[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 238 (Wednesday, December 10, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75176-75244]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28986]



[[Page 75175]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Part II





Department of the Interior





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Fish and Wildlife Service



-----------------------------------------------------------------------



50 CFR Part 17



Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Review of Native Species 
That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual 
Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of 
Progress on Listing Actions; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 238 / Wednesday, December 10, 2008 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 75176]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[FWS-R9-ES-2008-0115; MO-9221050083 - B2]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Review of Native 
Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; 
Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description 
of Progress on Listing Actions

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of review.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this Candidate Notice of Review (CNOR), we, the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service (Service), present an updated list of plant and 
animal species native to the United States that we regard as candidates 
for or have proposed for addition to the Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended. Identification of candidate species can assist 
environmental planning efforts by providing advance notice of potential 
listings, allowing landowners and resource managers to alleviate 
threats and thereby possibly remove the need to list species as 
endangered or threatened. Even if we subsequently list a candidate 
species, the early notice provided here could result in more options 
for species management and recovery by prompting candidate conservation 
measures to alleviate threats to the species.
    The CNOR summarizes the status and threats that we evaluated in 
order to determine that species qualify as candidates and to assign a 
listing priority number (LPN) to each species, or to remove species 
from candidate status. Additional material that we relied on is 
available in the Species Assessment and Listing Priority Assignment 
Forms (species assessment forms, previously called candidate forms) for 
each candidate species.
    Overall, this CNOR recognizes 1 new candidate, changes the LPN for 
11 candidates, and removes 2 species from candidate status. Combined 
with other decisions for individual species that were published 
separately from this CNOR in the past year, the current number of 
species that are candidates for listing is 251.
    This document also includes our findings on resubmitted petitions 
and describes our progress in revising the Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants during the period September 30, 2007, 
through September 30, 2008.
    We request additional status information that may be available for 
the 251 candidate species identified in this CNOR.

DATES: We will accept information on this Candidate Notice of Review at 
any time.

ADDRESSES: This notice is available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov, and http://endangered.fws.gov/candidates/index.html. Species assessment forms with information and references on 
a particular candidate species' range, status, habitat needs, and 
listing priority assignment are available for review at the appropriate 
Regional Office listed below in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION or at the 
Branch of Candidate Conservation, Arlington, VA (see address below), or 
on our Internet website (http://endangered.fws.gov/candidates/index.html). Please submit any new information materials, comments, or 
questions of a general nature on this notice to the Arlington, VA, 
address listed below. Please submit any new information, materials, 
comments, or questions pertaining to a particular species to the 
address of the Endangered Species Coordinator in the appropriate 
Regional Office listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Endangered Species Coordinator(s) 
in the appropriate Regional Office(s) or Chief, Branch of Candidate 
Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, 
Room 420, Arlington, VA 22203 (telephone 703-358-2105; facsimile 703-
358-1735). Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf 
(TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-
8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Information Solicited

    We request additional status information that may be available for 
any of the candidate species identified in this CNOR. We will consider 
this information in preparing listing documents and future revisions to 
the notice of review, as it will help us in monitoring changes in the 
status of candidate species and in management for conserving them. We 
also request information on additional species to consider including as 
candidates as we prepare future updates of this notice.
    You may submit your information concerning this notice in general 
or for any of the species included in this notice by one of the methods 
listed in the ADDRESSES section.
    Species-specific information and materials we receive will be 
available for public inspection by appointment, during normal business 
hours, at the appropriate Regional Office listed below in SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION. General information we receive will be available at the 
Branch of Candidate Conservation, Arlington, VA (see address above).

Candidate Notice of Review

Background

    The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.) (Act), requires that we identify species of wildlife and plants 
that are endangered or threatened, based on the best available 
scientific and commercial information. As defined in section 3 of the 
Act, an endangered species is any species which is in danger of 
extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, and a 
threatened species is any species which is likely to become an 
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range. Through the Federal rulemaking 
process, we add species that meet these definitions to the List of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife at 50 CFR 17.11 or the List of 
Endangered and Threatened Plants at 50 CFR 17.12. As part of this 
program, we maintain a list of species that we regard as candidates for 
listing. A candidate species is one for which we have on file 
sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threats to 
support a proposal to list as endangered or threatened, but for which 
preparation and publication of a proposal is precluded by higher-
priority listing actions. A species may be indentified by us as a 
candidate for listing based on an evaluation of its status that we 
conducted on our own initiative, or as a result of making a finding on 
a petition to list a species that listing is warranted but precluded by 
other higher priority listing action (see the Petition Findings 
section, below).
    We maintain this list of candidates for a variety of reasons: to 
notify the public that these species are facing threats to their 
survival; to provide advance knowledge of potential listings that could 
affect decisions of environmental planners and developers; to provide 
information that may stimulate and guide conservation efforts that will 
remove or reduce threats to these species and possibly make listing 
unnecessary; to solicit input from interested parties to help us 
identify those candidate species that may not require protection under 
the Act or additional species that may require the

[[Page 75177]]

Act's protections; and to solicit necessary information for setting 
priorities for preparing listing proposals. We strongly encourage 
collaborative conservation efforts for candidate species and offer 
technical and financial assistance to facilitate such efforts. For 
additional information regarding such assistance, please contact the 
appropriate Regional Office listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION or 
visit our Internet website, http://endangered.fws.gov/candidates/index.html.

Previous Notices of Review

    We have been publishing candidate notices of review (CNOR) since 
1975. The most recent CNOR (prior to this CNOR) was published on 
December 6, 2007 (72 FR 69033). CNORs published since 1994 are 
available on our Internet website, http://www.fws.gov/endangered/candidates/index.html. For copies of CNORs published prior to 1994, 
please contact the Branch of Candidate Conservation (see ADDRESSES 
section above).
    On September 21, 1983, we published guidance for assigning an LPN 
for each candidate species (48 FR 43098). Using this guidance, we 
assign each candidate an LPN of 1 to 12, depending on the magnitude of 
threats, immediacy of threats, and taxonomic status; the lower the LPN, 
the higher the listing priority (that is, a species with an LPN of 1 
would have the highest listing priority). Such a priority ranking 
guidance system is required under section 4(h)(3) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 
1533(h)(3)). As explained below, in using this system we first 
categorize based on the magnitude of the threat(s), then by the 
immediacy of the threat(s), and finally by taxonomic status.
    Under this priority ranking system, magnitude of threat can be 
either ``high'' or ``moderate to low.'' This criterion helps ensure 
that the species facing the greatest threats to their continued 
existence receive the highest listing priority. It is important to 
recognize that all candidate species face threats to their continued 
existence, so the magnitude of threats is in relative terms. When 
evaluating the magnitude of the threat(s) facing the species, we 
consider information such as: the number of populations and/or extent 
of range of the species affected by the threat(s); the biological 
significance of the affected population(s), taking into consideration 
the life history characteristics of the species and its current 
abundance and distribution; whether the threats affect the species in 
only a portion of its range, and if so the likelihood of persistence of 
the species in the unaffected portions; and whether the effects are 
likely to be permanent.
    As used in our priority ranking system, immediacy of threat is 
categorized as either ``imminent'' or ``nonimminent'' and is not a 
measure of how quickly the species is likely to become extinct if the 
threats are not addressed; rather, immediacy is based on when the 
threats will begin. If a threat is currently occurring or likely to 
occur in the very near future, we classify the threat as imminent. 
Determining the immediacy of threats helps ensure that species facing 
actual, identifiable threats are given priority for listing proposals 
over those for which threats are only potential or species that are 
intrinsically vulnerable to certain types of threats but are not known 
to be presently facing such threats.
    Our priority ranking system has three categories for taxonomic 
status: species that are the sole members of a genus; full species (in 
a genus that has more than one species); and subspecies, distinct 
population segments of vertebrate species, and species for which 
listing is appropriate in a significant portion of their range rather 
than their entire range.
    The result of the ranking system is that we assign each candidate a 
listing priority number of 1 to 12. For example, if the threat(s) is of 
high magnitude, with immediacy classified as imminent, the listable 
entity is assigned an LPN of 1, 2, or 3 based on its taxonomic status 
(e.g., a species that is the only member of a genus would be assigned 
to the LPN 1 category, a full species to LPN 2, and a subspecies, DPS, 
or a species for which listing is appropriate in a significant portion 
of its range would be assigned to LPN 3). In summary, the LPN ranking 
system provides a basis for making decisions about the relative 
priority for preparing a proposed rule to list a given species. No 
matter which LPN we assign to a species, each species included in this 
notice as a candidate is one for which we have sufficient information 
to prepare a proposed rule to list it because it is in danger of 
extinction or likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future 
throughout all or a significant portion of its range.
    For more information on the process and standards used in assigning 
LPNs, a copy of the guidance is available on our website at: http://www.fws.gov/endangered/policy/index.html. For more information on the 
LPN assigned to a particular species, the species assessment for each 
candidate contains the LPN chart and a rationale for the determination 
of the magnitude and imminence of threat(s) and assignment of the LPN; 
that information is summarized in this CNOR.
    This revised notice supersedes all previous animal, plant, and 
combined candidate notices of review.

Summary of This CNOR

    Since publication of the CNOR on December 6, 2007 (72 FR 69033), we 
reviewed the available information on candidate species to ensure that 
a proposed listing is justified for each species, and reevaluated the 
relative LPN assigned to each species. We also evaluated the need to 
emergency-list any of these species, particularly species with high 
priorities (i.e., species with LPNs of 1, 2, or 3). This review and 
reevaluation ensures that we focus conservation efforts on those 
species at greatest risk first.
    In addition to reviewing candidate species since publication of the 
last CNOR, we have worked on numerous findings in response to petitions 
to list species, and on proposed and final determinations for rules to 
list species under the Act. Some of these findings and determinations 
have been completed and published in the Federal Register, while work 
on others is still under way. See the discussions of Preclusion and 
Expeditious Progress, below, for details.
    Based on our review of the best available scientific and commercial 
information, with this CNOR we identify 1 new candidate species (see 
New Candidates , below), change the LPN for 11 candidates (see Listing 
Priority Changes in Candidates, below) and determine that listing 
proposals are not warranted for 2 species and thus remove them from 
candidate status (see Candidate Removals, below). Combined with the 
other decisions published separately from this CNOR for individual 
species that previously were candidates, a total of 251 species 
(including 109 plant and 142 animal species) are now candidates 
awaiting preparation of rules proposing their listing. These 251 
species, along with the 50 species currently proposed for listing, are 
included in Table 1.
    Table 2 lists the changes from the previous CNOR, and includes 
three species identified in the previous CNOR as either proposed for 
listing or classified as candidates that are no longer in those 
categories. This includes one species for which we published a final 
rule to list, plus the two species that we have determined do not 
warrant preparation of a rule to propose listing and therefore have 
been removed from candidate status in this CNOR.

[[Page 75178]]

New Candidates

    Below we present a brief summary of one new plant candidate, 
Sphaeralcea gierischii (Gierisch mallow), which we are recognizing in 
this CNOR. Complete information, including references, can be found in 
the species assessment form. You may obtain a copy of this form from 
the Regional Office having the lead for the species (Region 2), or from 
our Internet website (http://endangered.fws.gov/candidates/index.html). 
For this species, we find that we have on file sufficient information 
on biological vulnerability and threats to support a proposal to list 
as endangered or threatened, but that preparation and publication of a 
proposal is precluded by higher-priority listing actions (i.e., it met 
our definition of a candidate species). We also note below that four 
other species, Gunnison's prairie dog (specifically in the portion of 
its range in montane portions of central and south central Colorado and 
north central New Mexico), Rio Grande cutthroat trout, northern Mexican 
garter snake, and Jollyville Plateau salamander, were identified as 
candidates earlier this year as a result of separate petition findings 
published in the Federal Register.

Mammals

    Gunnison's prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) - In a separate 
warranted but precluded 12-month petition finding published on February 
5, 2008 (73 FR 6660), we previously announced candidate status for the 
Gunnison's prairie dog in the montane portion of its range, located in 
central and south-central Colorado and north-central New Mexico. As 
described in that notice, we determined that the montane portion of the 
range, which comprises approximately 40 percent of the total range of 
the species, is a significant portion of the range where listing the 
species is warranted. In that notice we assigned the population an LPN 
of 2. In this CNOR, we are making a technical correction to the LPN, 
changing it to a 3. This correction makes the LPN for Gunnison's 
prairie dog consistent with the clear intent of our 1983 LPN guidance 
(48 FR 43098). Under our LPN guidance, among listable entities facing 
threats of the same magnitude and imminence, a species that is the only 
member of a genus has highest priority (e.g. LPN 1), a full species (in 
a genus with more than one species) has the next highest priority (e.g. 
LPN 2), and a subspecies or DPS are in the following priority category 
(e.g. LPN 3). To be consistent with this approach, when we make a 
finding that listing is warranted but precluded for a species in a 
significant portion of its range (rather than throughout its entire 
range), we assign it to the same LPN category as a subspecies or DPS 
(e.g. LPN 3).

Reptiles

    Northern Mexican gartersnake (Thamnophis eques megalops) - We 
previously announced candidate status for this species in a separate 
warranted but precluded 12-month petition finding published on November 
25, 2008 (73 FR 71787).

Amphibians

    Jollyville Plateau salamander (Eurycea tonkawae) - We previously 
announced candidate status for this species in a separate warranted but 
precluded 12-month petition finding published on December 13, 2007 (72 
FR 71039).

Fish

    Rio Grande cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki virginalis) - We 
previously announced candidate status for this subspecies in a separate 
warranted but precluded 12-month petition finding published on May 14, 
2008 (73 FR 27899).

Flowering Plants

    Sphaeralcea gierischii (Gierisch mallow) - The following 
information is based on information contained in our files, including 
site visits by species experts. There are nine known populations of 
this species on a combined total of approximately 59.5 acres (ac) 
(24.12 hectares (ha)) in Arizona and Utah. Seven populations are found 
on approximately 55 ac (22.3 ha) managed by the Bureau of Land 
Management in Arizona. One population occurs on approximately 2 ac 
(0.81 ha) on land managed by the Arizona State Land Department. One 
population occurs on approximately 2.5 ac (1.01 ha) in Utah. The 
primary threat to the species in Arizona is ongoing gypsum mining and 
associated activities. The primary threat to the species in Utah is 
potential impacts from off-road vehicle use. The threats are high in 
magnitude, since survival of the species is threatened throughout its 
entire range in Arizona by gypsum mining, with the two largest 
populations in active mining operations. Loss of those two populations 
would significantly reduce the total number of individuals throughout 
the range, threatening the long-term viability of this species. The 
threats are imminent, since they are ongoing in Arizona. Therefore, we 
assigned an LPN of 2 to this species.

Listing Priority Changes in Candidates

    We reviewed the LPN for all candidate species and are changing the 
numbers for the following species discussed below. Some of the changes 
reflect actual changes in either the magnitude or imminence of the 
threats. In one case, the LPN change reflects a change in the taxonomy 
of the species. For some species, the LPN change reflects efforts to 
ensure national consistency as well as closer adherence to the 1983 
guidelines in assigning these numbers, rather than an actual change in 
the nature of the threats.

Mammals

    Gunnison's prairie dog (Cynomys gunnisoni) (montane population) - 
See above summary under ``New Candidates''.

Birds

    Red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) - The following summary is based 
on information containted in our files and information provided by 
petitioners. Four petitions to emergency list the red knot have been 
received: one on August 9, 2004, two others on August 5, 2005, and the 
latest on February 27, 2008. The rufa subspecies is one of six 
recognized subspecies of red knot and one of three subspecies occurring 
in North America (hereafter all mention of red knot in this CNOR refers 
strictly to the rufa subspecies). This subspecies makes one of the 
longest distance migrations known in the animal kingdom, as it travels 
between breeding areas in the central Canadian Arctic and wintering 
areas that are primarily in southern South America along the coast of 
Chile and Argentina. They migrate along the Atlantic coast of the 
United States, where they may be found from Maine to Florida.
    The Delaware Bay area (in Delaware and New Jersey) is the largest 
known spring migration stopover area, with far fewer migrants 
congregating elsewhere along the Atlantic coast. The concentration in 
the Delaware Bay area occurs from the middle of May to early June, 
corresponding to the spawning season of horseshoe crabs. The knots feed 
on horseshoe crab eggs, rebuilding energy reserves needed to complete 
migrations to the Arctic and arrive on the breeding grounds in good 
condition. In the past, horseshoe crab eggs at Delaware Bay were so 
numerous that a knot could eat enough in two to three weeks to double 
its weight.
    Surveys at wintering areas and at Delaware Bay during spring 
migration indicate a substantial decline in the red knot in recent 
years. At the Delaware

[[Page 75179]]

Bay area, peak counts between 1982 and 1998 were as high as 95,360 
knots. Counts may vary considerably between years. Some of the 
fluctuations can be attributed to predator-prey cycles in the breeding 
grounds, and counts show that knots rebound from such reductions. 
Research shows that since 1998, a high proportion of red knots leaving 
the Delaware Bay failed to achieve threshold departure masses needed to 
fly to breeding grounds and survive an initial few days of snow cover, 
and this corresponded to reduced annual survival rates. Recently, peak 
counts at the Delaware Bay area have been lower than in the past and do 
not show a rebound. The peaks were 13,315 in 2004; 15,345 in 2005; 
13,455 in 2006; and 12,375 in 2007. Counts in recent years at the 
principal wintering areas in South America also are substantially lower 
than in the past and do not show a rebound.
    The primary factor threatening the red knot is destruction and 
modification of its habitat, particularly the reduction in key food 
resources resulting from reductions in horseshoe crabs, which are 
harvested primarily for use as bait and secondarily to support a 
biomedical industry. Commercial harvest increased substantially in the 
1990s. Since 1999, a series of timing restrictions and substantially 
lower harvest quotas have been adopted by the Atlantic States Marine 
Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), as well as New Jersey and Delaware. In 
May 2006, the ASMFC adopted restrictions effective from October 1, 
2006, to September 30, 2008, including a prohibition on harvest and 
landing of horseshoe crabs in New Jersey and Delaware from January 1 
through June 7, harvest of males only from June 8 through December 31, 
and harvest limited to no more than 100,000 horseshoe crabs per state 
per year. The ASMFC also adopted other restrictions applicable to 
Maryland and Virginia. New Jersey established regulations in 2006 which 
superseded ASMFC restrictions; resulting in a moratorium on all 
horseshoe crab harvest in New Jersey from May 15, 2006 through June 7, 
2008. In March 2008, New Jersey passed legislation imposing an open-
ended moratorium on horseshoe crab harvest or landing within the State 
until such time as the red knot has fully recovered. In February 2007, 
Delaware imposed a 2-year moratorium, effective January 1, 2007, on 
harvest of horseshoe crabs within Delaware lands or waters. In June 
2007, following litigation by two businesses involved in the harvesting 
and sale of horseshoe crabs, Delaware's moratorium was overturned. 
Consequently Delaware developed regulations allowing for a male-only 
horseshoe crab harvest, consistent with restrictions adopted by ASMFC. 
The reductions in commercial harvest since 1999 are substantial: 
726,660 horseshoe crab landings for bait were reported in 1999 in 
Delaware and New Jersey, compared to 173,177 in 2004 and a preliminary 
2007 report of 76,663 crabs landed for bait in Delaware and no 
horseshoe crabs landed in New Jersey as a result of the State-imposed 
harvest moratorium. However, we do not know whether horseshoe crab 
populations will rebuild or how long a lag time there may be in 
increased availability of eggs, as the species needs 8-10 years to 
reach sexual maturity, and other key information for estimating 
population response is lacking. A survey in Delaware Bay showed 
horseshoe crab spawning activity was stable or slightly declining from 
1999 to 2004. Updated spawning information following implementation of 
additional harvest restrictions shows that female horseshoe crab 
spawning activity in Delaware Bay has been stable for the overall 
period of 1999 to 2007 and male horseshoe crab spawning increased 
during that period. Thus, despite additional harvest regulations, 
numbers of spawning females have not yet shown an increase.
    The numbers of red knots at key wintering areas in South America 
remained relatively steady from 2005 to 2007, giving optimism that the 
declining trend may have ceased or slowed. In 2008, however, counts of 
red knots within principal wintering areas showed an all-time low of 
only 14,800 red knots. Counts of red knots within the principal 
wintering areas in Chile and Argentina declined by nearly 75 percent 
from 1985 to 2007 and declined by an additional 15 percent in the past 
year (2007 to 2008). Thus, in recent years the number of knots in these 
survey areas has been much lower than in the past and the trend in the 
abundance is not improving despite a nearly tenfold reduction in 
horseshoe crab landings since the late 1990s.
    Other identified threat factors include habitat destruction due to 
beach erosion and various shoreline protection and stabilization 
projects that are affecting areas used by migrating knots for foraging, 
the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms, human disturbance, 
and competition with other species for limited food resources. Also, 
the concentration of red knots in the Delaware Bay areas and at a 
relatively small number of wintering areas makes the species vulnerable 
to potential large-scale events in those areas such as oil spills or 
severe weather in those areas. Overall, we conclude that the threats, 
in particular the modification of habitat through harvesting of 
horseshoe crabs, severe enough that it puts the viability of the knot 
at substantial risk and is therefore of a high magnitude. The threats 
are currently occurring, and therefore imminent because of continuing 
suppressed horseshoe-crab-egg forage conditions for red knot within the 
Delaware Bay stopover. To help ensure consistency in the application of 
our listing priority process, we changed the LPN from a 6 to a 3 for 
this subspecies because threats are imminent.
    Lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files and the petition 
received on October 5, 1995. Additional information can be found in the 
12-month finding published on June 7, 1998 (63 FR 31400). This species 
occurs in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Biologists 
estimate that the occupied range has declined by 92 percent since the 
1800s.
    The most serious threat to the lesser prairie-chicken is the 
present and threatened destruction, modification, and curtailment of 
its habitat and range. This includes loss of habitat from conversion of 
native rangelands to introduced forages and cultivation; conversion of 
suitable restored habitat in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) to 
cropland; cumulative habitat degradation caused by severe grazing; and 
energy development, including wind, oil, and gas development. The 
magnitude of threats to the species from wind energy development and 
conversion of CRP lands to croplands has increased recently, both in 
terms of ongoing activity and potential activity expected in the next 
few years. Additional threats are woody plant invasion of open prairies 
due to fire suppression, herbicide use (including resumption of 
herbicide use in shinnery oak habitat), and habitat fragmentation 
caused by structural and transportation developments. Many of these 
threats may exacerbate the normal effects of periodic drought on 
lesser- prairie-chicken populations. In many cases, the remaining 
suitable habitat has become fragmented by the spatial arrangement of 
these various activities. The increasing level of habitat fragmentation 
means that (1) some of the remaining habitat patches may become smaller 
than necessary to meet the requirements of individuals and populations; 
(2) necessary habitat heterogeneity may be lost to areas of homogeneous 
habitat structure; (3) areas between habitat patches may harbor higher 
levels of

[[Page 75180]]

predators or brood parasites; and (4) the probability of recolonization 
of habitat that becomes unoccupied decreases as the distance between 
suitable habitat patches expands. Based on our most recent assessment, 
we find that ongoing threats to the lesser prairie-chicken have 
increased in terms of the amount of habitat involved and that the 
overall magnitude of threats to the lesser prairie-chicken throughout 
its range is high because the threats put the viability of the lesser 
prairie chicken at substantial risk. The threats are ongoing and thus, 
imminent. Consequently, we changed the LPN from an 8 to a 2 for this 
species.

Amphibians

    Georgetown salamander (Eurycea naufragia) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition received on May 11, 2004. The Georgetown 
salamander is known from spring outlets along five tributaries to the 
San Gabriel River and one cave in the City of Georgetown, Williamson 
County, Texas. The Georgetown salamander has a very limited 
distribution and depends on a constant supply of clean water from the 
Northern Segment of the Edwards Aquifer for its survival.
    Primary threats to this species are degradation of water quality 
due to expanding urbanization. Increased impervious cover by 
development increases the quantity and velocity of runoff that leads to 
erosion and greater pollution transport. Pollutants and contaminants 
that enter the Edwards Aquifer are discharged from spring outlets in 
salamander habitat and have serious morphological and physiological 
effects to the species. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality 
(TCEQ) adopted the Edwards Rules in 1995 and 1997, which require a 
number of water-quality-protection measures for new development 
occurring in the recharge and contributing zones of the Edwards 
Aquifer. New developments are still obligated to comply with 
regulations that were applicable at the time when project applications 
for development were first filed. However, Chapter 245 of the Texas 
Local Government Code permits ``grandfathering'' of state regulations. 
Grandfathering allows developments to be exempted from any new local or 
state requirements for water-quality controls and impervious-cover 
limits if the developments were planned prior to the implementation of 
such regulations. As a result of the grandfathering law, very few 
developments have followed these ordinances. In addition, it is 
significant that even if they were followed with every new development, 
these ordinances do not span the entire watershed for the Edwards 
Aquifer. The TCEQ has developed voluntary water quality protection 
measures for development in the Edwards Aquifer region of Texas; 
however, it is unknown if these measures will be implemented throughout 
a large portion of the watershed or if they will be effective in 
maintaining or improving water quality.
    Development occurring outside the TCEQ's jurisdiction can have 
negative consequences on water quality and thus affect the species. 
Water-quality impacts threaten the continued existence of the 
Georgetown salamander by altering physical aquatic habitats and the 
food sources of the salamander. The threats are imminent because 
urbanization is ongoing, and continues to expand over the Northern 
Segment of the Edwards Aquifer. However, Williamson County and the 
Williamson County Conservation Fund are currently actively working to 
protect habitat and acquire land within the contributing watershed for 
the Georgetown salamander. Also, they are planning to conduct 
monitoring and data-collecting activities in an effort that is expected 
to lead to the development of a conservation strategy for this species. 
Although this species still meets our definition of a candidate, these 
conservation actions reduce the magnitude of the threat to the 
Georgetown salamander to a moderate level by reducing the amount of 
development occurring in the portion of the watershed that affects the 
species. Thus, we have changed the LPN from a 2 to an 8 for this 
species.

Fishes

    Headwater chub (Gila nigra) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files and the 12-month finding on a 
petition to list the species, which was published May 3, 2006 (71 FR 
26007). The range of the headwater chub has been reduced by 
approximately 60 percent. Seventeen streams (125 miles (200 kilometers) 
of stream) are thought to be occupied out of 20 streams (312 miles (500 
kilometers) of stream) formerly occupied in the Gila River Basin in 
Arizona and New Mexico. Recent surveys have documented one new 
population. All remaining populations are fragmented and isolated and 
threatened by a combination of factors.
    Headwater chub are threatened by introductions of nonnative fish 
that prey on them and/or compete with them for food. These nonnative 
fish are difficult to eliminate and, therefore, pose an ongoing threat. 
Habitat destruction and modification has occurred and continues to 
occur as a result of dewatering, impoundment, channelization, and 
channel changes caused by alteration of riparian vegetation and 
watershed degradation from mining, grazing, roads, water pollution, 
urban and suburban development, groundwater pumping, and other human 
actions. Existing regulatory mechanisms do not appear to be adequate 
for addressing the impact of nonnative fish and also have not removed 
or eliminated the threats that continue to be posed in relation to 
habitat destruction or modification. The fragmented nature and rarity 
of existing populations makes them vulnerable to other natural or 
manmade factors, such as drought and wildfire.
    The Arizona Game and Fish Department has created the Arizona 
Statewide Conservation Agreement for Roundtail Chub (G. robusta), 
Headwater Chub, Flannelmouth Sucker (Catostomus latipinnis), Little 
Colorado River Sucker (Catostomus spp.), Bluehead Sucker (C. 
discobolus), and Zuni Bluehead Sucker (C. discobolus yarrowi), which is 
now final. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish recently listed 
the headwater chub as endangered and created a recovery plan for the 
species, Colorado River Basin Chubs (Roundtail Chub, Gila Chub (G. 
intermedia), and Headwater Chub) Recovery Plan, which was approved by 
the New Mexico State Game Commission on November 16, 2006. Both the 
Arizona Agreement and the New Mexico Recovery Plan recommend 
preservation and enhancement of extant populations and restoration of 
historical headwater-chub populations. The recovery and conservation 
actions prescribed by Arizona and New Mexico plans, which we believe 
will reduce and remove threats to this species, will require further 
discussions and authorizations before they can be implemented, but 
several of the actions are being planned. Although threats are ongoing, 
new information indicates long-term persistence and stability of 
existing populations. Surveys conducted in 2006-2007 found a new 
population and determined that the Fossil Creek population is now 
stable-secure. Currently 10 of the 17 extant populations are considered 
stable based on abundance and evidence of recruitment. Based on our 
assessment, threats (e.g., nonnative species, habitat loss from land 
uses) remain imminent but are now of a moderate magnitude because the 
threat of nonnative species and habitat destruction appear to be of

[[Page 75181]]

a lower magnitude than previously thought because all populations are 
continuing to persist, and have persisted over approximately 15 years 
of surveys on average, and some populations such as the upper Gila 
River are now considered stable. Thus we changed the LPN from a 2 to an 
8 for this species.

Clams

    Texas hornshell (Popenaias popei) - The following summary is based 
on information contained in our files and information provided by the 
New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and Texas Parks and Wildlife 
Department. No new information was provided in the petition received on 
May 11, 2004. The Texas hornshell is a freshwater mussel found in the 
Black River in New Mexico, and the Rio Grande and the Devils River in 
Texas. Until March 2008, the only known extant populations were in New 
Mexico's Black River and one locality in the Rio Grande near Laredo, 
Texas. In March 2008, two new localities were confirmed in Texas - one 
in the Devils River and one in the mainstem Rio Grande in the Rio 
Grande Wild and Scenic River segment downstream of Big Bend National 
Park.
    The primary threats to this species are habitat alterations such as 
stream bank channelization, impoundments, and diversions for 
agriculture and flood control; contamination of water by oil and gas 
activity; alterations in the natural riverine hydrology; and increased 
sedimentation from prolonged overgrazing and loss of native vegetation. 
Although riverine habitats throughout the species' known occupied range 
are under constant threat from these ongoing or potential activities, 
numerous conservation actions to benefit the species are underway in 
New Mexico, including the completion of a state recovery plan for the 
species and the drafting of a Candidate Conservation Agreement with 
Assurances, and are beginning in Texas. We changed the LPN from a 2 to 
an 8 based on our conclusion that these conservation actions have 
reduced the magnitude of threats from high to moderate. This change in 
the magnitude of threat is due to the discovery of previously unknown 
locations where the species persists, as well as the implementation of 
recovery planning and conservation actions that are underway in New 
Mexico, and are beginning in Texas. The threats are still occurring, 
and thus remain imminent.
    Slabside pearlymussel (Lexingtonia dolabelloides) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. The slabside 
pearlymussel is a freshwater mussel (Unionidae) endemic to the 
Cumberland and Tennessee River systems (Cumberlandian Region) in 
Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. It requires shoal habitats 
in free-flowing rivers to survive and successfully recruit new 
individuals into its populations.
    Habitat destruction and alteration (e.g., impoundments, 
sedimentation, and pollutants) are the chief factors contributing to 
the decline of this species, which has been extirpated from numerous 
regional streams and is no longer found in Kentucky. The slabside 
pearlymussel was historically known from at least 32 streams, but is 
currently restricted to no more than 10 isolated stream segments. 
Current status information for most of the 10 populations deemed to be 
extant is available from recent periodic sampling efforts (sometimes 
annually) and other field studies. Comprehensive surveys have taken 
place in the Middle and North Forks Holston River, Paint Rock River, 
and Duck River in the past several years. Based on recent information, 
the overall population of the slabside pearlymussel is declining 
rangewide. Of the five streams in which the species remains in good 
numbers (e.g., Clinch, North and Middle Forks Holston, Paint Rock, Duck 
Rivers), the Middle and upper North Fork Holston Rivers have undergone 
drastic recent declines, while the Clinch population has been in a 
longer-term decline. Most of the remaining five populations (e.g., 
Powell River, Big Moccasin Creek, Hiwassee River, Elk River, Bear 
Creek) have doubtful viability, and several if not all of them may be 
on the verge of extirpation.
    The threats remain high in magnitude, since all populations of this 
species are severely affected in numerous ways (impoundments, 
sedimentation, small population size, isolation of populations, gravel 
mining, municipal pollutants, agricultural runoff, nutrient enrichment, 
and coal processing pollution) which result in mortality and/or reduced 
reproductive output. Since the threats are ongoing, they are imminent. 
Therefore, to help ensure consistency in the application of our listing 
priority process, we changed the LPN from a 5 to a 2 because the 
threats are imminent and high in magnitude.

Snails

    Fat-whorled pondsnail (Stagnicola bonnevillensis) - The fat-whorled 
pondsnail, also known as the Bonneville pondsnail, occupies four spring 
pools north of the Great Salt Lake in Box Elder County, Utah. The 
number of individuals is unknown, and the total known occupied habitat 
is less than 1 hectare (2.45 acres). The primary threat has been 
chemical contamination of the groundwater. Significant actions are 
under way to remediate this threat, including implementation of a 
Corrective Action Plan to characterize and remediate groundwater 
contamination and implementation of a site management plan. Also, a 
groundwater model and risk assessment is being developed. The CAP is 
being implemented, and conservation measures are currently being 
monitored for effectiveness. Because these efforts have been under way 
for a sufficient period to reduce the threat from contamination, the 
magnitude of threats is reduced from moderate to low, and the threat is 
now nonimminent. Therefore, we have changed the listing priority from 
an 8 to an 11 for this species.
    Elongate mud meadows springsnail (Pyrgulopsis notidicola) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files. 
Pyrgulopsis notidicola is endemic to Soldier Meadow, which is located 
at the northern extreme of the western arm of the Black Rock Desert in 
the transition zone between the Basin and Range Physiographic Province 
and the Columbia Plateau Province, Humboldt County, Nevada. The type 
locality, and the only known location of the species, occurs in a 
stretch of thermal (between 45[deg] and 32[deg] Celsius, 113[deg] and 
90[deg] Fahrenheit) aquatic habitat that is approximately 600 m (1,968 
ft) long and 2 m (6.7 ft) wide. Pyrgulopsis notidicola occurs only in 
shallow, flowing water on gravel substrate. The species does not occur 
in deep water (i.e., impoundments) where water velocity is low, gravel 
substrate is absent, and sediment levels are high.
    The species and its habitat are threatened by recreational use in 
the areas where it occurs, as well as by the ongoing impacts of past 
water diversions and livestock grazing and current off-highway vehicle 
travel. Conservation measures implemented recently by the Bureau of 
Land Management include the installation of fencing to exclude 
livestock, wild horses, burros and other large mammals; closing of 
access roads to spring, riparian, and wetland areas and the limiting of 
vehicles to designated routes; the establishment of a designated 
campground away from the habitats of sensitive species; the 
installation of educational signage; and increased staff presence, 
including law enforcement and a volunteer site steward during the 6-
month period of peak visitor use. These conservation measures have 
reduced the magnitude of threats to the

[[Page 75182]]

species to moderate; all remaining threats are nonimminent and involve 
long-term changes to the habitat for the species resulting from past 
impacts. Therefore, we have changed the LPN from 2 to 11.

Insects

    Mardon skipper (Polites mardon) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files and the petition we received on 
December 24, 2002. The Mardon skipper is a northwestern butterfly with 
a remarkably disjunct range. Currently this species is known from four 
widely separated regions: south Puget Sound region, southern Washington 
Cascades, Siskiyou Mountains of southern Oregon, and coastal 
northwestern California/southern Oregon. The number of documented 
locations for the species has increased from fewer than 10 in 1997 to 
more than 100 rangewide in 2008. New site locations have been 
documented in each year that targeted surveys have been conducted since 
1999. In the past 8 years, significant local populations have been 
located in the Washington Cascades and in Southern Oregon, with a few 
local sites supporting populations of hundreds of Mardon skippers.
    The Mardon skipper spends its entire life cycle in one location, 
often on the same grassland patch. The dispersal ability of Mardon 
skipper is restricted. Threats to the Mardon skipper include direct 
impacts to individuals and local populations by off-road vehicle use, 
livestock grazing, and pesticide drift. Habitat destruction or 
modification through conifer encroachment, invasive nonnative plants, 
roadside maintenance, and grassland/meadow management activities such 
as prescribed burning and mowing are also threats. However, these 
threats have been substantially reduced due to protections provided by 
State and Federal special status species programs. The magnitude of the 
threats is moderate because current regulatory mechanisms associated 
with State and Federal special status species programs afford a 
relatively high level of protection from additional habitat loss or 
destruction across most of the species' range. Threats are imminent 
because all sites within the species' range currently have one or more 
identified threats that are resulting in direct impacts to individuals 
within the populations, or a gradual loss or degradation of the 
species' habitats. Mardon skippers face a variety of threats that may 
occur at any time at any of the locations. Low numbers of individuals 
have been found at most of the known locations. Only a few locations 
are known to harbor greater than 100 individuals, and specific 
locations could easily be lost by changes in vegetation composition or 
from the threat of wildfire. The great distances between the known 
locations for the species would not allow for dispersal of the species 
between populations; thus, loss of any population could lead to 
extirpation of the species at any of these locations. However, the 
discovery of new populations and the wide geographic range for the 
Mardon skipper provides a buffer against threats that could destroy all 
existing habitat simultaneously or jeopardize the continued existence 
of the species.
    Since the threats are ongoing, they are imminent. Therefore, to 
help ensure consistency in the application of our listing priority 
process, we changed the LPN to reflect the fact that the threats are 
imminent. At the same time, for the reasons described above, the 
threats are now moderate in magnitude. Therefore, we changed the 
listing priority number from a 5 to an 8 for the Mardon skipper.
    Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela albissima) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files and 
the petition received April 25, 1994. The Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger 
beetle occurs only at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, approximately 7 miles 
west of Kanab, Kane County, in south-central Utah. It is restricted to 
a small part of the dune field, situated at an elevation of about 1,820 
m (6,000 ft).
    The beetle's habitat is being adversely affected by ongoing, 
recreational off-road vehicle use that is destroying and degrading the 
beetle's habitat, especially the interdunal swales used by the larvae. 
The continued survival of the beetle depends on the preservation of its 
habitat. The two agencies that manage the dunes field, the Utah 
Department of Parks and Recreation and the Bureau of Land Management, 
have restricted recreational off-road vehicle use in some areas, which 
reduces impacts. However, the protected areas may not be of sufficient 
size to enable the population to increase in size, and off-road vehicle 
use continues outside of the protected areas. Ongoing monitoring and 
research has documented that conservation measures have failed to 
lessen population declines. The beetle's population is also vulnerable 
to over-collecting by professional and hobby tiger beetle collectors. 
The taxon was previously recognized as a full species, resulting in a 
change in the listing priority from a 9 to an 8, based on imminent 
threats of a low to moderate magnitude. The magnitude of the threat 
from off-road vehicle use is now high, since this threat results in 
direct mortality to adult beetles, reduces available prey, and disturbs 
and desiccates the microhabitat of the larvae, and in tandem with 
drought, continues to cause steady declines in the tiger beetle 
population. The threats continue to be ongoing and are, therefore, 
imminent. Therefore, we changed the LPN from an 8 to a 2.

Flowering plants

    Churchill Narrows buckwheat (Eriogonum diatomaceum) - The following 
information is based on information contained in our files. Eriogonum 
diatomaceum is restricted to chalky, diatomaceous outcrops between 
1,311 and 1,390 meters (m) (4,300 and 4,560 feet (ft)) elevation in the 
Churchill Narrows located in the Pine Nut Mountains, Lyon County, 
Nevada.
    Field surveys during 2005 have shown that the habitat of nearly all 
the 15 known occurrences of E. diatomaceum is subject to exploration 
and potential development of existing mining claims. Observations in 
2003 confirmed that mining activities have had direct and indirect 
impacts on E. diatomaceum in the recent past. Mineral development must 
continue to be considered a threat of high magnitude because all known 
populations of E. diatomaceum occur within existing mining claims on a 
substrate with economic potential. However, because previous 
applications to develop these industrial mineral deposits have been 
withdrawn, we no longer consider mining to pose an imminent threat to 
the species. Other threats to the species from trampling and soil 
disturbance by livestock and other land uses are likely to have 
localized impacts and to be cumulative over time; we do not consider 
these activities to pose an imminent threat to the species. 
Nevertheless, all known populations are small and current regulatory 
mechanisms in place are inadequate in protecting the species throughout 
its range. Eriogonum diatomaceum is considered threatened by the Nevada 
Native Plant Society and was added to the Nevada State List of 
critically endangered and threatened plants. Due to the nonimminent 
threats of high magnitude, we have changed the LPN from a 2 to a 5 for 
this species.

Candidate Removals

    As summarized below, we have evaluated the threats to the following 
two species and considered factors that, individually and in 
combination, currently or potentially could pose a risk to these 
species and their habitat. After a review of the best available

[[Page 75183]]

scientific and commercial data, we conclude that listing these two 
species under the Endangered Species Act is not warranted because the 
species are not likely to become endangered species within the 
foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of their 
range. Therefore, for each of these species we find that proposing a 
rule to list it is not warranted, and we no longer consider it to be a 
candidate species for listing. We will continue to monitor the status 
of these species, and to accept additional information and comments 
concerning this finding. We will reconsider our determination for each 
species in the event that new information indicates that the threats to 
the species are of a considerably greater magnitude or imminence than 
identified through assessments of information contained in our files, 
as summarized here.

Snails

    Ogden mountainsnail (formerly considered to be Oreohelix 
peripherica wasatchensis) - The Ogden mountainsnail was previously 
thought to be a subspecies occurring at a single site near the mouth of 
Ogden Canyon in Weber County, Utah. The subspecies was considered to be 
vulnerable to extirpation from stochastic or human-caused events due to 
its restricted range, its proximity to an expanding residential area, 
and impacts from relatively heavy recreational use. Recent molecular 
phylogenetic studies have clarified that what was previously classified 
as Oreohelix peripherica wasatchensis is actually two distinct clades 
(i.e., taxa descending from a common ancestor) rather than being a 
separate subspecies: one clade is part of a different species, O. 
strigosa, and the other is part of a different subspecies, O. p. 
peripherica Because O. p. wasatchensis is no longer recognized as a 
valid subspecies, it is not a listable entity under the Act. Therefore, 
we find that listing O. p. wasatchensis is not warranted, and we have 
removed it from candidate status.
    Both O. strigosa and O. p. peripherica are widespread and abundant. 
Our assessment shows that threats to the clades of these taxa at the 
Ogden Canyon site are not affecting the overall status of O. strigosa 
or O. p. peripherica such that either taxon is likely to become in 
danger of extinction within the foreseeable future throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range. Consequently, we find that listing is 
not warranted for either O. strigosa or O. p. peripherica.

Flowering Plants

    Indigofera trita subsp. scabra (formerly Indigofera mucronata var. 
keyensis) (Florida indigo or Asian indigo) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. In 2007 we became 
aware of new information regarding this plant's taxonomic status. We 
now believe the most appropriate name for Florida indigo is I. trita 
subsp. scabra. The current understanding is that this plant is 
widespread, ranging widely from south Florida and the Caribbean to Asia 
and Africa. We have only general information on this plant's status 
outside of the United States. In Florida, this plant occurs in coastal 
rock barrens, ecotone rock barren areas, and scraped areas mimicking 
rock barren habitat. Based upon available data, there are 12 
occurrences of Florida indigo on eight islands in the upper and middle 
Florida Keys, in Monroe County; half of the original occurrences in the 
Keys are now extirpated, as are historic occurrences on mainland 
Florida in Collier and Miami-Dade Counties. Most occurrences in Florida 
are small; total population size is probably close to 3,000 
individuals. In the United States, Florida indigo is threatened by 
habitat loss, even on public lands, as well as habitat loss and 
degradation from exotic plants on all sites. Shading by hardwoods is a 
problem at approximately half of the sites. Planned restoration 
activities, illegal dumping, and trespass have also been identified as 
threats. Florida indigo is vulnerable to natural disturbances, such as 
hurricanes, tropical storms, and storm surges; however, these factors 
may also work to maintain coastal rock barren habitat in the long-term. 
Sea level rise is considered a long-term threat that will continue.
    Although threats remain in Florida, the Florida indigo is now 
considered to be a taxon that is widely distributed. We are not aware 
of threats elsewhere in its considerable range; the species does not 
warrant listing throughout its entire range. We have analyzed whether 
the Florida population is a significant portion of the range. Based on 
our evaluation of this population's low level of contribution toward 
the resiliency, redundancy, and representation of the species as a 
whole, we conclude that the Florida population of the Florida indigo is 
not a significant portion of the range. Based on findings and analysis 
in our updated assessment, we conclude that listing this species under 
the Endangered Species Act is not warranted throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range. The species no longer meets our 
definition of a candidate, and we have removed it from candidate 
status.

Petition Findings

    The Act provides two mechanisms for considering species for 
listing. One method allows the Secretary, on his own initiative, to 
identify species for listing under the standards of section 4(a)(1). We 
implement this through the candidate program, discussed above. The 
second method for listing a species provides a mechanism for the public 
to petition us to add a species to the Lists. Under section 4(b)(3)(A), 
when we receive such a petition, we must determine within 90 days, to 
the maximum extent practicable, whether the petition presents 
substantial information that listing may be warranted (a ``90-day 
finding''). If we make a positive 90-day finding, we must promptly 
commence a status review of the species under section 4(b)(3)(A); we 
must then make and publish one of three possible findings within 12 
months of the receipt of the petition (a ``12-month finding''):
    1. The petitioned action is not warranted;
    2. The petitioned action is warranted (in which case we are 
required to promptly publish a proposed regulation to implement the 
petitioned action; once we publish a proposed rule for a species, 
section 4(b)(5) and 4(b)(6) govern further procedures regardless of 
whether we issued the proposal in response to a petition); or
    3. The petitioned action is warranted but (a) the immediate 
proposal of a regulation and final promulgation of regulation 
implementing the petitioned action is precluded by pending proposals, 
and (b) expeditious progress is being made to add qualified species to 
the lists of endangered or threatened species. (We refer to this as a 
``warranted-but-precluded finding.'')
    Section 4(b)(3)(C) of the Act requires that when we make a 
warranted-but-precluded finding on a petition, we are to treat such a 
petition as one that is resubmitted on the date of such a finding. 
Thus, we are required to publish new 12-month findings on these 
``resubmitted'' petitions on an annual basis.
    On December 5, 1996, we made a final decision to redefine 
``candidate species'' to mean those species for which the Service has 
on file sufficient information on biological vulnerability and 
threat(s) to support issuance of a proposed rule to list, but for which 
issuance of the proposed rule is

[[Page 75184]]

precluded (61 FR 64481; December 6, 1996). Therefore, the standard for 
making a species a candidate through our own initiative is identical to 
the standard for making a warranted-but-precluded 12-month petition 
finding on a petition to list, and we add all petitioned species for 
which we have made a warranted-but-precluded 12-month finding to the 
candidate list.
    This publication provides notice of substantial 90-day findings and 
the warranted-but-precluded 12-month findings pursuant to section 
4(b)(3) for candidate species listed on Table 1 that we identified on 
our own initiative, and that subsequently have been the subject of a 
petition to list. Even though all candidate species identified through 
our own initiative already have received the equivalent of substantial 
90-day and warranted-but-precluded 12-month findings, we reviewed the 
status of the newly petitioned candidate species and through this CNOR 
are publishing specific section 4(b)(3) findings (i.e., substantial 90-
day and warranted-but-precluded 12-month findings) in response to the 
petitions to list these candidate species. We publish these findings as 
part of the first CNOR following receipt of the petition.
    Pursuant to section 4(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Act, once a petition is 
filed regarding a candidate species, we must make a 12-month petition 
finding in compliance with section 4(b)(3)(B) of the Act at least once 
a year, until we publish a proposal to list the species or make a final 
not-warranted finding. We make these annual findings for petitioned 
candidate species through the CNOR.
    Section 4(b)(3)(C)(iii) of the Act requires us to ``implement a 
system to monitor effectively the status of all species'' for which we 
have made a warranted-but-precluded 12-month finding, and to ``make 
prompt use of the [emergency listing] authority [under section 4(b)(7)] 
to prevent a significant risk to the well being of any such species.'' 
The CNOR plays a crucial role in the monitoring system that we have 
implemented for all candidate species by providing notice that we are 
actively seeking information regarding the status of those species. We 
review all new information on candidate species as it becomes 
available, prepare an annual species assessment form that reflects 
monitoring results and other new information, and identify any species 
for which emergency listing may be appropriate. If we determine that 
emergency listing is appropriate for any candidate, whether it was 
identified through our own initiative or through the petition process, 
we will make prompt use of the emergency listing authority under 
section 4(b)(7). We have been reviewing and will continue to review, at 
least annually, the status of every candidate, whether or not we have 
received a petition to list it. Thus, the CNOR and accompanying species 
assessment forms also constitute the Service's annual finding on the 
status of petitioned species pursuant to section 4(b)(3)(C)(i).
    On June 20, 2001, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth 
Circuit held that the 1999 CNOR (64 FR 57534; October 25, 1999) did not 
demonstrate that we fulfilled the second component of the warranted-
but-precluded 12-month petition findings for the Gila chub and 
Chiracahua leopard frog (Center for Biological Diversity v. Norton, 254 
F.3d 833 (9\th\ Cir. 2001)). The court found that the one-line 
designation in the table of candidates in the 1999 CNOR, with no 
further explanation, did not satisfy section 4(b)(3)(B)(iii)'s 
requirement that the Service publish a finding ``together with a 
description and evaluation of the reasons and data on which the finding 
is based.'' The court suggested that this one-line statement of 
candidate status also precluded meaningful judicial review.
    On June 21, 2004, the United States District Court for Oregon 
agreed that we can use the CNOR as a vehicle for making petition 
findings and that our reasoning for why listing is precluded does not 
need to be based on an assessment at a regional level (as opposed to a 
national level) (Center for Biological Diversity v. Norton Civ. No. 03-
1111-AA (D. Or.)). However, this court found that our discussion on why 
listing the candidate species were precluded by other actions lacked 
specificity; in the list of species that were the subject of listing 
actions that precluded us from proposing to list candidate species, we 
did not state the specific action at issue for each species in the list 
and we did not indicate which actions were court-ordered.
    On June 22, 2004, in a similar case, the United States District 
Court for the Eastern District of California also concluded that our 
determination of preclusion may appropriately be based on a national 
analysis (Center for Biological Diversity v. Norton No. CV S-03-1758 
GEB/DAD (E.D. Cal.)). This court also found that the Act's imperative 
that listing decisions be based solely on science applies only to the 
determination about whether listing is warranted, not the question of 
when listing is precluded.
    On March 24, 2005, the United States District Court for the 
District of Columbia held that we may not consider critical habitat 
activities in justifying our inability to list candidate species, 
requiring that we justify both our preclusion findings and our 
demonstration of expeditious progress by reference to listing 
proceedings for unlisted species (California Native Plant Society v. 
Norton, Civ. No. 03-1540 (JR) (D.D.C.)). The court further found that 
we must adequately itemize priority listings, explain why certain 
species are of high priority, and explain why actions on these high-
priority species preclude listing species of lower priority. The court 
approved our reliance on national rather than regional priorities and 
workload in establishing preclusion and approved our basic explanation 
that listing candidate species may be precluded by statutorily mandated 
deadlines, court-ordered actions, higher-priority listing activities, 
and a limited budget.
    In this CNOR we continue to incorporate information that addresses 
the courts' concerns. We include a description of the reasons why the 
listing of every petitioned candidate species is both warranted and 
precluded at this time. We make our determinations of preclusion on a 
nationwide basis to ensure that the species most in need of listing 
will be addressed first and also because we allocate our listing budget 
on a nationwide basis (see below). Regional priorities can also be 
discerned from Table 1, which includes the lead region and the LPN for 
each species. Our preclusion determinations are further based upon our 
budget for listing activities for unlisted species, and we explain the 
priority system and why the work we have accomplished does preclude 
action on listing candidate species.
    Pursuant to section 4(b)(3)(C)(ii) and the Administrative Procedure 
Act (5 U.S.C. 551 et seq.), any party with standing may challenge the 
merits of any not-warranted or warranted-but-precluded petition finding 
incorporated in this CNOR. The analysis included herein, together with 
the administrative record for the decision at issue (particularly the 
supporting species assessment form), will provide an adequate basis for 
a court to review the petition finding.
    Nothing in this document or any of our policies should be construed 
as in any way modifying the Act's requirement that we make a 
resubmitted 12-month petition finding for each petitioned candidate 
within 1 year of the date of publication of this CNOR. If we fail to 
make any such finding on a timely basis, whether through publication of 
a new CNOR or some

[[Page 75185]]

other form of notice, any party with standing may seek judicial review.
    In this CNOR, we continue to address the concerns of the courts by 
including specific information in our discussion on preclusion (see 
below). In preparing this CNOR, we reviewed the current status of, and 
threats to, the 174 candidates and 5 listed species for which we have 
received a petition and for which we have found listing or 
reclassification from threatened to endangered to be warranted but 
precluded. We find that the immediate issuance of a proposed rule and 
timely promulgation of a final rule for each of these species has been, 
for the preceding months, and continues to be, precluded by higher-
priority listing actions. Additional information that is the basis for 
this finding is found in the species assessments and our administrative 
record for each species.
    Through this CNOR we are making the first 90-day petition finding 
and 12-month petition finding for Eriogonum corymbosum var. nilesii 
(Las Vegas buckwheat) and the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus 
hudsonius luteus). We added these species to the candidate list in the 
last CNOR (published December 6, 2007) and subsequently received 
petitions for listing. We have not published separate substantial 90-
day and warranted-but-precluded 12-month petition findings, but are 
making those findings in this CNOR.
    Our review included updating the status of, and threats to, 
petitioned candidate or listed species for which we published findings, 
pursuant to section 4(b)(3)(B), in the previous CNOR. We have 
incorporated new information we gathered since the prior finding and, 
as a result of this review, we are making continued warranted-but-
precluded 12-month findings on the petitions for these species.
    We have identified the candidate species for which we received 
petitions by the code ``C*'' in the category column on the left side of 
Table 1. The immediate publication of proposed rules to list these 
species was precluded by our work on higher-priority listing actions, 
listed below, during the period from October 1, 2007, through September 
30, 2008. We will continue to monitor the status of all candidate 
species, including petitioned species, as new information becomes 
available to determine if a change in status is warranted, including 
the need to emergency-list a species under section 4(b)(7) of the Act.
    In addition to identifying petitioned candidate species in Table 1 
below, we also present brief summaries of why these particular 
candidates warrant listing. More complete information, including 
references, is found in the species assessment forms. You may obtain a 
copy of these forms from the Regional Office having the lead for the 
species, or from the Fish and Wildlife Service's Internet website: 
http://endangered.fws.gov/. As described above, under section 4 of the 
Act we may identify and propose species for listing based on the 
factors identified in section 4(a)(1), and section 4 also provides a 
mechanism for the public to petition us to add a species to the lists 
of species determined to be threatened species or endangered species 
under the Act. Below we describe the actions that continue to preclude 
the immediate proposal and final promulgation of a regulation 
implementing each of the petitioned actions for which we have made a 
warranted-but-precluded finding, and we describe the expeditious 
progress we are making to add qualified species to the lists of 
endangered or threatened species.

Preclusion and Expeditious Progress

    Preclusion is a function of the listing priority of a species in 
relation to the resources that are available and competing demands for 
those resources. Thus, in any given fiscal year (FY), multiple factors 
dictate whether it will be possible to undertake work on a proposed 
listing regulation or whether promulgation of such a proposal is 
warranted but precluded by higher-priority listing actions.
    The resources available for listing actions are determined through 
the annual Congressional appropriations process. The appropriation for 
the Listing Program is available to support work involving the 
following listing actions: proposed and final listing rules; 90-day and 
12-month findings on petitions to add species to the Lists of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (Lists) or to change the 
status of a species from threatened to endangered; annual 
determinations on prior warranted-but- precluded petition findings as 
required under section 4(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Act; critical habitat 
petition findings, proposed and final rules designating critical 
habitat; and litigation-related, administrative, and program management 
functions (including preparing and allocating budgets, responding to 
Congressional and public inquiries, and conducting public outreach 
regarding listing and critical habitat). The work involved in preparing 
various listing documents can be extensive, and may include, but is not 
limited to: gathering and assessing the best scientific and commercial 
data available and conducting analyses used as the basis for our 
decisions; writing and publishing documents; and obtaining, reviewing, 
and evaluating public comments and peer review comments on proposed 
rules and incorporating relevant information into final rules. The 
number of listing actions that we can undertake in a given year also is 
influenced by the complexity of those listing actions; that is, more 
complex actions generally are more costly. For example, during the past 
several years, the cost (excluding publication costs) for preparing a 
12-month finding, without a proposed rule, has ranged from 
approximately $11,000 for one species with a restricted range that 
requires a relatively uncomplicated analysis to $305,000 for another 
species that is wide-ranging and requires a complex analysis.
    We cannot spend more than is appropriated for the Listing Program 
without violating the Anti-Deficiency Act (see 31 U.S.C. 
1341(a)(1)(A)). In addition, in FY 1998 and for each fiscal year since 
then, Congress has placed a statutory cap on funds which may be 
expended for the Listing Program, equal to the amount expressly 
appropriated for that purpose in that fiscal year. This cap was 
designed to prevent funds appropriated for other functions under the 
Act (for example, recovery funds for removing species from the Lists), 
or for other Service programs, from beingused for Listing Program 
actions (see House Report 105-163, 105\th\ Congress, 1st Session, July 
1, 1997).
    Recognizing that designation of critical habitat for species 
already listed would consume most of the overall Listing Program 
appropriation, Congress also put a critical habitat subcap in place in 
FY 2002, and has retained it each subsequent year to ensure that some 
funds are available for other work in the Listing Program: ``The 
critical habitat designation subcap will ensure that some funding is 
available to address other listing activities'' (House Report No. 107 - 
103, 107\th\ Congress, 1st Session, June 19, 2001). In FY 2002 and each 
year until FY 2006, the Service has had to use virtually the entire 
critical habitat subcap to address court-mandated designations of 
critical habitat, and consequently none of the critical habitat subcap 
funds have been available for other listing activities. In FY 2007, we 
were able to use some of the critical habitat subcap funds to fund 
proposed listing determinations for high-priority candidate species; 
however, in FY 2008 we were unable to do this because of all of the 
critical habitat subcap funds were needed to

[[Page 75186]]

address our workload for designating critical habitat.
    Thus, through the listing cap, the critical habitat subcap, and the 
amount of funds needed to address court-mandated critical habitat 
designations, Congress and the courts have in effect determined the 
amount of money available for other listing activities. Therefore, the 
funds in the listing cap, other than those needed to address court-
mandated critical habitat for already listed species, represent the 
resources we must take into consideration when we make our 
determinations of preclusion and expeditious progress.
    Congress also recognized that the availability of resources was the 
key element in deciding whether, when making a 12-month petition 
finding, we would prepare and issue a listing proposal or instead make 
a warranted-but-precluded finding for a given species. The Conference 
Report accompanying Pub. L. 97-304, which established the current 
statutory deadlines and the warranted-but-precluded finding, states (in 
a discussion on 90-day petition findings that by its own terms also 
covers 12-month findings) that the deadlines were ``not intended to 
allow the Secretary to delay commencing the rulemaking process for any 
reason other than that the existence of pending or imminent proposals 
to list species subject to a greater degree of threat would make 
allocation of resources to such a petition [that is, for a lower-
ranking species] unwise.'' Taking into account the information 
presented above, in FY 2008, the outer parameter within which 
``expeditious progress'' must be measured is that amount of progress 
that could be achieved by spending $8,206,940, which was the amount 
available in the Listing Program appropriation that was not within the 
critical habitat subcap (because all of the funds within the subcap 
were needed in order to complete court-mandated critical habitat 
actions).
    Our process is to make our determinations of preclusion on a 
nationwide basis to ensure that the species most in need of listing 
will be addressed first and also because we allocate our listing budget 
on a nationwide basis. The $8,206,940 was used to fund work in the 
following categories: compliance with court orders and court-approved 
settlement agreements requiring that petition findings or listing 
determinations be completed by a specific date; section 4 (of the Act) 
listing actions with absolute statutory deadlines; essential 
litigation-related, administrative, and listing program management 
functions; and high-priority listing actions. The allocations for each 
specific listing action are identified in the Service's FY 2008 
Allocation Table (part of our administrative record).
    Our decision that a proposed rule to list any of the petitioned 
candidate species is warranted but precluded includes consideration of 
its listing priority. In accordance with guidance we published on 
September 21, 1983, we assign each candidate an LPN of 1 to 12, 
depending on the magnitude of threats (high vs. moderate to low), 
immediacy of threats (imminent or nonimminent), and taxonomic status of 
the species (in order of priority: monotypic genus (a species that is 
the sole member of a genus); species; or part of a species (subspecies, 
distinct population segment, or significant portion of the range)). The 
lower the listing priority number, the higher the listing priority 
(that is, a species with an LPN of 1 would have the highest listing 
priority). In addition to being precluded by lack of available funds, 
work on proposed rules for candidates with lower priority (i.e., those 
that have LPNs of 4-12) is also precluded by the need to issue proposed 
rules for higher-priority candidate species facing high-magnitude, 
imminent threats (i.e., LPNs of 1-3).
    In FY 2007, we had more than 120 species with an LPN of 2. 
Therefore, we further ranked the candidate species with an LPN of 2 by 
using the following extinction-risk type criteria: International Union 
for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red list 
status/rank, Heritage rank (provided by NatureServe), Heritage threat 
rank (provided by NatureServe), and species currently with fewer than 
50 individuals, or 4 or fewer populations. Those species with the 
highest IUCN rank (critically endangered), the highest Heritage rank 
(G1), the highest Heritage threat rank (substantial, imminent threats), 
and currently with fewer than 50 individuals, or fewer than 4 
populations, comprised a list of approximately 40 candidate species. 
These 40 candidate species have had the highest priority to receive 
funding to work on a proposed listing determination. As we work on 
proposed listing rules for these 40 candidates, we are applying the 
ranking criteria to the next group of candidates with an LPN of 2 and 3 
to determine the next set of highest priority candidate species.
    To be more efficient in our listing process, as we work on proposed 
rules for these species in the next several years, we are preparing 
multi-species proposals when appropriate, and these may include species 
with lower priority if they overlap geographically or have the same 
threats as a species with an LPN of 2. In addition, available staff 
resources are also a factor in determining which high-priority species 
will receive funding. Finally, proposed rules for reclassification of 
threatened species to endangered are lower priority, since as listed 
species, they are already afforded the protection of the Act and 
implementing regulations.
    Thus, we continue to find that proposals to list the petitioned 
candidate species included in Table 1 are all warranted but precluded, 
except for the highest priority candidate species which are listed in 
the tables below as having received funding in FY2008 for listing 
activities.
    As explained above, a determination that listing is warranted but 
precluded must also demonstrate that expeditious progress is being made 
to add and remove qualified species to and from the Lists of Endangered 
and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. (Although we do not discuss it in 
detail here, we are also making expeditious progress in removing 
species from the list under the Recovery program, which is funded by a 
separate line item in the budget of the Endangered Species Program. As 
explained above in our description of the statutory cap on Listing 
Program funds, the Recovery Program funds and actions supported by them 
cannot be considered in determining expeditious progress made in the 
Listing Program.) As with our ``precluded'' finding, expeditious 
progress in adding qualified species to the Lists is a function of the 
resources available and the competing demands for those funds. Given 
that limitation, we find that we made expeditious progress in FY 2008 
in the Listing Program. This progress included preparing and publishing 
the following determinations:

[[Page 75187]]



                                        FY 2008 Completed Listing Actions
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Publication Date                     Title                   Actions                  FR Pages
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/09/2007                             90-Day Finding on a      Notice of 90-day         72 FR 57278-57283
                                        Petition to List the     Petition Finding,
                                        Black-Footed Albatross   Substantial
                                        (Phoebastria nigripes)
                                        as Threatened or
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
;10/09/2007                            90-Day Finding on a      Notice of 90-day         72 FR 57273-57276
                                        Petition To List the     Petition Finding, Not
                                        Giant Palouse            substantial
                                        Earthworm as
                                        Threatened or
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
;10/23/2007                            90-Day Finding on a      Notice of 90-day         72 FR 59983-9989
                                        Petition To List the     Petition Finding, Not
                                        Mountain Whitefish       substantial
                                        (Prosopium
                                        williamsoni) in the
                                        Big Lost River, ID, as
                                        Threatened or
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
;10/23/2007                            90-Day Finding on a      Notice of 90-day         72 FR 59979-59983
                                        Petition To List the     Petition Finding, Not
                                        Summer-Run Kokanee       substantial
                                        Population in Issaquah
                                        Creek, WA, as
                                        Threatened or
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/08/2007                             Response to Court on     Response to Court        72 FR 63123-63140
                                        Significant Portion of
                                        the Range, and
                                        Evaluation of Distinct
                                        Population Segments,
                                        for the Queen
                                        Charlotte Goshawk
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/13/2007                             12-Month Finding on a    Notice of 12-month       72 FR 1039-71054
                                        Petition To List the     Petition Finding,
                                        Jollyville Plateau       Warranted but
                                        salamander (Eurycea      Precluded
                                        tonkawae) as
                                        Endangered With
                                        Critical Habitat
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/08/2008                              90-Day Finding on a      Notice of 90-day         73 FR 1312-1313
                                        Petition To List the     Petition Finding,
                                        Pygmy Rabbit             Substantial
                                        (Brachylagus
                                        idahoensis) as
                                        Threatened or
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/10/2008                              90-Day Finding on        Notice of 90-day         73 FR 1855-1861
                                        Petition To List the     Petition Finding,
                                        Amargosa River           Substantial
                                        Population of the
                                        Mojave Fringe-Toed
                                        Lizard (Uma scoparia)
                                        as Threatened or
                                        Endangered With
                                        Critical Habitat
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/24/2008                              12-Month Finding on a    Notice of 12-month       73 FR 4379-4418
                                        Petition To List the     Petition Finding, Not
                                        Siskiyou Mountains       Warranted
                                        Salamander (Plethodon
                                        stormi) and Scott Bar
                                        Salamander (Plethodon
                                        asupak) as Threatened
                                        or Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/05/2008                              12-Month Finding on a    Notice of 12-month       73 FR 6660-6684
                                        Petition To List the     Petition Finding,
                                        Gunnison's Prairie Dog   Warranted but
                                        as Threatened or         Precluded
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02/07/2008                             12-Month Finding on a    Notice of Review         73 FR 7236-7237
                                        Petition To List the
                                        Bonneville Cutthroat
                                        Trout (Oncorhynchus
                                        clarki utah) as
                                        Threatened or
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02/19/2008                             Listing Phyllostegia     Proposed Listing,        73 FR 9078-9085
                                        hispida (No Common       Endangered
                                        Name) as Endangered
                                        Throughout Its Range
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
02/26/2008                             Initiation of Status     Notice of Status Review  73 FR 10218-10219
                                        Review for the Greater
                                        Sage-Grouse
                                        (Centrocercus
                                        urophasianus) as
                                        Threatened or
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
03/11/2008                             12-Month Finding on a    Notice 12-month          73 FR 12929-12941
                                        Petition To List the     petition finding, Not
                                        North American           warranted
                                        Wolverine as
                                        Endangered or
                                        Threatened
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
03/20/2008                             90-Day Finding on a      Notice of 90-day         73 FR 14950-14955
                                        Petition To List the     Petition Finding,
                                        U.S. Population of       Substantial
                                        Coaster Brook Trout
                                        (Salvelinus
                                        fontinalis) as
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04/29/2008                             90-Day Finding on a      Notice of 90-day         73 FR 23170-23172
                                        Petition to List the     Petition Finding,
                                        Western Sage-Grouse      Substantial
                                        (Centrocercus
                                        urophasianus phaios)
                                        as Threatened or
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
04/29/2008                             90-Day Finding on        Notice of 90-day         73 FR 23173-23175
                                        Petitions To List the    Petition Finding,
                                        Mono Basin Area          Substantial
                                        Population of the
                                        Greater Sage-Grouse
                                        (Centrocercus
                                        urophasianus) as
                                        Threatened or
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
05/06/2008                             Petition To List the     Notice of 90-day         73 FR 24611-24915
                                        San Francisco Bay-       Petition Finding,
                                        Delta Population of      Substantial
                                        the Longfin Smelt
                                        (Spirinchus
                                        thaleichthys) as
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 75188]]

 
05/06/2008                             90-Day Finding on a      Notice of 90-day         73 FR 24915-24922
                                        Petition to List         Petition Finding,
                                        Kokanee (Oncorhynchus    Substantial
                                        nerka) in Lake
                                        Sammamish, Washington,
                                        as Threatened or
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
05/06/2008                             12-Month Finding on a    Notice of Status Review  73 FR 24910-24911
                                        Petition to List the
                                        White-tailed Prairie
                                        Dog (Cynomys leucurus)
                                        as Threatened or
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
05/15/2008                             90-Day Finding on a      Notice of 90-day         73 FR 28080-28084
                                        Petition To List the     Petition Finding,
                                        Ashy Storm-Petrel        Substantial
                                        (Oceanodroma
                                        homochroa) as
                                        Threatened or
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
05/15/2008                             Determination of         Final Listing,           73 FR 28211-28303
                                        Threatened Status for    Threatened
                                        the Polar Bear (Ursus
                                        maritimus) Throughout
                                        Its Range; Final Rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
05/15/2008                             Special Rule for the     Interim Final Special    73 FR 28305-28318
                                        Polar Bear; Interim      Rule
                                        Final Rule
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
05/28/2008                             Initiation of Status     Notice of Status Review  73 FR 30596-30598
                                        Review for the
                                        Northern Mexican
                                        Gartersnake
                                        (Thamnophis eques
                                        megalops)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
06/18/2008                             90-Day Finding on        Notice of 90-day         73 FR 34686-34692
                                        aPetition To List the    Petition Finding, Not
                                        Long-Tailed Duck         substantial
                                        (Clangula hyemalis) as
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
07/10/2008                             90-Day Finding on a      Notice of 90-day         73 FR 39639-39643
                                        Petition To Reclassify   Petition Finding,
                                        the Delta Smelt          Substantial
                                        (Hypomesus
                                        transpacificus) From
                                        Threatened to
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
07/29/2008                             90-Day Finding on a      Notice of 90-day         73 FR 43905-43910
                                        Petition To List the     Petition Finding,
                                        Tucson Shovel-Nosed      Substantial
                                        Snake (Chionactis
                                        occipitalis klauberi)
                                        as Threatened or
                                        Endangered with
                                        Critical Habitat
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/13/2008                              Proposed Endangered      Proposed Critical        73 FR 47257-47324
                                        Status for Reticulated   Habitat, Proposed
                                        Flatwoods Salamander;    Listing, Endangered
                                        Proposed Designation
                                        of Critical Habitat
                                        for Frosted Flatwoods
                                        Salamander and
                                        Reticulated Flatwoods
                                        Salamander
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/9/2008                               12-month Finding on a    Notice 12 month          73 FR 52235-52256
                                        Petition to List the     petition finding, Not-
                                        Bonneville Cutthroat     warranted
                                        Trout as Threatened or
                                        Endangered
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Our expeditious progress also included work on listing actions, 
which were funded in FY 2008, but were not completed in FY 2008 
(information on the cost of individual actions are part of our 
administrative record). These actions are listed below. We have 
completed all work funded in FY 2008 on all actions under a deadline 
set by a court. Actions in the middle section of the table are being 
conducted to meet statutory timelines, that is, timelines required 
under the Act. Actions in the bottom section of the table are high 
priority listing actions. These actions include work primarily on 
species with an LPN of 2, and selection of these species is partially 
based on available staff resources, and when appropriate, include 
species with a lower priority if they overlap geographically or have 
the same threats as the species with the high priority. Including these 
species together in the same proposed rule results in considerable 
savings in time and funding as compared to preparing separate proposed 
rules for each of them in the future.

           Actions funded in FY 2008 but not completed in 2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                       Action
                                           -----------------------------
                  Species                     Actions Subject to Court
                                             Order/Settlement Agreement
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NONE                                        NONE
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actions with Statutory Deadlines
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phyllostegia hispida                        Final listing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yellow-billed loon                          12-month petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black-footed albatross                      12-month petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mount Charleston blue butterfly             12-month petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goose Creek milk-vetch                      12-month petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mojave fringe-toed lizard                   12-month petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
White-tailed prairie dog                    12-month petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pygmy rabbit (rangewide)                    12-month petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black-tailed prairie dog                    90-day petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lynx (include New Mexico in listing)        90-day petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wyoming pocket gopher                       90-day petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dusky Tree Vole1                            90-day petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Llanero coqui                               90-day petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 75189]]

 
American pika                               90-day petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sacramento Valley Tiger Beetle1             90-day petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sacramento Mts. checkerspot butterfly       90-day petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
206 species                                 90-day petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
475 Southwestern species                    90-day petition finding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
High Priority Listing Actions               ............................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
48 Kauai species1 (includes 31 candidate    Proposed listing (completed
 species: 24 with LPN = 2, 3 with LPN = 3,   in October 2008)
 1 with LPN = 5, 2 with LPN = 8)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
21 Oahu candidate species (16 plants, 5     Proposed listing
 damselflies) (18 with LPN = 2, 3 with LPN
 = 3, 1 with LPN = 9)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 southeast aquatic species (Georgia        Proposed listing
 pigtoe, interrupted rocksnail, rough
 hornsnail)2 (all with LPN = 2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Casey's june beetle (LPN = 2)               Proposed listing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sand dune lizard (LPN = 2)                  Proposed listing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 southwest springsnails (Pyrgulopsis       Proposed listing
 bernadina (LPN = 2), Pyrgulopsis
 trivialis (LPN = 2))
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 southwest springsnails (Pyrgulopsis       Proposed listing
 chupaderae (LPN = 2), Pyrgulopsis gilae
 (LPN = 11), Pyrgulopsis thermalis (LPN =
 11))
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 mussels (rayed bean (LPN = 2), snuffbox   Proposed listing
 No LPN)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 mussels (sheepnose (LPN = 2),             Proposed listing
 spectaclecase (LPN = 4),)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ozark hellbender3 (LPN = 3)                 Proposed listing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Altamaha spinymussel (LPN = 2)              Proposed listing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4 southeast fish (rush darter (LPN = 2),    Proposed listing
 chucky madtom (LPN = 2), Cumberland
 darter (LPN = 5), laurel dace (LPN = 5))
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 Colorado plants (Parachute beardtongue    Proposed listing
 (Penstemon debilis) (LPN = 2), Debeque
 phacelia (Phacelia submutica) (LPN = 8))
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pagosa skyrocket (Ipomopsis polyantha)      Proposed listing
 (LPN = 2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 These actions were completed in October 2008.
2 Funds for listing actions for 3 of these species were also provided in
  FY 2007.
3 We funded a proposed rule for this subspecies with an LPN of 3 ahead
  of other species with LPN of 2, because the threats to the species
  were so imminent and of a high magnitude that we considered emergency
  listing if we were unable to fund work on a proposed listing rule in
  FY 2008.

    We also funded work on resubmitted petitions findings for 174 
candidate species (species petitioned prior to the last CNOR). We did 
not update our resubmitted petition finding for the Columbia Basin 
population of the greater sage-grouse in this notice, as we are 
considering new information and will update our findings at a later 
date (see 73 FR 23170, April 29, 2008). We also did not update our 
resubmitted petition findings for the 66 candidate species for which we 
are preparing proposed listing determinations; see summaries below 
regarding publication of these determinations. We also funded revised 
12-month petition findings for two candidate species that we are 
removing from candidate status, which are being published as part of 
this CNOR (see Summary of Candidate Removals). Because the majority of 
these species were already candidate species prior to our receipt of a 
petition to list them, we had already assessed their status using funds 
from our Candidate Conservation Program. We also continue to monitor 
the status of these species through our Candidate Conservation Program. 
The cost of updating the species assessment forms and publishing the 
joint publication of the CNOR and resubmitted petition findings is 
shared between the Listing Program and the Candidate Conservation 
Program.
    During FY 2008, we also funded work on resubmitted petition 
findings for uplisting five listed species, for which petitions were 
previously received.
    We have endeavored to make our listing actions as efficient and 
timely as possible, given the requirements of the relevant law and 
regulations, and constraints relating to workload and personnel. We are 
continually considering ways to streamline processes or achieve 
economies of scale, such as by batching related actions together. Given 
our limited budget for implementing section 4 of the Act, these actions 
described above collectively constitute expeditious progress.
    Although we have not been able to resolve the listing status of 
many of the candidates, several programs in the Service contribute to 
the conservation of these species. In particular, we have a separate 
budgeted program, the Candidate Conservation program, which focuses on 
providing technical expertise for developing conservation strategies 
and agreements to guide voluntary on-the-ground conservation work for 
candidate and other at-risk species. The main goal of this program is 
to address the threats facing candidate species. Through this program, 
we work with our partners (other Federal agencies, State agencies, 
Tribes, local governments, private landowners, and private conservation 
organizations) to address the threats to candidate species and other 
species at-risk. We are currently working with our partners to 
implement voluntary conservation agreements for more than 140 species 
covering 5 million acres of habitat.
    We are actively working to conserve many candidate species. In some 
instances, the sustained implementation of strategically designed 
conservation efforts culminates in making listing

[[Page 75190]]

unnecessary for species that are proposed or candidates for listing. 
Recent examples of species for which listing has been unnecessary due 
to the contributions of conservation efforts include the Cow Head tui 
chub, Beaver Cave beetle, Surprising Cave beetle, and Sand Mountain 
blue butterfly.

Findings for Petitioned Candidate Species

    For our revised 12-month petition findings for species we are 
removing from candidate status, see summaries above under ``Summary of 
Candidate Removals.''

Mammals

    Pacific Sheath-tailed Bat, American Samoa DPS (Emballonura 
semicaudata semicaudata) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This small bat is a member of 
the Emballonuridae, an Old World bat family that has an extensive 
distribution, primarily in the tropics. The Pacific sheath-tailed bat 
was once common and widespread in Polynesia and Micronesia and it is 
the only insectivorous bat recorded from a large part of this area. The 
species as a whole (E. semicaudata) occurred on several of the Caroline 
Islands (Palau, Chuuk, and Pohnpei), Samoa (Independent and American), 
the Mariana Islands (Guam and the CNMI), Tonga, Fiji, and Vanuatu. 
While populations appear to be healthy in some locations, mainly in the 
Caroline Islands, they have declined substantially in other areas, 
including Independent and American Samoa, the Mariana Islands, Fiji, 
and possibly Tonga. Scientists recognize four subspecies: E. s. 
rotensis, endemic to the Mariana Islands (Guam and the Commonwealth of 
the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)); E. s. sulcata, occurring in Chuuk 
and Pohnpei; E. s. palauensis, found in Palau; and E. s. semicaudata, 
occurring in American and Independent Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Vanuatu. 
This candidate assessment form addresses the distinct population 
segment (DPS) of E. s. semicaudata that occurs in American Samoa.
    E. s. semicaudata historically occurred in American and Independent 
Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, and Vanuatu. It is extant in Fiji and Tonga, but 
may be extirpated from Vanuatu and Independent Samoa. There is some 
concern that it is also extirpated from American Samoa, the location of 
this DPS, where surveys are currently ongoing to ascertain its status. 
The factors that led to the decline of this subspecies and the DPS are 
poorly understood; however, current threats to this subspecies and the 
DPS include habitat loss, predation by introduced species, and its 
small population size and distribution, which make the taxon extremely 
vulnerable to extinction due to typhoons and similar natural 
catastrophes. Thus, the threats are high in magnitude. The Pacific 
sheath-tailed bat may also by susceptible to disturbance to roosting 
caves. The LPN for E. s. semicaudata is 3 because the magnitude of the 
threats is high, the threats are ongoing, and therefore, imminent, and 
the taxon is a distinct population segment of a subspecies.
    Pacific Sheath-tailed Bat (Emballonura semicaudata rotensis), Guam 
and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
This small bat is a member of the Emballonuridae, an Old World bat 
family that has an extensive distribution, primarily in the tropics. 
The Pacific sheath-tailed bat was once common and widespread in 
Polynesia and Micronesia and it is the only insectivorous bat recorded 
from a large part of this area. E. s. rotensis is historically known 
from the Mariana Islands and formerly occurred on Guam and in the CNMI 
on Rota, Aguiguan, Tinian (known from prehistoric records only), 
Saipan, and possibly Anatahan and Maug. Currently, E. s. rotensis 
appears to be extirpated from all but one island in the Mariana 
archipelago. The single remaining population of this subspecies occurs 
on Aguiguan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
    Threats to this subspecies have not changed over the past year. The 
primary threats to the subspecies are ongoing habitat loss and 
degradation as a result of feral goat (Capra hircus) activity on the 
island of Aguiguan and the taxon's small population size and limited 
distribution. Predation by nonnative species and human disturbance are 
also potential threats to the subspecies. The subspecies may be near 
the point where stochastic events, such as typhoons, are increasingly 
likely to affect its continued survival. The disappearance of the 
remaining population on Aguiguan would result in the extinction of the 
subspecies. Thus, the threats are high in magnitude. The LPN for E. s. 
rotensis remains at 3 because the magnitude of the threats is high, the 
threats are ongoing, and therefore, imminent, and the taxon is a 
subspecies.
    New England cottontail (Sylvilagus transitionalis) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files and information 
received in response to our notice published on June 30, 2004, when we 
announced our 90-day petition finding and initiation of a status review 
(69 FR 39395). We received the petition on August 30, 2000.
    The New England cottontail (NEC) is a medium to large sized 
cottontail rabbit that may reach 1,000 grams in weight, and is one of 
two species within the genus Sylvilagus occurring in New England. New 
England cottontails are considered habitat specialists, in so far as 
they are dependent upon early-successional habitats typically described 
as thickets. The species is the only endemic cottontail in New England. 
Historically, the NEC occurred in seven states and ranged from 
southeastern New York (east of the Hudson River) north through the 
Champlain Valley, southern Vermont, the southern half of New Hampshire, 
southern Maine and south throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut and 
Rhode Island. The current range of the NEC has declined substantially 
and occurrences have become increasingly separated. The species' 
distribution is fragmented into five apparently isolated 
metapopulations. The area occupied by the cottontail has contracted 
from approximately 90,000 sq km to 12,180 sq km. Recent surveys 
indicate that the long term decline in NEC continues. For example, 
surveys for the species in early 2008 documented the presence of NEC in 
7 of the 23 New Hampshire locations that were known to be occupied in 
2002 and 2003. Similarly, surveys in Maine found the species present in 
12 of 57 sites identified in an extensive survey that spanned the years 
2000 to 2004. Unlike the New Hampshire study, several new sites were 
documented in Maine during 2008. Some have suggested that the decline 
in NEC occurrences in 2008 may be attributed to persistent snow cover 
throughout northern New England during the winter of 2007-2008. Similar 
surveys to assess trends in other states have not been conducted. It is 
estimated that less than one third of the occupied sites occur on lands 
in conservation status and fewer than 10 percent are being managed for 
early-successional forest species.
    The primary threat to the New England cottontail is loss of habitat 
through succession and alteration. Isolation of occupied patches by 
areas of unsuitable habitat and high predation rates are resulting in 
local extirpation of New England cottontails from small patches. The 
range of the New England cottontail has contracted by 75 percent

[[Page 75191]]

or more since 1960 and current land uses in the region indicate that 
the rate of change, about two percent range loss per year, will 
continue. Additional threats include competition for food and habitat 
with introduced eastern cottontails and large numbers of native white-
tailed deer; inadequate regulatory mechanisms to protect habitat; and 
mortality from predation. The magnitude of the threats continues to be 
high, because they occur rangewide, and have an effect on the survival 
of the species. They are imminent because they are ongoing. Thus, we 
retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Fisher, West Coast DPS (Martes pennanti) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files and in the Service's 
initial warranted-but-precluded finding published in the Federal 
Register on April 8, 2004 (68 FR 18770). The fisher is a carnivore in 
the family Mustelidae and is the largest member of the genus Martes. 
Historically, the West Coast population of the fisher extended south 
from British Columbia into western Washington and Oregon, and in the 
North Coast Ranges, Klamath-Siskiyou Mountains, and Sierra Nevada in 
California. The fisher is believed to be extirpated or reduced to 
scattered individuals from the lower mainland of British Columbia 
through Washington and in the central and northern Sierra Nevada range 
in California. Native populations of fisher currently occur in the 
North Coast Ranges of California, the Klamath- Siskiyou Mountains of 
northern California and southern Oregon, and in isolated populations 
occurring in the southern Sierra Nevada in California. Descendents of a 
fisher reintroduction effort also occur in the southern Cascade Range 
in Oregon. In January of 2008, the Washington Department of Fish and 
Wildlife began to implement their fisher recovery goals for the state 
through a reintroduction effort currently underway in the Olympic 
National Park.
    We lack precise empirical data on West Coast DPS fisher numbers. 
However, there is a lack of detections over much of the fisher's 
historic range, even with standardized survey and monitoring efforts in 
California, Oregon, and Washington. There is also a high degree of 
genetic relatedness within some populations, and populations of native 
fisher in California are separated by four times the species' maximum 
dispersal distance. The above listed factors all indicate that the 
likely extant fisher populations are small and isolated from one 
another.
    Major threats that fragment or remove key elements of fisher 
habitat include various forest vegetation management practices such as 
timber harvest and fuels reduction treatments. Other potential major 
threats in portions of the range include: uncharacteristically severe 
wildfire, changes in forest composition and structure, urban and rural 
development, recreation development, and highways. Major threats to 
fisher that lead to direct mortality and injury to fisher include: 
Collisions with vehicles; predation; and viral borne diseases such as 
rabies, parvovirus, canine distemper, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. 
Existing regulatory mechanisms on Federal, State, and private lands 
affect key elements of fisher habitat and do not currently provide 
sufficient certainty that conservation efforts will be effective or 
will be implemented. The magnitude of threats is high, as they occur 
across the range of the DPS resulting in a negative impact on fisher 
distribution and abundance. However, the threats are nonimminent as the 
greatest long-term risks to the fisher in its west coast range are the 
subsequent ramifications of the isolation of small populations and 
their interactions with the listed threats. The three other areas 
containing fisher populations appear to be stable or are not rapidly 
declining based on recent survey and monitoring efforts. Therefore, we 
assigned an LPN of 6 to this population.
    New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files and 
the petition we received October 15, 2008. The New Mexico meadow 
jumping mouse (jumping mouse) is endemic to New Mexico, Arizona, and a 
small area of southern Colorado. The jumping mouse nests in dry soils, 
but uses moist, streamside, dense riparian/wetland vegetation. Recent 
genetic studies confirm that the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse is a 
distinct subspecies from other Zapus hudsonius subspecies, confirming 
the currently accepted subspecies designation.
    The threats that have been identified are excessive grazing 
pressure, water use and management, highway reconstruction, 
development, recreation, and beaver removal. Surveys conducted in 2005 
and 2006 documented a drastic decline in the number of occupied 
localities and suitable habitat across the range of the species in New 
Mexico and Arizona. Of the original 98 known historical localities, 
there are now only 9 known extant localities in New Mexico, 2 in 
Arizona, and an additional 8 localities that have not been surveyed 
since the early to mid 1990s. Moreover, the highly fragmented nature of 
its distribution is also a major contributor to the vulnerability of 
this species and increases the likelihood of very small, isolated 
populations being extirpated. The insufficient number of secure 
populations, and the destruction, modification, or curtailment of its 
habitat, continue to pose the most immediate threats to this species. 
Because the threats affect the survival of jumping mouse in all but two 
of the extant localities, the threats are of a high magnitude. These 
threats are currently occurring and, therefore, are imminent. Thus, we 
continue to assign an LPN of 3 to this subspecies.
    Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama ssp. couchi, douglasii, 
glacialis, louiei, melanops, pugetensis, tacomensis, tumuli, yelmensis) 
- The following summary is based on information contained in our files. 
No new information was provided in the petition received December 11, 
2002. One subspecies, T. m. melanops is found on alpine meadows in 
Olympic National Park. Another subspecies, T. m. douglasii is found in 
extreme southwest Washington. The other seven subspecies of this pocket 
gopher are associated with glacial outwash prairies in western 
Washington. Of these seven subspecies, five are likely still extant 
(couchi, glacialis, pugetensis, tumuli, and yelmensis) and two (T. m. 
louiei, and tacomensis) are likely extinct. Few glacial outwash 
prairies remain in Washington today. Historically, such prairies were 
patchily distributed, but the area they occupied totaled approximately 
170,000 acres. Now, residential and commercial development, fire regime 
alteration, and ingrowth of woody vegetation have further reduced their 
numbers. In addition, development in or adjacent to these prairies has 
likely increased predation on Mazama pocket gophers by dogs and cats.
    The magnitude of threat is high because the survival of the 
subspecies is significantly affected by the patchy and isolated 
distributions of its populations in habitats highly desirable for 
development and subject to a wide variety of human activities that 
permanently alter the habitat. Only the Olympic pocket gopher is not 
threatened with development. The threat of invasive plant species to 
the quality of a highly specific habitat requirement is high and 
constant. There are few known populations of each subspecies. A limited 
dispersal capability, and the loss and degradation of additional 
patches of appropriate habitat will further isolate populations and 
increase their vulnerability to extinction. Loss of any of the 
subspecies

[[Page 75192]]

will reduce the genetic diversity and the likelihood of continued 
existence of the Thomomys mazama subspecies complex in Washington.
    The threats are ongoing and, therefore, imminent. Gravel pits 
threaten persistence of one of the remaining subspecies (Roy Prairie 
(T. m. glacialis)), and the largest populations of two other subspecies 
(Shelton (T. m. couchi) and Olympia (T. m. pugetensis)) are located on 
airports with planned development. Yelm pocket gophers are also 
threatened by proposed development on Fort Lewis, and Tenino pocket 
gophers (T. m. tumuli) are threatened by ongoing development in 
general. Only the Olympic pocket gopher (T. m. melanops) is relatively 
safe from threats from development due to its more remote location 
within the Olympic National Park, but this subspecies is still 
currently affected by invasive plants. Thus, we assign an LPN of 3 to 
these subspecies.
    Palm Springs round-tailed ground squirrel (Spermophilus 
tereticaudus chlorus) -The following summary is based on information 
contained in our files. No new information was provided in the petition 
we received on May 11, 2004. The Palm Springs round-tailed ground 
squirrel is one of four recognized subspecies of round-tailed ground 
squirrels. The range of this squirrel is limited to the Coachella 
Valley region of Riverside County, California. Dunes and hummocks 
associated with Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana (honey mesquite) are 
the primary habitat for the Palm Springs round-tailed ground squirrel 
and to a lesser extent those dunes and hummocks associated with Larrea 
tridentata (creosote), or other vegetation. Honey mesquite provides a 
valuable food source for the squirrel and also provides cover and 
shelter by trapping aeolian sand that form dunes occupied by the Palm 
Springs round-tailed ground squirrel. Rapid growth of desert cities 
such as Palm Springs and Palm Desert in the Coachella Valley has raised 
concerns about the conservation of the narrowly distributed Palm 
Springs round-tailed ground squirrel. Urban development and drops in 
the groundwater table have eliminated 90 percent of the honey mesquite 
in the Coachella Valley. Furthermore, urban development has fragmented 
habitat occupied by this squirrel thereby isolating populations. The 
high rate of urban development and associated lowering of the 
groundwater table that was likely historically responsible for the high 
losses of honey mesquite sand dune/hummocks habitat continues today. We 
continue to assign the Palm Springs ground squirrel subspecies an LPN 
of 3 because the threats are ongoing and are of a high magnitude as 
they affect a large portion of its' range and significantly affect this 
subspecies survival.
    Southern Idaho ground squirrel (Spermophilus brunneus endemicus) - 
The following summary is based on information contained in our files. 
No new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 
2004. The southern Idaho ground squirrel is endemic to four counties in 
southwest Idaho; its total known range is approximately 425,630 
hectares (1,051,752 acres). Threats to southern Idaho ground squirrels 
include: habitat degradation and fragmentation; direct killing from 
shooting, trapping, or poisoning; predation; competition with Columbian 
ground squirrels; and inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms. 
Habitat degradation and fragmentation appear to be the primary threats 
to the species. Nonnative annuals now dominate much of this species' 
range, have changed the species composition of vegetation used as 
forage for the southern Idaho ground squirrel, and have altered the 
fire regime by accelerating the frequency of wildfire. Habitat 
deterioration, destruction, and fragmentation contribute to the current 
patchy distribution of southern Idaho ground squirrels. Based on recent 
genetic work, southern Idaho ground squirrels are subject to more 
genetic drift and inbreeding than expected.
    Two Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAAs) have 
been completed for this species in recent years. Both CCAAs include 
conservation measures that provide additional protection to southern 
Idaho ground squirrels from recreational shooting and other direct 
killing on enrolled lands, and also allow the State of Idaho, the 
Service and BLM to investigate ways of restoring currently degraded 
habitat. At this time, the acreage enrolled through these two CCAAs is 
approximately 38,756 hectares (95,767 acres), or 9 percent of the known 
range. While the ongoing conservation efforts have helped to reduce the 
magnitude of threats to moderate, habitat degradation remains the 
primary threat to the species throughout most of its range. This threat 
is imminent due to the ongoing and increasing prevalence and dominance 
of nonnative vegetation, and the current patchy distribution of the 
species. Thus, we assign an LPN of 9 to this subspecies.
    Washington ground squirrel (Spermophilus washingtoni) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files and in 
the petition we received on March 2, 2000. The Washington ground 
squirrel is endemic to the Deschutes-Columbia Plateau sagebrush-steppe 
and grassland communities in eastern Oregon and south-central 
Washington. Although widely abundant historically, recent surveys 
suggest that its current range has contracted toward the center of its 
historic range. Approximately two-thirds of the Washington ground 
squirrel's total historic range has been converted to agricultural and 
residential uses. The most contiguous, least-disturbed expanse of 
suitable habitat within the species' range occurs on a site owned by 
Boeing, Inc. and on the Naval Weapons Systems Training Facility near 
Boardman, Oregon. In Washington, the largest expanse of known suitable 
habitat occurs on State and Federal lands.
    Agricultural, residential, and wind power, among other forms of 
development, continue to eliminate Washington ground squirrel habitat 
in portions of its range. Throughout much of its range, Washington 
ground squirrels are threatened by the establishment and spread of 
invasive plant species, particularly cheatgrass, which alters available 
cover, food quantity and quality, and increases fire intervals. 
Additional threats include habitat fragmentation, recreational 
shooting, genetic isolation and drift, and predation. Potential threats 
include disease, drought, and possible competition with related species 
in disturbed habitat at the periphery of their range. In Oregon, some 
threats are being addressed as a result of the State listing of this 
species, and by implementation of the Threemile Canyon Farms Multi-
Species Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA). In 
Washington, there are currently no formal agreements with private 
landowners or with State or Federal agencies to protect the Washington 
ground squirrel. Additionally, no State or Federal management plans 
have been developed that specifically address the needs of the species 
or its habitat. Since current and potential threats are widespread and, 
in some cases, severe, we conclude the magnitude of threats remains 
high. However, because the CCAA addressed the imminent loss of a large 
portion of habitat to agriculture, and because there are no other 
known, large-scale efforts to convert suitable habitat to agriculture, 
the threats, overall, are not imminent. We, therefore, have kept the 
LPN at 5 for this species.

[[Page 75193]]

Birds

    Spotless crake, American Samoa DPS (Porzana tabuensis) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No 
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 
2004. P. tabuensis is a small, dark, cryptic rail found in wetlands and 
rank scrub or forest in the Philippines, Australia, Fiji, Tonga, 
Society Islands, Marquesas, Independent Samoa, and American Samoa (Ofu, 
Tau). The genus Porzana is widespread in the Pacific, where it is 
represented by numerous island-endemic and flightless species (many of 
which are extinct as a result of anthropogenic disturbances) as well as 
several more cosmopolitan species, including P. tabuensis. No 
subspecies of P. tabuensis are recognized. The American Samoa 
population is the only population of spotless crakes under U.S. 
jurisdiction. The available information indicates that distinct 
populations of the spotless crake, a species not noted for long-
distance dispersal, are definable. The population of spotless crakes in 
American Samoa is discrete in relation to the remainder of the species 
as a whole, which is distributed in widely separated locations. 
Although the spotless crake (and other rails) have dispersed widely in 
the Pacific, island rails have tended to reduce or lose their power of 
flight over evolutionary time and so become isolated (and vulnerable to 
terrestrial predators such as rats). The population of this species in 
American Samoa is therefore distinct based on geographic and 
distributional isolation from spotless crake populations on other 
islands in the oceanic Pacific, the Philippines, and Australia. The 
American Samoa population of the spotless crake links the Central and 
Eastern Pacific portions of the species' range. The loss of this 
population could cause an increase of roughly 500 miles (805 
kilometers) in the disjunction between the central and eastern 
Polynesian portions of the spotless crake's range, and could result in 
the isolation of the Marquesas and Society Islands populations by 
further limiting the potential for even rare genetic exchange. Based on 
the discreteness and significance of the American Samoa population of 
the spotless crake, we consider this population to be a distinct 
vertebrate population segment.
    Threats to this population have not changed over the past year. The 
population in American Samoa is threatened by small population size, 
limited distribution, predation by nonnative mammals, continued 
development of wetland habitat, and natural catastrophes such as 
hurricanes. The co-occurrence of a known predator of ground-nesting 
birds, the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), along with the extremely 
restricted observed distribution and low numbers, indicate that the 
magnitude of the threats to the American Samoa DPS of the spotless 
crake continues to be high, because the threats significantly affect 
the species survival. The threats are ongoing, and therefore imminent. 
Based on this assessment of existing information about the imminence 
and high magnitude of these threats, we assigned the spotless crake an 
LPN of 3.
    Yellow-billed cuckoo, western U.S. DPS (Coccyzus americanus) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files and 
the petition we received on February 9, 1998. See also our 12-month 
petition finding published on July 25, 2001 (66 FR 38611). We consider 
the yellow-billed cuckoos that occur in the western United States as a 
DPS. The area for this DPS is west of the crest of the Rocky Mountains. 
The yellow-billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) is a medium-sized bird 
that breeds in large blocks of riparian habitats (particularly 
woodlands with cottonwoods (Populus fremontii) and willows (Salix sp.). 
Dense understory foliage appears to be an important factor in nest site 
selection, while cottonwood trees are an important foraging habitat in 
areas where the species has been studied in California.
    The threats currently facing the yellow-billed cuckoo include 
habitat destruction and modification and pesticide application. 
Principal causes of riparian habitat losses are conversion to 
agricultural and other uses, dams and river flow management, stream 
channelization and stabilization, and livestock grazing. Available 
breeding habitats for cuckoos have also been substantially reduced in 
area and quality by groundwater pumping and the replacement of native 
riparian habitats by invasive nonnative plants, particularly tamarisk. 
Overuse by livestock has been a major factor in the degradation and 
modification of riparian habitats in the western United States. The 
effects include changes in plant community structure and species 
composition and in relative abundance of species and plant density. 
These changes are often linked to more widespread changes in watershed 
hydrology. Livestock grazing in riparian habitats typically results in 
reduction of plant species diversity and density, especially of 
palatable broadleaf plants like willows and cottonwood saplings, and is 
one of the most common causes of riparian degradation. In addition to 
destruction and degradation of riparian habitats, pesticides may affect 
cuckoo populations. In areas where riparian habitat borders 
agricultural lands, e.g., in California's central valley, pesticide use 
may indirectly affect cuckoos by reducing prey numbers, or by poisoning 
nestlings if sprayed directly in areas where the birds are nesting. We 
retained an LPN of 3 for this population of yellow-billed cuckoo; the 
threats are ongoing and therefore imminent, and they are of a high 
magnitude, because ongoing habitat degradation could affect the 
survival of the DPS rangewide.
    Friendly ground-dove, American Samoa DPS (Gallicolumba stairi 
stairi) - The following summary is based on information contained in 
our files. No new information was provided in the petition we received 
on May 11, 2004. The genus Gallicolumba is distributed throughout the 
Pacific and Southeast Asia. The genus is represented in the oceanic 
Pacific by six species: Three are endemic to Micronesian islands or 
archipelagos, two are endemic to island groups in French Polynesia, and 
G. stairi is endemic to Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji. Some authors recognize 
two subspecies of the friendly ground-dove, one, slightly smaller, in 
the Samoan archipelago (G. s. stairi), and one in Tonga and Fiji (G. s. 
vitiensis), but because morphological differences between the two are 
minimal, we are not recognizing separate subspecies at this time.
    In American Samoa, the friendly ground-dove has been found on the 
islands of Ofu and Olosega (Manua Group). Threats to this subspecies 
have not changed over the past year. Predation by nonnative species and 
natural catastrophes such as hurricanes are the primary threats to the 
subspecies. Of these, predation by nonnative species is thought to be 
occurring now and likely has been occurring for several decades. This 
predation may be an important impediment to increasing the population. 
Predation by introduced species has played a significant role in 
reducing, limiting, and extirpating populations of island birds, 
especially ground-nesters, in the Pacific and other locations 
worldwide. Nonnative predators known or thought to occur in the range 
of the friendly ground-dove in American Samoa are feral cats (Felis 
catus), Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans), black rats (R. rattus), and 
Norway rats (R. norvegicus).
    In January 2004 and February of 2005, hurricanes virtually 
destroyed the habitat of G. stairi in an area on Olosega Island where 
the species had been most

[[Page 75194]]

frequently recorded. Although this species has coexisted with severe 
storms for millennia, this example illustrates the potential for 
natural disturbance to exacerbate the effect of anthropogenic 
disturbance on small populations. Consistent monitoring using a variety 
of methods over the last 5 years yielded few observations of this taxon 
in American Samoa. The total population size is poorly known, but is 
unlikely to number more than a few hundred pairs. The past five years 
or so of surveys have revealed no change in the relative abundance of 
this taxon in American Samoa. The distribution of the friendly ground-
dove is limited to steep, forested slopes with an open understory and a 
substrate of fine scree or exposed earth; this habitat is not common in 
American Samoa. The threats are ongoing and, therefore imminent and the 
magnitude is moderate because the relative abundance has remained the 
same for several years. Thus, we assign this subspecies an LPN of 9.
    Streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No 
new information was provided in the petition we received on December 
11, 2002. The streaked horned lark occurs in Washington and Oregon, and 
is thought to be extirpated in British Columbia, Canada. The streaked 
horned lark nests on the ground in sparsely vegetated sites in short-
grass dominated habitats, such as native prairies, coastal dunes, 
fallow agricultural fields, lightly- to moderately-grazed pastures, 
seasonal mudflats, airports, and dredged-material formed islands in the 
Columbia River. In Washington, surveys show that there are 
approximately 330 remaining breeding birds. In Oregon, the breeding 
population is estimated to be approximately 400 birds.
    The streaked horned lark's breeding habitat continues to be 
threatened by loss and degradation due to conversion of native 
grasslands to other uses (such as agriculture, homes, recreational 
areas, and industry), encroachment of woody vegetation, and invasion of 
nonnative plant species (e.g., Scot's broom, sod-forming grasses, and 
beachgrasses). Native prairies have been nearly eliminated throughout 
the range of the species. Less than 1 to 3 percent of the native 
grassland and savanna are estimated to remain. Those that remain have 
been invaded by nonnative sod-forming grasses. Coastal nesting areas 
have suffered the same fate. A recent purchase of prairie lands in 
Washington has secured habitat that would have been developed, but its 
status as suitable lark nesting habitat is unknown.
    Wintering habitats are seemingly few, and susceptible to 
unpredictable conversion to unsuitable over-wintering habitat. Where 
larks inhabit human-created habitats similar in structure to native 
prairies (such as airports, military reservations, agricultural fields, 
and dredge-formed islands), or where they occur adjacent to human 
habitation, they are subjected to a variety of unintentional human 
disturbances such as mowing, recreational and military activities, 
plowing, flooding, and dredge spoil dumping during the nesting season, 
as well as intentional disturbances such as at the McChord AFB where 
falcons and dogs are used to haze the birds in order to avoid aircraft 
collisions. In some areas, landowners have taken steps to improve 
streaked horned lark nesting habitat.
    The magnitude of the threats is high due to small populations with 
low genetic diversity, and patchy and isolated habitats in areas 
desirable for development, many of which remain unsecured. The threat 
of invasive plant species is high and constant, aside from a few 
restoration sites. The numbers of individuals are low and the numbers 
of populations are few. Over-wintering birds are concentrated in larger 
flocks and subject to unpredictable wintering habitat loss (especially 
in the Willamette Valley, Oregon), potentially affecting a large 
portion of the population at one time. In Washington, known populations 
occur on airports and military bases (6 of 13 sites), coastal beaches 
(4 of 13 sites), and Columbia River islands (3 of 13 sites), where 
management, training activities, recreation, and dredge spoil dumping 
continue to negatively impact streaked horned lark breeding and 
wintering. In Oregon, breeding and wintering sites occur on Columbia 
River islands, in cultivated grass fields, grazed pastures, fallow 
fields, roadside shoulders, Christmas tree farms, and wetland mudflats. 
Such areas continue to be subject to negative impacts such as dredge 
spoil dumping, development, plowing, mowing, pesticide and herbicide 
applications, trampling, vehicle traffic, and recreation. Many of these 
Oregon sites are ephemeral in nature, with the quality of habitat 
changing from year to year from suitable to unsuitable. Thus the 
numbers of sites also changes year to year.
    The threats are imminent, due to the continued loss of suitable 
lark habitat, risks to the wintering populations, plans for development 
on and adjacent to several of its nesting areas, predation, use of 
falcons and dogs to haze breeding birds at McChord AFB, planned and/or 
continued expansions of the McChord AFB West Ramp and Olympia Airport, 
and human disturbance, including annual Air Force military training and 
fire-bombing on top of lark nesting habitat. We continue to assign an 
LPN of 3 to this subspecies.
    Red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) - See above in ``Summary of 
Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above summary is based on 
information contained in our files and information provided by 
petitioners. Four petitions to emergency list the red knot have been 
received: one on August 9, 2004, two others on August 5, 2005, and the 
most recent on February 27, 2008.
    Kittlitz's murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files and the petition 
we received on May 9, 2001. Kittlitz's murrelet is a small diving 
seabird whose entire North American population, and most of the world's 
population, inhabits Alaskan coastal waters discontinuously from Point 
Lay south to northern portions of Southeast Alaska. Kittlitz's 
murrelets are associated with tidewater glaciers. The current 
population estimate for Kittlitz's murrelets in Alaska is approximately 
16,700 birds, a decline of 74 to 84 percent during the past 10 to 20 
years. New survey information supports and strengthens the negative 
population trend estimates that have been previously reported.
    Threats to Kittlitz's murrelets include large-scale processes such 
as global climate change and marine climate regime shift. These large-
scale processes may influence Kittlitz's murrelet survival and 
reproduction. Glacial retreat, a global phenomenon that affects many of 
the glaciers with which Kittlitz's murrelets are associated, is 
associated with changing forage fish availability and may result in 
increased predation. Other ongoing threats include oil spills, bycatch 
in commercial gillnet fisheries, and disturbance by tour boats. 
Kittlitz's murrelets are believed to have been seriously affected by 
the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound in 1989. 
Catastrophic events such as oil spills could have a significant 
negative effect on the population of this already diminished species. 
Susceptibility to mortality as bycatch in commercial fishing could be a 
significant factor in their population decline; Kittlitz's murrelets 
are caught in gill nets in numbers disproportionate to their density. 
Tour boat visitation to glacial fjords is a growing industry, and this 
activity may increasingly disrupt Kittlitz's murrelet feeding behavior; 
tour

[[Page 75195]]

boats may provide artificial perch sites for avian predators.
    Based on the observed population trajectory and the severity of 
present threats (rapid glacial retreat, acute and chronic oil spills, 
commercial gillnet fishing, and human disturbance from tour boats), the 
threats to this species are high in magnitude and imminent. Therefore, 
we assigned an LPN of 2 to this species.
    Xantus's murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files and the petition 
we received on April 16, 2002. The Xantus's murrelet is a small seabird 
in the Alcid family that occurs along the west coast of North America 
in the United States and Mexico. The species has a limited breeding 
distribution, only nesting on the Channel Islands in southern 
California and on islands off the west coast of Baja California, 
Mexico. Although data on population trends are scarce, the population 
is suspected to have declined greatly over the last century, mainly due 
to introduced predators such as rats (Rattus sp.) and feral cats (Felis 
catus) to nesting islands, with extirpations on three islands in 
Mexico. A dramatic decline (up to 70 percent) from 1977 to 1991 was 
detected at the largest nesting colony in southern California, possibly 
due to high levels of predation on eggs by the endemic deer mouse 
(Peromyscus maniculatus elusus). Identified threats include introduced 
predators at nesting colonies, oil spills and oil pollution, reduced 
prey availability, human disturbance, and impacts related to artificial 
light pollution.
    Although substantial declines in the Xantus's murrelet population 
likely occurred over the last century, some of the largest threats are 
being addressed, and, to some degree, ameliorated. Declines and 
extirpations at several nesting colonies were thought to have been 
caused by nonnative predators, which have been removed from many of the 
islands where they once occurred. Most notably, since 1994, Island 
Conservation and Ecology Group has systematically removed rats, cats, 
and dogs from every murrelet nesting colony in Mexico, with the 
exception of cats and dogs on Guadalupe Island. In 2002, rats were 
eradicated from Anacapa Island in southern California, which has 
resulted in improvements in reproductive success at that island. In 
southern California, there are also plans to remove rats from San 
Miguel Island, and to restore nesting habitat on Santa Barbara Island 
through the Montrose Settlements Restoration Project, which may benefit 
the Xantus's murrelet population at those islands.
    Artificial lighting from squid fishing and other vessels, or lights 
on islands, remains a potential threat to the species. Bright lights 
make Xantus's murrelets more susceptible to predation, and they can 
also become disoriented and exhausted from continual attraction to 
bright lights. Chicks can become disoriented and separated from their 
parents at sea, which could result in death of the dependent chicks. 
High-wattage lights on commercial market squid (Loligo opalescens) 
fishing vessels used at night to attract squid to the surface of the 
water in the Channel Islands was the suspected cause of unusually high 
predation on Xantus's murrelets by western gulls and barn owls at Santa 
Barbara Island in 1999. To address this threat, in 2000, the California 
Fish and Game Commission required light shields and a limit of 30,000 
watts per boat; it is unknown if this is sufficient to reduce impacts. 
Squid fishing has not occurred at a particularly noticeable level near 
any of the colonies in the Channel Islands since 1999; however, this 
remains a potential future threat.
    A proposal to build a liquid natural gas (LNG) facility 600 meters 
(1,969 feet) off the Coronados Islands in Baja California, Mexico, was 
considered a potential major threat to the species. This island 
contains one of the largest nesting populations of Xantus's murrelets 
in the world. Potential impacts of this facility to the nesting colony 
included bright lights at night from the facility and visiting tanker 
vessels, noise from the facility or from helicopters visiting the 
facility, and the threat of oil spills associated with visiting tanker 
vessels. However, Chevron announced in March 2007 that they have 
abandoned plans to develop this facility and withdrew their permits. 
There are three proposed LNG facilities in the Channel Islands; 
however, these are early in the complex and long-term planning 
processes, and it is possible that none of these facilities will be 
built. In addition, none of them are directly adjacent to nesting 
colonies, where their impacts would be expected to be more significant.
    The LNG facility off the Coronados Islands was considered to be an 
imminent threat of high magnitude, which resulted in a previous LPN of 
2. The remaining threats to the species are of high magnitude since 
they have the potential to result in mortality for a large portion of 
the species' range. However, the threats are nonimminent since they are 
not currently occurring at most of the murrelet nesting sites. 
Therefore, we retained an LPN of 5 for this species.
    Lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) - See above in 
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above 
summary is based on information contained in our files and the petition 
received on October 5, 1995. Additional information can be found in the 
12-month finding published on June 7, 1998 (63 FR 31400).
    Greater sage-grouse, Columbia Basin DPS (Centrocercus urophasianus) 
- For the reasons discussed below, we have not updated our finding with 
regard to the Columbia Basin DPS of the western subspecies of the 
greater sage-grouse (C. u. phaios) in this notice. The following 
summary is based on information in our files and a petition, dated May 
14, 1999, requesting the listing of the Washington population of 
western sage grouse. On May 7, 2001, we concluded that listing the 
Columbia Basin DPS of western sage grouse was warranted but precluded 
by higher priority listing actions (66 FR 22984); this DPS was 
historically found in northern Oregon and central Washington. The 
Service subsequently received two petitions requesting the listing of 
the entire ranges of what the petitions called the western and eastern 
subspecies of greater sage-grouse, dated January 24 and July 3, 2002, 
respectively. The petition involving the western sage-grouse requested 
listing the subspecies in northern California through Oregon and 
Washington (including the Columbia Basin DPS, for which we had already 
concluded listing was warranted but precluded), as well as any western 
sage-grouse still occurring in parts of Idaho.
    In evaluating the two petitions, we communicated with recognized 
sage-grouse experts, and discovered there was disagreement as to the 
taxonomic validity of these subspecies of the greater sage-grouse. Due 
to this disagreement in the scientific community, the we evaluated the 
available information and concluded that the eastern and western 
subspecies designations for greater sage-grouse are inappropriate given 
current taxonomic standards, which also meant they were not listable 
entities under the Act. We also concluded that the eastern and western 
populations did not constitute DPSs of the greater sage-grouse. 
Therefore, we published findings that the petitions did not present 
substantial information indicating that what the petitions had 
identified as the western or eastern subspecies may be warranted for 
listing under the Act (68 FR 6500 and 69 FR 933, respectively). The 
Institute for Wildlife Protection filed a

[[Page 75196]]

court complaint, dated June 6, 2003, challenging the merits of our 90-
day finding on the petition to list the western subspecies. On August 
10, 2004, a U.S. District Court judge ruled in favor of the Service and 
dismissed the plaintiff's case. An appeal, dated November 24, 2004, was 
filed by the Institute for Wildlife Protection. On March 3, 2006, the 
9th Circuit Court of Appeals remanded the 90-day finding to the Service 
on the grounds that we did not provide an adequate basis for concluding 
that the petition failed to present substantial information indicating 
the western sage-grouse may be a valid subspecies. The Court did, 
however, uphold our conclusion that the petitioned entity (western 
sage-grouse) does not constitute a DPS of the greater sage-grouse. On 
April 29, 2008, we published a substantial 90-day petition finding 
which concluded that the petition presented substantial information 
indicating that listing the western subspecies of the greater sage-
grouse may be warranted, announced that we were initiating a status 
review, and requested relevant information from the public (73 FR 
23170). We will publish an updated finding addressing the Columbia 
Basin DPS in the Federal Register after completing our status review 
and 12-month petition finding regarding the petition to list the 
western subspecies of the greater sage-grouse.
    Band-rumped storm-petrel, Hawaii DPS (Oceanodroma castro) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files and 
the petition we received on May 8, 1989. No new information was 
provided in the second petition received on May 11, 2004. The band-
rumped storm-petrel is a small seabird that is found in several areas 
of the subtropical Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. In the Pacific, there 
are three widely separated breeding populations - one in Japan, one in 
Hawaii, and one in the Galapagos. Populations in Japan and the 
Galapagos are comparatively large and number in the thousands, while 
the Hawaiian birds represent a small, remnant population of possibly 
only a few hundred pairs. Band-rumped storm-petrels are most commonly 
found in close proximity to breeding islands. The three populations in 
the Pacific are separated by long distances across the ocean where 
birds are not found. Extensive at-sea surveys of the Pacific have 
revealed a broad gap in distribution of the band-rumped storm-petrel to 
the east and west of the Hawaiian Islands, indicating the distribution 
of birds in the central Pacific around Hawaii is disjunct from other 
nesting areas. The available information indicates that distinct 
populations of band-rumped storm-petrels are definable and that the 
Hawaiian population is distinct based on geographic and distributional 
isolation from other band-rumped storm-petrel populations in Japan, the 
Galapagos, and the Atlantic Ocean. A population also can be considered 
discrete if it is delimited by international boundaries across which 
exist differences in management control of the species. The Hawaiian 
population of the band-rumped storm-petrel is the only populationwithin 
U.S. borders or under U.S. jurisdiction. Loss of the Hawaiian 
population would cause a significant gap in the distribution of the 
band-rumped storm-petrel in the Pacific, and could result in the 
complete isolation of the Galapagos and Japan populations without even 
occasional genetic exchanges. Therefore, the population is both 
discrete and significant, and is therefore a DPS.
    The band-rumped storm-petrel probably was common on all of the main 
Hawaiian Islands when Polynesians arrived about 1,500 years ago, based 
on storm-petrel bones found in middens on the island of Hawaii and in 
excavation sites on Oahu and Molokai. Nesting colonies of this species 
in the Hawaiian Islands currently are restricted to remote cliffs on 
Kauai and Lehua Island and high-elevation lava fields on Hawaii. 
Vocalizations of the species were heard in Haleakala Crater on Maui as 
recently as 2006; however, no nesting sites have been located on the 
island to date. The significant reduction in numbers and range of the 
band-rumped storm-petrel is due primarily to predation by nonnative 
predators introduced by humans, including the domestic cat (Felis 
catus), small Indian mongoose (Herpestes auropunctatus), common barn 
owl (Tyto alba), black rat (R. rattus), Polynesian rat (Rattus 
exulans), and Norway rat (R. norvegicus), which occur throughout the 
main Hawaiian Islands, with the exception of the mongoose, which is not 
established on Kauai. Attraction of fledglings to artificial lights, 
which disrupts their night-time navigation, resulting in collisions 
with building and other objects, and collisions with artificial 
structures such as communication towers and utility lines are also 
threats. Erosion of nest sites caused by the actions of nonnative 
ungulates is a potential threat in some locations. Efforts are underway 
in some areas to reduce light pollution and mitigate the threat of 
collisions, but there are no large-scale efforts to control nonnative 
predators in the Hawaiian Islands. The threats are imminent because 
they are ongoing, and they are of a high magnitude because they can 
significantly affect the survival of this DPS. Therefore, we assign 
this distinct population segment an LPN of 3.
    Elfin-woods warbler (Dendroica angelae) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The elfin woods 
warbler, is a small entirely black and white warbler, and was at first 
thought to occur only in the high elevation dwarf or elfin forests of 
Puerto Rico, but it has since been found at lower elevations including 
shade coffee plantations and secondary forests. The elfin woods warbler 
has been documented from four locations in Puerto Rico: Luquillo 
Mountains, Sierra de Cayey, and the Commonwealth forests of Maricao and 
Toro Negro. However, it has not been recorded again in Toro Negro or 
Cayey, since Hurricane Hugo in 1989. In 2003 and 2004, surveys for the 
elfin-woods warbler in the Carite Commonwealth Forest, Toro Negro 
Forest, Guilarte Forest, Bosque del Pueblo, Maricao Forest and the 
Caribbean National Forest, only detected the species in the latter two 
areas. In the Maricao Commonwealth Forest, 778 elfin woods warblers 
were recorded, and in the Caribbean National Forest, 196 elfin-woods 
warblers were recorded.
    Habitat destruction from expansion of public facilities within the 
forests, potential construction of additional telecommunication towers 
and their maintenance, disruption of breeding activities from 
pedestrians and high human use areas, switching from shade to sun 
coffee plantations, timber management practices, potential predators, 
and catastrophic natural events such as hurricanes and forest fires, 
threaten this species. Although these threats are not imminent because 
most of the range of the elfins wood warbler is within protected lands, 
the magnitude of threat to this species is high, because the restricted 
distribution and low population numbers cause the threats to have a 
significant impact on the species' survival. Therefore, we assign a 
listing priority number of 5 to this species.

Reptiles

    Sand dune lizard (Sceloporus arenicolus) - We have not updated our 
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed 
listing rule.

[[Page 75197]]

    Eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) - 
The following summary is based on information contained in our files. 
No new information was provided in the petition received on May 11, 
2004. The eastern massasauga is one of three recognized subspecies of 
massasauga, a rattlesnake. It occupies shallow wetlands and adjacent 
upland habitat in portions of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, 
Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and 
Ontario.
    Although the current range of the eastern massasauga resembles the 
subspecies' historical range, the geographic distribution has been 
restricted by the loss of the subspecies from much of the area within 
the boundaries of that range. Approximately 40 percent of the counties 
that were historically occupied by the eastern massasauga no longer 
support the subspecies. This subspecies is currently considered 
imperiled in every State and province which it occupies. Each State and 
Canadian province across the range of the eastern massasauga has lost 
more than 30 percent, and for the majority more than 50 percent, of 
their historical populations. Furthermore, fewer than 35 percent of the 
remaining populations are considered secure. Approximately 59 percent 
of the remaining eastern massasauga populations occur wholly or in part 
on public land, and Statewide and/or site-specific Candidate 
Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAAs) are currently being 
developed for many of these areas in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, and 
Wisconsin. In 2004, a Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA) with the 
Lake County Forest Preserve District in Illinois was completed. In 
2005, a CCA with the Forest Preserve District of Cook County in 
Illinois was completed. In 2006, a CCAA with the Ohio Department of 
Natural Resources Division of Natural Areas and Preserves was completed 
for Rome State Nature Preserve in Ashtabula County. Populations 
expected to be under CCAs and CCAAs have a high likelihood of 
persisting and remaining viable. Other populations are likely to suffer 
additional losses in abundance and genetic diversity and some will 
likely be extirpated unless threats are removed in the near future. The 
primary threats to the eastern massasauga are habitat modification, 
habitat succession, incompatible land management practices, illegal 
collection for the pet trade, and human persecution. Because of the 
ongoing effort to protect the subspecies through CCAAs, the threats are 
moderate overall. Although the CCAAs have decreased the immediacy of 
some threats in some areas, the majority of the threats are ongoing or 
are in areas not covered by a CCAA. As a result, overall these threats 
remain an imminent threat to many remaining populations, particularly 
those inhabiting private lands. We have kept the LPN at 9 for this 
subspecies.
    Black pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus lodingi) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
There are historical records for the black pine snake from one parish 
in Louisiana, 14 counties in Mississippi, and 3 counties in Alabama 
west of the Mobile River Delta. Black pine snake surveys and trapping 
indicate that this species has been extirpated from Louisiana and from 
four counties in Mississippi. Moreover, the distribution of remaining 
populations has become highly restricted due to the destruction and 
fragmentation of the remaining longleaf pine habitat within the range 
of the subspecies. Most of the known Mississippi populations are 
concentrated on the DeSoto National Forest. Populations occurring on 
properties managed by State and other governmental agencies as gopher 
tortoise mitigation banks or wildlife sanctuaries represent the best 
opportunities for long-term survival of the subspecies in Alabama. 
Other factors affecting the black pine snake include vehicular 
mortality and low reproductive rates, which magnify the threats from 
destruction and fragmentation of longleaf pine habitat and increase the 
likelihood of local extinctions. Due to the imminent threats of high 
magnitude caused by the past destruction of most of the longleaf pine 
habitat of the black pine snake, and the continuing persistent 
degradation of what remains, we assigned an LPN of 3 to this 
subspecies.
    Louisiana pine snake (Pituophis ruthveni) -The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files and the petition we 
received on July 19, 2000. The Louisiana pine snake historically 
occurred in the fire-maintained longleaf pine ecosystem within west-
central Louisiana and extreme east-central Texas. Most of the 
historical longleaf pine habitat of the Louisiana pine snake has been 
destroyed or degraded due to logging, fire suppression, roadways, 
short-rotation silviculture, and grazing. In the absence of recurrent 
fire, suitable habitat conditions for the Louisiana pine snake and its 
primary prey, the Baird's pocket gopher (Geomys breviceps), are lost 
due to vegetative succession. The loss and fragmentation of the 
longleaf pine ecosystem has resulted in extant Louisiana pine snake 
populations that are isolated and small. Trapping and occurrence data 
indicate the Louisiana pine snake is currently restricted to seven 
disjunct populations; five of the populations occur on Federal lands 
and two occur mainly on private industrial timberlands. Current 
potentially occupied habitat in Louisiana and Texas is estimated to be 
approximately 163,000 acres, with 53 percent occurring on public lands 
and 47 percent in private ownership.
    All remnant Louisiana pine snake populations have been affected by 
habitat loss and all require active habitat management. A Candidate 
Conservation Agreement (CCA) was completed in 2003 to maintain and 
enhance potentially occupied habitat on public lands, and to protect 
known Louisiana pine snake populations. On Federal lands, signatories 
of the Louisiana pine snake CCA currently conduct habitat management 
(i.e., prescribed burning and thinning) that is beneficial to the 
Louisiana pine snake. This proactive habitat management has likely 
slowed or reversed the rate of Louisiana pine snake habitat degradation 
on many portions of Federal lands. The largest extant Louisiana pine 
snake population exists on private industrial timberlands. Although two 
conservation areas are managed to benefit Louisiana pine snakes on this 
property, the majority of the intervening occupied habitat is 
threatened by land management activities (habitat conversion to short-
rotation pine plantations) that decrease habitat quality.
    Three of the remnant Louisiana pine snake populations may be 
vulnerable to decreased demographic viability or other factors 
associated with low population sizes and demographic isolation. 
Although these remnant Louisiana pine snake populations are 
intrinsically vulnerable and thus threatened by these factors, it is 
not known if they are presently actually facing these threats. Because 
all extant populations are currently isolated and fragmented by habitat 
loss in the matrix between populations, there is little potential for 
dispersal among remnant populations or for the natural re-colonization 
of vacant habitat patches. Thus, the loss of any remnant population is 
likely to be permanent. Other factors affecting the Louisiana pine 
snake throughout its range include low fecundity, which magnifies other 
threats and increases the likelihood of local extinctions, and 
vehicular

[[Page 75198]]

mortality, which may significantly affect Louisiana pine snake 
populations.
    While the extent of Louisiana pine snake habitat loss has been 
great in the past and much of the remaining habitat has been degraded, 
habitat loss does not represent an imminent threat, primarily because 
the rate of habitat loss appears to be declining on public lands. 
However, all populations require active habitat management, and the 
lack of adequate habitat remains a threat for several populations. The 
potential threats to a large percentage of extant Louisiana pine snake 
populations, coupled with the likely permanence of these effects and 
the species' low fecundity and low population sizes (based on capture 
rates and occurrence data), lead us to conclude that the threats have 
significant effect on the survival of the species and therefore remain 
high in magnitude. Thus, based on nonimminent, high-magnitude threats, 
we assign a listing priority number of 5 to this species.
    Sonoyta mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No 
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 
2004. The Sonoyta mud turtle occurs in a spring and pond at 
Quitobaquito Springs on Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in Arizona, 
and in the Rio Sonoyta and Quitovac Spring of Sonora, Mexico. Loss and 
degradation of stream habitat from water diversion and groundwater 
pumping, along with its very limited distribution, is the primary 
threat to the Sonoyta mud turtle. Sonoyta mud turtles are highly 
aquatic and depend on permanent water for survival. The area of 
southwest Arizona and northern Sonora where the Sonoyta mud turtle 
occurs is one of the driest regions of the southwest. Due to continuing 
drought, irrigated agriculture, and development in the region, surface 
water in the Rio Sonoyta can be expected to dwindle further and 
therefore have a significant impact on the survival of this subspecies 
which may also be vulnerable to aerial spraying of pesticides on nearby 
agricultural fields. We retained an LPN of 3 for this subspecies 
because threats are of a high magnitude and continue to date, and 
therefore, are imminent.

Amphibians

    Columbia spotted frog, Great Basin DPS (Rana luteiventris) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files and 
the petition we received on May 1, 1989. Currently, Columbia spotted 
frogs appear to be widely distributed throughout southwestern Idaho, 
eastern Oregon, northeastern and central Nevada but local populations 
within this general area appear to be small and isolated from each 
other. Recent work by researchers in Idaho and Nevada has documented 
the loss of historically known sites, reduced numbers of individuals 
within local populations, and declines in the reproduction of those 
individuals. Small, highly fragmented populations, characteristic of 
the majority of existing populations of Columbia spotted frogs in the 
Great Basin, are highly susceptible to extinction processes. The 
populations within the Columbia Basin are discrete and significant, and 
thus are a DPS.
    Water development, improper grazing, mining activities and 
nonnative species have and continue to contribute to the degradation 
and fragmentation of Columbia spotted frog habitat. Emerging fungal 
diseases such as chytridiomycosis and the spread of parasites are 
contributing factors to Columbia spotted frog population declines 
throughout portions of its range. A 10-year Conservation Agreement/
Strategy was signed in September 2003 for both the Northeast and the 
Toiyabe subpopulations in Nevada. The goals of the Conservation 
Agreements are to reduce threats to Columbia spotted frogs and their 
habitat to the extent necessary to prevent populations from becoming 
extirpated throughout all or a portion of their historic range and to 
maintain, enhance, and restore a sufficient number of populations of 
Columbia spotted frogs and their habitat to ensure their continued 
existence throughout their historic range. Additionally, a Candidate 
Conservation Agreement with Assurances was completed in 2006 for the 
Owyhee subpopulation at Sam Noble Springs, Idaho. While some threats 
(habitat modification and fragmentation, nonnative species, inadequate 
regulatory mechanisms, and climate change) to the species and its 
habitat occur rangewide but at various intensities, other threats 
(disease and mining) only impact local populations; overall, the 
magnitude of the threats is moderate. Based on ongoing, and therefore, 
imminent threats of moderate magnitude, we assigned a listing priority 
number of 9 to this Distinct Population Segment of the Columbia spotted 
frog.
    Mountain yellow-legged frog, Sierra Nevada DPS (Rana muscosa) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files and 
the petition received on February 8, 2000. Also see our 12-month 
petition finding published on January 16, 2003 (68 FR 2283) and our 
amended 12-month petition finding published on June 25, 2007 (72 FR 
34657). The mountain yellow-legged frog inhabits the high elevation 
lakes, ponds, and streams in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, 
from near 4,500 feet (ft) (1,370 meters (m)) to 12,000 ft (3,650 m). 
The distribution of the mountain yellow-legged frog is from Butte and 
Plumas Counties in the north to Tulare and Inyo Counties in the south. 
The population in the Sierra Nevada is discrete and significant and is 
therefore a DPS. A separate population in southern California is 
already listed as endangered (67 FR 44382).
    Predation by introduced trout is the best-documented cause of the 
decline of the Sierra Nevada mountain yellow-legged frog, because it 
has been repeatedly observed that nonnative fishes and mountain yellow-
legged frogs rarely co-exist. Mountain yellow-legged frogs and trout 
(native and nonnative) do co-occur at some sites, but these co-
occurrences probably are mountain yellow-legged frog populations with 
negative population growth rates in the absence of immigration. To help 
reverse the decline of the mountain yellow-legged frog, the Sequoia and 
Kings Canyon National Parks have been removing introduced trout since 
2001. Over 18,000 introduced trout have been removed from 11 lakes 
since the project started in 2001. The lakes are completely- to mostly 
fish-free and substantial mountain yellow-legged frog population 
increases have resulted. The California Department of Fish and Game 
(CDFG) has also removed or is in the process of removing nonnative 
trout from a total of between 10 and 20 water bodies in the Inyo, 
Humboldt-Toiyabe, Sierra, and El Dorado National Forests. In the El 
Dorado National Forest golden trout were removed from Leland Lakes, and 
attempts have been made to remove trout from two sites near Gertrude 
Lake and a tributary of Cole Creek; no data showing increase in 
mountain yellow-legged frogs at these sites was available.
    In California, chytridiomycosis, more commonly known as chytrid 
fungus, has been detected in many amphibian species, including the 
mountain yellow-legged frog within the Sierra Nevada. Recent research 
has shown that this pathogenic fungus is widely distributed throughout 
the Sierra Nevada, and that infected mountain yellow-legged frogs die 
soon after metamorphosis. Several infected and uninfected populations 
were monitored in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks over multiple 
years, documenting dramatic declines and extirpations in infected but 
not in uninfected populations. In the summer

[[Page 75199]]

of 2005, 39 of 43 populations assayed in Yosemite National Park were 
positive for chytrid fungus.
    The current distribution of the Sierra Nevada mountain yellow-
legged frog is restricted primarily to publicly managed lands at high 
elevations, including streams, lakes, ponds, and meadow wetlands 
located on national forests, including wilderness and non-wilderness on 
the forests, and national parks. In several areas where detailed 
studies of the effects of chytrid fungus on the mountain yellow-legged 
frog are ongoing, substantial declines have been observed over the past 
several years. For example, in 2007 surveys in Yosemite National Park, 
mountain yellow-legged frogs were not detectable at 37 percent of 285 
sites where they had been observed in 2000-2002; in 2005 in Sequoia and 
Kings Canyon National Parks, mountain yellow-legged frogs were not 
detected at 54 percent of sites where they had been recorded 3-8 years 
earlier. A compounding effect of disease-caused extinctions of mountain 
yellow-legged frogs is that recolonization may never occur, because 
streams connecting extirpated sites to extant populations now contain 
introduced fishes, which act as barriers to frog movement within 
metapopulations. The most recent assessment of the species status in 
the Sierra Nevada indicates that mountain-yellow legged frogs occur at 
less than 8 percent of the sites from which they were historically 
observed. A group of prominent scientists further suggest a 10 percent 
decline per year in the number of remaining Rana mucosa populations. 
Based on threats that are imminent (because they are ongoing) and high-
magnitude (because they affect the survival of the DPS rangewide), we 
continue to assign the population of mountain yellow-legged frog in the 
Sierra Nevada an LPN of 3.
    Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files and the petition we 
received on May 4, 1989. Historically, the Oregon spotted frog ranged 
from British Columbia to the Pit River drainage in northeastern 
California. Based on surveys of historical sites, the Oregon spotted 
frog is now absent from at least 76 percent of its former range. The 
majority of the remaining Oregon spotted frog populations are small and 
isolated.
    The threats to the species' habitat include development, livestock 
grazing, introduction of nonnative plant species, vegetation 
succession, changes in hydrology due to construction of dams and 
alterations to seasonal flooding, lack of management of exotic 
vegetation predators, and poor water quality. Additional threats to the 
species are predation by nonnative fish and introduced bullfrogs; 
competition with bullfrogs for habitat; and diseases, such as oomycete 
water mold Saprolegnia and chytrid fungus infections. The magnitude of 
threat is high for this species because this wide range of threats to 
both individuals and their habitats could seriously reduce or eliminate 
any of these isolated populations and further reduce the species' range 
and potential survival. Habitat restoration and management actions have 
not prevented a decline in the reproductive rates in some populations. 
The threats are imminent because each population is faced with multiple 
ongoing and potential threats as identified above. Therefore, we retain 
an LPN of 2 for the Oregon spotted frog.
    Relict leopard frog (Rana onca) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files and the petition we received on May 
9, 2002. Relict leopard frogs are currently known to occur only in two 
general areas in Nevada: near the Overton Arm area of Lake Mead, and 
Black Canyon below Lake Mead. These two areas comprise a small fraction 
of the historical distribution of the species, which included springs, 
streams, and wetlands within the Virgin River drainage downstream from 
the vicinity of Hurricane, Utah; along the Muddy River, Nevada; and 
along the Colorado River from its confluence with the Virgin River 
downstream to Black Canyon below Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona. 
Suggested factors contributing to the decline of the species include 
alteration of aquatic habitat due to agriculture and water development, 
including regulation of the Colorado River, and the introduction of 
exotic aquatic species which potentially prey on the relict leopard 
frog and may compete for food and cover sites. In 2005, the National 
Park Service, in cooperation with the Service and various other 
Federal, State, and local partners, developed a conservation agreement 
and strategy which is intended to improve the status of the species 
through prescribed management actions and protection. Conservation 
actions identified for implementation in the agreement and strategy 
include captive rearing tadpoles for translocation and refugium 
populations, habitat and natural history studies, habitat enhancement, 
population and habitat monitoring, and translocation. Conservation 
efforts are proceeding under the agreement, but, additional time is 
needed to determine whether the agreement will be effective in 
eliminating or reducing the threats to the point that the relict 
leopard frog can be removed from candidate status. However, because of 
these conservation efforts the magnitude of existing threats has been 
reduced to low to moderate. Most populations of the relict leopard frog 
face one or more threats which may be long-term in timing and duration. 
However, no populations are currently threatened by disease or any 
proposed human activity that would reduce the numbers and distribution 
of any given population. Since the threats are not currently occurring, 
they are nonimminent. We assigned an LPN of 11 to this species.
    Ozark hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis bishopi) - We have 
not updated our assessment for this species, as we are currently 
developing a proposed listing rule.
    Austin blind salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis) - Austin blind 
salamander (Eurycea waterlooensis) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition received on May 11, 2004. The Austin blind salamander is 
known to occur in and around three of the four spring sites that 
comprise the Barton Springs complex in the City of Austin, Travis 
County, Texas. Primary threats to this species are degradation of water 
quality due to expanding urbanization. The Austin blind salamander 
depends on a constant supply of clean water in the Edwards Aquifer 
discharging from Barton Springs for its survival. Urbanization 
dramatically alters the normal hydrologic regime and water quality of 
an area. Increased impervious cover caused by development increases the 
quantity and velocity of runoff that leads to erosion and greater 
pollution transport. Pollutants and contaminants that enter the Edwards 
Aquifer are discharged in salamander habitat at Barton Springs and have 
serious morphological and physiological effects to the salamander.
    The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality adopted the Edwards 
Rules in 1995 and 1997, which require a number of water quality 
protection measures for new development occurring in the recharge and 
contributing zones of the Edwards Aquifer. However, Chapter 245 of the 
Texas Local Government Code permits ``grandfathering'' of state 
regulations. Grandfathering allows developments to be exempted from any 
new local or state requirements for water quality controls and 
impervious cover limits if the developments were planned prior to the 
implementation of such regulations. As

[[Page 75200]]

a result of the grandfathering law, very few developments have followed 
these ordinances. New developments are still obligated to comply with 
regulations that were applicable at the time when project applications 
for development were first filed. In addition, it is significant that 
even if they were followed with every new development, these ordinances 
do not span the entire watershed for Barton Springs. Consequently, 
development occurring outside these jurisdictions can have negative 
consequences on water quality and thus have an impact on the species.
    Water quality impacts threaten the continued existence of the 
Austin blind salamander by altering physical aquatic habitats and the 
food sources of the salamander. We consider the threats to be imminent 
because urbanization is ongoing and continues to expand over the Barton 
Springs Segment of the Edwards Aquifer and water quality continues to 
degrade. While the City of Austin and many other partners are actively 
working on conservation of the Barton Springs salamander, and the 
Austin blind salamander could benefit from all of the ongoing 
conservation actions that are being conducted for the Barton Springs 
salamander, these efforts have not yet been successful in improving 
water quality. In addition, the existence of the species continues to 
be threatened by hazardous chemical spills within the Barton Springs 
Segment of the Edwards Aquifer, which could result in direct mortality. 
Because the Austin blind salamander is known from only three clustered 
spring sites and must rely on clear, clean spring discharges from the 
Edwards Aquifer for its survival, degraded water quality poses a threat 
to the entire population, and is therefore a high-magnitude threat. 
Thus, we retain an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Georgetown salamander (Eurycea naufragia) - See above in ``Summary 
of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above summary is based 
on information contained in our files. No new information was provided 
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
    Salado salamander (Eurycea chisholmensis) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Salado 
salamander is historically known from two spring sites, Big Boiling 
Springs and Robertson Springs, near Salado, Bell County, Texas. We have 
received only one anecdotal report of a salamander sighting in Big 
Boiling Springs in 2008; prior to that, the salamander had not been 
sighted there since 1991. Robertson Springs are on private land and 
access to the site has not been granted. The last survey at Robertson 
Springs was in the early 1990s.
    Primary threats to this species are habitat modification and 
degradation of water quality due to expanding urbanization. The Salado 
salamander depends on a constant supply of clean water from the 
Northern Segment of the Edwards Aquifer for its survival. Pollutants 
and contaminants that enter the Edwards Aquifer discharge in salamander 
habitat and have morphological and physiological effects on the 
salamander. We do not know how likely spills are to occur within the 
contributing watersheds of the springs that support this species. 
However, several groundwater contamination incidents have occurred 
within Salado salamander habitat in recent years. The salamander is 
reasonably expected to be vulnerable to catastrophic hazardous 
materials spills, groundwater contamination from the Northern Segment 
of the Edwards Aquifer, and impacts to its surface habitat. In 
addition, because Big Boiling Springs is located near Interstate 35 and 
in the center of the city, increasing traffic and urbanization is 
likely to increase rather than decrease the threats of contamination 
from spills, higher levels of impervious cover, and subsequent impacts 
to groundwater. These threats significantly affect the survival of this 
species, and groundwater contamination and impact to surface habitat 
are ongoing. Moreover, we do not have information that the magnitude or 
imminence of the threats to the species has changed since our previous 
assessment when we concluded there are ongoing, and therefore, imminent 
threats of a high magnitude. Therefore we continue to assign an LPN of 
2 to this species.
    Yosemite toad (Bufo canorus) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files and the petition we received on 
April 3, 2000. See also our 12-month petition finding published on 
December 10, 2002 (67 FR 75834). Yosemite toads are most likely to be 
found in areas with thick meadow vegetation or patches of low willows 
near or in water, and use rodent burrows for overwintering and 
temporary refuge during the summer. Breeding habitat includes the edges 
of wet meadows, slow flowing streams, shallow ponds and shallow areas 
of lakes. The historic range of Yosemite toads in the Sierra Nevada 
occurs from the Blue Lakes region north of Ebbetts Pass (Alpine County) 
to south of Kaiser Pass in the Evolution Lake/Darwin Canyon area 
(Fresno County). The historic elevational range of Yosemite toads is 
1,460 to 3,630 m (4,790 to 11,910 ft).
    The threats currently facing the Yosemite toad include cattle 
grazing, timber harvesting, recreation, disease, and climate change. 
Inappropriate grazing has shown to cause loss in vegetative cover and 
destruction of peat layers in meadows, which lowers the groundwater 
table and summer flows. This may increase the stranding and mortality 
of tadpoles, or make these areas completely unsuitable for Yosemite 
toads (Martin 2002). Grazing can also degrade or destroy moist upland 
areas the Yosemite toad use as non-breeding habitat and it can collapse 
rodent burrows the Yosemite toads use as cover and hibernation sites. 
Timber harvesting and associated road development could severely alter 
the terrestrial environment and result in the reduction and occasional 
extirpation of amphibian populations in the Sierra Nevada. These 
habitat gaps may act as dispersal barriers and contribute to the 
fragmentation of Yosemite toad habitat and populations. Trails (foot, 
horse, bicycle, or off-highway motor vehicle) compact soil in riparian 
habitat, which increases erosion, displaces vegetation, and can lower 
the water table. Trampling or the collapsing of rodent burrows by 
recreationists, pets, and vehicles could lead to direct mortality of 
all life stages of the Yosemite toad and disrupt their behavior. 
Various diseases have been confirmed in Yosemite toads. Mass die-offs 
of amphibians have been attributed to: chytrid fungal infections of 
metamorphs and adults; Saprolegnia fungal infections of eggs; 
iridovirus infection of larvae, metamorphs, or adults; and bacterial 
infections. However, recent surveys in Yosemite National Park have 
found that the park populations are not currently infected with chytrid 
fungus. Yosemite toads probably are exposed to a variety of pesticides 
and other chemicals throughout their range. Environmental contaminants 
could negatively affect the species by causing direct mortality; 
suppressing the immune system; disrupting breeding behavior, 
fertilization, growth or development of young; and disrupting the 
ability to avoid predation. There is no indication that any of these 
threats in ongoing or planned and the threats are therefore 
nonimminent. In addition, since there are a number of substantial 
populations and these threats tend to have localized effects, the 
threats are moderate to low in magnitude. We therefore retained an LPN 
of 11 for the Yosemite toad.

[[Page 75201]]

    Black Warrior waterdog (Necturus alabamensis) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
The Black Warrior waterdog is a salamander that inhabits streams above 
the Fall Line within the Black Warrior River Basin in Alabama. There is 
very little specific locality information available on the historical 
distribution of the Black Warrior waterdog since little attention was 
given to this species between its description in 1937 and the 1980s. At 
that time, there were a total of only 11 known historical records from 
4 Alabama counties. Two of these sites have now been inundated by 
impoundments. Extensive survey work was conducted in the 1990s to look 
for additional populations. Currently, the species is known from 14 
sites in 5 counties.
    Water-quality degradation is the biggest threat to the continued 
existence of the Black Warrior waterdog. Most streams that have been 
surveyed for the waterdog showed evidence of pollution and many 
appeared biologically depauperate. Sources of point and nonpoint 
pollution in the Black Warrior River Basin have been numerous and 
widespread. Pollution is generated from inadequately treated effluent 
from industrial plants, sanitary landfills, sewage treatment plants, 
poultry operations, and cattle feedlots. Surface mining represents 
another threat to the biological integrity of waterdog habitat. Runoff 
from old, abandoned coal mines generates pollution through 
acidification, increased mineralization, and sediment loading. The 
North River, Locust Fork, and Mulberry Fork, all streams that this 
species inhabits, are on the Environmental Protection Agency's list of 
impaired waters. An additional threat to the Black Warrior waterdog is 
the creation of large impoundments that have flooded thousands of 
square hectares (acres) of its habitat. These impoundments are likely 
marginal or unsuitable habitat for the salamander. While the water-
quality threat is pervasive and problematic, the overall magnitude of 
the threat is moderate, as there has not been a steep rate of decline 
in the population of this species. Water quality degradation in the 
Black Warrior basin is ongoing; therefore, the threats are imminent. We 
assigned an LPN of 8 to this species.

Fishes

    Headwater chub (Gila nigra) - See above in ``Summary of Listing 
Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above summary is based on 
information contained in our files and the 12-month finding published 
in the Federal Register on May 3, 2006 (71 FR 26007).
    Arkansas darter (Etheostoma cragini) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Arkansas 
darter is a small fish in the perch family native to portions of the 
Arkansas River basin. The species' range includes sites in extreme 
northwestern Arkansas, southwestern Missouri, and northeastern 
Oklahoma, within the Neosho River watershed. It also occurs in a number 
of watersheds and isolated streams in eastern Colorado, south-central 
and southwestern Kansas, and the Cimarron watershed in northwest 
Oklahoma. The species is most often found in small spring-fed streams 
with sand substrate and aquatic vegetation. It appears stable at most 
sites where spring flows persist. It has declined in areas where spring 
flows have decreased or been eliminated. We estimate that currently 
there are approximately 135 locality occurrences of the Arkansas darter 
distributed across the 5 States; it was found at 29 of 67 sites sampled 
in 2005-2006. Threats to the species include stream dewatering 
resulting from groundwater pumping in the western portion of the 
species' range, and potential development pressures in portions of its 
eastern range. Spills and runoff from confined animal feeding 
operations also potentially affect the species range-wide. The 
magnitude of threats facing this species is moderate to low, given the 
number of different locations where the species occurs and the fact 
that no single threat or combination of threats is working to affect 
more than a portion of the wide-spread population occurrences. Overall, 
the threats are not imminent since groundwater pumping is declining and 
development, spills, runoff are not currently affecting the species 
rangewide. Thus, we are retaining an LPN of 11 for the Arkansas darter.
    Cumberland darter (Etheostoma susanae) - We have not updated our 
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed 
listing rule.
    Pearl darter (Percina aurora) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Little is known about the 
specific habitat requirements or natural history of the Pearl darter. 
Pearl darters have been collected from a variety of river/stream 
attributes, mainly over gravel bottom substrate. This species is 
historically known only from localized sites within the Pascagoula and 
Pearl River drainages in two states ( Louisiana and Mississippi). 
Currently, the Pearl darter is considered extirpated from the Pearl 
River drainage and rare in the Pascagoula River drainage. Since 1983, 
the range of the Pearl darter has decreased by 55 percent.
    Pearl darters are vulnerable to the cumulative impacts of a variety 
of non-point pollution sources, such as sedimentation and chemicals, 
and to more localized and concentrated pollution events. The potential 
of reduction of the flow rate for the Leaf and Pascagoula rivers may be 
significant if the Department of Energy's Strategic Petroleum Reserve 
project occurs by 2014. However, the only current threat to the species 
is believed to be the steady yet gradual change in river and tributary 
geomorphology and hydrology over time. The magnitude of this threat to 
Pearl darter is high because even a gradual change in hydrology can 
have a significant impact on the survival of the species' limited and 
disjunct populations. The immediacy of the threat is nonimminent, since 
no known confirmed projects are planned that would have a direct impact 
on the species, and the decline of water quality is slow and gradual. 
In addition, efforts are underway to improve habitat by reducing these 
threats and to increase and augment the numbers of Pearl darters by 
husbandry. Therefore, we assign this species an LPN of 5.
    Rush darter (Etheostoma phytophilum) - We have not updated our 
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed 
listing rule.
    Yellowcheek darter (Etheostoma moorei) - The following summary is 
based on information from our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The yellowcheek darter is 
endemic to four headwater tributaries of the Little Red River in 
Arkansas. It is vulnerable to alterations in physical habitat 
characteristics such as the impoundment of Greers Ferry Reservoir, 
channel maintenance in the Archey Fork, increased sedimentation from 
eroding stream banks and poor riparian management, and illegal gravel 
mining. Factors affecting the remaining populations include loss of 
suitable breeding habitat, habitat and water quality degradation, 
population isolation due to stretches of unsuitable habitat between 
populations, and severe population declines exacerbated by stochastic 
drought conditions. A 2004-2005 threats assessment by Service personnel 
documented occurrences of the aforementioned activities

[[Page 75202]]

(impoundment, channel maintenance, poor riparian management, illegal 
gravel mining) and found 52 sites on the Middle Fork, 28 sites on the 
South Fork, 8 sites on Archey Fork, and 1 site in the Turkey/Beech/
Devils Fork system where those activities are potentially contributing 
to the decline of the species. Since the threats assessment was 
completed, natural gas exploration and development in the Fayetteville 
Shale formation in north central Arkansas has also become a sizeable 
threat in all watersheds. The Middle Fork was listed as an impaired 
waterbody by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality in 2004 
due to excessive bacteria and low dissolved oxygen.
    Recent studies have documented significant declines in the numbers 
(60,000 in 1981; 10,300 in 2000) of this fish in the remaining 
populations and further range restriction within the tributaries (130.4 
to 65.0 stream km). As a result, yellowcheek darter numbers declined 
over a 20-year period by 83 percent in both the Middle Fork and South 
Fork, and 60 percent in the Archey Fork, based on a 2000 status survey. 
No yellowcheek darters have been found in the Turkey Fork between 1999 
and 2005; the species has apparently been extirpated in that reach. The 
threats are high in magnitude since they significantly affect the 
ability of this species to survive and they are not currently targeted 
by conservation actions. They are also imminent, because they are 
ongoing. Therefore, we assigned this species a listing priority number 
of 2.
    Chucky madtom (Noturus crypticus) - We have not updated our 
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed 
listing rule.
    Grotto sculpin (Cottus sp., sp. nov.) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Grotto 
sculpin, a small fish, is restricted to two karst areas (limestone 
regions characterized by sink holes, abrupt ridges, caves, and 
underground streams): the Central Perryville Karst and Mystery-Rimstone 
Karst in Perry County, southeast Missouri. Data supports the genetic 
distinctness of the grotto sculpin as a species, although it has not 
yet been formally described. Grotto sculpins have been documented in 
only 5 caves. The current overall range of the grotto sculpin has been 
estimated to encompass approximately 260 square kilometers (100 square 
miles).
    The small population size and endemism of the grotto sculpin make 
it vulnerable to extinction due to genetic drift, inbreeding 
depression, and random or chance changes to the environment. The 
species' karst habitat is located down-gradient of the city of 
Perryville, Missouri, which poses a potential threat if contaminants 
from this urban area enter cave streams occupied by grotto sculpins. 
Various agricultural chemicals, such as ammonia, nitrite/nitrate, 
chloride, and potassium have been detected at levels high enough to be 
detrimental to aquatic life within the Perryville Karst area. More than 
half of the sinkholes in Perry County contain anthropogenic refuse, 
ranging from household cleansers and sewage to used pesticide and 
herbicide containers. As a result, potential water contamination from 
various sources of point and non-point pollution poses a significant 
threat to the grotto sculpin. Of the 5 cave systems documented to have 
grotto sculpins, populations in one cave system were likely eliminated, 
presumably as the result of point-source pollution. When the cave was 
searched in the spring of 2000, a mass mortality of grotto sculpin was 
noted, and subsequent visits to the cave have failed to document a 
single live grotto sculpin. Thus, the species appears to have suffered 
a 20 percent decrease in the number of populations from the single 
event. Predatory fish such as common carp, fat-head minnow, yellow 
bullhead, green sunfish, bluegill, and channel catfish occur in all of 
the caves occupied by grotto sculpin. These predators may escape 
surface farm ponds that unexpectedly drain through sinkholes into the 
underground cave systems and enter grotto sculpin habitat. Although we 
do not have direct observations of these fish preying on grotto 
sculpins, it is highly likely that predation is occurring. No 
regulatory mechanisms are in place that would provide protection to the 
grotto sculpin. Ongoing threats from chemical contamination of the 
habitat of the grotto sculpin and competition from nonnative fish, 
combined with its low population numbers, increase the likelihood of 
extinction. Due to the high magnitude of ongoing, and thus imminent, 
threats we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
    Sharpnose shiner (Notropis oxyrhynchus) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The sharpnose 
shiner is a small, slender minnow, endemic to the Brazos River Basin in 
Texas. Historically, the sharpnose shiner existed throughout the Brazos 
River and several of its major tributaries within the watershed. It has 
also been found in the Wichita River (within the Red River Basin) where 
it may have once naturally occurred but has since been extirpated. 
Current information indicates that the population within the Upper 
Brazos River drainage (upstream of Possum Kingdom Reservoir) is 
apparently stable, while the population within the Middle and Lower 
Brazos River Basins may only exist in remnant populations in areas of 
suitable habitat, which may no longer be viable, representing a 
reduction of approximately 68 percent of its historical range.
    The most significant threat to the existence of the sharpnose 
shiner is potential reservoir development within its current range. 
Additional threats include irrigation and water diversion, 
sedimentation, desalination, industrial and municipal discharges, 
agricultural activities, in-stream sand and gravel mining, and the 
spread of invasive saltcedar. The current limited distribution of the 
sharpnose shiner within the Upper Brazos River Basin makes it 
vulnerable to catastrophic events such as the introduction of 
competitive species or prolonged drought. State law does not provide 
protection for the sharpnose shiner. The magnitude of threat is 
considered high, since the major threat of reservoir development within 
the current range of the species may render its remaining habitat 
unsuitable throughout its limited distribution. The immediacy of threat 
is nonimminent because the most significant threat - major reservoir 
projects - are not likely to occur in the near future, and there is 
potential for implementing other water supply options that could 
preclude reservoir development. For these reasons, we assigned an LPN 
of 5 to this species.
    Smalleye shiner (Notropis buccula) - The following summary is based 
on information contained in our files. No new information was provided 
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The smalleye shiner is a 
small, pallid minnow endemic to the Brazos River Basin in Texas. The 
population of smalleye shiners within the Upper Brazos River drainage 
(upstream of Possum Kingdom Reservoir) is apparently stable. However, 
the shiner may be extirpated downstream from the reservoir, 
representing a reduction of approximately 54 percent of its historical 
range.
    The most significant threat to the existence of the smalleye shiner 
is potential reservoir development within its current range. Additional 
threats include irrigation and water diversion, sedimentation, 
desalination, industrial

[[Page 75203]]

and municipal discharges, agricultural activities, in-stream sand and 
gravel mining, and the spread of invasive saltcedar. The current 
limited distribution of the smalleye shiner within the Upper Brazos 
River Basin makes it vulnerable to catastrophic events such as the 
introduction of competitive species or prolonged drought. State law 
does not provide protection for the smalleye shiner. The magnitude of 
threat is considered high since the major threat of reservoir 
development within the current range may render its remaining habitat 
unsuitable throughout its limited distribution. The immediacy of threat 
is nonimminent because the most significant threat - major reservoir 
projects - are not likely to occur in the near future, and there is 
potential for implementing other water supply options that could 
preclude reservoir development. For these reasons, we assigned an LPN 
of 5 to this species.
    Zuni bluehead sucker (Catostomus discobolus yarrowi) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No 
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 
2004. The range of the Zuni bluehead sucker has been reduced by over 
90%. The Zuni bluehead sucker currently occupies 9 river miles (15 
kilometers) in 3 areas of New Mexico, and potentially occurs in 27 
miles (43 kilometers) in the Kinlichee drainage of Arizona. However, 
the number of occupied miles in Arizona is unknown, and the genetic 
composition of these fish is still under investigation. Zuni bluehead 
sucker range reduction and fragmentation is caused by discontinuous 
surface water flow, introduced species, and habitat degradation from 
fine sediment deposition. Zuni bluehead sucker persist in very small 
creeks that are subject to very low flows and drying during periods of 
drought. Because of climate change (warmer air temperatures) stream 
flow is predicted to decrease in the Southwest, even if precipitation 
were to increase moderately. Warmer winter and spring temperatures 
cause an increased fraction of precipitation to fall as rain, resulting 
in a reduced snow pack, an earlier snow melt, and a longer dry season 
leading to decreased stream flow in the summer and a longer fire 
season. These changes would have a negative effect on Zuni bluehead 
sucker. Another major impact to populations of Zuni bluehead sucker was 
the application of fish toxicants through at least two dozen treatments 
in the Nutria and Pescado rivers between 1960 and 1975. Large numbers 
of Zuni bluehead suckers were killed during these treatments.
    For several years, the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish has 
been the lead agency to develop a conservation plan for Zuni bluehead 
sucker. The Zuni Bluehead Sucker Recovery Plan was approved by the New 
Mexico State Game Commission during a State Game Commission meeting on 
December 15, 2004. The recovery plan recommends preservation and 
enhancement of extant populations and restoration of historical Zuni 
bluehead sucker populations. We believe the recovery actions prescribed 
by the State Recovery Plan will reduce and remove threats to this 
subspecies; however those actions will require further discussions and 
authorizations before they can be implemented. The ongoing threats 
including loss of habitat (loss of both historical and current habitat 
from beaver activity), degradation of remaining habitat (from nonnative 
species and land development), drought, fire, and climate change are 
high magnitude because they significantly affect the survival of the 
subspecies. We therefore maintained the current LPN of 3 for this 
subspecies.

Clams

    Texas hornshell (Popenaias popei) - See above in ``Summary of 
Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
    Fluted kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus subtentum) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
The fluted kidneyshell is a freshwater mussel (Unionidae) endemic to 
the Cumberland and Tennessee River systems (Cumberlandian Region) in 
Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. It requires shoal habitats 
in free-flowing rivers to survive and successfully recruit new 
individuals into its populations.
    This species has been extirpated from numerous regional streams and 
is no longer found in the State of Alabama. Habitat destruction and 
alteration (e.g., impoundments, sedimentation, and pollutants) are the 
chief factors that contributed to its decline. The fluted kidneyshell 
was historically known from at least 37 streams but is currently 
restricted to no more than 12 isolated populations. Current status 
information for most of the 12 populations deemed to be extant is 
available from recent periodic sampling efforts (sometimes annually) 
and other field studies, particularly in the upper Tennessee River 
system. Some populations in the Cumberland River system have had recent 
surveys as well (e.g., Wolf, Little Rivers; Little South Fork; Horse 
Lick, Buck Creeks). Populations in Buck Creek, Little South Fork, Horse 
Lick Creek, Powell River, and North Fork Holston River have clearly 
declined over the past two decades. Based on recent information, the 
overall population of the fluted kidneyshell is declining rangewide. At 
this time, the species remains in large numbers and is viable in just 
the Clinch River/Copper Creek, although smaller, viable populations 
remain (e.g., Wolf, Little, North Fork Holston Rivers; Rock Creek). 
Most other populations are of questionable or limited viability, with 
some on the verge of extirpation (e.g., Powell River; Little South 
Fork; Horse Lick, Buck, Indian Creeks). Newly reintroduced populations 
in the Nolichucky and Duck Rivers will hopefully begin to reverse the 
downward population trend of this species. The threats are high in 
magnitude, since the majority of populations of this species are 
severely affected by numerous threats (impoundments, sedimentation, 
small population size, isolation of populations, gravel mining, 
municipal pollutants, agricultural runoff, nutrient enrichment, and 
coal processing pollution) which result in mortality and/or reduced 
reproductive output. Since the threats are ongoing, they are imminent. 
We assigned an LPN of 2 to this mussel species.
    Neosho mucket (Lampsilis rafinesqueana) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Neosho mucket 
is a freshwater mussel native to Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and 
Oklahoma. The species has been extirpated from approximately 62 percent 
(835 river miles) of its range, most in Kansas and Oklahoma. The Neosho 
mucket survives in four river drainages; however, only two of these, 
the Spring and Illinois Rivers, currently support relatively large 
populations.
    Large portions of the historic range have been inundated by the 
construction of at least 11 dams. Channel instability downstream of 
these dams has further reduced suitable habitat and mussel 
distribution. Range restriction and population declines have occurred 
due to habitat degradation attributed to impoundments, mining, 
sedimentation, and agricultural pollutants. Rapid development and 
urbanization in the Illinois River

[[Page 75204]]

watershed will likely continue to increase sedimentation and 
eutrophication, but populations are currently stable in this river. The 
threats to the remaining extant populations include random catastrophic 
events (e.g., flood scour, drought, toxic spills), land use changes 
within the limited range, and genetic isolation and the deleterious 
effects of inbreeding. These threats have caused the species to be 
intrinsically vulnerable to extirpation. Although State regulations 
limit harvest of this species, there is little protection for habitat. 
The threats are high in magnitude as they occur and affect survival 
throughout the range of this species. While some of the threats are 
ongoing and thus, imminent (sedimentation, mining), others are 
nonimminent (habitat reduction and degradation from reservoir 
construction, contaminants, genetic isolation), but on the balance are 
nonimminent. Thus, we assigned a listing priority number of 5 to this 
species.
    Alabama pearlshell (Margaritifera marrianae) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
The Alabama pearlshell (Margaritifera marrianae) inhabits shallow 
riffles and pool margins of small creeks and streams of southwest 
Alabama. Only three populations of Alabama pearlshell have been 
confirmed to survive during the past 15 years. One of the three 
populations has declined significantly over the past few years, 
apparently due to increased sedimentation at this location and possibly 
other forms of non-point source (NPS) pollution. Most recent data 
suggest that the other two populations may also be declining. Severe 
droughts in 2007 may have also adversely affected surviving 
populations. We assigned the Alabama pearlshell an LPN of 2 because the 
NPS pollution is ongoing, and therefore imminent, and the vulnerability 
of small stream habitat to continuing NPS pollution, combined with the 
fewer numbers of live mussels in the three known populations, means 
that the NPS pollution poses a high-magnitude threat to this species.
    Slabside pearlymussel (Lexingtonia dolabelloides) - See above in 
``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
    Georgia pigtoe (Pleurobema hanleyanum) - We have not updated our 
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed 
listing rule.
    Altamaha spinymussel (Elliptio spinosa) - We have not updated our 
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed 
listing rule.

Snails.

    Fat-whorled (Bonneville) pondsnail (Stagnicola bonnevillensis) - 
See above in ``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The 
above summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.
    Interrupted rocksnail (Leptoxis foremani) (=downei) - We have not 
updated our assessment for this species, as we are currently developing 
a proposed listing rule for this species.
    Sisi snail (Ostodes strigatus) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The sisi snail is a ground-
dwelling species in the Potaridae family, and is endemic to American 
Samoa. The species is now known from a single population on the island 
of Tutuila, American Samoa.
    This species is currently threatened by habitat loss and 
modification and by predation from nonnative predatory snails. The 
decline of the sisi in American Samoa has resulted, in part, from loss 
of habitat to forestry and agriculture and loss of forest structure to 
hurricanes and alien weeds that establish after these storms. All live 
sisi snails have been found in the leaf litter beneath remaining intact 
forest canopy. No snails were found in areas bordering agricultural 
plots or in forest areas that were severely damaged by three hurricanes 
(1987, 1990, and 1991). Under natural historic conditions, loss of 
forest canopy to storms did not pose a great threat to the long-term 
survival of these snails; enough intact forest with healthy populations 
of snails would support dispersal back into newly regrown canopy 
forest. However, the presence of alien weeds such as mile-a-minute vine 
(Mikania micrantha) may reduce the likelihood that native forest will 
re-establish in areas damaged by the hurricanes. This loss of habitat 
to storms is greatly exacerbated by expanding agriculture. Agricultural 
plots on Tutuila have spread from low elevation up to middle and some 
high elevations, greatly reducing the forest area and thus reducing the 
resilience of native forests and its populations of native snails. 
These reductions also increase the likelihood that future storms will 
lead to the extinction of populations or species that rely on the 
remaining canopy forest. In an effort to eradicate the giant African 
snail (Achatina fulica), the alien rosy carnivore snail (Euglandia 
rosea) was introduced in 1980. The rosy carnivore snail has spread 
throughout the main island of Tutuila. Numerous studies show that the 
rosy carnivore snail feeds on endemic island snails including the sisi, 
and is a major agent in their declines and extirpations. At present, 
the major threat to long-term survival of the native snail fauna in 
American Samoa is predation by nonnative predatory snails. These 
threats are ongoing and are therefore imminent. Since the threats occur 
throughout the entire range of the species and have a significant 
effect on the survival of the snails, they are of a high magnitude. 
Therefore we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
    Diamond Y Spring snail (Pseudotryonia adamantina) and Gonzales 
springsnail (Tryonia circumstriata) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Diamond Y Spring snail and 
Gonzales springsnail are small aquatic snails endemic to Diamond Y 
Spring in Pecos County, Texas. The spring and its outflow channel are 
owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy.
    These snails are primarily threatened with habitat loss due to 
springflow declines from drought and from pumping of groundwater. 
Additional threats include water contamination from accidental releases 
of petroleum products, as their habitat is in an active oil and gas 
field. Also, a nonnative aquatic snail (Melanoides sp.) was recently 
introduced into the native snails' habitat, and may compete with 
endemic snails for space and resources. The magnitude of threats is 
high because limited distribution of these narrow endemics makes any 
impact from increasing threats (e.g., loss of springflow, contaminants, 
and nonnative species) likely to result in the extinction of the 
species. These species occur in one location in an arid region 
currently plagued by drought and ongoing aquifer withdrawals, making 
the eventual loss of spring flow an imminent threat of total habitat 
loss. Thus, we maintain the LPN of 2 for both species.
    Fragile tree snail (Samoana fragilis) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004.

[[Page 75205]]

A tree-dwelling species, the fragile tree snail is a member of the 
Partulidae family of snails, and is endemic to the islands of Guam and 
Rota (Mariana Islands). Requiring cool and shaded native forest 
habitat, the species is now known from 4 populations on Guam and a 
single population on Rota.
    This species is currently threatened by habitat loss and 
modification and by predation from nonnative predatory snails and 
flatworms. Large numbers of Philippine deer (Cervus mariannus) (Guam 
and Rota), pigs (Sus scrofra) (Guam), water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) 
(Guam), and cattle (Bos taurus) (Rota) directly alter the understory 
plant community and overall forest microclimate, making it unsuitable 
for snails. Predation by the alien rosy carnivore snail (Euglandina 
rosea) and the Manokwar flatworm (Platydemus manokwari) is a serious 
threat to the survival of the fragile tree snail. Field observations 
have established that the rosy carnivore snail and the Manokwar 
flatworm will readily feed on native Pacific island tree snails, 
including the Partulidae, such as those of the Mariana Islands. The 
rosy carnivore snail has caused the extirpation of many populations and 
species of native snails throughout the Pacific islands. The Manokwar 
flatworm has also contributed to the decline of native tree snails, in 
part due to its ability to ascend into trees and bushes that support 
native snails. Areas with populations of the flatworm usually lack 
partulid tree snails or have declining numbers of snails. Because all 
of the threats occur rangewide and have a significant effect on the 
survival of this snail species, they are high in magnitude. The threats 
are also ongoing and thus are imminent. Therefore, we assigned this 
species an LPN of 2.
    Guam tree snail (Partula radiolata) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. A tree-dwelling 
species, the Guam tree snail is a member of the Partulidae family of 
snails and is endemic to the island of Guam. Requiring cool and shaded 
native forest habitat, the species is now known from 22 populations on 
Guam.
    This species is primarily threatened by predation from nonnative 
predatory snails and flatworms. In addition, the species is also 
threatened by habitat loss and degradation. Predation by the alien rosy 
carnivore snail (Euglandina rosea) and the alien Manokwar flatworm 
(Platydemus manokwari) is a serious threat to the survival of the Guam 
tree snail (see summary for the fragile tree snail, above). On Guam, 
open agricultural fields and other areas prone to erosion were seeded 
with tangantangan (Leucaena leucocephala) by the U.S. Military. 
Tangantangan grows as a single species stand with no substantial 
understory. The microclimatic condition is dry with little accumulation 
of leaf litter humus and is particularly unsuitable as Guam tree snail 
habitat. In addition, native forest cannot reestablish and grow where 
this alien weed has become established. Because all of the threats 
occur rangewide and have a significant effect on the survival of this 
snail species, they are high in magnitude. The threats are also ongoing 
and thus are imminent. Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
    Humped tree snail (Partula gibba) - The following summary is based 
on information contained in our files. No new information was provided 
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. A tree-dwelling species, 
the humped tree snail is a member of the Partulidae family of snails, 
and was originally known from the island of Guam and the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands (islands of Rota, Aguiguan, Tinian, 
Saipan, Anatahan, Sarigan, Alamagan, and Pagan). Most recent surveys 
revealed a total of 14 populations on the islands of Guam, Rota, 
Aguiguan, Sarigan, Saipan, Alamagan, and Pagan. Although still the most 
widely distributed tree snail endemic in the Mariana Islands, remaining 
population sizes are often small.
    This species is currently threatened by habitat loss and 
modification and by predation from nonnative predatory snails and flat 
worms. Throughout the Mariana Islands, feral ungulates (pigs (Sus 
scrofa), Philippine deer (Cervus mariannus), cattle (Bos taurus), water 
buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), and goats (Capra hircus)) have caused severe 
damage to native forest vegetation by browsing directly on plants, 
causing erosion, and retarding forest growth and regeneration. This in 
turn reduces the quantity and quality of forested habitat for the 
humped tree snail. Currently, populations of feral ungulates are found 
on the islands of Guam (deer, pigs, and water buffalo), Rota (deer and 
cattle), Aguiguan (goats), Saipan (deer, pigs, and cattle), Alamagan 
(goats, pigs, and cattle), and Pagan (cattle, goats, and pigs). Goats 
were eradicated from Sarigan in 1998 and the humped tree snail has 
increased in abundance on that island, likely in response to the 
removal of all the goats. However, the population of humped tree snails 
on Anatahan is likely extirpated due to the massive volcanic explosions 
of the island beginning in 2003 and still continuing, and the resulting 
loss of up to 95 percent of the vegetation on the island. Predation by 
the alien rosy carnivore snail (Euglandina rosea) and the alien 
Manokwar flatworm (Platydemus manokwari) is a serious threat to the 
survival of the humped tree snail (see summary for the fragile tree 
snail, above). The magnitude of threats is high because these alien 
predators cause significant population declines to the humped tree 
snail rangewide. These threats are ongoing and thus are imminent. 
Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
    Lanai tree snail (Partulina semicarinata) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. A tree-dwelling 
species, P. semicarinata is a member of the Achatinellidae family of 
snails. Endemic to the island of Lanai, the species is currently known 
from 3 populations totaling 29 individuals. This species is highly 
threatened throughout its limited range by habitat loss and 
modification and by predation from rats. No efforts are being 
undertaken to remove rats in areas where P. semicarinata occur. The 
threat from this predator is expected to continue or increase unless 
the rats are actively controlled or eradicated. Habitat loss also 
continues as nonnative ungulates trample and browse native vegetation 
required by P. semicarinata. Although the snails are in an area to be 
fenced, the habitat will continue to be degraded until the fence is 
completed and the ungulates have been removed. The small number of 
individuals and the small number of populations make this species very 
susceptible to the negative effects of stochastic events such as 
hurricanes and storms. A population in captivity is protected from the 
effects of unexpected droughts, although the effects of severe storms 
may still affect this population as evidenced by the loss of snails 
when a severe flood interrupted the power supply to the Hawaii 
Endangered Snail Captive Propagation Lab and temperatures increased 
within the environmental chambers containing the snails. In addition, 
these captive snails are likely subjected to the same risks of reduced 
reproductive vigor and loss of genetic variability as the snail in the 
wild population. The magnitude of threats is high because they cause 
significant population declines to P.semicarinata rangewide. The 
threats are also ongoing and thus are imminent.

[[Page 75206]]

Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
    Lanai tree snail (Partulina variabilis) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. A tree-dwelling 
species, P. variabilis is a member of the Achatinellidae family of 
snails. Endemic to the island of Lanai, the species is currently known 
from 12 populations totaling 90 individuals. This species is highly 
threatened throughout its limited range by habitat loss and 
modification and by predation from rats. The same description of 
threats for P. semicarinata, above, applies to this species, including 
threats to a population in captivity. The magnitude of threats is high 
because they result in direct mortality or significant population 
declines to P. variabilis rangewide. The threats are ongoing and thus 
are imminent. Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
    Langford's tree snail (Partula langfordi) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. A tree-dwelling 
species, Langford's tree snail is a member of the Partulidae family of 
snails, and is known from one population on the island of Aguiguan. 
This species is currently threatened by habitat loss and modification 
and by predation from nonnative predatory snails. In the 1930s, the 
island of Aguiguan was mostly cleared of native forest to support sugar 
cane and pineapple production. The abandoned fields and airstrip are 
now overgrown with alien weeds. The remaining native forest understory 
has greatly suffered from large and uncontrolled populations of alien 
goats and the invasion of weeds. Goats (Capra hircus) have caused 
severe damage to native forest vegetation by browsing directly on 
plants, causing erosion, and retarding forest growth and regeneration. 
This in turn reduces the quantity and quality of forested habitat for 
Langford's tree snail. Predation by the alien rosy carnivore snail 
(Euglandina rosea) and by the Manokwar flatworm (Platydemus manokwari) 
(see summary for the fragile tree snail, above) is also a serious 
threat to the survival of Langford's tree snail. All of the threats are 
occurring rangewide and no efforts to control or eradicate the 
nonnative predatory snail species or to reduce habitat loss are being 
undertaken. The magnitude of threats is high because they result in 
direct mortality or significant population declines to Langford's tree 
snail rangewide. A survey of Aguiguan in November 2006 failed to find 
any live Langford's tree snails. These threats are also ongoing and 
thus are imminent. Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
    Newcomb's tree snail (Newcombia cumingi) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The species is 
endemic to the island of Maui, where it is currently known from a 
single remaining population. The greatest threats to Newcomb's tree 
snail are the loss of the only known remaining population due to 
predation from rats and the rosy carnivore snail (Euglandina rosea). 
There are no efforts in place to reduce the threat from the rosy 
carnivore snail. Discussions are underway with the private landowner to 
construct a rat-proof fence in the area occupied by this snail. Our 
attempts to raise this species in a captive propagation facility have 
been unsuccessful. The magnitude of threats is high because they occur 
within the last known population of the species and result in direct 
mortality or significant population declines. These threats are also 
ongoing and thus are imminent. Therefore, we assigned this species an 
LPN of 2.
    Phantom Cave snail (Cochliopa texana) and Phantom springsnail 
(Tryonia cheatumi) - The following summary is based on information 
contained in our files. No new information was provided in the petition 
we received on May 11, 2004. Phantom Cave snail and Phantom springsnail 
are small aquatic snails that occur in three spring outflows in the 
Toyah Basin in Reeves and Jeff Davis Counties, Texas. The primary 
threat to both species is the loss of surface flows due to declining 
groundwater levels from drought and pumping for agricultural 
production. Although much of the land immediately surrounding their 
habitat is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, Bureau of 
Reclamation, and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the water which 
is needed to maintain their habitat, has declined due to a reduction in 
spring flows, possibly as a result of private groundwater pumping in 
areas beyond that controlled by these landowners. As an example, 
Phantom Lake Spring, one of the sites of occurrence, has already ceased 
flowing, and aquatic habitat in the spring is supported only by a 
pumping system. The magnitude of the threats is high because spring 
flow loss would result in complete habitat destruction and permanent 
elimination of all populations of the species. The immediacy of the 
threats is imminent, as evidenced by the drastic decline in spring flow 
at Phantom Lake Spring that is currently happening and may extirpate 
these populations in the near future. Declining spring flows in San 
Solomon Spring are also becoming evident, and will affect that spring 
site as well within the foreseeable future. Thus, we maintained the LPN 
of 2 for both species.
    Tutuila tree snail (Eua zebrina) - The following summary is based 
on information contained in our files. No new information was provided 
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. A tree-dwelling species, 
the Tutuila tree snail is a member of the Partulidae family of snails, 
and is endemic to American Samoa. The species is known from 32 
populations on the islands of Tutuila, Nuusetoga, and Ofu.
    This species is currently threatened by habitat loss and 
modification and by predation from nonnative predatory snails and rats. 
All live Tutuila tree snails were found on understory vegetation 
beneath remaining intact forest canopy. No snails were found in areas 
bordering agricultural plots or in forest areas that were severely 
damaged by three hurricanes (1987, 1990, and 1991). (See summary for 
the sisi snail, above, regarding impacts of alien weeds and of the rosy 
carnivore snail.). Rats (Rattus spp) have also been shown to devastate 
snail populations, and rat-chewed snail shells have been found at sites 
where the Tutuila snail occurs. At present, the major threat to the 
long-term survival of the native snail fauna in American Samoa is 
predation by nonnative predatory snails and rats. The magnitude of 
threats is high because they result in direct mortality or significant 
population declines to the Tutuila tree snail rangewide. The threats 
are also ongoing and thus are imminent. Therefore, we assigned this 
species an LPN of 2.
    Chupadera springsnail (Pyrgulopsis chupaderae) - We have not 
updated our assessment for this species, as we are currently developing 
a proposed listing rule.
    Elongate mud meadows springsnail (Pyrgulopsis notidicola) - See 
above in ``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The 
above summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition received on May 11, 2004.
    Gila springsnail (Pyrgulopsis gilae) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files and the petition we 
received on November 20, 1985. Also see our 12-month petition finding 
published in the

[[Page 75207]]

Federal Register on October 4, 1988 (53 FR 38969). The Gila springsnail 
is an aquatic species known from 13 populations in New Mexico. Surveys 
conducted in 2008 may have located two additional populations, but the 
identification of the species at those sites awaits confirmation. 
Preliminary assessment of springsnail collections made in 2008 
indicates there are morphological differences between some Gila 
springsnail populations, which suggests there may be some level of 
genetic divergence or speciation.
    The long-term persistence of the Gila springsnail is contingent 
upon protection of the riparian corridor immediately adjacent to the 
springhead and springrun. Sites on both private and Federal lands are 
subject to levels of recreational use and livestock grazing that 
negatively affect this species, thus placing the long-term survival of 
the Gila springsnail at risk. Natural events such as drought, forest 
fire, sedimentation, and flooding; wetland habitat degradation by 
recreational bathing in thermal springs; and poor watershed management 
practices represent the primary threats to the Gila springsnail. Fire 
suppression activities and fire retardant chemicals have potentially 
deleterious effects on this species, as well. Because several of the 
springs occur on U.S. Forest Service land, management options for the 
protection of the snail should be possible. However, randomly occurring 
events, especially fire and drought, could have a major impact on the 
species. Moderate use by recreationalists and livestock is ongoing. If 
these uses remain at current or lower levels, they will not pose an 
imminent threat to the species. Of greater concern is drought, which 
could affect spring discharge and increases the potential for fire. 
Although the effect global warming will have on streams and forests of 
the Southwest is unpredictable, mean annual temperatures in New Mexico 
have increased by 0.6 degrees per decade since 1970. Higher 
temperatures lead to higher evaporation rates which may reduce the 
amount of runoff and groundwater recharge. Increased temperatures may 
also increase the extent of area influenced by drought and fire. Large 
fires have occurred in the Gila National Forest and subsequent floods 
and ash flows have severely affected aquatic life in streams. Although 
some of the threats facing the species are ongoing and therefore 
imminent (such as livestock and recreational uses), the biggest threats 
are nonimminent (such as fire, drought, and increased temperatures). 
Therefore, the threats overall are nonimminent. The threats are 
moderate to low magnitude because the threats are occurring at low 
levels and populations appear to be stable. Therefore, we retained a 
listing priority number of 11 for this species.
    Gonzales springsnail (Tryonia circumstriata) - See summary above 
under Diamond Y Spring snail (Pseudotryonia adamantina).
    Huachuca springsnail (Pyrgulopsis thompsoni) - The following is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Huachuca 
springsnail inhabits approximately 16 springs and cienegas at 
elevations of 4,500 to 7,200 feet in southeastern Arizona (14 sites) 
and adjacent portions of Sonora, Mexico (2 sites). The springsnail is 
typically found in the shallower areas of springs or cienegas, often in 
rocky seeps at the spring source. Ongoing threats include habitat 
modification and destruction through catastrophic wildfire, drought, 
streamflow alteration, and, potentially, grazing, recreation, military 
activities, and timber harvest. Overall, the threats are moderate in 
magnitude because threats are not occurring throughout the range of the 
species uniformly and not all populations would likely be impacted 
simultaneously by any of the known threats. In addition, multiple 
landowners (Forest Service, Fort Huachuca, The Nature Conservancy) are 
including consideration for the springsnail or other co-occurring 
listed species in their activities. The threats are ongoing and, thus, 
imminent. Therefore, we have assigned an LPN of 8 to this species.
    New Mexico springsnail (Pyrgulopsis thermalis) - We have not 
updated our assessment for this species, as we are currently developing 
a proposed listing rule.
    Page springsnail (Pyrgulopsis morrisoni) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition received on May 11, 2004. The Page springsnail 
is known to exist only within a complex of springs located within an 
approximately 0.93-mi (1.5-km) stretch along the west side of Oak Creek 
around the community of Page Springs, and within springs located along 
Spring Creek, tributary to Oak Creek, Yavapai County, Arizona. The 
primary threat to the Page springsnail is modification for domestic, 
agricultural, ranching, fish hatchery, and recreational activities. 
Many of the springs where the species occurs have been subjected to 
some level of such modification. Arizona Game and Fish Department 
management plans for the Bubbling Ponds and Page Springs fish 
hatcheries include commitments to replace lost habitat and to monitor 
remaining populations of invertebrates such as the Page springsnail. A 
draft Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances was published 
and available for public review and comment on January 28, 2008. Based 
on recent survey data, it appears that the Page springsnail is abundant 
within natural habitats and persists in modified habitats, albeit at 
reduced densities. The magnitude of threats is considered high because 
limited distribution of this narrow endemic makes any detrimental 
effects from threats likely to result in extirpation or extinction. The 
immediacy of the threat of ground water withdrawal is uncertain due to 
conflicting information regarding imminence. However, overall, the 
threats are imminent because modification of the species' habitat is 
currently occurring. Therefore, we retain an LPN of 2 for the Page 
springsnail.
    Phantom springsnail (Tyronia cheatumi) - See summary above under 
Phantom Cave snail (Cochliopa texana).
    Three Forks springsnail (Pyrgulopsis trivialis) - We have not 
updated our assessment for this species, as we are currently developing 
a proposed listing rule.

Insects

    Wekiu bug (Nysius wekiuicola) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The wekiu bug belongs to the 
true bug family, Lygaeidae, and is endemic to the island of Hawaii. 
This species only occurs on the summit of Mauna Kea and feeds upon 
other insect species which are blown to the summit of this large 
volcano. The wekiu bug is primarily threatened by the loss of its 
habitat from astronomy development. In 2004 and early 2005, surveys 
found multiple new locations of the wekiu bug on cinder cones on the 
Mauna Kea summit. Several of these cinder cones within the Mauna Kea 
Science Reserve, as well as two cinder cones located in the State Ice 
Age Natural Area Reserve, are not currently undergoing development nor 
are they the site of any planned development. Thus, the threats, 
although ongoing, do not occur across the entire range of the wekiu 
bug. Because there are occupied locations that are not subject to the 
primary threat of astronomy development, the overall magnitude of the 
threat is moderate. The immediacy of the threats is imminent because 
there are significant parts of the

[[Page 75208]]

wekiu bug's range where ongoing development is occurring. Therefore, we 
assigned this species an LPN of 8.
    Mariana eight spot butterfly (Hypolimnas octucula mariannensis) - 
The following summary is based on information contained in our files. 
No new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 
2004. The Mariana eight spot butterfly is a nymphalid butterfly species 
that feeds upon two host plants, Procris pedunculata and Elatostema 
calcareum. Endemic to the islands of Guam and Saipan, the species is 
now known from ten populations on Guam. This species is currently 
threatened by predation and parasitism. The Mariana eight spot 
butterfly has extremely high mortality of eggs and larvae due to 
predation by alien ants and wasps. Because the threat of parasitism and 
predation by nonnative insects occurs range-wide and can cause 
significant population declines to this species, they are high in 
magnitude. The threats are imminent because they are ongoing. 
Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 3 for this subspecies.
    Mariana wandering butterfly (Vagrans egestina) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
The Mariana wandering butterfly is a nymphalid butterfly species which 
feeds upon a single host plant species, Maytenus thompsonii. Originally 
known from and endemic to the islands of Guam and Rota, the species is 
now known from one population on Rota. This species is currently 
threatened by alien predation and parasitism. The Mariana wandering 
butterfly is likely predated on by alien ants and parasitized by native 
and nonnative parasitoids. Because the threat of parasitism and 
predation by nonnative insects occurs range-wide and can cause 
significant population declines to this species, they are high in 
magnitude. These threats are imminent because they are ongoing. 
Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files and in 
the petition we received on June 15, 2000. The Miami blue is endemic to 
south Florida. Historically, it occurred throughout the Florida Keys, 
north to Hillsborough and Volusia Counties. None were reported to be 
found between 1996 and 1999. It is presently located at two sites in 
the Keys. In 1999, a metapopulation was discovered at Bahia Honda State 
Park on Bahia Honda Key and in 2006 a second metapopulation was 
discovered on the outer islands of Key West National Wildlife Refuge. 
The former appears restricted to several hundred individuals at most, 
while the latter likely includes at least 1,500 individuals. Capacity 
to expand at either site or successfully emigrate from either site 
appears to be very low due to the sedentary nature of the butterfly and 
isolation of habitats. Captive propagation and reintroduction efforts 
are continuing, but success has yet to be shown. The Miami blue is 
predominantly a coastal species, occurring in disturbed and early 
successional habitats such as the edges of tropical hardwood hammock, 
coastal berm forest, and along trails and other open sunny areas, and 
historically in pine rocklands. These habitats provide larval host 
plants and adult nectar sources that are required to occur in close 
proximity. The primary threats to the subspecies are the limited 
population size and range, hurricanes, and mosquito control activities. 
In addition, illegal collection may also pose a threat. The threats are 
high in magnitude because they occur rangewide and in combination 
affect the population levels. Except for hurricanes, the threats are 
nonimminent because the current range is within a State park and 
National Wildlife Refuge, where the above threats are substantially 
controlled. Therefore, we assigned the Miami blue a LPN of 6.
    Sequatchie caddisfly (Glyphopsyche sequatchie) - The following 
summary is based on information in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition wereceived on May 11, 2004. The Sequatchie 
caddisfly is known from two spring runs that emerge from caves in 
Marion County, Tennessee - Owen Spring Branch (the type locality) and 
Martin Spring run in the Battle Creek system. In 1998, biologists 
estimated population sizes at 500 to 5000 individuals for Owen Spring 
Branch and 2 to 10 times higher at Martin Spring, due to the greater 
amount of apparently suitable habitat. In spite of greater amounts of 
suitable habitat at the Martin Spring run, Sequatchie caddisflies are 
more difficult to find at this site, and in 2001 (the most recent 
survey) the Sequatchie caddisfly was ``abundant'' at the Owen Spring 
Branch location, while only two individuals were observed at the Martin 
Spring. Threats to the Sequatchie caddisfly include siltation, point 
and nonpoint discharges from municipal and industrial activities and 
introduction of toxicants during episodic events. These threats, 
coupled with the extremely limited distribution of the species, its 
apparent small population size, the limited amount of occupied habitat, 
ease of accessibility, and the annual life cycle of the species, are 
all factors that leave the Sequatchie caddisfly vulnerable to 
extirpation. Therefore, the magnitude of the threat is high. These 
threats are gradual and/or not necessarily imminent. Based on high-
magnitude, nonimminent threats, we assigned this species a listing 
priority number of 5.
    Clifton cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus caecus) - The following 
summary is based upon information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
Clifton cave beetle is a small, eyeless, reddish-brown predatory insect 
that feeds upon small cave invertebrates. It is cave dependent, and is 
not found outside the cave environment. Clifton cave beetle is only 
known from two privately owned Kentucky caves. Soon after the species 
was first collected in 1963 in one cave, the cave entrance was enclosed 
due to road construction. We do not know whether the species still 
occurs at the original location or if it has been extirpated from the 
site by the closure of the cave entrance. Other caves in the vicinity 
of this cave were surveyed for the species during a 1995-1996. Only one 
additional site was found to support the Clifton Cave beetle. The 
limestone caves in which the Clifton cave beetle is found provide a 
unique and fragile environment that supports a variety of species that 
have evolved to survive and reproduce under the demanding conditions 
found in cave ecosystems. The limited distribution of the species makes 
it vulnerable to isolated events that would only have a minimal effect 
on the more wide-ranging insects. Events such as toxic chemical spills, 
discharges of large amounts of polluted water or indirect impacts from 
off-site construction activities, closure of entrances, alteration of 
entrances, or the creation of new entrances could have serious adverse 
impacts on this species. Therefore, the magnitude of threat is high for 
this species. The immediacy of threat is nonimminent because there are 
no known projects planned that would affect the species in the near 
future. We therefore have assigned a listing priority number of 5 to 
this species.
    Icebox cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus frigidus) - The following 
summary is based upon information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
Icebox cave beetle is a small, eyeless, reddish-brown predatory insect 
that feeds upon small cave invertebrates. It

[[Page 75209]]

is not found outside the cave environment, and is only known from one 
privately owned Kentucky cave. The limestone cave in which this species 
is found provides a unique and fragile environment that supports a 
variety of species that have evolved to survive and reproduce under the 
demanding conditions found in cave ecosystems. The species has not been 
observed since it was originally collected, but species experts believe 
that it may still exist in the cave in low numbers. The limited 
distribution of the species makes it vulnerable to isolated events that 
would only have a minimal effect on the more wide-ranging insects. 
Events such as toxic chemical spills or discharges of large amounts of 
polluted water, or indirect impacts from off-site construction 
activities, closure of entrances, alteration of entrances, or the 
creation of new entrances, could have serious adverse impacts on this 
species. Therefore, the magnitude of threat is high for this species 
because it is limited in distribution and the threats would result in 
mortality or reduced reproductive capacity. The immediacy of threat is 
nonimminent because there are no known projects planned that would 
affect the species in the near future. We therefore have assigned an 
LPN of 5 to this species.
    Inquirer cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus inquisitor) - The following 
summary is based upon information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
The inquirer cave beetle is a fairly small, eyeless, reddish-brown 
predatory insect that feeds upon small cave invertebrates. It is not 
found outside the cave environment, and is only known from one 
privately owned Tennessee cave. The limestone cave in which this 
species is found provides a unique and fragile environment that 
supports a variety of species that have evolved to survive and 
reproduce under the demanding conditions found in cave ecosystems. The 
species was last observed in 2006. The limited distribution of the 
species makes it vulnerable to isolated events that would only have a 
minimal effect on the more wide-ranging insects. The area around the 
only known site for the species is in a rapidly expanding urban area. 
The entrance to the cave is protected by the landowner through a 
cooperative management agreement with the Service, The Nature 
Conservancy and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency; however, a 
sinkhole that drains into the cave system is located away from the 
protected entrance and is near a highway. Events such as toxic chemical 
spills, discharges of large amounts of polluted water or indirect 
impacts from off-site construction activities could adversely affect 
the species and the cave habitat. The magnitude of threat is high for 
this species because it is limited in distribution and the threats 
would have negative impacts on its continued existence. The threats are 
nonimminent because there are no known projects planned that would 
affect the species in the near future and it receives some protection 
under a cooperative management agreement. We therefore have assigned a 
listing priority number of 5 to this species.
    Louisville cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus troglodytes) - The 
following summary is based upon information contained in our files. No 
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 
2004. The Louisville cave beetle is a small, eyeless, reddish-brown 
predatory insect that feeds upon cave invertebrates. It is not found 
outside the cave environment, and is only known from two privately 
owned Kentucky caves. The limestone caves in which this species is 
found provide a unique and fragile environment that supports a variety 
of species that have evolved to survive and reproduce under the 
demanding conditions found in cave ecosystems. The limited distribution 
of the species makes it vulnerable to isolated events that would only 
have a minimal effect on the more wide-ranging insects. Events such as 
toxic chemical spills, discharges of large amounts of polluted water or 
indirect impacts from off-site construction activities, closure of 
entrances, alteration of entrances, or the creation of new entrances 
could have serious adverse impacts on this species. The magnitude of 
threat is high for this species, because it is limited in distribution 
and the threats would have negative impacts on the species. The 
immediacy of threat is nonimminent because there are no known projects 
planned that would affect the species in the near future. We therefore 
have assigned an LPN of 5 to this species.
    Tatum Cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus parvus) - The following 
summary is based upon information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
Tatum Cave beetle is a small, eyeless, reddish-brown predatory insect 
that feeds upon cave invertebrates. It is not found outside the cave 
environment, and is only known from one privately owned Kentucky cave. 
The limestone cave in which this species is found provides a unique and 
fragile environment that supports a variety of species that have 
evolved to survive and reproduce under the demanding conditions found 
in cave ecosystems. The species has not been observed since 1965, but 
species experts believe that it still exists in low numbers. The 
limited distribution of the species makes it vulnerable to isolated 
events that would only have a minimal effect on the more wide-ranging 
insects. Events such as toxic chemical spills or discharges of large 
amounts of polluted water, or indirect impacts from off-site 
construction activities, closure of entrances, alteration of entrances, 
or the creation of new entrances could have serious adverse impacts on 
this species. The magnitude of threat is high for this species, because 
its limited numbers mean that any threats could affect its continued 
existence. The immediacy of threat is nonimminent because there are no 
known projects planned that would affect the species in the near 
future. We therefore have assigned an LPN of 5 to this species.
    Taylor's (Whulge, Edith's) checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha 
taylori) - The following summary is based on information contained in 
our files and in the petition received on December 11, 2002. 
Historically, the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly was known from 70 
locations: 23 in British Columbia, 34 in Washington, and 13 in Oregon. 
Based on surveys during the 2008 flight period, 11 populations are now 
known, with a total of about 2,500 to 3,000 individuals observed 
rangewide. Currently, eight populations are known from Washington, two 
in the Willamette Valley of Oregon and one on Denman Island, British 
Columbia, Canada.
    Threats include degradation and destruction of native grasslands 
due to agriculture; residential and commercial development; 
encroachment by nonnative plants; succession from grasslands to native 
shrubs and trees; and fire. The grassland ecosystem on which this 
subspecies depends requires annual management to maintain suitable 
grassland habitat for the species. The application of Bacillus 
thuringiensis var. kurstake (Btk) for Asian gypsy moth control was 
routinely applied in Pierce County, Washington for many years. This 
pesticide is documented to have deleterious effects on non-target 
lepidopteron species, including all moths and butterflies. Because of 
the timing and close proximity of the Btk application to native 
prairies where Taylors' checkerspot adults, or their larvae, were 
historically known to occur, it is likely that the spraying contributed 
to the

[[Page 75210]]

extirpation of the subspecies at three locations in Pierce County, 
Washington.
    Threats also include the loss of prairies to development or the 
conversion of native grasslands to agriculture; the threat of vehicle 
and foot traffic that crushes larvae and larval host plants on roads 
where host plants have become established, thus acting as a mortality 
sink at north Olympic Peninsula sites. Other important threats include 
changes to the structure and composition of prairie habitat brought on 
by the invasion of shrubs and trees (Scot's broom and Douglas-fir) or 
nonnative pasture grasses that quickly invade onto prairies when 
processes like fire, or its surrogate mowing, are not implemented. 
These changes to prairie habitat threaten Taylor's checkerspot by 
degrading prairie habitat and making it unsuitable for the butterfly. 
The threats that lead to habitat degradation and loss are ubiquitous, 
occurring rangewide, and affect the survival of the subspecies. 
Therefore, they are high in magnitude. The threats are imminent because 
they are ongoing and occur simultaneously at all of the known locations 
for the subspecies. Based on the high magnitude and the imminent nature 
of threats, we assigned the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly a listing 
priority number of 3.
    Blackline Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion nigrohamatum 
nigrolineatum) - We have not updated our assessment for this species, 
as we are currently developing a proposed listing rule.
    Crimson Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion leptodemas) - We have not 
updated our assessment for this species, as we are currently developing 
a proposed listing rule.
    Flying earwig Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion nesiotes) - We have 
not updated our assessment for this species, as we are currently 
developing a proposed listing rule.
    Oceanic Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion oceanicum) - We have not 
updated our assessment for this species, as we are currently developing 
a proposed listing rule.
    Orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion xanthomelas) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No 
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 
2004. The orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly is a stream-dwelling species 
endemic to the Hawaiian Islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, Lanai, 
and Hawaii. The species no longer is found on Kauai, and is now 
restricted to 16 populations on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, 
Lanai, and Hawaii. This species is threatened by predation from alien 
aquatic species such as fish and predacious insects and habitat loss 
through dewatering of streams and invasion by nonnative plants. 
Nonnative fish and insects prey on the naiads of the damselfly, and 
loss of water reduces the amount of suitable naiad habitat available. 
Invasive plants (e.g., California grass (Brachiaria mutica)) also 
contribute to loss of habitat by forming dense, monotypic stands that 
completely eliminate any open water. Nonnative fish and plants are 
found in all the streams the orangeblack damselfly occur in, except the 
Oahu location, where there are no nonnative fish. We assigned this 
species an LPN of 8 because, although the threats are ongoing and 
therefore imminent, they affect the survival of the species in varying 
degrees throughout the range of the species and are of moderate 
magnitude.
    Pacific Hawaiian damselfly (Megalagrion pacificum) - We have not 
updated our assessment for this species, as we are currently developing 
a proposed listing rule.
    Picture-wing fly (Drosophila digressa) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004, but new 
information was provided by one Drosophila expert in 2006. This 
picture-wing fly, a member of the family Drosophilidae, feeds only upon 
species of Charpentiera, and is endemic to the Hawaiian Island of 
Hawaii. Never abundant in number of individuals observed, D. digressa 
was originally known from 5 population sites and may now be limited to 
as few as 1 or 2 sites. Due to the small population size of the species 
and its small known habitat area, Drosophila researchers believe this 
species and its habitat are particularly vulnerable to a myriad of 
threats. Feral ungulates (pigs, goats, and cattle) degrade and destroy 
D. digressa host plants and habitat by directly trampling plants, 
facilitating erosion, and spreading nonnative plant seeds. Nonnative 
plants degrade host plant habitat and compete for light, space, and 
nutrients. Direct predation of D. digressa by nonnative social insects, 
particularly yellow jacket wasps, is also a serious threat. 
Additionally, this species faces competition at the larval stage from 
nonnative tipulid flies, which feed within the same portion of the 
decomposing host plant area normally occupied by the D. digressa larvae 
during their development with a resulting reduction in available host 
plant material. The threats to the native forest habitat of D. 
digressa, and to individuals of this species, occur throughout its 
range and are expected to continue or increase unless efforts at 
control or eradication are undertaken. In additions, because of the 
limited distribution and small population of the species, any of the 
threats would significantly impair survival of the species. The threats 
are also imminent, because they are ongoing. No known conservation 
measures have been taken to date to specifically address these threats, 
and we have therefore assigned this species an LPN of 2.
    Stephan's riffle beetle (Heterelmis stephani) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition received on May 11, 2004. The 
Stephan's riffle beetle is an endemic riffle beetle found in limited 
spring environments within the Santa Rita Mountains, Pima County, 
Arizona. The beetle is known from Sylvester Springs in Madera Canyon, 
within the Coronado National Forest. These springs are typical 
isolated, mid-elevation, permanently saturated, spring-fed aquatic 
climax communities commonly referred to as cienegas. Threats are 
largely from habitat modification (from recreational activities in the 
springs and changes in water chemistry due to catastrophic natural 
disasters such as fires or floods). The threats to be of moderate to 
low magnitude based on our current knowledge of the permanence of 
threats and the likelihood that the species will persist in areas that 
are unaffected by the threats. Because the threats from recreational 
activities are currently occurring, they are imminent. Therefore, we 
assigned a LPN of 8 to the Stephan's riffle beetle.
    Casey's junebeetle (Dinacoma caseyi) - We have not updated our 
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed 
listing rule.
    Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae) - The following summary is based 
on information contained in our files, including information from the 
petition received on May 12, 2003. The Dakota skipper is a small- to 
mid-sized butterfly that inhabits high-quality tallgrass and mixed 
grass prairie in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 
provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada. The species is 
presumed to be extirpated from Iowa and Illinois and from many sites 
within occupied States.
    The species is threatened by conversion of its native prairie 
habitat for agricultural purposes, overgrazing, invasive species, 
gravel mining, inbreeding, population isolation, and, in some cases, 
prescribed fire. Prairie succeeds to shrubland or forest without

[[Page 75211]]

periodic fire, grazing, or mowing; thus, the species is also threatened 
at sites where such management practices are not applied. We, other 
agencies, and private organizations (e.g., The Nature Conservancy) 
protect and manage some Dakota skipper sites. Although proper 
management is always necessary to ensure its persistence, even at 
protected sites, it is secure at some sites owned by these entities. 
The species is also secure at some sites where private landowners 
manage native prairie in ways that conserve Dakota skipper. Despite 
these protections, recent surveys in at least parts of the species' 
range have led us to view threats to Dakota skipper as being more 
imminent than we previously believed. In January 2007, for example, 
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources proposed (although, it did 
not finalize) revising the status of Dakota skipper in the state from 
threatened to endangered because it ``appears to be rapidly 
disappearing from remnant habitat.'' In addition, approximately half of 
the inhabited sites are privately owned with little or no protection. 
Ongoing threats on these sites include invasive species, overgrazing, 
and herbicide applications. A few private sites are protected from 
conversion by easements, but these do not prevent adverse effects from 
overgrazing. Overall, the threats are moderate in magnitude because 
they are not occurring rangewide. They are, however, ongoing and 
therefore imminent, particularly on private lands. We assigned an LPN 
of 8 to this species.
    Mardon skipper (Polites mardon) - See above in ``Summary of Listing 
Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The above summary is based on 
information contained in our files and the petition we received on 
December 24, 2002.
    Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela limbata albissima) - 
See above in ``Summary of Listing Priority Changes in Candidates.'' The 
above summary is based on information contained in our files, including 
information from the petition we received on April 21, 1994.
    Highlands tiger beetle (Cicindela highlandensis) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
The Highlands tiger beetle is narrowly distributed and restricted to 
areas of bare sand within upland oak scrub and pine vegetation on 
ancient sand dunes of the Lake Wales Ridge in Polk and Highlands 
Counties, Florida. Adult tiger beetles have been found at 40 sites from 
near Haines City south to Josephine Creek. In 2004-2005 surveys, a 
total of 1,574 adults were found at 40 sites, compared with 643 adults 
at 31 sites in 1996, 928 adults at 31 sites in 1995, and 742 adults at 
21 sites in 1993. Of the 40 sites in the 2004-2005 surveys with one or 
more adults, results ranged from 3 sites with large populations of over 
100 adults, to 13 sites with fewer than 10 adults. Results from a 
limited removal study at four sites suggest that the actual population 
size at the various survey sites is likely to be as much as two times 
as high as indicated by the visual index counts.
    Lack of fire to create open sand, pesticide use, small population 
sizes, and over-collecting pose serious threats to this species. 
Because this species is narrowly distributed with specific habitat 
requirements and small populations, any of the threats could have a 
significant impact on the survival of the species. Therefore, the 
magnitude of threats is high. Although the majority of its historic 
range has been lost, degraded, and fragmented, numerous sites are 
protected and land managers are implementing prescribed fire, which are 
expected to restore habitat and help reduce threats and have already 
helped stabilize and somewhat improve the populations. Overall, the 
threats are nonimminent. Therefore, we assigned the Highlands tiger 
beetle an LPN of 5.

Arachnids

    Warton cave meshweaver (Cicurina wartoni) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition received on May 11, 2004. Warton Cave 
meshweaver is an eyeless, cave-dwelling, unpigmented, 0.25 inch long 
invertebrate known only from female specimens. This meshweaver is known 
to occur in only one cave, Pickle Pit, in Travis County, Texas. Primary 
threats to the species and its habitat are predation and competition 
from fire ants, surface and subsurface effects from runoff from an 
adjacent subdivision, unauthorized entry into the area surrounding the 
cave, modification of vegetation near the cave from human use, and 
trash dumping which may include toxic materials near the feature. The 
magnitude of threats is high because the single location for this 
species makes it highly vulnerable to extinction from the identified 
threats. The threats are imminent because fire ants are known to occur 
in the vicinity of the cave, and impacts to the cave from runoff and 
human activities are an imminent threat. Thus, we assign an LPN of 2 to 
this species.

Crustaceans

    Anchialine pool shrimp (Metabetaeus lohena) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Metabetaeus 
lohena is an anchialine pool-inhabiting species of shrimp belonging to 
the family Alpheidae. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands 
and is currently known from populations on the islands of Oahu, Maui, 
and Hawaii. The primary threats to this species are predation by fish 
(which do not naturally occur in the pools inhabited by this species) 
and habitat loss from degradation. The pools where this species occurs 
on the islands of Maui and Hawaii are located within State Natural Area 
Reserves (NAR). Hawaii's State statutes prohibit the collection of the 
species and the disturbance of the pools in State NARs. However, 
enforcement of collection and disturbance prohibitions is difficult, 
and the negative effects from the introduction of fish are extensive 
and happen quickly. In addition, the pools where this species occurs on 
the island of Oahu do not receive protection from collection of the 
species or disturbance of the pools. Therefore, threats to this species 
have a significant adverse effect on the survival of the species, and 
are of a high magnitude. However, the primary threats of predation from 
fish and loss of habitat due to degradation are nonimminent overall, 
because on the islands of Maui and Hawaii no fish were observed in any 
of the pools where this species occurs and there has been no documented 
dumping in these pools. Only one site on Oahu had a dumping instance, 
and in that case the dumping was cleaned up immediately and the species 
subsequently observed. No additional dumping events are known to have 
occurred. Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 5.
    Anchialine pool shrimp (Palaemonella burnsi) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
Palaemonella burnsi is an anchialine pool-inhabiting species of shrimp 
belonging to the family Palaemonidae. This species is endemic to the 
Hawaiian Islands and is currently known from three populations on the 
island of Maui and one population on the island of Hawaii. The primary 
threats to this species are predation by fish (which do not naturally 
occur in the pools inhabited by this species) and habitat loss due to 
degradation. The pools

[[Page 75212]]

where this species occurs on Maui are located within a State Natural 
Area Reserve (NAR). Hawaii's State statutes prohibit the collection of 
the species and the disturbance of the pools in State NARs. On the 
island of Hawaii, the species occurs within a National Park, and 
collection and disturbance are also prohibited. However, enforcement of 
these prohibitions is difficult, and the negative effects from the 
introduction of fish are extensive and happen quickly. Therefore, 
threats to this species have a significant adverse effect on the 
survival of the species, and are of a high magnitude. However, the 
threats are nonimminent, because surveys in 2004 and 2007 did not find 
fish in the pools where these shrimp occur on Maui or the island of 
Hawaii. Also, there was no evidence of recent habitat degradation at 
those pools. We assigned this species an LPN of 5.
    Anchialine pool shrimp (Procaris hawaiana) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Procaris hawaiana 
is an anchialine pool-inhabiting species of shrimp belonging to the 
family Procarididae. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, 
and is currently known from two populations on the island of Maui and 
one population on the island of Hawaii. The primary threats to this 
species are predation from fish (which do not naturally occur in the 
pools inhabited by this species) and habitat loss due to degradation. 
The pools where this species occurs on Maui are located within a State 
Natural Area Reserve (NAR). Hawaii's State statutes prohibit the 
collection of the species and the disturbance of the pools in State 
NARs. However, enforcement of these prohibitions is difficult and the 
negative effects from the introduction of fish are extensive and happen 
quickly. In addition, there are no conservation efforts underway to 
alleviate the potential for any of these threats in the one pool on the 
island of Hawaii. Therefore, threats to this species have a significant 
adverse effect on the survival of the species, and thus remain at a 
high magnitude. However, the threats to the species are nonimminent 
because, during 2004 and 2007 surveys, no fish were observed in the 
pools where these shrimp occur on Maui, and no fish were observed in 
the one pool on the island of Hawaii during a site visit in 2005. In 
addition, there were no signs of dumping or fill in any of the pools 
where the species occurs. Therefore, we assigned this species an LPN of 
5.
    Anchialine pool shrimp (Vetericaris chaceorum) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
Vetericaris chaceorum is an anchialine pool-inhabiting species of 
shrimp belonging to the family Procarididae; it is the only species in 
its genus. This species is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, and is only 
known from one population in a single pool on the island of Hawaii. The 
primary threats to this species are predation from nonnative fish and 
habitat degradation and contamination from illegal trash dumping. This 
species would be highly vulnerable to predation by any intentionally or 
accidentally introduced fish, or contamination from illegal dumping 
into its single known location. This pool lies within lands 
administered by the State of Hawaii Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. 
The threats to V. chaceorum from habitat degradation and destruction, 
as well as from predation by nonnative fish are of high magnitude, 
because this species occurs in only one pool; thus the threats could 
significantly impair the survival of the species. All individuals of 
this species may be adversely impacted by a single dumping of trash or 
release of nonnative fish in its only known pool. However, the threats 
are nonimminent, as fish have not been introduced into the pool (nor is 
there any reason to believe that introduction is imminent) and a site 
visit in early 2005 showed there were no signs of dumping or fill. 
Therefore we assigned this species an LPN of 4 because the threats are 
of high magnitude but nonimminent, and the species is in a monotypic 
genus.
    Troglobitic groundwater shrimp (Typhlatya monae) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files including 
information from the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The 
troglobitic groundwater shrimp is a subterranean small shrimp known 
from Puerto Rico, Barbuda, and Dominican Republic. It is classified as 
a troglobite, or obligatory cave organism, of which its most 
extraordinary feature is the reduction or loss of vision and 
pigmentation. Members of the species feed on organic waste material and 
debris, such as bat guano. Little is known concerning the status of the 
species in either Barbuda or Dominican Republic. Although in Puerto 
Rico this species was previously found at Mona Island, currently it is 
known from only three caves within the Gu[aacute]nica Commonwealth 
Forest in the municipalities of Gu[aacute]nica, Yauco, and Guayanilla. 
However, the species may still be found in the reef deposit aquifers in 
Mona Island that have not yet been surveyed. In 1995, close to 2,000 
individuals were estimated; over 95% of these were observed in only one 
cave. Although no systematic censuses have been conducted since 1995, 
the Service recently documented the presence of the species in all 
three caves and obtained information from Puerto Rico Commonwealth 
Forest personnel regarding another cave in which the species may occur.
    Changes in groundwater quality, collection of rare animals, 
predation, limited distribution of the species, limited availability of 
appropriate habitat (i.e., underground aquifers within cave 
formations), potential reduction of food sources (e.g., mortality or 
reduction in bat populations), and low population numbers, potentially 
threaten populations of the troglobitic groundwater shrimp. However, 
because the known range of the species is within protected lands, and 
based on available information of known management activities within 
the Gu[aacute]nica Commonwealth Forest or Mona Island, the magnitude of 
the remaining threats, possible extraction of ground-water in Mona and 
vulnerability to catastrophic events, is moderate to low. The threats 
are not currently occurring, and therefore are nonimminent. We continue 
to assign a LPN of 11 to this species.

Flowering plants

    Abronia alpina (Ramshaw Meadows sand-verbena) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
Abronia alpina is a small perennial herb, 2.5 to 15.2 centimeters (1 to 
6 inches) across, forming compact mats with lavender-pink, trumpet-
shaped, and generally fragment flowers. Abronia alpina is known from 
one main population center in Ramshaw Meadow on the Kern Plateau of the 
Sierra Nevada, California and from one subpopulation found in adjacent 
Templeton Meadow. The total estimated area occupied is approximately 6 
hectares (15 acres). The population fluctuates from year to year 
without any clear trends. Population estimates from 1985-1994 range 
from a low of 69,652 plants in 1986 to 132,215 plants in 1987. Surveys 
conducted since 1994 indicate that no significant changes have occurred 
in population size or location, although the 2003 survey showed 
population numbers to be at the low end of the range. The population 
was last monitored in 2007.

[[Page 75213]]

    The factors threatening Abronia alpina include natural and human 
alteration of habitat, hydrologic changes to the water table, and 
recreational use within meadow habitats. Lodgepole pine encroachment 
has altered the meadow and trees are becoming established within A. 
alpina habitat. Lodgepole pine encroachment may alter soil 
characteristics by increasing organic matter levels, decreasing 
porosity, and moderating diurnal temperature fluctuations thus reducing 
the competitive ability of A. alpina to persist in an environment more 
hospitable to other plant species. The Ramshaw Meadow ecosystem is 
subject to potential alteration by lowering of the water table due to 
downcutting of the South Fork of the Kern River (SFKR). The SFKR flows 
through Ramshaw Meadow, at times coming within 15 m (50 ft) of A. 
alpina habitat, particularly in the vicinity of five subpopulations. 
The habitat occupied by A. alpina directly borders the meadow system 
supported by the SFKR. Drying out of the meadow system could 
potentially affect A. alpina pollinators and/or seed dispersal agents. 
Established hiker, packstock, and cattle trails pass through A. alpina 
subpopulations. Two main hiker trails pass through Ramshaw Meadow, but 
were rerouted out of A. alpina subpopulations where feasible, in 1988 
and 1997. Remnants of cattle trails that pass through subpopulations in 
several places receive occasional incidental use by horses and 
sometimes hikers. Cattle use, however, currently, is not a threat due 
to the 2001 implementation of a ten year moratorium on the Templeton 
allotment which prohibits cattle from all A. alpina locations. The 
Service is funding studies to determine appropriate conservation 
measures and working with the U.S. Forest Service on developing a 
conservation strategy for the species. The threats are of a low 
magnitude and nonimminent because of the conservation actions already 
implemented. Therefore, we assigned a LPN of 11 to this species.
    Arabis georgiana (Georgia rockcress) - The following summary is 
based on information in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Georgia rockcress grows 
in a variety of dry situations, including shallow soil accumulations on 
rocky bluffs, ecotones of gently sloping rock outcrops, and in sandy 
loam along eroding river banks. It is occasionally found in adjacent 
mesic woods, but it will not persist in heavily shaded conditions. 
Currently, approximately 20 populations are known from the Gulf Coastal 
Plain, Piedmont, and Ridge and Valley physiographic provinces of 
Alabama and Georgia. Populations of this species typically have a 
limited number of individuals over a small area. Habitat degradation, 
more than outright habitat destruction, is the most serious threat to 
the continued existence of this species. Disturbance, associated with 
timber harvesting, road building, and grazing has created favorable 
conditions for the invasion of exotic weeds, especially Japanese 
honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), in this species' habitat. A large 
number of the populations are currently or potentially threatened by 
the presence of exotics. The heritage programs in Alabama and Georgia 
have initiated plans for exotic control at several populations. The 
magnitude of threats to this species is considered to be moderate to 
low due to the number of populations (20) across multiple counties in 
two states and due to the fact that several sites are protected. 
However, since a number of the populations are currently being affected 
by nonnative plants, the threat is imminent. Thus, we assigned an LPN 
of 8 to this species.
    Argythamnia blodgettii (Blodgett's silverbush) - The following 
summary is based on information in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Blodgett's 
silverbush occurs in Florida and is found in open, sunny areas in pine 
rockland, edges of rockland hammock, edges of coastal berm, and 
sometimes disturbed areas at the edges of natural areas. Plants can be 
found growing from crevices on limestone, or on sand. The pine rockland 
habitat where the species occurs in Miami-Dade County and the Florida 
Keys requires periodic fires to maintain habitat with a minimum amount 
of hardwoods. There are approximately 27 extant occurrences, 12 in 
Monroe County and 15 in Miami-Dade County; many occurrences are on 
conservation lands. However, 4-5 sites are recently thought to be 
extirpated. The estimated population size of Blodgett's silverbush in 
the Florida Keys, excluding Big Pine Key, is roughly 11,000; the 
estimated population in Miami-Dade County is 375 to 13,650 plants.
    Blodgett's silverbush is threatened by habitat loss, which is 
exacerbated by habitat degradation due to fire suppression, the 
difficulty of applying prescribed fire to pine rocklands, and threats 
from exotic plants. Remaining habitats are fragmented. Threats such as 
road maintenance and enhancement, infrastructure, and illegal dumping 
threaten some populations. Blodgett's silverbush is vulnerable to 
natural disturbances, such as hurricanes, tropical storms, and storm 
surges. Climatic change, particularly sea level rise, is a long-term 
threat that is expected to continue to affect pine rocklands and 
ultimately reduce the extent of available habitat, especially in the 
Keys. Overall, the magnitude of threats is moderate because not all of 
the populations are affected by the threats and the species has a 
relatively large population size. In addition, land managers are aware 
of the threats from exotic plants and lack of fire, and are, to some 
extent, working to reduce this threat where possible. While some of the 
threats are occurring in some areas, the threat from development is 
nonimminent since most of the populations are on public land and sea-
level rise is not currently affecting this species. Overall, the 
threats are nonimminent. Thus, we assigned an LPN of 11 to this 
species.
    Artemisia campestris var. wormskioldii (Northern wormwood) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No 
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 
2004. Historically known from eight sites, northern wormwood is 
currently known from two populations in Klickitat and Grant Counties, 
Washington. This plant is restricted to exposed basalt, cobbly-sandy 
terraces, and sand habitat along the shore and on islands in the 
Columbia River. The two sites are separated by 200 miles (322 
kilometers) of the Columbia River and three large hydroelectric dams. 
The Klickitat County population is declining; the status is unclear for 
the Grant County population; however, both are vulnerable to 
environmental variability. Surveys have not detected any additional 
plants.
    Threats to northern wormwood include direct loss of habitat through 
regulation of water levels in the Columbia River and placement of 
riprap along the river bank; trampling of plants as a result of 
recreational use; competition with nonnative invasive species; burial 
by wind and water-borne sediments; small population sizes; 
susceptibility to genetic drift and inbreeding; and the potential for 
hybridization with two other species of Artemisia. Ongoing conservation 
actions have reduced trampling, but have not eliminated or reduced the 
other threats at the Grant County site. The magnitude of threat is high 
for this subspecies because the only two remaining populations are 
widely separated and distributed such that one or both populations 
could be eliminated by a

[[Page 75214]]

single disturbance. The threats are imminent because recreational use 
is ongoing, invasive nonnative species occur at both sites, erosion of 
the substrate is ongoing at the Klickitat County site, and high water 
flows are random, naturally occurring events that may occur 
unpredictably in any year. Therefore, we have retained an LPN of 3 for 
this subspecies.
    Astragalus tortipes (Sleeping Ute milkvetch) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
Sleeping Ute milkvetch is a perennial plant that grows only on the 
Smokey Hills layer of the Mancos Shale Formation on the Ute Mountain 
Ute Indian Reservation in Montezuma County, Colorado. In 2000, 3,744 
plants were recorded at 24 locations covering 500 acres within an 
overall range of 64,000 acres. Available information from 2000 
indicates that the species remains stable. Previous and ongoing threats 
from borrow pit excavation, off-highway vehicles, irrigation canal 
construction, and a prairie dog colony have had minor impacts that 
reduced the range and number of plants by small amounts. Off-highway 
vehicle use of the habitat is reportedly increasing. Oil and gas 
development is active in the general area, but the Service has received 
no information from the Tribe to indicate whether there is development 
within the habitat for the plants. The Tribe reported this year that 
the status of the species remains unchanged, and that a management plan 
for the species is currently in draft form. The threats are moderate in 
magnitude, since they have had minor impacts and, based on information 
we have, the population appears to be stable. While ORV use is 
currently occurring at a rate that causes minor impacts and may be 
increasing, oil and gas production is not known to currently occur in 
the areas where this species exists. Overall, we conclude threats are 
nonimminent. Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 11 to this species.
    Bidens amplectens (Kookooalu) - We have not updated our assessment 
for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed listing 
rule.
    Bidens campylotheca ssp. pentamera (Kookooalu) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
This subspecies is an erect, perennial herb found in Cheirodendron-
Metrosideros (olapa-ohia) montane wet forest on Maui, Hawaii. This 
subspecies is known from four populations with a total of approximately 
180 individuals. Bidens campylotheca ssp. pentamera is threatened by 
feral pigs that degrade and destroy habitat, and by nonnative plants 
that compete for habitat. Feral pigs have been fenced out of one 
population at Kipahulu. These ongoing conservation efforts (fencing and 
nonnative plant removal) benefit only one of the four known populations 
as the remaining populations on east and west Maui are still affected 
by these threats. Habitat destruction and nonnative plants continue to 
be high-magnitude threats, because they threaten the continued 
existence of this subspecies. In addition, threats to B. campylotheca 
ssp. pentamera are imminent because they are ongoing in three 
populations. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 3 for this subspecies.
    Bidens campylotheca ssp. waihoiensis (Kookooalu) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
Bidens campylotheca ssp. waihoiensis is an erect, perennial herb found 
in wet Acacia-Metrosideros (koa-ohia) forest on Maui, Hawaii. Bidens 
campylotheca ssp. waihoiensis is known from two populations, totaling 
300 to 350 individuals. It is threatened by feral pigs and cattle, 
which eat this plant and degrade and destroy habitat, and by nonnative 
plants that outcompete and displace it. Conservation measures such as 
strategic fences and control of nonnative plants benefit the plants in 
Kipahulu Valley; however, the individuals in Waihoi Valley are still 
affected by these threats. Since foraging and habitat destruction 
result in direct mortality, they pose a high-magnitude threat to the 
small populations. They are also a imminent threat because they are 
ongoing in the Wahoi Valley. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 3 for 
this subspecies.
    Bidens conjuncta (Kookooalu) - The following summary is based on 
information in our files. No new information was provided in the 
petition we received on May 11, 2004. Bidens conjuncta is an erect, 
perennial herb found in Metrosideros-Dicranopteris-Cheirodendron (ohia-
uluhe-olapa) lowland to montane wet forest and shrubland on Maui, 
Hawaii. Eight populations are known, totaling fewer than 3,000 
individuals, scattered throughout upper elevation drainages of west 
Maui. Although the overall range of the species has not changed, the 
number of individuals has declined over the last decade or so. This 
species is threatened by pigs that degrade and destroy habitat, and eat 
vegetative parts and fruit of B. conjuncta, and by nonnative plants 
that outcompete and displace it. Feral pigs have been fenced out of the 
lower elevation populations in the west Maui mountains and in the 
summit areas and nonnative plants have been greatly reduced in the 
fenced areas. Because these conservation efforts have alleviated the 
threats in several portions of the range, the magnitude of the threats 
are moderate. However, these threats are imminent because they are 
still ongoing in portions of this species range. Therefore, we retained 
an LPN of 8 for this species.
    Bidens micrantha ssp. ctenophylla (Kookooalu) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
This subspecies is an erect, perennial herb found in open mixed 
shrubland to dry Metrosideros (ohia) forest on the island of Hawaii, 
Hawaii. This subspecies is endemic to the island of Hawaii, where it is 
restricted to an area of less than 10 square miles (26 square 
kilometers). Bidens micrantha ssp. ctenophylla is known from four wild 
and four outplanted populations totaling approximately 130 to 140 
individuals, the majority of which occur in only two (wild) 
populations. This subspecies is threatened by fire and nonnative 
plants, and two populations are threatened by residential and 
commercial development. The threats to B. micrantha ssp. ctenophylla 
from fire and nonnative plants are of a high magnitude and imminent 
because they are occurring range-wide, they threaten the continued 
existence of the species, and no efforts for their control have been 
undertaken. In addition, two populations are also threatened by 
development. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 3 for this subspecies.
    Brickellia mosieri (Florida brickell-bush) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is 
restricted to pine rocklands of Miami-Dade County, Florida. This 
habitat requires periodic prescribed fires to maintain the low 
understory and prevent encroachment by native tropical hardwoods and 
exotic plants, such as Brazilian pepper. Only one large population is 
known to exist, plus 18 other occurrences each containing less than 100 
individuals. Ten of these occurrences are on conservation lands. This 
species is threatened by habitat loss, which is exacerbated by habitat 
degradation due to fire suppression, the difficulty of applying 
prescribed fire to pine rocklands, and threats from exotic plants. 
Remaining habitats are

[[Page 75215]]

fragmented. The species is vulnerable to natural disturbances, such as 
hurricanes, tropical storms, and storm surges. Due to its restricted 
range and the small sizes of most isolated occurrences, this species is 
vulnerable to environmental (catastrophic hurricanes), demographic 
(potential episodes of poor reproduction), and genetic (potential 
inbreeding depression) threats. Ongoing conservation efforts includes a 
project aimed at facilitating restoration and management of privately 
owned pine rockland habitats in Miami-Dade County, and a project funded 
in 2008 to restore suitable habitat and reintroduce and establish new 
populations of the plants in pine rocklands. The Service is also 
pursuing additional habitat restoration projects, which could help 
further improve the status of the species. Because of these efforts, 
the overall magnitude of threats is moderate. The threats are ongoing 
and thus imminent. We assigned this species an LPN of 8.
    Calamagrostis expansa (Maui reedgrass) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is a 
robust, short-rhizomatous perennial found in wet forest, open bogs, and 
bog margins on the islands of Maui and Hawaii, Hawaii. Historically 
rare, C. expansa was restricted to wet forest and bogs on Maui. Its 
historical status is unknown on Hawaii. Currently, this species is 
known from 11 populations totaling approximately 230 individuals on 
Maui, and was recently discovered in eight populations totaling 
approximately 350 individuals on the island of Hawaii. Calamagrostis 
expansa is threatened by pigs that degrade and destroy habitat and by 
nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it. Feral pigs have been 
fenced out of most of the west Maui populations, and nonnative plants 
have been reduced in the fenced areas. However, the threats are not 
controlled and are ongoing in the remaining unfenced populations on 
Maui and at all of the populations on the island of Hawaii. Therefore, 
overall the threats from feral pigs and nonnative plants are of a high 
magnitude and imminent for C. expansa, and we retained an LPN of 2 for 
this species.
    Calamagrostis hillebrandii (Hillebrand's reedgrass) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
Calamagrostis hillebrandii is a slender, short-rhizomatous perennial 
found in Metrosideros-Machaerina (ohia-uki) montane wet bog or 
Metrosideros-Rhynchospora-Oreobolus (ohia-kuolohia-oreobolus) mixed bog 
on Maui, Hawaii. This species is known from two populations of fewer 
than 2,000 individuals, restricted to the bogs of west Maui. There is 
an unconfirmed report of C. hillebrandii from central Molokai. This 
species is currently threatened by pigs that degrade and destroy 
habitat and nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it. A portion 
of one population is protected by an ungulate exclosure fence while the 
other population may indirectly benefit from conservation actions for 
ungulate control and control of nonnative plants conducted in a nearby 
preserve. The threats are imminent because they are ongoing in one of 
the two known populations. Because they threaten the continued 
existence of the species, the threats are high in magnitude. Therefore, 
we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Calliandra locoensis (no common name) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Calliandra 
locoensis is a spiny, leguminous shrub currently known from five 
localities within the Sus[uacute]a Commonwealth Forest in the 
municipalities of Yauco and Sabana Grande, in southwestern Puerto Rico. 
Surveys in 2007 estimated 1,600 adult plants with numerous seedlings. 
Twenty-five native species of Calliandra have been reported for the 
Antilles, three of which are native to Puerto Rico, including C. 
locoensis. This species is endemic to Puerto Rico, and was discovered 
in 1991 during a study of the flora of the Sus[uacute]a Commonwealth 
Forest. It is found on shallow, serpentine soils with low nutrients, 
high drainage, and low fertility. Much of the vegetation in the forest 
was cut for wood, cultivation, livestock grazing, and charcoal 
production, prior to its designation as a public forest. Calliandra 
locoensis exhibits a low degree of self-compatibility in pollination 
tests. Seeds have short viability period, do not appear to have a 
biotic dispersal agent (dispersed by dehiscence (natural bursting 
open)), and require mesic conditions for germination, which may be 
factors in the species' limited distribution.
    The restricted distribution, forest management practices 
(accidental trampling, brush clearing, trail maintenance), forest fires 
(natural or manmade), and catastrophic natural events (hurricanes, 
floods, mudslides), threaten this species. The magnitude of threat to 
Calliandra locoensis is high due to its restricted distribution, which 
makes it vulnerable to catastrophic events, and apparent low dispersal 
capability; and the threats are nonimminent given that the populations 
are found within protected lands and there are no known projects or 
management activities planned that would destroy the known populations. 
Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 5 to this species.
    Calochortus persistens (Siskiyou mariposa lily) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files and the petition 
we received on September 10, 2001. The Siskiyou mariposa lily is a 
narrow endemic that is restricted to three disjunct ridge tops in the 
Klamath-Siskiyou Range on the California-Oregon border. The southern-
most occurrence of this species is comprised of nine separate sites on 
approximately 10 hectares (ha) (24.7 acres (ac)) of Klamath National 
Forest and privately owned lands that stretch for 6 kilometers (km) 
(3.7 miles (mi)) along the Gunsight-Humbug Ridge, Siskiyou County, 
California. In 2007, a new occurrence was confirmed in the locality of 
Cottonwood Peak and Little Cottonwood Peak, Siskiyou County. The 
northern-most occurrence consists of not more than five Siskiyou 
mariposa lily plants that were discovered in 1998, on Bald Mountain, 
west of Ashland, Jackson County, Oregon.
    Major threats include competition and shading by native and 
nonnative species fostered by suppression of wild fire; increased fuel 
loading and subsequent risk of wild fire; fragmentation by roads, fire 
breaks, tree plantations, and radio-tower facilities; maintenance and 
construction around radio towers and telephone relay stations located 
on Gunsight Peak and Mahogany Point; and soil disturbance, direct 
damage, and exotic weed and grass species introduction as a result of 
heavy recreational use and construction of fire breaks. Dyer's woad 
(Isatis tinctoria), an invasive, nonnative plant that may prevent 
germination of Siskiyou mariposa lily seedlings, is now found 
throughout the southern-most California occurrence, affecting 75 
percent of the known lily habitat on Gunsight-Humbug Ridge. Forest 
Service staff and the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center cite 
competition with dyer's woad as a significant and chronic threat to the 
survival of Siskiyou mariposa lily.
    The combination of restricted range, extremely low numbers (five 
plants) in one of three disjunct populations, poor competitive ability, 
short seed dispersal distance, slow growth rates, low seed production, 
apparently poor survival

[[Page 75216]]

rates in some years, herbivory, and competition from exotic plants 
threaten the continued existence of this species. These threats are of 
high magnitude because of their potential to negatively affect the 
overall survival of the species. Because the threats from herbivory and 
competition from exotic plants are not anticipated in the immediate 
future, and the threats from low seed production and survival are 
longer-term threats, overall the threats are nonimminent. Therefore, we 
assigned a listing priority number of 5 to this species.
    Calyptranthes estremerae (no common name) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Calyptranthes 
estremerae is a small tree from the subtropical moist forest of 
northwestern Puerto Rico, in the municipalities of Camuy, Utuado, and 
Arecibo. Calyptranthes estremerae was only known from several 
individuals found near the recreation area adjacent to the Camuy Caves, 
but specimens were later found within the R[iacute]o Abajo Commonwealth 
Forest (up to 50 individuals) at a site affected by the construction of 
Highway PR 10 in 1995. At the present time, a minimum of 100 specimens 
of C. estremerae are estimated for the Rio Abajo Commonwealth Forest 
and an undetermined number in the Camuy area. The magnitude of threat 
to C. estremerae is high, due to restricted distribution and small 
number of individuals, and the potential destruction of specimens and 
habitat from catastrophic natural events and the expansion of 
recreational facilities. However, these threats are not imminent 
because the largest known population of C. estremerae is found within 
protected lands, there are no known recreational facility projects 
planned that would destroy the sites, and the species can be 
transplanted successfully. Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 5 to 
Calyptranthes estremerae.
    Canavalia pubescens (Awikiwiki) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Awikiwiki is a perennial 
climber found in lowland dryland forest on Maui and Lanai, and is 
possibly on the island of Niihau, Hawaii. This species is known from 
five populations totaling a little over 200 individuals. This species 
is threatened by development (Maui), goats (Maui) and axis deer (Maui 
and Lanai) that degrade and destroy habitat, and by nonnative plants 
that outcompete and displace native plants (both islands). An ungulate 
exclosure fence protects six individuals of C. pubescens, and weed 
control is ongoing at this location on Maui. This species is 
represented in two ex-situ collections. Threats to this species from 
feral goats, axis deer, and nonnative plants are ongoing, or imminent, 
and of high magnitude because they significantly affect the species 
throughout its range. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this 
species.
    Castilleja christii (Christ's paintbrush) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files and the petition we 
received on January 2, 2001. Castilleja christii is found in one 
population covering approximately 85 ha (220 ac) on the summit of Mount 
Harrison in Cassia County, Idaho. This endemic species is considered a 
hemiparasite (dependent on the health of their surrounding native plant 
community), and it grows in association with subalpine meadow and 
sagebrush habitats. The population may be large (greater than 10,000 
individual plants); however, the species is considered to be subject to 
large variations in annual abundance and an accurate current population 
estimate is not available. Monitoring indicates that reproductive stems 
per plant and plant density declined between 1995 and 2007. The primary 
threat to the species is the nonnative invasive plant smooth brome 
(Bromus inermis). Despite cooperative Forest Service and Service 
efforts to control smooth brome in 2005, 2006, and 2007, it still 
persists and has increased in some C. christii habitats. Other threats 
to C. christii from recreational use appear to be mostly seasonal and 
affect only a small portion of the population, although they too are 
imminent. The magnitude of the threats to this species is moderate at 
this time because, although the smooth brome control efforts have not 
been effective, the Service and Forest Service are continuing their 
efforts in order to protect this potentially large population of 
plants. The threat from smooth brome is imminent because the threat 
still persists at a level that affects the native plant communities 
that provide habitat for C. christii. Thus, we assign an LPN of 8 to 
this species.
    Chamaecrista lineata var. keyensis (Big Pine partridge pea) -The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No 
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 
2004. This pea is endemic to the lower Florida Keys, and restricted to 
pine rocklands and hardwood hammock edges, and roadsides and firebreaks 
within these ecosystems. Historically, it was known from Big Pine, No 
Name, Ramrod, and Cudjoe Keys (Monroe County, Florida). In 2005, a 
small population was detected on lower Sugarloaf Key, but this 
population was apparently extirpated later in 2005, due to the effects 
of Hurricane Wilma. It presently occurs on Big Pine Key, plus a very 
small population found on Cudjoe Key in 2005. It is fairly well 
distributed in Big Pine Key pine rocklands, which encompass 
approximately 580 hectares (1,433 acres), approximately 360 hectares 
(890 acres) of which are within the Service's National Key Deer Refuge 
(NKDR). Over 80% of the population probably exists on NKDR, with the 
remainder distributed among State, County, and private properties.
    Hurricane Wilma (October 2005) resulted in a storm surge that 
covered most of Big Pine Key with sea water. In plots sampled after 
Wilma, frequency of occurrence was less than a third and density was 
less than half that found in plots sampled before Wilma.
    Pine rockland communities are maintained by relatively frequent 
fires. In the absence of fire, shrubs and trees encroach on pine 
rockland and the subspecies is eventually shaded out. NKDR has a 
prescribed fire program, although with many constraints on 
implementation. Habitat loss due to development was historically the 
greatest threat to the pea. Much of the remaining habitat is now 
protected on public lands. Absence of fire now appears to be the 
greatest of the deterministic threats. Given the recent increase in 
hurricane activity, storm surges are the greatest of the stochastic 
threats. The small range and patchy distribution of the subspecies 
increases risk from stochastic events. Additional threats include sea 
level rise, restricted range, invasive exotic plants, roadside dumping, 
loss of pollinators, seed predators, and development. The above 
description of threats also apply to Chamaesyce deltoidea ssp. 
serpyllum, below.
    We maintain the previous assessment that hurricane storm surges, 
lack of fire, and limited distribution results in a moderate magnitude 
of threat because a large part of the range is on conservation lands 
wherein threats are being controlled although fire management is at 
much slower rate than is required. The immediacy of hurricane threats 
is difficult to characterize. Sea level rise remains uncontrolled, but 
is nonimminent regarding most of the habitat area or population on an 
annual basis. Overall, the threats from limited distribution and 
inadequate fire management are imminent since they

[[Page 75217]]

are ongoing. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 9 for Big Pine partridge 
pea.
    Chamaesyce deltoidea pinetorum (Pineland sandmat) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
The pineland sandmat in only known from Miami-Dade County, Florida. The 
largest occurrence, estimated at more than 10,000 plants, is located on 
Long Pine Key within Everglades National Park. All other occurrences 
are smaller and are in isolated pine rockland fragments in heavily 
urbanized Miami-Dade County. Occurrences on private lands and on one 
county-owned parcel are at risk from development and habitat 
degradation and fragmentation. All occurrences of the species are 
threatened by habitat loss and degradation due to fire suppression, the 
difficulty of applying prescribed fire, and exotic plants. These 
threats are severe within small and unmanaged fragments in urban areas. 
However, the threats of fire suppression and exotics are reduced on 
lands managed by the National Park Service. Another threat is hydrology 
changes. Hydrology has been altered within Long Pine Key due to 
artificial drainage, which lowered ground water, and construction of 
roads, which either impounded or diverted water. Regional water 
management intended to restore the Everglades could negatively affect 
the pinelands of Long Pine Key. At this time, we do not know whether 
the proposed restoration and associated hydrological modifications will 
have a positive or negative effect on pineland sandmat. This narrow 
endemic may be vulnerable to catastrophic events and natural 
disturbances, such as hurricanes. Conditions related to climate change, 
particularly sea level rise, may be a factor over the long-term. 
Overall, the magnitude of threats to this species is moderate, since by 
applying regular prescribed fire, the National Park Service has kept 
Long Pine Key's pineland vegetation intact and relatively free of 
exotic plants, and the extent to which proposed restoration will 
negatively affect this subspecies are unclear. Overall, the threats are 
nonimminent since fire management is regularly conducted, and sea level 
rise and hurricanes are longer-term threats. Therefore, we assigned a 
LPN of 12 to this subspecies.
    Chamaesyce deltoidea ssp. serpyllum (Wedge spurge) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
The most recent surveys were conducted in 2005. Additional surveys were 
initiated in 2008. Wedge spurge is a small prostrate herb. It was 
historically, and remains, restricted to pine rocklands on Big Pine Key 
in Monroe County, Florida. Pine rocklands encompass approximately 580 
hectares (1,433 acres) on Big Pine Key, approximately 360 hectares (890 
acres) of which are within the Service's National Key Deer Refuge 
(NKDR). Most of the species' range falls within the NKDR, with the 
remainder on State, County, and private properties. It is not widely 
dispersed within the limited range. Occurrences are sparser in the 
southern portion of Big Pine Key, which contains smaller areas of NKDR 
lands than does the northern portion. Wedge spurge inhabits sites with 
low woody cover (e.g., low palm and hardwood densities) and usually, 
exposed rock or gravel. See description of threats above under 
Chamaecrista lineata var. keyensis
    We maintain the previous assessment that low fire return intervals 
plus hurricane-related storm surges, in combination with a limited, 
fragmented distribution and threats from sea level rise, results in a 
moderate magnitude of threat, in part, because a large part of the 
range is on conservation lands wherein threats can be substantially 
controlled. The immediacy of hurricane threats is difficult to 
categorize. Sea level rise remains uncontrolled, but over much of the 
range is nonimminent compared to other prominent threats. Threats 
resulting from limited fire occurrences are imminent. Since major 
threats are ongoing, overall, the threats are imminent. Therefore, we 
retained an LPN of 9 for this subspecies.
    Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina (San Fernando Valley 
spineflower) - The following summary is based on information contained 
in our files and the petition we received on December 14, 1999. 
Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina is a low growing herbaceous annual 
plant in the buckwheat family. The plant currently is known from two 
disjunct localities in southern California: the first is in the 
southeastern portion of Ventura County on a site within the Upper Las 
Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve, formerly known as Ahmanson Ranch, 
and the second is in an area of southwestern Los Angeles County known 
as Newhall Ranch. Investigations of historical locations and seemingly 
suitable habitat within the range of the species have not revealed any 
other occurrences.
    The threats currently facing San Fernando Valley spineflower 
include threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its 
habitat or range, and other natural or manmade factors. One of the two 
populations (Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve) is in 
permanent, public ownership and is being managed by an agency that is 
working to conserve the plant; however, the use of adjacent habitat for 
filming movies has recently been brought to our attention; the 
potential impacts to C. parryi var. fernandina have not yet been 
evaluated. We will be working with the landowners to manage the site 
for the benefit of C. parryi var. fernandina. The other population 
(Newhall Ranch) is under the threat of development; however, a 
Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA) is being developed with the 
landowner, and it is possible that the remaining plants can also be 
conserved. Until such an agreement is finalized, the threat of 
development and the potential damage to the Newhall Ranch population 
still exists, as shown by the destruction of some plants during 
installation of an agave farm. Furthermore, cattle grazing on Newhall 
Ranch may be a current threat. Cattle grazing may harm C. parryi var. 
fernandina by trampling and soil compaction. Grazing activity could 
also alter the nutrient content of the soils through fecal inputs, 
which in turn may favor the growth of other plant species that would 
otherwise not grow so readily on the mineral-based soils. Over time, 
changes in species composition may render the sites less favorable for 
the persistence of C. parryi var. fernandina. Invasive nonnative 
plants, including grasses, could potentially displace it from available 
habitat; compete for light, water, and nutrients; and reduce survival 
and establishment.
    Chorizanthe parryi var. fernandina is particularly vulnerable to 
extinction due to its concentration in two isolated areas. The 
existence of only two areas of occurrence, and a relatively small 
range, makes it highly susceptible to extinction or extirpation from a 
large part of its range due to possible development and/or other 
habitat modification, or random events such as fire, drought, erosion, 
or other occurrences. We retained an LPN of 6 for C. parryi var. 
fernandina due to a high magnitude of nonimminent threats.
    Chromolaena frustrata (Cape Sable thoroughwort) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
This species is found most commonly in open sun to partial shade at the 
edges of rockland tropical hammock and in coastal rock barrens. There 
are nine extant occurrences located at five islands in the Florida Keys 
and two

[[Page 75218]]

locations within Everglades National Park (ENP). The plant has been 
extirpated from half of the islands where it occurred. Prior to 
Hurricane Wilma in 2005, the population was estimated at roughly 5,000 
individuals, with all but 500 occurring on one privately owned island. 
More recently, an estimate of 1,500 plants was given for areas within 
ENP.
    This species is threatened by habitat loss and modification, even 
on public lands, and habitat loss and degradation due to threats from 
exotic plants at almost all sites. The species is vulnerable to natural 
disturbances, such as hurricanes, tropical storms, and storm surges. 
While these factors may also work to maintain coastal rock barren 
habitat in the long-term, Hurricane Wilma appeared to have had severe 
impacts, at least in the short-term. Occurrences probably declined due 
to inundation of its coastal barren and rockland hammock habitats in 
the short-term; long-term effects on this species are unknown. Sea 
level rise is considered a major threat that will continue. Potential 
effects from other changes in fresh water deliveries and the 
construction of the Buttonwood Canal are unknown. Problems associated 
with small population size and isolation are likely major factors, as 
occurrences may not be large enough to be viable; this narrowly endemic 
plant has uncertain viability at most locations, especially following 
Hurricane Wilma. Thus, these factors constitute a high magnitude of 
threat. The threats of small population size, isolation, and uncertain 
viability are imminent because they are ongoing. As a result, we 
assigned an LPN of 2 to this species.
    Consolea corallicola (Florida semaphore cactus) - The following 
summary is based on information in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Florida 
semaphore cactus is endemic to the Florida Keys, and was discovered on 
Big Pine Key in 1919, but that population was extirpated as a result of 
road building and poaching. This cactus grows close to salt water on 
bare rock with a minimum of humus soil cover in or along the edges of 
hammocks near sea level. The species is known to occur naturally only 
in two areas, Swan Key within Biscayne National Park and Little Torch 
Key. Outplantings have been attempted in several locations in the upper 
and lower Keys; however, success has been low. Few plants remain in the 
population at The Nature Conservancy's Torchwood Hammock Preserve on 
Little Torch Key. During monitoring work conducted in 2005, a total of 
655 plants were documented at the Swan Key population. The cactus does 
not propagate sexually, and asexual reproduction is the main life 
history strategy of this species. Recent genetic studies have shown no 
variation within populations and very limited variation between 
populations. Findings support the conclusion that the Swan Key (upper 
Keys), Little Torch Key, and Big Pine Key (outplanting; lower Keys) 
populations are clonally derived and genetically distinct from each 
other. Studies examining the reproductive biology of the species 
indicate that all extant wild and cultivated plants are male.
    The causes for the population decline of this species include 
destruction or modification of habitat, predation from nonnative 
Cactoblastis cactorum moths and disease, poaching and vandalism, sea 
level rise, and hurricanes. Because of low population numbers, lack of 
variation between and within populations, and reproductive problems, 
the threats are of high magnitude. The numerous threats are ongoing and 
therefore, are imminent. Thus, we assigned this species an LPN of 2.
    Cordia rupicola (no common name) - The following summary is based 
on information contained in our files. No new information was provided 
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Cordia rupicola, a small 
shrub, has been described from southwestern Puerto Rico 
(Pe[ntilde]uelas and Gu[aacute]nica), Vieques Island, and Anegada 
Island (British Virgin Islands). All four sites lay within the 
subtropical dry forest life zone overlying a limestone substrate. 
Cordia rupicola has a restricted distribution in the subtropical dry 
forest of southwestern Puerto Rico and Vieques Island. Currently, 
approximately 226 individuals are known from 3 locations: 
Pe[ntilde]uelas and Guanica Commonwealth Forests and Vieques National 
Wildlife Refuge. Additionally, the species is reported as common on 
Anegada Island.
    However, the species is threatened by residential and commercial 
development on Anegada Island and is also vulnerable to natural (e.g., 
hurricanes) or manmade (e.g., human-induced fires) threats throughout 
most of its range. All of these threats have a significant effect on 
the survival of the species. For these reasons, the magnitude of the 
current threats is high. Additionally, all sites are located in xeric 
environment vulnerable to human-induced fires. Only a few individuals 
are located in protected lands managed for conservation by the Puerto 
Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources or the Service. 
The population of C. rupicola on Anegada Island is currently in good 
standing. The threats this species faces are ones that will arise in 
the future if conservation measures are not implemented and long-term 
impacts are not averted. For these reasons, threats to the species as a 
whole are nonimminent. Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 5 to this 
species.
    Cyanea asplenifolia (Haha) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Cyanea asplenifolia is a 
shrub found in Acacia-Metrosideros (koa-ohia) forest on Maui, Hawaii. 
Currently, this species is known from eight populations totaling fewer 
than 145 individuals. Cyanea asplenifolia is threatened by pigs, goats, 
and cattle that degrade and destroy habitat and by nonnative plants, 
such as Australian tree fern, that outcompete and displace it. This 
species is likely threatened by predation by axis deer and by feral 
ungulates, rats, and slugs that may directly prey upon and defoliate 
individuals. Pig and goat exclusion fences protect individuals of two 
of the known populations of this species, and nonnative plants have 
been reduced in one fenced area; however, continued monitoring of these 
fences will be necessary, as feral ungulates from surrounding areas can 
easily access unmaintained fenced areas. This species is represented in 
three ex-situ collections. The threats continue to be of a high 
magnitude because they significantly affect the species resulting in 
direct mortality or reduced reproductive capacity. The threats are 
imminent because they are ongoing in at least two of the eight known 
populations. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Cyanea calycina (Haha) - We have not updated our assessment for 
this species, as we are currently developing a proposed listing rule.
    Cyanea kunthiana (Haha) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Cyanea kunthiana is a shrub 
found in closed Metrosideros-Dicranopteris (ohia-uluhe) montane wet 
forest on Maui, Hawaii. The historic range of C. kunthiana was wet 
forest on the island of Maui. Currently, C. kunthiana is declining 
throughout its range, and is known from 38 populations totaling between 
475 and 675 individuals. This species is threatened by pigs that 
directly prey upon the plants and degrade and destroy habitat, and by 
nonnative plants that outcompete and

[[Page 75219]]

displace it. Potential threats to this species include rats and slugs 
that may directly prey upon and defoliate individuals. Predation and 
habitat destruction significantly affect the continued existence of the 
species. While large-scale fencing, ungulate removal, and invasive 
species control measures are underway in areas in which five of the 
current populations exist, these efforts have not served to completely 
remove these threats, and there are no efforts to control the ongoing 
and imminent threats to the remaining 33 populations. Therefore, the 
threats continue to be of a high magnitude to C. kunthiana, and are 
imminent for more than eighty percent of the populations. Therefore, we 
retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Cyanea lanceolata (Haha) - We have not updated our assessment for 
this species, as we are currently developing a proposed listing rule.
    Cyanea obtusa (Haha) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Cyanea obtusa is a shrub 
found in Metrosideros polymorpha (ohia) mixed mesic forest on Maui, 
Hawaii. This species is known from two populations with a combined 
total of fewer than 24 individuals. Cyanea obtusa is threatened by 
feral goats, pigs, and cattle that degrade and destroy habitat, and by 
nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it. Potential threats 
include fire, and rats and slugs that may directly prey upon and 
defoliate individuals of C. obtusa. Feral pigs have been fenced out of 
one population of this species, with nonnative plant control in the 
fenced area. Although one population of C. obtusa has been fenced and 
is undergoing weed control, there are no efforts to control the ongoing 
and imminent threats to the other population. The threats continue to 
be of a high magnitude for C. obtusa because they significantly affect 
the species resulting in direct mortality or reduced reproductive 
capacity, and the threats are ongoing. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 
2 for this species.
    Cyanea tritomantha (Aku) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Cyanea tritomantha is a palm-
like tree found in Metrosideros-Cibotium (ohia-hapuu) montane wet 
forest on the island of Hawaii. This species is known from 16 
populations with a total of approximately 300 to 400 individuals. 
Cyanea tritomantha is threatened by pigs and cattle that degrade and 
destroy habitat, and nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it. 
Potential threats to this species include predation by rats and slugs 
that may directly prey upon and defoliate individuals, and human 
trampling of individuals located near trails. Feral pigs and cattle 
have been fenced out of three populations of C. tritomantha, and 
nonnative plants have been reduced in the fenced areas. Although three 
populations of C. tritomantha have been fenced and weeds are being 
controlled in these fenced areas, there are no efforts to control the 
ongoing and imminent threats to the other 13 populations. The threats 
continue to be of a high magnitude to C. tritomantha because they 
significantly affect the species resulting in direct mortality or 
reduced reproductive capacity. They are ongoing and therefore imminent 
for more than seventy-five percent of the population where no control 
measures have been implemented. Because the threats continue to be of a 
high magnitude and are imminent for the unmanaged populations, we 
retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Cyrtandra filipes (Haiwale) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Haiwale is a shrub found in 
lowland to montane wet forest on Maui and Molokai, Hawaii. Historically 
rare, C. filipes was found in southeastern Molokai and west Maui. 
Currently, this species is known from 10 populations, 3 on Molokai and 
7 on west Maui, totaling approximately 2,000 individuals. There is some 
question as to the true identity of the Maui populations, which do not 
fit the description of the species precisely. If, upon further 
taxonomic study, the Maui populations are determined not to be this 
species, then it is even rarer, with only the Molokai populations of a 
few individuals remaining. Cyrtandra filipes is threatened by pigs, 
goats, and deer that degrade and destroy habitat, by nonnative plants 
that outcompete and displace it, and potentially by rats that directly 
prey on it. Feral pigs have been fenced out of one of the populations 
of C. filipes on Maui, and strategic fencing for axis deer is under 
construction on west Maui, but deer are able to jump over most pig 
exclusion fences so they are still considered a threat. Nonnative 
plants are being reduced in the population that is fenced but all 
populations are potentially threatened by rats. The threats from pigs 
and nonnative plants are of a high magnitude because of their severity 
and the fact that they occur in eight of the 10 known populations. In 
addition, these threats are imminent because they are ongoing. 
Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Cyrtandra kaulantha (Haiwale) - We have not updated our assessment 
for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed listing 
rule.
    Cyrtandra oxybapha (Haiwale) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Cyrtandra oxybapha is a shrub 
found in Metrosideros polymorpha-Cheirodendron trigynum (ohia-olapa) 
montane wet forest to mesic Acacia-Metrosideros (koa-ohia) forest on 
Maui, Hawaii. Currently, this species is known from two populations 
totaling 73 to 123 individuals on west Maui. This species is threatened 
by pigs, goats, and cattle that degrade and destroy habitat, and by 
nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it. Fire is a likely 
threat at the Kahikinui population. The individuals within the fence at 
Kahikinui benefit from management actions; however, the remaining 
individuals there and on west Maui are threatened by pigs, goats, 
cattle, and likely threatened by fire. The threats are of a high 
magnitude because of their severity and are imminent since they are 
ongoing. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for C. oxybapha.
    Cyrtandra sessilis (Haiwale) - We have not updated our assessment 
for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed listing 
rule.
    Dalea carthagenensis floridana (Florida prairie-clover) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No 
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 
2004. Dalea carthagenensis var. floridana occurs in Big Cypress 
National Preserve (BCNP) in Monroe and Collier Counties, Florida. It is 
also known from small populations in Miami-Dade County. There are a 
total of nine extant occurrences, most of which are on conservation 
land. Existing occurrences are extremely small and may not be viable, 
especially those in Miami-Dade County. Remaining habitats are 
fragmented. This plant is threatened by habitat loss and degradation 
due to fire suppression, the difficulty of applying prescribed fire to 
pine rocklands, and threats from exotic plants. Damage to plants by 
off-road vehicles is a serious threat within the BCNP; the threat from 
illegal mountain-biking at the R. Hardy Matheson Preserve has been 
reduced. One location within BCNP is threatened by changes in mowing 
practices; this

[[Page 75220]]

threat is considered to be low. This species is being parasitized by 
the introduced insect lobate lac scale at some localities (e.g., R. 
Hardy Matheson Preserve), but we do not know the extent of this threat. 
This plant is vulnerable to natural disturbances, such as hurricanes, 
tropical storms, and storm surges. Due to its restricted range and the 
small sizes of most isolated occurrences, this species is vulnerable to 
environmental (catastrophic hurricanes), demographic (potential 
episodes of poor reproduction), and genetic (potential inbreeding 
depression) threats. The magnitude of threats is high, and threats are 
imminent because of the limited number of occurrences and the small 
number of individual plants at each occurrence. In addition, even 
though many sites are on conservation lands, these plants still face 
significant ongoing threats. Therefore, we have assigned an LPN of 3 to 
this subspecies.
    Dichanthelium hirstii (Hirsts' panic grass) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. D. hirstii is a 
perennial grass that produces erect leafy flowering stems from May to 
October. D. hirstii occurs in coastal plain intermittent ponds, usually 
in wet savanna or pine barren habitats and is found at only two sites 
in New Jersey, one site in Delaware, and one site in North Carolina. 
While all four extant D. hirstii populations are located on public land 
or privately owned conservation lands, natural threats to the species 
from encroaching vegetation and fluctuations in climatic conditions 
remain of concern and may be exacerbated by anthropomorphic factors 
occurring adjacent to the species' wetland habitat. Given the low 
numbers of plants found at each site, even minor changes in the 
species' habitat could result in local extirpation. Loss of any known 
sites could result in a serious protraction of the species' range. 
However, the most immediate and severe of the threats to this species 
(i.e., ditching of the Laboundsky Pond site, and encroachment of 
aggressive vegetative competitors) have been curtailed or are being 
actively managed by The Nature Conservancy at one New Jersey site and 
by the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife and Delaware Natural 
Heritage Program at the Assawoman Pond, Delaware site. Based on 
nonimminent threats of a high magnitude, we retain an LPN of 5 for this 
species.
    Digitaria pauciflora (Florida pineland crabgrass) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
Florida pineland crabgrass occurs in the pineland/prairie ecotones and 
prairies in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties, Florida. Pine rocklands in 
Miami-Dade County have largely been destroyed by residential, 
commercial, and urban development and agriculture. Most remaining 
habitat has been negatively altered, and this species has been 
extirpated from much of its historical range, including extirpation 
from all areas outside of National Parks. Two large occurrences remain 
within Everglades National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve. 
While privately owned pine rocklands and prairies are at risk to 
development, the plants on Federal lands are protected from this 
threat.
    This species is threatened by habitat loss and degradation due to 
fire suppression, the difficulty of applying prescribed fire to pine 
rocklands, and exotic plants. Since the only remaining populations are 
on lands managed by the National Park Service, the threats of fire 
suppression and exotics are somewhat reduced. The presence of the 
exotic Old World climbing fern is of particular concern due to its 
ability to spread rapidly. In Big Cypress National Preserve, plants 
have been threatened by off-road vehicle use. Another threat is 
hydrology changes. Hydrology has been altered within Long Pine Key due 
to artificial drainage, which lowered ground water, and construction of 
roads, which either impounded or diverted water. Regional water 
management intended to restore the Everglades has the potential to 
affect the pinelands of Long Pine Key, where a large population occurs. 
At this time, it is not known whether Everglades restoration will have 
a positive or negative effect. This narrow endemic may be vulnerable to 
catastrophic events and natural disturbances, such as hurricanes. Sea 
level rise will likely be a factor over the long-term. Overall, the 
magnitude of threats is high because occurrence of the species within 
the National Park has not eliminated such threats as exotic plants and 
off-road vehicle use, which may negatively affect this species 
throughout its range. However, the majority of threats are nonimminent 
as they are long-term in nature (water management, hurricanes, and sea-
level rise). Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 5 for this species.
    Echinomastus erectocentrus var. acunensis (Acuna cactus) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files and 
the petition we received on October 30, 2002. The Acuna cactus is known 
from six sites in Arizona and Mexico. It occurs on well-drained gravel 
ridges and knolls on granite soils in Sonoran Desert scrub association 
at 1300-2000 feet elevation.
    Habitat destruction has been a threat in the past and is a 
potential future threat to this species. New roads and illegal 
activities have not yet directly affected the cactus populations at 
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona, but areas in close 
proximity to these known populations have been altered. Cactus 
populations located in the Florence area (Arizona) have not been 
monitored, and these populations may be in danger of habitat loss due 
to recent urban growth in the area. Urban development near Ajo, 
Arizona, as well as that near Sonoyta, Mexico, is a significant threat 
to the Acuna cactus. Populations of the Acuna cactus within the Organ 
Pipe Cactus National Monument have shown a 50 percent mortality rate in 
recent years. The reason(s) for the mortality are not known, but 
continuing drought conditions which are prevalent throughout the range 
of the Acuna cactus are thought to play a role. The Arizona Plant Law 
and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 
Fauna and Flora provide some protection for the Acuna cactus. However, 
illegal collection is a primary threat to this cactus variety, and has 
been documented on the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in the past. 
The threats continue to be of a high magnitude as they have a 
significant negative impact to the long-term viability of this cactus 
as demonstrated by the continued dramatic decline of the variety. The 
threats are imminent because habitat loss from drought and urban 
development are ongoing. Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 3 to the 
Acuna cactus.
    Erigeron lemmonii (Lemmon fleabane) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files and the petition we 
received in July 1975. The species is known from one site in a canyon 
in the Fort Huachuca Military Reservation of southeastern Arizona. As 
of 2006, approximately 950 plants were known from this site, where the 
occupied habitat encompasses about 1 square kilometer.
    The threats to this species are from catastrophic wildfire in the 
canyon and ongoing drought conditions. We do not know if this species 
has any adaptations to fire. Due to its location on cliffs, we suspect 
that fires may have occurred at regular intervals and burned at low 
intensities, and thus may have had little to no effect on this species. 
It is due only to lack of fire and the accumulated

[[Page 75221]]

fuel load that the fire intensity and associated heat may be high 
enough to damage or kill plants on adjacent cliffs, especially near the 
ground. On the other hand, plants that are much higher on the cliff 
face would probably not be affected. The magnitude of threats is 
moderate because we believe that not all of the population would be 
adversely affected by a wildfire or drought. The threats are imminent 
because the likelihood of a fire is high. The LPN for Lemmon fleabane 
remains an 8 due to moderate, imminent threats.
    Eriogonum codium (Umtanum Desert buckwheat) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is a 
long-lived, slow-growing, woody perennial plant that forms low dense 
mats. The species occupies a single location on the Hanford National 
Monument in Washington State. It is found only on an exposed basalt 
ridge; we do not know if this association is related to the chemical or 
physical characteristics of the bedrock or other factors. Individual 
plants may exceed 100 years of age, based on counts of annual growth 
rings. A count in 1997 reported 5,228 individuals; by 2005 the figure 
had dropped to 4,418, declining 15% over eight years. A population 
viability analysis in 2006 based on 9 years of demographic data 
estimated that that there is little or no risk of a population decline 
greater than 90 percent within 100 years, but there is a 72 percent 
chance of a decline of 50 percent.
    The major threats to the species are wildfire, fire-fighting 
activities, trampling, and invasive weeds. However, the relationship 
between the decline in population numbers and the known threats is not 
understood at this time. With the possible exception of wildfire, the 
observed decline in population numbers and recruitment since 1997 is 
not directly attributable to the currently known threats. Because the 
population is small, limited to a single site, and sensitive to fire 
and disturbance, the species remains vulnerable to the identified 
threats. The magnitude of threats is high because, given the limited 
range of the species and the degree of uncertainty about its habitat 
and the cause of its declines, any of the threats could adversely 
affect its continued existence. The threats are both ongoing and 
imminent in nature. Because the species continues to be vulnerable to 
these threats, we assigned an LPN of 2 to this species.
    Eriogonum kelloggii (Red Mountain buckwheat) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
Red Mountain buckwheat is a perennial herb endemic to serpentine 
habitat of lower montane forests found between 1,900 and 4,100 feet. 
Its distribution is limited to the Red Mountain and Little Red Mountain 
areas of Mendocino County, California, where it occupies a total of 50 
acres and 900 square feet, respectively. Occupied habitat at Red 
Mountain is scattered over 4 square miles. Total population size is 
estimated at between 20,000 and 30,000 plants, which occur in 44 
polygons. Intensive monitoring of permanent plots on three study sites 
in Red Mountain suggests considerable annual variation in plant density 
and reproduction, but no discernable population trend was evident in 
two of three study sites. One study site showed a 65 percent decline in 
plant density over 11 years.
    The primary threat to this species is the potential for surface 
mining for chromium and nickel. Virtually the entire distribution of 
Red Mountain buckwheat is either owned by mining interests, or is 
covered by existing mining claims, none of which are currently active. 
Surface mining would destroy habitat suitability for this species. The 
species is also believed threatened by tree and shrub encroachment into 
its habitat, in absence of fire. The threat of surface mining is high 
in magnitude because it would prevent the continued existence of the 
species in the larger of two locations. That threat is nonimminent 
because none of the mining claims are active. Because of the high-
magnitude, nonimminent threat to the small, scattered populations, we 
assigned a listing priority number of 5 to this species.
    Eriogonum corymbosum var. nilesii (Las Vegas buckwheat) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files and 
the petition we received on April 23, 2008. The Las Vegas buckwheat is 
a woody perennial shrub restricted to gypsum soil outcroppings in Clark 
and Lincoln Counties, Nevada.
    Destruction and modification of habitat from development is a 
significant threat with over 95 percent of the historic range and 
potential habitat of the subspecies affected. In 2005, the Las Vegas 
buckwheat was known from nine locations on approximately 1,149 acres, 
but occupied habitat has declined since then to 892 acres due to 
development. In addition, OHV activity and other public land uses 
(casual public use, mining, and dumping) directly and indirectly 
threaten over half of the remaining habitat. To date, regulatory 
mechanisms to protect the Las Vegas buckwheat are inadequate. Its 
designation by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as a special status 
species has not provided adequate protection on lands managed by the 
BLM in large part due to limitations on resources and law enforcement 
personnel. The Las Vegas buckwheat is not protected by the State of 
Nevada or any other regulatory mechanisms on other federal lands. 
Conservation measures are being developed that could reduce the amount 
of occupied habitat at risk, but we believe it would be premature to 
consider these measures sufficiently complete as to remove these 
threats. The magnitude of threats is high, since the more significant 
threats (development and surface mining) would result in direct 
mortality of the plants in over half of its habitat. While both 
development and mining are very likely to occur in the future, they are 
not expected to happen in the immediate future, and thus, the threats 
are nonimminent. Accordingly, we assigned the Las Vegas buckwheat an 
LPN of 6.
    Festuca hawaiiensis (no common name) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is a 
cespitose (growing in dense, low tufts) annual found in dry forest on 
the island of Hawaii. Festuca hawaiiensis is known from four 
populations totaling approximately 1,000 individuals in and around the 
Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA). Historically, this species was also 
found on Hualalai and Puu Huluhulu on Hawaii and possibly Ulupalakua on 
Maui, but it no longer occurs at these sites. Festuca hawaiiensis is 
threatened by pigs, goats, mouflon, and sheep that degrade and destroy 
habitat; fire; military training activities; and nonnative plants that 
outcompete and displace it. Feral pigs, goats, mouflon, and sheep have 
been fenced out of a portion of the populations of F. hawaiiensis, and 
nonnative plants have been reduced in the fenced areas but the majority 
of this population is still impacted by threats from fire and will 
require long-term monitoring and management. The threats are imminent 
because they are not controlled and are ongoing in the remaining, 
unfenced populations. Firebreaks have been established at two other 
populations but again fire is an imminent threat to the other two 
populations that have no firebreaks. The threats are of a high 
magnitude because

[[Page 75222]]

they could adversely affect F. hawaiiensis resulting in direct 
mortality or reduced reproductive capacity. Therefore, we retained an 
LPN of 2 for this species.
    Festuca ligulata (Guadalupe fescue) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files and the petition we 
received in 1975. Guadalupe fescue is a member of the Poaceae (grass 
family). This species is currently only known from higher elevations in 
the Chisos Mountains in the Big Bend Area of Texas (one population) and 
adjacent Coahuila, Mexico (two populations). The population in Big Bend 
National Park is bisected by a trail and subject to occasional 
trampling by horses and hikers and may be impacted by the lack of 
proper fire management. A new Candidate Conservation Agreement between 
the Service and the National Park Service provides for additional 
conservation efforts, population monitoring, fire management, and trail 
operation by the National Park Service; these actions partially address 
threats to the species. Overall, the magnitude of the threats of 
trampling and lack of proper fire management is moderate to low and 
nonimminent because of the actions under this agreement. Thus, we 
assign a LPN of 11 to this species.
    Gardenia remyi (Nanu) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Nanu is a tree found in mesic 
to wet forest on islands of Kauai, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii, Hawaii. 
Gardenia remyi is known from 20 populations totaling between 77 and 104 
individuals. This species is threatened by pigs, goats, and deer that 
degrade and destroy habitat and possibly prey upon the species, and by 
nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it. It is also threatened 
by landslides on the island of Hawaii. This species is represented in 
an ex-situ collection. Feral pigs have been fenced out of the west Maui 
populations of G. remyi, and nonnative plants have been reduced in 
those areas. However, these threats are not controlled and are ongoing 
in the remaining, unfenced populations, and are, therefore, imminent. 
In addition, the threat from goats and deer is ongoing and imminent 
throughout the range of the species, because no goat or deer control 
measures have been undertaken for any of the populations of G. remyi. 
All of the threats are of a high magnitude because habitat destruction, 
predation, and landslides are significant enough that they could 
adversely affect the species resulting in direct mortality or reduced 
reproductive capacity. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this 
species.
    Geranium hanaense (Nohoanu) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Geranium hanaense is 
threatened by pigs that degrade and destroy habitat, and by nonnative 
plants that outcompete and displace it. However, feral pigs have been 
fenced out of and removed from both bogs in which this species 
currently occurs, and a control program has reduced nonnative plants in 
all fenced areas. Given that the threats to the only known populations 
of this species are currently being managed and the populations are 
routinely monitored, the overall magnitude of these threats is 
moderate. The threats are imminent because the fences must be routinely 
monitored and nonnative plants must continually be controlled. 
Therefore, we retained an LPN of 8 for this species.
    Geranium hillebrandii (Nohoanu) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Geranium hillebrandii is a 
decumbent subshrub found in bogs on Maui, Hawaii. It is currently known 
from three populations totaling approximately 10,000 individuals. 
Geranium hillebrandii is threatened by pigs that degrade and destroy 
habitat, and by nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it. 
Conservation measures taken to control feral pigs and nonnative plants 
reduce the impact of these threats to G. hillebrandii; however, 
continued monitoring will be necessary to keep the areas threat-free. 
The threats from feral pigs and nonnative plants are, therefore, of a 
moderate magnitude to this species; however, these threats are imminent 
because they are ongoing in half of the populations and require 
continued monitoring in the other half. Therefore, we retained an LPN 
of 8 for this species.
    Gonocalyx concolor (no common name) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Gonocalyx 
concolor is a small evergreen epiphytic shrub. Currently, G. concolor 
is known only from the dwarf or elfin forest type in the Carite 
Commonwealth Forest (Cerro La Santa), located in the Sierra de Cayey in 
the municipalities of Guayama, Cayey, Caguas, San Lorenzo, and Patillas 
in southeastern Puerto Rico. The population previously reported in the 
Caribbean National Forest in Puerto Rico is apparently no longer 
extant. The entire population located at one site consists of 
approximately 172 individuals. Habitat destruction from construction of 
roads and telecommunication towers, certain forest management practices 
such as the development and maintenance of trails, and potential for 
catastrophic natural events threaten this species. Its restricted 
distribution renders this species highly vulnerable to natural (e.g., 
hurricanes, landslides) or manmade (e.g., telecommunication towers, 
forest management practices) threats to its habitat and population, 
thus making the threat magnitude high. This species is classified as 
critical by Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental 
Resources (PRDNER); however, this designation does not provide any 
regulatory protection. The PRDNER developed a management plan for the 
Carite Commonwealth Forest in 1976, which includes the protection and 
conservation of species classified under PRDNER regulations as 
critical, threatened, or endangered, but it does not include specific 
measures for the protection of this species. Generally, PRDNER 
scrutinizes any actions that may affect species classified as critical, 
and recommends or implements measures to minimize or avoid impacts to 
these species if deemed appropriate. The immediacy of the threats from 
building roads and towers and developing and maintaining trails is thus 
nonimminent. Therefore, we have assigned a listing priority number of 5 
for Gonocalyx concolor.
    Hazardia orcuttii (Orcutt's hazardia) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files and the petition we 
received on March 8, 2001. Hazardia orcuttii is an evergreen shrubby 
species in the Asteraceae (sunflower family). The only known extant 
native occurrence of this species in the U.S. is in the Manchester 
Conservation Area in northwestern San Diego County, California. This 
site is managed by Center for Natural Lands Management. Hazardia 
orcuttii also occurs at a few coastal sites in Mexico, where it has no 
conservation protections in Mexico. There are approximately 668 native 
adult plants and 50 seedlings remaining in the U.S., and the population 
in Mexico is estimated at approximately 1300 plants.
    The occurrences in Mexico are threatened by the rapid rate of 
coastal development from Tijuana to Ensenada. Apparent threats to the 
U.S. population include ongoing pedestrian trampling, impacts from on 
and off-leash dogs, and creation of bicycle trails near Hazardia 
orcuttii plants. Competition from

[[Page 75223]]

invasive nonnative plants may pose a threat to the reproductive 
potential of this species. Another significant threat is the species' 
apparently low reproductive output; in a recent study, 95 percent of 
the flowers examined were damaged by insects or fungal agents or 
aborted prematurely, and insects or fungal agents damaged 50 percent of 
the seeds produced. Overall, the threats are of a high magnitude since 
they have the potential to significantly reduce the reproductive 
potential of this species. The threats are nonimminent overall because 
although trampling and other recreational impacts are ongoing, the most 
significant threats (competition and low reproductive output) are 
nonimminent and long-term in nature. Thus, we assigned this species a 
LPN of 5.
    Hedyotis fluviatilis (Kamapuaa) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Kamapuaa is a scandent shrub 
found in mixed shrubland to wet lowland forest on Oahu and Kauai, 
Hawaii. This species is known from 12 populations totaling 1,000 to 
1,400 individuals. Hedyotis fluviatilis is threatened by pigs and goats 
that degrade and destroy habitat, and by nonnative plants that 
outcompete and displace it. All of the threats occur range-wide, and no 
efforts for their control or eradication are being undertaken. 
Displacement and habitat destruction have a negative impact on the 
continued existence of the species. We retained an LPN of 2 because the 
severity of the threats is high and the threats are ongoing so are 
imminent.
    Helianthus verticillatus (Whorled sunflower) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
The whorled sunflower is found in moist, prairie-like openings in 
woodlands and along adjacent creeks. Despite extensive surveys 
throughout its range, only five populations are known: two populations 
in Cherokee County, Alabama; one population in Floyd County, Georgia; 
and one each in Madison and McNairy Counties, Tennessee. This species 
appears to have restricted ecological requirements and is dependent 
upon the maintenance of prairie-like openings for its survival. Much of 
its habitat has been degraded or destroyed for agricultural, 
silvicultural, and residential purposes. Populations near roadsides or 
powerlines are threatened by herbicide usage in association with right-
of-way maintenance. The majority of the Georgia population is protected 
due to their location within a conservation easement area; however, 
only 15 to 20 plants are estimated to occur at this site. We assigned 
an LPN of 5 to this species, as the magnitude of threats is high, since 
there are only five populations and only one of these is under any 
protection from threats that could eliminate the continued existence of 
the other populations; the threats are nonimminent, since the whorled 
sunflower appears to withstand some disturbance and there are no known 
immediate threats to the sites.
    Hibiscus dasycalyx (Neches River rose-mallow) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition received on May 11, 2004. This 
mallow species, found in Cherokee, Houston, and Trinity Counties, 
Texas, appears to be restricted to portions of wetlands that are 
exposed to open sun and normally hold standing water early in the 
growing season, with water levels dropping during late summer and fall. 
Habitat has been affected by drainage or filling of floodplain 
depressions and oxbows, stream channelization, road construction, 
timber harvesting, agricultural activities (primarily mowing and 
grazing), and herbicide use. Threats that continue to affect the 
species include wetland alteration, herbicide use, grazing, mowing 
during the species' growing and flowering period, and genetic swamping 
by other Hibiscus species.
    A 1995 status survey of 10 counties resulted in confirmation of the 
species at only three sites, but in three separate counties and three 
different watersheds, suggesting a relatively wide historical range. 
These three populations were all within highway rights-of-way and 
vulnerable to herbicides and adjacent agricultural activities. As of 
2005, only 20 plants remained at one of these sites. Additional surveys 
for H. dasycalyx resulted in identifying new populations. About 300 
plants were found on land owned by Temple-Inland Corporation in east 
Trinity County. A Candidate Conservation Agreement was developed for 
this site, but smaller plant numbers have been seen in recent years, 
possibly due to changes in the wetland's hydrology. Another site 
discovered on land previously owned by Champion International 
Corporation (near White Rock Creek in west Trinity County) once 
supported 300-400 plants; this site was modified in 2007, and was 
reassessed in 2008, but data is still being analyzed. In west Houston 
County, a population of 300 to 400 plants discovered on private land 
has been purchased by the Natural Area Preservation Association in 
order to protect this land in perpetuity. In east Houston County, a 
population discovered in Compartment 55 in Davy Crockett National 
Forest numbered over 1,000 in 2006. In 2000, nearly 800 plants were 
introduced into Compartments 16 and 20 of Davy Crockett National Forest 
as part of a reintroduction effort. One population retained high 
numbers (350 in 2006), but sustained high water in 2007, and may have 
been adversely affected. The second site was affected by a change in 
hydrology, and had declined to 50 plants in 2006. In 2004, 200 plants 
were placed in a wetland in Compartment 11 of Davy Crockett National 
Forest, but only 10 plants were seen in 2006. High water from heavy 
spring and summer rains prevented further assessment of these rose-
mallow sites in 2007.
    The threats continue to be of a high magnitude because they can 
severely affect the survival and reproductive capacity of the species. 
Overall, the threats are nonimminent since they are not currently 
affecting or likely to affect the majority of the populations of this 
species in the immediate future. Thus, we have retained an LPN of 5 for 
the Neches River rose-mallow.
    Ivesia webberi (Webber ivesia) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Ivesia webberi is a low, 
spreading, perennial herb that occurs very infrequently in Lassen, 
Plumas, and Sierra counties in California, and in Douglas and Washoe 
counties, Nevada. The species is restricted to sites with sparse 
vegetation and shallow, rocky soils composed of volcanic ash or derived 
from andesitic rock. Occupied sites generally occur on mid-elevation 
flats, benches, or terraces on mountain slopes above large valleys 
along the transition zone between the eastern edge of the northern 
Sierra Nevada and the northwestern edge of the Great Basin Desert. 
Currently, the global population is estimated at approximately 4.8 
million individuals at 15 known sites. The Nevada sites support nearly 
98 percent of the total number of individuals (4.7 million) on about 30 
acres of occupied habitat. The California sites are larger in area, 
totaling about 156 acres, but support fewer individuals (approximately 
115,000).
    The primary threats to Webber ivesia include urban development, 
authorized and unauthorized roads, off-road vehicle activities and 
other dispersed recreation, livestock grazing and trampling, fire and 
fire suppression activities including fuels reduction and prescribed 
fires, and displacement by

[[Page 75224]]

noxious weeds. Despite the high numbers of individuals, observations in 
2002 and 2004 confirmed that direct and indirect impacts to the species 
and its habitat, specifically from urban development and off-highway 
vehicle activity, remain high and are likely to increase. Therefore, 
the magnitude of these threats is high. The U.S. Forest Service has 
committed to develop a conservation strategy and monitoring program to 
protect this species on National Forest lands, and the State of Nevada 
has listed the species as critically endangered, which provides a 
mechanism to track future impacts on private lands. In addition, both 
the Forest Service and State of Nevada have agreed to coordinate 
closely with the Fish and Wildlife Service on all activities that may 
affect this species. In light of these conservation commitments, we 
have determined that the threats to Webber ivesia are nonimminent and 
the LPN remains a 5.
    Joinvillea ascendens ssp. ascendens (Ohe) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Ohe is an erect 
herb found in wet to mesic Metrosideros polymorpha-Acacia koa (ohia-
koa) forest on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii, 
Hawaii. Ohe is known from 38 populations totaling approximately 180 
individuals throughout its range. Plants are typically found as only 
one or two individuals, with miles between populations. This subspecies 
is threatened by destruction or modification of habitat due to pigs, 
goats, and deer, and by nonnative plants that outcompete and displace 
native plants. Predation by pigs, goats, deer, and rats is a likely 
threat to this species. Seedlings have rarely been observed in the 
wild. Seeds germinate in cultivation, but most die soon thereafter. It 
is uncertain if this rarity of reproduction is typical of this 
subspecies, or if it is related to habitat disturbance. Feral pigs have 
been fenced out of a few of the populations of this subspecies, and 
nonnative plants have been reduced in a few populations that are 
fenced. However, these threats are not controlled and are ongoing in 
the many remaining, unfenced populations. The threats are of high 
magnitude because habitat degradation, nonnative plants and predation 
could affect the ability of the subspecies to survive. The threats are 
ongoing, and thus are imminent. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 3 for 
this subspecies.
    Korthalsella degeneri (Hulumoa) - We have not updated our 
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed 
listing rule.
    Leavenworthia crassa (Gladecress) - The following information is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species of 
gladecress is a component of glade flora, occurring in association with 
limestone outcroppings. Leavenworthia crassa is endemic to a 13-mile 
radius area in Lawrence and Morgan Counties, Alabama, where only six 
populations of this species are documented. Glade habitats today have 
been reduced to remnants fragmented by agriculture and development. 
Populations of this species are now located in glade-like areas 
exhibiting various degrees of disturbance including pastureland, 
roadside rights-of-way, and cultivated or plowed fields. The most 
vigorous populations of this species are located in areas which receive 
full, or near full, sunlight with limited herbaceous competition. The 
magnitude of threat is high because with the limited number of 
populations, the threats from herbicide use, and degradation of habitat 
by dumping, ATV use, and competition from other plants including 
nonnative species, could result in direct mortality or reduced 
reproductive capacity of the species. This species appears to be able 
to adjust to periodic disturbances and the potential impacts to 
populations from competition, exotics, and herbicide use are 
nonimminent. In addition, at this time, we know of no projects planned 
in the area that would lead to the destruction of habitat where this 
species is currently located. Thus, we assigned an LPN of 5 to this 
species.
    Leavenworthia texana (Texas golden gladecress) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
The gladecress occurs only on the Weches outcrops of east Texas in San 
Augustine and Sabine counties. The Weches geologic formation consists 
of a layer of calcareous sediment, lying above a layer of glauconite 
clay deposited up to 50 million years ago. Erosion of this complex has 
produced topography of steep, flat-topped hills and escarpments, as 
well as the unique ecology of Weches glades: islands of thin, loamy, 
seepy, alkaline soils that support open-sun, herbaceous, and highly 
diverse and specialized plant communities.
    The gladecress was historically recorded at eight sites, all in a 
narrow region along north San Augustine and Sabine counties. All sites 
are on private land. The species has been extirpated from three sites 
due to glauconite mining. Two sites are currently closed to visitors. 
The Sabine County site supported 1,000 plants within 9 square meters 
(97 square feet) in 2007. The Tiger Creek site in San Augustine County 
(less than 0.1 hectare (.2 acre) in size) was found to have about 200 
gladecress in 2007. The Kardell site (less than 9 square meters (97 
square feet)) has supported 400-500 plants in past years, but none in 
2005. An introduced population in Nacogdoches County numbered about 
1,000 within an area of about 18 square meters (194 square feet) in 
2007.
    Historic gladecress habitat has been affected by highway 
construction, residential development, conversion to pasture and 
cropland, widespread use of herbicide, overgrazing, and glauconite 
mining. The primary threat to existing gladecress populations is the 
invasion of nonnative and weedy shrubs and vines (primarily Macartney 
rose (Rosa bracteata) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)). 
All known sites are undergoing severe degradation by the incursion of 
nonnative shrubs and vines, which restrict both growth and reproduction 
of the gladecress. Brush clearing carried out in 1995 resulted in the 
reappearance of gladecress after a 10-year absence at one site. 
However, nonnative shrubs have again invaded this area. More effective 
control measures for nonnative species, such as burning and selective 
herbicide use, need to be tested and monitored. The small number of 
known sites also makes the gladecress vulnerable to extreme natural 
disturbance events. A severe drought in 1999 and 2000 had a pronounced 
adverse effect on gladecress reproduction. Since the threat from 
nonnative plants severely affects all known sites, the magnitude of 
threats is high. The threats are imminent, since they are ongoing. 
Therefore, we retain an LPN of 2 for the Texas golden gladecress.
    Lesquerella globosa (Desvaux) Watson (Short's bladderpod) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No 
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 
2004. Short's bladderpod is a perennial member of the mustard family 
that occurs in Indiana (1 location), Kentucky (6 locations), and 
Tennessee (18 locations). It grows on steep, rocky, wooded slopes, 
talus areas, along cliff tops and bases, and on cliff ledges. It is 
usually associated with south to west facing calcareous outcrops 
adjacent to rivers or streams. Road construction and road maintenance 
have played a significant role in the decline of L.

[[Page 75225]]

globosa. Specific activities that have affected the species in the past 
and may continue to threaten it include bank stabilization, herbicide 
use, mowing during the growing season, grading of road shoulders, and 
road widening or repaving. Sediment deposition during road maintenance 
or from other activities also potentially threatens the species. 
Because the natural processes that maintained habitat suitability and 
competition from invasive nonnative vegetation have been interrupted at 
many locations, active habitat management is necessary at those sites. 
The threats are high in magnitude because they have the potential to 
significantly affect the survival and reproductive capacity of the 
species, in particular since many of the populations are small. Based 
upon the number of populations and the anticipation that most of these 
threats will not be realized in the next several years, the threats are 
nonimminent. Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 5 to this species.
    Linum arenicola (Sand flax) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Sand flax is found in pine 
rockland and marl prairie habitats which requires periodic wildfires in 
order to maintain an open, shrub free subcanopy and reduce litter 
levels. Based upon available data, there are 11 extant occurrences of 
sand flax; 11 others are extirpated or destroyed. Only small and 
isolated occurrences remain in a restricted range of southern Florida 
and the Florida Keys.
    Habitat loss and degradation due to development is a major threat; 
most of the remaining occurrences are on private land or non-
conservation public land. However, much of the pine rocklands on Big 
Pine Key are protected from development. Nearly all remaining 
populations are threatened by fire suppression, difficulty in applying 
prescribed fire, road maintenance activities, exotic species, or 
illegal dumping. However, some efforts are underway to use prescribed 
fire and control exotics on conservation lands where this species 
occurs. Sand flax is vulnerable to natural disturbances, such as 
hurricanes, tropical storms, and storm surges. Hurricane Wilma 
inundated most of its habitat on Big Pine Key in 2005, and plants were 
not found 8-9 weeks post-storm; the density of sand flax declined to 
zero in all management units at The Nature Conservancy's preserve in 
2006. We also consider sea level rise to be a substantial threat that 
will reduce the extent of upland habitats. Due to the small and 
fragmented nature of the current population, stochastic events, 
disease, or genetic bottlenecks may strongly affect this species. 
Reduced pollinator activity and suppression of pollinator populations 
from pesticides used in mosquito control and decreased seed production 
due to increased seed predation in a fragmented wildland urban 
interface may also affect sand flax; however, not enough information is 
known on this species' reproductive biology or life history to assess 
these potential threats. Overall, the magnitude of threats is high 
because they are all present habitat modifications that limit the 
continued existence of the species, and most threats are ongoing and 
thus are imminent. Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 2 to this species.
    Linum carteri var. carteri (Carter's small-flowered flax) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files. No 
new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 
2004. This plant occupies open sites in pinelands of Miami-Dade County, 
Florida. Currently, there are 10 known occurrences. Occurrences with 
fewer than 100 individuals are located on three county-owned preserves. 
A site with more than 100 plants is owned by the U.S. government, but 
the site is not managed for conservation. The 10 existing occurrences 
are small and vulnerable to habitat loss, which is exacerbated by 
habitat degradation due to fire suppression, the difficulty of applying 
prescribed fire to pine rocklands, and threats from exotic plants. 
Remaining habitats are fragmented. Non-compatible management practices 
are also a threat at most protected sites; several sites are mowed 
during the flowering and fruiting season. The species is vulnerable to 
natural disturbances, such as hurricanes, tropical storms, and storm 
surges. This species exists in such small numbers at so few sites, that 
it may be difficult to develop and maintain viable occurrences on the 
available conservation lands. Although no population viability analysis 
has been conducted for this plant, indications are that existing 
occurrences are at best marginal and it is possible that none are truly 
viable. As a result, the magnitude of threats is high. The threats are 
ongoing, and thus are imminent. Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 3 to 
this plant variety.
    Melicope christophersenii (Alani) - We have not updated our 
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed 
listing rule.
    Melicope hiiakae (Alani) - We have not updated our assessment for 
this species, as we are currently developing a proposed listing rule 
for this species.
    Melicope makahae (Alani) - We have not updated our assessment for 
this species, as we are currently developing a proposed listing rule.
    Myrsine fosbergii (Kolea) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Myrsine fosbergii is a 
branched shrub or small tree found in cloud swept ridges and wet forest 
on Kauai and Oahu, Hawaii. This species is currently known from 11 
populations totaling approximately 58 individuals on Kauai and from 8 
populations totaling between 73 and 83 individuals in the Koolau 
Mountains of Oahu. Myrsine fosbergii is threatened by feral pigs and 
goats that degrade and destroy habitat and may prey upon the plant, and 
nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients. Although there 
are plans to fence and remove ungulates from the Helemano area of Oahu, 
which may benefit this species, no conservation measures have been 
taken to date to alleviate these threats for this species. Feral pigs 
and goats are found throughout the known range of M. fosbergii, as are 
nonnative plants. The threats from feral pigs, goats, and nonnative 
plants are of a high magnitude because they pose a severe threat 
throughout the limited range of this species, and they are ongoing and 
therefore imminent. We retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Myrsine vaccinioides (Kolea) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Myrsine vaccinioides is a 
small branched shrub found in shrubby bogs on Maui, Hawaii. This 
species is found scattered throughout the bogs of west Maui, totaling 
approximately 500 individuals. Myrsine vaccinioides is threatened by 
feral pigs that degrade and destroy habitat, and nonnative plants that 
compete for light and nutrients. Pig exclusion fences protect some 
individuals of this species, and nonnative plants have been reduced 
around some individuals that are fenced. However, these ongoing 
conservation efforts benefit only a small number of the known 
individuals. Further, nonnative plants will probably never be 
completely eradicated because new propagules are constantly being 
dispersed into the fenced areas from surrounding, unmanaged lands. The 
threats are of a high magnitude because they pose a severe threat 
throughout the limited range of the species and are

[[Page 75226]]

ongoing, and thus imminent. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this 
species.
    Narthecium americanum (Bog asphodel) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Bog asphodel is a 
perennial herb that is found in savannah areas, usually with water 
moving through the substrate, as well as in sandy bogs along streams 
and rivers. The historic range of bog asphodel included New York, New 
Jersey, Delaware, North Carolina, and South Carolina, but it is now 
only found within the Pine Barrens region of New Jersey.
    As an obligate wetland species, N. americanum is threatened by 
changes in hydrology, loss of habitat due to filling or draining of 
wetlands, flooding as a result of reservoir construction, and 
conversion of natural wetlands to commercial cranberry bogs. In the 
Pine Barrens region, the Pinelands Commission is responsible for 
issuing the State-assumed Clean Water Act Section 404 permits. The 
Pinelands Commission grants wetland exemptions to cranberry production 
and other agricultural uses. However, illegal wetland filling is 
occurring. For example, a cranberry expansion was illegally completed 
without a State permit a few years ago. In addition, activities not 
needing State or federal permits are occurring in uplands that are 
indirectly affecting the wetlands. In wetlands supporting bog asphodel, 
natural succession of vegetation from emergent (herbaceous) to forested 
wetlands may also be contributing to the species' decline. Suppression 
of natural wildfires that would retard succession or create open 
wetland savannahs may be a factor in the decline of the species. Other 
factors adversely affecting N. americanum include trampling, erosion, 
and siltation caused by recreationists on foot or using off-road 
vehicles. Approximately 75 percent of known extant populations occur on 
State-owned lands. These populations are threatened by recreational use 
and erosion, which are moderate threat because they are localized and 
occasional. We are working with the New Jersey Department of 
Environmental Protection to abate these threats. Approximately 20 
percent of the known extant sites are on privately owned lands, many of 
which are threatened by habitat degradation from on-site or adjacent 
residential or commercial development. These threats could eliminate 
the bog asphodel from those sites, but because they only represent 20 
percent of the occurrences, the threats are moderate overall. The 
remaining 5 percent of known extant sites occur on federal lands. The 
threats are imminent because conversion to cranberry bogs, natural 
succession, wildfire suppression, recreational impacts, and erosion are 
all ongoing. Overall, based on these imminent, moderate threats, we 
retain a listing priority number of 8 for this species.
    Nothocestrum latifolium (Aiea) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Aiea is a small tree found in 
dry to mesic forest and diverse mesic forests on Kauai, Oahu, Maui, 
Molokai, and Lanai, Hawaii. Nothocestrum latifolium is known from 20 
populations totaling fewer than 1,100 individuals. This species is 
threatened by feral pigs, goats, and axis deer that degrade and destroy 
habitat and may prey upon it; by nonnative plants that compete for 
light and nutrients; and by the loss of pollinators that negatively 
affect the reproductive viability of the species. Ungulates have been 
fenced out of some areas where N. latifolium currently occurs, and 
nonnative plants have been reduced in some populations that are fenced. 
However, these ongoing conservation efforts for this species benefit 
only a few of the known populations. The threats are not controlled and 
are ongoing in the remaining unfenced populations. In addition, little 
regeneration is observed in this species. The threats are of a high 
magnitude, since they are severe enough to affect the continued 
existence of the species. The threats are imminent, since they are 
ongoing. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Ochrosia haleakalae (Holei) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Holei is a tree found often 
on lava in dry to mesic forest on the islands of Hawaii and Maui, 
Hawaii. This species is currently known from 11 populations totaling 
fewer than 130 individuals. Ochrosia haleakalae is threatened by fire; 
by feral pigs, goats, and cattle that degrade and destroy habitat and 
may directly prey upon it; and by nonnative plants that compete for 
light and nutrients. Feral pigs, goats, and cattle have been fenced out 
of one wild and one outplanted population on private lands on the 
island of Maui and one outplanted population in Hawaii Volcanoes 
National Park on the island of Hawaii. Nonnative plants have been 
reduced in the fenced areas. No known conservation measures have been 
taken to date for the remaining populations on the islands of Maui and 
Hawaii. The threat from fire is of a high magnitude and imminent 
because no control measures have been undertaken to address this threat 
that could adversely affect O. haleakalae as a whole. The threats from 
feral pigs, goats, and cattle are ongoing to the unfenced populations 
of O. haleakalae. The threat from nonnative plants is ongoing and 
imminent, and of a high magnitude to the wild populations on both 
islands, since this threat has the potential to adversely affect the 
continued existence of this species. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 
for this species.
    Pediocactus peeblesianus var. fickeiseniae (Fickeisen plains 
cactus) - The following summary is based on information contained in 
our files. No new information was provided in the petition we received 
on May 11, 2004. The Fickeisen plains cactus is a small cactus known 
from the Gray Mountain vicinity to the Arizona strip in Coconino, 
Navajo, and Mohave Counties, Arizona. The cactus grows on exposed 
layers of Kaibab limestone on canyon margins and well-drained hills in 
Navajoan desert or grassland. In 1999, the Arizona Game and Fish 
Department noted 23 occurrences of the species, including historical 
ones. The species is located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Forest 
Service, tribal, and possibly State lands. Recent reports from the BLM 
and Navajo Nation describe populations of the species as being in 
decline. The main human-induced threats to this cactus are off-road 
vehicles and trampling associated with livestock grazing. Monitoring 
data has detected mortality associated with livestock grazing. Illegal 
collection of this species has been noted in the past, but we do not 
know if it is a continuing threat. The populations that have been 
monitored have been affected, in part, by the continuing drought. There 
has been very low recruitment, and rabbits and rodents have consumed 
adult plants, since there is reduced forage available to these animals 
during drought conditions. Given that there are only a few known 
populations, that the range of this taxon is limited, and that the 
majority of the known populations on BLM lands and the Navajo Nation 
are experiencing declines in populations as a result of the combined 
threats, we conclude that the threats are of a high magnitude. Since 
all of the locations of this variety on BLM lands are within grazing 
allotments and the monitoring data provide evidence that trampling of 
plants does occur, these threats are ongoing. Therefore, we assigned 
this plant variety an LPN of 3.

[[Page 75227]]

    Penstemon debilis (Parachute beardtongue) - We have not updated our 
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed 
listing rule.
    Penstemon scariosus var. albifluvis (White River beardtongue) - The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files and 
the petition we received on October 27, 1983. The White River 
beardtongue is restricted to calcareous soils derived from oil shale 
barrens of the Green River Formation in the Uinta Basin of northeastern 
Utah and adjacent Colorado. There are 14 occurrences known in Utah and 
1 in Colorado. Most of the occupied habitat of the White River 
beardtongue is within developed and expanding oil and gas fields. The 
location of the species' habitat exposes it to destruction from road, 
pipeline, and well-site construction in connection with oil and gas 
development. Recreational off-road vehicle use, heavy grazing by 
livestock, and wildlife and livestock trampling are additional 
potential threats. The threats are of high magnitude because they 
involve habitat destruction that could limit the continued existence of 
this plant variety. The threats are nonimmient because increased 
threats associated with oil and gas and oil shale development will 
probably not be increasing substantially within the next year. Oil 
shale development remains uncertain within the species' habitat, and is 
not expected to be a significant factor in the near term. Therefore, 
based on current information, we retained an LPN of 6.
    Peperomia subpetiolata (Ala ala wai nui) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Ala ala wai nui 
is a short-lived perennial herb found in montane mesic forest on Maui, 
Hawaii. This species is known from one occurrence consisting of two 
subpopulations on windward east Maui, totaling 23 individuals. Further 
study of the occurrence indicates that the plants may actually 
represent clones of only six genetically distinct individuals. There is 
some question as to the taxonomy of these populations, as putative 
hybrids have been found in the same areas. Peperomia subpetiolata is 
threatened by feral pigs that may eat this plant and degrade and 
destroy habitat, and by nonnative plants that compete for light and 
nutrients. Individuals that occur within the Waikamoi Preserve may 
benefit from fencing and management actions; however, all of the 
threats occur range-wide. Te threats are of a high magnitude because 
they pose a significant threat to the species resulting in direct 
mortality or reduced reproductive capacity, and are ongoing and 
therefore imminent. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this 
species.
    Phacelia submutica (DeBeque phacelia) - We have not updated our 
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed 
listing rule.
    Phyllostegia bracteata (no common name) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Phyllostegia 
bracteata is a scandent perennial herb found in Metrosideros-
Cheirodendron-Dicranopteris (ohia-olapa-uluhe) montane wet forest on 
the island of Maui, Hawaii. Currently this species is known from five 
populations totaling no more than 12 to 17 individuals on east and west 
Maui. Phyllostegia bracteata is threatened by feral pigs that may 
directly prey upon it and degrade and destroy habitat, nonnative plants 
that compete for light and nutrients, and reduced reproductive vigor 
and randomly occurring natural events. The threats to P. bracteata from 
pigs and nonnative plants are of a high magnitude and imminent because 
in light of their severity and the limited population size of the 
species, they pose a risk to the species range-wide, are ongoing, and 
are not subject to any control efforts. Therefore, we retained an LPN 
of 2 for this species.
    Phyllostegia floribunda (no common name) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is 
an erect subshrub found in mesic to wet forest on the island of Hawaii, 
Hawaii. This species is known from 10 locations totaling fewer than 270 
naturally occurring and outplanted individuals on State, private, and 
Federal lands. Phyllostegia floribunda is threatened by feral pigs that 
degrade and destroy habitat, and nonnative plants that compete for 
light and nutrients. The National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, 
and the State have outplanted more than 170 individuals at Olaa Forest 
Reserve, Kona Hema, and Waiakea Forest Reserve (greater than 50, 20 
individuals, and 100 individuals, respectively). Fences protect 
approximately seven populations on private, State, and National Park 
lands. Nonnative plants have been reduced in these fenced areas. 
However, no conservation efforts have been implemented for the unfenced 
populations. Overall, the threats are moderate because the conservation 
efforts, for over half of the populations, reduces the severity of the 
threats. The threats are ongoing in the unfenced portions and must be 
constantly managed in the fenced portions. Therefore, the threats are 
imminent. We retained an LPN of 8 because the threats are of moderate 
magnitude and are imminent for the majority of the populations.
    Physaria tuplashensis (White Bluffs bladder-pod) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
White Bluffs bladder-pod is a low-growing, herbaceous, short-lived, 
perennial plant in the Brassicaceae (mustard) family. Historically and 
currently, White Bluffs bladder-pod has only been known from a single 
population that occurs along the White Bluffs of the Columbia River in 
Franklin County, Washington. The entire range of the species is a 
narrow band, approximately 33 feet (10 meters) wide by 10.6 miles (17 
kilometers) long, at the upper edge of the bluffs. The species occurs 
only on cemented, highly alkaline, calcium carbonate paleosol (a 
``caliche'' soil) and is believed to be a ``calciphile.''
    Approximately 35 percent of the known range of the species has been 
moderately to severely affected by landslides, an apparently permanent 
destruction of the habitat. The entire population of the species is 
down-slope of irrigated agricultural land, the source of the water 
seepage causing the mass failures and landslides. Other significant 
threats include the presence of invasive plants, and some potential use 
of the habitat by recreational off road vehicles. While P. tuplashensis 
is inherently vulnerable because it is a narrow endemic, the threats 
are nonimminent since they are unlikely to occur in the immediate 
future, except the threat from invasive plants. Invasive plants are 
present in the vicinity, but have not yet been described as a 
significant problem. Currently, we know of no plans to expand or 
significantly modify the existing agriculture activities in areas 
adjacent to the population. In addition, deliberate modification of the 
species' immediate habitat is unlikely due to its location and 85 
percent Federal ownership. However, because the threats could 
negatively affect the only known population of this species, the 
threats are high in magnitude. Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 5 to 
this species. We are currently reviewing information from recent site 
visits and the effects of a fire during the summer

[[Page 75228]]

of 2007 to determine whether to change the LPN next year.
    Platanthera integrilabia (Correll) Leur (White fringeless orchid) - 
The following summary is based on information contained in our files. 
No new information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 
2004. Platanthera integrilabia is a perennial herb that grows in 
partially, but not fully, shaded, wet, boggy areas at the head of 
streams and on seepage slopes in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky and 
Tennessee. Historically, there were at least 90 populations of P. 
integrilabia. Currently there are only 53 extant sites supporting the 
species.
    Several populations have been extirpated due to road, residential, 
and commercial construction, and to projects that altered soil and site 
hydrology such that suitability for the species was reduced. Several of 
the known populations are in or adjacent to powerline rights-of-way. 
Mechanical clearing of these areas may benefit the species by 
maintaining adequate light levels; however, the use of herbicides in 
these areas could pose a significant threat to the species. All-terrain 
vehicles have damaged several sites and pose a threat at most sites. 
Most of the known sites for the species occur in areas that are managed 
specifically for timber production. Timber management is not 
necessarily incompatible with the protection and management of the 
species, but care must be taken during timber management to ensure that 
the hydrology of the bogs that support the species is not altered. 
Natural succession can result in decreased light levels. Because of the 
species dependence upon moderate to high light levels, some type of 
active management to prevent complete canopy closure is required at 
most locations. Collecting for commercial and other purposes is a 
potential threat. Herbivory (primarily deer) threatens the species at 
several sites. Due to the alteration of habitat and changes in natural 
conditions, protection and recovery of this species is dependent upon 
active management rather than just preservation of habitat. Invasive, 
nonnative plants such as Japanese honeysuckle and kudzu threaten 
several sites. Overall, the magnitude of threats to this species is 
high because they result in direct mortality or significantly decrease 
the reproductive capacity of this species. Because we anticipate that 
most of these threats will not be realized in the near future, the 
threats are nonimminent. Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 5 to this 
species.
    Platydesma cornuta var. cornuta (no common name) - We have not 
updated our assessment for this species, as we are currently developing 
a proposed listing rule.
    Platydesma cornuta var. decurrens (no common name) - We have not 
updated our assessment for this species, as we are currently developing 
a proposed listing rule.
    Platydesma remyi (no common name) - The following summary is based 
on information contained in our files. No new information was provided 
in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Platydesma remyi is a 
shrub or shrubby tree found in wet forests on old volcanic slopes on 
the island of Hawaii, Hawaii. This species is known from two 
populations totaling fewer than 50 individuals. Platydesma remyi is 
threatened by feral pigs and cattle that degrade and destroy habitat, 
nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients, reduced 
reproductive vigor, and stochastic extinction due to naturally 
occurring events. Only one individual is included in a rare plant 
exclosure in the Laupahoehoe Natural Area Reserve. The threats are 
ongoing and therefore imminent, and of a high magnitude because of 
their severity; the threats cause direct mortality or significantly 
reduce the reproductive capacity of the species throughout its limited 
range. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Pleomele forbesii (Hala pepe) - We have not updated our assessment 
for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed listing 
rule.
    Potentilla basaltica (Soldier Meadow cinquefoil or basalt 
cinquefoil) - The following summary is based on information contained 
in our files; the petition we received on May 11, 2004, provided no 
additional information on the species. Soldier Meadow cinquefoil is a 
low growing, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial that is associated with 
alkali meadows, seeps, and occasionally marsh habitats bordering 
perennial thermal springs, outflows, and meadow depressions. In Nevada, 
the species is known only from Soldier Meadow in Humboldt County. At 
Soldier Meadow, there are 10 discrete known occurrences within an area 
of about 70 acres that support about 130,000 individuals. In 
northeastern California, a single population occurs in Lassen County. 
The California population occupies less than one acre on private lands 
and supports fewer than 1,000 plants. The species and its habitat are 
threatened by recreational use in the areas where it occurs, and 
ongoing impacts of past water diversions livestock grazing, and off-
highway vehicle travel. Because of several conservation measures 
implemented by the Bureau of Land Management, the magnitude of threat 
to the species is moderate since the measures have reduced the effect 
of the threats on the species. All remaining threats are nonimminent 
and involve long-term changes to the habitat for the species resulting 
from past impacts. Therefore, we assigned an LPN of 11 to this species.
    Pseudognaphalium (Gnaphalium) sandwicensium var. molokaiense 
(Enaena) - The following summary is based on information contained in 
our files. No new information was provided in the petition we received 
on May 11, 2004. Pseudognaphalium sandwicensium var. molokaiense is a 
perennial herb found in strand vegetation in dry consolidated dunes on 
Molokai and Maui, Hawaii. This variety is known from a total of five 
populations totaling approximately 2,000 individuals in the Moomomi 
area on the island of Molokai, and from two populations of a few 
individuals at Waiehu dunes and at Puu Kahulianapa on west Maui. 
Pseudognaphalium sandwicensium var. molokaiense is threatened by axis 
deer and cattle that degrade and destroy habitat and possibly prey upon 
it, and by nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients. 
Potential threats also include collection for lei and off-road vehicles 
that directly damage plants and degrade habitat. While ungulate 
exclusion fences protect one population on Molokai and nonnative plant 
control has been implemented in this population, no conservation 
efforts have been initiated to date for the other populations on 
Molokai or for the individuals on Maui. The ongoing threats from axis 
deer, cattle, nonnative plants, collection, and off-road vehicles are 
of a high magnitude because no control measures have been undertaken 
for the Maui population and the threats are significant to this plant. 
Therefore, we retained an LPN of 3 for this plant variety.
    Psychotria hexandra ssp. oahuensis var. oahuensis (Kopiko) - We 
have not updated our assessment for this species, as we are currently 
developing a proposed listing rule.
    Pteralyxia macrocarpa (Kaulu) - We have not updated our assessment 
for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed listing 
rule.
    Ranunculus hawaiensis (Makou) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Ranunculus hawaiensis is an 
erect or ascending perennial herb found in mesic to wet forest 
dominated by

[[Page 75229]]

Metrosideros polymorpha and Acacia koa with scree substrate on Maui and 
the island of Hawaii, Hawaii. Populations formerly within Haleakala 
National Park have been extirpated. This species is currently known 
from fewer than 12 individuals in 4 populations: three wild populations 
occur on Hawaii totaling 8 individuals; 1 wild population at Waikamoi 
(on Maui) was last observed in 1995, and the second Maui population 
(Kukui planeze) was not relocated on a survey conducted in 2006. 
Ranunculus hawaiensis is threatened by direct predation by slugs, feral 
pigs, goats, cattle, mouflon, and sheep; by pigs, goats, cattle, 
mouflon and sheep that degrade and destroy habitat; and by nonnative 
plants that compete for light and nutrients. Three populations have 
been outplanted into protected exclosures; however, feral ungulates and 
nonnative plants are not controlled in the remaining, unfenced 
populations. In addition, the threat from slugs is of a high magnitude 
because slugs occur throughout the limited range of this species and no 
effective measures have been undertaken to control them or prevent them 
from causing significant adverse impacts to this species. Therefore, 
the threats from pigs, goats, cattle, mouflon, sheep, slugs, and 
nonnative plants are of a high magnitude, and ongoing (imminent) for R. 
hawaiensis. We retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Ranunculus mauiensis (Makou) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Ranunculus mauiensis is an 
erect to weakly ascending perennial herb found in open sites in mesic 
to wet forest and along streams on the islands of Maui, Kauai, and 
Molokai, Hawaii. This species is currently known from 1 individual on 
Molokai, 60 individuals on Maui, and approximately 46 individuals on 
Kauai. Ranunculus mauiensis is threatened by feral pigs, goats, deer, 
and slugs that consume it; by habitat degradation and destruction by 
feral pigs, goats and deer; and by nonnative plants that compete for 
light and nutrients. Feral pigs have been fenced out of the Maui 
populations of R. mauiensis, and nonnative plants have been reduced in 
the fenced areas. One individual occurs in the Kamakou Preserve on 
Molokai, managed by The Nature Conservancy. However, ongoing 
conservation efforts benefit only the Maui and Molokai individuals, and 
absent conservation efforts for the Kauai individuals, the threats 
continue to be of a high magnitude on Kauai. Therefore, since half of 
the individuals are found on Kauai threats to the species overall are 
also of a high magnitude because these threats present a significant 
risk to the continued existence of R. mauiensis. In addition, the 
threats are imminent because they are ongoing in the Kauai and the 
majority of the Maui populations. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 
for this species.
    Rorippa subumbellata (Tahoe yellow cress) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files and the petition we 
received on December 27, 2000. Tahoe yellow cress is a small perennial 
herb known only from the shores of Lake Tahoe in California and Nevada. 
Data collected over the last 25 years generally indicate that species 
occurrence fluctuates yearly as a function of both lake level and the 
amount of exposed habitat. Records kept since 1900 show a preponderance 
of years with high lake levels that isolate and reduce Tahoe yellow 
cress occurrences at higher beach elevations. From the standpoint of 
the species, less favorable peak years have occurred almost twice as 
often as more favorable low-level years. Annual surveys are conducted 
to determine population numbers, site occupancy, and general 
disturbance regime. During the 2003 and 2004 annual survey period, the 
lake level was approximately 6,224 ft (1,898 m); 2004 was the fourth 
consecutive year of low water. Tahoe yellow cress was present at 45 of 
the 72 sites surveyed (65 percent occupied), up from 15 sites (19 
percent occupied) in 2000 when the lake level was high at 6,228 ft. 
Approximately 25,200 stems were counted or estimated in 2003, whereas 
during the 2000 annual survey, the estimated number of stems was 4,590. 
Lake levels began to rise again in 2005 and less habitat was available; 
intermediate lake levels were expected in 2008.
    Many Tahoe yellow cress sites are intensively used for commercial 
and public purposes and are subject to various activities such as 
erosion control, marina developments, pier construction, and 
recreation. The U.S. Forest Service, California Tahoe Conservancy, and 
California Department of Parks and Recreation have management programs 
for Tahoe yellow cress that include monitoring, fenced enclosures, and 
transplanting efforts when funds and staff are available. Public 
agencies (including the Service), private landowners, and environmental 
groups collaborated to develop a conservation strategy coupled with a 
Memorandum of Understanding/Conservation Agreement. The conservation 
strategy, completed in 2003, contains goals and objectives for recovery 
and survival, a research and monitoring agenda, and will serve as the 
foundation for an adaptive management program. Because of the continued 
commitments to conservation demonstrated by regulatory and land 
management agencies participating in the conservation strategy, we have 
determined the threats to Tahoe yellow cress from various land uses are 
moderate in magnitude. In high lake level years such as 2005, however, 
recreational use is concentrated within Tahoe yellow cress habitat, and 
this threat in particular is ongoing and imminent. Therefore, we are 
maintaining an LPN of 8 for this species.
    Schiedea pubescens (Maolioli) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Schiedea pubescens is a 
reclining or weakly climbing vine found in diverse mesic to wet forest 
on Maui, Molokai, and Hawaii. Currently, this species is known from six 
populations totaling between 29 and 71 individuals on Maui, from four 
populations totaling 25 individuals on Molokai, and from one population 
of 4 to 6 individuals on the island of Hawaii. Schiedea pubescens is 
threatened by feral goats that consume it and degrade and destroy 
habitat, and by nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients. 
Feral ungulates have been fenced out of the population of S. pubescens 
on Hawaii. Feral goats have been fenced out of a few of the west Maui 
populations of S. pubescens. Nonnative plants have been reduced in the 
populations that are fenced on Maui. However, the threats are not 
controlled and are ongoing in the remaining unfenced populations on 
Maui and the three populations on Molokai. In light of the extremely 
low number of individuals of this species, the threats from goats and 
nonnative plants are of a high magnitude because they pose a 
significant threat to the species, and imminent because they are 
ongoing with respect to most of the populations. Therefore, we retained 
an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Schiedea salicaria (no common name) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Schiedea 
salicaria is an erect subshrub or shrub found on ridges and steep 
slopes in dry shrubland on Maui, Hawaii. Currently, this species is 
declining throughout its range, and is known from four populations 
totaling approximately 260 individuals. This

[[Page 75230]]

species is threatened by cattle that may directly prey upon it and 
degrade and destroy habitat, fire, and nonnative plants that compete 
for light and nutrients. This species is represented in an ex-situ 
collection. All of the threats occur range-wide, and no efforts for 
their control or eradication are being undertaken. We retained an LPN 
of 2. The threats are imminent because they are ongoing, and they are 
of a high magnitude because, in light of their severity and the small 
size of the population, they have the potential to adversely affect the 
species.
    Sedum eastwoodiae (Red Mountain stonecrop) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files and information provided 
by the California Department of Fish and Game. The petition we received 
on May 11, 2004 provided no new information on the species. Red 
Mountain stonecrop is a perennial succulent which occupies relatively 
barren, rocky openings and cliffs in lower montane coniferous forests, 
between 1,900 and 4,000 feet elevation. Its distribution is limited to 
Red Mountain, Mendocino County, California, where it occupies 30 acres 
scattered over 4 square miles. Total population size is estimated at 
between 5,300 and 23,000 plants, contained within 27 habitat polygons. 
Intensive monitoring suggests considerable annual variation in plant 
seedling success and inflorescence production; stonecrop density has 
varied from year-to-year. The primary threat to the species is the 
potential for surface mining for chromium and nickel. The entire 
distribution of Red Mountain stonecrop is either owned by mining 
interests, or is covered by mining claims; none of the claims are 
currently active and therefore the primary threat from mining is 
nonimminent. Surface mining would destroy habitat suitability for this 
species. The species is also believed threatened by tree and shrub 
encroachment into its habitat, in absence of fire. Given the high 
magnitude and nonimminent threats to the small, scattered populations 
of this plant species, we assigned an LPN of 5 to Red Mountain 
stonecrop.
    Sicyos macrophyllus (Anunu) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Sicyos macrophyllus is a 
perennial vine found in wet Metrosideros polymorpha (ohia) forest and 
subalpine Sophora chrysophylla-Myoporum sandwicense (mamane-naio) 
forest on the island of Hawaii, Hawaii. This species is known from 11 
populations totaling fewer than 50 individuals in the Kohala and Mauna 
Kea areas and in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Puna area) on the 
island of Hawaii. It appears that a naturally occurring population at 
Kipuka Ki in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is reproducing by seeds, 
but seeds have not been successfully germinated under nursery 
conditions. This species is threatened by feral pigs and sheep that 
degrade and destroy habitat, and nonnative plants that compete for 
light and nutrients. Feral pigs have been fenced out of some of the 
areas where S. macrophyllus currently occurs, but the fences do not 
exclude sheep. Nonnative plants have been reduced in the populations 
that are fenced. However, the threats are not controlled and are 
ongoing in the remaining, unfenced populations, and are, therefore, 
imminent. Similarly the threat from sheep is ongoing and imminent in 
all populations, because the current fences do not exclude sheep. In 
addition, all of the threats are of a high magnitude because habitat 
degradation and competition from nonnative plants present a risk to the 
species, resulting in direct mortality or significantly reducing the 
reproductive capacity. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this 
species.
    Solanum nelsonii (popolo) - The following summary is based on 
information contained in our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Solanum nelsonii is a 
sprawling or trailing shrub found in coral rubble or sand in coastal 
sites. This species is known from populations in Molokai (approximately 
300 plants) and the northwestern Hawaiian Islands: Midway 
(approximately 260 plants), Laysan (approximately 490 plants), Pearl 
and Hermes (unknown number of individuals), Nihoa (8,000 to 15,000 
adult plants); and from five individuals last observed on the Island of 
Hawaii in 1995. On Molokai, S. nelsonii is moderately threatened by 
ungulates which degrade and destroy habitat, and that may eat it, and 
on Molokai and the northwestern Hawaiian Islands by nonnative plants 
that outcompete and displace it. Ungulate exclusion fences, routine 
fence monitoring and maintenance, and weed control protect the 
population of S. nelsonii on Molokai. Limited weed control is conducted 
in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. In addition, S. nelsonii is 
likely threatened by being eaten by a nonnative grasshopper, 
Schistocerca nitens, in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Currently no 
control measures are in place for this grasshopper. These threats are 
of moderate magnitude because of the relatively large number of plants, 
and are imminent for the majority of the populations because they are 
ongoing and are not being controlled. We therefore retained an LPN of 8 
for this species.
    Stenogyne cranwelliae (no common name) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Stenogyne 
cranwelliae is a creeping vine found in wet forest dominated by 
Metrosideros polymorpha on the island of Hawaii, Hawaii. Stenogyne 
cranwelliae is known from 11 populations totaling fewer than 100 
individuals. This species is threatened by feral pigs that degrade and 
destroy habitat, and nonnative plants that compete for light and 
nutrients. In addition, this species is potentially threatened by rats 
that may directly prey upon it, and by randomly occurring natural 
events such as hurricanes and landslides. All of the threats occur 
range-wide, and no efforts for control or eradication are being 
undertaken for the pigs, nonnative plants, or rats. These threats are 
sufficient to adversely affect the species particularly in light of its 
small population size. We retained an LPN of 2 because the threats are 
of a high magnitude and are ongoing, so are imminent.
    Symphyotrichum georgianum (Georgia aster) - The following summary 
is based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. Georgia aster is 
a relict species of post oak savanna/prairie communities that existed 
across much of the southeast prior to widespread fire suppression and 
extirpation of large native grazing animals. Most remaining populations 
survive adjacent to roads, utility rights-of-way, and other openings 
where current land management mimics natural disturbance regimes. 
Georgia aster currently occurs in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North 
Carolina and South Carolina. The species is presumed extant in three 
counties in Alabama, ten counties in Georgia, nine counties in North 
Carolina, and eleven counties in South Carolina. The species appears to 
have been eliminated from Florida. Most populations are small (10-100 
stems), and, since the species' main mode of reproduction is 
vegetative, each isolated population may represent only a few 
genotypes.
    Many populations are threatened by one or more of the following 
factors: woody succession due to fire suppression, development, highway

[[Page 75231]]

expansion/improvement, and herbicide application. These threats are 
currently occurring (and are therefore imminent). These threats are 
expected to continue to operate throughout the range of the species; 
however, data on the frequency, timing, and consequences of these 
threats are lacking. Based upon data on other rare plant species, some 
of which are federally listed, occurring in similar habitats and 
possessing similar life histories, it is not currently expected that 
these threats are likely to be irreversible (e.g., to result in the 
extirpation of populations). Therefore, the ongoing threats are of 
moderate to low magnitude, and we assigned an LPN of 8 to this species.
    Zanthoxylum oahuense (Ae) - We have not updated our assessment for 
this species, as we are currently developing a proposed listing rule.

Ferns and Allies

    Christella boydiae (no common name) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is a 
small- to medium-sized fern found in mesic to wet forest along 
streambanks on Oahu and Maui, Hawaii. Historically, this species was 
also found on the island of Hawaii, but it has been extirpated there. 
Currently, this species is known from five populations totaling 316 
individuals. This species is threatened by feral pigs which degrade 
and/or destroy habitat and that may eat this plant, nonnative plants 
that compete for light and nutrients, and stream diversion. Feral pigs 
have been fenced out of the largest population on Maui, and nonnative 
plants have been reduced in the fenced area. No conservation efforts 
are under way to alleviate threats to the other two populations on 
Maui, or for the two populations on Oahu. The magnitude of the threats 
acting upon the currently extant populations is moderate because the 
largest population is protected from pigs, and nonnative plants have 
been reduced in this area. The threats are ongoing and therefore 
imminent. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 8 for this species.
    Doryopteris takeuchii (no common name) - We have not updated our 
assessment for this species, as we are currently developing a proposed 
listing rule for this species.
    Huperzia stemmermanniae (Waewaeiole) - The following summary is 
based on information contained in our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. This species is a 
pendant clubmoss found in mesic to wet Metrosideros polymorpha-Acacia 
koa (ohia-koa) forests on the islands of Maui and Hawaii, Hawaii. Only 
four populations are known, totaling 19 to 29 individuals on Hawaii and 
Maui. Huperzia stemmermanniae is threatened by feral pigs, goats, 
cattle, and deer that degrade and/or destroy habitat, and by nonnative 
plants that compete for light, space, and nutrients. It is also 
threatened by randomly occurring natural events due to its small 
population size. One individual at Waikamoi Preserve may benefit from 
fencing for deer and pigs. The threats from pigs, goats, cattle, deer, 
and nonnative plants are of a high magnitude because they are 
sufficiently severe to adversely affect the species throughout its 
limited range, resulting in direct mortality or significantly reducing 
reproductive capacity. The threats are imminent because they are 
ongoing. Therefore, we retained an LPN of 2 for this species.
    Microlepia strigosa var. mauiensis (Palapalai) - The following 
summary is based on information contained in our files. No new 
information was provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. 
Palapalai is a fern found in mesic to wet forests. It is currently 
found on the islands of Maui, Hawaii, and Oahu, from at least 10 
populations totaling at least 46 individuals. There is a possibility 
that the range of this plant variety could be larger and include the 
other main Hawaiian Islands. Microlepia strigosa var. mauiensis is 
threatened by feral pigs that degrade and destroy habitat, and 
nonnative plants that compete for light and nutrients. Pigs have been 
fenced out of areas on east and west Maui, and on Hawaii, where M. 
strigosa var. mauiensis currently occurs, and nonnative plants have 
been reduced in the fenced areas. However, the threats are not 
controlled and are ongoing in the remaining unfenced populations on 
Maui, Hawaii, and Oahu. Therefore, the threats from feral pigs and 
nonnative plants are imminent. The threats are of a high magnitude 
because they are sufficiently severe to adversely affect the species 
throughout its range, resulting in direct mortality or significantly 
reducing reproductive capacity. We therefore retained an LPN of 3 for 
M. strigosa var. mauiensis.

Petitions To Reclassify Species Already Listed

    We previously made warranted-but-precluded findings on five 
petitions seeking to reclassify threatened species to endangered 
status. The taxa involved are three populations of the grizzly bear 
(Ursus arctos horribilis), the spikedace (Meda fulgida), and the loach 
minnow (Tiaroga cobitis). Because these species are already listed 
under the Act, they are not candidates for listing and are not included 
in Table 1. However, this notice and associated species assessment 
forms also constitute the resubmitted petition findings for these 
species. For the three grizzly bear populations, we have not updated 
our assessments through this notice as explained below. Pending the 
completion of an ongoing review of the status of the grizzly bear in 
the lower 48 States outside of the Greater Yellowstone Areas (see 
below), we continue to find that reclassification to endangered for 
each of the three populations (described below) is warranted but 
precluded by work indentified above (see ``Petition Findings for 
Candidate Species ''). For the spikedace and loach minnow, our updated 
assessments are provided below. We find that reclassification to 
endangered status for both the spikedace and loach minnow is currently 
warranted but precluded by work identified above (see ``Petition 
Findings for Candidate Species ''). One of the primary reasons that the 
work identified above is higher priority is that the grizzly bear 
populations, spikedace, and loach minnow are currently listed as 
threatened, and therefore already receive certain protections under the 
Act. The Service promulgated regulations extending take prohibitions 
for endangered species under section 9 to threatened species (50 CFR 
17.31). Prohibited actions under section 9 include, but are not limited 
to, take (i.e., to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, 
trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to engage in such activity). 
Other protections include those under section 7(a)(2) of the Act 
whereby Federal agencies must insure that any action they authorize, 
fund, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence 
of any endangered or threatened species.
    Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) North Cascades ecosystem, 
Cabinet-Yaak, and Selkirk populations (Region 6) - We have not updated 
our finding with regard to these grizzly bear populations in this 
notice. Between 1991 and 1999, we issued warranted but precluded 
findings to reclassify grizzly bears as endangered in the North 
Cascades (56 FR 33892-33894, July 24, 1991; 63 FR 30453-30454, June 4, 
1998), the Cabinet-Yaak (58 FR 8250-8251, February 12, 1993; 64 FR 
26725-26733, May 17, 1999), and the Selkirk Ecosystems (64 FR 26725-
26733, May 17, 1999). We also made resubmitted

[[Page 75232]]

petition findings that uplisting these three populations to endangered 
was warranted but precluded through previous CNORs (most recently on 
September 12, 2006; 71 FR 53755). However, none of the findings 
included a formal analysis under our 1996 Policy Regarding the 
Recognition of Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments (DPS) under the 
Endangered Species Act (61 FR 4722-4725, February 7, 1996). Under this 
policy a formal analysis of discreteness and significance is necessary 
to determine if the entity is a ``listable entity.'' While our 1999 
revised 12-month finding performed a preliminary DPS analysis, it 
appears to have incorrectly analyzed significance to the listed entity 
(i.e. grizzly bears in the lower 48 States) instead of significance to 
the taxon (Ursus arctos horribilis) as required by our DPS policy (64 
FR 26725-26733, May 17, 1999; 61 FR 4722-4725, February 7, 1996; 
National Association of Home Builders v. Norton, 340 F. 3d 835, 852 
(9\th\ Cir. 2003)). Additionally, emerging biological information now 
suggests increasing levels of connectivity among some of these 
populations, casting doubt on their discreteness.
    Also relevant is the March 16, 2007, Department of the Interior 
Office of the Solicitor memorandum (available at: http://www.doi.gov/solicitor/opinions/M37013.pdf) regarding the meaning of ``significant 
portion of [a species'] range.'' This memorandum states that ``whenever 
the Secretary concludes because of the statutory five-factor analysis 
that a species is `in danger of extinction throughout...a significant 
portion of its range,' it is to be listed and the protections of the 
ESA applied to the species in that portion of its range.'' The 
memorandum goes on to say, ``the Secretary has broad discretion in 
defining what portion of a range is `significant.''' To date, the 
Service has not determined whether the North Cascade, the Cabinet-Yaak, 
or the Selkirk Ecosystems each constitutes a significant portion of the 
grizzly bear's range or whether they only represent significant 
portions of the species' range when combined with other units.
    On April 18, 2007, the Service initiated a 5-year review to 
evaluate the current status of grizzly bears in the lower 48-States 
outside of the Greater Yellowstone Area (72 FR 19549-19551). This 
status review will fully evaluate the status of each population and the 
appropriate application of the DPS policy and the Solicitor memorandum 
regarding recognition and listing of significant portions of range. We 
expect this 5-year review to be completed in FY 2009. We will use 
information from that review to update our findings for the petitions 
to reclassify the three grizzly bear populations.
    Spikedace (Meda fulgida) (Region 2) (see 59 FR 35303, July 11, 
1994, and the species assessment form (see ADDRESSES) for additional 
information on why reclassification to endangered is warranted-but-
precluded) - The spikedace, a small fish species in a monotypic genus, 
is found in moderate-to-large perennial waters, where it inhabits 
shallow riffles with sand, gravel, and rubble substrates, and moderate-
to-swift currents and swift pools over sand or gravel substrates. This 
species is now relatively common only in Aravaipa Creek and portions of 
the upper Gila River in New Mexico. Smaller, less stable populations 
occur in some areas of the upper Gila, as well as in the Verde River.
    The threats to this species are primarily from nonnative aquatic 
species and water withdrawals, including groundwater pumping. Other 
threats include grazing, road construction, and recreation. Spikedace 
occur in only 5 to 10 percent of their historical range, and threats 
occur over the majority of their range to varying degrees. Threats are 
exacerbated by ongoing drought. In addition, different threats can 
interact with each other to cause further decline. For example, drought 
and water withdrawals may decrease the amount of habitat available to 
all species within a given stream, forcing natives and nonnatives into 
closer proximity to one another. Effects from nonnative species 
introductions are permanent, unless streams are actively renovated and/
or barriers installed to preclude further recolonization by nonnatives. 
Grazing pressures have eased somewhat as Federal agencies remove cattle 
from streams directly, but upland conditions continue to degrade 
watersheds in general. Groundwater withdrawals or exchanges that affect 
streamflow are not reversible. For these reasons, the magnitude of the 
threat to this species is high. In addition, most of the threats to 
this species are ongoing, in particular grazing, water withdrawals, 
nonnative stocking programs, recreational use, and drought. Because 
threats have gone on for many years in the past, are associated with 
irreversible commitments (i.e., water exchanges), or are not easily 
reversed (i.e., nonnative stocking and impacts from grazing), the 
threats to the species are imminent. Therefore, we assigned this 
species an LPN of 1 for uplisting to endangered.
    Loach minnow (Tiaroga cobitis) (Region 2) (see 59 FR 35303, July 
11, 1994, and the species assessment form (see ADDRESSES) for 
additional information on why reclassification to endangered is 
warranted-but-precluded) - This small fish, the only species within the 
genus, is found in small-to-large perennial streams and uses shallow, 
turbulent riffles with primarily cobble substrate and swift currents. 
This species is now common only in Aravaipa Creek and the Blue River in 
Arizona, and limited portions of the San Francisco, upper Gila, and 
Tularosa rivers in New Mexico. Smaller, less stable populations occur 
in some areas of the upper Gila, such as the Middle Fork and in small 
areas of several tributary streams to Aravaipa Creek and the Blue and 
Tularosa rivers, such as Pace, Frieborn, Negrito, Turkey, and Deer 
creeks. Small populations are also present in Eagle Creek and the Black 
River.
    The threats to this species are primarily from nonnative aquatic 
species and water withdrawals, including groundwater pumping. Other 
threats include grazing, road construction, and recreation. Loach 
minnow occur in only 10 to 15 percent of their historic range, and 
threats occur over the majority of their range, to varying degrees. 
Threats are exacerbated by ongoing drought. In addition, different 
threats can interact with each other to cause further decline. For 
example, drought and water withdrawals may decrease the amount of 
habitat available to all species within a given stream, bringing 
natives and nonnatives into closer contact. Effects from nonnative 
species introductions are permanent, unless streams are actively 
renovated and/or barriers installed to preclude further recolonization 
by nonnatives. Grazing pressures have eased somewhat as Federal 
agencies remove cattle from streams directly, but upland conditions 
continue to degrade watersheds in general. Groundwater withdrawals or 
exchanges that affect streamflow are not reversible. For these reasons, 
the magnitude of the threats to this species is high. In addition, most 
of the threats to this species are ongoing, in particular grazing, 
water withdrawals, nonnative stocking programs, recreational use, and 
drought. Because threats have gone on for many years in the past, are 
associated with irreversible commitments (i.e., water exchanges), or 
are not easily reversed (i.e., nonnative stocking and impactsfrom 
grazing), the threats to this species are imminent. Therefore, we 
assigned this species an LPN of 1 for uplisting to endangered.

[[Page 75233]]

Current Notice of Review

    We gather data on plants and animals native to the U.S. that appear 
to merit consideration for addition to the Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants. This notice identifies those species 
that we currently regard as candidates for addition to the Lists. These 
candidates include species and subspecies of fish, wildlife, or plants 
and DPSs of vertebrate animals. This compilation relies on information 
from status surveys conducted for candidate assessment and on 
information from State Natural Heritage Programs, other State and 
Federal agencies, knowledgeable scientists, public and private natural 
resource interests, and comments received in response to previous 
notices of review.
    Tables 1 and 2 list animals arranged alphabetically by common names 
under the major group headings, and list plants alphabetically by names 
of genera, species, and relevant subspecies and varieties. Animals are 
grouped by class or order. Plants are subdivided into two groups: (1) 
flowering plants and (2) ferns and their allies. Useful synonyms and 
subgeneric scientific names appear in parentheses with the synonyms 
preceded by an ``equals'' sign. Several species that have not yet been 
formally described in the scientific literature are included; such 
species are identified by a generic or specific name (in italics), 
followed by ``sp.'' or ``ssp.'' We incorporate standardized common 
names in these notices as they become available. We sorted plants by 
scientific name due to the inconsistencies in common names, the 
inclusion of vernacular and composite subspecific names, and the fact 
that many plants still lack a standardized common name.
    Table 1 lists all candidate species plus species currently proposed 
for listing under the Act. We emphasize that in this notice we are not 
proposing to list any of the candidate species; rather, we will develop 
and publish proposed listing rules for these species in the future. We 
encourage State agencies, other Federal agencies, and other parties to 
give consideration to these species in environmental planning.
    In Table 1, the ``category'' column on the left side of the table 
identifies the status of each species according to the following codes:
    PE - Species proposed for listing as endangered. Proposed species 
are those species for which we have published a proposed rule to list 
as endangered or threatened in the Federal Register. This category does 
not include species for which we have withdrawn or finalized the 
proposed rule.
    PT - Species proposed for listing as threatened.
    PSAT - Species proposed for listing as threatened due to similarity 
of appearance.
    C - Candidates: Species for which we have on file sufficient 
information on biological vulnerability and threats to support 
proposals to list them as endangered or threatened. Issuance of 
proposed rules for these species is precluded at present by other 
higher-priority listing actions. This category includes species for 
which we made a 12-month warranted-but-precluded finding on a petition 
to list. We made new findings on all petitions for which we previously 
made ``warranted-but-precluded'' findings. We identify the species for 
which we made a continued warranted-but-precluded finding on a 
resubmitted petition by the code ``C*'' in the category column (see 
``Findings on Resubmitted Petitions'' section for additional 
information).
    The ``Priority'' column indicates the LPN for each candidate 
species which we use to determine the most appropriate use of our 
available resources. The lowest numbers have the highest priority. We 
assign LPNs based on the immediacy and magnitude of threats as well as 
on taxonomic status. We published a complete description of our listing 
priority system in the Federal Register (48 FR 43098, September 21, 
1983).
    The third column, ``Lead Region,'' identifies the Regional Office 
to which you should direct information, comments, or questions (see 
addresses at the end of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section).
    Following the scientific name (fourth column) and the family 
designation (fifth column) is the common name (sixth column). The 
seventh column provides the known historic range for the species or 
vertebrate population (for vertebrate populations, this is the historic 
range for the entire species or subspecies and not just the historic 
range for the distinct population segment), indicated by postal code 
abbreviations for States and U.S. territories. Many species no longer 
occur in all of the areas listed.
    Species in Table 2 of this notice are those we included either as 
proposed species or as candidates in the previous CNOR (published 
December 6, 2007) that are no longer proposed species or candidates for 
listing. Since December 6, 2007, we removed one species from proposed 
status and removed three species from candidate status for the reasons 
indicated by the codes. The first column indicates the present status 
of each species, using the following codes (not all of these codes may 
have been used in this CNOR):
    E - Species we listed as endangered.
    T - Species we listed as threatened.
    Rc - Species we removed from the candidate list because currently 
available information does not support a proposed listing.
    Rp - Species we removed from the candidate list because we have 
withdrawn the proposed listing.
    The second column indicates why we no longer regard the species as 
a candidate or proposed species using the following codes (not all of 
these codes may have been used in this CNOR):
    A - Species that are more abundant or widespread than previously 
believed and species that are not subject to the degree of threats 
sufficient to warrant continuing candidate status, or issuing a 
proposed or final listing.
    F - Species whose range no longer includes a U.S. territory.
    I - Species for which we have insufficient information on 
biological vulnerability and threats to support issuance of a proposed 
rule to list.
    L - Species we added to the Lists of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife and Plants.
    M - Species we mistakenly included as candidates or proposed 
species in the last notice of review.
    N - Species that are not listable entities based on the Act's 
definition of ``species'' and current taxonomic understanding.
    U - Species that are not subject to the degree of threats 
sufficient to warrant issuance of a proposed listing or continuance of 
candidate status due, in part or totally, to conservation efforts that 
remove or reduce the threats to the species.
    X - Species we believe to be extinct.
    The columns describing lead region, scientific name, family, common 
name, and historical range include information as previously described 
for Table 1.

Request for Information

    We request you submit any further information on the species named 
in this notice as soon as possible or whenever it becomes available. We 
are particularly interested in any information:
    (1) indicating that we should add a species to the list of 
candidate species;
    (2) indicating that we should remove a species from candidate 
status;
    (3) recommending areas that we should designate as critical habitat 
for a species, or indicating that designation of critical habitat would 
not be prudent for a species;
    (4) documenting threats to any of the included species;

[[Page 75234]]

    (5) describing the immediacy or magnitude of threats facing 
candidate species;
    (6) pointing out taxonomic or nomenclature changes for any of the 
species;
    (7) suggesting appropriate common names; and
    (8) noting any mistakes, such as errors in the indicated historical 
ranges.
    Submit information, materials, or comments regarding a particular 
species to the Regional Director of the Region identified as having the 
lead responsibility for that species. The regional addresses follow:
    Region 1. Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, American Samoa, Guam, 
and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Regional Director 
(TE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastside Federal Complex, 911 
N.E. 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-4181 (503/231-6158).
    Region 2. Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Regional 
Director (TE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 500 Gold Avenue SW., 
Room 4012, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (505/248-6920).
    Region 3. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, 
Ohio, and Wisconsin. Regional Director (TE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, One Federal Drive, Fort 
Snelling, MN 55111-4056 (612/713-5334).
    Region 4. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, 
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, 
and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Regional Director (TE), U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30345 
(404/679-4156).
    Region 5. Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, 
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. 
Regional Director (TE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate 
Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035-9589 (413/253-8615).
    Region 6. Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South 
Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Regional Director (TE), U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 
80225-0486 (303/236-7400).
    Region 7. Alaska. Regional Director (TE), U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503-6199 (907/786-3505).
    Region 8. California and Nevada. Regional Director (TE), U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W2606, Sacramento, CA 
95825 (916/414-6464)
    We will provide information received in response to the previous 
CNOR to the Region having lead responsibility for each candidate 
species mentioned in the submission. We will likewise consider all 
information provided in response to this CNOR in deciding whether to 
propose species for listing and when to undertake necessary listing 
actions (including whether emergency listing pursuant to section 
4(b)(7) of the Act is appropriate). Information and comments we receive 
will become part of the administrative record for the species, which we 
maintain at the appropriate Regional Office.
    Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or 
other personal identifying information in your submission, be advised 
that your entire submission - including your personal identifying 
information - may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your submission to withhold from public review your personal 
indentifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to 
do so.

Authority

    This notice is published under the authority of the Endangered 
Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: November 26, 2008
Rowan W. Gould
Deputy Director, Fish and Wildlife Service


                                               Table 1. - Candidate Notice of Review (Animals and Plants)
                              Note: See end of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for an explanation of symbols used in this table.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Status
-----------------------------------------------------     Lead region       Scientific name         Family            Common name       Historic range
            Category                   Priority
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         MAMMALS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Emballonura         Emballonuridae      Bat, Pacific        U.S.A. (GU, CNMI)
                                                                           semicaudata                             sheath-tailed
                                                                           rotensis                                (Mariana Islands
                                                                                                                   subspecies)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Emballonura         Emballonuridae      Bat, Pacific        U.S.A. (AS), Fiji,
                                                                           semicaudata                             sheath-tailed       Independent
                                                                           semicaudata                             (American Samoa     Samoa, Tonga,
                                                                                                                   DPS)                Vanuatu
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R5                  Sylvilagus          Leporidae           Cottontail, New     U.S.A. (CT, MA,
                                                                           transitionalis                          England             ME, NH, NY, RI,
                                                                                                                                       VT)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                6                   R8                  Martes pennanti     Mustelidae          Fisher (west coast  U.S.A. (CA, CT,
                                                                                                                   DPS)                IA, ID, IL, IN,
                                                                                                                                       KY, MA, MD,ME,
                                                                                                                                       MI, MN, MT, ND,
                                                                                                                                       NH, NJ, NY, OH,
                                                                                                                                       OR, PA, RI, TN,
                                                                                                                                       UT, VA, VT, WA,
                                                                                                                                       WI, WV, WY),
                                                                                                                                       Canada
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R2                  Zapus hudsonius     Zapodidae           Mouse, New Mexico   U.S.A. (AZ, CO,
                                                                           luteus                                  meadow jumping      NM)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Thomomys mazama     Geomyidae           Pocket gopher,      U.S.A. (WA)
                                                                           couchi                                  Shelton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 3                   R1                  Thomomys mazama     Geomyidae           Pocket gopher,      U.S.A. (WA)
                                                                           douglasii                               Brush Prairie
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Thomomys mazama     Geomyidae           Pocket gopher, Roy  U.S.A. (WA)
                                                                           glacialis                               Prairie
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Thomomys mazama     Geomyidae           Pocket gopher,      U.S.A. (WA)
                                                                           louiei                                  Cathlamet
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 75235]]

 
C*                                3                   R1                  Thomomys mazama     Geomyidae           Pocket gopher,      U.S.A. (WA)
                                                                           melanops                                Olympic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Thomomys mazama     Geomyidae           Pocket gopher,      U.S.A. (WA)
                                                                           pugetensis                              Olympia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Thomomys mazama     Geomyidae           Pocket gopher,      U.S.A. (WA)
                                                                           tacomensis                              Tacoma
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Thomomys mazama     Geomyidae           Pocket gopher,      U.S.A. (WA)
                                                                           tumuli                                  Tenino
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Thomomys mazama     Geomyidae           Pocket gopher,      U.S.A. (WA)
                                                                           yelmensis                               Yelm
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R6                  Cynomys gunnisoni   Sciuridae           Prairie dog,        U.S.A. (CO, NM)
                                                                                                                   Gunnison's
                                                                                                                   (central and
                                                                                                                   south-central
                                                                                                                   Colorado, north-
                                                                                                                   central New
                                                                                                                   Mexico SPR)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R8                  Spermophilus        Sciuridae           Squirrel, Palm      U.S.A. (CA)
                                                                           tereticaudus                            Springs (=
                                                                           chlorus                                 Coachella Valley)
                                                                                                                   round-tailed
                                                                                                                   ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                9                   R1                  Spermophilus        Sciuridae           Squirrel, Southern  U.S.A. (ID)
                                                                           brunneus                                Idaho ground
                                                                           endemicus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R1                  Spermophilus        Sciuridae           Squirrel,           U.S.A. (WA, OR)
                                                                           washingtoni                             Washington ground
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          BIRDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Loxops              Fringillidae        Akekee              U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           caeruleirostris                         (honeycreeper)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Oreomystis bairdi   Fringillidae        Akikiki (Kauai      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                                                                   creeper)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Porzana tabuensis   Rallidae            Crake, spotless     U.S.A. (AS),
                                                                                                                   (American Samoa     Australia, Fiji,
                                                                                                                   DPS)                Independent
                                                                                                                                       Samoa, Marquesas,
                                                                                                                                       Philippines,
                                                                                                                                       Society Islands,
                                                                                                                                       Tonga
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R8                  Coccyzus            Cuculidae           Cuckoo, yellow-     U.S.A. (Lower 48
                                                                           americanus                              billed (Western     States), Canada,
                                                                                                                   U.S. DPS)           Mexico, Central
                                                                                                                                       and South America
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                9                   R1                  Gallicolumba        Columbidae          Ground-dove,        U.S.A. (AS),
                                                                           stairi                                  friendly            Independent Samoa
                                                                                                                   (American Samoa
                                                                                                                   DPS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Eremophila          Alaudidae           Horned lark,        U.S.A. (OR, WA),
                                                                           alpestris                               streaked            Canada (BC)
                                                                           strigata
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R5                  Calidris canutus    Scolopacidae        Knot, red           U.S.A. (Atlantic
                                                                           rufa                                                        coast), Canada,
                                                                                                                                       South America
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R7                  Brachyramphus       Alcidae             Murrelet,           U.S.A. (AK),
                                                                           brevirostris                            Kittlitz's          Russia.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R8                  Synthliboramphus    Alcidae             Murrelet, Xantus's  U.S.A. (CA),
                                                                           hypoleucus                                                  Mexico
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R2                  Tympanuchus         Phasianidae         Prairie-chicken,    U.S.A. (CO, KA,
                                                                           pallidicinctus                          lesser              NM, OK, TX)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                6                   R1                  Centrocercus        Phasianidae         Sage-grouse,        U.S.A. (AZ, CA,
                                                                           urophasianus                            greater (Columbia   CO, ID, MT, ND,
                                                                                                                   Basin DPS)          NE, NV, OR, SD,
                                                                                                                                       UT, WA, WY),
                                                                                                                                       Canada (AB, BC,
                                                                                                                                       SK)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Oceanodroma castro  Hydrobatidae        Storm-petrel, band- U.S.A. (HI),
                                                                                                                   rumped (Hawaii      Atlantic Ocean,
                                                                                                                   DPS)                Ecuador
                                                                                                                                       (Galapagos
                                                                                                                                       Islands), Japan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Dendroica angelae   Emberizidae         Warbler, elfin-     U.S.A. (PR)
                                                                                                                   woods
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        REPTILES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R2                  Thamnophis eques    Colubridae          Gartersnake,        U.S.A. (AZ, NM,
                                                                           megalops                                northern Mexican    NV), Mexico
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 75236]]

 
C*                                2                   R2                  Sceloporus          Iguanidae           Lizard, sand dune   U.S.A. (TX, NM)
                                                                           arenicolus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                9                   R3                  Sistrurus           Viperidae           Massasauga          U.S.A. (IA, IL,
                                                                           catenatus                               (=rattlesnake),     IN, MI, MO, MN,
                                                                           catenatus                               eastern             NY, OH, PA, WI),
                                                                                                                                       Canada
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R4                  Pituophis           Colubridae          Snake, black pine   U.S.A. (AL, LA,
                                                                           melanoleucus                                                MS)
                                                                           lodingi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Pituophis ruthveni  Colubridae          Snake, Louisiana    U.S.A. (LA, TX)
                                                                                                                   pine
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R2                  Kinosternon         Kinosternidae       Turtle, Sonoyta     U.S.A. (AZ),
                                                                           sonoriense                              mud                 Mexico
                                                                           longifemorale
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       AMPHIBIANS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                9                   R8                  Rana luteiventris   Ranidae             Frog, Columbia      U.S.A. (AK, ID,
                                                                                                                   spotted (Great      MT, NV, OR, UT,
                                                                                                                   Basin DPS)          WA, WY), Canada
                                                                                                                                       (BC)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R8                  Rana muscosa        Ranidae             Frog, mountain      U.S.A (CA, NV)
                                                                                                                   yellow-legged
                                                                                                                   (Sierra Nevada
                                                                                                                   DPS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Rana pretiosa       Ranidae             Frog, Oregon        U.S.A. (CA, OR,
                                                                                                                   spotted             WA), Canada (BC)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                11                  R8                  Rana onca           Ranidae             Frog, relict        U.S.A. (AZ, NV,
                                                                                                                   leopard             UT)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R3                  Cryptobranchus      Crytobranchidae     Hellbender, Ozark   U.S.A. (AR, MO)
                                                                           alleganiensis
                                                                           bishopi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R2                  Eurycea             Plethodontidae      Salamander, Austin  U.S.A. (TX)
                                                                           waterlooensis                           blind
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R2                  Eurycea naufragia   Plethodontidae      Salamander,         U.S.A. (TX)
                                                                                                                   Georgetown
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R2                  Eurycea tonkawae    Plethodontidae      Salamander,         U.S.A. (TX)
                                                                                                                   Jollyville
                                                                                                                   Plateau
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R2                  Eurycea             Plethodontidae      Salamander, Salado  U.S.A. (TX)
                                                                           chisholmensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                11                  R8                  Bufo canorus        Bufonidae           Toad, Yosemite      U.S.A. (CA)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 3                   R2                  Hyla wrightorum     Hylidae             Treefrog, Arizona   U.S.A. (AZ),
                                                                                                                   (Huachuca/Canelo    Mexico (Sonora)
                                                                                                                   DPS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R4                  Necturus            Proteidae           Waterdog, black     U.S.A. (AL)
                                                                           alabamensis                             warrior (=Sipsey
                                                                                                                   Fork)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         FISHES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R2                  Gila nigra          Cyprinidae          Chub, headwater     U.S.A. (AZ, NM)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 5                   R4                  Phoxinus saylori    Cyprinidae          Dace, laurel        U.S.A. (TN)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                11                  R6                  Etheostoma cragini  Percidae            Darter, Arkansas    U.S.A. (AR, CO,
                                                                                                                                       KS, MO, OK)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Etheostoma susanae  Percidae            Darter, Cumberland  U.S.A. (KY, TN)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Percina aurora      Percidae            Darter, Pearl       U.S.A. (LA, MS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R4                  Etheostoma          Percidae            Darter, rush        U.S.A. (AL)
                                                                           phytophilum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R4                  Etheostoma moorei   Percidae            Darter,             U.S.A (AR)
                                                                                                                   yellowcheek
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R4                  Noturus crypticus   Ictaluridae         Madtom, chucky      U.S.A. (TN)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 5                   R4                  Moxostoma sp.       Catostomidae        Redhorse,           U.S.A. (GA, NC,
                                                                                                                   sicklefin           TN)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R3                  Cottus sp.          Cottidae            Sculpin, grotto     U.S.A. (MO)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R2                  Notropis            Cyprinidae          Shiner, sharpnose   U.S.A. (TX)
                                                                           oxyrhynchus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R2                  Notropis buccula    Cyprinidae          Shiner, smalleye    U.S.A. (TX)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R2                  Catostomus          Catostomidae        Sucker, Zuni        U.S.A. (AZ, NM)
                                                                           discobolus                              bluehead
                                                                           yarrowi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PSAT                              N/A                 R1                  Salvelinus malma    Salmonidae          Trout, Dolly        U.S.A. (AK, WA),
                                                                                                                   Varden              Canada, East Asia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 75237]]

 
C*                                9                   R2                  Oncorhynchus        Salmonidae          Trout, Rio Grande   U.S.A. (CO, NM)
                                                                           clarki virginalis                       cutthroat
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          CLAMS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 5                   R4                  Villosa             Unionidae           Bean, Choctaw       U.S.A. (AL, FL)
                                                                           choctawensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 2                   R3                  Villosa fabalis     Unionidae           Bean, rayed         U.S.A. (IL, IN,
                                                                                                                                       KY, MI, NY, OH,
                                                                                                                                       TN, PA, VA, WV),
                                                                                                                                       Canada (ON)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 2                   R4                  Fusconaia rotulata  Unionidae           Ebonyshell, round   U.S.A. (AL, FL)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R2                  Popenaias popei     Unionidae           Hornshell, Texas    U.S.A. (NM, TX),
                                                                                                                                       Mexico
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R4                  Ptychobranchus      Unionidae           Kidneyshell,        U.S.A. (AL, KY,
                                                                           subtentum                               fluted              TN, VA)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 2                   R4                  Ptychobranchus      Unionidae           Kidneyshell,        U.S.A. (AL, FL)
                                                                           jonesi                                  southern
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Lampsilis           Unionidae           Mucket, Neosho      U.S.A. (AR, KS,
                                                                           rafinesqueana                                               MO, OK)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 2                   R3                  Plethobasus         Unionidae           Mussel, sheepnose   U.S.A. (AL, IA,
                                                                           cyphyus                                                     IL, IN, KY, MN,
                                                                                                                                       MO, MS, OH, PA,
                                                                                                                                       TN, VA, WI, WV)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R4                  Margaritifera       Margaritiferidae    Pearlshell,         U.S.A. (AL)
                                                                           marrianae                               Alabama
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R4                  Lexingtonia         Unionidae           Pearlymussel,       U.S.A. (AL, KY,
                                                                           dolabelloides                           slabside            TN, VA)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 5                   R4                  Pleurobema          Unionidae           Pigtoe, fuzzy       U.S.A. (AL, FL)
                                                                           strodeanum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R4                  Pleurobema          Unionidae           Pigtoe, Georgia     U.S.A. (AL, GA,
                                                                           hanleyianum                                                 TN)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 5                   R4                  Fusconaia escambia  Unionidae           Pigtoe, narrow      U.S.A. (AL, FL)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 11                  R4                  Fusconaia           Unionidae           Pigtoe, tapered     U.S.A. (AL, FL)
                                                                           (=Quincuncina)
                                                                           burkei
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 5                   R4                  Hamiota             Unionidae           Sandshell,          U.S.A. (AL, FL)
                                                                           (=Lampsilis)                            southern
                                                                           australis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 4                   R3                  Cumberlandia        Margaritiferidae    Spectaclecase       U.S.A. (AL, AR,
                                                                           monodonta                                                   IA, IN, IL, KS,
                                                                                                                                       KY, MO, MN, NE,
                                                                                                                                       OH, TN, VA, WI,
                                                                                                                                       WV)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R4                  Elliptio spinosa    Unionidae           Spinymussel,        U.S.A. (GA)
                                                                                                                   Altamaha
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         SNAILS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 2                   R4                  Pleurocera          Pleuroceridae       Hornsnail, rough    U.S.A. (AL)
                                                                           foremani
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 8                   R4                  Elimia melanoides   Pleuroceridae       Mudalia, black      U.S.A. (AL)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                11                  R6                  Stagnicola          Lymnaeidae          Pondsnail, fat-     U.S.A. (UT)
                                                                           bonnevillensis                          whorled
                                                                                                                   (=Bonneville)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R4                  Leptoxis foremani   Pleuroceridae       Rocksnail,          U.S.A. (GA, AL)
                                                                           (=downei)                               Interrupted (=
                                                                                                                   Georgia)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Ostodes strigatus   Potaridae           Sisi snail          U.S.A. (AS)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R2                  Pseudotryonia       Hydrobiidae         Snail, Diamond Y    U.S.A. (TX)
                                                                           adamantina                              Spring
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Samoana fragilis    Partulidae          Snail, fragile      U.S.A. (GU, MP)
                                                                                                                   tree
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Partula radiolata   Partulidae          Snail, Guam tree    U.S.A. (GU)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Partula gibba       Partulidae          Snail, Humped tree  U.S.A. (GU, MP)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Partulina           Achatinellidae      Snail, Lanai tree   U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           semicarinata
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Partulina           Achatinellidae      Snail, Lanai tree   U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           variabilis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Partula langfordi   Partulidae          Snail, Langford's   U.S.A. (MP)
                                                                                                                   tree
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R2                  Cochliopa texana    Hydrobiidae         Snail, Phantom      U.S.A. (TX)
                                                                                                                   cave
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 75238]]

 
C*                                2                   R1                  Newcombia cumingi   Achatinellidae      Snail, Newcomb's    U.S.A. (Hl)
                                                                                                                   tree
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Eua zebrina         Partulidae          Snail, Tutuila      U.S.A. (AS)
                                                                                                                   tree
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R2                  Pyrgulopsis         Hydrobiidae         Springsnail,        U.S.A. (NM)
                                                                           chupaderae                              Chupadera
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                11                  R8                  Pyrgulopsis         Hydrobiidae         Springsnail,        U.S.A. (NV)
                                                                           notidicola                              elongate mud
                                                                                                                   meadows
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                11                  R2                  Pyrgulopsis gilae   Hydrobiidae         Springsnail, Gila   U.S.A. (NM)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R2                  Tryonia             Hydrobiidae         Springsnail,        U.S.A. (TX)
                                                                           circumstriata(=st                       Gonzales
                                                                           ocktonensis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R2                  Pyrgulopsis         Hydrobiidae         Springsnail,        U.S.A. (AZ),
                                                                           thompsoni                               Huachuca            Mexico
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                11                  R2                  Pyrgulopsis         Hydrobiidae         Springsnail, New    U.S.A. (NM)
                                                                           thermalis                               Mexico
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R2                  Pyrgulopsis         Hydrobiidae         Springsnail, Page   U.S.A. (AZ)
                                                                           morrisoni
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R2                  Tryonia cheatumi    Hydrobiidae         Springsnail         U.S.A. (TX)
                                                                                                                   (=Tryonia),
                                                                                                                   Phantom
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 2                   R2                  Pyrgulopsis         Hydrobiidae         Springsnail, San    U.S.A. (AZ),
                                                                           bernardina                              Bernardino          Mexico (Sonora)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R2                  Pyrgulopsis         Hydrobiidae         Springsnail, Three  U.S.A. (AZ)
                                                                           trivialis                               Forks
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         INSECTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R1                  Nysius wekiuicola   Lygaeidae           Bug, Wekiu          U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 3                   R4                  Strymon acis        Lycaenidae          Butterfly,          U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           bartrami                                Bartram's
                                                                                                                   hairstreak
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 3                   R4                  Anaea troglodyta    Nymphalidae         Butterfly, Florida  U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           floridalis                              leafwing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Hypolimnas          Nymphalidae         Butterfly, Mariana  U.S.A. (GU, MP)
                                                                           octucula                                eight-spot
                                                                           mariannensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Vagrans egistina    Nymphalidae         Butterfly, Mariana  U.S.A. (GU, MP)
                                                                                                                   wandering
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                6                   R4                  Cyclargus thomasi   Lycaenidae          Butterfly, Miami    U.S.A. (FL),
                                                                           bethunebakeri                           blue                Bahamas
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Glyphopsyche        Limnephilidae       Caddisfly,          U.S.A. (TN)
                                                                           sequatchie                              Sequatchie
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 5                   R4                  Pseudanophthalmus   Carabidae           Cave beetle, Baker  U.S.A. (TN)
                                                                           insularis                               Station (=
                                                                                                                   insular)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Pseudanophthalmus   Carabidae           Cave beetle,        U.S.A. (KY)
                                                                           caecus                                  Clifton
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 11                  R4                  Pseudanophthalmus   Carabidae           Cave beetle,        U.S.A. (TN)
                                                                           colemanensis                            Coleman
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 5                   R4                  Pseudanophthalmus   Carabidae           Cave beetle,        U.S.A. (TN)
                                                                           fowlerae                                Fowler's
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Pseudanophthalmus   Carabidae           Cave beetle,        U.S.A. (KY)
                                                                           frigidus                                icebox
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 5                   R4                  Pseudanophthalmus   Carabidae           Cave beetle,        U.S.A. (TN)
                                                                           tiresias                                Indian Grave
                                                                                                                   Point (=
                                                                                                                   Soothsayer)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Pseudanophthalmus   Carabidae           Cave beetle,        U.S.A. (TN)
                                                                           inquisitor                              inquirer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Pseudanophthalmus   Carabidae           Cave beetle,        U.S.A. (KY)
                                                                           troglodytes                             Louisville
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 5                   R4                  Pseudanophthalmus   Carabidae           Cave beetle,        U.S.A. (TN).
                                                                           paulus                                  Noblett's
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Pseudanophthalmus   Carabidae           Cave beetle, Tatum  U.S.A. (KY)
                                                                           parvus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Euphydryas editha   Nymphalidae         Checkerspot         U.S. A. (OR, WA),
                                                                           taylori                                 butterfly,          Canada (BC)
                                                                                                                   Taylor's (=
                                                                                                                   Whulge)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                9                   R1                  Megalagrion         Coenagrionidae      Damselfly,          U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           nigrohamatum                            blackline
                                                                           nigrolineatum                           Hawaiian
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Megalagrion         Coenagrionidae      Damselfly, crimson  U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           leptodemas                              Hawaiian
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Megalagrion         Coenagrionidae      Damselfly, flying   U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           nesiotes                                earwig Hawaiian
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 75239]]

 
C*                                2                   R1                  Megalagrion         Coenagrionidae      Damselfly, oceanic  U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           oceanicum                               Hawaiian
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R1                  Megalagrion         Coenagrionidae      Damselfly,          U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           xanthomelas                             orangeblack
                                                                                                                   Hawaiian
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Megalagrion         Coenagrionidae      Damselfly, Pacific  U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           pacificum                               Hawaiian
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R8                  Dinacoma caseyi     Scarabidae          June beetle,        U.S.A. (CA)
                                                                                                                   Casey's
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 5                   R8                  Ambrysus funebris   Naucoridae          Naucorid bug        U.S.A. (CA)
                                                                                                                   (=Furnace Creek),
                                                                                                                   Nevares Spring
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Drosophila attigua  Drosophilidae       fly, Hawaiian       U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                                                                   picture-wing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Drosophila          Drosophilidae       fly, Hawaiian       U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           digressa                                Picture-wing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R2                  Heterelmis          Elmidae             Riffle beetle,      U.S.A. (AZ)
                                                                           stephani                                Stephan's
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R3                  Hesperia dacotae    Hesperiidae         Skipper, Dakota     U.S.A. (MN, IA,
                                                                                                                                       SD, ND, IL),
                                                                                                                                       Canada
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R1                  Polites mardon      Hesperiidae         Skipper, Mardon     U.S.A. (CA, OR,
                                                                                                                                       WA)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R6                  Cicindela           Cicindelidae        Tiger beetle,       U.S.A. (UT)
                                                                           albissima                               Coral Pink Sand
                                                                                                                   Dunes
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Cicindela           Cicindelidae        Tiger beetle,       U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           highlandensis                           highlands
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        ARACHNIDS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R2                  Cicurina wartoni    Dictynidae          Meshweaver, Warton  U.S.A. (TX)
                                                                                                                   cave
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       CRUSTACEANS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 2                   R2                  Gammarus            Gammaridae          Amphipod,           U.S.A. (TX)
                                                                           hyalleloides                            diminutive
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R1                  Metabetaeus lohena  Alpheidae           Shrimp, anchialine  U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                                                                   pool
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R1                  Palaemonella        Palaemonidae        Shrimp, anchialine  U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           burnsi                                  pool
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R1                  Procaris hawaiana   Procarididae        Shrimp, anchialine  U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                                                                   pool
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                4                   R1                  Vetericaris         Procaridae          Shrimp, anchialine  U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           chaceorum                               pool
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                11                  R4                  Typhlatya monae     Atyidae             Shrimp,             U.S.A. (PR),
                                                                                                                   troglobitic         Barbuda,
                                                                                                                   groundwater         Dominican
                                                                                                                                       Republic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    FLOWERING PLANTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                11                  R8                  Abronia alpina      Nyctaginaceae       Sand-verbena,       U.S.A. (CA)
                                                                                                                   Ramshaw Meadows
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R4                  Arabis georgiana    Brassicaceae        Rockcress, Georgia  U.S.A. (AL, GA)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                11                  R4                  Argythamnia         Euphorbiaceae       Silverbush,         U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           blodgettii                              Blodgett's
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Artemisia           Asteraceae          Wormwood, northern  U.S.A. (OR, WA)
                                                                           campestris var.
                                                                           wormskioldii
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Astelia waialealae  Liliaceae           Pa`iniu             U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                11                  R6                  Astragalus          Fabaceae            Milk-vetch,         U.S.A. (CO)
                                                                           tortipes                                Sleeping Ute
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Bidens amplectens   Asteraceae          Ko`oko`olau         U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Bidens              Asteraceae          Ko`oko`olau         U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           campylotheca
                                                                           pentamera
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Bidens              Asteraceae          Ko`oko`olau         U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           campylotheca
                                                                           waihoiensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R1                  Bidens conjuncta    Asteraceae          Ko`oko`olau         U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Bidens micrantha    Asteraceae          Ko`oko`olau         U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           ctenophylla
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R4                  Brickellia mosieri  Asteraceae          Brickell-bush,      U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                                                                   Florida
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Calamagrostis       Poaceae             Reedgrass, Maui     U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           expansa
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Calamagrostis       Poaceae             Reedgrass,          U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           hillebrandii                            Hillebrand's
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Calliandra          Mimosaceae          No common name      U.S.A. (PR)
                                                                           locoensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 75240]]

 
C*                                5                   R8                  Calochortus         Liliaceae           Mariposa lily,      U.S.A. (CA, OR)
                                                                           persistens                              Siskiyou
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Calyptranthes       Myrtaceae           No common name      U.S.A. (PR)
                                                                           estremerae
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Canavalia           Fabaceae            `Awikiwiki          U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           napaliensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Canavalia           Fabaceae            `Awikiwiki          U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           pubescens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R1                  Castilleja          Scrophulariaceae    Paintbrush,         U.S.A. (ID)
                                                                           christii                                Christ's
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                9                   R4                  Chamaecrista        Fabaceae            Pea, Big Pine       U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           lineata var.                            partridge
                                                                           keyensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                12                  R4                  Chamaesyce          Euphorbiaceae       Sandmat, pineland   U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           deltoidea
                                                                           pinetorum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                9                   R4                  Chamaesyce          Euphorbiaceae       Spurge, wedge       U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           deltoidea
                                                                           serpyllum
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Chamaesyce          Euphorbiaceae       `Akoko              U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           eleanoriae
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                3                   R1                  Chamaesyce remyi    Euphorbiaceae       `Akoko              U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           var. kauaiensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                3                   R1                  Chamaesyce remyi    Euphorbiaceae       `Akoko              U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           var. remyi
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Charpentiera        Amaranthaceae       Papala              U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           densiflora
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                6                   R8                  Chorizanthe parryi  Polygonaceae        Spineflower, San    U.S.A. (CA)
                                                                           var. fernandina                         Fernando Valley
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R4                  Chromolaena         Asteraceae          Thoroughwort, Cape  U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           frustrata                               Sable
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R4                  Consolea            Cactaceae           Cactus, Florida     U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           corallicola                             semaphore
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Cordia rupicola     Boraginaceae        No common name      U.S.A. (PR),
                                                                                                                                       Anegada
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Cyanea              Campanulaceae       Haha                U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           asplenifolia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Cyanea calycina     Campanulaceae       Haha                U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Cyanea dolichopoda  Campanulaceae       Haha                U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Cyanea eleeleensis  Campanulaceae       Haha                U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Cyanea              Campanulaceae       Haha                U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           kolekoleensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Cyanea kuhihewa     Campanulaceae       Haha                U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Cyanea kunthiana    Campanulaceae       Haha                U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Cyanea lanceolata   Campanulaceae       Haha                U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Cyanea obtusa       Campanulaceae       Haha                U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Cyanea tritomantha  Campanulaceae       `aku `aku           U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Cyrtandra filipes   Gesneriaceae        Ha`iwale            U.S.A. (HI).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Cyrtandra           Gesneriaceae        Ha`iwale            U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           kaulantha
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Cyrtandra           Gesneriaceae        Ha`iwale            U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           oenobarba
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Cyrtandra oxybapha  Gesneriaceae        Ha`iwale            U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Cyrtandra paliku    Gesneriaceae        Ha`iwale            U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Cyrtandra sessilis  Gesneriaceae        Ha`iwale            U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R4                  Dalea               Fabaceae            Prairie-clover,     U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           carthagenensis                          Florida
                                                                           var. floridana
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R5                  Dichanthelium       Poaceae             Panic grass,        U.S.A. (DE, GA,
                                                                           hirstii                                 Hirsts'             NC, NJ)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Digitaria           Poaceae             Crabgrass, Florida  U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           pauciflora                              pineland
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                3                   R1                  Dubautia imbricata  Asteraceae          Na`ena`e            U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           imbricata
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 75241]]

 
PE                                -                   R1                  Dubautia            Asteraceae          Na`ena`e            U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           kalalauensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Dubautia kenwoodii  Asteraceae          Na`ena`e            U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                3                   R1                  Dubautia            Asteraceae          Na`ena`e            U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           plantaginea
                                                                           magnifolia
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Dubautia            Asteraceae          Na`ena`e            U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           waialealae
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R2                  Echinomastus        Cactaceae           Cactus, Acuna       U.S.A. (AZ),
                                                                           erectocentrus                                               Mexico
                                                                           var. acunensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R2                  Erigeron lemmonii   Asteraceae          Fleabane, Lemmon    U.S.A. (AZ)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Eriogonum codium    Polygonaceae        Buckwheat, Umtanum  U.S.A. (WA)
                                                                                                                   Desert
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                6                   R8                  Eriogonum           Polygonaceae        Buckwheat, Las      U.S.A. (NV)
                                                                           corymbosum var.                         Vegas
                                                                           nilesii
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 5                   R8                  Eriogonum           Polygonaceae        Buckwheat,          U.S.A (NV)
                                                                           diatomaceum                             Churchill Narrows
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R8                  Eriogonum           Polygonaceae        Buckwheat, Red      U.S.A. (CA)
                                                                           kelloggii                               Mountain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Festuca             Poaceae             No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           hawaiiensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                11                  R2                  Festuca ligulata    Poaceae             Fescue, Guadalupe   U.S.A. (TX),
                                                                                                                                       Mexico
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Gardenia remyi      Rubiaceae           Nanu                U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R1                  Geranium hanaense   Geraniaceae         Nohoanu             U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R1                  Geranium            Geraniaceae         Nohoanu             U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           hillebrandii
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                5                   R1                  Geranium kauaiense  Geraniaceae         Nohoanu             U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Gonocalyx concolor  Ericaceae           No common name      U.S.A. (PR)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 2                   R4                  Harrisia            Cactaceae           Pricklyapple,       U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           aboriginum                              aboriginal
                                                                                                                   (shellmound
                                                                                                                   applecactus)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R8                  Hazardia orcuttii   Asteraceae          Orcutt's hazardia   U.S.A. (CA),
                                                                                                                                       Mexico
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Hedyotis            Rubiaceae           Kampua`a            U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           fluviatilis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Helianthus          Asteraceae          Sunflower, whorled  U.S.A. (AL, GA,
                                                                           verticillatus                                               TN)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R2                  Hibiscus dasycalyx  Malvaceae           Rose-mallow,        U.S.A. (TX)
                                                                                                                   Neches River
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 2                   R6                  Ipomopsis           Polemoniaceae       Skyrocket, Pagosa   U.S.A. (CO)
                                                                           polyantha
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R8                  Ivesia webberi      Rosaceae            Ivesia, Webber      U.S.A. (CA, NV)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Joinvillea          Joinvilleaceae      `Ohe                U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           ascendens
                                                                           ascendens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Keysseria erici     Asteraceae          No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                8                   R1                  Keysseria helenae   Asteraceae          No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Korthalsella        Viscaceae           Hulumoa             U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           degeneri
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Labordia helleri    Loganiaceae         Kamakahala          U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Labordia pumila     Loganiaceae         Kamakahala          U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Leavenworthia       Brassicaceae        Gladecress,         U.S.A. (AL)
                                                                           crassa                                  unnamed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R2                  Leavenworthia       Brassicaceae        Gladecress, Texas   U.S.A. (TX)
                                                                           texana                                  golden
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Lesquerella         Brassicaceae        Bladderpod,         U.S.A. (IN, KY,
                                                                           globosa                                 Short's             TN)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R4                  Linum arenicola     Linaceae            Flax, sand          U.S.A. (FL)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R4                  Linum carteri var.  Linaceae            Flax, Carter's      U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           carteri                                 small-flowered
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                8                   R1                  Lysimachia          Myrsinaceae         Lehua makanoe       U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           daphnoides
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Lysimachia iniki    Myrsinaceae         No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Lysimachia pendens  Myrsinaceae         No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 75242]]

 
PE                                -                   R1                  Lysimachia          Myrsinaceae         No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           scopulensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Lysimachia venosa   Myrsinaceae         No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Melicope            Rutaceae            Alani               U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           christophersenii
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Melicope degeneri   Rutaceae            Alani               U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Melicope hiiakae    Rutaceae            Alani               U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Melicope makahae    Rutaceae            Alani               U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Melicope            Rutaceae            Alani               U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           paniculata
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Melicope puberula   Rutaceae            Alani               U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Myrsine fosbergii   Myrsinaceae         Kolea               U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Myrsine knudsenii   Myrsinaceae         Kolea               U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Myrsine mezii       Myrsinaceae         Kolea               U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Myrsine             Myrsinaceae         Kolea               U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           vaccinioides
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R5                  Narthecium          Liliaceae           Asphodel, bog       U.S.A. (DE, NC,
                                                                           americanum                                                  NJ, NY, SC)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Nothocestrum        Solanaceae          `Aiea               U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           latifolium
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Ochrosia            Apocynaceae         Holei               U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           haleakalae
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R2                  Pediocactus         Cactaceae           Cactus, Fickeisen   U.S.A. (AZ)
                                                                           peeblesianus var.                       plains
                                                                           fickeiseniae
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R6                  Penstemon debilis   Scrophulariaceae    Beardtongue,        U.S.A. (CO)
                                                                                                                   Parachute
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                6                   R6                  Penstemon           Scrophulariaceae    Beardtongue, White  U.S.A. (CO, UT)
                                                                           scariosus var.                          River
                                                                           albifluvis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Peperomia           Piperaceae          `Ala `ala wai nui   U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           subpetiolata
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 5                   R8                  Phacelia stellaris  Hydrophyllaceae     Phacelia, Brand's   U.S.A. (CA),
                                                                                                                                       Mexico
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R6                  Phacelia submutica  Hydrophyllaceae     Phacelia, DeBeque   U.S.A. (CO)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Phyllostegia        Lamiaceae           No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           bracteata
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R1                  Phyllostegia        Lamiaceae           No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           floribunda
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Phyllostegia        Lamiaceae           No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           hispida
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Phyllostegia        Lamiaceae           No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           renovans
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R1                  Physaria            Brassicaceae        Bladderpod, White   U.S.A. (WA)
                                                                           tuplashensis                            Bluffs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Pittosporum         Pittosporaceae      Ho`awa              U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           napaliense
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R4                  Platanthera         Orchidaceae         Orchid, white       U.S.A. (AL, GA,
                                                                           integrilabia                            fringeless          KY, MS, NC, SC,
                                                                                                                                       TN, VA)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Platydesma cornuta  Rutaceae            No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           var. cornuta
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Platydesma cornuta  Rutaceae            No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           var. decurrens
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Platydesma remyi    Rutaceae            No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Platydesma          Rutaceae            Pilo kea lau li`i   U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           rostrata
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 2                   R1                  Pleomele fernaldii  Agavaceae           Hala pepe           U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Pleomele forbesii   Agavaceae           Hala pepe           U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                11                  R8                  Potentilla          Rosaceae            Cinquefoil,         U.S.A. (NV)
                                                                           basaltica                               Soldier Meadow
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Pritchardia hardyi  Asteraceae          Lo`ulu              U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 75243]]

 
C*                                3                   R1                  Pseudognaphalium    Asteraceae          `Ena`ena            U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           (=Gnaphalium)
                                                                           sandwicensium
                                                                           var. molokaiense
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Psychotria          Rubiaceae           Kopiko              U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           grandiflora
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Psychotria          Rubiaceae           Kopiko              U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           hexandra ssp.
                                                                           oahuensis var.
                                                                           oahuensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Psychotria hobdyi   Rubiaceae           Kopiko              U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Pteralyxia          Apocynaceae         Kaulu               U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           macrocarpa
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Ranunculus          Ranunculaceae       Makou               U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           hawaiensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Ranunculus          Ranunculaceae       Makou               U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           mauiensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R8                  Rorippa             Brassicaceae        Cress, Tahoe        U.S.A. (CA, NV)
                                                                           subumbellata                            yellow
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Schiedea attenuata  Caryophyllaceae     No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Schiedea pubescens  Caryophyllaceae     Ma`oli`oli          U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Schiedea salicaria  Caryophyllaceae     No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                5                   R8                  Sedum eastwoodiae   Crassulaceae        Stonecrop, Red      U.S.A. (CA)
                                                                                                                   Mountain
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Sicyos              Cucurbitaceae       `Anunu              U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           macrophyllus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 12                  R4                  Sideroxylon         Sapotaceae          Bully, Everglades   U.S.A. (FL)
                                                                           reclinatum ssp.
                                                                           austrofloridense
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R1                  Solanum nelsonii    Solanaceae          Popolo              U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 8                   R4                  Solidago plumosa    Asteraceae          Goldenrod, Yadkin   U.S.A. (NC)
                                                                                                                   River
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C                                 2                   R2                  Sphaeralcea         Malvaceae           Mallow, Gierisch    U.S.A. (AZ, UT)
                                                                           gierischii
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Stenogyne           Lamiaceae           No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           cranwelliae
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                2                   R1                  Stenogyne kealiae   Lamiaceae           No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R4                  Symphyotrichum      Asteraceae          Aster, Georgia      U.S.A. (AL, FL,
                                                                           georgianum                                                  GA, NC, SC)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Tetraplasandra      Araliaceae          No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           bisattenuata
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Tetraplasandra      Araliaceae          No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           flynnii
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Zanthoxylum         Rutaceae            A`e                 U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           oahuense
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    FERNS AND ALLIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                8                   R1                  Christella boydiae  Thelypteridaceae    No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           (=Cyclosorus
                                                                           boydiae var.
                                                                           boydiae +
                                                                           Cyclosorus
                                                                           boydiae
                                                                           kipahuluensis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Diellia mannii      Aspleniaceae        No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Doryopteris         Pteridaceae         No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           angelica
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Doryopteris         Pteridaceae         No common name      U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           takeuchii
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PE                                -                   R1                  Dryopteris          Dryopteridaceae     Palapalai aumakua   U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           crinalis var.
                                                                           podosorus
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                2                   R1                  Huperzia (=         Lycopodiaceae       Wawae`iole          U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           Phlegmariurus)
                                                                           stemmermanniae
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
C*                                3                   R1                  Microlepia          Dennstaedtiaceae    Palapalai           U.S.A. (HI)
                                                                           strigosa var.
                                                                           mauiensis
                                                                           (=Microlepia
                                                                           mauiensis)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 75244]]


                                    Table 2. Animals and Plants Formerly Candidates or Formerly Proposed for Listing
                              Note: See end of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for an explanation of symbols used in this table.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       Status
-----------------------------------------------------     Lead region       Scientific name         Family            Common name      Historical range
              Code                       Expl.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         MAMMALS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T                                 L                   R7                  Ursus maritimus     Ursidae             Bear, polar         U.S.A. (AK),
                                                                                                                                       Canada, Russia,
                                                                                                                                       Denmark
                                                                                                                                       (Greenland),
                                                                                                                                       Norway
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         SNAILS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rc                                A                   R6                  Oreohelix           Oreohelicidae       Mountainsnail,      U.S.A. (UT)
                                                                           peripherica                             Ogden
                                                                           wasatchensis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    FLOWERING PLANTS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rc                                A                   R4                  Indigofera trita    Fabaceae            Indigo, Florida     U.S.A. (FL);
                                                                           subsp. scabra                                               Belize, Brazil,
                                                                           (formerly                                                   Columbia, Costa
                                                                           Indigofera                                                  Rica, Cuba,
                                                                           mucronata var.                                              Ecuador, El
                                                                           keyensis)                                                   Salvador,
                                                                                                                                       Ethiopia,
                                                                                                                                       Guatemala,
                                                                                                                                       Honduras, India,
                                                                                                                                       Jamaica, Laos,
                                                                                                                                       Madagascar,
                                                                                                                                       Mexico, Pakistan,
                                                                                                                                       Panama, Peru,
                                                                                                                                       Sierra Leone,
                                                                                                                                       Somalia, Sri
                                                                                                                                       Lanka, Tanzania,
                                                                                                                                       Zaire, and the
                                                                                                                                       islands of
                                                                                                                                       Hispaniola and
                                                                                                                                       New Guinea
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[FR Doc. E8-28986 Filed 12-9-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-S