Proposed Endangered Status for the Plant Hackelia venusta (Showy Stickseed)

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose endangered species status pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended, for Hackelia venusta (Piper) St. John (showy stickseed). The species is a narrow endemic limited to one small population on unstable, granitic scree located on the lower slopes of Tumwater Canyon, Chelan County, Washington. The population has declined to the current size of less than 150 individual plants at the single location in Tumwater Canyon. Threats include competition and shading from native trees and shrubs, encroachment onto the site by nonnative, noxious plant species, wildfire and fire suppression, activities associated with fire suppression, and low seedling establishment. In the past, highway maintenance activities, such as the spreading of sand and salt during winter months and the application of herbicides, have threatened the species and may do so in the future. Reproductive vigor may be depressed because of the plant's small population size and limited gene pool. A single natural or human-caused random environmental disturbance could destroy a significant percentage of the population. This proposal, if made final, would implement the Federal protection and recovery programs of the Act for this plant.