Designation of Critical Habitat for the Endangered Monardella linoides ssp. viminea (Willowy Monardella): Proposed rule.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the endangered Monardella linoides ssp. viminea (willowy monardella) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We have determined that approximately 2,539 acres (ac) (1,028 hectares (ha)) of land within San Diego County, California, contain the physical and biological features essential to the conservation of M. l. ssp. viminea. Of that, we are proposing to designate as critical habitat approximately 115 acres (47 ha) of private lands and the Padre Dam Municipal Water District lands within the City of Santee. We do not include Tribal lands in this proposed designation. We are exempting or considering whether to exclude from critical habitat designation the other lands that contain the features essential to the conservation of M. l. ssp. viminea. We fully discuss the exemption and exclusions under consideration in the preamble of this proposed rule. We are soliciting data and comments from the public on all aspects of this proposal, including the exemption and exclusions under consideration.