Prudency Determination for the Designation of Critical Habitat for Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum:Notice of proposed finding.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have reconsidered whether designating critical habitat for Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum, a plant, is prudent. This taxon was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), on September 14, 1998; at that time we determined that designation of critical habitat was not prudent because designation would increase the degree of threat to the taxon and would not benefit the taxon. As a consequence of a settlement agreement we are withdrawing our previous not prudent finding. Further, on the basis of our review and evaluation of the best scientific and commercial information available, we believe that designation of critical habitat continues to be not prudent for T. a. ssp. compactum. As a result, we are proposing a new "not prudent" determination for T. a. ssp. compactum.