Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing Trifolium Stoloniferum (Running Buffalo Clover) From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants, 43102-43117 [2021-16818]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 149 (Friday, August 6, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43102-43117]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16818]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2018-0036; FF09E22000 FXES11130900000 212]
RIN 1018-BC80


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing Trifolium 
Stoloniferum (Running Buffalo Clover) From the Federal List of 
Endangered and Threatened Plants

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are removing 
Trifolium stoloniferum (running buffalo clover) from the Federal List 
of Endangered and Threatened Plants on the basis of recovery. This 
determination is based on a thorough review of the best available 
scientific and commercial data, including comments received, which 
indicate that the threats to running buffalo clover have been 
eliminated or reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the 
definition of an endangered species or a threatened species under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).

DATES: This rule is effective September 7, 2021.

ADDRESSES: This final rule, the post-delisting monitoring (PDM) plan, 
supporting documents, and the public comments received on the proposed 
rule are available on the internet at

[[Page 43103]]

https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2018-0036.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patrice Ashfield, Field Supervisor, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ohio Ecological Services Field Office, 
4625 Morse Road, Suite 104, Columbus, OH 43230; telephone 614-416-8993. 
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call 
the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Summary

    Why we need to publish a rule. Under the Act, a species may be 
removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants 
(List) if it is determined that the species has recovered and no longer 
meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species. Removing a 
species from the List can be completed only by issuing a rule.
    What this document does. This rule removes the running buffalo 
clover (Trifolium stoloniferum) from the List in title 50 of the Code 
of Federal Regulations (50 CFR 17.12(h)) based on its recovery.
    The basis for our action. Under the Act, we determine that a 
species is an endangered species or a threatened species based on any 
of five factors: (A) The present or threatened destruction, 
modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (B) 
overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes; (C) disease or predation; (D) the inadequacy of 
existing regulatory mechanisms; or (E) other natural or manmade factors 
affecting its continued existence. We must consider the same factors 
when removing a species from the List (i.e., ``delisting'' a species). 
We may delist a species if we find, after conducting a status review 
based on the best scientific and commercial data available, that: (1) 
The species is extinct; (2) the species does not meet the definition of 
an endangered species or a threatened species (e.g., because it has 
recovered); or (3) the listed entity does not meet the statutory 
definition of a species (50 CFR 424.11(e)). We have determined that the 
running buffalo clover is not in danger of extinction now nor likely to 
become so in the foreseeable future based on a comprehensive review of 
its status and listing factors. Accordingly, we have determined that 
the species may be delisted based on recovery as a result of: (1) An 
increase in the number of known populations; (2) resiliency to existing 
and potential threats; (3) the implementation of management agreements 
to maintain suitable habitat for the species; and (4) protection on 
public lands.
    Peer review and public comment. We evaluated the species' needs, 
current conditions, and future conditions to prepare our August 27, 
2019, proposed rule (84 FR 44832). We sought and evaluated comments 
from independent specialists to ensure that our determination is based 
on scientifically sound data, assumptions, and analyses. We also 
invited these peer reviewers to comment on the draft PDM plan. We 
considered all comments and information we received during the public 
comment period on the proposed delisting rule and the draft PDM plan 
when developing this final rule.

Previous Federal Actions

    We published a final rule listing running buffalo clover as an 
endangered species under the Act on June 5, 1987 (52 FR 21478). The 
Running Buffalo Clover Recovery Plan (Service 1989) was approved on 
June 8, 1989, and revised in 2007 (72 FR 35253, June 27, 2007).
    Running buffalo clover was included in a cursory 5-year review of 
all species listed before January 1, 1991 (56 FR 56882, November 6, 
1991). The 5-year review did not result in a recommendation to change 
the species' listing status. We completed comprehensive 5-year reviews 
of the status of running buffalo clover in 2008, 2011, and 2017 
(Service 2008, 2011, 2017). These reviews recommended reclassification 
from endangered to threatened status, based on achievement of the 
recovery criteria at that time.
    On August 27, 2019, we proposed to delist the running buffalo 
clover due to recovery (84 FR 44832). In that document, we requested 
information and comments from the public and peer reviewers regarding 
the proposed rule and the draft PDM plan for running buffalo clover.

Summary of Changes From the Proposed Rule

    In preparing this final rule, we reviewed and fully considered all 
comments we received during the comment period from the peer reviewers, 
States, and public on the proposed rule to delist running buffalo 
clover (84 FR 44832, August 27, 2019). As a result, we incorporated new 
information into Distribution, Habitat, and Biology under Background in 
this final rule. We also updated the number of populations with 
management agreements that meet delisting criterion 3 and reassessed 
the species' status in light of that modification.

Background

    The following discussion contains updates to the information that 
was presented in the proposed rule to remove running buffalo clover 
from the List. A thorough discussion of the species' description, 
habitat, and life history is also found in the proposed rule.

Taxonomy and Species Description

    Running buffalo clover is a member of the Fabaceae (pea) family. 
This short-lived perennial forms long runners (stolons) from its base 
and produces erect flowering stems, 10-30 centimeters (cm) (4-12 inches 
(in)) tall. The flower heads are round and large, 9-12 millimeters (mm) 
(0.3-0.5 in). Flowers are white, tinged with purple.

Distribution

    The known historical distribution of running buffalo clover 
includes Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, 
and West Virginia (Brooks 1983, pp. 346, 349). There were very few 
reports rangewide between 1910 and 1983. Prior to 1983, the most recent 
collection had been made in 1940, in Webster County, West Virginia 
(Brooks 1983, p. 349). The species was thought extinct until it was 
rediscovered in 1983, in West Virginia (Bartgis 1985, p. 426). At the 
time of listing in 1987, only one population was known to exist, but 
soon afterward, several additional populations were found in Indiana, 
Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia. Populations were rediscovered in the 
wild in Missouri in 1994 (Hickey 1994, p. 1). A single population was 
discovered in Pennsylvania in 2017 (Grund 2017) with additional 
populations discovered since then.
    One hundred seventy-five extant populations of running buffalo 
clover are known from three ecoregions, as described by Bailey (1998): 
Hot Continental, Hot Continental Mountainous, and Prairie. These 
include 15 occurrences in Ohio and Pennsylvania that have either been 
discovered or of which we have been notified since publication of the 
proposed delisting rule. For recovery purposes, the populations are 
divided into three regions based on proximity to each other and overall 
habitat similarities. These regions are Appalachian (West Virginia, 
southeastern Ohio, and Pennsylvania), Bluegrass (southwestern Ohio, 
central Kentucky, and Indiana), and Ozark (Missouri). The majority of 
populations occur within the Appalachian and Bluegrass regions.

[[Page 43104]]

Habitat

    Running buffalo clover typically occurs in mesic (moist) habitats 
with partial to filtered sunlight and a prolonged pattern of moderate, 
periodic disturbance, such as grazing, mowing, trampling, selective 
logging, or flood-scouring. Populations have been reported from a 
variety of habitats, including mesic woodlands, savannahs, floodplains, 
stream banks, sandbars (especially where old trails cross or parallel 
intermittent streams), grazed woodlots, mowed paths (e.g., in 
cemeteries, parks, and lawns), old logging roads, jeep trails, all-
terrain vehicle trails, skid trails, mowed wildlife openings within 
mature forest, and steep ravines. Running buffalo clover occurs in a 
wide range of soil types, with calcium often the dominant base in the 
soil (Hattenbach 1996, p. 53). Running buffalo clover is often found in 
regions with limestone or other calcareous bedrock underlying the site, 
although limestone soil is not a requisite determining factor for the 
locations of populations of this species. For example, new populations 
of running buffalo clover have been discovered in West Virginia in 
areas with soil derived from new geological units (WVDNR 2019, in 
litt.).
    Sites that have not been disturbed within the last 20 years are 
unlikely to support running buffalo clover (Burkhart 2013, p. 158) 
because the species relies on periodic disturbances to set back 
succession and open the tree canopy to create and maintain the partial 
to filtered sunlight it requires. These disturbances can be natural 
(for example, tree falls and flood scouring) or anthropogenic (such as 
grazing, mowing, trampling, low-intensity disturbance from counting and 
monitoring, or selective logging) in origin. Although tree harvest 
disturbances that reduce canopy cover may cause a temporary decline in 
running buffalo clover, populations usually increase 2 years later 
(Madarish and Schuler 2002, p. 127) and reach their highest density 14 
years after disturbance (Burkhart 2013, p. 159). However, a complete 
loss of forest canopy can be detrimental to running buffalo clover by 
allowing in too much sunlight and altering the microclimate.

Biology

    Substantial variability in the growth and development of running 
buffalo clover has been documented, but the plant structure usually 
includes rooted crowns (rosettes that are rooted into the ground) and 
stolons (above-ground creeping stems) that connect several rooted or 
unrooted crowns, which eventually separate to leave ``daughter'' 
plants. Because of this stoloniferous growth form, individual plants 
can be difficult to distinguish. The Running Buffalo Clover Recovery 
Plan defines an individual plant as a rooted crown (Service 2007, p. 
1). Rooted crowns may occur alone or be connected to other rooted 
crowns by runners.
    Flowering typically occurs between mid-May and June. However, 
plants at higher elevations in the mountains of West Virginia may bloom 
as late as mid-July (WVDNR 2019, in litt.). Flowers are visited by a 
variety of bee species (Apis spp. and Bombus spp.) and are cross-
pollinated under field conditions (Taylor et al. 1994, p. 1,099). 
Running buffalo clover is also self-compatible (capable of pollinating 
itself); however, it requires a pollinator to transfer the pollen from 
the anthers to the stigma (Franklin 1998, p. 29). Although it may set 
fewer seeds by self-pollination than by outcrossing, the selfed seed 
set may be adequate to maintain the species in the wild (Taylor et al. 
1994, p. 1,097). Selfed seeds have been shown to germinate well and 
develop into vigorous plants (Franklin 1998, p. 39).
    Seeds typically germinate during early spring (mid-March to early 
April) when temperatures are between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius ([deg]C) 
(59-68 degrees Fahrenheit ([deg]F)) during the day and 5 to 10 [deg]C 
(41-50 [deg]F) at night. Spring temperature fluctuations appear to be a 
major dormancy breaker in natural populations of running buffalo clover 
(Baskin 2004).
    Scarification may aid in seed germination and seed dispersal. 
Scarification of seeds by the digestive system of herbivores, 
historically believed to be bison, deer, elk, or small herbivores such 
as rabbits or groundhogs, was likely an important process in natural 
populations (Thurman 1988, p. 4; Cusick 1989, pp. 475-476). Although 
deer are viable vectors for running buffalo clover seeds, the survival 
and germination rates of ingested seeds are low (Ford et al. 2003, pp. 
426-427). Dispersal and establishment of new populations of running 
buffalo clover by white-tailed deer herbivory may not be significant 
(Ford et al. 2003, pp. 426-427). It appears that scarification 
accelerates the germination process, whereas natural germination may 
occur over time if the right temperature fluctuations occur (Service 
2007, p. 9).

Genetics

    Running buffalo clover has relatively low levels of diversity and 
low levels of gene flow between populations, even between those 
separated by short distances (Hickey and Vincent 1992, p. 15). Much of 
the genetic diversity observed in running buffalo clover occurs across 
different populations, and small populations of running buffalo clover 
contribute as much to the total species' genetic diversity as large 
populations (Crawford et al. 1998, p. 88).

Recovery Criteria

    Section 4(f) of the Act directs us to develop and implement 
recovery plans for the conservation and survival of endangered and 
threatened species unless we determine that such a plan will not 
promote the conservation of the species. Recovery plans must, to the 
maximum extent practicable, include ``objective, measurable criteria 
which, when met, would result in a determination, in accordance with 
the provisions of this section [section 4 of the Act], that the species 
be removed from the list.''
    Recovery plans provide a roadmap for us and our partners on methods 
of enhancing conservation and minimizing threats to listed species, as 
well as measurable criteria against which to evaluate progress towards 
recovery and assess the species' likely future condition. However, they 
are not regulatory documents and do not substitute for the 
determinations and promulgation of regulations required under section 
4(a)(1) of the Act. A decision to revise the status of a species, or to 
delist a species, is ultimately based on an analysis of the best 
scientific and commercial data available to determine whether a species 
is no longer an endangered species or a threatened species, regardless 
of whether that information differs from the recovery plan.
    There are many paths to accomplishing recovery of a species, and 
recovery may be achieved without all of the criteria in a recovery plan 
being fully met. For example, one or more criteria may be exceeded 
while other criteria may not yet be accomplished. In that instance, we 
may determine that the threats are minimized sufficiently and the 
species is robust enough to delist. In other cases, recovery 
opportunities may be discovered that were not known when the recovery 
plan was finalized. These opportunities may be used instead of methods 
identified in the recovery plan. Likewise, information on the species 
may be learned that was not known at the time the recovery plan was 
finalized. The new information may change the extent to which existing 
criteria are appropriate for recognizing

[[Page 43105]]

recovery of the species. Recovery of a species is a dynamic process 
requiring adaptive management that may, or may not, follow all of the 
guidance provided in a recovery plan.
    The revised recovery plan for running buffalo clover (Service 2007, 
p. 24) states that the ultimate goal of the recovery program is to 
delist running buffalo clover. The plan provides three criteria for 
reclassifying running buffalo clover from endangered to threatened 
status (i.e., to ``downlist'' the species) and three criteria for 
delisting running buffalo clover. All of the downlisting criteria have 
been met since 2008 (Service 2008, pp. 3-4; Service 2011, pp. 3-4; 
Service 2017, pp. 3-5). The following discussion provides an assessment 
of the delisting criteria as they relate to evaluating the status of 
this species.

Criterion 1 for Delisting

    Criterion 1 states that 34 populations, in total, are distributed 
as follows: 2 A-ranked, 6 B-ranked, 6 C-ranked, and 20 D-ranked 
populations across at least 2 of the 3 regions in which running buffalo 
clover occurs (Appalachian, Bluegrass, and Ozark). The number of 
populations in each rank is based on what would be required to achieve 
a 95 percent probability of persistence within the next 20 years; this 
number was doubled to ensure biological redundancy across the range of 
the species. Rankings refer to the element occurrence (E.O.) ranking 
categories.
    E.O. rankings, which integrate population size and habitat 
integrity, are explained in detail in the recovery plan (Service 2007, 
pp. 2-3). In summary, A-ranked populations are those with 1,000 or more 
naturally occurring rooted crowns; B-ranked populations have between 
100 and 999 naturally occurring rooted crowns; C-ranked populations 
have between 30 and 99 naturally occurring rooted crowns; and D-ranked 
populations have between 1 and 29 naturally occurring rooted crowns.
    Populations are currently distributed as follows: 18 A-ranked, 47 
B-ranked, 40 C-ranked, and 70 D-ranked, and they occur in all three 
regions across the range of the species. Thus, we conclude that this 
criterion has been substantially exceeded.

Criterion 2 for Delisting

    Criterion 2 states that for each A-ranked and B-ranked population 
described in criterion 1, population viability analysis (PVA) indicates 
95 percent probability of persistence within the next 20 years, or for 
any population that does not meet the 95 percent persistence standard, 
the population meets the definition of viable. For delisting purposes, 
viability is defined as: Seed production is occurring; the population 
is stable or increasing, based on at least 10 years of censusing; and 
appropriate management techniques are in place.
    Seven A-ranked and 14 B-ranked populations are considered viable, 
based on a PVA or 10 years of data. Thus, we conclude that this 
criterion has been exceeded.

Criterion 3 for Delisting

    Delisting criterion 3 states that the land on which each of the 34 
populations described in delisting criterion 1 occurs is owned by a 
government agency or private conservation organization that identifies 
maintenance of the species as one of the primary conservation 
objectives for the site, or the population is protected by a 
conservation agreement that commits the private landowner to habitat 
management for the species.
    This criterion was intended to ensure that habitat-based threats 
for the species are addressed. At the time of listing, the Service 
determined that without regular management, suitable habitat for this 
species would be quickly lost through the process of forest succession. 
The revised recovery plan identified the most critical biological 
constraint and need for the recovery of running buffalo clover as its 
dependence on disturbance to maintain filtered sunlight (Service 2007, 
p. 22). This requirement informed the recovery strategy of active 
management to remove competing vegetation and selectively remove trees 
to prevent overshading. Key to this recovery strategy was the 
protection and ecological management of various-sized populations 
throughout the species' geographic range. Small populations (C- and D-
ranked populations) were included because they contribute as much as 
large populations to the overall level of the species' genetic 
diversity, which is important for survival of the species as a whole.
    Currently, 22 populations meet this criterion, as follows: 2 A-
ranked, 10 B-ranked, 6 C-ranked, and 4 D-ranked. There are 4 more B-
ranked populations than required. Although these additional higher 
ranked populations can count for lower ranked populations, this 
criterion has still not been fully met. However, 66 additional 
populations occur on publicly owned lands, such as national forests, 
State lands, and local parks, thereby minimizing threats from habitat 
loss and degradation.
    The forest management plans for both the Monongahela and Wayne 
national forests include direction and guidelines to avoid and minimize 
impacts of forestry practices on running buffalo clover. These forestry 
management practices, as conditioned through running buffalo clover 
measures included in their respective forest plans, are compatible with 
running buffalo clover conservation. The forest plans include forest-
wide standards and guidelines; compliance with standards is mandatory.
    The Wayne National Forest plan's standards for running buffalo 
clover require measures to protect populations during prescribed fire 
activities, avoid mechanical construction of firelines in known 
occupied habitat, and protect populations during road and trail 
construction, and a forest-wide guideline restricts application of 
herbicides within 25 feet of known running buffalo clover populations 
(U.S. Forest Service 2006, p. 2-22). In addition, the Wayne National 
Forest signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Service and the 
Ohio Department of Natural Resources in 2021 to ensure the protection 
and management of running buffalo clover by maintaining the appropriate 
level of disturbance, controlling invasive species, and ensuring the 
appropriate level of sunlight where running buffalo clover is found on 
the national forest.
    The Monongahela National Forest plan includes standards to avoid 
conducting prescribed burns, constructing fuel breaks, and implementing 
activities, such as construction of new roads or ditching for 
pipelines, in running buffalo clover areas. Guidelines include 
implementing habitat management measures to maintain and restore 
running buffalo clover populations, timing maintenance mowing to 
benefit running buffalo clover, avoiding use of potentially invasive 
species for seeding/mulching, and monitoring the effects of grazing on 
running buffalo clover (U.S. Forest Service 2011, pp. II-27-II-28). 
Thus, although this criterion is not met in the manner specifically 
identified in the recovery plan, we conclude that the intent of the 
criterion to ensure that sufficient populations were protected from 
threats into the future has been met.

Regulatory Framework

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

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endangered species as a species that is ``in danger of extinction 
throughout all or a significant portion of its range,'' and a 
threatened species as a species that is ``likely to become an 
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range.'' The Act requires that we determine 
whether any species is an ``endangered species'' or a ``threatened 
species'' because of any of the following factors:
    (A) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or 
curtailment of its habitat or range;
    (B) Overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes;
    (C) Disease or predation;
    (D) The inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or
    (E) Other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued 
existence.
    These factors represent broad categories of natural or human-caused 
actions or conditions that could have an effect on a species' continued 
existence. In evaluating these actions and conditions, we look for 
those that may have a negative effect on individuals of the species, as 
well as other actions or conditions that may ameliorate any negative 
effects or may have positive effects.
    We must consider these same five factors in delisting a species. 
According to 50 CFR 424.11(e), we shall delist a species if the best 
scientific and commercial data available indicate that: (1) The species 
is extinct; (2) the species does not meet the definition of an 
endangered species or a threatened species; or (3) the listed entity 
does not meet the statutory definition of a species.
    We use the term ``threat'' to refer in general to actions or 
conditions that are known to or are reasonably likely to negatively 
affect individuals of a species. The term ``threat'' includes actions 
or conditions that have a direct impact on individuals (direct 
impacts), as well as those that affect individuals through alteration 
of their habitat or required resources (stressors). The term ``threat'' 
may encompass--either together or separately--the source of the action 
or condition or the action or condition itself.
    However, the mere identification of any threat(s) does not 
necessarily mean that the species meets the statutory definition of an 
``endangered species'' or a ``threatened species.'' In determining 
whether a species meets either definition, we must evaluate all 
identified threats by considering the expected response by the species, 
and the effects of the threats--in light of those actions and 
conditions that will ameliorate the threats--on an individual, 
population, and species level. We evaluate each threat and its expected 
effects on the species, then analyze the cumulative effect of all of 
the threats on the species as a whole. We also consider the cumulative 
effect of the threats in light of those actions and conditions that 
will have positive effects on the species--such as any existing 
regulatory mechanisms or conservation efforts. The Secretary determines 
whether the species meets the definition of an ``endangered species'' 
or a ``threatened species'' only after conducting this cumulative 
analysis and describing the expected effect on the species now and in 
the foreseeable future.
    The Act does not define the term ``foreseeable future,'' which 
appears in the statutory definition of ``threatened species.'' Our 
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.11(d) set forth a framework for 
evaluating the foreseeable future on a case-by-case basis. The term 
foreseeable future extends only so far into the future as we can 
reasonably determine that both the future threats and the species' 
responses to those threats are likely. In other words, the foreseeable 
future is the period of time in which we can make reliable predictions. 
``Reliable'' does not mean ``certain''; it means sufficient to provide 
a reasonable degree of confidence in the prediction. Thus, a prediction 
is reliable if it is reasonable to depend on it when making decisions.
    It is not always possible or necessary to define foreseeable future 
as a particular number of years. Analysis of the foreseeable future 
uses the best scientific and commercial data available and should 
consider the timeframes applicable to the relevant threats and to the 
species' likely responses to those threats in view of its life-history 
characteristics. Data that are typically relevant to assessing the 
species' biological response include species-specific factors such as 
lifespan, reproductive rates or productivity, certain behaviors, and 
other demographic factors.

Summary of Biological Status and Threats

    In this section, we review the biological condition of the species 
and its resources, and the influences to assess the species' overall 
viability and the risks to that viability.

Habitat Destruction and Succession

    The revised recovery plan for running buffalo clover (Service 2007, 
p. 14) identified the major threats to this species throughout its 
range as habitat destruction, habitat succession, and invasive plant 
competition (Factor A). Land development and the consequential loss of 
habitat can also be a threat to running buffalo clover. Natural 
succession from open to dense canopy in forests within the range of 
running buffalo clover occurs over a 30- to 40-year time span, 
depending on the dominant species and aspect of the site. Because the 
species relies on periodic disturbances to set back succession and/or 
open the tree canopy to create and maintain the partial to filtered 
sunlight it requires, activities that interfere with natural 
disturbance processes can negatively affect populations of running 
buffalo clover. Conversely, activities that periodically set back 
natural succession can benefit the species.
    Current logging practices may benefit running buffalo clover. At 
the Fernow Experimental Forest in north-central West Virginia, running 
buffalo clover is most often associated with skid roads in uneven-aged 
silvicultural areas (Madarish and Schuler 2002, p. 121). Populations 
may initially decrease after logging, but then rebound to higher than 
pre-disturbance levels (Madarish and Schuler 2002, p. 127).
    Depending on the circumstances, it appears that both overgrazing 
and no grazing at all can be threats to running buffalo clover. In 
Kentucky, overgrazing poses threats to running buffalo clover, but 
removal of cattle from clover populations has resulted in overshading 
and competition from other vegetation (White et al. 1999, p. 10). 
Periodic grazing at the Bluegrass Army Depot has provided the moderate 
disturbance needed to maintain running buffalo clover (Fields and White 
1996, p. 14).
    Nonnative species, such as bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and white 
clover (Trifolium repens), compete with running buffalo clover for 
available resources (Jacobs and Bartgis 1987, p. 441). Other nonnative 
species that affect running buffalo clover include Japanese stiltgrass, 
garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera 
japonica), Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), and multiflora rose 
(Rosa multiflora). Threats by invasive competition can be mediated by 
treating the invasive plants by hand removal, herbicide application, 
and/or mowing. Although nonnative species are widespread across the 
range of running buffalo clover, not all running buffalo clover sites 
are affected by invasive species. For example, 14 of the 31 sites (45 
percent) in Ohio have one or more nonnative species present at varying 
densities, and 8 of those sites are managed for invasive species 
control.

[[Page 43107]]

    The habitat needs of running buffalo clover on Federal, State, and 
locally owned lands are often included in plans or agreements for those 
lands (Factor D). The Monongahela National Forest Land and Resource 
Management Plan (U.S. Forest Service 2011, pp. II-27-II-28) and Wayne 
National Forest Revised Land and Resource Management Plan (U.S. Forest 
Service 2006, pp. 2-22, D-16) both include habitat management and 
protection measures for running buffalo clover, as does the Wayne 
National Forest's recently signed memorandum of understanding. The 
Bluegrass Army Depot in Kentucky protects and manages running buffalo 
clover under an Endangered Species Management Plan (Floyd 2006, pp. 30-
37), included as part of their Integrated Natural Resource Management 
Plan, and all running buffalo clover populations at the Army Depot are 
covered by these management actions (Littlefield 2017). A memorandum of 
understanding between the Ohio Historical Society, Ohio Division of 
Natural Areas and Preserves, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
provides for running buffalo clover habitat protection and management. 
These plans and agreements also provide for education and outreach 
efforts and surveying and monitoring for running buffalo clover. Some 
of these agreements automatically renew at the end of their 5-year 
period while others have the option to renew. The agreement with the 
Ohio Historical Society does not have an expiration date. We expect 
that these plans and agreements will remain in place and habitat 
management will continue after delisting running buffalo clover.
    In total, 22 populations are under some form of management that 
incorporates specific needs of running buffalo clover, and 66 
additional populations occur on publicly owned lands where regulatory 
mechanisms now exist that prevent loss from development (Factor D). 
Although the species benefits from active management, it does not 
appear to rely on management actions as demonstrated by the 59 
populations that have been found over the last 10 years at sites where 
natural processes and/or various human activities are maintaining some 
suitable habitat for running buffalo clover. For these reasons, threats 
from habitat destruction, habitat succession, and invasive species have 
been reduced or are being adequately managed such that they are not 
affecting the species' viability.

Collection

    When the species was listed in 1987, overutilization for scientific 
or educational purposes (Factor B) was identified as a threat, given 
that only one population consisting of four individuals was known at 
the time (52 FR 21478, June 5, 1987). Today, with 175 populations 
known, collection for scientific or educational purposes is very 
limited and distributed among many populations and is no longer 
considered a threat (Service 2017, p. 17).
    Running buffalo clover is listed as endangered or threatened under 
State laws in Missouri, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky (Factor D). The 
laws in Ohio and Missouri prohibit commercial taking of listed plants. 
We are aware of only one unpermitted collection in 2015 when a 
population in West Virginia appeared to have been dug up and the main 
plant group removed (Douglas 2015). The purpose of the collection is 
unknown. Despite this one event, running buffalo clover is not known to 
be used for any commercial or recreational purposes, and we have no 
information that commercial or recreational collection will occur in 
the future.

Disease

    At the time of listing in 1987, disease (Factor C) was also 
predicted to threaten running buffalo clover (52 FR 21478, June 5, 
1987). Jacobs and Bartgis (1987, p. 441) suggested that the decline of 
this species may have partially centered on a pathogen introduced from 
the exotic white clover; however, no specific disease has been 
identified over the intervening years (Service 2008, p. 10). A number 
of viral and fungal diseases, including cucumber mosaic virus and the 
comovirus, are reported to have attacked the species in greenhouses at 
the Missouri Botanical Garden (Sehgal and Payne 1995, p. 320), but no 
evidence has been gathered showing these viruses' impact on the decline 
of running buffalo clover in the wild (Service 2008, p. 10).

Parasitism

    Parasitism by root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) is common in 
clovers and often limits productivity in cultivated clovers used as 
forage crops (Quesenberry et al. 1997, p. 270) (Factor C). 
Investigations have been conducted on the effects of root-knot 
nematodes on native North American clovers, including running buffalo 
clover. After inoculation of the parasite, running buffalo clover 
displayed high resistance to three of the four nematode species 
analyzed, and only an intermediate response to the fourth species of 
nematode (Quesenberry et al. 1997, p. 270). Thus, the threat from this 
parasite is not considered significant.

Herbivory

    Herbivory by a variety of species has been reported for running 
buffalo clover (Factor C). In Missouri, running buffalo clover plants 
are repeatedly grazed by rabbits, rodents, and slugs (Pickering 1989, 
p. 3). Similar observations have been made in Kentucky (Davis 1987, p. 
11). The Fayette County, West Virginia, population was eaten to the 
ground by a groundhog, but more than a dozen rooted crowns were 
observed at the population the following year. White-tailed deer can 
also consume large amounts of running buffalo clover (Miller et al. 
1992, pp. 68-69). Although a population may be entirely consumed during 
a growing season, plants may return again the next year. The best 
available information indicates that herbivory is not a threat to the 
species.

Small Population Size

    Running buffalo clover populations often display widely fluctuating 
population size (USFWS 2020, unpublished data). The cause for changes 
in population size may be due to disturbance, weather patterns, 
management strategy, natural succession, or other unknown factors. 
Small populations are at an increased risk of extirpation due to these 
stochastic events, which could impact all individuals in a small 
population (Factor E). The cyclic nature of running buffalo clover and 
the high probability of small populations disappearing one year and 
returning a subsequent year, may lead to difficulty in protecting small 
populations. However, the number (110) and distribution of C- and D-
ranked populations now known across the species' range indicate that 
small population size is not a threat to the running buffalo clover.

Inadequate Seed Dispersal

    The loss of large herbivores, such as bison and white-tailed deer, 
after European settlement may have resulted in no effective means of 
dispersal remaining for running buffalo clover (Cusick 1989, p. 477) 
(Factor E). Deer have now returned to pre-settlement numbers, but 
dispersal and establishment of new populations of running buffalo 
clover by white-tailed deer may not be significant (Ford et al. 2003, 
p. 427). With 175 occurrences of running buffalo clover now known, 
inadequate seed dispersal does not appear to be having population-level 
effects.

[[Page 43108]]

Poor Seed Quality

    Although researchers have speculated that inbreeding depression may 
have contributed to the decline of running buffalo clover (Hickey et 
al. 1991, p. 315; Taylor et al. 1994, p. 1,099) (Factor E), selfed 
seeds have been shown to germinate well and develop into vigorous 
plants (Franklin 1998, p. 39). However, temporal variations in seed 
quality have been reported. Seed quality may be correlated with 
rainfall; quality decreases in years with unusually high rainfall 
(Franklin 1998, p. 38). With 175 occurrences of running buffalo clover 
now known, the impacts of poor seed quality do not appear to affect 
entire populations, nor do these impacts persist for any extended 
period of time.

Effects of Climate Change

    Under future emission scenarios, including Representative 
Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5, the effects of climate 
change in the foreseeable future are expected to result in rising 
average temperatures throughout the range of running buffalo clover, 
along with more frequent heat waves and increased periods of drought 
(Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC) 2014, p. 10), which 
may affect growth of running buffalo clover. For example, a prolonged 
drought in Missouri in 2012 may have impacted a running buffalo clover 
population for the next 2 years as plants were not observed again until 
2015 (McKenzie and Newbold 2015, p. 20).
    High-precipitation events are also expected to increase in number, 
volume, and frequency in mid-latitude areas (IPCC 2014, p. 11). Several 
running buffalo clover populations are located within areas prone to 
flooding. Infrequent high-flow events create moderate disturbance, 
which may be beneficial for this species. But increasing the magnitude 
or frequency of high-flow events may increase storm flows and intensify 
disturbance from flood events, which may create excessive disturbance 
and alter the habitat suitability for running buffalo clover. In 
addition, increased annual precipitation may lead to decreased seed 
quality.
    According to IPCC, ``most plant species cannot naturally shift 
their geographical ranges sufficiently fast to keep up with current and 
high projected rates of climate change on most landscapes'' (IPCC 2014, 
p. 13). Shifts in the range of running buffalo clover as an adaptation 
to climate changes are unlikely, due to the limited dispersal of seeds, 
restriction to specific habitat types, and the lack of connection 
between most populations.
    The effects of climate change may also result in a longer growing 
season and shorter dormant season, which may change flowering periods. 
For example, blossoms of running buffalo clover have been turning brown 
at the beginning of June (Becus 2016); and in 2016 and 2017, running 
buffalo clover plants in Ohio began blooming in April, which is the 
earliest this species had been observed blooming (Becus 2017). For some 
plant species, a change in flowering period may create an asynchrony 
between prime bloom time and when specific pollinators are available, 
resulting in a reduction in pollination and subsequent seed set. 
However, because running buffalo clover can be pollinated by a 
diversity of bee species, significant asynchrony with pollinators is 
not expected to occur.
    Climate change presents a largely unknown influence on the species, 
with potential for negative and beneficial impacts. Populations of 
running buffalo clover occur within various ecoregions within the 
species' range and are capable of recovering from stochastic events, 
such as droughts and heavy precipitation and high stream flows. Running 
buffalo clover is not dependent on particular species of pollinators 
and appears adaptable to potential changes to pollinator communities. 
This indicates that populations will continue to be viable in the 
foreseeable future in the face of climate change.

Synergistic Effects

    Many of the stressors discussed in this analysis could work in 
concert with each other and result in a cumulative adverse effect to 
running buffalo clover (e.g., one stressor may make the species more 
vulnerable to the effects of other threats). However, most of the 
potential stressors we identified either have not occurred to the 
extent originally anticipated at the time of listing (collection, 
disease), are no longer a threat in light of the many populations 
discovered since the time of listing, or are adequately managed as 
described in this proposal to delist the species (habitat destruction 
and succession, invasive species). In addition, for the reasons 
discussed in this final rule, we do not anticipate stressors to 
increase on publicly owned lands or lands that are managed for the 
species.
    Synergistic interactions are possible between the effects of 
climate change and effects of other threats, such as nonnative plant 
invasion. However, it is difficult to project how the effects of 
climate change will affect interaction or competition between species. 
Uncertainty about how different plant species will respond under a 
changing climate makes projecting possible synergistic effects of 
climate change on running buffalo clover too speculative. However, the 
increases documented in the number of populations since the species was 
listed do not indicate that cumulative effects of various activities 
and stressors are affecting the viability of the species at this time 
or into the future. Post-delisting monitoring will monitor the status 
of running buffalo clover and its habitat to detect any changes in 
status that may result from removing the species from the List of 
Endangered and Threatened Plants (50 CFR 17.12(h)).

Summary of Comments and Recommendations

    In our proposed rule published on August 27, 2019 (84 FR 44832), we 
requested that all interested parties submit written comments on the 
proposal by October 28, 2019. We also requested public comments on the 
draft PDM plan. We contacted appropriate Federal and State agencies and 
other interested parties and invited them to comment on the proposal. 
In accordance with our peer review policy published on July 1, 1994 (59 
FR 34270) and our August 22, 2016, Director's Memorandum ``Peer Review 
Process,'' we solicited expert opinion from five knowledgeable 
individuals with scientific expertise that included familiarity with 
the running buffalo clover and its habitat, biological needs, and 
threats.
    During the comment period, we received 24 comments on the proposal 
to delist running buffalo clover and the draft PDM plan: 2 from peer 
reviewers, 4 from States, 2 from Federal agencies, and 16 from the 
public. All comments are posted at https://www.regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2018-0036. Some public commenters support the 
delisting of running buffalo clover; some did not state whether or not 
they support the delisting; and others do not support delisting, 
although a subset of these, including one State and one peer reviewer, 
would support downlisting to threatened status. We did not receive any 
requests for a public hearing.
    We reviewed all comments we received from peer reviewers, States, 
Federal agencies, and the public for substantive issues and new 
information regarding running buffalo clover. Substantive information 
provided during the comment period is addressed below and, where 
appropriate, is incorporated directly into this final rule and the PDM 
plan.

[[Page 43109]]

State Comments

    Section 4(b)(5)(A)(ii) of the Act states that the Secretary must 
give actual notice of a proposed regulation under section 4(a) to the 
State agency in each State in which the species is believed to occur, 
and invite the comments of such agency. Section 4(i) of the Act directs 
that the Secretary will submit to the State agency a written 
justification for his or her failure to adopt regulations consistent 
with the agency's comments or petition. We solicited comments from all 
States within the species' range and received comments from four 
States.
    (1) Comment: The Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves commented that 
running buffalo clover is trending towards recovery and meets almost 
all the criteria specified in the recovery plan. They stated that only 
one cooperative agreement currently protects running buffalo clover in 
Kentucky and expressed concern that additional cooperative management 
agreements are needed in Kentucky in order to fully meet delisting 
criterion 3. The Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves indicated that 
Kentucky plans to continue to implement additional management 
agreements and enroll more private lands with the registered natural 
area program.
    Response: Although there is currently only one cooperative 
agreement protecting running buffalo clover in Kentucky, this agreement 
protects multiple running buffalo clover populations that occur at the 
site. We acknowledge that delisting criterion 3 has not been fully met 
in the manner specifically identified in the recovery plan. However, we 
conclude that the intent of the criterion to ensure that sufficient 
populations were protected from threats into the future has been met. 
Also, the discovery of new populations at unmanaged sites indicates 
that the species does not wholly rely on management to maintain 
populations, as we believed when the recovery criterion was drafted. 
Additional management agreements will contribute to the ongoing success 
of this species, and we appreciate Kentucky's commitment to continuing 
to work on and increase conservation of running buffalo clover.
    (2) Comment: Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) concurred 
with the proposal to delist running buffalo clover, but expressed 
concern that removing the protections of the Act may result in further 
decline of this species in Missouri. MDC stated that running buffalo 
clover will continue to be a State endangered species in Missouri until 
the State's populations are recovered.
    Response: We appreciate Missouri's commitment to continuing 
conservation efforts for the running buffalo clover. State protections 
will continue to enhance populations of the species. In addition, 
management agreements will continue to maintain suitable habitat and 
address stressors at 22 running buffalo clover sites after the species 
is delisted. Therefore, we do not expect an overall decline in the 
status of running buffalo clover in the future.
    (3) Comment: MDC indicated that populations in Missouri are not 
considered secure and that management is necessary to maintain 
populations and remove invasive species. MDC indicated that Missouri 
would continue management for running buffalo clover and would assess 
the prioritization of ongoing management efforts and protected status 
of Missouri's populations.
    Response: We agree that a lack of management or natural disturbance 
regime can lead to continued natural succession, a loss of suitable 
habitat, and a decline in running buffalo clover populations and that 
management efforts are necessary at some sites to address stressors and 
maintain suitable habitat. We appreciate the MDC's commitment to 
managing the populations of running buffalo clover in Missouri.
    (4) Comment: Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves stated 
that more management agreements are needed before criterion 3 for 
delisting is met and that downlisting to threatened is more appropriate 
at this time.
    Response: Information obtained since the proposed listing rule was 
published on August 27, 2019, indicates there are currently 175 extant 
populations as follows: 18 A-ranked, 47 B-ranked, 40 C-ranked, and 70 
D-ranked populations. Seven of the A-ranked and 14 of the B-ranked 
populations are considered viable, based on a PVA or 10 years of data. 
Based on this information, we conclude that sufficient number and 
distribution of viable populations occur across the species' range and 
delisting criteria 1 and 2 have been exceeded. We acknowledge that 
delisting criterion 3 has not been fully met in the manner specifically 
identified in the recovery plan. However, recovery of a species is a 
dynamic process, and we are not required to follow all of the guidance 
or meet all of the criteria provided in a recovery plan in order to 
conclude that a species no longer meets the definition of endangered or 
threatened.
    The 22 populations currently under management agreements in 
conjunction with the 66 other populations on publicly owned lands are 
sufficient to eliminate or adequately reduce threats to the species now 
and into the foreseeable future. Additionally, the discovery of new 
populations at unmanaged sites indicates that the species does not 
wholly rely on management to maintain populations as we believed when 
the recovery criterion was developed. We conclude that threats to 
running buffalo clover have been reduced or are being adequately 
managed now and into the foreseeable future and that the intent of the 
criterion to ensure that sufficient populations were protected from 
threats into the future has been met. Therefore, running buffalo clover 
does not meet the definition of a threatened species.
    (5) Comment: The Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves 
stated the long-term viability of running buffalo clover in Ohio is 
uncertain, based on threats from invasive species, management needs, 
and number of populations in the poor category. They indicated that 
there are draft agreements with partners to protect an additional 11 
running buffalo clover populations and that these agreements are 
helping to make progress in long-term viability of running buffalo 
clover in Ohio.
    Response: We agree that a lack of management or natural disturbance 
regime can lead to a decline in running buffalo clover populations and 
that site-specific management plans are necessary to address stressors 
and maintain suitable habitat at some sites. However, the discovery of 
new populations at unmanaged sites indicates that the species does not 
wholly rely on management to maintain populations. Twenty-two running 
buffalo clover sites are currently under management agreements. 
Additional management agreements will contribute to the ongoing success 
of this species, and we appreciate Ohio's commitment to continuing to 
work on and increase protections for the running buffalo clover 
populations within the State.
    (6) Comment: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) 
agreed that running buffalo clover populations are sufficiently 
distributed to provide for resiliency, redundancy, and representation. 
WVDNR stated that they provisionally agree with running buffalo clover 
delisting, provided that written management plans specific to the 
species are developed for public lands, and agencies managing for 
running buffalo clover commit to these plans through at least the 
delisting monitoring period. They noted that there is a draft running 
buffalo clover site-specific management plan for the Monongahela 
National Forest, which will substantively reduce threats to

[[Page 43110]]

populations on this national forest once finalized.
    Response: We acknowledge that some populations that occur on public 
land are not protected by running buffalo clover-specific management 
plans. However, some, including those on Monongahela National Forest, 
are provided protection from the standards and guidelines in the 
resource management plans. Twenty-two additional running buffalo clover 
sites, nearly all of which occur on publicly owned lands, are currently 
protected by management agreements that provide specific measures to 
maintain habitat for the species. We expect that these will remain in 
place and habitat management will continue after delisting running 
buffalo clover. We support finalizing a site-specific management plan 
for running buffalo clover on the Monongahela National Forest to 
further enhance conservation of the species. Management agreements as 
currently written require frequent coordination with the Service. We 
have revised the PDM plan to include a reporting element on management 
actions during the PDM period for those sites with management plans or 
agreements in place.
    (7) Comment: WVDNR reported that eight new element occurrences with 
a total of 13,000 to 15,000 rooted crowns were discovered after 2016, 
all on private land, but that those new occurrences are not protected 
because the State has no endangered species law and therefore should 
not count towards the number of occurrences cited within delisting 
criterion 1.
    Response: Delisting criterion 1 is based solely on the condition of 
the populations without regard to protected status. However, because we 
have no information on the condition of each of those elemental 
occurrences, we did not include them in our calculations in this final 
rule regarding the number of populations that fulfill delisting 
criterion 1. These additional elemental occurrences support the trend 
of discovering new populations and recovery of this species.
    (8) Comment: WVDNR did not agree with our conclusion that criterion 
3 has been met for downlisting or delisting, stating that general 
natural resource management plans are not suitable for meeting the 
criterion.
    Response: In the proposed listing rule, we had considered 9 
populations that occur on the Monongahela National Forest as 
contributing to meeting this criterion because running buffalo clover 
is included in the forest management plan for the Monongahela. Although 
the forest plan provides direction and guidelines to avoid and minimize 
impacts of forestry practices on running buffalo clover, we now 
understand that a draft agreement has been developed between the U.S. 
Forest Service and WVDNR to provide additional conservation for the 
species. While a management plan that provides for additional 
conservation of running buffalo clover would benefit the species on the 
Monongahela National Forest, the current forest management practices, 
as conditioned through running buffalo clover measures included in the 
forest plan, are adequate to conserve the running buffalo clover on the 
Monongahela.
    We now consider 22 populations as protected by management 
agreements; therefore, the 17 management agreements under criterion 3 
for downlisting have been exceeded. We acknowledge that the 34 
management agreements specified by delisting criterion 3 have not been 
met although additional agreements are in draft form. Recovery of a 
species is a dynamic process, and we are not required to meet all of 
the criteria provided in a recovery plan in order to conclude that a 
species no longer meets the definition of endangered or threatened. 
Delisting criterion 3 from the recovery plan was intended to ensure 
that habitat-based threats for the species are addressed. However, the 
discovery of new populations at unmanaged sites indicates that the 
species does not wholly rely on management to maintain populations as 
we believed when the recovery criterion was drafted. Although criterion 
3 has not been met as specified in the recovery plan, we believe that 
its intention has been met between the 22 sites managed for the 
conservation of the species and the 66 additional locations on Federal 
and State lands. Because nearly all of the 22 managed populations occur 
on publicly owned lands, we expect management will continue in the 
foreseeable future. While we agree that additional management 
agreements would further enhance conservation for running buffalo 
clover, the 22 populations currently under management in conjunction 
with the 66 other populations on publicly owned lands are sufficient to 
indicate the species is not in danger of extinction now or likely to 
become so in the foreseeable future. We have revised the PDM plan to 
include a measure to track new management agreements finalized during 
the PDM period as well as to determine if all existing management 
agreements are being followed.
    (9) Comment: WVDNR stated that the number of running buffalo clover 
occurrences in West Virginia is increasing but many extant occurrences 
are at risk.
    Response: We agree that some extant occurrences, in particular D-
ranked populations (containing fewer than 29 plants), are at risk; and 
in some years, no plants may be present during monitoring periods. 
However, 89 percent of running buffalo clover populations that were 
extant in West Virginia in 2007 are still present today. Overall, 63 
running buffalo clover populations occur in West Virginia, of which 46 
(70.8 percent) are A-, B-, or C-ranked populations, which are at lower 
risk of extirpation.
    (10) Comment: WVDNR observed that project-driven surveys have 
resulted in the discovery of new running buffalo clover occurrences and 
noted that implementation of these projects may result in the expansion 
of the distribution of running buffalo clover as well as the spread of 
nonnative invasive species. The State expressed concern that the threat 
of nonnative invasive species may exceed the benefit of discovery of 
any new running buffalo clover occurrences.
    Response: We acknowledge the ongoing presence of nonnative invasive 
species at some running buffalo clover sites. However, at this time, 
the best available data do not support a conclusion that the spread of 
nonnative invasive species will exceed the benefit of new running 
buffalo clover discoveries at these sites. Further, we have determined 
that the 22 running buffalo clover populations with management 
agreements, which do not include these newly discovered sites, in 
conjunction with the 66 occurrences on publicly owned lands are 
sufficient to eliminate or adequately reduce threats to the species now 
and into the foreseeable future.
    (11) Comment: WVDNR noted that management plans for running buffalo 
clover should address (1) controlling succession so canopy closure does 
not exceed 80 percent, (2) controlling nonnative invasive species, and 
(3) preventing damage to populations from road management or usage and 
other actions that could remove a population or its habitat.
    Response: We agree with these recommendations for management 
actions in general. Management plans are developed to address site-
specific threats and ensure that actions are taken to maintain suitable 
habitat, including appropriate light levels. These management plans 
often include measures to control nonnative invasive species and 
prevent damage from multiple activities.

[[Page 43111]]

Federal Agency Comments

    (12) Comment: The Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia 
provided information about soils on which running buffalo clover may 
occur. They suggested looking at running buffalo clover sites near road 
systems to determine if these populations could have been brought in 
from limestone quarries where a potential seed bed could have been 
established but may not be ideal for sustainability of the population. 
They also commented that temporary habitat for running buffalo clover 
can be created by periodic liming of forest soils but would not be 
sustainable.
    Response: We agree with the comment that periodic liming of soils 
is not a sustainable activity and believe that there is enough habitat 
with suitable disturbance that liming is not needed. While seed is 
known to have been brought into sites through delivery of topsoil, we 
are unaware of any instances where seed has been transported from a 
quarry. We have incorporated additional information about soils into 
the Background section.
    (13) Comment: The Wayne National Forest in Ohio commented that 
running buffalo clover will continue to receive protection for a 
minimum of 5 years after delisting as a species of conservation concern 
for the forest.
    Response: We appreciate the Wayne National Forest's commitment to 
continuing to conserve running buffalo clover after the species is 
delisted. Continuing to manage running buffalo clover as a species of 
conservation concern on the Wayne National Forest will contribute to 
the ongoing success of this species.

Peer Review and Public Comments

    (14) Comment: Two peer reviewers and several public commenters 
opined that the species should be downlisted to threatened rather than 
delisted.
    Response: Current information indicates there are currently 175 
extant running buffalo clover populations as follows: 18 A-ranked, 47 
B-ranked, 40 C-ranked, and 70 D-ranked populations. Seven of the A-
ranked and 14 of the B-ranked populations are considered viable, based 
on a PVA or 10 years of data. Based on this information, we conclude 
that sufficient number and distribution of viable populations occur 
across the species' range and delisting criteria 1 and 2 have been 
exceeded. We acknowledge that delisting criterion 3 has not been fully 
met in the manner specifically identified in the recovery plan. 
However, recovery of a species is a dynamic process, and we are not 
required to follow all of the guidance or meet all of the criteria 
provided in a recovery plan in order to conclude that a species no 
longer meets the definition of endangered or threatened. The 22 
populations currently under management agreements in conjunction with 
the 66 other populations on publicly owned lands are sufficient to 
indicate the species is not in danger of extinction now or likely to be 
in the foreseeable future. Additionally, the discovery of new 
populations at unmanaged sites indicates that the species does not 
wholly rely on management to maintain populations as we believed when 
the recovery criterion was drafted. We conclude that threats to running 
buffalo clover have been reduced or are being adequately managed now 
and into the foreseeable future and that the intent of the criterion to 
ensure that sufficient populations were protected from threats into the 
future has been met. Therefore, running buffalo clover does not meet 
the definition of a threatened species.
    (15) Comment: One peer reviewer indicated that running buffalo 
clover is not fully understood, nor are the historic habitat conditions 
in which it lived. Therefore, additional research is needed before 
delisting the species.
    Response: Recent discoveries of new running buffalo clover sites 
have expanded our understanding of habitat preferences for the species. 
In making listing decisions under the Act, we rely on the best 
available scientific and commercial data, including these recent 
discoveries, which have led us to conclude that running buffalo clover 
does not meet the definition of an endangered or threatened species.
    (16) Comment: One peer viewer noted that from 2001 to 2005 the 
number of running buffalo clover patches and rooted crowns at Blue 
Grass Army Depot (Depot) increased, mostly due to finding new patches. 
From 2005 to 2018, the number of patches and rooted crowns declined, 
likely due to the permanent loss of patches, indicating a long-term 
decline. Three public commenters also noted that the overall trend of 
running buffalo clover at the Depot has been declining since 2001, and 
one commenter indicated the cause of the decline is unknown.
    Response: Although the number of patches at the Depot has decreased 
since 2005, the number of rooted crowns recorded in 2018 (3,939) is 
greater than that recorded in 2001 (1,160) but lower than the maximum 
observed in 2006 (9,574). Populations of this species fluctuate greatly 
and can decline for multiple years before rebounding. The populations 
that are now considered extirpated from the Depot were small, D-ranked 
populations. While the loss of patches could indicate an overall 
decline, the loss of small populations is not unexpected. Other 
landowners do not monitor by patch; therefore, it is difficult to 
compare this information to trends at other locations. However, we 
acknowledge that some protected populations have declined with no 
obvious cause. Notwithstanding these limited declines, we conclude that 
a sufficient number of populations across the range of the species will 
continue to be viable over the foreseeable future such that the species 
no longer meets the Act's definitions of an endangered species or a 
threatened species.
    (17) Comment: One peer reviewer noted that running buffalo clover 
populations can appear, seem to prosper, and then disappear, including 
an A-ranked population, and many C- and D-ranked populations have 
disappeared.
    Response: Running buffalo clover populations fluctuate over the 
years due to natural succession, variance in temperature and 
precipitation, and lack of disturbance. Due to their small size, D-
ranked populations are most likely to disappear although larger 
populations have declined for unknown reasons. The PVA, conducted when 
the recovery plan was written, indicated that 17 populations were 
needed to maintain this species. This number was doubled to 34 
populations needed to delist running buffalo clover. Currently, 175 
populations are extant throughout the range of this species. This 
includes 18 populations that have at least 1,000 rooted crowns (A-
ranked). An additional 47 running buffalo clover populations have 
between 100 and 999 rooted crowns (B-ranked). These higher ranked 
populations have a greater probability of remaining stable or 
increasing.
    (18) Comment: One peer reviewer and two commenters opined that more 
management agreements are needed before delisting running buffalo 
clover, and four commenters expressed concern whether current 
management is sufficient to maintain recovery.
    Response: Comparing the ranking of extant populations in 2007 to 
the ranking of those populations that continued to be extant in 2016, 
17 percent of populations were increasing, and 59 percent were stable. 
These populations represent 76 percent of the populations present in 
2007. In addition, we are now aware of 175 extant populations compared 
to 102 in 2007. Thus, we conclude that the trend for this species is 
stable or increasing.

[[Page 43112]]

    Twenty-two running buffalo clover populations are currently under 
agreements that provide for ongoing management to maintain suitable 
habitat for running buffalo clover and adequately address or eliminate 
threats to those populations. While we acknowledge that delisting 
criterion 3 has not been fully met in the manner specifically 
identified in the recovery plan, we conclude that the intent of the 
criterion to ensure that sufficient populations are protected from 
threats into the foreseeable future has been met. Additionally, the 
discovery of new populations at unmanaged sites indicates that the 
species does not wholly rely on management to maintain populations as 
we believed when the recovery criterion was drafted. Based on this 
information, we conclude that running buffalo clover has recovered and 
no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species.
    (19) Comment: Two peer reviewers and a commenter identified 
nonnative invasive species as an ongoing threat to running buffalo 
clover that requires management, and these commenters specifically 
identified Japanese stiltgrass as causing declines of running buffalo 
clover.
    Response: As discussed in the proposed listing rule and this final 
rule, nonnative invasive species, including Japanese stiltgrass, are 
present at several running buffalo clover sites. The management 
agreements in place for running buffalo clover include management 
actions to address nonnative invasive species, including Japanese 
stiltgrass. In addition, the PDM plan provides for monitoring for the 
presence of nonnative invasive species at running buffalo clover sites. 
Monitoring includes recording the level of severity of nonnative 
invasive species to prioritize sites for future monitoring.
    (20) Comment: One peer reviewer and three commenters expressed 
concern that running buffalo clover would no longer receive management 
or monitoring and that funding for efforts to maintain proper habitat 
conditions would not be available after delisting.
    Response: The populations that are under management agreements will 
continue to receive management to address site-specific threats and 
habitat needs, and we do not expect delisting will alter the ability of 
partner agencies to continue funding and implementing management 
agreements for running buffalo clover. Several States have indicated 
that they will continue to protect and manage running buffalo clover 
populations under existing State regulations. If unforeseen threats 
arise that are determined to endanger or threaten the long-term 
viability of running buffalo clover such that it meets the definition 
of a threatened or endangered species, we can use our authorities under 
section 4 the Act, including the emergency listing authorities at 
section 4(b)(7), to relist the species as appropriate.
    (21) Comment: One peer reviewer and several commenters expressed 
concern that many populations of running buffalo clover are not stable 
or secure and that the species' recovery is a result of more surveys.
    Response: Many populations of running buffalo clover have been 
discovered since 2007, with 175 extant populations known now compared 
to 102 in 2007. Seventy-six percent of the populations extant in 2007 
were increasing or stable in 2016, indicating those populations are not 
in decline. With 22 populations now under management agreements and 
another 66 populations occurring on publicly owned lands, threats to 
the species have been reduced or are being adequately managed such that 
they are not affecting the species' viability. Based on this 
information, we conclude that running buffalo clover has recovered and 
no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species.
    (22) Comment: One commenter stated that the methods for assessing 
viability prescribed in the Recovery Plan do not address the stress 
caused by invasion of exotic species or other emerging or impending 
factors that might impair the viability of the species.
    Response: The PVA is just one factor used to consider the current 
trend of the species and whether it is declining, stable, or 
increasing. The PVA provides a guide in determining the minimum number 
of needed populations, as well as the size and physical distribution of 
those populations, and is only one part of the recovery criteria. In 
addition, recovery criterion 3 addresses habitat-based threats, such as 
nonnative invasive species. The 22 populations that have management 
agreements will be protected from the threat of succession by 
implementation of various management or disturbance actions to reset 
succession. The management agreements also include actions to address 
the threats of nonnative invasive species.
    (23) Comment: One commenter stated that populations in West 
Virginia are extensive and cover a wide range of habitat conditions, 
indicating that running buffalo clover may not be as limited in habitat 
requirements.
    Response: Running buffalo clover populations in West Virginia are 
larger in quantity and area and occur in a wider range of habitat types 
than populations in other States. We note that all habitats are subject 
to succession, requiring periodic natural disturbance or targeted 
management to continue to maintain viable running buffalo clover 
populations.
    (24) Comment: One commenter stated that running buffalo clover was 
once widespread and abundant but most of the historically known sites 
are now extirpated and the species survives in a fraction of its former 
range.
    Response: Running buffalo clover was not known historically as 
widespread and abundant. Fewer than 30 sites were known in 8 States, 
including 2 specimens from Arkansas and 1 from Kansas (Brooks 1983). 
Although most of these historically known sites are extirpated, 175 
extant running buffalo clover sites are now known across most of its 
historical range in 6 States.
    (25) Comment: One commenter stated that, although more than 150 
occurrences are now known, the vast majority of those are very small 
and not ranked as good occurrences.
    Response: Delisting criterion 1 states that 34 populations, in 
total, are distributed as follows: 2 A-ranked, 6 B-ranked, 6 C-ranked, 
and 20 D-ranked populations across at least 2 of the 3 regions in which 
running buffalo clover occurs (Appalachian, Bluegrass, and Ozark). The 
number of populations in each rank is based on what would be required 
to achieve a 95 percent probability of the persistence within the next 
20 years.
    Populations are currently distributed as follows: 18 A-ranked, 47 
B-ranked, 40 C-ranked, and 70 D-ranked. Although approximately two-
thirds of running buffalo clover populations are ranked as C or D (99 
or few rooted crowns or 33 or fewer crowns, respectively), delisting 
criterion 1 has been substantially exceeded. We conclude that a 
sufficient number of populations across the range of the species will 
continue to be viable over the foreseeable future; thus, we determine 
that the species no longer meets the Act's definitions of an endangered 
species or a threatened species.
    (26) Comment: One commenter expressed concern that small patches 
have a high probability of becoming extirpated and will not naturally 
recover without active restoration and management.
    Response: Smaller populations may have a greater probability of 
becoming extirpated, but that does not indicate that all small 
populations will eventually become extirpated. Some small populations 
have continued to persist for years.

[[Page 43113]]

    As a disturbance-adapted species, running buffalo clover benefits 
from both management as well as natural disturbance activities, such as 
flooding, grazing by herbivores, trail use by animals, and small forest 
openings due to disease or insect impacts. Ten C- and D-ranked 
populations are under management agreements.
    (27) Comment: One commenter stated that monitoring and collection 
has shown an expansion of populations in multiple States.
    Response: New populations have been found in multiple States since 
the time of the original listing, as a result of multiple statewide and 
many project-specific surveys. For example, an increase in project-
specific surveys in Pennsylvania in recent years resulted in most of 
the new running buffalo clover populations identified there. The newly 
discovered populations in Pennsylvania are south of a population in 
West Virginia that we have been aware of since the 2007 Recovery Plan 
Revision. In addition, running buffalo clover sites occur in West 
Virginia southeast of these Pennsylvania populations. Therefore, these 
populations most likely have been in existence, and their discovery is 
not the result of an expansion in the range of this species but rather 
an increase in the number of project-specific surveys. That said, this 
new information about these additional sites changes our understanding 
of the degree to which this species faces threats to its continued 
existence. The species is not as rare or restricted as was thought at 
the time of listing, and this is a contributing piece of our overall 
determination that the species is no longer in danger of extinction, 
now or in the foreseeable future.
    (28) Comment: One commenter, citing Leugers (2016), stated that 
running buffalo clover in Ohio still experiences declines in remaining 
areas and is in need of more robust management plans.
    Response: Leugers (2016) included no information from the 2008 or 
2011 5-year reviews and did not use the most recent scientific 
information available. Since the 2007 Recovery Plan, we have learned 
much about running buffalo clover. Populations in Ohio include two that 
are A-ranked and nine that are B-ranked. Seven sites in Ohio are 
protected with management agreements for ten running buffalo clover 
populations.
    (29) Comment: One commenter stated that additional information is 
still needed on the best management regimes to maintain flowering 
populations.
    Response: Although recent discoveries of new running buffalo clover 
sites have expanded our understanding of the habitat types where the 
species can occur, running buffalo clover still requires partial to 
filtered sunlight and a prolonged pattern of moderate, periodic 
disturbance to maintain those conditions. A variety of management 
tools, such as grazing, mowing, trampling, or selective logging, have 
proven effective at maintaining suitable habitat and sustaining running 
buffalo clover populations. Natural succession results in increased 
canopy closure and a decrease in flowering. Maintaining appropriate 
habitat should result in continued flowering although the level of 
flowering may also be impacted by rainfall and various local weather 
conditions.
    (30) Comment: One commenter indicated that running buffalo clover 
will continue to be threatened by ATV (all-terrain vehicle) use and 
fossil fuel development and infrastructure on the Wayne National 
Forest.
    Response: Although ATV use was a problem at one site on the Wayne 
National Forest in the past, ATV use has not been documented as a 
threat to this running buffalo clover population since 2009. Running 
buffalo clover will continue to be managed on the Wayne National Forest 
as a species of conservation concern.
    (31) Comment: One commenter indicated that running buffalo clover 
is damaged by grazing on Federal lands.
    Response: We are not aware of any instances where grazing on 
Federal lands is impacting the running buffalo clover at the population 
level. Light to moderate grazing can provide the disturbance that 
running buffalo clover requires. The Depot in Kentucky grazes 
domesticated animals for management purposes, but no other federally 
owned properties use grazing by domesticated animals as a management 
tool. Running buffalo clover does not occur on any federally owned 
property that permits large-scale grazing.
    (32) Comment: One commenter stated that there has been no 
measurable increase or spread of running buffalo clover (e.g., to 
Pennsylvania).
    Response: New populations of running buffalo clover are discovered 
nearly every year. That said, these populations have most likely been 
in existence for some time, and new populations found in Pennsylvania 
are not likely to be the result of an expansion in the range of this 
species. However, the increase overall in the number of populations 
known to be in existence changes our understanding of the degree to 
which the species is in danger of extinction, now or in the future. The 
original listing of the species was based on the lack of extant 
populations that had been identified at that time in spite of surveys 
conducted throughout its known range. Since then, multiple statewide 
and many project-specific surveys have been conducted and have 
discovered additional populations of which we were not formerly aware. 
Currently, 175 extant populations are known.
    (33) Comment: One commenter indicated that several element 
occurrence (E.O.) ranks are erroneous.
    Response: We have used the best scientific and commercial data 
available in the proposed rule and this final rule. The commenter did 
not provide any supporting documentation or information for specific 
EOs.
    (34) Comment: One commenter indicated that seeds of running buffalo 
clover maintained in appropriate storage for over 25 years can still be 
viable after scarification. The commenter stated that recovery work 
should include vouchering seed from each running buffalo clover 
population to a seed bank with clear origin and sample size details.
    Response: Running buffalo clover seed in the seedbank may be viable 
for a long time as other rare legumes can be viable in cold storage for 
decades (Albrecht 2017). An extremely small amount of running buffalo 
clover seed can germinate after being in soil and exposed to outdoor 
temperatures for over 10 years (Baskin 2021). In addition, populations 
have been absent for up to 4 consecutive years before plants were 
observed again (USFWS 2021, unpublished data). The long-term limit of 
seed viability in the natural environment has not been determined as 
Baskin's research ended after 11 years. Collection of seed for 
vouchering purposes may be useful for its conservation and management 
and should have limited impacts to source populations. Because the best 
available scientific and commercial data indicate that running buffalo 
clover has recovered and is no longer an endangered or threatened 
species, we are finalizing the delisting of the species.
    (35) Comment: One commenter noted that running buffalo clover grows 
readily in controlled settings. Another public commenter stated that 
the survival of transplanted plants in the wild is very low and not a 
successful recovery option.
    Response: Running buffalo clover grows well in a greenhouse 
environment; however, planting from seed or transplanting in the wild 
has had very limited success. Collection of seed or other vegetative 
material should be used only as a last resort to maintain

[[Page 43114]]

genetic material before a population is permanently lost.

Peer Review and Public Comments on the Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan

    (36) Comment: WVDNR stated that the 5-year monitoring period will 
not detect changes in status of running buffalo clover in time to allow 
for remedial actions if populations decline and suggested that 
monitoring the occurrences in the Monongahela National Forest 
management plan annually for 5 years would reflect running buffalo 
clover population trend and response to management actions.
    Response: We recognize that there can be significant year-to-year 
variation in populations that may cause long-term population trends not 
to become apparent for more than 5 years. However, by evaluating the 
level of canopy coverage and the threat of nonnative invasive species 
as prescribed in the PDM plan, these threats can be addressed before 
impacts to running buffalo clover occur. Monitoring is conducted to 
determine the rangewide status of running buffalo clover (declining, 
stable, or increasing) and its threats. It is not intended to evaluate 
individual management actions.
    We have modified the PDM plan to target the running buffalo clover 
populations with management plans or agreements and the viable A- and 
B-ranked populations plus an additional 20 populations rangewide for 
monitoring. Because approximately 50 percent of all running buffalo 
clover populations are on private land, we recommend that half of the 
populations identified for post-delisting monitoring rangewide also 
occur on private land. Therefore, these 57 populations that are 
monitored should be representative of the rangewide ownership (private 
versus public) and as well as the rangewide diversity of population 
size (A-, B-, C-, and D-ranked populations).
    (37) Comment: WVDNR indicated that the PDM plan should include 
visiting a select group of running buffalo clover occurrences, with the 
majority on public land, which would provide data on those populations' 
responses to management for control of succession and nonnative 
invasive species and protection from habitat destruction.
    Response: The goal of the monitoring plan is to observe the trends 
of a representative sample of individual occurrences to determine 
whether the species continues to be recovered and not to evaluate 
management activities. Because most populations are not monitored, the 
selection of a group of occurrences should reflect the proportion of 
sites that are managed as well as a diversity of population sizes. 
There should be a representative number of A-, B-, C-, and D-ranked 
populations monitored. We have incorporated this concept into the PDM 
plan, where appropriate.
    (38) Comment: WVDNR commented that the monitoring protocol and 
field monitoring form in the draft PDM plan are not adequate and are 
inconsistent with the monitoring protocol in the 2007 Running Buffalo 
Clover Recovery Plan. They recommended using the existing census 
methodology to provide more consistency and better detect population 
trends and declines.
    Response: We acknowledge that the protocol in the PDM plan differs 
from that in use since 2007. While the existing methodology would 
provide more consistency in comparing individual populations pre- and 
post-delisting, we note that there are substantially more running 
buffalo clover populations now than in 2007. The protocol in the PDM 
plan addresses the challenges of limited time and resources to monitor 
a much larger number of populations. In addition, the proposed protocol 
reflects the greater stability of large A-ranked populations and 
prioritizes monitoring of smaller ranked populations as these would be 
more likely not to survive a stochastic event without a significant 
reduction in size.
    Currently, the number of A-, B-, C-, and D-ranked populations are 
counted and evaluated. If a population drops to a lower rank (e.g., 
from an A-rank to a B-rank), we consider that change to constitute a 
decline. Because there is annual variability, we do not evaluate the 
specific individuals of each occurrence. By calculating the change in 
the number of A-, B-, C-, and D-ranked populations at the end of the 5-
year post-delisting monitoring period, we will be consistent with how 
the species was evaluated in each of the last 5-year reviews. 
Therefore, we conclude that the data to be collected will be adequate 
to determine population rankings and rangewide population trends for 
post-delisting monitoring purposes. However, we see benefit to the more 
intensive monitoring suggested by WVDNR by those who are committed to 
managing the species post-delisting and support any efforts to do so.
    (39) Comment: WVDNR recommended an expansion of data gathering 
about nonnative invasive species across running buffalo clover's range.
    Response: The purpose of the nonnative invasive species query in 
the PDM plan is to determine whether nonnative invasive species present 
a threat at running buffalo clover occurrences and if that threat is 
being addressed. We understand that additional information on nonnative 
invasive species would be useful. However, due to limited time and 
resources, this is beyond the scope of the PDM plan.
    (40) Comment: WVDNR stated that use of 95 percent canopy closure is 
insufficient as a trigger for selective harvest and suggests that the 
trigger should not be greater than 80 percent canopy cover.
    Response: Because running buffalo clover grows in the ground layer, 
it can be affected by shading from the understory as well as the 
canopy. The 95 percent canopy cover is used as a trigger for selective 
harvest because we expect selective harvesting would significantly 
reduce canopy cover. Other forms of management can be considered before 
a site reaches 95 percent canopy cover as these other forms of 
management are not expected to reduce the canopy cover as dramatically. 
We have updated the PDM plan to clarify.
    (41) Comment: One peer reviewer stated that the monitoring plan 
does not ensure an adequate level of management.
    Response: The PDM plan is intended to determine whether a 
significant number of running buffalo clover occurrences are in decline 
or are stable or increasing and will focus primarily on those sites 
that meet all aspects of recovery. Monitoring will help evaluate 
whether management is needed, but the PDM plan does not require 
management. The monitoring data form will ask if appropriate management 
is occurring.
    (42) Comment: One peer reviewer recommended changing the definition 
of ``response triggers'' to require monitoring more sites for a longer 
period of time.
    Response: Due to the limitation of time and resources, additional 
monitoring is not feasible for most sites. While we encourage more 
frequent monitoring at sites that have that capability, the level of 
monitoring prescribed in the PDM plan is sufficient to assess the 
population trend of running buffalo clover for the purposes of post-
delisting monitoring, which is to determine the rangewide status of 
running buffalo clover (declining, stable, or increasing) and its 
threats to evaluate whether the species continues to be recovered.

Determination of Running Buffalo Clover Status

    Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533) and its implementing 
regulations (50

[[Page 43115]]

CFR part 424) set forth the procedures for determining whether a 
species meets the definition of an endangered species or a threatened 
species. The Act defines ``endangered species'' as a species ``in 
danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its 
range,'' and ``threatened species'' as a species ``likely to become an 
endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a 
significant portion of its range.'' The Act requires that we determine 
whether a species meets the definition of ``endangered species'' or 
``threatened species'' because of any of the following factors: (A) The 
present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its 
habitat or range; (B) overutilization for commercial, recreational, 
scientific, or educational purposes; (C) disease or predation; (D) the 
inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or (E) other natural or 
manmade factors affecting its continued existence.

Status Throughout All of Its Range

    After evaluating threats to the species and assessing the 
cumulative effect of the threats under the section 4(a)(1) factors, we 
found that significant threats identified at the time of listing (52 FR 
21478, June 5, 1987) have been eliminated or reduced. The main threat 
at many sites is habitat destruction, habitat succession, and 
competition with nonnative invasive species (Factor A). Management to 
benefit running buffalo clover has been implemented since the time of 
listing and has shown to be effective. Twenty-two populations are under 
some form of management that addresses the needs of running buffalo 
clover. Because all of the managed populations occur on publicly owned 
lands, we expect management will continue in the foreseeable future. 
Delisting criterion 3 from the recovery plan was intended to ensure 
that habitat-based threats for the species are addressed. Although this 
criterion has not been met as specified in the recovery plan, we 
believe that its intention has been met between the 22 sites managed 
specifically for the conservation of the species plus the 66 additional 
locations on Federal and State lands.
    Additionally, the discovery of new populations at unmanaged sites 
indicates that the species does not wholly rely on management to 
maintain populations as we believed when the recovery criterion was 
drafted. The 22 populations currently under management agreements in 
conjunction with the 66 other populations on publicly owned lands are 
sufficient to eliminate or adequately reduce threats to the species now 
and into the foreseeable future. During our analysis, we found that 
other factors believed to be threats at the time of listing--including 
overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or 
educational purposes (Factor B), disease and predation (Factor C), and 
inbreeding depression and poor seed quality and dispersal (Factor E)--
are no longer considered threats, and we do not expect any of these 
conditions to substantially change into the foreseeable future. Since 
listing, we have become aware of the potential for the effects of 
climate change (Factor E) to affect all biota, including running 
buffalo clover, but the magnitude and frequency of this potential 
threat are generally unknown at this time. While available information 
in the most recent 5-year review indicates that running buffalo clover 
may be responding to a change in temperatures or precipitation 
patterns, the lack of a declining trend in running buffalo clover 
populations suggests the effects of ongoing climate change are not a 
threat to the species within the foreseeable future. Thus, after 
assessing the best available information, we determine that running 
buffalo clover is not in danger of extinction now or likely to become 
so in the foreseeable future throughout all of its range.

Status Throughout a Significant Portion of Its Range

    Under the Act and our implementing regulations, a species may 
warrant listing if it is in danger of extinction or likely to become so 
in the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of 
its range. Having determined that running buffalo clover is not in 
danger of extinction or likely to become so in the foreseeable future 
throughout all of its range, we now consider whether it may be in 
danger of extinction or likely to become so in the foreseeable future 
in a significant portion of its range--that is, whether there is any 
portion of the species' range for which it is true that both (1) the 
portion is significant; and (2) the species is in danger of extinction 
now or likely to become so in the foreseeable future in that portion. 
Depending on the case, it might be more efficient for us to address the 
``significance'' question or the ``status'' question first. We can 
choose to address either question first. Regardless of which question 
we address first, if we reach a negative answer with respect to the 
first question that we address, we do not need to evaluate the other 
question for that portion of the species' range.
    In undertaking this analysis for running buffalo clover, we chose 
to address the status question first--we considered information 
pertaining to the geographic distribution of both the species and the 
threats that the species faces to identify any portions of the range 
where the species is endangered or threatened.
    For running buffalo clover, we considered whether the threats are 
geographically concentrated in any portion of the species' range at a 
biologically meaningful scale. We examined the following threats: 
Habitat destruction, habitat succession, and competition with nonnative 
invasive species, including cumulative effects. Threats from habitat 
destruction have been identified at running buffalo clover sites across 
its range. Habitat succession is a natural process that occurs in 
multiple habitat types across the species' range. Nonnative invasive 
species are widespread across the range of running buffalo clover. We 
found no concentration of threats in any portion of the running buffalo 
clover's range at a biologically meaningful scale. Therefore, no 
portion of the species' range can provide a basis for determining that 
the species is in danger of extinction now or likely to become so in 
the foreseeable future in a significant portion of its range, and we 
find the species is not in danger of extinction now or likely to become 
so in the foreseeable future in any significant portion of its range. 
This is consistent with the courts' holdings in Desert Survivors v. 
Department of the Interior, No. 16-cv-01165-JCS, 2018 WL 4053447 (N.D. 
Cal. Aug. 24, 2018), and Center for Biological Diversity v. Jewell, 248 
F. Supp. 3d, 946, 959 (D. Ariz. 2017).

Determination of Status

    Our review of the best available scientific and commercial 
information indicates that running buffalo clover does not meet the 
definition of an endangered species or a threatened species in 
accordance with sections 3(6) and 3(20) of the Act. Therefore, we are 
removing running buffalo clover from the List of Endangered and 
Threatened Plants.

Effects of This Rule

    This rule revises 50 CFR 17.12(h) to remove the running buffalo 
clover from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. 
Because critical habitat has not been designated for this species, this 
rule does not affect 50 CFR 17.96. On the effective date of this rule 
(see DATES, above), the prohibitions and conservation measures provided 
by the Act, particularly through sections 7 and 9, no longer apply to 
this species, and Federal agencies are no longer required

[[Page 43116]]

to consult with the Service under section 7 of the Act in the event 
that activities they authorize, fund, or carry out may affect the 
running buffalo clover.

Post-Delisting Monitoring

    Section 4(g)(1) of the Act requires us, in cooperation with the 
States, to implement a system to monitor effectively, for not less than 
5 years, all species that have been recovered and delisted. The purpose 
of this post-delisting monitoring is to verify that a species remains 
secure from risk of extinction after it has been removed from the 
protections of the Act. The monitoring is designed to detect the 
failure of any delisted species to sustain itself without the 
protective measures provided by the Act. If, at any time during the 
monitoring period, data indicate that protective status under the Act 
should be reinstated, we can initiate listing procedures, including, if 
appropriate, emergency listing under section 4(b)(7) of the Act. 
Section 4(g) of the Act explicitly requires us to cooperate with the 
States in development and implementation of post-delisting monitoring 
programs, but we remain responsible for compliance with section 4(g) of 
the Act and, therefore, must remain actively engaged in all phases of 
post-delisting monitoring. We also seek active participation of other 
entities that are expected to assume responsibilities for the species' 
conservation post-delisting.
    We prepared a PDM plan for running buffalo clover in cooperation 
with the States. The PDM plan is designed to verify that running 
buffalo clover remains secure from the risk of extinction after 
delisting by detecting changes in its status and habitat throughout its 
known range. The final PDM plan discusses the current status of the 
taxon and describes the methods to be used for monitoring after the 
taxon is removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened 
Plants. The PDM plan: (1) Summarizes the roles of the PDM cooperators; 
(2) summarizes the status of running buffalo clover at the time of 
delisting; (3) discusses monitoring methods and sampling regimes; (4) 
describes frequency and duration of monitoring; (5) defines triggers 
for potential monitoring outcomes; (6) outlines reporting requirements 
and procedures; and (7) proposes a schedule for implementing the PDM 
plan and conclusions of the PDM effort.
    The PDM plan guides monitoring of running buffalo clover following 
similar methods to those used prior to delisting. Monitoring will 
consist of: Counting (or estimating for A-ranked populations) the 
number of rooted crowns and flowering stems, recording recruitment of 
seedlings, photographing running buffalo clover occurrences, mapping 
the location of individual patches within the occurrences, and 
identifying potential threats, as may be appropriate. PDM will begin in 
the first growing season following the effective date of this rule (see 
DATES, above) and will extend, at a minimum, through the fifth growing 
season following delisting. Monitoring through this time period will 
allow us to address potential negative effects to running buffalo 
clover, such as nonnative invasive species and canopy closure.
    The PDM plan identifies measurable management thresholds and 
responses for detecting and reacting to significant changes in the 
running buffalo clover's habitat, distribution, and persistence. If 
monitoring detects declines equaling or exceeding these thresholds, the 
Service, in combination with other PDM participants, will investigate 
causes of these declines, including considerations of habitat changes, 
nonnative invasive species, stochastic events, or any other significant 
evidence. Such investigation will determine if running buffalo clover 
warrants expanded monitoring, additional habitat management, or 
relisting as an endangered or a threatened species under the Act. If 
such monitoring data or an otherwise updated assessment of threats 
indicate that relisting running buffalo clover is warranted, emergency 
procedures to relist the species may be followed, if necessary, in 
accordance with section 4(b)(7) of the Act.
    The final PDM plan is available on https://www.regulations.gov under 
Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2018-0036 and on the Service's Great Lakes Region 
website at https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/plants/rbcl/.

Required Determinations

National Environmental Policy Act

    We have determined that environmental assessments and environmental 
impact statements, as defined under the authority of the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), need not be 
prepared in connection with regulations pursuant to section 4(a) of the 
Act. We published a notice outlining our reasons for this determination 
in the Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244).

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994 
(Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments; 59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and 
Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments), and the Department of the 
Interior's manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our 
responsibility to communicate meaningfully with recognized Federal 
Tribes on a government-to-government basis. In accordance with 
Secretarial Order 3206 of June 5, 1997 (American Indian Tribal Rights, 
Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act), 
we readily acknowledge our responsibilities to work directly with 
Tribes in developing programs for healthy ecosystems, to acknowledge 
that Tribal lands are not subject to the same controls as Federal 
public lands, to remain sensitive to Indian culture, and to make 
information available to Tribes. We are not aware of running buffalo 
clover occurring on any Tribal lands, and we did not receive any 
comments from Tribes on the proposed delisting rule.

References Cited

    A complete list of all references cited in this rule is available 
at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2018-0036, or 
upon request from the Ohio Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Authors

    The primary authors of this rule are staff members of the Service's 
Ohio Ecological Services Field Office and Great Lakes Regional Office, 
Bloomington, Minnesota.

Signing Authority

    The Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, approved this 
document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document 
to the Office of the Federal Register for publication electronically as 
an official document of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Martha 
Williams, Principal Deputy Director Exercising the Delegated Authority 
of the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, approved this document 
on August 3, 2021, for publication.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

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

[[Page 43117]]

Regulation Promulgation

    Accordingly, we amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 
of the Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:

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.


Sec.  17.12  [Amended]

0
2. Amend Sec.  17.12 in paragraph (h) by removing the entry for 
``Trifolium stoloniferum'' under FLOWERING PLANTS from the List of 
Endangered and Threatened Plants.

Madonna Baucum,
Regulations and Policy Chief, Division of Policy, Economics, Risk 
Management, and Analytics, Joint Administrative Operations, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-16818 Filed 8-5-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P