[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 181 (Thursday, September 17, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58224-58250]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-19481]



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Vol. 85

Thursday,

No. 181

September 17, 2020

Part VI





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; Threatened Species 
Status for Chapin Mesa Milkvetch and Designation of Critical Habitat; 
Proposed Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 85 , No. 181 / Thursday, September 17, 2020 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 58224]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2018-0055; FF09E21000 FXES11110900000 201]
RIN 1018-BD17


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species 
Status for Chapin Mesa Milkvetch 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 (Service), propose to 
list Astragalus schmolliae (hereafter referred to by the common name 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch), a plant species from southwestern Colorado, as 
a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as 
amended, and to designate critical habitat. If we make this rule final 
as proposed, the effect of this rule will be to add this species to the 
List of Endangered and Threatened Plants and to designate critical 
habitat for the species. In total, we propose to designate 
approximately 3,635 acres (1,471 hectares) in Montezuma County in 
southwestern Colorado as critical habitat for the species. We also 
announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed 
designation of critical habitat for Chapin Mesa milkvetch.

DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 
November 16, 2020. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES below) must be received by 11:59 p.m. 
Eastern Time on the closing date. We must receive requests for public 
hearings, in writing, at the address shown in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT by November 2, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Written comments: 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 FWS-R6-ES-2018-0055, 
which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, click on the 
Search button. On the resulting page, in the Search panel on the left 
side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, click on the 
Proposed Rule box to locate this document. You may submit a comment by 
clicking on ``Comment Now!''
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments 
Processing, Attn: FWS-R6-ES-2018-0055, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
    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 Public Comments, below, for more information).
    Document availability: The draft economic analysis is available at 
http://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2018-0055, and at 
the Colorado Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).
    The coordinates or plot points or both from which the maps are 
generated are included in the administrative record for this critical 
habitat designation and are available at http://www.regulations.gov 
under Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2018-0055, and at the Colorado Ecological 
Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Any additional tools or supporting information that we may develop 
for this critical habitat designation will also be available at the 
Field Office set out above, and may also be included in the preamble 
and/or at http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Timberman, Field Supervisor, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Colorado Ecological Services Field Office, 
445 W. Gunnison Ave., Suite 240, Grand Junction, CO 81501-5711; 
telephone 970-628-7181. Persons who use a telecommunications device for 
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Summary

    Why we need to publish a rule. Under the Act, if a species is 
determined to be an endangered or threatened species throughout all or 
a significant portion of its range, we are required to promptly publish 
a proposal in the Federal Register. Critical habitat shall be 
designated, to the maximum extent prudent and determinable, for any 
species determined to be an endangered or threatened species under the 
Act. Listing a species as an endangered or threatened species and 
designations and revisions of critical habitat can only be completed by 
issuing a rule.
    This rule proposes to list the Chapin Mesa milkvetch as a 
threatened species and proposes critical habitat necessary for the 
conservation of the species. Chapin Mesa milkvetch is a candidate 
species for which we have on file sufficient information on biological 
vulnerability and threats to support preparation of a listing proposal, 
but for which development of a listing proposal had been precluded by 
other higher priority listing activities. This proposed rule and the 
associated species status assessment report (SSA report) reassess all 
available information regarding status of and threats to the Chapin 
Mesa milkvetch.
    The basis for our action. Under the Act, we can 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. We have determined that the primary drivers of the 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch's current and future condition are the increased 
frequency of large, high-intensity wildfires; increasing presence of 
invasive, nonnative plants, especially cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum); 
and the interaction between these elements (Factor A).
    Any species that is determined to be an endangered or a threatened 
species shall, to the maximum extent prudent and determinable, have 
habitat designated that is considered to be critical habitat. Section 
4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species 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, the impact on national security, and any other 
relevant impact of specifying any particular area as critical habitat.
    Supporting analyses. We prepared an analysis of the economic 
impacts of the proposed critical habitat designation and hereby 
announce the availability of the draft economic analysis for public 
review and comment.
    We conducted a species status assessment (SSA) for the Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch, with input and information provided by Mesa Verde National 
Park, the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, and the Ute Mountain Ute 
Tribe. The results of this assessment are summarized in an SSA report, 
which represents a compilation of the best scientific and commercial 
data available concerning the status of the species,

[[Page 58225]]

including the past, present, and future stressors to this species 
(Service 2018, entire). Additionally, the SSA report contains our 
analysis of required habitat and the existing conditions of that 
habitat.
    Peer review. We sought comments from independent specialists on our 
SSA report for the Chapin Mesa milkvetch to ensure that we base our 
listing determination and critical habitat proposal on scientifically 
sound data, assumptions, and analyses. We received feedback from five 
experts that have knowledge and/or experience with the species or 
similar species biology as peer review of the SSA report. The reviewers 
were generally supportive of our approach and made suggestions and 
comments that strengthened our analysis. We incorporated these comments 
into the SSA report, which can be found at http://www.regulations.gov 
under Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2018-0055.

Information Requested

Public Comments

    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 other concerned governmental agencies, Native American 
tribes, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested 
parties concerning this proposed rule. Because we will consider all 
comments and information we receive during the comment period, our 
final determinations may differ from this proposal. We particularly 
seek comments concerning:
    (1) Chapin Mesa milkvetch's biology, range, and population trends, 
including:
    (a) Biological or ecological requirements of the species, including 
habitat requirements for nutrition, reproduction, and dispersal;
    (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) Factors that may affect the continued existence of the species, 
which may include habitat modification or destruction, overutilization, 
disease, predation, the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms, 
or other natural or manmade factors.
    (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) The reasons why we should or should not designate habitat as 
``critical habitat'' under section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.), including information to inform the following factors such that 
a designation of critical habitat may be determined to be not prudent:
    (a) The species is threatened by taking or other human activity and 
identification of critical habitat can be expected to increase the 
degree of such threat to the species;
    (b) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or 
curtailment of a species' habitat or range is not a threat to the 
species, or threats to the species' habitat stem solely from causes 
that cannot be addressed through management actions resulting from 
consultations under section 7(a)(2) of the Act;
    (c) Areas within the jurisdiction of the United States provide no 
more than negligible conservation value, if any, for a species 
occurring primarily outside the jurisdiction of the United States;
    (d) No areas meet the definition of critical habitat.
    (6) Specific information on:
    (a) The amount and distribution of Chapin Mesa milkvetch habitat;
    (b) What areas, that were occupied at the time of listing and that 
contain the physical or biological 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, including managing 
for the potential effects of climate change; and
    (d) What areas not occupied at the time of listing are essential 
for the conservation of the species. We particularly seek comments 
regarding:
    (i) Whether occupied areas are inadequate for the conservation of 
the species; and,
    (ii) Specific information that supports the determination that 
unoccupied areas will, with reasonable certainty, contribute to the 
conservation of the species and, contain at least one physical or 
biological feature essential to the conservation of the species.
    (7) Land use designations and current or planned activities in the 
subject areas and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat.
    (8) Information on the projected and reasonably likely impacts of 
climate change on the Chapin Mesa milkvetch and proposed critical 
habitat.
    (9) Any probable economic, national security, or other relevant 
impacts of designating any area as critical habitat that may be 
included in the final designation, and the benefits of including or 
excluding areas that may be impacted.
    (10) Information on the extent to which the description of probable 
economic impacts in the draft economic analysis is a reasonable 
estimate of the likely economic 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. We are particularly interested in 
information on proposed Unit 4, located on Ute Mountain Ute Tribal 
land; this unit is managed as a Tribal Park, which limits human 
disturbance (Scott Clow (Ute Mountain Ute Tribe) 2017, pers. comm.). In 
addition, the Tribe has recently developed a conservation plan for 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch, which we will consider as appropriate in our 
determination on whether to exclude Unit 4 from the final critical 
habitat designation.
    (12) The likelihood of adverse social reactions to the designation 
of critical habitat and how the consequences of such reactions, if 
likely to occur, would relate to the conservation and regulatory 
benefits of the proposed critical habitat designation.
    (13) 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.
    (14) Whether the measures outlined in the proposed 4(d) rule are 
necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch.
    (15) Whether it would be necessary and advisable to incorporate any 
additional prohibitions from section 9(a)(2) of the Act into the 4(d) 
rule for Chapin Mesa milkvetch, such as the prohibitions related to 
import to and export from the United States, or prohibitions related to 
interstate or foreign commerce.
    (16) How Mesa Verde National Park's September 2018 conservation 
plan for Chapin Mesa milkvetch may impact the species, and whether the 
plan is

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sufficiently certain to be implemented and certain to be effective.
    (17) How the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe's January 2020 conservation 
plan for Chapin Mesa milkvetch may impact the species, and whether the 
plan is sufficiently certain to be implemented and certain to be 
effective.
    Please include sufficient information with your submission (such as 
scientific journal articles or other publications) to allow us to 
verify any scientific or commercial information you include.
    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 an endangered or a 
threatened 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 ADDRESSES. We request that you 
send comments only by the methods described in ADDRESSES.
    If you submit information via http://www.regulations.gov, your 
entire submission--including any personal identifying information--will 
be posted on the website. 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.
    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, Colorado Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Public Hearing

    Section 4(b)(5) of the Act provides for a public hearing 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 
(see DATES above). Such requests must be sent to the address shown in 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 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. For the immediate future, we will provide 
these public hearings using webinars that will be announced on the 
Service's website, in addition to the Federal Register. The use of 
these virtual public hearings is consistent with our regulation at 50 
CFR 424.16(c)(3).

Peer Review

    In accordance with our joint policy on peer review published in the 
Federal Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270) and the Service's August 
22, 2016, Director's Memo on the Peer Review Process, we sought the 
expert opinions of five appropriate and independent specialists 
regarding the SSA report upon which this proposed rule is based. The 
purpose of peer review is to ensure that our listing determination and 
critical habitat designation are based on scientifically sound data, 
assumptions, and analyses. The peer reviewers have expertise in Chapin 
Mesa milkvetch or similar species biology, habitat, and ecology. Peer-
review comments will be available along with other public comments in 
the docket for this proposed rule (at http://www.regulations.gov, 
Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2018-0055).

Previous Federal Actions

    Federal action for the Chapin Mesa milkvetch (then known by the 
common name Schmoll's milkvetch) began as a result of section 12 of the 
Act, which directed the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution to 
prepare a report on plants considered to be endangered, threatened, or 
extinct in the United States. This report, presented to Congress on 
January 9, 1975, identified the Chapin Mesa milkvetch as endangered 
(House Document 94-51, pp. 57-58). On July 1, 1975, the Service 
published in the Federal Register (40 FR 27824) our acceptance of the 
Smithsonian report as a petition within the context of the Act, giving 
notice of our intention to review the status of the plant taxa therein.
    On June 16, 1976, the Service proposed to list approximately 1,700 
vascular plant taxa, including the Chapin Mesa milkvetch, as Endangered 
pursuant to section 4 of the Act (41 FR 24524). In 1978, amendments to 
the Act required that all proposals more than 2 years old be withdrawn, 
providing a 1-year grace period to proposals already more than 2 years 
old. On December 10, 1979, the Service withdrew the portion of the June 
16, 1976, proposed rule that had not been made final, which removed the 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch from proposed status but retained the species as 
a candidate plant taxon that may qualify for listing under the Act (44 
FR 70796).
    On December 15, 1980, the Service identified Chapin Mesa milkvetch 
as a category 2 candidate ``currently under review'' (45 FR 82480). On 
November 28, 1983, the Chapin Mesa milkvetch was moved to the ``taxa no 
longer under review'' list, and given a 3C rank indicating the species 
was proven to be more abundant or widespread than previously believed 
or not subjected to an identifiable threat (48 FR 53640). Subsequently, 
despite the conclusions of the 1983 review, the species was still 
included as a category 2 species on September 27, 1985 (50 FR 39526), 
February 21, 1990 (55 FR 6184), and September 30, 1993 (58 FR 51144). 
The category 2 species designation was defined as taxa for which 
information in the possession of the Service indicated that proposing 
to list as endangered or threatened is possibly appropriate, but for 
which sufficient data on biological vulnerability and threat were not 
currently available to support proposed rules.
    In the Candidate Notice of Review (CNOR) published on February 28, 
1996 (61 FR 7596), we announced a revised list of plant and animal taxa 
that were regarded as candidates for possible addition to the Lists of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. The revised candidate 
list included only former Category 1 species. All former Category 2 
species were dropped from the list in order to reduce confusion about 
the conservation status of these species and to clarify that the 
Service no longer regarded these species as candidates for listing. 
Since the Chapin Mesa milkvetch was a Category 2 species, it was no 
longer recognized as a candidate species as of the February 28, 1996, 
CNOR.
    On July 30, 2007, we received a petition dated July 24, 2007, from 
Forest Guardians (now WildEarth Guardians) requesting that the Service 
list as either endangered or threatened 206 species, including the 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch, that occurred in our Mountain Prairie Region 
(Forest Guardians 2007, pp. 1-37).
    On March 19, 2008, WildEarth Guardians filed a complaint (1:08-CV-
472-CKK) indicating that the Service failed to comply with its 
mandatory duty to make a preliminary 90-day finding on their two 
multiple species petitions--one for the Mountain-Prairie Region, and 
one for the Southwest Region (WildEarth Guardians v. Kempthorne 2008, 
case 1:08-CV-472-CKK). On March 13, 2009, the Service

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and WildEarth Guardians filed a stipulated settlement in the District 
of Columbia Court, agreeing that the Service would submit to the 
Federal Register a finding as to whether WildEarth Guardians' petition 
presents substantial information indicating that the petitioned action 
may be warranted for 38 Mountain-Prairie Region species, including 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch by August 9, 2009 (WildEarth Guardians vs. 
Salazar 2009, case 1:08-CV-472-CKK).
    On August 18, 2009, we published our finding that the petition 
presented substantial information to indicate that listing the Chapin 
Mesa milkvetch (then known as Schmoll's milkvetch) may be warranted 
based on threats from fire, nonnative species invasions, road 
construction, grazing, and drought (74 FR 41649).
    On December 15, 2010, we published a 12-month finding for both the 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch (then known as Schmoll's milkvetch) and the Skiff 
milkvetch (Astragalus microcymbus), announcing our finding that listing 
of both species was warranted, but precluded by higher priority actions 
(75 FR 78514). As a result of this finding, the Chapin Mesa milkvetch 
was added to the list of candidate species and assigned a listing 
priority number of 8, indicating that the species faced threats of 
moderate magnitude that were considered imminent, including nonnative 
cheatgrass invasion, wildfires, management of fire and fuels, and 
drought. Since that time, we have reassessed the status of the species 
annually through the CNOR process. In 2015, the common name ``Chapin 
Mesa milkvetch'' replaced the common name ``Schmoll's milkvetch'' for 
the species, and in the 2015 CNOR (80 FR 80584; December 24, 2015), we 
accepted Chapin Mesa milkvetch as the new common name for the species; 
we have used that common name in all subsequent reviews pertaining to 
the species.

Background

    A thorough review of the taxonomy, range and distribution, life 
history, and ecology of the Chapin Mesa milkvetch is presented in the 
SSA report (Service 2018, pp. 3-14; available at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2018-0055), and is briefly 
summarized here. Chapin Mesa milkvetch is a narrow endemic, upright, 
perennial herb primarily found on the tops of mesas in Southwestern 
Colorado in Montezuma County on land administered by Mesa Verde 
National Park and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park. Chapin Mesa milkvetch 
is a member of the family Fabaceae (legume family) and was known by the 
common name Schmoll's milkvetch prior to 2015. The stems of Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch are purplish below, green above, tall (45 to 60 centimeters 
(cm)), branching from the base, with short, stiff, appressed hairs 
(lying closely and flatly against the plant's surface) on the foliage. 
Leaves are pinnate with 11 to 13 linear leaflets, 1 to 2 millimeters 
(mm) wide, and 1 to 3 cm long. Flowers are yellowish-white or cream 
colored, and 12 to 13 cm long with bracts that extend under the flower 
that have black hairs. The distinguishing characteristic of the species 
is the leathery pod (Service 2018, pp. 3-4).
    Chapin Mesa milkvetch's global distribution is constrained almost 
entirely to Chapin Mesa within Mesa Verde National Park and the Ute 
Mountain Ute Tribal Park in southern Colorado, with some outlying areas 
on neighboring Park Mesa and West Chapin Spur (Rondeau 2017, p. 1). 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch habitat occupies approximately 2,000 acres (ac) 
(809 hectares (ha)) in Mesa Verde National Park (CNHP 2010, pp. 12-19; 
Anderson 2004, pp. 25, 30). While the species has been observed on the 
Ute Mountain Tribal Park, it is unclear at this time how much occupied 
habitat occurs there, because surveys have not been done in recent 
years. The habitat for Chapin Mesa milkvetch is dense pinyon-juniper 
woodland of mesa tops, with deep, reddish, loess soil (Service 2018, p. 
8). Pinyon-juniper trees are easily killed by fires and are slow to 
regenerate (Romme et al. 2003, p. 344.). The historical fire regime of 
the pinyon-juniper woodlands on the mesa tops of the Mesa Verde area is 
characterized by lightning-caused, infrequent (~400-year rotation), 
stand-replacing fires, as opposed to low-severity, stand-thinning fires 
(Romme et al. 2003, p. 338; Floyd et al. 2004, p. 286).
    This species is believed to consist of one large, interconnected 
population. Like many rare plants, Chapin Mesa milkvetch is globally 
rare, but is locally abundant throughout its occupied habitat (Rondeau 
2017, p. 1). We do not have precise or recent data pertaining to total 
population size for the species, even within Mesa Verde National Park 
(Service 2018, p. 4-5). Although regular monitoring has occurred in 
Mesa Verde National Park since 2001 in established monitoring plots, 
the demography plots do not represent a random sample, and cannot be 
used to estimate population size or overall population density (Service 
2018, p. 4).
    Chapin Mesa milkvetch plants emerge in early spring and usually 
begin flowering in late April or early May. Flowering continues into 
early or mid-June; fruit set begins in late May and occurs through 
June; and by late June, most fruits, while still attached to the plant, 
have opened and released their seeds (Service 2018, p. 7). During very 
dry years, like many other Astragalus species, the plants can remain 
dormant with no above-ground growth (Colyer 2003 in Anderson 2004, p. 
11). Chapin Mesa milkvetch requires pollination by insects to set 
fruit; the flowers require a strong insect for pollination because the 
insect must force itself between the petals of the papilionaceous 
(butterfly shaped) flowers (Green 2012, p. 2).
    Spring and winter (snow) precipitation that is greater than 25 
percent below the 30-year average (1971-2000) (i.e., greater than 3.24 
inches and 3.46 inches, respectively) provides appropriate soil 
moisture for the Chapin Mesa milkvetch. The emergence and density of 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch are strongly tied to winter precipitation. Years 
with ``wet'' winters (precipitation falling primarily as snow) precede 
high density counts, and years with dry winters translate to low or no 
emergence (Rondeau 2017, p. 3). Climate requirements for seedling 
emergence and survival are not well known; however, we infer that 
spring moisture is also critical, as seedling survival relies on 
growing deep roots quickly (Rondeau 2017, p. 9). It is likely that 
winter moisture coupled with winter temperature is also important for 
seedlings due to available soil moisture for seedling survival (Rondeau 
2017, p. 16).

Regulatory and Analytical Framework

Regulatory Framework

    Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and its implementing 
regulations (50 CFR part 424) set forth the procedures for determining 
whether a species is an ``endangered species'' or a ``threatened 
species.'' The Act defines an endangered species as a species that is 
``in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of 
its range,'' and a threatened species as a species that is ``likely to 
become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout 
all or a significant portion of its range.'' The Act requires that we 
determine whether any species is an ``endangered species'' or a 
``threatened species'' because of any of the following factors:
    (A) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or 
curtailment of its habitat or range;

[[Page 58228]]

    (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.
    These factors represent broad categories of natural or human-caused 
actions or conditions that could have an effect on a species' continued 
existence. In evaluating these actions and conditions, we look for 
those that may have a negative effect on individuals of the species, as 
well as other actions or conditions that may ameliorate any negative 
effects or may have positive effects.
    We use the term ``threat'' to refer in general to actions or 
conditions that are known to or are reasonably likely to negatively 
affect individuals of a species. The term ``threat'' includes actions 
or conditions that have a direct impact on individuals (direct 
impacts), as well as those that affect individuals through alteration 
of their habitat or required resources (stressors). The term ``threat'' 
may encompass--either together or separately--the source of the action 
or condition or the action or condition itself.
    However, the mere identification of any threat(s) does not 
necessarily mean that the species meets the statutory definition of an 
``endangered species'' or a ``threatened species.'' In determining 
whether a species meets either definition, we must evaluate all 
identified threats by considering the expected response by the species, 
and the effects of the threats--in light of those actions and 
conditions that will ameliorate the threats--on an individual, 
population, and species level. We evaluate each threat and its expected 
effects on the species, then analyze the cumulative effect of all of 
the threats on the species as a whole. We also consider the cumulative 
effect of the threats in light of those actions and conditions that 
will have positive effects on the species--such as any existing 
regulatory mechanisms or conservation efforts. The Secretary determines 
whether the species meets the definition of an ``endangered species'' 
or a ``threatened species'' only after conducting this cumulative 
analysis and describing the expected effect on the species now and in 
the foreseeable future.
    The Act does not define the term ``foreseeable future,'' which 
appears in the statutory definition of ``threatened species.'' Our 
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.11(d) set forth a framework for 
evaluating the foreseeable future on a case-by-case basis. The term 
foreseeable future extends only so far into the future as the Services 
can reasonably determine that both the future threats and the species' 
responses to those threats are likely. In other words, the foreseeable 
future is the period of time in which we can make reliable predictions. 
``Reliable'' does not mean ``certain''; it means sufficient to provide 
a reasonable degree of confidence in the prediction. Thus, a prediction 
is reliable if it is reasonable to depend on it when making decisions.
    It is not always possible or necessary to define foreseeable future 
as a particular number of years. Analysis of the foreseeable future 
uses the best scientific and commercial data available and should 
consider the timeframes applicable to the relevant threats and to the 
species' likely responses to those threats in view of its life-history 
characteristics. Data that are typically relevant to assessing the 
species' biological response include species-specific factors such as 
lifespan, reproductive rates or productivity, certain behaviors, and 
other demographic factors.

Analytical Framework

    The SSA report documents the results of our comprehensive 
biological status review for the species, including an assessment of 
the potential threats to the species. The SSA report does not represent 
a decision by the Service on whether the species should be proposed for 
listing as an endangered or threatened species under the Act. It does, 
however, provide the scientific basis that informs our regulatory 
decisions, which involve the further application of standards within 
the Act and its implementing regulations and policies. The following is 
a summary of the key results and conclusions from the SSA report; the 
full SSA report can be found at Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2018-0055 on 
http://www.regulations.gov.
    To assess Chapin Mesa milkvetch viability, we used the three 
conservation biology principles of resiliency, redundancy, and 
representation (Shaffer and Stein 2000, pp. 306-310). Briefly, 
resiliency supports the ability of the species to withstand 
environmental and demographic stochasticity (for example, wet or dry, 
warm or cold years), redundancy supports the ability of the species to 
withstand catastrophic events (for example, droughts, large pollution 
events), and representation supports the ability of the species to 
adapt over time to long-term changes in the environment (for example, 
climate changes). In general, the more resilient and redundant a 
species is and the more representation it has, the more likely it is to 
sustain populations over time, even under changing environmental 
conditions. Using these principles, we identified the species' 
ecological requirements for survival and reproduction at the 
individual, population, and species levels, and described the 
beneficial and risk factors influencing the species' viability, 
including the uncertainties associated with these.
    The SSA process can be categorized into three sequential stages. 
During the first stage, we evaluated individual species' life-history 
needs. The next stage involved an assessment of the historical and 
current condition of the species' demographics and habitat 
characteristics, including an explanation of how the species arrived at 
its current condition. The final stage of the SSA involved making 
predictions about the species' responses to positive and negative 
environmental and anthropogenic influences. This process used the best 
available information to characterize viability as the ability of a 
species to sustain populations in the wild over time. We use this 
information to inform our regulatory decision.

Summary of Biological Status and Threats

    In this section, we review the biological condition of the species 
and its resources, and its influences, to assess the species' overall 
viability and the risks to that viability.
    To evaluate the biological status of the Chapin Mesa milkvetch both 
currently and into the future, we assessed a range of conditions to 
consider the species' resiliency, redundancy, and representation 
(together, the 3Rs). Since Chapin Mesa milkvetch is considered to 
consist of one large population, for the purposes of our analysis, we 
divided the range of Chapin Mesa milkvetch into four representative 
units, which are further broken down into subunits. The Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch needs multiple, resilient subunits distributed across its 
range to maintain its persistence into the future and to avoid 
extinction (Service 2018, pp. 8-14). A number of factors influence 
whether Chapin Mesa milkvetch subunits are considered to be resilient 
to stochastic events. These factors include: (1) Sufficient population 
size (density); (2) recruitment of Chapin Mesa milkvetch into the 
population, as evidenced by the presence of all life stages at some 
point during the growing season; and (3) connectivity between 
populations (Service 2018, pp. 12-13).
    We evaluated a number of stressors that influence the health and 
resiliency

[[Page 58229]]

of Chapin Mesa milkvetch populations, such as competition with 
nonnative, invasive plant species (i.e., cheatgrass, musk thistle, 
etc.); wildfire; drought; fire management activities; development of 
infrastructure; trampling; herbivory; and effects of climate change 
(Service 2018, pp. 14-24). We found that the primary drivers 
influencing the species' condition are the increased frequency of 
large, high-intensity wildfires; increasing presence of invasive, 
nonnative plants, especially cheatgrass; and the interaction between 
these elements, as explained further in the SSA report (Service 2018, 
p. 14-30). Five large, high intensity fires in the last two decades 
have occurred on most of the park and a large portion of the adjacent 
Mesa Verde cueasta (i.e., long, sloping ridge), resulting in burns on a 
total of 38,704 acres (Floyd et al. 2004, p. 270, 283); and a total of 
approximately 760.5 acres of Chapin Mesa milkvetch habitat that has 
been burned in Mesa Verde National Park. The invasion of nonnative 
plant species, which compete with Chapin Mesa milkvetch for space, 
nutrients, and water, is facilitated by the increased frequency of 
burns as well as the creation of fire breaks that has occurred within 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch habitat (CNHP 2006, p.4). Cheatgrass and other 
invasive nonnative plant species have already invaded different parts 
of the species range to varying degrees. Cheatgrass was not found in 
unburned woodland monitoring plots, whereas cheatgrass invasion ranges 
from 8-58% cover in the burned monitoring plots (Rondeau 2017, p. 11). 
In addition, the risk of severe fire is expected to increase in the 
future, with potential for increases in the average frequency, 
intensity, and size of fires (Rondeau et al. 2017, Appendix D, pp. 15-
21).
    As described above, we divided the range of Chapin Mesa milkvetch 
into four representative units (Chapin Mesa, West Chapin Spur, Park 
Mesa, and Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park) (Service 2018, pp. 24-26). 
Having a greater number of self-sustaining units distributed across the 
known range of the species is associated with an overall higher 
viability of the species into the future. We consider to be the most 
resilient those units without nonnative, invasive species and 
development of infrastructure, and with a sufficient percentage of 
pinyon-juniper canopy cover, an intact native understory, sufficient 
percentage of seedling survival, and sufficient levels of winter and 
spring precipitation (Service 2018, pp. 24-34). Our analysis found that 
all Chapin Mesa milkvetch analysis units currently have moderate levels 
of resiliency, with one large unburned subunit in good condition.
    The viability of the Chapin Mesa milkvetch depends on maintaining 
multiple, self-sustaining units over time. Climate change models 
forecast warmer temperatures and a decrease in precipitation, or change 
in the timing and type of precipitation by the year 2035 (Rondeau et 
al. 2017, Appendix D, p. 15-21; Service 2018, pp. 35-36). Monitoring 
data have shown that ``wet'' winters precede high Chapin Mesa milkvetch 
density counts, and dry winters translate to low or no emergence of 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch in the spring (Service 2018, p. 26). Data 
collected by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program (CNHP) over 14 years 
of monitoring have revealed a strong correlation between winter 
precipitation (as snow) and the density of Chapin Mesa milkvetch plants 
(Service 2018, p. 26).
    Given our uncertainty regarding the future effects of climate 
change, as well as the other stressors, we projected the resiliency, 
redundancy, and representation of Chapin Mesa milkvetch under three 
plausible future scenarios. Our projections incorporate three climate 
scenarios developed for the North Central Climate Science Center in 
Fort Collins, Colorado for the San Juan Basin in Southwestern Colorado; 
Hot and Dry, Moderately Hot, and Warm and Wet (Rondeau et al. 2017, 
Appendix D, p. 15-21). This represents the best available scientific 
information on potential future climate conditions within the range of 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch, because it is downscaled for this specific 
region.
    The scenarios we evaluated for Chapin Mesa milkvetch are as follows 
(scenarios are discussed in greater detail in the SSA report (Service 
2018, pp. 36-38)):
     Scenario 1 (``Optimistic''): Continuation of the current 
land management conditions under a ``warm and wet'' future climate 
change model (RCP 4.5 emissions model);
     Scenario 2 (``Moderate''): Slight increase in fire 
management activities (i.e., fuels reduction) and infrastructure 
development under a ``moderately hot'' future climate change model (RCP 
8.5 emissions model); and
     Scenario 3 (``Pessimistic''): Significant increase in fire 
management activities and infrastructure development under a ``hot and 
dry'' future climate change model (RCP 8.5 emissions model).
    We evaluated each of these scenarios in terms of how it would be 
expected to impact resiliency, redundancy, and representation of the 
species by the year 2035. We selected the year 2035 for our evaluation 
of future scenarios based on available climate projections specific to 
the San Juan Basin in southwestern Colorado, where Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch habitat occurs.
    We anticipate that the largest Chapin Mesa milkvetch representative 
unit, Chapin Mesa, will continue to be occupied under all three 
scenarios, but with reduced levels of resiliency (Service 2018, pp. 38-
42). This species inherently has, and has likely always had, a low 
level of redundancy and representation due to its endemism. Because 
there is only one large representative unit (Chapin Mesa) and three 
very small representative units (West Chapin Spur, Park Mesa, and Ute 
Mountain Ute Tribal Park), this species is at some risk from stochastic 
and catastrophic events, and may have low adaptability to changing 
conditions (Service 2018, p. 42).
    The SSA report (Service 2018, entire) contains a more detailed 
discussion of our evaluation of the biological status of the Chapin 
Mesa milkvetch and the influences that may affect its continued 
existence. Our conclusions are based upon the best available scientific 
and commercial data.
    We note that, by using the SSA framework to guide our analysis of 
the scientific information documented in the SSA report, we have not 
only analyzed individual effects on the species, but we have also 
analyzed their potential cumulative effects. We incorporate the 
cumulative effects into our SSA analysis when we characterize the 
current and future condition of the species. Our assessment of the 
current and future conditions encompasses and incorporates the threats 
individually and cumulatively. Our current and future condition 
assessment is iterative because it accumulates and evaluates the 
effects of all the factors that may be influencing the species, 
including threats and conservation efforts. Because the SSA framework 
considers not just the presence of the factors, but to what degree they 
collectively influence risk to the entire species, our assessment 
integrates the cumulative effects of the factors and replaces a 
standalone cumulative effects analysis.

Determination of Chapin Mesa Milkvetch Status

    Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and its implementing 
regulations (50 CFR part 424) set forth the procedures for determining 
whether a species meets the definition of ``endangered species'' or 
``threatened species.'' The Act defines an ``endangered species'' as a 
species that is ``in danger of extinction

[[Page 58230]]

throughout all or a significant portion of its range,'' and a 
``threatened species'' as a species that is ``likely to become an 
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range.'' For a more detailed discussion on 
the factors considered when determining whether a species meets the 
definition of ``endangered species'' or ``threatened species'' and our 
analysis on how we determine the foreseeable future in making these 
decisions, please see the Regulatory Framework section above.
    We have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial 
information available regarding the past, present, and future threats 
to the Chapin Mesa milkvetch. Potential stressors to the Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch that we evaluated include invasive, nonnative plants (Factor 
A); wildfires (Factor A); post-fire mitigation (Factor A); wildfire and 
fuels management (Factor A); trampling and herbivory (Factors A and C); 
development of infrastructure (Factor A); drought (Factor A); and 
effects of climate change (Factor A) (Service 2018, pp. 14-24). There 
is no evidence that overutilization (Factor B) of Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch, disease (Factor C), or other natural or manmade factors 
affecting the species (Factor E) are occurring. Existing regulatory 
mechanisms (Factor D) are discussed below. We evaluated each potential 
stressor, including its source, affected resources, exposure, 
immediacy, geographic scope, magnitude, and impacts on individuals and 
populations, and our level of certainty regarding this information, to 
determine which stressors were likely to be drivers of the species' 
current condition (Service 2018, Appendix A).
    Our analysis found that the primary drivers of the Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch current and future condition are the increased frequency of 
large, high-intensity wildfires; increasing presence of invasive, 
nonnative plants, especially cheatgrass; and the interaction between 
these elements, as explained further in the SSA report (Service 2018, 
p. 14-30), and summarized here. Invasive, nonnative plants compete with 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch for space, nutrients, and water, and their 
invasion has been facilitated by the increased frequency of burns, as 
well as the creation of fire breaks, that has occurred within Chapin 
Mesa milkvetch habitat (CNHP 2006, p. 4). Wildfire affects Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch and its habitat by eliminating the fire-sensitive pinyon-
juniper woodlands and native understory that the species needs (Service 
2018, p. 26), thereby opening up habitat to be colonized by nonnative 
grasses and clonal shrub species. Pinyon-juniper woodlands that have 
been burned extensively by wildfires in the past two decades are being 
replaced by significant invasions of nonnative species (Floyd et al. 
2006, p. 1). Cheatgrass was not found in unburned woodland monitoring 
plots, whereas cheatgrass invasion ranges from 8-58% cover in the 
burned monitoring plots (Rondeau 2017, p. 11). We do not have percent 
cover information on other invasive species within Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch habitat at this time. The abundance of grasses, especially 
cheatgrass, western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii), and smooth brome 
(Bromus inermis), within the species' habitat is outside the natural 
range of variation, resulting in a lack of bare ground and biological 
soil crust, and preventing natural succession or return to the pinyon-
juniper woodland habitat that Chapin Mesa milkvetch needs, and also 
reducing the reproductive vigor of Chapin Mesa milkvetch (Rondeau 2017, 
pers. comm.).
    Cheatgrass and other invasive, nonnative plant species have already 
invaded different parts of the species' range to varying degrees. Five 
large, high-intensity fires in the last two decades have occurred 
mostly in Mesa Verde National Park and a large portion of the adjacent 
Mesa Verde cuesta (i.e., long, sloping ridge) (Floyd et al. 2004, pp. 
270, 283). A total of approximately 760.5 acres has burned out of the 
approximately 2,000 ac of Chapin Mesa milkvetch habitat in Mesa Verde 
National Park. Climate projections for the San Juan Basin, Colorado, 
where Chapin Mesa milkvetch occurs, include increased temperatures, 
more intense and longer lasting heat waves, a longer fire season with 
greater frequency and extent of fires, and an increased probability of 
drought (Rondeau et al. 2017, p. 8). These factors will likely 
exacerbate the frequency and extent of catastrophic wildfires and the 
invasion of cheatgrass on Chapin Mesa milkvetch habitat in the future.
    Regulatory mechanisms (Factor D) and other management efforts by 
the National Park Service (NPS) and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe provide some 
benefit to Chapin Mesa milkvetch, as the species is located entirely 
within Mesa Verde National Park and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park. 
However, these efforts have not been able to ameliorate the threat of 
catastrophic wildfires and nonnative, invasive species. The NPS Organic 
Act of 1916 (54 U.S.C. 100101 et seq.), as amended, states that the NPS 
``shall promote and regulate the use of the National Park System by 
means and measures that conform to the fundamental purpose of the 
System units, which purpose is to conserve the scenery, natural and 
historic objects, and wild life in the System units and to provide for 
the enjoyment of the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wild 
life in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for 
the enjoyment of future generations.'' The NPS Organic Act has provided 
some benefit to the species by limiting many forms of human disturbance 
and development that might otherwise occur in unprotected areas. 
However, other management activities conducted within the Park, such as 
fuels and fire management, and the development of visitor-related 
infrastructure, may have direct and indirect impacts to the species. 
While fuels reduction activities may help decrease the likelihood of 
catastrophic fires, they may also have detrimental impacts such as 
trampling, creating surface disturbances and altering ecological 
conditions, or facilitating nonnative species invasion (Service 2018, 
pp. 19-22). The development of existing infrastructure, such as roads, 
parking lots, a wastewater treatment facility, and buildings within the 
Park has resulted in a loss of approximately 2 percent of Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch habitat (Service 2018, pp. 19, 23). Several additional 
infrastructure and fire management projects are planned or under 
consideration within Mesa Verde National Park (Service 2018, pp. 19, 
22-23).
    We do not have information regarding management or regulatory 
mechanisms on the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park. However, the fact that 
the species' habitat occurs within a Tribal Park may provide some 
protections, as the Tribe restricts human activities and land uses 
within this area. The Tribal Park unit has limited road access in 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch habitat; however, it is not often used, except 
for guided tours (Service 2018, p. 32). This has likely limited the 
extent of any habitat loss or other human-caused disturbances to the 
species' habitat.
    In September 2018, Mesa Verde National Park finalized a 
conservation plan (Park plan) for Chapin Mesa milkvetch, which outlines 
how the Park will implement fire management activities, development of 
infrastructure, and conservation efforts to benefit Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch (Mesa Verde National Park, 2018). Once Mesa Verde National 
Park completes an implementation schedule for this recently finalized 
plan, the Park plan may be sufficiently certain to be implemented and 
sufficiently certain to be effective that it may be considered as

[[Page 58231]]

part of our final listing determination for the species. The goal of 
the Park plan is to benefit the species, and decrease the risk of the 
threats discussed above. Therefore, we seek public comment on this 
plan, whether it meets our Policy for Evaluation of Conservation 
Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PECE) (68 FR 15100, March 28, 
2003)) and how it may impact Chapin Mesa milkvetch. Once an 
implementation schedule for the Park plan has been completed, we will 
fully evaluate its certainty of implementation and certainty of 
effectiveness under the PECE policy and its anticipated impact on the 
species as part of our final determination on the status of Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch.
    Similarly, in January 2020, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe finalized a 
conservation plan (Tribal plan) for Chapin Mesa milkvetch, which was 
adopted by Resolution by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council in 
February 2020 (Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, 2020). The Tribal plan 
identifies conservation strategies the Tribe will use on the Ute 
Mountain Ute Indian Reservation to enhance the resiliency, redundancy, 
and representation of Chapin Mesa milkvetch. The Tribal Plan calls for 
management decisions that mitigate direct and indirect impacts to the 
species and result in the distribution of the species across high-
quality, contiguous habitat spanning a range of ecological conditions. 
We will continue to work with the Tribe to determine whether the Tribal 
plan may be sufficiently certain to be implemented and sufficiently 
certain to be effective that it can be considered as part of our final 
listing determination for the species. Therefore, we seek public 
comment on this plan, whether it meets our PECE Policy (68 FR 15100, 
March 28, 2003)) and how it may impact Chapin Mesa milkvetch.
    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 an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout 
all or a significant portion of its range.'' We find that the Chapin 
Mesa milkvetch is likely to become endangered within the foreseeable 
future throughout all of its range. While the species currently has one 
large subunit with high levels of resiliency (the Chapin Mesa unburned 
subunit) (Service 2018, entire), as a narrow endemic with a limited 
range, the species as a whole has low levels of redundancy, making it 
vulnerable to future catastrophic events such as fire, which are 
projected to occur with greater frequency and extent.
    The Chapin Mesa representative unit encompasses 97 percent of the 
range within Mesa Verde National Park, and one or more catastrophic 
events could potentially affect the entire unit, or even multiple 
units, by eliminating or degrading the habitat conditions that the 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch needs to survive and successfully reproduce. Five 
large, high-intensity fires have already occurred in the immediate 
vicinity of Chapin Mesa milkvetch habitat within the last two decades. 
Given the increasing prevalence of nonnative, invasive species such as 
cheatgrass, and climate change projections, the frequency and intensity 
of fires is expected to increase in the future. The high potential for 
a future catastrophic event that could affect all or a large portion of 
the species' range puts the Chapin Mesa milkvetch at increased risk of 
extinction in the foreseeable future. We consider the foreseeable 
future for the Chapin Mesa milkvetch to be approximately through the 
year 2035, based on available climate data specific to the San Juan 
Basin in Southwestern Colorado, where Chapin Mesa milkvetch habitat 
occurs, as discussed above. Thus, after assessing the best available 
information, we determine that Chapin Mesa milkvetch is not currently 
in danger of extinction, but is likely to become in danger of 
extinction within the foreseeable future, throughout all of its range.
    We find that the Chapin Mesa milkvetch is not currently in danger 
of extinction throughout its range because the species currently has a 
large representative subunit (the unburned Chapin Mesa subunit) that is 
considered highly resilient, based on the quality of habitat conditions 
for Chapin Mesa milkvetch. This large area of habitat (1,265 acres (512 
hectares)) and good conditions in this subunit likely provide the 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch some ability to currently withstand stochastic 
events, such as drought, that are within the normal range of yearly 
variation, and to complete its life cycle. Therefore, the risk of 
extinction is currently low, and the species is not currently in danger 
of extinction throughout its range. However, the risk of one or more 
future catastrophic events such as severe wildfire occurring puts the 
species at risk of extinction in the forseeable future due to its 
limited redundancy.

Status Throughout All of Its Range

    After evaluating threats to the species and assessing the 
cumulative effect of the threats under the section 4(a)(1) factors, we 
find that the increased frequency of large, high-intensity wildfires 
(Factor A); the increasing presence of invasive, nonnative plants, 
especially cheatgrass (Factor A); and the interaction between these 
elements put Chapin Mesa milkvetch at risk of extinction throughout its 
range in the foreseeable future due to its limited redundancy. Thus, 
after assessing the best available information, we determine that the 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch is not currently in danger of extinction, but is 
likely to become in danger of extinction within the foreseeable future 
throughout all of its range.

Determination of Status Throughout a Significant Portion of Its Range

    Under the Act and our implementing regulations, a species may 
warrant listing if it is in danger of extinction or likely to become so 
in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of 
its range. The court in Center for Biological Diversity v. Everson, 
2020 WL 437289 (D.D.C. Jan. 28, 2020) (Center for Biological 
Diversity), vacated the aspect of the 2014 Significant Portion of its 
Range Policy that provided that the Services do not undertake an 
analysis of significant portions of a species' range if the species 
warrants listing as threatened throughout all of its range. Therefore, 
we proceed to evaluating whether the species is endangered in a 
significant portion of its range--that is, whether there is any portion 
of the species' range for which both (1) the portion is significant; 
and, (2) the species is in danger of extinction in that portion. 
Depending on the case, it might be more efficient for us to address the 
``significance'' question or the ``status'' question first. We can 
choose to address either question first. Regardless of which question 
we address first, if we reach a negative answer with respect to the 
first question that we address, we do not need to evaluate the other 
question for that portion of the species' range.
    Following the court's holding in Center for Biological Diversity, 
we now consider whether there are any significant portions of the 
species' range where the species is in danger of extinction now (i.e., 
endangered). In undertaking this analysis for the Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch, we choose to address the status question first--we consider 
information pertaining to the geographic distribution of both the 
species and the threats that the species faces to identify any portions 
of the range where the species is endangered.
    Chapin Mesa milkvetch is a narrow endemic that functions as a 
single, contiguous population and occurs

[[Page 58232]]

within a very small area. As described in the SSA Report (Service 2018, 
p. 4), the species' global distribution is constrained almost entirely 
to Chapin Mesa in southern Colorado, with some outlying subunits on 
neighboring Park Mesa and West Chapin Spur (Rondeau 2017, p. 1). Chapin 
Mesa milkvetch habitat occupies approximately 2,000 ac (809 ha) in Mesa 
Verde National Park (CNHP 2010, pp. 12-19; Anderson 2004, p. 25, 30). 
This species is considered to consist of one large interconnected 
population, and like many rare plants, Chapin Mesa milkvetch is 
globally rare, but is locally abundant throughout its occupied habitat 
(Rondeau 2017, p. 1). Thus, there is no biologically meaningful way to 
break this limited range into portions, and the threats that the 
species faces affect the species throughout its entire range. This 
means that no portions of the species' range have a different status 
from its rangewide status. Therefore, no portion of the species' range 
can provide a basis for determining that the species is in danger of 
extinction in a significant portion of its range, and we determine that 
the species is likely to become in danger of extinction within the 
foreseeable future throughout all of its range. This is consistent with 
the courts' holdings in Desert Survivors v. Department of the Interior, 
No. 16-cv-01165-JCS, 2018 WL 4053447 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 24, 2018), and 
Center for Biological Diversity v. Jewell, 248 F. Supp. 3d, 946, 959 
(D. Ariz. 2017).

Determination of Status

    Our review of the best available scientific and commercial 
information indicates that the Chapin Mesa milkvetch meets the 
definition of a threatened species. Therefore, we propose to list the 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch as a threatened species in accordance with 
sections 3(20) and 4(a)(1) of the Act.

Critical Habitat

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.
    Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.02 define the geographical area 
occupied by the species as an area that may generally be delineated 
around species' occurrences, as determined by the Secretary of the 
Interior (i.e., range). Such areas may include those areas used 
throughout all or part of the species' life cycle, even if not used on 
a regular basis (e.g., migratory corridors, seasonal habitats, and 
habitats used periodically, but not solely by vagrant individuals).
    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 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) 
of the Act would apply, but even in the event of a destruction or 
adverse modification 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 geographical 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 or biological features that occur in specific areas, we focus 
on the specific features that are essential to support the life-history 
needs of the species, including but not limited to, water 
characteristics, soil type, geological features, prey, vegetation, 
symbiotic species, or other features. A feature may be a single habitat 
characteristic, or a more complex combination of habitat 
characteristics. Features may include habitat characteristics that 
support ephemeral or dynamic habitat conditions. Features may also be 
expressed in terms relating to principles of conservation biology, such 
as patch size, distribution distances, and connectivity.
    Under the second prong of the Act's definition of critical habitat, 
we can designate critical habitat in 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. When designating critical habitat, the Secretary will first 
evaluate areas occupied by the species. The Secretary will only 
consider unoccupied areas to be essential where a critical habitat 
designation limited to geographical areas occupied by the species would 
be inadequate to ensure the conservation of the species. In addition, 
for an unoccupied area to be considered essential, the Secretary must 
determine that there is a reasonable certainty both that the area will 
contribute to the conservation of the species and that the area 
contains one or more of those physical or biological features essential 
to the conservation of the species.
    Section 4 of the Act requires that we designate critical habitat on 
the basis of the best scientific data available. 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

[[Page 58233]]

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 from the SSA report and information developed during the 
listing process for the species. Additional information sources may 
include any generalized conservation strategy, criteria, or outline 
that may have been developed for the species; the recovery plan for the 
species; articles in peer-reviewed journals; conservation plans 
developed by States and counties; scientific status surveys and 
studies; biological assessments; other unpublished materials; or 
experts' opinions or personal knowledge.
    Habitat is dynamic, and species may move from one area to another 
over time. 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) section 9 of the Act's prohibitions on taking any 
individual of the species, including taking caused by actions that 
affect habitat. 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.

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 shall designate critical 
habitat at the time the species is determined to be an endangered or 
threatened species. Our regulations (50 CFR 424.12(a)(1)) state that 
the Secretary may, but is not required to, determine that a designation 
would not be prudent in the following circumstances:
    (i) The species is threatened by taking or other human activity and 
identification of critical habitat can be expected to increase the 
degree of such threat to the species;
    (ii) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or 
curtailment of a species' habitat or range is not a threat to the 
species, or threats to the species' habitat stem solely from causes 
that cannot be addressed through management actions resulting from 
consultations under section 7(a)(2) of the Act;
    (iii) Areas within the jurisdiction of the United States provide no 
more than negligible conservation value, if any, for a species 
occurring primarily outside the jurisdiction of the United States;
    (iv) No areas meet the definition of critical habitat; or
    (v) The Secretary otherwise determines that designation of critical 
habitat would not be prudent based on the best scientific data 
available.
    There is currently no imminent threat of take attributed to 
collection or vandalism identified under Factor B for this species, and 
identification and mapping of critical habitat is not expected to 
initiate any such threat. We have determined that the present or 
threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of habitat or 
range is a threat to the Chapin Mesa milkvetch and that those threats 
in some way can be addressed by section 7(a)(2) consultation measures. 
The species occurs wholly in the jurisdiction of the United States and 
we are able to identify areas that meet the definition of critical 
habitat. Therefore, because none of the circumstances enumerated in our 
regulations at 50 CFR 424.12(a)(1) have been met and because there are 
no other circumstances the Secretary has identified for which this 
designation of critical habitat would be not prudent we have determined 
that the designation of critical habitat is prudent for the Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch.

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 Chapin 
Mesa milkvetch 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) Data sufficient to perform required analyses are lacking, or
    (ii) The biological needs of the species are not sufficiently well 
known to identify any area that meets the definition of ``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 species and habitat characteristics where this species is 
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 Chapin Mesa milkvetch.

Physical or Biological Features

    In accordance with section 3(5)(A)(i) of the Act and regulations at 
50 CFR 424.12(b), in determining which areas within the geographical 
area occupied by the species at the time of listing to designate as 
critical habitat, we consider the physical or biological features that 
are essential to the conservation of the species and which may require 
special management considerations or protection. The regulations at 50 
CFR 424.02 define ``physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the species'' as:

    The features that occur in specific areas and that are essential 
to support the life-history needs of the species, including but not 
limited to, water characteristics, soil type, geological features, 
sites, prey, vegetation, symbiotic species, or other features. A 
feature may be a single habitat characteristic, or a more complex 
combination of habitat characteristics. Features may include habitat 
characteristics that support ephemeral or dynamic habitat 
conditions. Features may also be expressed in terms relating to 
principles of conservation biology, such as patch size, distribution 
distances, and connectivity.

    For example, physical features might include gravel of a particular 
size required for spawning, alkali soil for seed germination, 
protective cover for migration, or susceptibility to flooding

[[Page 58234]]

or fire that maintains necessary early-successional habitat 
characteristics. Biological features might include prey species, forage 
grasses, specific kinds or ages of trees for roosting or nesting, 
symbiotic fungi, or a particular level of nonnative species consistent 
with conservation needs of the listed species. The features may also be 
combinations of habitat characteristics and may encompass the 
relationship between characteristics or the necessary amount of a 
characteristic needed to support the life history of the species. In 
considering whether features are essential to the conservation of the 
species, the Service may consider an appropriate quality, quantity, and 
spatial and temporal arrangement of habitat characteristics in the 
context of the life-history needs, condition, and status of the 
species. These characteristics include, but are not limited to, space 
for individual and population growth and for normal behavior; food, 
water, air, light, minerals, or other nutritional or physiological 
requirements; cover or shelter; sites for breeding, reproduction, or 
rearing (or development) of offspring; and habitats that are protected 
from disturbance.
    Our SSA report for the Chapin Mesa milkvetch provides the 
scientific information upon which this proposed critical habitat 
designation is based (Service 2018). A thorough account of the 
ecological needs of the Chapin Mesa milkvetch can be found in the SSA 
report (Service 2018, chapter 2), and is briefly summarized here in the 
context of the physical or biological features that are essential to 
the conservation of the species.
Space for Individual and Population Growth
    Habitat: Chapin Mesa milkvetch occurs in dense pinyon-juniper 
woodlands of mesa tops in the Mesa Verde area and the Ute Mountain Ute 
Tribal Park. Chapin Mesa milkvetch is found in both old-growth and 
recent lightly burned pinyon-juniper woodlands. The species occurs at 
elevations between 6,500 to 7,500 feet (ft) (1,981 to 2,286 meters 
(m)). Pinyon-juniper canopy cover is an essential habitat component for 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch because it provides shelter from direct sunlight 
and freezing winter conditions. Areas of sufficient pinyon-juniper 
canopy cover (40 percent cover or more) provide for better habitat, 
and, therefore, more resilient populations.
    Intact native understory is important for Chapin Mesa milkvetch 
because it supports pollinators and contributes to ecosystem stability. 
Intact native understory is comprised of four components: Biological 
soil crust, native wildflowers, bare ground, and duff (dead plant 
material). Intact native understory communities consist of native 
plants, including Purshia tridentata (bitterbrush), Poa fendleriana 
(muttongrass), Penstemon linarioides (Colorado narrowleaf beardtongue), 
Opuntia polyacantha (plains pricklypear), Yucca baccata (yucca), 
Comandra umbellata (bastard toadflax), Pedicularis centranthera (Great 
Basin lousewort), Polygonum sawatchense (Sawatch knotweed), Lupinus 
ammophilus (sand lupine), Astragalus scopulorum (Rocky Mountain 
milkvetch), Artemisia tridentata (big sagebrush), Juniperus osteosperma 
(Utah juniper), and Pinus edulis (pinyon pine) (Peterson 1981, p. 13).
    Space for pollinators: Chapin Mesa milkvetch requires pollination 
by insects to set fruit; flowers require a strong insect for 
pollination because the insect must force itself between the petals of 
the papilionaceous flowers (Green 2012, p. 2). The long-horned bee 
(Eucera fulvitarsis), Anthophorid bees, and Bombyliid flies have been 
observed pollinating Chapin Mesa milkvetch. These large pollinators are 
essential to Chapin Mesa milkvetch for long-term successful 
reproduction and conservation of the plant. We have identified 
pollinators and their associated habitats as an essential biological 
feature for Chapin Mesa milkvetch.
    Soils: Chapin mesa milkvetch grows primarily in deep, reddish, 
loess (loosely packed, windblown sediment) soils, with a loam to sandy 
loam texture.
    Climate: As discussed above, spring and winter (snow) precipitation 
that is greater than 25 percent below the 30-year average (1971-2000) 
(i.e., greater than 3.24 inches and 3.46 inches, respectively) provides 
appropriate soil moisture for the Chapin Mesa milkvetch. The emergence 
and density of Chapin Mesa milkvetch are strongly tied to winter 
precipitation. Years with ``wet'' winters (precipitation falling 
primarily as snow) precede high density counts, and years with dry 
winters translate to low or no emergence (Rondeau 2017, p. 3). Climate 
requirements for seedling emergence and survival are not well known; 
however, we infer that spring moisture is also critical, as seedling 
survival relies on growing deep roots quickly (Rondeau 2017, p. 9). It 
is likely that winter moisture coupled with winter temperature is also 
important for seedlings due to available soil moisture for seedling 
survival (Rondeau 2017, p. 16).
Summary of Essential Physical or Biological Features
    We derive the specific physical or biological features essential to 
the conservation of the Chapin Mesa milkvetch from studies of this 
species' habitat, ecology, and life history as described above. 
Additional information can be found in the Chapin Mesa Milkvetch 
Species Status Assessment Report (Service 2018). We have determined 
that the following physical or biological features are essential to the 
conservation of the Chapin Mesa milkvetch:
    (1) Deep, reddish, loess soils with a loam to sandy loam soil 
texture.
    (2) Pinyon juniper canopy cover of at least 40 percent.
    (3) Elevations from 6,500 to 7,500 feet (1,981 to 2,286 meters), 
primarily on mesa tops.
    (4) Intact native understory with plant communities that are 
reflective of historical community composition, and with biological 
soil crust, bare ground, and duff present.
    (5) Habitat for pollinators, including:
    (a) Nesting and foraging habitats that are suitable for a wide 
array of large pollinators and their life-history requirements; and
    (b) Connectivity between areas that allow pollinators to move from 
site to site within each subpopulation of Chapin Mesa milkvetch.

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. The features essential to the conservation of the Chapin 
Mesa milkvetch may require special management considerations or 
protections to reduce the following threats: Competition with 
nonnative, invasive plant species (i.e., cheatgrass, musk thistle, 
etc.); wildfire; fire management activities; development of 
infrastructure; and the effects of drought and climate change. 
Management activities that could help ameliorate these threats include, 
but are not limited to, invasive species management; fuels reduction 
and thinning; and timing restrictions on these activities, as well as 
habitat restoration projects.

Criteria Used To Identify Critical Habitat

    As required by section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we use the best 
scientific data

[[Page 58235]]

available to designate critical habitat. In accordance with the Act and 
our implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.12(b), we review available 
information pertaining to the habitat requirements of the species and 
identify specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the 
species at the time of listing and any specific areas outside the 
geographical area occupied by the species to be considered for 
designation as critical habitat. We are proposing to designate critical 
habitat in areas within the geographical area occupied by the species 
at the time of listing. We consider any proposed unit ``occupied'' if 
the plant persists within the unit, as explained below.
    Currently occupied habitat areas on West Chapin Spur and Park Mesa 
are confined to small patches (ranging in size from 8 to 52 acres). The 
area surrounding these occupied patches appears to contain similar 
habitat, although the species has not been found there. Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch requires large pollinators, and the small patches of occupied 
habitat on West Chapin Spur and Park Mesa may not, by themselves, 
provide enough habitat to support pollinators. In addition, these 
patches of occupied habitat likely have low resiliency to stochastic 
events due to their small size. The areas surrounding these patches are 
also included within the proposed occupied units because they provide 
space for population expansion that would increase the resiliency of 
these units, provide connectivity between individual patches of 
occupied habitat, and support the large pollinators that Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch needs to support reproduction.
    The SSA report contains much of the information used to identify 
critical habitat for the Chapin Mesa milkvetch, which includes existing 
State and National Park monitoring data, population status surveys, and 
relevant Geographic Information Systems (GIS) layers (Service 2018).
Areas Occupied at the Time of Listing
    The proposed critical habitat designation includes all areas that 
are known to be occupied by the species, based on survey data by CNHP. 
We consider any proposed unit ``occupied'' if the plant occurs within 
the unit. The units all contain the physical or biological features 
within their boundaries (although not all of the physical or biological 
features may be found in every location within each occupied unit), and 
include parts of Chapin Mesa, West Chapin Spur, and Park Mesa. As the 
data on occupied areas within the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park are very 
coarse scale and not recent (from 1987), we refine the boundaries of 
this proposed unit to only include areas on Chapin Mesa, where the 
species is actually known to occur, as described below.
Areas Outside of the Geographic Range at the Time of Listing
    We are not currently proposing to designate any areas outside the 
geographical area occupied by the Chapin Mesa milkvetch.
Summary
    In summary, for areas within the geographic area occupied by the 
species at the time of listing, we delineated critical habitat unit 
boundaries using the following criteria:
    Areas that are considered to be occupied at the time of listing, 
and that contain the physical or biological features to support life-
history functions that are essential for the conservation of the 
species. These areas are consistent with the identified representative 
units in the SSA report that were derived using GIS polygons from CNHP. 
However, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park unit (proposed Unit 4) was 
further refined to exclude valleys and other mesa tops where the 
species has not previously been found. While we recognize this unit has 
artificially straight boundaries on the north and west sides, this is 
based on the best available information on occupied areas within the 
Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park. Areas that surround the occupied areas in 
the Park Mesa Unit (proposed Unit 2) and the West Chapin Spur Unit 
(proposed Unit 3) that contain the physical or biological features to 
support life-history functions that are essential for the conservation 
of the species are included in this proposed critical habitat 
designation. These proposed units were derived using: (1) An 800-meter 
(0.5-mile) distance around occupied polygons to provide for sufficient 
supporting habitat for the Chapin Mesa milkvetch's insect pollinators 
(Walther-Hellwig, K. and R. Frankl. 2000, pp. 299-306); (2) specific 
elevation ranges of 7,090-7,411 ft (2,161-2,259 m) and 6,952-7,126 ft 
(2,119-2,172 m), respectively, that are within the elevation ranges 
occupied by the species; and (3) vegetation type. These elevations were 
determined through a GIS exercise that identified the high and low 
points of both Park Mesa and West Chapin Spur; this was done to exclude 
drainages and valleys, where the species is not known to persist, from 
the occupied units.
    When determining proposed critical habitat boundaries, we made 
every effort to avoid including developed areas such as lands covered 
by buildings, pavement, and other structures because such lands lack 
physical or biological features necessary for the Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch. 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 made final 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 for designation of critical habitat lands that we 
have determined are occupied at the time of listing (i.e., currently 
occupied) and contain the physical or biological features that are 
essential to support life-history processes of the Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch. We are proposing four units for designation based on the 
physical or biological features being present to support Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch's life-history processes. These units all contain the 
physical or biological features to support Chapin Mesa milkvetch within 
their boundaries (although not all of the physical or biological 
features may be found in every location within each unit).
    The proposed critical habitat designation is defined by the map or 
maps, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, presented at the 
end of this document in Proposed Regulation Promulgation. We include 
more detailed information on the boundaries of the proposed critical 
habitat designation in the preamble of this document. We will make the 
coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based available 
to the public on http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-
2018-0055, and at the field office responsible for the designation (see 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, above).

Proposed Critical Habitat Designation

    We are proposing four units as critical habitat for the Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch. The critical habitat areas we describe below constitute our 
current best assessment of areas that meet the definition of critical 
habitat for the Chapin Mesa milkvetch. The areas we

[[Page 58236]]

propose as critical habitat are: (1) Chapin Mesa Unit; (2) Park Mesa 
Unit; (3) West Chapin Spur Unit; and (4) Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park 
Unit. Table 1 displays the occupancy status of the units, 
landownership, and approximate areas of the proposed designated areas 
for Chapin Mesa milkvetch.

                 TABLE 1--Proposed Critical Habitat Units and Occupancy of Chapin Mesa Milkvetch
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Acres
        Unit No.               Unit name            Occupancy/ presence           Ownership         (hectares)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1......................  Chapin Mesa.........  Occupied....................  Mesa Verde National     1,976 (800)
                                                                              Park.
2......................  Park Mesa...........  Occupied....................  Mesa Verde National       417 (167)
                                                                              Park.
3......................  West Chapin Spur....  Occupied....................  Mesa Verde National        101 (41)
                                                                              Park.
4......................  Ute Mountain Ute      Occupied....................  Ute Mountain Ute        1,141 (462)
                          Tribal Park.                                        Tribal Park.
                                                                                                 ---------------
    Total..............  ....................  ............................  ...................   3,635 (1,471)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We present brief descriptions of all proposed units, and reasons 
why they meet the definition of critical habitat for the Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch, below.

Unit 1: Chapin Mesa

    Unit 1 consists of 1,976 ac (800 ha) on the northern end of Chapin 
Mesa that is within Mesa Verde National Park (MVNP). Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch is distributed, at some level, throughout this entire unit; 
this unit contains the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the species. This is the largest unit that contains 
large areas of intact habitat; however, the physical or biological 
features are not distributed equally throughout the unit. This unit may 
require special management considerations or protections to address 
threats such as wildfire, development of infrastructure, wildfire and 
fuels reduction activities, livestock removal activities, maintenance 
of park infrastructure, and weed management activities.

Unit 2: Park Mesa

    Unit 2 consists of 417 ac (167 ha) on neighboring Park Mesa (to the 
northeast of Chapin Mesa) that is within MVNP. Chapin Mesa milkvetch is 
sparsely distributed throughout this unit; this unit contains the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
species. This unit may require special management considerations or 
protections to address threats such as weed management activities, 
wildfire, wildfire and fuels reduction activities, and livestock 
removal activities.

Unit 3: West Chapin Spur

    Unit 3 consists of 101 ac (41 ha) on neighboring West Chapin Spur 
(to the west of Chapin Mesa) that is within MVNP. Chapin Mesa milkvetch 
is sparsely distributed throughout this unit. This unit contains the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
species; however, the habitat in this unit was highly altered by the 
Long Mesa Fire of 2002, leaving small areas of intact habitat where 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch persists. This unit may require special 
management considerations or protections to address threats such as 
weed management activities, wildfire, wildfire and fuels reduction 
activities, and livestock removal activities.

Unit 4: Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park

    Unit 4 consists of 1,141 ac (462 ha) on the southern end of Chapin 
Mesa that is within the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park. Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch is distributed throughout this unit; this unit contains the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
species. This unit contains large areas of intact habitat. This unit 
may require special management considerations or protections to address 
threats such as weed management activities, wildfire, wildfire and 
fuels reduction activities, and livestock removal activities.

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.
    We published a final regulation with a revised definition of 
destruction or adverse modification on August 27, 2019 (84 FR 44976). 
Destruction or adverse modification means a direct or indirect 
alteration that appreciably diminishes the value of critical habitat as 
a whole for the conservation of a listed 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, authorized, or carried out by a Federal agency, 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 and 
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 and/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 and/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:

[[Page 58237]]

    (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 of the Service's opinion, avoid the 
likelihood of jeopardizing the continued existence of the listed 
species and/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 reasonable and prudent alternative are 
similarly variable.
    Regulations at 50 CFR 402.16 require Federal agencies to reinitiate 
formal consultation on previously reviewed actions. These requirements 
apply when the Federal agency has retained discretionary involvement or 
control over the action (or the agency's discretionary involvement or 
control is authorized by law) and, subsequent to the previous 
consultation, we have listed a new species or designated critical 
habitat that may be affected by the Federal action, or the action has 
been modified in a manner that affects the species or critical habitat 
in a way not considered in the previous consultation. In such 
situations, Federal agencies sometimes may need to request reinitiation 
of consultation with us, but the regulations also specify some 
exceptions to the requirement to reinitiate consultation on specific 
land management plans after subsequently listing a new species or 
designating new critical habitat. See the regulations for a description 
of those exceptions.

Application of the ``Adverse Modification'' Standard

    The key factor related to the destruction or adverse modification 
determination is whether implementation of the proposed Federal action 
directly or indirectly alters the designated critical habitat in a way 
that appreciably diminishes the value of the critical habitat as a 
whole for the conservation of the listed species. As discussed above, 
the role of critical habitat is to support physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of a listed 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 violate 7(a)(2) 
of the Act by destroying or adversely modifying such designation.
    Activities that the Services may, during a consultation under 
section 7(a)(2) of the Act, find are likely to destroy or adversely 
modify critical habitat include, but are not limited to:
    (1) Actions that would remove or significantly alter habitat. Such 
activities could include, but are not limited to, road maintenance, 
recreation or maintenance of recreational trails, wildfire and fuels 
reduction activities, development of infrastructure, infrastructure 
maintenance, weed management activities, and livestock removal 
activities (as a result of trespass issues from cattle and wild 
horses). These activities could eliminate or reduce intact habitat or 
result in loss of Chapin Mesa milkvetch plants.
    (2) Actions that would result in the introduction, spread, or 
augmentation of nonnative, invasive plant species. Such activities 
could include, but are not limited to, post fire seeding activities or 
weed management activities. These activities could introduce or open 
habitat up for nonnative, invasive plant species that compete with 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch for space and nutrients.

Exemptions

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

    Section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(3)(B)(i)) 
provides that: ``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 [INRMP] 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.'' There are no 
Department of Defense lands with a completed INRMP within the proposed 
critical habitat designation.

Consideration of Impacts Under 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 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.
    When identifying the benefits of inclusion for an area, we consider 
the additional regulatory benefits that area would receive due to the 
protection from destruction of adverse modification 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.
    In the case of Chapin Mesa milkvetch, the benefits of critical 
habitat include public awareness of the presence of Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch and the importance of habitat protection, and, where a 
Federal nexus exists, increased habitat protection for Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch due to protection from destruction or adverse modification of 
critical habitat.
    When considering 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. Continued 
implementation of an ongoing management plan that provides equal to or 
more conservation than a critical habitat designation would reduce the 
benefits of including that specific area in the critical habitat 
designation.
    We evaluate the existence of a conservation plan when considering 
the benefits of inclusion. We consider a variety of factors, including, 
but not limited to, whether the plan is finalized; how it provides for 
the conservation of the essential physical or biological features; 
whether there is a reasonable expectation that the conservation 
management strategies and actions contained in a management plan will 
be implemented into the future; whether the conservation strategies in 
the plan are likely to be effective; and whether the plan 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.
    After identifying the benefits of inclusion and the benefits of 
exclusion,

[[Page 58238]]

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 of the species. 
If exclusion of an area from critical habitat will result in 
extinction, we will not exclude it from the designation.
    The final decision on whether to exclude any areas will be based on 
the best scientific data available at the time of the final 
designation, including information obtained during the comment period 
and information about the economic impact of designation. Accordingly, 
we have prepared a draft economic analysis concerning the proposed 
critical habitat designation, which is available for review and comment 
(see ADDRESSES).

Consideration of Economic Impacts

    Section 4(b)(2) of the Act and its implementing regulations require 
that we consider the economic impact that may result from a designation 
of critical habitat. To assess the probable economic impacts of a 
designation, we must first evaluate specific land and water uses or 
activities and projects that may occur in the area of the critical 
habitat. We then must evaluate the impacts that a specific critical 
habitat designation may have on restricting or modifying specific land 
uses or activities for the benefit of the species and its habitat 
within the areas proposed. We then identify which conservation efforts 
may be the result of the species being listed under the Act versus 
those attributed solely to the designation of critical habitat for this 
particular species. The probable economic impact of a proposed critical 
habitat designation is analyzed by comparing scenarios both ``with 
critical habitat'' and ``without critical habitat.'' The ``without 
critical habitat'' scenario represents the baseline for the analysis, 
which includes the existing regulatory and socio-economic burden 
imposed on landowners, managers, or other resource users potentially 
affected by the designation of critical habitat (e.g., under the 
Federal listing as well as other Federal, State, and local 
regulations). The baseline, therefore, represents the costs of all 
efforts attributable to the listing of the species under the Act (i.e., 
conservation of the species and its habitat incurred regardless of 
whether critical habitat is designated). The ``with critical habitat'' 
scenario describes the incremental impacts associated specifically with 
the designation of critical habitat for the species. The incremental 
conservation efforts and associated impacts would not be expected 
without the designation of critical habitat for the species.
    In other words, the incremental costs are those attributable solely 
to the designation of critical habitat, above and beyond the baseline 
costs. These are the costs we use when evaluating the benefits of 
inclusion and exclusion of particular areas from the final designation 
of critical habitat should we choose to conduct a discretionary 4(b)(2) 
exclusion analysis.
    For this particular designation, we developed an incremental 
effects memorandum (IEM) considering the probable incremental economic 
impacts that may result from this proposed designation of critical 
habitat. The information contained in our IEM was then used to develop 
a screening analysis of the probable effects of the designation of 
critical habitat for the Chapin Mesa milkvetch (Abt Associates 2018). 
We began by conducting a screening analysis of the proposed designation 
of critical habitat in order to focus our analysis on the key factors 
that are likely to result in incremental economic impacts. The purpose 
of the screening analysis is to filter out the geographic areas in 
which the critical habitat designation is unlikely to result in 
probable incremental economic impacts. In particular, the screening 
analysis considers baseline costs (i.e., absent critical habitat 
designation) and includes probable economic impacts where land and 
water use may be subject to conservation plans, land management plans, 
best management practices, or regulations that would protect the 
habitat area as a result of the Federal listing status of the species. 
The screening analysis filters out particular areas of critical habitat 
that would be already subject to such protections and are, therefore, 
unlikely to incur incremental economic impacts.
    Ultimately, the screening analysis allows us to focus our analysis 
on evaluating the specific areas or sectors that may incur probable 
incremental economic impacts as a result of the designation. The 
screening analysis also assesses whether units are unoccupied by the 
species and may require additional management or conservation efforts 
as a result of the critical habitat designation for the species which 
may incur incremental economic impacts. This screening analysis, 
combined with the information contained in our IEM, is what we consider 
our draft economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat 
designation for the Chapin Mesa milkvetch and is summarized in the 
narrative below.
    Executive Orders (E.O.s) 12866 and 13563 direct Federal agencies to 
assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives in 
quantitative (to the extent feasible) and qualitative terms. Consistent 
with the E.O. regulatory analysis requirements, our effects analysis 
under the Act may take into consideration impacts to both directly and 
indirectly affected entities, where practicable and reasonable. If 
sufficient data are available, we assess to the extent practicable the 
probable impacts to both directly and indirectly affected entities. As 
part of our screening analysis, we considered the types of economic 
activities that are likely to occur within the areas likely to be 
affected by the critical habitat designation. In our evaluation of the 
probable incremental economic impacts that may result from the proposed 
designation of critical habitat for the Chapin Mesa milkvetch, first we 
identified, in the IEM dated May 2, 2018, probable incremental economic 
impacts associated with the following categories of activities: (1) 
Federal lands management activities (National Park Service); (2) road 
and trail construction and maintenence; (3) wildfire and fuels 
reduction activities; (4) weed management activities; (5) livestock 
removal activities; (6) development of infrastructure and maintenence; 
and (7) recreation (including camping, hiking, and biking). We 
considered each activity or category individually. Additionally, we 
considered whether the activities have any Federal involvement. 
Critical habitat designation generally will not affect activities that 
do not have any Federal involvement; under the Act, designation of 
critical habitat only affects activities conducted, funded, permitted, 
or authorized by Federal agencies. If Chapin Mesa milkvetch is listed 
under the Act, in areas where the species is present, Federal agencies 
already would be required to consult with the Service under section 7 
of the Act on activities they fund, permit, or implement that may 
affect the species. If we finalize this proposed critical habitat 
designation, consultations to avoid the destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat would be incorporated into the 
existing consultation process.
    In our IEM, we attempted to clarify the distinction between the 
effects that would result from the species being listed and those 
attributable to the critical habitat designation (i.e., difference 
between the jeopardy and adverse modification standards) for the Chapin 
Mesa milkvetch. Because the designation of critical habitat for Chapin

[[Page 58239]]

Mesa milkvetch is being proposed concurrently with the listing, it has 
been our experience that it is more difficult to discern which 
conservation efforts are attributable to the species being listed and 
those which would result solely from the designation of critical 
habitat.
    However, the following specific circumstances in this case help to 
inform our evaluation: (1) The essential physical or biological 
features identified for critical habitat are the same features 
essential for the life requisites of the species, and (2) any actions 
that would result in sufficient harm or harassment to constitute 
jeopardy to the Chapin Mesa milkvetch would also likely adversely 
affect the essential physical or biological features of critical 
habitat. The IEM outlines our rationale concerning this limited 
distinction between baseline conservation efforts and incremental 
impacts of the designation of critical habitat for this species. This 
evaluation of the incremental effects has been used as the basis to 
evaluate the probable incremental economic impacts of this proposed 
designation of critical habitat.
    The proposed critical habitat designation for the Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch totals approximately 3,635 ac (1,471 ha), of which 
approximately 69 percent is owned and managed by the Federal Government 
(located within MVNP) and approximately 31 percent is owned and managed 
by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Actions that may affect the species or 
its habitat would also affect designated critical habitat, and it is 
unlikely that any additional conservation efforts would be recommended 
to address the adverse modification standard over and above those 
recommended as necessary to avoid jeopardizing the continued existence 
of Chapin Mesa milkvetch. Therefore, only administrative costs are 
expected for the approximately 69 percent of the proposed critical 
habitat designation that occurs on Federal lands. Administrative costs 
include the additional effort from the Service and the federal action 
agency to consider critical habitat for Chapin Mesa milkvetch in a 
section 7 consultation that already considers the presence of Chapin 
Mesa milkvetch. The remaining 31 percent of the proposed critical 
habitat designation is found in remote areas, where limited activity 
takes place, on Tribal lands.
    The proposed critical habitat designation for the Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch is unlikely to generate costs exceeding $100 million in a 
single year, because the species is present in all of the proposed 
critical habitat areas, and the only incremental costs that are 
predicted are the administrative costs of considering adverse 
modification during section 7 consultations, as noted above (Abt 
Associates 2018). No additional Federal or Tribal laws are expected to 
be triggered due to the proposed designation of critical habitat, and 
no State or local laws or regulations apply, as the proposed 
designation is solely on Federal and Tribal lands. Stigma effects are 
likely to be minimal because National Park Service and Ute Mountain Ute 
Tribal Reservation regulations already limit land uses in all proposed 
critical habitat units.
    There is no information to indicate that any concentration of 
impacts to any geographic area or sector is likely (Abt Associates 
2018). Unit 1 (the Chapin Mesa unit) has greater potential for section 
7 consultations because of the number of projects that could affect the 
species, relative to the other units, which are more remote. However, 
the incremental costs of those section 7 consultations are likely to be 
very small. In summary, we conclude that the proposed critical habitat 
designation for Chapin Mesa milkvetch is unlikely to generate 
incremental costs exceeding $100 million in a single year.
    As we stated earlier, we are soliciting data and comments from the 
public on the draft economic analysis, as well as all aspects of the 
proposed rule and our required determinations. We may revise the 
proposed rule or supporting documents to incorporate or address 
information we receive during the public comment period. In particular, 
we may exclude an area from critical habitat if we determine that the 
benefits of excluding the area outweigh the benefits of including the 
area, provided the exclusion will not result in the extinction of this 
species.

Exclusions

    Based on the information provided by entities seeking exclusion, as 
well as any additional public comments we receive, we will evaluate 
whether certain lands in the proposed critical habitat Unit 4 (Ute 
Mountain Ute Tribal Park) 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.
    We are considering whether or not to exclude proposed Unit 4 (Ute 
Mountain Ute Tribal Park unit) under section 4(b)(2) of the Act from 
the final critical habitat designation for the Chapin Mesa milkvetch. 
In that proposed unit, 1,141 ac (462 ha) meet the definition of 
critical habitat, but are all being considered for possible exclusion 
from the final critical habitat designation, as they occur within a 
Tribal Park where human activity and land uses are restricted, as 
explained further below. In addition, the Tribe has finalized a 
conservation plan intended to benefit the conservation of Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch and its habitat, and we will consider this Tribal plan as 
appropriate in our determination on whether to exclude this unit. We 
specifically solicit comments on the inclusion of this area in, or the 
exclusion of this area from, the final critical habitat designation. In 
the paragraphs below, we provide a detailed analysis of our 
consideration of these lands for exclusion 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 prepared an analysis of the economic 
impacts of the proposed critical habitat designation and related 
factors. The Service has identified the following land-use activities 
that may affect Chapin Mesa milkvetch proposed critical habitat within 
Federal lands: road maintenance, recreation or maintenance of 
recreational hiking trails, fire management plans, development of 
infrastructure, and infrastructure maintenance. Within Tribal lands, 
the Service has not identified any activities that may affect the 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch due to the remoteness of the proposed critical 
habitat unit and because the Tribe restricts visitor activities and 
land uses within the area containing proposed Unit 4.
    During the development of a final designation, we will consider any 
additional economic impact information we receive during the public 
comment period, and, as such, 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.

Impacts on National Security and Homeland Security

    In preparing this proposal, we have determined that the lands 
within the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch are not owned, managed, or utilized by the Department of 
Defense or the Department of Homeland Security, and, therefore, we 
anticipate no impact on

[[Page 58240]]

national security. Consequently, the Secretary does not intend to 
exercise 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 on national 
security. We consider a number of factors including whether there are 
permitted conservation plans covering the species in the area such as 
HCPs, safe harbor agreements, or candidate conservation agreements with 
assurances, or whether there are non-permitted conservation agreements 
and partnerships that would be encouraged by designation of, or 
exclusion from, critical habitat. In addition, we look at the existence 
of tribal conservation plans and partnerships and consider the 
government-to-government relationship of the United States with tribal 
entities. We also consider any social impacts that might occur because 
of the designation.
Tribal Lands
    There are several Executive Orders, Secretarial Orders, and 
policies that relate to working with Tribes, as described further 
below. These guidance documents generally confirm our trust 
responsibilities to Tribes, recognize that Tribes have sovereign 
authority to control Tribal lands, emphasize the importance of 
developing partnerships with Tribal governments, and direct the Service 
to consult with Tribes on a government-to-government basis.
    A joint Secretarial Order that applies to both the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service, Secretarial 
Order 3206, ``American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal--Tribal Trust 
Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act'' (June 5, 1997) (S.O. 
3206), is the most comprehensive of the various guidance documents 
related to Tribal relationships and Act implementation, and it provides 
the most detail directly relevant to the designation of critical 
habitat. In addition to the general direction discussed above, S.O. 
3206 explicitly recognizes the right of Tribes to participate fully in 
the listing process, including designation of critical habitat. The 
appendix (sec. 3(B)(4)) to the Order also states, ``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.'' In light of this instruction, when we 
undertake a discretionary 4(b)(2) exclusion analysis, we will always 
consider exclusions of Tribal lands under section 4(b)(2) of the Act 
prior to finalizing a designation of critical habitat, and will give 
great weight to Tribal concerns in analyzing the benefits of exclusion.
    However, S.O. 3206 does not preclude us from designating Tribal 
lands or waters as critical habitat, nor does it state that Tribal 
lands or waters cannot meet the Act's definition of ``critical 
habitat.'' We are directed by the Act to identify areas that meet the 
definition of ``critical habitat'' (i.e., areas occupied at the time of 
listing that contain the essential physical or biological features that 
may require special management or protection and unoccupied areas that 
are essential to the conservation of a species), without regard to 
landownership. While S.O. 3206 provides important direction, it 
expressly states that it does not modify the Secretaries' statutory 
authority.
    Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Management or Conservation Plan or 
Partnership: Proposed Unit 4 of Chapin Mesa milkvetch critical habitat 
occurs entirely within Ute Mountain Ute Tribal lands, managed as a 
Tribal Park. The Tribe allows only limited human activities within the 
Tribal Park, such as guided tours, and there is limited road access 
within Chapin Mesa milkvetch habitat in this area (Service 2018, p. 
32). This type of management by the Tribe has likely protected the 
Chapin Mesa milkvetch and its habitat from most human-caused 
disturbance and development. In addition, in January 2020, the Ute 
Mountain Ute Tribe finalized a conservation plan for Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch, which identifies conservation strategies the Tribe will use 
on the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation to enhance the resiliency, 
redundancy, and representation of Chapin Mesa milkvetch. We will 
evaluate the certainty of implementation and effectiveness of this 
Tribal plan, and how it may impact the species, along with the 
protections already provided by existing management of Tribal Park. We 
intend to give strong consideration to exclusion of proposed critical 
habitat unit 4 from our final critical habitat determination.
    A final determination on whether the Secretary will exercise his 
discretion to exclude this area from critical habitat for the Chapin 
Mesa milkvetch will be made when we publish the final rule designating 
critical habitat. We will take into account public comments and 
carefully weigh the benefits of exclusion versus inclusion of this 
area.

Available Conservation Measures

    Conservation measures provided to species listed as endangered or 
threatened species under the Act include recognition, recovery actions, 
requirements for Federal protection, and prohibitions against certain 
practices. Recognition through listing results in public awareness, and 
conservation by Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies; private 
organizations; and individuals. The Act encourages cooperation with the 
States and other countries and calls for recovery actions to be carried 
out for 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 calls for 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 and preparation of a draft and final 
recovery plan. The recovery outline guides the immediate implementation 
of urgent recovery actions and describes the process to be used to 
develop a recovery plan. Revisions of the plan may be done to address 
continuing or new threats to the species, as new substantive 
information becomes available. The recovery plan also identifies 
recovery criteria for review of when a species may be ready for 
reclassification from endangered to threatened (i.e., ``downlisting'') 
or removal from the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and 
Plants (i.e., ``delisting''), 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 (composed of species 
experts, Federal and State agencies, nongovernmental

[[Page 58241]]

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 website 
(http://www.fws.gov/endangered), or from our Colorado Ecological 
Services Field 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, Tribes, 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 this species is 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 State of Colorado would be 
eligible for Federal funds to implement management actions that promote 
the protection or recovery of the Chapin Mesa milkvetch. Information on 
our grant programs that are available to aid species recovery can be 
found at: http://www.fws.gov/grants.
    Although the Chapin Mesa milkvetch is only proposed for listing 
under the Act at this time, please let us know if you are interested in 
participating in recovery efforts for this species. Additionally, we 
invite you to submit any new information on this 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 an 
endangered or threatened species 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 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 management and any other landscape-altering 
activities on Federal lands administered by the National Park Service 
(Mesa Verde National Park).

Proposed Rule Issued Under Section 4(d) of the Act

Background

    Section 4(d) of the Act states that the ``Secretary shall issue 
such regulations as he deems necessary and advisable to provide for the 
conservation'' of species listed as threatened. The U.S. Supreme Court 
has noted that very similar statutory language demonstrates a large 
degree of deference' to the agency. See Webster v. Doe, 486 U.S. 592 
(1988). Conservation is defined in the Act to mean ``the use of all 
methods and procedures which are necessary to bring any endangered 
species or threatened species to the point at which the measures 
provided pursuant to [the Act] are no longer necessary.'' Additionally, 
section 4(d) of the Act states that the Secretary ``may by regulation 
prohibit with respect to any threatened species any act prohibited 
under section 9(a)(1). . . . or 9(a)(2).'' Thus, regulations 
promulgated under section 4(d) of the Act provide the Secretary with 
wide latitude of discretion to select appropriate provisions tailored 
to the specific conservation needs of the threatened species. The 
statute grants particularly broad discretion to the Service when 
adopting the prohibitions under section 9.
    The courts have recognized the extent of the Secretary's discretion 
under this standard to develop rules that are appropriate for the 
conservation of a species. For example, courts have approved rules 
developed under section 4(d) that include a taking prohibition for 
threatened wildlife, or include a limited taking prohibition. See Alsea 
Valley Alliance v. Lautenbacher, 2007 U.S. Dist. Lexis 60203 (D. Or. 
2007); Washington Environmental Council v. National Marine Fisheries 
Service, 2002 U.S. Dist. Lexis 5432 (W.D. Wash. 2002). Courts have also 
approved 4(d) rules that do not address all of the threats a species 
faces. See State of Louisiana v. Verity, 853 F.2d 322 (5th Cir. 1988). 
As noted in the legislative history when the Act was initially enacted, 
``once an animal is on the threatened list, the Secretary has an almost 
infinite number of options available to him with regard to the 
permitted activities for those species. He may, for example, permit 
taking, but not importation of such species,'' or he may choose to 
forbid both taking and importation but allow the transportation of such 
species, as long as the prohibitions, and exceptions to those 
prohibitions, will ``serve to conserve, protect, or restore the species 
concerned in accordance with the purposes of the Act'' (H.R. Rep. No. 
412, 93rd Cong., 1st Sess. 1973).
    The Service has developed a species-specific 4(d) rule that is 
designed to address the Chapin Mesa milkvetch's specific threats and 
conservation needs. Although the statute does not require the Service 
to make a ``necessary and advisable'' finding with respect to the 
adoption of specific prohibitions under section 9, we find that this 
regulation as a whole satisfies the requirement in section 4(d) of the 
Act to issue regulations deemed necessary and advisable to provide for 
the conservation of the Chapin Mesa milkvetch. As discussed in the 
Summary of Biological Status and Threats section, the Service has 
concluded that the Chapin Mesa milkvetch is at risk of extinction 
within the foreseeable future primarily due to the increased frequency 
of large, high-intensity wildfires; increasing presence of invasive, 
nonnative plants, especially cheatgrass; and the interaction between 
these elements. The provisions of this proposed 4(d) rule would promote 
conservation of the Chapin Mesa milkvetch by encouraging management of 
the landscape in ways that meet land management considerations while 
meeting the conservation needs of the Chapin Mesa milkvetch. The 
provisions of this rule are one of many tools that the Service will use 
to promote the conservation of the Chapin Mesa milkvetch. This proposed 
4(d) rule would apply only if and when the Service makes final the 
listing of the Chapin Mesa milkvetch as a threatened species.

Provisions of the Proposed 4(d) Rule

    The proposed 4(d) rule would make it illegal for any person subject 
to the jurisdiction of the United States to remove and reduce to 
possession the species from areas under Federal jurisdiction; 
maliciously damage or

[[Page 58242]]

destroy the species on any area under Federal jurisdiction; or remove, 
cut, dig up, or damage or destroy the species on any area under Federal 
jurisdiction in knowing violation of any law or regulation of any State 
or in the course of any violation of a State criminal trespass law. 
This proposed 4(d) rule would enhance the conservation of Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch by prohibiting activities that would be detrimental to the 
species.
    We may issue permits to carry out otherwise prohibited activities, 
including those described above, involving threatened plants under 
certain circumstances. Regulations governing permits are codified at 50 
CFR 17.72. With regard to threatened plants, a permit may be issued for 
the following purposes: Scientific purposes, to enhance propagation or 
survival, for economic hardship, for botanical or horticultural 
exhibition, for educational purposes, or for other purposes consistent 
with the purposes of the Act. Additional statutory exemptions from the 
prohibitions are found in sections 9 and 10 of the Act.
    The proposed 4(d) rule only addresses Federal Endangered Species 
Act requirements, and would not change any prohibitions provided for by 
State law. Additionally, nothing in this proposed 4(d) rule would 
change in any way the recovery planning provisions of section 4(f) of 
the Act, the consultation requirements under section 7 of the Act, or 
the ability of the Service to enter into partnerships for the 
management and protection of Chapin Mesa milkvetch. However, the 
consultation process may be further streamlined through planned 
programmatic consultations between Federal agencies and the Service for 
these activities. This proposed 4(d) rule would apply only if and when 
the Service makes final the listing of Chapin Mesa milkvetch as 
threatened.
    We ask the public, particularly State agencies and other interested 
stakeholders that may be affected by the proposed 4(d) rule, to provide 
comments and suggestions regarding additional guidance and methods that 
the Service could provide or use, respectively, to streamline the 
implementation of this proposed 4(d) rule (see Information Requested, 
above).
    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 the 
species proposed for listing. Based on the best available information, 
the following actions are unlikely to result in a violation of section 
9, if these activities are carried out in accordance with existing 
regulations and permit requirements; this list is not comprehensive:
    (1) Normal nonnative, invasive species control practices, such as 
herbicide use, which are carried out in accordance with any existing 
regulations, permit and label requirements, and best management 
practices;
    (2) Annual monitoring efforts; and
    (3) Additional surveys to understand the extent of occupied 
habitat.
    Based on the best available information, the following activities 
may potentially result in a violation of section 9 of the Act; this 
list is not comprehensive:
    (1) Unauthorized damage or collection of Chapin Mesa milkvetch from 
lands under Federal jurisdiction; and
    (2) Destruction or degradation of the species' habitat on lands 
under Federal jurisdiction, including the intentional introduction of 
nonnative organisms that compete with, consume, or harm Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch.
    Questions regarding whether specific activities would constitute a 
violation of section 9 of the Act should be directed to the Colorado 
Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Required Determinations

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 ADDRESSES. 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.

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 waived their review regarding 
their significance determination of this proposed rule.
    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 this rule in a manner consistent 
with these requirements.

Executive Order 13771

    We do not believe this proposed rule is an E.O. 13771 (``Reducing 
Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs'') (82 FR 9339, February 3, 
2017) regulatory action because we believe this rule is not significant 
under E.O. 12866; however, the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs has waived their review regarding their E.O. 12866 significance 
determination of this proposed rule.

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 of 
1996 (SBREFA; 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), whenever an agency is required to 
publish a notice of rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must 
prepare and make available for public comment a regulatory flexibility 
analysis that describes the effects of the rule on small entities 
(i.e., small businesses, small organizations, and small government 
jurisdictions). However, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required 
if the head of the agency certifies the rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
The SBREFA amended the RFA to require Federal agencies to provide a 
certification statement of the factual

[[Page 58243]]

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 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 agricultural businesses with 
annual sales less than $750,000. To determine if potential economic 
impacts to these small entities are significant, we considered the 
types of activities that might trigger regulatory impacts under this 
proposed critical habitat 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.
    The Service's current understanding of the requirements under the 
RFA, as amended, and following recent court decisions, is that Federal 
agencies are only required to evaluate the potential incremental 
impacts of rulemaking on those entities directly regulated by the 
rulemaking itself, and, therefore, are not required to evaluate the 
potential impacts to indirectly regulated 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 out by the agency is not likely to destroy or adversely modify 
critical habitat. Therefore, under section 7, only Federal action 
agencies are directly subject to the specific regulatory requirement 
(avoiding destruction and adverse modification) imposed by critical 
habitat designation. Consequently, it is our position that only Federal 
action agencies would be directly regulated if we adopt this proposed 
designation. There is no requirement under the RFA to evaluate the 
potential impacts to entities not directly regulated. Moreover, Federal 
agencies are not small entities. Therefore, because no small entities 
would be directly regulated by this rulemaking, the Service certifies 
that, if promulgated, the proposed critical habitat designation will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.
    In summary, we have considered whether the proposed designation 
would result in a significant economic impact on a substantial number 
of small entities. For the above reasons and based on currently 
available information, we certify that, if adopted, the proposed 
critical habitat designation would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small business entities. Therefore, 
an initial regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.

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. In our economic analysis, we did not find that this 
proposed designation of critical habitat will significantly affect 
energy supplies, distribution, or use. We are not aware of any energy-
related activities or facilities within the boundaries of the proposed 
critical habitat designation. Therefore, this action is not a 
significant energy action, and no Statement of Energy Effects is 
required.

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

    In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 
et seq.), we make the following findings:
    (1) This rule would 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: 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 would significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments because all of the lands being 
proposed for critical habitat designation are either Federal or Tribal 
lands. Therefore, a Small Government Agency Plan is not required.

Takings--Executive Order 12630

    In accordance with E.O. 12630 (Government Actions and Interference 
with Constitutionally Protected Private Property Rights), we have 
analyzed the potential takings implications of designating critical 
habitat for Chapin Mesa milkvetch in a takings implications assessment. 
The Act does not authorize the Service to regulate private actions on 
private lands or confiscate private property as a result of

[[Page 58244]]

critical habitat designation. Designation of critical habitat does not 
affect land ownership, or establish any closures, or restrictions on 
use of or access to the designated areas. Furthermore, the designation 
of critical habitat 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. However, Federal agencies are prohibited from carrying out, 
funding, or authorizing actions that would destroy or adversely modify 
critical habitat. A takings implications assessment has been completed 
and concludes that this designation of critical habitat for Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch would not pose significant takings implications for lands 
within or affected by the designation.

Federalism--Executive Order 13132

    In accordance with E.O. 13132 (Federalism), this proposed rule does 
not have significant Federalism effects. A federalism summary impact 
statement 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 Colorado. From a 
federalism perspective, the designation of critical habitat directly 
affects only the responsibilities of Federal agencies. The Act imposes 
no other duties with respect to critical habitat, either for States and 
local governments, or for anyone else. As a result, the rule would not 
have substantial direct effects either on the States, or on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of powers and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government.
    The designation may have some benefit to these governments because 
the areas that contain the features essential to the conservation of 
the species are more clearly defined, and the physical or biological 
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 
these local governments in long-range planning (because these local 
governments no longer have to 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. To 
assist the public in understanding the habitat needs of the species, 
the rule identifies the elements of physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the species. The proposed areas of 
critical habitat are presented on maps, and the rule provides several 
options for the interested public to obtain more detailed location 
information, if desired.

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.)

    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 the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) in connection with designating 
critical habitat under the Act. We published a notice outlining our 
reasons for this determination in the 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)). However, when the 
range of the species includes States within the Tenth Circuit, such as 
that of Chapin Mesa milkvetch, under the Tenth Circuit ruling in Catron 
County Board of Commissioners v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 75 
F.3d 1429 (10th Cir. 1996), we undertake a NEPA analysis for critical 
habitat designation. We invite the public to comment on the extent to 
which this proposed regulation may have a significant impact on the 
human environment, or fall within one of the categorical exclusions for 
actions that have no individual or cumulative effect on the quality of 
the human environment. We will complete our analysis, in compliance 
with NEPA, before finalizing this proposed rule.

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.
    There are Tribal lands within the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park 
included in this proposed designation of critical habitat, representing 
one of the four units and 31 percent of the proposed critical habitat 
designation. Using the criteria found in Criteria Used To Identify 
Critical Habitat, we have determined that the area proposed for 
designation on Tribal lands is occupied and contains the physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the species. We 
have coordinated with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe regarding the species 
status assessment that informed this proposed listing determination, 
and provided the Tribe with an opportunity to review the SSA report. We 
will continue to coordinate with the Tribe throughout the development 
of the final listing determination and designation of critical habitat 
for Chapin Mesa

[[Page 58245]]

milkvetch, and we will evaluate the conservation plan for Chapin Mesa 
milkvetch that was finalized by the Tribe in January 2020. We will give 
strong consideration to excluding Tribal lands from the final critical 
habitat designation to the extent consistent with the requirements of 
4(b)(2) of the Act.

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 
Colorado Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT).

Authors

    The primary authors of this proposed rule are the staff members of 
the Mountain Prairie Regional Office and the Colorado Ecological 
Services Field Office.

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--ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS

0
1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 1531-1544; and 4201-4245, unless 
otherwise noted.

0
2. Amend Sec.  17.12(h) by adding an entry for ``Astragalus 
schmolliae'' in alphabetical order under FLOWERING PLANTS to the List 
of Endangered and Threatened Plants to read as follows:


Sec.  17.12  Endangered and threatened plants.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Listing citations and
        Scientific name              Common name        Where listed          Status         applicable rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flowering Plants:
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Astragalus schmolliae..........  Chapin Mesa         Wherever found....  T..............  [Federal Register
                                  milkvetch.                                               citation when
                                                                                           published as a final
                                                                                           rule]; 50 CFR
                                                                                           17.73(c); \4d\ 50 CFR
                                                                                           17.96(a).\CH\
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

0
3. Add Sec.  17.73 to read as set forth below:


Sec.  17.73  Special rules--flowering plants.

    (a) [Reserved]
    (b) [Reserved]
    (c) Astragalus schmolliae (Chapin Mesa milkvetch).
    (1) Prohibitions. The following prohibitions that apply to 
endangered plants also apply to Chapin Mesa milkvetch. Except as 
provided under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, it is unlawful for any 
person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to commit, to 
attempt to commit, to solicit another to commit, or cause to be 
committed, any of the following acts in regard to this species:
    (i) Remove and reduce to possession from areas under Federal 
jurisdiction, as set forth at Sec.  17.61(c)(1) for endangered plants.
    (ii) Maliciously damage or destroy the species on any areas under 
Federal jurisdiction, or remove, cut, dig up, or damage or destroy the 
species on any other area in knowing violation of any State law or 
regulation or in the course of any violation of a State criminal 
trespass law, as set forth at section 9(a)(2)(B) of the Act.
    (2) Exceptions from prohibitions. In regard to this species, you 
may:
    (i) Conduct activities as authorized by a permit under Sec.  17.72.
    (ii) Remove and reduce to possession from areas under Federal 
jurisdiction as set forth at Sec.  17.71(b).
0
4. Amend Sec.  17.96(a) by adding an entry for ``Astragalus schmolliae 
(Chapin Mesa milkvetch)'' in alphabetical order under Family Fabaceae 
to read as follows:


Sec.  17.96  Critical habitat--plants.

    (a) * * *

Family Fabaceae: Astragalus schmolliae (Chapin Mesa milkvetch)

    (1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Montezuma County, 
Colorado, on the maps in this entry.
    (2) Within these areas, the physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of Chapin Mesa milkvetch consist of the 
following components:
    (i) Deep, reddish, loess soils with a loam to sandy loam soil 
texture.
    (ii) Pinyon juniper canopy cover of at least 40 percent.
    (iii) Elevations from 6,500 to 7,500 feet (1,981 to 2,286 meters), 
primarily on mesa tops.
    (iv) Intact native understory with plant communities that are 
reflective of historical community composition, and with biological 
soil crust, bare ground, and duff present.
    (v) Habitat for pollinators, including:
    (A) Nesting and foraging habitats that are suitable for a wide 
array of large pollinators and their life-history requirements; and
    (B) Connectivity between areas that allow pollinators to move from 
site to site within each subpopulation of Chapin Mesa milkvetch.
    (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 
the effective date of this rule.
    (4) Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were 
created on a base of the National Agriculture Imagery Program aerial 
imagery file, and critical habitat units were then mapped using 
Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Zone 13N coordinates. 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 http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2018-0055 
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:
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

[[Page 58246]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17SE20.006

    (6) Unit 1: Chapin Mesa, Montezuma County, Colorado.
    (i) General description: Unit 1 consists of 1,976 acres (800 
hectares) in Montezuma County, Colorado, and is composed of lands in 
Mesa Verde National Park.
    (ii) Map of Unit 1 follows:

[[Page 58247]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17SE20.007

    (7) Unit 2: Park Mesa, Montezuma County, Colorado.
    (i) General description: Unit 2 consists of 417 acres (167 
hectares) in Montezuma County, Colorado, and is composed of lands in 
Mesa Verde National Park.
    (ii) Map of Unit 2 follows:

[[Page 58248]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17SE20.008

    (8) Unit 3: West Chapin Spur, Montezuma County, Colorado.
    (i) General description: Unit 3 consists of 101 acres (41 hectares) 
in Montezuma County, Colorado, and is composed of lands in Mesa Verde 
National Park.
    (ii) Map of Unit 3 follows:

[[Page 58249]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17SE20.009

    (9) Unit 4: Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park, Montezuma County, 
Colorado.
    (i) General description: Unit 4 consists of 1,141 acres (462 
hectares) in Montezuma County, Colorado, and is composed of lands in 
the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Park.
    (ii) Map of Unit 4 follows:

[[Page 58250]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17SE20.010

* * * * *

Aurelia Skipwith,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-19481 Filed 9-16-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-C