U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE SPECIES ASSESSMENT AND LISTING PRIORITY ASSIGNMENT FORM

SCIENTIFIC NAME: grahamii

COMMON NAME: Graham ’s beardtongue or Graham ’s penstemon

LEAD REGION: 6

INFORMATION CURRENT AS OF: October, 2004

STATUS/ACTION: Initial 12-month Petition Finding: not warranted warranted warranted but precluded (also complete (c) and (d) in section on petitioned candidate species- why action is precluded) Species assessment - determined species did not meet the definition of endangered or threatened under the Act and, therefore, was not elevated to Candidate status ___ New candidate X Continuing candidate __ Non-petitioned X Petitioned - Date petition received: October 8, 2002 90-day positive - FR date: 12-month warranted but precluded - FR date: Is the petition requesting a reclassification of a listed species? ___ Listing priority change Former LP: ___ New LP: ___ Latest Date species became a Candidate: July 1, 1975 Listing priority changed to LPN 2 (69 FR 24882, May 4, 2004). N/A Candidate removal: Former LP: ______A - Taxon is more abundant or widespread than previously believed or not subject to the degree of threats sufficient to warrant issuance of a proposed listing or continuance of candidate status. ___ F - Range is no longer a U.S. territory. I - Insufficient information exists on biological vulnerability and threats to support listing. ___ M - Taxon mistakenly included in past notice of review. ___ N - Taxon may not meet the Act ’s definition of “ species. ” ___ X - Taxon believed to be extinct.

ANIMAL/ GROUP AND FAMILY: Flowering , Scrophulariaceae (Snapdragon Family)

HISTORICAL STATES/TERRITORIES/COUNTRIES OF OCCURRENCE:

1 and

CURRENT STATES/ COUNTIES/TERRITORIES/COUNTRIES OF OCCURRENCE: Rio Blanco County, Colorado; Carbon, Duchesne and Uintah Counties, Utah

LEAD REGION CONTACT: Chuck Davis, (303) 236-4253

LEAD FIELD OFFICE CONTACT: Heather Barnes, (801)975-3330, ext 138 Note: Lead for this species in the Utah Field Office has been temporarily assigned to Heather Barnes while Larry England (previous lead) is on deployment for military duty.

BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION:

Species Description A member of the snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae), Penstemon grahamii is a relatively low growing species with one to three (occasionally more) stems 5 centimeters (cm) (2 inches (in)) to 20 cm (8 in) tall. Leaves are elliptic to oblanceolate in shape, 1.5 cm (0.6 in) to 5 cm (2 in) long, bourn both basally and along the stem. The species normally bears two to six flowers per stem. Flowers are pinkish purple 25 millimeters (mm) (1 in) to 37 mm (1.5 in) long. The petals are united, forming a floral tube with a pronounced bilateral symmetry. The sterile , the characteristic floral feature of the genus, Penstemon, is densely golden-orange pubescent and noticeably protrudes beyond the floral tube. The flowers of P. grahamii are very large relative to the size of the vegetative plant. The species is pollinated by large bumblebees. Plants flower in mid-May.

Taxonomy Penstemon grahamii was first collected as a scientific specimen in 1933 by Edward Graham from a site near the confluence of Sand Wash with the Green River in Uintah County, Utah. The species was described in the scientific literature by David Keck (Keck in Graham 1937).

Habitat Penstemon grahamii is restricted to calcareous soils derived from barrens of the Green River Formation in the Uinta Basin of northeastern Utah and adjacent Colorado. Graham beardtongue grows on semi-barren knolls, ridges, and steep slopes in a mix of fragmented white shale and silty clay soils associated with the Parachute Creek and Evacuation Creek members of the Green River Formation. It grows in sparsely vegetated communities of pinyon-juniper and desert shrub at elevations ranging from 1,430 to 2,060 meters (4,690 to 6,760 feet). P. grahamii is frequently associated with Pinus edulis (pinyon pine), Juniperus osteosperma (juniper), Atriplex confertifolia (shadscale), Artemesia spp. (such as Wyoming bigsage and low sage), Yucca harrimaniae (yucca), Eriogonum spp. (such as ephedera and crispleaf buckwheat), and Forsellesia meionandra (greasebrush).

Historical and Current Range/Distribution The species ’ range is composed of an arc of small scattered populations from the vicinity of Raven Ridge near the White River in Rio Blanco County, Colorado, then westward across

2 southern Uintah County, Utah, to the vicinity of Sand Wash near the Green River, then westward near Devil ’s canyon and blind canyon, a distance of about 110 kilometers (70 miles). Known localities are restricted to the Green River Formation. Historic range is unknown.

Population Estimates/Status The species total population is estimated at between 5,500 and 7,000 individuals with 36 known occurrences (Torti, 2003). Five of these occurrences are in Colorado. One occurrence is located in Carbon County, one in Duchesne County, and 29 occurrences are located in Uintah County, Utah. Twenty of the species ’ 36 occurrences have less than 100 individuals.

THREATS:

A. The Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment of Its Habitat or Range.

Most of the occupied habitat of P. grahamii is within leased oil and gas areas, which are exploratory or not yet fully developed. Several scattered wells, access roads, and pipelines currently exist within the species ’ occupied habitat. At least 43 wells are within or adjacent to P. grahamii populations, but most have been plugged and abandoned as of June 2004 (GIS data 2004). Surveys were completed prior to well and road construction, and direct impacts to plants were avoided (R. Specht, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), pers. comm. 2004).

The BLM expects that oil and gas activities within plant occurrence areas will increase in the next ten years (R. Specht, BLM, pers. comm. 2004). Increased leasing and seismic activities are projected. At least 18 of the 36 P. grahamii occurrences are currently leased for oil and gas development, including 5 of the 6 largest occurrences. During 2002 and continuing into 2003, three separate large scale seismographic oil and gas exploration projects occurred in or adjacent to the range of P. grahamii; however, the Veritas project did not conducted previously proposed seismic lines in P. grahamii habitat (R. Specht, BLM, pers. comm. 2004). Historically the most intense oil and gas development in the Uinta Basin of Utah and Colorado has taken place to the north and east of the P. grahamii range. If oil and gas development of similar magnitude moves into the occupied range of P. grahamii it could overwhelm the species population. With such a small population and limited occupied habitat, any destruction, modification, or curtailment of the habitat would have a highly negative impact on the species.

Currently, oil shale recovery is precluded by cost. However, interest exists on this topic. On May 6, 2001, the President issued his National Energy Policy. Since then, the BLM has been working on a plan to implement the Presidential directives. One of the action items includes analyzing the existing barriers to oil shale leasing. If oil shale recovery becomes relevant, maintenance of populations would be very difficult, as land leasing for oil and gas exploration in Uintah county is at an all time high (Whittington, USFWS, pers. comm. 2004).

3 Recoverable coal deposits occur in the Raven Ridge population of P. grahamii in Colorado. In addition, commercially valuable deposits of zeolite also occur in Raven Ridge. As this area is Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) current leasing has a blanket stipulation of no surface occupancy (T. Meagley, BLM, pers. comm. 2004), however leases prior to the 1997 Resource Management Plan may differ. Zeolites have never been mined in this area and are unlikely to be mined in the foreseeable future (P. Daggett, BLM, pers. comm., 2004). Coal deposits occur to the north and north-east of Raven Ridge (P.Daggett, pers. comm.. 2004).

Historically, Gilsonite was mined in P. grahamii habitat in Uintah County, Utah adjacent to the Colorado State line. Currently Gilsonite is mined north of White river, just north of the species range near Bonanza; however, Gilsonite reserves still occur within the range of P. grahamii.

The location of P. grahamii habitat exposes it to the possibility of habitat destruction from off-road vehicle (ORV) use; however, current use in the area is low and primarily associated with the hunting season (R. Specht, BLM, pers. comm. 2004).

Livestock trampling is seen as a threat to survival (Welsh 1978, Neese and Smith, 1982). The extent and affect of livestock trails and potential trampling is unknown due to a lack of monitoring.

B. Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific, or Educational Purposes.

Collection of plants and seeds is a significant threat due to the desire of enthusiasts to obtain these very attractive plants. In 2004, a penstemon collector approached Red Butte Garden looking for information on how to gather seeds of P. grahamii (Lewinsohn, pers. comm. 2004). Interest in these plants is international. Although not indicated for sale, an internet site advertising rare and choice plants in the United Kingdom shows a potted plant of P. grahamii (USFWS, Utah field office, on file). Should the locations of these populations become commonly known they could become devastated by amateur and professional plant collectors.

C. Disease or Predation.

The species is grazed by wildlife (rodents, rabbits, and possible deer) and by livestock (primarily sheep). Livestock leasing occurs with populations in Utah on BLM lands. The extent of this threat is unknown due to the lack of monitoring.

D. The Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms.

No Federal or State laws or regulations specifically protect P. grahamii. The BLM administratively recognizes P. grahamii as a candidate and special status species. BLM may recommend modifications to exploration and development proposals to further its conservation and management objective to avoid BLM-approved activity that will contribute to a need to list such a species or their habitat. However, it is unknown if BLM has the legal authority to require Federal mineral lease holders to modify their mineral recovery plans and on-the-ground actions solely to protect this species. Some populations occur on private lands patented for oil shale mining. Likewise, significant populations occur on State lands. Populations on these non 4 Federal lands have no protection.

E. Other Natural or Manmade Factors Affecting Its Continued Existence.

With increasing disturbance to its habitat, P. grahamii may become increasingly vulnerable to infestation of both exotic and native weeds. Near Utah populations, some invasives, such as cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) are seen along roads (R. Specht, 2004). These species compete with P. grahamii, further degrading habitat quality. Little is known concerning the species= pollination biology. The status of its potential pollinators, like the species itself, is vulnerable to habitat degradation and fragmentation. Twenty of the species ’ 36 occurrences have less than 100 individuals. Most populations of P. grahamii may not be at levels that would ensure the species ’ long-term demographic stability. Low population numbers and fragmentation pose a threat to rare plant species genetic potential to adapt to changing environmental conditions (Matthies, Brauer, Maibom and Tscharntke 2004). Given the effects of habitat degradation and fragmentation caused by humans, the effects of deleterious natural phenomena, such as drought, are potentially enhanced.

SUMMARY OF REASONS FOR ADDITION, REMOVAL, OR LISTING PRIORITY CHANGE:

For removals: N/A Is the removal based on a Policy for Evaluation of Conservation Efforts When Making Listing Decisions (PECE) finding? If “ Yes ” , summarize the specific PECE evaluation criteria that were met in determining that the conservation effort is sufficiently certain to be implemented and effective so as to have contributed to the elimination or adequate reduction of one or more threats to the species identified through the section 4(a)(1) analysis.

FOR PETITIONED CANDIDATE SPECIES: a. Is listing warranted? Yes b. To date, has publication of a proposal to list been precluded by other higher priority listing actions? N o c. Is a proposal to list the species as threatened or endangered in preparation? N o d. If the answer to c. above is no, provide an explanation of why the action is precluded.

We find that the immediate issuance of a proposed rule and timely promulgation of a final rule for this species has been, for the preceding 12 months, and continues to be, precluded by higher priority listing actions (including candidate species with lower LPNs). During the past 12 months, almost our entire national listing budget has been consumed by work on various listing actions to comply with court orders and court-approved settlement agreements, emergency listings, and essential litigation-related, administrative, and program management functions. We will continue to monitor the status of this species as new information becomes available. This review will determine if a change in status is warranted, including the need to make prompt use of emergency listing procedures. For information on listing actions taken over the 12 months, see the discussion of “ Progress on Revising the Lists, ” in the current CNOR which can be viewed on our Internet website

5 (http://endangered.fws.gov/).

LAND OWNERSHIP: Approximately eighty percent of documented Penstemon grahamii is on public land managed by BLM. The State of Utah has eleven percent, of which one percent is managed by the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources. Another nine percent is on private lands. Information for the Ute Tribal lands is unknown.

PRELISTING: No specific actions have been taken to protect the species other than BLM ’s administrative consideration of the species special status as a candidate species. The BLM plans to continue its process of surveying proposed project areas for species occurrences, prior to project implementation (R. Specht, BLM, pers. comm. 2004).

DESCRIPTION OF MONITORING:

Most recent survey efforts occurred in 1989 during a special status plant inventory of the BLM Diamond Mountain Resource Area (Nitschke-Sinclear 1989). Approximately 20,100 hectares (49,700 acres) were inventoried. P. grahamii was found throughout its suitable habitat, although in low numbers; estimated densities were 0.625 to 1.25 plants/hectare (0.25 to 0.5 plants/acre). Individuals were found in both the basal vegetative and flowering state, in good to excellent condition (Nitschke-Sinclear 1989).

A Challenge Cost Share Agreement between Red Butte Garden and BLM was established in 2003 for conducting demographic research on P.grahamii. (J. Lewinsohn, Red Butte Gardens, pers. comm. 2004).

Due to the potential for impacts associated with oil and gas development, our office regularly reviews BLM oil and gas proposals for effects to listed and candidate species and their habitats. Our analyses and comments to BLM (including recommendations for surveys and measures to minimize effects) would include P. grahamii, as appropriate.

6 REFERENCES:

Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, and P.K. Holmgren. 1984. Intermountain Flora, Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A., Volume Four Subclass Asteridae (except Asteraceae). The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York. 573pp.

Keck, D.D. in E.H. Graham. 1937. Botanical Studies in the Uinta Basin of Utah and Colorado. Ann. Carnegie Museum 26:1-432.

Neese, E., and F. Smith. 1982. Threatened and Endangered Plant Inventory for the Oil Shale RMP, Bookcliffs Resource Area, Utah. Unpublished status report on file with the Bureau of Land Management, Vernal, Utah. 89pp. + appendices.

Nitschke-Sinclear, J. 1989. Report on the Special Status Plant Inventory Conducted on the Diamond Mountain Resource Area, 1989. Unpublished status report on file with the Bureau of Land Management, Vernal, Utah. 13pp.

Robertson, E. 2002. Graham=s Penstemon, Petition to List Graham=s Penstemon (Penstemon grahamii) as Threatened or Endangered under the Endangered Species Act, and for the designation of Critical Habitat; Petition for an Emergency Listing Rule under the Endangered Species Act. Paonia, Colorado. 121pp.

Shultz, L.M., and K.M. Mutz. 1979. Threatened and Endangered Species of the Willow Creek Drainage, Uinta Basin, Utah. Unpublished status report on file with the Bureau of Land Management, Vernal, Utah. 74pp. + appendices.

Torti, S.D. 2003. Conservation and research plans for four plant species in northeastern Utah, Northern Species in Vernal BLM District: Penstemon scariosus var. albifluvis, Penstemon goodrichii, Astragalus equisolensis, Penstemon grahamii. Provided to Bureau Land Management Utah State Office. Note: Document is undated, but was provided to BLM 2003.

Welsh, S.L. 1978. Status report: Penstemon grahamii. Unpublished. Orem, Utah.

Welsh, S.L., N.D. Atwood, S. Goodrich, and L.C. Higgins. 1993. A Utah Flora, Second Edition, revised. Brigham Young University Press, Provo, Utah. 986 pp.

7 LISTING PRIORITY

THREAT Magnitude Immediacy Priority Monotypic genus 1 Imminent Species 2* Subspecies/population 3 High Monotypic genus 4 Non-imminent Species 5 Subspecies/population 6 Monotypic genus 7 Imminent Species 8 Moderate Subspecies/population 9 to Low Monotypic genus 10 Non-imminent Species 11 Subspecies/population 12 Yes Have you promptly reviewed all of the information received regarding the species for the purpose of determining whether emergency listing is needed?

Rationale for Listing Priority Number:

Magnitude: High Most of P. grahamii occurrences are within developed or expanding oil and gas fields. Several wells and access roads currently occur within the species' occupied habitat. Large scale oil and gas fields are projected based on recent increase in lease sales and seismic activities within the species known occupied area. The location of P. grahamii habitat exposes it to the possibility of habitat destruction from road, pipeline, and well site construction in connection with oil and gas development. The ORVs have increasingly better access to the area because of oil and gas roads. With small population size and limited localized distribution, any destruction, modification, or curtailment of the habitat would have a negative impact on the species.

Imminence: Imminent Threats associated with large scale oil and gas development are considered to be imminent as a result of greatly increased seismic survey and petroleum leasing by the Federal government in its habitat area.

Is Emergency Listing Warranted? No. Although the species is threatened throughout its range by ongoing seismic activities and lease sales, development to date has been limited. Should oil and gas development increase substantially throughout a significant portion of the species ’ range, emergency listing would be reconsidered.

8 APPROVAL/CONCURRENCE: Lead Regions must obtain written concurrence from all other Regions within the range of the species before recommending changes to the candidate list, including listing priority changes; the Regional Director must approve all such recommendations. The Director must concur on all 12-month petition findings, additions of species to the candidate list, removal of candidate species, and listing priority changes.

Approve: Ralph Morgenweck August 30, 2004 Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service Date

Concur: Matt Hogan, Acting 5/2/05

Director, Fish and Wildlife Service Date

Do not concur:

Director, Fish and Wildlife Service Date

Director's Remarks

Date of annual review: October 2004

Conducted by: Heather Barnes and Laura Romin

Comments: Content base from Larry England ’s 2003 species assessment

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