[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-1701] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: January 27, 1994] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Finding on a Petition to Add Pinus albicaulis (Whitebark Pine) to the List of Threatened and Endangered Species. AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of petition finding. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces a 90- day finding for a petition to amend the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. The Service finds that the petitioners have not presented substantial information indicating that listing Pinus albicaulis (whitebark pine) may be warranted. DATES: The finding announced in this notice was made on January 13, 1994. Comments and information concerning this petition finding may be submitted until further notice. ADDRESSES: Questions, comments, or information concerning this petition should be sent to the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2617 East Lincolnway, suite A, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001. The petition, finding, and supporting data are available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Jane P. Roybal (see addresses above) (307/772-2374). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Background Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) make a finding on whether a petition to list, delist, or reclassify a species presents substantial scientific or commercial information to demonstrate that the petitioned action may be warranted. This finding is to be based on all information available to the Service at the time. To the maximum extent practicable, this finding is to be made within 90 days of the receipt of the petition, and the finding is to be published promptly in the Federal Register. If the finding is positive, the Service also is required to promptly commence a review of the status of the involved species. The Service has made a 90-day finding on a petition to list Pinus albicaulis (whitebark pine). The petition, dated February 5, 1991, was submitted by the Great Bear Foundation, Missoula, Montana, and was received by the Service on February 11, 1991. The petitioners requested that the Service list the whitebark pine as endangered in western Montana, northern Idaho, western Wyoming, and northeastern Washington, and as either threatened or endangered in the Cascade region of Oregon and Washington, and that critical habitat be designated. Under the Act, the Service is required to address the status of plant species over their entire range (unlike vertebrate species where distinct population segments may be listed). Therefore, the Service views the petition as a petition to list the whitebark pine throughout its range, which extends from central California to western Wyoming, north through Oregon, Washington, and Montana to Alberta and British Columbia. The petitioner submitted information and literature references on the status of the whitebark pine, stating that in significant portions of the species' range, populations are declining so rapidly that the ability of the tree species to regenerate itself is in question. The petition identifies three major factors involved in the ``precipitous'' decline of the whitebark pine: white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola), mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae), and fire suppression. The petition indicates that white pine blister rust, an introduced disease, has become established throughout most of the whitebark pine's range with ``extensive'' infestation and mortality occurring in the moist mountain regions of Montana, northern Idaho, Oregon, and the Washington Cascades. The petition also states that mountain pine beetle infestations have had devastating effects on whitebark pine populations in Montana and Wyoming. The petitioner also points out that fire suppression has played a role in the population decline by allowing other tree species to invade whitebark pine habitat and replace it, as well as facilitating the spread of white pine blister rust and mountain pine beetle infestation. While recent mountain pine beetle infestations have killed most of the mature trees in some areas (Reynolds 1990), infestations appear to reach epidemic levels only where specific conditions exist. Whitebark pine populations have been severely reduced by white pine blister rust in many moist mountain habitats where the climate allows the blister rust to complete its life cycle (Kendall and Arno 1990). However, in drier portions of the whitebark pine's range, climatic conditions are not favorable for infection, and damage due to white pine blister rust is negligible (Charles Wellner, retired U.S. Forest Service, in litt., 1991). Thus, throughout portions of its range, the whitebark pine remains common in suitable habitats and/or populations do not appear to be declining (Dr. Clinton Williams, U.S. Forest Service, in litt., 1991; Chester Buchanan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in litt., 1991; R.T. Ogilvie, Royal British Columbia Museum, pers. comm., 1992). The Service has reviewed the petition, the literature cited in the petition, other available literature and information, and has consulted with biologists and researchers familiar with the whitebark pine. After reviewing the best scientific and commercial information available, the Service finds the petition does not present substantial information that listing the whitebark pine may be warranted. In making this finding, the Service does recognize that white pine blister rust, mountain pine beetle infestations, and successional replacement and competition by more shade-tolerant conifers do pose a real threat to the whitebark pine in portions of its range. Some whitebark pine populations have undergone dramatic declines due to one or a combination of these factors, and the degree of population decline may be severe in local or, in some cases, over broad geographic areas. However, in other portions of the species' range, where different climatic conditions exist, these same factors are not stand- threatening, and healthy whitebark pine stands continue to persist. Whitebark pine is usually restricted to remote, higher elevation areas and generally is not valued as a timber species. Consequently, little inventory or monitoring work has been completed in much of its range. In many areas, there are little or no quantitative data on its distribution, status, or the extent of decline due to the various factors mentioned above. However, available data do not indicate the species may be threatened or endangered throughout a significant portion of its range. In regard to the petitioner's request that critical habitat be designated for the whitebark pine, the designation of critical habitat is not a petitionable action under the Act. References Cited Kendall, K.C. and S.F. Arno. 1990. Whitebark pine--An important but endangered wildlife resource. Pages 264-273 in Proceedings-- Whitebark pine ecosystems: ecology and management of a high-mountain resource. USDA, U.S. Forest Service, Intermtn. Res. Sta., General Tech. Report INT-270. Reynolds, Frances. 1990. Whitebark pine ecosystems; the threats and the challenge. In Forestry Research West, USDA, U.S. Forest Service. 3pp. Author This notice was prepared by Jane P. Roybal (see ADDRESSES above). Authority The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544). List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation. Dated: January 13, 1994. Richard N. Smith, Acting Director, Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 94-1701 Filed 1-26-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P