Federal Register, Volume 59 Issue 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-9495]

[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: April 20, 1994]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AC47

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed
Endangered Status for Four Plants and Threatened Status for One Plant
From the Central Sierran Foothills of California

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes
endangered status pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (Act) for four plants: Calystegia stebbinsii (Stebbins'
morning-glory), Ceanothus roderickii (Pine Hill ceanothus),
Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens (Pine Hill flannelbush),
and Galium californicum ssp. sierrae (El Dorado bedstraw). The Service
also proposes threatened status for Senecio layneae (Layne's
butterweed). These species all occur on gabbro or serpentine soils in
the central Sierran foothills of California within chaparral or oak
woodland communities. Urbanization and its ensuing habitat
fragmentation, inadequate regulatory mechanisms, road construction and
maintenance, grading, herbicide spraying, change in fire frequency,
off-road vehicle use, unauthorized dumping, excessive grazing
practices, competition from invasive alien vegetation, and mining
imperil these five species. This proposal, if made final, would
implement the Federal protection and recovery provisions afforded by
the Act for these plants.

DATES: Comments from all interested parties must be received by July
19, 1994. Public hearing requests must be received by June 6, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments and materials concerning this proposal should be
sent to the Field Supervisor, Sacramento Field Office, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, room E-1803, Sacramento, California
95825-1846. Comments and materials received will be available for
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the
above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kirsten Tarp, Sacramento Field Office
(see ADDRESSES section) at 916/978-4866.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Calystegia stebbinsii (Stebbins' morning-glory), Ceanothus
roderickii (Pine Hill ceanothus), Fremontodendron californicum ssp.
decumbens (Pine Hill flannelbush), Galium californicum ssp. sierrae (El
Dorado bedstraw), and Senecio layneae (Layne's butterweed) occur
primarily on the Pine Hill intrusion, an area of approximately 10,400
hectares (25,700 acres), in western El Dorado County, California,
ranging in elevation from 138 to 628 meters (453 to 2,060 feet). In
addition, C. stebbinsii and S. layneae have a few known isolated
occurrences in either El Dorado, Nevada, or Tuolumne Counties,
California. All of the species included in this proposal exhibit
substrate preferences. C. roderickii, F. californicum ssp. decumbens,
and G. californicum ssp. sierrae are endemic to gabbro-derived soils on
the Pine Hill intrusion, and C. stebbinsii and S. layneae occur on
gabbro and serpentine-derived soils. One known occurrence of S. layneae
was found on metamorphic-derived soils.
Gabbroic soils are derived from mafic rocks (gabbrodiorite) that
are mildly acidic, are rich in iron and magnesium, and often contain
other heavy metals such as chromium (Wilson 1986). Gabbro, a dark
large-crystalled rock, is formed when liquid magma cools slowly
underground. A red soil is formed when the rock is exposed and weathers
at the earth's surface (EIP Associates 1991). These soils are well-
drained and are underlain by gabbrodiorite rocks at a depth of more
than 1 meter (3.28 feet) (U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil
Conservation Service 1974).
Serpentine-derived soils are formed through a process similar to
the formation of gabbroic soils. Serpentine soils are derived from
ultramafic rocks (e.g., serpentinite, dunite, and peridotite). They
tend to have high concentrations of magnesium, chromium, and nickel,
and low concentrations of calcium, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus
(Kruckeberg 1984). ``Gabbro soils are considered to be edaphically
similar to serpentine because of their mineral composition and because
they appear to influence plant distributions in much the same way''
(Wilson 1986).
The three plant communities occurring on the Pine Hill intrusion
are chaparral, oak woodland, and savanna. The vegetation type of this
area is distinctive enough that Robert Holland, based upon Wilson's
research (1986), designated a community known as gabbroic northern
mixed chaparral. This community is characterized by being ``edaphically
restricted to ultramafic [sic] gabbro in a mixed chaparral which is
dominated by Adenostoma fasiculatum (chamise), and usually occurring on
rather xeric exposures'' (Holland 1986). Calystegia stebbinsii,
Ceanothus roderickii, Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens, and
Senecio layneae occur in fire-dependent chaparral habitat;
Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens and Senecio layneae also
occur in the ecotone between chaparral and oak woodland; Galium
californicum ssp. sierrae and Senecio layneae occur in oak woodland
(Wilson 1986). None of the plants in this proposal occur within
savanna, which comprises approximately 27 percent of the vegetation on
the Pine Hill intrusion.
Loss of habitat, fragmentation, and alteration of natural ecosystem
processes have resulted from residential and commercial development.
Housing and commercial development, inadequate regulatory mechanisms,
road maintenance, grading, change in fire frequency, unauthorized
dumping, excessive grazing practices, herbicide spraying, mining, and
other human-caused conditions threaten the remaining occurrences of
these plants.

Discussion of the Five Species Proposed for Listing

G. Ledyard Stebbins collected the type specimen of Calystegia
stebbinsii in 1970, 17 kilometers (10 miles) west of Placerville in El
Dorado County, California. Richard K. Brummitt (1974) described the
species using specimens collected by Stebbins as the type.
Calystegia stebbinsii is a leafy perennial herb in the morning-
glory family (Convolvulaceae). Its stems, which range up to 1 meter
(3.28 feet) in length, generally lie flat on the ground. The leaves are
palmately lobed with the two outermost lobes being divided again. The
leaf lobes are narrow and lance-shaped. White flowers, which appear in
May through June, are on stalks 3 to 13 centimeters (1 to 5 inches)
long and bear two leaf-like bracts. The fruit is a slender capsule. Its
distinctively shaped leaves, each having 7 to 9 narrow lance-shaped
lobes, distinguish C. stebbinsii from other California morning-glories.
Calystegia stebbinsii occurs in two localized areas. Most
occurrences of C. stebbinsii are discontinuously scattered within two
population centers in the northern and southern portions of the Pine
Hill intrusion. C. stebbinsii does not occur at the center of the
intrusion on Pine Hill. It was recently discovered in Nevada County
near the County landfill, where it was sparsely scattered over
distances of 6.5 kilometers (3.5 miles) (California Natural Diversity
Database (CNDDB) 1992). In El Dorado County it is associated with
chaparral on gabbro soils. In Nevada County it occurs on serpentine. It
was possibly transplanted from El Dorado County by the transport of
soil to the Nevada County Sanitary Landfill (Carla DeCrona, California
Department of Fish and Game (CDFG), pers. comm., 1992; The Union 1991).
C. stebbinsii occurs primarily on privately owned land. The Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) manages land for some occurrences. Development
has extirpated at least one-third of the known occurrences (CDFG
1990a). Other threats to these populations include inadequate
regulatory mechanisms, off-road vehicle use, grading, dumping, road
maintenance, change in fire frequency, and competition with invasive
alien vegetation.
Beecher Crampton first collected Ceanothus roderickii in 1956 from
Pine Hill in El Dorado County. Walter Knight described C. roderickii in
1968, naming it after Wayne Roderick, who first suspected the
horticultural value of this endemic shrub (Knight 1968). Walter Knight
(1968) considered C. roderickii to be most closely related to C.
cuneatus, which also grows throughout the area. C. roderickii can be
differentiated from its congeners by its blue-tinged flowers, prostrate
habit, and inconspicuously horned fruit.
Ceanothus roderickii is a prostrate evergreen shrub of the
buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae) that generally grows to 3 meters (9.84
feet) in diameter. The smooth gray-brown branches radiate from a
central axis and root when they come into contact with the ground. Its
leaves are semi-erect with entire margins. Small whitish flowers tinged
with blue appear from May through June. Its fruit is an inconspicuously
horned globe-shaped capsule.
Ceanothus roderickii is restricted to gabbro soil in openings in
chaparral or more infrequently on previously disturbed sites within
chaparral (Wilson 1986). It is restricted to one localized area of
approximately 10 known extant occurrences discontinuously scattered in
the Pine Hill intrusion (CNDDB 1992). Residential and commercial
development, inadequate regulatory mechanisms, off-road vehicle use,
road-widening, change in fire frequency, and other human-caused
conditions are responsible for the decline of C. roderickii. Commercial
development has extirpated two known occurrences. C. roderickii occurs
primarily on private land. BLM owns part of one site and the California
Department of Forestry (CDF) owns another site.
Beecher Crampton made the first collection of Fremontodendron
californicum ssp. decumbens in 1956. Robert M. Lloyd (1965) described
F. californicum ssp. decumbens as F. decumbens based on the type Lloyd
collected in May 1964 from ``California, El Dorado Co., Pine Hill, ca.
3 kilometers north of Rescue.'' Philip Munz (1968) reduced F. decumbens
to a subspecies of F. californicum. Walter M. Kelman (1991), in his
revision of Fremontodendron, recognized F. californicum ssp. decumbens
as a full species based upon morphological variation. This taxon is
currently known as Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens
(Whetstone and Atkinson 1993).
Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens is a branched spreading
shrub of the cacao family (Sterculiaceae) growing to 1.3 meters (4
feet) tall. Dense star-shaped hairs cover the leaves and the younger
twigs and branchlets. Its leaves are elliptic-ovate to ovate, shallowly
or deeply palmately lobed with 5 to 7 lobes. Showy light-orange to
reddish-brown flowers appear from late April to early July. Its fruit
is a capsule. F. californicum ssp. decumbens can be distinguished from
F. californicum ssp. californicum and F. mexicanum by its decumbent
growth habit, its relatively long peduncles, and its copper-orange
flowers.
Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens occurs on scattered
rocky outcrops either in chaparral or in the ecotone between woodland
and chaparral. It depends on fire to promote seed germination. It is
only known from one localized area near Pine Hill in western El Dorado
County scattered within an area of approximately 2,000 hectares (5,000
acres). Although there are some reports of F. californicum ssp.
decumbens occurring in some small scattered populations in Yuba or
Nevada County, other reports describe these individuals as aberrant F.
californicum ssp. californicum. F. californicum ssp. decumbens occurs
primarily on private land, but one site is on BLM land. CDF and CDFG
also own another site.
The largest population of Fremontodendron californicum ssp.
decumbens is on the Pine Hill Ecological Reserve managed by CDFG. The
proximity of this plant to human population centers and intensive
development activities renders F. californicum ssp. decumbens
vulnerable to the long-term effects of fire suppression. Its restricted
distribution increases its susceptibility to catastrophic events such
as disease or pest outbreak, severe drought, or other natural or human-
caused disasters. In addition, residential and commercial development
(including unregulated grading for homes or barns on existing large
parcels), inadequate regulatory mechanisms, and trash dumping threaten
F. californicum ssp. decumbens.
The type specimen for Galium californicum ssp. sierrae was
collected 1.7 kilometers (1 mile) north of Pine Hill Lookout in western
El Dorado County, California. Lauramay Dempster and G. Ledyard Stebbins
(1968) described G. californicum ssp. sierrae.
Galium californicum ssp. sierrae is a softly hairy perennial herb
in the coffee family (Rubiaceae). Four narrow leaves are arranged at
each node. The pale yellow flowers, which are clustered at the tips of
stems, appear in May and June. Minute hairs cover the fleshy fruit. It
can be distinguished from other subspecies of G. californicum by its
very narrow leaves.
Galium californicum ssp. sierrae is restricted to one localized
area; the Pine Hill and surrounding ridges to the west within a
distance of approximately 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) (Baad and Hanna
1987). It inhabits oak woodland areas, including sites with ponderosa
pine and digger pine (Wilson 1986). G. californicum ssp. sierrae occurs
primarily on private land. BLM manages at least one population, and it
is not clear whether another existing population occurs on BLM or on
private land. CDF and CDFG manage one site as well. Residential
development, inadequate regulatory mechanisms, road construction,
grazing, and irrigation threaten G. californicum ssp. sierrae. Its
restricted distribution and limited numbers of individuals make it
susceptible to catastrophic events such as disease or pest outbreak,
severe drought, or other natural or human-caused disasters.
Kate Layne-Curran collected the type for Senecio layneae in May
1883 from El Dorado County, California, on Sweetwater Creek, not far
from Folsom. Edward L. Greene first described S. layneae in 1883
(Greene 1883). Although Asa Gray reduced S. layneae to a variety of S.
fastigiatus (1884), it currently is known as S. layneae (Barkley 1993).
The type population is now thought to be extirpated due to inundation
by Folsom Lake.
Senecio layneae is a perennial herb of the aster family
(Asteraceae) that sprouts from a rootstock. Its mostly basal lance-
shaped leaves are 8 to 24 centimeters (3 to 10 inches) long. The
several flower heads are 4 to 6 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) wide each
having 5 to 8 orange-yellow ray flowers and numerous yellow disk
flowers. S. layneae flowers between April and June.
Senecio layneae grows in open rocky areas within chaparral plant
communities, primarily on gabbro soil formations and occasionally on
serpentine soils. Most known sites are scattered within a 16,200
hectare (40,000-acre) area in western El Dorado County. A few other
colonies occur in the Eldorado National Forest in El Dorado County and
in the BLM Red Hills Management Area in Tuolumne County (BioSystems
Analysis, Inc. 1984). S. layneae primarily occurs on privately owned
land. Some populations of S. layneae also occur on Federal land managed
either by the Forest Service or BLM. One site is on land managed by CDF
and CDFG. Residential and commercial development, inadequate regulatory
mechanisms, road maintenance, change in fire frequency, off-road
vehicle use, competition with invasive alien vegetation, excessive
grazing practices, mining and other human-caused conditions threaten
and are responsible for the declining trend for S. layneae (CDFG 1990b,
CNDDB 1992).

Previous Federal Action

Federal government actions on the five plants began as a result of
section 12 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.), which directed the Secretary of the Smithsonian
Institution to prepare a report on those plants considered to be
endangered, threatened, or extinct in the United States. This report,
designated as House Document No. 94-51, was presented to Congress on
January 9, 1975, and included Fremontodendron decumbens (now known as
Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens), Galium californicum ssp.
sierrae, and Senecio layneae as endangered and Ceanothus roderickii as
threatened species. The Service published a notice in the July 1, 1975,
Federal Register (40 FR 27823) of its acceptance of the report of the
Smithsonian Institution as a petition within the context of section
4(c)(2) (petition provisions are now found in section 4(b)(3) of the
Act) and its intention thereby to review the status of the plant taxa
named therein. The above four taxa were included in the July 1, 1975,
notice. On June 16, 1976, the Service published a proposal in the
Federal Register (41 FR 24523) to determine approximately 1,700
vascular plant species, including C. stebbinsii, F. decumbens, G.
californicum ssp. sierrae, and S. layneae, to be endangered species
pursuant to section 4 of the Act. The list of 1,700 plant taxa was
assembled on the basis of comments and data received by the Smithsonian
Institution and the Service in response to House Document No. 94-51 and
the July 1, 1975, Federal Register publication.
General comments received in relation to the 1976 proposal were
summarized in an April 26, 1978, Federal Register publication (43 FR
17909). The Endangered Species Act Amendments of 1978 required that all
proposals over 2 years old be withdrawn. A 1-year grace period was
given to those proposals already more than 2 years old. In the December
10, 1979, Federal Register (44 FR 70796), the Service published a
notice of withdrawal of the June 16, 1976, proposal, along with four
other proposals that had expired.
The Service published an updated notice of review for plants on
December 15, 1980 (45 FR 82480). This notice included Calystegia
stebbinsii, Fremontodendron decumbens, Galium californicum ssp.
sierrae, and Senecio layneae as category 1 candidates for Federal
listing, and Ceanothus roderickii as a category 2 candidate. Category 1
taxa are those for which the Service has on file substantial
information on biological vulnerability and threats to support
preparation of listing proposals. Category 2 taxa are those for which
data in the Service's possession indicate listing is possibly
appropriate, but for which substantial data on biological vulnerability
and threats are not currently known or on file to support proposed
rules. On November 28, 1983, the Service published in the Federal
Register a supplement to the Notice of Review (48 FR 53640). This
supplement changed C. stebbinsii, F. decumbens, G. californicum ssp.
sierrae, and S. layneae from category 1 to category 2 candidates.
The September 27, 1985 (50 FR 39526), plant notice of review
included Calystegia stebbinsii, Ceanothus roderickii, Fremontodendron
californicum ssp. decumbens (as Fremontodendron decumbens), Galium
californicum ssp. sierrae, and Senecio layneae as category 2
candidates. The February 21, 1990 (55 FR 6184), and September 30, 1993
(58 FR 51144), plant notices of review included C. roderickii and F.
californicum ssp. decumbens (as F. decumbens) as category 1 candidates
and C. stebbinsii, G. californicum ssp. sierrae, and S. layneae as
category 2 candidates. On December 9, 1993, the Service issued petition
findings for 990 candidate species that had been under ``warranted but
precluded'' findings, including C. stebbinsii, G. californicum ssp.
sierrae, and S. layneae (58 FR 64828). The Service detailed in the
notice of findings the reasons the data were insufficient, at that
time, to either propose or assign these plants to category 3. For C.
stebbinsii, the Service indicated that current information on this
species was based on reports from only a small portion of its known
range, and population trends for the remaining range were unknown. For
G. californicum ssp. sierrae and S. layneae, the Service noted that
population trends for the remaining range were unknown and ecological
or other biological requirements were uncertain. Since the preparation
of that notice, additional information was received on the status of C.
stebbinsii, G. californicum ssp. sierrae, and S. layneae, which
resulted in the elevation of these species to category 1.
Section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act requires the Secretary to make
certain findings on pending petitions within 12 months of their
receipt. Section 2(b)(1) of the 1982 amendments further requires that
all petitions pending on October 13, 1982, be treated as having been
newly submitted on that date. This was the case for Ceanothus
roderickii, Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens, Galium
californicum ssp. sierrae, and Senecio layneae because the 1975
Smithsonian report was accepted as a petition. On October 13, 1982, the
Service found that the petitioned listing of these species was
warranted but precluded by other pending listing actions in accordance
with section 4(b)(3)(B)(iii) of the Act. Notification of this finding
was published on January 20, 1984 (49 FR 2485). Such a finding requires
the petition to be recycled, pursuant to section 4(b)(3)(C)(i) of the
Act. The finding was reaffirmed annually in October of 1983 through
1993. Publication of this proposal constitutes the final finding for
the petitioned action.

Summary of Factors Affecting the Species

Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C 1533) and regulations (50 CFR part
424) promulgated to implement the listing provisions of the Act set
forth the procedures for adding species to the Federal lists of
endangered and threatened species. A species may be determined to be
endangered or threatened due to one or more of the five factors
described in section 4(a)(1). These factors and their application to
Calystegia stebbinsii Brummitt (Stebbins' morning-glory), Ceanothus
roderickii Knight (Pine Hill ceanothus), Fremontodendron californicum
ssp. decumbens (Lloyd) Munz (Pine Hill flannelbush), Galium
californicum H. & A. ssp. sierrae Dempster & Stebbins (El Dorado
bedstraw), and Senecio layneae Greene (Layne's butterweed) are as
follows:
A. The Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or
Curtailment of Its Habitat or Range. At least 80 percent of the
occurrences for these five plant species are on private land. They
primarily occur on the Pine Hill intrusion, an area of approximately
10,400 hectares (25,700 acres) in western El Dorado County. A few
isolated occurrences of Calystegia stebbinsii or Senecio layneae are
known in either El Dorado, Nevada, or Tuolumne Counties (EIP Associates
1991, CNDDB 1992). The primary threat facing these five species and
their associated habitat is the ongoing and threatened destruction and
modification of habitat by one or more of the following: urbanization
and its ensuing habitat fragmentation, road construction and
maintenance, off-road vehicle use, grading, and mining.
Nearly all the remaining occurrences of all five species are
threatened by destruction of habitat through residential or commercial
development. The human population of the four counties just east of the
Sacramento metropolitan area (Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, and Amador)
increased 375 percent between 1960 and 1992 (Engellenner 1993). El
Dorado County, which has a projected population growth of 54 percent
between 1990 and 2005, is one of the most rapidly growing counties in
California (California Department of Finance 1991, Jones and Stokes
Associates 1992). In 1991, the population grew by 4.2 percent; faster
than the projected growth rate of 3.6 percent (California Department of
Finance 1992). Western El Dorado County is becoming a bedroom community
as it is easily accessible by freeway from several nearby cities
including Sacramento. Most of the new residential growth in El Dorado
County is expected to occur within western El Dorado County near
Highway 50 (Jones and Stokes Associates 1992), which crosses the
southern portion of the Pine Hill intrusion.
Within the gabbro soil and adjacent serpentine formations in
western El Dorado County, 39 proposed development projects, which
variously threaten to fragment the habitat of all five species, are
currently on file with El Dorado County. A 730-hectare (1,800-acre)
development is only 1 of 16 large projects proposed in El Dorado County
(Wiegand 1991). Development currently is planned for approximately 5
percent of this 16,200-hectare (40,000-acre) area. In addition, the El
Dorado County General Plan update proposes the conversion of vacant and
agricultural land to various residential uses within the 38,400-hectare
(95,000-acre) western service area of the El Dorado County Irrigation
District (EID) (Jones and Stokes Associates 1992), which encompasses
the entire Pine Hill intrusion.
The proposed land uses within the western service area of the EID
include a 1,000 percent increase in single family residences (from a
current level of 1,857 hectares (4,589 acres) to 20,254 hectares
(50,047 acres)) and a doubling of the rural residential uses (from
7,630 hectares (18,860 acres) to 15,780 hectares (39,000 acres)) (Jones
and Stokes Associates 1992). The El Dorado County Water Agency proposed
the construction of either additional dams, water storage facilities,
or water conveyance lines on the South Fork of the American River
(Jones and Stokes Associates 1992, El Dorado County Water Agency 1993).
The subsequent induced growth would affect all five species in both the
northern and southern portions of the Pine Hill intrusion and adjacent
serpentine, either by further fragmenting the habitat (as discussed
below) or by directly destroying habitat. The increasing number of
people and changes in land uses will continue to place an ever-greater
strain on undeveloped areas through activities such as off-road vehicle
traffic, unauthorized garbage dumping, and changes in the pattern of
wildfires.
Historical gold rush activities and clearing for agriculture
reduced and fragmented habitat of the five plants. Currently, these
plants face threats from habitat fragmentation associated with
commercial and residential development and road construction.
Fragmentation splits habitat into smaller, more isolated units and has
two primary effects. First, habitat fragmentation may alter the
physical environment, changing the amount of incoming solar radiation,
water, wind, or nutrients for the remnant vegetation (Saunders et al.
1991). Second, a higher proportion of these fragmented natural areas is
subject to influences from external factors (e.g., additional
development, lawn and garden watering, herbicide drift, and off-road
vehicular use) that disrupt natural ecosystem processes.
The vegetation structure on the Pine Hill intrusion has changed
significantly due to commercial and residential development, road
construction, and historical fragmentation. Hunter and Horenstein
(1991) characterized vegetation structure on the Pine Hill intrusion
and estimated the median patch size to be only 11 hectares (27 acres).
This degree of fragmentation is significant within chaparral because
plant species will disappear from fragments between 10 and 100 hectares
(25 to 250 acres) in size due to persistent disturbance and potentially
due to change in fire frequency (Soule et al. 1992). These and other
effects of fragmentation are discussed further under Factor E.
Twelve potential preserve sites were identified as the best
remaining habitat for the five plants on the Pine Hill intrusion and
adjacent serpentine (EIP Associates 1991). Within these 12 sites, at
least 11 residential or commercial projects (Bass Lake Estates, Cameron
Ridge, Fremont's Peak, Kanaka Valley, Pinnacles, Ponderosa 50, Sunset
Heights, Woodleigh Ridge, and 3 approved parcel splits) are proposed
(El Dorado County Planning Staff 1992). These projects threaten all
five plants to varying degrees by directly destroying individual plants
or further fragmenting and destroying their habitat.
Activities often associated with rural residential areas, such as
clearing chaparral for fire protection around houses, bulldozing land
(grading for houses or barns), planting fruit trees, and irrigation,
also have modified the habitat within western El Dorado County (James
Jokerst, Jones and Stokes Associates, pers. comm., 1993; Jo Van Ess,
California State University, Sacramento, pers. comm., 1993). The
ongoing repetitive clearing of chaparral destroys the habitat.
Irrigation involved with lawn maintenance also adversely affects these
species (Jo Van Ess, pers. comm., 1993; James Jokerst, pers. comm.,
1993).
Commercial and residential development extirpated at least one-
third of the known occurrences of Calystegia stebbinsii (CDFG 1990a,
CNDDB 1992). Most of the remaining occurrences for C. stebbinsii are on
the Pine Hill intrusion. All of these sites, except for those in the
northern part, are in areas undergoing rapid development and are
threatened by commercial and private development as discussed above.
Habitat for C. stebbinsii in Nevada County is threatened by a proposed
County works project (CDFG 1990a).
Other human activities also destroy or damage habitat of Calystegia
stebbinsii. One occurrence was adversely impacted by grading. Off-road
vehicle use has adversely impacted the habitat of C. stebbinsii at one
site (CNDDB 1992). In the northern part of the Pine Hill intrusion,
several hills are scarred with off-road vehicle tracks. Erosion
promoted by scarring adversely modifies the habitat. Road maintenance
and herbicide spraying potentially threaten another site of C.
stebbinsii that occurs along a road cut (CNDDB 1992).
Shopping center construction and other commercial development
extirpated two occurrences of Ceanothus roderickii (CNDDB 1992). Road-
widening also threatens the habitat of C. roderickii at one site (CNDDB
1992). Off-road vehicle use degrades the habitat at three sites in the
northern part of the gabbro area (CNDDB 1992).
Construction of houses on and near Pine Hill resulted in the loss
of many individuals of Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens
(George Clark, in litt., 1993). Land clearing activities that occur
with road construction also threaten F. californicum ssp. decumbens. In
1968, all the vegetation along the Pine Hill approach road was cut. In
1969, the west slope of Pine Hill was cleared by the CDF, demolishing
80 percent of the F. californicum ssp. decumbens within the boundaries
of the current Pine Hill Ecological Reserve (Baad and Hanna 1987). Most
of these shrubs have resprouted. Presently, the Pine Hill Ecological
Reserve, managed by CDFG, has the largest occurrence of F. californicum
ssp. decumbens.
No known extirpations of Galium californicum ssp. sierrae due to
residential or commercial development have occurred. However, as
discussed above, residential or commercial development and activities
associated with rural residential areas threaten G. californicum ssp.
sierrae within the potential reserve area identified as the best
remaining habitat. G. californicum ssp. sierrae has a very small
population size and a restricted distribution almost entirely on
private land. As discussed above and under Factor E below, small
population size and fragmentation increases the plants' vulnerability
to these threats.
Commercial and residential development extirpated two occurrences
of Senecio layneae (CNDDB 1992). Many of the remaining occurrences of
S. layneae are in areas undergoing rapid commercial and residential
development. S. layneae is also potentially threatened by a variety of
disturbances including road maintenance, vegetation removal, and off-
road vehicle use (CNDDB 1992). Road widening occurs in the vicinity of
development within El Dorado County, and this activity has already
extirpated one occurrence and threatens an additional five sites (CNDDB
1992). Intensive off-road vehicle use threatens two additional
occurrences of this species (CNDDB 1992). Off-road vehicle use occurred
historically in Tuolumne County on BLM land, but no longer occurs
there. Currently, off-road vehicle use occurs on two sites within the
Pine Hill intrusion on privately owned land. One site of S. layneae in
the northern part of the intrusion is impacted by heavy off-road
vehicle use and has been fragmented by the numerous roads that traverse
the entire area. A southern site of S. layneae that occurs across 89
hectares (221 acres) was graded and grubbed in preparation for
development and is subject to off-road vehicle use over part of the
site (CNDDB 1992).
Habitat for Senecio layneae within the Traverse Creek Botanical
Area in Eldorado National Forest historically was fragmented by
serpentine quarrying. In addition, mining claims for semi-precious
stones and gold exist on S. layneae habitat in the Eldorado National
Forest. Although the Eldorado National Forest is trying to withdraw
these claims, this withdrawal action may not be achieved (Mike Foster,
Eldorado National Forest, pers. comm., 1993).
Destruction and fragmentation of habitat by commercial and
residential development is the most significant and imminent threat
facing Calystegia stebbinsii, Ceanothus roderickii, Fremontodendron
californicum ssp. decumbens, Galium californicum ssp. sierrae, and
Senecio layneae. Proposed residential or commercial development within
the Pine Hill intrusion, combined with growth induced by proposed dams
on the South Fork of the American River, threaten the majority of sites
within the Pine Hill intrusion and adjacent serpentine in western El
Dorado County and will adversely impact most of the range of all five
taxa. Road widening, off-road vehicle use, garbage dumping, and other
human-caused conditions associated with increased development threaten
individual occurrences of these five species throughout their
respective ranges.
B. Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific, or
Educational Purposes. Overutilization is not currently known to be a
factor for the five plants, but unrestricted collecting for scientific
or horticultural purposes, vandalism, or excessive visits by
individuals interested in seeing rare plants could result from
increased publicity as a result of this proposal. Two of the species
included in this proposal, Ceanothus roderickii and Fremontodendron
californicum ssp. decumbens, have been used horticulturally (Schmidt
1993, Whetstone 1993), but they do not appear to be threatened by
collection in the wild.
C. Disease or predation. Disease is a potential factor for
Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens. In cultivation F.
californicum ssp. decumbens is highly susceptible to a wilt disease
that can kill the plant almost overnight (Knight 1972). It is not known
if this mortality has been observed in the field. Plants proximate to
residences may be vulnerable to supplemental moisture from irrigation
of lawns or gardens. Disease is not known to be a factor for any of the
other taxa.
Intense insect and rodent predation occurs on Fremontodendron
californicum ssp. decumbens. Boyd and Serafini (1992) studied
reproductive attrition in F. californicum ssp. decumbens. They found
that less than 2 percent of flower buds produced fruit because of
predation by insects. In addition, rodents destroyed 90 percent of
seeds under shrubs within 8 to 10 months (Boyd and Serafini 1992).
Since F. californicum ssp. decumbens is very restricted in range and
few individuals exist, this predation increases the chance for
extinction as discussed under Factor E.
Overgrazing by horses in rural residential areas within the Pine
Hill intrusion threaten Calystegia stebbinsii, Galium californicum ssp.
sierrae, and Senecio layneae. The horses, when confined, severely graze
virtually all available vegetation. The herbaceous gabbro plants are
especially likely to be grazed (Jo Van Ess, pers. comm., 1993).
Documentation of population extirpations as a result of disease and
predation does not exist. However, as discussed under Factors A and E,
small population size and fragmentation increases the plants'
vulnerability to predation.
D. The Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms. Calystegia
stebbinsii is listed as an endangered species under the California
Endangered Species Act (chapter 1.5 sec. 2050 et seq. of the California
Fish and Game Code and Title 14 California Code of Regulations 670.2).
Ceanothus roderickii, Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens,
Galium californicum ssp. sierrae, and Senecio layneae are listed by the
State as rare. Individuals are required to obtain a memorandum of
understanding with the CDFG to possess or ``take'' a species listed
under the California Endangered Species Act. Although the ``take'' of
State-listed plants is prohibited (California Native Plant Protection
Act, chapter 10 sec. 1908 and California Endangered Species Act,
chapter 1.5 sec. 2080), State law exempts the taking of such plants via
habitat modification or land use changes by the owner. This State law
does not necessarily prohibit activities that could extirpate these
species. After CDFG notifies a landowner that a State-listed plant
grows on his or her property, State law requires that the landowner
notify the agency ``at least 10 days in advance of changing the land
use to allow salvage of such a plant'' (Native Plant Protection Act,
chapter 10 sec. 1913). Ten days may not allow adequate time for
agencies to coordinate the salvage of the plants.
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires a full
disclosure of the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects.
The public agency with primary authority or jurisdiction over the
project is designated as the lead agency and is responsible for
conducting a review of the project and consulting with the other
agencies concerned with the resources affected by the project. Section
15065 of the CEQA Guidelines requires a finding of significance if a
project has the potential to ``reduce the number or restrict the range
of a rare or endangered plant or animal.'' Species that are eligible
for listing as rare, threatened, or endangered are given the same
protection as species officially listed under the State or Federal
Endangered Species Acts. Once significant effects are identified, the
lead agency has the option to require mitigation for effects through
changes in the project or to decide that overriding considerations make
mitigation infeasible. In the latter case, projects may be approved
that cause significant environmental damage, such as destruction of
endangered species and their habitats. Protection of listed species
through CEQA is, therefore, dependent upon the discretion of the lead
agency.
Section 21080(b) of CEQA allows certain projects to be exempted
from the CEQA process. Ministerial projects, those projects that the
public agency must approve after the applicant shows compliance with
certain legal requirements, may be approved or carried out without
undertaking CEQA review.
When development occurs and individual project effects are
mitigated in accordance with the provisions in CEQA, the developer
often will set aside small natural areas within the development. These
small ``set asides'' are vulnerable to the problems of habitat
fragmentation as discussed further under Factors A and E. These small
set asides are impractical to manage for fire (discussed further under
Factor E). Land development and multiple ownership makes difficult the
planning and implementation of controlled burns at the appropriate fire
frequency necessary for the maintenance of chaparral.
Within El Dorado County over the past several years, attempts have
been made to establish a preserve system to protect gabbro chaparral
habitat. An initial report on preserve sites and rare plant strategies
was completed in November 1991. The report identified 12 potential
preserve sites. In 1992, El Dorado County held public workshops
concerning this report. A rare plant advisory committee, consisting of
members from the development community, various agencies (CDFG, BLM,
Service), El Dorado County planning staff, CNPS and others, was
established to identify feasible preserve sites, funding mechanisms,
and management strategies for these preserves. The County Board of
Supervisors evaluated the preserve sites identified by the rare plant
advisory committee and eliminated the large southern preserve site. It
approved in principle two other large preserve sites; however, the
majority of the Board did not consider any local funding to establish
or maintain the preserves (George Clark, in litt., 1993; Kirsten Tarp,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pers. obs., 1993). It is unlikely that
the establishment and maintenance of a sufficient reserve system will
occur without adequate funding.
E. Other Natural or Manmade Factors Affecting Its Continued
Existence. Altered periodicity of fire threatens Calystegia stebbinsii,
Ceanothus roderickii, Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens, and
Senecio layneae. These plants occur within a fire-adapted plant
community, either within chaparral or on the ecotone between chaparral
and woodland. Fire suppression policies have altered natural processes
within several plant communities in California. Historically, fire
occurred in chaparral on the average of 3 to 5 times every 100 years
(Boyd 1985). As described below, fire is important for seed germination
and for seedling reestablishment by eliminating competition and
shading, as well as replenishing nutrients to the soil. Without
periodic fires, the previously mentioned four plants either do not
reproduce by seed or may become shaded by other plants. In a study of
the effects of controlled burning on 3 rare plants occurring on Pine
Hill within western El Dorado County, Boyd (1985, 1987) found that fire
killed C. roderickii shrubs, but caused a 22-fold increase in seed
germination. He also found that the growth rate of seedlings was
greater in the burned area than in the unburned area.
Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens seeds require heat from
fire to germinate. F. californicum ssp. decumbens also resprouts
vegetatively after a burn. In studying reproductive attrition in F.
californicum ssp. decumbens, Boyd and Serafini (1992) found that F.
californicum ssp. decumbens cannot reproduce sexually without fire.
They concluded that to maintain genetic diversity and establish plants
at new localities within the boundaries of the current populations,
sexual reproduction may be necessary over long time periods.
Initial studies also show C. stebbinsii needs disturbance by either
heat or scarification for germination to occur (Tim Nosal, CDFG, pers.
comm., 1993; Paul Boch, Nevada County Agricultural Commissioner, in
litt, 1993). C. stebbinsii also is associated with fire. At the Nevada
County landfill site, this species is more prevalent in the burned
areas than in the unburned areas (Paul Boch, in litt., 1993). C.
stebbinsii is eliminated as soon as the surrounding chaparral grows
tall enough to shade it.
Excessive fire frequency also potentially threatens Ceanothus
roderickii and Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens. These
plants need sufficient time between burns to set enough seed to
replenish the soil seedbank. Mature plants of F. californicum ssp.
decumbens also need to build up carbohydrate reserves to be able to
resprout after a fire (Boyd 1985).
The total suppression of fire or the total suppression of
disturbance threatens Senecio layneae and Calystegia stebbinsii.
Limited surface disturbance has been beneficial to these species in
certain circumstances by promoting initial establishment (James
Jokerst, pers. comm., 1993). S. layneae appears to be an early
successional species that occupies temporary openings on gabbro or
serpentine and is eliminated as vegetation grows up around it (Baad and
Hanna 1987).
Competition with invasive alien vegetation, herbicide spraying, and
unauthorized dumping threaten individual occurrences of Calystegia
stebbinsii. An introduced species of field bind weed, Convolvulus sp.
competes with one colony of Calystegia stebbinsii within Nevada County
(CNDDB 1992). Trash dumping also threatens three occurrences of C.
stebbinsii (CNDDB 1992). Herbicide spraying potentially threatens a
significant portion of one occurrence of C. stebbinsii near Shingle
Springs and several local occurrences adjacent to roads (Tim Nosal,
pers. comm., 1993).
Herbicide spraying and trash dumping threaten one occurrence of
Ceanothus roderickii (CNDDB 1992). Habitat degradation from garbage
dumping on ridge-tops around Pine Hill degrades the habitat and is a
minor threat to Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens (James
Wilson, Sierra College, pers. comm., 1993).
As discussed under Factor A, habitat fragmentation may alter the
physical environment. Plant species will disappear from fragments that
are from 10 to 100 hectares in size due to persistent disturbance and
potentially due to change in fire frequency (Soule et al. 1992). In
addition, habitat fragmentation increases the risks of extinction due
to environmental, demographic, or genetic stochasticity. The small,
isolated nature of the remaining populations and the restricted
distribution of Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens and Galium
californicum ssp. sierrae make stochastic extinction more likely.
Chance events, such as local catastrophes, floods, disease outbreaks,
reproductive failure, extended droughts, landslides, or a combination
of several such events, could destroy part of a single population or
entire populations. A local catastrophe also could decrease a
population to so few individuals that the risk of extirpation due to
genetic and demographic problems associated with small populations
would increase.
Competition with invasive alien vegetation and shading from native
tree and shrub species potentially threaten Senecio layneae. Several
alien plant species, including Cytisus scoparius (Scotch broom), have
become established within the Traverse Creek Botanical Area in Eldorado
National Forest due to a variety of disturbances and potentially
threaten this occurrence of S. layneae (Duron 1990, Pollak 1990).
One occurrence of Senecio layneae is thought to have been
extirpated by road-side herbicide application (Oren Pollak, The Nature
Conservancy, pers. comm., 1993). This activity potentially threatens
several other occurrences of this species.
The Service has carefully assessed the best scientific and
commercial information available regarding the past, present, and
future threats faced by these species in determining to propose this
rule. Proposed residential and commercial development within the Pine
Hill intrusion, urbanization in western El Dorado County, which will be
induced by proposed dams on the South Fork of the American River, and
inadequate regulatory mechanisms threaten all five taxa throughout all
or a significant portion of their respective ranges. Road construction
and maintenance, grading, unauthorized dumping, excessive grazing
practices, herbicide spraying, off-road vehicle use, competition from
invasive alien vegetation, shading by native vegetation, irrigation,
and mining affect individual occurrences of the five taxa.
Calystegia stebbinsii, Ceanothus roderickii, Fremontodendron
californicum ssp. decumbens, and Galium californicum ssp. sierrae are
in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of
their ranges, and the preferred action is therefore to list them as
endangered. Because of its wider distribution, Senecio layneae is not
now in immediate danger of extinction throughout all or a significant
portion of its range; however, it is likely to become an endangered
species in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant
portion of its range. Therefore, the preferred action is to list
Senecio layneae as threatened.

Critical Habitat

Section 4(a)(3) of the Act and implementing regulations (50 CFR
424.12) requires that, to the maximum extent prudent and determinable,
the Secretary determine critical habitat concurrently with determining
a species to be endangered or threatened. The Service finds that
designation of critical habitat is not presently prudent for these
species. Because the five plants face numerous human-caused threats
(see Factors A and E in ``Summary of Factors Affecting the Species'')
and the five occur predominantly on private land, the publication of
precise maps and descriptions of critical habitat in the Federal
Register would make these plants more vulnerable to incidents of
vandalism and, therefore, could contribute to the decline of these
species and increase enforcement problems. The listing of these species
as endangered and/or threatened also publicizes the rarity of these
plants and, thus, can make these plants attractive to researchers,
horticulturalists, or collectors of rare plants, as discussed under
Factor B.
Protection of the habitat of these species will be addressed
through the recovery process and the section 7 consultation process.
The Service believes that Federal involvement in the areas where these
plants occur can be identified without the designation of critical
habitat. Therefore, the Service finds that designation of critical
habitat for these plants is not prudent at this time because such
designation likely would increase the degree of threat from vandalism,
collecting, or other human activities.

Available Conservation Measures

Conservation measures provided to species listed as endangered or
threatened under the Act include recognition, recovery actions,
requirements for Federal protection, and prohibitions against certain
activities. Recognition through listing encourages and results in
conservation actions by Federal, State, and private agencies, groups,
and individuals. The Act provides for possible land acquisition and
cooperation with the State and requires that recovery actions be
carried out for all listed species. The protection required of Federal
agencies and the prohibitions against certain activities involving
listed plants are discussed, in part, below.
Section 7(a) of the Act requires Federal agencies to evaluate their
actions with respect to any species that is proposed or listed as
endangered or threatened and with respect to its critical habitat, if
any is being designated. Regulations implementing this interagency
cooperation provision of the Act are codified at 50 CFR part 402.
Section 7(a)(4) of the Act requires Federal agencies to confer with the
Service on any action that is likely to jeopardize the continued
existence of a proposed species or result in destruction or adverse
modification of proposed critical habitat. If a species is listed
subsequently, section 7(a)(2) requires Federal agencies to insure that
activities they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence of such a species or to destroy or
adversely modify its critical habitat. If a Federal action may affect a
listed species or its critical habitat, the responsible Federal agency
must enter into formal consultation with the Service.
At least 80 percent of the occurrences for these five species are
privately owned. However, BLM manages land supporting populations of
all five plants, and Senecio layneae occurs on Federal land managed by
Forest Service. Both agencies would become involved with any or all of
these species as they are responsible for managing land use of areas
supporting these species.
The Veterans Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (Federal Home Administration loans) may become
involved with these species through their administration of Federal
mortgage programs. The construction and maintenance of roads and
highways by the Federal Highway Administration, the relicensing of
hydroelectric projects by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and
the contracting of surface waters for irrigation, industrial, or
municipal uses by the Bureau of Reclamation would necessitate
involvement with these species under the Act. Also, the Army Corps of
Engineers would become involved with these species through its
permitting authority under section 404 of the Clean Water Act. By
regulation, nationwide permits may not be issued where a federally
listed endangered or threatened species would be affected by a proposed
project without first completing formal consultation pursuant to
section 7 of the Act. The presence of a listed species would highlight
the national importance of these resources. Therefore, the Army Corps
of Engineers would be required to consult with the Service on any
proposed dam construction or any proposed permits for fill operations
that would adversely affect any of these plants.
The Act and its implementing regulations found at 50 CFR 17.61,
17.62, and 17.63 for endangered plant species and 17.71 and 17.72 for
threatened plant species set forth a series of general prohibitions and
exceptions that apply to all endangered or threatened plants. With
respect to the five gabbro plants from El Dorado, Nevada, or Tuolumne
Counties, California, all trade prohibitions of section 9(a)(2) of the
Act, implemented by 50 CFR 17.61 or 17.71, would apply. These
prohibitions, in part, would make it illegal for any person subject to
the jurisdiction of the United States to import or export; deliver,
receive, carry, transport or ship in interstate or foreign commerce in
the course of a commercial activity; sell or offer for sale these
species in interstate or foreign commerce; or remove and reduce to
possession federally listed plant species from areas under Federal
jurisdiction; maliciously damage or destroy any such species on any
area under Federal jurisdiction; or remove, cut, dig up, damage, or
destroy any such plant species on any other area in knowing violation
of any State law or regulation or in the course of any violation of a
State criminal trespass law. Seeds from cultivated specimens of
threatened plant taxa are exempt from these prohibitions provided that
a statement ``of cultivated origin'' appears on the containers. Certain
exceptions apply to agents of the Service and State conservation
agencies. The Act and 50 CFR 17.62, 17.63, and 17.72 also provide for
the issuance of permits to carry out otherwise prohibited activities
involving endangered or threatened plant species under certain
circumstances. The Service anticipates few trade permits would ever be
sought or issued for the five species because the plants are not common
in cultivation or in the wild. Requests for copies of the regulations
on listed plants and inquiries regarding them may be addressed to the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Permits, 911 N.E.
11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181 (telephone 503/231-6241,
facsimile 503/231-6243).

Public Comments Solicited

The Service intends that any final action resulting from this
proposal will be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore,
comments or suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental
agencies, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested
party concerning this proposed rule are hereby solicited. Comments
particularly are sought concerning:
(1) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning
any threat (or lack thereof) to Calystegia stebbinsii, Ceanothus
roderickii, Fremontodendron californicum ssp. decumbens, Galium
californicum ssp. sierrae, or Senecio layneae;
(2) The location of any additional populations of these species and
the reasons why any habitat should or should not be determined to be
critical habitat as provided by section 4 of the Act;
(3) Additional information concerning the range, distribution, and
population size of these species; and
(4) Current or planned activities in the subject area and their
possible impacts on these species.
Any final decision on this proposal will take into consideration
the comments and any additional information received by the Service,
and such communications may lead to a final regulation that differs
from this proposal.
The Act provides for a public hearing on this proposal, if
requested. Requests must be received within 45 days of the date of
publication of this proposal. Such requests must be made in writing and
addressed to the Field Supervisor of the Sacramento Field Office (see
ADDRESSES section).

National Environmental Policy Act

The Fish and Wildlife Service has determined that an Environmental
Assessment, as defined under the authority of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969, need not be prepared in connection
with regulations adopted pursuant to section 4(a) of the Act. A notice
outlining the Service's reasons for this determination was published in
the Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244).

References Cited

A complete list of all references cited herein is available upon
request from the Field Supervisor, Sacramento Field Office (see
ADDRESSES section).

Author

The primary author of this proposed rule is Kirsten Tarp,
Sacramento Field Office (see ADDRESSES section).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, and Transportation.

Proposed Regulations Promulgation

Accordingly, the Service hereby proposes to amend part 17,
subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations,
as set forth below:

PART 17--[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544; 16 U.S.C.
4201-4245; Pub. L. 99-625, 100 Stat. 3500, unless otherwise noted.

2. Section 17.12(h) is amended by adding the following, in
alphabetical order under the families indicated, and by adding a new
family ``Sterculiaceae--Cacao family,'' in alphabetical order, to the
List of Endangered and Threatened Plants to read as follows:

Sec. 17.12 Endangered and threatened plants.

* * * * *
(h) * * *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Species
--------------------------------------------------------------- Historic range Status When listed Critical habitat Special rules
Scientific name Common name
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * * * *
Asteraceae--Aster family:

* * * * * * *
Senecio layneae........... Layne's butterweed............ U.S.A (CA) T NA NA NA

* * * * * * *
Convolvulaceae--Morning-glory
family:

* * * * * * *
Calystegia stebbinsii..... Stebbins' morning-glory....... U.S.A. (CA) E NA NA NA

* * * * * * *
Rhamnaceae--Buckthorn family:

* * * * * * *
Ceanothus roderickii...... Pine Hill ceanothus........... U.S.A. (CA) E NA NA NA

* * * * * * *
Rubiaceae--Coffee family:

* * * * * * *
Galium californicum....... El Dorado bedstraw............ U.S.A. (CA) E NA NA NA
ssp. sierrae..........

* * * * * * *
Sterculiaceae--Cacao family:
Fremontodendron Pine Hill flannelbush......... U.S.A. (CA) E NA NA NA
californicum.
ssp. decumbens........

* * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dated: April 4, 1994.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 94-9495 Filed 4-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P