October 1983 Vol
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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 plant 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 Plants 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 Gouania 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 Gouania hillebrandii is a shrub known Gouania species were extraordinarily only from two small sites in the District susceptible to environmental alterations of Lahaina, Island of Maui. 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. Hawaii, idaho, Nevada. Oregon, Washington, and Pacific Trust Territories. Region 2: Arizona. New Mexico, OI<lafioma, and Texas. Region 3; tliinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri. Ohio, and creek. Preliminary survey work suggests Wisconsin. Region 4: Aiabama, Arkansas. Florida. Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South that the Whiskey G^;^ek population con- Carolina. Tennessee. Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, Region 5: Connecticut.