80 FR 45547 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Vine Hill Clarkia

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 146 (July 30, 2015)

Page Range		45547-45548
FR Document		2015-18671

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for Vine Hill Clarkia (Clarkia imbricata) for public review and comment. The draft recovery plan includes recovery objectives and criteria, and specific actions necessary to achieve downlisting and delisting from the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 146 (Thursday, July 30, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 146 (Thursday, July 30, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45547-45548]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18671]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-R8-ES-2015-N126; FXES11130000-156-FF08E00000]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery 
Plan for Vine Hill Clarkia

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the 
availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for Vine Hill Clarkia (Clarkia 
imbricata) for public review and comment. The draft recovery plan 
includes recovery objectives and criteria, and specific actions 
necessary to achieve downlisting and delisting from the Federal Lists 
of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.

DATES: We must receive any comments on the draft recovery plan on or 
before September 28, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of the recovery plan from our Web site 
at http://www.fws.gov/endangered/species/recovery-plans.html. 
Alternatively, you may contact the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, Suite W-2605, 
Sacramento, CA 95825 (telephone 916-414-6700).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Norris, Field Supervisor, at 
the above street address or telephone number (see ADDRESSES).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Recovery of endangered or threatened animals and plants to the 
point where they are again secure, self-sustaining members of their 
ecosystems is a primary goal of our endangered species program and the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.). Recovery means improvement of the status of listed species to 
the point at which listing is no longer appropriate under the criteria 
specified in section 4(a)(1) of the Act. The Act requires the 
development of recovery plans for listed species, unless such a plan 
would not promote the conservation of a particular species.
    We listed Vine Hill clarkia throughout its entire range as 
endangered on October 22, 1997 (62 FR 55791). It is a narrow endemic, 
historically known from three locations in central Sonoma County, 
California, all three of which may be extirpated. Currently, the 
species is only known to exist as a single introduced population on the 
0.6-hectare (1.5-acre) Vine Hill Preserve, owned and managed by the 
California Native Plant Society. Between 2007 and 2012, the population 
fluctuated from approximately 500 to 8,781 plants.
    All known populations of Vine Hill clarkia are located between 60 
to 75 meters (197 to 246 feet) elevation, on what has been mapped as 
Goldridge acidic sandy loams, in an area sometimes referred to as the 
Sonoma Barrens. The ability of Vine Hill clarkia to persist naturally 
outside of Sonoma Barrens conditions is unknown. The Sonoma Barrens are 
an area within Sonoma County located halfway between maritime and 
inland climates, in a pronounced fog gap that makes it subject to 
peculiar climatic fluctuations (Roof 1972).
    At this time, the primary threats to Vine Hill clarkia are 
competition for light and space with native and non-native species and 
risk of extinction from stochastic environmental events associated with 
small populations. Because of the extreme range restriction of this 
already-narrow endemic, and its small population size, the plant is 
highly vulnerable to extinction from random events, including wildfire, 
herbivory, disease and pest outbreaks, and human disturbance.
    Two species of concern are also addressed in this draft recovery 
plan, Vine Hill manzanita (Arctostaphylos densiflora) and Vine Hill 
ceanothus (Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus), which historically 
coexisted with Vine Hill clarkia. Vine Hill manzanita and Vine Hill 
ceanothus are included in this draft recovery plan because a community-
based recovery strategy provides for conservation of species with 
similar habitat requirements to those of Vine Hill clarkia, and because 
recovery actions implemented for Vine Hill clarkia that do not consider 
these other rare species may negatively affect the community. These two 
species are, respectively, State listed as endangered and listed Rank 
1B by the California Native Plant Society.

[[Page 45548]]

Recovery Plan Goals

    The purpose of a recovery plan is to provide a framework for the 
recovery of species so that protection under the Act is no longer 
necessary. A recovery plan includes scientific information about the 
species and provides criteria that enable us to gauge whether 
downlisting or delisting the species is warranted. Furthermore, 
recovery plans help guide our recovery efforts by describing actions we 
consider necessary for each species' conservation and by estimating 
time and costs for implementing needed recovery measures.
    The goal of this recovery plan is to improve the status of Vine 
Hill clarkia so that it can be delisted. The interim goal is to recover 
the species to the point that it can be downlisted from endangered to 
threatened status. The recovery objectives of the plan are:
     Restore Sonoma Barrens habitat and establish Vine Hill 
clarkia.
     Manage native and nonnative vegetation that competes with 
Vine Hill clarkia.
     Ensure locations with Vine Hill clarkia are secure from 
incompatible uses.
    The draft recovery plan contains recovery criteria based on 
protecting, maintaining, and increasing populations, as well as 
increasing habitat quality and quantity. As Vine Hill clarkia meets 
recovery criteria, we will review its status and consider it for 
downlisting or removal from the Federal Lists of Endangered and 
Threatened Wildlife and Plants.
    Community conservation efforts recommended for Vine Hill manzanita 
and Vine Hill ceanothus include establishing these species, either in 
concert with each other and Vine Hill clarkia, or separately.

Request for Public Comments

    We request written comments on the draft recovery plan described in 
this notice. All comments received by the date specified above will be 
considered in development of a final recovery plan for Vine Hill 
clarkia. You may submit written comments and information by mail or in 
person to the Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office at the above address 
(see ADDRESSES).

Public Availability of Comments

    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be 
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying 
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can 
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying 
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be 
able to do so.

Authority

    We developed this recovery plan under the authority of section 4(f) 
of the Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). We publish this notice under section 
4(f) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 
et seq.).

    Dated: July 23, 2015.
Ren Lohoefener,
Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region.
[FR Doc. 2015-18671 Filed 7-29-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 146 / Thursday, July 30, 2015 / Notices 45547

sandiegonensis), Riverside fairy shrimp cannot guarantee that we will be able to The Act requires the development of
(Streptocephalus woottoni), and vernal do so. recovery plans for listed species, unless
pool tadpole shrimp (Lepidurus Dated: July 24, 2015. such a plan would not promote the
packardi) in conjunction with survey Michael Long, conservation of a particular species.
activities throughout the range of the We listed Vine Hill clarkia throughout
Acting Regional Director, Pacific Southwest
species for the purpose of enhancing the Region, Sacramento, California. its entire range as endangered on
species’ survival. October 22, 1997 (62 FR 55791). It is a
[FR Doc. 2015–18707 Filed 7–29–15; 8:45 am]
Permit No. TE–71221B–0 BILLING CODE 4310–55–P narrow endemic, historically known
from three locations in central Sonoma
Applicant: Kimberly Boydstun,
County, California, all three of which
Temecula, California DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR may be extirpated. Currently, the
The applicant requests a new permit species is only known to exist as a
to take (survey by pursuit) the Quino Fish and Wildlife Service single introduced population on the 0.6-
checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas [FWS–R8–ES–2015–N126; FXES11130000– hectare (1.5-acre) Vine Hill Preserve,
editha quino) in conjunction with 156–FF08E00000] owned and managed by the California
survey activities throughout the range of Native Plant Society. Between 2007 and
the species in California for the purpose Endangered and Threatened Wildlife 2012, the population fluctuated from
of enhancing the species’ survival. and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for approximately 500 to 8,781 plants.
Vine Hill Clarkia
Permit No. TE–105545–3 All known populations of Vine Hill
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, clarkia are located between 60 to 75
Applicant: Wendy Knight, San Luis
Interior. meters (197 to 246 feet) elevation, on
Obispo, California
ACTION: Notice of document availability; what has been mapped as Goldridge
The applicant requests a permit request for comments. acidic sandy loams, in an area
amendment to take (harass by survey, sometimes referred to as the Sonoma
capture, handle, take biological samples, SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Barrens. The ability of Vine Hill clarkia
hold, and release) the California tiger Wildlife Service, announce the to persist naturally outside of Sonoma
salamander (Santa Barbara County DPS availability of the Draft Recovery Plan Barrens conditions is unknown. The
and Sonoma County DPS) (Ambystoma for Vine Hill Clarkia (Clarkia imbricata) Sonoma Barrens are an area within
californiense) in conjunction with for public review and comment. The Sonoma County located halfway
surveys and research activities draft recovery plan includes recovery between maritime and inland climates,
throughout the range of the species in objectives and criteria, and specific in a pronounced fog gap that makes it
California for the purpose of enhancing actions necessary to achieve
subject to peculiar climatic fluctuations
the species’ survival. downlisting and delisting from the
(Roof 1972).
Federal Lists of Endangered and
Permit No. TE–005956 Threatened Wildlife and Plants. At this time, the primary threats to
Applicant: U.S. Geological Survey, DATES: We must receive any comments Vine Hill clarkia are competition for
Western Fisheries Research Center, on the draft recovery plan on or before light and space with native and non-
Reno, NV September 28, 2015. native species and risk of extinction
from stochastic environmental events
The applicant requests a permit ADDRESSES: You may obtain a copy of
the recovery plan from our Web site at associated with small populations.
amendment to take (capture, mark, tag, Because of the extreme range restriction
measure, transport, and release) the http://www.fws.gov/endangered/
species/recovery-plans.html. of this already-narrow endemic, and its
Pahranagat roundtail chub (Gila robusta small population size, the plant is
jordani) in conjunction with survey, Alternatively, you may contact the
Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, highly vulnerable to extinction from
research, genetic analysis, and random events, including wildfire,
population monitoring activities in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800
Cottage Way, Suite W–2605, herbivory, disease and pest outbreaks,
Nevada for the purpose of enhancing the and human disturbance.
species’ survival. Sacramento, CA 95825 (telephone 916–
414–6700). Two species of concern are also
Public Comments FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: addressed in this draft recovery plan,
We invite public review and comment Jennifer Norris, Field Supervisor, at the Vine Hill manzanita (Arctostaphylos
on each of these recovery permit above street address or telephone densiflora) and Vine Hill ceanothus
applications. Comments and materials number (see ADDRESSES). (Ceanothus foliosus var. vineatus),
we receive will be available for public SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: which historically coexisted with Vine
inspection, by appointment, during Hill clarkia. Vine Hill manzanita and
normal business hours at the address Background Vine Hill ceanothus are included in this
listed in the ADDRESSES section of this Recovery of endangered or threatened draft recovery plan because a
notice. animals and plants to the point where community-based recovery strategy
Before including your address, phone they are again secure, self-sustaining provides for conservation of species
number, email address, or other members of their ecosystems is a with similar habitat requirements to
personal identifying information in your primary goal of our endangered species those of Vine Hill clarkia, and because
Lhorne on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

comment, you should be aware that program and the Endangered Species recovery actions implemented for Vine
your entire comment—including your Act of 1973, as amended (Act; 16 U.S.C. Hill clarkia that do not consider these
personal identifying information—may 1531 et seq.). Recovery means other rare species may negatively affect
be made publicly available at any time. improvement of the status of listed the community. These two species are,
While you can ask us in your comment species to the point at which listing is respectively, State listed as endangered
to withhold your personal identifying no longer appropriate under the criteria and listed Rank 1B by the California
information from public review, we specified in section 4(a)(1) of the Act. Native Plant Society.

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45548 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 146 / Thursday, July 30, 2015 / Notices

Recovery Plan Goals to withhold your personal identifying procedures for posing and testing
The purpose of a recovery plan is to information from public review, we earthquake predictions and forecasts.
cannot guarantee that we will be able to Meetings of the National Earthquake
provide a framework for the recovery of
do so. Prediction Evaluation Council are open
species so that protection under the Act
to the public. A draft meeting agenda is
is no longer necessary. A recovery plan Authority available upon request from the
includes scientific information about
We developed this recovery plan Executive Secretary on request (contact
the species and provides criteria that
under the authority of section 4(f) of the information below). In order to ensure
enable us to gauge whether downlisting
Act, 16 U.S.C. 1533(f). We publish this sufficient seating and hand-outs, it is
or delisting the species is warranted.
notice under section 4(f) of the requested that visitors pre-register by
Furthermore, recovery plans help guide
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as September 13. Members of the public
our recovery efforts by describing
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). wishing to make a statement to the
actions we consider necessary for each
Council should provide notice of that
species’ conservation and by estimating Dated: July 23, 2015.
intention by August 26 so that time may
time and costs for implementing needed Ren Lohoefener,
be allotted in the agenda. A meeting
recovery measures. Regional Director, Pacific Southwest Region. summary will be posted by September
The goal of this recovery plan is to [FR Doc. 2015–18671 Filed 7–29–15; 8:45 am] 30 to the committee Web site: http://
improve the status of Vine Hill clarkia BILLING CODE 4310–55–P earthquake.usgs.gov/aboutus/nepec/.
so that it can be delisted. The interim
goal is to recover the species to the DATES: September 2, 2015, commencing
point that it can be downlisted from at 2:00 p.m. in Room 253 in the
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
endangered to threatened status. The McGuire Building on the SMU campus
recovery objectives of the plan are: U.S. Geological Survey and adjourning at 6:00 p.m. September
• Restore Sonoma Barrens habitat and 3, 2015, Commencing at 9:00 a.m. in
establish Vine Hill clarkia. National Earthquake Prediction Room 220 (Earnst & Young Gallery) in
• Manage native and nonnative Evaluation Council the Fincher Building on campus and
vegetation that competes with Vine Hill adjourning at 5:00 p.m.
AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
clarkia.
Interior.
• Ensure locations with Vine Hill Michael Blanpied, U.S. Geological
clarkia are secure from incompatible ACTION: Notice of meeting. Survey, MS 905, 12201 Sunrise Valley
uses. Drive, Reston, Virginia 20192, (703)
The draft recovery plan contains SUMMARY: Pursuant to Public Law 106– 648–6696, mblanpied@usgs.gov.
recovery criteria based on protecting, 503, the National Earthquake Prediction
William Leith,
maintaining, and increasing Evaluation Council (NEPEC) will hold
its next meeting at the Southern Senior Science Advisor for Earthquake and
populations, as well as increasing Geologic Hazards.
habitat quality and quantity. As Vine Methodist University in Dallas, Texas.
The Committee is comprised of [FR Doc. 2015–18645 Filed 7–29–15; 8:45 am]
Hill clarkia meets recovery criteria, we
will review its status and consider it for members from academia, industry, and BILLING CODE P

downlisting or removal from the Federal State government. The Committee shall
Lists of Endangered and Threatened advise the Director of the U.S.
Wildlife and Plants. Geological Survey (USGS) on matters DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Community conservation efforts relating to the USGS’s participation in
the National Earthquake Hazards Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms,
recommended for Vine Hill manzanita and Explosives
and Vine Hill ceanothus include Reduction Program.
establishing these species, either in At the meeting, the Council will [Docket No. ATF 2015R–15]
concert with each other and Vine Hill receive briefings and updates on: The
clarkia, or separately. USGS’s strategic plan for operational International Trade Data System Test—
earthquake forecasting and outcomes of Voluntary Pilot Project
Request for Public Comments a user-needs workshop on that subject AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
We request written comments on the held in March 2015; on USGS work to Firearms and Explosives (ATF),
draft recovery plan described in this calculate the probability of future Department of Justice.
notice. All comments received by the earthquakes in areas of the U.S. subject ACTION: Notice.
date specified above will be considered to induced seismicity; on the estimation
in development of a final recovery plan of aftershock probabilities and on new SUMMARY: Along with more than a dozen
for Vine Hill clarkia. You may submit modeled estimates of earthquake other agencies, the Bureau of Alcohol,
written comments and information by likelihood along the Wasatch fault zone Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
mail or in person to the Sacramento by a technical working group; and on will participate in a U.S. Customs and
Fish and Wildlife Office at the above development of a plan for rapid Border Protection (CBP) pilot test of the
address (see ADDRESSES). communication of earthquake International Trade Data System (ITDS)
information in the Cascadia region. The for processing import-related forms and
Public Availability of Comments NEPEC will review USGS procedures data using the Partner Government
Before including your address, phone for calculating and communicating Agency (PGA) Message Set and the
Lhorne on DSK7TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

number, email address, or other aftershock probabilities following large Automated Commercial Environment
personal identifying information in your earthquakes in areas outside of (ACE). Industry participation in the
comment, you should be aware that California and the application of these pilot program is entirely voluntary.
your entire comment—including your procedures following the M7.8 Gorkha, The pilot test will allow participating
personal identifying information—may Nepal earthquake of April 2015. The importers to submit forms and
be made publicly available at any time. council will also finalize a statement for information to CBP through ACE for the
While you can ask us in your comment public release summarizing the proper purpose of obtaining CBP release and

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Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:30:26
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:30:26

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of document availability; request for comments.
Dates		We must receive any comments on the draft recovery plan on or before September 28, 2015.
Contact		Jennifer Norris, Field Supervisor, at
FR Citation		80 FR 45547

80 FR 45547 - Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Vine Hill Clarkia

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORFish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 146 (July 30, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service