Neviusia Cliftonii) As Endangered Under the California Endangered Species Act
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Received October 4, 2019. Original date stamped copy on file. PETITION TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION TO LIST THE SHASTA SNOW-WREATH (NEVIUSIA CLIFTONII) AS ENDANGERED UNDER THE CALIFORNIA ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT September 30, 2019 KATHLEEN S. ROCHE Page 1 of 75 NOTICE OF PETITION For action pursuant to Section 670.1, Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR) (California Code 2019) and Sections 2072 and 2073 of the Fish and Game Code (California Fish and Game Code 2019) relating to listing and delisting endangered and threatened species of plants and animals. I. SPECIES BEING PETITIONED: Common Name: Shasta snow-wreath Scientific Name: Neviusia cliftonii II. RECOMMENDED ACTION To list as Endangered under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) (California Code 2019 and California Fish and Game Code 2019). CCR § 2062. Endangered species "Endangered species" means a native species or subspecies of a bird, mammal, fish, amphibian, reptile, or plant which is in serious danger of becoming extinct throughout all, or a significant portion, of its range due to one or more causes, including loss of habitat, change in habitat, overexploitation, predation, competition, or disease. Any species determined by the commission as "endangered" on or before January 1, 1985, is an "endangered species." I, Kathleen S. Roche, submit this petition to the California Fish and Game Commission (CFGC) to list the Shasta snow-wreath (Neviusia cliftonii) as “endangered” in California, under the California Endangered Species Act (California Fish and Game Code §§ 2050 et seq.[California Code 2019 and California Fish and Game Code 2019]) (“CESA”). This petition demonstrates that the Shasta snow-wreath clearly warrants listing under CESA based on factors specified in the statute. The California Native Plant Society (CNPS) has reviewed this petition and the CNPS Rare Plant Program Committee has assessed the petition’s scientific validity by evaluating the accuracy of information regarding taxonomy, ecology, life history, and demographic data presented herein. The CNPS Conservation Program Committee has assessed the petition’s Page 2 of 75 conservation merits by evaluating threats, stressors, and management information applicable to this species. Based upon their review of these factors, CNPS finds the current status of Neviusia cliftonii to merit consideration for listing as Endangered under the California Endangered Species Act. Therefore, the California Native Plant Society endorses this petition and should be considered a co-sponsor of this effort. We look forward to the Commission’s response to this petition and processing of it pursuant to the procedures and timelines established at California Fish and Game Code §§ 2073 et seq. (CNPS 2019). III. AUTHOR OF PETITION Name: Kathleen S. Roche Address: Phone: Email: I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, all statements made in this petition are true and complete. All photos used with permission. Date: September 30 2019: Kathleen S. Roche. Page 3 of 75 Table of Contents NOTICE OF PETITION ..................................................................................................................................... 2 I. SPECIES BEING PETITIONED: .................................................................................................................. 2 II. RECOMMENDED ACTION ...................................................................................................................... 2 III. AUTHOR OF PETITION .......................................................................................................................... 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................. 6 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 8 RANGE OF THE SPECIES ............................................................................................................................... 10 LAND OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT DIRECTION ................................................................................. 14 CHRONOLOGY OF PAST EVENTS AND INVESTIGATIONS ............................................................................. 14 CONSERVATION STATUS ............................................................................................................................. 16 Regulatory ............................................................................................................................................... 16 Draft conservation strategy .................................................................................................................... 18 Past Conservation Efforts ........................................................................................................................ 18 POPULATION STATUS .................................................................................................................................. 19 Demographics ......................................................................................................................................... 19 Population Record................................................................................................................................... 19 Viability ................................................................................................................................................... 19 Mortality ................................................................................................................................................. 20 Population viability analysis: ................................................................................................................... 21 Population expansion: ............................................................................................................................ 21 NATURAL HISTORY ...................................................................................................................................... 21 Taxonomy and Species Description ........................................................................................................ 22 Genetics .................................................................................................................................................. 27 Pollination ............................................................................................................................................... 28 Habitat .................................................................................................................................................... 33 Climate .................................................................................................................................................... 37 Fire History .............................................................................................................................................. 38 Geology and Soils .................................................................................................................................... 40 THREATS ...................................................................................................................................................... 42 Factor A. Modification or curtailment of habitat or range ..................................................................... 42 Page 4 of 75 Inundation ........................................................................................................................................... 42 Other disturbances associated with Dam raise .................................................................................. 43 Other Land Management Actions ....................................................................................................... 45 Invasive Species .................................................................................................................................. 49 Wildfires.............................................................................................................................................. 49 Other Habitat Factors ......................................................................................................................... 52 Climate Change ................................................................................................................................... 52 Factor B. Overutilization ......................................................................................................................... 54 Factor C. Disease and predation ............................................................................................................. 54 Factor D. Existing regulatory mechanisms .............................................................................................. 56 Factor E. Other factors ............................................................................................................................ 57 Pollination and Reproduction Challenges ........................................................................................... 57 SUMMARY AND JUSTIFICATION .................................................................................................................. 59 URGENT RECOVERY ACTIONS NEEDED ......................................................................................................