[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 197 (Thursday, October 11, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61938-62058]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-24465]



[[Page 61937]]

Vol. 77

Thursday,

No. 197

October 11, 2012

Part IV





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service





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50 CFR Part 17





Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing Taylor's 
Checkerspot Butterfly and Streaked Horned Lark and Designation of 
Critical Habitat; Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 197 / Thursday, October 11, 2012 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 61938]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[FWS-R1-ES-2012-0080; 4500030113]
RIN 1018-AY18


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing Taylor's 
Checkerspot Butterfly and Streaked Horned Lark and Designation of 
Critical Habitat

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to list the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly as an endangered species, and to list 
the streaked horned lark as a threatened species under the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We additionally propose to 
designate critical habitat for these species. These determinations 
fulfill our obligations under a settlement agreement. These are 
proposed regulations, and if finalized, the effect of these regulations 
will be to add these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife and to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species 
Act.

DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 
December 10, 2012. We must receive requests for public hearings, in 
writing, at the address shown in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by 
November 26, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
    (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-
2012-0080, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. You may 
submit a comment by clicking on ``Comment Now!''.
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public 
Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R1-ES-2012-0080; Division of Policy and 
Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax 
Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
    We request that you send comments only by the methods described 
above. We will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This 
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide 
us (see the Public Comments section below for more information).
    The coordinates or plot points or both from which the critical 
habitat maps are generated are included in the administrative record 
for this rulemaking and are available at http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/, 
www.regulations.gov at Docket No. [FWS-R1-ES-2012-0080], and at the 
Washington Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT). Any additional tools or supporting information that we may 
develop for this rulemaking will also be available at the Fish and 
Wildlife Service Web site and Field Office set out above, and may also 
be included in the preamble and/or at www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken S. Berg, Manager, Washington Fish 
and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond Drive, Lacey, WA 98503, by telephone 
(360) 753-9440, or by facsimile (360) 534-9331. Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Executive Summary

    Why we need to publish a rule. Under the Endangered Species Act 
(Act), a species may warrant protection through listing if it is an 
endangered or threatened species throughout all or a significant 
portion of its range. The species addressed in these proposed rules are 
candidates for listing and, by virtue of a settlement agreement, we 
must make a determination as to their present status under the Act. 
These status changes can only be done by issuing a rulemaking. The 
table below summarizes our determination for each of these candidate 
species:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Species                          Present range                           Status
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly,         British Columbia, Canada;       Proposed Endangered.
 Euphydryas editha taylori.              Clallam, Pierce, and Thurston
                                         Counties, WA; and Benton
                                         County, OR.
Streaked horned lark, Eremophila        Grays Harbor, Mason, Pacific,   Proposed Threatened.
 alpestris strigata.                     Pierce, Thurston, Cowlitz,
                                         and Wahkiakum Counties, WA;
                                         Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop,
                                         Columbia, Lane, Linn, Marion,
                                         Multnomah, Polk, Washington,
                                         and Yamhill Counties, OR.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The basis for our action. Under the Endangered Species Act, we may 
determine that a species is an endangered or threatened species based 
on any of five factors: (A) The present or threatened destruction, 
modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (B) 
overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes; (C) disease or predation; (D) the inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; or (E) other natural or manmade factors 
affecting its continued existence.
    For those species for which we are proposing listing, we have 
determined that these species are impacted by one or more of the 
following factors to the extent that the species meets the definition 
of an endangered or threatened species under the Act:
     Habitat loss through conversion and degradation of 
habitat, particularly from agricultural and urban development, 
successional changes to grassland habitat, military training, and the 
spread of invasive plants;
     Predation;
     Inadequate existing regulatory mechanisms that allow 
significant threats such as habitat loss;
     Other natural or manmade factors, including low genetic 
diversity, small or isolated populations, low reproductive success, and 
declining population sizes;
     Aircraft strikes and training at airports; and
     Pesticide use or control as a pest species.
    In this rule we propose to designate critical habitat for these 
species. We are proposing to designate critical habitat for the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark in Washington 
and Oregon as follows:
     Approximately 6,875 acres (ac) (2,782 hectares (ha)) are 
proposed for designation as critical habitat for the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly.
     Approximately 12,159 ac (4,920 ha) are proposed for 
designation as critical habitat for the streaked horned lark.
    The basis for our action. Under the Endangered Species Act, we are 
required to designate critical habitat for any species that is 
determined to be endangered or threatened. We are required to base the 
designation on the best available scientific data after taking into 
consideration economic, national security, and other relevant impacts. 
An area may be excluded from the final designation of critical habitat 
if the

[[Page 61939]]

benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of designation, unless the 
exclusion will result in the extinction of the species.
    We are proposing to promulgate special rules. We are considering 
whether to exempt from the Act's take prohibitions (at section 9), 
existing maintenance activities and agricultural practices located on 
private and Tribal lands where the streaked horned lark occurs. The 
intent of this special rule would be to increase support for the 
conservation of the streaked horned lark and provide an incentive for 
continued management activities that benefit this species and its 
habitat.
    We are preparing an economic analysis. To ensure that we fully 
consider the economic impacts, we are preparing a draft economic 
analysis of the proposed designations of critical habitat. We will 
publish an announcement and seek public comments on the draft economic 
analysis when it is completed.
    We will seek peer review. We are seeking comments from 
knowledgeable individuals with scientific expertise to review our 
technical assumptions, analysis of the best available science, and 
application of that science or to provide any additional scientific 
information to improve these proposed rules. Because we will consider 
all comments and information received during the comment period, our 
final determinations may differ from this proposal.
    We are seeking public comment on this proposed rule. Anyone is 
welcome to comment on our proposal or provide additional information on 
the proposal that we can use in making a final determination on the 
status of this species. Please submit your comments and materials 
concerning this proposed rule by one of the methods listed in the 
ADDRESSES section. Within 1 year following the publication of this 
proposal, we will publish in the Federal Register a final determination 
concerning the listing of the species and the designation of its 
critical habitat or withdraw the proposal if new information is 
provided that supports that decision.

Information Requested

    We intend that any final action resulting from this proposed rule 
will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available and 
be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, we request 
comments or information from the public, other concerned governmental 
agencies, Native American tribes, the scientific community, industry, 
or any other interested parties concerning this proposed rule. We 
particularly seek comments concerning:
    (1) The species' biology, range, and population trends, including:
    (a) Habitat requirements for feeding, breeding, and sheltering;
    (b) Genetics and taxonomy;
    (c) Historical and current range including distribution patterns;
    (d) Historical and current population levels, and current and 
projected trends; and
    (e) Past and ongoing conservation measures for the species, its 
habitat or both.
    (2) The factors that are the basis for making a listing 
determination for a species under section 4(a) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.), which are:
    (a) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or 
curtailment of its habitat or range;
    (b) Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes;
    (c) Disease or predation;
    (d) The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or
    (e) Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued 
existence.
    (3) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning 
any threats (or lack thereof) to this species and existing regulations 
that may be addressing those threats;
    (4) Additional information concerning the historical and current 
status, range, distribution, and population size of this species, 
including the locations of any additional populations of this species;
    (5) Any information on the biological or ecological requirements of 
the species, and ongoing conservation measures for the species and its 
habitat;
    (6) The reasons why we should or should not designate areas as 
``critical habitat'' under section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.), including whether there are threats to any of these species from 
human activity, the degree of which can be expected to increase due to 
the designation, and whether that increase in threat outweighs the 
benefit of designation such that the designation of critical habitat 
may not be prudent.
    (7) Specific information on:
    (a) The amount and distribution of habitat for the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark;
    (b) What areas that were occupied at the time of listing (or are 
currently occupied) and that contain features essential to the 
conservation of the species should be included in the designation and 
why;
    (c) Special management considerations or protection that may be 
needed in critical habitat areas we are proposing; and
    (d) What areas not occupied at the time of listing are essential 
for the conservation of the species and why.
    (8) Land use designations and current or planned activities in the 
subject areas and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat.
    (9) Information on the projected and reasonably likely impacts of 
climate change on the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked 
horned lark, and on proposed critical habitat.
    (10) Any probable economic, national security, or other relevant 
impacts of designating any area that may be included in the final 
designation; in particular, any impacts on small entities or families, 
and the benefits of including or excluding areas that exhibit these 
impacts.
    (11) Whether any specific areas we are proposing for critical 
habitat designation should be considered for exclusion under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act, and whether the benefits of potentially excluding 
any specific area outweigh the benefits of including that area under 
section 4(b)(2) of the Act.
    (12) Additional information pertaining to the promulgation of a 
special rule to exempt take of the streaked horned lark on civilian 
airports, agricultural fields, and tribal lands under section 4(d) of 
the Act.
    (13) Whether any populations of the streaked horned lark should be 
considered separately for listing as a distinct population segment 
(DPS), and if so, the justification for how that population meets the 
criteria for a DPS under the Service's Policy Regarding the Recognition 
of Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments under the Endangered Species 
Act (61 FR 4722, February 7, 1996).
    (14) Whether we could improve or modify our approach to designating 
critical habitat in any way to provide for greater public participation 
and understanding, or to better accommodate public concerns and 
comments.
    Please note that submissions merely stating support for or 
opposition to the action under consideration without providing 
supporting information, although noted, will not be considered in 
making a determination, as section 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act directs that 
determinations as to whether any species is a threatened or endangered 
species must be made ``solely on the basis of the best scientific and 
commercial data available.''
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed 
rule by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We request 
that you

[[Page 61940]]

send comments only by the methods described in the ADDRESSES section.
    If you submit information via http://www.regulations.gov, your 
entire submission--including any personal identifying information--will 
be posted on the Web site. If your submission is made via a hardcopy 
that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the 
top of your document that we withhold this information from public 
review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We 
will post all hardcopy submissions on http://www.regulations.gov. 
Please include sufficient information with your comments to allow us to 
verify any scientific or commercial information you include.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by 
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Washington Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).

Previous Federal Actions

Candidate History

    We first identified the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the 
streaked horned lark as candidates for listing in the 2001 Notice of 
Review of Native Species that are Candidates for Listing as Endangered 
or Threatened (CNOR) (USFWS 2001). All candidate species are assigned 
listing priority numbers (LPN) that are based on the immediacy and 
magnitude of threats and taxonomic status. In 2001, both of these 
species were assigned an LPN of 6, which reflects threats of a high 
magnitude that are not considered imminent.
    In 2004, based on new information, we determined that the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly faced imminent threats of a high magnitude and 
reassigned it an LPN of 3 (69 FR 24876; May 4, 2004). In 2006, the 
streaked horned lark was also reassigned an LPN of 3. During our review 
we determined that the continued loss of suitable lark habitat, risks 
to the wintering populations; and plans for development, hazing, and 
military training activities (71 FR 53755; September 12, 2006) were 
imminent threats to the subspecies. The candidate status for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark was most recently 
reaffirmed in the October 26, 2011, CNOR (USFWS 2011). The U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service (Service) completed action plans for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark and set conservation 
targets and identified actions to achieve those targets over the next 5 
years. These plans can be found on the Service's Web site at: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/action_plans/doc3089.pdf (Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly) and http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/pdf/STHL_Action%20Plan_Sept2009.pdf (streaked horned lark).

Petition History

    In 2001, we developed internal, discretionary candidate assessment 
documents for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned 
lark. These candidate assessments were published in the Federal 
Register on October 30, 2001 (USFWS 2001). On December 10, 2002, we 
received two separate petitions for these species. The first was from 
the Xerces Society, Center for Biological Diversity, Oregon Natural 
Resources Council, Friends of the San Juans, and Northwest Ecosystem 
Alliance to list the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly (also known as 
``whulge checkerspot'') (Euphydryas editha taylori) as endangered. The 
petitioners requested that critical habitat be designated. We also 
received a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, Friends 
of the San Juans, Oregon Natural Resources Council, and Northwest 
Ecosystem Alliance requesting that we list the streaked horned lark 
(Eremophila alpestris strigata) as endangered and designate critical 
habitat concurrent with the listing. Because the Service had already 
determined that these species warranted listing and placed them on the 
candidate list in 2001, we have been evaluating these species as 
resubmitted petition findings on an annual basis. On July 12, 2011, the 
Service filed a multiyear work plan as part of a proposed settlement 
agreement with the Center for Biological Diversity and others, in a 
consolidated case in the U.S. District Court for the District of 
Columbia. The settlement agreement was approved by the court on 
September 9, 2011, and will enable the Service to systematically review 
and address the conservation needs of more than 250 candidate species, 
over a period of 6 years, including the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly 
and streaked horned lark. These proposed rules fulfill, in part, the 
terms of that settlement agreement.

Background

    We discuss below only those topics directly relevant to the 
proposed listing of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the streaked 
horned lark in this section of the proposed rule.

Species Information--Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly

    Taylor's checkerspot butterflies are medium-sized, colorfully 
marked butterflies with a checkerboard pattern on the upper (dorsal) 
side of the wings (Pyle 2002, p. 310). They are orange with black and 
yellowish (or white) spot bands, giving a checkered appearance (Pyle 
1981, p. 607; Pyle 2002, p. 310). Taylor's checkerspot butterflies were 
historically known to occur in British Columbia, Washington, and 
Oregon, and current distribution has been reduced from over 80 
locations rangewide to 14. Taylor's checkerspot butterflies produce one 
brood per year. They overwinter (diapause) in the fourth or fifth 
larval instar (developmental) phase and have a flight period as adults 
of 10 to 14 days, usually in May, although depending on local site and 
climatic conditions, the flight period begins in late April and extends 
into early July, as in Oregon, where the flight season may last for up 
to 45 days (Ross 2008, p. 2).
Taxonomy
    Taylor's checkerspot butterfly is a subspecies of Edith's 
checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha). The Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly was originally described by W.H. Edwards (1888) from 
specimens collected from Beacon Hill Park in Victoria, British Columbia 
(BC). Euphydryas editha taylori is recognized as a valid subspecies by 
the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS 2012a). It is one of 
several rare and threatened subspecies, including the Bay checkerspot 
(E. e. bayensis) from the San Francisco Bay area and the Quino 
checkerspot (E. e. quino) from the San Diego, California, region; both 
are federally listed as endangered species. Several other subspecies of 
Euphydryas editha are known to occur in Washington and Oregon, 
including Bean's checkerspot (E. e. beani) known from the north 
Cascades of Washington; Strand's checkerspot (E. e. edithana) in the 
foothills of the Columbia Basin, including the low hills of the Blue 
Mountains in Washington and the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon, primarily 
east of where other subspecies are known; and Colonia checkerspot (E. 
e. colonia) known from high-elevation sites of the Olympic Peninsula 
and the Cascades of Washington and Oregon from the Wenatchee Mountains 
in Washington to the Siskiyou Mountains in Oregon.
Habitat and Life History
    Taylor's checkerspot butterflies occupy open habitat dominated by

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grassland vegetation throughout their range. In Washington, Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies inhabit glacial outwash prairies in the south 
Puget Sound region; shallow-soil balds (a bald is a small opening on 
slopes in a treeless area, dominated by herbaceous vegetation) 
(Chappell 2006 p. 1) and grasses, within a forested landscape, 
roadsides, and former clear-cut areas within a forested matrix on the 
northeast Olympic Peninsula, and a coastal stabilized dune site near 
the Straits of Juan de Fuca (Stinson 2005, pp. 93-96). The two Oregon 
sites are found in the vicinity of Corvallis, Benton County, on 
grassland hills in the Willamette Valley (Vaughan and Black 2002, p. 7; 
Ross 2008, p. 1; Benton County 2010, Appendix N, p. 5). The recently 
discovered population on Denman Island in Canada (for details, see 
Current Range and Distribution, below), discovered in May 2005, 
occupies an area that had been clear-cut harvested, and is now 
dominated by, and maintained as, grass and forb vegetation. This is the 
first record for the species in British Columbia since 1998 (Heron 
2008, pers. comm.; Page et al. 2009, p. 1). In British Columbia, 
Canada, Taylor's checkerspot butterflies were historically known to 
occupy coastal grassland habitat, not forests that were converted to 
early successional conditions by clear-cutting, on Vancouver Island and 
nearby islands.
    Female Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and their larvae utilize 
plants that contain defensive chemicals known as iridoid glycosides, 
which have been recognized to influence the selection of oviposition 
sites by adult nymphalid butterflies (butterflies in the family 
Nymphalidae) (Murphy et al. 2004, p. 22; Page et al. 2009, p. 2), and 
function as a feeding stimulant for some checkerspot larvae (Kuussaari 
et al. 2004, p. 147). As maturing larvae feed, they accumulate these 
defensive chemical compounds from their larval host plants into their 
bodies. According to the work of Bowers (1981, pp. 373-374), this 
accumulation appears to deter predation. These larval host plants 
include members of the Broomrape family (Orobanchaceae), such as 
Castilleja (paintbrushes) and Orthocarpus = Tryphysaria (owl's clover), 
and native and nonnative Plantago species, which are members of the 
Plantain family (Plantaginaceae) (Pyle 2002, p. 311; Vaughan and Black 
2002, p. 8). The recent rediscovery in 2005 of Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies in Canada indicated that additional food plants (Veronica 
serpyllifolia (thymeleaf speedwell) and V. beccabunga ssp. Americana 
(American speedwell)) were being utilized by Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly larvae (Heron 2008, pers. comm.; Page et al. 2009, p. 2). 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly larvae had previously been confirmed 
feeding on Plantago lanceolata (narrow-leaf plantain) and P. maritime 
(sea plantain) in British Columbia (Guppy and Shepard 2001, p. 311), 
narrow-leaf plantain and Castilleja hispida (harsh paintbrush) in 
Washington (Char and Boersma 1995, p. 29; Pyle 2002, p. 311; Severns 
and Grosboll 2011, p. 4), and feed exclusively on narrow-leaf plantain 
in Oregon (Dornfeld 1980, p. 73; Ross 2008, pers. comm.; Severns and 
Warren 2008, p. 476). Dr. Robert Michael Pyle has speculated that 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly larvae likely fed upon the threatened 
Castilleja levisecta (golden paintbrush) in historical times when both 
species were more widespread and sympatric (overlapped) in their 
distribution (Pyle 2002, p. 311; Pyle 2007, pers. comm.).
Historical Range and Distribution
    Historically, Taylor's checkerspot butterfly was likely distributed 
throughout grassland habitat found on prairies, shallow-soil balds, 
grassland bluffs, and grassland openings within a forested matrix in 
south Vancouver Island, northern Olympic Peninsula, the Puget Sound, 
and the Willamette Valley. The historical range and abundance of the 
species are not precisely known because extensive searches for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly did not occur until recently. Northwest prairies 
were formerly more common, larger, and interconnected, and would likely 
have supported a greater distribution and abundance of Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies than prairie habitat does today. According to 
Pyle (2012, in litt.):

    ``Euphydryas editha taylori was previously more widely 
distributed and much denser in occurrence than is presently the case 
on the Puget Prairies. The checkerspot was abundant on the Mima 
Mounds National Area Preserve (NAP) and surrounding prairies in 
1970. In the mid-eighties, the butterflies flew by the thousands on 
Rock Prairie, a private farm property west of Tenino. All of these 
sites have since been rendered unsuitable for E. e. taylori through 
management changes, and the butterfly has dropped out of them; 
meanwhile, many other colonies have disappeared in their vicinity 
through outright development or conversion of the habitat. The same 
is true for bluff-top colonies I knew in the early '70s at 
Dungeness. The ongoing loss and alteration of habitat in the western 
Washington grasslands has without question led to the shrinkage of 
Taylor's checkerspot occurrences from a regional constellation to a 
few small clusters.''

    Before recent declines over roughly the last 10 or 15 years the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly was known from an estimated 80 
locations: 24 in British Columbia, 43 in Washington, and 13 in Oregon 
(Hinchliff 1996, p. 115; Shepard 2000, pp. 25-26; Vaughan and Black 
2002, p. 6; Stinson 2005, pp. 93-96, 123-124). These sites included 
coastal and inland prairies on southern Vancouver Island and 
surrounding islands in the Straits of Georgia, British Columbia and the 
San Juan Island archipelago (Hinchliff 1996, p. 115; Pyle 2002, p. 
311), as well as open prairies on post-glacial gravelly outwash and 
shallow-soil balds in Washington's Puget Trough (Potter 2010, p. 1), 
the north Olympic Peninsula (Holtrop 2010, p. 1), and grassland habitat 
within a forested matrix in Oregon's Willamette Valley (Benton County 
2010, Appendix N, p. 5).
    The 1949 field season summary for North American lepidoptera 
(Hopfinger 1949, p. 89) states that an abundant distribution of 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly was known from the south Puget Sound 
prairies: ``Euphydryas editha (taylori), as usual, appeared by the 
thousands on Tenino Prairie.'' By 1989, Pyle (p. 170) had reported that 
there were fewer than 15 populations remaining rangewide. Surveys in 
2001 and 2002 of the three historical locations on Hornby Island, 
British Columbia, failed to detect any Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies; the last observation of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly 
from this location was 1995 (Committee on the Status of Endangered 
Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) 2011, p. 15). By fall 2002, only six 
populations were known to occur rangewide, four from the south Puget 
Sound region in Washington, one from San Juan County, Washington, and 
one from the Willamette Valley of Oregon (USFWS 2002a).
Current Range and Distribution
    Based on historical and current data, the distribution and 
abundance of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies have declined 
significantly rangewide with the majority of local extirpations 
occurring from approximately the mid-1990s in Canada (COSEWIC 2011, p. 
15), 1999-2004 in south Puget Sound, and around 2006 at the Bald Hills 
location. Several new locations harboring Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies have been rediscovered on historical sites on Washington 
Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) lands (USFWS 2004, pp. 3-4; 
USFWS 2007, p. 5) and have also been found at new locations on natural 
and manipulated balds within the upper

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Dungeness River watershed in Washington. Currently 13 individual 
populations of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies are known to occur; 
these populations are distributed in British Columbia, Canada (1), 
Washington (10), and Oregon (2).
    Nearly all localities for Taylor's checkerspot butterflies in 
British Columbia have been lost; the only location currently known from 
British Columbia was discovered in 2005 (COSEWIC 2011, p. iv). In 
Oregon, although many surveys have been conducted at a variety of 
historical and potential locations within the Willamette Valley, many 
of those have failed to detect the species; the number of locations 
occupied by Taylor's checkerspot butterflies has declined from 13 to 2 
(Ross 2011, in litt., p. 1). In Washington State, more than 43 
historical locales were documented for Taylor's. In 2012, we have 11 
documented locations for Taylor's checkerspot butterflies with only 1 
of the localities harboring more than 1,000 individuals, and the 
majority of known sites have daily counts of fewer than 100 individual 
butterflies.
    Due to the limited distribution and few populations of Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly, surveys for this species are quite thorough, 
generally consisting of a minimum of 3 days of visits during the flight 
period, and occasionally numbering up to 10 or 12 days of counts. 
Multiple days of counts during the annual flight period greatly 
increases the reliability of abundance data for butterflies, thus we 
believe the data on numbers of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies to be 
highly reliable.
Canada
    After years of surveys (2001 through 2004) at historical population 
sites in British Columbia that failed to detect Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies (COSEWIC 2011, pp. 15-16), a population was discovered on 
Denman Island in 2005. Denman Island is located approximately 106 miles 
(170 km) north of Victoria, British Columbia, along the eastern shores 
of Vancouver Island in the Straits of Georgia. Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly records from British Columbia date from 1888 through 2011, 
when the last survey was conducted. Surveys are regularly conducted on 
Vancouver Island and other historical locations (Page et al. 2009, p. 
iv). In 2008, a single Taylor's checkerspot butterfly was detected on 
Vancouver Island in the Courtney-Comox area, where they had not been 
observed since 1931 (COSEWIC 2011, pp. 15-16). Additional surveys were 
conducted at this location and only the single butterfly was observed. 
It is likely that this single adult had dispersed from the Denman 
Island population located approximately 0.3 mi (0.5 km) away. As of 
2012, the only existing known population for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies in Canada is on Denman Island (Page et al. 2009, p. 2; 
COSEWIC 2011, p. iv).
Washington
    In Washington, surveys have been conducted annually for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies in currently and historically occupied sites. 
Surveys on south Puget Sound prairies have been conducted from 1997 
through 2011 by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), 
WDNR, The Nature Conservancy of Washington (now the Center for Natural 
Lands Management), and personnel from the Wildlife Branch of Joint Base 
Lewis-McChord (JBLM; formerly known as Fort Lewis). In 1994, a report 
from Char and Boersma (1995) indicated the presence of Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies on the 13th Division Prairie on JBLM; no 
additional locations have been reported since 1999, when a handful of 
Taylor's checkerspot butterflies were observed by WDFW (Hays et al. 
2000, p. 13). Surveys have been conducted annually in this area since 
2000; however, no Taylor's checkerspot butterflies have been detected 
during the spring flight period (Ressa 2003, pp. 7, 14; Gilbert 2004, 
p. 5; Linders 2012c, in litt.). Taylor's checkerspot butterflies are 
believed to be extirpated from the 13th Division Prairie at JBLM 
(Linders 2012c, in litt.).
    Four other populations in Thurston County (Glacial Heritage, 
Scatter Creek north and south units, and Rocky Prairie NAP) had 
Taylor's checkerspot butterflies present in 1997. No adult Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies were observed during surveys conducted in 1998 
and 1999 at these locations (Hays et al. 2000, p. 13; Stinson 2005, p. 
95). Subsequent annual surveys at these four sites have not detected 
Taylor's checkerspot butterflies (with the exception of two sites where 
the butterfly has recently been translocated (Linders and Olson 2011, 
p. 17; Bidwell 2012, pers. comm.)).
    Four historical locales for Taylor's checkerspot butterflies were 
permanently lost in the south Puget Sound region to development 
(Dupont, JBLM Training Area 7S, Spanaway, and Lakewood in Pierce 
County) or conversion to agriculture (Rock Prairie in Thurston County) 
(Stinson 2005, pp. 93-96). In addition, several older Washington 
specimens are labeled with general or imprecise locality names on their 
collection labels (e.g., Olympia 1893; Tenino 1929; Shelton 1971, 
Dungeness 1999) (Stinson 2005, pp. 94-95). Some of these site names may 
refer to unknown or currently occupied locales but due to their 
imprecise nature, the true location of these potential populations has 
not been determined.
    Surveys of 15 prairies within the south Puget Sound landscape in 
2001 and 2002 located Taylor's checkerspot butterflies on only 4 sites 
in Thurston and Pierce Counties (Stinson 2005, pp. 93-96). Three of the 
four sites were found in the Bald Hill landscape in Southeast Thurston 
County. Taylor's checkerspot butterflies were documented at the Bald 
Hills through 2007, but there have been no detections since, despite 
regular and thorough surveying from 2001 through 2011 (Potter 2011, p. 
3). This number has declined substantially in recent years as habitat 
has become increasingly shaded and modified by encroaching trees, 
nonnative grasses, and the invasive, nonnative shrub Scot's broom 
(Cytisus scoparius). Potter (2010, p. 1) reported multiple site visits 
to conduct redundant surveys in formerly occupied bald habitats during 
the 2008-2010 flight period with no Taylor's checkerspot butterflies 
observed. The species is presumed to be extirpated from this location.
    The 91st Division Prairie is located on JBLM on the eastern edge of 
the approximately 6,000 acre (2,400 ha) prairie. The largest current 
populations of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly within the south Puget 
Sound have been observed here, and have served as the source 
populations for the collection of larvae for captive breeding to 
support translocation efforts. Several small, discrete patches of 
habitat are occupied by Taylor's checkerspot butterflies. The close 
proximity of these patches indicates that a relatively robust 
population (more than 1,000 butterflies surveyed in a single day in 
2006) is likely present at JBLM.
    In the course of conducting surveys for another rare grassland-
associated butterfly found in Washington, the island marble (Euchloe 
ausonides insulanus), over 150 potential grassland locations were 
surveyed for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly in the north Puget Sound 
region during spring of 2005 through the spring of 2011 (Miskelly 2005; 
Potter et al. 2011) where historical locales for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies exist (Pyle 1989, p. 170). Although the flight periods and 
habitat of both butterflies overlap, no Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies were found during these surveys.

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    Several historical sites with potentially suitable habitat were 
surveyed on the north Olympic Peninsula (Clallam County) during spring 
2003. Taylor's checkerspot butterfly was found to occupy five locations 
in this geographic area in 2003. At one historical site near the mouth 
of the Dungeness River, only a few individuals were detected. However, 
no Taylor's checkerspot butterflies were detected at this location 
during surveys from 2005 through 2009 (McMillan 2007, pers. comm.; 
Potter 2012, pers. comm.). The other four populations were found on 
grassy openings on shallow-soiled bald habitat west of the Elwha River. 
Two of these sites were estimated to support at least 50 to 100 adult 
Taylor's checkerspot butterflies (Dan Kelly Ridge and Eden Valley), and 
just a few individuals were found at the two other bald sites (Striped 
Peak and Highway 112) (Hays 2011, p. 1). Subsequent surveys at the 
latter two sites, Striped Peak and Highway 112, from 2004-2011, have 
failed to relocate or detect any Taylor's checkerspot butterflies.
    In 2006 a population was discovered near the town of Sequim. 
Taylor's checkerspot butterflies have since been detected annually at 
this location from 2006-2011 (Hays 2009, pers. comm.; Hays 2011, p. 
29). At this site, Taylor's checkerspot butterflies inhabit 
approximately 5 ac (2 ha) of estuarine, deflation plain (or back 
beach), a road with restricted use, and farm-edge habitat. In 2010, a 
maximum count of 568 Taylor's checkerspot butterflies was recorded on a 
single day (April 3, 2010); normally peak daily counts from this 
location range from 50 to 240 individuals (Hays 2011, p. 29).
    Since 2007, three new Taylor's checkerspot butterfly populations 
have been found in Clallam County on Olympic National Forest lands. All 
three sites are located in the Dungeness River watershed: Bear 
Mountain, Three O'Clock Ridge, and Upper Dungeness (Holtrop 2009, p. 
2). The Forest Service and WDFW are currently monitoring butterfly 
numbers at these sites annually. As of 2012, a total of six occupied 
sites are known from Clallam County: Sequim, Eden Valley, Bear 
Mountain, Three O'Clock Ridge, and Upper Dungeness.
Oregon
    All of the 13 historical locales within the Willamette Valley of 
western Oregon have been surveyed regularly by local lepidopterists 
(McCorkle 2008, pers. comm.; Ross 2005: Stinson 2005, p. 124; Benton 
County 2010, p. 13; Potter 2012, pers. comm.). Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies were formerly reported to exist in large numbers (``swarms 
on the meadows beside Oak Creek'') on the upland prairies of the 
Willamette Valley in Lane, Benton, and Polk Counties (Dornfeld 1980, p. 
73). Now only remnant populations exist in Oregon. In 1999, Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies were discovered along the Bonneville Power 
Administration (BPA) right-of-way corridor in an area known as Fitton 
Green in Benton County. In 2004 surveys for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly were expanded in the Willamette Valley where a second 
population was discovered on grassland openings within the Beazell 
Memorial Forest in Benton County. These two locations for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly are currently the only occupied patches known 
from Oregon.
Population Estimates/Status
    There is little historical information on population estimates for 
Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and the survey techniques used for 
monitoring have differed over time. Early surveys at most locations 
were done using Pollard transect sampling methodology. Prior to 
implementing distance sampling as the accepted survey method for 
Taylor's checkerspot butterflies, population sizes were determined by 
tallying the number of all butterflies observed in a day and this was 
expressed as the maximum day count for a population at a specific site. 
During the survey season from 2007 through 2011, WDFW implemented 
distance sampling methods to estimate abundance at the site in 
Washington on JBLM. Distance sampling involves establishing permanent 
transects over a proportion of the survey area to determine the 
probability of detecting the butterfly. This number is used to 
calculate abundance (Marques 2009). Because Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly population numbers change daily due to emergence and 
mortality of individuals, density estimates were computed by survey 
date (Linders and Olson 2011, p. 11). Although the sampling methods 
have changed over the years, we believe they are useful in providing a 
general estimate of population trend information. Additionally, since 
2007, a consistent survey method for distance sampling has been 
implemented throughout most of the range, providing reliable annual 
information.
Canada
    The recently discovered population in British Columbia (BC) was 
confirmed by the invertebrate specialist for the BC Ministry of the 
Environment (Heron 2008, pers. comm.). A total of 12 adults were 
observed on Denman Island during 2005 (Table 1) (Page et. al. 2009, p. 
1). We have no reports regarding counts for 2006 surveys. However, in 
2007, more than 600 butterflies were detected and tallied from this 
location during the entire survey effort (Heron 2008, p. 5). Surveys at 
this location in 2008 detected 324 Taylor's checkerspot butterflies 
(Page et al. 2009, p. 17). In 2009, a mark-recapture study of Taylor's 
was conducted on Denman Island. Over 1,200 butterflies were marked and 
45 were recaptured. Based on this study the population was estimated at 
13,000 individual butterflies; however, this estimate is likely 
exaggerated and inaccurate since the survey efforts were not consistent 
over the course of the study (COSEWIC 2011, p. 38). During the same 
flight period in 2009, an additional 950 individuals were observed on 
Denman Island (COSEWIC 2011, p. 38). Only 12 butterflies were observed 
in 2011 by the same surveyors using identical methods at the same 
location.
Washington
    In Washington State, more than 43 historical locales were 
documented as having Taylor's checkerspot butterfly populations. In 
2012, there are only 11 documented populations, with only 1 of the 
sites harboring more than 1,000 individuals at any time and the 
majority of known sites yielding daily counts of fewer than 100 
individual butterflies. These locations are as follows: Striped Peak, 
Highway 112, Sequim, Eden Valley, Dan Kelly Ridge, Bear Mountain, Three 
O'Clock Ridge, Upper Dungeness, 91st Division Prairie on JBLM, Scatter 
Creek Wildlife Area, and the Bald Hills.
    Taylor's checkerspot butterflies have been surveyed annually on the 
northeastern Olympic peninsula since 2003. Striped Peak, located on 
WNDR lands, supported Taylor's checkerspot butterflies as early as 
1985. Between 2003 and 2005, only a few adult butterflies were observed 
by WDFW personnel at Striped Peak and a second site known as Highway 
112. No butterflies have been observed at the Striped Peak or Highway 
112 locations since that time (McMillan 2009, pers. comm.; Hays 2011, 
p. 1). Both sites are being encroached by Pseudotsuga menziesii 
(Douglas-fir) native shrubs, and the invasive shrub Scot's broom 
(Thomas 2011, pers. obs.).
    In 2006, at the Sequim population, as many as 100 butterflies were 
detected on a single day; however, on many days fewer butterflies were 
observed (McMillan 2007, pers. comm.). In spring 2007, researchers 
detected 100 to 200 butterflies on peak days. Both larvae and adults 
were present at this site in

[[Page 61944]]

2007 and 2008 (Potter 2012b, in litt.). At Eden Valley, up to 60 
butterflies had been detected on a single day survey prior to surveys 
in 2006, but fewer than 30 were detected during the 2006 surveys. 
During surveys conducted between 2007 and 2011, maximum daily counts 
ranged between 50 and 538 individuals (Potter 2012b, in litt.).
    On Dan Kelly Ridge, as many as 50 butterflies were detected during 
surveys on a single day in 2006. This is a large, linear site with a 
ridgeline road greater than 2 miles (3.2 km) long; grassland habitat 
with larval food plants are found along the road margins and in forest 
openings on steep south facing slopes where shallow-soil balds support 
Taylor's checkerspot butterflies. Between 2007 and 2010, maximum daily 
counts ranged from 60 to 100 butterflies. Surveys were not conducted at 
this site in 2011.
    In 2007, on Three O'Clock Ridge in the upper Dungeness watershed of 
Olympic National Forest, a small number (two) of Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies were first detected (Holtrop 2010, p. 1). This site was 
surveyed in 2008 by Forest Service and WDFW personnel who detected 12 
adult butterflies (Holtrop 2010, p. 1). In 2009, approximately 300 ac 
(121 ha) of suitable habitat were surveyed (Holtrop 2010, p. 5) and two 
new populations were discovered, at Upper Dungeness and Bear Mountain. 
Maximum single day counts ranged from 40 to 69 butterflies at the Three 
O'Clock Ridge, Upper Dungeness, and Bear Mountain. These sites have 
supported Taylor's checkerspot butterflies consistently since their 
discovery (Holtrop 2010, p. 13).
    The largest known population of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly is 
located on the 91st Division Prairie at JBLM where a high complement of 
larval and nectar host plants exist. During the 2005 and 2006 flight 
seasons (Combs 2005, p. 8; Wolford 2006, pp. 18-20), more than 1,000 
individuals were detected on maximum single day counts and hundreds of 
individuals were observed throughout the flight season (Combs 2005, p. 
8; Wolford 2006, pp. 18 and 20). Surveys in spring 2007 detected 
slightly lower numbers despite the high survey effort. In 2007, the 
single-day maximum count for Taylor's checkerspot butterflies was 637 
(Wolford et al. 2007, p. 8). This decrease in butterfly numbers was 
observed elsewhere for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly in Thurston 
County during 2007, and is likely related to weather conditions that 
year. In 2008, detections at 91st Division Prairie indicated a further 
decline to 187 butterflies, a 37 percent decline from the 2007 surveys 
(Linders 2012, in litt.).
    During 10 surveys conducted in the spring of 2009 at 91st Division 
Prairie, 77 individual butterflies were counted as a maximum daily 
count (Linders 2009a, entire; Thomas 2009b, pers. obs.). Spring counts 
in 2009, 2010, and in 2011 showed a general trend of increasing 
observations at this site, apparently because of a rebound in larval 
food plants along the roads margins used by military training vehicles, 
and from repeated and frequent fires caused by military training 
exercises. Oviposition on larval host plants (narrow-leaf plantain) 
near road margins was observed at all known Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly locations in Washington State (Severns and Grosboll 2011, p. 
66).
    Experimental introductions of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies have 
been attempted in the south Puget Sound region. In 2006, Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly larvae were placed out at four locations in 
Thurston and Pierce County: (1) In March 2006, larvae were released at 
Glacial Heritage Preserve, a Thurston County park; (2) in June 2006, 
larvae were placed at two locations on JBLM (Training Area 7 South (TA 
7S) and 13th Division Prairie); and (3) at the Scatter Creek Wildlife 
area in Thurston County. None of these initial test releases resulted 
in observations of adult butterflies at these locations during the 
subsequent flight season (Linders 2007, p. vi). A subsequent release of 
199 larvae in March 2007 at Scatter Creek Wildlife Area resulted in 11 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly observations there in May 2007 (Linders 
2007, p. 18).
    Based on this early success with captive rearing of larvae, an 
additional 340 larvae were placed at Scatter Creek Wildlife Area in 
March 2008. A peak daily count of 16 adult Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies were documented at this location in 2008 (Linders 2011c). 
In 2009, Linders released approximately 2,250 post-diapause larvae onto 
suitable habitat at Scatter Creek Wildlife Areas and 13th Division 
Prairie on JBLM, which resulted in 48 observations of adult butterflies 
and a peak day count of 36 adults at Scatter Creek South, two adults at 
Scatter Creek North and 1 individual at 13th Division Prairie on JBLM 
(Linders 2010, in litt., entire). In 2010, 155 adult butterflies were 
detected at Scatter Creek Wildlife Area, and 207 adults were detected 
(counted) at Range 50 on JBLM (Linders and Olson 2011, p. 23). During 
late winter of 2010, a total of 2,036 post-diapause larvae were 
released onto restored prairie habitat at Scatter Creek Wildlife Area 
and Range 50 on the 91st Division Prairie on JBLM in the south Puget 
Sound region (Linders and Olson 2011, p. 17. During distance survey 
counts in 2011, 84 adult butterflies were counted at Scatter Creek 
Wildlife Area, and 903 adults were counted at Range 50 on the 91st 
Division Prairie on JBLM (Linders and Olson 2011, p. 23).
    Surveys of private property and WDNR-managed land in the Bald Hill 
area in 2006 detected only a few individual Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies during any given survey day on each of the primary balds. 
Reports and personal observation indicate that the density and 
composition of larval host plants have declined at the Bald Hills area 
and portions of some of the balds have been invaded by Douglas-fir and 
other shrub species, including Scot's broom, thus reducing the area and 
suitability of habitat (Potter 2011, p. 1). Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies have not been detected in the Bald Hills area since 2007, 
despite intensive survey efforts in 2008 and 2011 (Potter 2011, p. 1). 
This population of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly is presumed to be 
extirpated.
Oregon
    In Oregon, Taylor's checkerspot butterflies are known from two 
locations in the Willamette Valley of Benton County, Beazell Memorial 
Park (BMP) and Fitton Green Natural Area. Annually, population 
estimates at these two sites have varied from greater than 1,200 
butterflies at Fitton Green in 2005 to as few as 150 butterflies in 
2006 at BMP (Ross, 2010, pp. 4, 6; Ross 2011, in litt.). During spring 
of 2010, the flight period began later than normally, due to cool, wet 
weather that persisted over much of the Pacific Northwest. In 2011, the 
flight season for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly in Oregon began later 
than any year since surveys commenced (Ross 2012, p. 3). In 2010 and 
2011, total population counts were 991 and 516 for Fitton Green (Ross 
2012, p. 4), and 849 and 223 for the BMP location (Ross 2012, p. 6), 
respectively.

Species Information--Streaked Horned Lark

    The streaked horned lark is endemic to the Pacific Northwest 
(British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon; Altman 2011, p. 196) and is 
a subspecies of the wide-ranging horned lark (Eremophila alpestris). 
Horned larks are small, ground-dwelling birds, approximately 16-20 
centimeters (6-8 inches) in length (Beason 1995, p. 2). Adults are pale 
brown, but shades of

[[Page 61945]]

brown vary geographically among the subspecies. The male's face has a 
yellow wash in most subspecies. Adults have a black bib, black whisker 
marks, black ``horns'' (feather tufts that can be raised or lowered), 
and black tail feathers with white margins (Beason 1995, p. 2). 
Juveniles lack the black face pattern and are varying shades of gray, 
from almost white to almost black with a silver-speckled back (Beason 
1995, p. 2). The streaked horned lark has a dark brown back, yellowish 
underparts, a walnut brown nape and yellow eyebrow stripe and throat 
(Beason 1995, p. 4). This subspecies is conspicuously more yellow 
beneath and darker on the back than almost all other subspecies of 
horned lark. The combination of small size, dark brown back, and yellow 
underparts distinguishes this subspecies from all adjacent forms.
Taxonomy
    The horned lark is found throughout the northern hemisphere (Beason 
1995, p. 1); it is the only true lark (Family Alaudidae, Order 
Passeriformes) native to North America (Beason 1995, p. 1). There are 
42 subspecies of horned lark worldwide (Clements et al. 2011, entire). 
Twenty-one subspecies of horned larks are found in North America; 15 
subspecies occur in western North America (Beason 1995, p. 4). 
Subspecies of horned larks are based primarily on differences in color, 
body size, and wing length. Molecular analysis has further borne out 
these morphological distinctions (Drovetski et al. 2005, p. 875). 
Western populations of horned larks are generally paler and smaller 
than eastern and northern populations (Beason 1995, p. 3). The streaked 
horned lark was first described as Otocorys alpestris strigata by 
Henshaw (1884, pp. 261-264, 267-268); the type locality was Fort 
Steilacoom, Washington (Henshaw 1884, p. 267). There are four other 
breeding subspecies of horned larks in Washington and Oregon: Pallid 
horned lark (E. a. alpina), dusky horned lark (E. a. merrilli), Warner 
horned lark (E. a. lamprochroma), and arctic horned lark (E. a. 
articola) (Marshall et al. 2003, p. 426; Wahl et al. 2005, p. 268). 
None of these other subspecies breed within the range of the streaked 
horned lark, but all four subspecies frequently overwinter in mixed 
species flocks in the Willamette Valley (Marshall et al. 2003, pp. 425-
427).
    Drovetski et al. (2005, p. 877) evaluated the genetic 
distinctiveness, conservation status, and level of genetic diversity of 
the streaked horned lark using the complete mitochondrial ND2 gene. 
Samples from 32 streaked horned larks in western Washington and 66 
horned larks from Alaska, alpine Washington, eastern Washington, 
eastern Oregon, and California were analyzed. The 30 haplotypes 
identified from the 98 horned larks formed three clades: Pacific 
Northwest (alpine and eastern Washington, Alaska), Pacific Coast (Puget 
Sound and Washington coast) and coastal California), and Great Basin 
(Oregon) (Drovetski et al. 2005, p. 880)).
    Streaked horned larks were closely related to the California 
samples and only distantly related to the three closest localities 
(alpine Washington, eastern Washington, and Oregon); only one of the 
eastern Washington individuals shared the streaked horned lark 
haplotype, indicating a single example of gene flow from western 
Washington to eastern Washington (Drovetski et al. 2005, p. 880). There 
was no evidence of immigration into the streaked horned lark range from 
any of the sampled localities. Analyses indicate that the streaked 
horned lark population is well-differentiated and isolated from all 
other sampled localities, including coastal California, and has 
``remarkably low genetic diversity'' (Drovetski et al. 2005, p. 875). 
All 32 streaked horned lark individuals shared the same haplotype with 
no variation between sequences compared. All other localities had 
multiple haplotypes despite smaller sample sizes (Drovetski et al. 
2005, pp. 879-880).
    The lack of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) diversity exhibited by 
streaked horned larks is consistent with a population bottleneck 
(Drovetski et al. 2005, p. 881). The streaked horned lark is 
differentiated and isolated from all other sampled localities, and 
although it was ``* * * historically a part of a larger Pacific Coast 
lineage of horned larks, it has been evolving independently for some 
time and can be considered a distinct evolutionary unit'' (Drovetski et 
al. 2005, p. 880). Thus, genetic analyses support the subspecies 
designation for the streaked horned lark (Drovetski et al. 2005, p. 
880), which has been considered a relatively well-defined subspecies 
based on physical (phenotypic) characteristics (Beason 1995, p. 4). The 
streaked horned lark is recognized as a valid subspecies by the 
Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS 2012c).
Life History and Habitat
    Horned larks forage on the ground in low vegetation or on bare 
ground (Beason 1995, p. 6); adults feed mainly on grass and weed seeds, 
but feed insects to their young (Beason 1995, p. 6). A study of winter 
diet selection found that streaked horned larks in the Willamette 
Valley eat seeds of introduced weedy grasses and forbs, focusing on the 
seed source that is most abundant (Moore 2008b, p. 9). In this 
Willamette Valley study, a variety of grasses (Digitaria sanguinalis 
(large crabgrass), Panicum capillare (witchgrass), Sporobulum sp. 
(dropseed)), and unidentified grasses (Poaceae) and forbs (Chenopodium 
album (common lambsquarters), Amaranthus retroflexus (redroot pigweed), 
Trifolium arvense (rabbitfoot clover) and Kickxia sp. (cancerweed)) 
were common in the winter diet of the streaked horned lark (Moore 
2008b, p. 16).
    Horned larks form pairs in the spring (Beason 1995, p. 11). Altman 
(1999, p. 11) used a small sample (n=3) of streaked horned lark 
territories in the Willamette Valley to give a mean territory size of 
1.9 acres (0.77 ha) with a range of 1.5 to 2.5 acres (0.61 to 1.0 ha). 
Horned larks create nests in shallow depressions in the ground and line 
them with soft vegetation (Beason 1995, p. 12). Female horned larks 
select the nest site and construct the nest without help from the male 
(Beason 1995, p. 12). Streaked horned larks establish their nests in 
areas of extensive bare ground, and nests are placed adjacent to clumps 
of bunchgrass (Pearson and Hopey 2004, pp. 1-2). In the Willamette 
Valley, nests are almost always placed on the north side of a clump of 
vegetation or another object such as root balls or soil clumps (Moore 
and Kotaich 2010, p. 18). Studies from Washington sites (the open 
coast, Puget lowlands and the Columbia River islands) have found strong 
natal fidelity to nesting sites--that is, streaked horned larks return 
each year to the place they were born (Pearson et al. 2008, p. 11).
    The nesting season for streaked horned larks begins in mid-April 
and ends in the early part of August (Pearson and Hopey 2004, p. 11; 
Moore 2011, p. 32). Clutches range from 1 to 5 eggs, with a mean of 3 
eggs (Pearson and Hopey 2004, p. 12). After the first nesting attempt 
in April, streaked horned larks will often re-nest in late June or 
early July (Pearson and Hopey 2004, p. 11). Young streaked horned larks 
leave the nest by the end of the first week after hatching, and are 
cared for by the parents until they are about 4 weeks old when they 
become independent (Beason 1995, p. 15).
    Nest success studies (i.e., the proportion of nests that result in 
at least one fledged chick) in streaked horned larks report highly 
variable results. Nest success on the Puget lowlands of Washington is 
low, with only 28 percent

[[Page 61946]]

of nests successfully fledging young (Pearson and Hopey 2004, p. 14, 
Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 16). According to reports from sites in the 
Willamette Valley, Oregon, nest success has varied from 23 to 60 
percent depending on the site (Altman 1999, p. 1; Moore and Kotaich 
2010, p. 23). At one site in Portland, Oregon, Moore (2011, p. 11) 
found 100 percent nest success.
    Historically, nesting habitat was found on grasslands, estuaries, 
and sandy beaches in British Columbia, in dune habitats along the coast 
of Washington, in western Washington and western Oregon prairies, and 
on the sandy beaches and spits along the Columbia and Willamette 
Rivers. Today, the streaked horned lark nests in a broad range of 
habitats, including native prairies, coastal dunes, fallow and active 
agricultural fields, wetland mudflats, sparsely-vegetated edges of 
grass fields, recently planted Christmas tree farms with extensive bare 
ground, moderately- to heavily-grazed pastures, gravel roads or gravel 
shoulders of lightly-traveled roads, airports, and dredge deposition 
sites in the lower Columbia River (Altman 1999, p. 18; Pearson and 
Altman 2005, p. 5; Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 15; Moore 2008, pp. 9-10, 
12-14, 16). Wintering streaked horned larks use habitats that are very 
similar to breeding habitats (Pearson et al. 2005b, p. 8).
    Habitat used by larks is generally flat with substantial areas of 
bare ground and sparse low-stature vegetation primarily comprised of 
grasses and forbs (Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 27). Suitable habitat is 
generally 16-17 percent bare ground, and may be even more open at sites 
selected for nesting (Altman 1999, p.18; Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 
27). Vegetation height is generally less than 13 in (33 cm) (Altman 
1999, p.18; Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 27). Larks eat a wide variety of 
seeds and insects (Beason 1995, p. 6), and appear to select habitats 
based on the structure of the vegetation rather than the presence of 
any specific food plants (Moore 2008, p. 19). A key attribute of 
habitat used by larks is open landscape context. Our data indicate that 
sites used by larks are generally found in open (i.e., flat, treeless) 
landscapes of 300 acres (120 ha) or more (Converse et al. 2010, p. 21). 
Some patches with the appropriate characteristics (i.e., bare ground, 
low stature vegetation) may be smaller in size if the adjacent areas 
provide the required open landscape context; this situation is common 
in agricultural habitats and on sites next to water. For example, many 
of the sites used by larks on the islands in the Columbia River are 
small (less than 100 ac (40 ha)), but are adjacent to open water, which 
provides the open landscape context needed. Streaked horned lark 
populations are found at nearly every airport within the range of the 
subspecies, because airport maintenance requirements provide the 
desired open landscape context and short vegetation structure.
    Although streaked horned larks use a wide variety of habitats, 
populations are vulnerable because the habitats used are often 
ephemeral or subject to frequent human disturbance. Ephemeral habitats 
include bare ground in agricultural fields and wetland mudflats; 
habitats subject to frequent human disturbance include mowed fields at 
airports, managed road margins, agricultural crop fields, and disposal 
sites for dredge material (Altman 1999, p. 19).
Historical Range and Distribution
    The streaked horned lark's breeding range historically extended 
from southern British Columbia, Canada, south through the Puget 
lowlands and outer coast of Washington, along the lower Columbia River, 
through the Willamette Valley, the Oregon coast and into the Umpqua and 
Rogue River Valleys of southwestern Oregon.
    British Columbia. The streaked horned lark was never considered 
common in British Columbia, but local breeding populations were known 
on Vancouver Island, in the Fraser River Valley, and near Vancouver 
International Airport (Campbell et al. 1997, p. 120; COSEWIC 2003, p. 
5). The population declined throughout the 20th century (COSEWIC 2003, 
pp. 13-14); breeding has not been confirmed since 1978, and the 
subspecies is considered to be extirpated in British Columbia (COSEWIC 
2003, p. 15). A single streaked horned lark was sighted on Vancouver 
Island in 2002 (COSEWIC 2003, p. 16).
    Washington. The first report of streaked horned lark in the San 
Juan Islands, Washington, was in 1948 from Cattle Point (Goodge 1950, 
p. 28). There are breeding season records of streaked horned larks from 
San Juan and Lopez Islands in the 1950s and early 1960s (Retfalvi 1963, 
p. 13; Lewis and Sharpe 1987, p. 148, 204), but the last record dates 
from 1962, when seven individuals were seen in July on San Juan Island 
at Cattle Point (Retfalvi 1963, p. 13). The WDFW conducted surveys in 
1999 in the San Juan Islands (Rogers 1999, pp. 3-4). Suitable nesting 
habitat was visually searched and a tape recording of streaked horned 
lark calls was used to elicit responses and increase the chance of 
detections (Rogers 1999, p. 4). In 2000, MacLaren and Cummins (in 
Stinson 2005, p.63) surveyed several sites recommended by Rogers (1999) 
including Cattle Point and Lime Kiln Point on San Juan Island. No larks 
were detected in the San Juan Islands during either survey effort 
(Rogers 1999, p. 4; Stinson 2005, p. 63).
    There are a few historical records of streaked horned larks on the 
outer coast of Washington near Lake Quinault, the Quinault River and 
the Humptulips River in the 1890s (Jewett et al. 1953, p. 438; Rogers 
2000, p. 26). More recent records reported larks at Leadbetter Point 
and Graveyard Spit in Pacific County in the 1960s and 1970s (Rogers 
2000, p. 26). But no larks were detected on the Outer Coast during 
surveys conducted there in 1999 and 2000 (Stinson 2005, p. 63).
    There are scattered records of streaked horned larks in the 
northern Puget Trough, including sightings in Skagit and Whatcom 
Counties in the mid-20th century (Altman 2011, p. 201). The last 
recorded sighting of a streaked horned lark in the northern Puget 
Trough was at the Bellingham Airport in 1962 (Stinson 2005, p. 52).
    Over a century ago, the streaked horned lark was described as a 
common summer resident in the prairies of the Puget Sound region in 
Washington (Bowles 1898, p. 53; Altman 2011, p. 201). Larks were 
considered common in the early 1950s ``in the prairie country south of 
Tacoma'' and had been observed on the tide flats south of Seattle 
(Jewett et al. 1953, p. 438). By the mid-1990s, only a few scattered 
breeding populations existed on the south Puget Sound on remnant 
prairies and near airports (Altman 2011, p. 201).
    There are sporadic records of streaked horned larks along the 
Columbia River. Sightings on islands near Portland, Oregon, date back 
to the early 1900s (Rogers 2000, p. 27). A number of old reports of 
streaked horned larks from the Columbia River east of the Cascade 
Mountains have been re-examined, and have been recognized as the 
subspecies Eremophila alpestris merrilli (Rogers 2000, p. 27; Stinson 
2005, p. 51). On the lower Columbia River, it is probable that streaked 
horned larks breed only as far east as Clark County, Washington, and 
Multnomah County, Oregon (Roger 2000, p. 27; Stinson 2005, p. 51).
    Oregon. The streaked horned lark's range extends south through the 
Willamette Valley of Oregon where it was considered abundant and a 
common summer resident over a hundred years ago (Johnson 1880, p. 636; 
Anthony 1886, p. 166). In the 1940s, the subspecies was described as a 
common permanent resident in the

[[Page 61947]]

southern Willamette Valley (Gullion 1951, p. 141). By the 1990s, the 
streaked horned lark was called uncommon in the Willamette Valley, 
nesting locally in small numbers in large open fields (Gilligan et al. 
1994, p. 205; Altman 1999, p. 18). In the early 2000s, a population of 
more than 75 breeding pairs was found at the Corvallis Municipal 
Airport, making this the largest population of streaked horned larks 
known (Moore 2008, p. 15).
    The streaked horned lark, while occasionally present, was never 
reported to be more than uncommon on the Oregon coast. The subspecies 
was described as an uncommon and local summer resident all along the 
coast on sand spits (Gilligan et al. 1994, p. 205); a few nonbreeding 
season records exist for the coastal counties of Clatsop, Tillamook, 
Coos, and Curry (Gabrielson and Jewett 1940, p. 403). Small numbers of 
larks were known to breed at the South Jetty of the Columbia River in 
Clatsop County, but the site was abandoned in the 1980s (Gilligan et 
al.1994, p. 205). There are no recent occurrence records from the 
Oregon coast.
    In the early 1900s, the streaked horned lark was considered a 
common permanent resident of the Umpqua and Rogue River Valleys 
(Gabrielson and Jewett 1940, p. 402). The last confirmed breeding 
record in the Rogue Valley was in 1976 (Marshall et al. 2003, p. 425). 
There are no recent reports of streaked horned larks in the Umpqua 
Valley (Gilligan et al. 1994, p. 205; Marshall et al. 2003, p. 425).
Current Range and Distribution
    Breeding Range. The streaked horned lark has been extirpated as a 
breeding species throughout much of its range, including all of its 
former range in British Columbia, the San Juan Islands, the northern 
Puget Trough, the Washington coast north of Grays Harbor, the Oregon 
coast, and the Rogue and Umpqua Valleys in southwestern Oregon (Pearson 
& Altman 2005, pp. 4-5).
    The current range of the streaked horned lark can be divided into 
three regions: (1) The south Puget Sound in Washington; (2) the 
Washington coast and lower Columbia River islands (including dredge 
spoil deposition sites near the Columbia River in Portland, Oregon); 
and (3) the Willamette Valley in Oregon.
    In the south Puget Sound, the streaked horned lark is found in 
Mason, Pierce, and Thurston Counties, Washington (Rogers 2000, p. 37; 
Pearson and Altman 2005, p. 23; Pearson et al. 2005a, p. 2; Anderson 
2009, p. 4). Recent studies have found that streaked horned larks 
currently breed on six sites in the south Puget Sound. Four of these 
sites (13th Division Prairie, Gray Army Airfield, McChord Field, and 
91st Division Prairie) are on JBLM. Small populations of larks also 
breed at the Olympia Regional Airport and the Port of Shelton's 
Sanderson Field (airport) (Pearson and Altman 2005, p. 23; Pearson et 
al. 2008, p. 3).
    On the Washington coast, there are four known breeding sites: (1) 
Damon Point; (2) Midway Beach; (3) Graveyard Spit; and (4) Leadbetter 
Point in Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties. On the lower Columbia 
River, streaked horned larks breed on several of the sandy islands 
downstream of Portland, Oregon. Recent surveys have documented breeding 
streaked horned larks on Rice, Miller Sands Spit, Pillar Rock, Welch, 
Tenasillahe, Coffeepot, Whites/Browns, Wallace, Crims, and Sandy 
Islands in Wahkiakum and Cowlitz Counties in Washington, and Columbia 
and Clatsop Counties in Oregon (Pearson and Altman 2005, p. 23; 
Anderson 2009, p. 4; Lassen 2011, in litt.). The Columbia River forms 
the border between Washington and Oregon; some of the islands occur 
wholly in Oregon or Washington, and some are bisected by the State 
line. Larks also breed in Portland (Multnomah County, Oregon) at 
suitable sites near the Columbia River. These include an open field at 
the Rivergate Industrial Complex and the Southwest Quad at Portland 
International Airport; both sites are owned by the Port of Portland, 
and are former dredge spoil deposition fields (Moore 2011, pp. 9-12).
    In the Willamette Valley, streaked horned larks breed in Benton, 
Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill Counties. 
Larks are most abundant in the southern part of the Willamette Valley. 
The largest known population of larks is resident at Corvallis 
Municipal Airport in Benton County (Moore 2008. p. 15); other resident 
populations occur at the Baskett Slough, William L. Finley, and Ankeny 
units of the Service's Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge 
Complex (Moore 2008, pp. 8-9). Breeding populations also occur at 
municipal airports in the valley (including McMinnville, Salem, and 
Eugene) (Moore 2008, pp. 14-17). In 2008, a large population of 
streaked horned larks colonized a wetland and prairie restoration site 
on M-DAC Farms, a privately-owned parcel in Linn County; as the 
vegetation at the site matured in the following 2 years, the site 
became less suitable for larks, and the population declined (Moore and 
Kotaich 2010, pp. 11-13). This is likely a common pattern, as breeding 
streaked horned larks shift sites as habitat becomes available among 
private agricultural lands in the Willamette Valley (Moore 2008, pp. 9-
11).
    Wintering Range. Pearson et al. (2005b, p. 2) found that the 
majority of streaked horned larks winter in the Willamette Valley (72 
percent) and on the islands in the lower Columbia River (20 percent); 
the rest winter on the Washington coast (8 percent) or in the south 
Puget Sound (1 percent). In the winter, most of the streaked horned 
larks that breed in the south Puget Sound migrate south to the 
Willamette Valley or west to the Washington coast; streaked horned 
larks that breed on the Washington coast either remain on the coast or 
migrate south to the Willamette Valley; birds that breed on the lower 
Columbia River islands remain on the islands or migrate to the 
Washington coast; and birds that breed in the Willamette Valley remain 
there over the winter (Pearson et al. 2005b, pp. 5-6). Streaked horned 
larks spend the winter in large groups of mixed subspecies of horned 
larks in the Willamette Valley, and in smaller flocks along the lower 
Columbia River and Washington Coast (Pearson et al. 2005b, p. 7; 
Pearson and Altman 2005, p. 7). During the winter of 2008, a mixed 
flock of over 300 horned larks was detected at the Corvallis Municipal 
Airport (Moore 2011a, pers. comm.).
Population Estimates and Current Status
    Data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) indicate 
that most grassland-associated birds, including the horned lark, have 
declined across their ranges in the past three decades (Sauer et al. 
2011, pp. 3-5). The BBS can provide population trend data only for 
those species with sufficient sample sizes for analyses; there is 
insufficient data in the BBS for a rangewide analysis of the streaked 
horned lark's population trend (Altman 2011, p. 214). An analysis of 
recent data from a variety of sources concludes that the streaked 
horned lark has been extirpated from the Georgia Depression (British 
Columbia, Canada), the Oregon coast, and the Rogue and Umpqua Valleys 
(Altman 2011, p. 213); this analysis estimates the current rangewide 
population of streaked horned larks to be about 1,170-1,610 individuals 
(Altman 2011, p. 213).
    In the south Puget Sound, approximately 150-170 streaked horned 
larks breed at six sites (Altman 2011, p. 213). Recent studies have 
found that larks have very low nest success in

[[Page 61948]]

Washington (Pearson et al. 2008, p. 8); comparisons with other ground-
nesting birds in the same prairie habitats in the south Puget Sound 
showed that streaked horned larks had significantly lower values in all 
measures of reproductive success (Anderson 2010, p. 16). Estimates of 
population growth rate ([lambda], lambda) that include vital rates from 
nesting areas in the south Puget Sound, Washington coast, and Whites 
Island in the lower Columbia River indicate that the Washington 
population is declining precipitously; one study estimated that the 
population of streaked horned larks was declining by 40 percent per 
year ([lambda] = 0.61  0.10 SD), apparently due to a 
combination of low survival and fecundity rates (Pearson et al., 2008, 
p. 12). More recent analyses of territory mapping at 4 sites in the 
south Puget Sound found that the total number of breeding streaked 
horned lark territories decreased from 77 territories in 2004 to 42 
territories in 2007--a decline of over 45 percent in 3 years (Camfield 
et al. 2011, p. 8). Pearson et al. (2008, p. 14) concluded that there 
is a high probability of south Puget Sound population loss in the 
future given the low estimates of fecundity and adult survival along 
with high emigration out of the Puget Sound.
    On the Washington coast and Columbia River islands, there are about 
120-140 breeding larks (Altman 2011, p. 213). Data from the Washington 
coast and Whites Islands were included in the population growth rate 
study discussed above; populations at these sites appear to be 
declining by 40 percent per year (Pearson et al. 2008, p. 12). 
Conversely, nest success is very high at the Portland industrial sites 
(Rivergate and the Southwest Quad). In 2010, nearly all nests 
successfully fledged young (Moore 2011, p. 13); only 1 of 10 monitored 
nests lost young to predation (Moore 2011, pp. 11-12).
    There are about 900-1,300 breeding streaked horned larks in the 
Willamette Valley (Altman 2011, p. 213). The largest known population 
of streaked horned larks breeds at the Corvallis Municipal Airport; 
depending on the management conducted at the airport and the 
surrounding grass fields each year, the population has been as high as 
100 breeding pairs (Moore and Kotaich 2010, pp. 13-15). In 2007, a 
large (580-acre (235-ha)) wetland and native prairie restoration 
project was initiated at M-DAC Farms on a former rye grass field in 
Linn County (Cascade Pacific RC&D 2012, p. 1). Large semipermanent 
wetlands were created at the site, and the prairie portions were burned 
and treated with herbicides (Moore and Kotaich 2010, pp. 11-13). These 
conditions created excellent quality ephemeral habitat for streaked 
horned larks and the site was used by about 75 breeding pairs in 2008 
(Moore and Kotaich 2010, p. 12), making M-DAC the second-largest known 
breeding population of streaked horned larks that year. M-DAC had high 
use again in 2009, but as vegetation at the site matured, the number of 
breeding larks has declined, likely shifting to other agricultural 
habitats (Moore and Kotaich 2010, p. 13).
    We do not have population trend data in Oregon that is comparable 
to the study in Washington by Pearson et al. (2008, entire); however, 
research on breeding streaked horned larks indicates that nest success 
in the southern Willamette Valley is higher than in Washington (Moore 
2011b, pers. comm.). The best information on trends in the Willamette 
Valley comes from surveys by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 
(ODFW); the agency conducted surveys for grassland-associated birds, 
including the streaked horned lark, in 1996 and again in 2008 (Altman 
1999, p. 2; Myers and Kreager 2010, p. 2). Point count surveys were 
conducted at 544 stations in the Willamette Valley (Myers and Kreager 
2010, p. 2); over the 12-year period between the surveys, measures of 
relative abundance of streaked horned larks increased slightly from 
1996 to 2008 (Myers and Kreager 2010, p. 11). Population numbers 
decreased slightly in the northern Willamette Valley and increased 
slightly in the middle and southern portions of the valley (Myers and 
Kreager 2010, p. 11).
    We do not have conclusive data on population trends throughout the 
lark's range, but the rapidly declining population on the south Puget 
Sound suggests that the range of the streaked horned lark may still be 
contracting.
Range Contraction
    The streaked horned lark has experienced a substantial contraction 
of its range; it has been extirpated from all formerly documented 
locations at the northern end of its range (British Columbia, and the 
San Juan Islands and northern Puget Trough of Washington), the Oregon 
coast, and the southern edge of its range (Rogue and Umpqua Valleys of 
Oregon). The lark's current range appears to have been reduced to less 
than half the size of its historical range in the last 100 years. The 
pattern of range contractions for other Pacific Northwest species 
(e.g., western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta)) shows a loss of 
populations in the northern part of the range, with healthier 
populations persisting in the southern part of the range (Altman 2011, 
p. 214). The streaked horned lark is an exception to this pattern--its 
range has contracted from both the north and the south simultaneously 
(Altman 2011, p. 215).

Summary of Factors Affecting the Species

    Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533), and its implementing 
regulations at 50 CFR part 424, set forth the procedures for adding 
species to the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and 
Plants. Under section 4(a)(1) of the Act, we may list a species based 
on any of the following five factors: (A) The present or threatened 
destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (B) 
overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes; (C) disease or predation; (D) the inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; and (E) other natural or manmade 
factors affecting its continued existence. Listing actions may be 
warranted based on any of the above threat factors, singly or in 
combination. Each of these factors is discussed below.
    In making this finding, information pertaining to each of the 
species in question in relation to the five factors provided in section 
4(a)(1) of the Act is discussed below. In considering what factors 
might constitute threats, we must look beyond the mere exposure of the 
species to the factor to determine whether the species responds to the 
factor in a way that causes actual impacts to the species. If there is 
exposure to a factor, but no response, or only a positive response, 
that factor is not a threat. If there is exposure and the species 
responds negatively, the factor may be a threat and we then attempt to 
determine how significant a threat it is. If the threat is significant, 
it may drive or contribute to the risk of extinction of the species 
such that the species warrants listing as an endangered or threatened 
species as those terms are defined by the Act. This does not 
necessarily require empirical proof of a threat. The combination of 
exposure and some corroborating evidence of how the species is likely 
impacted could suffice. The mere identification of factors that could 
impact a species negatively is not sufficient to compel a finding that 
listing is appropriate; we require evidence that these factors are 
operative threats that act on the species to the point that the species 
meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the 
Act.
    We considered and evaluated the best available scientific and 
commercial information in evaluating the factors

[[Page 61949]]

affecting each of the species under consideration in this proposed 
rule.

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

    Under this factor, the primary long term threats to Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark are the loss, 
conversion, and degradation of habitat particularly to agricultural and 
urban development, successional changes to grassland habitat, and the 
spread of invasive plants.
    The prairies of south Puget Sound and western Oregon are part of 
one of the rarest ecosystems in the United States (Noss et al. 1995, p. 
I-2; Dunn and Ewing 1997, p. v). Dramatic changes have occurred on the 
landscape over the last 150 years, including a 90 to 95 percent 
reduction in the prairie ecosystem. In the south Puget Sound region, 
where most of western Washington's prairies historically occurred, less 
than 10 percent of the original prairie persists, and only 3 percent 
remains dominated by native vegetation (Crawford and Hall 1997, pp. 13-
14). In the remaining prairies, many of the native bunchgrass 
communities have been replaced by nonnative pasture grasses (Rogers 
2000, p. 41), which larks avoid using for territories and nest sites 
(Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 27). In the Willamette Valley, Oregon, 
native grassland has been reduced from the most common vegetation type 
to scattered parcels intermingled with rural residential development 
and farmland; it is estimated that less than one percent of the native 
grassland and savanna remains in Oregon (Altman et al. 2001, p. 261).
Development
    Native prairies and grasslands have been severely reduced 
throughout the range of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the 
streaked horned lark as a result of human activity due to conversion of 
habitat to residential and commercial development and agriculture. 
Prairie habitat continues to be lost, particularly to residential 
development (Stinson 2005, p. 70) by removal of native vegetation and 
the excavation and grading of surfaces and conversion to non-habitat 
(buildings, pavement, other infrastructure). Residential development is 
associated with increased infrastructure such as new road construction, 
which is one of the primary causes of landscape fragmentation (Watts et 
al. 2007, p. 736). Activities that accompany low-density development 
are correlated with decreased levels of biodiversity, mortality to 
wildlife, and facilitated introduction of nonnative invasive species 
(Trombulak and Frissell 2000, entire; Watts et al. 2007, p. 736). In 
the south Puget Sound lowlands, the glacial outwash soils and gravels 
underlying the prairies are deep and valuable for use in construction 
and road building, which leads to their degradation and destruction.
    Since the 1850s, much of the Willamette Valley of Oregon has been 
altered by development (agricultural and urban). About 96 percent of 
the Willamette Valley is privately owned, and it is both the fastest 
growing area in Oregon and the most densely populated. The Willamette 
Valley provides about half of the state's agricultural sales, and 16 of 
top 17 private sector employers (manufacturing, high technology, forest 
products, agriculture, and services) are located there. The population 
projected for 2050 is approximately four million, or nearly double the 
current population (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 2006, p. 
237). The increase in population will result in increased building 
construction and road development, further impacting the remaining 
prairies and oak woodlands.
    Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly. The habitat of Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly is highly fragmented across the region due to agricultural 
and low-density residential development. Fragmentation due to 
residential and associated road development has led to a reduction of 
native larval host plants and adult nectar plants as introduced 
invasive plant species, primarily Mediterranean grasses and shrubs such 
as Scot's broom, increasingly dominate the landscape and outcompete 
native plant species (see discussion below, under Invasives). 
Construction directly destroys habitat, as does conversion, and may 
kill any sessile or slow-moving organism in the construction footprint 
(Trombulak and Frissell 2000, p. 19). Unlike many other species of 
butterflies, Taylor's checkerspot butterflies spend approximately 50 
weeks of their life cycle as eggs, larvae, or pupae with only a brief 
window of time (approximately 1-2 weeks) as winged adults (Stinson 
2005, p. 78). Commercial and residential development, construction of 
related infrastructure including roads, and conversion of habitat to 
incompatible uses such as gravel mining directly affects Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly larvae by killing individuals and destroying 
habitat.
    When in flight, butterflies become subject to mortality from 
collision with vehicles on roads associated with residential 
development, which is commonly known to affect animals of all sizes, 
but especially insects (Trombulak and Frissell 2000, p. 20). Since the 
short flight season of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies directly 
corresponds with their reproductive period, death of gravid females 
could lead to population level consequences such as failure of entire 
populations. These sorts of traffic-collision related deaths may 
disproportionately affect Taylor's checkerspot butterflies in 
comparison with other butterflies, as many other kinds of butterflies 
are in flight for periods much longer than just their reproductive 
window.
    Four historical locales for Taylor's checkerspot butterflies in the 
south Puget Sound region were lost to development or conversion. 
Dupont, Spanaway, and Lakewood were all converted to urban areas, and 
JBLM Training Area 7S became a gravel pit (Stinson 2005, pp. 93-96).
    Streaked Horned Lark. Horned larks need expansive areas of flat, 
open ground to establish breeding territories. The large, flat, 
treeless areas that airports necessarily require have become attractive 
breeding sites for streaked horned larks as native prairies and scoured 
river banks in the Pacific Northwest have declined. Five of the six 
streaked horned lark nesting sites remaining in the Puget lowlands are 
located on or adjacent to airports and military airfields (Rogers 2000, 
p. 37; Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 15). At least four breeding sites are 
found at airports in the Willamette Valley, including the largest known 
population at Corvallis Municipal Airport (Moore 2008, pp. 14-17). 
Stinson (2005, p. 70) concluded that if large areas of grass had not 
been maintained at airports, the streaked horned lark might have been 
extirpated from the south Puget Sound area. Although routine mowing to 
meet flight path regulations helps to maintain grassland habitat in 
suitable condition for nesting larks, the timing of mowing is critical.
    Mowing during the active breeding season (mid-April to late July) 
can destroy nests or flush adults, which may result in nest failure 
(Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 17; Stinson 2005, p. 72). Some of the 
airports in the range of the streaked horned lark have adjusted the 
frequency and timing of mowing in recent years to minimize impacts to 
larks (Pearson and Altman 2005, p. 10). In 2011, McChord Air Field at 
JBLM agreed to a mowing regime which would provide protections to the 
lark during their nesting period. Unfortunately, recent unseasonably 
wet weather hasn't allowed this strategy to be implemented. WDFW 
coordinates mowing schedules at the Olympia Airport to reduce impacts 
to larks.

[[Page 61950]]

    In 2008, the Port of Olympia prepared an Interlocal Agreement with 
the WDFW that outlines management recommendations and mitigation for 
impacts to state-listed species from development at the airport. In 
December, 2010, a white paper and supplemental planning memorandum was 
developed as part of the Airport Master Plan Update (Port of Olympia 
2010, entire). This document, which is outlined in Appendix 2 of the 
Master Plan Update, outlines management recommendations for the 
protection of critical areas and priority species, including the 
streaked horned lark. The recommendations include minimizing 
development, retaining open or bare ground, and avoiding mowing during 
the nesting season (March 15 through August 15) in known or potential 
lark nesting areas. Although the Port does not anticipate any 
development to occur in the streaked horned lark nesting areas within 
the next 20 years, the agreement is not a regulatory document that 
would preclude future development, which is a primary source of revenue 
for the Port.
    Airport expansions could result in further losses of some 
populations. At the Olympia Airport, hangars were built in 2005 on 
habitat used by streaked horned larks for foraging, resulting in a loss 
of grass and forb-dominated habitat, which could result in a smaller 
local population due to reduced habitat availability for breeding and 
wintering larks (Pearson and Altman 2005, p. 12). Based on discussions 
with staff at Sanderson Field in Shelton, future development plans do 
not include impacts to streaked horned lark habitat at this time. The 
majority of the proposed development at Sanderson Field will occur in 
areas already impacted (between existing buildings). The West Ramp at 
Gray Army Air Field on JBLM was expanded in 2005 into areas previously 
used by breeding larks, resulting in a loss of available breeding 
habitat (Stinson 2005, p. 72).
    At Portland International Airport, streaked horned larks nest in an 
area called the Southwest Quad; this is an old dredge material 
deposition site in a currently unused part of the airport. The Port of 
Portland, which owns the airport, may propose to develop the Southwest 
Quad to accommodate future expansion, though there is no current plan 
in place (Green 2012, in litt.). The future development of the 
Southwest Quad would result in the loss of at least 33 ac (13 ha) of 
habitat and three breeding territories (Moore 2011, p. 12).
    The 13th Division Prairie at JBLM is used for helicopter operations 
(paratrooper practices, touch-and-go landings, and load drop and 
retrievals) and troop training activities. Foot traffic and training 
maneuvers that are conducted during the streaked horned lark breeding 
season likely are a contributing factor to nest failure and low nest 
success at 13th Division Prairie. Recently, a lark nest was destroyed 
at 13th Division Prairie by a porta-potty service vehicle (Linders 
2012b, in litt.). Artillery training, off-road use of vehicles and 
troop maneuvers at the 91st Division Prairie are also conducted in 
areas used by larks during the nesting season. Because access into this 
training area is limited and streaked horned lark surveys are only 
conducted opportunistically, we do not know if or how many lark nests 
are lost due to military activities at 91st Division Prairie.
    Industrial development has also reduced habitat available to 
breeding and wintering larks. The Rivergate Industrial Park, owned by 
the Port of Portland, is a large industrial site in north Portland near 
the Columbia River; the site is developed on a dredge spoil field, and 
still has some large areas of open space between the industrial 
buildings. Rivergate has been an important breeding site for streaked 
horned larks, and a wintering site for mixed flocks of up to five 
horned lark subspecies (including the streaked horned lark). In 1990, 
the field used by larks at Rivergate measured more than 260 ha (650 
acres) of open sandy habitat (Dillon 2012, pers. comm.). In the years 
since, new industrial buildings have been constructed on the site; now 
only one patch of 32 ha (79 acres) of open dredge spoil field remains 
(Moore 2011, p. 9) and the breeding population has dropped from 20 
pairs to 5 pairs in this time (Moore 2011, p. 10).
Loss of Ecological Disturbance Processes, Invasive Species, and 
Succession
    The suppression and loss of ecological disturbance regimes, such as 
fire and flooding, across vast portions of the landscape has resulted 
in altered vegetation structure in the prairies and meadows and has 
facilitated invasion by nonnative grasses and woody vegetation, 
rendering habitat unusable for Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and 
streaked horned larks. The basic ecological processes that maintain 
prairies, meadows, and scoured river banks have disappeared from, or 
have been altered on, all but a few protected and managed sites.
    Historically, the prairies and meadows of the south Puget Sound 
region of Washington and western Oregon are thought to have been 
actively maintained by the native peoples of the region, who lived here 
for at least 10,000 years before the arrival of Euro-American settlers 
(Boyd 1986, entire; Christy and Alverson 2011, p. 93). Frequent burning 
reduced the encroachment and spread of shrubs and trees (Boyd 1986, 
entire; Chappell and Kagan 2001, p. 42), favoring open grasslands with 
a rich variety of native plants and animals. Following Euro-American 
settlement of the region in the mid-19th century, fire was actively 
suppressed on grasslands, allowing encroachment by woody vegetation 
into the remaining prairie habitat and oak woodlands (Franklin and 
Dyrness 1973 p. 122; Boyd 1986, entire; Kruckeberg 1991, p. 287; Agee 
1993, p. 360; Altman et al. 2001, p. 262).
    Fires on the prairie create a mosaic of vegetation conditions, 
which serve to maintain native prairie forbs like Camassia quamash 
(common camas) Achillea millefolium (yarrow) and Lomatium spp. (desert 
parsley or biscuit root), which are adult nectar foods for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly. Stands of native perennial grasses (Festuca 
idahoensis ssp. roemeri (Roemer's fescue)) are also well adapted to 
regular fires and produce habitat favorable to the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly. In some prairie patches fires will reset succession back to 
bare ground, creating early successional vegetation conditions suitable 
for both Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and streaked horned larks 
(Pearson and Altman 2005, p. 13). The historical fire frequency on 
prairies has been estimated to be 3 to 5 years (Foster 2005, p. 8).
    The result of fire suppression has been the invasion of the 
prairies and oak woodlands by native and nonnative plant species (Dunn 
and Ewing 1997, p. v; Tveten and Fonda 1999, p. 146), notably woody 
plants such as the native Douglas-fir and the nonnative Scot's broom, 
and nonnative grasses such as Arrhenatherum elatus (tall oatgrass) in 
Washington and Brachypodium sylvaticum (false brome) in the Willamette 
Valley of Oregon. This increase in woody vegetation and nonnative plant 
species has resulted in less available prairie habitat overall and 
habitat that is avoided by Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and 
streaked horned larks (Tveten and Fonda 1999, p. 155; Pearson and Hopey 
2005, pp. 2, 27; Olson 2011a, pp. 12, 16).
    Most butterflies avoid densely forested areas, as they are unable 
to generate enough heat from their own metabolism to provide them with 
the heat and energy they need to fly in shaded conditions. Streaked 
horned larks prefer areas that afford long sight lines and have low 
vegetation; both of

[[Page 61951]]

which are impeded by the presence of trees.
    On tallgrass prairies in midwestern North America, fire suppression 
has led to degradation and the loss of native grasslands (Curtis 1959, 
pp. 296, 298; Panzer 2002, p. 1297). On northwestern prairies, fire 
suppression has allowed Douglas-fir to encroach on and outcompete 
native prairie vegetation for light, water, and nutrients (Stinson 
2005, p. 7). On JBLM alone, over 16,000 acres (6,477 ha) of prairie has 
converted to Douglas-fir forest since the mid-19th century (Foster and 
Shaff 2003, p. 284). Where controlled burns or direct tree removal are 
not used as a management tool, this encroachment will continue to cause 
the loss of open grassland habitats for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly.
    Restoration in some of the south Puget Sound grasslands in 
Washington has resulted in temporary control of Scot's broom and other 
invasive plants through the careful and judicious use of herbicides, 
mowing, grazing, and fire. Fire has been used as a management tool to 
maintain native prairie composition and structure and is generally 
acknowledged to improve the health and composition of grassland habitat 
by providing a short-term nitrogen addition, which results in a 
fertilizer effect to vegetation, thus aiding grasses and forbs as they 
resprout.
    Unintentional fires ignited by military training burns patches of 
prairie grasses and forbs on JBLM on an annual basis. These light 
ground fires create a mosaic of conditions within the grassland, 
maintaining a low vegetative structure of native and nonnative plant 
composition, and patches of bare soil. Because of the topography of the 
landscape, fires create a patchy mosaic of areas that burn completely, 
some areas that do not burn, and areas where consumption of the 
vegetation is mixed in its effects to the habitat. One of the benefits 
to fire in grasslands is that it tends to kill regenerating conifers, 
and reduces the cover of nonnative shrubs such as Scot's broom, 
although Scot's broom seed stored in the soil can be stimulated by fire 
(Agee 1993, p. 367). Fire also improves conditions for many native 
bulb-forming plants, such as Camassia sp. (camas) (Agee and Dunwiddie 
1984, p. 367). On sites where regular fires occur, such as on JBLM, 
there is a high complement of native plants and fewer invasive species. 
These types of fires promote the maintenance of the native short-
statured vegetation communities (Severns and Warren 2008, p. 476) 
favored by Taylor's checkerspot butterflies for larval and nectar food 
resources. Fire management to maintain or restore native vegetation is 
essential to maintaining suitable habitat for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly, but the timing of the management activity is important, as 
improperly-timed actions can destroy larvae, eggs, or adult 
butterflies.
    Management practices such as intentional burning and mowing require 
expertise in timing and technique to achieve desired results. If 
applied at the wrong season, frequency, or scale, fire and mowing can 
be detrimental to the restoration of native prairie species. For 
example, during a prescribed fire event that was implemented in an 
adjacent training area on JBLM in late summer 2011, fire occurred in an 
area containing Taylor's checkerspot butterfly habitat that was under a 
protection agreement. This burn was inconsistent with the prescribed 
burn plan and eliminated a large area of the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly larval host and nectaring plants on the 91st Division 
Prairie. Excessive and high intensity burning can result in a lack of 
vegetation or encourage regrowth to nonnative grasses. Where such 
burning has occurred over a period of more than 50 years on the 
artillery ranges of the JBLM, prairies are covered by nonnative forbs 
and grasses instead of native perennial bunchgrasses (Tveten and Fonda 
1999, pp. 154-155).
    Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly. On JBLM, the 91st Division Prairie 
is frequently ignited through routine training exercises involving 
ordnance, which prevents invasive shrubs and nonnative grasses and 
native Douglas-fir from encroaching onto the prairie, and preserves the 
high quality of habitat (larval and nectar food plants) for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies and the generally good condition of the 
prairie. Vegetation at this site remains in an early successional stage 
that is dominated by native grasses and forbs, such as Balsamorhiza 
deltoidea (deltoid balsamroot), which is an important Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly nectar plant. Fires on grassland (prairie) 
habitat generally have low fuel content and produce regular, short 
duration fires (Agee 1993, p. 354; Chappell and Kagan 2001, p. 43), 
which restricts the establishment of invasive plants and encroaching 
trees and helps to maintain native grasses and forbs. Swales and 
overall topographic heterogeneity prevent the entire grassland 
landscape from being consumed by fire, as grasslands fires tend to be 
patchy in their distribution creating a mosaic of conditions. Nonnative 
grasses have invaded many sites occupied by Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies (Severns and Warren 2008, p. 476). Several hundred acres 
(more than 40 ha) of tall oatgrass is currently encroaching upon the 
largest Taylor's checkerspot butterfly population in Washington (JBLM's 
91st Division Prairie).
    Bald habitats at the Forest Service and WDNR sites where Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies are found were formerly forested. These areas 
appear to have been colonized by Taylor's checkerspot butterfly shortly 
after they were cleared. At the time the trees were harvested from each 
of these balds they were reforested with conifers to comply with the 
Washington State Forest Practices rules. The establishment and growth 
of the conifers, and the establishment and expansion of Acer 
macrophyllum (bigleaf maple), Holodiscus discolor (oceanspray), and 
other shrubs has resulted in shaded habitat which have replaced areas 
that the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly is currently using. Sites that 
currently have Taylor's checkerspot butterflies present will quickly 
become unsuitable if trees and shrubs are not removed and if the site 
is not managed specifically for the long-term conservation of the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly or the maintenance of bald habitat. This 
is the case for several balds recently occupied by Taylor's but no 
longer supporting the species, including Bald Hills NAP in south Puget 
Sound, and Highway 112 and Striped Peak on the Olympic Peninsula.
    A large portion of the existing Taylor's checkerspot butterfly 
habitat on Denman Island in Canada resulted from timber harvest. After 
the area was logged, Taylor's checkerspot butterflies colonized the 
disturbed area from nearby suitable habitat. Currently, Alnus rubra 
(red alder), bigleaf maple, and Douglas-fir trees are expanding onto 
the site, which will directly threaten the butterfly habitat there 
(COSEWIC 2011, p. 18). As the forest becomes reestablished on the 
property, it will shade and outcompete the host plants for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly for space, water, light, and nutrients. The 
population of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly is expected to decline 
significantly within the next 10 years at the Canada site if the 
habitat on Denman Island is not managed for the species (COSEWIC 2011, 
p. 31).
    Streaked Horned Lark. Prior to the construction of dams on the 
Columbia River, annual flooding and scouring likely created nesting and 
wintering habitat for streaked horned larks on sandy islands and 
beaches along the river's edge (Stinson 2005, p. 67). Once the dams 
were in place, Salix spp. (willows), Populus trichocarpa (black 
cottonwood), and other vegetation established broadly on the sandbars 
and

[[Page 61952]]

banks (Rogers 2000, pp. 41-42), resulting in unsuitable habitat for 
larks. Loss of these habitats may have been partially ameliorated by 
the formation of dredge spoil islands that have been established as 
part of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (Corps) shipping channel 
maintenance (Stinson 2005, p. 67).
    Streaked horned larks currently use sand islands in the lower 
Columbia River for both breeding and wintering habitat; these islands 
are a mosaic of Federal, State, and private lands, but there are no 
management or conservation plans in place to protect larks or these 
important habitats. The Corps has a dredging program to maintain the 
navigation channel in the Columbia River. In 2002, the Corps 
established a deeper navigation channel in the river, a regular 
maintenance dredging program, and a plan for disposition of dredge 
material on the islands in the lower Columbia River (U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (USFWS) (USFWS 2002b, pp. 1-14). In this plan, the 
Corps addressed the disposition of dredge material in the lower 
Columbia River, which has the potential to both benefit and harm 
streaked horned larks, depending on the location and timing of 
deposition. Recent studies by Anderson (2010a, p. 29) on the islands in 
the lower Columbia River have shown that fresh dredge material 
stabilizes and develops sparse vegetation suitable for lark nesting 
approximately 3 years after deposition, and can be expected to remain 
suitable for approximately 2 years before vegetation becomes too dense. 
Thus, deposition of dredge material can be both a tool for habitat 
creation and a threat, as deposition of dredge material at the wrong 
time (e.g., during the nesting season) can destroy nests and young or 
degrade suitable habitat.
    Destruction of occupied lark habitat through the deposition of 
dredge materials has been documented several times on the lower 
Columbia River islands (Stinson 2005, p. 67; Pearson and Altman 2005, 
p. 11; Pearson et al. 2008, p. 14). In 2006, dredge spoils were 
deposited on Whites Island while larks were actively nesting. All nests 
at this site were apparently destroyed (Pearson 2012a, pers. comm.). 
This site had at least 21 nests and 13 territories during the 2005 
nesting season (Pearson et al. 2008, p. 21). In a similar situation on 
Rice Island, singing males were observed on Rice Island in June 2000, 
but dredge spoil was placed on the site in July 2000, which destroyed 
nesting habitat during the breeding season (MacLaren 2000, p. 3). In 
2004 on Miller Sands Spit, the Army Corps of Engineers deposited dredge 
material on lark breeding habitat, which likely resulted in nest 
failure (Pearson and Altman 2005, p. 10). The Corps has recently began 
working with the Center for Natural Lands Management to coordinate 
dredge spoil depositions with timing of lark breeding season (Anderson 
2011, in litt.).
    Dredge spoil deposition also creates habitat for Caspian terns 
(Sterna caspia), a native bird species that nests in very large numbers 
in the lower Columbia River; these large terns have been shown to eat 
substantial numbers of salmon smolts, and the reduction of predation by 
terns on young salmon has been the focus of an interagency effort for 
the past decade (Lyons et al. 2011, p. 2). One aspect of the effort to 
reduce the numbers of terns in the lower Columbia River has been a 
program to discourage tern nesting on Rice Island by planting 
vegetation and placing barrier fencing on open sandy habitats; these 
measures have also reduced habitat available to larks on the island and 
are ongoing (Stinson 2005, p. 73; Roby et al. 2011, p. 14).
    There is ample evidence that larks respond positively to habitat 
management that simulates natural processes. From 2001 through 2004, 
JBLM used nonbreeding season mowing and controlled burns to control 
Scot's broom (Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 30). The September 2004 burns 
resulted in increased lark abundance and a dramatic vegetative response 
on 13th Division Prairie; relative to the control sites, late summer 
fire in 2006 resulted in increased use of the burned areas by larks 
immediately after the fires, and in the breeding season following the 
fires (Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 30).
    Throughout the year, streaked horned larks use areas of bare ground 
or sparse vegetative cover in grasslands. These grasslands may be 
native prairies in the Puget lowlands, perennial or annual grass seed 
fields in the Willamette Valley, or the margins of airport runways 
throughout the range of the species. All of these habitats receive 
management to maintain desired structure: prairies require frequent 
burning or mowing to prevent succession to woodlands; agricultural 
fields are mowed at harvest or burned to reduce weed infestations; 
airports mow to maintain low-stature grasses around airfields to 
minimize attracting hazardous wildlife. Burning and mowing are 
beneficial to larks in that they maintain the habitat structure 
required by the bird, but these activities can also harm larks if the 
activities occur during the breeding season when nests and young are 
present (Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 29). In the nesting seasons from 
2002 to 2004, monitoring at the Puget lowlands sites (Gray Army 
Airfield, McChord Field, and Olympia Airport) documented nest failure 
of 8 percent of nests caused by mowing over the nests, young, and 
adults (Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 18). Habitat management to maintain 
low-stature vegetation is essential to maintaining suitable habitat for 
streaked horned larks, but the timing of the management is important, 
as improperly-timed actions can destroy nests and young.
Military Training
    Populations of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and streaked horned 
larks occurring on JBLM are exposed to differing levels of training 
activities on the base. The DOD's proposed actions under `Grow the 
Army' (GTA) include stationing 5,700 new soldiers, new combat service 
support units, a combat aviation brigade, facility demolition and 
construction to support the increased troop levels, additional 
aviation, maneuver, and live fire training (75 FR 55313, September 10, 
2010). The increased training activities will affect nearly all 
training areas at JBLM resulting in an increased risk of accidental 
fires, and habitat destruction and degradation through vehicle travel, 
dismounted training, bivouac activities, and digging. While training 
areas on the base have degraded habitat for these species, with 
implementation of conservation measures, these areas still provide 
habitat for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark.
    Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly. Military training on JBLM has 
resulted in direct mortality of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and 
destruction of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly habitat. Vehicle use and 
soldier foot traffic can crush larvae and damage larval host plants. 
These actions disrupt intact prairie plant communities by disturbing 
vegetation and exposing soils, directly introducing invasive plant 
seeds carried in on tires or boots, and accelerating the rate of 
establishment of invasive grasses or other nonnative plants that are 
light-seeded and easily blown onto a site from adjacent areas, like 
Cirsium spp. (thistles), Senecio spp. (groundsel), Chrysanthemum 
leucanthemum (oxeye daisy). For example, in January 2009 an exercise 
occurred that did not follow the documented training plan, which would 
have restricted vehicles to established roads in order to protect 
sensitive habitat. Instead vehicles moved haphazardly across an area 
known to be occupied by Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and streaked 
horned larks.

[[Page 61953]]

Approximately 67 ac (27 ha) of prairie were repeatedly traversed by 
eight wheeled armored personnel carriers known as Strykers. DOD staff 
later estimated that up to 37.5 ac (15 ha) were highly disturbed (Gruhn 
2009, pers. comm.), with much of this acreage scraped to bare soil 
(Linders 2009b, entire). This impact would have directly affected 
overwintering larvae by crushing larvae and destroying the larvae 
plants used by Taylor's checkerspot butterflies.
    Taylor's checkerspot butterfly counts were the lowest ever recorded 
at this site during the following spring (Linders 2009a, entire; 
Randolph 2009, p. 4; Thomas 2009, pers. obs). Prior to the butterfly 
flight season in May 2009, the three brigades of Strykers were 
dispatched away from JBLM and the prairies were not used for Stryker 
training during the spring of 2009 or 2010, which corresponds to the 
butterfly flight period. This training break allowed Range 74-76 of the 
91st Division Prairie to regenerate or recover the vegetative qualities 
associated with Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark 
habitat. JBLM has subsequently coordinated with the Service to 
establish specific conservation measures regarding vehicle use within 
this training area. Military training also occurs on a specific portion 
of the 91st Division Prairie called Training Area 50 where Taylor's 
larvae have been translocated during spring 2009, 2010, and 2011, and 
at the proposed checkerspot translocation site at 13th Division 
Prairie.
    Under the GTA initiative, more troops and vehicles will be 
stationed at JBLM; this is likely to result in increased pressure on 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly habitat and larvae, particularly if the 
Army continues training on 91st Division Prairie. It is likely that a 
higher number of troops will equate to a higher number of individuals 
recreating on JBLM in places like Marion and Jackson prairies (this is 
further discussed under recreational impacts below).
    Streaked Horned Lark. Military training, including bombardment with 
explosive ordnance and hot downdraft from aircraft has been documented 
to cause nest failure and abandonment for streaked horned larks at Gray 
Army Airfield and McChord Field at JBLM (Stinson 2005, pp. 71-72). 
These activities harass and may kill some streaked horned larks, but 
the frequent disturbance also helps to maintain sparse vegetation and 
open ground needed for streaked horned lark nesting.
    In the odd-numbered years since 2005, McChord Field has hosted a 
military training event known as the Air Mobility Rodeo. This 
international military training exercise is held at the end of July. 
This event includes aircraft, vehicles, and tents staged on or near 
lark nesting areas, although the majority of these activities take 
place on concrete hardstand areas (Geil 2010, in litt.). In even-
numbered years, McChord Field hosts a public air show known as Air 
Expo, which is scheduled in mid-July. At the Air Expo, aerial events 
incorporate simulated bombing and fire-bombing, including explosives 
and pyrotechnics launched from an area adjacent to the most densely 
populated streaked horned lark nesting site at this location; these 
disturbances likely have adverse effects to fledglings of late nests 
(Stinson 2005, p. 72). Surveys in 2004 detected 31 pairs of streaked 
horned larks at McChord Field (Anderson 2011, p. 14). In 2006, the 
number of lark pairs at McChord Field had dropped by more than half to 
14 pairs, and the number of lark pairs has remained low, with just 11 
pairs detected in 2011 (Anderson 2011, p. 14). The Rodeo and Air Expo 
events are scheduled to take advantage of the good weather that 
typically occurs in the summer on the south Puget Sound; this timeframe 
also coincides with the streaked horned lark nesting season, and the 
disturbance may continue to cause nest failure and abandonment (Pearson 
et al. 2005a, p. 18). During the airshows, tents, vehicles and 
concession stands are set up in the grassy areas along the runways used 
by streaked horned larks for nesting and thousands of visitors a day 
line the runways for viewing the shows.
    Airports routinely implement a variety of approaches to minimize 
the presence of hazardous wildlife on or adjacent to airfields and to 
prevent wildlife strikes by aircraft. McChord Field uses falcons to 
scare geese and gulls off the airfield, and also uses two dogs for this 
purpose; the falcons and dogs are part of McChord Field's Integrated 
Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard program and are designed to 
minimize aircraft and crew exposure to potentially hazardous bird and 
wildlife strikes (Geil 2010, in litt.). The falcons and dogs cause 
streaked horned larks to become alert and fly (Pearson and Altman 2005, 
p. 12), which imposes an energetic cost to adults and could expose 
nests to predation. Portland International Airport uses a variety of 
hazing and habitat management tools to minimize wildlife hazards. 
Raptors and waterfowl pose the greatest danger to aircraft operations, 
but the airport's Wildlife Hazard Management Plan aims to reduce the 
potential for any bird strikes (Port of Portland 2009, pp. 5-6). 
Streaked horned larks are not known to nest near the runways at 
Portland International Airport, but foraging individuals from the 
nearby Southwest Quad could be harassed by the hazing program, which 
could impose resulting energetic costs.
    JBLM has committed to restrictions both seasonally and 
operationally on military training areas, in order to avoid and 
minimize potential affects to the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and 
streaked horned lark. These restrictions include identified non-
training areas, seasonally restricted areas during breeding, and the 
adjustment of mowing schedules to protect these species. These 
conservation management practices are outlined in an operational plan 
that the Service has assisted the DOD in developing for JBLM (Thomas 
2012, pers. comm.).
Restoration Activities
    Management for invasive species and encroachment of conifers 
requires control through equipment, herbicides, and other activities. 
While restoration has conservation value for the species, management 
activities to implement restoration may also have direct impacts to the 
species that are the target of habitat restoration.
    Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly. On occupied sites, Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies are present throughout the year in some life 
cycle form. Restoration activities (application of herbicides, use of 
restoration equipment, and fire) can result in trampling, crushing and 
destruction of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly larvae and larval host 
plants. Mowing to reduce the cover and competition from woody species, 
if done at the wrong time of year, can crush larval host plants and 
nectar plants used by adult butterflies on a site.
    Streaked Horned Lark. The introduction of Ammophila arenaria 
(Eurasian beachgrass) and A. breviligulata (American beachgrass), 
currently found in high and increasing densities in most of coastal 
Washington and Oregon, has dramatically altered the structure of dunes 
on the outer coast (Wiedemann and Pickart 1996, p. 289). The tall leaf 
canopy of beachgrass creates areas of dense vegetation, which is 
unsuitable habitat for streaked horned lark nesting (MacLaren 2000, p. 
5). Streaked horned larks require sparse, low-stature vegetation with 
at least 16-17 percent bare ground; areas invaded by beachgrass are too 
dense for streaked horned larks. The area suitable for streaked horned 
lark breeding on the Washington coast has decreased as a result of the 
spread of beachgrasses (Stinson 2005, p. 65; USFWS 2011a, p.

[[Page 61954]]

4-2). In a 10-year period (from 1977 to 1987) at Leadbetter Point on 
the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge, spreading beachgrass reduced the 
available nesting habitat for streaked horned larks by narrowing the 
distance from vegetation to water by 112 feet (34 meters) (WDFW 1995, 
p. 19). Since 1985, encroaching beachgrasses have spread to cover over 
two-thirds of Damon Point at Grays Harbor, another lark breeding site 
on the Washington coast (WDFW 1995, p. 19). At Damon Point, Scot's 
broom is also encroaching on lark habitat, reducing the area available 
for nesting (Pearson 2011, in litt.). On the Oregon coast, the 
disappearance of the streaked horned lark has been attributed to the 
invasion of exotic beachgrasses and the resultant dune stabilization 
(Gilligan et al. 1994, p. 205).
    Some efforts have been successful in reducing the cover of 
encroaching beachgrasses. The Service's Willapa National Wildlife 
Refuge has restored habitat on Leadbetter Point. In 2007, the area of 
open habitat measured 84 ac (34 ha); after mechanical and chemical 
treatment to clear beachgrass (mostly American beachgrass) and 
spreading oyster shell across 45 ac (18 ha), 121 ac (50 ha) of sparsely 
vegetated open habitat suitable for lark nesting was created (Pearson 
et al. 2009, p. 23). The main target of the Leadbetter Point 
restoration project was the threatened western snowy plover (Charadrius 
alexandrinus nivosus), but the restoration actions also benefited the 
streaked horned lark. Before the restoration project, this area had 
just 2 streaked horned lark territories (Pearson et al. 2005a, p. 7); 
after the project, an estimated 8 to 10 territories were located in and 
adjacent to the restoration area (Pearson 2012b, pers. comm.).
Disease Impacts to Habitat
    Disease is not known to be a threat to the habitats of the streaked 
horned lark.
    Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly. Until recently disease was not 
known to be a factor affecting the habitat of the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly. We now have evidence of a plant pathogen (Pyrenopeziza 
plantaginis) known to affect the leaf tissue of the narrow-leaf 
plantain, the primary larval food for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly at 
several locations, and the exclusive larval food plant at all sites 
known from Oregon. At some locations on the north Olympic Peninsula, 
the Taylor's checkerspot butterflies select harsh paintbrush as the 
primary larval food plant and select narrow-leaf plantain as the 
secondary larval host. Pyrenopeziza plantaginis is active in late 
winter through early spring, and contributes to the mortality of leaf 
tissue at a time when post-diapause larvae are feeding on narrow-leaf 
plantain. Narrow-leaf plantain is an exotic but widely distributed 
invasive European weed in North America (Wolff and Schaal 1992, pp. 
326, 330). Although the pathogen is common in Europe it has only 
recently been reported in North America (Severns 2011, in litt.; Stone 
et al. 2011, p. 1). Severns and Warren (2008. p. 476) identified the 
pathogen on leaves of narrow-leaf plantain from remnant prairies in 
Benton County, Oregon, where Taylor's checkerspot butterflies are known 
to occur and where they feed exclusively on narrow-leaf plantain. 
Similar instances of leaf mortality were previously attributed to frost 
damage on prairies of south Puget Sound, Washington. Recently, P. 
plantaginis has been identified on narrow-leaf plantain at Scatter 
Creek Wildlife Area in Thurston County, and at the 91st Division 
Prairie on JBLM, in Pierce County; both sites are in Washington.
    Uncertainty exists regarding how Pyrenopeziza plantaginis affects 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly larvae. The pathogen has been identified 
locally in Washington at sites where Taylor's checkerspot larvae feed 
on narrow-leaf plantain. The pathogen kills leaf tissue in late winter 
and early spring, coinciding with the time post-diapause larvae are 
feeding (Severns 2011, in litt.), which would lead to declining food 
resource to support the butterfly's larvae. If the food resource is 
killed by this pathogen it may affect the ability of Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly larvae to survive through the critical larval 
feeding period prior to emergence as an adult butterfly. Therefore, 
based on our review of the best available scientific and commercial 
information, we conclude that disease may be a threat to the larval 
foods utilized by Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, and, subsequently, 
may indirectly affect the butterfly. At this time, we have evidence of 
the presence of this pathogen at Scatter Creek Wildlife Area in 
Washington, where the pathogen appears common and its effect to 
Plantago is severe (Severns 2011, in litt.) This threat may affect 
populations if the pathogen were to become widespread on sites occupied 
by Taylor's checkerspots; however, because we are uncertain of its 
potential as a population-level threat, we conclude that disease is a 
relatively minor threat to Taylor's checkerspot at this time, and we 
have no evidence to suggest that it is likely to become a significant 
threat within the future.
Transient Agricultural Habitat
    The Taylor's checkerspot butterfly is not affected by transient 
agricultural habitat.
    Streaked Horned Lark. Roughly half of all the agricultural land in 
the Willamette Valley is devoted to grass seed production fields 
(Oregon Seed Council 2012, p. 1). Grasslands--both rare native prairies 
and grass seed fields--are important habitats for streaked horned larks 
in the Willamette Valley; open areas within the grasslands are used for 
both breeding and wintering habitat (Altman 1999, p. 18; Moore and 
Kotaich 2010, p. 11; Myers and Kreager 2010, p. 9). About 420,000 ac 
(170,000 ha) in the Willamette Valley are currently planted in grass 
seed production fields. Demand for grass seed is declining in the 
current economic climate (Oregon Department of Agriculture 2011, p. 1); 
this decreased demand for grass seed has resulted in farmers switching 
to other agricultural commodities, such as wheat or nurseries and 
greenhouses (U.S. Department of Agriculture--National Agricultural 
Statistical Service Oregon Field Office 2009, p. 3; Oregon Department 
of Agriculture 2011, p. 1). The continued decline of the grass seed 
industry in the Willamette Valley will likely result in conversion from 
grass seed fields to other agricultural types; this will result in 
fewer acres of suitable breeding and wintering habitat for streaked 
horned larks.
    Another potential threat related to agricultural lands is the 
streaked horned lark's use of ephemeral habitats. In the breeding 
season, streaked horned larks will move into open habitats as they 
become available, and as the vegetation grows taller over the course of 
the season, will abandon the site to look for other open habitats later 
in the season (Beason 1995, p. 6). This ability to shift locations in 
response to habitat changes is a natural feature of the streaked horned 
lark's life history strategies, as breeding in recently disturbed 
habitats is part of their evolutionary history. In the Willamette 
Valley, patches of suitable habitat in the agricultural fields shift 
from place to place as fields are burned, mowed, or harvested. Other 
suitable sites appear when portions of grass fields perform poorly, 
inadvertently creating optimal habitat for larks. The shifting nature 
of suitable habitat is not in itself a threat; the potential threat is 
in the overall reduction of compatible agriculture, which would reduce 
the area within which lark habitat could occur.

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Summary of Factor A
    Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly. Taylor's checkerspot butterflies 
face threats from loss of habitat due to conversion of native 
grasslands to agriculture, and permanent loss when prairies are 
developed for residential or commercial purposes. Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies also face threats from changes in vegetation structure and 
composition of native grassland-dominated plant communities. Changes to 
vegetation structure and composition can occur through conversion to 
agriculture, through natural succession processes, and invasion by 
nonnative species (Agee 1993, p. 345; Chappell and Kagan 2001, p. 42). 
In addition to the loss of grasslands from development, conversion to 
agriculture, and other uses, as well as plant succession, these plant 
communities are faced with degradation due to invasion of the grassland 
habitat that remains by native conifers and nonnative pasture grasses, 
shrubs, and forbs. As grasslands have been converted, the availability 
of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly larval host plants and adult nectar 
plants has declined.
    In addition, we conclude that disease, specifically Pyrenopeziza 
plantaginis, may pose a potential threat to the larval food plant of 
the Taylor's checkerspot, and therefore a potential indirect threat to 
the species. However, we have no information to suggest that it is 
currently a threat to Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. Any threat of 
disease to the larval food plant for this species has the potential to 
become a threat in the future due to the small number of remaining 
populations of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. However, based on our 
review of the best available information, we have no data at this point 
to suggest that it is likely to become a widespread threat in the 
future.
    The current threats to Taylor's checkerspot butterflies are similar 
to those identified at the time the species was determined to be a 
candidate for listing in 2001. Since then, the threat from invasive 
species and their impacts on native vegetation has increased. Other 
threats, particularly the pressure to develop Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly habitat, have increased on Denman Island, Canada, in south 
Puget Sound, and in the Willamette Valley (IAE 2010, p. 1). Moreover, 
prior to entering two wars in 2003, military training (DOD, Army, JBLM) 
on occupied Taylor's checkerspot butterfly habitat was lower in 
intensity and duration. The only remaining high-quality native habitat 
occupied by the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly within the south Puget 
Sound region is found on the 91st Division Prairie of JBLM, a site of 
highly active training that can inadvertently result in the destruction 
of larval host plants and crushed larvae.
    Based on current projected development and impacts to habitat, the 
loss of historically occupied locations, military training, recreation, 
the limited distribution of the species, existing and future habitat 
fragmentation, habitat disturbance, and land use changes associated 
with agriculture and long-term fire suppression, we conclude that there 
are current and ongoing threats to Taylor's checkerspot butterfly 
habitat which are expected to continue into the future.
    Streaked Horned Lark. The streaked horned lark population decline 
in the south Puget Sound of Washington indicates that the observed 
range contraction for this subspecies may be continuing, and the 
subspecies may disappear from that region in the near future. There are 
many other ongoing threats to the streaked horned lark's habitat 
throughout its range, including: (1) Conversion to agriculture and 
industry; (2) loss of natural disturbance processes such as fire and 
flooding; (3) encroachment of woody vegetation; (4) invasion of coastal 
areas by nonnative beachgrasses; and (5) incompatible management 
practices. The continued loss and degradation of streaked horned lark 
habitat may result in smaller, more isolated habitats available to the 
subspecies, which could further depress the rangewide population or 
reduce the geographic distribution of the streaked horned lark. We 
conclude that the current and ongoing threats to streaked horned lark 
habitat are resulting in a significant impact to the species and its 
habitat and will continue into the future.

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

    Overutilization of species results when the number of individuals 
removed from the system exceeds the ability of the population of the 
species to sustain its numbers or reduces populations of the species to 
a level such that it is vulnerable to other influences (threats) upon 
its survival. This overutilization can result from removal of 
individuals from the wild for commercial, recreational, scientific or 
educational purposes.
    Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly. Populations of Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies have declined dramatically during the past decade. We know 
of no overutilization of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly for 
commercial, recreational, or educational purposes. However, scientific 
studies may have negatively affected Taylor's checkerspot butterfly 
populations at the 13th Division Prairie on JBLM (Vaughan and Black 
2002). Over 7,000 individuals were observed as recently as 1997, but 
only 10 adults were observed during surveys in 2000, and no Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies have been observed since (Stinson 2005, p. 94; 
Linders 2012c, in litt.). Mark-recapture studies were conducted at this 
site for several years during this timeframe, and the study methods 
involved capturing all adults and moving them to a single release 
location. This action likely influenced the population demographics, 
but because no simultaneous population monitoring was conducted, it is 
impossible to know whether there was an effect. According to McGarrahan 
(1997), mark, release, and recapture studies of the Bay Edith's 
checkerspot (Euphydryas editha bayensis) were considered a contributing 
factor in the extirpation of this population from Stanford's Jasper 
Ridge Preserve. There are no current Taylor's checkerspot butterfly 
``mark, release and recapture studies'' in progress. Collection of 
butterflies and the threat of trampling associated with scientific 
studies continue to be a threat to the species, although it is likely a 
minor one.
    Streaked Horned Lark. Overutilization for commercial, recreational, 
scientific, or educational purposes is not known to be a threat to the 
streaked horned lark.
Summary of Factor B
    In summary, although there is some evidence of historical mortality 
from overutilization for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and there 
may have been recent mortality from utilization of the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly, we have no reason to believe that current levels 
of utilization impact the species alone or to a degree such that it is 
vulnerable to other threats. We have no information to suggest that 
overutilization will become a threat in the future. In addition, there 
is no evidence that commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational use is occurring at a level that would pose a threat to the 
streaked horned lark.

Factor C. Disease or Predation

Disease
    Most healthy ecosystems include organisms such as viruses, 
bacteria, fungi, and parasites that cause disease. Healthy wildlife and 
ecosystems have evolved defenses to fend off most

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diseases before they have devastating impacts. An ecosystem with high 
levels of biodiversity (diversity of species and genetic diversity 
within species) is more resilient to the impacts of disease because 
there are greater possibilities that some species and individuals 
within a species have evolved resistance, or if an entire species is 
lost, that there will likely be another species to fill the empty 
niche.
    Where ecosystems are not healthy, due to a loss of biodiversity and 
threats such as habitat loss, climate change, pollutants or invasive 
species, wildlife and ecosystems are more vulnerable to emerging 
diseases. Diseases caused by or carried by invasive species are 
particularly severe threats, as native wildlife may have no natural 
immunity to them (National Wildlife Federation 2012).
    Our review of the best available scientific and commercial data 
found no evidence to indicate that disease is a threat to the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly or streaked horned lark. We conclude that disease 
is not a threat to the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly or streaked 
horned lark now, nor do we anticipate it to become a threat in the 
future.
Predation
    Predation is a process of major importance in influencing the 
distribution, abundance, and diversity of species in ecological 
communities. Generally, predation leads to changes in both the 
population size of the predator and that of the prey. In unfavorable 
environments, prey species are stressed or living at low population 
densities such that predation is likely to have negative effects on all 
prey species, thus lowering species richness. In addition, when a 
nonnative predator is introduced to the ecosystem, negative effects on 
the prey population may be higher than those from co-evolved native 
predators. The effect of predation may be magnified when populations 
are small, and the disproportionate effect of predation on declining 
populations has been shown to drive rare species even further towards 
extinction (Woodworth 1999, pp. 74-75).
    Predation has an impact on populations of the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly and streaked horned lark. The degree of threat to Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly from predation is not as pronounced as with the 
streaked horned lark due to the concentration of defensive plant 
compounds within the larvae and adults that make them distasteful to 
predators.
    Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly. Generally, butterflies exhibit some 
protective mechanisms to avoid predation, and this is true for the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. Larvae of the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly sequester iridoid glycosides (plant defensive chemicals) 
during consumption of their larval host plants, narrow-leaf plantain 
and paintbrush species. These compounds are distasteful to predators 
(COSEWIC 2011, p. 36) and generalist predators such as insects and 
spiders avoid checkerspot larvae (Kuussaari et al. 2004, p. 140). 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly larvae also tend to be brightly colored, 
which makes them highly visible and signals the presence of noxious 
compounds to predators, including birds and some invertebrate predators 
that avoid Taylor's checkerspot butterfly larvae (Kuussaari et al. 
2004, p. 139). However, birds are known to attack and consume adult 
butterflies. Bowers et al. (1985, p. 101), found avian predation to be 
a significant factor in mortality of adult variable checkerspot 
butterflies (Euphydryas chalcedona) They also found sex bias in 
selection of prey as the avian predator ate more female variable 
butterflies (less bright red) than male variable checkerspot 
butterflies, adding support to the idea that brightly colored insects 
are avoided (Bowers 1985 p. 100). This is likely a naturally occurring 
predation event and we conclude that at this time it is currently not a 
threat, nor do we expect it to become a threat to Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly.
    Streaked Horned Lark. Predation on adult streaked horned larks has 
not been identified as a threat, but it is the most frequently 
documented source of mortality for eggs and young larks. In most 
studies of streaked horned lark nesting ecology, predation has been the 
primary documented source of nest failure (Altman 1999, p. 18; Pearson 
and Hopey 2004, p. 15; Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 16; Pearson and Hopey 
2008, p. 1; Moore and Kotaich 2010, p. 32). Sixty-nine percent of nest 
failures were caused by predation at four south Puget Sound study sites 
(Gray Army Airfield, 13th Division Prairie, Olympia Airport, McChord 
Field) in 2002-2004 (Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 18). Anderson (2006, p. 
19) concluded that the primary predators of streaked horned lark eggs 
and young were avian, most likely American crows (Corvus 
brachyrhynchos), although garter snakes (Thamnophis spp.) and western 
meadowlarks have also been documented preying on eggs and young in the 
region (Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 16; Pearson and Hopey 2008, p. 4). 
On the Washington coast and lower Columbia River islands, 46 percent of 
nest failures were caused by predation at three study sites (Midway 
Beach, Damon Point, and Puget Island) in 2004 (Pearson and Hopey 2005, 
p. 18). A study of five sites in the Willamette Valley (Corvallis 
Airport, M-DAC Farms, William L. Finley, Baskett Slough, and Ankeny 
National Wildlife Refuges) determined that 23 to 58 percent of all 
streaked horned lark nests were lost to predation (Moore and Kotaich 
2010, p. 32).
    Video cameras were used to identify predators in this Willamette 
Valley study; documented predators include: red-tailed hawk (Buteo 
jamaicensis), northern harrier (Circus cyaneus), American kestrel 
(Falco sparverius), great-horned owl (Bubo virginianus), and rats and 
mice (Family Cricetidae) (Moore and Kotaich 2010, p. 36). Streaked 
horned larks are ground-nesting birds and are vulnerable to many other 
potential predators, including domestic cats and dogs, coyotes (Canis 
latrans), raccoons (Procyon lotor), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), 
red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), long-tailed weasels (Mustela frenata), 
opossums (Didelphis virginiana), meadow voles (Microtus 
pennsylvanicus), deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), and shrews (Sorex 
spp.) (Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 17; Stinson 2005, p. 59).
    Predation is a natural part of the streaked horned lark's life 
history, and in stable populations, the effect of predation would not 
be considered a threat to the species. However, in the case of the 
streaked horned lark, the effect of predation may be magnified when 
populations are small, and the disproportionate effect of predation on 
declining populations has been shown to drive rare species even further 
towards extinction (Woodworth 1999, pp. 74-75). We consider the effect 
of predation on streaked horned lark populations, particularly on the 
south Puget Sound, to be a threat to the subspecies.
    The one area where predation does not appear to be a threat to 
nesting streaked horned larks is in Portland at Rivergate Industrial 
Complex and the Southwest Quad at Portland International Airport. In 
2009 and 2010, nesting success was very high, and only a single 
predation event was documented at these sites (Moore 2011, p. 11). The 
reason for the unusually low predation pressure may be that the two 
industrial sites have few predators since both sites are isolated from 
other nearby natural habitats.
    Predation may have contributed to the extirpation of streaked 
horned larks on the San Juan Islands. The subspecies

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was last documented on the islands in 1962 (Lewis and Sharpe 1987, p. 
204). The introduction of several exotic animal species to the island 
roughly coincides with the disappearance of the streaked horned lark, 
including feral ferrets (Mustela outorius) and red foxes. These 
introduced predators may have significantly affected ground nesting 
birds and played a role in the eventual extirpation of streaked horned 
larks (Rogers 2000, p. 42).
Summary of Factor C
    Based on our review of the best available information, we conclude 
that disease is not a threat to the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly or 
streaked horned lark now, nor do we expect it to become a threat in the 
future.
    We found only one study with evidence to indicate that predation 
from avian predators may be a threat to the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly. While predation does occur on the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly, it does not appear to be occurring beyond expected natural 
levels; therefore, we do not consider it to be a threat now, and we 
have no information to indicate that it will become a threat in the 
future.
    Because the populations of streaked horned larks are declining and 
small, we find that effect of the threat of predation is resulting in a 
significant impact on the species. Therefore, based on our review of 
the best available scientific and commercial information, we conclude 
that predation is currently a threat to the streaked horned lark now 
and will continue to be in the future.

Factor D. The Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms

    Under this factor, we examine whether existing regulatory 
mechanisms are inadequate to address the threats to the species 
discussed under the other factors. Section 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act 
requires the Service to take into account ``those efforts, if any, 
being made by any State or foreign nation, or any political subdivision 
of a State or foreign nation, to protect such species * * *.'' In 
relation to Factor D under the Act, we interpret this language to 
require the Service to consider relevant Federal, State, and tribal 
laws, regulations, and other such mechanisms that may minimize any of 
the threats we describe in threat analyses under the other four 
factors, or otherwise enhance conservation of the species. We give 
strongest weight to statutes and their implementing regulations and to 
management direction that stems from those laws and regulations. An 
example would be State governmental actions enforced under a State 
statute or constitution, or Federal action under statute.
    The following section includes a discussion of Federal, State, or 
local laws, regulations, or treaties that apply to the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly or the streaked horned lark. It includes 
legislation for Federal land management agencies and State and Federal 
regulatory authorities affecting land use or other relevant management.
Canadian Laws and Regulations
    In British Columbia, Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the 
streaked horned lark are on the Conservation Data Centre's Red List. 
The Red List includes ecological communities, indigenous species and 
subspecies that are extirpated, endangered, or threatened in British 
Columbia; placing taxa on the Red List flags them as being at risk and 
requiring investigation, but does not confer any protection (British 
Columbia Ministry of Environment 2012, p. 1).
    In 2003, the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and in 2005, the 
streaked horned lark were determined to be endangered under the 
Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) (Environment Canada 2007, p. iii). 
SARA makes it an offense to kill, harm, harass, capture or take an 
individual of a listed species that is endangered or threatened; 
possess, collect, buy, sell or trade an individual of a listed species 
that is extirpated, endangered or threatened, or its part or 
derivative; damage or destroy the residence of one or more individuals 
of a listed endangered or threatened species or of a listed extirpated 
species if a recovery strategy has recommended its reintroduction.
    For many of the species listed under SARA, the prohibitions on harm 
to individuals and destruction of residences are limited to Federal 
lands, but this limitation is inapplicable to migratory birds protected 
under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, including the streaked horned 
lark (Statutes of Canada (S.C). ch. 29, Sec.  34). Hence, SARA protects 
streaked horned larks, where present, from harm and destruction of 
their residences, not only on Federal lands, but also on provincial and 
private lands, where most of the remaining habitat for the species 
occurs. Moreover, SARA mandates development and implementation of a 
recovery strategy and action plans (S.C. ch. 29, Sec. Sec.  37, 47). 
Invertebrate species assessed by the Committee on the Status of 
Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) as endangered will be protected 
by the British Columbia Wildlife Act and Wildlife Amendment Act, once 
these regulations are finalized (COSEWIC 2011, p. 44).
    The horned lark (all subspecies) is also protected under Canada's 
Federal Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA) (S.C. ch. 22), 
which is their domestic legislation similar to the United States' 
Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA). The MBCA and its implementing 
regulations prohibit the hunting of migratory nongame birds and the 
possession or sale of ``migratory birds, their nests, or eggs'' (S.C. 
ch. 22 Sec. Sec.  5, 12).
    Although British Columbia has no stand-alone endangered species 
act, the provincial Wildlife Act protects virtually all vertebrate 
animals from direct harm, except as allowed by regulation (e.g., 
hunting or trapping). Legal designation as endangered or threatened 
under this act increases the penalties for harming a species, and also 
enables the protection of habitat in a Critical Wildlife Management 
Area (British Columbia Wildlife Act 1996, accessed online). The 
streaked horned lark is not listed under Canada's provincial Wildlife 
Act as an endangered or threatened species.
    To date there is no finalized recovery strategy for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly in Canada (COSEWIC 2011, p. 44). A majority (97 
percent) of the known populations observed in Canada occur on private 
land on Denman Island, which is not protected from development by 
individual landowners; approximately 1,173 ac (475 ha) of this private 
land has been officially transferred to the government and will become 
a Provincial Park or Ecological Reserve (COSEWIC 2011, p. 45). A final 
recovery strategy for the streaked horned lark was released in 2007 
(COSEWIC 2011, p. 40); the streaked horned lark is essentially 
extirpated in Canada, and the recovery goal for this species is to 
reestablish a breeding population of at least 10 breeding pairs at a 
minimum of 3 sites within its historical breeding range in Canada 
(Environment Canada 2007, p. iv). Based on our evaluation, we have 
determined that SARA provides protections for both the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark given their limited 
occurrences in British Columbia, and, additionally, the streaked horned 
lark is afforded protections under the MBCA.
United States Federal Laws and Regulations
    There are no Federal laws in the United States that specifically 
protect the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. The Migratory Bird Treaty 
Act (MBTA) (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.) is the only Federal

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law in the United States currently providing specific protection for 
the streaked horned lark due to its status as a migratory bird. The 
MBTA prohibits the following actions, unless permitted by Federal 
regulation:

To ``pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill, attempt to take, capture or 
kill, possess, offer for sale, sell, offer to purchase, purchase, 
deliver for shipment, ship, cause to be shipped, deliver for 
transportation, transport, cause to be transported, carry, or cause 
to be carried by any means whatever, receive for shipment, 
transportation or carriage, or export, at any time, or in any 
manner, any migratory bird * * * or any part, nest, or egg of any 
such bird.''

    There are no provisions in the MBTA that prevent habitat 
destruction unless direct mortality or destruction of active nests 
occurs (for example, as was described in Factor A, above, for dredge 
spoil disposal in the breeding season), nor does the MBTA require any 
planning to recover declining species or provide funding to protect 
individuals or their habitats. Therefore, we conclude that the MBTA 
does not address threats to the streaked horned lark from further 
population declines associated with habitat loss or inappropriate 
management.
    The Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670) authorizes the Secretary of Defense 
to develop cooperative plans with the Secretaries of Agriculture and 
the Interior for natural resources on public lands. The Sikes Act 
Improvement Act of 1997 requires Department of Defense installations to 
prepare Integrated Natural Resource Management Plans (INRMPs) that 
provide for the conservation and rehabilitation of natural resources on 
military lands consistent with the use of military installations to 
ensure the readiness of the Armed Forces. INRMPs incorporate, to the 
maximum extent practicable, ecosystem management principles and provide 
the landscape necessary to sustain military land uses. While INRMPs are 
not technically regulatory mechanisms because their implementation is 
subject to funding availability, they can be an added conservation tool 
in promoting the recovery of endangered and threatened species on 
military lands.
    On JBLM in Washington, several policies and an INRMP are in place 
to provide conservation measures to grassland-associated species that 
occupy training lands on the military base. JBLM in partnership with 
local agencies and nongovernmental organizations has provided funding 
to conserve these species through the acquisition of new conservation 
properties and management actions intended to improve the amount and 
distribution of habitat for these species. JBLM has also provided 
funding to reintroduce declining species (e.g., Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly) into suitable habitat on and off military lands. In June 
2011, representatives from DOD (Washington, DC office) met with all 
conservation partners to assess the success of this program and make 
decisions as to future funding needs. Support from the Garrison 
Commander of JBLM and all partners resulted in an increase in funding 
for habitat management and acquisition projects for these species on 
JBLM.
    The Service has worked closely with the DOD to develop protection 
areas within the primary habitat for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly on 
JBLM. These include areas where no vehicles are permitted on occupied 
habitat, where vehicles will remain on roads only, and where foot 
traffic is allowed.
    JBLM policies include Army Regulation 420-5, which covers the 
INRMP, and AR-200-1. This is an agreement between each troop and DOD 
management that actions taken by each soldier will comply with 
restrictions placed on specific Training Areas, or range lands. Within 
the INRMP, the wildlife branch of the DOD developed updated Endangered 
Species Management Plans (ESMPs) that provide site specific management 
and protection actions that are taken on military lands for the 
conservation of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned 
lark. The ESMPs provide assurances of available funding, and an 
implementation schedule that determines when certain activities will 
occur and who will accomplish these actions. ESMPs require regular 
updates to account for dispersal of animals, or for activities to 
enhance habitat for animals that may have been translocated to a new 
habitat patch. INRMPs also have a monitoring component that would 
require modifications, or adaptive management, to planning actions when 
the result of that specific action may differ from the intent of the 
planned action. Based on the military's efforts, we conclude that 
although military actions may continue to harm individuals of the 
species, through the Sikes Act, the JBLM INRMP protects the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark from further population 
declines associated with habitat loss or inappropriate management on 
JBLM properties.
    The National Park Service Organic Act of 1916, as amended (39 Stat. 
535, 16 U.S.C. 1), states that the National Park Service (NPS) ``shall 
promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national 
parks, monuments, and reservations * * * to conserve the scenery and 
the national and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to 
provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means 
as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future 
generations.'' The NPS Management Policies indicate that the Park 
Service will ``meet its obligations under the National Park Service 
Organic Act and the Endangered Species Act to both pro-actively 
conserve listed species and prevent detrimental effects on these 
species.'' This includes working with the Service and undertaking 
active management programs to inventory, monitor, restore, and maintain 
listed species habitats, among other actions.
    The National Forest Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1604(g)(3)(B) has 
required the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Forest Service to 
incorporate standards and guidelines into Land and Resource Management 
Plans, including provisions to support and manage plant and animal 
communities for diversity and for the long-term, rangewide viability of 
native species. The final planning rule (2012 rule, 36 CFR part 219) 
provides a framework to guide the collaborative and science-based 
development, amendment and revision of land management plans. This 
framework is designed to promote healthy, resilient, diverse, and 
productive national forests and grasslands with a range of social, 
economic, and ecological benefits now and for future generations. In 
the face of changing environmental conditions and stressors, such as a 
changing climate, the 2012 rule requires plans to include plan 
components to: (1) Maintain and restore ecosystem and watershed health 
and resilience (ecological integrity); (2) protect key resources on the 
unit, including water, air, and soil; and (3) address water quality and 
riparian area protection and restoration.
    The 2012 rule contains a strong implementation approach to provide 
for the diversity of plant and animal communities and the persistence 
of native species in the plan area. This approach requires that plans 
use a complementary ecosystem and species-specific approach to 
maintaining the diversity of plant and animal communities and the 
persistence of native species in the plan area. The intent is to 
provide the ecological conditions (habitat) necessary to keep common 
native species common, contribute to the recovery of threatened and 
endangered species, conserve proposed and candidate species, and 
maintain viable populations of each

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species of conservation concern within the plan area. The 2012 rule 
requires that plans provide the ecological conditions necessary to 
contribute to the recovery of threatened and endangered species, and to 
conserve candidate and proposed species. In addition, the requirements 
for restoration and ecological sustainability are intended to reduce 
the risk that species will become listed as an endangered or a 
threatened species in the future.
    On USDA Forest Service (FS) lands, management for listed and 
candidate species, as well as species of concern, follow FS Sensitive 
Species policy (Kerwin and Huff 2007, p. 6). For the FS, these policies 
require the agency to maintain viable populations of all native and 
desired nonnative wildlife, fish, and plant species in habitats 
distributed throughout their geographic range on National Forest System 
lands. Management ``must not result in a loss of species viability or 
create significant trends toward Federal listing'' for any identified 
Sensitive Species (Kerwin and Huff 2007, p. 6).
    The Olympic National Forest is in the process of developing site 
management plans for each location where Taylor's checkerspot butterfly 
is known to occur. This planning document will call for restoration 
actions to remove encroaching conifers and shrubs, nonnative plant 
removal and control, road management, and may possibly include planting 
or seeding of larval host plants (Holtrop 2010, p. 7). Because this 
planning process is not finished, however, we do not rely on it in our 
assessment of the adequacy of Forest Service regulatory mechanisms. As 
a Federal candidate species, the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly 
receives support from the Forest Service Interagency Special Status and 
Sensitive Species Program (Huff, 2011, pers. comm.). Based on our 
review, we conclude that the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and 
streaked horned lark are protected from further population declines 
associated with habitat loss or inappropriate management on FS lands, 
and the inadequacy of existing regulations under the National Forest 
Management Act is not a threat to these species.
    The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (16 
U.S.C. 668dd et seq.) establishes the protection of biodiversity as the 
primary purpose of the National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) system. This has 
led to various management actions to benefit the federally listed 
species including development of Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCP) 
on NWRs. CCPs typically set goals and list needed actions to protect 
and enhance populations of key wildlife species on refuge lands. The 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly is not known to occur on any NWR. 
However, streaked horned larks occur on the Willapa National Wildlife 
Refuge on the Washington coast and in the Willamette Valley Complex on 
the William L. Finley, Ankeny, and Baskett Slough Refuges. The CCPs for 
the Willapa Refuge and all the units in the Willamette Valley Complex 
contain habitat conservation measures to address threats such as 
habitat degradation and benefit streaked horned larks; measures include 
surveys, habitat enhancement, and removal of invasive plants (USFWS 
2011a, p. 2-34; USFWS 2011b, pp. 2-47-2-48). The joint CCP for the 
Lewis and Clark and Julia Butler Hansen Refuges in the lower Columbia 
River states that streaked horned larks do not occur on the refuges, 
although they do occur on suitable habitats near the refuge parcels 
(USFWS 2010, p. 4-37). The joint CCP identifies actions to benefit 
streaked horned larks on off-refuge lands (but that are within the 
refuge acquisition boundary), including working with the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers to manage the dredge spoil deposition program to 
benefit larks (USFWS 2010, pp. 2-29-2-30).
    CCPs detail program planning levels that are sometimes 
substantially above current budget allocations, and as such, are 
primarily used for strategic planning and priority setting; inclusion 
of a project in a CCP does not guarantee that the project will be 
implemented. The CCPs at the Willapa and Willamette Valley National 
Wildlife Refuges specifically provides for the conservation of the 
streaked horned lark, and implementation of the conservation measures 
in the refuge CCPs could benefit as many as 10 nesting pairs of larks 
at Willapa (USFWS 2011a, pp. 4-44-4-45) and likely more than 50 pairs 
at the three Willamette Valley refuges (Moore 2009, pp. 5-9). These 
actions may improve the status of streaked horned larks on the refuges. 
Therefore based on our review, we conclude that the streaked horned 
lark is protected from further population declines associated with 
habitat loss or inappropriate management on NWR lands, and the 
inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms is not a threat to the 
species on NWR lands.
State Laws and Regulations
    Although there is no State Endangered Species Act in Washington, 
the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission has authority to list 
species (Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 77.12.020). State-listed 
species are protected from direct take, but their habitat is not 
protected (RCW 77.15.120). The Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and 
streaked horned lark are listed by the WDFW and are listed as 
critically imperiled (S1) by the Washington Natural Heritage Program. 
State listings generally consider only the status of the species within 
the State's borders, and do not depend upon the same considerations as 
a potential Federal listing. Unoccupied or unsurveyed habitat is not 
protected unless by County prairie ordinances or other similar rules or 
laws.
    Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark are 
Priority Species under WDFW's Priority Habitats and Species Program 
(WDFW 2008, pp. 19, 80, 120). As Priority Species, the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark may benefit from some 
protection of their habitats under environmental reviews of 
applications for county or municipal development permits (Stinson 2005, 
pp. 46, 70). For Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, WDFW has developed a 
recommended approach to protect the species on private property. Their 
approach is non-regulatory and encourages landowners to engage in 
cooperative efforts to protect and conserve Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly habitat. However, State regulatory mechanisms appear to be 
insufficient to protect these species in areas where permits are not 
required or requested. We therefore conclude that Washington State 
regulatory mechanisms are inadequate to protect the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and the streaked horned lark and do not protect 
these species from further population declines associated with habitat 
loss or inappropriate management.
    Under the Washington State Forest Practices Act (RCW 76.09 accessed 
online 2012), WDNR must approve certain activities related to growing, 
harvesting or processing timber on all local government, State, and 
privately owned forest lands. WDNR's mission is to protect public 
resources while maintaining a viable timber industry. The primary goal 
of the forest practices rules is to achieve protection of water 
quality, fish and wildlife habitat, and capital improvements while 
ensuring that harvested areas are reforested. Presently, the Washington 
State Forest Practices Rules do not specifically protect Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies or streaked horned larks; only the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly actually occurs within areas where Forest 
Practices Rules might apply. Landowners have the option to develop a 
management plan for the species if it resides on their property, or if

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landowners choose to not develop a management plan for the species with 
WDFW, their forest practices application will be conditioned to protect 
this public resource. If this approach does not provide the required 
protections for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, then WDFW and WDNR 
may request the Forest Practice Board to initiate rule making, and 
possibly, an emergency rule would be developed (Whipple 2008, pers. 
comm.).
    The WDNR also manages approximately 66,000 ac (26,710 ha) of lands 
as Natural Area Preserves (NAP). NAPs provide the highest level of 
protection for excellent examples of unique or typical land features in 
Washington State. These NAPs provide protection for the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and therefore, based on their proactive 
management, we do not find Taylor's checkerspot butterfly to be 
threatened by the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms on WDNR 
lands.
    Oregon has a State Endangered Species Act (ESA), which was last 
updated in 1998. The streaked horned lark is not State-listed, and the 
State does not protect invertebrates like the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly under the State ESA (Oregon ESA 2004, p. 3). The list of 
threatened and endangered species tracked by the Oregon Department of 
Fish and Wildlife does not include insects, and does not classify the 
streaked horned lark with any conservation status. However, once an 
Oregon ``native wildlife'' species is federally listed as threatened or 
endangered, it is included as a State-listed species and receives some 
protection and management, primarily on State-owned or managed lands 
(OAR 635-100-0100 to OAR 635-100-0180; ORS 496.171 to ORS 496.192).
    The Oregon Forest Practices Act (ORS 527.610 to 527.992 and OAR 
Chapter 629, Divisions 600 to 665) lists protection measures specific 
to private and State-owned forested lands in Oregon. These measures 
include specific rules for resource protection, including threatened 
and endangered species, riparian areas along lakes, streams, springs 
and seeps; and wetlands. Compliance of the forest practice rules does 
not substitute for or ensure compliance with the Federal Endangered 
Species Act. Landowners and operators are advised that Federal law 
prohibits a person from taking certain threatened or endangered species 
which are protected under the Endangered Species Act (OAR 629-605-
0105). Although neither the streaked horned lark nor the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly are forest-dependent species, protective measures 
taken on forest lands in Oregon may provide benefits for these species.
    Based on our review of State regulatory mechanisms for the States 
of Washington and Oregon, we conclude that they do not protect the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the streaked horned lark from 
further population declines associated with habitat loss or 
inappropriate management.
Local Laws and Regulations
    The Washington State Growth Management Act of 1990 requires all 
jurisdictions in the state to designate and protect critical areas. The 
state defines five broad categories of critical areas, including: (1) 
Wetlands; (2) areas with a critical recharging effect on aquifers used 
for potable water; (3) fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas; 
(4) frequently flooded areas; and (5) geologically hazardous areas. 
Quercus garryana (Oregon white oak) habitat and prairie both 
predominantly fall into the category of fish and wildlife habitat 
conservation areas, though due to the coarse nature of prairie soils 
and the presence of wet prairie habitat across the landscape, critical 
area protections for crucial aquifer recharge areas and wetlands may 
also address prairie habitat protection.
    Within counties, the CAO applies to all unincorporated areas, but 
incorporated cities are required to independently address critical 
areas within their Urban Growth Area. The incorporated cities within 
the range of the streaked horned lark and the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly are: (1) Shelton (Mason County); and (2) Olympia, Lacey, 
Tumwater, Tenino and Yelm (Thurston County), all in the State of 
Washington.
    In 2009, the Thurston County Board of Commissioners adopted Interim 
Ordinance No. 14260, which strengthened protections for prairie and 
Oregon white oak habitat in consideration of the best available 
science. The County worked with the Service and WDFW to include an up-
to-date definition of prairie habitat and to delineate soils where 
prairie habitat is likely to occur. In July 2010, the ordinance was 
renewed and amended, including revisions to the prairie soils list and 
changes to administrative language. Since July 2010, the interim 
prairie ordinance has been renewed on a 6-month basis and is currently 
in place. Several prairie species were also included as important 
species subject to critical areas regulation, including the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark (Thurston County 2012, 
p. 1).
    County staff use the known presence or historical locations of the 
Taylor's checkerspot or streaked horned lark to determine whether these 
species may be present at a site and impacted by the land use activity. 
After a field review, if one of these species is found on the site, the 
County requires a habitat management plan (HMP) to be developed, 
typically by a consultant for the landowner, in accordance with WDFW's 
management recommendations. This HMP specifies how site development 
should occur, and assists developers in achieving compliance with CAO 
requirements to minimize impact to the prairie habitat and species. The 
HMPs typically include onsite restoration and enhancement activities. 
Mitigation for prairie impacts may also be required, on-site or off 
(Thurston County 2012, p. 2).
    In Clallam, Pierce, and Mason Counties, specific critical area 
ordinances have not been identified for the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly or the streaked horned lark. However, prairie habitats and 
species garner some protection under Fish (or Aquatic) and Wildlife 
Habitat Conservation Areas (Mason County 2009, p. 64; Clallam County 
2012, Part Three, entire; Pierce County 2012, pp. 18E.40-1-3). All 
developments within these areas are required to: preserve and protect 
habitat adequate to support viable populations of native wildlife 
(Clallam County 2012, Part Three, entire); to achieve ``no net loss'' 
of species and habitat where, if altered, the action may reduce the 
likelihood that these species survive and reproduce over the long term 
(Pierce County 2012, p. 18E.40-1); and support viable populations and 
protect habitat for Federal or State listed * * * fish or wildlife 
(Mason County 2009, p. 63). While these regulations are likely adequate 
for the management of species with stable populations and large ranges, 
the loss of individual animals can have a cumulative impact deleterious 
to species facing a wide range of other threats and that already have 
decreased numbers of individuals or populations.
    County-level CAOs do not apply to incorporated cities within county 
boundaries, thus the incorporated cities of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, 
Yelm, and Tenino that overlap the range of the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly and the streaked horned lark do not provide the same 
specificity of protection for these taxa as the Thurston County CAO. 
Below we address the relevant city ordinances that overlap these 
species' ranges. We conclude below with a summary of whether we deem 
these city

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ordinances adequate for the conservation of the Taylor's checkerspot 
and the streaked horned lark.
    The City of Olympia. The City of Olympia's municipal code states 
that ``The Department [City] may restrict the uses and activities of a 
development proposal which lie within one thousand feet of important 
habitat or species location,'' defined by Washington State's Priority 
Habitat and Species (PHS) Management Recommendations of 1991, as 
amended.'' (Olympia Municipal Code (OMC) 18.32.315 B). When development 
is proposed within 1,000 feet of habitat of a species designated as 
important by Washington State, the Olympia CAO requires the preparation 
of a formal ``Important Habitats and Species Management Plan'' unless 
waived by the WDFW (OMC 18.32.320).
    The City of Lacey. The City of Lacey CAO includes in its definition 
of critical area any area identified as habitat for a Federal or State 
endangered, threatened, or sensitive species or State listed priority 
habitat and calls these Habitat Conservation Areas (HCAs) (Lacey 
Municipal Code (LMC) 14.33.060). These areas are defined through 
individual contract with qualified professional biologists on a site by 
site basis as development is proposed. The code further states that 
``No development shall be allowed within a habitat conservation area or 
buffer [for a habitat conservation area] with which state or federally 
endangered, threatened, or sensitive species have a primary 
association'' (LMC 14.33.117).
    The City of Tumwater. The City of Tumwater CAO outlines protections 
for Habitat Critical Areas and for ``habitats and species of local 
importance.'' Tumwater's Habitat Critical Areas are established on a 
case-by-case basis by a ``qualified professional'' as development is 
proposed and the Habitat Critical Areas are required to be consistent 
with the ``recommendations issued by the Washington State Department of 
Fish and Wildlife'' (Tumwater Municipal Code (TMC) 16.32.60). Species 
of local importance are defined as locally significant species that are 
not State-listed as threatened, endangered, or sensitive, but live in 
Tumwater and are of special importance to the citizens of Tumwater for 
cultural or historical reasons, or if the city is a critically 
significant portion of its range (TMC 16.32.055 A). Tumwater is 
considered a ``critically significant portion of a species' range'' if 
the species' population would be divided into nonviable populations if 
it is eliminated from Tumwater'' (TMC 16.32.055 A2). Species of local 
importance are further defined as State monitor or candidate species 
where Tumwater is a significant portion of its range such that a 
significant reduction or elimination of the species from Tumwater would 
result in changing the status of the species to that of State 
endangered, threatened, or sensitive (TMC 16.32.055 A3).
    The City of Yelm. The municipal code of Yelm states that it will 
``regulate all uses, activities, and developments within, adjacent to, 
or likely to affect one or more critical areas, consistent with the 
best available science'' (Yelm Municipal Code/(YMC) 14.08.010E4f) and 
mandates that ``all actions and developments shall be designed and 
constructed to avoid, minimize, and restore all adverse impacts.'' 
Further, it states that, ``no activity or use shall be allowed that 
results in a net loss of the functions or values of critical areas'' 
(YMC 14.08.010 G) and ``no development shall be allowed within a 
habitat conservation area or buffer which state or federally 
endangered, threatened, or sensitive species have a primary 
association, except that which is provided for by a management plan 
established by WDFW or applicable state or federal agency'' (YMC 
14.080.140 D1a). The City of Yelm municipal code states that by 
``limiting development and alteration of critical areas'' it will 
``maintain healthy, functioning ecosystems through the protection of 
unique, fragile, and valuable elements of the environment, and * * * 
conserve the biodiversity of plant and animal species'' (17.08.010 A4b) 
.
    The City of Tenino. The City of Tenino municipal code gives 
Development Regulations for Critical Areas and Natural Resource Lands 
that include fish and wildlife habitat areas (Tenino Municipal Code 
(TMC) 18D.10.030 A) and further ``protects unique, fragile, and 
valuable elements of the environment, including critical fish and 
wildlife habitat'' (TMC 18D.10.030 D). The City of Tenino references 
the DNR Critical Areas Fish and Wildlife Habitat Areas-Stream Typing 
Map and the WDFW PHS Program and PHS Maps as sources to identify fish 
and wildlife habitat (TMC 18D.10.140 E1, 2). The City also defines 
critical fish and wildlife species habitat areas as those areas known 
to support or have ``a primary association with State or Federally 
listed endangered, threatened, or sensitive species of fish or wildlife 
(specified in 50 CFR 17.11, 50 CFR 17.12, WAC 232-12-011) and which, if 
altered, may reduce the likelihood that the species will survive and 
reproduce over the long term.'' (TMC 18D.40.020A, B).
    The City of Shelton. The CAO for the city of Shelton (Mason County) 
specifies compliance with the PHS through designation of habitat 
conservation areas (HCAs) (Shelton Municipal Code (SMC) 21.64.300 B1), 
indicating that where HCAs are designated, development will be 
curtailed (SMC 21.64.010 B) except at the discretion of the director 
(city), who may allow single-family development at such sites without a 
critical areas assessment report if development is not believed to 
directly disturb the components of the HCA (SMC 21.64.360 B).
    Summary. Each city's CAO has been crafted to preserve the maximum 
amount of biodiversity while at the same time encouraging high density 
development within their respective Urban Growth Areas. Each city 
requires that potential fish and wildlife habitat be surveyed by 
qualified professional habitat biologists as development is proposed. A 
Habitat Conservation Area (HCA) is determined according to the WDFW 
Priority Habitat and Species list. If an HCA is identified at a site, 
the development of the parcel is then subject to the CAO regulations. 
Mitigation required by each city's CAO prioritizes reconsideration of 
the proposed development action in order to avoid the impact to the 
HCA.
    For the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark, 
only known or historical locations are considered prior to applying the 
CAOs. There are currently no WDFW Priority Habitat and Species 
Recommendations for these species and no surveys are completed for 
these species in suitable habitats that may be affected by development 
or site disturbance.
    Connectivity of populations, abundance of resources (prey species 
or food plants), and undisturbed habitat are three primary factors 
affecting plant and animal populations. The piecemeal pattern that 
development unavoidably exhibits is difficult to reconcile with the 
needs of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark 
within a given Urban Growth Area. Further, previously common species 
may become uncommon due to disruption by development, and preservation 
of small pockets of habitat is unlikely to prevent extirpation of some 
species without intensive species management, which is beyond the scope 
of these individual CAOs. The Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the 
streaked horned lark have been affected by habitat loss through 
development and conversion. Protective measures undertaken while 
development of lands is taking place may provide benefits for these 
species; however, based on our

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review of the Washington County and State regulatory mechanisms, we 
conclude that these measures are currently inadequate to protect the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, and the streaked horned lark from 
further population declines associated with habitat loss, inappropriate 
management and loss of connectivity.
    In Oregon, the Land Conservation and Development Commission in 1974 
adopted ``Goal 5'' a broad Statewide planning goal that covers more 
than a dozen resources, including wildlife habitats and natural areas. 
Goal 5 and related Oregon Administrative Rules (Chapter 660, Divisions 
16 and 23) describe how cities and counties are to plan and zone land 
to conserve resources listed in the goal.
    Goal 5 and its rules establish a five-step planning process for 
Oregon's cities and counties: (1) Inventory local occurrences of 
resources listed in Goal 5 and decide which ones are important; (2) 
Identify potential land uses on or near each resource site and any 
conflicts that might result; (3) Analyze economic, social, 
environmental, and energy consequences of such conflicts; (4) Decide 
whether the resource should be fully or partially protected, and 
justify the decision; and, (5) Adopt measures such as zoning to put 
that policy into effect. This five-step Goal 5 process was established 
by rules adopted in 1982, and revised in 1996. The revisions tailored 
the process to the individual resources covered by the Goal.
    Local governments shall identify conflicting uses that exist, or 
could occur, with regard to significant Goal 5 resource sites. A local 
government may determine that one or more significant Goal 5 resource 
sites are conflicting uses with another significant resource site. 
Local governments shall analyze the consequences that could result from 
decisions to allow, limit, or prohibit a conflicting use. The local 
government shall determine the level of protection for each significant 
site. Local governments shall determine whether to allow, limit, or 
prohibit identified conflicting uses for significant resource sites. A 
local government may decide that the conflicting use should be allowed 
fully, notwithstanding the possible impacts on the resource site.
    In summary, Goal 5 is a required planning process that allows local 
governments to make decisions about land use regulations and whether to 
protect the individual resources based upon potential conflicts 
involving economic, social, environmental, and energy consequences. It 
does not require minimum levels of protections for natural resources, 
but does require weighing the various impacts to resources from land 
use. Based on our review of Oregon State regulatory mechanisms, we 
conclude that they are inadequate to protect the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly or streaked horned lark from further population declines 
associated with habitat loss or inappropriate management.
Summary of Factor D
    In summary, the existing regulatory mechanisms described above are 
not sufficient to significantly reduce or remove the existing threats 
to the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the streaked horned lark. The 
Canadian recovery strategy is a positive forward step for the streaked 
horned lark, although, as the species is thought to be extirpated from 
Canada, it is unlikely to result in a change in the streaked horned 
lark's downward trend across its range. Lack of essential habitat 
protection under State laws leaves these species at continued risk of 
habitat loss and degradation in Washington and Oregon. National 
Wildlife Refuges provide important protections for streaked horned lark 
habitat in Washington and Oregon.
    On JBLM, regulations applying to the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly 
and the streaked horned lark are covered by the current INRMP and ESMP. 
We find that the military training, as it currently occurs, causes 
direct mortality of individuals and impacts habitat for the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned larks in all areas where 
training and the species overlap; however, these management plans 
sufficiently provide for the long-term conservation of these species on 
the military base. Therefore, we do not find existing regulatory 
mechanisms to be inadequate on JBLM lands.
    The Washington CAOs generally provide conservation measures to 
minimize habitat removal and direct effects to the Taylors' checkerspot 
butterfly and streaked horned lark. However, habitat removal and 
degradation, direct loss of individuals, increased fragmentation, 
decreased connectivity, and the lack of consistent regulatory 
mechanisms to address the threats associated with these effects 
continues to occur.
    Based upon our review of the best commercial and scientific data 
available, we conclude that the existing regulatory mechanisms are not 
adequate to reduce the threats to the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly 
and streaked horned lark now or in the future.

Factor E. Other Natural or Manmade Factors Affecting Its Continued 
Existence

Low Genetic Diversity, Small or Isolated Populations, and Low 
Reproductive Success
    Most species' populations fluctuate naturally, responding to 
various factors such as weather events, disease, and predation. Johnson 
(1977, p.3), however, suggested that these factors have less impact on 
a species with a wide and continuous distribution. Populations that are 
small, fragmented, or isolated by habitat loss or modification of 
naturally patchy habitat, and other human-related factors, are more 
vulnerable to extirpation by natural randomly occurring events, 
cumulative effects, and to genetic effects that plague small 
populations, collectively known as small population effects. These 
effects can include genetic drift (loss of recessive alleles), founder 
effects (over time, an increasing percentage of the population 
inheriting a narrow range of traits), and genetic bottlenecks leading 
to increasingly lower genetic diversity, with consequent negative 
effects on evolutionary potential.
    Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly. Although the genetic diversity and 
population structure of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly is unknown, 
a loss of genetic diversity may have occurred as a result of geographic 
isolation and fragmentation of habitat patches across the distribution 
of the existing populations. Dispersal of individuals directly affects 
the genetic composition of populations and possibly the abundance of 
individuals in a population (Hellmann et al. 2004, p. 59). For other 
subspecies of Edith's checkerspot and their closely related European 
relative Melitaea, small populations led to a high rate of inbreeding 
(Boggs and Nieminen 2004, p. 98). The Service is currently partnering 
with WDFW to explore questions of genetic relatedness in the 
subpopulations of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies. Due to its small 
population size and fragmented distribution, we conclude that these 
negative factors associated with small population size, as well as the 
potential historical loss of genetic diversity, may contribute to 
further population declines for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly.
    Streaked Horned Lark. Genetic analysis has shown that streaked 
horned larks have suffered a loss of genetic diversity due to a 
population bottleneck (Drovetski et al. 2005, p. 881), the effect of 
which may be exacerbated by continued small total population size. In 
general, decreased genetic diversity has

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been linked to increased chances of inbreeding depression, reduced 
disease resistance, and reduced adaptability to environmental change, 
leading to reduced reproductive success (Keller and Waller 2002, p. 
235).
    Recent studies in Washington have found that streaked horned larks 
have lower fecundity and nest success than other Northwestern horned 
lark subspecies (Camfield et al. 2010, p. 277). In a study on the south 
Puget Sound, all measures of reproductive success were lower for 
streaked horned larks than for other ground-nesting birds at the same 
prairie sites (Anderson 2010, p. 15). The streaked horned lark's egg 
hatching rate at these sites is extremely low (i.e., 44 percent at 13th 
Division Prairie) (Anderson 2010, p. 18). Comparisons with savannah 
sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis), a bird with similar habitat 
requirements that nests on the same prairies, found that streaked 
horned lark fecundity was 70 percent lower (Anderson 2010, p. 18). If 
the streaked horned lark's very low reproductive success was caused by 
poor habitat quality, other ground-nesting birds at the study sites 
would be expected to show similarly low nest success rates; that other 
bird species have much higher nest success in the same habitat suggests 
that inbreeding depression may be playing a role in the decline of 
streaked horned larks in the south Puget Sound (Anderson 2010, p. 27). 
Other factors consistent with hypothesized inbreeding depression in the 
south Puget Sound population include two cases of observed mother-son 
pairings (Pearson and Stinson 2011, p. 1), and no observations of 
immigration from other sites into the Puget lowland breeding sites 
(Pearson et al. 2008, p. 15).
    Estimates of population growth rate ([lambda]) that include vital 
rates from all of the nesting areas in Washington (south Puget Sound, 
Washington Coast, and one lower Columbia River island) indicate that 
streaked horned larks in Washington are declining by 40 percent per 
year, apparently due to a combination of low survival and fecundity 
rates (Pearson et al. 2008, pp. 10, 13; Camfield et al. 2011, p. 7). 
Territory mapping at 4 sites on the south Puget Sound found that the 
total number of breeding streaked horned lark territories decreased 
from 77 territories in 2004 to 42 territories in 2007--a decline of 
over 45 percent in 3 years (Camfield et al. 2011, p. 8). The 
combination of low genetic variability, small and rapidly declining 
nesting populations, high breeding site fidelity, and no observed 
migration into the Puget lowlands populations suggests that the south 
Puget Sound population could become extirpated in the near future 
(Pearson et al. 2008, pp. 1, 14, 15).
    In 2011, a project was initiated to increase genetic diversity in 
the south Puget Sound streaked horned lark population. Twelve eggs 
(four three-egg clutches) were collected from streaked horned lark 
nests in the southern Willamette Valley and were placed in nests at the 
13th Division Prairie site at JBLM (Wolf 2011, p. 9). At least five 
young successfully fledged at the receiving site; if even one of these 
birds return to breed in future years, it will likely increase genetic 
diversity in the receiving population, resulting in improved fitness 
and reduced extinction risk for the south Puget Sound larks (Wolf 2011, 
p. 9). Based on our consideration of these factors, we conclude that 
the loss of genetic diversity, the current number of small and isolated 
populations (particularly in Washington State), and the species' low 
reproductive success are likely to combine to result in continued 
population declines for the streaked horned lark.
Climate Change
    Our analyses under the Act include consideration of ongoing and 
projected changes in climate. The terms ``climate'' and ``climate 
change'' are defined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 
(IPCC). The term ``climate'' refers to the mean and variability of 
different types of weather conditions over time, with 30 years being a 
typical period for such measurements, although shorter or longer 
periods also may be used (IPCC 2007a, p. 78). The term ``climate 
change'' thus refers to a change in the mean or variability of one or 
more measures of climate (e.g., temperature or precipitation) that 
persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer, whether 
the change is due to natural variability, human activity, or both (IPCC 
2007a, p. 78).
    Scientific measurements spanning several decades demonstrate that 
changes in climate are occurring, and that the rate of change has been 
faster since the 1950s. Examples include warming of the global climate 
system, and substantial increases in precipitation in some regions of 
the world and decreases in other regions. (For these and other 
examples, see IPCC 2007a, p. 30; and IPCC 2007d, pp. 35-54, 82-85). 
Results of scientific analyses presented by the IPCC show that most of 
the observed increase in global average temperature since the mid-20th 
century cannot be explained by natural variability in climate, and is 
``very likely'' (defined by the IPCC as 90 percent or higher 
probability) due to the observed increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) 
concentrations in the atmosphere as a result of human activities, 
particularly carbon dioxide emissions from use of fossil fuels (IPCC 
2007a, pp. 5-6 and figures SPM.3 and SPM.4; IPCC 2007d, pp. 21-35). 
Further confirmation of the role of GHGs comes from analyses by Huber 
and Knutti (2011, p. 4), who concluded it is extremely likely that 
approximately 75 percent of global warming since 1950 has been caused 
by human activities.
    Scientists use a variety of climate models, which include 
consideration of natural processes and variability, as well as various 
scenarios of potential levels and timing of GHG emissions, to evaluate 
the causes of changes already observed and to project future changes in 
temperature and other climate conditions (e.g., IPCC 2007c, entire; 
Ganguly et al. 2009, pp. 11555, 15558; Prinn et al. 2011, pp. 527, 
529). All combinations of models and emissions scenarios yield very 
similar projections of increases in the most common measure of climate 
change, average global surface temperature (commonly known as global 
warming), until about 2030. Although projections of the extent and rate 
of warming differ after about 2030, the overall trajectory of all the 
projections is one of increased global warming through the end of this 
century, even for the projections based on scenarios that assume that 
GHG emissions will stabilize or decline. Thus, there is strong 
scientific support for projections that warming will continue through 
the 21st century, and that the scope and rate of change will be 
influenced substantially by the extent of GHG emissions (IPCC 2007a, 
pp. 44-45; IPCC 2007c, pp. 760-764 and 797-811; Ganguly et al. 2009, 
pp. 15555-15558; Prinn et al. 2011, pp. 527, 529). (See IPCC 2007b, p. 
8, for a summary of other global projections of climate-related 
changes, such as frequency of heat waves and changes in precipitation. 
Also see IPCC 2011 (entire) for a summary of observations and 
projections of extreme climate events.)
    Various changes in climate may have direct or indirect effects on 
species. These effects may be positive, neutral, or negative, and they 
may change over time, depending on the species and other relevant 
considerations, such as interactions of climate with other variables 
(e.g., habitat fragmentation) (IPCC 2007e, pp. 214-246). Identifying 
likely effects often involves aspects of climate change vulnerability 
analysis. Vulnerability refers to the degree to which a species (or 
system) is

[[Page 61964]]

susceptible to, and unable to cope with, adverse effects of climate 
change, including climate variability and extremes. Vulnerability is a 
function of the type, scope, and rate of climate change and variation 
to which a species is exposed, its sensitivity, and its adaptive 
capacity (IPCC 2007a, p. 89; see also Glick et al. 2011, pp. 19-22). 
There is no single method for conducting such analyses that applies to 
all situations (Glick et al. 2011, p. 3). We use our expert judgment 
and appropriate analytical approaches to weigh relevant information, 
including uncertainty, in our consideration of various aspects of 
climate change.
    As is the case with all stressors that we assess, even if we 
conclude that a species is currently affected or is likely to be 
affected in a negative way by one or more climate-related impacts, it 
does not necessarily follow that the species meets the definition of an 
``endangered species'' or a ``threatened species'' under the Act. If a 
species is listed as endangered or threatened, knowledge regarding the 
vulnerability of the species to, and known or anticipated impacts from, 
climate-associated changes in environmental conditions can be used to 
help devise appropriate strategies for its recovery.
    Global climate projections are informative, and, in some cases, the 
only or the best scientific information available for us to use. 
However, projected changes in climate and related impacts can vary 
substantially across and within different regions of the world (e.g., 
IPCC 2007a, pp. 8-12). Therefore, we use ``downscaled'' projections 
when they are available and have been developed through appropriate 
scientific procedures, because such projections provide higher 
resolution information that is more relevant to spatial scales used for 
analyses of a given species (see Glick et al. 2011, pp. 58-61, for a 
discussion of downscaling). With regard to our analysis for the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the streaked horned lark, downscaled 
projections are available.
    The ranges of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the streaked 
horned lark extend from the southern edge of the Georgia Basin, down 
through the Puget Sound trough, and south to the Willamette Valley. 
Downscaled climate change projections for this ecoregion predict 
consistently increasing annual mean temperatures from 2012 to 2095 
using the IPCC's medium (A1B) emissions scenario (IPCC 2000, p. 245). 
Using the General Circulation Model (GCM) that most accurately predicts 
precipitation for the Pacific Northwest, the Third Generation Coupled 
Global Climate Model (CGCM3.1) under the medium emissions scenario 
(A1B), annual mean temperature is predicted to increase approximately 
1.8 [deg]Fahrenheit (F) (1 [deg]Celsius (C)) by the year 2020, 3.6 
[deg]F (2 [deg]C) by 2050, and 5.4 [deg]F (3 [deg]C) by 2090 
(Climatewizardcustom 2012). This analysis was restricted to the 
ecoregion encompassing the overlapping range of the species of interest 
and is well supported by analyses focused only on the Pacific Northwest 
by Mote and Salath[eacute] in their 2010 publication, Future Climate in 
the Pacific Northwest (Mote and Salath[eacute] 2010, entire). Employing 
the same GCM and medium emissions scenario, downscaled model runs for 
precipitation in the ecoregion project a small (less than 5 percent) 
increase in mean annual precipitation over approximately the next 80 
years. Most months are projected to show an increase in mean annual 
precipitation. May-August are projected to show a decrease in mean 
annual precipitation, which corresponds with the reproductive season 
for all species of interest in this proposed rule (Climatewizardcustom 
2012).
    The potential impacts of a changing global climate to Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark are presently unclear. 
Projections localized to the Georgia Basin--Puget Sound Trough--
Willamette Valley Ecoregion suggest that temperatures are likely to 
increase approximately 5 [deg]F (2.8 [deg]C) at the north end of the 
region by the year 2080 based on an average of greenhouse gas emission 
scenarios B1, A1B, and A2 and all Global Circulation Models employed by 
Climatewizard (range = 2.6 [deg]F to 7.6 [deg]F; 1.4 [deg]C to 4.2 
[deg]C). Similarly, the mid region projection predicts an increase an 
average of 4.5 [deg]F (range = 2.1 [deg]F to 7.1 [deg]F) (average of 
2.5 [deg]C with a range of 1.2 [deg]C to 3.9 [deg]C) and the southern 
end to increase by 4.5 [deg]F (range = 2.2 [deg]F to 7.1 [deg]F) 
(average of 2.5 [deg]C with a range of 1.2 [deg]C to 3.9 [deg]C). 
Worldwide, the IPCC states it is very likely that extreme high 
temperatures, heat waves, and heavy precipitation events will increase 
in frequency (IPCC 2007c, p. 783).
    Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly. Because the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly occupies a relatively small area of specialized habitat, it 
may be vulnerable to climatic changes that could decrease suitable 
habitat or alter food plant seasonal growth patterns (phenology). 
However, while it appears reasonable to assume that the butterfly may 
be affected, as detailed below, we lack sufficient certainty to know 
specifically how climate change will affect the subspecies.
    The relationship between climate change and survival for the 
Euphydryas editha complex is driven more by the indirect effects of the 
interaction between seasonal growth patterns of host plants and the 
life cycle of the checkerspot butterfly than by the direct effects of 
temperature and precipitation (Guppy and Fischer 2001, p. 11; Parmesan 
2007, p. 1868; Singer and Parmesan 2010, p. 3170).
    Predicting seasonal growth patterns of butterfly host plants is 
complicated, because these patterns are likely more sensitive to 
moisture than temperature (Cushman et al. 1992, pp. 197-198; Bale et 
al. 2002, p. 11), which is predicted to be highly variable and 
uncertain in the Pacific Northwest (Mote and Salath[eacute] 2010, p. 
31). Climate models for the Georgia Basin--Puget Sound Trough--
Willamette Valley Ecoregion consistently predict a deviation from the 
historical monthly average precipitation, with the months of January-
April projected to show an increase in precipitation across the region 
while June-September are predicted to be much drier than the historical 
average (Climatewizard 2012).
    During the active season of pre-diapause larvae (early spring), the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly feeds primarily on plants of the family 
Scrophulariaceae (snapdragon family, including species of Castilleja 
and Triphysaria) and Plantaginaceae (plaintain family) (Stinson 2005, 
p. 88). Available information suggests that if climate change disrupts 
seasonal growth patterns of food plants, it is conceivable that as an 
adult the butterfly may be able to use alternative food plants that 
occur within its range (Singer and Wee 2005, pp. 353-355; Singer et al. 
1992, pp. 17-18). The larval stage of Taylor's checkerspot is more 
limited in terms of potential host plant species. Nevertheless, we have 
no information indicating that any of these changes (e.g., in 
availability of food plants) is likely to occur in the near future.
    It is likely that the overlap of seasonal growth patterns between 
these primary larval host plants and the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly 
will display some level of stochasticity due to climatic shifts in 
precipitation and increased frequency of extreme weather events. For 
the Edith's checkerspot (Euphydryas editha), Parmesan (2007, p. 1869) 
reported that a lifecycle mismatch can cause a shortening of the time 
window available for larval feeding, causing the death of those 
individuals unable to complete their larval development within the 
shortened period, citing a study by Singer (1972, p. 75). In that 
study, Singer documented routine

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mortality of greater than 98 percent in the field due to phenological 
mismatches between larval development and senescence of their annual 
host plant Plantago erecta (California plantain). When mismatches such 
as these form the `starting point,' insects may be highly vulnerable to 
small changes in synchrony with their hosts (Parmesan 2007, p. 1869).
    Predicting future population dynamics and distributions is complex 
for animals such as butterflies that have two very different 
physiological stages (larva and adult) (for example, see Bale et al. 
2002, p. 5). Moreover, forecasting the responses of butterflies and 
other insects to elevated temperatures or variable precipitation is 
largely based on field and laboratory studies (Hellmann 2002, pp. 927-
929). However, the relationship between these changing environmental 
conditions and the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly has not been 
explicitly studied, though the extirpation of populations in British 
Columbia is attributed to drought conditions and the encroachment of 
woody vegetation into formerly suitable habitat (Guppy 2012, in litt.). 
One of the two primary host plants for the butterfly is ubiquitous 
across the entire range of the species and extends well beyond areas 
where the butterfly populations persist. This suggests that there is 
potential for range shifting, if the butterfly had the capacity to 
disperse across the landscape.
    Uncertainty about climate change impacts does not mean that impacts 
may or may not occur; it means that the risks of a given impact are 
difficult to quantify (Schneider and Kuntz-Duriseti 2002, p. 54; 
Congressional Budget Office 2005, entire; Halsnaes et al. 2007, p. 
129). The interplay between host plant distribution, larval and adult 
butterfly dispersal, and female choice of where to lay eggs will 
ultimately determine the population response to climate change (Singer 
and Parmesan 2010, p. 3164). However, determining the long-term 
responses to climate change from even well-studied butterflies in the 
genus Euphydryas is difficult, given their ability to switch to 
alternative larval food plants in some instances (Singer and Thomas 
1996, pp. S33-34; Hellmann 2002, p. 933; Singer et al. 1992, pp. 17-
18). Attempts to analyze the interplay between climate and host plant 
growth patterns using predictive models or general State-wide 
assessments and to relate these to the butterfly are equally 
complicated (Murphy and Weiss 1992, p. 8). Despite the potential for 
future climate change in Western Washington, as discussed above, we 
have not identified, nor are we aware of any data on, an appropriate 
scale to evaluate habitat or populations trends for the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly or to make predictions about future trends and 
whether the species will be significantly impacted.
    Streaked horned lark. Sea level on the Pacific Coast of Washington 
and Oregon is predicted to rise according to expected values generated 
by an ensemble mean of models of relative sea level rise (Tebaldi 2012, 
p. 4). At Toke Point, Willapa Bay, Washington, near occupied nesting 
habitat for the streaked horned lark, sea level is predicted to rise 
3.9 in (9.9 cm) by 2030 and 9.8 in (0.25 cm) by 2050 (Tebaldi 2012, p. 
4). Streaked horned larks are attracted to breeding sites where there 
are long sight lines and sparse vegetation, making sandy islands and 
shorelines ideal habitats for nesting. Sea level rise is not currently 
projected to reach the height of streaked horned lark nesting habitat 
on the beaches. If these projections underestimate sea level rise and 
nesting habitat is infringed upon by rising waters, streaked horned 
larks will likely respond by moving to up shore or to other breeding 
habitats.
    The indirect effects of climate change are primarily associated 
with changes in habitat, such as succession from a sparsely vegetated 
condition to a shrubby or forested state, which would make habitat 
unsuitable for nesting. These negative impacts may be offset by other, 
potentially positive effects and continued management of occupied 
habitats. On the ocean beaches an increase in the frequency of winter 
storm surges may improve upshore nesting habitat for larks by 
disturbing or killing encroaching vegetation. Many islands used for 
nesting in the Columbia River are likely to continue receiving dredge 
spoil deposits, perpetuating the conditions of early primary succession 
that streaked horned larks seek for nesting. Primary management on most 
of the currently occupied breeding sites on the mainland of Washington 
and Oregon is for agricultural, industrial, or military uses. Such 
management attracts streaked horned larks through the reduction of 
standing vegetation, thus conversion to unsuitable habitat due to 
shifts in climate is less likely in these areas. As a result, we have 
not identified nor are we aware of any data on an appropriate scale to 
evaluate habitat or populations trends for the streaked horned lark or 
to make predictions about future trends and whether the species will be 
significantly impacted. Habitat changes to streaked horned lark habitat 
from climate change may provide some benefit to the species and as such 
is not currently considered a threat.
Stochastic Weather Events
    Stochasticity of extreme weather events may impact the ability of 
threatened and endangered species to survive. Vulnerability to weather 
events can be described as being composed of three elements; exposure, 
sensitivity, and adaptive capacity.
    The small, isolated nature of the remaining populations of Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark increases the species' 
vulnerability to stochastic (random) natural events. When species are 
limited to small, isolated habitats, they are more likely to become 
extinct due to a local event that negatively affects the population. 
While a population's small, isolated nature does not represent an 
independent threat to the species, it does substantially increase the 
risk of extirpation from the effects of all other threats, including 
those addressed in this analysis, and those that could occur in the 
future from unknown sources.
    Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly. Environmental threats exacerbated 
by small population size and weather can be a factor in Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly breeding success. Poor weather conditions, such 
as cool temperatures and rainy weather, reduce the number of days in 
the flight period for several early spring flying butterflies, 
including Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. A shorter flight season 
reduces the number of opportunities for oviposition (egg laying) for 
female butterflies, thus affecting the emergence of adult butterflies 
in the future. Peterson (2010, in litt) provided climate and butterfly 
abundance data that indicated cold winter temperature may affect the 
timing of butterfly emergence and the size of populations in years when 
winters are severe. Late emergence of adults may directly impact the 
mortality of larval stages if larvae are unable to complete their life 
cycle before their host plants senesce, or the larvae may return to 
diapause.
    Butterflies, including Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, may 
experience increased mortality or reduced fecundity if the timing of 
plant development does not match the timing of larval or adult 
butterfly development (Peterson 1997, p. 167), and large fluctuations 
in population sizes have been observed based on local weather patterns 
(Hellmann et al. 2004, p. 45). During 2010 and 2011, the emergence of 
Taylor's adults was approximately three weeks later than ``normal'' due 
to wet and cool spring weather. In addition, it has been reported that 
both drought and

[[Page 61966]]

deluge may interrupt the insect-plant interaction, resulting in 
decreased populations (Hellmann et al. 2004, p. 45). The effects of 
drought have been shown to deleteriously affect populations of Edith 
checkerspots in California (Hellmann et al. 2004, p. 45). Based on our 
review, we conclude that stochastic weather events are a threat to the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly due to the vulnerability of isolated, 
small populations.
    Streaked Horned Lark. There are estimated to be fewer than 1,600 
streaked horned larks rangewide (Altman 2011, p. 213). During the 
breeding season, small populations of larks are distributed across the 
range; in the winter, however, streaked horned larks concentrate mainly 
on the lower Columbia River sites and in the Willamette Valley. Such 
concentration exposes the wintering populations to potentially 
disastrous stochastic events such as ice storms or flooding that could 
kill individuals or destroy limited habitat; a severe weather event 
could wipe out a substantial percentage of the entire subspecies 
(Pearson and Altman 2005, p. 13). We have not documented the occurrence 
of these threats to date, but the small and declining population of 
streaked horned larks is certainly at risk of random environmental 
events that could have catastrophic consequences. Based on our review, 
we conclude that the effects of stochastic weather events are a 
potential threat to the streaked horned lark.
Aircraft Strikes and Activities at Civilian Airports
    Streaked horned larks are attracted to the flat open habitats 
around airports throughout their range. Horned lark strikes are 
frequently reported at military and civilian airports throughout the 
country, but because of the bird's small size, few strikes result in 
significant damage to aircraft (Dolbeer et al. 2011, p. 48; Air Force 
Safety Center 2012, p. 2). Most of the specific information available 
for threats to streaked horned larks at airports comes from the 
monitoring program at the Department of Defense's JBLM on the south 
Puget Sound; similar threats to streaked horned larks likely exist at 
other airports, but without focused monitoring, the threats to the 
birds have not been documented. Information provided from monitoring at 
McChord Field is used here as a surrogate for civilian airport 
information which is not readily accessible. McChord Field has had 
seven confirmed streaked horned lark strikes from 2002 through 2010; 
the larks were killed in the strikes, but the strikes resulted in only 
minimal cost or damage to the aircraft (Elliott 2011, pers. comm.). 
Aircraft strikes are potentially a large source of adult mortality for 
streaked horned larks at McChord Field. Surveys in 2010 at McChord 
Field detected up to 26 individuals at the site (Linders 2011a, p. 3); 
loss of even 1 adult (and possibly more, since some strikes may not be 
noticeable given the small mass of a horned lark) per year could remove 
up to 4 percent of the population each year. Recent modeling has shown 
that adult survival has the greatest influence on population growth 
rates for streaked horned larks (Pearson et al. 2008, p. 13; Camfield 
et al. 2011, p. 10), so consistent loss of adult streaked horned larks 
to aircraft strikes could be pushing this population closer to 
extirpation.
    The annual Olympic Air Show takes place in June at the Olympia 
Regional Airport; the events at the air show include low-level 
aerobatic flying (Olympic Flight Museum 2012, p. 1). The events do not 
occur on lark habitat, but parking and staging for the event may occur 
on the streaked horned lark's breeding grounds (Tirhi 2012b, in litt.). 
As the air show occurs during the streaked horned lark's breeding 
season, the level of human activity at the site could cause nest 
abandonment, exposure of young to predators or actual nest destruction 
(see discussion for similar military activities under Factor A).
    The Corvallis Municipal Airport is the site of the largest known 
streaked horned lark population. The airport hosts training exercises 
for police departments on the airport grounds (Moore and Kotaich 2010, 
p. 25); intensive training sessions have destroyed nests, and the 
disturbance may also cause streaked horned larks to delay breeding 
activity (Moore and Kotaich 2010, p. 25) (see discussion for similar 
use at military sites under Factor A, military activities).
    The Taylor's checkerspot butterfly is not known to be impacted by 
aircraft strikes and aircraft activities at airports. Habitat 
management activities at these sites are covered under Factor A.
Pesticides and Herbicides
    In the south Puget Sound region, currently occupied Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly sites are found in a matrix of rural agricultural 
lands and low-density development. In this context herbicide and 
insecticide use may have direct effects on nontarget plants (butterfly 
larval and nectar hosts) and arthropods like butterflies (Stark et al. 
2012, p. 23).
    The application of the pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis var. 
kurstaki (Btk) for control of the Asian gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) 
likely contributed to the extirpation of three historical locales for 
Taylor's checkerspot butterflies in Pierce County, Washington (Vaughan 
and Black 2002, p. 13). Spraying of Btk is known to have adverse 
effects to nontarget lepidopteran species (butterflies and moths) 
(Severns 2002, p. 169). Severns (2002) sampled butterfly diversity, 
richness, and abundance (density) for 2 years following a Btk 
application at Schwarz Park in Lane County, Oregon. Diversity, richness 
and density were found to be significantly reduced for 2 years 
following spraying of Btk (Severns 2002, p. 168). Species like Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies, which have a single brood per year, are active 
in the spring and their larvae are active during the spray application 
period. Most lepidopterans are more susceptible to Btk than the target 
species (Asian gypsy moth) (Haas and Scriber 1998). For nontarget 
lepidoptera, the early instar stages of larvae are the most susceptible 
stage (Wagner and Miller 1995, p. 21).
    The application of pesticides is usually restricted to a short 
period of the year. However, if the target species is active at the 
same time as larvae and adult Taylor's checkerspot butterflies, the 
effect could be significant. Spraying of Btk still occurs in Pierce 
County for gypsy moths during the time of year when Taylor's 
checkerspot larvae are active and the threat of pesticide drift onto 
the prairies of Pierce County cannot be discounted. At this time, 
however, we have no evidence that Btk has been sprayed in any locations 
where Taylor's checkerspot butterflies are known to occur.
    Organophosphate-based insecticides are used in a number of 
agricultural applications including black fly and mosquito control, 
spraying of vegetable, nut, and fruit crops, and treatment of seed, 
though they are now banned from residential use. One of these 
insecticides, Naled (Dibrom), has been determined to have broad impacts 
on a wide array of butterfly families (Bargar 2011, p. 888) and direct 
effects to the larvae and adults of a closely related species of a 
federally listed threatened butterfly, the Bay checkerspot (Euphydyras 
editha bayensis) (EPA 2010, p. 23), if exposed. The extent to which 
these insecticides are used in the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly's 
range is currently unknown and current data was not available from the 
USDA.
    The streaked horned lark is not known to be impacted by pesticides 
or herbicides directly, but may be impacted by the equipment used to 
dispense them. These impacts are covered under Factor A.

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Recreation
    Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly. Recreational foot traffic may be a 
threat to Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, as trampling will crush 
larvae if they are present underfoot. The incidence of trampling is 
limited to the few locations where Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and 
recreation overlap. For example, foot traffic is relatively common at 
Scatter Creek Wildlife Area in Washington, where plants and butterfly 
habitat have been trampled by horses during specialized dog 
competitions in which dogs are followed by observers on horseback 
(Stinson 2005, p. 6), and by foot traffic using the trail system to 
access the meadows of Beazell Memorial Forest (Park) in Oregon. 
Recreation by JBLM personnel and local individuals occurs on and near 
the 13th Division Prairie. Trampling by humans and horses, as well as 
people walking dogs on the 13th Division Prairie, is likely to crush 
some larvae, and the larval and nectar prairie plant communities that 
are restored and managed for in this area.
    Larvae have been crushed on Dan Kelly Ridge, on the north Olympic 
Peninsula by vehicles that access the site to maintain a cell tower on 
the ridge. Also, recreational off-road vehicle (ORV) traffic on Dan 
Kelly Ridge, and on Eden Valley, has damaged larval host plants. The 
ORV damage on Dan Kelly Ridge occurs despite efforts by WDNR to block 
access into the upper portions of the road system through gating of the 
main road. Based on our review, we conclude that recreation is a threat 
to the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and where the population is 
depressed may constitute a serious threat to the long-term conservation 
of the species.
    Streaked Horned Lark. There are documented occurrences of adverse 
effects to larks from recreation. Recreation at coastal sites is a 
common threat to rare species; activities such as dog walking, 
beachcombing, ORV use, and horseback riding in coastal habitats may 
indirectly increase predation, nest abandonment and nest success for 
streaked horned larks (Pearson and Hopey 2005, pp. 19, 26, 29). One 
nest (of 16 monitored) at Midway Beach on the Washington coast was 
crushed by a horse in 2004 (Pearson and Hopey 2005, pp. 18-19). Open 
sandy beaches (e.g. dredge spoil sites on the lower Columbia islands) 
make good camping areas for kayakers and boaters, and nests could be 
lost due to accidental crushing. During western snowy plover surveys 
conducted between 2006 and 2010 at coastal sites in Washington, human-
caused nest failures were reported in 4 of the 5 years (Pearson et al. 
annual reports, 2007, p. 16; 2008, p. 17; 2009, p. 18; 2010, p. 16). 
Because streaked horned larks nest in the same areas as snowy plovers 
along the Washington Coast, it is highly likely that human-caused nest 
failures also occur due to recreational activities at these sites. Good 
communication between researchers and landowners has resulted in some 
positive actions to reduce the adverse effects of recreation. In 2002, 
JBLM restricted recreational activity at the 13th Division Prairie to 
protect lark nesting; prohibiting model airplane flying, dog walking, 
and vehicle traffic in the area used by streaked horned larks (Pearson 
and Hopey 2005, p. 29).
    Although restrictions to recreational use were placed on the 13th 
Division Prairie by JBLM, it is a difficult area to patrol and enforce 
restrictions of this type. This area, adjacent to where streaked horned 
larks nest, is scheduled for a release of captive bred and translocated 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly larvae during March 2012. Based on our 
review, we conclude that activities associated with recreation are 
threats to the streaked horned lark.
Nest Parasitism
    Nest parasitism by brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) is a 
potential, though little documented, threat to streaked horned larks. 
Cowbirds are common in grasslands and urban areas throughout North 
America; female cowbirds lay their eggs in the nests of other songbirds 
(Lowther 1993, p. 1). Upon hatching, young cowbirds compete for food 
with the young of the host species, and may result in lower 
reproductive success for the host pair (Lowther 1993, p. 11). In a 
study in Kansas, brown-headed cowbird parasitism of horned lark nests 
reduced the larks' nest success by half in those nests that were 
parasitized (from 1.4 young larks fledged per nest in non-parasitized 
nests to 0.7 young larks produced per nest with cowbird parasitism 
(Hill 1976, pp. 560-561)). Cowbirds are native to the open grasslands 
of central North America, but apparently only expanded into Oregon and 
Washington in the 1950's, as a result of human clearing of forested 
habitats (Lowther 1993, p. 2). Brown-headed cowbirds have been noted at 
all streaked horned lark study areas, and fledgling cowbirds have been 
observed begging for food from adult streaked horned larks in the south 
Puget Sound (Stinson 2005, p. 56). Extensive nest monitoring of 
streaked horned nests in the Willamette Valley has not identified 
cowbird brood parasitism as a threat in this area (Moore 2009, entire; 
Moore and Kotaich 2010, entire). Streaked horned larks have had just 50 
years of exposure to brown-headed cowbirds, and as such, have not 
coevolved with this nest parasite. We, therefore, conclude that the 
effect of cowbird brood parasitism may be considered a threat if it 
further depresses nest success of the declining streaked horned lark 
population on the south Puget Sound.
    The Taylor's checkerspot butterfly is not known to be impacted by 
nest parasitism.
Summary of Factor E
    Based upon our review of the best commercial and scientific data 
available, the loss, degradation, and fragmentation of prairies has 
resulted in smaller population sizes, loss of genetic diversity, 
reduced gene flow among populations, destruction of population 
structure, and increased susceptibility to local population extirpation 
for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the streaked horned lark 
from a series of threats including pesticide use, crushing and 
trampling from recreational activities, aircraft strikes and 
collisions, and nest parasitism, as summarized for each species below.
    Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly. Based upon our review of the best 
commercial and scientific data available, the degradation of habitat 
from recreational trampling and crushing produced by humans, dogs, and 
horses has killed larvae at several sites occupied by Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies. In addition, the use of the insecticide BtK is 
suspected to be responsible for the extirpation of two sites in Pierce 
County, WA in 1992. We have also determined that the loss of genetic 
diversity through inbreeding depression due to habitat fragmentation 
and the isolation of the species is likely an ongoing active threat. We 
consider the impacts from recreation and pesticide use to pose 
potential threats to Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, particularly given 
its inherent vulnerability due to small population sizes and isolation 
of small populations.
    Streaked horned lark. Genetic analysis has shown that streaked 
horned larks have suffered a loss of genetic diversity due to a 
bottleneck in population size (Drovetski et al. 2005, p. 881), the 
effect of which may be exacerbated by continued small total population 
size.
    Habitat changes to streaked horned lark habitat from climate change 
may provide some benefit to the species and as such is not currently 
considered a threat. However, recreation activities can cause the 
degradation of streaked

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horned lark habitat and direct mortality to nest and young.
    We consider the impacts from recreation, the loss of genetic 
diversity, and the species' low reproductive numbers to pose 
potentially substantial threats to Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, 
particularly given its inherent vulnerability due to small population 
sizes and isolation of small populations.

Proposed Determination

Taylor's checkerspot butterfly

    The Taylor's checkerspot butterfly has been lost from most 
locations in the Canadian portion of its range with just one known 
population remaining. In Washington the species was once known from 
seven Puget Sound counties, and is now known to occur naturally in just 
two counties, Clallam and Pierce. In Oregon, the range of Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly has been reduced to two small relict grasslands 
in the foothills of the coast range near Corvallis, in Benton County, 
Oregon. The distribution of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies has been 
reduced from greater than 70 populations to 10 populations rangewide 
today; some of these populations have been extirpated in the past 
decade, and many declined from robust population sizes with greater 
than 5,000 individual butterflies to zero within a 3-year interval and 
have not returned. Most remaining populations of Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies are very small; 5 of the 10 known populations have fewer 
than 100 individuals. Only 1 population consistently has more than 
1,000 individual butterflies, and this population has been severely 
impacted due to habitat impacts from military training.
    We have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial 
information available regarding the past, present, and future threats 
to the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. We find that the threat of 
development and adverse impacts to habitat from conversion to other 
uses (agriculture), the loss of historically occupied locations 
resulting in the present isolation and limited distribution of the 
species, the impacts of military training and recreation, existing and 
likely future habitat fragmentation, habitat disturbance, and land use 
changes associated with agriculture, long-term fire suppression, the 
and the threats associated with the present and threatened destruction, 
modification, and curtailment of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly habitat 
are significant. These threats are currently ongoing and will continue 
into the foreseeable future for Taylor's checkerspot butterflies.
    We find that disease may be a threat, but is not currently at a 
significant level to affect Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. The threat 
of disease to the larval host plant of the species may become 
substantial in the foreseeable future due to the prevalence of small 
population sizes for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. Predation is 
not a threat to Taylor's checkerspot butterflies at this time. We 
conclude that the existing regulatory mechanisms do not address and 
reduce the threats to the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. The voluntary 
protections from WDNR have not provided protection to the species on 
DNR lands in north Olympic peninsula, and WDNR grassland properties in 
south Puget Sound no longer support the subspecies.
    The observed habitat fragmentation and the isolation of small 
populations of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly suggests that the loss of 
genetic diversity through inbreeding depression may be a threat. All 
known locations where Taylor's checkerspots are found in Oregon and 
Washington are sufficiently distant from each other such that exchange 
of genetic material from a dispersing individual moving from population 
to populations would be unlikely. The threat of extreme weather events 
(drought and deluge, and overcast, cold springs) affect host plant 
phenology and adult butterfly emergence, which influences whether the 
larvae completes their annual life cycle, thus affecting the size of 
annual populations. The effects of weather events are particularly a 
threat when it affects one of the few small populations that remain. 
There is a potential threat of continuing pesticide application, which 
is suspected to be responsible for the extirpation of some populations 
of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly in Pierce County. Recreational 
activities (off-road vehicles, trampling and crushing from hikers and 
horses) have been shown to be a threat at several of the sites occupied 
by Taylor's checkerspot butterflies.
    In summary, the combination of several significant threats and the 
ongoing nature of these threats to the few remaining small populations 
of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly leads us to conclude that the species 
is currently in danger of extinction throughout the species' range. The 
threats to the survival of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly occur 
throughout the species' range and are not restricted to any particular 
significant portion of that range. Accordingly, our assessment and 
proposed determination will apply to the species throughout its entire 
range. The Act defines an endangered species as any species that is 
``in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of 
its range'' and a threatened species as any species ``that is likely to 
become endangered throughout all or a significant portion of its range 
within the foreseeable future.'' Because we find that the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly is presently in danger of extinction throughout 
its entire range, based on the immediacy, severity, and scope of the 
threats described above, and the fact that the range and population 
size of the species has already been drastically reduced, a proposed 
determination of threatened species status for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly is not appropriate. Therefore, on the basis of the best 
available scientific and commercial information, we determine that the 
Taylors' checkerspot butterfly meets the definition of an endangered 
species in accordance with sections 3(6) and 4(a)(1) of the Act.
    This proposal is based on current information about the location, 
status and threats for these subspecies. If new information is found 
which results in an expanded range of habitats used by the subspecies, 
or a decreased level of threats, we will consider that information in 
the final rule.

Significant Portion of the Range

    Having determined that the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly meets the 
definition of an endangered species throughout its entire range, we 
need not further evaluate any significant portion of the range for this 
species.
Proposed Determination for the Streaked Horned Lark
    The streaked horned lark has disappeared from all formerly 
documented locations in the northern portions of its range (British 
Columbia, the San Juan Islands, and the northern Puget trough), the 
Oregon coast, and the southern edge of its range (Rogue and Umpqua 
Valleys). There are currently estimated to be fewer than 1,600 streaked 
horned larks rangewide.
    The streaked horned lark's range may be continuing to contract. The 
south Puget Sound breeding population is estimated to be 150-170 
individuals; the Washington coast and Columbia River islands breeding 
population is 120-140 individuals. Recent research estimates that the 
number of streaked horned larks in Washington and on the Columbia River 
islands is declining. This decline taken together with evidence of 
inbreeding depression on the south Puget Sound indicates that the 
streaked horned lark's range may contract further in the future.

[[Page 61969]]

    Throughout the entirety of the streaked horned lark's range, its 
habitat is threatened by loss of natural disturbance regimes, 
succession of woody plants and the invasion of nonnative plants that 
alter habitat structure, and incompatible management practices. In 
winter, most of the subspecies congregates in the Willamette Valley, 
putting it at risk of stochastic events in bad weather years. Most of 
the sites used by streaked horned larks require management to maintain 
the low vegetative structure and open landscape needed by streaked 
horned larks, although few of the streaked horned lark's breeding or 
wintering habitats are managed for the conservation of the subspecies.
    The range of the streaked horned lark is small and shrinking; the 
magnitude of threats is not uniform throughout the range since they 
appear to be concentrated in Washington based on the more severe 
population level effects observed there, but weighing the small overall 
population size there against the relatively larger and stable 
populations in Oregon, we conclude the subspecies as a whole is not in 
danger of extinction now, but is likely to become endangered within the 
foreseeable future.
    We have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial 
information available regarding past, present, and future threats to 
the streaked horned lark. Threats exist throughout the range of the 
subspecies, population numbers are declining, and there are few 
regulatory protections in place that could reduce the threats to the 
subspecies. Based on the threats to the subspecies throughout its 
range, we have determined the streaked horned lark meets the definition 
of a threatened species in accordance with sections 3(20) and 4(a)(1) 
of the Act.

Distinct Vertebrate Population Segment

    After finding that the streaked horned lark is a threatened species 
throughout its range, we next consider whether a distinct vertebrate 
population segment (DPS) meets the definition of endangered, in 
accordance with the Service's Policy Regarding the Recognition of 
Distinct Vertebrate Population Segments under the Endangered Species 
Act (61 FR 4722, February 7, 1996). The policy identifies three 
elements that are to be considered regarding the status of a possible 
DPS. These elements include:
    (1) The discreteness of the population segment in relation to the 
remainder of the species to which it belongs;
    (2) The significance of the population segment to the species to 
which it belongs; and
    (3) The population segment's conservation status in relation to the 
Act's standards for listing (i.e., does the population segment, when 
treated as if it were a species, meet the Act's definition of 
endangered or threatened?) (61 FR 4722; February 7, 1996).
    The first two elements are used to determine if a population 
segment constitutes a valid DPS. If it does, then the third element is 
used to consider whether such DPS warrants listing. In this section, we 
will consider the first two criteria (discreteness and significance) to 
determine if any unit of the streaked horned lark's overall population 
is a valid DPS (i.e., a valid listable entity). Our policy further 
recognizes it may be appropriate to assign different classifications 
(i.e., threatened or endangered) to different DPSs of the same 
vertebrate taxon (61FR 4722; February 7, 1996).
    Discreteness. Under the DPS policy, a population segment of a 
vertebrate species may be considered discrete if it satisfies either 
one of the following two conditions:
    (1) It is markedly separated from other populations of the same 
taxon as a consequence of physical, physiological, ecological, or 
behavioral factors. Quantitative measures of genetic or morphological 
discontinuity (separation based on genetic or morphological characters) 
may provide evidence of this separation;
    (2) It is delimited by international governmental boundaries within 
which differences in control of exploitation, management of habitat, 
conservation status, or regulatory mechanisms exist that are 
significant in light of section 4(a)(1)(D) of the Act.
    Marked Separation. In our evaluation of discreteness under the DPS 
policy, we primarily considered the information indicating the 
separation of streaked horned larks during the breeding season into 
three regions (the south Puget Sound, Washington Coast and Columbia 
River, and the Willamette Valley). Observation of banded streaked 
horned larks has shown that the birds show strong site philopatry in 
the breeding season (i.e., individuals tend to return to the same 
location to breed each year), but birds from all regions mix in the 
winter (Pearson et al. 2005, pp. 2-6). In the winter most of the 
streaked horned larks that breed in the south Puget Sound migrate south 
to the Willamette Valley or west to the Washington coast; larks that 
breed on the Washington coast either remain on the coast or migrate 
south to the Willamette Valley; birds that breed on the lower Columbia 
River islands remain on the islands or migrate to the Washington coast; 
and birds that breed in the Willamette Valley remain there over the 
winter (Pearson et al. 2005b; pp. 5-6). Streaked horned larks spend the 
winter in large mixed subspecies flocks of horned larks in the 
Willamette Valley, and in smaller flocks along the lower Columbia River 
and Washington Coast (Pearson et al. 2005b, p. 7; Pearson and Altman 
2005, p. 7).
    Possible evidence of inbreeding depression (Anderson 2010, p. 27, 
Pearson and Stinson 2011, p. 1) may suggest that there is a discrete 
population of streaked horned larks that breed in Washington. Estimates 
of population growth rate with data from nesting areas in Washington 
(south Puget Sound, Washington Coast, and one lower Columbia River 
island) indicate that the number of streaked horned larks in Washington 
is declining each year, apparently due to a combination of low survival 
and fecundity rates (Pearson et al. 2008, pp. 10, 13; Camfield et al. 
2011, p. 7); this trend is not apparent in Oregon (Myers and Kreager 
2010, p. 11). The combination of low genetic variability, small and 
rapidly declining nesting populations, high breeding site fidelity, and 
no observed migration into the south Puget Sound suggests that the 
streaked horned lark in the south Puget Sound could become extirpated 
in the near future (Pearson et al. 2008, pp. 1, 14, 15). Efforts to 
reduce this apparent isolation and concomitant genetic consequences 
have been implemented within the last year.
    A project was initiated in 2011 to counteract the apparent decline 
in the south Puget Sound breeding birds. This genetic rescue effort is 
aimed at increasing genetic diversity in the streaked horned larks 
breeding in Washington, which could result in increased nest success 
and an increase in the population. Twelve eggs (four three-egg 
clutches) were collected from streaked horned lark nests in the 
southern Willamette Valley and were placed in nests at the 13th 
Division Prairie site at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (Wolf 2011, p. 9). At 
least five young successfully fledged at the receiving site; if even 
one of these birds returns to breed in future years, it will likely 
increase genetic diversity in the receiving population, resulting in 
improved fitness and reduced extinction risk for the south Puget Sound 
larks (Wolf 2011, p. 9). This genetic rescue project will likely be 
continued for the next several years.
    With the evidence of extensive mixing that occurs in the winter, 
and the genetic rescue project to bolster genetic diversity in 
Washington, which has

[[Page 61970]]

resulted in genetic mixing between Oregon and Washington populations, 
there does not appear to be marked separation among streaked horned 
larks from the three regions. In addition, the evidence of deleterious 
genetic consequences to the birds breeding in Washington suggests that 
any possible isolation of this population is not the result of 
adaptation or natural differentiation of this population, but rather is 
symptomatic of drastic population declines and loss of connectivity 
between potentially interbreeding subpopulations. Because we find the 
potential ``regional populations'' are not markedly separate, we do not 
consider them to be discrete under the DPS policy.
    Evaluation of Discreteness. Our analysis of the apparent level of 
isolation and evidence of inbreeding depression does not lead to a 
finding that any subunit of streaked horned larks that nest in 
Washington, in the south Puget Sound, the Washington coast or the 
Columbia River islands, are discrete, therefore these populations 
cannot be considered as a potential DPS. This does not mean that the 
three breeding regions of the subspecies are unimportant and do not 
have significant conservation value. It simply means that, per our 
policy, the best available data at this time do not support a marked 
separation between the breeding larks in the three regions, based on 
information available to us, such that this population would meet the 
discreteness criterion of our DPS policy.
    Significance. Under our DPS Policy, a population must be discrete 
and significant to qualify as a DPS. Since we have determined that no 
populations of streaked horned larks are discrete, we will not consider 
whether that population segment is significant.

Conclusion of DPS Analysis for the Streaked Horned Lark

    On the basis of the best available information, we have determined 
that there are no discrete populations of the streaked horned lark. 
Since no population segments met the discreetness element, and 
therefore, no populations qualify as a DPS under the Service's DPS 
policy, we will not proceed with an evaluation of the status of the 
population segment under the Act.

Significant Portion of the Range

    As described above, we have determined that the streaked horned 
lark is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future 
throughout all of its range, therefore the subspecies meets the 
definition of a threatened species under the Act. In the course of this 
rangewide determination, we considered whether some portion of the full 
range of the subspecies may face threats or potential threats acting 
individually or collectively on the streaked horned lark to such degree 
that the subspecies as a whole should be considered endangered. We 
detail our consideration of that question here.
    Although the threats to streaked horned larks in Washington and 
Oregon are apparently similar in nature (including loss of habitat to 
development, poor habitat quality due to lack of adequate management to 
maintain low-stature vegetation, predation, and human disturbance 
during the breeding season), for reasons unknown, the population trend 
for streaked horned larks in Washington appears to be markedly 
different than the trend for the subspecies in Oregon.
    Streaked horned larks in Washington occur on the south Puget Sound, 
the Washington coast, and on islands and dredge disposal sites in the 
lower Columbia River (including two sites in Portland, Oregon). The 
total estimated population of streaked horned larks in these areas is 
270-310 birds (Altman 2011, p. 213). Demographic modeling using data 
from these sites uniformly show precipitous population declines. 
Pearson et al. (2008, pp. 3, 12) examined population vital rates 
(reproductive rates, juvenile survival and adult survival) at seven 
sites (four in the south Puget Sound, two on the Washington Coast, and 
one Columbia River island) over 4 years (2002-2005) and concluded that 
the Washington population is declining by 40 percent per year. 
Schapaugh (2009, pp. 9, 15, 18) used both deterministic and stochastic 
models to analyze the data collected by Pearson et al. (2008, p. 3), 
and projected that, in all cases, the streaked horned larks in 
Washington would likely become extinct within 25 years.
    Camfield et al. (2011, p. 4) analyzed the data from the same three 
local populations considered by Pearson et al. (2008) and Schapaugh 
(2009), described above (the data were collected from about 137 nests 
over 4 years (2002-2005)). Camfield et al. (2011, p. 8) concluded that 
these populations have reached a point where they are declining towards 
extinction, and are not sustainable without immigration. The declining 
trend is probably most pronounced in the south Puget Sound population, 
where studies have identified apparent inbreeding depression, which is 
likely a result of the small population size, high site fidelity, and 
complete absence of breeding season immigration (i.e., no observed 
immigration of breeding birds from any other sites) (Pearson et al. 
2008, pp. 14-15).
    The population of streaked horned larks in the Willamette Valley of 
Oregon appears to be more stable. The population in the Willamette 
Valley is estimated at 900-1,300 birds (Altman 2011, p. 213); no 
population modeling has been done using data from Oregon, but the 
apparent trend of the species in the Willamette Valley is stable or 
slightly increasing, based on the Oregon Department of Fish and 
Wildlife's 1996 and 2008 surveys for streaked horned larks at sites 
throughout the Willamette Valley (Myers and Kreager 2010, p. 11). 
Population monitoring at various sites in the Willamette show that 
several large populations are fairly stable or increasing. Surveys 
conducted at Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge from 2006 to 2009 
showed a population increase from 18 pairs in 2006 to 35 pairs in 2009 
(Moore 2008, p. 8; Moore 2012, in litt.). Surveys at William L. Finley 
National Wildlife Refuge found the population increasing from 15 pairs 
in 2006 to 40 pairs in 2010 (Moore 2008, p. 9; Moore 2012, in litt.). 
The streaked horned lark population at Corvallis Municipal Airport, the 
site of the largest known population of the subspecies, measured 75 
pairs in 2006, 102 pairs in 2007, 80 pairs in 2008, and 85 pairs in 
2011 (Moore 2008, p. 16; Moore 2012, in litt.).
    Although streaked horned larks in the Willamette Valley face many 
of the same threats as populations in Washington, we have no 
information to indicate that populations in the Willamette Valley are 
experiencing declines, or to suggest that they are likely to experience 
significant declines in the foreseeable future, to the degree that this 
population would be considered in danger of extinction at the present 
time. The threats in the Willamette Valley are relatively small 
population size, and likely loss of habitat to future development and 
incompatible management practices, which leads us to conclude that the 
subspecies is threatened in the Willamette Valley.
    The best available data therefore suggests that under current 
conditions, streaked horned larks in Washington (south Puget Sound, 
Washington coast, Columbia River islands) will likely continue to 
decline towards extinction within this century. Having already 
determined that the streaked horned lark is threatened throughout its 
range, we considered whether threats may be so concentrated in some 
portion of its range that, if that portion were lost, the entire 
subspecies would be in danger of

[[Page 61971]]

extinction. In applying this test, we determined that even with the 
potential loss of the Washington populations, the relatively larger, 
more stable population in the Willamette Valley of Oregon would likely 
persist, therefore the subspecies as a whole is not presently in danger 
of extinction, and therefore does not meet the definition of an 
endangered species under the Act.
    Continued decline of the Washington populations is considered in 
conjunction with the relatively more stable populations in the 
Willamette Valley leads us to the conclusion that, on balance, the 
subspecies is appropriately defined as a threatened species throughout 
its range under the Act.

Available Conservation Measures

    Conservation measures provided to species listed as endangered or 
threatened under the Act include recognition, recovery actions, 
requirements for Federal protection, and prohibitions against certain 
practices. Listing results in recognition and public awareness and 
conservation by Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies, private 
organizations, and individuals. The Act encourages cooperation with the 
States and requires that recovery actions be carried out for all listed 
species. The protection required by Federal agencies and the 
prohibitions against certain activities are discussed, in part, below.
    The primary purpose of the Act is the conservation of endangered 
and threatened species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. The 
ultimate goal of such conservation efforts is the recovery of these 
listed species, so that they no longer need the protective measures of 
the Act. Subsection 4(f) of the Act requires the Service to develop and 
implement recovery plans for the conservation of endangered and 
threatened species. The recovery planning process involves the 
identification of actions that are necessary to halt or reverse the 
species' decline by addressing the threats to its survival and 
recovery. The goal of this process is to restore listed species to a 
point where they are secure, self-sustaining, and functioning 
components of their ecosystems.
    Recovery planning includes the development of a recovery outline 
shortly after a species is listed, preparation of a draft and final 
recovery plan, and revisions to the plan as significant new information 
becomes available. The recovery outline guides the immediate 
implementation of urgent recovery actions and describes the process to 
be used to develop a recovery plan. The recovery plan identifies site-
specific management actions that will achieve recovery of the species, 
measurable criteria that determine when a species may be downlisted or 
delisted, and methods for monitoring recovery progress. Recovery plans 
also establish a framework for agencies to coordinate their recovery 
efforts and provide estimates of the cost of implementing recovery 
tasks. Recovery teams (comprised of species experts, Federal and State 
agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and stakeholders) are often 
established to develop recovery plans. When completed, the recovery 
outline, draft recovery plan, and the final recovery plan will be 
available on our Web site (http://www.fws.gov/endangered), or from our 
Washington Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT).
    Implementation of recovery actions generally requires the 
participation of a broad range of partners, including other Federal 
agencies, States, Tribal, nongovernmental organizations, businesses, 
and private landowners. Examples of recovery actions include habitat 
restoration (e.g., restoration of native vegetation), research, captive 
propagation and reintroduction, and outreach and education. The 
recovery of many listed species cannot be accomplished solely on 
Federal lands because their range may occur primarily or solely on non-
Federal lands. To achieve recovery of these species requires 
cooperative conservation efforts on private, State, and Tribal lands.
    If these species are listed, funding for recovery actions will be 
available from a variety of sources, including Federal budgets, State 
programs, and cost share grants for non-Federal landowners, the 
academic community, and nongovernmental organizations. In addition, 
pursuant to section 6 of the Act, the States of Washington and Oregon 
would be eligible for Federal funds to implement management actions 
that promote the protection and recovery of the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly and streaked horned lark. Information on our grant programs 
that are available to aid species recovery can be found at: http://www.fws.gov/grants.
    Although the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned 
lark are only proposed for listing under the Act at this time, please 
let us know if you are interested in participating in recovery efforts 
for these species. Additionally, we invite you to submit any new 
information on these species whenever it becomes available and any 
information you may have for recovery planning purposes (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Section 7(a) of the Act requires Federal agencies to evaluate their 
actions with respect to any species that is proposed or listed as 
endangered or threatened and with respect to its critical habitat, if 
any is designated. Regulations implementing this interagency 
cooperation provision of the Act are codified at 50 CFR part 402. 
Section 7(a)(4) of the Act requires Federal agencies to confer with the 
Service on any action that is likely to jeopardize the continued 
existence of a species proposed for listing or result in destruction or 
adverse modification of proposed critical habitat. If a species is 
listed subsequently, section 7(a)(2) of the Act requires Federal 
agencies to ensure that activities they authorize, fund, or carry out 
are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or 
destroy or adversely modify its critical habitat. If a Federal action 
may affect a listed species or its critical habitat, the responsible 
Federal agency must enter into formal consultation with the Service.
    Federal agency actions within the species habitat that may require 
conference or consultation or both as described in the preceding 
paragraph include actions to manage or restore critical habitat, 
actions that require collecting or handling the species for the purpose 
of captive propagation and translocation to new habitat, actions that 
may negatively affect the species through removal, conversion or 
degradation of habitat. Examples of activities conducted, regulated or 
funded by Federal agencies that may affect listed species or their 
habitat include, but are not limited to:
    (1) Military training activities and air operations conducted in or 
adjacent to occupied or suitable habitat on DOD lands;
    (2) Activities with a Federal nexus that include vegetation 
management such as burning, mechanical treatment, and/or application of 
herbicides/pesticides on Federal, State, private, or Tribal lands;
    (3) Ground-disturbing activities regulated, funded or conducted by 
Federal agencies in or adjacent to occupied and/or suitable habitat; 
and
    (4) import, export or trade of the species, to name a few.
    The Act and its implementing regulations set forth a series of 
general prohibitions and exceptions that apply to all endangered 
wildlife. The prohibitions of section 9(a)(2) of the Act, codified at 
50 CFR 17.21 for endangered wildlife, in part, make it illegal for any 
person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to take 
(includes harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill,

[[Page 61972]]

trap, capture, or collect; or to attempt any of these), import, export, 
ship in interstate commerce in the course of commercial activity, or 
sell or offer for sale in interstate or foreign commerce any listed 
species. Under the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42-43; 16 U.S.C. 3371-3378), it 
is also illegal to possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, or ship 
any such wildlife that has been taken illegally. Certain exceptions 
apply to agents of the Service and State conservation agencies.
    We may issue permits to carry out otherwise prohibited activities 
involving endangered and threatened wildlife species under certain 
circumstances. Regulations governing permits are codified at 50 CFR 
17.22 for endangered species, and at 17.32 for threatened species. With 
regard to endangered wildlife, a permit must be issued for the 
following purposes: for scientific purposes, to enhance the propagation 
or survival of the species, and for incidental take in connection with 
otherwise lawful activities.
    It is our policy, as published in the Federal Register on July 1, 
1994 (59 FR 34272), to identify to the maximum extent practicable at 
the time a species is listed, those activities that would or would not 
constitute a violation of section 9 of the Act. The intent of this 
policy is to increase public awareness of the effect of a proposed 
listing on proposed and ongoing activities within the range of species 
proposed for listing. The following activities could potentially result 
in a violation of section 9 of the Act; this list is not comprehensive:
    (1) Unauthorized collecting, handling, possessing, selling, 
delivering, carrying, or transporting of the species, including import 
or export across State lines and international boundaries, except for 
properly documented antique specimens of these taxa at least 100 years 
old, as defined by section 10(h)(1) of the Act;
    (2) Introduction of nonnative species that compete with or prey 
upon the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly or streaked horned lark, such 
as the introduction of competing, nonnative plants or animals to the 
States of Washington and Oregon;
    (3) The unauthorized release of biological control agents that 
attack any life stage of these species, for example, Btk release in the 
range of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies;
    (4) Unauthorized modification of the soil profiles or the 
vegetation components on sites known to be occupied by Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies and streaked horned larks; and
    (5) Deposition of dredge materials on occupied streaked horned lark 
breeding habitats, intentional harassment of species at airports as 
part of a wildlife hazard reduction program, mowing or burning of 
occupied species habitats during the breeding season.
    Questions regarding whether specific activities would constitute a 
violation of section 9 of the Act should be directed to the Washington 
Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). 
Requests for copies of the regulations concerning listed animals and 
general inquiries regarding prohibitions and permits may be addressed 
to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, Eastside 
Federal Complex, 911 NE. 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-4181 
(telephone 503-231-6158; facsimile 503-231-6243).
    If the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly or streaked horned lark are 
listed under the Act, the States of Washington and Oregon Endangered 
Species Acts (WAC 232-12-297 and OAR 629-605-0105) are automatically 
invoked, which would also prohibit take of these species and encourage 
conservation by State government agencies. Further, the States may 
enter into agreements with Federal agencies to administer and manage 
any area required for the conservation, management, enhancement, or 
protection of endangered species. Funds for these activities could be 
made available under section 6 of the Act (Cooperation with the States) 
or through competitive application to receive funding through our 
Recovery Program under section 4 of the Act. Thus, the Federal 
protection afforded to these species by listing them as endangered or 
threatened species will be reinforced and supplemented by protection 
under State law.

Special Rule

    Under section 4(d) of the Act, the Secretary may publish a special 
rule that modifies the standard protections for threatened species in 
the Service's regulations at 50 CFR 17.31, which implement section 9 of 
the Act, with special measures that are determined to be necessary and 
advisable to provide for the conservation of the species. As a means to 
promote conservation efforts on behalf of the streaked horned lark, we 
are proposing a special rule for this species under section 4(d) of the 
Act. In the case of a special rule, the general regulations (50 CFR 
17.31 and 17.71) applying most prohibitions under section 9 of the Act 
to threatened species do not apply to that species, and the special 
rule contains the prohibitions necessary and appropriate to conserve 
that species.
    Under the proposed special rule, take of the streaked horned lark 
caused by restoration and maintenance activities either through 
agricultural operations or by airports on State, county, private, or 
tribal lands would be exempt from section 9 of the Act. These 
activities include mechanical weed and grass removal on airports. In 
addition, we also propose to exempt certain normal farming or ranching 
activities, including: grazing, routine fence and structure 
maintenance, mowing, herbicide use, burning, and other routine 
activities described under proposed Sec.  17.41 (Special Rules--Birds) 
at the end of this document. The rule targets these activities to 
encourage landowners to continue to maintain those areas that are not 
only important for airport safety and agricultural use, but also 
provide habitat for the streaked horned lark. Airport restoration and 
maintenance activities on Federal lands will be addressed through the 
section 7 process.
Justification
    Airport Management. Some management actions taken at airports are 
generally beneficial to streaked horned larks. Streaked horned larks 
have been documented to breed successfully and to maintain stable 
populations at airports in the south Puget Sound and Willamette Valley. 
Although horned larks are one of the most commonly struck birds 
according to the Federal Aviation Administration's bird strike 
database, they rarely cause damage to airplanes due to their small 
size. However, larger birds can cause significant damage and are a 
danger to planes. The Service believes current management of these 
areas provide for safe aircraft operations while simultaneously 
providing for the conservation of streaked horned larks. Under the 
proposed rule, covered actions would include vegetation management to 
maintain desired grass height on or adjacent to airports through mowing 
or herbicide use; hazing of hazardous wildlife (geese, and other large 
birds and mammals), routine management, repair and maintenance of roads 
and runways; and management of forage, water, and shelter to be less 
attractive to these hazardous wildlife.
    If finalized, the listing of the streaked horned lark would impose 
a requirement of airport managers where the species occur to consider 
the effects of their management activities on these species. 
Additionally, airport managers would likely take actions to deter the 
species from areas where they currently

[[Page 61973]]

occur in order to avoid the burden of the resulting take restrictions 
that would accrue from the presence of a listed species. However, 
special rule under section 4(d) of the Act for airports which exempts 
activities, such as mowing or other management to deter hazardous 
wildlife, that would result in take under section 9 of the Act, would 
eliminate the incentive for airports to reduce or eliminate populations 
of streaked horned larks from the airfields.
    Agricultural Lands. Streaked horned larks use agricultural habitats 
in the Willamette Valley each year, even though appropriate habitat 
characteristics on these lands may shift from year to year. In the 
agricultural fields of the Willamette Valley, the open habitats with 
the desired combination of bare ground and low vegetation structure may 
occur anywhere within the agricultural matrix of the valley floor. 
Habitat characteristics of agricultural lands used by streaked horned 
larks include: (1) Bare or sparsely vegetated areas within or adjacent 
to grass seed fields, pastures, or fallow fields; (2) recently planted 
(0-3 years) Christmas tree farms with extensive bare ground; and (3) 
wetland mudflats or ``drown outs'' (i.e., washed-out and poorly 
performing areas within grass seed or row crop fields). Currently, 
there are approximately 420,000 ac (169,968 ha) of grass seed fields in 
the Willamette Valley, and an additional approximately 500,000 ac 
(202,343 ha) of other agriculture. In any year, some portion of these 
roughly 1 million ac (404,685 ha) will have suitable streaked horned 
lark habitat, but the geographic location of those areas will not be 
consistent from year to year, nor can we predict their occurrence.
    While some agricultural activities may harm or kill streaked horned 
larks, maintenance of extensive agricultural lands in the Willamette 
Valley is crucial to maintaining a large, stable population of streaked 
horned larks in the valley. Section 9 of the Act provides general 
prohibitions on activities that would result in take of a threatened 
species; however, the Service recognizes that routine agricultural 
activities, even those with the potential to inadvertently take 
individual streaked horned larks, may be necessary components of 
agricultural operations and may provide for the long-term conservation 
needs of the streaked horned lark. The Service recognizes that in the 
long term, it is a benefit to the streaked horned lark to maintain 
those aspects of the Willamette Valley's agricultural landscape that 
can aid in the recovery of the species. We believe this special rule 
will further conservation of the species by discouraging conversions of 
the agricultural landscape into habitats unsuitable for the streaked 
horned lark and encouraging landowners to continue managing the 
remaining landscape in ways that meet the needs of their operation as 
well as providing suitable habitat for the streaked horned lark. Under 
the proposed rule, we propose to exempt normal farming activities such 
as planting, harvest and rotation of crops, mowing and tilling, 
herbicide use, and burning, which may result in take of the streaked 
horned lark under section 9 of the Act.
    In addition, we believe that, in certain instances, easing the 
general take prohibitions on non-Federal agricultural lands may 
encourage continued responsible land uses that provide an overall 
benefit to the species. We also believe that such a special rule will 
promote the conservation efforts and private lands partnerships 
critical for species recovery (Bean and Wilcove 1997, pp. 1-2). 
However, in easing the take prohibitions under section 9, the measures 
developed in the special rule must also contain prohibitions necessary 
and appropriate to conserve the species. As discussed elsewhere in this 
proposed rule, the streaked horned lark faces many threats. Foremost 
among these is the scarcity of large, open spaces with very early seral 
stage vegetation. In the Willamette Valley, large expanses of burned 
prairie or the scour plains of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers may 
have provided suitable habitat for streaked horned larks in the past. 
With the loss of these natural habitats during the last century, 
alternative breeding and wintering sites, including active agricultural 
lands, have become critical for the continued survival and recovery of 
the streaked horned lark.
Provisions of the Proposed Special Rule
    We believe these actions and activities, while they may have some 
minimal level of harm to or disturbance of the streaked horned lark, 
are not expected to adversely affect the species' conservation and 
recovery efforts.
    This proposal will not be finalized until we have reviewed comments 
from the public and peer reviewers. Exempted activities include 
existing routine airport practices as outlined above by non-Federal 
entities on existing airports, and agricultural and ranching 
activities.

Critical Habitat Designation for Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly and 
Streaked Horned Lark

    It is our intent to discuss below only those topics directly 
relevant to the designation of critical habitat for the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and the streaked horned lark in this section of 
the proposed rule.

Background

    Critical habitat is defined in section 3 of the Act as:
    (1) The specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the 
species, at the time it is listed in accordance with the Act, on which 
are found those physical or biological features
    (a) Essential to the conservation of the species, and
    (b) Which may require special management considerations or 
protection; and
    (2) Specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the 
species at the time it is listed, upon a determination that such areas 
are essential for the conservation of the species.
    Conservation, as defined under section 3 of the Act, means to use 
and the use of all methods and procedures that are necessary to bring 
an endangered or threatened species to the point at which the measures 
provided pursuant to the Act are no longer necessary. Such methods and 
procedures include, but are not limited to, all activities associated 
with scientific resources management such as research, census, law 
enforcement, habitat acquisition and maintenance, propagation, live 
trapping, and transplantation, and, in the extraordinary case where 
population pressures within a given ecosystem cannot be otherwise 
relieved, may include regulated taking.
    Critical habitat receives protection under section 7 of the Act 
through the requirement that Federal agencies ensure, in consultation 
with the Service, that any action they authorize, fund, or carry out is 
not likely to result in the destruction or adverse modification of 
critical habitat. The designation of critical habitat does not affect 
land ownership or establish a refuge, wilderness, reserve, preserve, or 
other conservation area. Such designation does not allow the government 
or public to access private lands. Such designation does not require 
implementation of restoration, recovery, or enhancement measures by 
non-Federal landowners. Where a landowner seeks or requests Federal 
agency funding or authorization for an action that may affect a listed 
species or critical habitat, the consultation requirements of section 
7(a)(2) would apply, but even in the event of a destruction or adverse 
modification

[[Page 61974]]

finding, the obligation of the Federal action agency and the landowner 
is not to restore or recover the species, but to implement reasonable 
and prudent alternatives to avoid destruction or adverse modification 
of critical habitat.
    Under the first prong of the Act's definition of critical habitat, 
areas within the geographic area occupied by the species at the time it 
was listed are included in a critical habitat designation if they 
contain physical or biological features (1) which are essential to the 
conservation of the species and (2) which may require special 
management considerations or protection. For these areas, critical 
habitat designations identify, to the extent known using the best 
scientific and commercial data available, those physical or biological 
features that are essential to the conservation of the species (such as 
space, food, cover, and protected habitat). In identifying those 
physical and biological features within an area, we focus on the 
principal biological or physical constituent elements (primary 
constituent elements such as roost sites, nesting grounds, seasonal 
wetlands, water quality, tide, soil type) that are essential to the 
conservation of the species. Primary constituent elements are the 
elements of physical or biological features that provide for a species' 
life-history processes and are essential to the conservation of the 
species.
    Under the second prong of the Act's definition of critical habitat, 
we can designate critical habitat in areas outside the geographic area 
occupied by the species at the time it is listed, upon a determination 
that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species. For 
example, an area currently occupied by the species, but that was not 
occupied at the time of listing, may be determined to be essential to 
the conservation of the species and may be included in the critical 
habitat designation. We designate critical habitat in areas outside the 
geographic area occupied by a species only when a designation limited 
to its range would be inadequate to ensure the conservation of the 
species.

Methods

    As required by Section 4 of the Act, we used the best scientific 
data available in determining those areas that contain the physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of these species. 
Further, our Policy on Information Standards under the Endangered 
Species Act (published in the Federal Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 
34271)), the Information Quality Act (section 515 of the Treasury and 
General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Pub. L. 
106-554; H.R. 5658)), and our associated Information Quality 
Guidelines, provide criteria, establish procedures, and provide 
guidance to ensure that our decisions are based on the best scientific 
data available. They require our biologists, to the extent consistent 
with the Act and with the use of the best scientific data available, to 
use primary and original sources of information as the basis for 
recommendations to designate critical habitat.
    When we are determining which areas should be designated as 
critical habitat, our primary source of information is generally the 
information developed during the listing process for the species. 
Additional information sources may include the recovery plan for the 
species (if available), articles in peer-reviewed journals, 
conservation plans developed by States and counties, scientific status 
surveys and studies, biological assessments, other unpublished 
materials, or experts' opinions or personal knowledge. In this case we 
used existing occurrence data for each species and identified the 
habitat and ecosystems upon which they depend. These sources of 
information included, but were not limited to:
    1. Data used to prepare the proposed rule to list the species;
    2. Information from biological surveys;
    3. Peer-reviewed articles, various agency reports, and databases;
    4. Information from the U.S. Department of Defense--Joint Base 
Lewis McChord and other cooperators;
    5. Information from species experts;
    6. Data and information presented in academic research theses; and
    7. Regional Geographic Information System (GIS) data (such as 
species occurrence data, land use, topography, aerial imagery, soil 
data, and land ownership maps) for area calculations and mapping.
    Habitat is dynamic, and species may move from one area to another 
over time. Climate change will be a particular challenge for 
biodiversity because the interaction of additional stressors associated 
with climate change and current stressors may push species beyond their 
ability to survive (Lovejoy 2005, pp. 325-326). The synergistic 
implications of climate change and habitat fragmentation are the most 
threatening facet of climate change for biodiversity (Hannah et al. 
2005, p. 4). Current climate change predictions for terrestrial areas 
in the Northern Hemisphere indicate warmer air temperatures, more 
intense precipitation events, and increased summer continental drying 
(Field et al. 1999, pp. 1-3; Hayhoe et al. 2004, p. 12422; Cayan et al. 
2005, p. 6; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2007, p. 
1181). Climate change may lead to increased frequency and duration of 
severe storms and droughts (Golladay et al. 2004, p. 504; McLaughlin et 
al. 2002, p. 6074; Cook et al. 2004, p. 1015).
    The information currently available on the effects of global 
climate change and increasing temperatures does not make sufficiently 
precise estimates of the location and magnitude of the effects. Nor are 
we currently aware of any climate change information specific to the 
habitat of the species that would indicate what areas may become 
important to the species in the future. Therefore, we are unable to 
determine what additional areas, if any, may be appropriate to include 
in the final critical habitat for this species to address the effects 
of climate change.
    We recognize that critical habitat designated at a particular point 
in time may not include all of the habitat areas that we may later 
determine are necessary for the recovery of the species. For these 
reasons, a critical habitat designation does not signal that habitat 
outside the designated area is unimportant or may not be needed for 
recovery of the species. Areas that are important to the conservation 
of the species, both inside and outside the critical habitat 
designation, will continue to be subject to: (1) Conservation actions 
implemented under section 7(a)(1) of the Act, (2) regulatory 
protections afforded by the requirement in section 7(a)(2) of the Act 
for Federal agencies to ensure their actions are not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened 
species, and (3) the prohibitions of section 9 of the Act if actions 
occurring in these areas may affect the species. Federally funded or 
permitted projects affecting listed species outside their designated 
critical habitat areas may still result in jeopardy findings in some 
cases. These protections and conservation tools will continue to 
contribute to recovery of this species. Similarly, critical habitat 
designations made on the basis of the best available information at the 
time of designation will not control the direction and substance of 
future recovery plans, habitat conservation plans (HCPs), or other 
species conservation planning efforts if new information available at 
the time of these planning efforts calls for a different outcome.

[[Page 61975]]

Prudency Determination

    Section 4(a)(3) of the Act, as amended, and implementing 
regulations (50 CFR 424.12), require that, to the maximum extent 
prudent and determinable, the Secretary designate critical habitat at 
the time the species is determined to be endangered or threatened. Our 
regulations at 50 CFR 424.12(a)(1) state that the designation of 
critical habitat is not prudent when one or both of the following 
situations exist: (1) The species is threatened by taking or other 
activity and the identification of critical habitat can be expected to 
increase the degree of threat to the species; or (2) such designation 
of critical habitat would not be beneficial to the species.

Species Proposed for Listing

    As we have discussed under the threats analysis for Factor B, there 
is no documentation that the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly or streaked 
horned lark are currently significantly threatened by collection for 
private or commercial purposes. We do have some evidence that the 
historical collection of butterflies for scientific studies may have 
contributed to the decline and extirpation of the 13th Division Prairie 
population of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly in the late 1990s. This is 
consistent with the decline and extirpation of the Jasper Ridge 
population of Edith's checkerspot in California reported by McGarrahan 
(1977, p. 479), which was determined to have been caused, in part, by 
scientific studies.
    We reviewed the information available for the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly and streaked horned lark pertaining to their biological needs 
and habitat characteristics. In the absence of finding that the 
designation of critical habitat would increase threats to a species, if 
there are any benefits to a critical habitat designation, then a 
prudent finding is warranted. The potential benefits of critical 
habitat to the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark 
include: (1) Triggering consultation under section 7 of the Act, in new 
areas for actions in which there may be a Federal nexus where it would 
not otherwise occur because, for example, it is or has become 
unoccupied or the occupancy is in question; (2) focusing conservation 
activities on the most essential features and areas; (3) providing 
educational benefits to State or county governments or private 
entities; and (4) preventing people from causing inadvertent harm to 
the species.
    The primary regulatory effect of critical habitat is the section 
7(a)(2) requirement that Federal agencies refrain from taking any 
action that destroys or adversely modifies critical habitat. We find 
that the designation of critical habitat for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly and streaked horned lark will benefit these subspecies by 
serving to focus conservation efforts on the restoration and 
maintenance of ecosystem functions that are essential for attaining 
their recovery and long-term viability. In addition, the designation of 
critical habitat serves to inform management and conservation decisions 
by identifying any additional physical or biological features of the 
ecosystem that may be essential for the conservation of these 
subspecies. Therefore, because we have determined that the designation 
of critical habitat will not likely increase the degree of threat to 
the species and may provide some measure of benefit, we find that 
designation of critical habitat is prudent for the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly and streaked horned lark, as critical habitat would be 
beneficial and there is no evidence that the designation of critical 
habitat would result in an increased threat from taking or other human 
activity for these species.

Critical Habitat Determinability

    Having determined that designation is prudent, under section 
4(a)(3) of the Act we must find whether critical habitat for the 
species is determinable. Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.12(a)(2) state 
that critical habitat is not determinable when one or both of the 
following situations exist:
    (i) Information sufficient to perform required analyses of the 
impacts of the designation is lacking, or
    (ii) The biological needs of the species are not sufficiently well 
known to permit identification of an area as critical habitat.
    When critical habitat is not determinable, the Act allows the 
Service an additional year to publish a critical habitat designation 
(16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(6)(C)(ii)).
    We reviewed the available information pertaining to the biological 
needs of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark 
and habitat characteristics where these subspecies are located. This 
and other information represent the best scientific data available and 
led us to conclude that the designation of critical habitat is 
determinable for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned 
lark.

Physical or Biological Features

    In accordance with section 3(5)(A)(i) and 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act and 
regulations at 50 CFR 424.12, in determining which areas within the 
geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing to 
designate as critical habitat, we identify the physical or biological 
features that are essential to the conservation of the species and 
which may require special management considerations or protection. 
These include, but are not limited to:
    (1) Space for individual and population growth and for normal 
behavior;
    (2) Food, water, air, light, minerals, or other nutritional or 
physiological requirements;
    (3) Cover or shelter;
    (4) Sites for breeding, reproduction, or rearing (or development) 
of offspring; and
    (5) Habitats that are protected from disturbance or are 
representative of the historical, geographical, and ecological 
distributions of a species.
    We derive the specific physical or biological features required for 
each subspecies from studies of their habitat, ecology, and life 
history as described above in this document. We have determined that 
the physical and biological features described below are essential for 
the conservation of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the streaked 
horned lark, and have further determined that these features may 
require special management considerations or protection.
    The designation of critical habitat is an authority restricted to 
the boundaries of the United States; critical habitat cannot be 
designated in a foreign country (50 CFR 424.12(h)). Thus for the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark, both 
subspecies that range into Canada (or historically occurred there), we 
discuss the population in Canada (in the listing portion of the 
document) for the purpose of evaluating the viability of the species, 
and to inform our determination of those areas within the United States 
that are essential for the conservation of the species. We do not 
propose to designate critical habitat in Canada.

Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly

    We have determined that the following physical or biological 
features are essential for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly.

Space for Individual and Population Growth and for Normal Behavior

    Habitat for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly is characterized by 
open

[[Page 61976]]

grassland habitat with short-statured vegetation structure (Stinson 
2005, p. 86; Severns and Warren 2008, p. 476) throughout their range in 
British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon. A diverse topography is a 
feature that is essential to the conservation of other checkerspot 
butterflies (Ehrlich and Murphy 1987, p. 122; Hellmann et al. 2004, p. 
41) and strongly influences the distribution and abundance of larvae 
and butterflies within a habitat patch (Hellmann et al. 2004, p. 46). 
Topographic diversity creates conditions where larval food plant 
phenology (timing of bud development, bud break, and flowering) is 
variable across different slopes angles. For example, plants on south 
facing slopes may develop earlier in the season as compared to those on 
north facing aspects. This difference in plant phenology, as influenced 
by topography, allows larvae to move to areas with plentiful, mature 
host plants, or to move away from hot exposed slopes when the larval 
host plants begin to dry and wither, and no longer provides sufficient 
amounts or quality nutrition for the larvae. Topography has been shown 
to directly influence post-diapause larval growth (Hellmann 2004 p. 
46), and topographically influenced microclimates affect the 
distribution and abundance of larvae and butterflies within its habitat 
(Hellmann et al. 2004, p. 46). Open grassland habitat dominated by 
short statured native grasses and diverse native forbs, without the 
presence of conifers, and shrubs such as the nonnative Scot's broom, 
and native snowberry (Symphoricarpus albus), and rose (Rosa spp.) 
facilitate the movement of butterflies for mating, egg-laying 
(ovipositing), and adult nectaring (see below--Sites for Breeding, 
Reproduction, or Rearing (or Development) of Offspring).
    Areas of habitat with open bare soil may also be advantageous to 
the butterfly as these areas warm more quickly than the surrounding 
vegetation, and butterflies thermo-regulate by basking (Scott 1986, p. 
296; Kuussaari et al. 2004, p. 140; Stinson 2005, p. 81). The presence 
of tall, nonnative grasses creates a habitat structure that is 
unsuitable to checkerspot butterflies, making it difficult for adults 
to locate larval host plants for egg-laying (ovipositing). Given a 
choice, Taylor's checkerspot butterflies oviposited on larval host 
plants surrounded by short-statured native bunchgrasses and adult 
nectar plants, indicating that females select egg-laying sites based on 
habitat conditions (structure) rather than just the presence of the 
host plant (Severn and Warren 2008, p. 476). Post-diapause larvae 
forage singularly and are capable of moving much greater distances than 
pre-diapause larvae (Kuussaari et al. 2004, p. 140). Edith's 
checkerspot larvae have been documented to move up to 10 m (33 ft) from 
a release site, often moving within a habitat patch to different 
exposures to raise their body temperature (Stinson 2005, p. 81), and 
presumably to find suitable foraging conditions (Kuussaari et al. 2004, 
p. 140). Dispersal within a habitat patch benefits the larvae because 
they are able to elevate their body temperature to an optimal range for 
foraging and development.
    Large expanses of open grassland habitat are in limited abundance 
throughout the range of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly; however, 
using current occupation by the butterfly as an example, it appears the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly can use relatively small patches of 
suitable habitat. At this time, only one area of open grassland habitat 
that supports Taylor's checkerspot butterflies is larger than 50 ac (20 
ha). This location is known as the Artillery Impact Area (91st Division 
Prairie) on JBLM and it is approximately 6,000 ac (2,430 ha). Even on 
this large expansive prairie the butterfly uses two distinct patches 
that are less than 100 ac (40 ha) each in size, and they are separated 
by several kilometers. The areas between the patches are not trained 
upon, and are composed of grasslands, however, the abundance and 
diversity of larval host and adult nectar plants in this intervening 
area does not appear to be sufficient to attract and be used by 
Taylor's checkerspot butterflies. In Oregon, the two locations where 
Taylor's are found are composed of several distinct grassland patches 
with no individual patch larger than 5 ac (2 ha) (Kaye et al. 2011, p. 
10) and many of the numerous bald patches on the north Olympic 
Peninsula in Washington are small as well. The WDNR balds on Dan Kelly 
Ridge and Eden Valley are a series of small openings that are all less 
than 1 ac (0.4 ha) (Hays 2011, pp. 8-9, 18); whereas the Taylor's 
locations found on Forest Service lands on the Olympic Peninsula range 
in size from 25 to 60 ac (10 to 24 ha) (Holtrop 2009, pp. 7-10). The 
Oregon sites and the north Olympic Peninsula balds are both found in a 
matrix of conifer forests (Kaye et al. 2011, pp. 19-20).
    Based on information provided by an expert panel and predictions 
from a Prairie Reserve Design model, Taylor's checkerspot butterfly 
have the highest probability of survival on patches from approximately 
20-50 ac (8-20 ha) in size (probability of survival range 0.8-0.98) 
(Converse et al., 2010, p. 8). In the case of this model, survival is 
defined as patch of habitat that is occupied in year y+1 if Taylor 
checkerspot butterfly eggs were oviposited in the patch in year y. The 
model was run annually for 50 years to predict the occupancy 
probability in relation to patch size for the species. Beyond a patch 
size of 50 ac (20 ha) there was no added probability of survival 
(Converse et al. 2009, p. 8).
    Little work has been carried out on the ability of this species to 
disperse. However, a mark-recapture study conducted in Oregon (Kaye et 
al. 2011, p. 15) showed that dispersal distance was short (less than 
984 ft (300 m) (Kaye et al. 2011, p. 16) and that Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies tended to move to the nearest open patch, or from poor 
resource patches to rich resource patches, although rates of recapture 
were low (2 out of 100) (Kaye et al. 2011, p. 12). Mark-recapture 
studies with checkerspot butterflies in Finland documented that they 
generally flew less than 1,640 ft (500 m), and that long distance 
migrations were clearly restricted (Nieminen et al. 2004, p. 73). 
Research conducted in California on Edith's checkerspot butterfly 
described the butterfly as sedentary (Murphy et al. 2004, p. 23) and 
rarely undertaking long-distance movements (Singer and Hanski 2004, p. 
184). Hellmann et al. (2004, p. 37) found evidence of limited dispersal 
between closely situated populations even though the habitat provided 
similar food resources and was well within dispersal distance (Hellmann 
et al. 2004, p. 39). Based upon the current distribution of the known 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly populations, there is a lack of 
opportunity for genetic interchange and a reduced likelihood that 
populations that decline due to stochastic events are likely to be 
repopulated by emigrating individuals.
    While Taylor's checkerspot butterflies may not need large areas to 
survive, they do require habitat patches composed of short-statured, 
abundant, and diverse larval host and nectar species (described below). 
These patches (separated by 984 ft (300 m) or less (Kaye et al, 2011. 
p.16)) should be scattered throughout their range to allow for movement 
within patches, dispersal to new habitat patches, and recolonization of 
lost or nonviable sites both within and between patches due to habitat 
or population changes. Although dispersal by Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies appears to be limited, in order to recover the species 
there will need to be an ability to recolonize new

[[Page 61977]]

habitat and provide for genetic exchange, which is essential to the 
long-term viability (survival) of the species. At this time, the 
distance between habitat patches in Washington and Oregon is too great 
for Taylor's checkerspot butterflies to disperse between patches. The 
connections between patches are lacking throughout the species' range, 
and only through protection and restoration using special management of 
the intervening patches will genetic exchange be accomplished. High 
quality reproductive habitat is currently relegated to relatively small 
areas within a larger context of degraded prairie landscape (Severns 
and Warren 2008, p. 476; Severns and Grossball 2011, p. 2).
    Landscape and habitat diversity, or heterogeneity, are essential 
elements for the conservation of Edith's checkerspot butterflies 
(Ehrlich and Murphy 1987, p. 122; Hellman et al. 2004, p. 41), and 
based on their similar habitat needs, we presume that habitat diversity 
is also essential to the conservation of the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly, even though the species may only require and use small areas 
of suitable habitat. Patches of habitat where Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly populations are robust also tend to have high topographic 
diversity including areas with mima mounds (low, domelike, mounds of 
earth found in certain prairies) and areas composed of swales 
(depressions) that produce ecotone habitat (Johnson and O'Neil 2001, p. 
715) between dry upland habitat typical of south Puget Sound prairies, 
and wet prairie habitat more typical of the Willamette Valley (Easterly 
et al. 2005, p. 1). Swales may enhance the wildlife resources available 
on the landscape (Easterly et al. 2005, p. 1) or improve the richness 
of wildlife resources (biodiversity) of an area and as such are 
important for wildlife conservation (Thomas et al. 1979, p. 48). Mima 
mounds and swales are important because they may support plants not 
found in the either the dry or wet portions of a grassland. Swales 
formed on the prairies of south Puget Sound support a rich assemblage 
of native plants because of the variation in aspect exposure found 
there, with the south aspect being dry compared with more shaded 
northern aspects. The north-facing portion of a swale is likely to 
maintain moist conditions later into the growing season than the 
surrounding level ground.
    Moist, cool conditions of a swale or a mima mound may be similar to 
the moist, cool, and overcast conditions experienced throughout most of 
the species' range in 2011, which made for one of the longest flight 
seasons on record for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly in Washington (45 
days; Linders 2011b, p. 17) and in Oregon (42 days; Ross 2011, in litt. 
p. 3). In a study by Peterson (1997, p. 167), he demonstrated that 
flowering phenology varied by aspect and elevation of plant patches, 
which affects a butterfly's ability to complete its life cycle. The 
timing of plant flowering directly affects whether a butterfly larva 
finds the required plant patches during the period they have to 
complete their larval development. If the food resource becomes 
exhausted before the larvae complete their life cycle they will either 
return to diapause, or die.
    Based on the information above, we identified areas of open 
grassland habitat with suitable habitat patches of short-statured 
grasses from less than 1 acre to greater than 50 ac (roughly 0.4 ha to 
more than 20 ha) in size within a large landscape context are essential 
to the conservation of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. In the 
Pacific Northwest, suitable occupied habitat patches may be found in a 
large forested landscape with small grassland opening of suitable 
habitat (such as in Oregon or at sites on the north Olympic Peninsula), 
or the entire landscape may be a large relatively degraded grassland 
with smaller suitable habitat patches occupied by the Taylor's 
checkerspot. To allow for dispersal between suitable habitat patches 
the occupied patches would ideally be located within approximately 
1,640 ft (500 m) of other suitable habitat patches within the larger 
landscape context.
    In summary, a wide range of suitable habitat patch sizes, including 
large to very small connected patches, appear to accommodate the 
requisite needs of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, as the butterfly 
is known to occupy areas in disjunct locations scattered across the 
Pacific northwest grassland landscape from sea-level to as high as 
4,000 ft (1,220 m) elevation.

Food, Water, Air, Light, Minerals, or Other Nutritional or 
Physiological Requirements

    Because checkerspots are cold-blooded (exothermic), they are 
required to complete their life cycle in a short period of time in open 
conditions where solar exposure is maximized. Larvae often seek and 
disperse to warm, open slopes (James and Nunnallee 2011, p. 286). Adult 
checkerspot butterflies often bask and remain in open grassland 
conditions using the sunshine and warm air temperature to increase 
their body temperature to the level required for normal activity (73 FR 
3328, p. 3335; January 17, 2008).
    The availability of abundant food resources for larval development 
and adult nectaring is an essential factor to protecting populations of 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. Taylor's checkerspot butterflies 
require open grassland habitat with specific host plants for larval 
development, and nectar plants for adult feeding. Habitat quality may 
range from relatively pristine to severely degraded (disturbed) as long 
as the requisite larval host plants (Plantago lanceolata, (nonnative 
narrow-leaf plantain) and Castilleja hispida (native harsh paintbrush), 
and in Canada, nonnative and native species of Veronica (speedwell) 
such as V. scutella (marsh speedwell), V. beccabunga var. americana 
(American speedwell), and V. serpyllifolia (thymeleaf speedwell) are 
present in sufficient abundance to support larval development, 
chrysalis formation, and emergence as an adult.
    Regardless of the quality of grassland habitat for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies, conditions suitable to support Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly must have representatives of at least one, or 
both, of the two food plant families utilized by the larvae (Pyle 2002, 
p. 311; Erhlich and Hanski 2004, p. 17; Severns 2008, p. 2; Severns and 
Warren 2008; p. 476). Specifically, larval food plants utilized by the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly are species from the Orobanchacae 
(formerly Scrophulariacae; the snapdragon or figwort family) and 
Plantanginacae (Plantain) family (Erlich and Hanski 2004, p. 22). These 
plant families represent two of four plant families found within the 
region that contain secondary chemicals called iridoid glycosides 
(Erhlich and Hanski 2004, p. 22), which may make adult butterflies 
distasteful to predators (van Nouhuys and Hanski 2004, p. 161; Murphy 
et. al. 2004 p. 22). Although numerous plant families (up to 16) may be 
utilized by checkerspot larvae (Murphy et. al. 2004, p. 22), the larvae 
are known to preferentially select plant members of the plantain and 
snapdragon (now broomrape) families in the Pacific Northwest. 
Checkering on wings of adult butterflies and the sequestering of 
chemical compounds that make adult butterflies distasteful are two of 
many mechanisms used by butterflies as a signal and defense against 
natural enemies (Van Nouhys and Hanski 2004, p. 161).
    Adult Taylor's checkerspot butterflies are known to use a wide 
diversity of nectar plants for feeding, including, but not limited to 
several native plant

[[Page 61978]]

species including: Balsamorhiza deltoidea (balsamroot); Eriophyllum 
lanatum (woolly sunshine); Lomatium triternatum (nine-leaved desert 
parsley); Lomatium utriculatum (fine-leaved desert parsley, spring 
gold); Camassia quamash (common camas); Erigeron speciosus (showy 
fleabane); Cirsium arvense (Canada thistle); Achillea millefolium 
(common yarrow); Lupinus lepidus (prairie lupine); and Lupinus 
albicaulis (sickle-keeled lupine).
    Adult butterflies obtain some moisture from nectar sources and the 
need for actual water sources may only occur during years of extreme 
drought (Stinson 2005, p. 81). There is evidence that points to 
butterflies using puddles to obtain salts leached from soil (Stinson 
2005, p. 81), or they may use mud, carrion, animal urine, or feces to 
obtain salts, minerals, amino acids and proteins (Guppy and Shepard 
2001, p. 69). The intake of amino acids by females results in larger 
eggs, and consequently larger and healthier larvae (Murphy et al. 1983, 
p. 259).
    Therefore, based on the information above, we identify open, short-
statured grassland structure with rich and diverse plant communities 
containing one or both primary larval food plants, the narrow-leaved 
plantain and harsh paintbrush, as a physical and biological feature 
essential to the conservation of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. 
Habitat should include open bare soil with a background structure 
composed of a bunchgrass community (Roemer's fescue or California oat-
grass). A source of water, or puddles, is used to avoid dehydration and 
to acquire nutrients, particularly in drought years (Stinson 2005, p. 
81; Guppy and Shepard 2001, p. 41). Other important larval food plants 
include, but are not limited to, other members of the Orobanchaceae 
(broomrape; formerly Scrophulariaceae (snapdragon or figwort)) family, 
which are documented larval host plants (James and Nunnallee 2011, p. 
286; Pyle 2001, p. 311; Hellmann et al., 2004, p. 35) and are essential 
to the conservation of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. Other 
species of the Plantaginaceae family have not been documented as a 
favored larval host plant, except in Canada (COSEWIC 2011 p. 25), where 
Taylor's have been observed utilizing the nonnative Plantago major 
(common plantain). Plant community patches utilized by Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly, especially those within a highly degraded 
prairie landscape context, must also include a diverse mix of native 
forbs to provide nectar for adult butterflies.

Sites for Breeding, Reproduction, or Rearing (or Development) of 
Offspring

    Taylors's checkerspot butterflies require open grassland habitat 
with specific host plants for larval and adult feeding as discussed 
above. As plant communities become invaded by taller structure grass, 
sites for breeding are reduced and the availability of larval and adult 
butterfly resources is limited.
    The encroachment of nonnative, invasive species reduces the quality 
and size of habitat patches used for reproduction that are found in an 
otherwise larger grassland landscape (Severns and Warren 2008, p. 478; 
Severns and Grosboll 2011, p. 2). The quality of Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly habitat resources is quite variable across its distribution, 
with Oregon sites being relatively depauperate (sparse vegetation and 
low plant diversity) when compared with floristically abundant occupied 
habitat in Washington (Severns and Grosboll 2011, p. 2).
    Oviposition (egg deposition) by Taylor's checkerspot butterfly has 
most often been documented on narrow-leaf plantain and harsh 
paintbrush. Taylor's checkerspot butterfly larvae are known to also 
utilize several species of speedwell in Canada (marsh speedwell, 
American speedwell, and thyme-leaved speedwell) (COSEWIC 2011, p. 25). 
In Washington, Collinsia parviflora (blue-eyed Mary), and potentially 
Plectritis congesta (sea blush) may be used for egg-laying (James and 
Nunnullee 2011, p. 286; Severns and Grossball 2011, p. 60).
    Taylor's checkerspot butterfly larvae require sheltered sites out 
of the wind and weather for diapause (Linders 2012, pers. comm.). Adult 
butterflies tend to roost on nearby nectar plants (deltoid balsamroot, 
sickle-keeled lupine, and nine-leaved desert parsley) in close 
proximity to larval host plants (plantain and paintbrush) where eggs 
are oviposited or larvae are developing by feeding on host plants. The 
preferred or most suitable habitat for larval feeding is on sites with 
topographic variation or exposure (Kuussaari et al. 2004, p. 140). This 
allows larvae to move from one host plant to another of the same 
species, as host plants are ephemeral in nature and phenology of an 
individual plant can differ within a habitat patch, depending on local 
weather and host plant quality (Kuussaari et al. 2004, p. 140). Because 
of their limited ability to move, prediapause larvae must hatch from 
eggs oviposited in a favorable site for locating the appropriate host 
plant under the appropriate environmental condition (Kuussaari et al. 
2004, p. 138). In the climate and local weather conditions of the 
Pacific Northwest, larval development requires a site that is warm and 
dry (Kuussaari et al. 2004, p. 138).
    Therefore, based on the information above, we have determined that 
areas within open grasslands with short-statured structure, that 
contain larval host plants for egg laying and feeding, which are in 
close proximity to host plants that provide protection from wind and 
wet weather for larval rearing is a physical and biological feature 
essential to the conservation of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly.

Habitats Protected From Disturbance or Representative of the 
Historical, Geographical, and Ecological Distributions of the Species

    Disturbance serves an important function in restoring and 
sustaining habitat composition and function for improving prairie 
quality. As vegetation responds positively to disturbances, habitat 
succession occurs, restoring the early seral species, including the 
larval host plants narrow-leaved plantain and harsh paintbrush.
    Typically, management is needed to improve prairie quality. 
Management treatments disturb the land and soil, and may involve 
prescribed fire, weed control using herbicides, the harvesting of 
encroaching trees, or the simple process of planting grasses, forbs and 
rare or uncommon plant species by hand or using mechanical means. Short 
term and small scale disturbances range from a few square feet to 
several acres (1 square meter to a few hectares). Larger scale 
disturbances can range from ten to hundreds of acres (~2.5 to 40 
hectares).
    Occupied sites on the north Olympic Peninsula on Forest Service and 
Washington Department of Natural Resources land receive regular 
disturbance from off road vehicles (ORV), and service trucks using the 
road weekly to access cell-phone towers at one site (Dan Kelly Ridge). 
At the single private land location on the north Olympic Peninsula no 
public access is permitted on the property. Disturbances generated from 
the frontage road was reduced at this site by closing the road during 
the spring and summer leading to the single most important management 
action carried out at the site (Hays 2011 p. 32). The road closure was 
implemented for the conservation of the species in 2009 and has 
improved the habitat in the short-term, leading to increased numbers of 
larval host plants (P. lanceolata) and pre-diapause larval masses 
observed at the site (Severns and Grosboll 2011, p. 32).

[[Page 61979]]

    Therefore, based on the information above, we identify areas with 
early seral habitat that experience regular disturbance as essential to 
the conservation of the species. Regular disturbance is necessary to 
maintain early seral habitat conditions required to aid establishment 
of the larval host and adult nectar plants. Because natural disturbance 
regimes have largely been eliminated in areas occupied by Taylor's 
checkerspot, active, planned management is generally required to 
maintain habitats in the early seral condition required by the 
butterfly. Between times of planned disturbance, sites should receive 
protection from disturbance in a temporal context, as too much 
disturbance too often will reduce numbers of Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies and the spatial extent of their habitat. Disturbance will 
be beneficial and essential to resetting the habitat back to early 
seral conditions approximately every 2-5 years, based on recovery from 
disturbance history, and the resiliency of larval food plants as 
documented from experience at JBLM and other south Puget Sound 
locations that have received proactive management. The larval host 
plants and adult nectar plants are resilient and can recover if the 
habitat is provided sufficient time to rest (at least two growing 
seasons) between episodes of use and disturbance.

Primary Constituent Elements for Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly

    Under the Act and its implementing regulations, we are required to 
identify the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly in areas occupied at 
the time of listing, focusing on the features' primary constituent 
elements. We consider primary constituent elements to be the elements 
of physical or biological features that provide for a species' life-
history processes and are essential to the conservation of the species.
    Based on our current knowledge of the physical or biological 
features and habitat characteristics required to sustain the species' 
life-history processes, we determine that the primary constituent 
elements specific to the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly are:
    (i) Patches of early seral, short-statured, perennial bunchgrass 
plant communities composed of native grass and forb species in a 
diverse topographic landscape ranging in size from less than 1 ac up to 
100 ac (0.4 to 40 ha) with little or no overstory forest vegetation 
that have areas of bare soil for basking that contain:
    (a) In Washington and Oregon, common bunchgrass species found on 
northwest grasslands include Festuca roemeri (Roemer's fescue), 
Danthonia californica (California oat grass), Koeleria cristata 
(prairie Junegrass), Elymus glaucus (blue wild rye), Agrostis scabra 
(rough bentgrass), and on cooler, high-elevation sites typical of 
coastal bluffs and balds, Festuca rubra (red fescue).
    (b) On moist grasslands found near the coast and in the Willamette 
Valley, there may be Bromus sitchensis (Sitka brome) and Deschampsia 
cespitosa (tufted hairgrass) in the mix of prairie grasses. Less 
abundant forbs found on the grasslands include, but are not limited to, 
Trifolium spp. (true clovers), narrow-leaved plantain, harsh 
paintbrush, Puget balsam root, woolly sunshine, nine-leaved desert 
parsley, fine-leaved desert parsley, common camas, showy fleabane, 
Canada thistle, common yarrow, prairie lupine, and sickle-keeled 
lupine.
    (ii) Primary larval host plants (narrow-leaved plantain and harsh 
paintbrush) and at least one of the secondary annual larval host plants 
(blue-eyed Mary, sea blush, or dwarf owl-clover) or one of several 
species of speedwell (marsh speedwell, American speedwell, or thymeleaf 
speedwell).
    (iii) Adult nectar sources for feeding that include several species 
found as part of the native (and one nonnative) species mix on 
northwest grasslands, including: Narrow-leaved plantain; harsh 
paintbrush; Puget balsam root; wooly sunshine; nine-leaved desert 
parsley; fine-leaved desert parsley or spring gold; common camas; showy 
fleabane; Canada thistle; common yarrow; prairie lupine; and sickle-
keeled lupine.
    (iv) Aquatic features such as wetlands, springs, seeps, streams, 
ponds, lakes, and puddles that provide moisture during periods of 
drought, particularly late in the spring and early summer. These 
features can be permanent, seasonal, or ephemeral.
    With this proposed designation of critical habitat, we intend to 
identify the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the species, through the identification of the primary 
constituent elements essential to support the life-history processes of 
the species. We are proposing to designate critical habitat within the 
geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing. In 
addition, we are proposing to designate some specific areas outside the 
geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing that 
were historically occupied, but are presently unoccupied, because we 
have determined that these areas are essential for the conservation of 
the species.

Streaked Horned Lark

    We have determined that the following physical or biological 
features are essential for the streaked horned lark:

Space for Individual and Population Growth and for Normal Behavior

    An open landscape context is an essential attribute of habitat used 
by streaked horned larks. Open areas allow streaked horned larks to 
detect predators while nesting and foraging on the ground and provide 
the space needed during aerial courtship displays in the springtime. 
Our data indicate that sites used by streaked horned larks are 
generally found in open (i.e., flat, treeless) landscapes of 300 ac 
(120 ha) or more. Sites used by streaked horned larks are usually flat, 
with slopes between 0 and 5 percent, and generally not more than 10 
percent, over the entire area. Some patches with the appropriate 
characteristics (i.e., sand, bare ground, low stature vegetation) may 
be smaller in size if the adjacent patches provide the required open 
landscape context. This situation may occur in agricultural habitats 
and on sites next to water. For example, some of the sites used by 
streaked horned larks on the islands in the Columbia River are small, 
but are adjacent to open water, which provides the open landscape 
context needed. Streaked horned larks use the same habitats for all 
life history processes, in both the breeding and wintering seasons.
    Therefore, based on the information above, we identify flat 
(typically 0 to 5 percent slope), open sites (treeless, low vegetation 
or bare ground), or smaller suitable habitat patches located in an open 
landscape context (roughly 300 ac (120 ha) in size), as a physical or 
biological feature essential to the conservation of the streaked horned 
lark.

Sites for Breeding, Reproduction, Rearing of Offspring, Foraging and 
Wintering

    Streaked horned larks use habitats that have very early seral stage 
vegetation for all life stages. Suitable streaked horned lark habitats 
have substantial areas of bare ground, few or no shrubs, and sparse, 
low stature vegetation, primarily short annual grasses, bunch grasses, 
and forbs (Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 27). Suitable habitat is 
generally 16-17 percent bare ground (consisting of dirt, gravel, or 
sand), and may be more open at sites selected for nesting (Altman

[[Page 61980]]

1999, p. 18; Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 27). Vegetation height is 
generally less than 13 inches (33 centimeters) (Altman 1999, p. 18; 
Pearson and Hopey 2005, p. 27), with less than 15 percent shrub cover 
(Pearson and Hopey, 2005 p. 2). Streaked horned larks apparently select 
nesting sites based on the vegetation structure, and not on the 
presence of any particular type of vegetation (Altman 1999, p. 18; 
Pearson and Hopey 2005, pp. 19-20). Nests are generally placed on the 
north side of a clump of grass or a forb (Moore and Kotaich, 2010, p. 
18). These sites may be frequently disturbed in a way that resets 
succession, eliminating dense grasses and forbs, and halting the 
invasion of shrubs and trees.
    These habitats may be native prairies, coastal dunes, fallow and 
active agricultural fields, wetland mudflats, sparsely vegetated edges 
of grass fields, recently planted Christmas tree farms with extensive 
bare ground, moderately to heavily grazed pastures, gravel roads or 
gravel shoulders of lightly traveled roads, graveled or grassy areas 
adjacent to airport runways, idle industrial properties, and dredge 
material deposition sites. These sites provide both breeding and 
wintering habitat for streaked horned larks.
    Therefore, based on the information above, we identify sparse, low-
stature vegetation with areas of bare ground as a physical or 
biological feature essential to the conservation of the streaked horned 
lark.

Primary Constituent Elements for Streaked Horned Lark

    Under the Act and its implementing regulations, we are required to 
identify the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the streaked horned lark in areas occupied at the time 
of listing, focusing on the features' primary constituent elements. We 
consider primary constituent elements to be the elements of physical or 
biological features that provide for a species' life-history processes 
and are essential to the conservation of the species.
    Based on our current knowledge of the physical or biological 
features and habitat characteristics required to sustain the species' 
life-history processes, we determine that the primary constituent 
elements specific to the streaked horned lark are:
    (i) Areas having a minimum of 16 percent bare ground that have 
sparse, low stature vegetation composed primarily of grasses and forbs 
less than 13 in (33 cm) in height found in:
    a. Large (300-ac (120-ha)), flat (0-5 percent slope) areas within a 
landscape context that provides visual access to open areas such as 
open water or fields, or
    b. Areas smaller than described in i(a), but that provide visual 
access to open areas such as open water or fields.
    With this proposed designation of critical habitat, we intend to 
identify the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the species, through the identification of the primary 
constituent elements sufficient to support the life-history processes 
of the species. All but one of the units proposed to be designated as 
critical habitat are currently occupied by the streaked horned lark and 
contain the primary constituent elements to support the life-history 
needs of the species. One subunit, Coffeepot Island in the Columbia 
River, is not currently occupied by the streaked horned lark, but has 
been determined to be essential to the conservation of the species, as 
described below.

Special Management Considerations or Protection

    When designating critical habitat, we assess whether the specific 
areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time 
of listing contain features which are essential to the conservation of 
the species and which may require special management considerations or 
protection. Here we describe the type of special management 
considerations or protections that may be required for the physical or 
biological features identified as essential for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly and streaked horned lark. The specific critical habitat units 
and subunits where these management considerations or protections apply 
for each species are identified in Table 1.
    All areas designated as critical habitat will require some level of 
management to address the current and future threats to the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark and to maintain or 
restore the PCEs. A detailed discussion of activities influencing the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark and their 
habitats can be found in the preceding proposed listing rule. Threats 
to the physical or biological features that are essential to the 
conservation of these species and that may warrant special management 
considerations or protection include, but are not limited to: (1) Loss 
of habitat from conversion to other uses; (2) control of nonnative, 
invasive species; (3) development; (4) construction and maintenance of 
roads and utility corridors; and (5) habitat modifications brought on 
by succession of vegetation from the lack of disturbance, both small 
and large scale. These threats also have the potential to affect the 
PCEs if they are conducted within or adjacent to designated units.
    The physical or biological features essential to the conservation 
of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly may require special management 
considerations or protection to improve the viability and distribution 
of habitat suitable for the butterfly. These include preventing the 
establishment of invasive, nonnative and native woody species, and 
hastening restoration by actively managing sites to establish native 
plant species and the structure of the plant community that is suitable 
for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. Restoration and maintenance of 
occupied Taylor's sites will require active management to plan, 
restore, enhance and manage habitat using an approach that resets the 
vegetation composition and structure to an early seral stage. 
Management actions that produce suitable conditions for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies and reset the ecological clock to early seral 
conditions favored by the butterfly include prescribed fires, 
mechanical harvesting of trees, activities such as hand planting or 
mechanical planting of grasses and forbs, and the judicious use of 
herbicides for nonnative invasive species control.
    These early-seral conditions favor the production and maintenance 
of plantain, paintbrush, and other larval host plants in a short-
structure vegetation community that allows utilization of the plants by 
the butterfly. Areas where the butterfly occupies a site should have 
limited soil and vegetation disturbance at times when the larvae are 
active, which extends from late February when post-diapause larvae are 
active to late June when pre-diapause larvae are on site. Other 
activities that could cause trampling or impacts to the larvae and that 
should be minimized, reduced or restricted during larval feeding 
include use of the site by off-road vehicles, military training using 
vehicles or impacts caused by large infantry (foot soldiers), or 
activities that transport or spread nonnative plants, and the risk of 
wildfire or prescribed fire.
    The physical or biological features essential to the conservation 
of the streaked horned lark may require special management 
considerations or protection to ensure the provision of early seral 
conditions and landscape context of sufficient quantity and quality for 
long-term conservation and recovery of the species. Activities such as 
mowing, burning, grazing, tilling, herbicide treatment, grading, beach

[[Page 61981]]

nourishment, or placement of dredge material can used to maintain or 
restore nesting and wintering habitats. Regular disturbance is 
necessary to create and maintain suitable habitat, but the timing of 
management is important. The management actions should be conducted 
outside of the breeding season to avoid the destruction of nests and 
young, or if habitat management must be done during the breeding 
season, it should be done in a way that minimizes destruction of nests 
or harassment of individuals. Nesting success is highest in locations 
with restricted public use or entry such as military facilities, 
airports, islands, wildlife refuges, or sites that are remote or 
difficult to access.

   Table 1--Threats to the Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly and Streaked
   Horned Lark Identified in Specific Proposed Critical Habitat Units;
   Threats Specific to the Physical or Biological Features, Which May
 Require Special Management Considerations or Protection as Described in
                the Text, Are Identified With an Asterisk
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Taylor's checkerspot
                                    butterfly       Streaked horned lark
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Factor A:
    Development *...........  Unit 1: 1-D, 1-E, 1-  Unit 1: 1-A, 1-B, 1-
                               F, 1-G, 1-H (Pvt),    C, 1-D, 1-E, 1-F; 1-
                               1-I, 1-J; Unit 2: 2-  G; Unit 3: 3-Q;
                               C.                    Unit 4: 4-A, 4-C, 4-
                                                     E, 4-H.
    Columbia River Dredge     NA..................  Unit 3: 3-E, 3-F, 3-
     Spoil Deposition *.                             G, 3-H, 3-I, 3-K, 3-
                                                     M, 3-N.
    Loss of Natural           Unit 1: all           All units and
     Disturbance Processes,    subunits; Unit 2:     subunits.
     Invasive Species and      all subunits; Unit
     Succession.*              4: all subunits.
    Military Training \*\...  Unit 1: 1-A, 1-B, 1-  Unit 1: 1-B, 1-C, 1-
                               C, 1-E.               D, 1-E.
    Restoration Activities    All units and         All units and
     \**\.                     subunits.             subunits.
Factor B:
    Overutilization for       NA..................  NA.
     Commercial,
     Recreational,
     Scientific, or
     Educational Purposes.
Factor C:
    Disease *...............  Unit 1: 1-A, 1-B, 1-  NA.
                               C, 1-E, 1-H; Unit
                               4: All subunits.
    Predation...............  NA..................  All units and
                                                     subunits.
Factor D:
    The Inadequacy of         Unit 1: 1-E, 1-F, 1-  NA.
     Existing Regulatory       G, 1-H, 1-I, 1-J;
     Mechanisms.*              Unit 2: 2-D.
Factor E:
    Low Genetic Diversity,    All units and         Unit 1: All
     Small or Isolated         subunits.             subunits.
     Populations, and Low
     Reproductive Success.
    Stochastic Weather        All units and         NA.
     Events.                   subunits.
    Climate Change \*\......  All units and         NA.
                               subunits.
    Aircraft Strikes and      NA..................  Unit 1: 1-A, 1-B, 1-
     Activities at Civilian                          C, 1-D, 1-E, 1-F.
     Airports.                                      Unit 3: 3-Q.
                                                    Unit 4: 4-A, 4-C, 4-
                                                     E, 4-H.
    Pesticides and            All units and         NA.
     Herbicides.               subunits.
    Recreation..............  Unit 1: 1-C, 1-D, 1-  Unit 3: 3-A, 3-B, 3-
                               E, 1-F, 1-H; Unit     C, 3-D.
                               2: 2-A, 2-B, 2-C, 2-
                               E; Unit 4: 4-A.
    Nest Parasitism.........  NA..................  NA.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\**\ Although restoration is necessary for the maintenance of suitable
  habitat, the methods and timing of those restoration practices may
  directly impact individual Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked
  horned lark if the life-histories of the species are not taken into
  consideration during application of restoration techniques. Please see
  the sections entitled Loss of Natural Disturbance Processes, Invasive
  Species and Succession and Restoration Activities in the listing
  portion of the document.

Criteria Used To Identify Critical Habitat

    As required by section 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act, we use the best 
scientific and commercial data available to designate critical habitat. 
We review available information pertaining to the habitat requirements 
of the species, and begin by assessing the specific geographic areas 
occupied by the species at the time of listing. If such areas are not 
sufficient to provide for the conservation of the species, in 
accordance with the Act and its implementing regulation at 50 CFR 
424.12(e), we then consider whether designating additional areas 
outside the geographic areas occupied at the time of listing may be 
essential to ensure the conservation of the species. We consider 
unoccupied areas for critical habitat when a designation limited to the 
present range of the species may be inadequate to ensure the 
conservation of the species. In this case, since we are proposing 
listing simultaneously with the proposed critical habitat, all areas 
presently occupied by the subspecies are presumed to constitute those 
areas occupied at the time of listing; those areas currently occupied 
by the subspecies are identified as such in each of the unit or subunit 
descriptions below. These descriptions similarly identify which of the 
units or subunits are believed to be unoccupied at the time of listing. 
Our determination of the areas occupied at the time of listing, and our 
rationale for how we determined specific unoccupied areas to be 
essential the conservation of the subspecies, are provided below.
    We plotted the known locations of the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly and streaked horned lark where they occur in Washington and 
Oregon using 2011 NAIP digital imagery in ArcGIS, version 10 
(Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.), a computer geographic 
information system program.
    To determine if the currently occupied areas contain the primary 
constituent elements, we assessed the

[[Page 61982]]

life history components and the distribution of the subspecies through 
element occurrence records in State natural heritage databases and 
natural history information on each of the subspecies as they relate to 
habitat. We first considered whether the presently occupied areas were 
sufficient to conserve the species. If not, to determine if any 
unoccupied sites met the criteria for critical habitat, we then 
considered: (1) The importance of the site to the overall status of the 
subspecies to prevent extinction and contribute to future recovery of 
the subspecies; (2) whether the area presently provides the essential 
physical or biological features, or could be managed and restored to 
contain the necessary physical and biological features to support the 
subspecies; and (3) whether individuals were likely to colonize the 
site. We also considered the potential for reintroduction of the 
subspecies, where anticipated to be necessary (for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly only).

Occupied Areas

Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly
    For Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, we are proposing to designate 
critical habitat within the geographical area occupied by the species 
at the time of listing, as well as in unoccupied areas that we have 
determined to be essential to the conservation of the species 
(described below). These presently occupied areas provide the physical 
or biological features essential to the conservation of the species, 
which may require special management considerations or protection. We 
determined occupancy in these areas based on recent survey information. 
All sites occupied by the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly have survey 
data as recently as 2011, except for the Forest Service sites on the 
north Olympic Peninsula where data is as recent as 2010 (Potter, 2011; 
Linders 2011; Ross 2011; Holtrop 2010, Severns and Grossboll 2011). In 
addition, there have been some recent experimental translocations of 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly to sites where it had been extirpated 
within its historical range. If translocated populations have been 
documented as successfully reproducing, we considered those sites to be 
presently occupied by the subspecies. Areas proposed as critical 
habitat for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly are representative of 
the known historical geographic distribution for the species, outside 
of Canada.
    In all cases, when determining proposed critical habitat 
boundaries, we made every effort to avoid including developed areas 
such as lands covered by buildings, pavement (such as airport runways 
and roads), and other structures because such lands lack the essential 
physical or biological features for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly or 
streaked horned lark, with the exception of graveled margins of the 
airport runways and taxiways. The scale of the maps we prepared under 
the parameters for publication within the Code of Federal Regulations 
may not reflect the exclusion of such developed lands. Any such lands 
inadvertently left inside critical habitat boundaries shown on the maps 
of this proposed rule have been excluded by text in the proposed rule 
and are not proposed for designation as critical habitat. Therefore, if 
the critical habitat is finalized as proposed, a Federal action 
involving these lands would not trigger section 7 consultation with 
respect to critical habitat and the requirement of no adverse 
modification unless the specific action would affect the physical or 
biological features in the adjacent critical habitat.
    We are proposing four units of critical habitat for designation 
based on sufficient elements of physical and biological features being 
present to support life-history processes for the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly and streaked horned lark. These 4 units are further divided 
into 47, some of which contain proposed critical habitat for both 
subspecies. Some subunits within the units contain all of the 
identified elements of physical and biological features and support 
multiple life-history processes. Some subunits contain only some 
elements of the physical and biological features necessary to support 
the subspecies' particular use of that habitat. Because we determined 
that the areas presently occupied by the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly 
and the streaked horned lark are not sufficient to provide for the 
conservation of these subspecies, we have additionally identified some 
subunits that are presently unoccupied, but that we have determined to 
be essential to the conservation of the species. Therefore, we are also 
proposing these unoccupied areas as critical habitat for the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark.
    We invite public comment on our identification of those areas 
presently occupied by Taylor's checkerspot butterfly or streaked horned 
lark and provide the physical or biological features that may require 
special management considerations or protection, as well as areas that 
are currently unoccupied but that we have determined to be essential to 
the conservation of the subspecies.

Proposed Critical Habitat Designation

    We are proposing critical habitat for the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly and streaked horned lark in four units in the States of 
Washington and Oregon, as follows:
    (1) The South Sound Unit (Unit 1) has proposed critical habitat 
subunits for both the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked 
horned lark.
    (2) The Strait of Juan De Fuca Unit (Unit 2) has proposed critical 
habitat subunits only for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly.
    (3) The Washington Coast and Columbia River Unit (Unit 3) has 
proposed critical habitat subunits only for the streaked horned lark.
    (4) The Willamette Vally Unit (Unit 4) has proposed critical 
habitat subunits for both the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the 
streaked horned lark.

Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly--Units 1, 2, and 4

    We are proposing three units as critical habitat for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly. The critical habitat areas we describe below 
constitute our current best assessment of areas that meet the 
definition of critical habitat for the species. The three units we 
propose as critical habitat are: Unit 1, South Sound--5,801 ac (2,348 
ha) in Washington State (2,324 ac of Federal ownership; 1,444 ac of 
State ownership; 1,325 ac of private ownership; 545 ac of County 
ownership; and 163 ac of lands owned by a Port, local municipality, or 
nonprofit conservation organization); Unit 2, Strait of Juan De Fuca--
923 ac (374 ha) in Washington State (160 ac of Federal ownership; 320 
ac of State ownership; 253 ac of private ownership; and 190 ac of land 
owned by a Port, local municipality, or nonprofit organization); and 
Unit 4, Willamette Valley--the 151 ac (62 ha) in Oregon (151 ac of 
lands owned by a Port, local municipality, or nonprofit conservation 
organization). The approximate area of each proposed critical habitat 
unit and its relevant subunits, as well as land ownership within each 
unit is shown in table 2.

[[Page 61983]]



                                                         Table 2--Proposed Critical Habitat Units for the Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly
                                [Note: Area sizes may not sum due to rounding. Area estimates reflect all land within proposed critical habitat unit boundaries.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Federal                     State                    County                  Private                  Other *
                                             Subunit name      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Ac (ha)                    Ac (ha)                  Ac (ha)                  Ac (ha)                  Ac (ha)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 1 South Sound
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-A..................................  TA7S...................                       78 (31)                        0                        0                        0                        0
1-B..................................  91st Division Prairie..                   1,377 (557)                        0                        0                        0                        0
1-C..................................  13th Division Prairie..                     647 (262)                        0  .......................                        0                        0
1-D..................................  Rocky Prairie..........                             0                  54 (22)  .......................                385 (156)                  28 (12)
1-E..................................  Tenalquot Prairie......                      222 (90)                        0                        0                        0                 135 (55)
1-F..................................  Mima Mounds/Glacial                                 0                406 (164)                545 (220)                        0                        0
                                        Heritage.
1-G..................................  West Rocky Prairie.....                             0                 134 (54)                                                 0                        0
1-H..................................  Scatter Creek..........                             0                603 (255)                                           98 (40)                        0
1-I..................................  Rock Prairie...........                             0                        0                                         621 (251)                        0
1-J..................................  Bald Hills.............                             0                246 (100)  .......................                 221 (90)                        0
                                      ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Unit 1 Totals..........                   2,324 (941)              1,444 (595)                545 (220)              1,325 (537)                 163 (66)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 2 Strait of Juan De Fuca
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-A..................................  Deception Pass State                                0                 149 (60)                        0                        0                        0
                                        Park.
2-B..................................  Central Whidbey........                             0                  39 (16)                        0                        0                 190 (77)
2-C..................................  Elwha..................                             0                 132 (53)                                          102 (45)                        0
2-D..................................  Sequim.................                             0                        0                                          151 (61)                        0
2-E..................................  Upper Dungeness........                      160 (65)                        0                        0                        0                        0
                                      ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Unit 2 Totals..........                      160 (65)                320 (129)                        0                253 (106)                 190 (77)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 4 Willamette Valley
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4-1..................................  Fort Hoskins Historic                               0                        0                        0                        0                    6 (3)
                                        Park.
4-2..................................  Baezell Memorial Forest                             0                        0                        0                        0                  61 (25)
4-3..................................  Fitton Green...........                             0                        0                        0                        0                  84 (34)
                                                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Unit 4 Totals..........                             0                        0                        0                        0                 151 (62)
                                                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Grand Total--all Units.                 2,484 (1,006)              1,764 (694)                545 (220)              1,578 (643)                504 (205)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Other = Ports, local municipalities and non-profit conservation organizations.


[[Page 61984]]

    We present brief descriptions of all units, and reasons why they 
meet the definition of critical habitat for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly, below.

Unit 1: South Sound (or Puget Lowland)--Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly

    The South Sound Unit consists of 5,830 ac (2,359 ha) of land 
proposed for Taylor's checkerspot butterflies in 10 subunits. This 
critical habitat unit is located in the south Puget Sound region of 
Washington State, within Pierce and Thurston County. This unit is owned 
and managed by several State and Federal agencies, and includes the 
Department of Defense (DOD), Washington Departments of Natural 
Resources and Fish and Wildlife, Thurston County Parks and Recreation, 
and a single private site at Tenalquot (Morgan) prairie. The subunits 
proposed within the South Sound Unit for the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly are a mix of occupied and unoccupied areas; 3 subunits are 
presently occupied, and 7 subunits are unoccupied but essential to the 
conservation of the species, for the reasons described in the section 
Criteria Used to Identify Critical Habitat. Only one subunit (91st 
Division Prairie; subunit 1-B) is occupied by a native population of 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, and two other subunits (I-B Range 50 
and 1-H, Scatter Creek SW) are occupied by recently translocated 
butterflies that now successfully breed, survive, and have populations 
that are increasing in numbers. Subunit 1-B is owned and managed by the 
DOD (Army) on JBLM. Subunit 1-H is located on the local Scatter Creek 
Wildlife Area (south unit) owned and managed by the Washington 
Department of Fish and Wildlife. Four of these subunits are being 
managed primarily for military training.
    The DOD (Army) has written Endangered Species Management Plans for 
these subunits for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly (under the DOD 
Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan, or INRMP), and we are 
proposing to exempt of these lands under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the 
Act (see Exemptions, below). For those threats to the essential 
physical or biological features that are common to all subunits, 
special management considerations or protection may be required to 
address direct or indirect habitat loss due to development, conifer and 
shrub encroachment, invasive plant species, use of herbicides, and 
restoration activities. For those threats that are unique to DOD lands, 
special management considerations or protection may be required to 
address uncontrolled fires due to deployment of explosive or incendiary 
devices, military training involving heavy equipment (resulting in 
trampling or crushing of burrows), digging or trenching, bombardment, 
or use of live ammunition.
    Subunit 1-A: Training Area (TA) 7s. This subunit contains 78 ac (32 
ha) in Pierce County, Washington, on DOD lands. This unit is currently 
unoccupied, but was previously occupied. We have determined it is 
essential to the conservation of the species because it has the 
potential for restoration of the physical or biological features 
sufficient to enable the reintroduction and reestablishment of Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly. This subunit is an intensely managed prairie 
located directly north of the Central Impact Area on JBLM. It is 
bordered by a gravel pit to the west and Madigan Hospital Grounds to 
north and west, and the Burlington Northern Railroad Right of Way to 
the East. The gravel pit is no longer used and could be restored, and 
is currently a site with extensive distribution of the Taylor's primary 
host plant, narrow- leaved plantain. The southern border of this 
subunit is formed by the conifer forest along its southern edge. 
Landscape heterogeneity from the presence of swales and the gravel pit 
are present at this subunit. This critical habitat subunit (1-A) is 
being proposed for exemption from designation of critical habitat under 
section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, contingent on our approval of the DOD 
INRMP for JBLM (see Exemptions).
    Subunit 1-B: The Artillery Impact Area (AIA), also known as the 
91st Division Prairie. This subunit (east and west) totals 1,377 ac 
(557 ha) and is located entirely within Pierce County, Washington, on 
DOD lands. The eastern portion of this subunit is occupied by the only 
remaining native population of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies in the 
south Sound Unit. The west subunit is occupied by translocated Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies first released here in 2008 and now represents 
an occupied ``small population'' center. This subunit provides the 
essential physical or biological features for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly, which may require special management considerations or 
protection. This subunit receives periodic, heavy military training, 
which results in regular ground fires being ignited that serve a 
surrogate function as the form of special management that would be 
implemented during prescribed fires. Other forms of special management 
will be required to control nonnative, invasive species that are found 
within the eastern portion of the subunit. Some minimal management 
takes place on the periphery of the AIA, creating conditions suitable 
for maintaining the PCEs. The eastern portion of the subunit is 
bordered by a military access road; the southeast corner of this unit 
is King Hill and extends west for ~1 mile (1.6 km). This area includes 
the north and south ``castles'' (structures used as target objectives 
for live fire training) in TA 76 and is bordered to the north by the 
main paved road (Story Road) north of the AIA. The second area is 
located at Range 51 and is bordered by the oak/conifer forests to the 
south. This area extends into the AIA approximately 1 mi (1.6 km) north 
from the SE corner and extends due west to intersect with the south 
boundary access road of the AIA. This critical habitat subunit (1-B) is 
being proposed for exemption from designation of critical habitat under 
section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, contingent on our approval of the DOD 
INRMP for JBLM (see Exemptions).
    Subunit 1-C: Training Area 15, is located in an area often referred 
to as the 13th Division Prairie. This subunit is located entirely in 
Pierce County, Washington, on DOD lands and totals 647 ac (262 ha). We 
have determined it is essential to the conservation of the species 
because it has the potential for restoration of the physical or 
biological features sufficient to enable the reintroduction and 
reestablishment of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. This site is 
currently being enhanced to improve butterfly habitat and will be used 
for release of captive bred and translocated Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly larvae, where larval releases are planned for the spring of 
2013. This subunit includes grassland habitat and forest margins, and 
already provides some of the PCEs in the form of large patches of 
suitable habitat providing abundant, diverse larval host food resources 
and adult nectar food plants for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. Water 
sources are available in Muck and South Creek. This subunit is 
topographically diverse, with swales and riparian habitat formed by 
Muck and South Creek. The western and southern boundaries are formed by 
military access roads. Formerly (prior to the year 2000), this unit was 
known to harbor thousands of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies. This 
critical habitat subunit (1-C) is being proposed for exemption from 
designation of critical habitat under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, 
contingent on our approval of the DOD INRMP for JBLM (see Exemptions).
    Subunit 1-D: Rocky Prairie. This subunit includes the Rocky Prairie 
Natural Area Preserve (NAP;

[[Page 61985]]

Washington Department of Natural Resources), which includes 35 ac (14 
ha) of high-quality habitat. The subunit also includes three privately 
owned properties; the rail line that borders the NAP on the east side 
(15 ac (6 ha)), and the adjoining grassland east of the railroad 
property (388 ac (157 ha)), and Wolf Haven International (29 ac; 12 
ha), which is south of the grassland. The entire subunit is located 
within Thurston County, Washington. This subunit is currently 
unoccupied by Taylor's checkerspot butterflies, although a small 
population was detected as recently as 1989 (Pyle 1989, p. 170) at the 
Rocky Prairie NAP. This population is no longer present and this 
subunit is considered an historical site.
    We have determined it is essential to the conservation of the 
species because it has the potential for restoration of the physical or 
biological features sufficient to enable the reintroduction and 
reestablishment of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. Some of the 
essential features are already present on the landscape in this area. 
The proposed subunit is composed entirely of grasslands and includes 
oak woodland margins, some transitional colonization (first growth) 
Douglas-fir forest within the greater prairie landscape. Several other 
PCEs, including landscape heterogeneity, and diverse, abundant larval 
and adult plant resources are present. The north boundary is formed by 
Waldrick Road and Highway 99 the west. Wolf Haven International is at 
the southeastern extent. The Rocky Prairie Natural Area Preserve 
portion makes up 35 ac (14 ha) of this critical habitat subunit (1-D) 
and is being proposed for exclusion from designation of critical 
habitat under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, due to the approved WDNR 
State Trust Lands HCP (see Exclusions).
    Subunit 1-E: Tenalquot Prairie. This subunit includes grassland and 
oak woodland portions of JBLM Training Area 22 and the privately owned 
Morgan property. The subunit is located in Thurston County, Washington, 
and managed by the DOD (Johnson Prairie) and the nonprofit Center for 
Natural Lands Management, respectively. The subunit designation for 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly on Tenalquot Prairie is made up of 
Johnson Prairie (also known as ``El Guettar dropzone''), (222 ac (90 
ha)) on JBLM lands, and the Morgan property (135 ac (55 ha)). Both 
locations are presently unoccupied by Taylor's, although Johnson 
Prairie is an historical site. We have determined it is essential to 
the conservation of the subspecies because it would provide for the 
reintroduction and reestablishment of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. 
Some of the essential features are already present on the landscape in 
this area and as it would provide a metapopulation center within a 
large landscape (more than 2,000 ac (810 ha) of managed prairie in the 
south end of the County. In addition, this proposed subunit provides 
several of the essential features to support Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly, including landscape heterogeneity, diverse and abundant 
larval and adult plant resources, and bare ground. Each area within the 
subunit is periodically managed using fire and mechanical methods to 
remove Scot's broom and sustain early seral conditions. The portion of 
this proposed critical habitat designation on JBLM (222 ac (90 ha) 
located at Training Area 22 is being proposed for exemption from 
designation of critical habitat under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, 
contingent on our approval of the DOD INRMP for JBLM (see Exemptions).
    Subunit 1-F: Mima Mounds/Glacial Heritage. This subunit is located 
in Thurston County, Washington. The Glacial Heritage Preserve is 545 ac 
(220 ha) and is owned and managed by Thurston County. The Mima Mounds 
NAP is roughly 406 ac (164 ha), and is owned and managed as a NAP by 
the WDNR. Both sites were historically occupied by Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies but are currently unoccupied. We have determined it is 
essential to the conservation of the subspecies because it has the 
potential to provide for the reintroduction and reestablishment of 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly to support recovery. Many of the 
essential features required to support a reintroduced population are 
already present on the landscape in this area. This subunit provides 
diverse topography, a water course, abundant and diverse larval and 
adult food resources, and areas of bare soil due to active management. 
Glacial Heritage Preserve had a robust population of Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly in the mid-1990s and is scheduled to receive 
translocated Taylor's checkerspot larvae this year (2012). Both sites 
contain landscape heterogeneity, abundant and diverse larval and adult 
food resources, and areas of bare soil, and Glacial Heritage is bounded 
on the east side by a water course. The Mima Mounds NAP portion (406 ac 
(164 ha)) of this critical habitat subunit (1-F) is proposed for 
exclusion from designation of critical habitat under section 4(b)(2) of 
the Act, due to the approved WDNR State Trust Lands HCP (see 
Exclusions).
    Subunit 1-G: West Rocky Prairie. This subunit contains 134 ac (54 
ha) and was historically occupied by Taylor's checkerspot butterfly but 
is currently unoccupied. It is located in Thurston County, Washington, 
and owned and managed by WDFW. The subunit lies between 140th Avenue SE 
to the south, an east-west running Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) 
railroad line to the north and a north-south BNSF railroad line to the 
east and Tilley Road to the west. This subunit contains landscape 
heterogeneity with topographic relief from mima mounds, small wetland 
depressions, and an active creek and pond that contains a Federally 
listed threatened plant (Howellia aquatilis; water howellia) and the 
Federal candidate species Oregon spotted frog (Rana pretiosa). Distinct 
areas of West Rocky Prairie have rich larval host and adult food 
resources. We have determined this subunit is essential to the 
conservation of the subspecies because it has the potential to provide 
for the reintroduction and reestablishment of Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly to support recovery. In addition, this area has many of the 
physical or biological features essential to support the long-term 
conservation and recovery of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, providing 
topographic diversity (including mima mounds), wetlands, ponds, and a 
perennial creek. This area receives active management to sustain 
suitable prairie habitat, and is specifically being enhanced for 
butterflies and the Federally listed threatened plant Castilleja 
levisecta (golden paintbrush), which has been reintroduced to the site.
    Subunit 1-H: Scatter Creek. This subunit includes Scatter Creek 
Wildlife Area (SCWA), a small private land parcel, and a power line 
right-of-way managed by the Federal Bonneville Power Administration 
(BPA) in Thurston County, Washington. The north and south units of 
Scatter Creek SCWA contain 730 ac (295 ha). The private land parcel 
totals 98 ac (40 ha) and is managed by WDFW in the same way as the 
Wildlife Area. This property was historically occupied by Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly, and is currently occupied by a population 
established from larvae released between 2007-2011. This subunit 
contains the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the species, including landscape heterogeneity with 
swales and mima mounds; rich, diverse larval and adult food resources; 
bare ground (due to management practices); and a stream running through 
the center of the property.
    The physical or biological features essential to the conservation 
of the species may require special management considerations or 
protection to maintain bare ground in

[[Page 61986]]

this subunit. The north subunit is bounded on the east by Case Road, 
and on the south subunit is bordered by 183rd Avenue SW. Scatter Creek 
runs through the property and forms the north boundary of the portions 
subunit and the south boundary of the north subunit; this property is 
bounded on the west by residential areas. The northern portion of the 
Wildlife Area is bounded to the west by second growth conifer forests. 
We are considering the exclusion of approximately 98 ac (40 ha) of 
private property in this subunit under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, due 
to the level of public benefits derived from encouraging collaborative 
efforts and encouraging private and local conservation efforts; and the 
effect designation would have on partnerships, as well as the existing 
WDFW lease on this property, and the fact that this property is managed 
in a manner consistent with the conservation of this species (see 
Exclusions).
    Subunit 1-I: Rock Prairie. This subunit is made up of two private 
properties in south Thurston County, Washington. The acreage for the 
subunit is 621 ac (251 ha). The southernmost private property is an 
historical location for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, but it is 
currently unoccupied. We have determined this subunit is essential to 
the conservation of the subspecies because it has the potential to 
provide for the reintroduction and reestablishment of Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly to support recovery. In addition, this area has 
many of the features essential to support the long-term conservation 
and recovery of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, including diverse 
topography with terraces and swales, abundant and diverse larval and 
adult food resources, and a water course formed by Scatter Creek along 
the southern boundary of the property. It is managed under a Grassland 
Reserve Program agreement and has a permanent conservation easement on 
530 ac (215 ha) of the property.
    The northern border for the southern property and the southern 
border for the northern property is 183rd Avenue SW.; in other words, 
183rd Avenue SW. bisects the two properties. The eastern border of the 
southern portion of the subunit is an active gravel and sand mining 
operation, and to the north of the northern portion of the subunit is 
forest, and to the southwest of the southern property is forest. These 
forested areas clearly delineate property and land use boundaries. The 
entire acreage of the proposed critical habitat (379 ac (153 ha)) on 
one private landowner's property is considered for exclusion under 
section 4(b)(2) of the Act, due to the conservation easement on 
approximately 530 acres of their property and the Grassland Reserve 
Program plan developed in partnership with the USDA's Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS) for the long-term management of their 
property, which is consistent with restoration and management needs for 
sustaining prairies (see Exclusions).
    Subunit 1-J: Bald Hills. This subunit is located in southeast 
Thurston County, Washington, and is managed by WDNR and several timber 
companies. The total area of this subunit is 468 ac (189 ha). This is 
an historical location for Taylor's checkerspot butterflies but was 
recently extirpated (2007); therefore, it is not believed to be 
currently occupied. We have determined this subunit is essential to the 
conservation of the subspecies because it has the potential for active 
management to restore the physical or biological features essential to 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and to provide for the reintroduction 
and reestablishment of the subspecies to support recovery. In addition, 
this area already provides some of the features essential to support 
the long-term conservation and recovery of Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly, including diverse topography of balds, steep slopes, 
canyons, oak glades, a rich diversity of larval and adult food 
resources, and areas of bare soil, which are used for basking and 
resting by the butterfly. This area is the southeastern most 
distribution of Taylor's checkerspot in Thurston County, and is the 
only Thurston County site that is formed on bald habitat. The Bald 
Hills NAP portion (247 ac (100 ha)) of this critical habitat subunit 
(1-J) is proposed for exclusion from designation of critical habitat 
under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, due to the approved WDNR State Trust 
Lands HCP, which covers Natural Area Preserves (see Exclusions).

Unit 2: Strait of Juan de Fuca--Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly

    The Strait of Juan de Fuca Unit for Taylor's Checkerspot butterfly 
consists of 924 ac (374 ha) of land in 5 subunits. The Strait of Juan 
de Fuca Unit includes coastal bluff, dune, and bald habitat in Clallam 
and Island Counties, Washington. Except for two coastal dune sites at 
Sequim and Deception Pass State Park, the subunits in this location 
contain bald habitat, surrounded by and found within a large forested 
landscape. These balds are all found on south, or southwest facing, 
steep, rocky, and thin-soil areas. The balds themselves and the road 
margins (verges) are rich in larval and adult food resources, and in 
this location Taylor's checkerspot butterflies lay eggs and larvae 
subsist on harsh paintbrush, although plentiful plantain is also 
available and the plantain is also utilized at this location. This unit 
is within the historical range of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, 
and several designated subunits are presently occupied by the 
subspecies.
    In addition, some subunits are proposed for designation that are 
currently unoccupied, but that we have determined to be essential to 
the conservation and recovery of the subspecies, as described in the 
section Criteria Used to Identify Critical Habitat. All subunits, both 
occupied and unoccupied, contain several of the PCEs, and the coastal 
sites have lagoons, fresh water lakes, wetlands. The bald locations 
have the PCEs of topographic relief, abundant and diverse larval and 
adult food plants, and bare soil areas associated with adjacent roads. 
Management to expand the size of several balds as Douglas fir, Acer 
macrphyllum, (bigleaf maple) A. circinatum (vine maple), Holodiscus 
discolor (oceanspray), Arctostapholus columbiana (hairy manzanita, and 
nonnative shrubs (such as Scot's broom) are quickly encroaching. 
Landowners in this unit include WDNR, the U.S. Forest Service, 
Washington State Parks, and a private landowner at Sequim. The physical 
or biological features essential to the conservation of the species may 
require special management considerations or protection to address 
threats to the essential physical or biological features including the 
general succession of vegetation at all sites, which reduces the 
distribution and availability of native food resources. The subunits on 
WDNR and Forest Service lands are threatened by ORV use and service 
trucks accessing cell-phone towers (Dan Kelly Ridge). The owner of the 
private subunit at Sequim is currently managing the dune and abandoned 
road corridor for the conservation of the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly.
    Subunit 2-A: Deception Pass. This subunit is located on Island 
County in Washington and managed by Washington State Parks. The subunit 
contains sites found along low-lying beach areas (coastal dunes), and 
include several balds on high points within the park. These open areas 
are disjunct from each other and total 149 ac (60 ha). The State Park 
is an historically occupied location for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly, but is currently unoccupied. We have determined this subunit 
is essential to the conservation of the

[[Page 61987]]

subspecies because it has the potential to provide for the 
reintroduction and reestablishment of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly to 
support recovery. This was an historically occupied location in a 
coastal area that is currently represented at just one occupied site. 
In addition, this area has many of the features essential to support 
the long-term conservation and recovery of Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly, including diverse topography on balds and protected beaches, 
diverse and abundant larval and adult food plants, and areas of bare 
soil for basking and resting.
    Subunit 2-B: Central Whidbey. This subunit is located on Island 
County in Washington and includes Ebey's Landing, the Naas Conservation 
Area, and the former Smith Prairie. This subunit contains both State 
and private lands. In total these areas comprise 230 ac (93 ha), 
although the Smith Prairie is disjunct from the remaining contiguous 
coastal grasslands bluffs. The subunit was historically occupied by 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly but is not currently occupied. The 
subunit would require captive breeding and translocation of the species 
to bring it back to this location. We have determined this subunit is 
essential to the conservation of the subspecies because it has the 
potential to provide for the reintroduction and reestablishment of 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly to support recovery. In addition, it 
provides many of the features essential to supporting reintroduced 
population of the subspecies, including diverse topography, abundant 
larval and adult nectar food resources, areas of bare soil, some 
freshwater wetlands, and saltwater along the coast. Some management is 
ongoing at the site, and will be required to restore and maintain the 
essential features to support a reintroduced population, including 
management to restrict encroaching trees and to sustain larval food 
resources.
    Subunit 2-C: Elwha. This subunit includes sites on the northern 
Olympic Peninsula in Clallam County, Washington, totaling 235 ac (95 
ha) and is occupied by the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly at the time 
of listing. These lands are primarily owned and managed by WDNR (172 ac 
(69 ha)), although small inholdings of private timber companies (Aloha 
Lumber) have been included as the habitat continuity was found to 
follow the topography. At Eden Valley, 23 ac (9 ha) of WDNR property 
were included in the proposed subunit, as were 2 ac (approximately 1 
ha) of private property. At the Dan Kelly Ridge location, 109 ac (44 
ha) of WDNR land and 99 ac (40 ha) of private timber lands were 
included in this subunit. The balds are presently occupied by Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies on WDNR lands, and the butterflies have been 
observed flying up and down the steep slopes of the habitat onto 
private lands. The location known as Eden Valley is composed of several 
small connected and some isolated balds. This area contains several 
PCEs including topographic heterogeneity, abundant and diverse larval 
and adult food resources, and bare soil for basking. The physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the species may 
require special management considerations or protection to sustain the 
open conditions that are needed to manage for and sustain the larval 
and adult food resources. The subunit runs along the top of the ridge 
including the north margin (road verge) of the road and extends down 
the south slope to the 1,250 ft (381 m) contour interval. At Dan Kelly 
Ridge, the entire ridgeline including the road and road verge on the 
north margin of the road are part of the subunit. The subunit extends 
down the south facing slope to include bald habitat recently exposed by 
forest harvesting.
    Subunit 2-D: Sequim. This subunit is located in Clallam County, 
Washington, on private property that contains approximately 151 ac (61 
ha) of low-lying stabilized dune habitat. This unit is presently 
occupied by Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and contains the physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the subspecies. 
The subunit includes stabilized dune and beach habitat adjacent to the 
Strait of Juan de Fuca at approximately 20 ft (6 m) elevation. This 
subunit contains several PCEs, including landscape heterogeneity with 
fore dune, and back dune areas and terraces; rich and abundant larval 
and adult food resources; a marsh; and bare soil for basking. The 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
species may require special management considerations or protection to 
address threats to the essential features. We are considering the 
exclusion of private land subunit (2-D) located at Sequim under the 
section 4(b)(2) of the Act. This consideration of exclusion is due to 
the ongoing conservation management for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterflies of this subunit, and the long-term management plan that is 
currently being developed in coordination with the WDFW. The landowner 
has been working with WDFW for several years to manage for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies and is in the process of formalizing their 
management of the site in a Management Plan, developed in coordination 
with WDFW (see Exclusions).
    Subunit 2-E: Upper Dungeness. This subunit occurs in the Upper 
Dungeness Watershed on U.S. Forest Service lands in Clallam County, 
Washington. This subunit contains 160 ac (65 ha), is composed of bald 
habitat, is currently occupied by Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, and 
contains the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the subspecies. Sites within the subunit are referred 
to as Bear Mountain, 3 O'Clock Ridge, and Upper Dungeness. Bear 
Mountain is disjunct from the 3 O'Clock Ridge and Upper Dungeness 
units. All sites within this subunit are found within the Dungeness 
watershed at three separate locations, with Bear Mountain at the lowest 
elevation, 3 O'Clock Ridge found at mid-elevation and the Upper 
Dungeness site at the highest elevation where we have detected the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. The features essential to the 
conservation of the species may require special management 
considerations or protection to address threats by encroachment of 
several conifer species, maple, oceanspray, and sparse amounts of 
Scot's broom, which all compete with native grasses and forbs for 
space, water and nutrients. Early restoration work conducted by the 
Forest Service has included tree harvesting and removal, and has 
resulted in the larval and adult resources expanding on this habitat. 
The subunit contains several PCEs, including landscape heterogeneity, 
abundant larval and adult food resources, nearby streams, and plentiful 
areas of bare ground for basking. We are considering the exclusion of 
160 ac (65 ha) of subunit (2-E) under 4(b)(2) of the Act due to ongoing 
management for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly habitat, which is 
consistent with the NW Forest Plan's allowance for small openings in 
Late Successional Reserve allocations of federal forests (see 
Exclusions).

Unit 4: Willamette Valley Unit--Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly

    The Willamette Valley Unit for Taylor's Checkerspot Butterfly is 
made up of three subunits, all of which are located in Benton County, 
Oregon, totaling 152 ac (61 ha). Two subunits are presently occupied by 
Taylor's checkerspot butterflies (Beazell Memorial Forest and Fitton 
Green Natural Area) and contain the physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the species. The third subunit at Fort 
Hoskins Historic Park is unoccupied, but we have determined it

[[Page 61988]]

is essential to the conservation of the subspecies for the reasons 
detailed in the section Criteria Used to Identify Critical Habitat.
    All areas within this subunit provide some physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly, whether presently occupied or unoccupied by the subspecies, 
including abundant larval and adult food resources, and areas of bare 
soil for basking and resting. The habitat for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly is confined to dispersed small meadow (grassland) openings 
within a larger forested matrix. Areas proposed for critical habitat 
for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly in this unit constitute the only 
known, currently or recently occupied habitat for the species in Oregon 
with the capability to support the breeding and reproduction of the 
subpsecies. The features essential to the conservation of the species 
may require special management considerations or protection to address 
direct or indirect habitat loss due to development, conifer and shrub 
encroachment, invasive plant species, use of herbicides, and 
restoration activities. In all subunits, disturbance will be needed to 
sustain the early-seral conditions required by the butterfly larval and 
adult lifestages. Two of the subunits (Beazell and Fort Hoskins 
Historic Park) are owned and managed by Benton County. Approximately 45 
percent of the third subunit (Fitton Green) is held in trust as a 
permanent conservation easement.
    All subunits are proposed for exclusion under section 4(b)(2) of 
the Act due to the Benton County HCP, and will be managed under the 
HCP's Prairie Conservation Strategy (see Exclusions). The Benton County 
HCP Prairie Management Plan meets the species need by conserving 
occupied prairie habitat by implementing measures to restore, and 
manage for the long-term conservation of the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly. The plan's goals have been implemented by Benton County 
Parks and Recreation department and they plan to continue these actions 
in support of the butterfly. The plan meets the needs of the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly by controlling invasive, nonnative shrubs (Scot's 
broom), reduces the cover of tall, invasive pasture grasses, reduces 
the cover of encroaching trees, and to augment through planting and 
seeding the larval and adult food resources and native grass species 
that form the low-statured structure of the habitat required by the 
butterfly.
    Subunit 4-A: Fort Hoskins Historic Park. The Fort Hoskins Historic 
Park subunit is composed of a southern and northern portion. Subunit 4-
A north consists of 1.4 ac (0.57 ha) and subunit 4-A south consists of 
5 ac (2 ha). This subunit is located within Fort Hoskins Historic Park, 
which is owned and managed by Benton County, Oregon. The Park is 
located west of where Hoskins Road joins Oregon Route 223 and is about 
12 mi (19 km) northwest of the City of Corvallis. The subunit consists 
of open meadows on a southwest-facing hillside of Dunn Ridge, mostly 
surrounded by Douglas-fir/Oregon white oak forest. The park is open to 
the public for day use and contains hiking trails. The park is also 
used for natural resource research that has included mowing and burning 
of meadows. A single individual Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, 
presumably a dispersing individual, was discovered there in 2005; 
however, no butterflies have been observed there in subsequent surveys 
and we consider Fort Hoskins Historic Park to be currently unoccupied. 
We have determined this subunit is essential to the conservation of the 
subspecies because it has the potential to provide for the 
reintroduction and reestablishment of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly to 
support recovery. In particular, since there are only two small extant 
populations of Taylor's checkerspot butterfly in the Willamette Valley, 
an additional population at Fort Hoskins Historic Park would provide 
essential redundancy in populations for the subspecies. In addition, 
the subunit provides many of the features essential to supporting a 
reintroduced population, including abundant and diverse larval and 
adult food resources in the grassland parts of the park, diverse 
topography, bare soil patches, and areas dominated by early 
successional plant species. The site is located far enough away from 
the other two occupied Oregon sites (greater than 2 mi (3.2 km)) to be 
considered a separate population if it the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly is reestablished there.
    We propose to exclude the 6.4 acres (2.57 ha) of this subunit (4-A) 
from proposed critical habitat under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, as the 
Taylor's checkerspot and management for the species at Fort Hoskins 
Historic Park is covered by the Benton County HCP (see Exclusions).
    Subunit 4-B: Beazell Memorial Forest. The Beazell Memorial Forest 
subunit is composed of five areas that total 61 ac (25 ha), all within 
the Beazell Memorial Forest owned by Benton County. The Beazell 
Memorial Forest is located approximately 9 mi (14.5 km) southwest of 
the City of Corvallis, Oregon. The subunit is mostly open meadow, with 
some forested components, surrounded by Douglas-fir/Oregon white oak 
forest at about 1,000-1,300 ft (305-396 m) elevation. This subunit is 
known to be currently occupied by Taylor's checkerspot butterflies at 
varying densities, and contains several PCEs including the presence of 
perennial bunchgrass plant communities with the requisite larval and 
adult food resources, landscape heterogeneity, and bare soil areas for 
basking. The subunit is open to the public with hiking trails and 
picnicking facilities, and is managed as a demonstration forest and 
open space area, with management intended to protect, conserve, and 
restore natural, scenic values.
    Benton County was issued a section 10(a)1(B) permit on January 14, 
2011, in conjunction with their Prairie Species Habitat Conservation 
Plan (HCP). Some of the meadow areas in the Beazell Memorial Forest 
will be used for mitigation purposes under the HCP and will be 
otherwise managed to maintain the meadow complexes under the HCP's 
Prairie Conservation Strategy. Special management may be required 
within this subunit to restore or maintain the essential features for 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. While some management is ongoing in the 
form of mowing and encroaching tree removal, additional management is 
needed to address invasion of nonnative grasses and woody vegetation, 
and possibly to improve the diversity of food resources. We propose to 
exclude the 61 ac (25 ha) in this subunit (4-B) from proposed critical 
habitat under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, as the Taylor's checkerspot 
and management for the species at Beazell Memorial Forest is covered by 
the Benton County HCP (see Exclusions).
    Subunit 4-C: Fitton Green Natural Area. This subunit is composed of 
four areas totaling 83 ac (34 ha). This subunit is located 5 mi (8 km) 
west of the City of Corvallis, Oregon. Portions of this subunit 
(approximately 41 ac (17 ha)) are within property acquired by Benton 
County for the purposes of demonstrating land stewardship practices on 
mixed public and private ownership. The Benton County owned or managed 
portions of this subunit are a recognized component of the County's 
Prairie Species HCP and will be managed under their Prairie 
Conservation Strategy as well as used as a mitigation site. The Fitton 
Green Natural Area subunit is mostly composed of open meadows with 
scattered trees, and bordered by Douglas-fir/Oregon white oak forest. 
The subunit is currently occupied by Taylor's checkerspot butterflies,

[[Page 61989]]

contains the features essential to the conservation of the species and 
includes areas that function as a dispersal corridor. The subunit 
contains several PCEs including the presence of perennial bunchgrass 
plant communities with larval and adult food resources, little or no 
overstory forest vegetation, landscape heterogeneity, and bare soil 
areas for basking.
    While some management to restore or maintain the features essential 
to Taylor's checkerspot butterfly has already occurred in the form of 
mowing and encroaching tree removal, the physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of the species may require 
special management considerations or protection to address invasion of 
nonnative grasses and woody vegetation, and to improve the diversity of 
food resources. A portion of the Fitton Green Natural Area subunit is 
being conserved through a specialized Right of Way Management Plan for 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly developed and approved by the BPA and 
Xerces Society in coordination with the Service's Oregon Fish and 
Wildlife office in Portland in 2005.
    We propose to exclude the 41 acres (17 ha) of County lands (noted 
as South and BPA) in this subunit (4-C) from proposed critical habitat 
under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, as the Taylor's checkerspot and 
management for the species on County-owned lands is covered by the 
Benton County HCP (see Exclusions).

Streaked horned lark--Units 1, 3, and 4

    We are proposing for designation of critical habitat lands that we 
have determined are occupied at the time of listing and contain 
sufficient elements of physical or biological features to support life-
history processes essential for the conservation of the streaked horned 
lark. In addition, we are proposing one subunit unoccupied at the time 
of listing, but that we have determined is essential the conservation 
of the subspecies, as detailed in the section Criteria Used to Identify 
Critical Habitat.
    We are proposing to designate three units as critical habitat for 
the streaked horned lark. The three units are: Unit 1--South Sound 
(with 6 subunits), Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River (with 18 
subunits), and Unit 4--Willamette Valley (with 8 subunits). The South 
Sound Unit (Unit 1) totals 3,763 ac (1,523 ha) and comprises 2,813 ac 
of Federal ownership and 950 ac of private land. The Washington Coast 
and Columbia River Unit (Unit 3) totals 3,516 ac (1,423 ha) and 
comprises 564 ac of Federal ownership, 2,597 ac of State-owned lands, 
151 ac of private lands, 182 ac of Tribal lands, and 22 ac of lands 
owned by a Port, local municipality, or nonprofit conservation 
organization. The Willamette Valley Unit (4) totals 4,880 ac (1,975 ha) 
and comprises 1,729 ac of Federal ownership and 3,151 ac of privately 
owned land.
    Streaked horned larks have been documented nesting on all but one 
of the subunits within the last few years and all subunits are 
therefore considered occupied at the time of listing, with the 
exception of Subunit 3-J, Coffeepot Island in the Columbia River, which 
has not been surveyed recently; streaked horned larks were last 
detected there in 2004. We, therefore, evaluated Coffeepot Island as if 
it were unoccupied, and have determined that it is essential for the 
conservation of the subspecies to provide connectivity between the 
streaked horned lark populations nesting on Columbia River islands. All 
of the subunits, both occupied and unoccupied, currently have one or 
more of the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the streaked horned lark, and which may require special 
management considerations or protection.
    The critical habitat areas described below constitute our best 
assessment of areas that meet the definition of critical habitat for 
the streaked horned lark. The approximate area and landownership of 
each proposed critical habitat unit and associated subunit is shown in 
Table 4.

[[Page 61990]]



                                                              Table 4--Proposed Critical Habitat Units for the Streaked Horned Lark
                                [Note: Area sizes may not sum due to rounding. Area estimates reflect all land within proposed critical habitat unit boundaries]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Federal                     State                   Private                   Tribal                 Other \*\
                                             Subunit name      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Ac (Ha)                    Ac (Ha)                  Ac (Ha)                  Ac (Ha)                  Ac (Ha)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 1 South Sound
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-A..................................  Sanderson Field........                             0                        0                        0                        0                376 (152)
1-B..................................  McChord Airforce Base..                     759 (307)                        0                        0                        0                        0
1-C..................................  Gray Army Airfield.....                     347 (140)                        0                        0                        0                        0
1-D..................................  91st Division Prairie..                     888 (359)                        0                        0                        0                        0
1-E..................................  13th Division Prairie..                     819 (331)                        0                        0                        0                        0
1-F..................................  Olympia Airport........                             0                        0                        0                        0                575 (233)
                                                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Unit 1 Totals..........                 2,813 (1,138)                        0                        0                        0                950 (385)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 3 Washington Coast Columbia River Islands
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-A..................................  Damon Point............                             0                456 (185)                  24 (10)                        0                        0
3-B..................................  Midway Beach...........                             0                611 (247)                        0                        0                        0
3-C..................................  Shoalwater Spit........                             0                377 (152)                 102 (41)                 182 (74)                        0
3-D..................................  Leadbetter Point.......                     564 (228)                 101 (41)                        0                        0                        0
3-E..................................  Rice Island............                             0                 224 (91)                        0                        0                        0
3-F..................................  Miller Sands...........                             0                 123 (50)                        0                        0                        0
3-G..................................  Pillar Rock/Jim Crow...                             0                  44 (18)                        0                        0                        0
3-H..................................  Welch Island...........                             0                  43 (18)                        0                        0                        0
3-I..................................  Tenasillahe Island.....                             0                   23 (9)                        0                        0                        0
3-J..................................  Coffeepot Island.......                             0                        0                  25 (10)                        0                        0
3-K..................................  Whites/Brown...........                             0                  98 (39)                        0                        0                        0
3-L..................................  Wallace Island.........                             0                   13 (5)                        0                        0                        0
3-M..................................  Crims Island...........                             0                  60 (24)                        0                        0                        0
3-N..................................  Sandy Island...........                             0                  37 (15)                        0                        0                        0
3-O..................................  Portland International                              0                388 (157)                        0                        0                   22 (9)
                                        Airport.
                                                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Unit 3 Totals..........                     564 (228)            2,597 (1,050)                 151 (61)                 182 (74)                   22 (9)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 4 Willamette Valley
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4-A..................................  McMinnville Airport....                             0                        0                        0                        0                600 (243)
4-B..................................  Basket Slough NWR......                   1,006 (407)                        0                        0                        0                        0
4-C..................................  Salem Airport..........                             0                        0                        0                        0                534 (216)
4-D..................................  Ankeny NWR.............                     264 (107)                        0                        0                        0                        0
4-E..................................  Corvallis Airport......                             0                        0                        0                        0              1,103 (447)
4-F..................................  William L Finley NWR...                     459 (186)                        0                        0                        0                        0
4-G..................................  M-DAC Farms............                             0                        0                        0                        0                601 (243)
4-H..................................  Eugene Airport.........                             0                        0                        0                        0                313 (127)
                                                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Unit 4 Totals..........                   1,729 (700)                        0                        0                        0            3,151 (1,275)
                                                               ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Grand Total--all Units                  5,106 (2,066)            2,597 (1,050)                 151 (61)                 182 (74)            4,123 (1,669)
                                        Streaked Horned Lark.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\*\ Other = Ports, local municipalities, and nonprofit conservation organization.


[[Page 61991]]

Unit 1: South Sound--Streaked Horned Lark

    In the South Sound Unit, streaked horned larks are found on flat, 
open sites that are remnants of the original Puget lowland prairies. 
All of the known currently occupied sites in the South Sound area are 
associated with airfields or military training grounds. The areas used 
by streaked horned larks for nesting at all of the airports consist of 
grass and gravel margins of the runways and taxiways. We are proposing 
six subunits for a total of 3,764 ac (1,523 ha) in the South Sound 
Unit. All subunits are occupied and contain the physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of the streaked horned lark. 
Ownership in this unit is by the Department of Defense and local 
municipalities. The current threats to the essential features in the 
South Sound Unit include mowing and disturbance from special training 
events during the nesting season, and loss of habitat from commercial 
and industrial development. The physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the streaked horned lark may require 
special management considerations or protection to maintain the early 
seral vegetation on all of these subunits and to minimize nest 
destruction and disturbance during the breeding season.
    Subunit 1-A: Sanderson Field Airport (Mason County, Washington). 
Sanderson Field Airport is in the town of Shelton and is owned by the 
Port of Shelton; the subunit contains about 375 ac (152 ha). This 
subunit is currently occupied and contains the physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of the subspecies. The site is 
bounded on the north and western edges by forest, on the eastern edge 
by airport buildings (hangars, offices) and US 101 and includes the 
grass perimeter along the runway on the southern side. Streaked horned 
larks nest along the southern edge of the airport adjacent to an 
abandoned or seldom-used runway. The Washington Department of Fish and 
Wildlife works with Sanderson Field to coordinate mowing schedules to 
minimize threats to streaked horned larks however, a management plan 
does not currently exist that specifically addresses conservation or 
habitat protection for the streaked horned lark. The physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the streaked 
horned lark may require special management considerations or protection 
to maintain the early seral vegetation required by the subspecies and 
to minimize nest destruction and disturbance during the breeding 
season.
    Subunit 1-B: McChord Field (Pierce County, Washington). McChord 
Field is part of DOD's JBLM; the subunit is about 759 ac (307 ha) in 
size. This airport is used by large military cargo planes; the subunit 
includes areas adjacent to the main runway and taxiways. This subunit 
is currently occupied and contains the physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the subspecies, with most of the 
documented nesting by streaked horned larks occurring in the northeast 
portion of the airport. Soils on this site are gravelly and poor, with 
sparse low grass and bare ground. The site has the both the landscape 
context and the low vegetative structure that make up the physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the species. The 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
streaked horned lark may require special management considerations or 
protection to maintain the early seral vegetation required by the 
subspecies and to minimize nest destruction and disturbance during the 
breeding season. This critical habitat subunit (1-B) is being proposed 
for exemption from designation of critical habitat under section 
4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, contingent on our approval of the DOD INRMP 
for JBLM (see Exemptions).
    Subunit 1-C: Gray Army Airfield (Pierce County, Washington). Gray 
Army Airfield is part of DOD's JBLM; the subunit is about 347 ac (140 
ha) in size. This airport is predominantly used by military 
helicopters, but also supports fixed-wing aircraft. This subunit is 
currently occupied and contains the physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the subspecies. Streaked horned larks 
nest in the grassy medians and gravel shoulders along the edge of the 
runway and taxiways throughout this airport, including gravel areas in 
paved helicopter parking areas. The site has both the open landscape 
context and sparse grassy vegetation that make up the physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the species. The 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
streaked horned lark may require special management considerations or 
protection to maintain the early seral vegetation required by the 
subspecies and to minimize nest destruction and disturbance during the 
breeding season. This critical habitat subunit (1-C) is being proposed 
for exemption from designation of critical habitat under section 
4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, contingent on our approval of the DOD INRMP 
for JBLM (see Exemptions).
    Subunit 1-D: 91st Division Prairie/Artillery Impact Area (Pierce 
County, Washington). This site is also part of DOD's JBLM; the subunit 
contains about 888 ac (359 ha). The boundaries of this subunit are 
delineated by military access roads and forested areas. This subunit is 
currently occupied and contains the physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the subspecies. Streaked horned lark 
nesting has been documented in the eastern half of this large prairie 
in areas referred to by the army as Range 74-76 and Training Area 6. No 
surveys are conducted in the center of the Artillery Impact Area. The 
site has both the open landscape context and early seral vegetation 
that make up the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the species; both of the PCEs are maintained by regular 
ground-disturbing activities such as fires, troop maneuvers and off-
road military training exercises. The physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the streaked horned lark may require 
special management considerations or protection to maintain the early-
seral vegetation required by the subspecies and to minimize nest 
destruction and disturbance during the breeding season. In addition, 
special management considerations or protection may be required to 
address threats specific to the Artillery Impact Area (Range 74-76 and 
Training Area 6), including explosives and live fire operations, off-
road vehicle operations, troop maneuvers, and military training 
activities. This critical habitat subunit (1-D) is being proposed for 
exemption from designation of critical habitat under section 
4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, contingent on our approval of the DOD INRMP 
for JBLM (see Exemptions).
    Subunit 1-E: 13th Division Prairie (Pierce County, Washington). 
This site is part of DOD's JBLM; the subunit is about 819 ac (331 ha) 
in size. This subunit is currently occupied and provides the physical 
or biological features essential to the conservation of the subspecies. 
This subunit is largely prairie habitat and includes an infrequently 
used runway. It is bordered on the northern and eastern edges by Muck 
Creek and the western and southern edges by military access roads. 
Streaked horned lark nests have been documented throughout the site, 
and the site has the both the open landscape context and early seral 
vegetation that make up the physical or biological features essential 
to the conservation of the species. The physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the streaked horned lark may require

[[Page 61992]]

special management considerations or protection to maintain the early 
seral vegetation required by the subspecies and to minimize nest 
destruction and disturbance during the breeding season. Threats at 13th 
Division Prairie are somewhat less intense than in the Artillery Impact 
training areas because motorized vehicles are restricted to roads. 
However, threats to the essential features specific to this site and 
that may require additional special management considerations or 
protection include foot traffic and helicopter operations (parachute 
drops, touch-and-go landings) that are conducted during the summer 
months. This critical habitat subunit (1-E) is being proposed for 
exemption from designation of critical habitat under section 
4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, contingent on our approval of the DOD INRMP 
for JBLM (see Exemptions).
    Subunit 1-F: Olympia Regional Airport (Thurston County, 
Washington). This site is owned by the Port of Olympia. The airport is 
enclosed by a perimeter fence, which restricts access and reduces human 
disturbance. The subunit contains about 575 ac (233 ha), and is 
delineated by airport taxiways, trees, buildings, and county roads. 
This subunit is currently occupied and provides the physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the subspecies. 
Streaked horned lark nests have been documented throughout the airport 
grounds, but most recently nests have been found in the central area. 
The site has both the open landscape context and low vegetation that 
make up the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the species. The physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the streaked horned lark may require 
special management considerations or protection to maintain the early 
seral vegetation required by the subspecies and to minimize nest 
destruction and disturbance during the breeding season.

Unit 3: Washington Coast and Columbia River--Streaked Horned Lark Only

    On the Washington coastal sites, streaked horned larks occur on 
sandy beaches and breed in the sparsely vegetated low dune habitats of 
the upper beach. We are proposing to designate four subunits and a 
total of 1,753 ac (708 ha) as critical habitat on the Washington coast. 
The coastal sites are owned and managed by Federal, State and tribal 
entities. The physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the streaked horned lark may require special management 
considerations or protection to reduce human disturbance during the 
nesting season and continued encroachment of invasive nonnative plants 
that requires special management to restore or retain the open habitat 
preferred by streaked horned larks. Proposed subunits 3-A, 3-B, 3-C, 
and 3-D overlap areas that are designated as critical habitat for the 
western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus). The snowy 
plover nesting areas are posted and monitored during the spring and 
summer to keep recreational beach users away from the nesting areas; 
these management actions also benefit streaked horned larks.
    In the lower Columbia River, we are proposing ten island subunits 
and one mainland subunit adjacent to the river at Portland 
International Airport for a total of 1,785 ac (724 ha). The island 
subunits are owned by the States of Oregon and Washington and private 
landowners. On the Columbia River island sites, only a small portion of 
each island is proposed as critical habitat for the streaked horned 
lark; most of the areas mapped are used by the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers for dredge material deposition in its channel maintenance 
program. Within any deposition site, only a portion is likely to be 
used by streaked horned larks in any year, as the area of habitat 
shifts within the deposition site over time as new materials are 
deposited and as older deposition sites become too heavily vegetated 
for use by streaked horned larks. All of the island subunits are small, 
but are adjacent to open water, which provides the open landscape 
context needed by the streaked horned lark. The subunit at Portland 
International Airport is adjacent to the runways, and on a small public 
beach; the site is owned by Port of Portland and Metro, the Portland-
area regional government.
    The main threats to the essential features in the critical habitat 
subunits proposed on the Columbia River islands are invasive vegetation 
and direct impacts associated with deposition of dredge material onto 
streaked horned lark nests during the nesting season. In all subunits, 
the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of 
each subspecies may require special management considerations or 
protection to restore, protect, and maintain the PCEs supported by the 
subunits. For those threats that are common to all subunits, special 
management considerations or protections may be required to address 
direct or indirect habitat loss due to the location and timing of 
dredge material placement to areas that have become unsuitable for 
streaked horned lark nesting and wintering habitat. Special management 
will be needed at Portland International Airport to address mowing 
during the nesting season, human disturbance, and future development of 
the site.
    Subunit 3-A: Damon Point (Grays Harbor County, Washington). This 
critical habitat subunit is about 481 ac (194 ha) in size. It extends 
from the Ocean Shores wastewater treatment plant on the western edge 
through the Oyhut wildlife management unit and Damon Point spit (also 
called Protection Island). The area is managed by the State of 
Washington (Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife and Parks 
and Department of Natural Resources). This subunit is currently 
occupied and provides the physical or biological features essential to 
the conservation of the subspecies. The site has the both the open 
landscape context and sparse, low-growing vegetation that make up the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
species. Streaked horned larks currently nest and winter on Damon Point 
and have also been documented to nest along the beach just west of the 
treatment plant. The physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the streaked horned lark may require special management 
considerations or protection to reduce human disturbance during the 
nesting season and encroachment by invasive nonnative plants that 
render the habitat too dense for use by streaked horned larks.
    Subunit 3-B: Midway Beach (Pacific County, Washington). This 
subunit is about 611 ac (247 ha) in size. The northern edge of the 
subunit starts at Grayland Beach State Park and extends south to the 
Warrenton Cannery road. The landward extent is defined by the 
vegetation line in the mid-dune area. This site is owned by the State 
of Washington (Washington State Parks and Recreation Department). This 
subunit is currently occupied and provides the physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of the subspecies. Both open 
landscape context and the sparse, low-growing vegetation that make up 
the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of 
the species are present at the site, and Midway Beach is used by 
streaked horned larks for nesting and wintering. The physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the streaked 
horned lark may require special management considerations or protection 
to reduce human disturbance during the nesting season and encroachment 
by invasive nonnative plants that render the habitat too dense for use 
by streaked horned larks.

[[Page 61993]]

    Subunit 3-C: Shoalwater/Graveyard Spit (Pacific County, 
Washington). This subunit is about 661 ac (267 ha). The central portion 
of the proposed subunit (182 ac; 74 ha) is within the Shoalwater Bay 
Indian Reservation. We are considering the exclusion of these tribal 
lands from the designation due to the existing high level of protection 
already provided on the Shoalwater Bay Indian reservation lands that 
provides conservation, regulations, and management for the streaked 
horned lark (see Exclusions).
    Streaked horned larks have been documented off and on at this site 
during the breeding season since 2000. Although the site has been 
unoccupied for the past couple of years, singing male streaked horned 
larks were documented at this site during early June surveys of 2012, 
therefore we consider this site to be currently occupied. As with 
Midway Beach, streaked horned larks use the area for nesting and 
wintering. The subunit is a dynamic area and has a constantly changing 
sand spit that supports the essential features for nesting and 
wintering habitat. The physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the streaked horned lark may require special management 
considerations or protection to reduce human disturbance during the 
nesting season and encroachment by invasive nonnative plants that 
render the habitat too dense for use by streaked horned larks.
    Subunit 3-D: Leadbetter Point (Pacific County, Washington). This 
subunit contains about 665 ac (269 ha) at the northern tip of the Long 
Beach Peninsula. This subunit is on the Willapa National Wildlife 
Refuge and the Seashore Conservation Area (managed by Washington 
State). This site is occupied and provides the physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of the subspecies. Most of the 
streaked horned larks at this site nest within the habitat restoration 
area and in ponded swales landward of the restoration area that go dry 
in the summer (Ritchie 2012, pers. comm.). The site has the open 
landscape context and sparse, low-growing vegetation that make up the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
species. The Willapa National Wildlife Refuge completed its 
Comprehensive Conservation Plan in August 2011 and manages habitat at 
the tip of Leadbetter Spit for western snowy plovers, streaked horned 
larks, and other native coastal species. These management activities 
are compatible with streaked horned lark conservation. As with the 
other coastal sites, Leadbetter is used by streaked horned larks year-
round. The physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the streaked horned lark may require special management 
considerations or protection to maintain the early seral vegetation 
required by the subspecies and to minimize nest destruction and 
disturbance during the breeding season.
    Subunit 3-E: Rice Island (Clatsop County, Oregon, and Wahkiakum 
County, Washington). This subunit is about 224 ac (91 ha) in size. The 
island is located at river mile (RM) 21, approximately 7 mi (11 km) 
upstream of the Astoria-Megler Bridge near the mouth of the Columbia 
River. Although the island is within the planning boundary of the Julia 
Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge, Rice Island is owned by the 
Oregon Department of State Lands. A very small portion of the subunit 
is in Wahkiakum County and on Washington State lands. The U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers uses this site for dredge material disposal as part 
of its maintenance of the Columbia River shipping channel. This subunit 
is occupied and provides the features essential to the conservation of 
the subspecies. Streaked horned larks currently nest and winter on Rice 
Island. The physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the streaked horned lark may require special management 
considerations or protection to maintain the early seral vegetation 
required by the subspecies and to minimize nest destruction and 
disturbance during the breeding season.
    Subunit 3-F: Miller Sands Spit (Clatsop County, Oregon). Miller 
Sands Spit is across the shipping channel from Rice Island at River 
Mile (RM) 24. The subunit is a 2-mi-long (1.2-km-long) sand spit about 
123 ac (50 ha) in size on the northern shore of the island. The subunit 
is currently occupied and provides the physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the subspecies for nesting and 
wintering habitat. The island is owned by the Oregon Department of 
State Lands, but is also within the planning unit boundary for the 
Julia Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers uses this site for dredge material disposal as part of its 
maintenance of the Columbia River shipping channel. The physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the streaked 
horned lark may require special management considerations or protection 
to maintain the early seral vegetation required by the subspecies and 
to minimize nest destruction and disturbance during the breeding 
season.
    Subunit 3-G: Pillar Rock/Jim Crow Sands (Clatsop County, Oregon). 
This island is located at about RM 27 on the Columbia River. The 
subunit is about 44 ac (18 ha) in size. Pillar Rock is currently 
occupied and provides the physical or biological features essential to 
the conservation of the subspecies. Streaked horned larks nest and 
winter at the site. The island is owned by the Oregon Department of 
State Lands and is within the planning unit boundary for the Julia 
Butler Hansen National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers uses this site for dredge material disposal as part of its 
maintenance of the Columbia River shipping channel. The physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the streaked 
horned lark may require special management considerations or protection 
to maintain the early seral vegetation required by the subspecies and 
to minimize nest destruction and disturbance during the breeding 
season.
    Subunit 3-H: Welch Island (Clatsop County, Oregon). This island is 
at RM 34 and is owned by the Oregon Department of State Lands. The 
critical habitat subunit is about 43 ac (17 ha) on the northeastern 
shore of the island. This site is currently occupied and provides the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
subspecies. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers uses this site for dredge 
material disposal as part of its maintenance of the Columbia River 
shipping channel. The physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the streaked horned lark may require special management 
considerations or protection to maintain the early seral vegetation 
required by the subspecies and to minimize nest destruction and 
disturbance during the breeding season.
    Subunit 3-I: Tenasillahee Island (Columbia County, Oregon). This 
island is at RM 38; the subunit is on a small unnamed spit at the 
southern tip of Tenasillahee Island. The subunit is about 23 ac (9 ha) 
in size. This site is currently occupied and provides the physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the subspecies. 
The site is owned by the Oregon Department of State Lands. The U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers uses this site for dredge material disposal as 
part of its maintenance of the Columbia River shipping channel. The 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
streaked horned lark may require special management considerations or 
protection to maintain the early seral vegetation required by the 
subspecies and to minimize nest

[[Page 61994]]

destruction and disturbance during the breeding season.
    Subunit 3-J: Coffeepot Island (Wahkiakum County, Washington). This 
small island is at RM 42 in the Columbia River and sits between Puget 
Island and the Oregon shore; the subunit is 25 ac (10 ha) in size and 
is privately-owned. There have been no recent detections of streaked 
horned larks on the site; the most recent records of streaked horned 
lark occupancy are from 2004. We presume that Coffeepot Island is still 
occupied by nesting streaked horned larks, as we have no reason to 
believe they have been extirpated since the last survey attempt. 
However, as we acknowledge it is uncertain whether the site is 
currently occupied by the species due to the lack of recent survey 
effort, we have evaluated Coffeepot Island as if it is unoccupied, and 
have determined that it is nonetheless essential to the conservation of 
the species to provide connectivity between nesting populations of 
streaked horned larks in the Columbia River to insure genetic 
connectivity. This island is not currently used as a dredge disposal 
site, although the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is interested in using 
it as such, and the island is presently too vegetated to provide the 
sparse vegetation needed for streaked horned lark nesting. The site 
will require future restoration management activities to restore and 
maintain the low vegetative structure required by the streaked horned 
lark.
    Subunit 3-K: Whites/Browns Island (Wahkiakum County, Washington). 
Whites/Browns Island is connected to the southern end of Puget Island 
at RM 46 and is owned by the Washington Department of Fish and 
Wildlife. The subunit is a small spit at the southern end of Whites/
Browns Island and is about 98 ac (39 ha) in size. The site is used by 
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for dredge material disposal as part 
of its maintenance of the Columbia River shipping channel. This site is 
currently occupied and provides the physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the subspecies. Whites/Browns Island 
supports one of the largest populations of streaked horned larks in the 
lower Columbia River islands. The physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the streaked horned lark may require 
special management considerations or protection to maintain the early 
seral vegetation required by the subspecies and to minimize nest 
destruction and disturbance during the breeding season.
    Subunit 3-L: Wallace Island (Columbia County, Oregon). Wallace 
Island is located across the channel from Whites/Browns Island at RM 
47. Streaked horned larks were detected at the site in 2012 in the 
critical habitat subunit, which is about 13 ac (5 ha) in size. The area 
is owned by the Oregon Department of State Lands. This site is not a 
dredge material disposal site. This subunit currently contains the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
species, but will require special management to maintain the low 
vegetative structure required by the streaked horned lark.
    Subunit 3-M: Crims Island (Columbia County, Oregon). This island is 
located upstream of Wallace Island at RM 57. The subunit is about 60 ac 
(24 ha) in size. The subunit is currently occupied and provides the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
subspecies. The area is owned by the Oregon Department of State Lands, 
but is also within the planning unit boundary for the Julia Butler 
Hansen National Wildlife Refuge. Crims Island is an approved U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers dredge material disposal site. The physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the streaked 
horned lark may require special management considerations or protection 
to maintain the early seral vegetation required by the subspecies and 
to minimize nest destruction and disturbance during the breeding 
season.
    Subunit 3-N: Sandy Island (Columbia County, Oregon). This island, 
at RM 76, is the island farthest upstream that is known to be used by 
streaked horned larks for nesting. The subunit is about 37 ac (15 ha) 
in size on the southern end of Sandy Island and is owned by the Oregon 
Department of State Lands. This subunit is currently occupied and 
provides the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the subspecies. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers uses 
this site for dredge material disposal as part of its maintenance of 
the Columbia River shipping channel. The physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of the streaked horned lark may 
require special management considerations or protection to maintain the 
early seral vegetation required by the subspecies and to minimize nest 
destruction and disturbance during the breeding season.
    Subunit 3-O: Portland International Airport (Multnomah County, 
Oregon). This subunit is in the city of Portland and is bordered by the 
Columbia River to the north, NE 33rd Drive to the west and the 
Broadmoor Golf Course to the south and totals 410 ac (166 ha). This 
subunit includes the airport's Southwest Quad, the grassy areas at the 
western end of Runway 10R, and Broughton Beach. The Southwest Quad is 
an old dredge spoil disposal field located just outside of the 
perimeter fence at Portland International Airport, south of Runway 10R 
and west of Runway 3/21. This subunit is currently occupied and 
provides the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the subspecies. The habitat is open with a sandy 
substrate and low-stature vegetation; breeding at the site has been 
documented. The area around the western end of Runway 10R is flat, low-
stature grass fields; streaked horned larks have been seen foraging in 
this area. The Southwest Quad and Runway 10R are on the grounds of 
Portland International Airport, which is owned by the Port of Portland.
    Broughton Beach is a narrow, sandy beach on the Columbia River and 
is not within the boundaries of Portland International Airport. 
Streaked horned lark sightings at Broughton Beach are frequent, and 
large mixed-subspecies flocks are seen there often during the fall and 
winter; Broughton Beach is owned by Metro, the regional governing body 
in the Portland area. Due to the proximity of these sites to active 
runways, the sites are managed for air traffic safety; preventing the 
development of dense vegetation and pooling water, which could attract 
hazardous wildlife. These management activities unintentionally 
maintain the appropriate habitat characteristics for streaked horned 
larks. The physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the streaked horned lark may require special management 
considerations or protection to maintain the early seral vegetation 
required by the subspecies and to minimize nest destruction and 
disturbance during the breeding season.

Unit 4: Willamette Valley--Streaked Horned Lark

    In the Willamette Valley, we are proposing to designate eight 
subunits. Four subunits are on municipal airports, three subunits are 
on the Willamette Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and one 
subunit is a private habitat restoration site. The total acreage is 
4,880 ac (1,975 ha). All of the subunits were occupied at the time of 
listing and contain the physical or biological features essential to 
the conservation of the species that may require special management 
considerations or protection.
    The areas used by streaked horned larks for nesting at all of the 
airports are grass and gravel margins of the runway

[[Page 61995]]

and taxiways. Special Management will be needed to address threats to 
the essential features at the Willamette Valley airports including 
development, mowing during the nesting season, and intermittent 
training activities. All of the airports inadvertently maintain habitat 
for streaked horned larks as a result of their management to minimize 
attracting hazardous wildlife. None of the Willamette Valley airports 
has developed a management plan to address conservation of the streaked 
horned lark; special management of these sites would require avoidance 
or minimization of mowing in the streaked horned lark nesting areas 
during the breeding season.
    The three subunits on the Willamette Valley National Wildlife 
Refuge Complex are managed mainly to provide forage for wintering dusky 
Canada geese (Branta canadensis occidentalis), which is compatible with 
maintaining the essential features for streaked horned larks. The 
refuge complex has incorporated management for streaked horned larks 
into its recently completed Comprehensive Conservation Plan, and 
streaked horned lark habitat conservation is being implemented in the 
refuge units.
    The one proposed subunit on private land is a large habitat 
restoration site. Management for native prairies and vernal wetlands at 
this site provide habitat for streaked horned larks.
    Subunit 4-A: McMinnville Municipal Airport (Yamhill County, 
Oregon). McMinnville Municipal Airport is just south of State Route 18 
and west of SE Airport Road in the town of McMinnville. This subunit 
includes the areas around the runways and an open field to the east. 
The site is about 600 ac (243 ha). This subunit is currently occupied 
and contains the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the subspecies. It has both the open landscape context 
and the sparse low-growing vegetation required by streaked horned 
larks, and there have been observations of streaked horned larks along 
the east runway and in the field to the east of the runways during the 
breeding season. This small airport is owned by the City of 
McMinnville. The primary threat to the essential features at this 
subunit is mowing during the breeding season, which could destroy nests 
and young; special management is needed to coordinate mowing to 
minimize impacts to streaked horned larks during the breeding season.
    Subunit 4-B: Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge (Polk County, 
Oregon). There are two parts to this critical habitat subunit. Subunit 
4-B North is 181 ac (73 ha) and is in the North Morgan Reservoir area 
of the refuge. Subunit 4-B South is 825 ac (334 ha) and is the South 
Baskett Slough Agricultural area of the refuge; State Route 22 forms 
the southeast boundary of the south subunit. Both of the subunits are 
agricultural fields that are heavily grazed by dusky Canada geese in 
the winter. This subunit is currently occupied and contains the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
subspecies. Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge has large areas of 
agricultural lands and restored native prairies, which provides the 
landscape context and vegetation structure required by the streaked 
horned lark. The Refuge manages primarily for wintering dusky Canada 
geese, which also provides suitable management for streaked horned 
larks. This subunit is consistently used by streaked horned larks in 
the breeding season. The physical or biological features essential to 
the conservation of the streaked horned lark may require special 
management considerations or protection to maintain the early seral 
vegetation required by the subspecies and to minimize nest destruction 
and disturbance during the breeding season.
    Subunit 4-C: Salem Municipal Airport (Marion County, Oregon). Salem 
Municipal Airport is south of State Route 99E and bordered on the east 
by 25th Street SE in Salem. This subunit encompasses the area 
surrounding the runways, and is approximately 534 ac (216 ha). The 
subunit is currently occupied (streaked horned larks have been observed 
at the south end of the runway during the breeding season), and 
contains the essential features for the conservation of the subspecies, 
including open landscape context and sparse, open vegetation present at 
the site. This regional airport is owned by the City of Salem. The 
primary threat to the essential features at this subunit is mowing 
during the breeding season, which could destroy nests and young; 
special management is needed to coordinate mowing to minimize impacts 
to streaked horned larks during the breeding season.
    Subunit 4-D: Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge (Marion County, 
Oregon). This site is in the middle of the Ankeny Refuge, in the Field 
6 Complex; the northeast boundary of the subunit is formed by the 
Sydney Ditch. The critical habitat subunit is 264 ac (107 ha). The site 
is composed of agricultural fields that are heavily grazed by dusky 
Canada geese in the winter. The subunit is currently occupied and has 
consistent use by streaked horned larks in the breeding season. This 
subunit contains all of the physical or biological features essential 
to the conservation of the subspecies. Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge 
has both agricultural lands and restored native prairies, which provide 
the landscape context and vegetation structure required by the streaked 
horned lark. The Refuge manages primarily for wintering dusky Canada 
geese, which also provides suitable management for streaked horned 
larks. The physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the streaked horned lark may require special management 
considerations or protection to maintain the early seral vegetation 
required by the subspecies and to minimize nest destruction and 
disturbance during the breeding season.
    Subunit 4-E: Corvallis Municipal Airport (Benton County, Oregon). 
Corvallis Municipal Airport is west of State Route 99W and bordered on 
the north by SW Airport Avenue, directly south of the City of 
Corvallis. This subunit includes all the areas surrounding the runways 
and in adjacent fields owned and managed by the airport. The unit is 
about 1,103 ac (446 ha) and is owned by the City of Corvallis. This 
subunit is currently occupied and contains the physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of the subspecies. The Corvallis 
Municipal Airport is home to the largest known breeding population of 
streaked horned larks; streaked horned larks breed adjacent to runways 
and in sparse grass fields throughout the airport. Large flocks of 
mixed subspecies of horned larks also winter at the site. The site 
provides the open landscape context and low-growing vegetation required 
by streaked horned larks. As at other airports, the City of Corvallis 
manages the site to minimize attraction of hazardous wildlife. The 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
streaked horned lark may require special management considerations or 
protection to address threats from mowing during the breeding season 
and police training activities that disrupt nesting behavior. Special 
management is needed to coordinate mowing and training activities to 
minimize impacts to streaked horned larks during the breeding season.
    Subunit 4-F: William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge (Benton 
County, Oregon). This critical habitat subunit is on Fields 11 and 12 
in the South Finley Agricultural Lands area of the refuge; Bruce Road 
bisects the subunit, and McFarland Road forms the southern boundary of 
the site. The subunit is 459 ac (186 ha) in size. This subunit is 
currently occupied and

[[Page 61996]]

contains the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the subspecies. The site is composed of agricultural 
fields that are heavily grazed by dusky Canada geese in the winter, and 
it has consistent use by streaked horned larks in the breeding season; 
streaked horned larks also winter at the refuge. Finley National 
Wildlife Refuge has large areas of agricultural lands and restored 
native prairies, which provide the landscape context and vegetation 
structure required by the streaked horned lark. The Refuge manages 
primarily for wintering dusky Canada geese, which also provides 
suitable management for streaked horned larks. The physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the streaked 
horned lark may require special management considerations or protection 
to maintain the early seral vegetation required by the subspecies and 
to minimize nest destruction and disturbance during the breeding 
season.
    Subunit 4-G: M-DAC Farms (Linn County, Oregon). This site is a 
large prairie and wetland habitat restoration project; the subunit is 
about 601 ac (243 ha) on former agricultural land. The site is located 
east of the town of Harrisburg, and about a mile east of Interstate 
Highway 5, and bordered on the south by Diamond Hill Drive. This 
subunit is currently occupied and contains the physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of the subspecies. The second 
largest known population of streaked horned larks was observed at M-DAC 
in 2008, the year following initial site preparation. As vegetation at 
the site has matured, fewer streaked horned larks have used the site, 
but the large wetlands will likely continue to provide suitable 
breeding habitat as the mudflats dry in the early summer. Both PCEs are 
present at the site, although their availability will shift over time 
as the habitat is managed and the wetlands fill and recede each year. 
The site is privately owned; the habitat restoration project has been 
developed with assistance from the Cascade Pacific Resource 
Conservation and Development Area, USDA's NRCS, the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service's Partners for Wildlife Program, Oregon Watershed 
Enhancement Board, and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The 
site will be managed to maintain native prairie and wetland habitats, 
which will benefit the streaked horned lark; special management will be 
needed to ensure that management activities are not implemented in the 
breeding season when streaked horned lark nests and young are 
vulnerable to destruction.
    Subunit 4-H: Eugene Airport (Lane County, Oregon). Eugene Airport 
is west of the City of Eugene, and about a mile west of State Route 99. 
This subunit encompasses the grassy areas surrounding the runway, and 
is approximately 313 ac (126 ha). This subunit is currently occupied 
and contains the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the subspecies. It provides the open landscape context 
and low-growing vegetation required by streaked horned larks. Streaked 
horned larks have been observed on the east side of the runway during 
the breeding season. This regional airport is owned by the City of 
Eugene. The primary threat to the essential features at this subunit is 
mowing during the breeding season that disrupts nesting behavior. The 
features essential to the conservation of the species may require 
special management considerations or protection to coordinate mowing to 
minimize impacts to streaked horned larks during the breeding season.

Effects of Critical Habitat Designation

Section 7 Consultation

    Section 7(a)(2) of the Act requires Federal agencies, including the 
Service, to ensure that any action they fund, authorize, or carry out 
is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered 
species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse 
modification of designated critical habitat of such species. In 
addition, section 7(a)(4) of the Act requires Federal agencies to 
confer with the Service on any agency action which is likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of any species proposed to be listed 
under the Act or result in the destruction or adverse modification of 
proposed critical habitat.
    Decisions by the 5th and 9th Circuit Courts of Appeals have 
invalidated our regulatory definition of ``destruction or adverse 
modification'' (50 CFR 402.02) (see Gifford Pinchot Task Force v. U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 378 F. 3d 1059 (9th Cir. 2004) and Sierra 
Club v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service et al., 245 F.3d 434, 442 (5th 
Cir. 2001)), and we do not rely on this regulatory definition when 
analyzing whether an action is likely to destroy or adversely modify 
critical habitat. Under the statutory provisions of the Act, we 
determine destruction or adverse modification on the basis of whether, 
with implementation of the proposed Federal action, the affected 
critical habitat would continue to serve its intended conservation role 
for the species.
    If a Federal action may affect a listed species or its critical 
habitat, the responsible Federal agency (action agency) must enter into 
consultation with us. Examples of actions that are subject to the 
section 7 consultation process are actions on State, tribal, local, or 
private lands that require a Federal permit (such as a permit from the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under section 404 of the Clean Water Act 
(33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) or a permit from the Service (under section 10 
of the Act) or that involve some other Federal action (such as funding 
from the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Aviation 
Administration, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency). Federal 
actions not affecting listed species or critical habitat, and actions 
on State, tribal, local, or private lands that are not federally funded 
or authorized, do not require section 7 consultation.
    As a result of section 7 consultation, we document compliance with 
the requirements of section 7(a)(2) through our issuance of:
    (1) A concurrence letter for Federal actions that may affect, but 
are not likely to adversely affect, listed species or critical habitat; 
or
    (2) A biological opinion for Federal actions that may affect, or 
are likely to adversely affect, listed species or critical habitat.
    When we issue a biological opinion concluding that a project is 
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species or 
destroy or adversely modify critical habitat, we provide reasonable and 
prudent alternatives to the project, if any are identifiable, that 
would avoid the likelihood of jeopardy or destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat. We define ``reasonable and prudent 
alternatives'' (at 50 CFR 402.02) as alternative actions identified 
during consultation that:
    (1) Can be implemented in a manner consistent with the intended 
purpose of the action,
    (2) Can be implemented consistent with the scope of the Federal 
agency's legal authority and jurisdiction,
    (3) Are economically and technologically feasible, and
    (4) Would, in the Director's opinion, avoid the likelihood of 
jeopardizing the continued existence of the listed species or avoid the 
likelihood of destroying or adversely modifying critical habitat.
    Reasonable and prudent alternatives can vary from slight project 
modifications to extensive redesign or relocation of the project. Costs 
associated with implementing a

[[Page 61997]]

reasonable and prudent alternative are similarly variable.
    Regulations at 50 CFR 402.16 require Federal agencies to reinitiate 
consultation on previously reviewed actions in instances where we have 
listed a new species or subsequently designated critical habitat that 
may be affected and the Federal agency has retained discretionary 
involvement or control over the action (or the agency's discretionary 
involvement or control is authorized by law). Consequently, Federal 
agencies sometimes may need to request reinitiation of consultation 
with us on actions for which formal consultation has been completed, if 
those actions with discretionary involvement or control may affect 
subsequently listed species or designated critical habitat.

Application of the ``Adverse Modification'' Standard

    The key factor related to the adverse modification determination is 
whether, with implementation of the proposed Federal action, the 
affected critical habitat would continue to serve its intended 
conservation role for the species. Activities that may destroy or 
adversely modify critical habitat are those that alter the physical or 
biological features to an extent that appreciably reduces the 
conservation value of critical habitat for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly or the streaked horned lark. As discussed above, the role of 
critical habitat is to support life-history needs of the species and 
provide for the conservation of the species.
    Section 4(b)(8) of the Act requires us to briefly evaluate and 
describe, in any proposed or final regulation that designates critical 
habitat, activities involving a Federal action that may affect the 
physical or biological features of critical habitat, or destroy or 
adversely modify critical habitat.
    Under section 7(a)(2) of the Act, activities that may affect 
critical habitat for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly or streaked 
horned lark, when carried out, funded, or authorized by a Federal 
agency, require consultation. These activities may include, but are not 
limited to:
    (1) Actions that restore, alter, or degrade habitat features 
through development, agricultural activities, burning, mowing, 
herbicide use or other means in suitable habitat for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies and streaked horned larks.
    (2) Actions that would alter the physical or biological features of 
critical habitat including modification of soil profiles or the 
composition and structure of vegetation in suitable habitat for 
Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and streaked horned larks. Such 
activities could include, but are not limited to, construction, grading 
or other development, mowing, conversion of habitat, or use of 
herbicides to remove vegetation (military training on DOD lands, 
recreational use, off road vehicles on Federal, State, private, or 
Tribal lands). These activities may affect the physical or biological 
features of critical habitat for the Taylor's checkerspot butterflies 
and streaked horned larks, by removing sources of food, shelter, 
nesting or oviposition sites, or otherwise impacting habitat essential 
for completion of life history.
    (3) Actions that would reduce the open landscape context required 
by streaked horned larks, such as construction of buildings or planting 
tall trees adjacent to a suitable site.
    (4) Deposition of dredge materials on occupied streaked horned lark 
habitats during the breeding season.
    (5) Installation of shoreline stabilization structures or 
modification of beaches and open shorelines in critical habitat.
    (6) Activities (pedestrians, motor vehicles, people with pets, 
etc.) within or adjacent to critical habitat that result in disturbance 
of Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and streaked horned larks, that 
affect or degrade the conservation value or function of the physical or 
biological features of critical habitat.

Exemptions

Application of Section 4(a)(3) of the Act

    The Sikes Act Improvement Act of 1997 (Sikes Act) (16 U.S.C. 670a) 
required each military installation that includes land and water 
suitable for the conservation and management of natural resources to 
complete an integrated natural resource management plan (INRMP) by 
November 17, 2001. An INRMP integrates implementation of the military 
mission of the installation with stewardship of the natural resources 
found on the base. Each INRMP includes:
    (1) An assessment of the ecological needs on the installation, 
including the need to provide for the conservation of listed species;
    (2) A statement of goals and priorities;
    (3) A detailed description of management actions to be implemented 
to provide for these ecological needs; and
    (4) A monitoring and adaptive management plan.
    Among other things, each INRMP must, to the extent appropriate and 
applicable, provide for fish and wildlife management; fish and wildlife 
habitat enhancement or modification; wetland protection, enhancement, 
and restoration where necessary to support fish and wildlife; and 
enforcement of applicable natural resource laws.
    The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Pub. 
L. 108-136) amended the Act to limit areas eligible for designation as 
critical habitat. Specifically, section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act (16 
U.S.C. 1533(a)(3)(B)(i)) now provides: ``The Secretary shall not 
designate as critical habitat any lands or other geographical areas 
owned or controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated for its 
use, that are subject to an integrated natural resources management 
plan prepared under section 101 of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670a), if 
the Secretary determines in writing that such plan provides a benefit 
to the species for which critical habitat is proposed for 
designation.''
    We consult with the military on the development and implementation 
of INRMPs for installations with listed species. We analyzed INRMPs 
developed by military installations located within the range of the 
proposed critical habitat designation for Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly and streaked horned lark to determine if they are exempt 
under section 4(a)(3) of the Act. The following areas are Department of 
Defense lands within the proposed critical habitat designation: (1) 
91st Division Prairie, (2) Thirteenth Division Prairie. (3) TA7S, (4) 
Marion Prairie, (5) portions of Tenalquot Prairie, (6) McChord AFB, and 
(7) Gray Airfield. All of these areas are part of JBLM in Washington, 
except for the portion of Tenalquot Prairie known as the Morgan 
property.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington
    Joint Base Lewis-McChord (formerly known as Fort Lewis and McChord 
Air Force Base) is an 86,000 ac (34,800 ha) military complex in western 
Washington. JBLM has an approved Integrated Natural Resource Management 
Plan (INRMP) in place, dated July 2006, that covers the years 2006 
through 2010. This INRMP is being updated and a revision will be 
submitted to the Service in 2012 (Steucke 2008, pers. comm.). JBLM is 
composed of both native and degraded grasslands; shrub-dominated 
vegetation; conifer, conifer-oak, oak-savannah, oak woodland and pine 
woodland/savannah forests; riverine, lacustrine, and palustrine 
wetlands; ponds and lakes; as well as other unique habitat, such as 
mima mounds. Portions of JBLM are currently occupied by the streaked 
horned lark and Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. Actions on this 
property

[[Page 61998]]

include military training, recreation, transportation, utilities 
(including dedicated corridors), and land use.
    The mission of JBLM is to maintain trained and ready forces for 
Army commanders worldwide, by providing them with training support and 
infrastructure. This includes a land base capable of supporting current 
and future training needs through good stewardship of the 
Installation's natural and cultural resources, as directed by Federal 
statutes, Department of Defense directives, directives and programs 
such as ACUB (Area Compatible Use Buffer Program), and Army and JBLM 
regulations.
    Although only military actions occur on JBLM, several additional 
actions could pose substantial threats to the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly and streaked horned larks, and are restricted to a few 
grassland properties (e.g., dog trials, model airplanes, recreational 
activities). Many of the avoidance measures for military training 
action subgroups are implemented through environmental review and 
permitting programs related to a specific action. Timing of actions and 
education of users are important avoidance measures for the other 
activities.
    Joint Base Lewis-McChord actively manages prairie habitat as part 
of Fort Lewis' Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP 
2006). The purpose of the plan is to ``provide guidance for effective 
and efficient management of the prairie landscape to meet military 
training and ecological conservation goals.'' There are three overall 
goals including: (1) No net loss of open landscapes for military 
training; (2) no net reduction in the quantity or quality of moderate- 
and high-quality grassland; and (3) viable populations of all prairie-
dependent and prairie-associated species.
    Joint Base Lewis-McChord has a stewardship responsibility that 
includes actions to help recover threatened and endangered species 
under the Act. It is Army policy to consider candidate species when 
making decisions that may affect them, to avoid taking actions that may 
cause them to be listed, and to take affirmative actions that can 
preclude the need to list (AR 200-3).
    Under this mandate, JBLM is currently restoring and enhancing 
habitat conditions for the Taylor's checkerspot in potential habitat. 
JBLM has restored habitat on one Training Area and one Range (TA 14 and 
Range 50) that have received captive-bred and translocated butterflies. 
These actions are occurring primarily in areas in which the butterfly 
could coexist with the existing land-use designations. Currently, the 
only populations of this species on JBLM are within the Artillery 
Impact Area (Range 76 and Range 50 on the 91st Division Prairie), and 
at this time, we have JBLM's commitment (Garrison Commander Thomas 
Brittain, Colonel, 13 May 2010) specifying ``no off road vehicle zone 
and foot traffic zone'' only within TA 76.
    The primary concern for streaked horned larks is to protect nesting 
populations from disturbance and direct mortality due to human 
activities. Currently, there are four areas on the installation that 
have nesting populations of this species. Timing of mowing at McChord 
and Gray Army Airfields are concerns, as are recreational activities 
and military training on the 13th Division Prairie and military 
training and wildfires in the Artillery Impact Area. Presently, there 
are restrictions on mowing activities on the airfield: Minimum mowing 
for airfield safety during the primary nesting period (April to July) 
and no mowing at any time around known nest locations. In the training 
areas, Land Rehabilitation and Maintenance does not mow during the 
breeding season in occupied streaked horned lark habitat. There also 
are restrictions on recreational activities in Thirteenth Division 
Prairie during the streaked horned lark nesting period (April to 
August).
    Two regional programs managed under the INRMP and funded by the DOD 
are currently underway on many of the lands where the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark occur. The Fort Lewis 
Army Compatible Use Buffer (ACUB) program is a proactive effort to 
prevent ``encroachment'' at military installations. Encroachment 
includes current or potential future restrictions on military training 
associated with currently listed and candidate species under the 
Endangered Species Act. The Fort Lewis ACUB program focuses on 
management of non-Federal conservation lands in the vicinity of Fort 
Lewis that contain, or can be restored to, native prairie. Some of the 
ACUB efforts include improving the habitat on JBLM property, such as 
the prescribed fire program, and the streaked horned lark genetic 
rescue project. It is implemented by means of a cooperative agreement 
between the Army and The Nature Conservancy (now Center for Natural 
Lands Management), and includes WDFW and WDNR as partners. To date, a 
total of $8.23 million has been allocated to this program (Anderson 
2012, pers. comm). This funds conservation actions such as invasive 
plant control, butterfly monitoring, butterfly habitat enhancement on 
occupied sites and the restoration of unoccupied lands for butterflies. 
Taylor's checkerspot and mardon skipper (Polites mardon) butterfly 
captive rearing and translocation, native seed (forb and grass) 
production and native plant establishment are several currently (2012) 
ongoing projects (Foster 2005, entire; The Nature Conservancy 2007; 
entire).
    The JBLM Legacy program is dedicated to ``protecting, enhancing, 
and conserving natural and cultural resources on DOD lands through 
stewardship, leadership, and partnership.'' Legacy supports 
conservation actions that have regional or DOD-wide significance, and 
that support military training or fulfill legal obligations (DOD 2011, 
p. 2). In recent years, substantial effort and funding have gone toward 
projects, both on and off JBLM, related to the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly and streaked horned lark.
    Although JBLM's INRMP has the potential to provide a conservation 
benefit to the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark, 
it does not currently. Since their INRMP is currently undergoing 
revision and is subject to change, we are reserving judgment on whether 
management under the new INRMP will meet our criteria for exemption 
from critical habitat at this time. In accordance with section 
4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, if we determine prior to our final rulemaking 
that conservation efforts identified in the newly revised INRMP will 
provide a conservation benefit to the species identified previously, we 
may at that time exempt the identified lands from the final designation 
of critical habitat.

Exclusions

Application of Section 4(b)(2) of the Act

    Section 4(b)(2) of the Act states that the Secretary shall 
designate and make revisions to critical habitat on the basis of the 
best available scientific data after taking into consideration the 
economic impact, national security impact, and any other relevant 
impact of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. The 
Secretary may exclude an area from critical habitat if he determines 
that the benefits of such exclusion outweigh the benefits of specifying 
such area as part of the critical habitat, unless he determines, based 
on the best scientific data available, that the failure to designate 
such area as critical habitat will result in the extinction of the 
species. In making that determination, the statute on its face, as well 
as the

[[Page 61999]]

legislative history are clear that the Secretary has broad discretion 
regarding which factor(s) to use and how much weight to give to any 
factor.
    In considering whether to exclude a particular area from the 
designation, we identify the benefits of including the area in the 
designation, identify the benefits of excluding the area from the 
designation, and evaluate whether the benefits of exclusion outweigh 
the benefits of inclusion. If the analysis indicates that the benefits 
of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion, the Secretary may 
exercise his discretion to exclude the area only if such exclusion 
would not result in the extinction of the species.
    When identifying the benefits of inclusion for an area, we consider 
the additional regulatory benefits that area would receive from the 
protection from adverse modification or destruction as a result of 
actions with a Federal nexus; the educational benefits of mapping 
essential habitat for recovery of the listed species; and any benefits 
that may result from a designation due to State or Federal laws that 
may apply to critical habitat.
    When identifying the benefits of exclusion, we consider, among 
other things, whether exclusion of a specific area is likely to result 
in conservation; the continuation, strengthening, or encouragement of 
partnerships; or implementation of a management plan that provides 
equal to or more conservation than a critical habitat designation would 
provide.
    The Secretary can consider the existence of conservation agreements 
and other land management plans with Federal, private, State, and 
Indian entities when making decisions under section 4(b)(2) of the Act. 
The Secretary may also consider relationships with landowners, 
voluntary partnerships, and conservation plans, and weigh the 
implementation and effectiveness of these against that of designation 
to determine which provides the greatest conservation value to the 
listed species. Consideration of relevant impacts of designation or 
exclusion under section 4(b)(2) may include, but is not limited to, any 
of the following factors:
    (1) Whether the plan provides specific information on how it 
protects the species and the physical and biological features, and 
whether the plan is at a geographical scope commensurate with the 
species;
    (2) Whether the plan is complete and will be effective at 
conserving and protecting the physical and biological features;
    (3) Whether a reasonable expectation exists that conservation 
management strategies and actions will be implemented, that those 
responsible for implementing the plan are capable of achieving the 
objectives, that an implementation schedule exists, and that adequate 
funding exists;
    (4) Whether the plan provides assurances that the conservation 
strategies and measures will be effective (i.e., identifies biological 
goals, has provisions for reporting progress, and is of a duration 
sufficient to implement the plan);
    (5) Whether the plan has a monitoring program or adaptive 
management to ensure that the conservation measures are effective;
    (6) The degree to which the record supports a conclusion that a 
critical habitat designation would impair the benefits of the plan;
    (7) The extent of public participation;
    (8) Demonstrated track record of implementation success;
    (9) Level of public benefits derived from encouraging collaborative 
efforts and encouraging private and local conservation efforts; and
    (10) The effect designation would have on partnerships.
    After identifying the benefits of inclusion and the benefits of 
exclusion, we carefully weigh the two sides to evaluate whether the 
benefits of exclusion outweigh those of inclusion. If our analysis 
indicates that the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of 
inclusion, we then determine whether exclusion would result in 
extinction. If exclusion of an area from critical habitat will result 
in extinction, we will not exclude it from the designation.
    Based on the information provided by entities seeking exclusion, as 
well as any additional public comments received, we will evaluate 
whether certain lands in proposed critical habitat are appropriate for 
exclusion from the final designation under section 4(b)(2) of the Act. 
If the analysis indicates that the benefits of excluding lands from the 
final designation outweigh the benefits of designating those lands as 
critical habitat, then the Secretary may exercise his discretion to 
exclude the lands from the final designation.
    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we must consider all relevant 
impacts of the designation of critical habitat, including economic 
impacts. In addition to economic impacts (discussed in the Economics 
Analysis section, below), we consider a number of factors in a 4(b)(2) 
analysis. For example, we consider whether there are lands owned by the 
Department of Defense (DoD) where a national security impact might 
exist. We also consider whether Federal or private landowners or other 
public agencies have developed management plans or habitat conservation 
plans (HCPs) for the area or whether there are conservation 
partnerships or other conservation benefits that would be encouraged or 
discouraged by designation of, or exclusion from, critical habitat in 
an area. In addition, we look at the presence of Indian lands or Indian 
trust resources that might be affected, and consider the government-to-
government relationship of the United States with Indian entities. We 
also consider any other relevant impacts that might occur because of 
the designation. To ensure that our final determination is based on the 
best available information, we are inviting comments on any foreseeable 
economic, national security, or other potential impacts resulting from 
this proposed designation of critical habitat from governmental, 
business, or private interests and, in particular, any potential 
impacts on small businesses.
    For the reasons discussed above, if the Secretary decides to 
exercise his discretion under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we have 
identified certain areas that we are considering for exclusion from the 
final critical habitat designation for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, 
and streaked horned lark. However, we solicit comments on the inclusion 
or exclusion of such particular areas, as well as any other areas 
identified in the proposed rule (see Public Comments section). During 
the development of the final designation, we will consider economic 
impacts, public comments, and other new information. However, the 
Secretary's decision as to which, if any, areas may be excluded from 
the final designation is not limited to these lands. Additional 
particular areas, in addition to those identified below for potential 
exclusion in this proposed rule, may be excluded from the final 
critical habitat designation under section 4(b)(2) of the Act. In other 
words, potential exclusions are not limited to those areas specifically 
identified in this proposed rule.
    However, we specifically solicit comments on the inclusion or 
exclusion of such areas. In the paragraphs below, we provide a detailed 
analysis of our exclusion of these lands under section 4(b)(2) of the 
Act.
Exclusions Based on Economic Impacts
    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider the economic impacts 
of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. In order to 
consider economic impacts, we are preparing an analysis of the economic 
impacts of the proposed critical habitat designation and related

[[Page 62000]]

factors. We will announce the availability of the draft economic 
analysis as soon as it is completed, at which time we will seek public 
review and comment. At that time, copies of the draft economic analysis 
will be available for downloading from the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov, or by contacting the Washington Fish and Wildlife 
Office directly (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section). During 
the development of a final designation, we will consider economic 
impacts, public comments, and other new information, and areas may be 
excluded from the final critical habitat designation under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act and our implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.19.
Exclusions Based on National Security Impacts
    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider whether there are 
lands owned or managed by the Department of Defense (DOD) where a 
national security impact might exist. The U.S. Army's Joint Base Lewis-
McChord Military Reservation (JBLM) is the only DOD land included 
within the proposed designation of critical habitat. As described 
above, in preparing this proposal, we are considering JBLM for 
exemption from the designation of critical habitat under section 
4(a)(3) of the Act, pending our evaluation of their revised INRMP, 
scheduled for completion in 2012, to determine whether it provides a 
conservation benefit to the species under consideration in this 
proposed rule. We have determined that the remaining lands within the 
proposed designation of critical habitat for the species are not owned 
or managed by the Department of Defense, and, therefore, we anticipate 
no impact on national security. Consequently, the Secretary is not 
intending to exert his discretion to exclude any areas from the final 
designation based on impacts on national security.
Exclusions Based on Other Relevant Impacts
    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider any other relevant 
impacts, in addition to economic impacts and impacts to national 
security, of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. We 
consider a number of factors, including whether landowners have 
developed any HCPs or other management plans for the area, or whether 
there are conservation partnerships or relationships that would be 
encouraged by designation of, or exclusion from, critical habitat. In 
addition, we look at any tribal issues, and consider the government-to-
government relationship of the United States with tribal entities. We 
also consider any other relevant impacts that might occur because of 
the designation. Our weighing of the benefits of inclusion versus 
exclusion considers all relevant factors in making a final 
determination as to what will result in the greatest conservation 
benefit to the listed species. Depending on the specifics of each 
situation, there may be cases where the designation of critical habitat 
will not necessarily provide enhanced protection, and may actually lead 
to a net loss of conservation benefit. Here we present a brief 
description of three general areas considered for exclusion from the 
final designations of critical habitat for the subspecies.
    We are considering the exclusion of private lands associated with 
the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area and Rock Prairie (Unit 1, subunits 1-H 
and 1-I for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly), both within Thurston 
County, and the private land site at Sequim (Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly subunit 2-D), in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, located in 
Clallam County, Washington.
    The first proposed exclusion is located in the south Puget Sound 
region, in the Scatter Creek subunit of Unit 1, the South Sound Unit 
(this is subunit 1-H for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly). We are 
considering excluding the combined area of private lands in this unit 
totaling 98 ac (40 ha) based on the benefits of partnerships and other 
conservation agreements. The South Puget Sound Prairie Landscape 
Working Group is an informal, voluntary group that meets regularly, and 
discusses local conservation issues and planning. Members of the group 
are tasked to implement prairie conservation and best management 
practices (BMPs) with their landowner contacts. The Service and WDFW 
are members of this working group. WDFW worked with the private 
landowner in subunit 1-H to develop a management plan which includes a 
commitment from the landowner that the parcel will be managed in such a 
manner to support native prairie species (composition and structure), 
consistent with the adjacent WDFW State wildlife area. This management 
plan is currently active and in effect through 2014 with plans to renew 
the management plan prior to the end in 2014.
    The second area is located in the south Puget Sound, in the Rock 
Prairie subunit also in Unit 1, the South Sound Unit. This is subunit 
1-I for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. In this subunit, 379 ac (153 
ha) is considered for exclusion as it is managed under a permanent 
conservation easement and a Grassland Reserve Program Management Plan 
agreement with NRCS; which is also an active member of the South Puget 
Sound Prairie Landscape Working Group. The management plan is modified 
regularly as new information becomes available regarding BMPs for 
prairie ecosystems. The private landowner in subunit 1-I is committed 
through the management plan to maintaining more than 300 ac (122 ha) of 
native prairie.
    The third location is a 150-ac (61-ha) active farm in Unit 2, 
Strait of Juan de Fuca Unit, in subunit 2-D, the Sequim subunit. The 
Service has worked with the landowner in this subunit, which has 
restored Taylor's checkerspot butterfly habitat, and a portion of this 
site is being managed for the long-term conservation of the species 
which they are incorporating under a management plan developed in 
coordination with the WDFW. The landowner has shown a track record of 
conservation of coastal grassland species, including Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly. For instance, native plants have been planted on 
the property for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and the landowner has 
stopped driving along one farm road to encourage the reestablishment of 
native larval host plants for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. As a 
result, larval host plants have become more abundant as a result of 
this voluntary management action.
    Each area contains one landholding that is under a conservation 
easement for agriculture and open space protection, species 
conservation, and/or prairie conservation. We are considering the 
exclusion of these privately-owned lands (subunit 1-H, 1-I for the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, and subunit 2-D for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly in the Strait of Juan de Fuca Unit) based on the 
partnerships that have been developed for the conservation of the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly as evidenced by the management plan and 
conservation easement on those private lands as well as the 
conservation benefit to the subspecies from the management plan.
    We request public comments on the relative benefits of inclusion or 
exclusion of these areas from the designation of critical habitat. At 
present, we seek public comment on the general benefits of including or 
excluding private lands in this area (see Public Comments).

[[Page 62001]]



    Table 5--Lands Proposed or That May Be Considered for Exclusion From the Final Rule To Designate Critical
                                     Habitat for Several Puget Sound Species
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Critical habitat                Name of agreement/
        Type of agreement              unit name          State           entity           Acres       Hectares
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Habitat Conservation Plans--      Unit 1 -- South      WA          Washington                   658          267
 proposed for exclusion.           Sound; Subunits                  Department of
                                   TCB: 1-F & 1-J: 1-               Natural Resources
                                   D.                               State Lands
                                                                    Habitat
                                                                    Conservation Plan.
                                  Unit 4 --            OR          Benton County                108           44
                                   Willamette Valley;               Habitat
                                   Subunits TCB: 4A,B               Conservation Plan.
                                   & C.
Conservation Agreements, Other    Unit 1 -- South      WA          Scatter Creek                 98           40
 agreements or Partnerships--      Sound; Subunit                   Wildlife Area
 proposed for exclusion.           TCB: 1-H.                        Private Landowner
                                                                    Management Plan.
                                  Unit 1 -- South      WA          Rock Prairie                 379          153
                                   Sound; Subunit                   Grassland Easement
                                   TCB: 1-I.                        and Private
                                                                    Landowner
                                                                    Partnership.
                                  Unit 2 -- Strait of  WA          Sequim Private               151           61
                                   Juan De Fuca;                    Landowner
                                   Subunit TCB: 2-D.                Partnership.
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Proposed..............  ...................  ..........  ...................        1,394          565
Tribal..........................  Unit 3 -- WA Coast   WA          Shoalwater Tribal            182           73
                                   and Columbia                     Management Plan.
                                   River; Subunit
                                   SHL: 3-C.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Benefits of Excluding Lands With Habitat Conservation Plans
    Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) are planning documents required 
as part of an application for an ``incidental take'' permit. They 
describe the anticipated effects of the proposed taking; how those 
impacts will be minimized, or mitigated; and how the HCP is to be 
funded. HCPs can apply to both listed and nonlisted species, including 
those that are candidates or have been proposed for listing. Anyone 
whose otherwise-lawful activities will result in the ``incidental 
take'' of a listed wildlife species needs a permit. The Act defines 
``take'' as ``* * * to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, 
trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such 
conduct.'' ``Harm'' includes significant habitat modification that 
actually kills or injures a listed species through impairing essential 
behavior such as breeding, feeding, or sheltering. Section 9 of the Act 
prohibits the take of endangered and threatened species. The purpose of 
the incidental take permit is to exempt non-Federal permit-holders--
such as States and private landowners--from the prohibitions of section 
9, not to authorize the activities that result in take.
    In developing HCPs, people applying for incidental take permits 
describe measures designed to minimize and mitigate the effects of 
their actions-- to ensure that species will be conserved and to 
contribute to their recovery. Habitat Conservation Plans are required 
to meet the permit issuance criteria of section 10(a)(2)(B) of the Act:
     Taking will be incidental;
     The applicant will, to the maximum extent practicable, 
minimize and mitigate the impacts of the taking;
     The applicant will ensure that adequate funding for the 
plan will be provided;
     Taking will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of the 
survival and recovery of the species in the wild; and
     Other measures, as required by the Secretary, will be met.
    The benefits of excluding lands with approved HCPs from critical 
habitat designation may include relieving landowners, communities, and 
counties of any additional regulatory burden that might be imposed as a 
result of the critical habitat designation. Many HCPs take years to 
develop and, upon completion, are consistent with the recovery 
objectives for listed species covered within the plan area. Many 
conservation plans also provide conservation benefits to unlisted 
sensitive species.
    A related benefit of excluding lands covered by approved HCPs from 
critical habitat designation is that it can make it easier for us to 
seek new partnerships with future plan participants, including States, 
counties, local jurisdictions, conservation organizations, and private 
landowners, which together can implement conservation actions that we 
would be unable to accomplish otherwise. HCPs often cover a wide range 
of species, including species that are not State and federally listed 
and would otherwise receive little protection from development. By 
excluding these lands, we preserve our current partnerships and 
encourage additional future conservation actions.
    We also note that permit issuance in association with HCP 
applications requires consultation under section 7(a)(2) of the Act, 
which would include the review of the effects of all HCP-covered 
activities that might adversely impact the species under a jeopardy 
standard, including possibly significant habitat modification (see 
definition of ``harm'' at 50 CFR 17.3), even without the critical 
habitat designation. In addition, all other Federal actions that may 
affect the listed species would still require consultation under 
section 7(a)(2) of the Act, and we would review these actions for 
possible significant habitat modification in accordance with the 
definition of harm referenced above.
    We consider a current HCP to be appropriate for consideration for 
exclusion from a final critical habitat designation under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act if:
    (1) It provides for the conservation of the essential physical and 
biological features or areas otherwise determined to be essential;
    (2) There is a reasonable expectation that the conservation 
management strategies and actions contained in a management plan will 
be implemented into the future;
    (3) The conservation strategies in the HCP are likely to be 
effective; and
    (4) The HCP contains a monitoring program or adaptive management to 
ensure that the conservation measures are effective and can be adapted 
in the future in response to new information.
    Below is a brief description of each HCP and the lands proposed as 
critical habitat covered by each plan that we are proposing to exclude 
under section 4(b)(2) of the Act from the final designation of critical 
habitat .

State of Oregon

Benton County HCP
    The Service coordinated with Benton County, the Xerces Society, and 
the Institute for Applied Ecology in Oregon to include the Taylor's 
checkerspot

[[Page 62002]]

butterfly in the Benton County HCP (Benton County 2010, p. 24). In 
addition to the Benton County HCP, a Prairie Conservation Strategy 
(2010) was developed for all species covered by the HCP, including 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. The strategy is stratified by the level 
of protection afforded to the various covered species, including 
permanent protection, limited protection, and opportunity areas for 
unoccupied but suitable habitat for species that may be conserved in 
new areas through assisted migration, or translocation efforts. A draft 
Management Plan for Taylor's checkerspot Butterfly was completed by 
Ross (2008), and was finalized and incorporated into the HCP as 
Appendix N (Benton County 2010). The guidelines set forth in the 
management plan will assist Benton County in managing their lands in a 
way that is consistent with protection and conservation of the species. 
The Benton County HCP Prairie Management Plan meets the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly needs by conserving occupied prairie habitat by 
implementing measures to restore, and manage for its long-term 
conservation. The plan's goals have been implemented by Benton County 
Parks and Recreation department and they plan to continue these actions 
in support of the butterfly. The plan meets the needs of the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly by controlling invasive, nonnative shrubs (Scot's 
broom), reduces the cover of tall, invasive pasture grasses, reduces 
the cover of encroaching trees, and to augment through planting and 
seeding the larval and adult food resources and native grass species 
that form the low-statured structure of the habitat required by the 
butterfly. The streaked horned lark was considered but not included in 
the HCP (Benton County 2010, p. 142).
    We propose to exclude lands managed under the Benton County Prairie 
Species Habitat Conservation Plan from the final critical habitat 
designation for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. The permit issued under 
this HCP (notice October 1, 2010 (75 FR 60802), and issued January 14, 
2011) has a term of 50 years and addresses 18,908 ac (7,652 ha) of 
prairie habitat. The HCP includes over 500 ac (200 ha) of prairie 
conservation areas to be managed for conservation purposes and where 
habitat restoration and enhancement activities are planned to occur. 
Specifically, they have identified 152 ac (61 ha) that will be managed 
for Taylor's checkerspot butterflies. These lands are located in Fort 
Hoskins Historic Park subunit 4-A, Beazell Memorial Forest (subunit 4-
B, and Fitton Green Natural Area (subunit 4-C). The HCP has guidelines 
for management of sites currently with and currently without Taylor's 
checkerspot butterflies. These guidelines are intended to both avoid 
adverse impacts as well as to improve habitat conditions and increase 
the distribution of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly in Oregon. As 
indicated above, among the management recommendations are restoration 
activities to improve habitat and the planting of larval host and adult 
nectar plant species. The guidelines also include adaptive management 
provisions to assess the success of the enacted management as well as 
population monitoring.

State of Washington

Washington State Department of Natural Resources State Lands Habitat 
Conservation Plan
    We are proposing to exclude lands managed under the Washington 
State Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) State Lands HCP in 
multiple critical habitat units in Washington from the final critical 
habitat designation for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly. The WDNR State 
Trust Lands HCP covers approximately 1.6 million ac (730,000 ha) of 
State forest lands. The majority of the area covered by the HCP is west 
of the Cascade Crest including the Olympic Peninsula. The permit 
associated with this HCP, issued January 30, 1997, was published in the 
Federal Register on April 5, 1996 (61 FR 15297), has a term of 70 to 
100 years, and covers activities primarily associated with commercial 
forest management, but also includes limited, non-timber activities 
such as some recreational activities. The HCP covers all federally 
listed species in Washington that use the types of habitats provided by 
covered lands at the time the HCP was approved, and those species that 
have similar habitat affinities and become listed after the HCP was 
approved and an incidental take permit (ITP) was issued. If listed, the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly would be added to the WDNR ITP per 
Section 7 and 12.6 of the Implementing Agreement (Appendix B of the 
HCP).
    The HCP addressed multiple species through a combination of 
strategies. The main focus of these strategies is the riparian 
ecosystems (salmonids), northern spotted owl, and the marbled murrelet. 
The main objective of these strategies was to maintain and promote late 
successional forest habitats along riparian corridors and in uplands 
locations that would benefit spotted owls and marbled murrelets. It was 
envisioned that the conservation strategies for salmonids, spotted 
owls, and marbled murrelets would serve to reduce the risk of 
extinction for the other wildlife species covered by the HCP. In 
addition, a fourth emphasis of the HCP was to provide protection for 
species that relied on uncommon or unique habitats. For these species, 
additional measures were developed to meet the conservation objectives 
of the HCP. These measures specifically address the protection of 
talus, caves, cliffs, balds, oak woodlands, mineral springs, large 
snags, and large, structurally unique trees because these features are 
difficult to restore or recreate. In addition, as noted in the HCP, at 
the time a new species is proposed for listing, DNR provides a written 
request to add that species to its ITP and evaluates and considers 
additional protection measures such as seasonal restrictions and 
protection of nesting/denning sites.
    The WDNR has developed a site specific management plan for Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly for DNR managed lands located in the Olympic 
Region. This management plan, which is a voluntary plan for landowners, 
is based on ``Guidelines for Protecting Taylor's Checkerspot and its 
Habitat'' (WDFW 2008 entire), and would fulfill the motion approved by 
the Forestry Practices Board on September 11, 2007. This plan, and all 
plans developed to protect Taylor's checkerspot butterflies, will allow 
maximum flexibility to plan and implement activities that minimize and 
mitigate impacts to the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly.
    The WDNR also manages approximately 66,000 ac (26,710 ha) of non-
trust lands as Natural Area Preserves (NAP). While not specifically a 
part of the HCP, the Service recognizes the habitat contributions 
provided by these lands in terms of meeting the conservation goals and 
objectives of the HCP. NAPs provide the highest level of protection for 
excellent examples of unique or typical land features in Washington 
State. Some of these protected lands currently provide habitat in areas 
identified as ``critical'' for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, the Bald 
Hills, Mima Mounds NAPs, and the Rocky Prairie NAP. Details of the WDNR 
HCP are available at http://www.dnr.wa.gov/researchscience/topics/trustlandshcp/Pages/Home.aspx.
Federal Lands
    As noted above, Federal agencies have an independent responsibility 
under section 7(a)(1) of the Act to use their programs in furtherance 
of the Act and

[[Page 62003]]

to utilize their authorities to carry out programs for the conservation 
of endangered and threatened species. We consider the development and 
implementation of land management plans by Federal agencies to be 
consistent with this statutory obligation under section 7(a)(1) of the 
Act. Therefore, Federal land management plans, in and of themselves, 
are generally not an appropriate basis for exclusion from critical 
habitat. The Secretary is not intending to exercise his discretion to 
exclude any Federal lands from the designation of critical habitat.
Consideration of Indian Lands
    In accordance with the Secretarial Order 3206, ``American Indian 
Tribal Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the 
Endangered Species Act'' (June 5, 1997); the President's memorandum of 
April 29, 1994, ``Government-to-Government Relations with Native 
American Tribal Governments'' (59 FR 22951); Executive Order 13175, 
``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments'' 
(November 6, 2000, and as reaffirmed November 5, 2009); and the 
relevant provision of the Departmental Manual of the Department of the 
Interior (512 DM 2), we believe that fish, wildlife, and other natural 
resources on Indian lands may be better managed under Indian 
authorities, policies, and programs than through Federal regulation 
where Indian management addresses the conservation needs of listed 
species. In addition, such designation may be viewed by tribes as 
unwarranted and an unwanted intrusion into Indian self-governance, thus 
compromising the government-to-government relationship essential to 
achieving our mutual goals of managing for healthy ecosystems upon 
which the viability of threatened and endangered species populations 
depend.
    In developing proposed critical habitat for the Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark, we considered inclusion 
of some Indian lands as essential. Indian lands are those defined in 
Secretarial Order 3206 ``American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal-Tribal 
Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act'' (June 5, 
1997), as: (1) Lands held in trust by the United States for the benefit 
of any Indian tribe or individual; and (2) lands held by any Indian 
Tribe or individual subject to restrictions by the United States 
against alienation. In evaluating Indian lands under consideration as 
potential critical habitat for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and 
streaked horned lark, we further considered the directive of 
Secretarial Order 3206 that stipulates ``Critical habitat shall not be 
designated in such areas unless it is determined essential to conserve 
a listed species. In designating critical habitat, the Services shall 
evaluate and document the extent to which the conservation needs of the 
listed species can be achieved by limiting the designation to other 
lands.''
    The Shoalwater Bay Tribe in Washington is the only Tribe with lands 
identified as critical habitat in this proposed rule. Approximately 182 
ac (73 ha) of Tribal lands within subunit 3-C of the Washington Coast 
and Columbia River Islands Unit (Unit 3) is proposed as critical 
habitat for the streaked horned lark. We are considering the exclusion 
of these lands from the final designation of critical habitat for the 
streaked horned lark. The Service has entered into discussion with the 
Tribe regarding the proposed designation in preparation of this rule. 
The Shoalwater Bay Tribe is working with the Service on the development 
of a formal agreement for management and protection of habitat for the 
western snowy plover, streaked horned lark, and other native coastal 
species of cultural significance on lands under Tribal ownership and 
management.
    The Tribe has stated that they are committed to continue with their 
efforts to manage their lands to benefit the western snowy plover and 
streaked horned lark, and are asking that their lands be excluded from 
the final designation. Existing tribal regulations, including the 2001 
Tribal Environmental Codes that protect the saltmarsh and sand spit as 
natural areas, will ensure any land use actions, including those 
funded, authorized, or carried out by Federal agencies, are not likely 
to result in the destruction or adverse modification of all lands 
considered for exclusion. The Service is also coordinating with the 
Tribe and the USACE on the planting/vegetation management plan. We are 
currently working on a memorandum of understanding with the Tribe 
regarding protection or shorebirds on reservation lands. Any potential 
impacts to the streaked horned lark from future proposed activities on 
the tribal lands will be addressed through a section 7 consultation 
using the jeopardy standard, and such activities would also be subject 
to the take prohibitions in section 9 of the Act.

Peer Review

    In accordance with our joint policy on peer review published in the 
Federal Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270), we will seek the expert 
opinions of at least three appropriate and independent specialists 
regarding this proposed rule. The purpose of peer review is to ensure 
that our critical habitat designation is based on scientifically sound 
data, assumptions, and analyses. We have invited these peer reviewers 
to comment during this public comment period on our specific 
assumptions and conclusions regarding the proposal to list Taylor's 
checkerspot butterfly and the streaked horned lark, and our proposed 
critical habitat for these subspecies as well as our other 
determinations.
    We will consider all comments and information received during this 
comment period on this proposed rule during our preparation of a final 
determination. Accordingly, the final decision may differ from this 
proposal.

Public Hearings

    Section 4(b)(5) of the Act provides for one or more public hearings 
on this proposal, if requested. Requests must be received within 45 
days after the date of publication of this proposed rule in the Federal 
Register. Such requests must be sent to the address shown in the 
ADDRESSES section. We will schedule public hearings on this proposal, 
if any are requested, and announce the dates, times, and places of 
those hearings, as well as how to obtain reasonable accommodations, in 
the Federal Register and local newspapers at least 15 days before the 
hearing.

Required Determinations

Regulatory Planning and Review--Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Order 12866 provides that the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant rules. The Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs has determined that this rule is 
not significant.
    Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while 
calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote 
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most 
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. 
The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches 
that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for 
the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and 
consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further 
that regulations must be based on the best available science and that 
the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open 
exchange of ideas. We have developed

[[Page 62004]]

this rule in a manner consistent with these requirements.

Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) as 
amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 
(SBREFA) of 1996 (5 U.S.C 801 et seq.), whenever an agency must publish 
a notice of rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare 
and make available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis 
that describes the effects of the rule on small entities (small 
businesses, small organizations, and small government jurisdictions). 
However, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of 
the agency certifies the rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The SBREFA amended 
the RFA to require Federal agencies to provide a certification 
statement of the factual basis for certifying that the rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.
    According to the Small Business Administration, small entities 
include small organizations such as independent nonprofit 
organizations; small governmental jurisdictions, including school 
boards and city and town governments that serve fewer than 50,000 
residents; and small businesses (13 CFR 121.201). Small businesses 
include such businesses as manufacturing and mining concerns with fewer 
than 500 employees, wholesale trade entities with fewer than 100 
employees, retail and service businesses with less than $5 million in 
annual sales, general and heavy construction businesses with less than 
$27.5 million in annual business, special trade contractors doing less 
than $11.5 million in annual business, and forestry and logging 
operations with fewer than 500 employees and annual business less than 
$7 million. To determine whether small entities may be affected, we 
will consider the types of activities that might trigger regulatory 
impacts under this designation as well as types of project 
modifications that may result. In general, the term ``significant 
economic impact'' is meant to apply to a typical small business firm's 
business operations.
    Importantly, the incremental impacts of a rule must be both 
significant and substantial to prevent certification of the rule under 
the RFA and to require the preparation of an initial regulatory 
flexibility analysis. If a substantial number of small entities are 
affected by the proposed critical habitat designation, but the per-
entity economic impact is not significant, the Service may certify. 
Likewise, if the per-entity economic impact is likely to be 
significant, but the number of affected entities is not substantial, 
the Service may also certify.
    Under the RFA, as amended, and following recent court decisions, 
Federal agencies are only required to evaluate the potential 
incremental impacts of rulemaking on those entities directly regulated 
by the rulemaking itself, and not the potential impacts to indirectly 
affected entities. The regulatory mechanism through which critical 
habitat protections are realized is section 7 of the Act, which 
requires Federal agencies, in consultation with the Service, to ensure 
that any action authorized, funded, or carried by the Agency is not 
likely to adversely modify critical habitat. Therefore, only Federal 
action agencies are directly subject to the specific regulatory 
requirement (avoiding destruction and adverse modification) imposed by 
critical habitat designation. Under these circumstances, it is our 
position that only Federal action agencies will be directly regulated 
by this designation. Therefore, because Federal agencies are not small 
entities, the Service may certify that the proposed critical habitat 
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.
    We acknowledge, however, that in some cases, third-party proponents 
of the action subject to permitting or funding may participate in a 
section 7 consultation, and thus may be indirectly affected. We believe 
it is good policy to assess these impacts if we have sufficient data 
before us to complete the necessary analysis, whether or not this 
analysis is strictly required by the RFA. While this regulation does 
not directly regulate these entities, in our draft economic analysis we 
will conduct a brief evaluation of the potential number of third 
parties participating in consultations on an annual basis in order to 
ensure a more complete examination of the incremental effects of this 
proposed rule in the context of the RFA.
    In conclusion, we believe that, based on our interpretation of 
directly regulated entities under the RFA and relevant case law, this 
designation of critical habitat will only directly regulate Federal 
agencies which are not by definition small business entities. And as 
such, certify that, if promulgated, this designation of critical 
habitat would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small business entities. Therefore, an initial regulatory 
flexibility analysis is not required. However, though not necessarily 
required by the RFA, in our draft economic analysis for this proposal 
we will consider and evaluate the potential effects to third parties 
that may be involved with consultations with Federal action agencies 
related to this action.

Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use--Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211 (Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use) requires 
agencies to prepare Statements of Energy Effects when undertaking 
certain actions. We do not expect the designation of this proposed 
critical habitat to significantly affect energy supplies, distribution, 
or use as these species and proposed critical habitat do not appear to 
overlap with these areas. Therefore, this action is not a significant 
energy action, and no Statement of Energy Effects is required. However, 
we will further evaluate this issue as we conduct our economic 
analysis, and review and revise this assessment as warranted.

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

    In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 
et seq.), we make the following findings:
    (1) This rule will not produce a Federal mandate. In general, a 
Federal mandate is a provision in legislation, statute, or regulation 
that would impose an enforceable duty upon State, local, or tribal 
governments, or the private sector, and includes both ``Federal 
intergovernmental mandates'' and ``Federal private sector mandates.'' 
These terms are defined in 2 U.S.C. 658(5)-(7). ``Federal 
intergovernmental mandate'' includes a regulation that ``would impose 
an enforceable duty upon State, local, or tribal governments'' with two 
exceptions. It excludes ``a condition of Federal assistance.'' It also 
excludes ``a duty arising from participation in a voluntary Federal 
program,'' unless the regulation ``relates to a then-existing Federal 
program under which $500,000,000 or more is provided annually to State, 
local, and tribal governments under entitlement authority,'' if the 
provision would ``increase the stringency of conditions of assistance'' 
or ``place caps upon, or otherwise decrease, the Federal Government's 
responsibility to provide funding,'' and the State, local, or tribal 
governments ``lack authority'' to adjust accordingly. At the time of 
enactment, these entitlement programs were:

[[Page 62005]]

Medicaid; Aid to Families with Dependent Children work programs; Child 
Nutrition; Food Stamps; Social Services Block Grants; Vocational 
Rehabilitation State Grants; Foster Care, Adoption Assistance, and 
Independent Living; Family Support Welfare Services; and Child Support 
Enforcement. ``Federal private sector mandate'' includes a regulation 
that ``would impose an enforceable duty upon the private sector, except 
(i) a condition of Federal assistance or (ii) a duty arising from 
participation in a voluntary Federal program.''
    The designation of critical habitat does not impose a legally 
binding duty on non-Federal Government entities or private parties. 
Under the Act, the only regulatory effect is that Federal agencies must 
ensure that their actions do not destroy or adversely modify critical 
habitat under section 7. While non-Federal entities that receive 
Federal funding, assistance, or permits, or that otherwise require 
approval or authorization from a Federal agency for an action, may be 
indirectly impacted by the designation of critical habitat, the legally 
binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical 
habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency. Furthermore, to the 
extent that non-Federal entities are indirectly impacted because they 
receive Federal assistance or participate in a voluntary Federal aid 
program, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act would not apply, nor would 
critical habitat shift the costs of the large entitlement programs 
listed above onto State governments.
    (2) We do not believe that this rule will significantly or uniquely 
affect small governments. Government lands being proposed for critical 
habitat designation are owned by Washington State Department of Fish 
and Wildlife, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Department of 
Defense (Army), the U.S. Forest Service, and Thurston County Parks and 
Recreation, in Washington, None of these government entities fit the 
definition of ``small governmental jurisdiction.'' Therefore, a Small 
Government Agency Plan is not required. However, we will further 
evaluate this issue as we conduct our economic analysis, and review and 
revise this assessment as warranted. Therefore, a Small Government 
Agency Plan is not required. However, we will further evaluate this 
issue as we conduct our economic analysis, and review and revise this 
assessment if appropriate.

Takings--Executive Order 12630

    In accordance with Executive Order 12630 (Government Actions and 
Interference with Constitutionally Protected Private Property Rights), 
we have analyzed the potential takings implications of designating 
critical habitat for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked 
horned lark in a takings implications assessment. Critical habitat 
designation does not affect landowner actions that do not require 
Federal funding or permits, nor does it preclude development of habitat 
conservation programs or issuance of incidental take permits to permit 
actions that do require Federal funding or permits to go forward. The 
takings implications assessment concludes that this designation of 
critical habitat for Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned 
lark does not pose significant takings implications for lands within or 
affected by the designation.

Federalism--Executive Order 13132

    In accordance with Executive Order 13132 (Federalism), this 
proposed rule does not have significant Federalism effects. A 
Federalism assessment is not required. In keeping with Department of 
the Interior and Department of Commerce policy, we requested 
information from, and coordinated development of, this proposed 
critical habitat designation with appropriate State resource agencies 
in Washington and Oregon. The designation of critical habitat in areas 
currently occupied by the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked 
horned lark imposes no additional restrictions to those currently in 
place and, therefore, has little incremental impact on State and local 
governments and their activities. The designation may have some benefit 
to these governments because the areas that contain the physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the species are 
more clearly defined, and the elements of the features of the habitat 
necessary to the conservation of the species are specifically 
identified. This information does not alter where and what federally 
sponsored activities may occur. However, it may assist local 
governments in long-range planning (rather than having them wait for 
case-by-case section 7 consultations to occur).
    Where State and local governments require approval or authorization 
from a Federal agency for actions that may affect critical habitat, 
consultation under section 7(a)(2) would be required. While non-Federal 
entities that receive Federal funding, assistance, or permits, or that 
otherwise require approval or authorization from a Federal agency for 
an action, may be indirectly impacted by the designation of critical 
habitat, the legally binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency.

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

    In accordance with Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform), 
the Office of the Solicitor has determined that the rule does not 
unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the requirements of 
sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Order. We have proposed designating 
critical habitat in accordance with the provisions of the Act. This 
proposed rule uses standard property descriptions and identifies the 
elements of physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned 
lark within the proposed designated areas to assist the public in 
understanding the habitat needs of the species.

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

    This rule does not contain any new collections of information that 
require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This rule will not impose recordkeeping or 
reporting requirements on State or local governments, individuals, 
businesses, or organizations. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and 
a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)

    We have determined that environmental assessments and environmental 
impact statements, as defined under the authority of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), need not be 
prepared in connection with listing a species as endangered or 
threatened under the Endangered Species Act. We published a notice 
outlining our reasons for this determination in the Federal Register on 
October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244).
    It is our position that, outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court 
of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, we do not need to prepare 
environmental analyses pursuant to NEPA in connection with designating 
critical habitat under the Act. We published a notice outlining our 
reasons for this determination in the

[[Page 62006]]

Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244). This position was 
upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Douglas 
County v. Babbitt, 48 F.3d 1495 (9th Cir. 1995), cert. denied 516 U.S. 
1042 (1996)).]

Clarity of the Rule

    We are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the 
Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain 
language. This means that each rule we publish must:
    (1) Be logically organized;
    (2) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (3) Use clear language rather than jargon;
    (4) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (5) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us 
comments by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To 
better help us revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as 
possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections 
or paragraphs that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences 
are too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be 
useful, etc.

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994 
(Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments; 59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and 
Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments), and the Department of the 
Interior's manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our 
responsibility to communicate meaningfully with recognized Federal 
Tribes on a government-to-government basis. In accordance with 
Secretarial Order 3206 of June 5, 1997 (American Indian Tribal Rights, 
Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act), 
we readily acknowledge our responsibilities to work directly with 
tribes in developing programs for healthy ecosystems, to acknowledge 
that tribal lands are not subject to the same controls as Federal 
public lands, to remain sensitive to Indian culture, and to make 
information available to tribes.
    We have determined that there are no tribal lands occupied by the 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly that contain the physical or biological 
features essential to conservation of the species, and no tribal lands 
unoccupied by the species that are essential for the conservation of 
the species. Therefore, we are not proposing to designate critical 
habitat for the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly on tribal lands. The 
Shoalwater Bay Tribe in Washington is the only Tribe with lands 
proposed for designation in this proposed critical habitat rule. 
Approximately 182 ac (74 ha) of Tribal lands within subunit 3-C, of the 
Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands Unit could be designated as 
critical habitat for the streaked horned lark. The Service has entered 
into discussion with the Tribe regarding the proposed designation in 
preparation of this rule. The Shoalwater Bay Tribe is providing 
information regarding the status of streaked horned lark on lands under 
tribal ownership and management. The Tribe has stated that they are 
committed to continue with their efforts to manage their lands to 
benefit the streaked horned lark, and is asking that their lands be 
excluded from designation.

References Cited

    A complete list of references cited in this rulemaking is available 
on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov and upon request from the 
Washington Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT).

Authors

    The primary authors of this package are the staff members of the 
Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, Lacey, Washington, and the Oregon 
Fish and Wildlife Office, Portland, Oregon.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

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

Proposed Regulation Promulgation

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

PART 17--[AMENDED]

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

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

    2. Amend Sec.  17.11(h), the List of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife, as follows:
    a. By adding an entry for ``Lark, streaked horned (Eremophila 
alpestris strigata)'' in alphabetical order under Birds, to read as set 
forth below; and
    b. By adding an entry for ``Butterfly, Taylor's checkerspot 
(Euphydryas editha taylori)'' in alphabetical order under Insects, to 
read as set forth below:


Sec.  17.11  Endangered and threatened wildlife.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Species                                                    Vertebrate
--------------------------------------------------------                        population where                                  Critical     Special
                                                            Historic range       endangered or         Status      When listed    habitat       rules
           Common name                Scientific name                              threatened
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
              Birds
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Lark, streaked horned............  Eremophila alpestris  U.S.A. (BC, WA, OR)  U.S.A. (WA)........  T.............  ...........     17.95(b)     17.41(a)
                                    strigata.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
             Insects
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Butterfly, Taylor's checkerspot..  Euphydryas editha     U.S.A. (WA, OR)....  U.S.A. (WA)........  E.............  ...........     17.95(i)           NA
                                    taylori.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 62007]]

     3. Amend Sec.  17.41 by adding paragraph (a) to read as follows:


Sec.  17.41  Special rules--birds.

    (a) Streaked horned lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata).
    (1) Which populations of the streaked horned lark are covered by 
this special rule? This rule covers the rangewide distribution of this 
bird.
    (2) What activities are prohibited? Except as noted in paragraphs 
(a)(3) and (a)(4) of this section, all prohibitions of Sec.  17.31 
apply to the streaked horned lark.
    (3) What agricultural activities are allowed on non-Federal land? 
Incidental take of the streaked horned lark will not be a violation of 
section 9 of the Act, if the incidental take results from routine 
agricultural or ranching activities located on non-Federal lands. 
Routine agricultural and ranching activities are limited to the 
following:
    (i) Planting, harvesting, rotation, mowing, tilling, discing, and 
herbicide application of crops;
    (ii) Repair and maintenance of unimproved farm roads (this 
exemption does not include improvement or construction of new roads) 
and graveled margins of rural roads;
    (iii) Livestock grazing according to normally acceptable and 
established levels of intensity in terms of the number of head of 
livestock per acre of rangeland;
    (iv) Routine management and maintenance of stock ponds and berms to 
maintain livestock water supplies;
    (v) Routine maintenance or construction of fences for grazing 
management;
    (vi) Placement of mineral supplements; and
    (vii) Irrigation of agricultural crops, fields, and livestock 
pastures.
    (4) What activities are allowed on airports on non-Federal lands? 
Incidental take of the streaked horned lark will not be a violation of 
section 9 of the Act, if the incidental take results from routine 
management activities associated with airport operations to minimize 
hazardous wildlife. Hazardous wildlife is defined by the Federal 
Aviation Administration as species of wildlife, including feral animals 
and domesticated animals not under control, that are associated with 
aircraft strike problems, are capable of causing structural damage to 
airport facilities, or act as attractants to other wildlife that pose a 
strike hazard. Routine management activities include, but are not 
limited to, the following:
    (i) Routine management, repair, and maintenance of roads and 
runways (does not include upgrades or construction of new roads or 
runways);
    (ii) Control and management of vegetation (grass, weeds, shrubs, 
and trees) through mowing, discing, herbicide application, or burning 
consistent with State Agency recommendations;
    (iii) Hazing of hazardous wildlife; and
    (iv) Management of sources of forage, water, and shelter to reduce 
the attractiveness of the area around the airport for hazardous 
wildlife.
* * * * *
    3. Amend Sec.  17.95 by:
    (a) In paragraph (b), adding an entry for ``Streaked horned lark 
(Eremophila alpestris strigata)'' in the same order that this species 
appears in the table in Sec.  17.11(h) to read as follows; and
    (b) In paragraph (i), by adding an entry for ``Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly (Euphydryas editha taylori)'' in the same order that this 
species appears in the table in Sec.  17.11(h) to read as follows:


Sec.  17.95  Critical habitat--fish and wildlife.

* * * * *
    (b) Birds.
* * * * *
Streaked Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris strigata)
    (1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Mason, Pierce, Thurson, 
Grays Harbor, Pacific Wahkiakum, and Cowlitz Counties in Washington and 
Clatsop, Columbia, Multhomah, Yamhill, Polk, Marion, Linn, and Lane 
Counties in Oregon, on the maps below.
    (2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
streaked horned lark consist of areas having a minimum of 16 percent 
bare ground that have sparse, low-stature vegetation comprising 
primarily grasses and forbs less than 13 in (33 cm) in height found in:
    (i) Large (300-ac (120-ha)), flat (0-5 percent slope) areas within 
a landscape context that provides visual access to open areas such as 
open water or fields, or
    (ii) Areas smaller than described in paragraph (2)(i) of this 
entry, but that provide visual access to open areas such as open water 
or fields.
    (3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as 
buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the 
land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on 
[DATE 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
    (4) Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining the map unit 
were created on 2010 aerial photography from U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, National Agriculture Imagery Program base maps using 
ArcMap (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.), a computer 
geographic information system (GIS) program. The maps in this entry, as 
modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries 
of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or 
both on which each map is based are available to the public at the 
Service's internet site, (http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/), Regulations.gov 
(http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2012-0080) and at 
the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field 
office location information by contacting one of the Service regional 
offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2.
    (5) Note: Index map follows:

[[Page 62008]]

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BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
    (6) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-A: Sanderson Field, Mason 
County, Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-A, follows:

[[Page 62009]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.024

    (7) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-B: McChord Field, Pierce County, 
Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-B: follows:

[[Page 62010]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.025

    (8) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-C: Gray Army Airfield, Pierce 
County, Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-C follows:

[[Page 62011]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.026

     (9) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-D: 91st Division Prairie, 
Pierce County, Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-D follows:

[[Page 62012]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.027

     (10) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-E: 13th Division Prairie, 
Pierce County, Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-E follows:

[[Page 62013]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.028

     (11) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-F: Olympia Airport, Thurston 
County, Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-F follows:

[[Page 62014]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.029

    (12) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-A: Damon Point, Grays Harbor County, Washington. Map of Unit 3, 
Subunit 3-A follows:

[[Page 62015]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.030

    (13) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-B: Midway Beach, Pacific County, Washington. Map of Unit 3, Subunit 
3-B follows:

[[Page 62016]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.031

    (14) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-C: Shoalwater, Pacific County, Washington. Map of Unit 3, Subunit 3-C 
follows:

[[Page 62017]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.032

    (15) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-D: Leadbetter Point, Pacific County, Washington. Map of Unit 3, 
Subunit 3-D follows:

[[Page 62018]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.033

    (16) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-E: Rice Island, Clatsop County, Oregon. Map of Unit 3, Subunit 3-E 
follows:

[[Page 62019]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.034

    (17) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-F: Miller Sands Spit, Clatsop County, Oregon. Map of Unit 3, Subunit 
3-F follows:

[[Page 62020]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.035

    (18) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-G: Pillar Rock/Jim Crow Sands, Clatsop County, Oregon. Map of Unit 3, 
Subunit 3-G follows:

[[Page 62021]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.036

    (19) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-H: Welch Island, Clatsop County, Oregon. Map of Unit 3, Subunit 3-H 
follows:

[[Page 62022]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.037

    (20) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-I: Tenasillahe Island, Columbia County, Oregon. Map of Unit 3, 
Subunit 3-I follows:

[[Page 62023]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.038

    (21) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-J: Coffeepot Island, Wahkiakum County, Washington. Map of Unit 3, 
Subunit 3-J follows:

[[Page 62024]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.039

    (22) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-K: Whites/Brown Island, Wahkiakum County, Washington. Map of Unit 3, 
Subunit 3-K follows:

[[Page 62025]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.040

    (23) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-L: Wallace Island, Columbia County, Oregon. Map of Unit 3, Subunit 3-
L follows:

[[Page 62026]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.041

    (24) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-M: Crims Island, Columbia County, Oregon. Map of Unit 3, Subunit 3-M 
follows:

[[Page 62027]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.042

    (25) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-N: Sandy Island, Columbia County, Oregon. Map of Unit 3, Subunit 3-N 
follows:

[[Page 62028]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.043

    (26) Unit 3--Washington Coast and Columbia River Islands, Subunit 
3-O: Portland International Airport, Multnomah County, Washington. Map 
of Unit 3, Subunit 3-O follows:

[[Page 62029]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.044

    (27) Unit 4--Willamette Valley, Subunit 4-A: McMinnville Municipal 
Airport, Yamhill County, Oregon. Map of Unit 4, Subunit 4-A follows:

[[Page 62030]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.045

    (28) Unit 4--Willamette Valley, Subunit 4-B: Basket Slough National 
Wildlife Refuge, Polk County, Oregon. Map of Unit 4, Subunit 4-B 
follows:

[[Page 62031]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.046

    (29) Unit 4--Willamette Valley, Subunit 4-C: Salem Municipal 
Airport, Marion County, Oregon. Map of Unit 4, Subunit 4-C follows:

[[Page 62032]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.047

    (30) Unit 4--Willamette Valley, Subunit 4-D: Ankeny National 
Wildlife Refuge, Marion County, Oregon. Map of Unit 4, Subunit 4-D 
follows:

[[Page 62033]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.048

    (31) Unit 4--Willamette Valley, Subunit 4-E: Corvallis Municipal 
Airport, Benton County, Oregon. Map of Unit 4, Subunit 4-E follows:

[[Page 62034]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.049

    (32) Unit 4--Willamette Valley, Subunit 4-F: William L. Finley 
National Wildlife Refuge, Benton County, Oregon. Map of Unit 4, Subunit 
4-F follows:

[[Page 62035]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.050

    (33) Unit 4--Willamette Valley, Subunit 4-G: M-DAC Farms, Linn 
County, Oregon. Map of Unit 4, Subunit 4-G follows:

[[Page 62036]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.051

    (34) Unit 4--Willamette Valley, Subunit 4-H: Eugene Airport, Lane 
County, Oregon. Map of Unit 4, Subunit 4-H follows:

[[Page 62037]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.052

* * * * *
    (i) Insects.
* * * * *
    Taylor's checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha taylori)
    (1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Thurston, Pierce, 
Island, Clallam Counties in Washington, and Benton County, Oregon, on 
the maps below.
    (2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of 
Euphydryas editha taylori consist of:
    (i) Patches of early seral, short-statured, perennial bunchgrass 
plant communities composed of native grass

[[Page 62038]]

and forb species in a diverse topographic landscape ranging in size 
from less than 1 ac up to 100 ac (0.4 to 40 ha) with little or no 
overstory forest vegetation that have areas of bare soil for basking 
that contain:
    (A) In Washington and Oregon, common bunchgrass species found on 
northwest grasslands include Festuca roemeri (Roemer's fescue), 
Danthonia californica (California oat grass), Koeleria cristata 
(prairie Junegrass), Elymus glaucus (blue wild rye), Agrostis scabra 
(rough bentgrass), and on cooler, high-elevation sites typical of 
coastal bluffs and balds, Festuca rubra (red fescue).
    (B) On moist grasslands found near the coast and in the Willamette 
Valley, there may be Bromus sitchensis (Sitka brome) and Deschampsia 
cespitosa (tufted hairgrass) in the mix of prairie grasses. Less 
abundant forbs found on the grasslands include, but are not limited to, 
Trifolium spp. (true clovers), narrow-leaved plantain, harsh 
paintbrush, Puget balsam root, woolly sunshine, nine-leaved desert 
parsley, fine-leaved desert parsley, common camas, showy fleabane, 
Canada thistle, common yarrow, prairie lupine, and sickle-keeled 
lupine.
    (ii) Primary larval host plants (narrow-leaved plantain and harsh 
paintbrush) and at least one of the secondary annual larval host plants 
(blue-eyed Mary, sea blush, or dwarf owl-clover) or one of several 
species of speedwell (marsh speedwell, American speedwell, or thymeleaf 
speedwell).
    (iii) Adult nectar sources for feeding that include several species 
found as part of the native (and one nonnative) species mix on 
northwest grasslands, including: narrow-leaved plantain; harsh 
paintbrush; Puget balsam root; wooly sunshine; nine-leaved desert 
parsley; fine-leaved desert parsley or spring gold; common camas; showy 
fleabane; Canada thistle; common yarrow; prairie lupine; and sickle-
keeled lupine.
    (iv) Aquatic features such as wetlands, springs, seeps, streams, 
ponds, lakes, and puddles that provide moisture during periods of 
drought, particularly late in the spring and early summer. These 
features can be permanent, seasonal, or ephemeral.
    (3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as 
buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the 
land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on 
[DATE 30 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
    (4) Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining the map unit 
were created on 2010 aerial photography from U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, National Agriculture Imagery Program base maps using 
ArcMap (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.), a computer 
geographic information system (GIS) program. The maps in this entry, as 
modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries 
of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or 
both on which each map is based are available to the public at the 
Service's internet site, (http://www.fws.gov/wafwo/), the Federal 
eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-
2012-0080), and at the field office responsible for this designation. 
You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of 
the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 
CFR 2.2.
    (5)  Note: Index map follows:

[[Page 62039]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.053

    (6) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-A: TA7S, Pierce County, 
Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-A follows:

[[Page 62040]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.054

    (7) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-B: 91st Division Prairie, Pierce 
County, Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-B follows:

[[Page 62041]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.055

    (8) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-C: 13th Division Prairie, Pierce 
County, Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-C follows.

[[Page 62042]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.056

    (9) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-D: Rocky Prairie, Thurston 
County, Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-D follows:

[[Page 62043]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.057

    (10) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-E; Tenalquot, Thurston County, 
Washington. Map of Unit 1, South Sound, Subunit 1-E follows:

[[Page 62044]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.058

    (11) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-F: Mima Mounds/Glacial 
Heritage, Thurston County, Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-F 
follows.

[[Page 62045]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.059

    (12) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-G: West Rocky Prairie, Thurston 
County, Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-G follows.

[[Page 62046]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.060

    (13) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-H: Scatter Creek, Thurston 
County, Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-H follows:

[[Page 62047]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.061

    (14) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-I: Rock Prairie, Thurston 
County, Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-I follows:

[[Page 62048]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.062

    (15) Unit 1--South Sound, Subunit 1-J: Bald Hills, Thurston County, 
Washington. Map of Unit 1, Subunit 1-J follows:

[[Page 62049]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.063

    (16) Unit 2--Strait of Juan DeFuca, Subunit 2-A: Deception Pass, 
Island County, Washington. Map of Unit 2, Subunit 2-A, follows:

[[Page 62050]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.064

    (17) Unit 2--Strait of Juan DeFuca, Subunit 2-B: Central Whidbey, 
Island County, Washington. Map of Unit 2, Subunit 2-B follows:

[[Page 62051]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.065

    (18) Unit 2--Strait of Juan DeFuca, Subunit 2-C: Elwha, Clallam 
County, Washington. Map of Unit 2, Subunit 2-C follows:

[[Page 62052]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.066

    (19) Unit 2--Strait of Juan DeFuca, Subunit 2-D: Sequim, Clallam 
County, Washington. Map of Unit 2, Subunit 2-D follows:

[[Page 62053]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.067

    (20) Unit 2--Strait of Juan DeFuca, Subunit 2-E: Upper Dungeness, 
Clallam County, Washington. Map of Unit 2, Subunit 2- E, follows:

[[Page 62054]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.068

    (21) Unit 4--Willamette Valley, Subunit 4-A: Fort Hoskins Historic 
Park, Benton County, Oregon. Map of Unit 4, Subunit 4-A follows:

[[Page 62055]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.069

    (22) Unit 4--Willamette Valley, Subunit 4-B: Beazell Memorial 
Forest, Benton County, Oregon. Map of Unit 4, Subunit 4-B follows:

[[Page 62056]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.070

    (23) Unit 4: Willamette Valley, Subunit 4-C: Fitton Green, Benton 
County, Oregon. Map of Unit 4, Subunit 4-C, follows:

[[Page 62057]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP11OC12.071


[[Page 62058]]


* * * * *

    Dated: September 27, 2012.
Eileen Sobeck,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2012-24465 Filed 10-10-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-C