October 1983 Vol. VIII No. 10

Department of interior. U.S. Fish and wildlife Service Technical Bulletin Endangered Species Program, Washington, D.C. 20240

and announced its intention to propose Two Florida Mammals Listed as listing the two rodents. Endangered in Emergency Rule Reasons for Emergency Action

An emergency rule listing as Endan- their range in southern peninsular Flor- In June 1983, the Rural Electrification gered two small mammals known only ida, have been lost to development, and Administration (REA) requested imme- from one area in the Florida Keys was this habitat type is now one of the most diate consultation with the Service on a published by the Service on September limited and jeopardized ecosystems in proposed loan to the Florida Keys Elec- 21 and took effect immediately (F.R. Florida. The hammocks of north Key tric Cooperative for construction of a 9/21/83). The Key Largo woodrat (A/eo- Largo represent some of the best remain- substation that would provide increased toma floridana smalli) and Key L^rgo ing tracts, but they are the proposed site delivery of electricity to northern Key cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus for a large number of residential tracts. A Largo. Such consultation is required allapaticola) are jeopardized by the loss section of new water pipeline now under Section 7 of the Endangered Spe- of their forest habitat to residential and extends into the area, and is expected to cies Act because the REA is a Federal commercial development. An emergency accelerate the pace of residential, com- Continued on page 4 determination was necessary to allow mercial, and recreational development. full consideration of the welfare of these Such intensive development in the Flor- animals and their habitat during consul- ida Keys generally results in destruction tation on a Federal construction loan of the hardwood hammock ecosystem, that could result in accelerated habitat even it individual large trees are left in loss. During the 240-day life of the emer- place. The Key Largo woodrat and cot- gency rule, the Service will proceed with ton mouse are both considered by the jlevelopment of a permanent listing. State of Florida as endangered, but their Both woodrat and cotton mouse sub- habitat is not protected under State law. species are endemic to Key Largo, in On May 19, 1980, Dr. Stephen R. Monroe County, Florida. Currently, they Humphrey of the Florida State Museum are found only on 1,150 acres in the petitioned the Service to add the Key northern section of the key where they Largo woodrat and cotton mouse to the depend on tropical hardwood hammocks U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened for their survival. With their floristic affin- Species. The petition included a status ities to the West Indies, these hammocks report prepared under contract to the Both the Key Largo cotton mouse support a rich biota, including many rare Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish (above) and woodrat depend on tropical and animal species. Many of the Commission. On July 28, 1980, the Ser- hardwood hammocks, a distinctive eco- tropical hardwood hammocks in the vice published a Federal Register notice system that is disappearing in the Flor- U.S., which reach the northern limits of of petition acceptance and status review. ida Keys.

tion continues unchanged. Livestock Three Proposed as Endangered grazing and trampling remove native vegetation and promote erosion, espe- The Fish and Wildlife Service recently introduced livestock and insects (F.R. cially along ridgetops, favoring the sur- proposed three additional plants for list- 9/7/83). ing as Endangered species, bringing the Of 15 described species of in Continued on page 4 total number of plants currently pro- Hawai'i, 10 are almost certainly extinct posed for listing as Endangered or and 2 more may be extinct. The remain- Threatened to20. An account on each of ing 2 species (Gouania gagnei and the newly proposed species follows: Gouania faurie), besides the one just proposed, are candidates for listing. Two Hawaiian Plants Apparently, all the native Hawaiian is a shrub known Gouania species were extraordinarily only from two small sites in the District susceptible to environmental alterations of Lahaina, Island of . The plants brought by human settlement of the range in size from a^ew inches to 6 feet islands. with oval leaves 1-2'/2 inches long Feral and domestic cattle and goats mnd small white flowers borne on branch- probably have been the greatest threat Gouania hillebrandii, a shrub endemic ing stalks. This species was proposed historically to the habitat of Gouania hil- to Maui, is jeopardized by the effects of for listing as Endangered after popula- lebrandii, and at least one population grazing and invasions of exotic plants tion declines caused by the effects of will likely become extirpated if the situa- and Insects. The Service's Boise Field Station bot- anist met with Mr. George Swallow in Ely, Nevada, concerning the Monte Neva Hotsprings site where Castilleja salsu- ginosa (an Indian paintbrush) is foun^A This plant is a Category 1 candidate listing. Assistance at the meeting was provided by Ann Pinzl from the Nevada State Museum. As a result of the meet- ing, the Service has a letter of permis- sion to observe and map the location of C. salsuginosa over the next 2 years.

Two more southern sea otters (Enhy- dra lutrls nereis) have been found which showed evidence of having been killed by humans. The State of California en- acted emergency closure of gill net fish- ing within the 10-fathom line between Pigeon Point and Point Reyes. This Endangered Species Program regional grine falcon (Faico peregrinus) survey action was taken to reduce sea bird and staffers liave reported the following items along the Salmon River in Idaho next marine mammal mortality. for the month of September: spring. Numerous sightings of adults and young during the past 3 years sug- Oregon agents received a complaint gest that peregrines may be nesting in Region 1—The Nez Perce National from State officers that a spiked Colum- the area. Forest has agreed to conduct a pere- bian white-tailed deer {Odocoileus vir- ginlanus leucurus) buck was killed on August 29 on the Columbian White- Tailed Deer National Wildlife Refuge. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service James Johnson, Endangered Species Washington, D.C. 20240 Specialist. With the assistance of Washington game personnel, an investigation was conduct- Region 3, Federal BIdg., Fort Snelling, Robert A. Jantzen, Director ed and the alleged perpetrator was Twin Cities, MN 55111 (612-725-3500): (202-343-4717) located. The suspect was interviewed Robert E. Gilmore Harvey Nelson, Regional Director: and a vehicle search turned up fresh Associate Director artd John S. Popowski, Assistant Regional Endangered Species Program Manager Director: James M. Engel, Endangered summer deer hair. Although circumstan^^ (202-343-4646) Species Specialist. tial evidence thus far indicates guilt, th^A John L. Spinks, Chief, Region 4, Richard 8. Russell Federal deer hair will be analyzed to determine i^^ Office of Endangered Species BIdg., 75 Spring St., S.W., Atlanta, GA it is indeed hair from a Columbian white- (703-235-2771) 30303 (404-221 -3583): James W. Pulliam, tailed deer. Thomas J. Parisot, Chief, Regional Director, John I. Christian, Federal Wildlife Permit Office Assistant Regional Director, Alex B. On August 2-4, three Sacramento (703-235-1937) Montgomery, Endangered Species Spe- Endangered Species Office (SESO) staff Clark R. Bavin, Chief, cialist. Division of Law Enforcement members assisted Sierra National Forest (202-343-9242) Region 5, Suite 700, One Gateway Center, personnel to begin a comprehensive TECHNICAL BULLETIN STAFF Newton Corner, MA 02158 (617-965- survey of the range of Collomla rawson- Michael Bender, Acting Editor 5100): Howard Larsen, Regional Direc- lana (the flaming trumpet), a Category 1 tor: Stephen W. Parry, Assistant Regional (703-235-2407) candidate for listing. SESO provided the Director: Paul Nickerson, Endangered Species Specialist. Forest Service with a surveying method Regional Offices to sample the various populations of the Region 6, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal plant. This species is restricted to ripar- Region 1, Suite 1692, Lloyd 500 BIdg., Center, Denver, CO 80225 (303-234- 500 N.E. Multnomah St. Portland, OR 2209): Galen Buterbaugh, Regional ian associated habitats along cool per- 97232 (503-231-6118): Richard J. My- Director: John D. Green, Assistant ennial streams in Madera County. It is shak. Regional Director, William F. Regional Director, Don Rodgers, Endan- threatened by small hydroelectric plants, Shake, Assistant Regional Director, gered Species Specialist. recreational development, and logging Sanford R.Wilbur, Endangered Species Region 7, 1101 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, activities. Specialist. AK99503 (907-276-3800, ext.495): Keith At the request of SESO, the Forest Region 2, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, M. Schreiner, Regional Director: Jon Service initiated the survey to determine NM 87103 (506-766-2321); Michael J. Nelson, Assistant Regional Director: the significance of the various stands of Spear, Regional Director: Conrad A. Dennis Money, Endangered Species flaming trumpet. The colonies of the Fjetland, Assistant Regional Director, Specialist. rare plant along Whiskey Creek were of special interest because of the small hydro projects and timber sales pro- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regions t posed for areas in the vicinity of the Region 1: California. , idaho, Nevada. Oregon, Washington, and Pacific Trust Territories. Region 2: Arizona. New Mexico, OI

Continued on page 7

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN VOL. VIII, NO. 10 initiated in 1979. No confirmed speci- Two Fishes Removed from mens of the blue pike have been taken since the 1960s, and the last collection Endangered Species List of the longjaw cisco was in 1967. Based on the lack of recent sightings, the Ser- Two fishes once common in the Great stabilizing mechanisms within the popu- vice concluded that both fishes are extinct ?al

Two Foreign Reptiles Proposed for Listing, One for Delisting

Two lizards that occur on islands goats that graze the area. Several Euro- Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and under the jurisdiction of Spain have pean scientists have indicated that over- Flora (CITES). been proposed for listing under the U.S. collection is another problem that has As part of the Service's continuing Endangered Species Act due to threats contributed to the precarious status of efforts to ensure that the U.S. List of from habitat destruction, overcollection, thespecies. Predation on juvenile lizards Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and and predation (F.R. 9/7/83). At the same by gulls could also be a factor, although Plants reflects the true biological status time, a turtle from and Sri Lanka the degree of impact is not known. The of the species it includes, a literature ^was proposed for removal from the pro- lizard is considered a top priority for review was conducted recently to deter- visions of the Act because a review of its action and research by the Conservation mine if current evidence justified an Status indicates that it is much more Committee of the Societas Europea Endangered classification for the Indian common than previously believed. Herpetologica. flap-shelled turtle. No such supporting The Hierro giant lizard {Gallotia simon- The Ibiza wall lizard (Podarcis pityu- data could be found. The Service then yi simonyl) is a large species, up to 70 sensis) is a small reptile found in the contacted a number of scientists, and cm from the snout to the tip of the tail, Balearic Islands, mainly on Ibiza and the unanimous opinion was that the tur- and is found only on the Canary Islands. Formentera, and on some parts of Mal- tle is common in India and that there is It was one of 18 foreign reptiles included lorca, in the Mediterranean Sea. Because no justification for listing it under the in a notice of review published by the of the large number of small islands Act. After considering the currently avail- Service on August 15, 1980. Based on within its range, considerableevolution- able information, the Service concurs information received that the lizard was ary divergence has occurred, and there that keeping it on the list is not war- extinct, the Service decided that no are 35 described subspecies. In a 1982 ranted. further action was warranted. After the report, Rica and A.M.C. Costa reviewed Service subsequently proposed on Jan- the status of 32 of these subspecies. The Effects of Proposal if Adopted uary 20, 1983, to list 17 foreign reptiles, vast majority of the lizard populations If the proposed rule is approved as additional information on G. s. simonyi were found to have been reduced by 1) published, all prohibitions of Section was received. Dr. Brian Groombridge of destruction and alteration of habitat for 9(a)(1) of the Act, as implemented by 50 the International Union for the Conser- tourist developments, 2) direct killing by CFR 17.21 and 17.31, would apply for the vation of Nature and Natural Resources poisoning, 3) overcollection for com- Hierro giant lizard and Ibiza wall lizard. (lUCN) provided a 1982 article by J.P.M. mercial and scientific purposes, 4) hy- These prohibitions, in part, would gen- Rica which states that the lizard survives bridization of some subspecies resulting erally make it illegal for persons under on a steep, rocky, arid cliff. Reproduc- from transport and release of lizards U.S. jurisdiction to import, export, or tion is occurring on this refugium, as among various islands by fishermen, engage in interstate or international traf- about half of the estimated population of and 5) predation by gulls and other ficking in these species. Permits to carry 200 lizards in 1975 were juveniles. animals (thought to be a minor problem). out otherwise prohibited activities for Although concerns about the species' The Indian flap-shelled turtle {Lis- scientific, conservation, or economic extinction appear to have been, fortun- semys punctata punctata) is a softshell hardship purposes could be applied for ately, premature, threats to its survival species found on the Indian subconti- under 50 CFR 17.22,17.23, and 17.32. All persist. A stone-breaking^facility has nent and on Sri Lanka. Male turtles are of the above prohibitions would no b^en proposed for^construction at the usually less than 6 inches in length and longer apply for the Indian flap-shelled ;liff. This develtJ^ment would directly females less than 11, and both have a turtle. This proposal does not affect the ipact the lizard and adversely affect its brown, somewhat domed shell. This tur- turtle's status as a CITES Appendix I ''plant food sources through excessive tle was listed in 1976 as Endangered species, however, and all CITES restric- deposition of dust. G. s. simonyi, which after being placed, upon a recommenda- tions on import and export will remain in is entirely herbivorous, also could be in tion by Bangladesh, on Appendix I of the effect. competition for young plant leaves with Convention on International Trade in Continued on page 8

iZNDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN VOL. VIII, NO. 10 in accordance with Section 7. All Fed- only one growing on the Island of FLORIDA eral agencies (including, but not limited Hawai'i. (Of the other species, Kokia to, the REA) shall ensure that any actions cookei is listed as Endangered, Kokia MAMMALS they fund, authorize, or carry out are not kauaiensis is a candidate for listing, and likely to jeopardize the continued exist- the fourth is extinct.) These plants are ence of the species by directly affecting related to domestic cotton (Gossypiun]^^ the animals or by adversely modifying spp.), but do not produce usable fibers^^ Continued from page 1 their habitat. A red dye extracted from the bark of Kokia drynarioides was formerly used to agency whose action may affect two color fish-nets. federally listed species in the area, the Threatened Schaus swallowtail butterfly Since it was first collected during Cap- {Papllio aristodemus ponceanus) and tain James Cook's third voyage to the the Endangered American crocodile THREE PLANTS Pacific (1779), Kokia drynarioides has {Crocodylus acutus).The proposed elec- suffered a steady decline, due primarily tricity delivery system, which could serve Continued from page 1 to livestock grazing, habitat damage, up to 6,000 new residential units, would and competition from introduced plants. probably have even greater adverse vival of competing exotic plants. Addi- By 1929, the population was down to an effects on the Key Largo woodrat and tionally, at least half of all the Gouania estimated 200 trees. Now only 15 are cotton mouse, which prior to the emer- hillebrandii are infested by an introduced known in the wild, and the species has gency rule were not federally listed. insect herbivore, the hibiscus snow scale been proposed for listing as Endangered {Pinnaspis strachani). Many of the most (F.R. 9/12/83). If the Key Largo woodrat and cotton heavily infested plants have died. Finally, mouse were not on the U.S. List of The habitat of Kokia drynarioides has unknown chewing insects have caused Endangered and Threatened Species, been greatly modified by many years of extensive leaf damage on populations their welfare could not initially be given management for livestock, and the plants monitored since 1955. full consideration during the REA con- themselves are extremely palatable to sultation. If instead these two mammals The proposed Critical Habitat for cattle and feral herbivores. Cattle browse had been only proposed for listing, REA Gouania hiillebrandii includes a quad- on the mature trees and graze any seed- would have been required under Section rangle of about 52 acres of encompass- lings that may appear. Rodents, espe- 7(a)(4) of the Act only to informally ing three ridges forming the south wall cially the introduced roof rat (Rattus rat- "confer" on actions that are likely to jeo- of Kanaha Stream Valley, and three cir- tus), eat many of the seeds, often before pardize their continued existence, and cular areas of about 20 acres each on the they fall from the trees. The recent inva- the Service would have made recom- west flank of Lihau Mountain. sion of the exotic fountaingrass (Pen- mendations to reduce any adverse ef- Comments on the proposal to list nisetum setaceum) further inhibits re- fects. Upon afinal listing, the REA would Gouania hillebrandii are due November generation, and increases danger to the have been required to reinitiate consul- 7, 1983, to the Pacific Islands Adminis- population from wildfires. tation if the action may affect the trator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Critical Habitat proposed for Kokia^^ species. This could have resulted in P.O. Box50167, Honolulu, Hawai'i 96850. drynarioides includes three areas in the^A delays and increased project costs. Kokia drynarioides (hau-hele'ula, or North Kona District, Island of Hawai'i,^^ Hawai'i tree cotton) is a small tree with totalling about 3.86 square miles of pri- large red flowers, palmately lobed leaves, vate and State-owned lands. and three large bracts at the base of the Comments on the proposal to list flower and fruit. This attractive plant is Kokia drynarioides are due December one of only four species belonging to the Effects of the Rule 12,1983, to the Pacific Islands Adminis- endemic Hawaiian genus Kokia and the trator (see above address). The Key Largo woodrat and cotton mouse are now listed as Endangered and benefit from the conservation mea- sures authorized under the Endangered Species Act. Taking, possessing, or engaging in interstate/international traf- ficking in these species are among the prohibitions in 50 CFR 17.21. Certain exceptions apply for agents of the Ser- vice and State conservation agencies, and permits for otherwise prohibited activities can be issued, under 50 CFR 17.22 and 17.23, for certain scientific, conservation, or economical hardship purposes. A designation of Critical Habitat for the two mammals was not included in the emergency rule because the process for making such a determination would have delayed the listing, probably be- yond the time needed to give considera- tion to the species during Section 7 con- sultation with the REA. However, the Service intends to include Critical Habi- tat when a permanent listing rule is pro- posed. In the meantime, the Key Largo woodrat and cotton mouse, along with Found only on the Island of Hawai'i, Kokia drynarioides has declined in the wild to their habitat, still will receive protection only 15 trees.

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN VOL. VIII, NO. 10 Texas Plant Service proposed listing this plant as 1976, along with about 1,700 other plants Endangered because of its low popula- identified in a petition prepared by the Styrax texana (Texas snowbells) is a tion numbers and the lack of recent Smithsonian Institution. As a result of shrub growing up to about 10 feet high reproduction (F.R. 10/11/83). In 1982, subsequent requirements imposed by with smooth bark, rounded leaves, and only 25 plants were known to exist at the 1978 Endangered Species Act flusters of showy white flowers. The several locations scattered within Real, Amendments, this earlier proposal was Edwards, and Kimble Counties in south withdrawn in 1979. On December 15, Texas. (One historical report from Val 1980, the Service published in the Fed- Verde County has not been reconfirmed.) eral Register a new notice of review for Most of the sites are on private lands, but plants that included the three species in one is on a State-owned roadside park. this story. Botanists are particularly concerned about the lack of known seedlings or saplings, and further studies are recom- mended to determine if this is due to browsing by cattle or deer. Effects of the Listing if Approved A designation of Critical Habitat was If the proposals are approved, all three not proposed for Styrax texana because plants will receive protection under the publication of the required range map Endangered Species Act of 1973, as would make the plants more vulnerable amended. With respect to interstate/in- to collection. This plant has attractive ternational trafficking in these species, foliage and flowers, and it could be all prohibitions of Section 9(a)(2) of the sought for horticulture. However, even Act, as implemented by 50 CFR 17.61, without a formal designation of Critical would apply. Certain exceptions apply Habitat, the species would receive the for agents of the Service and State con- protection authorized under Section 7 of servation agencies, and 50 CFR 17.62 B the Endangered Species Act. and 17.63 provide for permits for other- a Comments on the proposal to list wise prohibited activities in certain cir- Styrax taxana are due December 12, cumstances. Under Section 7, all Fed- 1983, to the Service's Regional Director, eral agencies would be required to Only about 25 individuals of Styrax tex- Region 2 (see page 2 of the BULLETIN ensure that any actions they fund, au- ana remain at several locations in south- for address). thorize, orcarry out are not likely to jeop- ern Texas, and botanists are particularly ardize the continued existence of the concerned about the absence of young All three of the plants newly proposed listed species by directly affecting the trees. for listing were first proposed in June plants or by modifying their habitat.

CITES News—Oct. 1983

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, Federal Assistance; Scientific Authority The Service's Office of the Scientific as amended in 1979, designates the responsibilities are delegated to the Authority (OSA) functions as staff tothe Secretary of the Interior as both the Associate Director - Research. U.S. Scientific Authority for CITES. OSA fVlanagement Authority and the Scien- The Service's Wildlife Permit Office reviews applications to export and tific Authority of the United States, for (WPO) functions as staff to the U.S. import species protected under CITES, the purposes of the Convention on Inter- Management Authority for CITES, reviews the status of wild animals and national Trade in Endangered Species assuring that wildlife and plants are plants impacted by trade, makes certain of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). /Man- exported or imported in compliance findings concerning housing and care of agement Authority responsibilities are with laws fortheir protection and issuing protected specimens, and advises on delegated to the Associate Director - permits for legal trade of these species. trade controls.

Proposed Rule on Ginseng Exports

A proposed rule on the export of In 1982, the Fish and Wildlife Service established State ginseng program with American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) reported it had found that the status of examination and certification provisions. harvested in the 1983 season has been wild ginseng does not vary greatly from On October 4, 1982, the Service granted published by the Service (F.R. 9/9/83). year to year within any given State, and multi-year export approval for the 1982- This plant, whichisonAppendixllofthe that information compiled' since 1977 84 seasons only to those States that Convention on International Trade in was adequate to justify multi-year SA have a current ginseng program and that Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and findings under CITES. The SA deter- meet the criteria of both the SA and MA. Flora (CITES), may be exported only if mined in 1982thattheexportofginseng Approval for export was given also to a the U.S. CITES Scjjentific Authority (SA) from certain States during the 1982-84 number of other States for the 1982 sea- as advised fTT^f^ermlt-issuing Manage- seasons will not be detrimental to the son only, with the understanding that ent Autiiority (MA) that such export species' survival. In turn, the MA an- future approvals would not be granted € ill not'fte detrimental to the survival of nounced in 1982 that, beginning with the until they had developed an acceptable the species and if the MA is satisfied that 1983 season, export approval for wild or ginseng conservation program. the gingseng was not obtained in viola- cultivated American ginseng would de- tion of State conservation laws. pend on the existence of a legislatively Continued on page 8 iZNDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN VOL. VIII, NO. 10 Table 2.—Priorities for Delisting and Reclas- In addition to considering Final Listing and sification from Endangered to Threatened and the Degree of Threat, two other categories have been added for recov- Recovery Priority Management Pri- ery planning purposes. One category. Impact Petition Status ority Conflict, was required under the 1982 Guidelines High Petitioned action 1 Amendments, and elevates a species Unpetitioned action .. 2 priority if it is, or may be, in conflict witl' Approved Moderate Petitioned action 3 construction, development projects, or Unpetitioned action .. 4 other economic activity. On Table 3, the Final guidelines setting priorities for Low Petitioned action 5 species retains its numerical rank and developing species listings and recov- Unpetitioned action .. 6 acquires the letter designation of "C" ery plans have been published by the indicating conflict (e.g., priority 7 would Service (F.R. 9/21/83) to implement the become the higher priority 7C). 1982 Endangered Species Act Amend- Considerations under Management The fourth category for recovery prior- ments. These guidelines aid in determin- Impact include determinations of wheth- ity is Recovery Potential, which gives ing how to make the most appropriate er or not protection under the Act for a added emphasis to species or recovery use of resources available to implement species is still necessary, and whether actions that offer the greatest potential the Act. The final guidelines are essen- the listed status 1) causes an unwar- for success. The recovery potential of a tially the same as the draft version pub- ranted management burden, 2) unne- species will be determined by consider- lished in the April 19, 1983, Federal cessarily restricts human activity, or ation of the following criteria: Register. 3) diverts resources from species in greater need. The system also takes into Because assessments made in accord- account whether or not the Service has ance with these guidelines are subjec- been petitioned to remove or reclassify tive to a degree, and because some indi- Table 4.—Recovery Potential the species. It should be emphasized vidual species may not be comparable in that decisions on listings, reclassifica- all considerations, the priority systems High recovery Low recovery tions, and delistings will continue to be are not intended as inflexible frame- potential potential based solely on biological factors, as works. Instead, the Service will attempt Biological Well under- Poorly under- required under Section 4(a)(1) of the tousethesystemsflexibly so that impor- and ecolog- stood. stood. Act. tant biological considerations that fall ical limiting outside the scope of the guidelines can factors. be considered on an ad hoc basis. Threats to Well under- Poorly under- species' stood, easily stood or Recovery Guidelines Listing Guidelines existence. alleviated pervasive and difficult The guidelines for preparation and For listing a species or reclassifying it to alleviate. implementation of recovery plans use 4 from Threatened to Endangered, three Management intensive Intensive criteria to determine 18 priority levels: criteria are used to establish 12 levels of needed.' management management priority: not needed. with uncertaS Table 3.—Recovery Priority or techniques probability of Table 1 .—Priorities for Listing or Reclassifi- well docu- success, or Degree of cation from Threatened to Endangered. mented with techniques threat and Taxonomy Pri- Conflict high prob- unknown or Th reat Pri- recovery ority ability of still experi- Magnitude Immediacy Taxonomy ority potential success. mental. High' Imminent.. Monotypic 'When possible and biologically feasible, genus 1 High: data pertinent to the recovery of a particular Species 2 taxon will be extrapolated from known eco- High .... Monotypic Subspecies.. 3 logical requirements or management tech- Non- Monotypic genus 1 1C, 1. niques for closely related taxa. imminent. genus 4 High .... Species 2 2C, 2. Species 5 High .... Subspecies.. 3 3C, 3. A task priority (1-3) is used in conjunc- Subspecies.. 6 Low Monotypic tion with species recovery numbers Imminent.. Monotypic Moderate genus 4 4C, 4. (Table 3) in ranking tasks needed for to low genus 7 Low Species ,.. 5 5C, 5. Species 8 recovery of a species. This combination Low Subspecies.. 6 6C, 6. results in a two-tiered priority system Subspecies.. 9 Moderate: Non- Monotypic (species recovery number—task priority High .... Monotypic imminent. genus .... 10 number), which helpsdistribute program Species — 11 genus 7 7C, 7. resources equitably for all listed spe- Subspecies.. 12 High .... Species 8 8C, 8. cies. Recovery tasks will be assigned High .... Subspecies.. 9 9C, 9. priorities based on the following: Low Monotypic This system gives emphasis to those 1) Priority 1—An action necessary to genus 10 IOC, 10. species facing the greatest threats, those prevent extinction or irreversible Low Species 11 lie, 11. in most immediate danger, and those decline of a species. Low Subspecies.. 12 120, 12. representing highly distinctive or iso- 2) Priority 2—An action necessary to Low: lated gene pools. The Service believes prevent a significant decline in a High .... Monotypic that all listed species derive some bene- species population/habitat quality, genus 13 130, 13. fit from their identification as Endan- or some other significant negative High .... Species 14 140, 14. gered or Threatened. impact short of'S*«#r»ction. High .... Subspecies.. 15 150, 15. For species being considered for de- 3) Priority 3—All other actibns nec Low Monotypic listing or for reclassification from Endan- sary to provide for the fulkrecove' genus 16 160, 16. 0 gered to Threatened, the guidelines of the species. Low. . , Species 17 170,17. employtwocriteriatoestablish six prior- Additional details on the listing and Low Subspecies.. 18 *! 180, 18. ity levels: priority systems are available in the Sep-

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN VOL. VIII, NO. 10 tember 21, 1983, Federal Register, pp. ing as of late August. It was anticipated 43098-43105. This notice also includes The Service's Great Basin Complex that these chicks would fledge by early summaries of the comments received in has completed its analyses of cui-ui October. response to the draft guidelines and the (Chasmistes cuius) age and growth. It In addition to its unusual location, this Service's responses. found that cui-ui in the nearshore, pre- nesting effort is atypical in both time of spawning aggregate ranged in age this year (pelican nesting season usually year from 7 to 41 years, with the 1969 ends in June) and the small "colony" year class representing nearly 93 per- size. Thus, the survival to fledging of cent of the entire aggregate. Cui-ui enter- even two chicks would be a welcome Caribou Comment ing the Marble Bluff Fish Facility ranged event, as well as a "first" for Alabama. from 7 to 16 years in age. Here again, the Region 5—The Service has purchased Period Reopened 1969 year class dominated the popula- from The Nature Conservancy 183 acres tion (97 percent). The primary conclu- The Service has reopened until No- within the designated Critical Habitat of sion from these analyses is that the cui- vember?, 1983, the comment period on the Plymouth red-bellied turtle (Pseu- ui is closer to extinction than originally the proposal to list a population of the demys rubriventris bangsi) for conser- thought. The Service should acquire the woodland caribou {Rangifer tarandus vation of the species. necessary population dynamic data to caribou) as Endangered (F.R. 10/6/83). confirm or reject this conclusion as soon This isolated population, sometimes as possible. If this conclusion is con- known as the southern Selkirk Mountain The Regional Office is working with firmed, the Service should take those herd, is found in northern Idaho, extreme theTufts University Veterinary School in steps necessary to remedy the cause, so northeastern Washington, and southern Massachusetts and the Massachusetts a well balanced population can be British Columbia, Canada. The species Division of Fisheries and Wildlife to set restored. once occurred widely throughout the up a raptor rehabilitation facility. The northern States, but today the southern Region 2—This year's last load of school will accept injured raptors from Selkirk Mountain herd is the only popu- razorback suckers {Xyrauchen texanus) the six New England States. laton remaining in the conterminous has been stocked from Dexter National United States, and its numbers have Fish Hatchery into the Verde and Gila Eight pairs of peregrinefalcons {Faico fallen to about 30 individuals. Threats to Rivers in Arizona. These fish bring this peregrinus) nested in Region 5 this year, the population include poaching, habi- year's stocking total to over 2.6 million. and 19 young fledged. The status of the tat loss, collisions with motor vehicles, This is the third year of a 10-year pro- bald eagle {Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and genetic problems from inbreeding. gram to reintroduce this Colorado River continues to improve also; in Maine, 62 The herd was listed under an emergency endemic fish back into historic habitats eagles fledged from 74 nests, and 114 rule as Endangered (see the January in the lower Colorado basin. fledged from 107 nests in the Chesa- 1983 BULLETIN), but this temporary peake Bay area. classification expired September 12, The fall whooping crane (Grus ameri- Region 6—Some 22,500 greenback cut- J 983. cana) migration has begun. Eight 1983 throat trout {Salmo clarki stomias) fry, The Endangered Species Act of 1973, young of the Wood Buffalo-Aransas which were reared at the Service's Boze- "as amended, spells out notification flock, including two radioed birds, will man Fish Technology Center, Montana, requirements on proposed listings so be heading south, as well as at least 18 were stocked-out to 11 different sites in that the public has an opportunity to birds of the Grays Lake-Bosque del Colorado. In addition, 2,000 larger fry comment. A proposal to list the caribou Apache flock. About 2 weeks ago, one were held back at Bozeman. They will be in final as Endangered was published in whooping crane was found using the stocked-out when they reach a length of the June 22,1983, Federal Register. The Aransas National Wildlife Refuge "bach- 5 to 7 inches next July. notifications on the caribou proposal to elor area." This bird might have spent affected county governments and the the summer on some of the remote parts The Peregrine Fund at Fort Collins, Government of Canada were delayed of its winter range rather than migrating Colorado, hatched 95 American pere- and newspapersummaries were not pub- to Canada last spring. grine falcons {FaIco peregrinus anatum) lished. These oversights had to be cor- * * * in 1983. In addition to captive produc- rected and the comment period reopened tion, 19 young were produced from eggs Status surveys were initiated for the for 30 days, or until November 7, 1983. received from wild eyries. A total of 99 following: Mount Graham spruce squir- Any agency, organization, or individual peregrines were released into the Rocky rel, Mount Graham pocket gopher, Hua- wishing to comment on the proposal Mountain area at 25 sites in Colorado, lapai Mexican vole, Texas Botteri spar- should write to the Regional Director, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah. At row, Sonoran tiger salamander, Arizona U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Lloyd 500 present, 81 birds are known to have yellow mud turtle, 10 species of Texas Building, Suite 1692,500 N.E. Multnomah fledged and reached independence. plants, and 3 New Mexico plants. Street, Portland, Oregon 97232. For the past 2 years, the Peregrine Region 4—In early July, four nests of Fund has been examining locations for the Endangered brown pelican (Peieca- establishment of a World Center for nus occidentails) were discovered on a Birds of Prey. Directors of The Peregrine U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredge Fund have now decided to locate both spoil island in Mobile Bay.Thisisthefirst the new World Center and the Rocky documented nesting record for pelicans Mountain Peregrine Program, currently in Alabama. The four nests contained a in Fort Collins, Colorado, to Boise, total of ten eggs. Corps personnel, in Idaho. Construction of the new facility BRIEFS conjunction with the Service, have erect- will occur over the next 10 months. The ed "Do Not Approach" signs and are Continued from P^e 2 Fort Collins facility will not relocate until keeping close tabs (from a distance) on August 1984. . Seal Beach NWR—the California least the pelicans' progress. Since their dis- covery, three of the nests have been fern (Sierna antillarum browni) breed- A public hearing on the proposal to list abandoned for unknown reasons. The ing season has ended. The season total /Asfraga/usmonf/z (heliotrope milk-vetch) for NASA Island was four pairs nesting remaining nest produced three chicks in with two young fledged. late July, two of which were still surviv- Continued on page 8

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN VOL. VIII, NO. 10 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 381-580 Ginseng BOX SCORE OF LISTINGS/RECOVERY PLANS Exports ENDANGERED THREATENED SPECIES Category U.S. U.S. & Foreign U.S. U.S. & Foreign SPECIES- HAVING Continued from page 5 Only Foreign Only Only Foreign Only TOTAL PUNS In itsSeptemberQ, 1983, Federal Reg- ister notice, the Service proposed to Mammals 17 18 223 3 0 22 281 19 continue approval of exports of Ameri- Birds 52 14 144 3 0 0 213 40 can ginseng from the follovi^ing States Reptiles 8 6 55 8 4 12 98 6 onthegroundsthatboththeSAand MA Amphibians 5 0 8 3 0 0 16 3 guidelines are expected to be met (1982- Fishes 29 2 11 12 1 0 56 24 84 seasons): Georgia, Kentucky, Minne- Snails 3 0 1 5 0 0 9 5 sota, North Carolina, Vermont (artificially Clams 23 0 2 0 0 0 25 1 propagated ginseng only), and Virginia. Crustaceans 2 0 0 1 0 0 3 1 The Service also proposed to approve Insects 7 0 0 4 2 0 13 3 the export of 1983-84 season ginseng Plants 55 2 0 9 1 2 69 11 from Maryland and West Virginia, as TOTAL 199 44 444 48 7 36 783 113" these States recently passed legislation and promulgated rules that satisfy the 'Separate populations of a species, listed both as Endangered and Threatened, are tallied MA guidelines. twice. Species which are thus accounted for are the gray wolf, bald eagle, American The Service proposed to approve an alligator, green sea turtle, and Olive ridley sea turtle. experimental ginseng export program forthe 1983 and 1984 harvest of w/ild and **More than one species may be covered by some plans. cultivated ginseng in Wisconsin. A deci- Number of species currently proposed for listing: 22 animals sion w/ill be made prior to the 1985 har- 20 plants vest season on whether to continue Number of Critical Habitats determined: 55 approval of the Wisconsin ginseng ex- Number of Recovery Plans approved: 112 port program. The Service proposed to Number of Cooperative Agreements signed with States: 38 fish & wildlife approve the export of 1983-84 wild Wis- consin ginseng and 1983 cultivated gin- 11 plants seng legally harvested in Wisconsin. Octoberll, 1983 The Service did not propose at this time to grant export approval for wild or cultivated American ginseng taken from Briefs any other State for the 1983-84 seasons. REPTILES Continued from page 7 Continued from page 3 Some States now are working to pass as an Endangered species with Critical ginseng legislation and regulations ac- Public Comment Requested Habitat was held on September 12,1983, ceptable to the MA, and these export in Manti, Utah. There were no comments Comments on the proposal are re- programs will be approved as appro- presented at the public hearing, and quested from any interested agencies, priate programs are developed and the only one negative written comment was organizations, and individuals, and supporting State laws are promulgated. submitted. The Service anticipates that should be received by the Director Comments on the proposal were accept- (OES), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ed until September 24, 1983. the species will be listed as Threatened ratherthan Endangered due to the man- Washington, D.C. 20240 by November?, agement efforts put forth by the U.S. 1983. Forest Service (Manti-LaSal National Forest).

October 1983 Vol. VIII No. 10

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TA^Imi^^l Dl iIIa^IM Department of interior. U.S. Fish and wildlife Service 1 CWllrllval DUIICUrl Endangered Species Program, Washington, DC. 20240 POSTAGE AND FEES PAID US DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Int 423