January 1988 Vol. XIII No. 1

Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Technical Bulletin Service, , D.C. 20204 Habitat Loss Threatens Two Midwestern

Two species of plants endemic to small areas of the northern midwest were pro- posed by the Fish and Wildlife Service during December 1987 for listing as Threatened. Both grow only along lake- shores, lands that are in demand for development. If the proposals are made final, Endangered Species Act protection will be extended to the following:

Fassett's Locoweed {Oxytropis campestris var. chartaceae) A perennial herb native to central , Fassett's locoweed is a mem- ber of the pea family (Fabaceae). It pro- duces a rosette of pinnately compound leaves clustered at the base of the stem and attractive -purple flowers. The total known population of about 4,500 plants is concentrated at 6 sites in Por- tage and Waushara Counties. dwarf lake Several historical populations of occurs in the partially shaded areas of U.S. Coast Guard lighthouse station in Fassett's locoweed were lost to lakeside upper beach habitat.) Currently, about 70 , and several are on protected construction and other modifications of known sites are found on the northern State lands. the habitat. All of the remaining sites are shores of and Huron in The Service has proposed to list the on privately owned land open to additional Wisconsin and tVlichigan, and there are dwarf lake iris as Threatened (F.R. development. Because of the species' about a dozen more sites in , 12/4/87). A Federal listing under the vulnerability, the Service has proposed Canada. Endangered Species Act would comple- listing Fassett's locoweed as Threatened Construction of lakeside housing and ment and reinforce the protection already (F.R. 12/4/87). other development, which resulted in given the species by Wisconsin and Mich- major losses of historical habitat, con- igan. Potential recovery activities include Dwarf Lake Iris {Iris lacustris) tinues to be a threat. Most sites of the management of the habitat to reduce As suggested by its common name, this dwarf lake iris are on private property and competition from other plants and trans- is small—less than 6 inches high— are vulnerable to change. However, one planting irises to previously occupied sites and grows along lakeshores. (It also dwarf lake iris site is on Federal land, a (if any are found suitable). Cavefish, Now Considered Nearer to Extinction, is Proposed for Reclassification

The Alabama cavefish {Speoplaty- immediate danger of extinction, the Serv- cals on row crops and 2) a sewage sludge rhinus poulsoni) is a small, blind, color- ice has proposed to reclassify it from disposal operation developed by the Ten- less fish known only from Key Cave in Threatened to the more critical category nessee Valley Authority and operated Lauderdale County, Alabama. It was of Endangered (F.R. 12/4/87). intermittently by the City of Florence, Ala- listed by the Fish and Wildlife Service as The quality of Key Cave's environment bama. a in 1977. Since that is directly influenced by what takes place The Fish and Wildlife Service is working time, studies of 120 other caves in north- above-ground in the drainage or recharge with the Environmental Protection Agency eastern Alabama failed to locate any area. Contaminants can enter the cave in an attempt to control possible sources other S. poulsoni sites. The only known through sinkholes or other water collect- of water pollution in the area. In the population is estimated to number fewer ing depressions. Within the probable meantime, however, the Service believes than 100 individuals, and its aquatic hab- recharge area are two activities that could that the category of Endangered repre- itat is believed to be vulnerable to sewage affect groundwater quality: 1) the use of sents the true status of the Alabama and pesticide pollution. Because the Ala- pesticides and other agricultural chemi- cavefish. bama cavefish is now considered in

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIII No. 1 (1988) checker-mallow (Sidalcea nelsoniana), a Category 2 candidate for a future listing proposal.

The Fish and Wildlife Service's Great Basin Complex Station at Reno, , met with the Bureau of Land Management and local landowners at Condor Canyon in Nevada's Lincoln County to observe grazing practices for effects on Big Spring spinedace {Lepidomeda mollispinis pra- tensis) habitat. It was found that current grazing practices in the area are not sig- nificantly affecting spinedace habitat. Next, there was an inspection of a pro- posed desert tortoise {Xerobates agas- sizii) relocation study site near Pahrump. The experimental project would involve moving tortoises away from an area near Regional endangered species biolo- recommended for a 40-acre site at Walker Las Vegas that is subject to being sub- gists have reported the following news Flat near McMinnville, . Such a divided and developed. and activities for December: designation would authorize the Bureau of * * * Region 1—An Area of Critical Environ- Land Management to develop an interim mental Concern designation has been habitat management plan for Nelson's Recently the Laguna Niguel Office issued a "no-jeopardy" Biological Opinion on the Devers Palo Verde-500 KV trans- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service James C. Gritman, Regional Director; mission line for effects on the Coachella Washington, D.C. 20240 John S. PopowskI, Assistant Regional Valley fringe-toed lizard (Uma inornata) Director; James M. Engel, Endangered and Yuma clapper rail (Rallus longirostris Frank Dunkle, Director Species Specialist. (202-343-4717) yumanensis). Compensation for disturb- Ronald E. Lambertson Region 4, Richard B. Russell Federal BIdg., ance of 12.8 acres in the Coachella Valley Assistant Director for Fish 75 Spring St., S.W. Atlanta, GA 30303 fringe-toed lizard mitigation fee area was (404-331-3580); James W. Pulliam, and Wildlife Enhancement in the form of a payment to The Nature (202-343-4646) Regional Director; John I. Christian, Deputy Assistant Regional Director; Conservancy, as provided for in the Hab- Robert Smith, Acting Chief, itat Conservation Plan. Division of Endangered Species and Marshall P. Jones, Endangered Spe- Habitat Conservation cies Specialist. (703-235-2771) Region 5, One Gateway Center, Suite 700, Marshall P. Jones, Office of Newton Corner. MA 02158 (617-965- Recent research, using implanted radio tvlanagement Authority 5100); Howard Larson, Regional Direc- transmitters, indicates that the San Fran- (202-343-4968) tor; Ralph Pisapia, Assistant Regional cisco garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis TECHNICAL BULLETIN Staff Director; Paul Nickerson, Endangered tetrataenia), once considered to be strictly Species Specialist. Michael Bender, Editor an aquatic species, ranges at least 175 Denise Henne, Assistant Editor Region 6, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal yards away from wetlands into adjacent (703-235-2407) Center, Denver, CO 80225 (303-236- upland habitats. In an ongoing study, at 7920); Galen Buterbaugh, Regional least six snakes were observed using Regional Offices Director; John D. Green, Assistant rodent burrows on dry hillside grasslands, Regional Dirrector; Barry S. Mulder, En- Region 1, Lloyd 500 BIdg., Suite 1692, 500 presumably as hibernation sites for the N.E. Multnomah St., Portland, OR dangered Species Specialist. 97232 (503-231-6118); Rolf L. Wal- winter. These findings will be very timely Region 7, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., Anchorage, for addressing effects from a number of lenstrom, Regional Director; William F. AK 99503 (907-786-3542); Robert E. upcoming major projects. Shake, Assistant Regional Director; Gilmore, Regional Director; Jon Wayne S. White, Endangered Species Nelson, Assistant Regional Director; Specialist. Dennis Money, Endangerec, Species Region 2, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM Specialist. Sixty-five light-footed clapper rail 87103 (505-766-2321); Michael J. Region 8 (FWS Research and Develop- (Rallus longirostris levipes) nesting plat- Spear, Regional Director; Conrad A. ment), Washington, D.C. 20240; forms will be constructed at Point Magu, Fjetland, Assistant Regional Director; Richard N: Smith, Regional Director; Carpenteria Marsh, and the Kendall-Frost James Johnson, Endangered Species Endangered Species Staff; Clarence Reserve in . These platforms Specialist. Johnson, fish and crustaceans (202- are designed to ride up and down with the Region 3, Federal BIdg.. Fort Snelling, Twin 653-8772); Bettina Sparrowe, other tides to minimize possible flooding and Cities, MN 55111 (612-725-3500); animals and plants (202-653-8762). loss of the nests. Moreover, they can be placed to reduce the likelihood of egg pre- dation by land-based predators. Similarly U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regions designed platforms, recently installed at Region 1: California. , , Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Pacific Trust Territories. Region 2: , New the Anaheim Bay National Wildlife Ref- fvlexico, , and . Region 3: , , , Michigan, , f^issouri, , and Wisconsin. Region 4; Alabama, . . , . . , , . Ten- uge, were used extensively by rails during nessee, and the Virgin Islands. Region 5: , , , . . New the 1986 breeding season. Hampshire, , , , . , and . Region 6: Colo- rado. , , , , , , and . Region 7: . Region 8: Region 2—Aerial surveys in early Research and Development nationwide. December confirmed that 134 whooping The ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN is published monthly by the U.S. cranes (Grus americana) had reached Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. (continued on next page)

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIII No. 1 (1988) Regional News Protection Approved (continued from previous page) for Puerto Rican Plant

Texas. The 109 adults and subadults that Crescentia portoricensis, or Higuero de The Service proposed January 14, departed northward in April and the 25 Sierra, is an evergreen, vine-like shrub or 1987, to list C. portoricensis as Endan- young that fledged in Canada had all small tree endemic to the mountains of gered (see story in BULLETIN Vol. XII No. returned to their southern wintering areas. southwestern Puerto Rico. Only 42 indi- 2), and the final rule was published in the One hundred and thirty-three of the birds viduals of this species are known to sur- December 4, 1987, Federal Register. were on the Texas coast and one juvenile vive. Although all six known populations This species is now eligible for all protec- was in the Texas panhandle. The last are on forest lands owned and managed tion and recovery benefits authorized for time all spring migrants returned safely in by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, listed plants under the Endangered Spe- fall was in 1976, when the population (57) deforestation of surrounding lands has led cies Act. In accordance with Section 7 of was less than half its current size. The to erosion and flash flooding of C. por- the Act, if formal planning for the flood Rocky Mountain whooping crane popula- toricensis habitat. A proposed U.S. Army control project is initiated, the Corps of tion is estimated at 18-20 birds wintering Corps of Engineers flood control project Engineers will consult with the Service on in and Mexican State of may add to this threat if it includes an ways to avoid jeopardizing C. portori- Chihuahua. impoundment that floods C. portoricensis censis. In the summer of 1986, plant, animal, habitat in Maricao Commonwealth Forest. and sediment samples were collected at the three main refuges used by the Rocky Mountain whoopers. The samples from Amistad Gambusia Bosque del Apache (New Mexico), Alamosa/Monte Vista (), and is Removed from List Grays Lake (Idaho) National Wildlife Ref- The Amistad gambusia {Gambusia This fish was not recognized as a distinct uges are tqbe analyzed for contaminants. amistadensis), a small fish known only species until well after its required spring Only the data from Alamosa/Monte Vista from a single Texas spring, was removed habitat was permanently inundated by the are available at this time. Heavy metals by the Service from the Federal list of rising Amistad Reservoir in 1968. By the (chromium, arsenic, mercury, copper, Endangered wildlife on December 4, time the species was formally described zinc, and lead) were unusually high in 1987. All available data indicate that this (1973), the Amistad gambusia survived some samples. For example, while cop- species is extinct. only in captive propagation facilities. per levels of 21 to 40 parts per billion are Goodenough bpring, a tnouiary or ine Since that time, all known captive popula- toxic to bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus), Rio Grande in Val Verde County, is the tions have died or |iave been eliminated levels sampled in carp (Cyprinus carpio) only site at which the Amistad gambusia by hybridization with, or predation by, the at the refuge were 564 parts per billion. has ever been found, despite extensive related but common mosquitofish {Gam- These high levels in the environment are searches of other springs in the region. busia affinis). believed to be a result of almost a century of silver and gold mining activities in the mountains surrounding the San Luis Val- ley where the Alamosa/Monte Vista Ref- Service Decides Not to List uge is located. Whooping cranes spend 6 to 12 weeks within the valley each year. Spotted Owl at This Time The Fish and Wildlife Service has The Forest Service is preparing a final announced its decision that listing of the Supplemental Environmental Impact On November 28 and 29, nine Sonoran northern spotted owl {Strix occidentalis Statement concerning its management of pronghorn {Antilocapra americana caurina) as Threatened or Endangered is the northern spotted owl. The preferred sonoriensis) were captured and radio-col- not warranted at this time. This finding alternative identified through this docu- lared in southwestern Arizona. A net was came in response to listing petitions that ment will guide the agency's owl manage- fired from a gun in a low-flying helicopter cited habitat destruction from logging as a ment efforts. Individual forest plans are to to catch the animals. Blood samples, as threat to the owl's survival. A formal be brought into compliance with the pre- well as other data, were collected before notice of the Service's decision was pub- ferred alternative. the pronghorn were released. The radio- lished in the December 23, 1987, Federal The Fish and Wildlife Service has hired collared animals will be monitored bi- Register. a person to coordinate all of the agency's weekly from the air and weekly from the An estimated 4,000-6,000 individual activities regarding the spotted owl. His ground. Funding for this study was ob- birds occur through western Washington duties will include reviewing draft forest tained by the Arizona Game and Fish and Oregon to northern California. Most management plans for spotted owl con- Department. have been found in old-growth or mature cerns and pursuing (and implementing) Region 4—Range extensions were forests. Approximately 70 percent of suit- additional interagency agreements. reported recently for two listed Florida able northern spotted owl habitat is plant species. Carter's mustard {Wares administered by the U.S. Forest Service, carteri) has been sighted on a county rec- which has signed an agreement with the reational complex on a barrier island near Fish and Wildlife Service for coordinated Melbourne. The site is oak scrub. This is research and monitoring. This agreement the first time this Endangered species has requires production of an annual report by Correction been found outside Polk and Highlands both agencies on the owl's status. The Counties in central Florida since the Fish and Wildlife Service hopes to estab- Both photographs of the Hinckley 1930's. The discovery shows that special lish similar interagency agreements with oak {Quercus hinckleyi) in BULLETIN searches for the plant during its fall the National Park Service and Bureau of Vol. XII No. 10 should have been flowering season are probably justified. A Land Management, which administer credited to A.M. Powell. We regret second report, not yet verified but from an other areas of northern spotted owl hab- the error. itat. (continued on page 4)

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIII No. 1 (1988) Regional News (continued from page 3) BOX SCORE OF U.S. LISTINGS AND RECOVERY PLANS extremely reliable source, indicates that the Miccosukee gooseberry (Ribes ENDANGERED THREATENED SPECIES echinellum) is present on private land in Category U.S. U.S. & Foreign U.S. U.S. & Foreign SPECIES* WITH Gadsden County, Florida. This would be Only Foreign Only Only Foreign Only TOTAL PLANS the third known locality for this Threat- ened plant, which also occurs at Lake Mammals 28 19 240 3 3 23 316 23 Miccosukee in Jefferson County, Florida, Birds 60 15 146 7 3 0 231 55 and at Stevens Creek in South Carolina. Reptiles 8 7 59 14 4 14 106 21 Amptiibians 5 0 8 4 0 0 17 6 Fishes 39 4 11 25 6 0 85 45 3 0 1 5 0 0 9 7 The population of Endangered mussels Snails 28 0 2 0 0 0 30 21 in the Tombigbee River continues to Clams 5 0 0 1 0 0 6 1 decline. A recent survey, conducted at the Crustaceans 8 0 0 7 0 0 15 12 Gainesville Bendway in Alabama, yielded Insects 134 6 1 30 3 2 176 56 only a few scattered common mussel spe- Plants cies. None of the four listed species were TOTAL 318 51 468 96 19 39 991 263 " found. Dr. Paul Yokley, who conducted the survey, reported that the water has Total U.S. Endangered 369 too little flow, is accumulating some silt, Total U.S. Threatened 115 and possibly does not provide suitable habitat for host fish species. A gradual Total U.S. Listed 484 4-year accumulation of sediment also "Separate populations of a species that are listed both as Endangered and Threatened are threatens mussel populations on the East tallied twice. Those species are: the leopard, gray wolf, bald eagle, piping plover, roseate Fork. The siltation appears to be caused tern, Nile crocodile, green sea turtle, and olive ridley sea turtle. For the purposes of the by the alteration of water flows from Bull Endangered Species Act, the term "species" can mean a species, subspecies, or distinct Mountain Creek by the -Tom- vertebrate population. Several entries also represent entire genera or even families. bigbee Waterway. Immediate action is warranted on both the East Fork and the *'More than one species are covered by some recovery plans, and a few species have Gainesville Bendway. The entire popula- separate plans covering different parts of their ranges. tion of Curtus' mussel {Pleurobema cur- Number of Recovery Plans approved: 223 ium) is restricted to the East Fork, and the Number of species currently proposed for listing: 17 animals Gainesville Bendway is the only known 32 plants remaining habitat for Marshall's mussel (Pleurobema marshalli). Also, the loss of Number of Cooperative Agreements signed with States and Territories: 51 fish & wildlife the Gainesville Bendway and the East 36 plants Fork would confine the stirrup shell December 31, 1987 {Ouadrula stapes) and penitent mussel {Epioblasma penita) to the Sipsey and Horse Cave, Kentucky, and others inter- development. The museum associated Buttahatchie Rivers, respectively. ested in cave conservation have obtained with the center will provide an excellent a $250,000 grant to begin work on estab- opportunity for the Service to present lishing a national center on cave and karst information on, and gain public support The American Cave Conservation resources. The Fish and Wildlife Service for, listed cave-dependent organisms. Association, in cooperation with the city of will actively participate in the center's

January 1988 Vol. XIII No. 1 FIRST CLASS POSTAGE AND FEES PAID « s^ss I U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PERMIT NO. G-77

Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Technical Bulletin Service, Washington, D.C. 20240

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XIII No. 1 (1988)