[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 3158-3196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-363]



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Part II





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service



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50 CFR Part 17



Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Threatened 
Status for Penstemon grahamii (Graham's beardtongue) With Critical 
Habitat; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 12 / Thursday, January 19, 2006 / 
Proposed Rules  

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AU49


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed 
Threatened Status for Penstemon grahamii (Graham's beardtongue) With 
Critical Habitat

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to 
determine threatened status for Penstemon grahamii (Graham's 
beardtongue), a plant species from Colorado and Utah, under the 
authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). P. 
grahamii exists in a series of small populations that extend in a 
narrow band from Raven Ridge west of the town of Rangely in Rio Blanco 
County, Colorado, westward to the vicinity of Sand Wash near the point 
where Carbon, Duchesne, and Uintah Counties meet in Utah's Uinta Basin. 
Threats to the species include degradation of the species' habitat by 
oil and gas exploration, drilling and field development, and tar sand 
and oil shale mining. Off-road vehicle (ORV) use, overutilization by 
domestic and wild grazers, and overutilization for horticultural use 
may also affect some populations. These threats, in combination with 
small population sizes and limited distribution, result in species 
vulnerability to natural and human-caused stochastic events. This 
proposal, if made final, would implement Federal protection provided by 
the Act. In addition, we propose to designate 3,503.68 acres (2,102 
hectares) as critical habitat for P. grahamii in five units in Rio 
Blanco County, Colorado, and Duchesne and Uintah Counties, Utah.

DATES: Comments from all interested parties must be received by March 
20, 2006. Public hearing requests must be received by March 6, 2006.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments and 
materials concerning this proposal by any one of several methods:
    1. You may submit written comments and information to Henry Maddux, 
Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Utah Field Office, 
2369 West Orton Circle, West Valley, Utah 84119.
    2. You may hand-deliver written comments to our Office, at the 
above address.
    3. You may send comments by e-mail to [email protected]. Please see the Public Comments Solicited 
section below for file format and other information about electronic 
filing.
    4. You may fax your comments to the Utah Field Office at 801-975-
3331.
    Comments and materials received, as well as supporting 
documentation used in the preparation of this proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business 
hours at the Utah Field Office, 2369 West Orton Circle, West Valley, 
Utah 84119 (801-975-3330).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John L. England at the above address 
(telephone 801-975-3330, extension 138; facsimile 801-975-3331).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Comments Solicited

    The Service expects any final rule resulting from this proposal to 
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:

Listing Rule

    We seek specific information on any available preliminary results 
from the recent lease nominations for research, development, and 
demonstration of oil shale recovery technologies on Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) lands; success of ongoing oil shale or tar sands 
development projects, particularly in the Green River formation; 
available economic and technological analyses; and specific information 
detailing definitive effects of these operations to environmental 
resources, as primarily related to losses of plant individuals, loss or 
fragmentation of plant habitat, and loss or declines in plant 
pollinators. Despite recent policy direction (e.g., Energy Policy Act 
2005), the long-term technological and economic feasibility of oil 
shale and tar sands development are uncertain (Bartis 2005). Our final 
rule will more closely evaluate the technologies and economic certainty 
of oil shale and tar sand development within the Green River formation, 
and its potential to threaten P. grahamii. Similarly, although the 
Energy Policy Act of 2005 seems to set the stage for increased oil and 
gas drilling activities within P. grahamii habitat, we do not have 
information specific to ongoing or proposed actions in these areas, and 
we request any available information.

Critical Habitat

    (1) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning 
any threat (or lack thereof) to this species;
    (2) Additional information concerning the range, distribution, and 
population size of this species, including the locations of any 
additional populations of this species;
    (3) Current or planned activities in the subject area and their 
possible impacts on this species;
    (4) Reasons why any habitat should or should not be determined to 
be critical habitat for this species pursuant to section 4 of the Act; 
and
    (5) Any foreseeable economic or other impacts resulting from the 
proposed designation of critical habitat.
    Our practice is to make comments, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular 
business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold 
their home address from the rulemaking record, which we will honor to 
the extent allowable by law. In some circumstances, we would withhold 
from the rulemaking record a respondent's identity, as allowable by 
law. If you wish us to withhold your name or address, you must state 
this prominently at the beginning of your comment. However, we will not 
consider anonymous comments. We will make all submissions from 
organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying 
themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or 
businesses, available for public inspection in their entirety. Comments 
and materials received will be available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours (see ADDRESSES section).

Listing

Background

    Section 12 of the Act directed the Secretary of the Smithsonian 
Institution to prepare a report on those plants considered to be 
endangered, threatened, or extinct. On July 1, 1975, the Service 
published a notice in the Federal Register (40 FR 27823) accepting that 
Smithsonian report as a petition to list those taxa named therein under 
section 4(c)(2) (now 4(b)(3)) of the Act, and announced our intention 
to review the status of those plants. Penstemon grahamii was included 
in that report.
    On June 16, 1976, we published a proposed rule in the Federal 
Register (41 FR 24523) to designate approximately 1,700 vascular plant 
species, including Penstemon grahamii, as endangered pursuant to 
section 4 of

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the Act. The 1978 amendments to the Act required that all proposals 
over 2 years old be withdrawn. On December 10, 1979, we published a 
notice of withdrawal (44 FR 70796) of that portion of the June 16, 1976 
proposal that had not been made final, which included P. grahamii.
    On December 15, 1980, we published a revised notice of review for 
native plants in the Federal Register (45 FR 82480) designating 
Penstemon grahamii a category 2 candidate species. Category 2 
candidates were at that time defined as taxa for which information in 
the possession of the Service indicated the probable appropriateness of 
listing as either endangered or threatened, but for which sufficient 
information is not presently available to biologically support a 
proposed rule. During the late 1970s and early 1980s strong interest in 
oil shale development with its potential for extensive disruption of 
much of the species' known habitat accentuated our concern for the 
conservation of P. grahamii. However, the recent discovery of a 
Colorado population and the lack of surveys over the species' entire 
range caused us to delay action until that new information was 
developed.
    On November 28, 1983, we published a revised notice of review in 
the Federal Register (48 FR 53640) amending our 1980 notice of review. 
The 1983 amendment changed the candidate species status of P. grahamii 
to category 1. Category 1 candidates are defined as those taxa for 
which the Service has on file information on the biological 
vulnerability and threats to support the preparation of listing 
proposals. Recently completed status surveys demonstrating very small 
populations (Neese and Smith 1982; Shultz and Mutz 1979) coupled with 
ongoing concern for the conservation of the species' habitat from 
potential energy development resulted in this change in P. grahamii 
candidate status. We maintained P. grahamii as a category 1 candidate 
species in subsequent updated notices of review.
    In the February 28, 1996, notice of review (61 FR 7596), we 
discontinued the designation of category 1, 2, and 3 species. Most 
category 2 species were removed from the notice of review and most 
category 1 species were maintained as uncategorized candidate species. 
Penstemon grahamii was included as a candidate species. The Service 
made subsequent determinations of candidate species status for P. 
grahamii in Federal Register notices of review.
    Penstemon grahamii was petitioned three times for listing as 
endangered or threatened under the provisions of the Act. The first 
petition was the initial Smithsonian list of 1975 (see above). The 
second Petition was the Fund for Animal's petition of 1990. This 
petition included 401 species the Service had previously assigned 
Category 1 status in its previous notices of review. On October 8, 
2002, we received a petition specifically for P. grahamii from five 
separate parties, namely--the Center for Native Ecosystems, the 
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, the Utah Native Plant Society, the 
Colorado Native Plant Society, and the American Lands Alliance. This 
``second'' petition reiterated biological information and information 
on increased levels of threat, for the most part already in our files.
    We are under a court settlement to submit to the Office of the 
Federal Register, by January 9, 2006, a proposed rule to list Penstemon 
grahamii.

Species Information

    Edward Graham collected a distinctive Penstemon from a site west of 
the Green River and south of Sand Wash, in southern Uintah County, 
Utah, on May 27, 1933, and from a site north of Sand Wash on the 
following day (Graham, 1937). David Keck described the species, 
Penstemon grahamii, from Graham's collections in 1937 (Keck in Graham, 
1937). The genus Penstemon consists of dicotyledonous plants 
traditionally placed in the Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). The 
genus Penstemon includes about 250 species and is almost exclusively 
North American in its distribution. The center of distribution of the 
genus is in the interior west of the United States, with Utah having 
over 70 species and Colorado over 60 (Welsh et al. 2003; Weber and 
Wittmann 2000; Cronquist et al. 1984). Thirty species occur in the 
Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah and adjacent Colorado, the local 
geological and floristic province of P. grahamii (Goodrich and Neese 
1986).
    Penstemon grahamii is an herbaceous perennial plant within the sub-
genus Cristati (N. Holmgren in Cronquist et al. 1984). The following 
description of P. grahamii is adapted from D. Keck (in Graham 1937), N. 
Holmgren (in Cronquist et al. 1984), and E. Neese (in Welsh et al. 
2003). Each plant has one to three stems arising from a taproot. These 
stems are 7-18 centimeters (cm) (2.8-7.0 inches (in)) tall. Leaves are 
borne in pairs opposite each other on the stem and are of two different 
forms (basal leaves and cauline leaves).
    Penstemon grahamii has an inflorescence (cluster of flowers) 
usually of 3 to 20 flowers, although occasionally just one or two 
flowers are present. The species' corolla (inner whorl of flower parts, 
the petals collectively) is bilaterally symmetrical with its petals 
fused into a floral tube. The corolla tube is 30-38 mm (1.2-1.5 in.) 
long and abruptly ventricose (enlarged on one side) towards the distal 
part of the tube. The corolla is strongly bilabitate (two lipped), the 
upper lip has two lobes and the lower lip has three lobes. The color of 
the corolla varies from light to dark lavender, or pinkish, with dark 
violet lines in the throat of the corolla tube. The species has four 
fertile stamens and one prominent infertile staminode (the infertile 
staminode is the classic floral characteristic of the Penstemon genus). 
The fertile stamens lie along the roof of the corolla. The linear 
staminode is densely bearded with short stiff golden orange pubescence 
on all surfaces along its entire length. The seed capsule is an 
inverted cordate (heart) shaped structure about 8-10 mm (0.03-0.04 in.) 
long. The species has 5-50 seeds per capsule.
    We have delineated all known locations with extant populations of 
P. grahamii into 109 occurrences. We grouped these occurrences into 
five units separated by unoccupied gaps in the species range. Available 
population data information is summarized for the broader units rather 
than each of the smaller occurrences (Shultz and Mutz 1979, Neese and 
Smith, 1982, Borland 1987, Franklin 1993, 1995, Colorado Natural 
Heritage Program 2005, Utah Natural Heritage Program 2005). In addition 
the consolidating occurrences at this scale provides for effective 
identification and naming of these sites to land owners and managers.
    The westernmost P. grahamii population habitat unit, named the Sand 
Wash Unit (Unit A) occurs in the vicinity of Sand Wash in southwestern 
Uintah and adjacent Duchesne Counties, Utah. This unit consists of 10 
separate occurrences with a population estimated at 135 individuals 
(Shultz and Mutz 1979, Franklin 1993, Utah Natural Heritage Program 
2005). This population unit has relatively small numbers (approximately 
2 percent of the species total) compared to those population units in 
the center of the species range. This unit is the most isolated of the 
species population units. This portion of the species population has 
minor morphological differences from the remainder of its population 
(Shultz and Mutz 1979) and may, due to geographic isolation, be 
genetically divergent from the remainder of the species population.
    A second P. grahamii population habitat unit, named the Seep Ridge 
Unit (Unit B), occurs approximately 17 miles

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(mi) (27 kilometers (km)) east of the Sand Wash population unit in the 
Willow and Bitter Creek drainages in the vicinity of Sunday School 
Canyon near the Seep Ridge road in south central Uintah County, Utah. 
This population habitat unit consists of 53 separate occurrences with 
an estimated population of 3,200 individuals (Shultz and Mutz 1979, 
Utah Natural Heritage Program 2005). This population habitat unit is 
the species largest with approximately 52 percent of the species total 
population.
    A third P. grahamii population habitat unit, named the Evacuation 
Creek Unit (Unit C), occurs approximately 10 mi (16 km) east of the 
Seep Ridge unit in the Asphalt Wash and Evacuation Creek drainages near 
the abandoned Gilsonite mining towns of Dragon and Rainbow. This 
population habitat unit is in southeastern Uintah County, Utah, and 
adjacent Rio Blanco County, Colorado, and consists of 31 separate 
occurrences with an estimated population of 2,550 individuals (Neese 
and Smith, 1982, Franklin 1995, Utah Natural Heritage Program 2005). 
This population unit is the species second largest with approximately 
41 percent of the species total population.
    A fourth P. grahamii population habitat unit, named the White River 
Unit (Unit D), occurs approximately 5 mi (8 km) north of the Evacuation 
Creek unit in Hells Hole and Weaver Canyons immediately south of the 
White River. This population habitat unit is in eastern Uintah County, 
Utah, and consists of 9 separate occurrences with an estimated 
population of 115 individuals (Neese and Smith, 1982, Franklin 1995, 
Utah Natural Heritage Program 2005). This population habitat unit is 
the species smallest with approximately 2 percent of the species total. 
This population unit is important as a link between the species to 
largest population units to the south and southwest and the species 
Colorado population to the northeast.
    A fifth population habitat unit, named the Raven Ridge Unit (Unit 
E), occurs approximately 7 mi (11 km) northwest of the White River unit 
along the west flank of Raven Ridge and north of the White River 
between Raven Ridge and the Utah border in extreme western Rio Blanco 
County, Colorado. This population habitat unit consists of 6 separate 
occurrences with an estimated population of 200 individuals (Borland 
1987, Colorado Natural Heritage Program 2005). This population habitat 
unit harbors approximately 3 percent of the species total population. 
This unit includes virtually the species entire population in Colorado 
(a portion of a small population occurs at the eastern margin of the 
Evacuation Creek population unit at the Colorado-Utah border). As in 
the case of the Sand Wash unit, the Raven Ridge unit is at the extreme 
end of the species range. As such this population is important for its 
representation of a portion of the full spectrum of the species genetic 
diversity.
    The 109 occurrences and five units of Penstemon grahamii 
collectively form the species' known range, which is distributed in a 
curved band about 10 km (6 mi) wide and about 128 km (80 mi) long. 
These units extend from the Sand Wash and adjacent Nine Mile Creek 
drainages near the point where Carbon, Duchesne, and Uintah Counties, 
Utah, meet; then easterly across southern Uintah County to near the 
Colorado border; then northerly to a point near the White River where 
the population band moves into Colorado to Raven Ridge, the eastern 
terminus of the species range (Shultz and Mutz 1979, Neese and Smith 
1982, Borland 1987, Franklin 1993, 1995, Colorado Natural Heritage 
Program 2005, Utah Natural Heritage Program 2005). The total documented 
population of Penstemon grahamii is estimated at approximately 6,200 
individuals (Shultz and Mutz 1979, Neese and Smith, 1982, Borland 1987, 
Franklin 1993 and 1995, Colorado Natural Heritage Program 2005, Utah 
Natural Heritage Program 2005). Approximately 60 percent of the species 
population is on BLM managed land with the remainder on non-Federal 
lands with state and private ownership.
    The species' habitat is a discontinuous series of exposed raw shale 
knolls and slopes derived from the Parachute Creek and Evacuation Creek 
members of the geologic Green River Formation. Most populations are 
associated with the surface exposure of the petroleum bearing oil shale 
Mahogany ledge (Cashion 1967, Shultz and Mutz 1979, Neese and Smith, 
1982, Franklin 1993, 1995). The trace of the Mahogany bed correlates 
very closely with the trace of Penstemon grahamii sites from the 
vicinity of Sand Wash near the Green River to Raven Ridge near the 
White River (Cashion 1967 (see map page 31), Shultz and Mutz 1979, 
Neese and Smith 1982 (see map overlay Vol. 5)).
    Penstemon grahamii is associated with a suite of species similarly 
adapted to xeric growing conditions on highly basic calcareous shale 
soils. The vascular plant species most commonly associated with P. 
grahamii include--Amelanchier utahensis (Utah serviceberry), Artemisia 
pygmaea (pygmy sage), Cercocarpus montanus, (mountain mahogany), 
Chamaechaenactis scoposa (Eastwood's chaenactis), Elymus salinus 
(Salina wild-rye), Ephedra torreyana (Mormon tea), Eriogonum corymbosum 
(Fremont's wild-buckwheat), Glossopetalon spinescens (Utah greasewood), 
Parthenium ligulatum (low feverfew), Tetradymia nuttallii (Nuttall's 
horse-bush), and Yucca harrimaniae (Harriman's yucca). P. grahamii 
sites at higher elevation are occasionally within sparse pinon-juniper 
woodland dominated by Juniperus osteosperma (Utah juniper) and Pinus 
edulis (Colorado pinon). P. grahamii sites at lower elevations are 
occasionally within a sparse desert shrubland dominated by Atriplex 
conferitfolia (shadscale). However, in both cases P. grahamii habitat 
is characterized by the sparsely vegetated raw shale surface indicative 
of the species habitat throughout its range. The following species are 
in part co-occurring with P. grahamii and are similarly endemic and 
totally restricted to the Green River Formation: Astragalus lutosus 
(Dragon milk-vetch), Aquilejia barnebyi (Barneby's columbine), Cirsium 
barnebyi (Barneby's thistle), Cryptantha barnebyi (Barneby's catseye), 
C. grahamii (Graham's catseye), C. rollinsii (Rollins's Catseye), 
Eriogonum Ephedroides (ephedra wild-buckwheat), and Penstemon 
sacariosus var. albifluvis (White River penstemon). Penstemon scariosus 
var. albifluvis is currently a Federal candidate species and most of 
the remainder of those in the above list were category 2 candidate 
species prior to 1996 (see discussion in following ``Previous Federal 
Action''). The plant community associated with P. grahamii forms a 
distinctive assemblage of plant species dominated by dwarf shrubs and 
mound-forming perennial herbaceous plants with relatively low plant 
cover. This plant community forms small enclosures within the broader 
plant communities that characterize the southeastern Uinta Basin 
(Shultz and Mutz 1979; Neese and Smith 1982; BLM 1987).
    Pollinators of Penstemon grahamii include the bees Anthophora 
lesquerellae, Osmia sanrafaelae, the sweat bees Lasioglossum sisymbrii 
and Dialictus sp., and the masarid wasp Pseudomasaris vespoides 
(Lewinsohn et al. 2005). In addition, a bumblebee of the genus Bombus 
(Bombus huntii) (V. Tepedino, pers. comm. 2005) visits the species (L. 
England, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pers obs. 2003). The most 
consistent pollinator of these species is likely to be Pseudomasaris 
vespoides. This unusual wasp (it is a

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member of the only ``vegetarian'' wasp family known to science) is an 
extreme specialist of Penstemon flowers. It collects and feeds its 
offspring only Penstemon pollen, though it may visit other plant genera 
for nectar (Lewinsohn et al. 2005).
    The Natural Heritage Programs for the States of Colorado and Utah 
have assigned P. grahamii a global imperilment ranking of G2 and state 
imperilment rankings of S2. G2 and S2 rankings mean the species is 
imperiled at Global and State levels respectively. The International 
Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has given the species a 
ranking of ``Vulnerable''.

Summary of Factors Affecting the Species

    Section 4 of the Act and regulations (50 CFR part 424) promulgated 
to implement the listing provisions of the Act set forth the procedures 
for adding species to Federal lists. A species may be determined to be 
an endangered or threatened species due to one or more of the five 
factors described in section 4(a)(1). These factors and their 
application to Penstemon grahamii Keck (Graham's beardtongue) are as 
follows:

A. The Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment 
of Its Habitat or Range

Energy Resources
    P. grahamii has been listed as a candidate species since 1980, in 
part due to the potential threat of increased energy development (U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service 2004). The habitat of P. grahamii is a series 
of knolls and slopes of raw oil shale derived from Green River geologic 
formation. Oil shale resources associated with the Green River 
formation underlie approximately 16,000 square miles (41,000 sq. km) 
and represent the largest known concentration of oil shale in the world 
(Dyni 2003; T. Lonnie, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee 
Oversight Hearing on Oil Shale Development Efforts, April 12, 2005). P. 
grahamii only grows directly on surface exposures of the richest oil 
shale bearing strata in the Mahogany ledge and closely associated 
strata, making the species highly vulnerable to extirpation consequent 
to exploitation of oil shale strata (Cashion 1967 [see map page 31]; 
Bureau of Mines 1988; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2005; Shultz and 
Mutz 1979; Neese and Smith 1982 [see map overlay Vol. 5]).
    Impacts to the species from energy development have been largely 
avoided to date because energy development within the species habitat 
has been minimal. For example, under existing development scenarios 
only 5 of 109 known occurrences (4.6 percent) have oil and gas wells 
located within them (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2005). Where 
development has occurred, BLM has provided conservation measures and 
moved well or pipeline locations to minimize effects, largely due to 
attention provided the species because of its candidate status and BLM 
sensitive species status (R. Specht, BLM, 2005, per. comm.). Similarly, 
oil shale and tar sands development, as projected decades earlier, have 
not yet reached their potential due largely to limitations of past 
technology and unfavorable economics. The first interest in oil shale 
extraction occurred in the latter years of and immediately following 
World War I, however limited accessibility and low economic viability 
resulted in declining interest. More recently in the 1970-1980s, BLM 
made oil shale resources on public lands available through the Oil 
Shale Prototype Program, which was designed to allow companies to 
develop and refine the technology for extracting oil from oil shale. 
Since then, during the mid-1980s and 1990s, interest in oil shale 
development continued to lag because of declining petroleum prices 
(World Energy Council 2005; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2005; T. 
Lonnie, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Oversight Hearing 
on Oil Shale Development Efforts, April 12, 2005). However, recent 
Federal policy direction, technological advances, world oil demand, and 
economics have increased the desirability to invest in oil shale and 
other energy development in Utah and Colorado:
Federal Policy Direction
    The Energy Policy Act of 2005 establishes that oil shale, tar 
sands, and other strategic unconventional fuels should be developed to 
reduce the nation's dependence on imported oil. Section 309(m)(1)(B) 
identifies the Green River Region, including the entire range of P. 
grahamii (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2005), as a priority for oil 
shale and tar sand development.
    Provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 may provide economic 
incentives for oil shale development. For example, previous Mineral 
Leasing Act of 1920 restrictions limited oil shale lease sizes to 5,120 
acres (ac) ( 2,072 hectares (ha)), and restricted leasing opportunities 
to just one lease tract per individual or corporation. Lease size 
restrictions effectively limited development because of a lack of 
available acreage to accommodate necessary infrastructure and 
facilities. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 now allows an individual or 
corporation to acquire multiple lease tracts up to 50,000 acres in any 
one state, removing the restrictions of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 
(Bartis 2005).
    Energy Policy Act of 2005 provisions require the Interior 
Department to complete a programmatic Environmental Impact Statement by 
February 2007 for a commercial leasing program for oil shale and tar 
sands resources on public lands. On December 13, 2005, the BLM 
published a notice of intent to prepare the document (70 FR 73791).
    The Energy Bill of 2005 enables leasing of oil and gas and tar 
sands separately, even when the two are found in the same area. 
Previously, the law required a combined tar sands/oil and gas lease, 
effectively delaying leasing and extraction of oil and gas in tar sand 
areas.
    BLM has established an Oil Shale Task Force to address access to 
unconventional resources such as oil shale on public lands; impediments 
to oil shale development on public lands; industry interest in research 
and development and commercial development opportunities on the public 
lands; and Secretarial options to capitalize on the opportunities.
    On June 9, 2005, BLM announced in the Federal Register its intent 
to initiate a program to facilitate research, development, and 
demonstration (RD&D) of oil shale recovery technologies on Federal 
lands (70 FR 33753). BLM recognizes this effort as a first step toward 
successful development of oil shale reserves. The Bureau of Land 
Management received 19 nominations for oil shale research and 
development projects; eight nominations were received for projects in 
the Uinta Basin of Utah (BLM 2005, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
2005). Response to the RD&D request demonstrates significant interest 
in oil shale development (Bureau Land Management 2005).
Technological Advances
    Oil shale: ``Oil shale'' is hard calcareous shale, called marl, 
impregnated with an organic compound called kerogen, a precursor to 
synthetic petroleum. Organic kerogen within the oil shale rock can be 
heated and vaporized at high temperatures to form synthetic petroleum. 
Extraction occurs in a process called retorting which requires heating 
of the rock to about 900 degrees Fahrenheit (480 degrees Celsius) 
through in-situ or surface retorting methods. Surface retorting 
involves mining ore on the surface or

[[Page 3162]]

underground, crushing it, and placing it in a retort; shale oil is 
removed and upgraded by the addition of hydrogen. There are currently 
no active commercial surface retorts in the United States. Oil-Tech 
currently operates a small, cost-effective commercial retort within the 
range of Penstemon scariosus var. albifluvis in Utah and plans to 
expand its operation to produce 20,000 barrels of oil per day in the 
next two years at a cost no greater than $30 per barrel (J. Savage, 
House Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, June 23, 2005). In-
situ retorting involves injection of a heat source into the rock strata 
to produce oil from the kerogen. Shale oil then flows to a well and is 
pumped to the surface. Shell Oil has successfully completed at least 
five field tests using a modified in-situ conversion process (Johnson 
et al. 2004a; S. Mut, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee 
Oversight Hearing on Oil Shale Development Efforts, April 12, 2005). 
Successful oil shale development has also recently occurred in 
Australia and the Republic of Estonia (T. Lonnie, Senate Energy and 
Natural Resources Committee Oversight Hearing on Oil Shale Development 
Efforts, April 12, 2005).
    Tar Sands: The tar sand resource rock layer is impregnated with a 
heavy oil substance called bitumen, exhibiting chemical characteristics 
similar to petroleum. (Blackett 1996). Current technologies for tar 
sands extraction involves either strip mining, as in the province of 
Alberta Canada (U.S. Department of Energy 1997), or 2.5-acre well 
spacing of surface extraction and injection facilities in addition to 
necessary access roadways and pipelines. (BIA 2002)
World Oil Demand and Economics
    The Office of Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves anticipates 
increased world demand for oil reserves with declining resource 
availability, driven largely by developing Asian economies (Bunger et 
al. 2004, Johnson et al. 2004b). Feasibility of oil shale and tar sands 
development relies largely on economic profitability which is directly 
tied to the price volatility of conventional petroleum and market 
demand. Renewed oil shale and tar sand interest is partly due to crude 
oil price spikes in 2004 and 2005 (Johnson et al. 2004b).
    Alberta's successful commercialization of tar sands serves as a 
model for a profitable oil shale industry in the United States (Johnson 
et al. 2004b).
    A recent report and model by Rand Corporation (Bartis et al. 2005) 
estimated that oil shale extraction costs would be approximately $75-90 
per barrel initially, and $30-$40 per barrel after a billion barrels of 
cumulative production. However, the report also concluded that recent 
advances in thermally conductive in-situ conversion may enable oil 
shale to compete with crude oil at prices under $40 per barrel. Shell 
Oil estimates in-situ retorting costs are estimated at $30 per barrel 
(Bartis et al. 2005). Ongoing oil shale and tar sands extraction 
operations in Alberta cost less than $20 per barrel (Johnson et al. 
2004b). Based on technical and economic considerations, the Rand report 
(Bartis et al. 2005) projects initial commercial operations to occur in 
6-10 years and production growth to commence in 12 years. Oil shale 
deposits of the Green River formation of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming 
contain potentially recoverable kerogen (synthetic petroleum) in excess 
of 1 trillion barrels (Cashion 1967).
    As discussed, Federal government policies, technological advances, 
and economics are now in place to advance oil shale, tar sands, and oil 
and gas development in areas also occupied by P. grahamii. The level of 
threats to P. grahamii populations has consequently increased. Increase 
in threat is directly related to the overlap of energy resources and 
known P. grahamii occurrences.
    One hundred five of 109 (96 percent) P. grahamii occurrences are in 
the Parachute Creek member of the Green River formation, the remaining 
4 sites are in oil shale strata of the Evacuation Creek member of the 
Green River formation (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2005; Shultz and 
Mutz 1979; Neese and Smith 1982). Oil-shale beds are most numerous and 
important in the Parachute Member of the Green River formation, but the 
underlying Evacuation Creek member also contains a few beds of oil-
shale (Pruitt 1961). The 105 occurrences in the Parachute Creek member 
harbor an estimated 6,100 individuals or 98 percent of the species' 
estimated population of 6,200 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2005; 
Shultz and Mutz 1979; Neese and Smith 1982). The BLM designated the 
East Tavaputs Plateau and the Southeast Uinta Basin as Oil Shale Lease 
Areas in the 1970s. These lease areas cover 60 of 109 P. grahamii 
occurrences (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2005). In addition, BLM 
designated the ``PR'' Springs Tar Sand Area to identify shallow 
bituminous sand deposits within P. grahamii habitat. The PR Springs tar 
sand area covers 54 of 109 P. grahamii occurrences (49 percent) (U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service 2005). In total, 96 of 109 (90 percent) P. 
grahamii occurrences are located in high-value oil shale or bituminous 
(tar sand) areas, comprising approximately 5,700 of the species 6,200 
individuals (92 percent of the total known population) (U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service 2005).
    The entire range of P. grahamii is also underlain with deposits of 
traditional hydrocarbon resources, primarily natural gas. However, as 
previously described, active wells are only located at five P. grahamii 
occurrence locations. Thirty-nine active wells are within 1 mile (1.6 
km) of P. grahamii occupied habitat. Future oil and gas development 
within P. grahamii habitat is likely. Oil and gas development, 
especially within the PR Springs tar sand area, will likely increase 
particularly due to the new Energy Policy Act of 2005 stipulations that 
will allow oil and gas development separate from tar sands extraction. 
The combined oil and gas and tar sand leasing provisions in place 
before the Energy Policy Act of 2005 had effectively removed 
traditional oil and gas leasing from significant portions of Federal 
lands in P. grahamii's largest population in the Seep Ridge population 
unit and in the southern portion of the species Evacuation Creek 
population unit. Those restrictions are now removed. Of the 109 
occurrences of P. grahamii, 69 (63 percent) are currently leased for 
oil and gas drilling, or are within established oil and gas fields and 
have active oil and gas drilling and resource extraction programs. 
Ninety-six of the species 109 known occurrences (88 percent) are within 
active seismic exploration areas (BLM 2003).
    Two natural gas field development projects within the Vernal BLM 
Field Office, Resource Development Group (RDG) and Gasco, are being 
planned in areas with known occurrences of Penstemon grahamii. RDG, for 
which NEPA is scheduled to be completed in January of 2006, entirely 
encompasses one P. grahamii occurrence, overlaps portions of six 
occurrences, and is immediately adjacent to another six occurrences. 
The Gasco project, for which the draft EIS is scheduled to be available 
in spring 2006, entirely encompasses five known P. grahamii 
occurrences. Two additional natural gas field development projects are 
being proposed in suitable habitat for which field surveys for P. 
grahamii have not been completed to determine presence of the species. 
These projects are the Dominion Exploration and Production Inc. and Mak 
J Energy project at Big Pack Mountain and the Enduring

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Resources company project at Saddletree Draw.
    The biological assessment (BA) for the RDG project states that the 
project could include destruction of P. grahamii occupied habitat, 
individual plants, and potentially suitable habitat. It further states 
that project activities have the potential to directly eliminate 
populations if project construction sites occur on occupied habitat. 
However, in part because of the plant's candidate status, and the 
current proposed listing action, BLM has committed to conduct plant 
surveys and avoid populations and suitable habitat (BLM 2005). Indirect 
effects such as incidental spread of noxious and exotic weeds or soil 
erosion may be more difficult to control. The BA concludes that 
construction activities could make individual P. grahamii populations 
more susceptible to weed infestation, subsequently decreasing plant 
biodiversity and insect (pollinator) biodiversity. Disturbed areas tend 
to foster invasion by exotic plant species; existing roads and well 
pads in the area have a higher density of annuals than undisturbed 
areas (BLM 2005). Placement of facilities and infrastructure such as 
roads, pipelines, and well pads can change water flow and the effects 
of erosion and sedimentation. Shale soils that provide habitat and 
microclimates for P. grahamii can be lost or altered by deposition of 
sediments, eventually causing the localized loss of populations (BLM 
2005).
    The species current status as a candidate species has provided the 
species interim protection on BLM Federal lands from the low level of 
oil and gas activities that have occurred to date (BLM 1995, 2002, 
2003, 2005). The BLM reports that conservation stipulations for the 
species associated with well locations has prevented adverse 
modification of the species habitat and possible loss of P. grahamii 
individuals (R. Specht, BLM, 2005, per. com.). Conservation measures 
include moving well pad and pipeline locations to avoid direct impacts 
to the species. These measures are likely effective protection 
mechanisms, particularly at current low development rates. Increased 
energy development in P. grahamii habitat could increase the likelihood 
of direct loss of individual plants and increased habitat loss and 
fragmentation.
    Oil shale and tar sands technologies include surface strip mining, 
underground mining, or in-situ retorting. All of these technologies 
involve surface disturbing activities that could cause habitat loss 
(Bartis 2005), and subsequent direct loss of plants and fragmentation 
of occupied habitats. Open pit mining will result in extensive and 
permanent changes to surface topography, erosion patterns, subsurface 
water quality, and flora and fauna (Johnson et al. 2004b, Bartis 2005), 
and hence to habitat components associated with P. grahamii similar to 
those previously described for oil and gas drilling. In-situ oil shale 
retorting appears to be much less disruptive to the landscape than 
surface mining, but facilities associated with surface-based drilling 
will cause at least decade-long displacement of wildlife, plants, and 
habitats (Bartis 2005). Oil shale mining, including underground mining, 
will also require new roads; power distribution systems; water storage 
and supply facilities; construction staging areas; hazardous materials 
handling facilities; and residential, commercial, and industrial 
buildings (Bartis 2005). In-situ tar sand extraction can involve 2.5 ac 
(1 ha) or less well spacing (BIA 2002, Schamel 2004), which in addition 
to necessary access roads and pipelines, leaves little to no available 
habitat for wildlife and plant habitat.
    From a biological perspective, habitat loss and fragmentation can 
result in decreased population size and reduced colonization capacity 
of plant species. The probability of habitat restoration and natural 
re-colonization by plants is also low following fragmentation of 
habitats (Soon 2003). P. grahamii are naturally distributed with large 
distances between known occurrences. Additional fragmentation within 
known occurrences could negatively affect long-term survival of these 
populations. Many of the P. grahamii occurrences are very small, less 
than 100 individuals, and often as small as ten or less individuals per 
location.
    Reducing the size of occupied habitat patches through habitat loss 
or fragmentation can result in higher extinction probabilities due to 
environmental, demographic, or genetic random events and effects 
associated with smaller sizes of remnant habitat, greater isolation 
from neighboring populations, and increased amounts of `edge' habitat 
(Jules 1998, Soon 2003). A study of the effects of fragmentation on a 
common trillium (Jules, 1998) demonstrated that the extinction of local 
populations of the common plant Trillium ovatum was more likely as a 
result of declining populations near edges.
    Reduced connectivity of habitat patches reduces seed and pollen 
dispersal between habitats. Smaller and isolated populations produce 
fewer seeds and pollen; and the populations attract fewer and lower 
diversity of seed and pollen dispersers (Paschke et al. 2002, Lienert 
2003, Soon 2003). Regional survival of plant species is threatened by 
fragmentation because it reduces connectivity and gene flow (Soon 
2003).
    We have no way to determine the exact locations of oil shale and 
tar sand facilities, or the technologies that will be selected; 
however, it is apparent that increased development will result in 
direct and indirect effects to plants and their habitats. The 
correspondence of P. grahamii habitat with energy reserves, lease 
areas, and planned actions will likely mean that at least some portion 
of P. grahamii habitat and populations will be threatened by increased 
development. The Rand Report also concluded that despite mitigation, 
reclamation, and compensation efforts, long-term residual damage and 
disruption is likely, particularly if surface mining and retorting are 
among the selected technologies (Bartis 2005).
Other Activities
    Grazing may have localized effects to P. grahamii. One site of P. 
grahamii is believed to have been eradicated by livestock trampling. 
The Dragon Sheep bed site first recorded in a 1982 survey (Neese and 
Smith 1982) has not been relocated in recent years. This is an area of 
heavy sheep grazing, and trampling of its habitat is thought to have 
caused the possible extirpation of this population (J.L. England, pers, 
comm. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2003). However, no research has 
been conducted to document effects of grazing to P. grahamii, and we 
have no substantial information indicating it to be a population level 
threat.
    To date little ORV use has been observed in the species range. 
Federal and industry personnel are increasingly utilizing ORV in oil 
and gas field survey and site location development prior to the 
establishment of oil field road networks (Robert Specht, BLM, Vernal, 
Utah 2005, pers. comm.). However, we do not have any information 
indicating that ORV use is a threat to P. grahamii or its habitat.

B. Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific, or 
Educational Purposes

    Penstemon grahamii is a species of horticultural interest. The 
species is advertised on the internet and plants and seed are 
available. The Service, however, has no information concerning the 
impact of collection on wild populations in the species native habitat. 
In 2004, a Penstemon collector approached Red Butte Garden (the Utah

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State botanical garden located at the University of Utah) inquiring on 
how to obtain seeds of P. grahamii (J. Lewinsohn, pers. comm. 2004). 
Several internet sites identify P. grahamii as a desirable specimen 
plant. Given the rarity and beauty of this species, over-collection 
could be a problem for the species.

C. Disease or Predation

    Penstemon grahamii is grazed by wildlife, including rodents, 
rabbits, antelope, deer, elk, and insects (Shultz and Mutz 1979; Neese 
and Smith 1982; R. Specht, BLM, pers. comm., 2005; Lewinsohn, pers. 
comm., 2005). The species also is grazed by livestock, primarily sheep. 
Recent attempts to establish pollination studies and population 
monitoring plots for the species were complicated by the general lack 
of concentrations of individual plants large enough to conduct those 
studies (Lewinsohn, pers. comm. 2005). Lewinsohn also reported that all 
sites visited in southern Uintah County, Utah, were either too small or 
too heavily grazed to conduct suitable pollination studies. There are, 
however, no studies on the effects of grazing on this species.

D. The Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms

    No Federal or State laws or regulations specifically protect 
Penstemon grahamii. The species is not protected by the Convention on 
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 
(CITES). The BLM administratively recognizes this species for special 
management consideration, but does not have the legal authority to 
require Federal mineral lease holders to modify mineral recovery plans 
and on-the-ground actions solely to protect this species. Some 
populations occur on private lands, which were given mineral entry 
patents during the 1920s specifically because of oil shale values. 
There is no regulatory protection for the species on private lands.

E. Other Natural or Manmade Factors Affecting Its Continued Existence

    We note the presence of exotic weeds within occupied Penstemon 
grahamii sites. These exotic species include Bromus tectorum 
(cheatgrass) and Halogeton glomeratus (halogeton) (L. England, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, pers. obs. 2003). These invasive exotic 
species are most abundant along roads and well site locations (R. 
Specht, BLM, pers. comm. 2004). These species compete with P. grahamii, 
thereby further degrading habitat quality.
    Little is known concerning the species' pollination biology. The 
BLM is currently funding pollination biology studies (R. Bolander, BLM, 
pers. comm. 2005; J. Lewinsohn, pers. comm. 2005). Collections and 
observations of pollinators to the flowers of Penstemon grahamii have 
been limited over the past two flowering seasons because of the paucity 
of flowering plants. The most consistent pollinator of these species is 
likely to be the wasp Pseudomasaris vespoides (V. Tepedino Utah State 
University, pers. comm. 2005). Because flowers of P. grahamii appear to 
be very scarce, this plant species will usually be unable to support a 
viable population of Pseudomasaris vespoides. In all likelihood, 
successful reproduction by P. grahamii must depend on the occurrence of 
other concurrently blooming Penstemon species which support and keep 
abundant populations of Pseudomasaris vespoides in the area.
    Low population numbers and habitat fragmentation pose a threat to 
rare plant species' genetic potential to adapt to changing 
environmental conditions (Matthies et al. 2004). Three of the species 5 
population habitat units have 200 or fewer individuals in addition 8 
smaller occurrences with populations of 20 or fewer individuals are 
isolated and 10 km (6.2 mi) or more from the core area of the five P. 
grahamii population units. These smaller population sites of Penstemon 
grahamii may not be at levels that would ensure the species long-term 
demographic stability and genetic viability. The effects of habitat 
degradation and fragmentation caused by human activities in concert 
with the effects of deleterious natural phenomena, such as drought, may 
lead to the extirpations of local occurrences or possible extinction. 
At present there are no studies or information on these threats 
relative directly to P. grahamii.

Determination

    We have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial 
information available regarding the past, present, and future threats 
to Penstemon grahamii. Habitat destruction and degradation as a 
consequence of energy development throughout the species' range pose a 
serious threat to long-term viability. Habitat loss and fragmentation 
also will exacerbate threats arising from very low natural population 
numbers and restricted distribution; natural phenomena such as drought 
and wildlife grazing; livestock grazing; and horticultural collection. 
On the basis of the best available information, we are proposing to 
list Penstemon grahamii as a threatened species, and we herein propose 
this listing. Threatened status reflects the vulnerability of this 
species to factors that negatively affect the species and its limited 
and restricted habitat. While not in immediate danger of extinction, P. 
grahamii may have the strong potential to become an endangered species 
in the foreseeable future if present threats increase and projected 
energy development scenarios, especially oil shale and tar sand, occur.
    We are soliciting comments on this proposed rule and threats to the 
species. Despite recent policy direction (e.g., Energy Policy Act 
2005), the long-term technological and economic feasibility of oil 
shale and tar sands development are uncertain (Bartis 2005). We seek 
specific information on any available preliminary results from the 
recent lease nominations for research, development, and demonstration 
of oil shale recovery technologies on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 
lands; success of ongoing oil shale or tar sands development projects, 
particularly in the Green River formation; available economic and 
technological analyses; and specific information detailing definitive 
effects of these operations to environmental resources, as primarily 
related to losses of plant individuals, loss or fragmentation of plant 
habitat, and loss or declines in plant pollinators. Similarly, we 
request any available information on ongoing or proposed oil and gas 
drilling activities within P. grahamii habitat.

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 
practices. Recognition through listing results in public awareness and 
conservation by Federal, State, and local agencies, private 
organizations, and individuals. The Act provides for possible 
cooperation with the States 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 ``Effect of Critical Habitat 
Designation'' for critical habitat and are further discussed, in part, 
below.
    Section 7(a) of the Act, as amended, 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

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of the Act are codified at 50 CFR part 402. Section 7(a)(4) requires 
Federal agencies to confer with the Service on any action that is 
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a species proposed for 
listing 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 ensure that activities they authorize, 
fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence 
of the species or 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.
    Federal agency actions that may require conference and/or 
consultation as described in the preceding paragraph include BLM 
leasing and permitting of oil and gas resources, oil shale, tar sands, 
Gilsonite, and other leasable minerals on lands under their 
jurisdiction. Additionally BLM must consult on livestock grazing leases 
and management, and roads and ORV travel regulations and management. 
Department of Energy actions involving oil and gas and oil shale 
development also may require conference and or consultation. Department 
of Transportation activities involving roads or highways within the 
species habitat also may require conference and/or consultation.
    The Act and its implementing regulations set forth a series of 
general prohibitions and exceptions that apply to threatened plants. 
All prohibitions of section 9(a)(2) of the Act, implemented by 50 CFR 
17.71 apply. These prohibitions, in part, make it illegal for any 
person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to import or 
export, transport in interstate or foreign commerce in the course of a 
commercial activity, sell or offer for sale in interstate or foreign 
commerce, or remove and reduce the species to possession from areas 
under Federal jurisdiction. In addition, for plants listed as 
endangered, the Act prohibits the malicious damage or destruction on 
areas under Federal jurisdiction and the removal, cutting, digging up, 
or damaging or destroying of such plants in knowing violation of any 
State law or regulation, including State criminal trespass law. Section 
4(d) of the Act allows for the provision of such protection to 
threatened species through regulation. This protection may apply to 
this species in the future if regulations are promulgated. Seeds from 
cultivated specimens of threatened plants are exempt from this 
prohibition provided that their containers are marked ``Of Cultivated 
Origin.'' Certain exceptions to the prohibitions apply to agents of the 
Service and State conservation agencies.
    The Act and 50 CFR 17.72 also provide for the issuance of permits 
to carry out otherwise prohibited activities involving threatened 
plants under certain circumstances. Such permits are available for 
scientific purposes and to enhance the propagation and survival of the 
species. For threatened plants, permits also are available for 
botanical or horticultural exhibition, educational purposes, or special 
purposes consistent with the purposes of the Act. Penstemon grahamii is 
an extremely attractive plant and is known to be in cultivation. It is 
reasonable to expect a demand for the species for horticultural 
purposes. However the species is very rare in its natural environment. 
Trade permits may be sought, but should be granted for only activities 
contributing to the species overall conservation. Requests for copies 
of the regulations regarding listed species and inquires about 
prohibitions and permits may be addressed to U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 134 Union Blvd., Lakewood, Colorado 80228.

Critical Habitat

Role of Critical Habitat in Actual Practice of Administering and 
Implementing the Act

    Attention to and protection of habitat is paramount to successful 
conservation actions. The role that designation of critical habitat 
plays in protecting habitat of listed species, however, is often 
misunderstood. As discussed in more detail below in the discussion of 
exclusions under ESA section 4(b)(2), there are significant limitations 
on the regulatory effect of designation under ESA section 7(a)(2). In 
brief, (1) designation provides additional protection to habitat only 
where there is a federal nexus; (2) the protection is relevant only 
when, in the absence of designation, destruction or adverse 
modification of the critical habitat would in fact take place (in other 
words, other statutory or regulatory protections, policies, or other 
factors relevant to agency decision-making would not prevent the 
destruction or adverse modification); and (3) designation of critical 
habitat triggers the prohibition of destruction or adverse modification 
of that habitat, but it does not require specific actions to restore or 
improve habitat.
    Currently, only 470 species, or 37 percent of the 1,264 listed 
species in the U.S. under the jurisdiction of the Service, have 
designated critical habitat. We address the habitat needs of all 1,264 
listed species through conservation mechanisms such as listing, section 
7 consultations, the section 4 recovery planning process, the section 9 
protective prohibitions of unauthorized take, section 6 funding to the 
States, the section 10 incidental take permit process, and cooperative, 
nonregulatory efforts with private landowners. The Service believes 
that it is these measures that may make the difference between 
extinction and survival for many species.
    In considering exclusions of areas proposed for designation, we 
evaluated the benefits of designation in light of Gifford Pinchot Task 
Force v. United States Fish and Wildlife Service. In that case, the 
Ninth Circuit invalidated the Service's regulation defining 
``destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat.'' In 
response, on December 9, 2004, the Director issued guidance to be 
considered in making section 7 adverse modification determinations. 
This proposed critical habitat designation does not use the invalidated 
regulation in our consideration of the benefits of including areas in 
this final designation. The Service will carefully manage future 
consultations that analyze impacts to designated critical habitat, 
particularly those that appear to be resulting in an adverse 
modification determination. Such consultations will be reviewed by the 
Regional Office prior to finalizing to ensure that an adequate analysis 
has been conducted that is informed by the Director's guidance.
    On the other hand, to the extent that designation of critical 
habitat provides protection, that protection can come at significant 
social and economic cost. In addition, the mere administrative process 
of designation of critical habitat is expensive, time-consuming, and 
controversial. The current statutory framework of critical habitat, 
combined with past judicial interpretations of the statute, make 
critical habitat the subject of excessive litigation. As a result, 
critical habitat designations are driven by litigation and courts 
rather than biology, and made at a time and under a time frame that 
limits our ability to obtain and evaluate the scientific and other 
information required to make the designation most meaningful.
    In light of these circumstances, the Service believes that 
additional agency discretion would allow our focus to return to those 
actions that provide the greatest benefit to the species most in need 
of protection.

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Procedural and Resource Difficulties in Designating Critical Habitat

    We have been inundated with lawsuits for our failure to designate 
critical habitat, and we face a growing number of lawsuits challenging 
critical habitat determinations once they are made. These lawsuits have 
subjected the Service to an ever-increasing series of court orders and 
court-approved settlement agreements, compliance with which now 
consumes nearly the entire listing program budget. This leaves the 
Service with little ability to prioritize its activities to direct 
scarce listing resources to the listing program actions with the most 
biologically urgent species conservation needs.
    The consequence of the critical habitat litigation activity is that 
limited listing funds are used to defend active lawsuits, to respond to 
Notices of Intent (NOIs) to sue relative to critical habitat, and to 
comply with the growing number of adverse court orders. As a result, 
listing petition responses, the Service's own proposals to list 
critically imperiled species, and final listing determinations on 
existing proposals are all significantly delayed.
    The accelerated schedules of court-ordered designations have left 
the Service with limited ability to provide for public participation or 
to ensure a defect-free rulemaking process before making decisions on 
listing and critical habitat proposals, due to the risks associated 
with noncompliance with judicially imposed deadlines. This in turn 
fosters a second round of litigation in which those who fear adverse 
impacts from critical habitat designations challenge those 
designations. The cycle of litigation appears endless, and is very 
expensive, thus diverting resources from conservation actions that may 
provide relatively more benefit to imperiled species.
    The costs resulting from the designation include legal costs, the 
cost of preparation and publication of the designation, the analysis of 
the economic effects and the cost of requesting and responding to 
public comment, and in some cases the costs of compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These costs, which are not 
required for many other conservation actions, directly reduce the funds 
available for direct and tangible conservation actions.

Critical Habitat Background

    Critical habitat is defined in section 3 of the Act as: (i) The 
specific areas within the geographical area occupied by a species, at 
the time it is listed in accordance with the Act, on which are found 
those physical or biological features (I) essential to the conservation 
of the species and (II) that may require special management 
considerations or protection; and (ii) specific areas outside the 
geographical area occupied by a species at the time it is listed, upon 
a determination that such areas are essential for the conservation of 
the species. Conservation, as defined under section 3 of the Act means 
to use and the use of all methods and procedures which are necessary to 
bring any endangered species or threatened species to the point at 
which the measures provided pursuant to the Act are no longer 
necessary. Such methods and procedures include, but are not limited to, 
all activities associated with scientific resources management such as 
research, census, law enforcement, habitat acquisition and maintenance, 
propagation, live trapping, and transplantation, and, in the 
extraordinary case where population pressures within a given ecosystem 
cannot be otherwise relieved, may include regulated taking.
    Critical habitat receives protection under section 7 of the Act 
through the prohibition against destruction or adverse modification of 
critical habitat with regard to actions carried out, funded, or 
authorized by a Federal agency. Section 7 requires consultation on 
Federal actions that are likely to result in the destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat. The designation of critical habitat 
does not affect land ownership or establish a refuge, wilderness, 
reserve, preserve, or other conservation area. Such designation does 
not allow government or public access to private lands. Section 7 is a 
purely protective measure and does not require implementation of 
restoration, recovery, or enhancement measures.
    To be included in a critical habitat designation, the habitat 
within the area occupied by the species must first have features that 
are essential to the conservation of the species. Critical habitat 
designations identify, to the extent known using the best scientific 
data available, habitat areas that provide essential life cycle needs 
of the species (i.e., areas on which are found the primary constituent 
elements, as defined at 50 CFR 424.12(b)).
    Habitat occupied at the time of listing may be included in critical 
habitat only if the essential features thereon may require special 
management or protection. Thus, we do not include areas where existing 
management is sufficient to conserve the species. (As discussed below, 
such areas may also be excluded from critical habitat pursuant to 
section 4(b)(2).) Accordingly, when the best available scientific data 
do not demonstrate that the conservation needs of the species so 
require, we will not designate critical habitat in areas outside the 
geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing. An 
area currently occupied by the species but that was not known to be 
occupied at the time of listing will likely, but not always, be 
essential to the conservation of the species and, therefore, typically 
included in the critical habitat designation.
    The Service's Policy on Information Standards Under the Endangered 
Species Act, published in the Federal Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 
34271), and section 515 of the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Pub. L. 106-554; H.R. 5658) 
and the associated Information Quality Guidelines issued by the 
Service, provide criteria, establish procedures, and provide guidance 
to ensure that decisions made by the Service represent the best 
scientific data available. They require Service biologists to the 
extent consistent with the Act and with the use of the best scientific 
data available, to use primary and original sources of information as 
the basis for recommendations to designate critical habitat. When 
determining which areas are critical habitat, a primary source of 
information is generally the listing package for the species. 
Additional information sources include the recovery plan for the 
species, articles in peer-reviewed journals, conservation plans 
developed by States and counties, scientific status surveys and 
studies, biological assessments, or other unpublished materials and 
expert opinion or personal knowledge. All information is used in 
accordance with the provisions of section 515 of the Treasury and 
General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Pub. L. 
106-554; H.R. 5658) and the associated Information Quality Guidelines 
issued by the Service.
    Section 4 of the Act requires that we designate critical habitat on 
the basis of the best scientific data available. Habitat is often 
dynamic, and species may move from one area to another over time. 
Furthermore, we recognize that designation of critical habitat may not 
include all of the habitat areas that may eventually be determined to 
be necessary for the recovery of the species. For these reasons, 
critical habitat designations do not signal that habitat outside the 
designation is unimportant or may not be required for recovery.

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    Areas that support populations, but are outside the critical 
habitat designation, will continue to be subject to conservation 
actions implemented under section 7(a)(1) of the Act and to the 
regulatory protections afforded by the section 7(a)(2) jeopardy 
standard, as determined on the basis of the best available information 
at the time of the action. Federally funded or permitted projects 
affecting listed species outside their designated critical habitat 
areas may still result in jeopardy findings in some cases. Similarly, 
critical habitat designations made on the basis of the best available 
information at the time of designation will not control the direction 
and substance of future recovery plans, habitat conservation plans, or 
other species conservation planning efforts if new information 
available to these planning efforts calls for a different outcome.

Methods

    As required by section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we use the best 
scientific data available in determining areas that contain the 
features that are essential to the conservation of Penstemon grahamii 
(Shultz and Mutz 1979, Neese and Smith 1982, Borland 1987, Franklin 
1992, 1995, Colorado Natural Heritage Program 2005, Utah Natural 
Heritage Program 2005). We do not propose any areas outside the 
geographical area presently occupied by the species.
    We have also reviewed available information that pertains to the 
habitat requirements of this species (Shultz and Mutz 1979, Neese and 
Smith 1982, Lewinsohn et al. 2005).

Prudency Determination

    Section 4(a)(3) of the Act, as amended, and implementing 
regulations (50 CFR 424.12) require that, to the maximum extent prudent 
and determinable, we designate critical habitat at the time the species 
is determined to be endangered or threatened. Our regulations (50 CFR 
424.12(a)(1)) state that the designation of critical habitat is not 
prudent when one or both of the following situations exist: (1) The 
species is threatened by taking or other human activity, and 
identification of critical habitat can be expected to increase the 
degree of threat to the species, or (2) such designation of critical 
habitat would not be beneficial to the species.
    In the last few years, a series of court decisions have overturned 
our determinations that designation of critical habitat would not be 
prudent for a variety of species (e.g., Natural Resources Defense 
Council v. U.S. Department of the Interior, 113 F.3d 1121 (9th Cir. 
1997); Conservation Council for Hawaii v. Babbitt, 2 F. Supp. 2d 1280 
(D. Hawaii 1998)). Based on the standards applied in those judicial 
opinions, we have examined the question of whether critical habitat for 
P. grahamii would be prudent.
    There is documentation of commercial and private collection to this 
species and that activity is identified as a potential threat to the 
species (see factor ``B. Overutilization for Commercial Recreational, 
Scientific, or Educational Purposes'' in the ``Summary of Factors 
Affecting the Species'' above). However, we believe the significance of 
this collection to the viability of the species population is not 
known. Therefore this threat, if any, to P. grahamii is outweighed by 
the conservation benefits derived from the designation of critical 
habitat for this species. Additionally, much of the habitat where P. 
grahamii occurs is under Federal land management where the threat of 
collection should be reduced by enforcement of section 9 of the Act. 
Consistent with recent case law, we must weigh the benefits in 
proposing to designate critical habitat for P. grahamii against the 
harm which could be caused by disclosure of their location. We find 
that these benefits outweigh the risk of increased collection because 
the locations are already known and available to the public.
    Although we make a detailed determination of the habitat needs of a 
listed species during the recovery planning process, the Act has no 
provision to delay designation of critical habitat until such time as a 
recovery plan is prepared. We reviewed the available information 
pertaining to habitat characteristics where this species is located. 
This and other information represent the best scientific and commercial 
data available, and led us to conclude that the designation of critical 
habitat is both prudent and determinable for Penstemon grahamii.

Primary Constituent Elements

    In accordance with section 3(5)(A)(i) of the Act and regulations at 
50 CFR 424.12(b), in determining which areas to designate as critical 
habitat, we must consider those physical and biological features 
(primary constituent elements) essential to the conservation of the 
species. These primary constituent elements include, but are not 
limited to, space for individual and population growth and for normal 
behavior; food, water, or other nutritional or physiological 
requirements; cover or shelter; sites for breeding, reproduction, or 
rearing of offspring; and habitats that are protected from disturbance 
or are representative of the historical geographical and ecological 
distributions of a species. The areas we are proposing to designate as 
critical habitat for Penstemon grahamii provide the primary constituent 
elements noted below.
    We determined the specific primary constituent element for 
Penstemon grahamii based on data and studies on its general habitat and 
life history requirements as described in Shultz and Mutz 1979; Neese 
and Smith 1982; Borland 1987; and Franklin 1993, 1995, Colorado Natural 
Heritage Program 2005, Utah Natural Heritage Program 2005, and current 
research in progress by Lewinsohn and Tepedino (pers. comm. 2005).
    Penstemon grahamii is narrowly endemic to highly basic soils 
derived from the Green River formation. These soils provide the root 
microhabitat essential for the species growth and reproduction. These 
soils are very shallow with virtually no soil horizon development. The 
little soil above the consolidated calcareous shale rock of its parent 
material is usually very light clay derived from thinly bedded shale. 
The soil surface is covered with broken shale chips usually less than 5 
cm (2 in) across underlain with larger shale chips to a depth of 5 to 
10 cm (2 to 4 in). The shale chips usually weather to a light tan 
color. Freshly broken chips exhibit a very dark brown interior due to 
the high organic content of the kerogen in the oil shale. The majority 
of the species occurrences and those with the largest population 
numbers are from the oil shale rich Parachute Creek member of the Green 
River formation. The remaining occurrences are derived from oil shale 
of the Evacuation Creek member of the Green River formation (Shultz and 
Mutz 1979).
    The species composition of P. grahamii's plant community further 
describes the primary constituent element of P. grahamii critical 
habitat. Although not being proposed as a PCE, the plant community is 
nonetheless useful in delineating the species' PCE in the field 
environment. Dwarf shrubs and pulvinate (mound or cushion like) plant 
life forms exhibit a distinctive plant community type occurring on 
these calcareous shale sites. This vegetative community, with the 
specific soil described above, provides the sole known habitat for the 
species and is thus considered essential for the species growth and 
reproduction. The vascular plant species most commonly associated with 
Penstemon grahamii include Artemisia pygmaea (pygmy sage), Cercocarpus 
montanus, (mountain mahogany), Chamaechaenactis scoposa

[[Page 3168]]

(Eastwood's chaenactis), Cryptantha grahamii (Grahams' catseye) Elymus 
salinus (Salina wild-rye), Ephedra torreyana (Mormon tea), Eriogonum 
corymbosum (Fremont's wild-buckwheat), Eriogonum ephedroides (Ephedra 
wild-buckwheat), Glossopetalon spinescens (Utah greasewood), Parthenium 
ligulatum (low feverfew), Tetradymia nuttallii (Nuttall's horse-bush) 
and Yucca harrimaniae (Harriman's yucca) (Shultz and Mutz 1979, Neese 
and Smith 1982). In addition the rare oil shale endemic species 
Penstemon scariosus var. albifluvis (White River penstemon) and 
Cryptantha barnebyi (Barneby's catseye) are in part sympatric with P. 
grahamii. Sites at higher elevation are occasionally within sparse 
pi[ntilde]on-juniper woodland dominated by Juniperus osteosperma (Utah 
juniper) and Pinus edulis (Colorado pi[ntilde]on). Penstemon grahamii 
sites at lower elevations occasionally occur within a sparse desert 
shrubland dominated by Atriplex conferitfolia (shadscale). In both 
cases, however, P. grahamii habitat is characterized by the sparsely 
vegetated raw shale surface indicative of the species' habitat 
throughout its range. Sagebrush-grass parks, mixed mountain shrubland, 
and greasewood bottoms are not primary constituent elements. 
Pi[ntilde]on-juniper woodlands and mixed desert shrubland, in large 
part, are not part of the PCE unless they have extant populations of P. 
grahamii and the associated vegetation described above.
    Pollinators are important to P. grahamii. We believe the proposed 
critical habitat sites include necessary pollinator habitat. However 
areas adjacent to the marl shale knolls and slopes occupied by P. 
grahamii are important to the species pollinators. The primary 
pollinator of P. grahamii is the wasp Pseudomasaris vespoides. This 
masarid wasp nests in the ground within and adjacent to the shale knoll 
and slope habitat of P. grahamii. Due to the paucity of P. grahamii 
individuals, the maintenance of Pseudomasaris vespoides populations 
will require populations of Penstemon species other than P. grahamii. 
Populations of other Penstemon species in areas adjacent to P. grahamii 
occupied habitat are essential to support the pollinating wasp's 
population during periods of poor P. grahamii floral availability 
(Lewinsohn et al. 2005). These Penstemon species include Penstemon 
pachyphyllus, Penstemon fremontii, Penstemon strictus, and Penstemon 
scariosus. We are unable to adequately delineate specific pollinator 
habitat and consequently are not identifying a specific Primary 
Constituent Element for pollinator habitat.
    The primary constituent element (PCE) of Penstemon grahamii 
critical habitat is: Calcareous shale knolls and slopes occupied by 
extant occurrences of Penstemon grahamii and dominated by dwarf shrubs 
and pulvinate plant life forms characteristic of the species plant 
community type.

Criteria Used To Identify Critical Habitat

    We have delineated all known locations with extant populations of 
P. grahamii into 109 occurrences. We grouped these occurrences into 
five units separated by unoccupied gaps in the species range. Available 
population data information is summarized for the broader units rather 
than each of the smaller occurrences (Shultz and Mutz 1979, Neese and 
Smith, 1982, Borland 1987, Franklin 1993, 1995, Colorado Natural 
Heritage Program 2005, Utah Natural Heritage Program 2005). In addition 
the consolidating occurrences at this scale provides for effective 
identification and naming of these sites to land owners and managers.
    The boundaries of Penstemon grahamii critical habitat occurrences 
were drawn to incorporate the PCE at each of the species' known 
locations. We have mapped these occurrences implementing GIS technology 
on a base map using digital orthophoto quadrangles and National 
Agricultural Imagery Program of the species habitat and P. grahamii 
survey data. These occurrences were delineated by heads-up digitizing 
with Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates around each known 
P. grahamii occurrence. These occurrences include the PCE and provide 
the specific location, shape, and size of each critical habitat area. 
Each occurrence is further located and identified by the cadastral land 
survey Township, Range and Section. The imprecision of field mapping 
prevents finer habitat delineation. Any land areas within these parcels 
without the PCE are not critical habitat.
    We are proposing to designate critical habitat on lands that we 
have determined are occupied at the time of the proposed listing and 
contain sufficient primary constituent elements to support life history 
functions essential for the conservation of the species.

Special Management Considerations and Protection

    When designating critical habitat, we assess whether the areas 
determined to be occupied at the time of listing and contain the 
primary constituent elements may require special management 
considerations or protections.
    The species' current status as a candidate species has provided the 
species interim protection on BLM Federal lands from the low level of 
oil and gas activities that have occurred to date (BLM 1995, 2002, 
2003, 2005). The BLM reports that conservation stipulations for the 
species associated with well locations has prevented adverse 
modification of the species habitat and possible loss of P. grahamii 
individuals (R. Specht, BLM, 2005, per. com.). Conservation measures 
include moving well pad and pipeline locations to avoid direct impacts 
to the species. These measures are likely effective protection 
mechanisms, particularly at current low development rates. Increased 
energy development in P. grahamii habitat will increase the likelihood 
of direct loss of individual plants and increased habitat loss and 
fragmentation. The continuance of these conservation measures is needed 
to maintain current populations of the species. Additional conservation 
measures, including the designation of areas dedicated to the 
conservation of P. grahamii and its habitat, may be necessary for the 
species long-term conservation in the event of large-scale energy 
development within its occupied habitat.
    The majority of occurrences (5 of 6) in the Raven Ride (Unit E) 
population habitat unit are currently being managed by BLM Meeker Field 
Office as the Raven Ridge Area of Critical Environmental Concern 
(ACEC). The Raven Ridge ACEC was established in 1987 and involved an 
agreement between BLM and Colorado Natural Areas Program. The explicit 
purpose of the Raven Ridge ACEC is to provide for the conservation of 
10 rare endemic plant species with unique habitat on Raven Ridge and 
for Penstemon grahamii and P. albifluvis (virtually their entire 
population within the State of Colorado). The Raven Ridge ACEC sets out 
goals for a management plan for the area, but to date BLM has not 
completed formal management plans for these areas. If a plan is 
finalized prior to our final determination, we will consider whether it 
provides special management and we may exclude these areas if we 
determine that no additional special management is required.

Proposed Critical Habitat Designation

    In proposing critical habitat for this species, we solicited 
information from knowledgeable botanists and biologists and 
recommendations contained in BLM sponsored status reports (Shultz

[[Page 3169]]

and Mutz 1979; Neese and Smith 1982; Borland 1987; Franklin 1993, 1995; 
BLM 1987, Colorado Natural Heritage Program 2005, Utah Natural Heritage 
Program 2005). We also reviewed the available literature pertaining to 
habitat requirements, historic localities, and current localities for 
these species. The proposed critical habitat described below 
constitutes our best assessment of areas needed for the conservation of 
P. grahamii and is based on the best available scientific and 
commercial information available. The proposed areas have features that 
are essential to the conservation of the species because they are 
within the geographical area occupied by P. grahamii, and because they 
currently have the primary constituent element (see description of 
primary constituent elements, above).
    Although this species occurs on only a few sites, important 
considerations in selection of areas proposed in this rule include 
factors specific to each geographic area or complex of areas, such as 
size, connectivity, and habitat diversity, as well as range-wide 
recovery considerations, such as genetic diversity and representation 
of all major portions of the species' historical ranges. The proposed 
critical habitat designation includes the core areas of each of P. 
grahamii's 5 population units. Nine small outlier occurrences--3 from 
the Sand Wash unit (Unit A), 5 from the Seep Ridge unit (Unit B), and 1 
from the Evacuation Creek unit (Unit C)--are not included in this 
proposed rule. Uncertainty of occurrence at other sites may result in 
small areas of occupied habitat not being included in the designation.
    We propose the following areas as critical habitat (see the 
``Regulation Promulgation'' section of this proposed rule for exact 
boundary descriptions):

Unit A--Sand Wash Unit

    The westernmost critical habitat unit, named the Sand Wash Unit 
(Unit A), occurs in the vicinity of Sand Wash in southwestern Uintah 
and adjacent Duchesne Counties, Utah. This population consists of 10 
separate occurrences with a population estimated at 135 individuals 
(Shultz and Mutz 1979, Franklin 1993, Utah Natural Heritage Program 
2005). We are proposing to designate critical habitat for seven of 
these occurrences, with an estimated population of 100 individuals 
(subunits 01-07). An area of 118.07 ac (47.15 ha) is being proposed for 
designation in these seven subunits.
    The proposed critical habitat areas constitute the core of the P. 
grahamii population in this unit, including the largest occurrence in 
the western portion of the species range. This population unit has 
relatively small numbers (approximately 2 percent) compared to those 
population units in the center of the species range. This unit is the 
most isolated of the species population units. This portion of the 
species population has minor morphological differences from the 
remainder of its population (Shultz and Mutz 1979) and may, due to 
geographic isolation, be genetically divergent from the remainder of 
the species population. Three small outlier population occurrences are 
not included in this critical habitat unit.

Unit B--Seep Ridge Unit

    A second critical habitat unit, named the Seep Ridge Unit (Unit B), 
occurs approximately 17 miles east of the Sand Wash population unit in 
the vicinity of Buck, Sunday School, and Klondike Canyons near the Seep 
Ridge road in south central Uintah County, Utah. This population 
consists of 53 separate occurrences with an estimated population of 
3200 individuals (Shultz and Mutz 1979, Utah Natural Heritage Program 
2005), but we are proposing to designate as critical habitat 48 of 
these occurrences with an estimated population of 3100 individuals 
(subunits 01-48). An area of 1,428.44 ac (579.1 ha) is being proposed 
for designation in 48 subunits.
    This critical habitat unit encompasses the largest portion of the 
species' population, with approximately 50 percent of the total 
individuals within proposed critical habitat boundaries. Maintenance of 
this population unit is essential for the species long-term survival. 
The majority of the species population and habitat area in this unit is 
on Federal lands under BLM management. Significant portions are on 
State of Utah lands. Five small outlier population occurrences are not 
included in this Unit.

Unit C--Evacuation Creek Unit

    A third critical habitat unit, named the Evacuation Creek unit 
(Unit C), occurs approximately 10 miles east of the Seep Ridge unit in 
the Asphalt Wash and Evacuation Creek drainages near the abandoned 
Gilsonite mining towns of Dragon and Rainbow. This population is in 
southeastern Uintah County, Utah, and adjacent Rio Blanco County, 
Colorado. This population consists of 30 separate occurrences with an 
estimated population of 2550 individuals (Neese and Smith 1982, 
Franklin 1995, Utah Natural Heritage Program 2005). We are proposing to 
designate as critical habitat 29 of these occurrences with an estimated 
population of 2,540 individuals (subunits 01-29). An area of 1,577.9 ac 
(638.6 ha) is being proposed for designation in the 29 subunits.
    This critical habitat unit is the species second largest with 
approximately 41 percent of the species total population. This unit, 
along with the Seep Ridge unit described above, is essential for the 
species long-term survival. The majority of this species population in 
this unit is on private land. Significant portions, however, are on 
Federal land. One small occurrence on the margin of this unit was not 
included. Recent attempts to relocate the species at this occurrence 
have failed leading to the presumption of extirpation for this site.

Unit D--White River Unit

    A fourth critical habitat unit, named the White River Unit (Unit 
D), occurs approximately 5 miles north of the Evacuation Creek unit in 
Hells Hole and Weaver Canyons immediately south of the White River. 
This population is in eastern Uintah County, Utah, and consists of 9 
separate occurrences with an estimated population of 115 individuals 
(Neese and Smith 1982, Franklin 1995, Utah Natural Heritage Program 
2005). We are proposing to designate as critical habitat all 9 of these 
occurrences (subunits 01-09). An area of 197.1 ac (79.8 ha) is being 
proposed for designation in the 9 subunits.
    This critical habitat unit is the species smallest, containing 
approximately 2 percent of the species total. This population unit is 
important as a link between the species to the largest population units 
to the south and southwest and the species Colorado population to the 
northeast.

Unit E--Raven Ridge Unit

    A fifth critical habitat unit, named the Raven Ridge unit (Unit E), 
occurs approximately 7 miles northwest of the White River unit along 
the west flank of Raven Ridge and north of the White River between 
Raven Ridge and the Utah border in extreme western Rio Blanco County, 
Colorado. This population consists of 6 separate occurrences with an 
estimated population of 200 individuals (Borland 1987, Colorado Natural 
Heritage Program 2005). We are proposing to designate as critical 
habitat all 6 of these occurrences (subunits 01-06). An area of 175.42 
ac (71 ha) is being proposed for designation in the 6 subunits.
    This Unit harbors approximately 3 percent of the species total 
population. This Unit includes virtually the species entire population 
in Colorado (a portion of a small population occurs at the eastern 
margin of the Evacuation Creek population unit at the Colorado-Utah

[[Page 3170]]

border). As in the case of the Sand Wash Unit, the Raven Ridge Unit is 
at the extreme end of the species range. As such this population is 
important for its representation of a portion of the full spectrum of 
the species genetic diversity.

Land Ownership

    Most of the land included in the designation is Bureau of Land 
Management administered Federal land. Significant portions are State of 
Utah lands. The remaining lands are private lands; these lands are all 
mineral entry fee lands patented for their oil shale values during the 
1920s. P. grahamii, 85 occurrences are on public land managed by BLM, 
17 occurrences are on State of Utah lands, and 13 occurrences are on 
private lands (15 occurrences have split Federal, State, and private 
ownership).
    The following table summarizes proposed P. grahamii critical 
habitat land ownership and acreages:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        Federal (BLM)      State of Utah       Private land
  Critical habitat population unit      land ownership     land ownership       ownership         Total acres
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Unit A..........................             111.45                  0              13.35             124.80
    Unit B..........................            1279.64             143.80               4.97            1428.39
    Unit C..........................             939.71             265.62             372.62            1577.95
    Unit D..........................             111.91              13.16              72.05             197.12
    Unit E..........................             174.10                  0               1.32             175.42
                                     --------------------
    Total...........................            2616.81             422.56             464.31            3503.68
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Effects of Critical Habitat Designation

Section 7 Consultation

    Section 7 of the Act requires Federal agencies, including the 
Service, to ensure that actions they fund, authorize, or carry out are 
not likely to destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. In our 
regulations at 50 CFR 402.02, we define destruction or adverse 
modification as ``a direct or indirect alteration that appreciably 
diminishes the value of critical habitat for both the survival and 
recovery of a listed species. Such alterations include, but are not 
limited to, alterations adversely modifying any of those physical or 
biological features that were the basis for determining the habitat to 
be critical.'' However, recent decisions by the 5th and 9th Circuit 
Court of Appeals have invalidated this definition. Pursuant to current 
national policy and the statutory provisions of the Act, destruction or 
adverse modification is determined on the basis of whether, with 
implementation of the proposed Federal action, the affected critical 
habitat would remain functional (or retain the current ability for the 
primary constituent elements to be functionally established) to serve 
the intended conservation role for the species.
    Section 7(a) of the Act requires Federal agencies, including the 
Service, 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 proposed or 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 
us 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. This is a procedural requirement only. 
However, once a proposed species becomes listed, or proposed critical 
habitat is designated as final, the full prohibitions of section 
7(a)(2) apply to any Federal action. The primary utility of the 
conference procedures is to maximize the opportunity for a Federal 
agency to adequately consider proposed species and critical habitat and 
avoid potential delays in implementing their proposed action as a 
result of the section 7(a)(2) compliance process, should those species 
be listed or the critical habitat designated.
    Under conference procedures, the Service may provide advisory 
conservation recommendations to assist the agency in eliminating 
conflicts that may be caused by the proposed action. The Service may 
conduct either informal or formal conferences. Informal conferences are 
typically used if the proposed action is not likely to have any adverse 
effects to the proposed species or proposed critical habitat. Formal 
conferences are typically used when the Federal agency or the Service 
believes the proposed action is likely to cause adverse effects to 
proposed species or critical habitat, inclusive of those that may cause 
jeopardy or adverse modification.
    The results of an informal conference are typically transmitted in 
a conference report; while the results of a formal conference are 
typically transmitted in a conference opinion. Conference opinions on 
proposed critical habitat are typically prepared according to 50 CFR 
402.14, as if the proposed critical habitat were designated. We may 
adopt the conference opinion as the biological opinion when the 
critical habitat is designated, if no substantial new information or 
changes in the action alter the content of the opinion (see 50 CFR 
402.10(d)). As noted above, any conservation recommendations in a 
conference report or opinion are strictly advisory.
    If a species is listed or critical habitat is designated, section 
7(a)(2) of the Act requires Federal agencies to ensure 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 (action agency) 
must enter into consultation with us. As a result of this consultation, 
compliance with the requirements of section 7(a)(2) will be documented 
through the Service's issuance of: (1) A concurrence letter for Federal 
actions that may affect, but are not likely to adversely affect, listed 
species or critical habitat; or (2) a biological opinion for Federal 
actions that may affect, but are likely to adversely affect, listed 
species or critical habitat.
    When we issue a biological opinion concluding that a project is 
likely to result in jeopardy to a listed species or the destruction or 
adverse modification of critical habitat, we also provide reasonable 
and prudent alternatives to the project, if any are identifiable. 
``Reasonable and prudent alternatives'' are defined at 50 CFR 402.02 as 
alternative actions identified during consultation that can be 
implemented in a manner consistent with the intended purpose of the 
action, that are consistent with the scope of the Federal agency's 
legal authority and jurisdiction, that are economically and 
technologically feasible, and that the Director believes

[[Page 3171]]

would avoid jeopardy to the listed species or destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat. Reasonable and prudent alternatives 
can vary from slight project modifications to extensive redesign or 
relocation of the project. Costs associated with implementing a 
reasonable and prudent alternative are similarly variable.
    Regulations at 50 CFR 402.16 require Federal agencies to reinitiate 
consultation on previously reviewed actions in instances where a new 
species is listed or critical habitat is subsequently designated that 
may be affected and the Federal agency has retained discretionary 
involvement or control over the action or such discretionary 
involvement or control is authorized by law. Consequently, some Federal 
agencies may request reinitiation of consultation with us on actions 
for which formal consultation has been completed, if those actions may 
affect subsequently listed species or designated critical habitat or 
adversely modify or destroy proposed critical habitat.
    Federal activities that may affect P. grahamii or its designated 
critical habitat will require section 7 consultation under the Act. 
Activities on State, tribal, local or private lands requiring a Federal 
permit (such as a permit from the Corps under section 404 of the Clean 
Water Act or a permit under section 10(a)(1)(B) of the Act from the 
Service) or involving some other Federal action (such as funding from 
the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, or 
the Federal Emergency Management Agency) will also be subject to the 
section 7 consultation process. Federal actions not affecting listed 
species or critical habitat, and actions on State, tribal, local or 
private lands that are not federally-funded, authorized, or permitted, 
do not require section 7 consultations.

Application of the Jeopardy and Adverse Modification Standards for 
Actions Involving Effects to Penstemon grahamii and Its Critical 
Habitat

Jeopardy Standard
    Prior to and following designation of critical habitat, the Service 
has applied an analytical framework for Penstemon grahamii jeopardy 
analyses that relies heavily on the importance of core area populations 
to the survival and recovery of the P. grahamii. The section 7(a)(2) 
analysis is focused not only on these populations but also on the 
habitat conditions necessary to support them.
    The jeopardy analysis usually expresses the survival and recovery 
needs of Penstemon grahamii in a qualitative fashion without making 
distinctions between what is necessary for survival and what is 
necessary for recovery. Generally, if a proposed Federal action is 
incompatible with the viability of the affected core area 
population(s), inclusive of associated habitat conditions, a jeopardy 
finding is considered to be warranted, because of the relationship of 
each core area population to the survival and recovery of the species 
as a whole.
Adverse Modification Standard
    The analytical framework described in the Director's December 9, 
2004, memorandum is used to complete section 7(a)(2) analyses for 
Federal actions affecting Penstemon grahamii critical habitat. The key 
factor related to the adverse modification determination is whether, 
with implementation of the proposed Federal action, the affected 
critical habitat would remain functional (or retain the current ability 
for the primary constituent elements to be functionally established) to 
serve the intended conservation role for the species. Generally, the 
conservation role of Penstemon grahamii critical habitat units is to 
support viable core area populations.
    Section 4(b)(8) of the Act requires us to briefly evaluate and 
describe in any proposed or final regulation that designates critical 
habitat those activities involving a Federal action that may destroy or 
adversely modify such habitat, or that may be affected by such 
designation. Activities that may destroy or adversely modify critical 
habitat may also jeopardize the continued existence of the species.
    Activities that may destroy or adversely modify critical habitat 
are those that alter the PCEs to an extent that the conservation value 
of critical habitat for the P. grahamii is appreciably reduced. 
Activities that, when carried out, funded, or authorized by a Federal 
agency, may affect critical habitat and therefore result in 
consultation for the Penstemon grahamii include, but are not limited 
to:
    (1) Activities that have the potential to appreciably degrade or 
destroy Penstemon grahamii habitat and its PCE, including current oil 
and gas development, future oil shale and tar sand development, road 
building, ORV use, herbicide use, and intensive livestock grazing;
    (2) Alteration of existing hydrology by lowering the groundwater 
table or redirection of sheet flow from areas adjacent to deflation 
hollows;
    (3) Compaction of soil through the establishment of new trails or 
roads;
    (4) Activities that foster the introduction of non-native 
vegetation, particularly noxious weeds, or create conditions that 
encourage the growth of non-natives. These activities could include, 
but are not limited to: Irrigation, supplemental feeding of livestock, 
and ground disturbance associated with pipelines, roads, and other 
soil-disturbing activities; and
    (5) Indirect effects that appreciably decrease habitat value or 
quality (e.g., construction of fencing along the perimeter of the 
critical habitat leading to cattle congregation at the fence and 
resultant focused disturbance, erosion, and changes to drainage 
patterns, soil stability, and vegetative community composition).
    We consider all of the units proposed as critical habitat to 
contain features essential to the conservation of Penstemon grahamii. 
All units are within the geographic range of the species and all were 
occupied by the species at the time of listing.
Application of Section 3(5)(A) and Exclusions Under Section 4(b)(2) of 
the Act
    Section 3(5)(A) of the Act defines critical habitat as the specific 
areas within the geographic area occupied by the species on which are 
found those physical and biological features (i) essential to the 
conservation of the species, and (ii) which may require special 
management considerations or protection. Therefore, areas within the 
geographic area occupied by the species that do not contain the 
features essential to the conservation of the species are not, by 
definition, critical habitat. Similarly, areas within the geographic 
area occupied by the species that require no special management or 
protection also are not, by definition, critical habitat.
    There are multiple ways to provide management for species habitat. 
Statutory and regulatory frameworks that exist at a local level can 
provide such protection and management, as can lack of pressure for 
change, such as areas too remote for anthropogenic disturbance. 
Finally, State, local, or private management plans as well as 
management under Federal agencies jurisdictions can provide protection 
and management to avoid the need for designation of critical habitat. 
When we consider a plan to determine its adequacy in protecting 
habitat, we consider whether the plan as a whole will provide the same 
level of protection that designation of critical habitat would provide. 
The plan need not lead to exactly the same result as a designation in 
every individual

[[Page 3172]]

application, as long as the protection it provides is equivalent, 
overall. In making this determination, we examine whether the plan 
provides management, protection, or enhancement of the PCEs that is at 
least equivalent to that provided by a critical habitat designation, 
and whether there is a reasonable expectation that the management, 
protection, or enhancement actions will continue into the foreseeable 
future. Each review is particular to the species and the plan, and some 
plans may be adequate for some species and inadequate for others.
    The Raven Ridge ACEC sets out goals for a management plan for the 
area, but to date BLM has not completed formal management plans for 
these areas. If a plan is finalized prior to our final determination, 
we will consider whether it provides special management and we may 
exclude these areas if we determine that no additional special 
management is required.
    Section 4(b)(2) of the Act states that critical habitat shall be 
designated, and revised, on the basis of the best available scientific 
data after taking into consideration the economic impact, national 
security impact, and any other relevant impact, of specifying any 
particular area as critical habitat. The Secretary may exclude an area 
from critical habitat if [s]he determines that the benefits of such 
exclusion outweigh the benefits of specifying such area as part of the 
critical habitat, unless [s]he determines, based on the best scientific 
data available, that the failure to designate such area as critical 
habitat will result in the extinction of the species. In making that 
determination, the Secretary is afforded broad discretion and the 
Congressional record is clear that in making a determination under the 
section the Secretary has discretion as to which factors and how much 
weight will be given to any factor.
    Under section 4(b)(2), in considering whether to exclude a 
particular area from the designation, we must identify the benefits of 
including the area in the designation, identify the benefits of 
excluding the area from the designation, and determine whether the 
benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion. If an 
exclusion is contemplated, then we must determine whether excluding the 
area would result in the extinction of the species. We are not 
proposing or considering any exclusions under section 4(b)(2).
    The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Pub. 
L. No. 108-136) amended the ESA to limit areas eligible for designation 
as critical habitat. Specifically, section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the ESA (16 
U.S.C. 1533(a)(3)(B)(i)) now provides: ``The Secretary shall not 
designate as critical habitat any lands or other geographical areas 
owned or controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated for its 
use, that are subject to an integrated natural resources management 
plan prepared under section 101 of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670a), if 
the Secretary determines in writing that such plan provides a benefit 
to the species for which critical habitat is proposed for 
designation.'' We consult with the military on the development and 
implementation of INRMPs for installations with listed species. No 
military lands are included within the areas proposed for designation 
as critical habitat, therefore no lands will be subject to non-
inclusion under the authority of 4(a)(3) of the Act.

Economic Analysis

    An analysis of the economic impacts of proposing critical habitat 
for the Penstemon grahamii is being prepared. We will announce the 
availability of the draft economic analysis as soon as it is completed, 
at which time we will seek public review and comment. At that time, 
copies of the draft economic analysis will be by contacting the Utah 
Field Office directly (see ADDRESSES section).

Peer Review

    In accordance with our joint policy published in the Federal 
Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270), we will seek the expert 
opinions of at least three appropriate and independent specialists 
regarding this proposed rule. The purpose of such review is to ensure 
that our critical habitat designation is based on scientifically sound 
data, assumptions, and analyses. We will send these peer reviewers 
copies of this proposed rule immediately following publication in the 
Federal Register. We will invite these peer reviewers to comment, 
during the public comment period, on the specific assumptions and 
conclusions regarding the proposed designation of critical habitat.
    We will consider all comments and information received during the 
comment period on this proposed rule during preparation of a final 
rulemaking. Accordingly, the final decision may differ from this 
proposal.

Public Hearings

    The Act provides for one or more public hearings on this proposal, 
if requested. Requests must be received within 45 days of the date of 
publication of the proposal in the Federal Register. Such requests must 
be made in writing and be addressed to the Field Supervisor at the 
address in the ADDRESSES section above.

Clarity of the Rule

    Executive Order 12866 requires each agency to write regulations 
that are easy to understand. We invite your comments on how to make 
this rule easier to understand including answers to questions such as 
the following: (1) Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated? (2) 
Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that interferes with 
its clarity? (3) Does the format of the rule (grouping and order of 
sections, use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or reduce its 
clarity? (4) Would the rule be easier to understand if it were divided 
into more (but shorter) sections? (5) Is the description of the rule in 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of the preamble helpful in 
understanding the proposed rule? What else could we do to make the rule 
easier to understand?
    Send a copy of any comments that concern how we could make this 
rule easier to understand to Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department 
of the Interior, Room 7229, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. 
You also may e-mail the comments to this address: [email protected].

Required Determinations

Regulatory Planning and Review

    In accordance with Executive Order 12866, this document is a 
significant rule in that it may raise novel legal and policy issues, 
but it is not anticipated to have an annual effect on the economy of 
$100 million or more or affect the economy in a material way. Due to 
the tight timeline for publication in the Federal Register, the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) has not formally reviewed this rule. We 
are preparing a draft economic analysis of this proposed action, which 
will be available for public comment, to determine the economic 
consequences of designating the specific area as critical habitat. This 
economic analysis also will be used to determine compliance with 
Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Flexibility Act, Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, and Executive Order 12630.
    Within these areas, the types of Federal actions or authorized 
activities that we have identified as potential concerns are listed 
above in the section on Section 7 Consultation. The availability of the 
draft economic analysis will be announced in the Federal Register and 
in local

[[Page 3173]]

newspapers so that it is available for public review and comments. The 
draft economic analysis can be obtained by contacting the Utah Field 
Office directly (see ADDRESSES section).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., as 
amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 
(SBREFA) of 1996), whenever an agency is required to publish a notice 
of rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare and make 
available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis that 
describes the effects of the rule on small entities (i.e., small 
businesses, small organizations, and small government jurisdictions). 
However, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of 
the agency certifies the rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The SBREFA amended 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) to require Federal agencies to 
provide a statement of the factual basis for certifying that the rule 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities.
    At this time, the Service lacks the available economic information 
necessary to provide an adequate factual basis for the required RFA 
finding. Therefore, the RFA finding is deferred until completion of the 
draft economic analysis prepared pursuant to section 4(b)(2) of the ESA 
and E.O. 12866. This draft economic analysis will provide the required 
factual basis for the RFA finding. Upon completion of the draft 
economic analysis, the Service will publish a notice of availability of 
the draft economic analysis of the proposed designation and reopen the 
public comment period for the proposed designation for an additional 60 
days. The Service will include with the notice of availability, as 
appropriate, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis or a 
certification that the rule will not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities accompanied by the factual 
basis for that determination. The Service has concluded that deferring 
the RFA finding until completion of the draft economic analysis is 
necessary to meet the purposes and requirements of the RFA. Deferring 
the RFA finding in this manner will ensure that the Service makes a 
sufficiently informed determination based on adequate economic 
information and provides the necessary opportunity for public comment.

Executive Order 13211

    On May 18, 2001, the President issued an Executive Order (13211) on 
regulations that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, and 
use. Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of 
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. Although this proposed 
designation of critical habitat is a significant regulatory action 
under Executive Order 12866, it is not expected to significantly affect 
energy supplies, distribution, or use. Prohibitions to carry out energy 
development or exploration are not anticipated as a result of this 
action within the proposed designation. Based on our experience with 
section 7 consultations for all listed species, virtually all 
projects--including those that, in their initial proposed form, would 
result in jeopardy or adverse modification determinations in section 7 
consultations--can be implemented successfully with, at most, the 
adoption of reasonable and prudent alternatives. These measures must be 
economically feasible and within the scope of authority of the Federal 
agency involved in the consultation. As we have no consultation history 
for Penstemon grahamii, we can only describe the general kinds of 
actions that may be identified in future reasonable and prudent 
alternatives. These are based on our understanding of the needs of the 
species and the threats it faces. The kinds of actions that may be 
included in future reasonable and prudent alternatives for energy 
development include stipulations on permits to drill for natural gas or 
oil and mineral leases may be necessary, in some circumstances, to 
protect occupied habitat from contamination or degradation. However, 
these measures and stipulations are not expected to significantly 
affect energy supplies, distribution or use. Therefore, this action is 
not a significant energy action and no Statement of Energy Effects is 
required.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.)

    In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 
1501), the Service makes the following findings:
    This rule will not produce a Federal mandate. In general, a Federal 
mandate is a provision in legislation, statute or regulation that would 
impose an enforceable duty upon State, local, tribal governments, or 
the private sector and includes both ``Federal intergovernmental 
mandates'' and ``Federal private sector mandates.'' These terms are 
defined in 2 U.S.C. 658(5)-(7). ``Federal intergovernmental mandate'' 
includes a regulation that ``would impose an enforceable duty upon 
State, local, or tribal governments'' with two exceptions. It excludes 
``a condition of Federal assistance.'' It also excludes ``a duty 
arising from participation in a voluntary Federal program,'' unless the 
regulation ``relates to a then-existing Federal program under which 
$500,000,000 or more is provided annually to State, local, and tribal 
governments under entitlement authority,'' if the provision would 
``increase the stringency of conditions of assistance'' or ``place caps 
upon, or otherwise decrease, the Federal Government's responsibility to 
provide funding,'' and the State, local, or tribal governments ``lack 
authority'' to adjust accordingly. At the time of enactment, these 
entitlement programs were: Medicaid; AFDC work programs; Child 
Nutrition; Food Stamps; Social Services Block Grants; Vocational 
Rehabilitation State Grants; Foster Care, Adoption Assistance, and 
Independent Living; Family Support Welfare Services; and Child Support 
Enforcement. ``Federal private sector mandate'' includes a regulation 
that ``would impose an enforceable duty upon the private sector, except 
(i) a condition of Federal assistance or (ii) a duty arising from 
participation in a voluntary Federal program.''
    The designation of critical habitat does not impose a legally 
binding duty on non-Federal government entities or private parties. 
Under the Act, the only regulatory effect is that Federal agencies must 
ensure that their actions do not destroy or adversely modify critical 
habitat under section 7. While non-Federal entities that receive 
Federal funding, assistance, or permits, or that otherwise require 
approval or authorization from a Federal agency for an action, may be 
indirectly impacted by the designation of critical habitat, the legally 
binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical 
habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency. Furthermore, to the 
extent that non-Federal entities are indirectly impacted because they 
receive Federal assistance or participate in a voluntary Federal aid 
program, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act would not apply; nor would 
critical habitat shift the costs of the large entitlement programs 
listed above on to State governments.
    We do not believe that this rule will significantly or uniquely 
affect small governments because the majority of lands proposed for 
critical habitat designation are Federal lands under

[[Page 3174]]

jurisdiction of the BLM or State of Utah lands. As such, Small 
Government Agency Plan is not required. We will, however, further 
evaluate this issue as we conduct our economic analysis and revise this 
assessment if appropriate.

Takings

    In accordance with Executive Order 12630 (Government Actions and 
Interference with Constitutionally Protected Private Property Rights), 
we have analyzed the potential takings implications of the proposed 
listing and designation of critical habitat for Penstemon grahamii. The 
takings implications assessment concludes that this proposed rule does 
not pose significant takings implications. A copy of this assessment is 
available by contacting the Utah Field Office (see ADDRESSES section).

Federalism

    In accordance with Executive Order 13132, the rule does not have 
significant Federalism effects. A Federalism assessment is not 
required. In keeping with DOI and Department of Commerce policy, we 
requested information from, and coordinated development of, this 
proposed critical habitat designation with appropriate State resource 
agencies in Utah and Colorado. The designation of critical habitat in 
areas currently occupied by the Penstemon grahamii imposes no 
additional restrictions to those currently in place and, therefore, has 
little incremental impact on State and local governments and their 
activities. The designation may have some benefit to these governments 
in that the areas that contain the features essential to the 
conservation of the species are more clearly defined, and the primary 
constituent elements of the habitat necessary to the conservation of 
the species are specifically identified. While making this definition 
and identification does not alter where and what federally sponsored 
activities may occur, it may assist these local governments in long-
range planning (rather than waiting for case-by-case section 7 
consultations to occur).

Civil Justice Reform

    In accordance with Executive Order 12988, the Office of the 
Solicitor has determined that the rule does not unduly burden the 
judicial system and meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of the Order. We have proposed designating critical habitat in 
accordance with the provisions of the Endangered Species Act. This 
proposed rule uses standard property descriptions and identifies the 
primary constituent elements within the designated areas to assist the 
public in understanding the habitat needs of Penstemon grahamii.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)

    This rule does not contain any new collections of information that 
require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act. This rule 
will not impose recordkeeping or reporting requirements on State or 
local governments, individuals, businesses, or organizations. An agency 
may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, 
a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB 
control number.

National Environmental Policy Act

    It is our position that, outside the Tenth Circuit, we do not need 
to prepare environmental analyses as defined by the NEPA in connection 
with designating critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended. We published a notice outlining our reasons for this 
determination in the Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 
49244). This assertion was upheld in the courts of the Ninth Circuit 
(Douglas County v. Babbitt, 48 F.3d 1495 (9th Cir. Ore. 1995), cert. 
denied 116 S. Ct. 698 (1996). However, when the range of the species 
includes States within the Tenth Circuit, such as that of the Penstemon 
grahamii pursuant to the Tenth Circuit ruling in Catron County Board of 
Commissioners v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 75 F.3d 1429 (10th 
Cir. 1996), we will undertake a NEPA analysis for critical habitat 
designation and notify the public of the availability of the draft 
environmental assessment for this proposal when it is finished.

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, 
``Government-to-Government Relations With Native American Tribal 
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, and the Department 
of the Interior's requirement at 512 DM 2, we understand that 
recognized Federal Tribes must be related to on a Government-to-
Government basis. We are not aware of any Tribal lands essential for 
the conservation of Penstemon grahamii. Therefore, we are not proposing 
to designate critical habitat for these species on Tribal lands. 
Additionally, the proposed designation does not contain any lands that 
we have identified as impacting Tribal trust resources.

References Cited

    A complete list of references cited in this rule is available upon 
request from the Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, West 
Valley, Utah (see ADDRESSES).

Author

    The primary author of this document is John L. England, Utah Field 
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, West Valley, Utah (see 
ADDRESSES).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

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

Proposed Regulation Promulgation

    Accordingly, we propose 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. Amend Sec.  17.12(h) by adding the following, in alphabetical 
order under Flowering Plants to the List of Endangered and Threatened 
Plants:


Sec.  17.12  Endangered and threatened plants.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *

[[Page 3175]]



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Species
--------------------------------------------------------   Historic  range           Family            Status          When       Critical     Special
         Scientific name                Common name                                                                   listed      habitat       rules
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Flowering Plants
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Penstemon grahamii...............  Graham's beardtongue  U.S.A. (CO, UT)....  Scrophulariaceae...  T                       TBD     17.96(a)           NA
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    3. Amend Sec.  17.96(a) by adding critical habitat for Penstemon 
grahamii (Graham's beardtongue) under the family Scrophulariaceae in 
the same alphabetical order as the species occurs in Sec.  17.12(h) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  17.96  Critical habitat--plants.

    (a) Flowering plants.
* * * * *
    Family Scrophulariaceae: Penstemon grahamii (Graham's beardtongue).
    (1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Rio Blanco County, 
Colorado, and Duchesne and Uintah Counties, Utah, on the maps and as 
described below.
    (2) Within these areas, the primary constituent element of critical 
habitat for Penstemon grahamii is: Calcareous shale knolls and slopes 
occupied by extant occurrences of Penstemon grahamii and dominated by 
dwarf shrubs and pulvinate plant life forms characteristic of the 
species plant community type.
    (3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures existing 
on the effective date of this rule and not containing the primary 
constituent element, such as buildings, airports, roads, and the land 
on which such structures are located.
    (4) Data layers defining map units were created with GIS technology 
on a base map using digital orthophoto quadrangles and National 
Agricultural Imagery Program imagery of the species habitat. USGS quad 
maps used included: Seep Ridge 1:100,000 quad with portions of Vernal 
and Rangely quads to cover Raven Ridge in Colorado.

    (5) Note: Index map of approximate locations of critical habitat 
units for Penstemon grahamii (Index Map) follows:

[[Page 3176]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP19JA06.000

    (6) Unit A--Sand Wash Unit, Duchesne and Uintah Counties, Utah. 
From U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Duches Hole (1985), and Nutters Hole 
(1985) 7.5[min] quadrangle maps, Salt Lake Base and Meridian (SLBM):

[[Page 3177]]

    (i) Sub-Unit A02: Duchesne County, Utah; within T11S R17E Sec 14 
SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, Sec 15 SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\SE\1/4\ (SLBM). Land 
bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 586370, 4412564; 586533, 4412573; 586533, 4412573; 586501, 
4412590; 586498, 4412592; 586396, 4412592; 586363, 4412516; 586343, 
4412518; 586328, 4412505; 586354, 4412458; 586362, 4412411; 586383, 
4412372; 586503, 4412414; 586416, 4412597; 586396, 4412348; 586545, 
4412440; 586522, 4412414; 586532, 4412510; 586487, 4412414; 586493, 
4412373; 586494, 4412368; 586484, 4412349; 586490, 4412327; 586480, 
4412298; 586451, 4412300.
    (ii) Sub-Unit A03: Duchesne and Uintah Counties, Utah; within T11S 
R17E Sec 23 SW\1/4\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, N\1/2\SE\1/
4\, SE\1/4\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 587316, 4410650; 587521, 4410541; 
587344, 4410650; 587378, 4410611; 587423, 4410609; 587437, 4410583; 
587327, 4410650; 587542, 4410531; 587602, 4410473; 587750, 4410437; 
587821, 4410296; 587884, 4410372; 587282, 4410690; 587659, 4410587; 
587856, 4410309; 587293, 4410770; 587294, 4410782; 587325, 4410812; 
587350, 4410836; 587494, 4410849; 587517, 4410823; 587517, 4410822; 
587517, 4410822; 587458, 4410810; 587473, 4410772; 587473, 4410772; 
587886, 4410377; 587614, 4410670; 587783, 4410371; 587518, 4410740; 
587659, 4410587; 587932, 4410419; 587967, 4410464; 587960, 4410483; 
587798, 4410573; 587731, 4410442; 587729, 4410568; 587940, 4410391; 
587706, 4410567.
    (iii) Sub-Unit A04: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R17E Sec 23 
NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates 
(meters E, meters N): 587655, 4411035; 587772, 4411038; 587876, 
4411129; 587918, 4411133; 587946, 4411168; 587945, 4411181; 587942, 
4411220; 587634, 4411061; 587876, 4411220; 587723, 4411037; 587919, 
4411244; 587728, 4411231; 587864, 4411267; 587855, 4411090; 587640, 
4411089; 587864, 4411267; 587768, 4411235; 587721, 4411229; 587656, 
4411208; 587648, 4411178; 587641, 4411150; 587656, 4411124; 587832, 
4411272.
    (iv) Sub-Unit A05: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R17E Sec 24 
N\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 589510, 4411305; 589333, 
4411274; 589466, 4411216; 589432, 4411202; 589518, 4411197; 589379, 
4411216; 589385, 4411273; 589274, 4411276; 589243, 4411369; 589258, 
4411404; 589633, 4411244; 589548, 4411186; 589665, 4411198; 589332, 
4411375; 589674, 4411187; 589647, 4411158; 589633, 4411244; 589479, 
4411149; 589627, 4411122; 589537, 4411092; 589475, 4411082; 589402, 
4411018; 589343, 4410988; 589343, 4411040; 589406, 4411116; 589392, 
4411153; 589438, 4411174.
    (v) Sub-Unit A06: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R18E Sec 29 
NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 592234, 4409897; 592427, 
4409958; 592403, 4409966; 592379, 4409958; 592273, 4409896; 592227, 
4409852; 592203, 4409859; 592178, 4409931; 592163, 4409950; 592273, 
4409672; 592386, 4409753; 592232, 4409627; 592157, 4409950; 592160, 
4409693; 592278, 4409860; 592086, 4409761; 592080, 4409833; 592105, 
4409897; 592148, 4409950; 592427, 4409958.
    (vi) Sub-Unit A07: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R18E Sec 21 
SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 594293, 4411360; 594246, 
4411298; 594451, 4411272; 594477, 4411304; 594516, 4411410; 594477, 
4411467; 594468, 4411503; 594355, 4411437; 594261, 4411337; 594277, 
4411240; 594436, 4411500; 594260, 4411272; 594326, 4411193; 594260, 
4411271; 594451, 4411271; 594430, 4411247; 594364, 4411197; 594451, 
4411272; 594364, 4411197.
    (vii) Sub-Unit A09: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R19E Sec 17 
NW\1/4\NW\1/4\, Sec 18 NE\1/4\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following 
UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 600553, 4413319; 
600528, 4413559; 600361, 4413387; 600498, 4413324; 600657, 4413356; 
600440, 4413362; 600408, 4413337; 600391, 4413391; 600355, 4413440; 
600380, 4413484; 600363, 4413519; 600485, 4413550; 600713, 4413596; 
600670, 4413410; 600586, 4413320; 600407, 4413570; 600780, 4413539; 
600533, 4413321; 600700, 4413368; 600713, 4413596; 600787, 4413562; 
600821, 4413566; 600847, 4413540; 600869, 4413545; 600876, 4413531; 
600858, 4413513; 600857, 4413414; 600829, 4413430; 600855, 4413365; 
600848, 4413347; 600809, 4413358; 600743, 4413346; 600899, 4413428; 
600789, 4413333.

    (viii) Note: Map of Unit A of critical habitat for Penstemon 
grahamii (Map 1) follows:

[[Page 3178]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP19JA06.001

    (7) Unit B--Seep Ridge Unit, Uintah County, Utah, from USGS Agency 
Draw NE (1966) and Bates Knolls (1966) 7.5[min] quadrangle maps, SLBM:
    (i) Sub-Unit B03: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R21E Sec 25 
SE\1/4\,

[[Page 3179]]

N\1/2\SW\1/4\, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\, Sec 31 
NW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 627432, 4399852; 627164, 4399979; 
627214, 4399971; 627285, 4399932; 627379, 4399865; 627178, 4400038; 
627448, 4399832; 627365, 4399941; 627123, 4399985; 627213, 4400070; 
627163, 4400036; 627186, 4400062; 627206, 4400068; 627533, 4399869; 
627155, 4400132; 627642, 4399695; 627161, 4400125; 627117, 4400028; 
627668, 4399676; 626553, 4400592; 627146, 4400232; 627789, 4399621; 
627764, 4399655; 627819, 4399625; 627720, 4399674; 627583, 4399711; 
627683, 4399676; 627564, 4399813; 627644, 4399717; 627572, 4399746; 
627566, 4399762; 627571, 4399767; 627586, 4399782; 627584, 4399805; 
627570, 4399810; 627798, 4399570; 626488, 4400408; 626511, 4400563; 
626636, 4400297; 626632, 4400327; 626593, 4400322; 626574, 4400350; 
626482, 4400340; 626695, 4400293; 626467, 4400394; 626706, 4400264; 
626480, 4400454; 626469, 4400525; 626539, 4400521; 626587, 4400611; 
626636, 4400592; 627810, 4399541; 627562, 4400235; 626466, 4400353; 
626881, 4400208; 627072, 4400227; 627053, 4400223; 627028, 4400184; 
626972, 4400183; 626957, 4400150; 626925, 4400166; 626665, 4400273; 
626849, 4400176; 627099, 4400201; 626885, 4400292; 626856, 4400217; 
626804, 4400173; 626759, 4400183; 626757, 4400186; 626735, 4400214; 
626694, 4400228; 626855, 4400162; 627310, 4400070; 626636, 4400592; 
627290, 4400374; 627329, 4400271; 627295, 4400185; 627323, 4400159; 
627328, 4400131; 627212, 4400440; 627311, 4400088; 627187, 4400441; 
627310, 4400063; 627320, 4400070; 627404, 4400133; 627453, 4400230; 
627495, 4400222; 627544, 4400246; 627606, 4400208; 627285, 4400083; 
626928, 4400410; 627666, 4400207; 627779, 4399485; 626670, 4400481; 
626725, 4400462; 626725, 4400460; 626752, 4400394; 627231, 4400386; 
626895, 4400438; 627301, 4400231; 626966, 4400405; 626975, 4400372; 
627006, 4400359; 627006, 4400335; 627044, 4400338; 627117, 4400370; 
627155, 4400409; 626764, 4400367; 627862, 4399294; 628045, 4399637; 
628111, 4399626; 628124, 4399610; 628116, 4399565; 628081, 4399517; 
628035, 4399483; 627993, 4399394; 627977, 4399629; 627902, 4399309; 
627635, 4399271; 627701, 4399302; 627667, 4399272; 627704, 4400152; 
627581, 4399283; 627330, 4400320; 627655, 4399376; 627682, 4399439; 
627981, 4399383; 627778, 4400013; 627580, 4399318; 627712, 4400093; 
627966, 4399628; 627724, 4400079; 627833, 4399884; 627896, 4399826; 
627879, 4399774; 627895, 4399730; 627913, 4399707; 627965, 4399703; 
627954, 4399681; 627951, 4399674; 627976, 4399662; 627940, 4399726; 
627977, 4399641; 627989, 4399655.
    (ii) Sub-Unit B04: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R22E Sec 30 
SW\1/4\SW\1/4\, Sec 31 N\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by 
the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 
628038, 4399200; 628037, 4399339; 627990, 4399289; 627987, 4399278; 
628341, 4399769; 627983, 4399263; 628059, 4399070; 627983, 4399246; 
628019, 4399095; 628039, 4399235; 628010, 4399177; 628024, 4399159; 
628108, 4399368; 628060, 4399091; 628146, 4399573; 627998, 4399231; 
628137, 4399619; 627996, 4399067; 628273, 4399206; 628329, 4399788; 
628301, 4399782; 628167, 4399690; 628168, 4399685; 628146, 4399518; 
628144, 4399649; 628119, 4399406; 628131, 4399528; 628126, 4399514; 
628124, 4399476; 628082, 4399474; 628057, 4399419; 628065, 4399389; 
628173, 4399663; 628338, 4399520; 628210, 4399293; 628233, 4399345; 
628288, 4399323; 628322, 4399342; 628309, 4399449; 628195, 4399282; 
628325, 4399488; 628332, 4399395; 628343, 4399666; 628343, 4399688; 
628342, 4399688; 628341, 4399769; 627987, 4399055; 628276, 4399152; 
628249, 4399460; 628065, 4398986; 627987, 4399039; 627994, 4399017; 
628291, 4399460; 628040, 4398984; 628159, 4399255; 628162, 4399035; 
628193, 4399067; 628220, 4399123; 628222, 4399107; 628295, 4399076; 
628254, 4399185; 628262, 4399234; 628225, 4399233; 628269, 4399075; 
628168, 4399225; 628196, 4399256.
    (iii) Sub-Unit B05: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R22E Sec 31 
NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 628482, 4399266; 628587, 
4399529; 628569, 4399484; 628578, 4399465; 628517, 4399377; 628527, 
4399335; 628495, 4399314; 628426, 4399152; 628500, 4399281; 628451, 
4399183; 628425, 4399169; 628350, 4399269; 628576, 4399543; 628499, 
4399287; 628395, 4399107; 628365, 4399285; 628483, 4399458; 628426, 
4399152; 628357, 4399121; 628352, 4399139; 628337, 4399192; 628428, 
4399382; 628366, 4399283; 628356, 4399314; 628371, 4399359; 628350, 
4399266; 628431, 4399438.
    (iv) Sub-Unit B06: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R 22E Sec 31 
E\1/2\NW\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 628568, 4399288; 628569, 
4399260; 628550, 4399276; 628516, 4399233; 628525, 4399050; 628514, 
4399151; 628496, 4399098; 628567, 4399292; 628678, 4399299; 628501, 
4399185; 628603, 4399315; 628590, 4399350; 628619, 4399389; 628626, 
4399423; 628690, 4399448; 628678, 4399361; 628690, 4399290; 628690, 
4399290; 628502, 4399030; 628500, 4398956; 628709, 4399424; 628740, 
4399258; 628471, 4399029; 628719, 4399268; 628732, 4399224; 628749, 
4399198; 628751, 4399156; 628659, 4399076; 628649, 4399044; 628590, 
4399049; 628525, 4398998; 628386, 4398896; 628470, 4398951; 628690, 
4399290; 628464, 4398883; 628464, 4398882; 628446, 4398852; 628404, 
4398854; 628392, 4398882; 628691, 4399263; 628426, 4398992; 628458, 
4398923.
    (v) Sub-Unit B07: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R21E Sec 36 E\1/
2\SE\1/4\, T12S R22E Sec 31 N\1/2\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\SW\1/4\, T13S R21E 
Sec 1 NE\1/4\NE\1/4\, T13S R22E Sec 6 NW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by 
the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 
628182, 4398757; 628140, 4398750; 628092, 4398722; 628069, 4398679; 
628315, 4398690; 627994, 4398620; 628275, 4398258; 627994, 4398620; 
628363, 4398537; 628364, 4398532; 628363, 4398508; 628362, 4398479; 
628280, 4398320; 628240, 4398196; 627987, 4398477; 627794, 4398230; 
628357, 4398392; 628119, 4398165; 628240, 4398196; 627858, 4398324; 
628136, 4398174; 627978, 4398471; 628032, 4398074; 628025, 4398069; 
628004, 4398054; 627963, 4398026; 627928, 4398074; 627884, 4398087; 
627807, 4398267; 627881, 4398398; 627928, 4398443; 627933, 4398067; 
628175, 4398165.
    (vi) Sub-Unit B08: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R22E Sec 33 
W\1/2\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 631510, 4399210; 631417, 4399334; 
631424, 4399360; 631442, 4399361; 631468, 4399335; 631472, 4399331; 
631494, 4399326; 631524, 4399284; 631539, 4399220; 631376, 4399281; 
631366, 4399182; 631518, 4399268; 631446, 4399079; 631298, 4399189; 
631522, 4399182; 631505, 4399159; 631515, 4399132; 631484, 4399081; 
631412, 4399014; 631384, 4398995; 631355, 4399002; 631297, 4399084; 
631414, 4399319; 631288, 4399145; 631510, 4399210; 631497, 4399093.
    (vii) Sub-Unit B09: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 5 
NW\1/4\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the

[[Page 3180]]

following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 630600, 
4397109; 630611, 4397116; 630649, 4397011; 630648, 4397047; 630659, 
4397056; 630594, 4397089; 630604, 4397006; 630643, 4397002; 630649, 
4397011; 630653, 4397093.
    (viii) Sub-Unit B10: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 5 
NW\1/4\SE\1/4\, NW\1/4\SE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\. Land 
bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 630484, 4395690; 630322, 4395682; 630606, 4395688; 630323, 
4395687; 630327, 4395711; 630386, 4395713; 630421, 4395701; 630474, 
4395682; 630313, 4395520; 630550, 4395740; 630574, 4395739; 630606, 
4395713; 630606, 4395692; 630340, 4395657; 630454, 4395689; 630486, 
4395449; 630308, 4395580; 630395, 4395634; 630606, 4395688; 630563, 
4395575; 630459, 4395430; 630436, 4395432; 630361, 4395594; 630564, 
4395628; 630387, 4395612; 630430, 4395466; 630298, 4395538; 630370, 
4395511; 630385, 4395457; 630426, 4395465.
    (ix) Sub-Unit B11: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 4 
SE\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 631618, 4397500; 631695, 4397361; 
631642, 4397416; 631643, 4397437; 631652, 4397448; 631632, 4397450; 
631621, 4397466; 631678, 4397364; 631629, 4397516; 631603, 4397570; 
631658, 4397666; 631679, 4397674; 631695, 4397666; 631705, 4397651; 
631798, 4397551; 631705, 4397599; 631769, 4397517; 631705, 4397599; 
631821, 4397475; 631695, 4397570; 631770, 4397551; 631706, 4397383; 
631749, 4397494; 631787, 4397521; 631787, 4397541; 631755, 4397383; 
631818, 4397542; 631782, 4397444; 631790, 4397432; 631780, 4397398; 
631732, 4397391; 631723, 4397583.
    (x) Sub-Unit B12: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R22E Sec 33 S\1/
2\SE\1/4\, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, Sec 34 SW\1/4\SW\1/4\, T13S R22E Sec 3 SW\1/
4\, W\1/2\NW\1/4\, Sec 4 NE\1/4\, E\1/2\NW\1/4\, SE\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/
4\, Sec 9 N\1/2\NE\1/4\, NW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following 
UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 632043, 4397001; 
632103, 4397014; 632138, 4396977; 632079, 4396993; 632049, 4396944; 
632000, 4396957; 632013, 4396995; 632010, 4396988; 632010, 4397028; 
632010, 4396998; 632011, 4396954; 631927, 4397096; 631838, 4397265; 
631844, 4397322; 632335, 4398421; 631848, 4397357; 631925, 4397073; 
631886, 4397422; 631864, 4396706; 631889, 4397548; 631906, 4397561; 
631765, 4397618; 631768, 4397723; 631904, 4397401; 632047, 4396473; 
632617, 4396178; 632598, 4396272; 632614, 4396327; 632421, 4396412; 
632400, 4396421; 632372, 4396501; 632343, 4396456; 632296, 4396464; 
632233, 4396525; 632233, 4396526; 632213, 4396565; 631918, 4396857; 
632152, 4396499; 631907, 4397118; 632017, 4396501; 632017, 4396522; 
631995, 4396521; 631915, 4396594; 631927, 4396637; 631664, 4398167; 
631890, 4396793; 631770, 4397766; 631881, 4396890; 631874, 4396921; 
631832, 4397112; 631868, 4397135; 632175, 4396525; 632241, 4398307; 
631700, 4398124; 632117, 4398215; 632142, 4398136; 632190, 4397985; 
632189, 4397914; 632232, 4397872; 632223, 4398045; 632248, 4398089; 
632283, 4398085; 632227, 4398138; 632194, 4398169; 632083, 4398381; 
632155, 4398324; 632058, 4398427; 632256, 4398380; 632244, 4398408; 
632210, 4398383; 632203, 4398444; 632250, 4398498; 632378, 4398543; 
632390, 4398524; 632401, 4398506; 632390, 4398492; 632870, 4397292; 
632702, 4396177; 632155, 4398229; 631882, 4398073; 631756, 4397879; 
631795, 4397912; 631831, 4397905; 631825, 4397927; 631748, 4398028; 
631695, 4398129; 631684, 4398282; 631720, 4398284; 631727, 4398231; 
631767, 4398276; 631805, 4398273; 632076, 4398275; 631903, 4398133; 
631739, 4397804; 631920, 4397970; 631984, 4397996; 631977, 4398109; 
631964, 4398134; 631936, 4398191; 631865, 4398258; 631925, 4398313; 
631896, 4398460; 631988, 4398512; 632018, 4398530; 632046, 4398473; 
631921, 4398183; 632982, 4397886; 632759, 4397194; 632635, 4398292; 
632682, 4398313; 632715, 4398307; 632747, 4398293; 632797, 4398237; 
632839, 4398189; 632821, 4398170; 632839, 4398148; 632893, 4398080; 
632647, 4398448; 632926, 4397885; 632615, 4398513; 632989, 4397745; 
632991, 4397706; 632959, 4397654; 632971, 4397540; 632958, 4397492; 
632895, 4397429; 632948, 4397398; 632887, 4397342; 632828, 4397287; 
632811, 4397268; 632769, 4397221; 632952, 4397958; 632410, 4398141; 
632335, 4398421; 632313, 4398328; 632371, 4398393; 632392, 4398370; 
632403, 4398359; 632393, 4398320; 632378, 4398258; 632337, 4398166; 
632366, 4398140; 632382, 4398126; 632652, 4398364; 632405, 4398124; 
632546, 4398356; 632460, 4398309; 632487, 4398293; 632486, 4398170; 
632477, 4398142; 632461, 4398090; 632816, 4396988; 632505, 4398142; 
632702, 4396253; 632518, 4398414; 632521, 4398473; 632530, 4398524; 
632397, 4398125; 633187, 4396727; 633005, 4396803; 633015, 4396941; 
633021, 4397023; 633006, 4397095; 633098, 4397056; 633143, 4396955; 
633217, 4397028; 633222, 4397032; 633260, 4397033; 633249, 4396945; 
632955, 4396833; 633221, 4396787; 633037, 4397102; 633127, 4396583; 
633067, 4396550; 633025, 4396575; 632998, 4396539; 632965, 4396495; 
632997, 4396462; 632934, 4396403; 632827, 4396387; 632825, 4396385; 
632702, 4397183; 632504, 4398141; 633231, 4396804; 632929, 4397273; 
632719, 4397124; 632694, 4397066; 632647, 4397027; 632660, 4396955; 
632725, 4397008; 632771, 4397168; 633117, 4396978; 632819, 4397244; 
632887, 4396619; 632809, 4396973; 632761, 4396937; 632725, 4396911; 
632706, 4396814; 632867, 4396593; 632888, 4396522; 632812, 4397233; 
632662, 4396751; 632859, 4396537; 632888, 4396537; 632857, 4396538; 
632841, 4396598; 632821, 4396585; 632794, 4396565; 632787, 4396673; 
632766, 4396736; 632735, 4396791.
    (xi) Sub-Unit B13: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R22E Sec 34 
SW\1/4\SW\1/4\, T13S R22E Sec 3 NW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the 
following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 632985, 
4398111; 632876, 4398170; 632865, 4398234; 632895, 4398245; 632876, 
4398261; 632854, 4398195; 632882, 4398282; 632936, 4398302; 632952, 
4398297; 632974, 4398150; 633032, 4398077; 632918, 4398166; 632953, 
4398218; 633008, 4398110; 632903, 4398149; 632947, 4398077; 632994, 
4398097; 633038, 4398103; 632975, 4398046; 632912, 4398077; 632909, 
4398089; 632930, 4398099; 632932, 4398115; 632896, 4398142; 632985, 
4398111.
    (xii) Sub-Unit B14: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 3 
W\1/2\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 633139, 4397687; 633056, 4397986; 
633055, 4397939; 632988, 4397960; 632987, 4397978; 633003, 4397991; 
633079, 4397957; 633120, 4397938; 633106, 4397795; 633138, 4397747; 
633133, 4397719; 633028, 4397844; 633142, 4397741; 633050, 4397651; 
633029, 4397931; 633003, 4397897; 633101, 4397606; 633075, 4397631; 
633139, 4397687; 633072, 4397663; 633020, 4397675; 633057, 4397705; 
633028, 4397733; 633034, 4397746; 633041, 4397759; 633017, 4397788; 
633063, 4397615.
    (xiii) Sub-Unit B15: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 3 
NW\1/4\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N):

[[Page 3181]]

633028, 4397327; 632977, 4397265; 632983, 4397286; 633016, 4397284; 
633034, 4397269; 633040, 4397344; 633042, 4397347; 633063, 4397349; 
633064, 4397344; 633082, 4397276; 633052, 4397123; 632990, 4397221; 
633176, 4397191; 632976, 4397179; 633127, 4397219; 633152, 4397218; 
633171, 4397155; 633193, 4397126; 633177, 4397053; 633129, 4397040; 
633099, 4397056; 633082, 4397276; 632999, 4397147; 633117, 4397186.
    (xiv) Sub-Unit B16: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 10 
N\1/2\SW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 633223, 4395616; 633241, 4395584; 
633211, 4395520; 633222, 4395542; 633241, 4395553; 633242, 4395557; 
633169, 4395616; 633128, 4395577; 633119, 4395549; 633134, 4395511; 
633170, 4395500; 633211, 4395520; 633247, 4395575.
    (xv) Sub-Unit B17: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 10 
E\1/2\SW\1/4\, W\1/2\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 
NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 633708, 4395156; 633427, 
4395312; 633455, 4395340; 633473, 4395358; 633473, 4395340; 633472, 
4395296; 633501, 4395217; 633568, 4395225; 633625, 4395115; 633662, 
4395118; 633552, 4395643; 633703, 4395185; 633391, 4395297; 633652, 
4395117; 633368, 4395330; 633323, 4395331; 633312, 4395338; 633284, 
4395355; 633272, 4395394; 633323, 4395455; 633326, 4395500; 633346, 
4395518; 633374, 4395514; 633379, 4395590; 633422, 4395630; 633650, 
4395227; 633512, 4395640; 633571, 4395170; 633496, 4395618; 633700, 
4395619; 633560, 4395541; 633591, 4395495; 633596, 4395445; 633646, 
4395437; 633647, 4395437; 633532, 4395501; 633670, 4395513; 633687, 
4395481; 633650, 4395641; 633643, 4395639; 633591, 4395623; 633552, 
4395643; 633622, 4395249; 633547, 4395194; 633681, 4395461; 633637, 
4395381; 633623, 4395293; 633715, 4395584; 633544, 4395468; 633648, 
4395344; 633651, 4395351; 633648, 4395359; 633647, 4395343; 633607, 
4395391; 633581, 4395377; 633597, 4395415; 633566, 4395437; 633522, 
4395391; 633499, 4395430.
    (xvi) Sub-Unit B18: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 10 
SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates 
(meters E, meters N): 633782, 4395345; 633770, 4395303; 633796, 
4395399; 633751, 4395061; 633747, 4395252; 633731, 4395192; 633746, 
4395174; 633735, 4395092; 633782, 4395284; 633783, 4395052; 633885, 
4395166; 633915, 4395253; 633942, 4395248; 633967, 4395211; 633850, 
4395084; 633879, 4395371; 633902, 4395120; 633909, 4395731; 633948, 
4395235; 633831, 4395439; 633832, 4395407; 633847, 4395032; 634018, 
4395719; 633983, 4395742; 633941, 4395697; 633949, 4395589; 633883, 
4395528; 633903, 4395675; 633781, 4395450; 633862, 4395400; 633853, 
4395472; 633907, 4395505; 633917, 4395493; 633965, 4395497; 633984, 
4395452; 633963, 4395460; 633934, 4395441; 633896, 4395453; 633811, 
4395531; 634087, 4395656; 634162, 4395549; 634112, 4395497; 634069, 
4395499; 634037, 4395517; 634047, 4395532; 634058, 4395547; 634098, 
4395539; 633894, 4395391; 634110, 4395647; 634095, 4395515; 634103, 
4395702; 634086, 4395732; 634060, 4395735; 634046, 4395718; 634051, 
4395694; 634044, 4395692; 634013, 4395683; 633871, 4395017; 634131, 
4395612; 634150, 4395107; 633909, 4395028; 633953, 4395067; 633997, 
4395075; 634020, 4395056; 634047, 4395056; 634047, 4395511; 634085, 
4395095; 634178, 4395544; 634193, 4395152; 634202, 4395198; 634154, 
4395404; 634055, 4395065; 634149, 4395479; 634146, 4395259; 634103, 
4395359; 634104, 4395349; 634107, 4395298; 634089, 4395289; 634083, 
4395259; 634018, 4395719.
    (xvii) Sub-Unit B19: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 17 
SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, Sec 18 SE\1/4\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following 
UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 629480, 4394165; 
629500, 4394237; 629656, 4394290; 629641, 4394303; 629629, 4394314; 
629605, 4394289; 629554, 4394302; 629502, 4394262; 629475, 4394217; 
629661, 4394256; 629510, 4394134; 629525, 4394289; 629642, 4394215; 
629638, 4394206; 629612, 4394193; 629573, 4394203; 629656, 4394290; 
629561, 4394163; 629532, 4394134.
    (xviii) Sub-Unit B20: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 29 
NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, NW\1/4\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 630434, 4390761; 630542, 
4390833; 630469, 4390861; 630538, 4390718; 630511, 4390641; 630509, 
4390650; 630494, 4390738; 630503, 4390812; 630490, 4390855; 630520, 
4390793; 630437, 4390861; 630421, 4390851; 630574, 4390832; 630762, 
4390864; 630183, 4390697; 630399, 4390770; 630341, 4390849; 630316, 
4390859; 630260, 4390858; 630250, 4390837; 630173, 4390826; 630136, 
4390807; 630438, 4390789; 630750, 4390788; 630134, 4390784; 630467, 
4390489; 630512, 4390501; 630551, 4390512; 630611, 4390646; 630773, 
4390842; 630661, 4390704; 630703, 4390726; 630756, 4390866; 630687, 
4390781; 630582, 4390854; 630436, 4390496; 630413, 4390531; 630365, 
4390541; 630280, 4390617; 630289, 4390634; 630256, 4390640; 630206, 
4390676; 630179, 4390730; 630608, 4390864; 630773, 4390842; 630706, 
4390762.
    (xix) Sub-Unit B21: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 21 
NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 631869, 4392991; 631980, 
4393142; 632079, 4392993; 631980, 4392972; 631834, 4392962; 631802, 
4393008; 631775, 4393012; 631763, 4393030; 631805, 4392979; 631791, 
4393065; 632079, 4392993; 632072, 4393115; 632077, 4393110; 632098, 
4393091; 632138, 4393089; 632157, 4393058; 632149, 4393033; 632113, 
4393001; 631765, 4393046.
    (xx) Sub-Unit B22: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec21 
NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates 
(meters E, meters N): 632482, 4392984; 632484, 4392886; 632517, 
4393008; 632380, 4392940; 632402, 4392935; 632433, 4392992; 632447, 
4392957; 632479, 4392930; 632346, 4393026; 632476, 4392888; 632372, 
4393123; 632523, 4392875; 632538, 4392884; 632543, 4392909; 632547, 
4392936; 632536, 4392996; 632488, 4392977; 632467, 4392999; 632477, 
4392908; 632479, 4393190; 632482, 4393003; 632503, 4393010; 632512, 
4393101; 632495, 4393121; 632480, 4393123; 632469, 4393124; 632361, 
4392966; 632491, 4393161; 632467, 4392999; 632470, 4393208; 632477, 
4393258; 632477, 4393258; 632477, 4393258; 632463, 4393274; 632441, 
4393272; 632362, 4393192; 632479, 4393141.
    (xxi) Sub-Unit B23: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec21 
E\1/2\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 632542, 4393087; 632539, 4393052; 
632675, 4392917; 632672, 4392988; 632672, 4393210; 632533, 4393131; 
632572, 4393301; 632519, 4393274; 632669, 4392912; 632560, 4393106; 
632696, 4393079; 632558, 4393014; 632560, 4392925; 632573, 4392910; 
632588, 4392893; 632645, 4392890; 632669, 4392912; 632506, 4393233; 
632599, 4393288.
    (xxii) Sub-Unit B24: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 16 
SE\1/4\SE\1/4\, Sec 21 E\1/2\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM 
Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 632688, 4393346; 
632796, 4392881; 632776, 4392856; 632816, 4392865;

[[Page 3182]]

632870, 4393149; 632723, 4392887; 632716, 4392913; 632695, 4392985; 
632735, 4393144; 632654, 4393297; 632848, 4392888; 632666, 4393314; 
632755, 4393323; 632848, 4392888; 632879, 4393072; 632846, 4393011; 
632847, 4392915; 632834, 4392868; 632760, 4393316.
    (xxiii) Sub-Unit B25: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 21 
N\1/2\SE\1/4\, S\1/2\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 
NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 632405, 4392548; 632400, 
4392504; 632400, 4392500; 632430, 4392474; 632387, 4392458; 632355, 
4392450; 632325, 4392462; 632266, 4392458; 632400, 4392407; 632224, 
4392412; 632241, 4392391; 632488, 4392627; 632265, 4392388; 632491, 
4392453; 632587, 4392501; 632437, 4392610; 632427, 4392573; 632491, 
4392453; 632644, 4392503; 632647, 4392509; 632656, 4392526; 632396, 
4392474; 632605, 4392546; 632599, 4392572; 632470, 4392636.
    (xxiv) Sub-Unit B26: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec21 
N\1/2\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 632586, 4392431; 632343, 4392199; 
632673, 4392324; 632631, 4392295; 632658, 4392367; 632495, 4392237; 
632465, 4392225; 632409, 4392165; 632354, 4392171; 632681, 4392347; 
632307, 4392209; 632354, 4392309; 632375, 4392313; 632398, 4392351; 
632492, 4392399; 632618, 4392411; 632618, 4392411; 632600, 4392360; 
632458, 4392387.
    (xxv) Sub-Unit B27: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 21 
SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates 
(meters E, meters N): 632409, 4392101; 632772, 4392128; 632383, 
4391929; 632411, 4391952; 632460, 4391960; 632499, 4391984; 632629, 
4392066; 632496, 4392132; 632746, 4392108; 632274, 4391905; 632828, 
4392200; 632816, 4392215; 632819, 4392239; 632805, 4392249; 632737, 
4392216; 632769, 4392293; 632717, 4392085; 632426, 4392116; 632749, 
4392320; 632732, 4392321; 632699, 4392280; 632684, 4392283; 632665, 
4392262; 632665, 4392226; 632337, 4391924; 632643, 4392165; 632303, 
4391904; 632302, 4392012; 632294, 4391992; 632261, 4391978; 632237, 
4391945; 632769, 4392293; 632636, 4392218.
    (xxvi) Sub-Unit B28: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 21 
S\1/2\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 632781, 4391887; 632320, 4391780; 
632805, 4391904; 632738, 4391888; 632712, 4391850; 632667, 4391804; 
632580, 4391783; 632554, 4391794; 632531, 4391781; 632502, 4391782; 
632468, 4391784; 632713, 4391875; 632379, 4391781; 632805, 4391904; 
632295, 4391811; 632349, 4391858; 632370, 4391854; 632411, 4391870; 
632499, 4391945; 632627, 4392053; 632704, 4392067; 632747, 4392036; 
632753, 4392016; 632792, 4392007; 632412, 4391767.
    (xxvii) Sub-Unit B29: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 22 
SW\1/4\SW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 633005, 4392005; 633051, 4391885; 
633147, 4392075; 633166, 4392055; 633123, 4392076; 632965, 4391932; 
632990, 4391881; 633116, 4391945; 633210, 4391994; 633243, 4392038; 
633224, 4392047; 633164, 4392037; 633166, 4392055; 632972, 4391898.
    (xxviii) Sub-Unit B30: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 22 
SW\1/4\SW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 633273, 4391978; 633168, 4391948; 
633142, 4391923; 633119, 4391926; 633099, 4391898; 633114, 4391879; 
633151, 4391878; 633179, 4391880; 633189, 4391898; 633258, 4391897; 
633258, 4391939; 633186, 4391941; 633273, 4391978; 633241, 4391991; 
633275, 4391913.
    (xxix) Sub-Unit B31: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 22 
S\1/2\SW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 633340, 4391858; 633306, 4391865; 
633299, 4391867; 633287, 4391840; 633297, 4391810; 633307, 4391800; 
633339, 4391795; 633319, 4391788; 633360, 4391816; 633339, 4391795.
    (xxx) Sub-Unit B32: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 22 
NW\1/4\SE\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 633801, 4392320; 633625, 
4392294; 633645, 4392183; 633801, 4392320; 633742, 4392261; 633827, 
4392297; 633837, 4392261; 633828, 4392222; 633812, 4392206; 633781, 
4392208; 633770, 4392186; 633743, 4392200; 633712, 4392197; 633636, 
4392378; 633688, 4392179; 633772, 4392381; 633618, 4392210; 633625, 
4392250; 633653, 4392271; 633702, 4392277; 633703, 4392277; 633702, 
4392277; 633663, 4392295; 633613, 4392313; 633699, 4392449; 633708, 
4392459; 633739, 4392480; 633762, 4392476; 633703, 4392190.
    (xxxi) Sub-Unit B33: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 22 
E\1/2\SW\1/4\, W\1/2\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 
NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 633666, 4392056; 633647, 
4391987; 633617, 4391976; 633631, 4391957; 633705, 4392099; 633728, 
4392125; 633752, 4392151; 633750, 4392175; 633728, 4392184; 633704, 
4392176; 633691, 4392172; 633580, 4391906; 633628, 4392123; 633582, 
4392110; 633585, 4392071; 633534, 4392021; 633513, 4391969; 633520, 
4391919; 633608, 4391918; 633608, 4391918; 633636, 4392126.
    (xxxii) Sub-Unit B34: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 22 
SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 633825, 4391937; 633802, 
4391945; 633713, 4391929; 633686, 4391953; 633843, 4391951; 633761, 
4392012; 633984, 4392029; 633707, 4391970; 633875, 4391916; 633928, 
4391921; 633957, 4391905; 634000, 4392000; 633928, 4392023; 633891, 
4392062; 633891, 4392062; 633708, 4391933; 633995, 4391953; 633788, 
4391933.
    (xxxiii) Sub-Unit B35: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 22 
S\1/2\SE\1/4\, Sec 27 NW\1/4\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM 
Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 634113, 4391805; 
633919, 4391594; 634042, 4391687; 634052, 4391728; 634085, 4391765; 
634113, 4391775; 634074, 4391670; 634115, 4391805; 634067, 4391685; 
633981, 4391800; 633949, 4391776; 633924, 4391735; 633926, 4391726; 
633935, 4391681; 633907, 4391618; 634116, 4391776; 633973, 4391516; 
634011, 4391650; 634019, 4391660; 634048, 4391639; 634045, 4391720; 
634008, 4391587; 633943, 4391512; 633907, 4391558; 634074, 4391670.
    (xxxiv) Sub-Unit B36: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 27 
N\1/2\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 634276, 4391530; 634126, 4391519; 
634247, 4391664; 634304, 4391520; 634323, 4391557; 634305, 4391630; 
634118, 4391523; 634283, 4391654; 634247, 4391664; 634115, 4391661; 
634112, 4391661; 634087, 4391639; 634066, 4391588; 634091, 4391536; 
634258, 4391648.
    (xxxv) Sub-Unit B37: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 22 
E\1/2\SE\1/4\, Sec 23 W\1/2\SW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM 
Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 634505, 4392409; 
634490, 4392107; 634482, 4392138; 634504, 4392180; 634410, 4392173; 
634365, 4392172; 634345, 4392200; 634358, 4392227; 634470, 4392312; 
634466, 4392336; 634554, 4392307; 634495, 4392416;

[[Page 3183]]

634527, 4392394; 634511, 4392097; 634479, 4392151; 634439, 4392365; 
634259, 4391880; 634665, 4391896; 634669, 4391868; 634655, 4391856; 
634573, 4391847; 634555, 4391880; 634521, 4391860; 634515, 4391862; 
634494, 4391869; 634480, 4391890; 634462, 4391855; 634420, 4391844; 
634359, 4391860; 634347, 4391900; 634186, 4391873; 634154, 4392106; 
634183, 4391902; 634209, 4391936; 634156, 4391921; 634145, 4391937; 
634150, 4391982; 634297, 4391846; 634141, 4392092; 634274, 4391851; 
634203, 4392108; 634434, 4392152; 634200, 4391866; 634636, 4392031; 
634245, 4391867; 634720, 4392010; 634125, 4392008; 634497, 4392036; 
634684, 4391953; 634286, 4392170; 634387, 4392157; 634432, 4392137; 
634434, 4392136; 634236, 4392134; 634491, 4392078; 634270, 4392081; 
634511, 4392057; 634585, 4392272; 634515, 4392062; 634554, 4392307; 
634548, 4392065; 634573, 4392046; 634451, 4392106; 634806, 4392233; 
634232, 4392087; 634759, 4392140; 634761, 4392143; 634771, 4392157; 
634864, 4392186; 634234, 4392136; 634841, 4392227; 634719, 4391968; 
634752, 4392277; 634728, 4392256; 634729, 4392223; 634708, 4392238; 
634680, 4392236; 634633, 4392273; 634872, 4392202.
    (xxxvi) Sub-Unit B38: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 22 
NE\1/4\, Sec 23 W\1/2\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 634546, 4392866; 634608, 
4393016; 633890, 4392743; 634690, 4393002; 634095, 4392827; 634220, 
4392817; 634394, 4392866; 633814, 4392758; 634507, 4392853; 633875, 
4392758; 634586, 4392856; 634587, 4392822; 634649, 4392804; 634689, 
4392926; 634689, 4392946; 634690, 4393002; 634497, 4392854; 634108, 
4392980; 634495, 4392954; 634493, 4392953; 634440, 4392952; 634302, 
4392988; 634093, 4392827; 634140, 4392997; 633818, 4392772; 634108, 
4392948; 634093, 4392946; 634049, 4392939; 634044, 4392935; 633898, 
4392834; 633880, 4392828; 633857, 4392851; 633801, 4392839; 633775, 
4392809; 634218, 4392980.
    (xxxvii) Sub-Unit B39: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 14 
S\1/2\SE\1/4\, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, Sec 23 N\1/2\NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\. 
Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 635255, 4393625; 635211, 4393411; 635324, 4393518; 635289, 
4393560; 635279, 4393571; 635604, 4393479; 636080, 4393296; 635900, 
4393329; 635828, 4393369; 635808, 4393380; 635770, 4393432; 635796, 
4393620; 635763, 4393648; 635734, 4393631; 635716, 4393643; 635692, 
4393633; 636098, 4393258; 635658, 4393410; 635453, 4393627; 635633, 
4393582; 635632, 4393618; 635608, 4393649; 635557, 4393593; 635493, 
4393430; 635530, 4393589; 635489, 4393625; 635380, 4393508; 635269, 
4393661; 635215, 4393475; 635690, 4393619; 635253, 4393342; 636098, 
4393255; 635324, 4393518; 635206, 4393661; 635237, 4393691; 635189, 
4393594; 635209, 4393518; 635247, 4393479; 635207, 4393444; 635251, 
4393358; 635282, 4393327; 635293, 4393299; 635682, 4393232; 636073, 
4393236; 635884, 4393250; 635246, 4393385; 635697, 4393232; 635299, 
4393285; 635693, 4393202; 635619, 4393138; 635259, 4393691; 635524, 
4393145; 635446, 4393226; 635373, 4393217; 635799, 4393229.
    (xxxviii) Sub-Unit B40: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 
24 NE\1/4\SW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 636852, 4392582; 636900, 4392500; 
636858, 4392230; 636894, 4392236; 636916, 4392446; 636864, 4392548; 
636864, 4392570; 636753, 4392546; 636766, 4392502; 636775, 4392293; 
636818, 4392215; 636851, 4392204; 636858, 4392230; 636777, 4392581; 
636917, 4392264.
    (xxix) Sub-Unit B41: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 24 
N\1/2\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 637394, 4393237; 637260, 4393188; 
637288, 4393200; 637260, 4393206; 637212, 4393206; 637318, 4393256; 
637304, 4393210; 637306, 4393252; 637394, 4393237; 637229, 4393134; 
637303, 4393137; 637308, 4393136; 637379, 4393123; 637398, 4393133; 
637425, 4393181; 637251, 4393236; 637186, 4393182.
    (xl) Sub-Unit B42: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 24 
E\1/2\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 637592, 4392998; 637612, 4393054; 
637602, 4393089; 637468, 4393130; 637528, 4393110; 637389, 4392995; 
637574, 4393113; 637588, 4392989; 637524, 4392953; 637393, 4392976; 
637377, 4393051; 637400, 4393088; 637468, 4393130; 637482, 4392975.
    (xli) Sub-Unit B43: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec SE\1/
4\SE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 
NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 637471, 4393401; 637537, 
4393221; 637485, 4393394; 637537, 4393221; 637513, 4393217; 637462, 
4393238; 637415, 4393331; 637434, 4393391; 637463, 4393399; 637475, 
4393399; 637532, 4393288.
    (xlii) Sub-Unit B44: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R22E Sec 13 
SE\1/4\SE\1/4\, Sec 24 NE\1/4\NE\1/4\, T13S R23E Sec 19 NW\1/4\NW\1/4\. 
Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 637718, 4393281; 637668, 4393259; 637697, 4393297; 637708, 
4393289; 637618, 4393401; 637711, 4393149; 637722, 4393229; 637618, 
4393401; 637739, 4393149; 637617, 4393405; 637690, 4393149; 637612, 
4393192; 637573, 4393246; 637508, 4393348; 637490, 4393386; 637490, 
4393399; 637583, 4393451; 637490, 4393419; 637505, 4393437; 637527, 
4393344; 637747, 4393176.
    (xliii) Sub-Unit B45: Uintah County, Utah; T13S R23E Sec 18 SW\1/
4\SW\1/4\, Sec 19 NW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM 
Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 637919, 4393440; 
637804, 4393234; 637816, 4393306; 637801, 4393367; 637817, 4393405; 
637824, 4393421; 637893, 4393450; 637921, 4393407; 637874, 4393214; 
637847, 4393437; 637930, 4393407; 637826, 4393204; 637814, 4393209; 
637922, 4393390; 637938, 4393422; 637958, 4393420; 637965, 4393408; 
637979, 4393383; 637981, 4393337; 637899, 4393228; 637921, 4393407.
    (xliv) Sub-Unit B46: Uintah County, Utah; T13S R23E Sec 18 W\1/
2\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates 
(meters E, meters N): 638789, 4393993; 638550, 4393822; 638628, 
4393721; 638657, 4393746; 638571, 4393748; 638544, 4393801; 638559, 
4393854; 638592, 4393890; 638727, 4393974; 638617, 4393692; 638793, 
4393965; 638768, 4393739; 638811, 4394017; 638850, 4394011; 638703, 
4393960; 638632, 4393661; 638674, 4393651; 638717, 4393721; 638730, 
4393771; 638758, 4393727; 638778, 4393792; 638800, 4393824; 638799, 
4393827; 638794, 4393845; 638769, 4393854; 638802, 4393877; 638827, 
4393916; 638850, 4393975; 638850, 4393975; 638741, 4393734; 638699, 
4393929.

    (xlv) Sub-Unit B47: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R23E Sec 18 
SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\, Sec 19 E\1/2\NW\1/4\, W\1/2\NE\1/4\. 
Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 638476, 4393485; 638466, 4393293; 638466, 4393302; 638479, 
4393308; 638523, 4393327; 638540, 4393378; 638509, 4393387; 638541, 
4393417; 638542, 4393419; 638576, 4393481; 638571, 4393542; 638145, 
4393352;

[[Page 3184]]

638505, 4393525; 638499, 4393259; 638468, 4393474; 638465, 4393496; 
638448, 4393505; 638797, 4393128; 638370, 4393447; 638381, 4393411; 
638329, 4393323; 638281, 4393280; 638257, 4393286; 638190, 4393371; 
638543, 4393543; 638857, 4393751; 638785, 4393320; 638783, 4393229; 
638808, 4393147; 638785, 4393320; 638827, 4393424; 638837, 4393449; 
638831, 4393496; 638877, 4393539; 638874, 4393676; 638860, 4393683; 
638480, 4393294; 638873, 4393740; 638490, 4393296; 638837, 4393747; 
638815, 4393723; 638734, 4393560; 638677, 4393554; 638669, 4393520; 
638589, 4393444; 638582, 4393419; 638555, 4393333; 638520, 4393303; 
638379, 4393416; 638874, 4393713; 638803, 4392963; 638486, 4392976; 
638478, 4392960; 638487, 4392942; 638490, 4392937; 638587, 4392923; 
638118, 4393303; 638601, 4393017; 638400, 4393483; 638619, 4393068; 
638656, 4393018; 638507, 4393015; 638742, 4392957; 638617, 4392940; 
638819, 4392979; 638814, 4392994; 638839, 4392979; 638879, 4392976; 
638884, 4393002; 638874, 4393022; 638868, 4393036; 638844, 4393046; 
638838, 4393071; 638752, 4393083; 638741, 4393097; 638660, 4393013; 
638258, 4393171; 638134, 4393235; 638173, 4393183; 638227, 4393142; 
638590, 4393071; 638246, 4393149; 638514, 4393031; 638291, 4393136; 
638301, 4393106; 638288, 4393044; 638296, 4393011; 638310, 4392956; 
638372, 4392895; 638467, 4393165; 638495, 4393079; 638408, 4392901; 
638483, 4393146; 638418, 4393165; 638390, 4393151; 638362, 4393108; 
638384, 4393037; 638405, 4393014; 638419, 4392999; 638425, 4392921; 
638495, 4393131.
    (xlvi) Sub-Unit B48: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R23E Sec 19 
E\1/2\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 638206, 4393010; 638118, 4392965; 
638194, 4392930; 638174, 4392924; 638151, 4392941; 638148, 4392970; 
638132, 4392962; 638096, 4393004; 638097, 4393008; 638116, 4393059; 
638115, 4393076; 638218, 4392995; 638140, 4393091; 638218, 4392995; 
638126, 4393089; 638220, 4392963.
    (xlvii) Sub-Unit B49: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R23E Sec 30 
E\1/2\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 638158, 4390680; 638535, 
4390524; 638478, 4390525; 638423, 4390598; 638412, 4390613; 638338, 
4390637; 638322, 4390617; 638295, 4390616; 638537, 4390524; 638219, 
4390667; 638242, 4390678; 638135, 4390712; 638167, 4390812; 638216, 
4390831; 638253, 4390791; 638290, 4390783; 638346, 4390724; 638432, 
4390721; 638263, 4390634; 638466, 4390686; 638565, 4390543; 638190, 
4390687; 638432, 4390721; 638507, 4390676; 638506, 4390647; 638529, 
4390600; 638532, 4390595; 638533, 4390594; 638563, 4390570.
    (xlviii) Sub-Unit B50: Uintah County, Utah; within T13S R23E Sec 30 
SE\1/4\, NE\1/4\SW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 
83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 638593, 4390823; 639047, 4390336; 
638939, 4390407; 638967, 4390411; 638970, 4390345; 638988, 4390332; 
638907, 4390403; 639110, 4390362; 639143, 4390425; 638871, 4390362; 
639114, 4390534; 638549, 4390812; 639055, 4390513; 639040, 4390553; 
639007, 4390580; 639133, 4390495; 638544, 4390685; 638610, 4390573; 
638957, 4390607; 638573, 4390601; 638964, 4390533; 638556, 4390614; 
638640, 4390547; 638625, 4390696; 638831, 4390442; 638531, 4390735; 
638524, 4390760; 638530, 4390772; 638613, 4390554; 638693, 4390468; 
638762, 4390478; 638562, 4390668; 638699, 4390766; 638936, 4390577; 
638593, 4390823; 638670, 4390781; 638937, 4390526; 638720, 4390727; 
638707, 4390673; 638736, 4390633; 638721, 4390605; 638767, 4390620; 
638938, 4390587; 638874, 4390690; 638889, 4390683; 638893, 4390634; 
638934, 4390674; 638960, 4390699; 638995, 4390650; 638925, 4390523; 
638629, 4390775; 638824, 4390610.
    (xlix) Note: Map of Unit B of critical habitat for Penstemon 
grahamii (Map 2) follows:

[[Page 3185]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP19JA06.002

    (8) Unit C--Evacuation Creek Unit, Uintah County, Utah, and Rio 
Blanco County, Colorado, from USGS Burnt Timber Canyon (1987), Rainbow 
(1987), and Dragon (1987) 7.5' quadrangle

[[Page 3186]]

maps, SLBM and Sixth Principal Meridian (6PM):
    (i) Sub-Unit C01: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 35 N\1/
2\SW\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 
83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 654125, 4399517; 654126, 4399518; 
654068, 4399514; 654259, 4399664; 653806, 4399331; 654242, 4399619; 
654062, 4399486; 653998, 4399413; 653962, 4399371; 653896, 4399321; 
653809, 4399361; 653887, 4399390; 654313, 4399656; 653925, 4399362; 
653864, 4399416; 653993, 4399685; 654078, 4399752; 654152, 4399736; 
654308, 4399902; 654339, 4399910; 654017, 4399715; 654377, 4399887; 
654377, 4399689; 653874, 4399534; 653881, 4399512; 653888, 4399487; 
654362, 4399840; 654394, 4399734; 654394, 4399724; 654362, 4399840.
    (ii) Sub-Unit C02: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 26 
NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, MW\1/4\SE\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the 
following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 654372, 
4400841; 654645, 4401032; 654670, 4401104; 654626, 4400971; 654609, 
4401083; 654197, 4400906; 654680, 4401137; 654682, 4401142; 654637, 
4401173; 654596, 4401135; 654593, 4401132; 654550, 4401134; 654467, 
4401138; 654441, 4401131; 654392, 4401119; 654401, 4400877; 654151, 
4400945; 654451, 4400780; 654237, 4400886; 654268, 4400858; 654337, 
4400838; 654609, 4400818; 654384, 4400842; 654680, 4401137; 654448, 
4400887; 654472, 4400926; 654489, 4400911; 654416, 4400847; 654367, 
4401100; 654420, 4400805.
    (iii) Sub-Unit C03: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 26 
NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, NW\1/4\SE\1/4\. Land 
bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 654366, 4401119; 653878, 4401074; 653962, 4401239; 653877, 
4401051; 653969, 4400995; 654114, 4401083; 654080, 4400998; 654138, 
4400958; 654179, 4400968; 654213, 4400995; 654247, 4401065; 654359, 
4401460; 654323, 4401108; 653967, 4400997; 654391, 4401125; 654395, 
4401130; 654410, 4401155; 654427, 4401239; 654400, 4401265; 654410, 
4401279; 654398, 4401366; 654382, 4401377; 654366, 4401364; 654282, 
4401060; 654162, 4401398; 653984, 4401255; 654017, 4401254; 654002, 
4401281; 654011, 4401300; 654041, 4401300; 654040, 4401334; 654046, 
4401021; 654131, 4401361; 653839, 4401117; 654195, 4401403; 654214, 
4401401; 654231, 4401408; 654252, 4401398; 653822, 4401156; 654090, 
4401376; 653828, 4401128; 654262, 4401497; 653835, 4401196; 653934, 
4401219; 654359, 4401460; 654353, 4401531; 654352, 4401546; 654328, 
4401562; 654298, 4401558; 654280, 4401529.
    (iv) Sub-Unit C04: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 34 
N\1/2\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 652900, 4400180; 652986, 4399979; 
652968, 4399983; 652944, 4400026; 652951, 4400081; 652924, 4400105; 
652873, 4400115; 652994, 4400176; 652869, 4400196; 653024, 4399985; 
653176, 4400079; 652836, 4400175; 653181, 4400158; 652994, 4400176; 
653119, 4400179; 653196, 4400152; 653230, 4400172; 653258, 4400141; 
653241, 4400101; 653183, 4400081; 653090, 4400031; 653157, 4400053; 
653046, 4400130.
    (v) Sub-Unit C05: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 22 
SW\1/4\SE\1/4\, Sec 27 NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by 
the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 
653005, 4401708; 652747, 4401687; 652606, 4401678; 652601, 4401640; 
652665, 4401602; 652686, 4401600; 652701, 4401613; 652748, 4401690; 
652798, 4401693; 652821, 4401709; 652586, 4401756; 652968, 4401690; 
652567, 4401783; 652968, 4401749; 652991, 4401776; 652969, 4401900; 
652868, 4401684; 652849, 4401952; 652581, 4401694; 652945, 4401928; 
652580, 4401806; 652817, 4401949; 652793, 4401922; 652743, 4401919; 
652753, 4401895; 652759, 4401881; 652969, 4401900; 652668, 4401869; 
652654, 4401848; 652659, 4401822; 652712, 4401809; 652648, 4401796; 
652609, 4401815; 652968, 4401900; 652742, 4401878.
    (vi) Sub-Unit C06: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 22 
NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, S\1/2\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\, Sec 27 NE\1/4\NW\1/4\. 
Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 652611, 4402301; 652626, 4402294; 652627, 4402294; 652528, 
4402327; 652645, 4402149; 652416, 4402328; 652674, 4402197; 652452, 
4402311; 652416, 4402328; 652350, 4402288; 652377, 4402303; 652393, 
4401942; 652594, 4402156; 652355, 4402306; 652370, 4402133; 652443, 
4401828; 652400, 4401838; 652561, 4402237; 652424, 4401951; 652399, 
4401887; 652339, 4401997; 652337, 4402020; 652335, 4402058; 652337, 
4402059; 652359, 4402083; 652462, 4401835; 652384, 4402119; 652389, 
4401863; 652335, 4402131; 652288, 4402127; 652279, 4402150; 652292, 
4402183; 652326, 4402187; 652333, 4402217; 652338, 4402235; 652388, 
4402239; 652345, 4402274; 652391, 4402250; 652363, 4402098; 652909, 
4402141; 652537, 4402244; 652568, 4402182; 652554, 4402114; 652612, 
4402083; 652661, 4402119; 652721, 4402106; 652738, 4402092; 652855, 
4402156; 652466, 4401861; 652812, 4401986; 652740, 4401972; 652705, 
4401965; 652578, 4401883; 652757, 4402075; 652554, 4401855; 652698, 
4401940; 652577, 4401891; 652574, 4401914; 652605, 4401923; 652601, 
4401949; 652624, 4401953; 652618, 4401909; 652641, 4401898; 652534, 
4401867.
    (vii) Sub-Unit C07: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 21 
NE\1/4\SE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, Sec 22 N\1/2\SW\1/4\, NW\1/4\SE\1/4\, 
S\1/2\NW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 652245, 4402444; 651891, 
4402949; 651976, 4402952; 651934, 4402988; 651918, 4403028; 651914, 
4403029; 651858, 4403043; 651834, 4403031; 651831, 4402989; 651863, 
4402945; 652741, 4402774; 652577, 4402688; 652728, 4402540; 652774, 
4402569; 652801, 4402634; 652800, 4402700; 652697, 4402500; 652764, 
4402800; 652656, 4402477; 652722, 4402782; 652716, 4402784; 652680, 
4402767; 652657, 4402792; 652628, 4402780; 652451, 4402371; 652797, 
4402790; 652504, 4402499; 652192, 4402388; 652474, 4402404; 652499, 
4402434; 652478, 4402464; 652478, 4402555; 652699, 4402522; 652486, 
4402504; 652560, 4402694; 652515, 4402524; 652524, 4402515; 652515, 
4402448; 652533, 4402416; 652617, 4402484; 652636, 4402488; 652493, 
4402558; 652054, 4402683; 652581, 4402695; 652177, 4402673; 652089, 
4402552; 652052, 4402541; 652065, 4402586; 652211, 4402644; 652058, 
4402676; 652188, 4402615; 652046, 4402699; 652070, 4402738; 652097, 
4402749; 652109, 4402806; 652025, 4402853; 651976, 4402952; 652046, 
4402637; 652326, 4402689; 652548, 4402700; 652484, 4402693; 652483, 
4402693; 652483, 4402693; 652481, 4402720; 652203, 4402677; 652340, 
4402706; 652411, 4402385; 652323, 4402685; 652288, 4402643; 652232, 
4402533; 652198, 4402529; 652189, 4402567; 652202, 4402609; 652461, 
4402736; 652478, 4402387; 652043, 4402443; 651970, 4402511; 651936, 
4402516; 651925, 4402526; 651895, 4402552; 651879, 4402597; 651837, 
4402593; 651829, 4402617; 652082, 4402451; 651879, 4402654; 651849, 
4402646; 651898, 4402682; 651846, 4402715; 651850, 4402738; 651885, 
4402755; 651860, 4402771; 651859, 4402795; 651898, 4402820; 651879, 
4402826;

[[Page 3187]]

651877, 4402863; 651902, 4402877; 652411, 4402418; 651897, 4402680; 
652157, 4402346; 652078, 4402428; 652185, 4402327; 652242, 4402347; 
652278, 4402328; 652322, 4402348; 652330, 4402348; 652383, 4402417; 
652162, 4402361; 652273, 4402494; 652099, 4402403; 652150, 4402411; 
652157, 4402393; 652364, 4402345; 652274, 4402448; 652239, 4402393; 
652287, 4402503; 652286, 4402463; 652304, 4402435; 652271, 4402431; 
652235, 4402408.
    (viii) Sub-Unit C08: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 22 
NE\1/4\SW\1/4\, NW\1/4\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 652916, 4402452; 652705, 
4402459; 652980, 4402586; 652978, 4402510; 652956, 4402446; 652710, 
4402507; 652980, 4402586; 652963, 4402598; 652843, 4402560; 652800, 
4402569; 652730, 4402408; 652728, 4402516; 652916, 4402475; 652692, 
4402473; 652709, 4402419; 652753, 4402397; 652778, 4402412; 652803, 
4402485; 652881, 4402488; 652788, 4402545.
    (ix) Sub-Unit C09: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 22 
E\1/2\SW\1/4\, W\1/2\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 
NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 652492, 4402342; 652855, 
4402299; 652486, 4402357; 653001, 4402366; 652579, 4402326; 652658, 
4402295; 652733, 4402295; 652755, 4402297; 652780, 4402300; 653001, 
4402366; 652815, 4402287; 652618, 4402309; 652878, 4402307; 652907, 
4402301; 652914, 4402299; 652914, 4402301; 652929, 4402353; 652975, 
4402344; 652510, 4402389; 652786, 4402298; 652808, 4402461; 652997, 
4402393; 652974, 4402422; 652930, 4402427; 652678, 4402288; 652829, 
4402477; 652538, 4402380; 652818, 4402442; 652786, 4402422; 652779, 
4402370; 652745, 4402365; 652569, 4402396; 652728, 4402402; 652688, 
4402411; 652685, 4402440; 652637, 4402438; 652626, 4402423; 652574, 
4402430; 652731, 4402396; 652868, 4402472.
    (x) Sub-Unit C10: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 23 
NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates 
(meters E, meters N): 653923, 4403405; 653984, 4403405; 654000, 
4403346; 653973, 4403240; 653963, 4403152; 653982, 4403128; 653987, 
4403121; 653967, 4403087; 653985, 4403064; 653834, 4403272; 653914, 
4403387; 653987, 4403082; 653845, 4403125; 653858, 4403317; 653902, 
4403365; 653911, 4403046; 653952, 4403043; 653841, 4403130; 653825, 
4403206; 653880, 4403284; 653985, 4403064; 653868, 4403352; 653921, 
4403045.
    (xi) Sub-Unit C11: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 23 
E\1/2\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 653994, 4403223; 654013, 4403376; 
654041, 4403276; 654017, 4403287; 654006, 4403319; 654051, 4403380; 
654094, 4403424; 654122, 4403484; 654223, 4403407; 654083, 4403079; 
654270, 4403368; 654204, 4403461; 654251, 4403176; 654019, 4403129; 
654270, 4403368; 653990, 4403187; 654215, 4403168; 654207, 4403182; 
654182, 4403165; 654172, 4403133; 654168, 4403133; 654115, 4403121; 
654103, 4403086; 654034, 4403098.
    (xii) Sub-Unit C12: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 23 
NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 654298, 4403269; 654423, 
4403522; 654399, 4403516; 654362, 4403432; 654315, 4403444; 654279, 
4403428; 654306, 4403341; 654292, 4403476; 654528, 4403420; 654329, 
4403424; 654320, 4403227; 654469, 4403473; 654532, 4403309; 654423, 
4403522; 654413, 4403224; 654361, 4403201; 654330, 4403206; 654433, 
4403456.
    (xiii) Sub-Unit C13: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 23 
NE\1/4\SE\1/4\, Sec 24 NW\1/4\NW\1/4\, NW\1/4\SW\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\. 
Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 655449, 4402892; 655078, 4402751; 655247, 4402874; 655283, 
4403012; 655266, 4402988; 655297, 4402881; 655229, 4402837; 655191, 
4402848; 655134, 4402799; 655079, 4402752; 655333, 4403091; 655079, 
4402689; 655134, 4402753; 655376, 4403112; 655529, 4403171; 655461, 
4403211; 655429, 4403169; 655413, 4403180; 655383, 4403168; 655418, 
4403063; 655366, 4403144; 655302, 4403011; 655345, 4403107; 655389, 
4402911; 655354, 4403072; 655065, 4402649; 655416, 4403048; 655264, 
4403082; 655378, 4403161; 655497, 4403088; 655372, 4402940; 655077, 
4402603; 655529, 4403171; 655529, 4403165; 655535, 4403165; 655536, 
4403144; 655489, 4403102; 655527, 4403068; 655531, 4403070; 655582, 
4403086; 655620, 4403053; 655614, 4403007; 655553, 4402944; 655564, 
4402912; 655252, 4402557; 655033, 4402603; 655529, 4403138; 655537, 
4402885; 655016, 4402495; 655140, 4402514; 654990, 4402515; 655291, 
4402545; 655346, 4402639; 655399, 4402668; 655499, 4402763; 655503, 
4402766; 655537, 4402766; 655541, 4402766; 655086, 4402493.
    (xiv) Sub-Unit C14: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R24E Sec 13 
SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, T12S R25E Sec 7 SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, Sec 18 NW\1/4\. Land 
bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 657023, 4405068; 656971, 4405031; 656957, 4404881; 656964, 
4405015; 656978, 4405006; 657056, 4405015; 657039, 4404976; 657002, 
4404966; 656881, 4404928; 656761, 4404913; 656817, 4404934; 657379, 
4405241; 656734, 4404846; 656732, 4404825; 657057, 4405064; 657381, 
4405314; 656767, 4404868; 657208, 4405165; 656701, 4404822; 657396, 
4405268; 657309, 4405345; 657227, 4405255; 657210, 4405221; 657244, 
4405223; 657229, 4405297; 657217, 4405199; 657059, 4405083; 657192, 
4405168; 657167, 4405150; 657201, 4405120; 657134, 4405037; 657119, 
4405038; 657098, 4405078; 657095, 4405079; 657222, 4405203; 657271, 
4404991; 657134, 4404769; 657173, 4404795; 657177, 4404801; 657197, 
4404839; 657222, 4404838; 657243, 4404903; 657102, 4404780; 657274, 
4404939; 657300, 4404995; 657322, 4405024; 657355, 4405202; 657381, 
4405203; 657380, 4405205; 657379, 4405241; 656701, 4404796; 656839, 
4404920; 657229, 4404924; 656706, 4404585; 656697, 4404795; 657345, 
4405079; 657094, 4404782; 656697, 4404796; 656647, 4404786; 656637, 
4404736; 656662, 4404630; 656756, 4404535; 656822, 4404580; 657081, 
4404656; 657102, 4404766; 657119, 4404733; 657103, 4404701; 656852, 
4404545; 657047, 4404676; 657052, 4404627; 657027, 4404580; 656929, 
4404541.
    (xv) Sub-Unit C15: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R25E Sec 19 
E\1/2\NE\1/4\. Sec 20 NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 658130, 4403253; 658135, 
4403423; 658384, 4403479; 658284, 4403413; 658350, 4403507; 658241, 
4403334; 658210, 4403336; 658215, 4403301; 658179, 4403308; 658329, 
4403467; 658163, 4403315; 658185, 4403325; 658181, 4403341; 658218, 
4403361; 658215, 4403391; 658249, 4403403; 658240, 4403453; 658179, 
4403400; 658081, 4403326; 658023, 4403315; 658345, 4403546; 658941, 
4403487; 658201, 4403443; 658765, 4403434; 659025, 4403481; 658976, 
4403618; 658936, 4403617; 658870, 4403539; 658892, 4403510; 658239, 
4403380; 658946, 4403466; 657984, 4403339; 658855, 4403468; 658846, 
4403450; 658927, 4403460; 658755, 4403378; 658345, 4403573; 658739, 
4403442; 658736, 4403489; 658731, 4403494; 658616, 4403592; 658617, 
4403609; 658535, 4403607; 658497, 4403578; 658462, 4403571; 658426, 
4403604;

[[Page 3188]]

658366, 4403603; 658820, 4403452; 658835, 4403169; 658570, 4403090; 
658594, 4403083; 658663, 4403136; 658662, 4403176; 658692, 4403186; 
658702, 4403213; 658712, 4403239; 658712, 4403213; 658712, 4403205; 
658718, 4403165; 658568, 4403124; 658762, 4403181; 658956, 4403226; 
658863, 4403198; 658889, 4403181; 658946, 4403219; 658960, 4403247; 
659043, 4403384; 659083, 4403410; 659078, 4403434; 659025, 4403481; 
657933, 4403319; 658249, 4403450; 658737, 4403172; 658094, 4403122; 
657935, 4403202; 657938, 4403070; 659045, 4403341; 658513, 4403113; 
657959, 4403056; 658097, 4403168; 658051, 4403073; 658059, 4403034; 
658093, 4403020; 658256, 4403031; 658261, 4403118; 658487, 4403144; 
658520, 4403211; 657998, 4403059; 658279, 4403055; 658527, 4403174; 
658520, 4403209; 658498, 4403134; 658459, 4403129; 658446, 4403158; 
658435, 4403107; 658360, 4403035; 658338, 4403040; 658519, 4403209.
    (xvi) Sub-Unit C16: Uintah County, Utah; within T12S R25E Sec 4 
NW\1/4\, W\1/2\SW\1/4\, Sec 5 SE\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, S\1/2\NE\1/4\, 
Sec 8 N\1/2\NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, Sec 9 NW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded 
by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 
659132, 4406626; 659067, 4406612; 658881, 4406974; 659068, 4406563; 
658991, 4406595; 658931, 4406614; 658920, 4406637; 658944, 4406706; 
658843, 4406816; 658848, 4406835; 658876, 4406888; 658931, 4407006; 
658919, 4407051; 659041, 4406537; 659955, 4406938; 658991, 4407145; 
658996, 4407239; 658854, 4406859; 659978, 4406831; 659857, 4408063; 
658997, 4407254; 660263, 4408155; 659863, 4406856; 659763, 4406776; 
659869, 4406880; 659926, 4406995; 659978, 4406859; 659978, 4406920; 
659069, 4406522; 659872, 4406763; 659758, 4406689; 659686, 4406607; 
659560, 4406577; 659473, 4406513; 659457, 4406501; 659153, 4406479; 
659964, 4406981; 660025, 4408162; 659847, 4408042; 659687, 4407993; 
659699, 4408029; 659750, 4408056; 659850, 4408042; 659879, 4408128; 
659933, 4408090; 659728, 4407879; 659978, 4408112; 659644, 4407823; 
660064, 4408154; 660066, 4408153; 660070, 4408153; 660060, 4408181; 
660105, 4408215; 660248, 4408161; 659855, 4406820; 659966, 4408099; 
659439, 4407638; 659057, 4407299; 659094, 4407403; 659128, 4407431; 
659123, 4407542; 659207, 4407646; 659288, 4407745; 659371, 4407750; 
659725, 4407958; 659366, 4407649; 659054, 4407297; 659452, 4407651; 
659452, 4407651; 659461, 4407660; 659539, 4407681; 659612, 4407753; 
659548, 4407828; 659610, 4407867; 659366, 4407649; 659923, 4407543; 
659592, 4407360; 660006, 4407709; 660091, 4407723; 660154, 4407678; 
660147, 4407667; 660105, 4407609; 660029, 4407612; 660111, 4407777; 
659990, 4407534; 660135, 4407806; 659879, 4407603; 659855, 4407610; 
659856, 4407564; 659857, 4407517; 659821, 4407440; 659523, 4407413; 
659595, 4407393; 660023, 4407556; 660133, 4407970; 659868, 4406878; 
659791, 4406855; 660263, 4408155; 660303, 4408079; 660302, 4408074; 
660273, 4407964; 660251, 4407984; 660005, 4407731; 660154, 4408011; 
659864, 4407532; 660132, 4407969; 659957, 4407940; 659971, 4407903; 
659947, 4407874; 659980, 4407854; 659934, 4407809; 660096, 4407835; 
660252, 4407970; 659640, 4406982; 659465, 4406904; 659470, 4406906; 
659535, 4407030; 659633, 4407334; 659678, 4407066; 659843, 4407614; 
659562, 4406915; 659424, 4406893; 659595, 4406915; 659601, 4407071; 
659687, 4406999; 659683, 4406852; 659683, 4406840; 659689, 4406853; 
659754, 4406983; 659812, 4407073; 659843, 4407081; 659846, 4407009; 
659572, 4406896; 659750, 4407214; 659624, 4407301; 659707, 4407310; 
659685, 4407036; 659761, 4407243; 659442, 4406963; 659712, 4407185; 
659596, 4407194; 659494, 4407149; 659224, 4406925; 659750, 4407256; 
659460, 4407152; 659409, 4406965; 659200, 4406857; 659349, 4407000; 
659405, 4407061; 659439, 4407126; 659418, 4407156; 659351, 4406881.
    (xvii) Sub-Unit C17: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R25E Sec 32 
W\1/2\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 659067, 4408818; 659376, 4408857; 
659194, 4409090; 659081, 4408730; 659077, 4408850; 659117, 4408976; 
659137, 4408983; 659238, 4409118; 659375, 4409080; 659347, 4408991; 
659372, 4408908; 659174, 4408671; 659039, 4408690; 659323, 4408978; 
659377, 4408836; 659376, 4408857; 659032, 4408645; 659331, 4408850; 
659287, 4408809; 659255, 4408796; 659263, 4408768; 659194, 4408678; 
659043, 4408593; 659149, 4408621; 659094, 4408588; 659070, 4408580; 
659208, 4408718.
    (xviii) Sub-Unit C18: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R25E Sec 33 
N\1/2\SE\1/4\, S\1/2\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 
NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 661166, 4409366; 660872, 
4409279; 660863, 4409224; 660882, 4409211; 660980, 4409254; 661031, 
4409259; 661047, 4409260; 661317, 4409536; 661116, 4409301; 661207, 
4409464; 661290, 4409639; 661098, 4409494; 661343, 4409630; 661103, 
4409284; 660926, 4409309; 660864, 4409295; 661343, 4409630; 660860, 
4409306; 660908, 4409410; 661146, 4409635; 660951, 4409360; 661193, 
4409552; 661029, 4409367; 661057, 4409383; 661060, 4409421; 661315, 
4409648; 661090, 4409531; 661185, 4409630; 660932, 4409404.
    (xix) Sub-Unit C19: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R25E Sec 28 
SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\, Sec 33 NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, NW\1/4\NE\1/4\. 
Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 660273, 4410118; 660635, 4410355; 660709, 4410297; 660691, 
4410306; 660677, 4410346; 660691, 4410085; 660485, 4410373; 660539, 
4409989; 660568, 4409999; 660611, 4410039; 660642, 4410068; 660642, 
4410095; 660443, 4409945; 660665, 4410096; 660396, 4409941; 660707, 
4410097; 660783, 4410148; 660805, 4410184; 660800, 4410242; 660768, 
4410260; 660714, 4410255; 660642, 4410105; 660241, 4410044; 660637, 
4410488; 660601, 4410491; 660582, 4410492; 660562, 4410478; 660352, 
4410164; 660493, 4410006; 660238, 4410086; 660648, 4410438; 660223, 
4410038; 660209, 4410001; 660709, 4410297; 660209, 4409998; 660230, 
4409972; 660281, 4409953; 660324, 4409982; 660237, 4410101.
    (xx) Sub-Unit C20: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R25E Sec 20 
E\1/2\SE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\, Sec 21 W\1/2\SW\1/4\, Sec 28 NW\1/
4\NW\1/4\, Sec 29 NE\1/4\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM 
Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 659607, 4412084; 
659508, 4411788; 659423, 4412599; 659431, 4412484; 659431, 4412482; 
659438, 4412421; 659434, 4412396; 659778, 4411356; 659506, 4412282; 
659617, 4412130; 659621, 4412097; 659590, 4412068; 659464, 4412645; 
659514, 4411839; 659454, 4412335; 659533, 4411701; 659513, 4411681; 
659490, 4411657; 659493, 4411619; 659457, 4411580; 659417, 4411392; 
659455, 4411355; 659542, 4411353; 659633, 4411312; 659778, 4411356; 
659613, 4411957; 659754, 4411827; 659802, 4411363; 659852, 4411455; 
659854, 4411573; 659827, 4411689; 659812, 4411752; 659555, 4412175; 
659767, 4411788; 659557, 4412626; 659724, 4411831; 659731, 4411858; 
659768, 4411865; 659770, 4411865; 659791, 4411900; 659762, 4412245; 
659770, 4411785; 659778, 4411929; 659656, 4412546; 659702, 4412488; 
659596, 4412567; 659782, 4412165; 659775, 4412088; 659766, 4411994; 
659761,

[[Page 3189]]

4411936; 659767, 4411933; 659701, 4412493.
    (xxi) Sub-Unit C21: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R25E Sec 21 
NE\1/4\, NE\1/4\NW\1/4\, S\1/2\NW\1/4\, N\1/2\SW\1/4\, SE\1/4\SW\1/4\, 
NW\1/4\NE\1/4\, S\1/2\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 661070, 4413221; 660959, 
4413092; 660958, 4413115; 660958, 4413092; 660991, 4413115; 661013, 
4413147; 661049, 4413164; 661127, 4413308; 661204, 4413305; 661122, 
4413106; 661061, 4413065; 661025, 4413035; 660931, 4413083; 660979, 
4412884; 661050, 4413038; 660131, 4412468; 660476, 4412303; 660423, 
4412263; 660391, 4412146; 660367, 4412104; 660366, 4412104; 660365, 
4412104; 660284, 4412124; 660157, 4412731; 660162, 4412382; 660607, 
4412359; 660149, 4412494; 660156, 4412499; 660160, 4412502; 660243, 
4412559; 660160, 4412524; 660122, 4412508; 660104, 4412578; 660929, 
4412788; 660245, 4412156; 660802, 4412697; 661025, 4413035; 660999, 
4412926; 660976, 4412921; 660976, 4412919; 660961, 4412849; 660844, 
4412738; 660805, 4412809; 660796, 4412788; 660514, 4412352; 660821, 
4412720; 660565, 4412356; 660757, 4412690; 660802, 4412604; 660688, 
4412512; 660677, 4412504; 660686, 4412467; 660618, 4412432; 660625, 
4412392; 660170, 4412764; 660822, 4412754; 660725, 4412913; 660107, 
4412611; 660900, 4413255; 660840, 4413195; 660731, 4413150; 660784, 
4413112; 660788, 4413061; 660719, 4412972; 660784, 4413246; 660724, 
4412915; 660762, 4413254; 660735, 4412873; 660775, 4412911; 660776, 
4412914; 660791, 4412961; 660825, 4412973; 660852, 4412944; 660873, 
4412949; 660880, 4413009; 660736, 4412936; 660449, 4413079; 660244, 
4412850; 660256, 4412902; 660272, 4412972; 660295, 4413003; 660289, 
4413057; 660314, 4413078; 660315, 4413137; 660873, 4413297; 660448, 
4413116; 660937, 4413042; 660399, 4413066; 660457, 4413008; 660554, 
4413102; 660584, 4413130; 660583, 4413177; 660619, 4413230; 660670, 
4413246; 660684, 4413283; 660733, 4413295; 660389, 4413149.
    (xxii) Sub-Unit C22: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R25E Sec 21 
N\1/2\SE\1/4\, SW\1/4\SE\1/4\, E\1/2\SW\1/4\, S\1/2\NE\1/4\. Land 
bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 660812, 4411796; 660835, 4411808; 660711, 4412502; 661094, 
4412523; 661019, 4412347; 660968, 4412289; 660907, 4412217; 660904, 
4412146; 660877, 4412118; 660870, 4412110; 660830, 4411976; 660268, 
4411941; 660836, 4411900; 661107, 4412836; 660651, 4411821; 660573, 
4411818; 660573, 4411818; 660606, 4411845; 660488, 4411809; 660481, 
4411834; 660448, 4411798; 661144, 4412639; 660308, 4411830; 660854, 
4411923; 660861, 4412611; 661153, 4412697; 661073, 4412704; 661037, 
4412669; 661025, 4412677; 661018, 4412723; 661050, 4412718; 661077, 
4412732; 660719, 4412513; 660725, 4412522; 661084, 4412785; 660855, 
4412551; 661070, 4412814; 660909, 4412676; 660923, 4412750; 660960, 
4412793; 660962, 4412799; 661077, 4412732; 660974, 4412833; 661001, 
4412845; 661022, 4412903; 661060, 4412904; 660281, 4411890; 660807, 
4412526; 660716, 4412438; 660369, 4411789; 660312, 4412041; 660718, 
4412459; 660681, 4412444; 660641, 4412424; 660651, 4412364; 660595, 
4412333; 660565, 4412338; 660523, 4412345; 660390, 4412105; 660491, 
4412310; 660496, 4412291; 660436, 4412267; 660437, 4412232; 660412, 
4412198; 660389, 4412105; 660739, 4412468.
    (xxiii) Sub-Unit C23: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R25E Sec 21 
E\1/2\NE\1/4\, Sec 22 NW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM 
Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 661054, 4412905; 
661043, 4412921; 661024, 4412946; 661215, 4412861; 661073, 4413011; 
661205, 4412942; 661055, 4413022; 661038, 4412997; 661111, 4412899; 
661184, 4412924; 661200, 4412875; 661196, 4412926; 661196, 4412924; 
661061, 4413042; 661306, 4412927; 661163, 4412905; 661166, 4413184; 
661362, 4413075; 661256, 4412864; 661362, 4413075; 661398, 4413173; 
661400, 4413225; 661371, 4413254; 661291, 4413249; 661297, 4412902; 
661083, 4413057; 661145, 4413152; 661172, 4413116; 661145, 4413108; 
661141, 4413081; 661115, 4413058; 661095, 4413049; 661359, 4413253.
    (xxiv) Sub-Unit C24: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R25E Sec 26 
NW\1/4\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 
12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 663327, 4411013; 663256, 
4410731; 663291, 4410750; 663351, 4410731; 663405, 4410756; 663410, 
4410762; 663406, 4410961; 663405, 4411028; 663230, 4411192; 663341, 
4411030; 663080, 4410749; 663332, 4410992; 663294, 4411030; 663335, 
4411063; 663347, 4411088; 663332, 4411208; 663267, 4411222; 663243, 
4411190; 663230, 4411192; 663401, 4411034; 663157, 4410991; 663208, 
4411290; 663096, 4411347; 663074, 4411342; 663062, 4411317; 663066, 
4411214; 663080, 4411180; 663121, 4411140; 663135, 4410752; 663154, 
4411013; 663113, 4410743; 663103, 4411006; 663052, 4411005; 663038, 
4410991; 663045, 4410953; 663053, 4410908; 663044, 4410878; 663079, 
4410784; 663199, 4411270; 663124, 4411044.
    (xxv) Sub-Unit C25: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R25E Sec 26 
SW\1/4\SW\1/4\, Sec 35 NW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following 
UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 663260, 4409916; 
663243, 4409901; 663340, 4410442; 663418, 4410347; 663420, 4410247; 
663396, 4410218; 663376, 4410156; 663353, 4410086; 663326, 4410069; 
663194, 4409901; 663291, 4409960; 663340, 4410442; 663164, 4409941; 
663210, 4410127; 663212, 4410153; 663218, 4410221; 663214, 4410300; 
663173, 4410380; 663234, 4410429; 663306, 4410418.
    (xxvi) Sub-Unit C26: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R25E Sec 26 
S\1/2\SE\1/4\, Sec 35 N\1/2\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM 
Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 664196, 4410269; 
664253, 4409972; 664222, 4410356; 664470, 4410340; 664362, 4410427; 
664332, 4410523; 664276, 4410521; 664241, 4410481; 664209, 4410265; 
664128, 4410243; 664122, 4410188; 664125, 4410173; 664138, 4410103; 
664229, 4410015; 664293, 4409973; 664480, 4409972; 664470, 4410340; 
664469, 4410234; 664504, 4410183; 664504, 4410182; 664194, 4410079; 
664421, 4410135; 664329, 4410001; 664474, 4409872; 664447, 4409828; 
664413, 4409821; 664364, 4409856; 664335, 4409916; 664491, 4410158.
    (xxvii) Sub-Unit C27: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R25E Sec 25 
S\1/2\SE\1/4\, Sec 36 N\1/2\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM 
Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 665993, 4410239; 
665856, 4410224; 665881, 4410222; 665991, 4410218; 665828, 4410470; 
665542, 4410207; 665539, 4410279; 665555, 4410371; 665661, 4410394; 
665620, 4410421; 665961, 4410278; 665820, 4410476; 665637, 4410088; 
665848, 4410456; 665873, 4410411; 665857, 4410390; 665873, 4410330; 
665864, 4410303; 665928, 4410277; 665623, 4410435; 665838, 4409882; 
665983, 4410127; 666006, 4410066; 665934, 4409961; 665937, 4409923; 
665902, 4409903; 665925, 4409821; 665543, 4410196; 665840, 4409880; 
665613, 4410149; 665788, 4409870; 665760, 4409889; 665751, 4409970; 
665718, 4410027; 665856, 4410224; 665883, 4409819.
    (xxviii) Sub-Unit C28: Uintah County, Utah; within T11S R25E Sec 23 
SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates 
(meters E, meters N): 664299, 4412318; 664009, 4412333; 664185, 
4411930; 664243,

[[Page 3190]]

4412180; 664193, 4411942; 664237, 4412016; 664252, 4412101; 664241, 
4412194; 664289, 4412360; 664206, 4412420; 664174, 4411882; 664109, 
4412364; 664117, 4412431; 664036, 4412196; 664138, 4411844; 664024, 
4412176; 663922, 4412001; 663933, 4411921; 664032, 4411875; 664060, 
4411824; 664111, 4411824; 664184, 4412423; 664050, 4412336; 664138, 
4411844.
    (xxix) Sub-Unit C29: Uintah County, Utah and Rio Blanco County, 
Colorado; within T11S R25E Sec 24 Lots 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, SW\1/4\, SE\1/
4\NW\1/4\, T2S R104W Sec 22 Lot 4, T2S R104W Sec 27 Lot 1. Land bounded 
by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 
665092, 4412149; 665441, 4412878; 664905, 4412268; 664904, 4412195; 
664907, 4412193; 664960, 4412148; 664990, 4412156; 664995, 4412105; 
665791, 4412723; 665033, 4412093; 664985, 4412451; 665156, 4412156; 
665163, 4412198; 665184, 4412323; 665180, 4412406; 665245, 4412500; 
665378, 4412605; 665381, 4412608; 665389, 4412609; 664942, 4412389; 
664996, 4412100; 665385, 4412843; 666356, 4412936; 666267, 4412888; 
666244, 4412853; 665530, 4412939; 666193, 4412844; 665985, 4412811; 
665899, 4412782; 665868, 4412789; 665847, 4412746; 664861, 4412321; 
665588, 4412703; 664892, 4412369; 665526, 4412643; 665288, 4412841; 
665125, 4412774; 665116, 4412757; 665139, 4412717; 665092, 4412710; 
665017, 4412598; 664995, 4412565; 664989, 4412494; 665412, 4412844; 
666819, 4413251; 666356, 4412936; 666463, 4413033; 666478, 4413047; 
666556, 4413060; 666592, 4413085; 666625, 4413107; 666701, 4413114; 
666769, 4413170; 665442, 4412615; 666824, 4413215; 666766, 4413317; 
666672, 4413435; 665856, 4413001; 665784, 4412720; 665637, 4412948; 
666802, 4413197; 665787, 4412955; 666596, 4413438; 665969, 4413022; 
666189, 4413063; 666193, 4413064; 666194, 4413109; 666300, 4413150; 
666401, 4413220; 666585, 4413426; 665737, 4412922.
    (xxx) Sub-Unit C30: Uintah County, Utah and Rio Blanco County, 
Colorado; within T11S R25E Sec 24 Lots 8, 9, 16, T2S E104W Sec 27 Lots 
1, 2, 3. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates 
(meters E, meters N): 666959, 4412173; 666823, 4412767; 666879, 
4412712; 666927, 4412731; 667057, 4412624; 667054, 4412517; 667023, 
4412507; 666645, 4412633; 666661, 4412128; 666683, 4412141; 666675, 
4412229; 666671, 4412264; 666693, 4412345; 667000, 4412347; 666621, 
4412601; 666638, 4411845; 666672, 4412667; 666770, 4412721; 666777, 
4412729; 666807, 4412767; 666815, 4412776; 666823, 4412767; 666619, 
4412554; 666795, 4411954; 666962, 4412124; 666938, 4412088; 666929, 
4412061; 666885, 4412025; 666834, 4412023; 666631, 4412041; 666795, 
4411954; 666616, 4411883; 666793, 4411954; 666791, 4411955; 666790, 
4411956; 666715, 4411860; 666670, 4411844; 666979, 4412197; 666847, 
4411955.
    (xxxi) Note: Map of Unit C of critical habitat for Penstemon 
grahamii (Map 3) follows:

[[Page 3191]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP19JA06.003

    (9) Unit D--White River Unit, Uintah County, Utah, from USGS Weaver 
Ridge (1987) 7.5' quadrangle maps, 6PM and SLBM:
    (i) Sub-Unit D01: Uintah County, Utah; within T10S R25E Sec 28 
NE\1/4\.

[[Page 3192]]

Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 662328, 4420877; 662351, 4420878; 662131, 4421306; 662235, 
4421257; 662241, 4421259; 662300, 4421273; 662317, 4421261; 662403, 
4421123; 662389, 4421039; 662394, 4421000; 662403, 4420934; 662435, 
4420850; 662341, 4420781; 662391, 4420796; 662131, 4421306; 662348, 
4420814; 662250, 4420841; 662228, 4420855; 662175, 4420958; 662166, 
4420995; 662158, 4421029; 662065, 4421102; 662053, 4421235; 662073, 
4421287; 662425, 4420800.
    (ii) Sub-Unit D02: Uintah County, Utah; within T10S R25E Sec 21 
NE\1/4\NE\1/4\, Sec 22 NW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following 
UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 662427, 4422957; 
662614, 4422749; 662614, 4422749; 662510, 4422697; 662418, 4422811; 
662413, 4422860; 662445, 4422994; 662540, 4423006; 662580, 4422991; 
662610, 4422986; 662848, 4422945; 662759, 4422832; 662695, 4422809; 
662678, 4422781; 662470, 4423005.
    (iii) Sub-Unit D03: Uintah County, Utah; within T10S R25E Sec 22 
NE\1/4\NE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 664152, 4422914; 663817, 4422814; 
664104, 4423031; 664072, 4423031; 663997, 4422933; 663932, 4422981; 
663894, 4422951; 664131, 4423014; 663816, 4422883; 664131, 4423014; 
663849, 4422780; 663895, 4422767; 664033, 4422772; 664083, 4422820; 
664120, 4422815; 664134, 4422827; 663866, 4422947.
    (iv) Sub-Unit D04: Uintah County, Utah; within T10S R25E Sec 16 
NE\1/4\SW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 661616, 4423571; 661524, 4423616; 
661604, 4423468; 661505, 4423382; 661575, 4423403; 661619, 4423617; 
661493, 4423571; 661499, 4423552; 661471, 4423491; 661488, 4423382; 
661586, 4423498; 661505, 4423382; 661400, 4423485; 661431, 4423387; 
661411, 4423434; 661398, 4423444; 661397, 4423479.
    (v) Sub-Unit D05: Uintah County, Utah; within T10S R25E Sec 10 
NE\1/4\SE\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 663865, 4425206; 663990, 4425084; 
664098, 4425142; 664012, 4425182; 663954, 4425186; 663945, 4425243; 
663912, 4425261; 663875, 4425250; 664108, 4425093; 663824, 4425196; 
663813, 4425175; 663815, 4425144; 663880, 4425071; 663955, 4425060; 
664077, 4425083; 664108, 4425093; 663936, 4425059.
    (vi) Sub-Unit D06: Uintah County, Utah; within T10S R25E Sec 11 
NE\1/4\SW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 664699, 4425273; 664640, 4425254; 
664799, 4425432; 664798, 4425406; 664771, 4425390; 664772, 4425355; 
664664, 4425473; 664731, 4425329; 664799, 4425432; 664707, 4425428; 
664650, 4425475; 664644, 4425475; 664605, 4425360; 664618, 4425329; 
664610, 4425280; 664619, 4425264; 664759, 4425476.
    (vii) Sub-Unit D07: Uintah County, Utah; within T10S R25E Sec 1 
NW\1/4\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\, Sec 2 NE\1/4\SE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\. 
Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 665534, 4427283; 665875, 4427453; 665679, 4427066; 665634, 
4427132; 665483, 4427278; 665888, 4427424; 665829, 4427462; 665799, 
4427428; 665732, 4427401; 665716, 4427395; 665739, 4426976; 665561, 
4427334; 666021, 4427082; 665628, 4427396; 665747, 4426963; 665872, 
4426955; 665920, 4426975; 666024, 4427079; 665497, 4427290; 665951, 
4427145; 665978, 4427228; 665955, 4427280; 665976, 4427298; 665956, 
4427345; 665876, 4427331; 665869, 4427359; 665888, 4427424; 666033, 
4426983.
    (viii) Sub-Unit D08: Uintah County, Utah; within T10S R25E Sec 1, 
Lots 1, 2, 3, NW\1/4\SW\1/4\, SW\1/4\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the 
following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 666139, 
4427079; 666167, 4427314; 666222, 4427094; 666261, 4427184; 666254, 
4427208; 666332, 4427235; 666313, 4427311; 666183, 4427484; 666215, 
4427313; 666023, 4427087; 666138, 4427377; 666158, 4427410; 666134, 
4427414; 666075, 4427426; 666130, 4427484; 666154, 4427473; 666252, 
4427342; 665992, 4427479; 666183, 4427484; 666196, 4427497; 666223, 
4427524; 666240, 4427592; 666131, 4427564; 666130, 4427564; 666139, 
4427089; 666019, 4427484; 666107, 4427074; 665958, 4427437; 666048, 
4427084; 665953, 4427374; 665985, 4427328; 665984, 4427168; 666133, 
4427482; 666031, 4427492; 666080, 4427451.
    (ix) Sub-Unit D09: Uintah County, Utah; within T9S R25E Sec 25 
NE\1/4\NE\1/4\, Sec 36 W\1/2\NW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM 
Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 665683, 4429459; 
665907, 4429518; 665952, 4429118; 665987, 4429447; 665967, 4429284; 
665982, 4429243; 665975, 4429173; 665907, 4429518; 665852, 4429516; 
665717, 4429488; 665653, 4429434; 665523, 4429429; 665518, 4429390; 
665696, 4429091; 665766, 4429054; 665745, 4429057; 665897, 4428947; 
665834, 4429476; 665965, 4429028; 665584, 4429289; 665790, 4429006; 
665935, 4429079; 665718, 4429091; 665696, 4429113; 665623, 4429111; 
665581, 4429134; 665548, 4429191; 665575, 4429218.
    (x) Note: Map of Unit D of critical habitat for Penstemon 
grahamii (Map 4) follows:

[[Page 3193]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP19JA06.004

    (10) Unit E--Raven Ridge Unit, Rio Blanco County, Colorado, from 
USGS Dinosaur (1968), Walsh Knolls (1968), and Banty Point (1962) 
7.5[min] quadrangle maps, 6PM and SLBM.

[[Page 3194]]

    (i) Sub-Unit E01: Rio Blanco County, Colorado; within T2NR104W Sec 
13 W\1/2\NW\1/4\, Sec 14 N\1/2\NE\1/4\, SE\1/4\NE\1/4\ (6PM). Land 
bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 667795, 4445744; 667905, 4445655; 667735, 4445819; 667705, 
4445828; 667623, 4445904; 667506, 4446012; 668118, 4445539; 667934, 
4445627; 668439, 4445709; 667681, 4445850; 667987, 4445583; 668043, 
4445550; 668074, 4445532; 668101, 4445518; 668146, 4445539; 668183, 
4445486; 668212, 4445486; 668334, 4445575; 667623, 4446183; 668274, 
4445592; 668389, 4445835; 667564, 4446124; 667608, 4446168; 668388, 
4445791; 668337, 4445870; 668239, 4445934; 668153, 4446022; 668034, 
4446097; 667867, 4446203; 667815, 4446272; 667801, 4446272; 667631, 
4446232; 668439, 4445709.
    (ii) Sub-Unit E02: Rio Blanco County, Colorado; within T2N R103W 
Sec 19 W\1/2\NW\1/4\, Sec 24 E\1/2\NE\1/4\ (6PM). Land bounded by the 
following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 669680, 
4444281; 669968, 4444291; 669929, 4444356; 669898, 4444406; 669773, 
4444557; 669671, 4444642; 669600, 4444702; 669906, 4444241; 669393, 
4444697; 669366, 4444648; 669321, 4444636; 669301, 4444616; 669585, 
4444377; 669834, 4444212; 669301, 4444568; 669693, 4444268; 669744, 
4444205; 669834, 4444212; 669302, 4444560; 669616, 4444346.
    (iii) Sub-Unit E03: Rio Blanco County, Colorado; within T2N R103W 
Sec 29 NW\1/4\SE\1/4\ (6PM). Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 
NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 672492, 4442163; 672399, 
4442031; 672295, 4442017; 672167, 4442034; 672133, 4442125; 672153, 
4442164; 672236, 4442240; 672343, 4442291; 672385, 4442291; 672411, 
4442278; 672458, 4442173; 672488, 4442132; 672470, 4442088; 672399, 
4442031; 672415, 4442234.
    (iv) Sub-Unit E04: Rio Blanco County, Colorado; within T1N R103W 
Sec 3 SW\1/4\SW\1/4\. Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 
coordinates (meters E, meters N): 674889, 4438766; 674752, 4438700; 
674968, 4438519; 674906, 4438496; 674936, 4438601; 674782, 4438635; 
674773, 4438749; 674828, 4438770; 674892, 4438667; 674969, 4438580; 
674980, 4438538; 674968, 4438519; 674876, 4438514.
    (v) Sub-Unit E05: Rio Blanco County, Colorado; within T1N R103W Sec 
3 SW\1/4\SW\1/4\, Sec 4 SE\1/4\SE\1/4\, Sec 9 NE\1/4\NE\1/4\. Land 
bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, 
meters N): 674619, 4438387; 674619, 4438353; 674592, 4438296; 674573, 
4438299; 674556, 4438321; 674537, 4438379; 674528, 4438385; 674519, 
4438391; 674500, 4438436; 674517, 4438493; 674571, 4438509; 674618, 
4438487; 674636, 4438387; 674619, 4438353; 674672, 4438462.
    (vi) Sub-Unit E06: Rio Blanco County, Colorado; within T1N R103W 
Sec 8 SW\1/4\SE\1/4\ (6PM). Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 12 
NAD 83 coordinates (meters E, meters N): 672510, 4436908; 672573, 
4436937; 672610, 4436987; 672615, 4437077; 672599, 4437115; 672510, 
4436908; 672562, 4437147; 672494, 4437140; 672367, 4437102; 672332, 
4437028; 672351, 4436960; 672426, 4436907.

    (vii) Note: Map of Unit E of critical habitat for Penstemon 
grahamii (Map 5) follows:

[[Page 3195]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP19JA06.005


[[Page 3196]]


* * * * *

    Dated: January 9, 2006.
Paul Hoffman,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 06-363 Filed 1-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P