Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Review of Native Species That Are Candidates for Listing as Endangered or Threatened; Annual Notice of Findings on Resubmitted Petitions; Annual Description of Progress on Listing Actions, 69034-69106 [E7-23416]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 234 (Thursday, December 6, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 69034-69106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-23416]



[[Page 69033]]

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

Part III





Department of the Interior





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



Fish and Wildlife Service



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



50 CFR Part 17



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

Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 234 / Thursday, December 6, 2007 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 69034]]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of review.

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

SUMMARY: In this Candidate Notice of Review (CNOR), we, the U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service (Service), present an updated list of plant and 
animal species native to the United States that we regard as candidates 
for or have proposed for addition to the Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended. Identification of candidate species can assist 
environmental planning efforts by providing advance notice of potential 
listings, allowing landowners and resource managers to alleviate 
threats and thereby possibly remove the need to list species as 
endangered or threatened. Even if we subsequently list a candidate 
species, the early notice provided here could result in more options 
for species management and recovery by prompting candidate conservation 
measures to alleviate threats to the species.
    The CNOR summarizes the status and threats that we evaluated in 
order to determine that species qualify as candidates and to assign a 
listing priority number (LPN) to each species, or to remove species 
from candidate status. Additional material that we relied on is 
available in the Species Assessment and Listing Priority Assignment 
Forms (species assessment forms, previously called candidate forms) for 
each candidate species.
    Overall, this CNOR recognizes 5 new candidates, changes the LPN for 
29 candidates, and removes 4 species from candidate status. Combined 
with other decisions for individual species that were published 
separately from this CNOR, the new number of species that are 
candidates for listing is 280.
    We request additional status information that may be available for 
the 280 candidate species identified in this CNOR. We will consider 
this information in preparing listing documents and future revisions to 
the notice of review, as it will help us in monitoring changes in the 
status of candidate species and in management for conserving them. We 
also request information on additional species that we should consider 
including as candidates as we prepare future updates of this notice.
    This document also includes our findings on resubmitted petitions 
and describes our progress in revising the Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants during the period September 26, 2006, 
through September 30, 2007.

DATES: We will accept comments on the most recent Candidate Notice of 
Review at any time.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments regarding a particular species to the 
Regional Director of the Region identified in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION 
as having the lead responsibility for that species. You may mail or fax 
comments of a more general nature to the Chief, Division of 
Conservation and Classification, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 
N. Fairfax Drive, Room 420, Arlington, VA 22203 (facsimile 703/358-
2171). Written comments and materials we receive in response to this 
notice will be available for public inspection by appointment at the 
Division of Conservation and Classification (for comments of a general 
nature only) or at the appropriate Regional Office listed in 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    Species assessment forms with information and references on a 
particular candidate species' range, status, habitat needs, and listing 
priority assignment are available for review at the appropriate 
Regional Office listed below in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION or at the 
Division of Conservation and Classification, Arlington, Virginia (see 
address above), or on our Internet Web site (https://endangered.fws.gov/
candidates/).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Endangered Species Coordinator(s) 
in the appropriate Regional Office(s) or Chris Nolin, Chief, Division 
of Conservation and Classification (telephone 703-358-2171; facsimile 
703-358-1735). Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf 
(TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-
8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Candidate Notice of Review

Background

    The Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.) (Act), requires that we identify species of wildlife and plants 
that are endangered or threatened, based on the best available 
scientific and commercial information. As defined in section 3 of the 
Act, an endangered species is any species which is in danger of 
extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, and a 
threatened species is any species which is likely to become an 
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range. Through the Federal rulemaking 
process, we add species that meet these definitions to the List of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife at 50 CFR 17.11 or the List of 
Endangered and Threatened Plants at 50 CFR 17.12. As part of this 
program, we maintain a list of species that we regard as candidates for 
listing. A candidate species is one for which we have on file 
sufficient information on biological vulnerability and threats to 
support a proposal to list as endangered or threatened, but for which 
preparation and publication of a proposal is precluded by higher-
priority listing actions.
    We maintain this list of candidates for a variety of reasons: to 
notify the public that these species are facing threats to their 
survival; to provide advance knowledge of potential listings that could 
affect decisions of environmental planners and developers; to provide 
information that may stimulate and guide conservation efforts that will 
remove or reduce threats to these species and possibly make listing 
unnecessary; to solicit input from interested parties to help us 
identify those candidate species that may not require protection under 
the Act or additional species that may require the Act's protections; 
and to solicit necessary information for setting priorities for 
preparing listing proposals. We strongly encourage collaborative 
conservation efforts for candidate species and offer technical and 
financial assistance to facilitate such efforts. For additional 
information regarding such assistance, please contact the appropriate 
Regional Office listed in SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION or visit our 
Internet Web site, https://endangered.fws.gov/candidates/.

Previous Notices of Review

    We have been publishing candidate notices of review (CNOR) since 
1975. The most recent CNOR (prior to this CNOR) was published on 
September 12, 2006 (71 FR 53755). CNORs published since 1994 are 
available on our Internet Web site, https://www.fws.gov/endangered/
candidates/. For copies of CNORs published prior to 1994, 
please contact the Division of

[[Page 69035]]

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

Summary of This CNOR

    Since publication of the CNOR on September 12, 2006 (71 FR 53756), 
we reviewed the available information on candidate species to ensure 
that a proposed listing is justified for each species, and reevaluated 
the relative LPN assigned to each species. We also evaluated the need 
to emergency-list any of these species, particularly species with high 
priorities (i.e., species with LPNs of 1, 2, or 3). This review and 
reevaluation ensures that we focus conservation efforts on those 
species at greatest risk first. (In addition to reviewing candidate 
species, we have worked on numerous findings in response to petitions 
to list species, and on proposed and final determinations for rules to 
list species under the Act; some of these findings and determinations 
have been completed and published in the Federal Register, while work 
on others is still under way. See the discussions of Preclusion and 
Expeditious Progress, below, for details.)
    Based on our review of the best available scientific and commercial 
information, with this CNOR we identify 5 new candidate species (see 
New Candidates, below), change the LPN for 28 candidates (see Listing 
Priority Changes in Candidates, below) and determine that listing 
proposals are not warranted for 4 species and thus remove them from 
candidate status (see Candidate Removals, below). Combined with the 
other decisions published separately from this CNOR for individual 
species that previously were candidates, a total of 280 species 
(including 139 plant and 141 animal species) are now candidates 
awaiting preparation of rules proposing their listing. These 280 
species, along with the 2 species currently proposed for listing, are 
included in Table 1. (Note, regarding the two species currently 
proposed for listing, we proposed one since the last CNOR and we 
proposed the other prior to the last CNOR.)
    Table 2 includes 8 species identified in the previous CNOR as 
either proposed for listing or classified as candidates that are no 
longer in those categories. This includes four species for which we 
published separate findings that listing is not warranted, plus the 
four species that we have determined do not warrant preparation of a 
rule to propose listing and therefore have removed from candidate 
status in this CNOR.

New Candidates

    Below we present brief summaries of five new candidates that we are 
recognizing in this CNOR, including one species of mammal, one 
amphibian, one fish, one snail, and one plant. Complete information, 
including references, can be found in the species assessment forms. You 
may obtain a copy of these forms from the Regional Office having the 
lead for the species, or from our Internet Web site (https://
endangered.fws.gov/candidates/). For each of these five 
species, we find that we have on file sufficient information on 
biological vulnerability and threats to support a proposal to list as 
endangered or threatened, but that preparation and publication of a 
proposal is precluded by higher-priority listing actions (i.e., these 
meet our definition of a candidate species). We also note below that 
one other species, Casey's June beetle (an insect), was identified as a 
candidate

[[Page 69036]]

earlier this year in a separate finding published in the Federal 
Register.

Mammals

    New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus)--The 
following summary is based on information contained in our files. The 
New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (jumping mouse) is endemic to New 
Mexico, Arizona, and a small area of southern Colorado. The jumping 
mouse nests in dry soils but uses moist, streamside, dense riparian/
wetland vegetation. Recent genetic studies confirm that the New Mexico 
meadow jumping mouse is a distinct subspecies from other Zapus 
hudsonius subspecies, confirming the currently accepted subspecies 
designation.
    The threats that have been identified are excessive grazing 
pressure, water use and management, highway reconstruction, 
development, and recreation. Surveys conducted in 2005 and 2006 
documented a drastic decline in the number of occupied localities and 
suitable habitat across the range of the species in New Mexico and 
Arizona. Of the original 98 known historical localities, there are now 
only 10 known extant localities in New Mexico, 1 in Arizona, and an 
additional 8 localities that have not been surveyed since the early to 
mid 1990s. Moreover, the highly fragmented nature of its distribution 
is also a major contributor to the vulnerability of this species and 
increases the likelihood of very small, isolated populations being 
extirpated. The paucity of secure populations, and the destruction, 
modification, or curtailment of its habitat, poses the most immediate 
threats to this species. Because the threats affect the jumping mouse 
in all but two of the extant localities, the threats are of a high 
magnitude. These threats are currently occurring and, therefore, are 
imminent. Thus, we assigned an LPN of 3 to this subspecies.

Amphibians

    Arizona treefrog, Huachuca/Canelo Distinct Population Segment (DPS) 
(Hyla wrightorum)--The following summary is based on information in our 
files. The population is known from three general localities at Rancho 
Los Fresnos, northern Sonora, Mexico, and 13-15 verified localities and 
one unverified locality in the Huachuca Mountains and Canelo Hills of 
Arizona. The population is both discrete and significant in accordance 
with our February 7, 1996, DPS policy (61 FR 4721). Evidence exists 
that the DPS persists in an ecological setting that is unique for the 
taxon, that loss of the population segment would result in a 
significant gap in the range of the taxon, and that the population 
segment differs markedly from other populations of the species in its 
genetic characteristics. The population is discrete from the Mogollon 
Rim population of Arizona and New Mexico based on a physical separation 
of 130 miles, and from the Sierra Madre Occidental population in Sonora 
and Chihuahua, Mexico by 145 miles.
    The most significant threats to the existence of the Huachuca/
Canelo population of the Arizona treefrog are, in order of importance, 
habitat loss or degradation and direct mortality due to catastrophic 
fire; loss of populations due to drought or floods, which may be 
exacerbated by climatic extremes; predation by introduced species; and 
habitat degradation caused by livestock grazing, off-highway vehicles, 
and environmental contamination. The effects of these threats are 
exacerbated by small population sizes and low genetic diversity, as the 
Huachuca/Canelo Hills population has less than 20 known localities, 
each with observed breeding populations of 2-30 individuals. Taken 
together, these threats are of high magnitude, particularly in Arizona. 
The threats are also imminent or ongoing, particularly the threat of 
catastrophic wildfire; there have been several recent catastrophic 
fires in the Huachuca Mountains. Therefore, we have assigned an LPN of 
3 to this population.

Fish

    Laurel dace (Phoxinus saylori)--The laurel dace is a rare minnow 
known only from three independent systems on the Walden Ridge section 
of the Cumberland Plateau, including Soddy Creek, Sale Creek, and Piney 
River. The primary threats to the laurel dace stem from impacts to 
riparian and instream habitat resulting from incompatible land uses. 
The riparian habitats associated with some streams occupied by laurel 
dace have been affected by extensive timber removal activities on 
Walden Ridge in their vicinity; these activities often do not employ 
adequate streamside management zones or best management practices for 
road construction. Proposed projects, including installation of a water 
line that would cross occupied streams and construction of an 
impoundment on a tributary to an occupied stream, present additional 
direct and indirect threats to laurel dace habitat in the headwaters of 
Sale and Soddy creeks. We believe that the threat of habitat 
degradation from siltation across the range of laurel dace and the 
localized threats facing populations in Sale and Soddy creeks combined 
with vulnerable status of the populations in Soddy and Sale creeks 
constitute threats collectively of high magnitude, but are nonimminent. 
Therefore, we assigned the laurel dace an LPN of 5.

Snails

    San Bernardino springsnail (Pyrgulopsis bernardina)--This species 
is endemic to one natural spring, Snail Spring, on private lands, and 
one artificial spring, Tule Spring, on National Wildlife Refuge lands, 
in the Rio Yaqui basin of Cochise County, Arizona. The species was 
formerly known from six to eight springs. Known threats include water 
diversion, spring modification, and contaminants, while suspected 
threats include livestock grazing and groundwater depletion. The San 
Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge is actively managing Tule Spring 
and is attempting to acquire the property containing Snail Spring. 
However, the Refuge cannot address the potential threat from 
groundwater depletion without assistance from local stakeholders. The 
magnitude of threats is high because the limited distribution of this 
narrow endemic makes any catastrophic event likely to result in 
extinction of the species. The threats are ongoing and therefore 
imminent. Thus, we have assigned an LPN of 2 for the San Bernardino 
springsnail.

Insects

    Casey's June beetle (Dinacoma caseyi)--We previously announced 
candidate status for this species in a separate warranted but precluded 
12-month petition finding published on July 5, 2007 (72 FR 36635).

Plants

    Eriogonum corymbosum var. nilesii (Las Vegas buckwheat)--The 
following information is based on information contained in our files. 
The Las Vegas buckwheat is a woody perennial shrub up to 4 feet high 
with a mounding shape. The flowers of this plant are numerous, small 
and yellow with small bract like leaves at the base of each flower. The 
Las Vegas buckwheat is very conspicuous when flowering in late 
September and early October. It is restricted to gypsum soil 
outcroppings in Clark and Lincoln Counties, Nevada. Only recently has 
the taxonomy of the subspecies been confirmed using molecular genetic 
analyses.
    Loss of habitat from development is a significant threat with over 
95 percent of the historic range and potential habitat of the 
subspecies lost to development. In 2005, the Las Vegas

[[Page 69037]]

buckwheat was known from nine locations on approximately 1,149 acres. 
However, since that time, approximately 289 acres were or soon will be 
developed, and the current distribution of the plant occupies 892 
acres. In addition, OHV activity and other public land uses (casual 
public use, mining, and dumping) directly and indirectly threaten over 
half of the remaining habitat. To date, regulatory mechanisms to 
protect the Las Vegas buckwheat are inadequate. Its designation as a 
BLM special status species and limited resource and law enforcement 
personnel has not provided adequate protection on lands managed by the 
BLM. The Las Vegas buckwheat is not protected by the State of Nevada or 
any other regulatory mechanisms on other federal lands. We have 
determined that candidate status is warranted for the Las Vegas 
buckwheat as a result of threats to the remaining 892 acres of Las 
Vegas buckwheat. Conservation measures are being developed that could 
reduce the amount of occupied habitat at risk, but we believe it would 
be premature to consider these measures sufficiently complete as to 
remove these threats. The magnitude of threats is high since the more 
significant threats (development and surface mining) would result in 
direct mortality of the plants in over half of its' habitat. While both 
development and mining are very likely to occur in the future, they are 
not expected to happen in the immediate future, and thus, the threats 
are nonimminent. Accordingly, we assigned the Las Vegas buckwheat an 
LPN of 6.

Listing Priority Changes in Candidates

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

Birds

    Friendly ground-dove, American Samoa DPS (Gallicolumba stairi 
stairi)--The following summary is based on information contained in our 
files. The genus Gallicolumba is distributed throughout the Pacific and 
Southeast Asia. The genus is represented in the oceanic Pacific by six 
species. Three are endemic to Micronesian islands or archipelagos, two 
are endemic to island groups in French Polynesia, and G. stairi is 
endemic to Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji. All six species have some level of 
threatened status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature 
and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List. Some authors recognize two 
subspecies of the friendly ground-dove, one, slightly smaller, in the 
Samoan archipelago (G. s. stairi), and one in Tonga and Fiji (G. s. 
vitiensis), but morphological differences between the two are minimal.
    In American Samoa, the friendly ground-dove has been found on the 
islands of Ofu and Olosega (Manua Group). Threats to this subspecies 
have not changed over the past year. Of the primary threats to the 
subspecies (predation by nonnative species and natural catastrophes 
such as hurricanes), predation by nonnative species is thought to be 
occurring now, and predation likely has been occurring for several 
decades. This predation may be an important impediment to increasing 
the population. Predation by introduced species has played a 
significant role in reducing, limiting, and extirpating populations of 
island birds, especially ground-nesters, in the Pacific and other 
locations worldwide. Nonnative predators known or thought to occur in 
the range of the friendly ground-dove in American Samoa are feral cats 
(Felis catus), Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans), black rats (R. 
rattus), and Norway rats (R. norvegicus).
    In January 2004 and February of 2005, hurricanes virtually 
destroyed the habitat of G. stairi in an area on Olosega Island where 
the species had been most frequently recorded. Although this species 
has coexisted with severe storms for millennia, this example 
illustrates the potential for natural disturbance to exacerbate the 
effect of anthropogenic disturbance on small populations. Consistent 
monitoring using a variety of methods over the last 5 years yielded few 
observations of this taxon in American Samoa. The total population size 
is poorly known, but is unlikely to number more than a few hundred 
pairs. The past five years or so of surveys have revealed no change in 
the relative abundance of this taxon in American Samoa. The 
distribution of the friendly ground-dove is limited to steep, forested 
slopes with an open understory and a substrate of fine scree or exposed 
earth; this habitat is not common in American Samoa. We revised the LPN 
from a 6 to a 9 to better reflect the fact that the threats posed to 
the friendly ground-dove (its small population size and nonnative 
predators), while imminent and occurring throughout its range, are 
believed to be of a moderate magnitude rather than a high magnitude.
    Kittlitz's Murrelet (Brachyramphus brevirostris)--Kittlitz's 
murrelet is a small diving seabird whose entire North American 
population, and most of the world's population, inhabits Alaskan 
coastal waters discontinuously from Point Lay south to northern 
portions of Southeast Alaska. Kittlitz's murrelets are associated with 
tidewater glaciers. The current population estimate for Kittlitz's 
murrelets in Alaska is approximately 16,700 birds, a decline of 74 to 
84 percent during the past 10 to 20 years. New survey information 
supports and strengthens the negative population trend estimates that 
have been previously reported.
    Threats to Kittlitz's murrelets include large-scale processes such 
as global climate change and marine climate regime shift. These large-
scale processes may influence Kittlitz's murrelet survival and 
reproduction. Glacial retreat, a global phenomenon that affects many of 
the glaciers with which Kittlitz's murrelets are associated, is 
associated with changing forage fish availability and may result in 
increased predation from corvids (retreat of glaciers allows corvids 
easier access to murrelets on which they prey). Even if the causes of 
rapid climate warming were curbed today, feedback mechanisms would 
result in the continued retreat of tidewater glaciers into the 
foreseeable future. In addition, the declining population trend makes 
this species particularly susceptible to ongoing threats from other 
human activities, including oil spills, bycatch in commercial gillnet 
fisheries, and disturbance by tour boats. Kittlitz's murrelets are 
believed to have been seriously affected by the Exxon Valdez oil spill 
in Prince William Sound (PWS) in 1989. Estimates of direct mortality of 
Kittlitz's murrelets from this oil spill constituted a loss of 7 to15 
percent of the PWS population. Catastrophic events such as oil spills 
could have a significant negative effect on the population of this 
already diminished species. Susceptibility to mortality as bycatch in 
commercial fishing could be a significant factor in their population 
decline; Kittlitz's murrelets are caught in gill nets in numbers 
disproportionate to their density. In PWS, salmon gillnet fisheries 
occur each summer in or near Kittlitz's murrelet habitat. Kittlitz's 
murrelets represented 5 percent and 30 percent of murrelet bycatch in 
gillnets during 1990 and 1991, respectively. Tour boat visitation to 
glacial fjords is a growing industry, and this activity may 
increasingly disrupt Kittlitz's murrelet feeding behavior; tour boats

[[Page 69038]]

may provide artificial perch sites for avian predators. The number of 
cruise ships allowed into Glacier Bay has increased 30 percent since 
1985, while smaller charter boats and private boats have increased 8 
percent and 15 percent, respectively. An increase in tour boat 
operations has been noted in Kenai Fjords National Park as well. 
Disturbance can disrupt feeding birds and persistent boat traffic may 
prevent murrelets from using high quality foraging areas.
    Based on the observed population trajectory and the severity of 
present threats (rapid glacial retreat, acute and chronic oil spills, 
commercial gillnet fishing, and human disturbance from tour boats), the 
threats to this species are high in magnitude and imminent. We changed 
the LPN from a 5 to a 2 to reflect that the threats to this species are 
ongoing.
    Xantus's murrelet (Synthliboramphus hypoleucus)--The Xantus's 
murrelet is a small seabird in the Alcid family that occurs along the 
west coast of North America in the United States and Mexico. The 
species has a limited breeding distribution, only nesting on the 
Channel Islands in southern California and on islands off the west 
coast of Baja California, Mexico. Although data on population trends 
are scarce, the population is suspected to have declined greatly over 
the last century, mainly due to introduced predators such as rats 
(Rattus sp.) and feral cats (Felis catus) to nesting islands, with 
extirpations on three islands in Mexico. A dramatic decline (up to 70 
percent) from 1977 to 1991 was detected at the largest nesting colony 
in southern California, possibly due to high levels of predation on 
eggs by the endemic deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus elusus). 
Identified threats include introduced predators at nesting colonies, 
oil spills and oil pollution, reduced prey availability, human 
disturbance, and artificial light pollution.
    Although substantial declines in the Xantus's murrelet population 
likely occurred over the last century, some of the largest threats are 
being addressed, and, to some degree, ameliorated. Declines and 
extirpations at several nesting colonies were thought to have been 
caused by nonnative predators, which have been removed from many of the 
islands where they once occurred. Most notably, since 1994, Island 
Conservation and Ecology Group has systematically removed rats, cats, 
and dogs from every murrelet nesting colony in Mexico, with the 
exception of cats and dogs on Guadalupe Island. In 2002, rats were 
eradicated from Anacapa Island in southern California, which has 
resulted in improvements in reproductive success at that island. In 
southern California, there are also plans to remove rats from San 
Miguel Island, and to restore nesting habitat on Santa Barbara Island 
through the Montrose Settlements Restoration Project, which may benefit 
the Xantus's murrelet population at those islands.
    Artificial lighting from squid fishing and other vessels, or lights 
on islands, remains a potential threat to the species. Bright lights 
make Xantus's murrelets more susceptible to predation, and they can 
also become disoriented and exhausted from continual attraction to 
bright lights. Chicks can become disoriented and separated from their 
parents at sea, which could result in death of the dependent chicks. 
High-wattage lights on commercial market squid (Loligo opalescens) 
fishing vessels used at night to attract squid to the surface of the 
water in the Channel Islands was the suspected cause of unusually high 
predation on Xantus's murrelets by western gulls and barn owls at Santa 
Barbara Island in 1999. To address this threat, in 2000, the California 
Fish and Game Commission required light shields and a limit of 30,000 
watts per boat; it is unknown if this is sufficient to reduce impacts. 
Squid fishing has not occurred at a particularly noticeable level near 
any of the colonies in the Channel Islands since 1999; however, this 
remains a potential future threat.
    A proposal to build a liquid natural gas (LNG) facility 600 meters 
(1,969 feet) off the Coronados Islands in Baja California, Mexico, was 
considered a potential major threat to the species. This island 
contains one of the largest nesting populations of Xantus's murrelets 
in the world. Potential impacts of this facility to the nesting colony 
included bright lights at night from the facility and visiting tanker 
vessels, noise from the facility or from helicopters visiting the 
facility, and the threat of oil spills associated with visiting tanker 
vessels. However, Chevron announced in March 2007 that they have 
abandoned plans to develop this facility and withdrew their permits. 
LNG facilities are proposed for construction in the Channel Islands; 
however, these are early in the complex and long-term planning 
processes; it is possible that none of these facilities will be built. 
In addition, none of them are directly adjacent to nesting colonies, 
where their impacts would be expected to be more significant.
    We considered the LNG facility off the Coronados Islands to be an 
imminent threat of high magnitude, which resulted in the previous 
listing priority of a 2. While this proposed LNG facility no longer 
poses a threat, the remaining threats, in particular oil spills, are 
high in magnitude since they have the potential to cause direct 
mortality and reduce reproductive success throughout a majority of the 
species' range. The threats are nonimminent since they are not 
currently occurring. Therefore, we have changed the LPN from a 2 to a 
5.

Reptiles

    Louisiana pine snake (Pituophis ruthveni)--The Louisiana pine snake 
(LPS) historically occurred in fire-maintained longleaf-pine ecosystems 
of west-central Louisiana and extreme east-central Texas. Those 
ecosystems provided an herbaceous layer necessary to maintain the 
Louisiana pine snake's primary prey, the Baird's pocket gopher. Current 
potentially occupied habitat in Louisiana and Texas is estimated to be 
approximately 300,000 acres, with 70 percent occurring on public lands 
and 30 percent in private ownership. Results of trapping and radio-
telemetry surveys suggest that extensive population declines and local 
extirpations have occurred during the last 50 to 80 years. To address 
those issues on public lands, a Candidate Conservation Agreement (CCA) 
was completed in 2003 to maintain and enhance potentially occupied 
habitat, and protect known Louisiana-pine-snake populations. Much of 
the public land is now being managed on longer rotations (i.e., 70+ 
years) where silvicultural prescriptions include smaller clearcuts, 
midstory removal, thinning, and prescribed fire. Private lands 
generally are not managed to support the longleaf-pine ecosystem and 
its characteristic herbaceous layer; however, several private 
landowners with known Louisiana-pine-snake populations continue to be 
involved in conservation efforts with reported conservation of more 
than 2,000 acres in 2006.
    Within both the public and private sectors, interest in longleaf-
pine restoration appears to be growing and with the appropriate 
emphasis could slow or reverse habitat loss trends. To address this and 
other issues, the LPS Conservation Group is expanding conservation 
efforts through the development of a Comprehensive Conservation Plan 
that would build upon the CCA success. Other factors affecting 
Louisiana pine snakes throughout its range include low fecundity, which 
magnifies other threats and increases the likelihood of local 
extinctions, and vehicular mortality, which can significantly affect 
Louisiana-pine-snake population and community

[[Page 69039]]

structure. While the magnitude of Louisiana-pine-snake habitat loss has 
been great in the past and the remaining habitat is degraded, habitat 
loss does not represent an imminent threat, because the rate of habitat 
loss is declining. Additionally, pro-active partnerships to address key 
management concerns and research needs are resulting in some additional 
long-leaf pine habitat that is suitable for the Louisiana pine snake or 
its prey species. However, while conservation actions have produced 
needed results, they have not yet adequately reduced threats to the 
species, particularly on private land. The lack of adequate habitat 
still poses a threat and when coupled with the very low fecundity rate 
and extremely low population size (based on capture rates and 
population estimates) make the threat high in magnitude. Overall, due 
to nonimminent, high-magnitude threats, we changed the LPN from an 8 to 
a 5 for this species.

Amphibians

    Columbia spotted frog, Great Basin DPS (Rana luteiventris)--
Currently, Columbia spotted frogs appear to be widely distributed 
throughout southwestern Idaho, eastern Oregon, and northeastern and 
central Nevada, but local populations within these general areas appear 
to be small and isolated from each other. Recent work by researchers in 
Idaho and Nevada has documented loss of historically known sites, 
reduced numbers of individuals within local populations, and declines 
in the reproduction of those individuals. Small highly fragmented 
populations, characteristic of the majority of existing populations of 
Columbia spotted frogs in the Great Basin, are highly susceptible to 
extinction processes. Threats to Columbia-spotted-frog habitat, 
including water development, improper grazing, mining activities and 
non-native species, have and continue to contribute to the degradation 
and fragmentation of habitat. Emerging fungal diseases, such as 
chytridiomycosis, and the spread of parasites are contributing factors 
to Columbia-spotted-frog population declines throughout portions of its 
range. Effects of climate change such as drought and stochastic 
(randomly occurring) events such as fire often have detrimental effects 
to small isolated populations and can often exacerbate existing 
threats.
    A 10-year Conservation Agreement and Strategy was signed in 
September 2003 for both the Northeast and the Toiyabe subpopulations in 
Nevada. The goals of the conservation agreements are to reduce threats 
to Columbia spotted frogs and their habitat to the extent necessary to 
prevent populations from becoming extirpated throughout all or a 
portion of their historic range and to maintain, enhance, and restore a 
sufficient number of populations of Columbia spotted frogs and their 
associated habitat to ensure their continued existence throughout their 
historical range. Additionally, a Candidate Conservation Agreement with 
Assurances was completed in 2006 for the Owyhee subpopulation at Sam 
Noble Springs, Idaho. Because these conservation agreements have 
reduced the magnitude of the imminent threats from high to moderate, we 
changed the LPN from a 3 to a 9 for this DPS of the Columbia spotted 
frog.
    Black Warrior waterdog (Necturus alabamensis)--The Black Warrior 
waterdog is a salamander that inhabits streams above the Fall Line 
within the Black Warrior River Basin in Alabama. There is very little 
specific locality information available on the historical distribution 
of the Black Warrior waterdog since little attention was given to this 
species between its description in 1937 and the 1980s. At that time, 
there were a total of only 11 known historical records from 4 Alabama 
counties. Two of these sites have now been inundated by impoundments. 
Extensive survey work was conducted in the 1990s to look for additional 
populations. Currently, the species is known from 14 sites in 5 
counties.
    Water-quality degradation is the biggest threat to the continued 
existence of the Black Warrior waterdog. Most streams that have been 
surveyed for the waterdog showed evidence of pollution and many 
appeared biologically depauperate. Sources of point and nonpoint 
pollution in the Black Warrior River Basin have been numerous and 
widespread. Pollution is generated from inadequately treated effluent 
from industrial plants, sanitary landfills, sewage treatment plants, 
poultry operations, and cattle feedlots. Surface mining represents 
another threat to the biological integrity of waterdog habitat. Runoff 
from old, abandoned coal mines generates pollution through 
acidification, increased mineralization, and sediment loading. The 
North River, Locust Fork, and Mulberry Fork, all streams that this 
species inhabits, are on the Environmental Protection Agency's list of 
impaired waters. An additional threat to the Black Warrior waterdog is 
the creation of large impoundments that have flooded thousands of 
square hectares (acres) of its habitat. These impoundments are likely 
marginal or unsuitable habitat for the salamander. While the water-
quality threat is pervasive and problematic, the overall magnitude of 
the threat is moderate as there has not been a steep rate of decline in 
this species population. Water quality degradation in the Black Warrior 
basin is ongoing; therefore, the threats are imminent. We changed the 
LPN from a 2 to an 8 for this species since the threats are of a 
moderate rather than high magnitude.

Clams

    Fluted kidneyshell (Ptychobranchus subtentum)--The fluted 
kidneyshell is a freshwater mussel (Unionidae) endemic to the 
Cumberland and Tennessee River systems (Cumberlandian Region) in 
Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. It requires shoal habitats 
in free-flowing rivers to survive and successfully recruit new 
individuals into its populations.
    This species has been extirpated from numerous regional streams and 
is no longer found in the State of Alabama. Habitat destruction and 
alteration (e.g., impoundments, sedimentation, and pollutants) are the 
chief factors that contributed to its decline. The fluted kidneyshell 
was historically known from at least 37 streams but is currently 
restricted to no more than 12 isolated populations. Current status 
information for most of the 12 populations deemed to be extant is 
available from recent periodic sampling efforts (sometimes annually) 
and other field studies, particularly in the upper Tennessee River 
system. Some populations in the Cumberland River system have had recent 
surveys as well (e.g., Wolf, Little Rivers; Little South Fork; Horse 
Lick, Buck Creeks). Populations in Buck Creek, Little South Fork, Horse 
Lick Creek, Powell River, and North Fork Holston River have clearly 
declined over the past two decades. Based on recent information, the 
overall population of the fluted kidneyshell is declining rangewide and 
the species remains in large numbers and is clearly viable in just the 
Clinch River/Copper Creek, although smaller, viable populations remain 
(e.g., Wolf, Little, North Fork Holston Rivers; Rock Creek). Most other 
populations are of questionable or limited viability, with some on the 
verge of extirpation (e.g., Powell River; Little South Fork; Horse 
Lick, Buck, Indian Creeks). Newly reintroduced populations in the 
Nolichucky and Duck Rivers will hopefully begin to reverse the downward 
population trend of this species. The threats are high in magnitude 
since all populations of this species are severely affected by numerous 
threats (impoundments, sedimentation, small population size,

[[Page 69040]]

isolation of populations, gravel mining, municipal pollutants, 
agricultural run-off, nutrient enrichment, and coal processing 
pollution) which results in mortality and/or reduced reproductive 
output. Since the threats are ongoing, they are imminent. Therefore, to 
help ensure consistency in the application of our listing priority 
process, we changed the LPN from a 5 to a 2 to reflect that the threats 
are imminent and high in magnitude.

Snails

    Black mudalia (Elimia melanoides)--The black mudalia is a small 
species of aquatic snail found clinging to clean gravel, cobble, 
boulders and/or logs in flowing water on shoals and riffles. The 
historical habitat of the black mudalia included much of the upper 
Black Warrior River drainage above the Fall Line at Tuscaloosa, 
Alabama. The species has been extirpated from more than 80 percent of 
that range through the construction of dams and impoundments, 
sedimentation, and non-point source pollution from land surface runoff. 
Populations that may have avoided impoundment apparently disappeared 
due to historical pollution events and/or natural catastrophic events. 
However, after being considered extinct for two decades, the black 
mudalia was rediscovered in a small portion of its historical range in 
the Black Warrior drainage. Discovery of surviving populations in 
shoals of five streams in the upper Black Warrior River and high 
densities reported at Blackburn Fork reduce the magnitude of the 
threats from high to moderate. However, all known populations are 
currently affected by point and/or non-point source pollution; human 
land uses, including cattle grazing, row crops, timber, chicken farms, 
and home construction are currently causing sedimentation and 
eutrophication (reduction of oxygen in the water) of black mudalia 
habitats. Thus, based on ongoing threats that we now consider to be 
moderate in magnitude, we changed the LPN from 2 to 8 for the black 
mudalia.
    Huachuca springsnail (Pyrgulopsis thompsoni)--The following summary 
is based on information from our files. No new information was provided 
in the petition received on May 11, 2004. The Huachuca springsnail 
inhabits 13 springs and ci[eacute]negas at elevations of 4,500 to 7,200 
feet in southeastern Arizona (11 sites) and adjacent portions of 
Sonora, Mexico (2 sites). The springsnail is typically found in the 
shallower areas of springs or cienegas, often in rocky seeps at the 
spring source. Ongoing threats include habitat modification, wildfire, 
cattle grazing, and groundwater pumping. Prior communication with 
personnel from Fort Huachuca indicated they were in the process of 
evaluating the status of this species on Department of Defense lands 
and developing conservation strategies; this may result in a reduction 
or elimination of threats in the future. Because we determined that the 
proportion of the range subjected to various threats is smaller than we 
previously determined, the threats are moderate in magnitude. In 
addition, although there is no actual change in threats over the past 
year, modification of the spring habitat, wildfire, cattle grazing, and 
groundwater pumping are ongoing or imminent threats. Therefore, to help 
ensure consistency in the application of our listing priority process, 
we changed the LPN from a 5 to an 8 to reflect that the threats are 
imminent but are moderate in magnitude.
    Page springsnail (Pyrgulopsis morrisoni)--The following summary is 
based on information from our files. No new information was provided in 
the petition received on May 11, 2004. The Page springsnail is known to 
exist only within a complex of springs located within an approximately 
1.5-kilometer (0.93-mile) stretch along the west side of Oak Creek 
around the community of Page Springs, Yavapai County, Arizona. Many of 
the springs where the springsnail occurs have been subjected to some 
level of modification for domestic, agricultural, ranching, fish 
hatchery, and recreational activities. Arizona Game and Fish Department 
management plans for the Bubbling Ponds and Page Springs fish 
hatcheries include commitments to replace lost habitat and to monitor 
remaining populations of invertebrates such as the Page springsnail. 
The Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Service have made 
significant progress on development of a candidate conservation 
agreement, but the effectiveness of planned and implemented actions has 
not been demonstrated. Based on recent survey data, it appears that the 
Page springsnail is abundant within natural habitats and persists in 
modified habitats, albeit at reduced densities. The magnitude of 
threats is considered high because limited distribution of this narrow 
endemic makes any detrimental effects from threats likely to result in 
extirpation or extinction. The immediacy of the threat of groundwater 
withdrawal is uncertain due to conflicting information that suggests it 
may be either imminent or not. However, overall, the threats are 
imminent because the majority of them are currently occurring. Although 
there is no actual change in threats over the past year, modification 
of the spring habitat for this species is an ongoing or imminent 
threat. Therefore, to help ensure consistency in the application of our 
listing priority process, we changed the LPN from a 5 to a 2 to reflect 
that the threats are imminent.

Insects

    Dakota skipper (Hesperia dacotae)--The following summary is based 
on information contained in our files, including information from the 
petition we received on May 12, 2003. The Dakota skipper is a small- to 
mid-sized butterfly that inhabits high-quality tallgrass and mixed 
grass prairie in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 
provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan in Canada. The species is 
presumed to be extirpated from Iowa and Illinois and from many sites 
within occupied States.
    The species is threatened by conversion of its native prairie 
habitat for agricultural purposes, overgrazing, invasive species, 
gravel mining, inbreeding, population isolation, and, in some cases, 
prescribed fire. Prairie succeeds to shrubland or forest without 
periodic fire, grazing, or mowing; thus, the species is also threatened 
at sites where such disturbances are not applied. We, other agencies, 
and private organizations (e.g., The Nature Conservancy) protect and 
manage some Dakota skipper sites. Although proper management is always 
necessary to ensure its persistence, even at protected sites, it is 
secure at some sites owned by these entities. The species is also 
secure at some sites where private landowners manage native prairie in 
ways that conserve Dakota skipper. Recent surveys in at least parts of 
the species' range have led us to revise our view of the imminence of 
threats to Dakota skipper. In January 2007, for example, Minnesota 
Department of Natural Resources proposed revising the status of Dakota 
skipper in the state from threatened to endangered because it ``appears 
to be rapidly disappearing from remnant habitat.'' In addition, 
approximately half of the inhabited sites are privately owned with 
little or no protection. Ongoing threats on these sites include 
invasive species, overgrazing, and herbicide applications. A few 
private sites are protected from conversion by easements, but these do 
not prevent adverse effects from overgrazing. The threats are such that 
the species warrants listing; the threats are moderate in magnitude 
and, based on

[[Page 69041]]

the above new information, are imminent. Therefore, we changed the 
listing priority number from an 11 to an 8 for the Dakota skipper to 
reflect the increase in immediacy of threats to remnant habitat, 
particularly on private lands.
    Coral Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle (Cicindela albissima)--The Coral 
Pink Sand Dunes tiger beetle occurs only at the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, 
approximately 7 miles west of Kanab, Kane County, in south-central 
Utah. It is restricted to a small part of the dune field, situated at 
an elevation of about 1,820 m (6,000 ft). The beetle's habitat is being 
adversely affected by ongoing recreational off-road vehicle use that is 
destroying and degrading the beetle's habitat, especially the 
interdunal swales used by the larvae. The continued survival of the 
beetle depends on the preservation of its habitat. The two agencies 
that manage the dune field, the Utah Department of Parks and Recreation 
and the Bureau of Land Management, have restricted recreational off-
road vehicle use in some areas, which reduces impacts. However, the 
protected areas may not be of sufficient size to enable the population 
to increase in size. The beetle's population is also vulnerable to 
overcollecting by professional and hobby tiger-beetle collectors. 
Because the taxon was recently elevated to a full species based on 
genetic research, we changed the listing priority from a 9 to an 8. The 
imminence and magnitude of the threats remain the same (imminent and 
moderate to low magnitude).
    Stephan's riffle beetle (Heterelmis stephani)--The following 
summary is based on information from our files. No new information was 
provided in the petition we received on May 11, 2004. The Stephan's 
riffle beetle is an endemic riffle beetle found in limited spring 
environments within the Santa Rita Mountains, Pima County, Arizona. The 
beetle is known from Bog Spring and Sylvester Spring in Madera Canyon, 
within the Coronado National Forest. These springs are typical 
isolated, mid-elevation, permanently saturated, spring-fed aquatic 
climax communities commonly referred to as ci[eacute]negas. Threats are 
largely from habitat modification (from recreational activities in the 
springs and changes in water chemistry due to catastrophic natural 
disasters such as fires or floods); we consider them to be of moderate 
to low magnitude due to the lack of focused studies to evaluate the 
permanence of threats or the likelihood of persistence of the species 
in areas that are unaffected. Furthermore, because the threats are 
currently occurring, they are best characterized as imminent. Due to 
moderate to low magnitude of imminent threats, we changed the LPN from 
a 5 to an 8 for Stephan's riffle beetle.

Crustaceans

    Typhlatya monae (troglobitic groundwater shrimp)--Typhlatya monae 
is a subterranean small shrimp known from Puerto Rico, Barbuda, and 
Dominican Republic. It is classified as a troglobite, or obligatory 
cave organism, of which its most extraordinary feature is the reduction 
or loss of vision and pigmentation. It feeds on organic waste material 
and debris, such as bat guano.
    Little is known concerning the status of Typhlatya monae in either 
Barbuda or Dominican Republic. Although in Puerto Rico this species was 
previously found at Mona Island, currently Typhlatya monae is known 
from only three caves within the Gu[aacute]nica Commonwealth Forest in 
the municipalities of Gu[aacute]nica, Yauco, and Guayanilla. However, 
the species may still be found in the reef deposit aquifers in Mona 
Island that have not yet been surveyed. In 1995, close to 2,000 
individuals were estimated; over 95 percent of these were observed in 
only one cave. Although no systematic censuses have been conducted 
since 1995, we have recently documented the presence of the species in 
all three caves and obtained information regarding another cave in 
which the species may occur from Puerto Rico Commonwealth Forest 
personnel.
    Changes in groundwater quality, collection of rare animals, 
predation, limited distribution of the species, limited availability of 
appropriate habitat (i.e., underground aquifers within cave 
formations), potential reduction of food sources (e.g., mortality or 
reduction in bat populations), and low population numbers potentially 
threaten populations of Typhlatya monae. However, because the known 
range of Typhlatya monae is within protected lands, and because we have 
received new information of known management activities within the 
Gu[aacute]nica Commonwealth Forest or Mona Island (activities are 
managed such that some of the threats to this species no longer exist; 
e.g. the caves are closed to visitors), we now consider the magnitude 
of the remaining threats (possible extraction of ground-water in Mona 
and vulnerability to catastrophic events) moderate to low. Therefore, 
we changed the LPN from a 5 to an 11 for this species.

Flowering plants

    Abronia alpina (Ramshaw Meadows sand-verbena)--Abronia alpina is a 
small perennial herb, 2.5 to 15.2 centimeters (1 to 6 inches) across 
which forms compact mats with lavender-pink, trumpet-shaped, and 
generally fragment flowers. Abronia alpina is known from one main 
population center in Ramshaw Meadow on the Kern Plateau of the Sierra 
Nevada, California, and from one subpopulation found in adjacent 
Templeton Meadow. The total estimated area occupied is approximately 6 
hectares (15 acres). The population fluctuates from year to year 
without any clear trends. Population estimates from 1985-1994 range 
from a low of 69,652 plants in 1986 to 132,215 plants in 1987. Surveys 
conducted since 1994 indicate that no significant changes have occurred 
in population size or location, although, the 2003 survey showed 
population numbers to be at the low end of the range. The population 
was last monitored in 2006.
    The threats currently facing Abronia alpina include natural and 
human habitat alteration, hydrologic changes to the water table, and 
recreational use within meadow habitats. Lodgepole pine encroachment 
has altered the meadow and becoming established within A. alpina 
habitat. Lodgepole pine encroachment may alter soil characteristics by 
increasing organic matter levels, decreasing porosity, and moderating 
diurnal temperature fluctuations thus reducing the competitive ability 
of A. alpina to persist in an environment more hospitable to other 
plant species. The Ramshaw Meadow ecosystem is subject to potential 
alteration by lowering of the water table due to downcutting of the 
South Fork of the Kern River (SFKR). The SFKR flows through Ramshaw 
Meadow, at times coming within 15 m (50 ft) of A. alpina habitat, 
particularly in the vicinity of five subpopulations. The habitat 
occupied by A. alpina directly borders the meadow system supported by 
the SFKR. Drying out of the meadow system could potentially affect A. 
alpina pollinators and/or seed dispersal agents. Established hiker, 
packstock, and cattle trails pass through A. alpina subpopulations. Two 
main hiker trails pass through Ramshaw Meadow, but were rerouted out of 
A. alpina subpopulations where feasible, in 1988 and 1997. Remnants of 
cattle trails that pass through subpopulations in several places 
receive occasional incidental use by horses and sometimes hikers. 
Cattle use, however, currently, is not a threat due to the 2001 
implementation of a ten-year

[[Page 69042]]

moratorium on the Templeton allotment which prohibits cattle from all 
A. alpina locations. In 2007, the U.S. Forest Service in cooperation 
with the Service drafted a Conservation Agreement for A. alpina that 
would provide protective measures via increased management of 
recreation in the area, habitat management, and research on A. alpina. 
Approval and finalization of this Agreement is anticipated in Fiscal 
Year 2008. The Service is funding studies to determine appropriate 
conservation measures. As a result of rerouting hiking trails, 
curtailing grazing, and development of a Conservation Agreement between 
the U.S. Forest Service and the Service the threats facing Abronia 
alpina have been reduced. Because the population is stable and the 
threats have been reduced, we changed the LPN for A. alpina from an 8 
to an 11, reflecting nonimminent threats that are moderate to low in 
magnitude.
    Bidens campylotheca ssp. waihoiensis (Kookoolau)--Kookoolau is an 
erect, perennial found in wet Acacia-Metrosideros (koa-ohia) forest on 
Maui, Hawaii. Bidens campylotheca ssp. waihoiensis is known from 1 and 
possibly 2 populations, 1 of 200 individuals, and the second of 
possibly as many as 300 individuals. It is threatened by feral pigs and 
cattle, which eat this plant and degrade and destroy habitat, and by 
nonnative plants that outcompete and displace it. Conservation measures 
such as strategic fences and control of nonnative plants benefit the 
plants in Kipahulu Valley; however, the individuals in Waihoi Valley 
are still affected by these threats. Therefore, to reflect the fact 
that the threats are ongoing, we have changed the LPN for this species 
from a 6 to a 3.
    Chamaecrista lineata var. keyensis (Big Pine partridge pea)--This 
pea is endemic to the lower Florida Keys, and restricted to pine 
rocklands, hardwood hammock edges, and roadsides and firebreaks within 
these ecosystems. Historically, it was known from Big Pine, No Name, 
Ramrod, and Cudjoe Keys (Monroe County, Florida). It presently occurs 
on Big Pine, plus two very small populations found on Cudjoe and lower 
Sugarloaf Keys in 2005. It is fairly well distributed in Big Pine Key 
pine rocklands, which encompass approximately 580 hectares (1,433 
acres). Roughly 90 percent of its current range is within the Service's 
National Key Deer Refuge. In late 2005, it occurred within 37.2 percent 
of 541 plots sampled throughout the publicly owned pine rocklands on 
Big Pine Key. Frequency of occurrence was twice as great and density 
over 3 times greater in the less fragmented, more fire-prone northern 
portion of Big Pine Key than the southern part. Pine rockland 
communities are maintained by relatively frequent fires. In the absence 
of fire, shrubs and trees encroach on pine rockland and the pea is 
eventually shaded out. The National Key Deer Refuge (NKDR) has a 
prescribed fire program, though with many constraints on implementing 
fire. Absence of fire is the greatest of the short-term and 
deterministic threats.
    Hurricanes are also a threat. Hurricane Wilma (October 2005) 
resulted in a storm surge that covered most of Big Pine Key with sea 
water. In plots sampled after Wilma, frequency of occurrence decreased 
to less than a third and density decreased to less than half that found 
in plots sampled before Wilma.
    The magnitude of threats to the Big Pine partridge pea is moderate. 
Partridge pea has a very limited distribution that is somewhat 
fragmented and fire limitation, salt water storm surges (direct 
mortality, as well as slash pine mortality, associated with 
hurricanes), and pollinator limitation, constitute significant threats. 
Additionally, threats from storm surges associated with hurricanes are 
exacerbated by sea level rise. Big Pine partridge pea exists as one 
relatively large population (possibl