The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed today to list the slickspot peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum) as endangered under the Federal Endangered Species Act.
This small, rare plant occurs in sagebrush sagebrush
The western United States’ sagebrush country encompasses over 175 million acres of public and private lands. The sagebrush landscape provides many benefits to our rural economies and communities, and it serves as crucial habitat for a diversity of wildlife, including the iconic greater sage-grouse and over 350 other species.
Learn more about sagebrush -steppe habitats in southwestern Idaho, including the Snake River Plain, Owyhee Plateau and adjacent foothills in southwestern Idaho. Biologists have documented 70 occurrences of slickspot peppergrass in Ada, Canyon, Gem, Elmore, Payette and Owyhee counties but only six of these areas are considered to be of high quality. The species is no longer found in 18 other historic occurrences. Remaining suitable habitat to support this species is less than 12,400 acres.
All remaining populations of the slickspot peppergrass are potentially vulnerable to naturally occurring events, such as wildfire, introduction of exotic species, development and other human activities.
"We welcome comments or suggestions on this proposed listing from the public, government agencies, the scientific community, private landowners, industry and all other interested parties
