3783284; 526470, 3783284; 526495, 3783297;
526493, 3783306; 526477, 3783327; 526441, 3783378; 526419, 3783393;
526408, 3783425; 526401, 3783469; 526394, 3783531; 526390, 3783585;
526381, 3783631; 526351, 3783704; 526339, 3783719; 526299, 3783803;
526269, 3783859; 526263, 3783867; 526261, 3783869; 526234, 3783893;
526221, 3783921; 526209, 3783936; 526113, 3784063; 526089, 3784082;
526072, 3784131; 526026, 3784168; 526012, 3784180; 525995, 3784180;
525987, 3784194; 525958, 3784212; 525951, 3784270; 525969, 3784310;
526016, 3784379; 526029, 3784402; 526038, 3784423; 526068, 3784501;
526071, 3784513; 526089, 3784575; 526109, 3784589; 526125, 3784624;
526125, 3784644; 526103, 3784691; 526089, 3784702; 526083, 3784713;
526072, 3784721; 526062, 3784751; 526049, 3784775; 526052, 3784781;
526049, 3784789; 526065, 3784836; 526067, 3784883; 526064, 3784909;
526060, 3784931; 525995, 3784927; 525944, 3784916; 525912, 3784910;
525882, 3784896; 525828, 3784881; 525786, 3784858; 525737, 3784850;
525710, 3784854; 525630, 3784865; 525573, 3784888; 525508, 3784927;
525478, 3784965; 525455, 3785003; 525382, 3785037; 525360, 3785067;
525328, 3785099; 525326, 3785095; 525301, 3785044; 525263, 3785019;
525238, 3785063; 525231, 3785120; 525206, 3785165; 525206, 3785203;
525187, 3785247; 525149, 3785273; 525072, 3785298; 524965, 3785304;
524926, 3785298; 524869, 3785292; 524799, 3785323; 524799, 3785362;
524831, 3785406; 524869, 3785444; 524876, 3785470; 524914, 3785489;
524933, 3785501; 524984, 3785495; 525022, 3785482; 525066, 3785470;
525111, 3785431.
(iii) Note: Map of Unit 3, Subunits 3A and 3B (Map 4), follows:
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
[[Page 67738]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP22NO06.003
[[Page 67739]]
(10) Unit 4: Fawnskin, San Bernardino County, California. From USGS
1:24,000 quadrangle map Fawnskin.
(i) Subunit 4A. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27 coordinates
(E, N): 506020, 3792309; 506020, 3792303; 506001, 3792335; 506014,
3792404; 506014, 3792468; 506001, 3792538; 505982, 3792557; 505963,
3792595; 505950, 3792639; 505937, 3792671; 505944, 3792703; 505994,
3792722; 506039, 3792722; 506109, 3792684; 506147, 3792665; 506191,
3792627; 506229, 3792582; 506217, 3792525; 506166, 3792493; 506121,
3792462; 506109, 3792442; 506109, 3792417; 506096, 3792392; 506077,
3792373; 506052, 3792335; 506020, 3792309.
(ii) Subunit 4B. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27
coordinates (E, N): 506636, 3791541; 506604, 3791490; 506547, 3791496;
506534, 3791515; 506515, 3791579; 506522, 3791661; 506502, 3791757;
506490, 3791807; 506502, 3791852; 506547, 3791941; 506579, 3792017;
506610, 3792100; 506629, 3792182; 506649, 3792220; 506668, 3792233;
506687, 3792227; 506680, 3792214; 506693, 3792182; 506706, 3792138;
506712, 3792074; 506725, 3792036; 506706, 3791928; 506680, 3791846;
506674, 3791801; 506674, 3791744; 506668, 3791674; 506655, 3791623;
506636, 3791541.
(iii) Subunit 4C. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27
coordinates (E, N): 509277, 3790880; 509264, 3790854; 509248, 3790857;
509229, 3790873; 509223, 3790908; 509223, 3790943; 509226, 3790972;
509232, 3790991; 509261, 3791003; 509273, 3790988; 509277, 3790969;
509273, 3790943; 509277, 3790908; 509277, 3790880.
(iv) Note: Map of Unit 4, Subunits 4A, 4B, and 4C (Map 5), follows:
[[Page 67740]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP22NO06.004
[[Page 67741]]
(11) Unit 5: Gold Mountain, San Bernardino County, California. From
USGS 1:24,000 quadrangle map Big Bear City.
(i) Subunit 5A. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27 coordinates
(E, N): 516297, 3793523; 516342, 3793514; 516374, 3793491; 516405,
3793447; 516412, 3793390; 516424, 3793352; 516421, 3793333; 516437,
3793335; 516450, 3793331; 516463, 3793309; 516466, 3793281; 516465,
3793279; 516475, 3793268; 516469, 3793227; 516447, 3793207; 516421,
3793189; 516380, 3793166; 516345, 3793154; 516311, 3793139; 516272,
3793103; 516244, 3793081; 516215, 3793077; 516187, 3793090; 516206,
3793135; 516202, 3793144; 516207, 3793149; 516196, 3793141; 516172,
3793137; 516163, 3793137; 516157, 3793137; 516154, 3793135; 516147,
3793133; 516132, 3793125; 516128, 3793123; 516109, 3793112; 516096,
3793112; 516095, 3793112; 516081, 3793111; 516065, 3793105; 516045,
3793109; 516017, 3793126; 516016, 3793127; 516006, 3793132; 516003,
3793145; 515998, 3793153; 515995, 3793166; 515988, 3793165; 515980,
3793163; 515971, 3793161; 515961, 3793161; 515956, 3793162; 515943,
3793162; 515926, 3793178; 515919, 3793180; 515912, 3793182; 515905,
3793188; 515899, 3793193; 515893, 3793198; 515884, 3793209; 515881,
3793219; 515879, 3793220; 515793, 3793243; 515732, 3793233; 515685,
3793220; 515647, 3793211; 515577, 3793211; 515536, 3793230; 515507,
3793261; 515501, 3793303; 515501, 3793335; 515542, 3793357; 515586,
3793360; 515625, 3793357; 515666, 3793341; 515707, 3793335; 515761,
3793338; 515809, 3793354; 515828, 3793376; 515851, 3793399; 515851,
3793403; 515848, 3793408; 515845, 3793414; 515844, 3793417; 515842,
3793424; 515842, 3793431; 515843, 3793438; 515839, 3793448; 515845,
3793446; 515849, 3793444; 515856, 3793439; 515860, 3793433; 515872,
3793430; 515873, 3793429; 515879, 3793443; 515901, 3793468; 515904,
3793468; 515910, 3793468; 515917, 3793461; 515921, 3793461; 515935,
3793473; 515980, 3793495; 516015, 3793501; 516082, 3793514; 516132,
3793514; 516212, 3793520; 516262, 3793527; 516297, 3793523.
(ii) Subunit 5B. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27
coordinates (E, N): 516768, 3792969; 516744, 3792965; 516720, 3792965;
516705, 3792961; 516685, 3792953; 516673, 3792949; 516652, 3792935;
516645, 3792926; 516642, 3792923; 516641, 3792918; 516633, 3792898;
516633, 3792891; 516633, 3792891; 516623, 3792868; 516621, 3792864;
516585, 3792863; 516581, 3792865; 516578, 3792862; 516562, 3792870;
516560, 3792871; 516556, 3792871; 516545, 3792873; 516540, 3792875;
516521, 3792875; 516510, 3792864; 516502, 3792855; 516496, 3792848;
516490, 3792840; 516477, 3792833; 516463, 3792824; 516461, 3792822;
516450, 3792804; 516447, 3792800; 516438, 3792788; 516423, 3792784;
516410, 3792780; 516377, 3792769; 516375, 3792768; 516364, 3792763;
516319, 3792740; 516318, 3792740; 516311, 3792737; 516304, 3792731;
516298, 3792731; 516283, 3792725; 516279, 3792728; 516271, 3792727;
516229, 3792731; 516176, 3792758; 516157, 3792773; 516130, 3792803;
516127, 3792815; 516119, 3792849; 516138, 3792891; 516157, 3792925;
516180, 3792952; 516203, 3792979; 516233, 3793009; 516268, 3793036;
516274, 3793041; 516275, 3793055; 516282, 3793087; 516298, 3793112;
516329, 3793125; 516364, 3793131; 516453, 3793154; 516520, 3793160;
516590, 3793166; 516610, 3793155; 516641, 3793150; 516668, 3793139;
516694, 3793116; 516717, 3793093; 516732, 3793074; 516748, 3793055;
516759, 3793039; 516770, 3793024; 516772, 3793012; 516775, 3793010;
516778, 3793004; 516778, 3793004; 516780, 3793001; 516784, 3792993;
516783, 3792989; 516783, 3792987; 516783, 3792987; 516783, 3792987;
516782, 3792985; 516780, 3792983; 516780, 3792981; 516777, 3792979;
516777, 3792978; 516775, 3792975; 516773, 3792971; 516772, 3792971;
516772, 3792971; 516771, 3792971; 516769, 3792970; 516768, 3792969.
(iii) Subunit 5C. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27
coordinates (E,N): 517804, 3791769; 517801, 3791754; 517782, 3791754;
517766, 3791765; 517766, 3791780; 517774, 3791792; 517782, 3791796;
517804, 3791792; 517804, 3791769.
(iv) Note: Map of Unit 5, Subunits 5A, 5B, 5C, 7A, and 7B (Map 6),
follows:
[[Page 67742]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP22NO06.005
[[Page 67743]]
(12) Unit 6: Holcomb Valley, San Bernardino County, California.
From USGS 1:24,000 quadrangle map Fawnskin.
(i) Subunit 6A. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27 coordinates
(E, N): 506727, 3796049; 506738, 3796035; 506743, 3796031; 506761,
3796001; 506765, 3795985; 506767, 3795981; 506783, 3795942; 506785,
3795915; 506787, 3795910; 506790, 3795878; 506784, 3795872; 506782,
3795867; 506779, 3795843; 506773, 3795840; 506772, 3795835; 506767,
3795833; 506752, 3795821; 506730, 3795818; 506689, 3795818; 506663,
3795823; 506634, 3795825; 506624, 3795837; 506612, 3795847; 506606,
3795854; 506597, 3795862; 506571, 3795881; 506571, 3795883; 506557,
3795893; 506544, 3795910; 506529, 3795930; 506530, 3795930; 506528,
3795934; 506565, 3795933; 506565, 3795935; 506574, 3795964; 506600,
3795986; 506635, 3796001; 506633, 3796023; 506631, 3796041; 506632,
3796041; 506644, 3796045; 506663, 3796042; 506681, 3796042; 506707,
3796045; 506715, 3796049; 506727, 3796049. Land bounded by the
following UTM NAD27 coordinates (E, N): 506666, 3795511; 506661,
3795481; 506647, 3795471; 506625, 3795463; 506622, 3795462; 506612,
3795476; 506604, 3795484; 506602, 3795500; 506591, 3795480; 506584,
3795455; 506569, 3795435; 506569, 3795428; 506562, 3795409; 506556,
3795389; 506547, 3795351; 506537, 3795317; 506532, 3795310; 506524,
3795303; 506512, 3795298; 506504, 3795291; 506495, 3795298; 506492,
3795307; 506487, 3795328; 506483, 3795347; 506477, 3795372; 506472,
3795393; 506470, 3795416; 506466, 3795433; 506463, 3795457; 506468,
3795488; 506472, 3795510; 506474, 3795533; 506477, 3795567; 506485,
3795593; 506494, 3795624; 506507, 3795657; 506517, 3795687; 506534,
3795715; 506555, 3795736; 506549, 3795747; 506552, 3795771; 506564,
3795799; 506572, 3795807; 506600, 3795819; 506616, 3795811; 506617,
3795807; 506620, 3795805; 506635, 3795794; 506639, 3795763; 506641,
3795759; 506670, 3795753; 506695, 3795750; 506705, 3795731; 506695,
3795712; 506690, 3795703; 506692, 3795687; 506687, 3795672; 506679,
3795655; 506689, 3795626; 506705, 3795598; 506708, 3795575; 506689,
3795550; 506677, 3795540; 506676, 3795537; 506666, 3795511.
(ii) Subunit 6B. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27
coordinates (E, N): 509943, 3794740; 509997, 3794674; 510070, 3794623;
510076, 3794591; 510073, 3794585; 510044, 3794562; 510003, 3794556;
510054, 3794518; 510105, 3794477; 510124, 3794477; 510194, 3794473;
510219, 3794442; 510222, 3794391; 510168, 3794347; 510105, 3794283;
510067, 3794201; 510054, 3794162; 510013, 3794124; 509999, 3794124;
509999, 3794118; 509996, 3794110; 509991, 3794106; 509987, 3794102;
509981, 3794099; 509975, 3794097; 509968, 3794095; 509961, 3794096;
509955, 3794096; 509950, 3794098; 509946, 3794101; 509940, 3794109;
509940, 3794115; 509940, 3794122; 509943, 3794131; 509947, 3794139;
509911, 3794159; 509908, 3794173; 509894, 3794173; 509886, 3794181;
509874, 3794221; 509894, 3794256; 509914, 3794284; 509943, 3794302;
509943, 3794305; 509893, 3794327; 509858, 3794375; 509839, 3794404;
509807, 3794445; 509782, 3794480; 509747, 3794531; 509668, 3794579;
509639, 3794617; 509643, 3794633; 509635, 3794642; 509648, 3794660;
509649, 3794664; 509664, 3794674; 509668, 3794674; 509674, 3794667;
509680, 3794664; 509682, 3794659; 509737, 3794651; 509797, 3794623;
509800, 3794620; 509787, 3794641; 509771, 3794660; 509747, 3794684;
509743, 3794708; 509747, 3794731; 509755, 3794743; 509775, 3794743;
509791, 3794735; 509806, 3794729; 509803, 3794743; 509822, 3794772;
509902, 3794759; 509943, 3794740.
(iii) Note: Unit 6, Subunits 6A and 6B (Map 7), follows:
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
[[Page 67744]]
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP22NO06.006
BILLING CODE 4310-55-C
[[Page 67745]]
(13) Unit 7: North Baldwin Lake, San Bernardino County, California.
From USGS 1:24,000 quadrangle map Big Bear City.
(i) Subunit 7A. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27 coordinates
(E, N): 516160, 3795525; 516163, 3795551; 516182, 3795563; 516194,
3795563; 516198, 3795566; 516240, 3795559; 516278, 3795551; 516308,
3795555; 516331, 3795578; 516396, 3795605; 516406, 3795603; 516415,
3795605; 516453, 3795601; 516491, 3795578; 516491, 3795574; 516491,
3795551; 516472, 3795525; 516466, 3795501; 516465, 3795486; 516468,
3795452; 516480, 3795422; 516486, 3795415; 516518, 3795399; 516552,
3795379; 516598, 3795380; 516649, 3795388; 516655, 3795391; 516654,
3795425; 516658, 3795442; 516685, 3795452; 516698, 3795449; 516708,
3795431; 516716, 3795406; 516765, 3795429; 516807, 3795448; 516810,
3795448; 516834, 3795456; 516857, 3795452; 516906, 3795429; 516933,
3795410; 516960, 3795383; 516971, 3795361; 516986, 3795334; 517009,
3795299; 517032, 3795262; 517063, 3795223; 517097, 3795181; 517110,
3795163; 517131, 3795140; 517165, 3795101; 517184, 3795090; 517207,
3795083; 517211, 3795082; 517269, 3795104; 517278, 3795133; 517272,
3795170; 517264, 3795193; 517230, 3795239; 517196, 3795288; 517154,
3795349; 517150, 3795370; 517146, 3795376; 517139, 3795399; 517141,
3795414; 517139, 3795425; 517146, 3795448; 517154, 3795471; 517211,
3795517; 517245, 3795521; 517314, 3795517; 517360, 3795509; 517381,
3795485; 517386, 3795479; 517388, 3795476; 517402, 3795460; 517413,
3795433; 517440, 3795387; 517460, 3795371; 517489, 3795353; 517506,
3795341; 517520, 3795334; 517584, 3795315; 517611, 3795292; 517653,
3795261; 517672, 3795219; 517699, 3795159; 517718, 3795115; 517749,
3795078; 517759, 3795070; 517786, 3795052; 517809, 3795029; 517840,
3794999; 517841, 3794997; 517851, 3794987; 517882, 3794923; 517908,
3794881; 517917, 3794871; 517939, 3794854; 517981, 3794819; 518023,
3794812; 518038, 3794812; 518095, 3794819; 518152, 3794816; 518155,
3794815; 518171, 3794816; 518202, 3794804; 518251, 3794778; 518339,
3794755; 518411, 3794732; 518461, 3794724; 518461, 3794713; 518457,
3794698; 518442, 3794683; 518439, 3794680; 518438, 3794679; 518415,
3794652; 518458, 3794642; 518462, 3794598; 518443, 3794587; 518438,
3794583; 518413, 3794573; 518371, 3794577; 518322, 3794586; 518279,
3794597; 518246, 3794608; 518230, 3794614; 518206, 3794614; 518133,
3794617; 518117, 3794619; 518097, 3794610; 518097, 3794615; 518097,
3794618; 518098, 3794621; 518069, 3794625; 518061, 3794625; 518045,
3794627; 518046, 3794602; 518045, 3794602; 518039, 3794605; 518034,
3794609; 518019, 3794610; 518017, 3794611; 518019, 3794605; 518019,
3794589; 518012, 3794567; 517993, 3794554; 517968, 3794567; 517946,
3794573; 517936, 3794560; 517920, 3794548; 517914, 3794549; 517917,
3794545; 517924, 3794535; 517931, 3794526; 517939, 3794516; 517948,
3794503; 517954, 3794493; 517959, 3794482; 517964, 3794473; 517964,
3794468; 517959, 3794461; 517950, 3794456; 517934, 3794458; 517923,
3794462; 517905, 3794469; 517892, 3794475; 517882, 3794478; 517869,
3794480; 517852, 3794480; 517859, 3794462; 517866, 3794439; 517889,
3794413; 517927, 3794397; 517988, 3794404; 518030, 3794416; 518087,
3794439; 518110, 3794450; 518141, 3794473; 518187, 3794489; 518187,
3794490; 518222, 3794509; 518263, 3794506; 518311, 3794497; 518358,
3794490; 518419, 3794490; 518476, 3794493; 518481, 3794494; 518521,
3794504; 518558, 3794517; 518564, 3794521; 518569, 3794521; 518583,
3794526; 518586, 3794527; 518612, 3794538; 518617, 3794537; 518631,
3794533; 518632, 3794534; 518633, 3794533; 518663, 3794526; 518666,
3794509; 518673, 3794503; 518666, 3794484; 518666, 3794453; 518652,
3794447; 518644, 3794435; 518627, 3794432; 518620, 3794430; 518617,
3794427; 518602, 3794424; 518587, 3794421; 518565, 3794411; 518549,
3794409; 518508, 3794396; 518507, 3794395; 518505, 3794395; 518499,
3794393; 518457, 3794385; 518453, 3794385; 518428, 3794373; 518387,
3794376; 518358, 3794379; 518338, 3794383; 518327, 3794381; 518297,
3794362; 518273, 3794328; 518272, 3794325; 518277, 3794321; 518281,
3794312; 518281, 3794302; 518281, 3794291; 518279, 3794282; 518279,
3794278; 518293, 3794271; 518316, 3794259; 518369, 3794248; 518415,
3794244; 518426, 3794242; 518442, 3794241; 518455, 3794236; 518468,
3794233; 518507, 3794221; 518533, 3794195; 518541, 3794175; 518552,
3794157; 518554, 3794145; 518560, 3794134; 518558, 3794126; 518560,
3794115; 518552, 3794092; 518539, 3794081; 518529, 3794065; 518480,
3794069; 518474, 3794071; 518446, 3794073; 518407, 3794092; 518373,
3794111; 518312, 3794145; 518305, 3794152; 518297, 3794157; 518280,
3794177; 518270, 3794183; 518251, 3794179; 518221, 3794179; 518175,
3794164; 518142, 3794157; 518099, 3794141; 518065, 3794130; 518030,
3794122; 517965, 3794115; 517927, 3794103; 517901, 3794092; 517878,
3794093; 517863, 3794088; 517830, 3794088; 517836, 3794390; 517634,
3794390; 517639, 3794589; 517192, 3794589; 517160, 3794606; 517141,
3794622; 517130, 3794635; 517123, 3794641; 517120, 3794653; 517119,
3794657; 517112, 3794663; 517070, 3794705; 517068, 3794708; 517063,
3794711; 517052, 3794723; 517046, 3794727; 517042, 3794731; 517041,
3794732; 517036, 3794736; 517030, 3794739; 517025, 3794739; 517020,
3794742; 517019, 3794742; 517014, 3794745; 517009, 3794751; 517014,
3794755; 517025, 3794753; 517041, 3794746; 517040, 3794749; 516998,
3794804; 516956, 3794839; 516952, 3794841; 516906, 3794865; 516883,
3794884; 516856, 3794905; 516851, 3794907; 516849, 3794897; 516839,
3794910; 516811, 3794919; 516735, 3794926; 516686, 3794937; 516674,
3794938; 516657, 3794947; 516643, 3794953; 516613, 3794973; 516582,
3794991; 516573, 3795005; 516567, 3795010; 516548, 3795037; 516525,
3795059; 516522, 3795063; 516487, 3795098; 516483, 3795101; 516472,
3795119; 516461, 3795136; 516443, 3795164; 516430, 3795185; 516420,
3795212; 516419, 3795216; 516396, 3795265; 516377, 3795311; 516365,
3795341; 516346, 3795368; 516304, 3795399; 516259, 3795433; 516198,
3795471; 516175, 3795494; 516167, 3795501; 516168, 3795507; 516160,
3795525.
(ii) Subunit 7B. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27
coordinates (E, N): 516869, 3794211; 516844, 3794205; 516809, 3794214;
516783, 3794239; 516764, 3794271; 516749, 3794300; 516733, 3794325;
516720, 3794347; 516710, 3794376; 516695, 3794405; 516682, 3794424;
516672, 3794449; 516669, 3794465; 516688, 3794475; 516723, 3794471;
516742, 3794449; 516739, 3794421; 516745, 3794385; 516771, 3794351;
516793, 3794329; 516822, 3794306; 516860, 3794275; 516879, 3794243;
516869, 3794211.
(iii) Note: Map of Unit 7, Subunit 7A and 7B (Map 6), is provided
at paragraph (11)(iv) of this entry.
(14) Unit 8, Sawmill, San Bernardino County, California. From USGS
1:24,000 quadrangle maps Big Bear City and Moonridge.
(i) Subunit 8A. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27 coordinates
(E, N): 513776, 3789263; 513753, 3789217; 513753, 3789214; 513750,
3789205; 513748, 3789194; 513745, 3789182; 513744, 3789171; 513744,
3789168;
[[Page 67746]]
513759, 3789161; 513765, 3789157; 513772, 3789154; 513780, 3789137;
513792, 3789126; 513793, 3789113; 513798, 3789111; 513804, 3789105;
513812, 3789102; 513826, 3789091; 513836, 3789093; 513846, 3789090;
513853, 3789083; 513854, 3789059; 513850, 3789053; 513878, 3789041;
513902, 3789017; 513905, 3789013; 513906, 3789010; 513913, 3789005;
513913, 3789001; 513918, 3788993; 513918, 3788973; 513923, 3788961;
513919, 3788942; 513926, 3788919; 513935, 3788882; 513948, 3788850;
513957, 3788824; 513964, 3788796; 513957, 3788729; 513945, 3788701;
513938, 3788672; 513935, 3788640; 513948, 3788599; 513964, 3788577;
513986, 3788561; 513992, 3788542; 513999, 3788507; 514008, 3788472;
514021, 3788448; 514027, 3788437; 514027, 3788415; 514030, 3788373;
514030, 3788345; 514027, 3788326; 514002, 3788310; 513980, 3788313;
513951, 3788323; 513916, 3788335; 513884, 3788342; 513850, 3788351;
513821, 3788367; 513802, 3788380; 513767, 3788383; 513764, 3788382;
513736, 3788357; 513698, 3788366; 513678, 3788395; 513653, 3788442;
513650, 3788468; 513649, 3788469; 513634, 3788501; 513611, 3788529;
513596, 3788545; 513592, 3788564; 513592, 3788573; 513608, 3788586;
513630, 3788567; 513640, 3788548; 513649, 3788532; 513655, 3788526;
513663, 3788525; 513672, 3788509; 513673, 3788506; 513675, 3788504;
513697, 3788485; 513704, 3788479; 513728, 3788472; 513761, 3788481;
513764, 3788488; 513768, 3788499; 513787, 3788551; 513781, 3788561;
513779, 3788566; 513777, 3788572; 513775, 3788579; 513777, 3788585;
513784, 3788591; 513809, 3788609; 513815, 3788611; 513820, 3788612;
513823, 3788612; 513837, 3788627; 513843, 3788649; 513843, 3788659;
513842, 3788660; 513830, 3788680; 513826, 3788709; 513821, 3788716;
513811, 3788742; 513789, 3788818; 513789, 3788865; 513789, 3788897;
513789, 3788923; 513776, 3788948; 513761, 3788973; 513742, 3788986;
513735, 3789005; 513719, 3789024; 513703, 3789050; 513697, 3789059;
513691, 3789069; 513678, 3789094; 513665, 3789113; 513653, 3789135;
513652, 3789137; 513648, 3789140; 513624, 3789156; 513620, 3789168;
513604, 3789184; 513600, 3789208; 513606, 3789220; 513606, 3789228;
513608, 3789229; 513581, 3789259; 513591, 3789262; 513601, 3789262;
513605, 3789257; 513608, 3789253; 513611, 3789247; 513621, 3789233;
513636, 3789235; 513645, 3789230; 513648, 3789234; 513652, 3789230;
513658, 3789229; 513662, 3789230; 513670, 3789236; 513674, 3789239;
513679, 3789244; 513686, 3789364; 513695, 3789377; 513704, 3789381;
513715, 3789379; 513719, 3789377; 513728, 3789372; 513730, 3789357;
513724, 3789335; 513743, 3789335; 513747, 3789335; 513763, 3789331;
513766, 3789326; 513772, 3789321; 513778, 3789313; 513781, 3789306;
513783, 3789303; 513783, 3789275; 513778, 3789268; 513778, 3789266;
513776, 3789263.
(ii) Subunit 8B. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27
coordinates (E, N): 515098, 3789689; 515095, 3789689; 515057, 3789689;
515014, 3789689; 515020, 3789706; 515021, 3789719; 515031, 3789764;
515027, 3789815; 515027, 3789875; 515029, 3789884; 515029, 3789895;
515034, 3789907; 515034, 3789909; 515035, 3789912; 515037, 3789923;
515053, 3789964; 515054, 3789966; 515058, 3789977; 515063, 3789983;
515066, 3789986; 515069, 3789988; 515077, 3789997; 515092, 3789990;
515094, 3789989; 515104, 3789979; 515113, 3789974; 515120, 3789962;
515128, 3789941; 515137, 3789925; 515140, 3789915; 515142, 3789911;
515153, 3789887; 515153, 3789881; 515156, 3789875; 515148, 3789851;
515132, 3789851; 515116, 3789851; 515113, 3789850; 515104, 3789865;
515098, 3789869; 515091, 3789873; 515089, 3789873; 515077, 3789867;
515066, 3789856; 515069, 3789834; 515073, 3789814; 515077, 3789790;
515085, 3789759; 515089, 3789723; 515097, 3789691; 515098, 3789689.
(iii) Note: Unit 8, Subunits 8A and 8B (Map 8), follows:
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(15) Unit 9: Snow Valley, San Bernardino County, California. From
USGS 1:24,000 quadrangle map Keller Peak.
(i) Unit 9. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27 coordinates
(E,N): 496377, 3786874; 496368, 3786876; 496360, 3786876; 496349,
3786874; 496333, 3786868; 496319, 3786861; 496300, 3786853; 496289,
3786849; 496273, 3786842; 496263, 3786836; 496249, 3786830; 496241,
3786825; 496236, 3786822; 496232, 3786816; 496224, 3786804; 496222,
3786803; 496219, 3786810; 496219, 3786838; 496219, 3786840; 496235,
3786873; 496248, 3786886; 496226, 3786935; 496210, 3786983; 496232,
3787012; 496268, 3787015; 496296, 3787018; 496331, 3787041; 496338,
3787085; 496370, 3787117; 496411, 3787124; 496459, 3787124; 496464,
3787118; 496465, 3787118; 496473, 3787122; 496473, 3787120; 496476,
3787110; 496481, 3787104; 496484, 3787099; 496484, 3787098; 496484,
3787098; 496483, 3787098; 496491, 3787088; 496498, 3787069; 496500,
3787067; 496500, 3787063; 496510, 3787038; 496549, 3787038; 496559,
3787041; 496606, 3787054; 496622, 3787073; 496644, 3787133; 496638,
3787175; 496638, 3787175; 496642, 3787184; 496654, 3787213; 496666,
3787223; 496682, 3787235; 496743, 3787235; 496787, 3787226; 496797,
3787213; 496800, 3787210; 496805, 3787196; 496809, 3787184; 496809,
3787184; 496809, 3787184; 496809, 3787159; 496809, 3787159; 496809,
3787159; 496799, 3787139; 496797, 3787133; 496790, 3787111; 496782,
3787102; 496768, 3787086; 496758, 3787082; 496746, 3787076; 496717,
3787057; 496713, 3787050; 496708, 3787041; 496704, 3787032; 496701,
3787025; 496692, 3787013; 496692, 3786994; 496692, 3786994; 496692,
3786994; 496689, 3786987; 496685, 3786978; 496673, 3786968; 496644,
3786956; 496622, 3786946; 496609, 3786944; 496584, 3786940; 496568,
3786934; 496552, 3786927; 496533, 3786923; 496511, 3786917; 496479,
3786910; 496460, 3786905; 496449, 3786898; 496428, 3786886; 496404,
3786884; 496393, 3786883; 496376, 3786876; 496377, 3786875; 496376,
3786875; 496377, 3786874.
(ii) Note: Map of Unit 9 (Map 9) follows:
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(16) Unit 10: South Baldwin Ridge/Erwin Lake, San Bernardino
County, California. From USGS 1:24,000 quadrangle map Big Bear City.
(i) Unit 10. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27 coordinates
(E,N): 518798, 3790531; 518814, 3790499; 518836, 3790501; 518883,
3790501; 518891, 3790493; 518942, 3790490; 519022, 3790477; 519063,
3790455; 519104, 3790439; 519114, 3790429; 519108, 3790395; 519085,
3790359; 519057, 3790347; 519012, 3790344; 518955, 3790357; 518923,
3790404; 518900, 3790419; 518911, 3790389; 518923, 3790370; 518907,
3790346; 518876, 3790342; 518839, 3790342; 518822, 3790331; 518821,
3790331; 518820, 3790320; 518800, 3790313; 518797, 3790307; 518792,
3790302; 518776, 3790291; 518766, 3790295; 518764, 3790297; 518763,
3790296; 518744, 3790298; 518740, 3790308; 518737, 3790313; 518724,
3790318; 518725, 3790327; 518714, 3790333; 518716, 3790337; 518707,
3790343; 518699, 3790340; 518697, 3790342; 518695, 3790345; 518693,
3790346; 518691, 3790351; 518685, 3790353; 518683, 3790359; 518682,
3790364; 518683, 3790368; 518698, 3790377; 518704, 3790378; 518712,
3790375; 518707, 3790379; 518666, 3790392; 518637, 3790398; 518629,
3790391; 518618, 3790391; 518613, 3790387; 518613, 3790385; 518611,
3790382; 518605, 3790378; 518600, 3790374; 518591, 3790377; 518580,
3790376; 518568, 3790381; 518553, 3790380; 518545, 3790386; 518540,
3790382; 518541, 3790379; 518541, 3790375; 518542, 3790373; 518540,
3790371; 518538, 3790371; 518535, 3790374; 518533, 3790378; 518531,
3790382; 518530, 3790387; 518529, 3790392; 518530, 3790397; 518532,
3790400; 518536, 3790400; 518542, 3790399; 518550, 3790401; 518553,
3790401; 518563, 3790404; 518567, 3790405; 518568, 3790403; 518570,
3790401; 518574, 3790401; 518577, 3790399; 518583, 3790401; 518590,
3790403; 518596, 3790399; 518596, 3790397; 518597, 3790397; 518602,
3790395; 518604, 3790398; 518607, 3790400; 518609, 3790402; 518610,
3790404; 518602, 3790406; 518597, 3790409; 518586, 3790409; 518562,
3790429; 518582, 3790445; 518597, 3790453; 518595, 3790463; 518574,
3790467; 518561, 3790460; 518541, 3790453; 518503, 3790453; 518490,
3790477; 518517, 3790511; 518551, 3790531; 518632, 3790551; 518686,
3790571; 518720, 3790579; 518740, 3790579; 518764, 3790562; 518798,
3790531.
(ii) Note: Map of Unit 10 (Map 10) follows:
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(17) Unit 11: Sugarloaf Ridge, San Bernardino County, California.
From USGS 1:24,000 quadrangle map Moonridge.
(i) Subunit 11A. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27
coordinates (E,N): 521244, 3783525; 521340, 3783525; 521411, 3783533;
521470, 3783533; 521550, 3783517; 521601, 3783537; 521617, 3783561;
521669, 3783589; 521752, 3783569; 521824, 3783533; 521883, 3783493;
521939, 3783453; 521959, 3783406; 521971, 3783351; 521982, 3783287;
521975, 3783203; 521970, 3783181; 521967, 3783152; 521967, 3783101;
521967, 3783072; 521951, 3783015; 521939, 3782987; 521897, 3782936;
521875, 3782911; 521831, 3782891; 521793, 3782882; 521739, 3782888;
521694, 3782888; 521650, 3782911; 521624, 3782926; 521602, 3782955;
521561, 3782993; 521520, 3783066; 521485, 3783126; 521462, 3783203;
521440, 3783228; 521380, 3783237; 521323, 3783241; 521266, 3783247;
521228, 3783247; 521151, 3783237; 521075, 3783234; 521040, 3783237;
520939, 3783250; 520894, 3783257; 520859, 3783279; 520862, 3783301;
520856, 3783336; 520853, 3783371; 520852, 3783374; 520828, 3783382;
520780, 3783410; 520764, 3783453; 520776, 3783521; 520784, 3783549;
520784, 3783557; 520752, 3783628; 520764, 3783652; 520820, 3783684;
520867, 3783692; 520927, 3783688; 520955, 3783652; 520994, 3783605;
521022, 3783573; 521078, 3783549; 521109, 3783533; 521244, 3783525.
(ii) Subunit 11B. Land bounded by the following UTM NAD27
coordinates (E,N): 522459, 3784505; 522475, 3784502; 522490, 3784501;
522542, 3784497; 522570, 3784493; 522573, 3784489; 522582, 3784489;
522598, 3784448; 522601, 3784441; 522629, 3784382; 522640, 3784339;
522641, 3784335; 522641, 3784333; 522645, 3784318; 522637, 3784302;
522627, 3784289; 522625, 3784287; 522623, 3784285; 522621, 3784283;
522607, 3784265; 522602, 3784251; 522602, 3784227; 522613, 3784195;
522622, 3784177; 522637, 3784156; 522641, 3784144; 522640, 3784127;
522641, 3784116; 522638, 3784107; 522637, 3784097; 522633, 3784091;
522621, 3784064; 522586, 3784040; 522552, 3784021; 522534, 3784009;
522531, 3784009; 522530, 3784009; 522486, 3784009; 522455, 3784013;
522427, 3784044; 522387, 3784088; 522351, 3784135; 522347, 3784153;
522340, 3784168; 522292, 3784188; 522268, 3784200; 522258, 3784217;
522252, 3784223; 522256, 3784247; 522256, 3784255; 522280, 3784279;
522289, 3784297; 522292, 3784306; 522308, 3784366; 522308, 3784397;
522324, 3784449; 522327, 3784451; 522328, 3784454; 522339, 3784459;
522359, 3784473; 522403, 3784493; 522447, 3784505; 522455, 3784504;
522459, 3784505.
(iii) Note: Map of Unit 11, Subunits 11A and 11B (Map 11), follows:
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* * * * *
Family Polygonaceae: Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum
(Southern mountain wild-buckwheat)
(1) Critical habitat units for this species are found in San
Bernardino County, California. The critical habitat units designated
for this species are related to those set forth elsewhere in this
section for Family Caryophyllaceae: Arenaria ursina (Bear Valley
sandwort) and Family Orobanchaceae: Castilleja cinerea (Ash-gray Indian
paintbrush). Because all of critical habitat units for these three
species are designated for Family Orobanchaceae: Castilleja cinerea
(Ash-gray Indian paintbrush), the units are set forth in text and
depicted on the maps in the critical habitat entry for that species.
(2) The primary constituent elements of critical habitat for
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum are the habitat components that
provide:
(i) Pebble plains or dry meadows in openings within upper montane
coniferous forest, pinyon-juniper woodlands, or Mojavean desert scrub
in the San Bernardino Mountains of San Bernardino County, California,
at elevations between 5,900 to 9,800 feet (1,830 to 2,990 meters) that
provide space for individual and population growth, reproduction, and
dispersal; and
(ii) Seasonally wet clay or sandy, clay soils, generally containing
quartzite pebbles, subject to natural hydrological processes that
include water hydrating the soil and freezing in winter and drying in
summer causing lifting and churning of included pebbles, to provide
adequate water, air, minerals, and other nutritional or physiological
requirements to the species.
(3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as
buildings, aqueducts, airports, roads, and other paved areas) and the
land on which they are located existing on the effective date of this
rule and not containing one or more of the primary constituent
elements.
(4) The applicable units and subunits of critical habitat for
Eriogonum kennedyi var. austromontanum are 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 4A, 4B, 5A,
5B, 6A, 6B, 7A, 8A, 8B, and 10 in the critical habitat entry for Family
Orobanchaceae: Castilleja cinerea (Ash-gray Indian paintbrush).
* * * * *
Dated: November 1, 2006.
David M. Verhey,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 06-9194 Filed 11-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P