Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Brickellia mosieri (Florida Brickell-bush) and Linum carteri var….
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Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Brickellia mosieri (Florida Brickell-bush) and Linum carteri var. carteri (Carter's Small-flowered Flax)
Final rule.
CFR Part: "50 CFR Part 17"
RIN Number: "RIN 1018-AZ15"
Citation: "79 FR 52567"
Document Number: "Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2013-0033; 4500030113"
Page Number: "52567"
"Rules and Regulations"
SUMMARY: We, the
EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule becomes effective
ADDRESSES: This final rule is available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov and at http://www.fws.gov/verobeach/. Comments and materials we received, as well as supporting documentation we used in preparing this rule, are available for public inspection at http://www.regulations.gov. All of the comments, materials, and documentation that we considered in this rulemaking are available by appointment, during normal business hours at:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Summary
Why we need to publish a rule. Under the Act, a species may warrant protection through listing if we find that it is an endangered or threatened species throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Listing a species as endangered or threatened can only be completed by issuing a rule. We will also be finalizing the designation of critical habitat for Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri under the Act in the near future.
This rule will finalize the listing of Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri as endangered species.
The basis for our action. Under the Act, we may determine that a species is an endangered or threatened species based on any of five factors: (A) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (B) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (C) disease or predation; (D) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or (E) other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. We have determined that Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri meet the definition of an endangered species based on Factors A, D, and E.
Peer review and public comment. We sought comments from six independent specialists to ensure that our action is based on scientifically sound data, assumptions, and analyses. We invited these peer reviewers to comment on our listing proposal. We also considered all other comments and information received during the comment period.
Previous Federal Action
Please refer to the proposed listing rule for Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri (78 FR 61273;
Summary of Comments and Recommendations
In the proposed rule published on
Peer Reviewer Comments
In accordance with our peer review policy published on
We reviewed all comments received from the peer reviewers for substantive issues and new information regarding the listing of Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri. The peer reviewers generally concurred with our methods and conclusions, and provided additional information, clarifications, and suggestions to improve the final listing rule. Peer reviewer comments are addressed in the following summary and incorporated into the final rule as appropriate.
(1) Comment: One peer reviewer commented on the lack of discussion related to the threat of herbivory from invertebrates, both native and nonnative, and noted that Brickellia cordifolia, a north
Our Response: We appreciate the information provided; however, biologists monitoring Brickellia mosieri in
(2) Comment: One peer reviewer noted that two specimens of Brickellia mosieri (filed as B. eupatorioides and annotated by
Our Response: We appreciate the information provided. The Service was aware of one of these samples (by Buswell in 1947 from a pineland south of
Comment: One peer reviewer noted that an understanding of these plants' reproductive biology, especially their floral biology, pollination, and breeding systems, is especially critical to helping them recover more robust numbers. A second peer reviewer had a similar comment regarding the need for additional study related to seed dispersal, pollinator mechanisms, and augmentation and reintroduction studies. The first reviewer noted that the effects of habitat conditions on the reproductive allocation of both plants has not yet been quantified, and that individuals in smaller, more isolated, and/or degraded pine rockland habitat fragments have lower reproductive rates than counterparts in larger, more well-maintained pine rockland sites, leading to the likely loss of genetic diversity represented in those low-quality sites over time.
Our Response: We agree and had incorporated similar statements in our discussion of
(4) Comment: One peer reviewer requested further identification of the area identified as "Rockdale Pineland Addition" in Table 2 of the proposed rule (78 FR 61273;
Our Response: According to the Florida Natural Area Inventory's (FNAI) Florida Conservation Lands data layer (
(5) Comment: One peer reviewer noted an apparent discrepancy between the occupancy of Brickellia mosieri on Federal lands (
Our Response: The discrepancy was related to the difference between how Brickellia mosieri occurrences were reported in Table 1 (i.e., specific to managed area and owner) versus how we evaluated whether an area was considered occupied (i.e., described at the habitat patch level). We considered contiguous pine rockland habitat to be the same habitat patch, regardless of where ownership boundaries were located within it. A habitat patch was considered occupied if the species occurs within its boundaries, although the species may not have been observed throughout the entire patch. Thus, NOAA and some USCG lands are considered occupied by Brickellia mosieri because an extant population occurs within the same habitat patches (
(6) Comment: One peer reviewer noted that Lygodium microphyllum (Old World climbing fern) is not likely a threat to Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri as it primarily occupies wetland habitats, and is not known to invade pine rockland habitat.
Our Response: We agree and have removed this language from our discussion of nonnative plants under Factor E in the Summary of Factors Affecting the Species section.
(7) Comment: One peer reviewer stated that the
Our Response: The lands referenced are now owned by the
(8) Comment: One peer reviewer specifically supported our rationale for the proposed listing determination, which focused on a more qualitative assessment of threats, rather than some form of population viability analysis, due to limited data available, especially in relation to population response to stochastic events and long-term disturbances. The reviewer also noted that guidelines developed for medium-to-large size animals do not work well for herbaceous plants, which could have 1,000 individuals concentrated in a single site, making the species vulnerable to a single event of human or natural origin.
Our Response: We agree, and thank the reviewer for this comment.
Comments From States
The two plants occur only in
Public Comments
During the first comment period, we received two public comment letters directly addressing the proposed listing. Both commenters suggested technical corrections to sections of the proposed rule pertaining to the Background and Summary of Factors Affecting the Species, related to scientific names, species biology, and citations, to include additional information and correct minor errors. We did not receive any requests for a public hearing, nor did we receive any comments on the listing rule during the second comment period. The comments are appreciated and have been incorporated into the appropriate sections of the final rule. The remaining comments we received are grouped below into two general issues.
Issue 1: Habitat
(9) Comment: One commenter noted that the sandhill community does not occur in
Our Response: We thank the reviewer for this comment, and acknowledge that there is an apparent discrepancy between the described pine rockland-sandhill community association on the northern
(10) Comment: One commenter noted that, in our discussion of natural forest communities (NFCs) in
Our Response: We agree. In this instance, we used the term "tropical hardwood hammock" in keeping with the terminology used on
Issue 2: Threats
(11) Comment: One commenter stated that
Our Response: We appreciate the information provided and have removed the subject sentence related to the habitat condition and status of Brickellia mosieri on
(12) Comment: One commenter indicated that the threat of mountain biking at
Our Response: We appreciate the information provided and have incorporated it into the Summary of Factors Affecting the Species section.
Summary of Changes From the Proposed Rule
Based on information we received in peer review and public comments, we made the following changes:
In the Background section:
(1) We made the following five changes to scientific names: Revised the names of three plants to reflect the accepted taxonomy per the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS), added a subspecies designation and corrected the common name of one plant to represent the intended pine rockland subspecies, and deleted one plant from the vegetation list to prevent potential taxonomic confusion.
(2) We corrected one citation (Bradley and Gann 1999), which was missing a digit in the year.
(3) We revised the description of pine rockland's natural community associations on the northern
(4) We revised the historical range of Brickellia mosieri, extending the northern extent from "
(5) We included additional information on the flowering response of Brickellia mosieri to fire.
In the Summary of Factors Affecting the Species section:
(6) We deleted a sentence related to the habitat condition and status of Brickellia mosieri on
(7) We revised wording related to the occurrence of Brickellia mosieri in the Richmond Pinelands and specifically on lands managed by USCG and NOAA.
(8) We made the following changes to two scientific names: Revised the name of one plant to reflect the accepted taxonomy per ITIS, and changed the name of one plant in two places to correct a typographical error.
(9) We removed a sentence referencing the potential future threat of Lygodium microphyllum, since this plant is unlikely to pose a threat to pine rockland species due to its strong association with wetter habitats.
(10) We revised and included additional information on the threat of mountain biking and habitat conditions at
(11) We revised a sentence regarding IRC's Brickellia mosieri reintroduction site, replacing "
Background
Brickellia mosieri
Please refer to the proposed listing rule (78 FR 61273;
Habitat
Brickellia mosieri grows exclusively in pine rocklands on the
Pine rockland is characterized by an open canopy of
Pine rocklands in all three areas of
Pine rockland occurs in a mosaic with primarily two other natural community types--rockland hammock and marl prairie. Pine rockland grades into rockland hammock; pine rockland has an open pine canopy, and rockland hammock has a closed, hardwood canopy. Pine rockland is a fire-maintained ecosystem--a well-maintained pine rockland is a savanna-like forest, but, in the absence of fire, it will eventually succeed into rockland hammock. The functional relationship and response of pine rocklands and Brickellia mosieri to fire and other natural disturbances are discussed in detail in the proposed listing rule for B. mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri (78 FR 61273;
Pine rockland on the
Brickellia mosieri is endemic to the pine rocklands of the
Brickellia mosieri is currently distributed from central and southern
Demographic, Reproductive Biology, and Population Genetics
Little research has been done into the demography, reproductive biology, or genetics of Brickellia mosieri. Field observations indicate that the species does not usually occur in great abundance--populations are typically sparse and contain a low density of plants even in well-maintained pine rockland habitat (Bradley and Gann 1999, p. 12). Reproduction is sexual (Bradley and Gann 1999, p. 12). While specific pollinators or dispersers are unknown, flower morphology suggests this species may be pollinated by butterflies, bees, or both (Koptur 2013, pers. comm.); wind is one likely dispersal vector (Gann 2013b, pers. comm.). Flowering takes place primarily in the fall (August-October) (Bradley and Gann 1999, p. 12). Off-season flowering is usually the result of fire, and B. mosieri will flower within 1 to 2 months following a fire, regardless of the time of year (Possley 2013 pers. comm.).
Linum carteri var. carteri
Please refer to the proposed listing rule (78 FR 61273;
Description
Linum carteri var. carteri (Family: Linaceae) is an annual or short-lived perennial herb endemic to
Summary of Factors Affecting the Species
Section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533), and its implementing regulations at 50 CFR part 424, set forth the procedures for adding species to the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants. Under section 4(a)(1) of the Act, we may determine a species to be endangered or threatened due to one or more of the following five factors: (A) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; (B) overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; (C) disease or predation; (D) the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or (E) other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. Listing actions may be warranted based on any of the above threat factors, singly or in combination. Each of these factors as applied to these two plants is discussed below or in the proposed listing rule for Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri (78 FR 61273;
A. The Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment of Its Habitat or Range
Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri have experienced substantial destruction, modification, and curtailment of their habitat and range (see Status Assessment, in the proposed listing rule for B. mosieri and L. c. var. carteri (78 FR 61273;
Fire Management
One of the primary threats to both of these plants is habitat modification and degradation through inadequate fire management, which includes both the lack of prescribed fire and suppression of natural fires. Where the term "fire-suppressed" is used below and in the proposed rule, it describes degraded pine rockland conditions resulting from a lack of adequate fire (natural or prescribed) in the landscape. The effects of fire suppression on pine rocklands, and fire-adapted species such as Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri, are discussed in detail in the proposed listing rule for B. mosieri and L. c. var. carteri (78 FR 61273;
Brickellia mosieri --All occurrences of Brickellia mosieri are affected by some degree of inadequate fire management, with the primary threat being shading by hardwoods (Bradley and Gann 1999, p. 15; Bradley and Gann 2005, page numbers not applicable). While management of some County conservation lands (e.g., those in Richmond Pinelands complex and
Linum carteri var. carteri --The status of Linum carteri var. carteri populations in relation to fire suppression are described in the proposed listing rule for Brickellia mosieri and L. c. var. carteri (78 FR 61273;
Implementation of a prescribed fire program in
Conservation Efforts To Reduce the Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment of Habitat or Range
These are discussed in detail in the proposed listing rule for Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri (78 FR 61273;
B. Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific, or Educational Purposes
Factor B is discussed in detail in the proposed listing rule for Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri (78 FR 61273;
C. Disease or Predation
No diseases or incidences of predation have been reported for Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri.
D. The Inadequacy of Existing Regulatory Mechanisms
State and local regulations, and fee title properties, are discussed in detail in the proposed listing rule for Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri (78 FR 61273;
Federal
If these plants were not listed, they would have no Federal regulatory protection in their known occupied and suitable habitat. Neither taxon occurs on
E. Other Natural or Manmade Factors Affecting Its Continued Existence
Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri are both threatened by other natural or manmade factors that affect each taxon to varying degrees. Specific threats to these plants included in this factor consist of the spread of nonnative invasive plants, potentially incompatible management practices (such as mowing and herbicide use), direct impacts to plants from recreation and other human activities, small population size and isolation, climate change, and the related risks from environmental stochasticity (extreme weather) on these small populations. With the exception of nonnative plants and recreation, which are discussed below, the rest of these threats and their specific effect on these plants are discussed in detail in the proposed listing rule for B. mosieri and L. c. var. carteri (78 FR 61273;
Nonnative Plant Species
Nonnative plants have significantly affected pine rocklands, and threaten all occurrences of Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri to some degree (Bradley and Gann 1999, pp. 15, 72; Bradley and Gann 2005, page numbers not applicable; Bradley 2007, pers. comm.; Bradley and
Nonnative invasive plants compete with native plants for space, light, water, and nutrients, and make habitat conditions unsuitable for both Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri, which respond positively to open conditions. They also affect the characteristics of a fire when it does occur. Historically, pine rocklands had an open, low understory where natural fires remained patchy with low temperature intensity, thus sparing many native plants such as B. mosieri and L. c. var. carteri. Dense infestations of Neyraudia reynaudiana and Schinus terebinthifolius cause higher fire temperatures and longer burning periods. With the presence of invasive nonnative species, it is uncertain how fire, even under a managed situation, will affect these plants. Bradley and Gann (1999, pp. 13, 71-72) indicated that the control of nonnative plants is one of the most important conservation actions for these plants and a critical part of habitat maintenance.
Management of nonnative invasive plants in pine rocklands in
Recreation and Other Human Activities
Linum carteri var. carteri' s occurrence in disturbed, open areas such as firebreaks and road rights-of-way also makes it much more susceptible than Brickellia mosieri to recreational and other human activities. These activities may inadvertently impact some populations of L. c. var. carteri. In the past, mountain biking has been identified as a threat at
Conservation Efforts To Reduce Other Natural or Manmade Factors Affecting Continued Existence
An IRC program included reintroduction of both Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri in an effort to establish new occurrences of these plants and increase population sizes. To date, B. mosieri has been reintroduced to at least one private site, although the status of these plants is currently unknown (Gann 2013b, pers. comm.).
Ex-situ conservation by
Summary of Biological Status and Threats
Only small and fragmented occurrences of these two plants remain. The current ranges of Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri span such a small geographic area--a narrow band no more than 4.0 km (2.5 mi) in width, and approximately 30.1 km (18.7 mi) and 26.9 km (16.7 mi) in length, respectively, along the
We have determined that the threats to both Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri consist primarily of habitat loss and modification through urban and agricultural development, lack of adequate fire management, proliferation of nonnative invasive plants, and sea level rise. Threats described under Factor A--habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation resulting from development and inadequate fire management, and Factor E--competition from nonnative invasive plants, are believed to be the primary drivers in the historical and recent declines of B. mosieri and L. c. var. carteri. L. c. var. carteri has also been threatened by anthropogenic disturbances which threaten populations in disturbed habitats, such as firebreaks and road rights-of-way, and both plants are suspected to be negatively affected by threats related to small, isolated populations (Factor E). All of these threats are ongoing and expected to continue to impact populations of these plants in the future. Current local, State, and Federal regulatory mechanisms (Factor D) are inadequate to protect these plants from taking and habitat loss. Despite these existing regulatory mechanisms, B. mosieri and L. c. var. carteri continue to decline.
Other factors that are likely to threaten Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri in the future include climate change (including sea level rise) and extreme weather events (hurricanes, frost events). Effects of these could be catastrophic on isolated, small populations of both plants (Factor E). The narrow distribution of their populations makes them more susceptible to extirpation from a single catastrophic event. This level of isolation makes natural recolonization of extirpated populations virtually impossible without human intervention.
Determination
We have carefully assessed the best scientific and commercial information available regarding the past, present, and future threats to Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri. As described in detail above and in the proposed listing rule (78 FR 61273;
Brickellia mosieri
Numerous threats are occurring now and are likely to continue in the foreseeable future, at a high intensity, and across the entire range of Brickellia mosieri; therefore, we have determined the species is in danger of extinction throughout its range. The threats are currently active, and will continue to affect the populations of B. mosieri into the foreseeable future, and these threats will individually and collectively contribute to the species' local extirpation and potential extinction. Because these threats are placing the species in danger of extinction now and not only at some point in the foreseeable future, we find that this species meets the definition of an endangered species, rather than a threatened species. Therefore, we have determined that B. mosieri meets the definition of endangered in accordance with sections 3(6) and 4(a)(1) of the Act.
Linum carteri var. carteri
Numerous threats are occurring now and are likely to continue in the foreseeable future, at a high intensity, and across the entire range of Linum carteri var. carteri; therefore, we have determined the taxon is in danger of extinction throughout its range. The threats are currently active, and will continue to affect the populations of L. c. var. carteri into the foreseeable future, and these threats will individually and collectively contribute to the plant's local extirpation and potential extinction. Because these threats are placing the taxon in danger of extinction now and not only at some point in the foreseeable future, we find this taxon meets the definition of an endangered species rather than a threatened species. Therefore, we have determined that L. c. var. carteri meets the definition of endangered in accordance with sections 3(6) and 4(a)(1) of the Act.
The Act defines an endangered species as any species that is "in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range" and a threatened species as any species "that is likely to become endangered throughout all or a significant portion of its range within the foreseeable future." We find that threatened species status is not appropriate for these plants because of contracted range, because the threats are occurring rangewide and are not localized, and because the threats are ongoing and expected to continue into the future.
Under the Act and our implementing regulations, a species may warrant listing if it is endangered or threatened throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The threats to the survival of these plants occur throughout the plants' respective ranges and are not restricted to any particular significant portion of those ranges. Accordingly, our assessment and proposed determination applies to the plants throughout their entire ranges.
Available Conservation Measures
Conservation measures provided to species listed as endangered or threatened under the Act include recognition, recovery actions, requirements for Federal protection, and prohibitions against certain practices. Recognition through listing results in public awareness and conservation by Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies, private organizations, and individuals. The Act encourages cooperation with the States and requires that recovery actions be carried out for all listed species. The protection required by Federal agencies and the prohibitions against certain activities are discussed, in part, below.
The primary purpose of the Act is the conservation of endangered and threatened species and the ecosystems upon which they depend. The ultimate goal of such conservation efforts is the recovery of these listed species, so that they no longer need the protective measures of the Act. Subsection 4(f) of the Act requires the Service to develop and implement recovery plans for the conservation of endangered and threatened species. The recovery planning process involves the identification of actions that are necessary to halt or reverse the species' decline by addressing the threats to its survival and recovery. The goal of this process is to restore listed species to a point where they are secure, self-sustaining, and functioning components of their ecosystems.
Recovery planning includes the development of a recovery outline shortly after a species is listed and preparation of a draft and final recovery plan. The recovery outline guides the immediate implementation of urgent recovery actions and describes the process to be used to develop a recovery plan. Revisions of the plan may be done to address continuing or new threats to the species, as new substantive information becomes available. The recovery plan identifies site-specific management actions that set a trigger for review of the five factors that control whether a species remains endangered or may be downlisted or delisted, and methods for monitoring recovery progress. Recovery plans also establish a framework for agencies to coordinate their recovery efforts and provide estimates of the cost of implementing recovery tasks. Recovery teams (composed of species experts, Federal and State agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and stakeholders) are often established to develop recovery plans. When completed, the recovery outline, draft recovery plan, and the final recovery plan will be available on our Web site (http://www.fws.gov/endangered), or from our
Implementation of recovery actions generally requires the participation of a broad range of partners, including other Federal agencies, States, Tribes, nongovernmental organizations, businesses, and private landowners. Examples of recovery actions include habitat restoration (e.g., restoration of native vegetation), research, captive propagation and reintroduction, and outreach and education. The recovery of many listed species cannot be accomplished solely on Federal lands because their range may occur primarily or solely on non-Federal lands. To achieve recovery of these species requires cooperative conservation efforts on private, State, and Tribal lands.
Following publication of this final listing rule, funding for recovery actions will be available from a variety of sources, including Federal budgets, State programs, and cost share grants for non-Federal landowners, the academic community, and nongovernmental organizations. In addition, pursuant to section 6 of the Act, the
Please let us know if you are interested in participating in recovery efforts for Brickellia mosieri and Linum carteri var. carteri. Additionally, we invite you to submit any new information on these plants whenever it becomes available and any information you may have for recovery planning purposes (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).
Section 7(a) of the Act requires Federal agencies to evaluate their actions with respect to any species that is proposed or listed as an endangered or threatened species and with respect to its critical habitat, if any is designated. Regulations implementing this interagency cooperation provision of the Act are codified at 50 CFR part 402. Section 7(a)(4) of the Act requires Federal agencies to confer with the Service on any action that is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a species proposed for listing or result in destruction or adverse modification of proposed critical habitat. If a species is listed subsequently, section 7(a)(2) of the Act requires Federal agencies to ensure that activities they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the species or destroy or adversely modify its critical habitat. If a Federal action may affect a listed species or its critical habitat, the responsible Federal agency must enter into consultation with the Service.
Federal agency actions within the species' habitat that may require conference or consultation or both as described in the preceding paragraph include, but are not limited to, management and any other landscape-altering activities on Federal lands administered by the
The Act and its implementing regulations set forth a series of general prohibitions and exceptions that apply to endangered plants. All prohibitions of section 9(a)(2) of the Act, implemented by 50 CFR 17.61, apply. These prohibitions, in part, make it illegal for any person subject to the jurisdiction of
Preservation of native flora of
We may issue permits to carry out otherwise prohibited activities involving endangered and threatened plant species under certain circumstances. Regulations governing permits are codified at 50 CFR 17.62 for endangered plants, and at 50 CFR 17.72 for threatened plants. With regard to endangered plants, a permit must be issued for activities undertaken for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of the species.
It is our policy, as published in the
(1) Import Brickellia mosieri or Linum carteri var. carteri into, or export these plants from,
(2) Remove and reduce to possession Brickellia mosieri or Linum carteri var. carteri from areas under Federal jurisdiction; maliciously damage or destroy these plants on any such area; or remove, cut, dig up, or damage or destroy these plants on any other area in knowing violation of any law or regulation of any State or in the course of any violation of a State criminal trespass law.
(3) Deliver, receive, carry, transport, or ship in interstate or foreign commerce, by any means whatsoever and in the course of a commercial activity, Brickellia mosieri or Linum carteri var. carteri.
(4) Sell or offer for sale in interstate or foreign commerce Brickellia mosieri or Linum carteri var. carteri.
(5) Introduce any nonnative wildlife or plant species to the
(6) Release any unauthorized biological control agents that attack any life stage of Brickellia mosieri or Linum carteri var. carteri.
(7) Manipulate or modify the habitat of Brickellia mosieri or Linum carteri var. carteri on Federal lands without authorization.
Questions regarding whether specific activities would constitute a violation of section 9 of the Act should be directed to the
Required Determinations
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)
We have determined that environmental assessments and environmental impact statements, as defined under the authority of the National Environmental Policy Act need not be prepared in connection with listing a species as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. We published a notice outlining our reasons for this determination in the
Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes
In accordance with the President's memorandum of
References Cited
A complete list of references cited in this rulemaking is available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov and upon request from the
Authors
The primary authors of this final rule are the staff members of the
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17
Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.
Regulation Promulgation
Accordingly, we amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:
PART 17--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 1531-1544; and 4201-4245; unless otherwise noted.
2. Amend
* * * * *
(h) * * *
Species Scientific Common name Historical Family Status When Critical Special name range listed habitat rules Flowering Plants * * * * * * * Brickellia Brickell- U.S.A. Asteraceae E 844 NA NA mosieri bush, (FL) Florida * * * * * * * Linum Flax, U.S.A. Linaceae E 844 NA NA carteri Carter's (FL) var. small- carteri flowered * * * * * * *
* * * * *
Dated:
Acting Director,
[FR Doc. 2014-21110 Filed 9-3-14;
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
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