Proposed Endangered Status for the Plants Lomatium cookii (Cook's lomatium) and Limnanthes floccosa ssp. grandiflora (Large-Flowered Wooly Meadowfoam) in Oregon

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list two plants, Lomatium cookii (Cook's lomatium) and Limnanthes floccosa ssp. grandiflora (large-flowered wooly meadowfoam) as endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Both of these plants inhabit seasonally wet habitats known as vernal pools in the Agate Desert, an area north of Medford (Jackson County), Oregon. Researchers know of only 13 occurrences of L. cookii and 10 occurrences of L. f. ssp. grandiflora in the Agate Desert. An additional 10 occurrences of L. cookii are known in French Flat, Josephine County. The continued existence of L. cookii and L. f. ssp. grandiflora is threatened primarily by destruction of their habitat by industrial and residential development, including road and powerline construction and maintenance. Agricultural conversion, certain grazing practices, off-road vehicle use, and competition with nonnative plants also contribute to population declines. Lomatium cookii sites in Josephine County are additionally threatened by habitat alteration associated with gold mining, certain proposed timber projects, and woody species encroachment resulting from fire suppression. This proposal, if made final, would extend the Act's protection to these plants.