ETWP; Proposed Endangered Status for a Plant in Wenatchee Mountains of Washington

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes endangered species status pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for Sidalcea oregana var. calva (Wenatchee Mountains checker-mallow). This plant is endemic to meadows that have surface water or saturated soil in the spring and early summer at middle elevations in the Wenatchee Mountains of Chelan County, Washington. Although five populations of this plant are known, three of these have very few individuals. The estimated total number of plants is about 3,300. The primary threats to S. oregana var. calva include alterations of hydrology, rural residential development and associated activities, competition from native and alien plants, recreation, fire suppression, and activities associated with fire suppression. To a lesser extent, the taxon is threatened by livestock grazing, road construction, and timber harvesting and associated impacts including changes in surface-runoff in the small watersheds in which the plant occurs. This proposal, if made final, would implement the Federal protection and recovery programs of the Act for this plant.