Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Franklin's Bumble Bee (Bombus franklini), 40006-40019 [2019-17337]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 156 (Tuesday, August 13, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 40006-40019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-17337]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2018-0044; 4500030113]
RIN 1018-BD25


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species 
Status for Franklin's Bumble Bee (Bombus franklini)

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 the Franklin's bumble bee (Bombus franklini), an invertebrate 
species from Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine Counties in Oregon, and 
Siskiyou and Trinity Counties in California, as an endangered species 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We find 
that disease and other natural or manmade factors are likely the 
primary threats to the species within its habitat. If made final, this 
rule would add this species to the Federal List of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and apply the protections of the Act to this 
species.
    In this proposed rule, we determine that designating critical 
habitat for the Franklin's bumble bee is not prudent, because the 
Franklin's bumble bee is a habitat generalist, and the present or 
threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of habitat is not 
a threat to Franklin's bumble bee. Consequently, the designation of 
critical habitat would not be beneficial to the Franklin's bumble bee.

DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 
October 15, 2019. 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 September 27, 2019.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
    (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
    https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS-R1-ES-
2018-0044, 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 Rules link to locate this document. You may submit a comment 
by clicking on ``Comment Now!''
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public 
Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R1-ES-2018-0044; 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 https://www.regulations.gov. This 
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide 
us (see Information Requested, below, for more information).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Henson, Field Supervisor, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, 2600 SE 
98th Ave. Suite 100, Portland, OR 97266; telephone 503-231-6179. 
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call 
the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

[[Page 40007]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Information Requested

    We intend that any final action resulting from this proposed rule 
will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available and 
be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, we request 
comments or information from other concerned governmental agencies, 
Native American tribes, the scientific community, industry, or any 
other interested parties concerning this proposed rule. We particularly 
seek comments concerning:
    (1) Franklin's bumble bee's biology, range, and population trends, 
including:
    (a) Biological or ecological requirements of the species, including 
habitat requirements for feeding, breeding, and sheltering;
    (b) Genetics and taxonomy;
    (c) Historical and current range, including distribution patterns;
    (d) Historical and current population levels, and current and 
projected trends; and
    (e) Past and ongoing conservation measures for the species, its 
habitat, or both.
    (2) Our analysis of the current status of Franklin's bumble bee. As 
discussed below (see Background below, for more information), based on 
the lack of observations of Franklin's over the last 13 years it is 
possible that the species is extinct. We will be analyzing any new 
information on this question before making a final determination; if we 
determine that the best available information indicates that the 
species is likely extinct, we will withdraw this proposed rule. Thus, 
we are seeking any information regarding the persistence or extinction 
of the species within its historical range including:
    (a) Verifiable reports or evidence of Franklin's bumble bee 
occurrence in its range; or
    (b) any information that may indicate extinction of the species.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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.
    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.
    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. All 
comments submitted electronically via https://www.regulations.gov will 
be presented on the website in their entirety as submitted. For 
comments submitted via hard copy, we will post your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--on https://www.regulations.gov. You may request at the top of your document that 
we withhold personal information such as your street address, phone 
number, or email address from public review; however, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov, or by 
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).
    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 (16 U.S.C. 
1531 et seq.) directs that determinations as to whether any species is 
an endangered or threatened species must be made ``solely on the basis 
of the best scientific and commercial data available.'' In making a 
final decision on this proposal, we will take into consideration the 
comments and any additional information we receive during the public 
comment period. Such communications could lead to a final rule that 
differs from this proposal, including a withdrawal of this proposal.

Public Hearing

    Section 4(b)(5) of the Act provides for one or more public hearings 
on this proposal, if requested. Requests must be received by the date 
specified in DATES and 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.

Peer Review

    In accordance with our joint policy on peer review published in the 
Federal Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270), we sought the expert 
opinions of 10 appropriate and independent specialists regarding the 
scientific basis for this proposed rule; nine agreed to provide review. 
The purpose of peer review is to ensure that our listing and critical 
habitat determinations are based on scientifically sound data, 
assumptions, and analyses. The peer reviewers have expertise in 
Franklin's bumble bee or Bombus biology and habitat, and their comments 
helped inform our determinations. We invited comment from the peer 
reviewers during the analysis of the status of the species and the 
creation of the species status assessment report (SSA Report; U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service 2018); these comments will be available along with 
other public comments in the docket for this proposed rule.

Previous Federal Actions

    We were petitioned to list Franklin's bumble bee as endangered 
under Act on June 23, 2010, by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate 
Conservation and Dr. Robbin Thorp, Professor Emeritus from the 
University of California (Xerces Society and Thorp 2010, p. 2). On 
September 13, 2011, we announced in the Federal Register (76 FR 56381) 
that the petition presented substantial information indicating that 
this species may be warranted for listing, and announced the initiation 
of a status review for the species. This action constitutes our 12-
month finding on the 2010 petition to list the Franklin's bumble bee.

Background

    A thorough review of the taxonomy, life history, and ecology of 
Franklin's bumble bee is presented in the Franklin's Bumble Bee Species 
Status Assessment report (SSA Report; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
2018) on https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2018-
0044. Franklin's bumble bee is thought to have the most limited 
distribution of all known North American bumble bee species (Plowright 
and Stephen 1980, p. 479; Xerces Society and Thorp 2010, p. 6), and one 
of the most limited geographic distributions of any bumble bee in the 
world (Frison 1922, p. 315; Williams 1998, p. 129). Stephen (1957, p. 
81) recorded the species from the Umpqua and Rogue River Valleys in 
Oregon. Thorp et al. (1983, p. 8) also recorded it from northern 
California and suggested its restriction to the Klamath

[[Page 40008]]

Mountain region of southern Oregon and northern California. Elevations 
where it has been observed range from 162 meters (m) (540 feet (ft)) in 
the northern part of its range, to over 2,340 m (7,800 ft) in the 
southern part of its range. All confirmed specimens have been found in 
an area about 306 kilometers (km) (190 miles (mi)) to the north and 
south, and 113 km (70 mi) east to west, between 122[deg] to 124[deg] 
west longitude and 40[deg]58' to 43[deg]30' north latitude in Douglas, 
Jackson, and Josephine Counties in southern Oregon, and Siskiyou and 
Trinity Counties in northern California (Thorp 1999, p. 3; Thorp 2005, 
p. 1; International Union for Conservation of Nature 2009, p. 1).
    Franklin's bumble bee was first observed in 1917 and first 
described in 1921, and limited occurrence and observation data exists 
for Franklin's bumble bee prior to 1998. The species has been found on 
many privately owned sites as well as municipal, State and federally 
owned land. Historical observations and occurrence data for Franklin's 
bumble bee prior to 1998 include randomly reported observations, 
student collections, and museum specimens, as well as the collections 
and notes of interested parties, natural resource managers, and 
university staff (Xerces Society and Thorp 2010, pp. 34-40). A more 
intensive and targeted search effort for the species began in 1998 in 
areas thought to have the highest likelihood of Franklin's bumble bee 
presence. There was initial success at finding a higher abundance of 
the species than ever previously reported in one year, 98 bees in 1998 
(mostly from 2 sites). However, in subsequent years searchers found 
fewer and fewer bees, and no Franklin's bumble bees have been found 
since the last sighting of a single individual in Oregon in 2006. The 
variations in timing, scope, intensity, and methodology of search 
efforts (including those since 1998) and the lack of observations since 
2006 prevent the identification of any population trends. Many of the 
occurrence records just provide point data for an occurrence, with no 
details on the size of the area searched or whether or not the record 
reflected a comprehensive search of an area. Many records also lack 
details on the level of survey effort per location (number of 
searchers, hours of search effort per day, number of days per search 
effort).
    The lack of systematic surveys across the historical range of the 
species over time prevents us from using occurrence records to 
extrapolate reasonable estimates of species abundance or distribution 
or concluding that the species is extinct; even though none have been 
seen since 2006, Franklin's bumble bee populations could potentially 
persist undetected. The areas chosen for survey were selected due to a 
combination of abundance of floral resources throughout the colony 
cycle, relatively recent historical occurrence of the species, and 
accessibility to surveyors. However, the surveyed area represents a 
relatively small percentage of the historical range of the Franklin's 
bumble bee; therefore, it is possible the species may persist in other 
areas of the range. There are numerous instances of species 
rediscovered after many years, even decades, of having been believed 
extinct (e.g., Scheffers et al. 2011, entire). As one example of such a 
case, Fender's blue butterfly (Icaricia icarioides fenderi) of Oregon 
was believed extinct after the last recorded observation in 1937, until 
it was rediscovered in 1989, 52 years later (Hammond and Wilson 1992, 
p. 175; Hammond and Wilson 1993, p. 2). Recent approaches to evaluating 
extinction likelihood place increased emphasis on the extensiveness and 
adequacy of survey effort (Keith et al. 2017, p. 321; Thompson et al. 
2017, p. 328), and caution against declaring a species as extinct in 
the face of uncertainty (Ak[ccedil]akaya et al. 2017, p. 339).
    The specific life-history characteristics and behavior of this rare 
species have not been studied; much of the information presented in the 
SSA Report (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2018) is inferred from 
information on Bombus in general and some closely related species 
(western bumble bee (B. occidentalis), rusty patched bumble bee (B. 
affinis), and yellow-faced bumble bee (B. vosnesenskii), among others). 
The report also relied heavily on information from species experts.
    Franklin's bumble bee is a primitively eusocial (highly social) 
bumble bee, living in colonies made up of a queen and her offspring 
(males and workers). Like other eusocial Bombus species, Franklin's 
bumble bee typically nests underground in abandoned rodent burrows or 
other cavities that offer resting and sheltering places, food storage, 
nesting, and room for the colony to grow (Plath 1927, pp. 122-128; 
Hobbs 1968, p. 157; Thorp et al. 1983, p. 1; Thorp 1999, p. 5). The 
species may also occasionally nest on the ground (Thorp et al. 1983, p. 
1) or in rock piles (Plowright and Stephen 1980, p. 475). It has even 
been found nesting in a residential garage in the city limits of 
Medford, Oregon (Thorp 2017, pers. comm,).
    Colonies of Franklin's bumble bee have an annual cycle, initiated 
each spring when solitary queens emerge from hibernation and seek 
suitable nest sites (Thorp 2017, pers. comm.). Colonies may contain 
from 50 to 400 workers along with the founding queen (Plath 1927, pp. 
123-124; Thorp et al. 1983, p. 2; Macfarlane et al. 1994, p. 7). Two 
colonies of Franklin's bumble bee that were initiated in the laboratory 
and set out to complete development in the field, contained over 60 
workers by early September, and likely produced over 100 workers by the 
end of the season (Plowright and Stephen 1980, p. 477). The flight 
season of Franklin's bumble bee is from mid-May to the end of September 
(Thorp et al. 1983, p. 30); a few individuals have been encountered in 
October (Southern Oregon University Bee Collection records, in Xerces 
Society and Thorp 2010, Appendix 1, p. 39). At the end of the colony 
cycle, all the workers and the males die along with the founding queen; 
only the inseminated hibernating females (gynes) are left to carry on 
the genetic lineage into the following year (Duchateau and Velthius 
1988).
    As with all Bombus species, Franklin's bumble bee has a unique 
genetic system called the haplodiploid sex determination system. In 
this system, unfertilized (haploid) eggs become males that carry a 
single set of chromosomes, and fertilized (diploid) eggs become females 
that carry two sets of chromosomes. This system may result in lower 
levels of genetic diversity than the more common diploid-diploid sex 
determination system, in which both males and females carry two sets of 
chromosomes. Haplodiploid organisms may be more prone to population 
extinction than diploid-diploid organisms, due to their susceptibility 
to low population levels and loss of genetic diversity (U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service 2018, p. 37). Inbreeding depression in bumble bees can 
lead to the production of sterile diploid males (Goulson et al. 2008, 
p. 11.7) and negatively affects bumble bee colony size (Herrman et al. 
2007, p. 1167), which are key factors in a colony's reproductive 
success.
    As one of the rarest Bombus species, Franklin's bumble bees are 
somewhat enigmatic, and a specific habitat study for the species has 
not been completed. Such a study was initiated in 2006, when the 
Franklin's bumble bee was last seen, but could not continue due to the 
subsequent absence of the species (Thorp 2017, pers. comm.). However, 
some general habitat associations of Bombus are known. Like all bumble 
bees, the Franklin's bumble bee requires

[[Page 40009]]

a constant and diverse supply of flowers that bloom throughout the 
colony's life cycle, from spring to autumn (Xerces Society and Thorp 
2010, p. 11); these resources would typically be found in open (non-
forested) meadows in proximity to seeps and other wet meadow 
environments. The nectar from flowers provides carbohydrates, and the 
pollen provides protein. Franklin's bumble bee may have a foraging 
distance of up to 10 km (6.2 mi) (Thorp 2017, pers. comm.), but the 
species' typical dispersal distance is most likely 3 km (1.86 mi) or 
less (Hatfield 2017, pers. comm.; Goulson 2010, p. 96). Franklin's 
bumble bee have been observed collecting pollen from lupine (Lupinus 
spp.) and California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), and collecting 
nectar from horsemint or nettle-leaf giant hyssop (Agastache 
urticifolia) and mountain monardella (Monardella odoratissima) (Xerces 
Society and Thorp 2010, p. 11). Franklin's bumble bee may also collect 
both pollen and nectar from vetch (Vicia spp.) as well as rob nectar 
from it (Xerces Society and Thorp 2010, p. 11).
    In summary, Franklin's bumble bee has been found in a wide array of 
sheltered and exposed habitat types at a broad elevational range, and 
the species appears to be a generalist forager. Our certainty regarding 
the Franklin's bumble bee's habitat needs is limited to (1) floral 
resources for nectaring throughout the colony cycle, and (2) relatively 
protected areas for breeding and shelter. The habitat elements that 
Franklin's bumble bee appears to prefer to fulfill those needs 
mentioned above are relatively flexible, plentiful, and widely 
distributed.

Summary of Biological Status and Threats

    The Act directs us to determine whether any species is an 
endangered species or a threatened species because of any factors 
affecting its continued existence. We completed a comprehensive 
assessment of the biological status of the Franklin's bumble bee and 
prepared a report of the assessment (i.e., the SSA Report), which 
provides a thorough account of the species' overall viability. We 
define viability here as the likelihood of the species to persist over 
the long term and, conversely, to avoid extinction. Below, we summarize 
the conclusions of that assessment, which can be accessed on https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2018-0044.

3-R Analysis

    To assess the Franklin's bumble bee's viability, we used the three 
conservation biology principles of resiliency, representation, and 
redundancy, or the 3-Rs (Smith et al. 2018). Briefly, resiliency 
supports the ability of the species to withstand environmental and 
demographic stochasticity (for example, wet or dry, warm or cold 
years); representation supports the ability of the species to adapt 
over time to long-term changes in the environment (for example, climate 
changes); and redundancy supports the ability of the species to 
withstand catastrophic events (for example, droughts, hurricanes). In 
general, the more redundant, representative, and resilient a species 
is, 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. To assess resiliency and redundancy, we evaluated the change 
in Franklin's bumble bee occurrences (populations) over time. To assess 
representation (as an indicator of adaptive capacity) of the Franklin's 
bumble bee, we evaluated the spatial extent of occurrences over time. 
We evaluated the change in resiliency, representation, and redundancy 
from the past until the present; however, due to the lack of 
observations of the species since 2006, we did not project anticipated 
future states of these conditions.
    Our analyses indicate that the resiliency, redundancy, and 
representation of the Franklin's bumble bee have all declined since the 
late 1990s. Historically, the species has always been rare and has one 
of the narrowest distributions of any Bombus species in the world. Even 
so, the abundance and distribution of Franklin's bumble bee has 
declined significantly (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2018, pp. 10-
14); the species has not been observed since 2006, despite an intensive 
survey effort in select portions of the historical range. Search 
efforts for the species have been varied in timing, scope, intensity, 
and methodology. During the more intensive surveys from 1998 until the 
last observation in 2006, the Franklin's bumble bee was observed at 14 
locations, including 8 locations where it had not been previously 
documented. In 1998, 98 bees were found among 11 locations. Searchers 
found fewer and fewer bees after that year even though they continued 
extensive searches in multiple locations with the highest likelihood of 
finding the species. Twenty bees were located in 1999, nine individuals 
were observed in 2000, and one individual was observed in 2001. 
Although 20 Franklin's bumble bees were observed in 2002, only 3 were 
observed in 2003 (all at a single locality), and a single worker bee 
was observed in 2006. Despite continued intensive search efforts in 
these areas through 2017, there have been no confirmed observations of 
the Franklin's bumble bee since 2006. Data allow us to estimate 43 
potential populations of the species since records have been kept. From 
1998 to 2006, 14 potential populations could be identified. Since 2006, 
no populations have been located.
    The vulnerability resulting from the Franklin's bumble bee's 
haplodiploid genetic system, as well as the loss in the abundance and 
spatial extent of its populations, suggest the resiliency, 
representation, and redundancy of the Franklin's bumble bee have all 
declined significantly since the late 1990s. The losses in both the 
number of populations and their spatial extent render the Franklin's 
bumble bee vulnerable to extinction even without further external 
stressors (e.g., pathogens and insecticide exposure) acting upon the 
species.
    As part of our status assessment of the Franklin's bumble bee, we 
looked at potential stressors affecting the species' viability. Our 
full assessment of the stressors can be found in the SSA Report (U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service 2018). In accordance with section 4(a)(1) of 
the Act, in reviewing the status of the species to determine if it 
meets the definition of endangered or of threatened, we determine 
whether a species is an endangered species or a threatened species 
because of any of the following five factors: (A) The present or 
threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or 
range; (B) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes; (C) disease or predation; (D) the inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; and (E) other natural or manmade 
factors affecting its continued existence.
    Potential stressors that we analyzed for the Franklin's bumble bee 
generally fit into three groups that correspond with Factors A (habitat 
loss and fragmentation), C (pathogens), or E (pesticide use, 
competition with nonnative bees, and effects of small population size). 
No potential stressors of the Franklin's bumble bee correspond with 
Factor B. There has never been any indication that the Franklin's 
bumble bee was at risk of overutilization for commercial, recreational, 
scientific, or

[[Page 40010]]

educational purposes, and we did not find any new information to 
suggest this has changed. Existing regulatory mechanisms (Factor D) are 
discussed below in the context of how they help to reduce or ameliorate 
stressors to the Franklin's bumble bee.

Influence Factors Related to Destruction, Modification or Curtailment 
of Habitat

    The 2010 petition identified destruction, degradation, and 
conversion of habitat as a threat to the Franklin's bumble bee. In our 
90-day finding on the 2010 petition (76 FR 56381; September 13, 2011), 
we noted that the petitioners provided substantial information on 
threats to the Franklin's bumble bee from the destruction, 
modification, or curtailment of habitat, primarily due to the potential 
impacts of natural or prescribed fire. Because the loss and degradation 
of habitat has been shown to reduce both diversity and abundance in 
other Bombus species (Potts et al. 2010, pp. 348-349), our SSA Report 
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2018) looked at the potential stressor 
of habitat loss and fragmentation (from natural or prescribed fire, 
agricultural intensification, urban development, livestock grazing, and 
the effects of climate change).
    Although conversion of natural habitat appears to be the primary 
cause of bumble bee habitat loss throughout the world (Goulson et al. 
2015, p. 2; Kosior et al. 2010, p. 81), many researchers believe it is 
unlikely to be a main driver of the recent, widespread North American 
bee declines (Szabo et al. 2012, p. 236; Colla and Packer 2008, p. 
1388; Cameron et al. 2011, p. 665). Our certainty regarding the 
Franklin's bumble bee's habitat needs is limited to (1) floral 
resources for nectaring throughout the colony cycle, and (2) relatively 
protected areas for breeding and shelter. Furthermore, the available 
information regarding locations where the species has been found 
indicates that the Franklin's bumble bee is a generalist forager and 
the species' specific needs and preferences for these habitat elements 
are relatively flexible, plentiful, and widely distributed. While we 
can say that Bombus species in general might prefer protected meadows 
with an abundance of wildflowers, the Franklin's bumble bee has been 
found in a wide array of sheltered and exposed habitat types at 
elevations ranging from 540 ft (162 m) to 7,800 ft (2,340 m).
Natural or Prescribed Fire
    Fire caused by both natural and human-caused factors has been an 
important change on the landscape in the range of the Franklin's bumble 
bee. Because fire reduces natural succession of forests through the 
burning of encroaching woody plants, fire is a primary factor in the 
maintenance of grassland and meadow habitat that can support Bombus 
species (Shultz and Crone 1998, p. 244; Huntzinger 2003). With the 
increase in human development came fire suppression to limit damage to 
manmade structures. Fire suppression allows woody encroachment to 
occur, and the diverse landscape created by fire (open areas mixed 
within forested areas) is slowly being replaced by increasing areas of 
denser forested habitat; the open areas that facilitated the growth of 
diverse understory plant communities are being reduced from their 
historical condition (Ruchty 2011, p. 26). Conifer species now cover 
some of the area that was previously open meadow habitat in the range 
of the Franklin's bumble bee (Panzer 2002; Shultz and Crone 1998, p. 
244). Although this loss of habitat by fire suppression may have 
limited the availability and diversity of floral resources, as well as 
nest and overwintering habitat for the Franklin's bumble bee, healthy 
meadow habitat remains in areas where the Franklin's bumble bee was 
previously found (Godwin 2017, pers comm.; Colyer 2017, pers. comm.), 
and it is unlikely that loss of habitat from fire suppression was a 
factor in the decline of the species.
    Increased fuel loads from fire suppression heighten the potential 
for catastrophic, large-scale, and high temperature wildfires. Any 
Bombus colonies in the path of this type of fire would be at risk of 
extirpation. Wildfire may have extirpated some historical populations 
of the Franklin's bumble bee, but we have no information suggesting 
that any known Franklin's bumble bee occurrence sites were in the path 
of catastrophic wildfires at the time the sites were occupied. 
Controlled burning became a management tool for reducing potential fuel 
loads for wildfire; controlled burning is carried out by Federal land 
management agencies including the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of 
Land Management in the range of the Franklin's bumble bee. The effects 
of fire on invertebrates depends greatly on the biology of the specific 
taxa (Gibson et al. 1992), and in the case of the Franklin's bumble 
bee, controlled burns could certainly cause death of individual bees 
and negative effects to a colony. However, we have no information to 
indicate that controlled burns were a factor in the decline of the 
Franklin's bumble bee.
Agricultural Intensification
    Agricultural intensification can result in habitat loss for bumble 
bees, as these practices often result in the planting of monocultures 
that tend to provide floral resources for a limited period of time, 
rather than throughout the colony's life cycle. Agricultural 
intensification can negatively impact wild bees by reducing floral 
resource diversity and abundance (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2018, 
p. 32). Agricultural intensification was determined to be a primary 
factor leading to the local extirpation and decline of bumble bees in 
Illinois (Grixti et al. 2009, p. 75). An increased use of herbicides 
often accompanies development and agricultural intensification, and the 
widespread use of herbicides in agricultural, urban, and even natural 
landscapes has led to decreases in flowering plants (Potts et al. 2010, 
p. 350).
    Within the historical range of the Franklin's bumble bee, total 
acres in agricultural cropland decreased in all three counties in 
Oregon (Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine) by greater than 50 percent 
from 1997 to 2012 (U.S. Department of Agriculture--National Agriculture 
Statistics Service 2017, pers. comm.; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
2018, p. 33). While the total number of acres of agricultural cropland 
is not synonymous with agricultural intensification (specifically, the 
expansion of monocultures), a decrease in total acres of agriculture 
leads us to conclude that agricultural intensification was not likely a 
factor in the decline of the Franklin's bumble bee. We have no 
documentation in our files or any direct evidence that agricultural 
intensification has contributed to the decline of the Franklin's bumble 
bee. Approximately 42 percent of sites where Franklin's bumble bee have 
been reported (18 of 43) occur on federally owned land, primarily U.S. 
Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land; very little habitat 
on these lands has been permanently altered or lost through 
agricultural intensification (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2018, p. 
32).
Urban Development
    Ongoing urbanization contributes to the loss and fragmentation of 
natural habitats. Urban gardens and parks provide habitat for some 
pollinators including bumble bees (Frankie et al. 2005; McFrederick and 
LeBuhn 2006), but they tend not to support the species richness of 
bumble bees that can be found in nearby undeveloped

[[Page 40011]]

landscapes (Xerces Society and Thorp 2010, p. 13), or that which was 
present historically (McFrederick and LeBuhn 2006). However, Franklin's 
bumble bee and western bumble bee have both been observed in urban 
areas of Ashland, Oregon, and in residential areas of Medford, Oregon. 
Furthermore, approximately 42 percent of the sites where Franklin's 
bumble bee have been reported (18 of 43) occur on federally owned land, 
primarily U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management land, and 
very little habitat on these lands has been permanently altered or lost 
through development.
    Generally good habitat conditions currently exist throughout the 
known historical B. franklini locations and all of the recent focused 
survey areas, with the notable exceptions being the creation of Lake 
Applegate upon the completion of Applegate Dam in the fall of 1980 and 
a report of soil modification on a portion of the Gold Hill site. The 
Applegate Dam project inundated two historical B. franklini locations 
(Copper and 2 miles north of Copper), with historical observations from 
1963 and 1968 (Xerces Society and Thorp 2010, p. 13; Thorp, pers. comm. 
2017). It is not known if Franklin's bumble bees were still in the area 
and using the habitat at the time of the inundation. The Petition noted 
that in 2004, soil had been excavated and deposited in a portion of the 
Gold Hill area (Xerces Society and Thorp 2010, p. 13). The last 
observation of Franklin's bumble bee at Gold Hill was in the year 2000, 
and the site was revisited 14 times over the next three years with no 
observations of Franklin's bumble bee. In both of these cases, we don't 
know if the species was still using the habitat in the area by the time 
the activities took place. We have no documentation in our files or any 
direct evidence that these incidents or urbanization or development in 
the range of Franklin's bumble bee contributed to the decline of the 
species.
Livestock Grazing
    Livestock grazing occurs on public land in much of the historical 
range of the Franklin's bumble bee. Overgrazing by sheep between 1890 
and 1920 resulted in trampling vegetation and denuding soils, and 
grazing is currently evident today in the continuing erosion of the 
granitic soils of the McDonald Basin, Siskiyou Gap, Mt. Ashland, and 
the Siskiyou Crest (LaLande 1995, p. 31; T. Atzet 2017, pers. comm.). 
Several studies on the impacts of livestock grazing on bees suggest an 
increase in the intensity of livestock grazing affects the species 
richness of bees (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2018, p. 35). In 
contrast, grazing, especially by cattle, can play a key positive role 
in maintaining the abundance and species richness of preferred bumble 
bee forage (Carvell 2002, p. 44). Evidence of livestock grazing was 
observed interspersed within abundant floral resources in Franklin's 
bumble bee habitat during several recent targeted survey efforts 
(Brooks 1997, pers. comm.; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2016; U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service 2017; Trail 2017, pers. comm.). We have no 
new information that the timing, location, intensity, or duration of 
grazing has changed, with the exception of the Cascade-Siskiyou 
National Monument, where most grazing has been retired (Colyer 2018, 
pers. comm.). The lack of specific information on the impacts of 
livestock grazing on the Franklin's bumble bee limits our ability to 
connect the activity to any specific species' response. Therefore, we 
do not consider livestock grazing a threat to the Franklin's bumble 
bee.
Effects of Climate Change
    Specific impacts of climate change on pollinators are not well 
understood; most of the existing information on climate change impacts 
to pollinators comes from studies on butterflies. Studies specifically 
relating to bumble bees are scant, and we found no climate change 
information specific to the Franklin's bumble bee. Changes in 
temperature and precipitation, and the increased frequency of storm 
events, can affect pollinator population sizes directly, by affecting 
survival and reproduction (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 
2013, entire; Bale et al. 2002, p. 11; Roland and Matter 2016, p. 22). 
These climatic changes can also affect populations indirectly, by 
altering resource availability and species interactions (U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service 2018, p. 36).
    Some studies suggest that pollinators are responding to climate 
change with recent latitudinal and elevational range shifts such that 
there is spatial mismatch among plants and their pollinators; while 
this has been demonstrated in butterflies, it may be less of a factor 
for bumble bees (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2018, p. 36). As 
generalist foragers, bumble bees do not require synchrony with a 
particular plant species, although some bumble bee populations are 
active earlier in the season than in the past (Bartomeus et al. 2011, 
p. 20646). Bumble bee abundance for three species of Bombus in the 
Rocky Mountains increased when floral resources were available for more 
days, and the number of days where floral resources were available 
increased with greater summer precipitation and later snowmelt dates 
(Ogilvie et al. 2017, p. 4). Several of the targeted Franklin's bumble 
bee and western bumble bee survey reports between 2015 and 2017 include 
mention of widespread hot, dry climate affecting timing and abundance 
of floral resources during the surveys (Bureau of Land Management 2015; 
Trail 2017, pers. comm.). Although the Olgilvie et al. study and the 
survey reports suggest potential indirect effects of climate change on 
Bombus, we have no information to indicate that the effects of climate 
change were connected to the decline of the Franklin's bumble bee; 
numerous Bombus species persist in areas considered to maintain good 
quality habitat for the Franklin's bumble bee (Pool 2014, entire; 
Colyer 2016, entire).
Summary
    Although habitat loss has had negative effects on bumble bees, we 
conclude it is unlikely to be a main driver of the decline of the 
Franklin's bumble bee. Habitat appears generally intact and in good 
condition throughout the known, historical locations of the Franklin's 
bumble bee and all of the recent focused survey areas(with notable 
exceptions of the historical habitat lost by the creation of Lake 
Applegate in the fall of 1980 and soil modification that occurred on a 
portion of the Gold Hill site in 2004). In our assessment, we found no 
information to suggest the destruction, degradation, and conversion of 
habitat was a significant factor in the decline of the Franklin's 
bumble bee (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2018, pp. 35-37), and we 
have no information to suggest that habitat destruction or modification 
will increase in intensity to the point where it will be a primary 
stressor to the species in its range in the near future.

Influence Factors Related to Disease or Predation

    A number of diseases are known to naturally occur in bumble bee 
populations. These include the protozoan parasite Crithidia bombi (C. 
bombi), the tracheal mite Locustacarus buchneri, the microsporidium 
(parasitic fungus) Nosema bombi (N. bombi), as well as deformed wing 
virus. Pathogens and parasites are widespread generalists in the host 
genus, but affect species differently according to host susceptibility 
and tolerance to infection (Kissinger et al. 2011, p. 221; Malfi and 
Roulston 2014, p. 18). The host species' life history plays a role in 
the virulence of a given pathogen; for instance, parasites may have 
relatively smaller effects on species with shorter colony

[[Page 40012]]

life cycles and smaller colony sizes (Rutrecht and Brown 2009, entire).
    Pathogen spillover is a process whereby parasites and pathogens 
spread from commercial bee colonies to native bee populations (Colla et 
al. 2006, p. 461; Otterstatter and Thompson 2008, p. 1). The decline of 
certain Bombus species from the mid-1990s to present, particularly 
species in the subgenus Bombus sensu stricto (including Franklin's 
bumble bee), was contemporaneous with the collapse of commercially bred 
western bumble bee (raised primarily to pollinate greenhouse tomato and 
sweet pepper crops beginning in the late 1980s) (Szabo et al. 2012, pp. 
232-233). This collapse was attributed to infections of N. bombi.
    Nosema bombi has been detected in native bumble bees in North 
America, and has been found to be a part of the natural pathogen load. 
The fungus has been reported in Canada since the 1940s (Cordes et al. 
2011, p. 7) and appears to have a broad host range in North American 
(Kissinger et al. 2011, p. 222). Infections of the pathogen primarily 
occur in the malpighian tubules (small excretory or water regulating 
glands), but also in fat bodies, nerve cells, and sometimes the trachea 
(Macfarlane et al. 1995). Bombus colonies can appear to be healthy but 
still carry N. bombi and transmit it to other colonies, most likely 
when spores are fed to larvae and then infected adults drift into non-
natal colonies (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2018, p. 25).
    The effect of pathogens on bumble bees varies from mild to severe 
(Macfarlane et al. 1995; Rutrecht et al. 2007, p. 1719; Otti and 
Schmid-Hempel 2008, p. 577). Bumble bees infected with Nosema bombi may 
have crippled wings, and queens may have distended abdomens and be 
unable to mate (Otti and Schmid-Hempel 2007, pp. 122-123). Malfi and 
Roulston (2014, p. 24) found that N. bombi infections are more frequent 
and more severe in rare species, and the species with the highest 
percentages of infected individuals were rare species. Furthermore, the 
effects of pathogen infection on bumble bees may be amplified by other 
stressors on the landscape. Nutritional stress may compromise the 
ability of bumble bees to survive parasitic infections, as evidenced by 
a significant difference in mortality in bumble bees on a restricted 
diet compared to well-fed bees infected with C. bombi (Brown et al. 
2000, pp. 424-425).
    A virulent strain of N. bombi from the buff-tailed bumble bee (B. 
terrestris) may have spread to the eastern bumble bee (B. impatiens) 
and western bumble bee prior to their shipment back into the United 
States, and once in this country, the commercially reared colonies may 
have spread the virulent strain to wild populations of Franklin's 
bumble bee (Xerces Society and Thorp 2010, p. 14). In work partially 
funded by the Service, the University of Illinois conducted surveys for 
parasites and pathogens in bumble bee populations of the Pacific 
Northwest and Midwest between 2005 and 2009. The goal was to assess 
Bombus populations for presence and prevalence of pathogens, 
particularly microsporidia, in an effort to provide baseline data to 
assess disease as a potential factor in the decline of the Franklin's 
bumble bee, western bumble bee, and American bumble bee (B. 
pensylvanicus) (Solter et al. 2010, p. 1). The highest prevalence of N. 
bombi was found in western bumble bee, with 26 percent of collected 
individuals infected. Crithidia bombi infections of western bumble bee 
were 2.8 percent overall. No Franklin's bumble bees were collected 
during the study. However, Mt. Ashland, Oregon, was one of only three 
sites in the Pacific Northwest study area where N. bombi infections 
were found in multiple Bombus species (the indiscriminate cuckoo bumble 
bee (B. insularis) and black-notched bumble bee (B. bifarius)) (Solter 
et al. 2010, pp. 3-4). Although Cordes et al. (2011, p. 7) found a new 
allele in N. bombi, the recent study by Cameron et al. (2016) found no 
evidence of an exotic strain of N. bombi. While we have no evidence of 
direct effects of a virulent strain of N. bombi on the Franklin's 
bumble bee, N. bombi has been detected in closely related species in 
the range of the Franklin's bumble bee. Furthermore, N. bombi 
infections in rare species like the Franklin's bumble bee are more 
frequent, are more severe, and seem to affect a higher percentage of 
individuals of the species.
    In summary, known pathogens occur within the historical range of 
the Franklin's bumble bee, and we have evidence of several pathogens 
infecting closely related species within that range that have also 
likely affected the Franklin's bumble bee. Although we have no direct 
evidence of pathogens playing a role in the decline of the Franklin's 
bumble bee, the disappearance of the Franklin's bumble bee occurred 
soon after a period of potential exposure to introduced pathogens, 
particularly N. bombi, which is known to have a more severe impact on 
rare species like the Franklin's bumble bee. Decline of other closely 
related pollinators has been associated with these pathogens, and it is 
highly likely pathogens have had some negative influence on the health 
of Franklin's bumble bee populations.

Influence Factors Related to Other Natural or Manmade Factors

Pesticide Use
    Exposure to pesticides can occur to bumble bees from direct spray 
or drift, or from gathering or consuming contaminated nectar or pollen 
(Johansen and Mayer 1990; Morandin et al. 2005, p. 619). Lethal and 
sublethal effects on bumble bee eggs, larvae, and adults have been 
documented for many different pesticides under various scenarios (U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service 2018, p. 28). Documented sub-lethal effects 
to individual bumble bees and colonies include reduced or no male 
production, reduced or no egg hatch, reduced queen production, reduced 
queen longevity, reduced colony weight gain, reduced brood size, 
reduced feeding, impaired ovary development, and an increased number of 
foragers or foraging trips or duration (interpreted as risky behaviors) 
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2018, p. 28). Studies have also found 
evidence of adverse impacts to bumble bee habitat associated with 
pesticides due to changes in vegetation and the removal or reduction of 
flowers needed to provide consistent sources of pollen, nectar, and 
nesting material (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2018, p. 28). Declines 
in bumble bees in parts of Europe have been at least partially 
attributed to the use of pesticides (Williams 1986, p. 54; Kosior et 
al. 2007, p. 81).
    Although the use of land for agricultural purposes has 
traditionally involved the use of pesticides and other products toxic 
to bees, one particular class of insecticides known as neonicotinoids 
have been strongly implicated in the decline of honey bees (Apis spp.) 
worldwide, and implicated in the decline of several Bombus species 
including rusty patched bumble bee, buff-tailed bumble bee, and eastern 
bumble bee (Pisa et al. 2015, p. 69; Goulson 2013, pp. 7-8; Colla and 
Packer 2008, p. 10; Lundin et al. 2015, p. 7). Neonicotinoids are a 
broad class of insecticides based on nicotine compounds used in a 
variety of agricultural applications; they act as a neurotoxin, 
affecting the central nervous system of insects by interfering with the 
receptors of the insects' nervous system, causing overstimulation, 
paralysis, and death. The neonicotinoid family of insecticides includes 
acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, nitenpyram, nithiazine, 
thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam. In the range of the

[[Page 40013]]

Franklin's bumble bee (Jackson, Douglas, and Josephine Counties in 
Oregon, as well as Trinity and Siskiyou Counties in California), the 
first reported use of imidacloprid was in 1996, thiamethoxam in 2001, 
and clothianidin in 2004. The use of neonicotinoid pesticides continued 
in the range of the species through 2006, when the last observation of 
the Franklin's bumble bee was recorded. Total estimated neonicotinoid 
applications increased from 53.35 pounds per acre (lbs/ac) (24.19 
kilograms per hectare)(kg/ac) in 1996 to 1,144.128 lbs/ac (518.86 kg/
ha) in 2014; however, the exponential growth of neonicotinoid 
applications started in 2011, 5 years after the last observation of the 
species. The vast majority of neonicotinoids are used as seed 
treatments on grains and other field crops (Oregon Department of 
Agriculture 2018, pers. comm.).
    No studies have investigated the effects of pesticide use on the 
Franklin's bumble bee, and no discoveries have been documented of any 
Franklin's bumble bees injured or killed by pesticides. The Franklin's 
bumble bee is a habitat generalist and is not known to have a close 
association with agricultural lands; therefore, it may have less 
exposure to pesticides than some other Bombus species. However, 
pesticide use occurs in the range of the Franklin's bumble bee. The 
similarity in foraging traits that the Franklin's bumble bee has with 
both honey bees and the other Bombus species (e.g., generalist foragers 
collecting pollen from similar food sources) allows us to infer that 
the Franklin's bumble bee would suffer exposure to and impacts from 
pesticides in similar measure to other Bombus species when the 
Franklin's bumble bee is in areas where pesticides are applied.
Effects of Small Population Size
    The Franklin's bumble bee is rare and has always had very small 
populations (relative to other similar, native bumble bees in the 
western United States), and likely has low genetic diversity due to the 
haplodiploidy genetic system it shares with all Bombus species (Zayed 
2009, p. 238). These factors make the species more vulnerable to 
habitat change or loss, parasites, diseases, stochastic events, and 
other natural disasters such as droughts (Xerces Society and Thorp 
2010, p. 20). Between 1998 and 2006, the number of Franklin's bumble 
bee observations went from a high of 98 at 11 locations, to a lone 
individual in 2006. No observations of the Franklin's bumble bee have 
occurred since 2006, despite an increase in the survey effort. Diploid 
male production has been detected in naturally occurring populations of 
bumble bees, and recent modeling work has shown that diploid male 
production may initiate a rapid extinction vortex (a situation in which 
genetic traits and environmental conditions combine to lead a species 
to extinction) (Goulsen et al. 2008, p. 11.8). Because of inbreeding 
and the production of sterile males, the haplodiploid genetic system 
makes bumble bees very vulnerable when populations get small (Colla 
2018, pers. comm.). Although we have no direct evidence that small 
population size or a rapid extinction vortex contributed to the decline 
of the species, the genetic system and historically small population 
size of the Franklin's bumble bee likely heightened the species' 
vulnerability to other stressors in the environment; we, therefore, 
consider the effects of small population size a threat to the species.
Competition With Nonnative Bees
    The European honey bee (Apis mellifera) was first introduced to 
eastern North America in the early 1620s and into California in the 
early 1850s (Xerces Society and Thorp 2010, p. 21). The resource needs 
of the European honey bee and native Bombus species may overlap, 
resulting in the potential for increased competition for resources 
(Thomson 2004, p. 458; Thomson 2006, p. 407). Decreased foraging 
activity and lowered reproductive success of Bombus colonies have been 
noted near European honey bee hives (Evans 2001, pp. 32-33; Thomson 
2004, p. 458; Thomson 2006, p. 407). Additionally, the size of workers 
of native Bombus species were noticeably reduced where European honey 
bees were present, which may be detrimental to Bombus colony success 
(Goulson and Sparrow 2009, p. 177). It is likely that the effects 
discussed in these studies are local in space and time, and most 
pronounced where floral resources are limited and large numbers of 
commercial European honey bee colonies are introduced (Xerces Society 
and Thorp 2010, p. 21). We could not find information to indicate that 
any area of Franklin's bumble bee habitat in the range of the species 
has limited floral resources and large numbers of European honey bees. 
We have no information related to the specific placement of commercial 
honey bee colonies in or near Franklin's bumble bee habitat. 
Furthermore, European honey bees have been present without noticeable 
declines in Bombus populations over large portions of their ranges 
(Xerces Society and Thorp 2010, p. 21), and we have no new information 
that connects competition from European honey bees to the decline of 
the Franklin's bumble bee.
    There is potential for nonnative commercially raised bumble bees to 
naturalize and outcompete native bumble bees for limited resources such 
as nesting sites and forage areas. Five commercially reared eastern 
bumble bee workers and one queen were captured in the wild near 
greenhouses where commercial bumble bees are used, suggesting this 
species may have naturalized outside of its native range. In this 
study, the eastern bumble bee, which has a native range in eastern 
North America, was detected in western Canada (Ratti and Colla 2010, 
pp. 29-31). A study in Japan found that nonnative buff-tailed bumble 
bee colonies, founded by bees that had escaped from commercially 
produced colonies, had more than four times the mean reproductive 
output of native bumble bees (Matsumura et al. 2004, p. 93). A study in 
England found that commercially raised buff-tailed bumble bee colonies 
had higher nectar-foraging rates and greater reproductive output than a 
native subspecies of the buff-tailed bumble bee (Ings et al. 2006, p. 
940). Colonies of eastern bumble bee were imported to pollinate 
agricultural crops and strawberries in Grants Pass, Oregon, in the 
range of the Franklin's bumble bee (Xerces Society and Thorp 2010, p. 
18).
    Although nonnative Bombus species in the range of Franklin's bumble 
bee could outcompete Franklin's bumble bee for floral resources and 
nesting habitat, we could not find any information to definitively 
connect competition with nonnative bumble bees to the decline of the 
Franklin's bumble bee. Furthermore, invertebrate surveys in Franklin's 
bumble bee habitat continue to show evidence of healthy populations of 
other native Bombus species unaffected by competition from nonnative 
bees (Pool 2014, entire; Colyer 2016, entire).
Summary
    We find that several natural and other human-caused factors 
contributed to the decline of the Franklin's bumble bee. While it is 
unlikely that pesticides alone can account for the decline of the 
Franklin's bumble bee, documented effects of pesticides on closely 
related Bombus species suggest pesticide use was likely a factor in the 
decline of the Franklin's bumble bee. The haplodiploid genetic system 
of the Franklin's bumble bee, combined with its historically small 
population size, was also likely a factor in the decline of the 
species. Although nonnative

[[Page 40014]]

Bombus species in the range of the Franklin's bumble bee could 
outcompete the Franklin's bumble bee for floral resources and nesting 
habitat, we could not find any information connecting competition with 
nonnative bumble bees to the decline of the Franklin's bumble bee. 
Additionally, surveys in Franklin's bumble bee habitat continue to show 
evidence of healthy populations of other native Bombus species 
unaffected by competition from nonnative bees.

Synergistic and Cumulative Effects

    It is likely that several risk factors are acting cumulatively and 
synergistically on many Bombus species, including the Franklin's bumble 
bee (Goulson et al. 2015, p. 5), and the combination of multiple 
stressors is likely more harmful than a stressor acting alone (Gill et 
al. 2012; Coors and DeMeester 2008; Sih et al. 2004). There is recent 
evidence that the interactive effects of pesticides and pathogens could 
be particularly harmful for bumble bees (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
2018, p. 39). Nutritional stress may compromise the ability of bumble 
bees to survive parasitic infections (Brown et al. 2000, pp. 424-425). 
Bumble bees with activated immunity may have metabolic costs, such as 
increased food consumption (Tyler et al. 2006, p. 2; Moret and Schmid-
Hempel 2000, pp. 1166-1167). Additionally, exposure to pesticides may 
increase with increased food consumption in infected bees (Goulson et 
al. 2015, p. 5). Activating immunity impairs learning in bumble bees 
(Riddell and Mallon 2006; Alghamdi et al. 2008, p. 480). Impaired 
learning is thought to reduce the ability of bees to locate floral 
resources and extract nectar and pollen, therefore exacerbating 
nutritional stresses (Goulson et al. 2015, p. 5). Further, evidence of 
the relationship between low genetic diversity and disease 
susceptibility was discussed in Cameron et al. (2011b, p. 665), who 
stated that declining North American species with low genetic diversity 
have higher prevalence of the pathogen N. bombi. In summary, we, 
therefore, find that pathogens in combination with pesticides, as well 
as pathogens in combination with the effects of small population size, 
may have hastened and amplified the decline of the Franklin's bumble 
bee to a greater degree than any one of the three factors would cause 
on its own.

Existing Regulatory Mechanisms and Conservation Efforts

    Surveys conducted by Dr. Robbin Thorp, other private individuals, 
University classes and researchers, the U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau 
of Land Management have significantly contributed to the existing 
information on Franklin's bumble bee. However, other than those search 
efforts, we are aware of no conservation efforts or beneficial actions 
specifically taken to address the threats to the Franklin's bumble bee. 
Oregon does not include invertebrates on their State endangered species 
list (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 2018) and California has 
no bee species included on its list of Threatened and Endangered 
Invertebrates (California Department of Fish and Wildlife 2018). 
California has the Franklin's bumble bee listed on its list of 
Terrestrial and Vernal Pool Invertebrates of Conservation Priority but 
has no required actions or special protections associated with the 
listing (California Department of Fish and Wildlife 2017, p. 10). The 
Franklin's bumble bee is on the species index for the U.S. Forest 
Service and Bureau of Land Management Interagency Special Status/
Sensitive Species Program (ISSSSP). Although the Federal agencies do 
include the species in survey efforts and conduct general meadow 
enhancement activities, there are no actions resulting from the ISSSSP 
classification that address known threats to the Franklin's bumble bee 
(Interagency Special Status/Sensitive Species Program 2018).
    General awareness of colony collapse disorder and increase of 
conservation efforts for pollinators in general has likely had limited, 
indirect effects on policies and regulations. The U.S. Forest Service 
is working to include a section in all biological evaluations to 
address the effects from agency actions on pollinators. In addition, 
the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is currently implementing 
projects and mitigations to create and enhance pollinator habitat 
(Colyer 2018, pers. comm.). The Oregon Department of Agriculture 
restricts some potential sources of N. bombi from entering the State 
for agricultural uses, including commercially produced colonies of 
eastern bumble bee; only Bombus species native to Oregon are allowed 
for commercial pollination purposes (Oregon Department of Agriculture 
2017, p. 5). However, California allows, with appropriate permits, the 
importation of eastern bumble bee, and other species such as the blue 
orchard bee (Osmia lignaria) for greenhouse pollination (California 
Department of Food and Agriculture 2017), making the potential for 
pathogen spillover from non-native bees higher in California.
    Some local municipalities in Oregon enacted legislation against 
aerial pesticide applications but none in the range of the Franklin's 
bumble bee (Powell 2017, p. 1; City of Portland 2015, p. 2). However, 
in the 2017 legislative session, Oregon passed an Avoidance of Adverse 
Effects on Pollinating Insects law (Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) 
634.045) that is providing enhanced training of licensed and unlicensed 
pesticide applicators in the State (Melathopoulos 2018, pers. comm.), 
and could thereby reduce effects of pesticides on pollinators including 
Franklin's bumble bee.
    In January 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office 
of Pesticide Programs published their Policy to Mitigate the Acute Risk 
to Bees from Pesticide Products, which recommended new labeling 
statements for pesticide products including warnings for pesticides 
with a known acute toxicity to bees (Tier 1 pesticides), including 
neonicotinoids (specifically including imidacloprid, clothianidin, and 
thiamethoxam) (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2017, p. 31). In 
addition, the Environmental Protection Agency is working with State and 
Tribal agencies to develop and implement local pollinator protection 
plans, known as Managed Pollinator Protection Plans (MP3s). The 
Environmental Protection Agency is promoting MP3s to address potential 
pesticide exposure to bees at and beyond the site of the application. 
However, States and Tribes have the flexibility to determine the scope 
of pollinator protection plans that best responds to pollinator issues 
in their regions. For example, State and Tribal MP3s may address 
pesticide-related risks to all pollinators, including managed bees and 
wild insect and non-insect pollinators (U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency 2018).
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service implemented a ban on the use of 
neonicotinoids on all lands in the National Wildlife Refuge System in 
2014 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2014); however, no refuge lands 
occur within the range of the Franklin's bumble bee. None of these 
aforementioned measures has appreciably reduced or fully ameliorated 
threats to the Franklin's bumble bee, as evidenced by the species' 
acute and rangewide decline.

Summary of Status

    The significant decrease in abundance and distribution of the 
Franklin's bumble bee to date has greatly reduced the species' ability 
to adapt to changing environmental conditions and to guard against 
further losses of adaptive diversity and potential extinction due to 
catastrophic events. It also substantially

[[Page 40015]]

reduced the ability of the Franklin's bumble bee to withstand 
environmental variation, catastrophic events, and changes in physical 
and biological conditions. Coupled with the increased risk of 
extirpation due to the interaction of reduced population size and the 
species' haplodiploid genetic system, the Franklin's bumble bee may 
lack the resiliency required to sustain populations into the future, 
even without further exposure to pathogens and pesticides.

Determination

    Section 4 of the Act and its implementing regulations at 50 CFR 
part 424 set forth the procedures for adding species to the Federal 
Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Under section 
4(b)(1)(a), the Secretary is to make endangered or threatened 
determinations required by subsection 4(a)(1) solely on the basis of 
the best scientific and commercial data available to him after 
conducting a review of the status of the species and after taking into 
account conservation efforts by States or foreign nations. The 
standards for determining whether a species is endangered or threatened 
are provided in section 3 of the Act. An endangered species is any 
species that is ``in danger of extinction throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range.'' A threatened species is any species 
that is ``likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable 
future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.''
    We have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial 
information available regarding the past, present, and future threats 
to the Franklin's bumble bee. Our assessment did not find habitat loss 
or modification (Factor A) to be the cause of the decline of the 
Franklin's bumble bee, and we have no information to suggest that 
habitat destruction or modification will increase in intensity in the 
near future. There is no indication that the Franklin's bumble bee was 
at risk of overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes (Factor B). Known pathogens occur within the 
historical range of the Franklin's bumble bee, and we have evidence of 
several pathogens (Factor C) infecting closely related species within 
that range. Although we do not have direct evidence of pathogens 
playing a role in the decline of the Franklin's bumble bee, the 
disappearance of the Franklin's bumble bee occurred soon after a period 
of introduction of new pathogens. Furthermore, documented effects to 
other closely related species lead many species experts to suspect the 
effects of pathogens had some connection to the decline of the 
Franklin's bumble bee. We evaluated existing regulatory mechanisms 
(Factor D) and conservation measures and their effects on the stressors 
and the status of the Franklin's bumble bee; we found that the existing 
regulatory mechanisms or conservation measures in place do not 
appreciably reduce or ameliorate the existing threats to the species, 
as evidenced by the species' acute and rangewide decline. Although we 
have no direct evidence that pesticide use contributed to the decline 
of the Franklin's bumble bee, confirmed effects to other closely 
related Bombus species suggest that pesticide use (Factor E) was likely 
a factor in the decline of the Franklin's bumble bee. Additionally, 
given the historically small population size (Factor E) of the 
Franklin's bumble bee and its haplodiploid genetic system, it is more 
vulnerable to extirpation than other species, and it is likely the 
genetic system and the rarity of this species contributed to the 
decline of the Franklin's bumble bee (Factor E).
    The combination of multiple stressors is typically more harmful 
than a stressor acting alone, and it is likely that several of the 
stressors mentioned above acted cumulatively and synergistically on the 
Franklin's bumble bee. Pathogens in combination with pesticides, as 
well as pathogens in combination with the effects of small population 
size, may have hastened and amplified the decline of the Franklin's 
bumble bee to a greater degree than any one of the three factors caused 
on its own. Although the ultimate source of the decline is unknown, the 
acute and rangewide decline of the Franklin's bumble bee is 
undisputable.
    The Act defines an endangered species as any species that is ``in 
danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its 
range'' and a threatened species as any species ``that is likely to 
become endangered throughout all or a significant portion of its range 
within the foreseeable future.'' We find that the Franklin's bumble bee 
is presently in danger of extinction throughout all of its range based 
on the severity and immediacy of threats currently affecting the 
species.
    The threats of pathogens, pesticides, and small population size are 
ongoing and rangewide; they will continue to act individually and in 
combination to decrease the resiliency, redundancy, and representation 
of the Franklin's bumble bee. The risk of extinction is high because 
the species has not been found since 2006, and the suspected threats to 
the species persist. Therefore, on the basis of the best available 
scientific and commercial information, we propose to list the 
Franklin's bumble bee as endangered in accordance with sections 3(6) 
and 4(a)(1) of the Act. We find that a threatened species status is not 
appropriate for the Franklin's bumble bee because of the extreme loss 
of abundance of the species, because the threats are occurring 
rangewide and are not localized, and because the threats are ongoing 
and expected to continue into the future.
    Under the Act and our implementing regulations, a species may 
warrant listing if it is endangered or threatened throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range. Because we have determined that the 
Franklin's bumble bee is in danger of extinction throughout its range, 
we find it unnecessary to proceed to an evaluation of potentially 
significant portions of the range. Where the best available information 
allows the Services to determine a status for the species rangewide, 
that determination should be given conclusive weight because a 
rangewide determination of status more accurately reflects the species' 
degree of imperilment and better promotes the purposes of the statute. 
Under this reading, we should first consider whether listing is 
appropriate based on a rangewide analysis and proceed to conduct a 
``significant portion of its range'' analysis if, and only if, a 
species does not qualify for listing as either endangered or threatened 
according to the ``all'' language. We note that the court in Desert 
Survivors v. Department of the Interior, No. 16-cv-01165-JCS, 2018 WL 
4053447 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 24, 2018), did not address this issue, and our 
conclusion is therefore consistent with the opinion in that case.
    Although this species has not been found since 2006, we conclude it 
is premature at this time to determine that the species is extinct 
absent a more thorough survey effort. We invite public comment on the 
probability of extinction for this species and will revisit this 
conclusion as appropriate with respect to available information for the 
final determination. We recommend expanded future survey efforts to 
help verify the status of this species.

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

[[Page 40016]]

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 (``downlisting'') or 
removal from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife or List of 
Endangered and Threatened Plants (``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 
organizations, and stakeholders) are often established to develop 
recovery plans. When completed, the recovery outline will be available 
on our website (https://www.fws.gov/endangered), or from our Oregon Fish 
and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
    Implementation of recovery actions generally requires the 
participation of a broad range of partners, including other Federal 
agencies, States, 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 States of Oregon and California 
would be eligible for Federal funds to implement management actions 
that promote the protection or recovery of the Franklin's bumble bee. 
Information on our grant programs that are available to aid species 
recovery can be found at: https://www.fws.gov/grants.
    Although the Franklin's bumble bee 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 U.S. Forest Service and 
Bureau of Land Management; issuance of section 404 Clean Water Act (33 
U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) permits by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; and 
construction and maintenance of roads or highways by the Federal 
Highway Administration.
    The Act and its implementing regulations set forth a series of 
general prohibitions and exceptions that apply to endangered wildlife. 
The prohibitions of section 9(a)(1) of the Act, codified at 50 CFR 
17.21, make it illegal for any person subject to the jurisdiction of 
the United States to take (which includes harass, harm, pursue, hunt, 
shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect; or to attempt any of 
these) endangered wildlife within the United States or on the high 
seas. In addition, it is unlawful to import; export; deliver, receive, 
carry, transport, or ship in interstate or foreign commerce in the 
course of commercial activity; or sell or offer for sale in interstate 
or foreign commerce any listed species. It is also illegal to possess, 
sell, deliver, carry, transport, or ship any such wildlife that has 
been taken illegally. Certain exceptions apply to employees of the 
Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, other Federal land 
management agencies, and State conservation agencies.
    We may issue permits to carry out otherwise prohibited activities 
involving endangered wildlife under certain circumstances. Regulations 
governing permits are codified at 50 CFR 17.22. With regard to 
endangered wildlife, a permit may be issued for the following purposes: 
For scientific purposes, to enhance the propagation or survival of the 
species, and for incidental take in connection with otherwise lawful 
activities. There are also certain statutory exemptions from the 
prohibitions, which are found in sections 9 and 10 of the Act.
    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 would be unlikely to result in a violation of 
section 9 of the Act if they are authorized and carried out in

[[Page 40017]]

accordance with applicable law; this list is not comprehensive:
    (1) Recreation, specifically skiing at Mt. Ashland, and use of the 
Pacific Crest Trail;
    (2) Timber sales; and
    (3) Livestock grazing.
    Based on the best available information, the following actions may 
potentially result in a violation of section 9 of the Act if they are 
not authorized in accordance with applicable law; this list is not 
comprehensive:
    (1) Unauthorized handling or collecting of the Franklin's bumble 
bee;
    (2) The unauthorized release of biological control agents that 
attack any life stage of the Franklin's bumble bee, including the 
unauthorized use of herbicides, pesticides, or other chemicals in 
habitats in which the Franklin's bumble bee is known to occur; and
    (3) Unauthorized release of nonnative species or native species 
that carry pathogens, diseases, or fungi that are known or suspected to 
adversely affect the Franklin's bumble bee where the species is known 
to occur.
    Questions regarding whether specific activities would constitute a 
violation of section 9 of the Act should be directed to the Oregon Fish 
and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

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 ``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 within an area, we focus on the 
specific features that 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. We will determine whether unoccupied areas are essential for 
the conservation of the species by considering the life-history, 
status, and conservation needs of the species. This will be further 
informed by any generalized conservation strategy, criteria, or outline 
that may have been developed for the species to provide a substantive 
foundation for identifying which features and specific areas are 
essential to the conservation of the species and, as a result, the 
development of the critical habitat designation. For example, an area 
currently occupied by the species but that was not occupied at the time 
of listing may be essential to the conservation of the species and may 
be included in the critical habitat designation.
    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 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.

[[Page 40018]]

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 designation of critical habitat is not prudent when one or both of 
the following situations exist:
    (1) The species is threatened by taking or other human activity, 
and identification of critical habitat can be expected to increase the 
degree of threat to the species, or
    (2) Such designation of critical habitat would not be beneficial to 
the species. The regulations also provide that, in determining whether 
a designation would not be beneficial, the factors the Service may 
consider include but are not limited to: Whether the present or 
threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of a species' 
habitat or range is not a threat to the species, or whether any areas 
meet the definition of ``critical habitat'' (50 CFR 424.12(a)(1)(ii)).
    As discussed above in the threats analysis, 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. In the absence of finding that the designation of critical 
habitat would increase threats to a species, we next determine whether 
such designation of critical habitat would be beneficial to the 
Franklin's bumble bee. For the reasons discussed below, we have 
determined that designating critical habitat would not be beneficial.
Designating Habitat Would Not Be Beneficial to the Species
    The Franklin's bumble bee was widely distributed throughout its 
range and considered flexible with regards to habitat requirements. We 
know that the Franklin's bumble bee needs (1) floral resources for 
nectaring throughout the colony cycle, and (2) relatively protected 
areas for breeding and shelter. In addition, because the best available 
scientific information indicates that the Franklin's bumble bee is a 
generalist forager, its habitat preferences and needs are relatively 
plentiful and widely distributed. While Bombus species in general might 
prefer protected meadows with an abundance of wildflowers, the 
Franklin's bumble bee has been found in a wide array of habitat types, 
from foraging in montane meadows in a remote wilderness area of 
California to nesting in a residential garage in the city limits of 
Medford, Oregon. The species has a broad elevational range from 162 m 
(540 ft) to 2,340 m (7,800 ft); elevation does not appear to limit the 
species' dispersal capabilities.
    Some general habitat associations of Bombus are known; however, as 
one of the rarest Bombus species, the Franklin's bumble bee is somewhat 
enigmatic and a specific habitat study for the Franklin's bumble bee 
has not been completed. Such a study was initiated in 2006, when the 
Franklin's bumble bee was last seen, but could not continue due to the 
subsequent absence of the species. Therefore, we cannot, with 
specificity, articulate the physical or biological features essential 
to the conservation of the Franklin's bumble bee, or determine whether 
or not any area would meet the definition of critical habitat for the 
Franklin's bumble bee.
    Since it was first identified in 1921, the Franklin's bumble bee 
appears to have always been a rare species limited in abundance. In 
fact, the species has perhaps the most limited range of any Bombus 
species in the world. Nonetheless, Franklin's bumble bee habitat is not 
in short supply, and habitat loss is not a threat to the species. With 
the exception of the inundation of two historical Franklin's bumble bee 
locations by the construction of Applegate dam and a report of soil 
modification on a portion of the Gold Hill site four years after the 
last occurrence of Franklin's bumble bee in the area, no noticeable 
destruction, modification, or curtailment of habitat or range can be 
identified in areas where the species had been previously located. No 
significant destruction or modification of Franklin's bumble bee 
habitat can be attributed to natural fire, prescribed fire, 
agricultural intensification, urban development, livestock grazing, or 
the effects of climate change. Additionally, as discussed above, the 
Franklin's bumble bee has been documented using a wide variety of 
habitat throughout its range. Because habitat for the Franklin's bumble 
bee is not limiting, and because the bee is considered to be flexible 
with regards to its habitat, the availability of habitat does not limit 
the conservation of the Franklin's bumble bee now, nor will it in the 
foreseeable future.
    In the Service and National Marine Fisheries Service's response to 
comments on the February 11, 2016, final rule (81 FR 7414) revising the 
critical habitat regulations, the Services expressly contemplated a 
fact pattern where designating critical habitat may not be beneficial 
to the species: ``[I]n some circumstances, a species may be listed 
because of factors other than threats to its habitat or range, such as 
disease, and the species may be a habitat generalist. In such a case, 
on the basis of the existing and revised regulations, it is permissible 
to determine that critical habitat is not beneficial and, therefore, 
not prudent'' (81 FR 7425). This is the fact pattern we are presented 
with in the case of the Franklin's bumble bee. In view of the 
foregoing, we conclude that present or threatened destruction, 
modification, or curtailment of habitat is not a threat to the 
Franklin's bumble bee; rather, disease and other manmade factors are 
likely the primary threat to the species within its habitat. Therefore, 
in accordance with 50 CFR 424.12(a)(1), we determine that critical 
habitat is not beneficial and, therefore, not prudent for the 
Franklin's bumble bee.

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.

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

    We have determined that environmental assessments and environmental 
impact statements, as defined under the authority of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), need not be 
prepared in connection with listing a species as an endangered or 
threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. We published a 
notice outlining our reasons for this determination in the Federal 
Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244).

[[Page 40019]]

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.

References Cited

    A complete list of references cited in this proposed rule is 
available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov under Docket 
No. FWS-R1-ES-2018-0044 and upon request from the Oregon Fish and 
Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Authors

    The primary authors of this proposed rule are the staff members of 
the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office and Pacific Region Office in 
Portland, Oregon.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

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

Proposed Regulation Promulgation

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

PART 17--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.  17.11(h) by adding an entry for ``Bumble bee, 
Franklin's'' to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in 
alphabetical order under INSECTS to read as follows:


Sec.  17.11  Endangered and threatened wildlife.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *

 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                              Listing citations
           Common name               Scientific name        Where listed         Status        and  applicable
                                                                                                    rules
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     INSECTS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
Bumble bee, Franklin's...........  Bombus franklini...  Wherever found.....               E  [Federal Register
                                                                                              citation when
                                                                                              published as a
                                                                                              final rule]
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Dated: January 31, 2019.
Margaret E. Everson,
Principal Deputy Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Exercising 
the Authority of the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

    Editorial Note: This document was received for publication by 
the Office of the Federal Register on August 7, 2019.

[FR Doc. 2019-17337 Filed 8-12-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P