Fish and Wildlife Service June 9, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to recognize the recent change to the taxonomy of the currently endangered plant taxon, Monardella linoides ssp. viminea, in which the subspecies was split into two distinct full species, Monardella viminea (willowy monardella) and Monardella stoneana (Jennifer's monardella). Because the original subspecies, Monardella linoides ssp. viminea, was listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), we are reviewing and updating the threats analysis that we completed for the taxon in 1998, when it was listed as a subspecies, to determine if any of that analysis has changed based on this revised taxonomy. We are also reviewing the status of the new species, Monardella stoneana. We propose that Monardella viminea's current listing status should be retained as endangered, and we propose to delist the portion of the old listed taxon that has been split off into the new species, Monardella stoneana, because it does not meet the definition of endangered or threatened under the Act. We also propose to designate critical habitat for Monardella viminea (willowy monardella). Approximately 348 acres (141 hectares) are proposed for designation as critical habitat for M. viminea, in San Diego County, California. We are not proposing to designate critical habitat for Monardella stoneana at this time because we do not believe this species warrants listing under the Act. However, should we determine, after review of the best available scientific information and public comment, that Monardella stoneana does warrant listing, we will propose critical habitat for Monardella stoneana, should it be determined to be prudent, in a separate proposed rule.