[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 147 (Thursday, July 31, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40954-40974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20133]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AD39
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Rule for 13
Plant Taxa From the Northern Channel Islands, California
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines
endangered status for Arabis hoffmannii (Hoffmann's rock-cress),
Arctostaphylos confertiflora (Santa Rosa Island manzanita), Berberis
pinnata ssp. insularis (island barberry), Castilleja mollis (soft-
leaved paintbrush), Galium buxifolium (island bedstraw), Gilia
tenuiflora ssp. hoffmannii (Hoffmann's slender-flowered gilia),
Malacothamnus fasciculatus ssp. nesioticus (Santa Cruz Island
bushmallow), Malacothrix indecora (Santa Cruz Island malacothrix),
Malacothrix squalida (island malacothrix), Phacelia insularis ssp.
insularis (island phacelia), and Thysanocarpus conchuliferus (Santa
Cruz Island fringepod) and threatened status for Dudleya nesiotica
(Santa Cruz Island dudleya) and Helianthemum greenei (island rush-rose)
pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The
13 plant taxa from the northern Channel Islands, California and their
habitats have been variously affected or are currently threatened by
one or more of the following: soil loss; habitat alteration by mammals
alien to the Channel Islands (pigs, goats, sheep, donkeys, cattle,
deer, elk, bison); direct predation by these same alien mammals;
habitat alteration by native seabirds; habitat alteration due to
vehicular traffic; overcollection for scientific or recreational
purposes; competition with alien plant taxa; reduced genetic viability;
depressed reproductive vigor; and the chance of random extinction
resulting from small numbers of individuals and populations. A notice
of withdrawal of the proposal to list Dudleya blochmaniae ssp.
insularis (Santa Rosa Island dudleya), Dudleya sp. nov. ``East Point''
(munchkin dudleya), and Heuchera maxima (Island alum-root) which were
proposed (July 25, 1995, 60 FR 37993) for listing along with the 13
taxa considered in this rule, is published concurrently with this final
rule.
DATES: This rule becomes effective September 2, 1997.
ADDRESSES: The complete file for this rule is available for inspection
by appointment during normal business hours at the Ventura Field
Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B,
Ventura, California 93003.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tim Thomas or Connie Rutherford,
Botanists, Ventura Field Office (see ADDRESSES section) (telephone
number 805/644-1766; facsimile 805/644-3958).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Arabis hoffmannii (Hoffmann's rock-cress), Arctostaphylos
confertiflora (Santa Rosa Island manzanita), Berberis pinnata ssp.
insularis (island barberry), Castilleja mollis (soft-leaved
paintbrush), Dudleya nesiotica (Santa Cruz Island dudleya), Galium
buxifolium (island bedstraw), Gilia tenuiflora ssp. hoffmannii
(Hoffmann's slender-flowered gilia), Helianthemum greenei (island rush-
rose), Malacothamnus fasciculatus ssp. nesioticus (Santa Cruz Island
bushmallow), Malacothrix indecora (island malacothrix), Malacothrix
squalida (Santa Cruz Island malacothrix), Phacelia insularis ssp.
insularis (island phacelia), and Thysanocarpus conchuliferus (Santa
Cruz Island fringepod) are California Channel Island endemics. The only
species in this group that is not restricted to the four northern
islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, and San Miguel) is the island
rush-rose, with one population known from Santa Catalina Island.
Located offshore and south of Santa Barbara County, the four
northern islands are the highest points on a 130 kilometer (km) (80
mile (mi)) long seamount (Dibblee 1982). They are included within the
boundaries of the Channel Islands National Park (CINP). Anacapa Island
is the smallest of the four northern islands and includes three smaller
islands referred to as East, Middle, and West Anacapa, that total 2.9
square (sq) km (1.1 sq mi); it is the closest island to the mainland at
a distance of 20 km (13 mi). East and Middle Anacapa islands are flat-
topped, wave-cut terraces largely surrounded by steep cliffs. West
Anacapa is the highest of the three, reaching 283 meters (m) (930 feet
(ft)) above sea level. Santa Cruz
[[Page 40955]]
Island is the largest of the California Channel Islands at 249 sq km
(96 sq mi) with the highest point being 753 m (2,470 ft) above sea
level. Santa Rosa Island is 217 sq km (84 sq mi) in area and 475 m
(1,560 ft) at its highest point. San Miguel Island, the westernmost of
the northern group, is 37 sq km (14 sq mi) in area and 253 m (830 ft)
in height. Santa Catalina Island, on which one population of
Helianthemum greenei occurs, lies about 113 km (70 mi) to the southeast
of the northern island group; it is 194 sq km (75 sq mi) in area and
its highest elevation is 648 m (2,125 ft) (Power 1980).
The northern Channel Islands are managed primarily by Federal
agencies. Anacapa Island is managed by the National Park Service (NPS)
with an inholding for the U.S. Coast Guard lighthouse. The western 90
percent of Santa Cruz Island is privately owned and managed by The
Nature Conservancy (TNC). The remaining 10 percent of the island is
Federal land managed by the NPS. Santa Rosa Island is managed by the
NPS. San Miguel Island is under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department
of the Navy (Navy), but the NPS has operational jurisdiction through a
Memorandum of Agreement. Except for the City of Avalon, Santa Catalina
Island is privately owned and managed by the Catalina Island
Conservancy.
Anacapa was set aside (with Santa Barbara Island to the south) as a
National Monument in 1938. In 1980, the U.S. Congress abolished the
National Monument and incorporated its lands, waters and interests into
National Park status, adding Santa Cruz Island and Santa Rosa Island
(at that time privately owned) within the boundaries. The NPS
acquisition of Santa Rosa Island in 1986 was accomplished by outright
fee purchase from the Vail and Vickers Ranching Company. A cattle
ranching operation and a subleased commercial deer and elk hunting
operation on Santa Rosa Island are operating under 5-year renewable
special use permits, renewable until the year 2011.
TNC acquired an easement for 4,800 hectares (ha) (12,000 acres
(ac)) of Santa Cruz Island in 1978 and took ownership of nine-tenths of
the island in 1987. TNC's general goals for preserve management include
the preservation, protection, restoration, and understanding of the
natural resources (Rob Klinger, TNC, Santa Cruz Island, pers. comm.
1994). Although a specific management plan for the Santa Cruz Island
Preserve has not been developed, TNC has developed a strategic
direction that will focus on managing feral pigs (Sus scrofa), fennel
(Foeniculum vulgare), and fire. These activities include long-term
monitoring of specific plant communities and rare plant populations;
trial programs in feral pig removal, herbicide treatment of alien plant
species, controlled burns in grassland and island pine communities; and
research on specific species and the response of plant communities to
removal of non-native mammals. A 5-year trial feral pig removal program
was successful in removing all but a few pigs from a 2,400-ha (6,000-
ac) exclosure on the south side of the island. The number of pigs
fluctuates depending on precipitation and acorn crop. TNC also took
immediate steps to remove cattle (Bos taurus) and sheep (Ovis
domesticus) upon acquiring the property, but has been unable to manage
the rapid spread of the alien plant, fennel, that resulted from the
release of grazing pressure. TNC is exploring options for implementing
island-wide feral pig removal and other management activities; these
options may include developing an agreement with NPS for that agency to
manage the island. Pig numbers are increasing on Santa Cruz Island (E.
Painter in litt. 1997).
Subsequent to the relocation by missionaries of the native Chumash
Indian populations from the islands to the mainland by 1814 (Hobbs
1983), land use practices on the islands focused on the introduction of
a variety of livestock including sheep, goats (Capra hircus), cattle,
pigs, burros (Equus asinus), and horses (E. caballus). Other alien
mammal species were also introduced, including deer (Odocoilius
hemionus), elk (Cervus canadensis roosevelti), bison (Bison bison),
rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), wild turkey (Melegris gallopavo),
California quail (Callipepla californica), and chukar (Alectoris
chuckar) for ranching and hunting purposes (Hochberg et al. 1980a,
Minnich 1980, Jones et al. 1989).
The introduction of alien herbivores to the islands has had
catastrophic effects on island vegetation. Pigs had been released on
Santa Cruz Island by 1854 (Hobbs 1983). Records for Santa Cruz Island
indicate that sheep had been introduced in the early 1830's; by 1875,
sheep stocking was around 50,000 head (Hobbs 1983). In 1890, perhaps as
many as 100,000 sheep grazed on Santa Cruz Island (Hochberg et al.
1980a). Droughts, exacerbated by overgrazing, occurred in 1864, 1870-
72, 1877, 1893-1904, 1923-24, 1935, 1946-48, 1964, (Dunkle 1950,
Johnson 1980) and most recently 1986-91 (Halvorson 1993). These
episodes resulted in losses of livestock and other herbivores due to
starvation (Johnson 1980, Sauer 1988). Manipulation of the vegetation
by over 150 years of intensive grazing and browsing has resulted in the
replacement of native plant communities with non-native grasslands
(Minnich 1980, Hobbs 1983).
Several alien weedy plants have invaded the disturbed habitats of
the islands. One of the most obvious problem species is fennel on Santa
Cruz Island. Fennel and other aggressive non-native weed species
displace native species and further threaten the ecological integrity
of the island ecosystems (Smith 1989, Simberloff 1990). Research
methods and results to date for the control of fennel were the topics
of several presentations at the fourth Channel Islands symposium
(Brenton and Klinger 1994, Dash and Gliessman 1994, Gliessman 1994).
Some progress has been made toward eliminating alien animals from
the islands. TNC has eliminated the cattle and sheep from the western
portion of Santa Cruz Island, and continues to prevent sheep from
invading from the eastern portion of the island (Kelley 1997). The NPS
purchased the east end of the Santa Cruz Island in February 1997 and
initiated a sheep control program. The NPS has removed all the pigs
from Santa Rosa Island. A program to control goats and pigs is being
implemented on western Santa Catalina Island. However, no action has
been taken to eliminate deer and elk from Santa Rosa Island, or pigs
from the majority of Santa Cruz Island, or bison which have been
introduced to Santa Catalina Island.
The floristics of the islands are composed of elements that have a
variety of origins, and include relict populations of formerly wider-
ranging species such as the endemic island ironwoods (Lyonothamnus
floribundus) and disjunct species such as the Torrey pine (Pinus
torreyana). Such species typically occur in canyons and on slopes with
more moderate environments than those that prevail in surrounding
areas. Island endemics, including all of the species in this final
rule, have been discussed by Raven (1967), Philbrick (1980), and
Wallace (1985). Fifty-four island endemic plant species are known from
the northern Channel Islands; 15 species are single island endemics
(Halvorson et al. 1987). Some of the most striking examples of
extinction have occurred from islands around the world; from the
Channel Islands, notable extinctions include the Santa Barbara Island
song sparrow (Melospiza melodia cooperi) and Santa Cruz Island
monkeyflower (Mimulus brandegei). Nine plant species have been
extirpated from various islands
[[Page 40956]]
within the northern island group: three from Santa Cruz (Malacothrix
incana, Mimulus brandegei, and Sibara filifolia), two from Santa Rosa
(Berberis pinnata ssp. insularis, and Helianthemum greenei), and four
from San Miguel (Grindelia latifolia, Ceanothus megacarpus ssp.
insularis, Rhamnus pirifolia, and Ericameria ericoides) (Philbrick
1980, Halvorson et al. 1987, Clark et al. 1990).
The main habitat types on the islands include coastal dune, coastal
bluff, coastal sage scrub, grasslands, chaparral, oak and ironwood
woodlands, riparian woodlands, and conifer forest; various subdivisions
of these types have been described by Dunkle (1950), Philbrick and
Haller (1977), Minnich (1980), Clark et al. (1990), and Coonan et al.
(1996). Coastal beach and associated dune habitats occur in the
windiest sandy locations on the three westernmost islands. These
coastal habitats appear to be relatively undisturbed compared to
mainland sites where development and recreation have largely eliminated
them. Coastal bluff habitat has provided a refugium for many plants
from grazing by non-native animals (Minnich 1980, Halvorson et al.
1992).
The upland habitats were formerly mostly shrub-dominated and
included coastal sage scrub and chaparral habitats. Historic reports
indicate that these brushlands were impenetrable (Hochberg et al.
1980a). Historical photographs reveal a significant loss of woody
vegetation from the islands during the last 100 years (Hobbs 1980,
Minnich 1980). Coastal sage habitat is composed of soft-leaved, soft-
stemmed plants that are easily broken by trampling and palatable to
both browsers and grazers. The original coastal sage scrub habitat has
been reduced by overgrazing to the extent that it persists only in
locations inaccessible to grazing and browsing animals, such as bluffs
and marginal habitat in patches of cactus (Minnich 1980, Hobbs 1983,
Painter in litt. 1997). Coastal sage scrub habitat has increased in
importance on Anacapa and San Miguel Islands where grazing has been
removed (Johnson 1980).
The structure of the remnant chaparral habitats has also been
modified by grazing and browsing, such that shrubs form arborescent
(treelike) shapes or extremely low, prostrate forms. Continued browsing
by deer and elk on Santa Rosa Island has created an open `skeleton'
community reticulated by game trails that provide access to nearly 100
percent of the habitat (Hochberg et al. 1980a; Tim Thomas,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), pers. obs., 1993).
Grasslands are largely composed of non-native annual species and
have greatly expanded at the expense of most other habitat types (Hobbs
1983, Cole and Liu 1994). The pre-grazing importance of cactus in the
island communities will never be known. Overgrazing has resulted in the
spread of cactus to areas denuded by livestock. Overgrazing on Santa
Cruz Island facilitated the spread of cactus to the point that over 40
percent of the rangeland was rendered useless (Hochberg et al. 1980a).
Cactus habitats on Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands have been
dramatically reduced to improve cattle operations by the introduction
of biological controls (Hochberg et al. 1980a).
Island woodlands are dominated by unique endemic species and have
also been heavily affected by grazing, browsing, and rooting animals
seeking summer shelter and food (Clark et al. 1990, Halvorson 1993).
Riparian woodlands are heavily modified physically and structurally,
and in some areas they have been completely eliminated (Hochberg et al.
1980a, Minnich 1980). Normally, a canyon with year-round water will
have well-developed riparian vegetation that includes willows (Salix
spp.), sycamores (Platanus racemosa), cottonwoods (Populus spp.) and
oaks (Quercus spp.). This vegetation would typically support a rich
diversity of organisms, especially neo-tropical migratory bird species,
but years of overutilization by introduced mammals have considerably
reduced this formerly resource-rich habitat.
The bishop pine forests that are protected from grazing have well-
developed foliar cover and pine reproduction (Hobbs 1978). In contrast,
Clark et al. (1990) reported that bishop pine forests that are
subjected to grazing lack the protective nutrient layer of ground
litter and exhibit no reproduction.
Pigs, cattle, deer, elk, goats, sheep, and bison continue to
threaten and further degrade whole ecosystems on the islands (Sauer
1988, Halvorson 1993). Many of the taxa in this rule survive only in
areas that are inaccessible to the alien ungulates and then only on
sites that are marginally suitable making their persistence tenuous
(Painter in litt. 1997).
Discussion of the Taxa Included in This Rule
The current and historic distribution of the taxa included in this
rule are shown in Table 1. Seven of these taxa are known only from one
island, although two of these have been extirpated from other islands
on which they occurred historically. The remaining six taxa currently
occur on only two islands, although two of these six have been
extirpated from a third island from which they were known historically.
All but 3 of the 13 taxa are known from five or fewer populations.
Arabis hoffmannii (Hoffmann's rock-cress) was described by Philip
Alexander Munz as Arabis maxima var. hoffmannii in 1932 based on
specimens collected by Ralph Hoffmann at the ``sea cliffs east of
Dick's Harbor,'' now known as Platts Harbor, on Santa Cruz Island in
1932 (Rollins 1936). T.S. Brandegee had collected this rock-cress as
early as 1888 from an unspecified location on Santa Cruz Island. In
1936, Reed Clark Rollins elevated the taxon to species status by
publishing the name Arabis hoffmannii. This nomenclature was retained
in the most recent treatment of the genus (Rollins 1993).
Arabis hoffmannii is a slender, herbaceous, monocarpic (flowering
once then dying) perennial in the mustard (Brassicaceae) family. The
one to several stems reach 0.6 m (2.0 ft) high, and have slightly
toothed basal leaves. The white to lavender flowers, comprised of four
petals 1 centimeter (cm) (0.4 inch (in)) long, are found at the tips of
the stems. The slightly curved fruits are borne on long stalks
(siliques). The only other rock-cress that occurs on the islands,
Arabis glabra var. glabra, is a taller plant with cream-colored
flowers.
Table 1
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Distribution
Scientific name Growth form Number of -----------------------------------------------------------
populations mA wA CR RO MI CA
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Arabis hoffmannii...................... Perennial.......................... 4 h x x
Arctostaphylos confertiflora........... Shrub.............................. <10 x="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis........="" shrub="" or="" vine......................="" 3="" h="" x="" h="" [[page="" 40957]]="" castilleja="" mollis......................="" perennial..........................="" 2="" x="" h="" dudleya="" nesiotica......................="" succulent..........................="" 1="" x="" galium="" buxifolium......................="" sub-shrub..........................="" 10="" x="" x="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii.......="" annual.............................="" 3="" x="" helianthemum="" greenei...................="" sub-shrub..........................="" 14="" x="" h="" x="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" ssp.="" shrub..............................="" 2="" x="" nesioticus.="" malacothrix="" indecora...................="" annual.............................="" 2="" x="" x="" h="" malacothrix="" squalida...................="" annual.............................="" (3)="" x="" x="" x="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis......="" annual.............................="" 1(5)="" x="" x="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus............="" annual.............................="" (8)="" x="" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------="" note.--growth="" form,="" estimated="" number="" of="" populations="" within="" the="" past="" five="" or="" ten="" (in="" parentheses)="" years,="" and="" distribution="" (x)="" of="" the="" thirteen="" plant="" taxa;="" ma="middle" anacapa,="" wa="west" anacapa,="" cr="Santa" cruz,="" ro="Santa" rosa,="" mi="San" miguel,="" ca="Santa" catalina,="" h="historic" distribution.="" since="" brandegee's="" collection="" was="" made="" in="" 1888,="" few="" collections="" of="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" have="" been="" made.="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island,="" moran="" made="" a="" collection="" from="" the="" ``central="" valley''="" in="" 1950,="" and="" mcpherson="" collected="" the="" plant="" near="" centinela="" grade,="" possibly="" the="" same="" location,="" in="" 1967="" (steve="" junak,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1993).="" it="" was="" not="" until="" 1985="" that="" steve="" junak="" relocated="" a="" population="" at="" this="" location="" (schuyler="" 1986).="" for="" many="" decades,="" hoffmann's="" original="" collection="" site,="" near="" platts="" harbor="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island,="" was="" in="" ``an="" area="" of="" intense="" feral="" animal="" (sheep)="" disturbance,''="" and="" no="" plants="" could="" be="" found="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1980a).="" in="" fact,="" in="" 1983,="" the="" service="" published="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" (48="" fr="" 53640)="" a="" notice="" of="" review="" that="" considered="" this="" species="" to="" be="" extinct.="" however,="" surveys="" conducted="" by="" tnc="" in="" 1985="" were="" successful="" in="" relocating="" the="" plant="" near="" platts="" harbor="" (schuyler="" 1986).="" according="" to="" moran's="" field="" notes,="" he="" collected="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" from="" anacapa="" island="" in="" 1941="" ``on="" the="" slopes="" above="" frenchy's="" cove''="" (s.="" junak,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1993).="" however,="" no="" specimens="" from="" this="" collection="" have="" been="" found="" in="" herbaria="" with="" known="" collections="" of="" island="" species,="" and="" recent="" surveys="" have="" failed="" to="" relocate="" the="" plant="" on="" anacapa="" island="" (s.="" junak,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1993).="" hoffmann="" reported="" the="" plant="" from="" ``the="" bank="" above="" water="" canyon''="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" in="" 1930,="" but="" numerous="" recent="" surveys="" have="" failed="" to="" locate="" any="" plants="" from="" that="" location="" (s.="" junak,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1993).="" in="" 1996,="" a="" new="" population="" of="" the="" plant="" was="" discovered="" near="" the="" mouth="" of="" lobo="" canyon="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" (mceachern="" 1996,="" wilken="" 1996).="" the="" population="" consists="" of="" eight="" plants,="" three="" of="" which="" were="" flowering="" and="" the="" remaining="" five="" were="" vegetative="" rosettes.="" the="" plants="" are="" located="" on="" a="" rocky="" shelf="" overhanging="" the="" canyon,="" and="" are="" associated="" with="" giant="" coreopsis="" (coreopsis="" gigantea),="" greene's="" dudleya="" (dudleya="" greenei),="" indian="" pink="" (silene="" laciniata),="" and="" non-native="" grasses.="" the="" canyon="" bottom="" below="" the="" shelf="" is="" heavily="" grazed="" and="" trampled="" by="" deer,="" cattle,="" and="" elk.="" in="" addition="" to="" the="" lone="" population="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island,="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" is="" also="" currently="" known="" from="" three="" small="" populations="" that="" collectively="" cover="" less="" than="" 0.4="" hectare="" (1="" acre)="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island.="" one="" of="" these="" three="" populations,="" near="" platts="" harbor="" is="" located="" on="" rocky="" volcanic="" cliffs="" along="" a="" north-facing="" canyon="" on="" lands="" owned="" by="" tnc.="" because="" of="" inaccessibility,="" and="" the="" loose="" structure="" of="" the="" volcanic="" rock,="" the="" cliff="" site="" has="" not="" been="" thoroughly="" surveyed.="" only="" a="" few="" dozen="" plants="" have="" been="" directly="" observed,="" but="" the="" cliffs="" may="" support="" additional="" individuals.="" a="" second="" population,="" near="" centinela="" grade,="" is="" growing="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island="" volcanics="" and="" is="" associated="" with="" giant="" coreopsis="" (coreopsis="" gigantea),="" santa="" cruz="" island="" buckwheat="" (eriogonum="" arborescens),="" and="" coastal="" prickly="" pear="" (opuntia="" littoralis),="" on="" lands="" owned="" and="" managed="" by="" tnc.="" when="" junak="" relocated="" this="" population,="" approximately="" 30="" individuals="" were="" seen.="" tnc="" has="" monitored="" this="" population="" since="" 1990,="" with="" fewer="" than="" 30="" plants="" observed="" each="" year="" (klinger="" 1994a).="" the="" third="" population="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island="" was="" located="" in="" 1995="" near="" stanton="" ranch,="" and="" consists="" of="" 16="" plants="" as="" of="" 1996="" (wilken="" 1996).="" recent="" research="" by="" wilken="" (1996)="" on="" reproductive="" strategies="" of="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" shows="" that="" individual="" plants="" in="" cultivation="" may="" reproduce="" within="" 2="" years="" following="" establishment,="" with="" some="" plants="" surviving="" for="" at="" least="" 5="" years.="" individual="" rosettes="" are="" monocarpic,="" but="" some="" plants="" have="" more="" than="" one="" rosette.="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" does="" not="" appear="" to="" be="" dependent="" upon="" pollinators="" for="" seed="" set,="" and="" individual="" plants="" may="" produce="" as="" many="" as="" 3,000="" to="" 4,000="" seed.="" however,="" the="" small="" sizes="" of="" natural="" populations="" indicate="" that="" establishment="" success="" of="" new="" plants="" is="" low.="" monitoring="" results="" at="" two="" sites="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island="" (centinela="" and="" stanton)="" suggest="" poor="" establishment="" success="" because="" of="" a="" lack="" of="" favorable="" seed="" germination="" sites,="" a="" high="" rate="" of="" seedling="" mortality,="" or="" a="" combination="" of="" both="" factors="" (wilken="" 1996).="" at="" these="" two="" sites,="" surviving="" plants="" tend="" to="" be="" found="" in="" the="" shade="" of="" shrubs="" where="" there="" is="" a="" low="" cover="" of="" annual="" species,="" suggesting="" that="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" cannot="" tolerate="" competition="" with="" a="" high="" cover="" of="" annual="" species.="" fewer="" than="" 100="" plants="" in="" total="" were="" present="" in="" the="" three="" studied="" populations="" (wilken="" 1996).="" the="" major="" threats="" to="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" are="" loss="" of="" soil,="" habitat="" degradation,="" trampling="" of="" potential="" seed="" germination="" sites="" by="" non-="" native="" ungulates,="" predation="" resulting="" from="" feral="" pig="" rooting,="" and="" competition="" with="" annual="" plants.="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora="" (santa="" rosa="" island="" manzanita)="" was="" described="" by="" eastwood="" in="" 1934="" from="" a="" collection="" made="" by="" hoffmann="" 4="" years="" earlier="" ``in="" a="" sheltered="" dell="" south="" of="" black="" mountain''="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" (eastwood="" 1934).="" munz="" (1958)="" published="" the="" new="" combination="" arctostaphylos="" subcordata="" var.="" confertiflora.="" however,="" in="" subsequent="" treatments="" of="" the="" genus="" wells="" (1968,="" 1993)="" has="" continued="" to="" use="" the="" original="" taxonomy.="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora="" is="" a="" perennial="" shrub="" in="" the="" heath="" (ericaceae)="" family="" that="" grows="" 0.1="" to="" 2.0="" m="" (4="" in="" to="" 6.5="" ft)="" high="" (wells="" 1993).="" the="" plant="" has="" smooth,="" dark="" red-purple="" bark,="" densely="" hairy="" branchlets,="" bracts,="" and="" pedicels,="" and="" light="" green,="" round-ovate="" leaves.="" the="" flowers="" are="" borne="" in="" numerous="" dense="" [[page="" 40958]]="" panicles="" that="" mature="" into="" flattened="" reddish-brown="" fruits="" (mcminn="" 1951).="" the="" only="" other="" manzanita="" that="" occurs="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island,="" arctostaphylos.="" tomentosa,="" forms="" a="" fire-resistant="" burl="" at="" the="" base="" of="" the="" stems.="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora="" is="" not="" burl-forming="" and="" is="" considered="" an="" obligate="" seeder,="" requiring="" fire="" for="" regeneration.="" it="" occurs="" in="" prostrate="" and="" upright="" forms,="" the="" former="" most="" likely="" due="" to="" climatic="" and="" herbivorous="" influences="" (mcminn="" 1951).="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora="" is="" known="" only="" from="" two="" areas="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island.="" all="" but="" a="" few="" plants="" occur="" in="" the="" northeast="" portion="" of="" the="" island="" near,="" and="" east="" of,="" black="" mountain.="" individual="" plants="" have="" been="" observed="" at="" scattered="" sites="" from="" upper="" lobo="" canyon="" east="" to="" the="" torrey="" pine="" groves="" along="" beechen's="" bay,="" a="" distance="" of="" about="" 5="" km="" (3="" mi).="" junak="" estimated="" that="" total="" habitat="" for="" the="" plant="" comprises="" only="" a="" few="" acres="" (s.="" junak,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1994);="" clark="" et="" al.="" (1990)="" noted="" that="" it="" occurs="" in="" low="" numbers.="" during="" 1994="" surveys,="" three="" small="" patches="" were="" mapped="" within="" the="" torrey="" pine="" groves,="" two="" in="" canyons="" on="" the="" north="" side="" of="" black="" mountain,="" and="" one="" plant="" near="" south="" point="" (rindlaub="" 1995).="" additional="" surveys="" of="" potential="" habitat="" were="" begun="" in="" 1996="" by="" united="" states="" geological="" survey="" biological="" resources="" division="" (brd)="" staff,="" but="" to="" date,="" few="" shrubs="" have="" been="" found="" (mceachern="" 1996).="" observed="" shrubs="" have="" had="" recent="" twig="" growth="" browsed="" off="" by="" deer,="" and="" no="" seedlings="" or="" young="" plants="" have="" been="" observed.="" ungulates="" have="" access="" to="" more="" than="" 90="" percent="" of="" the="" plants="" (mceachern="" 1996).="" fewer="" than="" 400="" plants="" are="" estimated="" to="" occur,="" all="" restricted="" to="" nearly="" vertical="" canyon="" walls="" in="" eight="" populations="" in="" the="" black="" mountain="" vicinity="" (mceachern="" and="" wilken="" 1996).="" despite="" the="" steepness="" of="" the="" slopes,="" deer="" and="" elk="" are="" capable="" of="" traveling="" along="" trails="" which="" provide="" access="" to="" various="" portions="" of="" the="" populations.="" a="" few="" individuals="" are="" also="" known="" from="" johnson's="" lee="" on="" the="" south="" side="" of="" the="" island="" (rindlaub="" 1994).="" the="" plant="" is="" found="" on="" sedimentary="" substrates="" of="" monterey="" shales="" and="" soft="" volcanoclastic="" sediments="" derived="" from="" san="" miguel="" volcanics="" (weaver="" et="" al.="" 1969).="" near="" the="" southern="" tip="" of="" the="" island,="" a="" few="" individuals="" are="" scattered="" on="" the="" slopes="" above="" south="" point="" on="" sandstone="" outcrops.="" the="" taxon="" occurs="" as="" a="" component="" of="" mixed="" chaparral,="" mixed="" woodland,="" torrey="" pine="" woodland,="" and="" island="" pine="" woodland="" communities.="" researchers="" observed="" that="" elk="" and="" deer="" bed="" down="" in="" the="" shade="" of="" larger="" shrubs,="" including="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora,="" causing="" compaction="" and="" erosion="" of="" soils,="" and="" exposing="" the="" roots="" of="" the="" plants="" (mceachern="" and="" wilken="" 1996).="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora="" is="" threatened="" by="" soil="" loss,="" low="" reproductive="" success,="" and="" herbivory="" by="" elk="" and="" deer="" that="" has="" contributed="" to="" reproductive="" failure.="" the="" seed="" bank="" is="" either="" absent="" or="" so="" depleted="" as="" a="" result="" of="" soil="" loss="" that="" a="" catastrophic="" fire="" could="" eliminate="" the="" species="" because="" recruitment="" is="" dependent="" upon="" fire="" treated="" seed.="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" (island="" barberry)="" was="" described="" by="" munz="" (munz="" and="" roos="" 1950)="" based="" on="" a="" specimen="" collected="" by="" wolf="" in="" 1932="" ``west="" of="" summit="" of="" buena="" vista="" grade="" (also="" known="" as="" centinela="" grade),="" interior="" of="" santa="" cruz="" island.''="" in="" 1981,="" roof="" included="" this="" taxon="" in="" the="" genus="" mahonia="" because="" the="" leaves="" are="" compound,="" in="" contrast="" with="" the="" simple="" leaves="" of="" berberis="" (roof="" 1981).="" however,="" moran="" (1982)="" made="" the="" case="" that="" this="" one="" character="" was="" insufficient="" to="" defend="" mahonia="" as="" a="" distinct="" natural="" group,="" and="" many="" subsequent="" treatments="" have="" included="" all="" north="" american="" taxa="" previously="" referred="" to="" mahonia="" as="" berberis.="" this="" taxon="" has="" been="" treated="" as="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" by="" munz="" (1974),="" smith="" (1976),="" and="" williams="" (1993).="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" is="" a="" perennial="" shrub="" in="" the="" barberry="" family="" (berberidaceae).="" the="" plant="" has="" spreading="" stems="" that="" reach="" 2="" to="" 8="" m="" (5="" to="" 25="" ft)="" high,="" with="" large="" leaves="" divided="" into="" five="" to="" nine="" glossy="" green="" leaflets.="" clusters="" of="" yellow="" flowers="" at="" the="" branch="" tips="" develop="" into="" blue="" berries="" covered="" with="" a="" white="" bloom="" (waxy="" coating).="" because="" new="" shoots="" can="" sprout="" from="" underground="" rhizomes,="" many="" stems="" may="" actually="" represent="" one="" genetic="" clone="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1980b,="" california="" native="" plant="" society="" (cnps)="" 1984,="" williams="" 1993).="" recent="" research="" indicates="" that,="" although="" the="" plant="" is="" genetically="" self-="" compatible,="" it="" requires="" insect="" visitation="" for="" pollination.="" each="" flower="" produces="" from="" 2="" to="" 3="" seeds,="" but="" in="" seed="" germination="" experiments="" only="" 8="" out="" of="" 40="" seedlings="" survived="" long="" enough="" to="" produce="" secondary="" leaves="" (wilken="" 1996).="" observations="" on="" the="" one="" plant="" in="" upper="" canada="" christy="" indicated="" that,="" of="" over="" 100="" flowers="" that="" were="" in="" bud="" in="" january="" 1996,="" only="" 7="" immature="" fruit="" had="" developed="" by="" may,="" 1996="" (wilken="" 1996).="" in="" a="" letter="" to="" hoffmann="" in="" 1932="" concerning="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" munz="" remarked="" that,="" ``brandegee="" says="" of="" b.="" pinnata,="" that="" it="" is="" ``common''="" on="" s.c.="" [santa="" cruz]''="" (s.="" junak,="" in="" litt.="" 1994).="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" is="" currently="" known="" from="" three="" small="" populations="" in="" moist,="" shaded="" canyons="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island.="" hoffmann="" found="" several="" individuals="" ``in="" elder="" canyon="" that="" runs="" from="" west="" into="" canada="" de="" la="" casa''="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" in="" 1930="" (california="" natural="" diversity="" data="" base="" (cnddb)="" 1993).="" no="" plants="" have="" been="" found="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" since="" that="" time="" despite="" surveys="" by="" staff="" from="" the="" service,="" nps,="" brd,="" and="" santa="" barbara="" botanic="" garden="" between="" 1993="" and="" 1996.="" dunkle="" collected="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" on="" west="" anacapa="" island="" in="" 1940,="" but="" the="" plant="" was="" not="" found="" there="" again="" until="" 1980,="" when="" one="" clone="" was="" found="" in="" summit="" canyon="" associated="" with="" chaparral="" species,="" including="" poison="" oak="" (toxicodendron="" diversilobum),="" monkeyflower="" (mimulus="" aurantiacus),="" coyote="" bush="" (baccharis="" sp.),="" goldenbush="" (hazardia="" detonsus),="" island="" alum-root="" (heuchera="" maxima)="" and="" wild="" cucumber="" (marah="" macrocarpus).="" in="" 1994,="" junak,="" halvorson,="" and="" chaney="" visited="" this="" site="" and="" found="" that="" the="" clone="" had="" died="" (chaney="" 1994),="" and="" the="" plant="" is="" therefore="" believed="" to="" be="" extirpated="" from="" anacapa="" island.="" the="" three="" known="" populations="" of="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" occur="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island.="" one="" population="" on="" the="" north="" slope="" of="" diablo="" peak="" comprises="" 24="" large="" stems="" and="" 75="" small="" stems="" (klinger="" 1994c);="" this="" number="" of="" stems="" may="" represent="" one="" or="" several="" clonal="" individuals.="" in="" 1979,="" a="" second="" population="" near="" campo="" raton="" (canada="" cristy)="" was="" estimated="" to="" be="" fewer="" than="" 10="" individuals,="" but="" in="" 1985,="" only="" one="" plant="" was="" seen="" (cnddb="" 1994).="" habitat="" for="" the="" plant="" was="" systematically="" searched="" recently="" in="" the="" campo="" raton="" area="" and="" two="" individuals="" were="" located.="" both="" plants="" were="" in="" danger="" of="" uprooting="" from="" erosion="" and="" only="" one="" plant="" flowered="" but="" it="" did="" not="" set="" fruit="" (wilken="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" the="" size="" of="" the="" third="" known="" population,="" at="" hazard's="" canyon,="" has="" not="" been="" determined="" due="" to="" inaccessibility,="" but="" schuyler="" estimated="" that="" there="" were="" between="" one="" and="" seven="" plants="" at="" this="" location="" (wilken="" 1996).="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" is="" threatened="" by="" soil="" loss="" and="" habitat="" alteration="" caused="" by="" feral="" pig="" rooting.="" although="" ex-situ="" clones="" have="" been="" established="" from="" vegetative="" cuttings,="" populations="" in="" the="" field="" show="" no="" signs="" of="" successful="" sexual="" reproduction.="" castilleja="" mollis="" (soft-leaved="" paintbrush)="" was="" described="" by="" pennell="" as="" castilleja="" mollis="" in="" 1947,="" based="" on="" material="" collected="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" in="" 1939="" (ingram="" 1990,="" heckard="" et="" al.="" 1991).="" hoover="" (1970)="" and="" munz="" and="" keck="" (1973)="" included="" plants="" of="" coastal="" sand="" dunes="" of="" san="" luis="" obispo="" county="" in="" the="" description="" of="" this="" taxon.="" however,="" the="" taxon="" is="" now="" considered="" to="" be="" endemic="" to="" santa="" rosa="" island="" (ingram="" 1990,="" heckard="" et="" al.="" 1991).="" [[page="" 40959]]="" castilleja="" mollis="" is="" a="" partially="" parasitic="" perennial="" herb="" in="" the="" figwort="" (scrophulariaceae)="" family.="" the="" most="" likely="" host="" in="" this="" case="" is="" goldenbush="" (isocoma="" menziesii="" var.="" sedoides)="" (painter="" 1995,="" wetherwax="" 1995).="" the="" plant="" has="" semi-prostrate="" branches="" that="" reach="" 40="" cm="" (16="" in)="" in="" length,="" with="" bracts="" and="" upper="" leaves="" that="" are="" grayish,="" fleshy,="" broad="" and="" rounded="" and="" crowded="" at="" the="" apex,="" and="" the="" bract="" and="" calyx="" are="" yellow="" to="" yellowish="" green="" above="" (heckard="" et="" al.="" 1991).="" ingram="" (1990)="" identified="" several="" morphological="" differences="" between="" castilleja="" mollis="" and="" the="" similar="" castilleja="" affinis,="" including="" the="" indument="" (covering)="" of="" distinctive="" branched="" hairs="" and="" rounded="" stem="" leaves="" in="" the="" former="" taxon.="" observations="" by="" rindlaub="" (1994)="" and="" nps="" staff="" (nps="" 1996)="" indicate="" that="" individuals="" at="" higher="" elevations="" at="" one="" site="" (carrington="" point)="" may="" represent="" hybrids="" between="" castilleja="" affinis="" and="" castilleja="" mollis.="" two="" specimens="" collected="" from="" point="" bennett="" on="" san="" miguel="" island="" by="" elmore="" in="" 1938="" are="" possibly="" castilleja="" mollis="" (wallace="" 1985;="" heckard="" et="" al.="" 1991).="" despite="" recent="" searches,="" the="" taxon="" has="" not="" been="" seen="" on="" the="" san="" miguel="" island="" since="" then="" (s.="" junak,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1994).="" castilleja="" mollis="" is="" currently="" known="" only="" from="" two="" areas="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island,="" carrington="" point="" in="" the="" northeast="" corner="" of="" the="" island,="" and="" west="" of="" jaw="" gulch="" and="" orr's="" camp="" along="" the="" north="" shore="" of="" the="" island.="" at="" carrington="" point,="" the="" plant="" occurs="" in="" stabilized="" dune="" scrub="" vegetation="" dominated="" by="" goldenbush="" (isocoma="" menziesii="" var.="" sedoides),="" lupine="" (lupinus="" albifrons),="" and="" pacific="" ryegrass="" (leymus="" pacificus).="" at="" jaw="" gulch,="" the="" paintbrush="" occurs="" with="" alien="" iceplants="" (carpobrotus="" spp.="" and="" mesembryanthemum="" spp.),="" native="" milk-vetch="" (astragalus="" miguelensis),="" and="" alien="" grasses.="" in="" 1993,="" the="" jaw="" gulch="" population="" was="" estimated="" to="" have="" up="" to="" 1,000="" individuals="" covering="" an="" area="" of="" less="" than="" 2="" ha="" (5="" ac)="" (c.="" rutherford="" and="" t.="" thomas,="" usfws,="" pers.="" obs.="" 1993),="" an="" estimate="" confirmed="" in="" recent="" field="" studies="" (mceachern="" and="" wilken="" 1996).="" during="" ingram's="" field="" studies="" in="" 1990,="" the="" carrington="" point="" population="" consisted="" of="" only="" 20="" individuals="" (ingram="" 1990).="" the="" current="" estimate="" for="" the="" carrington="" population="" is="" several="" hundred="" plants="" (mceachern="" and="" wilken="" 1996).="" in="" 1994,="" rindlaub="" gathered="" abundance="" and="" density="" data="" for="" the="" two="" populations:="" on="" carrington="" point,="" population="" density="" averaged="" 0.9="" plants/sq="" m,="" and="" at="" jaw="" gulch,="" population="" density="" averaged="" 2.0="" plants/="" sq="" m.="" demographic="" plots="" were="" established="" in="" 1995="" in="" both="" populations.="" although="" analysis="" of="" 1995="" and="" 1996="" data="" is="" not="" complete,="" initial="" analysis="" indicates="" that="" approximately="" 50="" percent="" of="" castilleja="" mollis="" stems="" were="" broken,="" either="" through="" browsing="" or="" trampling.="" trailing="" and="" deer="" droppings="" have="" been="" observed="" at="" the="" carrington="" point="" population,="" and="" cattle,="" deer,="" and="" elk="" droppings="" were="" observed="" at="" the="" jaw="" gulch="" population="" between="" 1994="" and="" 1996="" (mceachern="" 1996).="" the="" jaw="" gulch="" population="" was="" also="" used="" as="" a="" bedding="" area="" for="" deer="" during="" the="" fall="" of="" 1993="" (dan="" richards,="" cinp,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1994).="" the="" most="" severe="" threat="" to="" castilleja="" mollis="" is="" deer="" and="" elk="" browsing="" and="" grazing.="" other="" threats="" to="" castilleja="" mollis="" are="" soil="" loss,="" habitat="" alteration="" and="" herbivory="" by="" cattle,="" deer="" bedding,="" and="" competition="" with="" alien="" plant="" taxa.="" castilleja="" mollis="" is="" also="" known="" to="" be="" hemi-parasitic,="" or="" partially="" dependent="" on="" a="" host="" plant="" for="" water="" and="" dissolved="" substances="" (chuang="" and="" heckard="" 1993).="" therefore,="" loss="" of="" the="" probable="" host="" plant,="" goldenbush,="" through="" these="" same="" mechanisms="" also="" reduces="" the="" ability="" of="" castilleja="" mollis="" to="" reproduce="" (e.="" painter,="" in="" litt.="" 1997,="" m.="" weatherwax,="" in="" litt.="" 1995).="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" (santa="" cruz="" island="" dudleya)="" was="" described="" by="" moran="" (1950b)="" as="" hasseanthus="" nesioticus="" based="" on="" a="" specimen="" collected="" from="" a="" ``flat="" area="" near="" edge="" of="" sea="" bluff,="" fraser="" point,''="" on="" the="" west="" end="" of="" santa="" cruz="" island="" in="" 1950.="" three="" years="" later,="" moran="" (1953)="" transferred="" the="" species="" to="" the="" genus="" dudleya,="" as="" dudleya="" nesiotica.="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" is="" a="" succulent="" perennial="" in="" the="" stonecrop="" family="" (crassulaceae).="" the="" plant="" has="" a="" corm-like="" stem="" with="" 8="" to="" 16="" oblanceolate="" leaves="" in="" a="" basal="" rosette="" from="" which="" several="" flowering="" stems="" 3="" to="" 10="" cm="" (1.2="" to="" 4.0="" in)="" tall="" arise.="" the="" white="" five-petaled="" flowers="" and="" resulting="" fruits="" are="" erect="" to="" ascending.="" recent="" research="" by="" wilken="" (1996)="" indicates="" that="" the="" number="" of="" flowers="" per="" plant="" ranges="" from="" 6="" to="" 12.="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" is="" known="" only="" from="" one="" population,="" the="" type="" locality="" at="" fraser="" point="" on="" the="" west="" end="" of="" santa="" cruz="" island="" (vivrett="" in="" litt.="" 1996).="" the="" population="" is="" situated="" on="" the="" lowest="" marine="" terrace="" in="" coastal="" scrub="" and="" grasslands="" (junak="" et="" al.="" 1995).="" the="" west="" end="" of="" the="" population="" is="" associated="" with="" sagebrush="" (atriplex="" californica),="" iceplant="" (mesembryanthemum="" nodiflorum),="" alkali="" heath="" (frankenia="" salina),="" goldfields="" (lasthenia="" californica),="" and="" pickleweed="" (salicornia="" subterminalis).="" the="" east="" end="" of="" the="" population="" is="" associated="" with="" australian="" saltbush="" (atriplex="" semibaccata),="" brome="" (bromus="" hordeaceus),="" goldfields="" (lasthenia="" californica),="" purple="" needlegrass="" (nasella="" pulchra),="" and="" vulpia="" (vulpia="" myuros).="" since="" the="" time="" the="" proposed="" rule="" was="" prepared,="" more="" accurate="" information="" on="" location,="" extent,="" and="" size="" of="" populations="" has="" been="" gathered="" by="" wilken="" (1996).="" within="" the="" general="" area="" near="" fraser="" point,="" where="" a="" total="" of="" 13="" ha="" (32="" ac)="" are="" occupied="" by="" the="" plant,="" four="" sites="" of="" high="" densities="" were="" sampled.="" from="" 1994="" to="" 1996,="" estimates="" of="" absolute="" population="" size="" ranged="" from="" 30,000="" to="" 60,000="" plants="" (wilken="" in="" litt.="" 1997)="" which="" is="" a="" substantial="" increase="" in="" the="" numbers="" believed="" to="" exist="" during="" the="" preparation="" of="" the="" proposed="" rule.="" the="" nature="" conservancy="" has="" calculated="" density,="" cover,="" and="" height="" of="" plants="" within="" 30="" randomly="" selected="" plots="" at="" this="" location="" since="" 1991.="" annual="" variation="" in="" density="" has="" ranged="" from="" 16.9="" to="" 29.1="" plants/sq="" m="" (20.2="" to="" 34.8/sq="" yard),="" annual="" variation="" in="" cover="" has="" ranged="" from="" 8.7="" to="" 16.1="" percent,="" and="" annual="" variation="" in="" height="" of="" rosettes="" has="" ranged="" from="" 1.27="" to="" 1.68="" cm="" (0.50="" to="" 0.66="" in)="" (klinger="" 1995).="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" remains="" vulnerable="" to="" soil="" loss,="" herbivory="" by="" feral="" pigs,="" and="" disturbance="" by="" pig="" rooting.="" like="" many="" dudleyas,="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" is="" also="" vulnerable="" to="" collecting="" for="" botanical="" or="" horticultural="" use="" (moran="" 1979).="" galium="" buxifolium="" (island="" bedstraw)="" was="" described="" by="" greene="" in="" 1886="" based="" on="" specimens="" collected="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island="" (ferris="" 1960).="" in="" 1958,="" dempster="" included="" the="" taxon="" as="" a="" variety="" of="" galium="" catalinense.="" ferris="" (1960)="" suggested="" that="" the="" taxon="" was="" subspecifically="" distinct="" from="" galium="" catalinense.="" in="" 1973,="" dempster="" recognized="" the="" taxon="" as="" a="" separate="" species="" based="" on="" differences="" in="" the="" nutlet="" hairs="" between="" it="" and="" galium="" catalinense.="" galium="" buxifolium="" is="" a="" small,="" stout="" woody="" shrub="" in="" the="" bedstraw="" (rubiaceae)="" family.="" the="" plant="" grows="" to="" 12="" decimeters="" (dm)="" (4="" ft)="" in="" height,="" and="" has="" swollen="" nodes="" bearing="" numerous="" leafy="" branches.="" the="" leaves="" are="" larger="" than="" those="" of="" most="" other="" galium="" taxa,="" and="" have="" conspicuous="" lateral="" veins="" with="" stout="" hairs="" on="" the="" lower="" surface="" (dempster="" 1973).="" the="" relatively="" broad="" leaves="" and="" the="" tiny="" upward-curved="" hairs="" that="" cover="" the="" fruits="" are="" unique="" characteristics="" that="" distinguish="" it="" from="" the="" six="" other="" species="" of="" galium="" that="" occur="" on="" the="" islands="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1980b).="" a="" putative="" collection="" of="" galium="" buxifolium="" was="" made="" from="" the="" ``torrey="" pine="" grove,="" santa="" rosa="" island,''="" in="" 1941="" by="" moran;="" apparently="" this="" was="" a="" misidentified="" collection="" of="" galium="" nuttallii="" (york,="" in="" litt.="" 1987).="" therefore="" no="" collections="" of="" this="" taxon="" are="" known="" [[page="" 40960]]="" from="" santa="" rosa="" island.="" galium="" buxifolium="" is="" currently="" known="" from="" santa="" cruz="" and="" san="" miguel="" islands="" where="" it="" occurs="" on="" north-facing="" sea="" cliffs.="" eight="" populations="" occur="" on="" tnc="" lands="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island.="" in="" 1980,="" hochberg="" et="" al.="" (1980b)="" noted="" that="" two="" of="" these="" populations="" had="" fewer="" than="" 50="" individuals="" each,="" and="" the="" remaining="" populations="" had="" less="" than="" six="" individuals="" each.="" no="" recent="" status="" information="" is="" available="" for="" the="" santa="" cruz="" island="" populations.="" two="" populations="" were="" located="" on="" san="" miguel="" island="" in="" 1993,="" one="" with="" about="" 200="" individuals,="" and="" the="" other="" having="" fewer="" than="" ten="" plants.="" five="" other="" historical="" collections="" have="" been="" made="" from="" the="" island,="" but="" no="" plants="" have="" been="" seen="" at="" these="" other="" localities="" for="" almost="" 30="" years.="" the="" plant="" occurs="" on="" ``bluffs="" and="" rocky="" slopes''="" (dempster="" 1973)="" in="" coastal="" sage="" scrub="" and="" island="" pine="" forest.="" galium="" buxifolium="" is="" threatened="" by="" soil="" loss,="" and="" habitat="" alteration="" and="" herbivory="" from="" feral="" pig="" rooting="" and="" sheep="" grazing.="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii="" (hoffmann's="" slender-flowered="" gilia)="" was="" described="" as="" gilia="" hoffmannii="" by="" eastwood="" in="" 1940="" based="" on="" collections="" made="" by="" hoffmann="" ``in="" sandy="" soil="" at="" east="" point''="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" ten="" years="" earlier="" (eastwood="" 1940).="" eastwood="" remarked="" that,="" although="" the="" taxon="" is="" related="" to="" gilia="" tenuiflora,="" no="" variation="" of="" the="" latter="" included="" the="" leafy="" stems="" and="" terminal="" congested="" inflorescence="" of="" gilia="" hoffmannii="" (eastwood="" 1940).="" nevertheless,="" jepson="" (1943)="" included="" the="" taxon="" in="" the="" description="" of="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" var.="" tenuiflora="" in="" his="" flora="" of="" california,="" as="" did="" abrams="" (1951)="" in="" his="" flora="" of="" the="" pacific="" states.="" in="" 1959,="" munz="" included="" the="" varieties="" of="" tenuiflora="" as="" subspecies,="" including="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" as="" per="" a="" 1956="" treatment="" by="" the="" grants="" (munz="" and="" keck="" 1973).="" this="" nomenclature="" was="" used="" in="" the="" latest="" treatment="" of="" the="" genus="" (day="" 1993).="" of="" the="" four="" subspecies="" of="" gilia="" tenuiflora,="" the="" subspecies="" hoffmannii="" is="" the="" only="" one="" that="" occurs="" in="" southern="" california.="" two="" other="" gilia="" species="" occur="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island,="" but="" g.="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii="" is="" distinguished="" from="" them="" by="" the="" presence="" of="" arachnoid="" woolly="" pubescence="" at="" the="" base="" of="" the="" stem.="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii="" is="" a="" small,="" erect="" annual="" herb="" in="" the="" phlox="" (polemoniaceae)="" family.="" the="" central="" stem="" grows="" 6="" to="" 12="" cm="" (2.4="" to="" 4.7="" in)="" tall,="" arising="" from="" a="" rosette="" of="" densely="" hairy,="" strap-="" shaped,="" short-lobed="" leaves.="" the="" flowers="" are="" purplish="" and="" funnel-shaped="" below,="" widening="" to="" five="" pinkish="" corolla="" lobes.="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii="" historically="" has="" only="" been="" collected="" from="" two="" locations="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island.="" a="" collection="" was="" made="" by="" reid="" moran="" from="" the="" ``arroyo="" between="" ranch="" and="" carrington="" point''="" in="" 1941="" (rutherford="" and="" thomas="" 1994).="" in="" 1994,="" rindlaub="" located="" a="" population="" of="" 88="" individuals="" covering="" 2="" sq="" m="" that="" reasonably="" corresponds="" to="" moran's="" site="" and="" is="" grazed="" by="" cattle="" (rindlaub="" 1994).="" the="" other="" historical="" location="" is="" at="" the="" type="" locality="" near="" east="" point="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island,="" where="" it="" is="" still="" found.="" here,="" it="" occurs="" as="" a="" component="" of="" dune="" scrub="" vegetation="" with="" sand="" verbena="" (abronia="" maritima),="" silver="" beach-weed="" (ambrosia="" chamissonis),="" saltgrass="" (distichlis="" spicata),="" miniature="" lupine="" (lupinus="" bicolor),="" plantain="" (plantago="" erecta),="" and="" sand-dune="" bluegrass="" (poa="" douglasii)="" (t.="" thomas,="" in="" litt.="" 1993).="" in="" 1994,="" this="" population="" consisted="" of="" about="" 2,000="" plants="" (rindlaub="" 1994).="" during="" 1994="" surveys,="" a="" third="" population="" comprised="" of="" three="" colonies="" was="" found="" at="" skunk="" point.="" this="" population="" comprised="" approximately="" 3,000="" to="" 3,500="" individuals="" that="" had="" been="" obviously="" grazed="" by="" cattle="" (rindlaub="" 1994).="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii="" is="" threatened="" by="" soil="" damage,="" habitat="" alteration="" and="" herbivory="" by="" cattle,="" elk="" and="" deer.="" a="" sandy="" service="" road="" used="" by="" nps="" and="" ranchers="" bisects="" the="" east="" point="" population.="" nps="" constructed="" a="" fence="" to="" exclude="" cattle="" from="" a="" portion="" of="" the="" largest="" population;="" however,="" a="" considerable="" portion="" of="" the="" population="" has="" had="" increased="" trampling="" by="" cattle="" and="" greater="" impacts="" from="" vehicles="" as="" a="" result="" of="" the="" fence="" construction="" and="" continued="" use="" of="" the="" road.="" helianthemum="" greenei="" (island="" rush-rose)="" was="" described="" by="" robinson="" as="" helianthemum="" greenei="" in="" 1895="" (abrams="" 1951).="" the="" type="" locality="" was="" described="" as="" ``a="" dry="" summit="" near="" the="" central="" part="" of="" the="" island="" of="" santa="" cruz''="" (abrams="" 1951).="" this="" nomenclature="" was="" retained="" in="" the="" most="" recent="" treatment="" for="" the="" genus="" (mcclintock="" 1993).="" helianthemum="" greenei="" is="" a="" small="" shrub="" in="" the="" rock-rose="" (cistaceae)="" family.="" the="" plant="" grows="" to="" 0.5="" m="" (18="" in)="" tall="" and="" has="" alternate="" leaves="" covered="" with="" star-shaped="" hairs.="" the="" reddish,="" glandular="" stalks="" support="" yellow-petaled="" flowers="" to="" 2.5="" cm="" (1="" in)="" wide.="" the="" fruit="" is="" a="" pointed="" capsule="" 0.6="" cm="" (0.25="" in)="" long.="" a="" more="" abundant="" species="" found="" on="" the="" islands,="" helianthemum="" scoparium,="" is="" similar="" in="" appearance,="" but="" is="" not="" glandular-hairy="" and="" has="" greenish="" stalks="" and="" smaller="" fruits="" (hochberg="" 1980b).="" mcminn="" (1951)="" and="" later="" thorne="" (1967)="" reported="" seeing="" helianthemum="" greenei="" on="" san="" miguel="" island,="" but="" no="" collections="" exist="" from="" that="" island="" in="" herbaria="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1980b,="" wallace="" n.d.).="" two="" collections="" of="" the="" plant="" were="" made="" from="" santa="" rosa="" island="" by="" epling="" and="" erickson="" and="" dunn="" in="" the="" 1930's="" (wallace="" 1985),="" but="" no="" collections="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" have="" been="" made="" since="" that="" time,="" despite="" recent="" surveys.="" helianthemum="" greenei="" was="" reported="" from="" the="" northeast="" side="" of="" black="" jack="" mountain="" on="" santa="" catalina="" island="" by="" thorne="" (1967)="" in="" 1966.="" no="" collections="" have="" been="" made="" at="" this="" locality="" but="" a="" population="" of="" three="" individuals="" was="" recently="" reported="" from="" there="" (janet="" takara,="" catalina="" island="" conservancy,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1994).="" habitat="" for="" the="" plant="" on="" santa="" catalina="" island="" is="" being="" grazed="" by="" goats,="" mule="" deer,="" and="" bison,="" and="" is="" being="" rooted="" by="" pigs.="" in="" addition="" to="" the="" one="" population="" on="" santa="" catalina="" island,="" helianthemum="" greenei="" is="" currently="" known="" from="" 14="" populations="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island.="" the="" taxon="" is="" found="" in="" open,="" exposed="" areas="" in="" chaparral,="" coastal="" sage="" scrub,="" and="" island="" pine="" forest.="" in="" 1980,="" prior="" to="" sheep="" removal="" from="" tnc="" lands="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island,="" hochberg="" et="" al.="" (1980b)="" found="" that,="" of="" ten="" populations,="" two="" had="" several="" dozen="" individuals,="" and="" six="" others="" has="" fewer="" than="" six="" individuals.="" hochberg="" et="" al.="" (1980b)="" indicated="" that="" the="" plant="" is="" eliminated="" by="" intense="" feral="" animal="" disturbance,="" and="" noted="" that="" the="" population="" recorded="" by="" abrams="" and="" wiggins="" in="" 1930="" at="" pelican="" bay="" has="" not="" been="" relocated.="" the="" brd="" sponsored="" surveys="" in="" 1995="" and="" 1996="" reported="" 14="" populations,="" ten="" of="" which="" had="" nine="" as="" the="" mean="" number="" of="" plants="" and="" four="" had="" populations="" that="" ranged="" from="" 500="" to="" 1,000="" (mceachern="" and="" wilken="" 1996).="" the="" number="" of="" individuals="" was="" clearly="" related="" to="" recent="" fire="" history="" with="" the="" ten="" sites="" having="" few="" individuals="" being="" unburned,="" and="" four="" populations="" with="" a="" mean="" number="" of="" 663="" having="" burned="" in="" 1994="" (mceachern="" and="" wilken="" 1996).="" helianthemum="" greenei="" is="" vulnerable="" to="" soil="" damage,="" altered="" fire="" frequencies="" and="" intensities,="" and="" rooting="" by="" feral="" pigs.="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesioticus="" (santa="" cruz="" island="" bushmallow)="" was="" described="" by="" robinson="" in="" 1897,="" as="" malvastrum="" nesioticum,="" based="" on="" material="" collected="" by="" greene="" in="" 1886="" (robinson="" 1897).="" this="" taxon="" has="" been="" placed="" in="" several="" different="" genera,="" as="" malacothamnus="" nesioticus="" (abrams="" 1910),="" sphaeralcea="" nesiotica="" (jepson="" 1925),="" sphaeralcea="" fasciculata="" var.="" nesiotica="" (jepson="" 1936),="" and="" malvastrum="" fasciculatum="" var.="" nesioticum="" by="" mcminn="" (kearney="" 1951).="" kearney="" (1951)="" published="" the="" combination="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesioticus.="" bates="" (1993)="" did="" not="" recognize="" var.="" nesioticus="" as="" [[page="" 40961]]="" being="" distinct="" noting="" that="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" is="" a="" highly="" variable="" species="" ``with="" many="" indistinct="" and="" intergrading="" local="" forms.''="" of="" var.="" nesioticus,="" bates="" (1993)="" notes="" that="" the="" taxon="" is="" essentially="" indistinguishable="" from="" the="" mainland="" var.="" nuttallii.="" however,="" recent="" studies="" on="" the="" genetics="" of="" malacothamnus="" have="" determined="" that="" var.="" nesioticus="" is="" a="" distinct="" variety="" (swenson="" et="" al.="" 1995),="" and="" it="" is="" recognized="" as="" such="" in="" the="" flora="" of="" santa="" cruz="" island="" (junak="" et="" al.="" 1995).="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesioticus="" is="" a="" small="" soft-woody="" shrub="" in="" the="" mallow="" (malvaceae)="" family.="" the="" plant="" reaches="" up="" to="" 2="" m="" (6="" ft)="" tall,="" and="" has="" slender="" branches="" covered="" with="" star-shaped="" hairs.="" the="" palmately="" shaped="" leaves="" are="" dark="" green="" on="" the="" upper="" surface="" and="" gray="" on="" the="" lower="" surface.="" the="" rose-colored="" flowers="" are="" up="" to="" 3.75="" cm="" (1.5="" in)="" broad="" and="" scattered="" along="" the="" ends="" of="" the="" branches="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1980b).="" it="" is="" differentiated="" from="" the="" mainland="" var.="" nuttallii="" by="" its="" bicolored="" leaves="" and="" genetic="" distinction="" (swenson="" et="" al.="" 1995).="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesioticus="" was="" already="" rare="" by="" the="" turn="" of="" the="" century="" when="" greene="" wrote="" that="" the="" plant="" was="" ``rare;="" only="" two="" bushes="" seen,="" and="" these="" under="" the="" protection="" of="" large="" opuntias;="" perhaps="" thus="" kept="" from="" the="" sheep''="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1980a).="" malacothanmus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesioticus="" is="" currently="" known="" from="" two="" small="" populations="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island="" where="" it="" occurs="" within="" a="" coastal="" sage="" scrub="" community="" (wilken="" 1996).="" one="" population="" of="" less="" than="" 50="" individuals="" (10="" clones)="" is="" located="" on="" the="" west="" shore="" of="" the="" island="" near="" the="" historic="" christy="" ranch.="" the="" second="" population="" was="" discovered="" in="" 1993="" in="" the="" central="" valley="" near="" the="" university="" of="" california="" field="" station.="" recent="" genetic="" analyses="" of="" the="" central="" valley="" population="" indicated="" that,="" although="" there="" are="" 19="" individual="" shrubs,="" they="" consist="" of="" only="" 3="" genotypes="" or="" 3="" clones="" (swensen="" et="" al.="" 1995).="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesioticus="" is="" threatened="" by="" soil="" loss,="" habitat="" alteration,="" and="" feral="" pig="" rooting.="" malacothrix="" indecora="" (santa="" cruz="" island="" malacothrix)="" was="" described="" by="" greene="" (1886)="" as="" malacothrix="" indecora="" based="" on="" specimens="" collected="" from="" ``islets="" close="" to="" the="" northern="" shore''="" of="" santa="" cruz="" island="" (greene="" 1886).="" in="" 1957,="" williams="" published="" the="" combination="" malacothrix="" foliosa="" var.="" indecora="" (ferris="" 1960).="" munz="" (1974)="" subsequently="" synonymized="" the="" taxon="" with="" malacothrix="" foliosa.="" however,="" ferris="" (1960)="" and="" others="" (smith="" 1976,="" davis="" 1980)="" continued="" to="" recognize="" the="" taxon="" as="" a="" separate="" species="" with="" the="" name="" malacothrix="" indecora.="" the="" latter="" nomenclature="" was="" retained="" in="" the="" most="" recent="" treatment="" of="" the="" genus="" (davis="" 1993).="" malacothrix="" indecora="" is="" an="" annual="" herb="" in="" the="" aster="" (asteraceae)="" family.="" the="" 20="" to="" 40="" cm="" (8="" to="" 16="" in)="" tall="" stems="" support="" numerous="" broadly="" lobed="" fleshy="" leaves="" with="" blunt="" tips.="" the="" greenish="" yellow="" flowers="" are="" in="" hemispheric="" heads="" surrounded="" by="" linear="" bracts="" (hochberg="" 1980b;="" scott="" in="" junak="" et="" al.="" 1995).="" two="" other="" annual="" species="" of="" malacothrix="" occur="" on="" the="" same="" islands="" as="" malacothrix="" indecora;="" however,="" the="" achenes="" (seeds)="" of="" malacothrix="" similis="" are="" topped="" with="" 18="" teeth="" and="" 1="" bristle="" and="" malacothrix="" squalida="" is="" topped="" with="" irregular="" teeth="" and="" no="" bristle,="" whereas="" malacothrix="" indecora="" has="" neither="" of="" these="" features="" (scott="" in="" junak="" et="" al.="" 1995).="" historical="" collections="" of="" malacothrix="" indecora="" were="" made="" from="" several="" locations="" on="" the="" northeast="" shore="" of="" san="" miguel="" island,="" and="" on="" prince="" island="" off="" of="" the="" north="" shore="" of="" san="" miguel="" island="" by="" greene,="" and,="" later,="" by="" hoffmann="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1979;="" davis="" 1987).="" in="" 1978,="" hochberg="" et="" al.="" (1979)="" observed="" three="" populations.="" halvorson="" et="" al.="" (1992)="" reported="" finding="" this="" species="" at="" one="" location="" during="" surveys="" in="" 1988="" and="" 1989,="" but="" no="" collections="" were="" made="" to="" confirm="" identification="" of="" the="" taxon.="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island,="" malacothrix="" indecora="" was="" collected="" near="" twin="" harbor="" by="" williams="" in="" 1939="" (davis="" 1987),="" but="" this="" population="" has="" not="" been="" relocated.="" malacothrix="" indecora="" is="" currently="" known="" from="" two="" populations.="" junak="" discovered="" one="" population="" in="" 1980="" at="" black="" point="" on="" the="" west="" end="" of="" santa="" cruz="" island.="" several="" hundred="" individuals="" were="" observed="" at="" this="" site="" by="" junak="" in="" 1985="" in="" exposed="" coastal="" flats,="" where="" it="" was="" associated="" with="" santa="" cruz="" island="" buckwheat="" (eriogonum="" grande="" var.="" rubescens)="" and="" iceplant="" (mesembryanthemum="" nodiflorum)="" (cnddb="" 1991).="" on="" a="" subsequent="" trip="" in="" 1989,="" only="" 50="" plants="" were="" observed="" in="" the="" same="" location="" (s.="" junak,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1994),="" and="" fewer="" than="" 100="" plants="" in="" 1996="" (wilken="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" the="" second="" population="" of="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" also="" comprised="" of="" fewer="" than="" 100="" plants,="" was="" discovered="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" in="" 1996="" at="" the="" mouth="" of="" lobo="" canyon="" (wilken="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" malacothrix="" indecora="" is="" threatened="" by="" soil="" loss,="" habitat="" alteration="" and="" herbivory="" resulting="" from="" feral="" pig="" rooting,="" cattle="" grazing="" and="" trampling,="" and="" seabird="" activity.="" historical="" habitat="" for="" malacothrix="" indecora="" on="" san="" miguel="" island="" and="" prince="" island="" has="" been="" altered="" by="" seabird="" nesting="" activity.="" malacothrix="" squalida="" (island="" malacothrix)="" was="" described="" by="" greene="" in="" 1886="" from="" specimens="" collected="" from="" an="" islet="" off="" the="" northern="" shore="" of="" santa="" cruz="" island="" (greene="" 1886).="" in="" 1957,="" williams="" published="" the="" combination="" malacothrix="" foliosa="" var.="" squalida;="" a="" year="" later,="" ferris="" (1960)="" published="" the="" combination="" malacothrix="" insularis="" var.="" squalida.="" in="" 1959,="" munz="" recognized="" the="" taxon="" as="" malacothrix="" squalida;="" however,="" 14="" years="" later,="" he="" synonymized="" it="" with="" malacothrix="" foliosa="" (munz="" 1974).="" in="" a="" review="" of="" insular="" species="" of="" malacothrix,="" davis="" (1980)="" recognized="" the="" taxon="" as="" malacothrix="" squalida,="" a="" treatment="" he="" recently="" retained="" (davis="" 1993).="" malacothrix="" squalida="" is="" an="" annual="" herb="" in="" the="" aster="" family.="" unlike="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" the="" plant="" only="" reaches="" 9="" cm="" (3.5="" in)="" tall,="" and="" has="" linear="" to="" widely="" lanceolate="" leaves="" that="" are="" irregularly="" toothed="" or="" lobed.="" the="" light="" yellow="" flowers="" are="" clustered="" in="" hemispheric="" heads="" 12="" to="" 15="" millimeters="" (mm)="" (0.5="" to="" 0.6="" in)="" long.="" malacothrix="" indecora="" is="" the="" only="" other="" annual="" malacothrix="" that="" occurs="" on="" the="" same="" island="" as="" malacothrix="" squalida;="" however,="" the="" latter="" is="" a="" much="" larger="" species,="" and="" also="" differs="" in="" the="" achene="" characteristics="" previously="" mentioned="" (junak="" et="" al.="" 1995).="" malacothrix="" squalida="" has="" been="" collected="" from="" two="" locations="" along="" the="" north="" shore="" of="" santa="" cruz="" island;="" greene="" collected="" it="" near="" prisoner's="" harbor="" in="" 1886,="" but="" the="" species="" was="" not="" seen="" on="" the="" island="" again="" until="" philbrick="" and="" benedict="" collected="" it="" in="" 1968="" near="" potato="" harbor="" where="" sheep="" overgrazing="" is="" a="" major="" problem="" (rutherford="" and="" thomas="" 1994).="" on="" middle="" anacapa="" island,="" the="" plant="" was="" first="" collected="" by="" martin="" piehl="" in="" 1963,="" and="" more="" recently="" in="" 1978="" and="" 1986.="" the="" plant="" was="" known="" from="" several="" small="" colonies="" atop="" coastal="" bluffs="" on="" the="" east="" end="" of="" the="" island.="" surveys="" by="" junak="" and="" davis="" in="" 1989="" failed="" to="" find="" any="" individuals,="" however,="" this="" may="" have="" been="" due="" to="" the="" drought="" that="" year="" (s.="" junak,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1994).="" although="" malacothrix="" squalida="" has="" not="" been="" seen="" in="" recent="" years,="" all="" historical="" localities="" and="" potential="" habitat="" for="" the="" species="" have="" not="" been="" inventoried.="" all="" of="" the="" historical="" localities="" for="" malacothrix="" squalida="" are="" impacted="" by="" soil="" loss,="" habitat="" alteration,="" sheep="" grazing,="" and="" feral="" pig="" rooting.="" any="" extant="" populations="" are="" also="" likely="" to="" be="" threatened="" by="" these="" factors.="" seabird="" nesting="" may="" have="" localized="" impacts="" to="" some="" populations="" on="" middle="" anacapa="" island.="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis="" (island="" phacelia)="" was="" described="" by="" munz="" in="" 1932="" based="" on="" plants="" growing="" ``on="" sand="" dunes="" at="" northeastern="" part="" of="" santa="" [[page="" 40962]]="" rosa="" island''="" (munz="" 1932).="" jepson="" published="" the="" new="" combination="" phacelia="" curvipes="" var.="" insularis="" in="" 1943.="" after="" examining="" specimens="" from="" coastal="" northern="" california="" and="" determining="" their="" affinity="" to="" the="" island="" plants,="" howell="" (1945)="" re-elevated="" the="" taxon="" to="" specific="" level,="" separating="" out="" the="" northern="" california="" plants="" as="" phacelia="" insularis="" var.="" continentis,="" leaving="" phacelia="" insularis="" var.="" insularis="" to="" refer="" to="" the="" island="" plants.="" in="" 1951,="" abrams,="" who="" did="" not="" have="" access="" to="" collections="" of="" phacelia="" from="" northern="" california,="" included="" the="" taxon="" in="" the="" description="" of="" phacelia="" divaricata,="" a="" taxon="" common="" in="" southern="" california.="" in="" 1959,="" munz="" published="" the="" new="" combination="" phacelia="" divaricata="" var.="" insularis.="" constance="" agreed="" with="" howell's="" interpretation="" and="" has="" referred="" to="" the="" taxon="" as="" phacelia="" insularis="" var.="" insularis="" (constance="" 1979).="" this="" nomenclature="" was="" retained="" in="" the="" latest="" treatment="" of="" the="" genus="" (wilken="" et="" al.="" 1993).="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis="" is="" a="" decumbent="" (reclining),="" branched="" annual="" of="" the="" waterleaf="" (hydrophyllaceae)="" family.="" the="" short-="" hairy="" and="" glandular="" stems="" grow="" to="" 1.5="" dm="" (6="" in)="" high="" from="" a="" basal="" rosette="" of="" leaves.="" the="" small="" lavender="" to="" violet,="" bell-shaped="" flowers="" are="" borne="" in="" loose="" cymes.="" phacelia="" insularis="" var.="" insularis="" can="" be="" distinguished="" from="" the="" other="" species="" of="" phacelia="" on="" the="" islands="" based="" on="" the="" hastate="" leaf="" shape="" with="" basal="" lobes.="" the="" other="" phacelia="" have="" pinnately="" divided="" or="" undivided="" but="" ovate="" leaves.="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis="" occurs="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" and="" san="" miguel="" island.="" clifton="" smith="" collected="" the="" species="" at="" carrington="" point="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" in="" 1973,="" where="" sarah="" chaney="" also="" found="" the="" species="" in="" 1994.="" in="" subsequent="" surveys="" 31="" plants="" were="" reported="" from="" this="" site="" (rindlaub="" 1994).="" on="" san="" miguel="" island,="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis="" was="" collected="" by="" hoffmann="" in="" 1930="" and="" by="" munz="" in="" 1932.="" it="" was="" not="" collected="" again="" until="" 1978,="" when="" four="" populations="" were="" found="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1979).="" drost="" relocated="" one="" of="" these="" sites="" on="" a="" bluff="" above="" cuyler="" harbor="" in="" 1984="" (halvorson="" et="" al.="" 1992).="" nps="" staff="" has="" been="" watching="" for="" the="" taxon="" on="" san="" miguel="" island,="" but="" it="" has="" not="" been="" seen.="" the="" population="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" is="" currently="" the="" only="" known="" occurrence.="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis="" is="" found="" within="" the="" island="" grassland="" community="" which="" is="" dominated="" by="" alien="" grasses,="" including="" slender="" wild="" oat="" (avena="" barbata),="" wild="" oat="" (avena="" fatua),="" ripgut="" (bromus="" diandrus),="" and="" soft="" chess="" (bromus="" hordeaceus),="" with="" scattered="" native="" bunchgrasses,="" shrubs,="" and="" herbs="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1979).="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis="" is="" threatened="" by="" soil="" damage,="" competition="" with="" non-native="" grasses,="" and="" habitat="" alteration="" caused="" by="" cattle="" grazing,="" and="" elk="" and="" deer="" browsing.="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" (santa="" cruz="" island="" fringepod)="" was="" described="" by="" greene="" in="" 1886="" based="" on="" material="" he="" and="" brandegee="" collected="" where="" they="" found="" it="" ``common="" on="" mossy="" shelves="" and="" crevices="" of="" high="" rocky="" summits="" and="" northward="" slopes''="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island="" (greene="" 1886b).="" four="" decades="" later,="" jepson="" published="" the="" new="" combination="" thysanocarpus="" laciniatus="" var.="" conchuliferus="" as="" one="" of="" three="" varieties="" of="" thysanocarpus="" laciniatus="" (jepson="" 1925).="" later,="" abrams="" (1944)="" treated="" the="" plant="" as="" a="" species.="" munz,="" however,="" considered="" it="" to="" be="" one="" of="" six="" varieties="" of="" thysanocarpus="" laciniatus="" (munz="" and="" keck="" 1973).="" in="" the="" most="" recent="" treatment="" of="" the="" genus,="" rollins="" treated="" the="" plant="" as="" a="" species="" (rollins="" 1993).="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" is="" a="" small="" delicate="" annual="" herb="" in="" the="" mustard="" (brassicaceae)="" family.="" the="" one="" to="" several="" branches="" grow="" 5="" to="" 12.7="" cm="" (2="" to="" 5="" in)="" high.="" the="" narrow,="" linearly="" lobed="" leaves="" alternate="" along="" the="" stems,="" which="" terminate="" in="" a="" raceme="" of="" minute="" pink="" to="" lavender="" flowers.="" while="" all="" members="" of="" this="" genus="" have="" round,="" flattened="" fruits="" with="" wings,="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" is="" the="" only="" species="" in="" the="" genus="" with="" a="" bowl-shaped="" fruit;="" this="" taxon="" is="" also="" smaller="" in="" stature="" than="" thysanocarpus="" laciniatus,="" which="" occurs="" in="" the="" same="" habitat="" (wilken="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" in="" 1932,="" ralph="" hoffmann="" reported="" that="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" was="" ``frequent="" *="" *="" *="" from="" the="" north="" shore="" to="" the="" southwest="" portion="" of="" the="" island''="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1980a).="" fourteen="" historical="" locations="" are="" known="" from="" herbarium="" records.="" in="" 1980,="" eight="" of="" these="" populations="" were="" relocated="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1980b).="" in="" 1991,="" plants="" were="" found="" at="" six="" of="" these="" locations,="" but="" no="" plants="" were="" found="" at="" five="" other="" sites="" (klinger="" 1994b).="" in="" 1993,="" no="" individuals="" were="" found="" at="" any="" of="" the="" 14="" reported="" locations.="" survey="" reports="" indicate="" that,="" in="" addition="" to="" abundant="" rainfall="" that="" may="" have="" increased="" competition="" from="" alien="" grasses,="" rooting="" by="" feral="" pigs="" was="" observed="" at="" all="" 14="" locations="" (klinger="" 1994b).="" no="" verifiable="" observations="" of="" this="" species="" have="" been="" made="" in="" over="" 2="" years,="" but="" all="" historic="" locations="" have="" not="" been="" revisited="" (wilken="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" occurs="" on="" rocky="" outcrops="" on="" ridges="" and="" canyon="" slopes,="" and="" is="" associated="" with="" a="" variety="" of="" herbs,="" ferns,="" grasses,="" dudleya,="" and="" selaginella="" (santa="" barbara="" botanic="" garden="" 1994).="" all="" of="" the="" historical="" localities="" for="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" are="" impacted="" by="" soil="" loss,="" habitat="" alteration="" and="" predation="" resulting="" from="" feral="" pig="" rooting.="" any="" extant="" populations="" are="" also="" likely="" to="" be="" threatened="" by="" these="" factors.="" because="" all="" 13="" taxa="" occur="" only="" as="" small,="" isolated="" populations="" with="" few="" individuals,="" these="" plant="" species="" are="" also="" more="" vulnerable="" to="" extinction="" by="" such="" random="" events="" as="" storms,="" drought,="" or="" landslide.="" the="" small="" populations="" and="" few="" individuals="" may="" also="" make="" these="" taxa="" vulnerable="" to="" reduced="" reproductive="" vigor.="" previous="" federal="" action="" federal="" action="" on="" these="" plants="" began="" as="" a="" result="" of="" section="" 12="" of="" the="" endangered="" species="" act="" of="" 1973,="" which="" directed="" the="" secretary="" of="" the="" smithsonian="" institution="" to="" prepare="" a="" report="" on="" those="" plants="" considered="" to="" be="" endangered,="" threatened,="" or="" extinct="" in="" the="" united="" states.="" this="" report,="" designated="" as="" house="" document="" no.="" 94-51,="" was="" presented="" to="" congress="" on="" january="" 9,="" 1975.="" in="" that="" document,="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" and="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" were="" considered="" to="" be="" threatened,="" and="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" and="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesiotica="" (as="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus)="" were="" considered="" to="" be="" endangered.="" the="" service="" published="" a="" notice="" in="" the="" july="" 1,="" 1975,="" federal="" register="" (40="" fr="" 27823)="" of="" its="" acceptance="" of="" the="" report="" of="" the="" smithsonian="" institution="" as="" a="" petition="" within="" the="" context="" of="" section="" 4(c)(2)="" (petition="" provisions="" are="" now="" found="" in="" section="" 4(b)(3)="" of="" the="" act)="" and="" its="" intention="" thereby="" to="" review="" the="" status="" of="" the="" plant="" taxa="" named="" therein.="" on="" june="" 16,="" 1976,="" the="" service="" published="" a="" proposal="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" (42="" fr="" 24523)="" to="" determine="" approximately="" 1,700="" vascular="" plant="" species="" to="" be="" endangered="" species="" pursuant="" to="" section="" 4="" of="" the="" act.="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" was="" included="" in="" the="" june="" 16,="" 1976,="" federal="" register="" document.="" general="" comments="" received="" in="" relation="" to="" the="" 1976="" proposal="" were="" summarized="" in="" an="" april="" 26,="" 1978,="" federal="" register="" publication="" (43="" fr="" 17909).="" the="" endangered="" species="" act="" amendments="" of="" 1978="" required="" that="" all="" proposals="" over="" 2="" years="" old="" be="" withdrawn.="" a="" 1-year="" grace="" period="" was="" given="" to="" those="" proposals="" already="" more="" than="" 2="" years="" old.="" in="" the="" december="" 10,="" 1979,="" federal="" register="" (44="" fr="" 70796),="" the="" service="" published="" a="" notice="" of="" withdrawal="" of="" the="" portion="" of="" the="" june="" 6,="" 1976,="" proposal="" that="" had="" not="" been="" made="" final,="" along="" with="" four="" other="" proposals="" that="" had="" expired.="" [[page="" 40963]]="" the="" service="" published="" an="" updated="" notice="" of="" review="" for="" plants="" on="" december="" 15,="" 1980="" (45="" fr="" 82480).="" this="" notice="" included="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" and="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesiotica="" as="" category="" 1="" taxa.="" category="" 1="" taxa="" were="" those="" for="" which="" the="" service="" had="" on="" file="" substantial="" information="" on="" biological="" vulnerability="" and="" threats="" to="" support="" preparation="" of="" listing="" proposals.="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" and="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii="" were="" included="" as="" category="" 2="" taxa.="" category="" 2="" taxa="" were="" those="" for="" which="" data="" in="" the="" service's="" possession="" indicate="" listing="" is="" possibly="" appropriate,="" but="" for="" which="" substantial="" data="" on="" biological="" vulnerability="" and="" threats="" were="" not="" currently="" known="" or="" on="" file="" to="" support="" proposed="" rules.="" on="" february="" 28,="" 1996,="" the="" service="" published="" a="" notice="" of="" review="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" (61="" fr="" 7596)="" that="" discontinued="" the="" designation="" of="" category="" 2="" species="" as="" candidates.="" on="" november="" 28,="" 1983,="" the="" service="" published="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" a="" supplement="" to="" the="" notice="" of="" review="" (48="" fr="" 53640),="" in="" which="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" was="" listed="" as="" a="" category="" 1*="" taxon,="" the="" asterisk="" indicating="" that="" the="" species="" was="" believed="" to="" be="" extinct.="" in="" the="" same="" notice,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" helianthemum="" greenei,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" (as="" mahonia),="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus,="" phacelia="" insularis="" var.="" insularis,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" were="" included="" as="" category="" 2="" candidates.="" the="" plant="" notice="" was="" revised="" again="" on="" september="" 27,="" 1985="" (50="" fr="" 39526).="" in="" that="" notice,="" all="" taxa="" maintained="" their="" previous="" status.="" on="" february="" 21,="" 1990="" (55="" fr="" 6184),="" the="" plant="" notice="" was="" again="" revised.="" in="" this="" notice,="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" was="" included="" as="" a="" category="" 1="" candidate,="" as="" individuals="" of="" this="" taxon="" had="" been="" rediscovered="" since="" the="" previous="" notice="" of="" review.="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" helianthemum="" greenei,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus,="" phacelia="" insularis="" var.="" insularis,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" were="" included="" as="" category="" 2="" candidates.="" malacothrix="" indecora="" was="" included="" in="" the="" february="" 21,="" 1990,="" notice="" for="" the="" first="" time="" as="" a="" category="" 2="" candidate.="" the="" plant="" notice="" was="" revised="" on="" september="" 30,="" 1993="" (58="" fr="" 51144).="" in="" this="" notice,="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesioticus,="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" phacelia="" insularis="" var.="" insularis,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" were="" included="" as="" category="" 1="" candidates.="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" and="" helianthemum="" greenei="" were="" included="" as="" category="" 2="" candidates;="" malacothrix="" squalida="" was="" included="" for="" the="" first="" time="" as="" a="" category="" 2="" candidate.="" on="" july="" 25,="" 1995,="" the="" service="" published="" a="" proposed="" rule="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" (60="" fr="" 37993)="" to="" list="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" helianthemum="" greenei,="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesioticus,="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" malacothrix="" squalida,="" phacelia="" insularis="" var.="" insularis,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" as="" endangered.="" also="" included="" in="" this="" proposed="" rule="" were="" dudleya="" blochmaniae="" ssp.="" insularis,="" dudleya="" sp.="" nov.="" ``east="" point,''="" and="" heuchera="" maxima="" as="" endangered.="" based="" upon="" new="" information="" received="" since="" publishing="" the="" proposed="" rule,="" the="" proposed="" listing="" of="" the="" latter="" three="" taxa="" has="" been="" withdrawn="" by="" the="" service="" as="" announced="" in="" a="" separate="" federal="" register="" notice="" published="" concurrently="" with="" this="" final="" rule.="" section="" 4(b)(3)(b)="" of="" the="" act="" requires="" the="" secretary="" to="" make="" certain="" findings="" on="" pending="" petitions="" within="" 12="" months="" of="" their="" receipt.="" section="" 2(b)(1)="" of="" the="" 1982="" amendments="" further="" requires="" that="" all="" petitions="" pending="" on="" october="" 13,="" 1982,="" be="" treated="" as="" having="" been="" newly="" submitted="" on="" that="" date.="" this="" was="" the="" case="" for="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" and="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesioticus="" because="" the="" 1975="" smithsonian="" report="" had="" been="" accepted="" as="" a="" petition.="" on="" october="" 13,="" 1983,="" the="" service="" found="" that="" the="" petitioned="" listing="" of="" these="" species="" was="" warranted,="" but="" precluded="" by="" other="" pending="" listing="" actions,="" in="" accordance="" with="" section="" 4(b)(3)(b)(iii)="" of="" the="" act;="" notification="" of="" this="" finding="" was="" published="" on="" january="" 20,="" 1984="" (49="" fr="" 2485).="" such="" a="" finding="" requires="" the="" petition="" to="" be="" recycled,="" pursuant="" to="" section="" 4(b)(3)(c)(i)="" of="" the="" act.="" the="" finding="" was="" reviewed="" in="" october="" of="" 1984="" through="" 1993.="" publication="" of="" the="" proposed="" rule="" constituted="" the="" warranted="" finding="" for="" these="" species.="" the="" processing="" of="" this="" final="" rule="" follows="" the="" service's="" fiscal="" year="" 1997="" listing="" priority="" guidance="" published="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" on="" december="" 5,="" 1996="" (61="" fr="" 64475).="" the="" guidance="" clarifies="" the="" order="" in="" which="" the="" service="" will="" process="" rulemakings="" following="" two="" related="" events:="" (1)="" the="" lifting,="" on="" april="" 26,="" 1996,="" of="" the="" moratorium="" on="" final="" listings="" imposed="" on="" april="" 10,="" 1995="" (public="" law="" 104-6),="" and="" (2)="" the="" restoration="" of="" significant="" funding="" for="" listing="" through="" the="" omnibus="" budget="" reconciliation="" act="" passed="" on="" april="" 26,="" 1996,="" following="" severe="" funding="" constraints="" imposed="" by="" a="" number="" of="" continuing="" resolutions="" between="" november="" 1995="" and="" april="" 1996.="" the="" guidance="" calls="" for="" giving="" highest="" priority="" to="" handling="" emergency="" situations="" (tier="" 1)="" and="" second="" highest="" priority="" (tier="" 2)="" to="" resolving="" the="" listing="" status="" of="" outstanding="" proposed="" listings.="" this="" final="" rule="" falls="" under="" tier="" 2.="" summary="" of="" comments="" and="" recommendations="" in="" the="" july="" 25,="" 1995="" proposed="" rule="" and="" associated="" notifications,="" all="" interested="" parties="" were="" requested="" to="" submit="" factual="" reports="" or="" information="" that="" might="" contribute="" to="" the="" development="" of="" a="" final="" rule.="" appropriate="" federal="" agencies,="" state="" agencies,="" local="" governments,="" scientific="" organizations,="" and="" other="" interested="" parties="" were="" contacted="" and="" requested="" to="" comment.="" newspaper="" notices="" inviting="" public="" comment="" were="" published="" on="" august="" 5,="" 1995="" in="" the="" santa="" barbara="" news-press="" and="" on="" august="" 11,="" 1995="" in="" the="" los="" angeles="" times.="" the="" comment="" period="" closed="" on="" october="" 9,="" 1995.="" a="" second="" comment="" period="" was="" opened="" from="" january="" 22,="" 1997="" to="" february="" 21,="" 1997="" (62="" fr="" 3263)="" because="" of="" substantive="" changes="" in="" the="" status="" and="" conservation="" efforts="" for="" the="" benefit="" of="" several="" of="" the="" taxa="" in="" the="" rule.="" in="" compliance="" with="" service="" policy="" on="" information="" standards="" under="" the="" act="" (59="" fr="" 34270:="" july="" 1,="" 1994),="" the="" service="" solicited="" the="" expert="" opinions="" of="" three="" appropriate="" and="" independent="" specialists="" regarding="" pertinent="" scientific="" or="" commercial="" data="" and="" assumptions="" relating="" to="" the="" taxonomy,="" population="" status,="" and="" supportive="" biological="" and="" ecological="" information="" for="" the="" 16="" proposed="" plants.="" comments="" from="" these="" reviewers="" included="" corrections="" to="" the="" range="" of="" the="" species,="" the="" acceptance="" of="" the="" taxonomic="" determination="" for="" one="" of="" the="" species,="" and="" additional="" information="" on="" populations="" and="" status="" for="" several="" of="" the="" species="" in="" the="" rule.="" these="" revisions="" have="" been="" incorporated="" into="" this="" final="" rule.="" the="" service="" received="" 15="" letters="" concerning="" the="" proposed="" rule="" during="" the="" comment="" periods,="" including="" those="" of="" one="" state="" agency="" and="" 14="" individuals="" or="" groups.="" eleven="" commenters="" supported="" [[page="" 40964]]="" the="" listing="" proposal,="" one="" opposed="" it,="" and="" three="" were="" neutral.="" the="" service="" has="" reviewed="" all="" of="" the="" written="" comments="" received="" during="" both="" comment="" periods.="" some="" specific="" comments="" were="" received="" pertaining="" to="" the="" three="" taxa="" (dudleya="" blochmaniae="" ssp.="" insularis,="" dudleya="" sp.="" nov.="" ``east="" point,''="" and="" heuchera="" maxima)="" being="" withdrawn="" in="" a="" separate="" federal="" register="" notice="" published="" concurrently="" with="" this="" rule.="" these="" comments="" were="" incorporated="" into="" the="" notice="" of="" withdrawal.="" general="" comments="" received="" on="" all="" 16="" taxa="" included="" in="" the="" proposed="" rule="" are="" addressed="" here.="" several="" comments="" dealt="" with="" matters="" of="" opinion="" or="" legal="" history="" that="" were="" not="" relevant="" to="" the="" listing="" decision.="" several="" commenters="" provided="" additional="" information="" that,="" along="" with="" other="" clarifications,="" has="" been="" incorporated="" into="" the="" ``background''="" or="" ``summary="" of="" factors''="" sections="" of="" this="" final="" rule.="" opposing="" and="" technical="" comments="" on="" the="" rule="" have="" been="" organized="" into="" specific="" issues.="" these="" issues="" and="" the="" service's="" response="" to="" each="" issue="" are="" summarized="" as="" follows:="" issue="" 1:="" one="" commenter="" asserted="" that="" the="" proposed="" action="" would="" result="" in="" a="" taking="" of="" private="" property,="" that="" the="" vail="" and="" vickers'="" rights="" to="" graze="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" would="" be="" compromised,="" and="" that="" the="" service="" must="" consider="" the="" economic="" impact,="" including="" the="" cost="" of="" purchasing="" the="" remaining="" portion="" of="" the="" 25="" year="" lease,="" if="" the="" plants="" are="" listed.="" service="" response:="" santa="" rosa="" island="" has="" been="" the="" property="" of="" the="" united="" states="" government="" since="" its="" acquisition="" in="" 1986.="" the="" national="" park="" and="" recreation="" act="" of="" 1978,="" as="" amended="" (16="" u.s.c.="" 410ff-1(d)(1))="" states="" that="" the="" owner="" of="" a="" property="" acquired="" for="" a="" national="" park="" may="" retain="" the="" right="" of="" use="" and="" occupancy="" of="" all="" or="" a="" portion="" of="" such="" property="" as="" the="" owner="" may="" elect.="" the="" warranty="" deed="" of="" sale="" between="" the="" federal="" government="" and="" vail="" and="" vickers="" specifies="" a="" right="" reserving="" to="" the="" grantors="" (vail)="" the="" right="" of="" the="" residential="" use="" and="" occupancy="" for="" a="" period="" of="" 25="" years="" under="" the="" terms="" and="" conditions="" set="" forth="" in="" exhibit="" ``a.''="" the="" reserved="" premises="" were="" defined="" in="" exhibit="" ``a''="" as="" three="" rectangular="" areas,="" including="" the="" ranch="" house,="" totaling="" 3="" ha="" (7.6="" ac)="" that="" shall="" be="" used="" only="" for="" non-commercial="" residential="" purposes="" (nps="" 1987).="" the="" conditions="" of="" 16="" u.s.c.="" 410-1(d)(2)="" state="" that="" any="" property="" to="" which="" a="" right="" of="" use="" and="" occupancy="" was="" not="" reserved="" by="" the="" former="" owner="" may="" be="" leased="" by="" the="" secretary="" at="" the="" request="" of="" the="" former="" owner="" so="" long="" as="" the="" use="" of="" the="" property="" is="" compatible="" with="" the="" administration="" of="" the="" park="" and="" with="" the="" preservation="" of="" the="" resources="" therein.="" no="" lease="" agreement="" exists="" between="" vail="" and="" vickers="" and="" the="" nps,="" and="" no="" grazing="" rights="" were="" retained="" by="" the="" grantors="" in="" the="" deed="" of="" sale="" or="" in="" any="" documents="" or="" communications="" provided="" to="" the="" service="" by="" the="" nps.="" grazing="" has="" been="" allowed="" through="" the="" issuance="" of="" discretionary="" renewable="" 5-year="" special="" use="" permits="" that="" are="" separate="" and="" distinct="" from="" the="" conditions="" of="" sale.="" uner="" 16="" u.s.c.="" 410-1(d)(1),="" the="" secretary="" was="" allowed="" to="" tender="" to="" the="" prior="" owner="" the="" amount="" equal="" to="" the="" fair="" market="" value="" of="" that="" portion="" which="" remains="" unexpired="" for="" only="" the="" lands="" in="" the="" area="" specified="" in="" the="" conditions="" of="" use="" and="" occupancy.="" the="" specified="" conditions="" of="" use="" and="" occupancy="" will="" not="" be="" affected="" by="" this="" listing="" action.="" in="" addition,="" under="" section="" 4(b)(1)(a)="" of="" the="" act,="" a="" listing="" determination="" must="" be="" based="" solely="" on="" the="" best="" scientific="" and="" commercial="" data="" available="" about="" whether="" a="" species="" meets="" the="" act's="" definition="" of="" a="" threatened="" or="" endangered="" species.="" the="" legislative="" history="" of="" this="" provision="" clearly="" states="" the="" intent="" of="" congress="" to="" ``ensure''="" that="" listing="" decisions="" are="" ``based="" solely="" on="" biological="" criteria="" and="" to="" prevent="" non-biological="" considerations="" from="" affecting="" such="" decisions,''="" h.="" r.="" rep.="" no.="" 97-835,="" 97th="" cong.="" 2d="" sess.="" 19="" (1982).="" as="" further="" stated="" in="" the="" legislative="" history,="" ``applying="" economic="" criteria="" *="" *="" *="" to="" any="" phase="" of="" the="" species="" listing="" process="" is="" applying="" economics="" to="" the="" determinations="" made="" under="" section="" 4="" of="" the="" act="" and="" is="" specifically="" rejected="" by="" the="" inclusion="" of="" the="" word="" ``solely''="" in="" this="" legislation,''="" h.="" r.="" rep.="" no.="" 97-835,="" 97th="" cong.="" 2d="" sess.="" 19="" (1982).="" because="" the="" service="" is="" precluded="" from="" considering="" economic="" impacts="" in="" a="" final="" decision="" on="" a="" proposed="" listing,="" the="" service="" has="" not="" examined="" such="" impacts.="" issue="" 2:="" one="" commenter="" stated="" that="" the="" proposed="" listing="" action="" during="" the="" listing="" moratorium="" was="" illegal.="" service="" response:="" the="" listing="" moratorium="" prohibited="" the="" service="" from="" funding="" any="" actions="" for="" final="" listing="" determinations.="" it="" did="" not="" affect="" the="" preparation="" and="" publication="" of="" proposed="" rules.="" the="" service="" adhered="" strictly="" to="" the="" conditions="" of="" the="" moratorium="" and="" ceased="" related="" listing="" activity="" once="" the="" proposed="" rule="" process="" was="" finished.="" issue="" 3:="" two="" commenters="" stated="" that="" the="" service="" did="" not="" give="" proper="" credence="" to="" data="" presented="" by="" ranchers,="" other="" land="" managers,="" and="" experts="" and="" that="" the="" service="" gave="" more="" weight="" to="" information="" provided="" by="" california="" native="" plant="" society="" volunteers.="" service="" response:="" starting="" in="" 1992,="" the="" service="" requested="" from="" the="" public,="" in="" writing="" and="" in="" meetings,="" information="" on="" the="" status="" of="" the="" plants="" and="" any="" data="" that="" would="" assist="" the="" service="" in="" making="" a="" determination="" in="" this="" action.="" all="" data="" provided="" prior="" to="" and="" during="" the="" public="" comment="" periods="" or="" in="" the="" public="" meetings="" were="" included="" in="" the="" analysis="" to="" prepare="" the="" proposed="" rule="" and="" this="" final="" rule.="" the="" service="" is="" not="" aware="" of="" any="" field="" data="" collected="" by="" the="" california="" native="" plant="" society.="" issue="" 4:="" two="" commenters="" stated="" that="" abrupt="" termination="" of="" livestock="" grazing="" would="" be="" extremely="" harmful="" to="" the="" ecosystems="" and="" plant="" communities="" of="" santa="" rosa="" island,="" specifically="" by="" increasing="" the="" potential="" for="" weed="" invasion.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" has="" never="" advocated="" and="" is="" not="" proposing="" the="" abrupt="" termination="" of="" livestock="" grazing="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island.="" a="" conservation="" strategy="" team="" (team)="" composed="" of="" service,="" nps,="" and="" brd="" biologists="" have="" prepared="" a="" conservation="" strategy="" for="" santa="" rosa="" island="" that="" recommends="" a="" gradual="" reduction="" of="" cattle="" and="" horses,="" with="" total="" removal="" by="" 2011,="" the="" expiration="" date="" of="" the="" reserved="" right="" of="" use="" and="" occupancy="" (coonan="" et="" al.="" 1996).="" santa="" rosa="" island="" has="" the="" smallest="" proportion="" of="" weed="" species="" to="" native="" species="" ratio="" of="" any="" of="" the="" channel="" islands="" and="" the="" nps="" has="" been="" actively="" managing="" the="" aggressive="" invasive="" aliens.="" santa="" rosa="" island="" has="" 98="" non-native="" plants="" and="" santa="" cruz="" island="" has="" 170="" non-native="" plants="" (junak="" 1996).="" the="" life="" history="" and="" reproductive="" characteristics="" of="" the="" weedy="" species="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" are="" adaptations="" that="" allow="" them="" to="" take="" advantage="" of="" freshly="" disturbed="" sites,="" such="" as="" those="" that="" are="" created="" by="" the="" current="" domestic="" livestock="" management="" on="" the="" island.="" surveys="" conducted="" by="" the="" nps="" show="" that="" the="" weed="" distribution="" corresponds="" with="" the="" areas="" that="" have="" the="" highest="" cattle="" use.="" it="" was="" the="" conclusion="" of="" the="" team="" that="" the="" removal="" of="" the="" non-native="" grazers="" and="" browsers="" (including="" deer="" and="" elk)="" from="" the="" island="" would="" decrease="" the="" amount="" of="" open="" habitat="" available="" for="" weed="" invasion="" and="" would="" therefore="" result="" in="" a="" decline="" in="" weed="" numbers="" (coonan="" et="" al.="" 1996).="" an="" additional="" benefit="" to="" the="" island="" ecosystem="" from="" the="" reduction="" and="" eventual="" elimination="" of="" grazing="" and="" browsing="" is="" that="" shrub="" would="" reoccupy="" the="" introduced="" grasslands="" that="" are="" artificially="" maintained="" by="" current="" grazing="" practices="" (coonan="" et="" al.="" 1996).="" issue="" 5:="" one="" commenter="" claimed="" that="" the="" proposed="" rule="" seemed="" to="" imply="" that="" all="" grazing="" is="" overgrazing.="" the="" commenter="" objected="" to="" the="" statement="" that="" ``the="" ultimate="" control="" on="" population="" sizes="" for="" livestock="" on="" islands="" has="" been="" starvation''="" and="" asserted="" that="" the="" rule="" characterized="" cattle="" grazing="" as="" a="" disease="" or="" predation="" rather="" than="" utilization.="" [[page="" 40965]]="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" did="" not="" refer="" to="" all="" grazing="" as="" overgrazing.="" grazing="" during="" drought="" conditions="" has="" resulted="" in="" severe="" damage="" to="" the="" native="" vegetation="" and="" could="" be="" considered="" overgrazing,="" especially="" when="" livestock="" starvation="" has="" occurred.="" such="" events="" are="" described="" and="" documented="" in="" the="" ``background''="" section="" of="" this="" rule.="" the="" listing="" provisions="" of="" the="" act="" provide="" that="" a="" species="" may="" be="" determined="" to="" be="" endangered="" or="" threatened="" species="" due="" to="" one="" or="" more="" of="" the="" five="" factors="" described="" in="" section="" 4(a)(1)="" of="" the="" act.="" one="" of="" the="" factors="" is="" ``disease="" or="" predation''="" and="" the="" service="" normally="" addresses="" the="" effects="" of="" herbivory="" by="" any="" animal,="" including="" livestock,="" in="" the="" discussion="" of="" this="" factor.="" issue="" 6:="" one="" commenter="" stated="" that="" there="" was="" a="" lack="" of="" evidence="" of="" the="" relationship="" between="" grazing="" and="" the="" plants="" in="" question.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" has="" used="" over="" 100="" references="" in="" preparing="" the="" final="" rule.="" three="" levels="" of="" information="" are="" available:="" (i)="" an="" extensive="" body="" of="" literature="" on="" the="" impacts="" of="" non-native="" mammals="" to="" insular="" vegetation="" and="" plant="" species,="" (ii)="" the="" results="" of="" long-term="" vegetation="" monitoring="" by="" the="" nps,="" and,="" (iii)="" specific="" observations="" on="" specific="" plants,="" e.g.,="" deer="" and="" elk="" impacts="" to="" castilleja="" mollis="" and="" others="" cited="" in="" the="" ``factors="" affecting="" the="" species''="" section="" of="" this="" rule.="" this="" rule="" also="" cites="" information="" concerning="" how="" the="" condition="" of="" the="" habitat="" upon="" which="" these="" species="" depend="" has="" been="" degraded="" by="" grazing="" and="" browsing.="" in="" addition,="" international="" conservation="" biologists="" familiar="" with="" island="" biology="" recognized="" the="" damage="" that="" non-native="" mammals="" cause="" to="" insular="" biota="" when="" the="" society="" for="" conservation="" biology="" unanimously="" passed="" a="" resolution="" to="" promote="" the="" elimination="" of="" non-native="" mammals="" from="" all="" of="" the="" islands="" off="" the="" coast="" of="" western="" north="" america="" (tershy="" et="" al.="" 1994).="" issue="" 7:="" one="" commenter="" was="" concerned="" that="" the="" rule="" stated="" that="" increased="" sedimentation="" resulted="" from="" livestock="" grazing="" but="" that="" current="" sedimentation="" rates="" were="" not="" presented.="" service="" response:="" data="" on="" current="" sedimentation="" rates="" has="" been="" added="" to="" the="" rule.="" a="" sediment="" and="" pollen="" analysis="" has="" documented="" both="" the="" increase="" in="" sedimentation="" and="" the="" type="" conversion="" of="" habitat="" from="" brush="" to="" grass="" since="" grazing="" was="" introduced="" to="" the="" island.="" the="" current="" sedimentation="" level="" is="" an="" order="" of="" magnitude="" greater="" than="" that="" prior="" to="" the="" introduction="" of="" grazing.="" please="" see="" the="" factor="" a="" discussion="" under="" the="" ``factors="" affecting="" the="" species''="" section="" for="" further="" details.="" issue="" 8:="" one="" commenter="" stated="" that="" an="" existing="" range="" management="" plan="" was="" designed="" to="" protect="" resources="" and="" that="" the="" service="" claimed="" that="" the="" range="" management="" plan="" currently="" in="" use="" for="" santa="" rosa="" island="" ``does="" not="" address="" protection="" of="" the="" proposed="" taxa.''="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" maintains="" that="" the="" range="" management="" plan="" does="" not="" address="" protection="" of="" the="" proposed="" taxa.="" although="" the="" plan="" suggests="" that="" monitoring="" and="" studies="" should="" occur,="" the="" service="" does="" not="" consider="" potential="" or="" actual="" studies="" as="" a="" management="" action="" that="" would="" provide="" protection="" for="" the="" taxa="" under="" consideration.="" issue="" 9:="" two="" commenters="" expressed="" concern="" that="" the="" service="" is="" not="" proposing="" critical="" habitat="" for="" the="" taxa="" that="" occur="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" has="" considered="" the="" designation="" of="" critical="" habitat="" for="" these="" species="" and="" determined="" that="" it="" is="" not="" prudent="" to="" establish="" critical="" habitat.="" because="" of="" the="" few,="" small="" populations="" of="" each="" of="" the="" species="" on="" federal="" land,="" any="" determination="" of="" adverse="" modification="" would="" also="" result="" in="" jeopardy.="" thus,="" the="" establishment="" of="" critical="" habitat="" would="" provide="" no="" additional="" benefit="" over="" that="" of="" the="" jeopardy="" standard="" contained="" in="" section="" 7="" (a)(2)="" of="" the="" act.="" please="" see="" the="" ``critical="" habitat''="" section="" of="" this="" rule="" for="" further="" information.="" issue="" 10:="" one="" commenter="" suggested="" that="" the="" listing="" of="" these="" species="" will="" severely="" limit="" management="" options.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" an="" array="" of="" management="" options="" are="" available="" to="" the="" nps="" that="" are="" consistent="" with="" nps="" regulations,="" policy,="" and="" guidelines.="" issue="" 11:="" one="" commenter="" raised="" the="" concern="" that="" the="" service="" was="" required="" to="" comply="" with="" the="" national="" environmental="" policy="" act="" (nepa)="" and="" must="" also="" prepare="" a="" takings="" implication="" assessment,="" as="" directed="" by="" presidential="" executive="" order="" 12630,="" before="" issuing="" a="" final="" rule.="" service="" response:="" nepa="" is="" addressed="" under="" the="" section="" entitled="" ``national="" environmental="" policy="" act''="" in="" this="" rule,="" as="" it="" was="" in="" the="" proposed="" rule.="" the="" attorney="" general="" has="" issued="" guidelines="" to="" the="" department="" of="" the="" interior="" (interior)="" on="" implementing="" executive="" order="" 12630="" (governmental="" actions="" and="" interference="" with="" constitutionally="" protected="" property="" rights).="" under="" these="" guidelines,="" a="" special="" rule="" applies="" when="" an="" agency="" within="" interior="" is="" required="" by="" law="" to="" act="" without="" exercising="" its="" usual="" discretion,="" that="" is,="" to="" act="" solely="" upon="" specified="" criteria="" that="" leave="" the="" agency="" no="" choice.="" in="" the="" present="" context,="" the="" service's="" action="" cannot="" consider="" economic="" information="" in="" reaching="" a="" listing="" decision.="" in="" such="" cases,="" the="" attorney="" general's="" guidelines="" state="" that="" taking="" implications="" assessments="" (tias)="" shall="" be="" prepared="" after,="" rather="" than="" before,="" the="" agency="" makes="" the="" decision="" in="" which="" its="" discretion="" is="" restricted.="" the="" urpose="" of="" the="" tias="" in="" these="" special="" circumstances="" is="" to="" inform="" policy="" makers="" of="" areas="" where="" unavoidable="" taking="" exposures="" exist.="" such="" tias="" must="" not="" be="" considered="" in="" the="" making="" of="" administrative="" decisions="" that="" must,="" by="" law,="" be="" made="" without="" regard="" to="" their="" economic="" impact.="" in="" enacting="" the="" endangered="" species="" act,="" congress="" required="" that="" listings="" be="" based="" solely="" on="" scientific="" and="" commercial="" data="" showing="" whether="" or="" not="" the="" species="" are="" in="" danger="" of="" extinction.="" thus,="" by="" law="" and="" by="" u.s.="" attorney="" general="" guidelines,="" the="" service="" is="" forbidden="" to="" conduct="" tias="" prior="" to="" listing.="" issue="" 12:="" one="" commenter="" indicated="" that="" the="" service="" must="" undertake="" a="" more="" comprehensive="" study="" of="" the="" proposed="" taxa="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island.="" service="" response:="" section="" 4(b)(1)(a)="" of="" the="" act="" requires="" that="" a="" listing="" determination="" on="" whether="" a="" species="" meets="" the="" act's="" definition="" of="" a="" threatened="" or="" endangered="" species="" be="" based="" on="" the="" best="" scientific="" and="" commercial="" data="" available.="" the="" service="" has="" considered="" all="" available="" information="" regarding="" the="" past,="" present,="" and="" future="" threats="" faced="" by="" the="" taxa="" in="" this="" rule,="" including="" that="" submitted="" during="" the="" public="" comment="" periods,="" in="" making="" this="" listing="" determination.="" issue="" 13:="" two="" commenters="" inquired="" about="" the="" justification="" for="" a="" second="" public="" comment="" period.="" one="" commenter="" stated="" that="" the="" service="" did="" not="" have="" the="" statutory="" authority="" to="" consider="" comments="" and="" information="" after="" the="" statutory="" deadline="" for="" issuing="" a="" final="" determination="" on="" the="" proposed="" plants.="" one="" commenter="" suggested="" that="" the="" service="" should="" have="" published="" a="" more="" detailed="" account="" of="" the="" new="" information.="" service="" response:="" the="" processing="" of="" this="" final="" rule="" follows="" the="" service's="" listing="" priority="" guidance="" published="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" on="" december="" 5,="" 1996="" (61="" fr="" 64475).="" the="" processing="" of="" a="" final="" listing="" is="" a="" tier="" 2="" action="" under="" this="" guidance="" (61="" fr="" 64479).="" the="" service="" explained="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" notification="" for="" reopening="" of="" the="" comment="" period="" that="" there="" was="" significant="" new="" information="" regarding="" the="" status="" of="" several="" of="" the="" taxa="" under="" consideration="" for="" listing="" that="" may="" affect="" the="" determination="" of="" their="" listing.="" the="" [[page="" 40966]]="" congressional="" moratorium="" on="" funding="" for="" final="" rule="" determinations="" prevented="" the="" service="" from="" conforming="" to="" statutory="" deadlines.="" the="" federal="" register="" notice="" provided="" an="" opportunity="" for="" the="" public="" to="" request="" any="" information="" that="" would="" assist="" them="" in="" preparing="" a="" response.="" the="" service="" is="" obligated="" to="" consider="" the="" best="" available="" scientific="" and="" commercial="" evidence="" in="" deciding="" whether="" to="" list="" a="" species.="" summary="" of="" factors="" affecting="" the="" species="" after="" a="" thorough="" review="" and="" consideration="" of="" all="" information="" available,="" the="" service="" has="" determined="" that="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" (munz)="" rollins,="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora="" eastw.,="" berberis="" pinnata="" lag.="" ssp.="" insularis="" munz,="" castilleja="" mollis="" pennell,="" galium="" buxifolium="" greene,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" benth.="" ssp.="" hoffmannii="" (eastw.)="" a.d.="" grant="" &="" v.e.="" grant,="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" (torr.="" &="" a.gray)="" greene="" ssp.="" nesioticus="" (b.l.="" rob.="" in="" a.="" gray)="" kearney,="" malacothrix="" indecora="" greene,="" malacothrix="" squalida="" greene,="" phacelia="" insularis="" munz="" var.="" insularis,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" greene="" should="" be="" classified="" as="" endangered="" species,="" and="" that="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" moran="" and="" helianthemum="" greenei="" b.l.="" rob.="" in="" a.="" gray="" should="" be="" classified="" as="" threatened="" species.="" section="" 4="" of="" the="" endangered="" species="" act="" (16="" u.s.c.="" 1531="" et="" seq.)="" and="" regulations="" (50="" cfr="" part="" 424)="" promulgated="" to="" implement="" the="" listing="" provisions="" of="" the="" act="" set="" forth="" the="" procedures="" for="" adding="" species="" to="" the="" federal="" lists.="" a="" species="" may="" be="" determined="" to="" be="" an="" endangered="" or="" threatened="" species="" due="" to="" one="" or="" more="" of="" the="" five="" factors="" described="" in="" section="" 4(a)(1).="" these="" factors="" and="" their="" application="" to="" the="" 13="" plant="" taxa="" in="" this="" rule="" are="" as="" follows:="" a.="" the="" present="" or="" threatened="" destruction,="" modification,="" or="" curtailment="" of="" its="" habitat="" or="" range="" the="" primary="" threat="" to="" the="" species="" included="" in="" this="" rule="" is="" the="" ongoing="" loss="" of="" soils,="" because="" the="" soils="" are="" the="" foundation="" for="" the="" unique="" island="" ecosystems="" and="" their="" endemic="" species.="" a="" significant="" increase="" in="" the="" rate="" of="" soil="" loss="" resulting="" in="" substantial="" alterations="" of="" the="" natural="" habitats="" of="" these="" species="" began="" with="" the="" introduction="" of="" non-native="" sheep,="" goat,="" cattle,="" deer,="" elk,="" bison,="" and="" pigs="" on="" the="" various="" islands="" in="" the="" early="" 1800's.="" soil="" erosion="" continues="" to="" this="" day="" at="" a="" rate="" that="" remains="" an="" order="" of="" magnitude="" greater="" than="" that="" prior="" to="" the="" introduction="" of="" alien="" mammals="" (cole="" and="" liu="" 1994).="" soil="" loss="" is="" a="" significant="" threat="" to="" most="" existing="" populations="" of,="" and="" precludes="" seedling="" establishment="" for,="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" helianthemum="" greenei,="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" ssp.="" nesioticus,="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" malacothrix="" squalida,="" phacelia="" insularis="" var.="" insularis,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus.="" the="" deep="" incision="" of="" many="" canyons="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" illustrates="" the="" dramatic="" loss="" of="" sediment="" and,="" by="" inference,="" entire="" riparian="" systems="" that="" are="" virtually="" absent="" from="" the="" island.="" these="" incised="" arroyos="" cut="" into="" fine-grained="" alluvium="" built="" up="" by="" thousands="" of="" years="" of="" deposition,="" and="" those="" incisions="" and="" the="" sedimentation="" have="" left="" a="" quantitative="" record="" of="" the="" shift="" in="" geomorphic="" regimes="" resulting="" from="" large="" herbivores="" denuding="" the="" landscape="" that="" continues="" today="" (cole="" and="" liu="" 1994).="" the="" increased="" loss="" of="" soils="" and="" the="" consequent="" changes="" in="" vegetation="" due="" to="" the="" introduction="" of="" alien="" mammals="" have="" been="" documented="" from="" sediment="" and="" pollen="" records="" in="" a="" soil="" core="" dating="" back="" 5,200="" years="" from="" the="" old="" ranch="" canyon="" marsh="" on="" eastern="" santa="" rosa="" island="" (cole="" and="" liu="" 1994).="" rates="" of="" sedimentation="" prior="" to="" the="" introduction="" of="" livestock="" averaged="" 0.7="" mm/year="" (yr)="" (0.035="" in/yr),="" increased="" to="" 23="" mm/yr="" (0.9="" in/yr)="" during="" the="" peak="" sheep="" grazing="" era,="" and="" now="" average="" 13.4="" mm/yr="" (0.13="" in/yr),="" 19="" times="" greater="" than="" that="" prior="" to="" grazing="" (cole="" and="" liu="" 1994).="" pollen="" records="" demonstrate="" that="" the="" conversion="" of="" brushland="" to="" grassland="" occurred="" with="" the="" onset="" of="" ranching="" in="" the="" early="" 1800's.="" this="" change="" in="" vegetation="" is="" reflected="" by="" an="" increased="" abundance="" of="" grass="" pollen="" and="" a="" decrease="" in="" pollen="" from="" the="" mint="" and="" pea="" families="" in="" the="" soil="" core="" (cole="" and="" liu="" 1994).="" coastal="" sage="" scrub="" is="" dominated="" by="" sage="" species="" (mint="" family),="" lupines="" and="" deervetch="" (pea="" family).="" shallow="" rooted="" non-native="" grasses="" now="" dominate="" the="" island="" and="" are="" much="" less="" efficient="" as="" slope="" stabilizers="" than="" the="" deep-rooted="" native="" shrubs="" they="" have="" replaced.="" continued="" grazing="" has="" prevented="" the="" ability="" of="" the="" shrub="" species="" to="" recover="" and="" reestablish="" their="" function="" as="" an="" important="" source="" of="" erosion="" control.="" large="" sediment="" loads="" remain="" a="" significant="" problem="" as="" illustrated="" by="" the="" recent="" attempts="" to="" stabilize="" soils="" at="" johnson's="" lee="" on="" the="" south="" side="" of="" santa="" rosa="" island,="" where="" rice="" straw="" wattles="" placed="" along="" hillside="" contours="" trapped="" large="" volumes="" of="" sediment="" after="" only="" one="" season="" of="" rain="" (sellgren="" 1994).="" a="" comparison="" of="" historical="" descriptions="" of="" island="" vegetation="" with="" current="" conditions="" also="" indicates="" that="" large-scale="" habitat="" alterations="" caused="" by="" large="" numbers="" of="" non-native="" mammals="" on="" the="" islands="" resulted="" in="" significant="" loss="" of="" soils="" as="" well="" as="" changes="" in="" the="" structure,="" composition,="" and="" richness="" of="" plant="" communities.="" in="" 1883,="" thompson="" and="" west="" described="" the="" effects="" of="" sheep="" grazing="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island--``the="" island="" becomes="" at="" some="" times="" overstocked,="" and="" may="" be="" said="" to="" be="" in="" that="" condition="" much="" of="" the="" time.="" the="" result="" is="" that="" the="" grasses,="" being="" cropped="" so="" close,="" die="" out,="" and="" allow="" the="" loosened="" soil="" to="" be="" removed="" by="" wind="" and="" rain''="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1980a).="" at="" that="" time,="" however,="" vegetation="" elsewhere="" on="" the="" island="" was="" still="" relatively="" intact;="" greene="" described="" mixed="" forests="" of="" large-leaved="" maple="" (acer="" macrophyllum),="" live="" oak="" (quercus="" agrifolia),="" black="" cottonwood="" (populus="" trichocarpa),="" and="" willow="" (salix="" laevigata)="" thriving="" in="" the="" canyons="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1980a).="" another="" account="" was="" given="" by="" delphine="" adelaide="" caire="" in="" 1933,="" who="" reflected="" on="" the="" conditions="" of="" santa="" cruz="" island--``its="" present="" natural="" beauty="" does="" not="" come="" up="" to="" that="" of="" the="" past.="" the="" bed="" of="" the="" stream="" that="" skirts="" the="" main="" ranch="" on="" its="" way="" from="" picacho="" diablo="" was="" much="" narrower="" than="" it="" is="" today;="" mountain="" slopes="" were="" heavily="" wooded="" and="" centuries-old="" oaks="" were="" numerous.="" in="" the="" course="" of="" years,="" rains="" have="" accomplished="" their="" ruinous="" work,="" carrying="" off="" a="" great="" amount="" of="" topsoil,="" the="" innumerable="" trails="" cut="" by="" sharp="" sheep="" trotters="" having="" been="" a="" contributing="" factor="" in="" such="" devastation''="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1980a).="" the="" historic="" and="" current="" presence="" of="" non-native="" herbivores="" and="" pigs="" has="" reduced="" leaf="" litter="" and="" compacted="" and="" degraded="" the="" soil="" structure,="" resulting="" in="" accelerated="" rates="" of="" erosion="" (klinger="" et="" al.="" 1994,="" nishida="" 1994).="" the="" importance="" of="" soils="" in="" maintaining="" habitat="" for="" the="" taxa="" is="" found="" not="" only="" in="" their="" physical="" properties,="" but="" in="" their="" biotic="" properties="" as="" well.="" healthy="" soils="" provide="" habitat="" for="" a="" complex="" assemblage="" of="" soil="" organisms,="" including="" fragile="" microbial="" components,="" that="" assist="" in="" such="" processes="" as="" water-holding="" capacity,="" soil="" fertility,="" and="" nutrient="" cycling.="" these="" processes="" have="" been="" adversely="" affected="" by="" the="" activities="" of="" alien="" mammals.="" for="" instance,="" the="" loss="" of="" leaf="" litter="" from="" trampling="" and="" rooting="" changes="" soil="" temperatures,="" increases="" the="" loss="" of="" moisture,="" reduces="" the="" humus="" layers,="" and="" results="" in="" a="" reduced="" soil="" fauna="" (bennett="" 1993).="" breakdown="" of="" organic="" material,="" transport="" of="" fungal="" spores,="" and="" nutrient="" recycling="" by="" soil="" mites="" have="" all="" been="" documented="" on="" santa="" catalina="" island="" (bennett="" 1993).="" [[page="" 40967]]="" soil="" mite="" diversity="" decreased="" with="" increased="" disturbance,="" and="" resulted="" in="" impoverished="" nutrient="" levels="" in="" the="" soil="" (bennett="" 1993).="" a="" feature="" of="" arid="" land="" soils,="" such="" as="" those="" in="" the="" islands,="" is="" the="" presence="" of="" a="" cyanobacterial-lichen="" crust="" that="" facilitates="" stabilization="" of="" steep="" slopes="" and="" nutrient="" cycling="" (belnap="" 1994).="" these="" crusts="" are="" extremely="" brittle="" during="" the="" dry="" summer="" months="" and="" can="" be="" eliminated="" by="" the="" shattering="" influences="" of="" trampling="" by="" non-native="" herbivores="" (belnap="" 1994).="" mycorrhizal="" associations="" are="" likely="" to="" occur="" with="" most="" of="" the="" species="" in="" this="" rule,="" and="" may="" have="" been="" damaged="" and="" therefore="" function="" at="" reduced="" efficiencies="" (painter="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" such="" associations="" function="" as="" extensions="" of="" the="" root="" system="" and="" are="" of="" particular="" importance="" to="" arid="" land="" plant="" species="" such="" as="" those="" in="" this="" rule.="" damaged="" mycorrhizal="" associations="" reduce="" the="" health="" and="" vigor="" of="" their="" host="" species.="" the="" large="" herds="" of="" grazing="" animals="" that="" shatter="" the="" crustal="" integrity="" of="" the="" soil="" surface="" also="" result="" in="" dust="" coating="" the="" foliage="" of="" all="" the="" native="" vegetation.="" dust="" negatively="" affects="" plants="" by="" reducing="" photosynthesis,="" respiration,="" transpiration,="" and="" complicating="" pollination="" efficiency="" (painter="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" intense="" winds="" blow="" from="" the="" northwest="" that="" can="" be="" highly="" erosive.="" when="" the="" integrity="" of="" the="" natural="" habitat="" is="" disturbed="" there="" is="" an="" accelerated="" rate="" of="" erosion="" above="" that="" which="" would="" result="" from="" just="" rain="" alone.="" no="" opportunity="" for="" leaf="" litter="" or="" soil="" to="" accumulate="" exists="" on="" the="" exposed="" ridge="" tops="" with="" continual="" non-native="" animal="" disturbance="" (clark="" et="" al.="" 1990).="" even="" after="" the="" agents="" that="" initiated="" erosion="" have="" been="" removed,="" loss="" of="" soils="" continues="" (clark="" et="" al.="" 1990,="" halvorson="" 1993).="" because="" both="" the="" biotic="" and="" physical="" properties="" of="" the="" soils="" have="" been="" degraded="" or="" lost="" altogether,="" the="" soils="" that="" remain="" behind="" provide="" poor="" conditions="" for="" seedlings="" to="" germinate="" and="" establish.="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island,="" a="" grove="" of="" island="" oaks="" (quercus="" tomentella),="" a="" species="" of="" special="" concern,="" has="" shown="" few="" signs="" of="" regeneration="" on="" soils="" severely="" affected="" by="" erosion="" even="" after="" an="" exclosure="" was="" built="" to="" eliminate="" cattle,="" elk,="" and="" deer="" (danielsen="" 1989a,="" 1989b).="" the="" zone="" below="" an="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" population="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" is="" inhospitable="" to="" seed="" germination="" because="" of="" cattle="" trampling="" and="" soil="" churning="" (mceachern="" and="" wilken="" 1996).="" seed="" rain="" from="" that="" population="" falls="" onto="" areas="" that="" are="" highly="" trampled="" and="" churned="" eliminating="" any="" chance="" for="" population="" expansion="" from="" its="" precarious="" cliff="" location.="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" is="" monocarpic="" and="" damage="" from="" trampling="" may="" delay="" flowering,="" or="" even="" preclude="" reproduction="" of="" trampled="" individuals.="" flowers="" produced="" later="" in="" the="" season="" out="" of="" synchrony="" with="" pollinator="" activity="" results="" in="" lower="" seed="" productivity="" (painter="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" wherever="" shrubs="" of="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora="" have="" been="" browsed="" to="" form="" a="" canopy,="" the="" understory="" is="" heavily="" trampled="" by="" deer="" and="" elk="" and="" the="" bedrock="" is="" eroding="" away="" around="" the="" roots="" (mceachern="" 1996,="" mceachern="" and="" wilken="" 1996).="" the="" soil="" from="" around="" the="" roots="" of="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island,="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island,="" and="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" ssp.="" nesioticus="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island,="" is="" actively="" eroding="" (wilken="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" plants="" at="" fraser="" point="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island="" were="" observed="" to="" have="" been="" preferentially="" rooted="" by="" pigs="" in="" 1995="" and="" 1996="" (painter="" in="" litt.="" 1997,="" mceachern="" 1996,="" wilken="" 1996).="" in="" 1993,="" when="" perhaps="" as="" much="" as="" 20="" percent="" of="" the="" carrington="" point="" populations="" of="" castilleja="" mollis="" was="" consumed="" by="" deer,="" individual="" plants="" were="" excavated,="" leaving="" depressions="" in="" the="" sandy="" soils="" where="" plants="" had="" been="" observed="" 5="" months="" earlier="" (sarah="" chaney,="" nps,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1993).="" more="" recently="" researchers="" have="" documented="" that="" both="" deer="" and="" elk="" are="" damaging="" both="" populations="" of="" castilleja="" mollis="" (mceachern="" 1996).="" galium="" buxifolium="" is="" threatened="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island="" where="" trampling="" and="" pig="" rooting="" along="" the="" seacliffs="" increases="" the="" likelihood="" of="" slope="" failure="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1980).="" unfenced="" portions="" of="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" are="" areas="" where="" cattle="" concentrate="" and="" churn="" the="" soil="" (painter="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" all="" helianthemum="" greenei="" habitat="" is="" damaged="" from="" rooting="" by="" pigs="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island="" (wilken="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" the="" recent="" discovery="" of="" malacothrix="" indecora="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" included="" the="" observation="" that="" the="" prehistoric="" midden="" that="" the="" plants="" were="" growing="" on="" was="" being="" eroded="" from="" damage="" by="" livestock="" (painter="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" seabirds="" occur="" in="" historic="" habitat="" for="" malacothrix="" indecora="" on="" san="" miguel="" island="" and="" its="" offshore="" islet="" prince="" island,="" and="" known="" sites="" for="" malacothrix="" squalida="" on="" anacapa="" island.="" many="" of="" these="" bird="" species="" experienced="" severe="" population="" declines="" in="" the="" late="" 1960's="" and="" early="" 1970's="" as="" a="" result="" of="" ddt-related="" reproductive="" failures="" (ingram="" 1992).="" however,="" monitoring="" results="" indicate="" that="" populations="" of="" most="" of="" these="" birds="" have="" increased="" over="" the="" past="" decade.="" seabirds="" use="" local="" vegetation="" to="" construct="" nests="" on="" cliff="" and="" blufftop="" sites,="" create="" localized="" soil="" disturbances="" that="" facilitate="" establishment="" of="" alien="" plant="" species,="" and="" promote="" erosion="" of="" coastal="" bluffs.="" seabird="" activity="" has="" been="" noted="" on="" middle="" anacapa="" island="" within="" habitat="" for="" malacothrix="" squalida="" (s.="" junak,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1994).="" the="" extent="" to="" which="" such="" localized="" disturbance="" has="" affected="" this="" plant="" species="" is="" unknown.="" compaction="" of="" soils="" and="" crushing="" of="" plants="" by="" vehicle="" traffic="" is="" an="" ongoing="" threat="" to="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii.="" the="" largest="" population="" of="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii="" is="" bisected="" by="" a="" road.="" another="" road="" continues="" to="" damage="" habitat="" and="" plants="" along="" the="" fence="" line="" established="" to="" protect="" the="" western="" snowy="" plover;="" however,="" the="" proposed="" closure="" of="" old="" ranch="" pasture="" to="" cattle="" and="" horses="" will="" remove="" the="" necessity="" to="" maintain="" a="" fence="" at="" that="" location="" (nps="" 1997).="" b.="" overutilization="" for="" commercial,="" recreational,="" scientific,="" or="" educational="" purposes="" unrestricted="" collecting="" for="" scientific="" or="" horticultural="" purposes="" and="" excessive="" visits="" by="" individuals="" interested="" in="" seeing="" rare="" plants="" constitutes="" a="" potential="" threat="" to="" certain="" of="" the="" taxa="" in="" this="" rule.="" in="" particular,="" the="" collection="" of="" whole="" plants="" or="" reproductive="" parts="" of="" those="" annual="" or="" herbaceous="" perennial="" taxa="" with="" fewer="" than="" 100="" individuals,="" including="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesioticus,="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" malacothrix="" squalida,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus,="" could="" adversely="" affect="" the="" genetic="" viability="" and="" survival="" of="" those="" taxa.="" in="" the="" horticultural="" trade,="" dudleya="" species="" have,="" in="" particular,="" been="" favorite="" collection="" items.="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" though="" not="" in="" the="" trade,="" has="" been="" cultivated="" by="" dudleya="" enthusiasts.="" the="" limited="" distribution="" of="" this="" taxon,="" combined="" with="" the="" additional="" threats="" from="" non-native="" annuals="" and="" pig="" rooting,="" makes="" it="" vulnerable="" to="" such="" enthusiasts="" who="" want="" the="" rare="" species="" from="" the="" wild.="" c.="" disease="" or="" predation="" diseases="" are="" not="" specifically="" known="" to="" threaten="" any="" of="" the="" taxa="" included="" in="" this="" rule.="" all="" of="" the="" taxa="" included="" in="" this="" proposal,="" with="" the="" exception="" of="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" have="" populations="" that="" are="" subject="" to="" predation="" by="" one="" or="" more="" non-native="" mammals.="" apparently,="" the="" roots="" of="" berberis="" species="" are="" often="" toxic="" (williams="" 1993),="" making="" consumption="" by="" feral="" pigs="" unlikely.="" island="" endemic="" plant="" species="" lack="" defensive="" attributes="" as="" protection="" from="" grazing="" and="" browsing.="" the="" impact="" of="" this="" predation="" to="" the="" overall="" status="" varies="" by="" species,="" with="" predation="" posing="" the="" most="" signficance="" to="" those="" with="" the="" [[page="" 40968]]="" fewest="" and="" most="" accessible="" populations.="" current="" research="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island="" has="" compared="" similar="" species="" from="" the="" mainland="" and="" from="" the="" island="" in="" livestock="" feeding="" preferences.="" livestock="" consistently="" preferred="" the="" island="" plants="" and="" the="" study="" showed="" that="" all="" mainland="" plants="" possessed="" at="" least="" one="" protective="" characteristic="" in="" higher="" quantity="" than="" the="" similar="" island="" taxa,="" the="" quantity="" of="" spines="" being="" the="" most="" notable="" quality.="" the="" researcher="" stated="" that="" ``[i]sland="" plants="" possessed="" reduced="" levels="" of="" chemical="" defenses,="" morphological="" defenses,="" or="" both,="" and="" were="" more="" vulnerable="" to="" herbivory''="" (bowen="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" historical="" records="" document="" that="" overgrazing="" by="" sheep="" in="" the="" late="" 1800's="" and="" early="" 1900's="" highly="" degraded="" the="" vegetation="" of="" santa="" rosa="" island.="" the="" records="" also="" point="" out="" that="" sheep="" died="" of="" starvation="" due="" to="" drought="" on="" the="" island="" during="" this="" time.="" during="" a="" later="" drought="" in="" 1948,="" the="" island="" was="" so="" overgrazed="" that="" it="" made="" the="" local="" news,="" stating="" that="" ``[h]ardly="" a="" sprig="" of="" green="" is="" to="" be="" seen.="" the="" tiny="" tufts="" of="" grass="" that="" have="" escaped="" the="" hungry="" mouths="" of="" the="" herd="" are="" stunted="" and="" dead.="" shrubs="" have="" perished.="" [there="" were]="" *="" *="" *="" starved="" looking="" valley="" elk="" *="" *="" *="" [and]="" *="" *="" *="" prickly="" pears="" were="" gnawed="" down="" to="" the="" earth.''="" (ainsworth="" 1948).="" drought="" in="" the="" late="" 1980's="" decimated="" the="" elk="" population="" (vail="" and="" vickers="" in="" litt.="" 1996).="" herbivory="" by="" non-native="" herbivores="" continues="" to="" threaten="" and="" effectively="" arrest="" recovery="" of="" the="" native="" vegetation="" and="" perpetuate="" the="" dominance="" of="" non-native="" grasses="" and="" herbs.="" native="" island="" plants="" evolved="" in="" the="" absence="" of="" grazing="" and="" browsing="" and="" suffer="" from="" reduced="" productivity="" and="" lower="" reproductive="" success="" due="" to="" the="" presence="" of="" alien="" herbivores.="" in="" 1875,="" when="" sheep="" stocking="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island="" was="" around="" 50,000="" head,="" botanist="" j.t.="" rothrock="" reported="" that="" the="" island="" was="" so="" overgrazed="" that="" ``it="" was="" with="" difficulty="" that="" i="" could="" get="" even="" a="" decent="" botanical="" specimen''="" (hobbs="" 1983).="" although="" sheep="" grazing="" has="" been="" removed="" as="" a="" current="" threat="" on="" all="" but="" eastern="" santa="" cruz="" island,="" the="" decades="" of="" overgrazing="" by="" sheep="" have="" reduced="" the="" reproductive="" capabilities="" and="" distribution="" of="" many="" of="" the="" taxa="" included="" in="" this="" rule.="" a="" review="" of="" literature="" pertinent="" to="" effects="" of="" sheep="" on="" island="" vegetation="" is="" included="" in="" hochberg="" et="" al.="" (1980a).="" in="" addition,="" feral="" pigs,="" feral="" goats,="" feral="" sheep,="" deer,="" elk,="" horses,="" and="" bison="" currently="" occur="" in="" habitats="" that="" support="" some="" populations="" of="" all="" of="" the="" taxa="" included="" in="" this="" rule.="" the="" effects="" of="" defoliation="" on="" plants="" include="" decreased="" above="" ground="" biomass,="" fewer="" stems,="" lowered="" seed="" production,="" reduced="" height="" of="" leaves="" and="" stems,="" decreased="" root="" biomass,="" reduced="" root="" length,="" decreased="" carbohydrate="" reserves,="" and="" reduced="" vigor="" (heady="" in="" willoughby="" 1986).="" clark="" et="" al.="" (1990)="" noted="" that="" most="" individuals="" of="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora="" are="" browsed="" severely="" by="" elk="" and="" deer.="" during="" a="" recent="" population="" survey="" it="" was="" observed="" that="" more="" than="" 90="" percent="" of="" all="" individuals="" of="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora="" were="" accessible="" to="" ungulates="" and="" were="" browsed="" at="" the="" growing="" tips="" (mceachern="" and="" wilken="" 1996).="" the="" shape="" of="" individual="" shrubs="" has="" been="" modified="" as="" a="" result="" of="" browsing.="" short-statured="" shrubs="" have="" been="" hedged="" to="" the="" point="" that="" they="" do="" not="" grow="" above="" a="" certain="" height.="" on="" shrubs="" that="" attained="" a="" taller="" stature="" before="" browsing="" pressure="" became="" severe,="" all="" lower="" limbs="" and="" leaves="" have="" been="" stripped,="" resulting="" in="" a="" ``lollipop''="" or="" tree-shaped="" shrub.="" browsing="" pressure="" on="" this="" species="" appears="" to="" have="" affected="" its="" ability="" to="" reproduce,="" since="" not="" a="" single="" seedling="" was="" observed="" during="" a="" 1988="" survey="" (ronilee="" clark,="" california="" park="" service,="" pers.="" comm.,="" 1988).="" this="" species="" does="" not="" have="" a="" root="" crown="" burl="" that="" allows="" some="" mainland="" species="" to="" tolerate="" low="" levels="" of="" defoliation,="" and,="" without="" protection="" from="" non-native="" mammals,="" continued="" recruitment="" failure="" and="" reduced="" vigor="" may="" prove="" catastrophic="" for="" this="" species.="" this="" condition="" was="" noted="" in="" a="" 1989="" letter="" to="" dr.="" peter="" raven="" from="" the="" leading="" authority="" on="" the="" genus="" arctostaphylos,="" dr.="" phillip="" wells,="" who="" expressed="" his="" concern="" that="" the="" time="" remaining="" for="" the="" grazing="" operation="" would="" precipitate="" the="" extinction="" of="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora="" if="" some="" protection="" from="" non-native="" mammals="" was="" not="" implemented="" (painter="" in="" litt.,="" 1997).="" specific="" examples="" of="" browsing="" or="" grazing="" by="" alien="" mammals="" on="" other="" taxa="" in="" this="" rule="" have="" been="" observed,="" including="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" helianthemum="" greenei,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1980b,="" mceachern="" and="" wilken="" 1996,="" wilken="" 1996,="" painter="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" grazing="" can="" completely="" eliminate="" plants="" and="" prevent="" the="" supplement="" of="" seed="" to="" the="" seed="" bank.="" of="" the="" six="" collections="" of="" gilia="" in="" the="" herbarium="" at="" the="" santa="" barbara="" botanic="" garden,="" only="" the="" two="" collections="" made="" during="" april="" 1941="" show="" no="" signs="" of="" browsing.="" the="" remaining="" four="" collections="" were="" made="" between="" the="" months="" of="" may="" and="" june="" between="" 1963="" and="" 1978,="" and="" all="" show="" signs="" of="" having="" been="" browsed="" (rutherford="" and="" thomas,="" in="" litt.="" 1994).="" in="" 1993,="" thomas="" visited="" one="" gilia="" population="" twice.="" during="" the="" first="" visit="" in="" april,="" the="" gilia="" had="" not="" been="" browsed,="" but="" by="" the="" second="" visit="" in="" may,="" the="" gilia="" had="" been="" browsed="" (thomas,="" in="" litt.="" 1993).="" in="" response="" to="" such="" browsing,="" the="" annual="" gilia="" forms="" multiple="" side="" branches,="" and="" although="" a="" branched="" plant="" may="" produce="" a="" greater="" number="" of="" flowers,="" this="" does="" not="" necessarily="" increase="" the="" fecundity="" of="" the="" plant="" (painter="" and="" belsky="" 1993).="" flowers="" produced="" later="" in="" the="" season="" out="" of="" synchrony="" with="" pollinator="" activity="" results="" in="" lower="" seed="" productivity="" (painter="" in="" litt.="" 1977).="" the="" nature="" conservancy="" has="" been="" monitoring="" population="" sizes="" for="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island="" since="" 1990.="" in="" 1993,="" only="" 19="" individuals="" were="" observed="" in="" the="" centinela="" population;="" this="" represented="" a="" net="" loss="" of="" 13="" individuals="" from="" the="" previous="" year,="" with="" mortality="" of="" nine="" of="" those="" plants="" ``directly="" attributed="" to="" pig="" rooting''="" (klinger="" 1994a).="" d.="" the="" inadequacy="" of="" existing="" regulatory="" mechanisms="" under="" the="" native="" plant="" protection="" act="" (sec.="" 1900="" et="" seq.="" of="" the="" fish="" and="" game="" code)="" and="" the="" california="" endangered="" species="" act="" (sec.="" 2050="" et="" seq.),="" the="" california="" fish="" and="" game="" commission="" has="" listed="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" and="" galium="" buxifolium="" as="" rare="" and="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" and="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" ssp.="" nesiotica="" as="" endangered.="" the="" remaining="" taxa="" included="" in="" this="" listing="" proposal="" are="" on="" list="" 1b="" of="" the="" california="" native="" plant="" society's="" inventory="" (smith="" and="" berg="" 1988),="" indicating="" that,="" in="" accordance="" with="" sec.="" 1901,="" chapter="" 10="" of="" the="" california="" department="" of="" fish="" and="" game="" code,="" they="" are="" eligible="" for="" state="" listing.="" both="" the="" native="" plant="" protection="" act="" and="" the="" california="" endangered="" species="" act="" prohibit="" the="" ``take''="" of="" state-listed="" plants="" on="" private="" and="" state="" lands,="" except="" under="" permit="" (sec.="" 1908="" and="" sec.="" 2080="" of="" the="" fish="" and="" game="" code).="" privately="" owned="" lands="" that="" support="" populations="" of="" the="" taxa="" in="" this="" rule="" include="" most="" of="" santa="" cruz="" island,="" 90="" percent="" of="" which="" is="" owned="" by="" tnc;="" the="" remaining="" 10="" percent="" is="" owned="" jointly="" by="" nps.="" on="" santa="" catalina="" island,="" habitat="" for="" helianthemum="" greenei="" occurs="" on="" land="" managed="" by="" the="" catalina="" conservancy,="" a="" private="" conservancy="" owned="" by="" the="" catalina="" island="" company.="" in="" general,="" these="" state="" regulatory="" mechanisms="" would="" not="" likely="" be="" invoked,="" because="" major="" changes="" in="" land="" use,="" such="" as="" development="" projects,="" are="" not="" likely="" to="" be="" proposed="" on="" these="" properties.="" the="" california="" fish="" and="" game="" commission="" (commission)="" also="" regulates="" hunting="" on="" private="" and="" public="" [[page="" 40969]]="" lands="" by="" issuing="" permits="" for="" the="" take="" of="" a="" specified="" number="" of="" animals="" and="" taking="" measures="" to="" manage="" herd="" sizes.="" the="" commission="" issues="" permits="" for="" deer="" hunting="" on="" santa="" catalina="" island.="" in="" 1993,="" the="" commission="" issued="" 300="" tags="" for="" deer="" hunting="" on="" the="" island.="" pigs="" are="" considered="" livestock="" if="" they="" are="" fenced="" or="" marked,="" but="" considered="" wild="" game="" if="" they="" are="" unfenced="" and="" unmarked.="" the="" catalina="" island="" company="" has="" entered="" into="" a="" memorandum="" of="" understanding="" (mou)="" with="" cdfg="" to="" allow="" eradication="" of="" feral="" pigs="" on="" catalina="" island="" (mayer,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1994).="" a="" similar="" mou="" between="" cdfg="" and="" tnc="" exists="" for="" the="" removal="" of="" pigs="" from="" santa="" cruz="" island.="" bison,="" which="" occur="" on="" santa="" catalina="" island,="" are="" considered="" livestock="" and="" therefore="" not="" regulated="" by="" any="" agency.="" apparently,="" the="" commission="" has="" no="" regulatory="" authority="" over="" hunting="" or="" herd="" size="" of="" deer="" and="" elk="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island,="" because="" these="" ungulates="" were="" originally="" transported="" there="" under="" a="" game="" breeder's="" permit="" in="" the="" early="" 1900's.="" several="" federal="" laws,="" interior="" policies,="" and="" nps="" policies="" and="" guidelines="" apply="" to="" the="" management="" of="" nps="" lands.="" these="" laws="" and="" guidelines="" include="" the="" nepa,="" the="" endangered="" species="" act,="" nps="" guidelines="" for="" natural="" resources="" management="" (nps="" 1991),="" and="" the="" nps="" statement="" for="" management="" (nps="" 1985).="" the="" 1980="" congressional="" legislation="" enabling="" purchase="" of="" santa="" rosa="" island="" as="" a="" national="" park="" from="" the="" vail="" and="" vickers="" company="" stated="" that="" the="" owner="" ``may="" retain="" for="" himself="" a="" right="" of="" use="" and="" occupancy="" of="" all="" or="" such="" portion="" of="" the="" property="" as="" the="" owner="" may="" elect="" for="" a="" definite="" term="" of="" not="" more="" than="" twenty-five="" years,="" or="" ending="" at="" the="" death="" of="" the="" owner,="" or="" his="" spouse,="" whichever="" is="" later.="" the="" owner="" shall="" elect="" the="" term="" to="" be="" reserved.="" any="" such="" right="" retained="" pursuant="" to="" this="" subsection="" with="" respect="" to="" any="" property="" shall="" be="" subject="" to="" termination="" by="" the="" secretary="" upon="" his="" determination="" that="" such="" property="" is="" being="" used="" for="" any="" purpose="" which="" is="" incompatible="" with="" the="" administration="" of="" the="" park,="" or="" with="" the="" preservation="" of="" the="" resources="" therein,="" and="" it="" shall="" terminate="" by="" operation="" of="" law="" upon="" notification="" by="" the="" secretary="" to="" the="" holder="" of="" the="" right="" of="" such="" determination="" and="" tendering="" to="" him="" the="" amount="" equal="" to="" the="" fair="" market="" value="" of="" that="" portion="" which="" remains="" unexpired.''="" (pub.="" l.="" 96-199,="" 94="" stat.="" 67,="" march="" 5,="" 1980).="" the="" legislation="" also="" directed="" the="" secretary="" to="" complete="" a="" natural="" resources="" study="" within="" 2="" years="" that="" would="" supply="" an="" inventory="" of="" all="" terrestrial="" and="" marine="" species,="" indicating="" their="" population="" dynamics,="" and="" probable="" trends="" as="" to="" future="" numbers="" and="" welfare,="" and="" to="" recommend="" action="" that="" should="" be="" adopted="" to="" better="" protect="" the="" natural="" resources="" of="" the="" park.="" under="" the="" conditions="" of="" the="" deed="" of="" sale,="" the="" former="" owners,="" the="" vail="" and="" vickers="" company,="" chose="" only="" to="" retain="" the="" rights="" to="" occupy="" 3.0="" ha="" (7.6="" ac)="" (nps="" 1986).="" the="" nps="" issues="" special="" use="" permits="" for="" 5-year="" terms="" for="" grazing="" and="" hunting.="" the="" first="" special="" use="" permit="" issued="" to="" vail="" and="" vickers="" company="" included="" a="" condition="" that="" a="" range="" management="" plan="" be="" developed="" within="" 5="" years.="" a="" range="" management="" plan="" was="" adopted="" when="" the="" nps="" issued="" the="" second="" special="" use="" permit.="" the="" plan,="" however,="" does="" not="" address="" protection="" of="" the="" taxa="" in="" this="" rule="" (usfws="" 1991,="" 1992,="" 1993).="" in="" a="" recent="" review="" of="" the="" range="" management="" plan,="" the="" service="" found="" that="" measuring="" residual="" dry="" matter,="" the="" identified="" means="" of="" determining="" appropriate="" stocking="" rates,="" is="" inadequate="" to="" monitor="" other="" important="" indicators="" of="" ecosystem="" health,="" including="" composition="" and="" diversity="" of="" species,="" and="" the="" condition="" of="" plant="" species="" of="" special="" concern="" (usfws="" 1993).="" the="" monitoring="" of="" sensitive="" resources="" within="" grazed="" areas="" is="" commonly="" recommended="" (nps="" 1991,="" ruyle="" 1987,="" willoughby="" 1986),="" but="" in="" this="" case="" has="" not="" been="" included="" in="" the="" range="" management="" plan.="" currently,="" the="" condition="" of="" the="" vegetation="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" is="" monitored="" by="" assessing="" the="" residual="" dry="" matter="" of="" grassland="" vegetation,="" which="" is="" composed="" primarily="" of="" non-native="" species="" (nps="" 1993,="" nps="" 1996).="" the="" nps="" has="" prepared="" a="" resource="" management="" plan="" (plan)="" for="" santa="" rosa="" island="" to="" address="" water="" quality="" and="" rare="" plants="" (nps="" 1997).="" the="" successful="" implementation="" of="" the="" plan="" will="" be="" evaluated="" on="" a="" yearly="" basis="" to="" determine="" the="" effects="" on="" the="" species="" in="" this="" rule="" that="" occur="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island.="" while="" reducing="" grazing="" and="" browsing,="" the="" preferred="" action="" will="" allow="" impacts="" to="" continue="" to="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" and="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis="" and="" in="" historic="" habitat="" for="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" and="" helianthemum="" greenei.="" san="" miguel="" island="" and="" adjacent="" prince="" island="" (a="" small="" islet)="" are="" under="" the="" jurisdiction="" of="" the="" department="" of="" the="" navy="" (navy),="" but="" nps="" assists="" in="" the="" management="" of="" natural,="" historic,="" and="" scientific="" values="" of="" san="" miguel="" island="" through="" a="" memorandum="" of="" agreement="" (moa)="" originally="" signed="" in="" 1963,="" an="" amendment="" to="" this="" moa="" signed="" in="" 1976,="" and="" a="" supplemental="" interagency="" agreement="" (ia)="" signed="" in="" 1985.="" the="" moa="" states="" that="" the="" ``paramount="" use="" of="" the="" islands="" and="" their="" environs="" shall="" be="" for="" the="" purpose="" of="" a="" missile="" test="" range,="" and="" all="" activities="" conducted="" by="" or="" in="" behalf="" of="" the="" department="" of="" the="" interior="" on="" such="" islands,="" shall="" recognize="" the="" priority="" of="" such="" use''="" (department="" of="" the="" navy="" 1963).="" in="" addition="" to="" san="" miguel="" island,="" four="" other="" islands="" including="" anacapa,="" santa="" barbara,="" santa="" cruz,="" and="" santa="" rosa="" lie="" wholly="" within="" the="" navy's="" pacific="" missile="" test="" center="" (pmtc)="" sea="" test="" range.="" the="" 1985="" ia="" provides="" for="" the="" pmtc="" to="" have="" access="" and="" use="" of="" portions="" of="" those="" islands,="" for="" expeditious="" processing="" of="" any="" necessary="" permits="" by="" nps,="" and="" for="" mitigation="" of="" damage="" of="" park="" resources="" from="" any="" such="" activity="" (department="" of="" the="" navy="" 1985).="" should="" the="" navy="" no="" longer="" require="" use="" of="" the="" islands,="" nps="" would="" seek="" authorization="" for="" the="" islands="" to="" be="" preserved="" and="" protected="" as="" units="" within="" the="" nps="" system="" (department="" of="" the="" navy="" 1976).="" to="" date,="" conflicts="" concerning="" protection="" of="" sensitive="" resources="" on="" san="" miguel="" island="" have="" not="" occurred.="" protection="" and="" management="" for="" the="" three="" taxa="" in="" this="" rule="" that="" occur="" on="" the="" island,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" malacothrix="" squalida,="" and="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis,="" have="" not="" been="" addressed,="" leaving="" in="" question="" which="" agency="" has="" ultimate="" responsibility="" to="" do="" so.="" e.="" other="" natural="" or="" manmade="" factors="" affecting="" its="" continued="" existence="" over="" 180="" non-native="" plant="" species="" have="" been="" documented="" from="" the="" northern="" island="" group,="" and="" the="" disruption="" of="" native="" habitats="" and="" displacement="" of="" native="" species="" by="" alien="" plants="" is="" a="" major="" concern="" for="" natural="" resource="" managers="" on="" the="" islands="" (hochberg="" et="" al.="" 1979,="" halvorson="" et="" al.="" 1987).="" numerous="" aggressive="" non-native="" plants,="" including="" australian="" fireweed="" (erechtites="" glomerata),="" iceplants="" (carpobrotus="" spp.,="" mesembryanthemum="" spp.),="" thistles="" (centaurea="" spp.,="" cirsium="" spp.,="" silybum="" sp.),="" german-ivy="" (senecio="" mikanoides),="" hoary="" cress="" (cardaria="" draba),="" and="" russian="" thistle="" (salsola="" tragus)="" pose="" threats="" to="" most="" of="" the="" taxa="" addressed="" in="" this="" rule.="" fennel="" (foeniculum="" vulgare)="" has="" become="" widespread="" since="" the="" removal="" of="" cattle="" and="" sheep="" from="" santa="" cruz="" island.="" fennel="" was="" noticed="" as="" a="" pest="" species="" prior="" to="" the="" removal="" of="" sheep="" as="" reported="" in="" hobbs="" (1983).="" sheep="" kept="" the="" plant="" from="" growing="" to="" its="" full="" height="" of="" 2="" m="" (6="" ft),="" and="" since="" their="" removal="" the="" plant="" has="" ``appeared''="" over="" large="" areas="" of="" the="" island.="" when="" it="" is="" not="" grazed="" and="" cropped="" close="" to="" the="" ground,="" its="" bright="" green="" foliage="" and="" bright="" yellow="" flowers="" are="" very="" conspicuous.="" several="" papers="" [[page="" 40970]]="" were="" presented="" at="" a="" recent="" symposium="" on="" techniques="" to="" control="" fennel="" (brenton="" and="" klinger="" 1994,="" dash="" and="" gliessman="" 1994,="" gliessman="" 1994).="" if="" left="" unchecked,="" fennel="" completely="" dominates="" the="" habitats="" it="" occupies="" to="" the="" exclusion="" of="" all="" other="" species.="" this="" dominance="" may="" be="" facilitated="" by="" a="" chemical="" that="" prevents="" other="" species="" from="" competing="" for="" occupied="" sites="" (gliessman="" 1994).="" incidental="" introductions="" of="" seed="" to="" the="" channel="" islands="" occur="" continually="" from="" wind-blown="" seed="" from="" the="" mainland,="" introductions="" from="" restocking="" of="" non-native="" animals,="" and="" seed="" carried="" on="" vehicles="" and="" in="" construction="" materials.="" deliberate="" introductions="" of="" seed="" have="" also="" occurred="" as="" during="" the="" 1960's,="" when="" one="" pilot="" reported="" scattering="" bags="" of="" commercial="" wildflower="" and="" grass="" seed="" on="" most="" of="" the="" northern="" channel="" islands="" (rutherford,="" in="" litt.="" 1994).="" when="" new="" introductions="" and="" established="" seed="" sources="" occur="" in="" areas="" with="" disturbance="" resulting="" from="" grazing,="" browsing,="" and="" rooting="" by="" non-native="" mammals,="" the="" invasive="" species="" can="" dominate="" the="" site.="" over="" the="" past="" decade="" there="" has="" been="" an="" increasing="" trend="" in="" the="" numbers="" of="" non-native="" plants="" invading="" the="" channel="" islands.="" santa="" rosa="" island="" has="" experienced="" the="" least="" increase="" in="" percentage="" of="" weed="" species="" to="" native="" flora="" ratio="" of="" any="" of="" the="" channel="" islands="" with="" a="" 2="" percent="" increase="" to="" 20="" percent="" (junak="" et="" al.="" 1995).="" santa="" cruz="" island="" has="" at="" least="" 170="" non-native="" plants="" recorded="" and="" santa="" rosa="" island="" has="" 98="" non-natives="" (junak="" et="" al.="" 1995).="" these="" invasive="" species="" have="" a="" high="" probability="" of="" preventing="" recruitment="" and="" causing="" habitat="" displacement="" of="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" helianthemum="" greenei,="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesioticus,="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" malacothrix="" squalida,="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus.="" many="" of="" the="" known="" pollinators="" on="" the="" islands="" are="" ground-nesting="" insects="" (miller="" 1985,="" miller="" and="" davis="" 1985).="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" has="" been="" reported="" to="" be="" pollinated="" by="" a="" ground="" nesting="" beefly="" (oligodranes="" sp.)="" (grant="" and="" grant="" 1965).="" the="" habitat="" of="" these="" ground-nesting="" insects="" has="" been="" and="" is="" being="" degraded="" by="" trampling="" and="" serious="" loss="" of="" soils="" to="" active="" erosion="" on="" all="" of="" the="" islands.="" the="" few,="" small="" and="" isolated="" populations="" with="" few="" individuals="" of="" most="" of="" these="" taxa="" increase="" the="" potential="" for="" their="" extinction="" from="" random="" events.="" one="" of="" the="" species="" in="" this="" rule,="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" is="" known="" from="" single="" a="" population.="" seven="" other="" taxa="" in="" this="" rule,="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" ssp.="" nesioticus,="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" and="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis,="" are="" known="" from="" only="" two="" to="" five="" populations.="" although="" recent="" surveys="" were="" conducted="" for="" malacothrix="" squalida="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" (s.="" junak,="" pers.="" comm.="" 1994,wilken="" in="" litt.="" 1997),="" and="" they="" have="" not="" been="" seen="" in="" over="" five="" years,="" the="" service="" believes="" these="" species="" are="" still="" likely="" to="" be="" extant="" because="" all="" historic="" locations="" have="" not="" been="" recently="" visited.="" species="" with="" few="" populations="" and="" individuals="" are="" subject="" to="" the="" threat="" of="" random="" events="" causing="" extinction="" in="" several="" ways.="" first,="" the="" loss="" of="" genetic="" diversity="" may="" decrease="" a="" species'="" ability="" to="" maintain="" fitness="" within="" the="" environment,="" often="" manifested="" in="" depressed="" reproductive="" vigor.="" from="" genetic="" analyses="" conducted="" for="" the="" two="" populations="" of="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" var.="" nesioticus,="" (swenson="" et="" al.="" 1995),="" it="" was="" concluded="" that="" the="" three="" genotypes="" represented="" in="" each="" of="" the="" two="" populations="" ``probably="" represent="" only="" a="" portion="" of="" the="" diversity="" once="" present="" in="" var.="" nesioticus.''="" elisens="" (1994)="" documented="" reduced="" levels="" of="" genetic="" diversity="" in="" galvesia="" speciosa,="" a="" channel="" islands="" endemic="" species="" of="" special="" concern,="" and="" noted="" that="" the="" levels="" were="" ``likely="" the="" result="" of="" decreased="" population="" sizes="" initiated="" by="" human="" activities="" and="" herbivore="" introductions.''="" secondly,="" species="" with="" few="" populations="" or="" individuals="" may="" be="" subject="" to="" forces="" that="" affect="" their="" ability="" to="" complete="" their="" life="" cycle="" successfully.="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora,="" provides="" an="" excellent="" example="" of="" this="" type="" of="" threat.="" the="" only="" remaining="" individuals="" of="" this="" species="" are="" of="" moderate="" to="" old="" age,="" and="" establishment="" of="" new="" individuals="" is="" completely="" lacking="" (mceachern="" 1996,="" mceachern="" and="" wilken="" 1996,="" wilken="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" the="" effects="" of="" browsing="" animals="" on="" critical="" portions="" of="" its="" life="" cycle="" has="" resulted="" in="" the="" inability="" of="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora="" to="" establish="" new="" individuals="" to="" replenish="" its="" population.="" the="" degree="" of="" pollination="" success="" for="" manzanita="" flowers="" is="" unknown,="" but="" the="" abundance="" of="" alien="" grazing="" and="" browsing="" animals="" has="" likely="" depressed="" the="" number="" of="" native="" pollinators="" available="" to="" the="" native="" plants.="" even="" if="" pollination="" occurs="" and="" results="" in="" successful="" fruiting,="" the="" fruits="" are="" eaten="" by="" browsing="" animals.="" seed="" banks="" are="" absent="" due="" to="" severe="" soil="" loss="" (mceachern="" and="" wilken="" 1996).="" if="" the="" fruits="" escape="" predation="" and="" seeds="" do="" germinate,="" the="" seedlings="" are="" either="" trampled="" or="" eaten="" by="" those="" same="" animals.="" most="" of="" the="" species="" in="" this="" rule="" that="" occur="" on="" santa="" rosa,="" santa="" cruz,="" and="" santa="" catalina="" islands="" are="" likely="" to="" be="" similarly="" affected.="" for="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" the="" conspicuous="" lack="" of="" recruitment="" from="" seeds="" likely="" represents="" a="" threat="" to="" its="" long-term="" survival="" (wilken="" 1996).="" during="" the="" 1995-1996="" life="" history="" study="" for="" arabis="" hoffmannii="" there="" were="" only="" 11="" plants="" that="" produced="" seed="" in="" three="" populations="" (wilken="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" thirdly,="" random="" natural="" events,="" such="" as="" storms,="" drought,="" fire,="" or="" landslides,="" could="" destroy="" a="" significant="" percentage="" of="" a="" species'="" individuals,="" or="" the="" only="" known="" extant="" population.="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" are="" examples="" of="" species="" that="" could="" sustain="" losses="" of="" individuals="" and="" populations="" through="" landslides="" and="" soil="" sloughing="" as="" a="" result="" of="" storm="" events.="" if="" a="" fire="" were="" to="" burn="" through="" the="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora="" populations="" in="" its="" current="" condition="" with="" a="" highly="" reduced="" seed="" bank,="" the="" species="" would="" likely="" go="" extinct.="" in="" summary,="" random="" events="" can="" affect="" species="" on="" three="" different="" levels:="" through="" loss="" of="" genetic="" diversity,="" through="" chance="" events="" in="" survival="" and="" reproduction,="" and="" through="" catastrophic="" events.="" when="" numbers="" of="" populations="" and="" individuals="" reach="" critically="" low="" levels,="" more="" than="" one="" of="" these="" three="" types="" of="" processes="" may="" combine="" to="" cause="" extinction.="" for="" instance,="" a="" species="" with="" low="" reproductive="" success="" due="" to="" grazing="" or="" browsing="" pressure="" during="" a="" critical="" portion="" of="" its="" life="" cycle="" may="" subsequently="" be="" subject="" to="" a="" severe="" drought="" or="" storm="" that="" eliminates="" the="" remaining="" individuals="" or="" populations.="" such="" random="" events="" increase="" the="" vulnerability="" of="" all="" of="" the="" taxa="" in="" this="" rule.="" the="" service="" has="" carefully="" assessed="" the="" best="" scientific="" and="" commercial="" information="" available="" regarding="" the="" past,="" present,="" and="" future="" threats="" faced="" by="" these="" taxa="" in="" determining="" to="" make="" this="" rule="" final.="" based="" on="" this="" evaluation,="" the="" service="" finds="" that="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" ssp.="" nesioticus,="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" malacothrix="" squalida,="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" meet="" the="" definition="" of="" endangered="" species="" under="" the="" act.="" threats="" to="" these="" 11="" taxa="" include="" soil="" loss,="" habitat="" alteration="" by="" mammals="" alien="" to="" the="" channel="" islands="" (pigs,="" goats,="" sheep,="" donkeys,="" cattle,="" deer,="" elk,="" horses,="" [[page="" 40971]]="" bison)="" and="" herbivory="" by="" these="" same="" alien="" mammals,="" habitat="" alteration="" by="" native="" seabirds,="" habitat="" alteration="" due="" to="" vehicular="" traffic,="" and="" competition="" with="" alien="" plant="" taxa.="" the="" 11="" taxa="" also="" have="" an="" increased="" vulnerability="" to="" extinction="" due="" to="" reduced="" genetic="" viability,="" depressed="" reproductive="" vigor,="" and="" random="" events="" resulting="" from="" few,="" small="" and="" isolated="" populations="" with="" few="" individuals.="" because="" these="" 11="" taxa="" are="" in="" danger="" of="" extinction="" throughout="" all="" or="" a="" significant="" portion="" of="" their="" ranges,="" they="" fit="" the="" definition="" of="" endangered="" as="" defined="" in="" the="" act.="" for="" the="" reasons="" discussed="" below,="" the="" service="" finds="" that="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" and="" helianthemum="" greenei="" are="" likely="" to="" become="" endangered="" in="" the="" foreseeable="" future="" throughout="" all="" or="" a="" significant="" portion="" of="" their="" range.="" since="" the="" time="" the="" proposed="" rule="" was="" published,="" more="" accurate="" information="" on="" the="" population="" status="" of="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" has="" become="" available="" indicating="" that="" there="" are="" considerably="" more="" individuals="" than="" previously="" understood="" and="" that="" the="" species="" occupies="" a="" larger="" area="" than="" previously="" known.="" an="" estimated="" 30,000="" to="" 60,000="" individuals="" are="" now="" known="" to="" occur="" within="" an="" area="" of="" 13="" ha="" (32="" ac)="" (wilken="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" while="" the="" species="" remains="" vulnerable="" to="" soil="" loss,="" rooting="" from="" pig="" activity,="" and="" the="" possibility="" of="" random="" events,="" the="" service="" now="" believes="" that="" the="" species="" is="" not="" in="" immediate="" danger="" of="" extinction.="" helianthemum="" greenei="" has="" been="" found="" to="" have="" substantially="" larger="" population="" sizes="" than="" were="" previously="" known="" in="" areas="" that="" burned="" in="" 1994,="" with="" a="" minimum="" estimate="" of="" between="" 500="" and="" 1,000="" individuals="" at="" each="" of="" four="" locations="" (wilken="" in="" litt.="" 1997).="" there="" are="" now="" 14="" known="" locations="" for="" this="" taxon="" with="" an="" estimated="" total="" of="" over="" 3,000="" individuals.="" while="" the="" species="" remains="" vulnerable="" to="" loss="" of="" soil,="" pig="" rooting,="" altered="" fire="" frequencies="" and="" intensities,="" and="" the="" possibility="" of="" random="" events,="" the="" species="" is="" not="" in="" immediate="" danger="" of="" extinction.="" the="" service="" finds="" that="" dudleya="" nesiotica="" and="" helianthemum="" greenei="" meet="" the="" definition="" of="" threatened="" species="" under="" the="" act.="" critical="" habitat="" is="" not="" being="" proposed="" for="" these="" taxa="" for="" reasons="" discussed="" in="" the="" ``critical="" habitat''="" section="" of="" this="" proposal.="" critical="" habitat="" critical="" habitat="" is="" defined="" by="" section="" 3="" of="" the="" act="" as:="" (i)="" the="" specific="" areas="" within="" the="" geographical="" area="" occupied="" by="" a="" species,="" at="" the="" time="" it="" is="" listed="" in="" accordance="" with="" the="" act,="" on="" which="" are="" found="" those="" physical="" or="" biological="" features="" (i)="" essential="" to="" the="" conservation="" of="" the="" species="" and="" (ii)="" that="" may="" require="" special="" management="" considerations="" or="" protection="" and;="" (ii)="" specific="" areas="" outside="" the="" geographical="" area="" occupied="" by="" a="" species="" at="" the="" time="" it="" is="" listed,="" upon="" a="" determination="" that="" such="" areas="" are="" essential="" for="" the="" conservation="" of="" the="" species.="" ``conservation''="" means="" the="" use="" of="" all="" methods="" and="" procedures="" needed="" to="" bring="" any="" protected="" species="" to="" the="" point="" at="" which="" the="" measures="" provided="" pursuant="" to="" the="" act="" are="" no="" longer="" necessary="" (50="" cfr="" 424.02(c)).="" section="" 4(a)(3)="" of="" the="" act,="" as="" amended,="" and="" implementing="" regulations="" (50="" cfr="" 424.12)="" require="" that,="" to="" the="" maximum="" extent="" prudent="" and="" determinable,="" the="" secretary="" specify="" critical="" habitat="" at="" the="" time="" a="" species="" is="" proposed="" for="" listing.="" the="" service="" finds="" that="" designation="" of="" critical="" habitat="" is="" not="" prudent="" for="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" helianthemum="" greenei,="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" ssp.="" nesioticus,="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" malacothrix="" squalida,="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" at="" this="" time.="" service="" regulations="" (50="" cfr="" 424.12(a)(1))="" state="" that="" designation="" of="" critical="" habitat="" is="" not="" prudent="" when="" one="" or="" both="" of="" the="" following="" situations="" exist:="" (1)="" the="" species="" is="" threatened="" by="" taking="" or="" other="" human="" activity,="" and="" identification="" of="" critical="" habitat="" can="" be="" expected="" to="" increase="" the="" degree="" of="" such="" threat="" to="" the="" species,="" or="" (2)="" such="" designation="" of="" critical="" habitat="" would="" not="" be="" beneficial="" to="" the="" species.="" critical="" habitat="" designation="" for="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" helianthemum="" greenei,="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" ssp.="" nesioticus,="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" malacothrix="" squalida,="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" is="" not="" prudent="" due="" to="" lack="" of="" benefit.="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" helianthemum="" greenei,="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" ssp.="" nesioticus,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" all="" occur="" on="" private="" lands="" where="" there="" is="" unlikely="" to="" be="" any="" need="" for="" federal="" involvement="" under="" section="" 7="" of="" the="" act.="" arabis="" hoffmannii,="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora,="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" galium="" buxifolium,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii,="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" malacothrix="" squalida,="" and="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis="" all="" either="" have="" fewer="" than="" 100="" individuals="" or="" fewer="" than="" four="" populations="" and="" any="" action="" that="" would="" adversely="" modify="" occupied="" or="" suitable="" habitat="" that="" might="" be="" considered="" critical="" habitat="" would="" also="" jeopardize="" the="" species.="" therefore,="" the="" designation="" of="" critical="" habitat="" would="" not="" provide="" any="" benefit="" to="" the="" conservation="" of="" the="" species="" beyond="" that="" afforded="" by="" listing.="" the="" nps,="" the="" department="" of="" defense="" (dod),="" tnc,="" and="" other="" pertinent="" parties="" have="" been="" notified="" of="" the="" location="" and="" importance="" of="" protecting="" these="" species'="" habitats.="" protection="" of="" these="" species'="" habitats="" will="" be="" addressed="" through="" the="" development="" of="" a="" conservation="" agreement="" with="" the="" park,="" the="" recovery="" process,="" and="" through="" the="" section="" 7="" consultation="" process="" as="" a="" result="" of="" listing="" these="" species.="" the="" service="" believes="" that="" effects="" of="" federal="" involvement="" in="" the="" areas="" where="" these="" plants="" occur="" can="" be="" identified="" without="" the="" designation="" of="" critical="" habitat.="" the="" service="" finds="" that="" designation="" of="" critical="" habitat="" for="" these="" plants="" is="" not="" prudent="" at="" this="" time,="" because="" such="" designation="" would="" not="" increase="" the="" degree="" of="" protection="" to="" the="" species="" beyond="" the="" protection="" afforded="" by="" listing.="" 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="" encourages="" and="" results="" in="" conservation="" actions="" by="" federal,="" state,="" and="" private="" agencies,="" groups,="" and="" individuals.="" the="" act="" provides="" for="" possible="" land="" acquisition="" and="" cooperation="" with="" the="" states="" and="" requires="" that="" recovery="" actions="" be="" carried="" out="" for="" all="" listed="" species.="" the="" protection="" required="" of="" federal="" agencies="" and="" the="" prohibitions="" against="" certain="" activities="" involving="" listed="" plants="" are="" discussed,="" in="" part,="" below.="" section="" 7(a)="" of="" the="" act,="" as="" amended,="" requires="" federal="" agencies="" to="" evaluate="" their="" actions="" with="" respect="" to="" any="" species="" that="" is="" listed="" as="" endangered="" or="" threatened="" 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)(2)="" requires="" federal="" agencies="" to="" ensure="" that="" activities="" they="" authorize,="" fund,="" or="" carry="" out="" are="" not="" likely="" to="" jeopardize="" the="" continued="" existence="" of="" such="" a="" species="" or="" to="" 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="" formal="" consultation="" with="" the="" service.="" the="" nps="" has="" developed="" a="" resources="" management="" plan="" and="" environmental="" [[page="" 40972]]="" impact="" statement="" (eis)="" for="" improvement="" of="" water="" quality="" and="" conservation="" of="" rare="" species="" and="" their="" habitats="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island="" in="" response="" to="" a="" cleanup="" and="" abatement="" order,="" issued="" by="" the="" central="" coast="" regional="" water="" quality="" control="" board="" and="" the="" proposed="" listing="" of="" the="" 16="" plants="" from="" the="" northern="" channel="" islands.="" the="" implementation="" of="" the="" plan="" is="" intended="" to="" improve="" the="" status="" of="" the="" plants="" in="" this="" rule;="" due="" to="" natural="" variability="" in="" population="" sizes="" of="" the="" annual="" plants="" in="" this="" rule,="" however,="" any="" evaluation="" of="" the="" success="" of="" implementation="" will="" require="" at="" least="" three="" years="" to="" evaluate.="" for="" more="" long-lived="" species,="" even="" an="" accurate="" assessment="" of="" survivorship="" to="" reproductive="" maturity="" may="" take="" considerably="" longer.="" the="" service="" and="" nps="" have="" been="" cooperating="" to="" develop="" a="" conservation="" agreement="" (ca)="" in="" accordance="" with="" an="" mou="" among="" several="" federal="" land-="" managing="" agencies="" to="" cooperate="" in="" the="" conservation="" of="" species="" for="" which="" listing="" may="" be="" appropriate="" (u.s.="" department="" of="" the="" interior="" 1994).="" the="" service="" has="" been="" working="" with="" and="" advising="" nps="" since="" at="" least="" 1991="" including="" the="" review="" of="" their="" range="" management="" plans="" effects="" on="" the="" species="" in="" this="" rule.="" the="" intent="" of="" the="" ca="" is="" to="" focus="" on="" the="" conservation="" needs="" of="" the="" plant="" and="" animal="" species="" of="" special="" concern="" from="" the="" northern="" channel="" islands="" such="" that="" listing="" for="" some="" of="" those="" taxa="" may="" be="" avoided.="" the="" ca="" would="" also="" serve="" as="" a="" template="" for="" the="" future="" development="" of="" a="" recovery="" strategy="" for="" the="" 13="" taxa="" included="" in="" this="" rule.="" the="" service="" and="" nps="" signed="" an="" mou="" in="" 1995,="" for="" the="" purpose="" of="" developing="" a="" conservation="" strategy="" (cs)="" that="" would="" be="" included="" as="" the="" basis="" for="" a="" portion="" of="" the="" preferred="" alternative="" for="" the="" nps="" eis.="" a="" team="" of="" biologists="" from="" three="" agencies="" (nps,="" service,="" and="" brd)="" was="" assembled="" to="" prepare="" the="" cs.="" as="" a="" first="" step="" in="" developing="" a="" cs="" for="" the="" northern="" channel="" islands,="" the="" conservation="" team="" compiled="" and="" reviewed="" available="" literature="" and="" data="" relevant="" to="" these="" species="" and="" their="" plant="" communities.="" two="" public="" meetings="" were="" held="" on="" september="" 8,="" 1994,="" and="" january="" 9,="" 1995,="" to="" gather="" additional="" scientific="" data="" on="" the="" species="" and="" their="" habitats,="" distributions,="" and="" threats.="" it="" was="" agreed="" that="" the="" best="" strategy="" for="" recovery="" of="" the="" species="" would="" be="" a="" restoration="" of="" the="" ecosystem="" processes="" and="" habitat="" structures="" that="" support="" them.="" the="" nps="" selected="" the="" cs="" alternative="" in="" the="" final="" eis="" (nps="" 1997).="" of="" the="" 13="" taxa="" in="" this="" rule,="" all="" except="" dudleya="" nesiotica,="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" ssp.="" nesioticus,="" and="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus="" have="" populations="" or="" historical="" habitat="" located="" on="" federal="" lands.="" three="" of="" the="" taxa="" (galium="" buxifolium,="" malacothrix="" indecora,="" and="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis)="" have="" populations="" or="" historical="" habitat="" on="" san="" miguel="" island,="" which="" is="" owned="" by="" the="" navy="" and="" managed="" by="" nps="" through="" a="" moa="" and="" ia.="" navy="" activities="" that="" could="" potentially="" affect="" these="" taxa="" and="" their="" habitats="" include="" military="" exercises="" and="" equipment="" testing="" and="" retrieval="" carried="" out="" under="" the="" executive="" order="" that="" established="" the="" pmtc="" sea="" test="" range,="" which="" includes="" anacapa,="" san="" miguel,="" santa="" barbara,="" santa="" cruz,="" and="" santa="" rosa="" islands="" and="" their="" environs.="" two="" of="" the="" taxa="" (berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis="" and="" malacothrix="" squalida)="" have="" populations="" or="" historical="" habitat="" on="" anacapa="" island,="" which="" is="" owned="" and="" managed="" by="" the="" nps.="" eight="" of="" the="" 13="" taxa="" have="" populations="" or="" historical="" habitat="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island,="" which="" is="" owned="" and="" managed="" by="" the="" nps.="" three="" of="" those="" eight="" taxa="" are="" single="" island="" endemics="" (arctostaphylos="" confertiflora,="" castilleja="" mollis,="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii).="" nps="" activities="" that="" could="" potentially="" affect="" these="" taxa="" and="" their="" habitats="" include="" specific="" management="" plans,="" including="" those="" that="" address="" expansion="" of="" nps="" facilities;="" expansion="" of="" visitor="" services;="" range="" management="" plans,="" including="" those="" that="" address="" cattle="" ranching="" and="" deer="" and="" elk="" hunting;="" alien="" plant="" removal="" programs;="" and="" other="" ecosystem="" restoration="" programs,="" including="" prescribed="" fire="" management.="" other="" activities="" include="" the="" issuing="" of="" permits,="" including="" special="" use="" permits,="" that="" authorize="" continued="" ranching="" and="" hunting="" operations="" on="" santa="" rosa="" island.="" also="" included="" are="" permits="" that="" authorize="" activities="" by="" other="" agencies="" or="" organizations,="" including="" rights-of-way="" to="" the="" department="" of="" commerce="" to="" access="" lighthouse="" and="" communication="" facilities.="" as="" mentioned="" above,="" there="" are="" three="" taxa="" that="" occur="" wholly="" on="" lands="" owned="" and="" managed="" by="" tnc.="" future="" management="" of="" santa="" cruz="" island="" may="" involve="" nps="" as="" a="" cooperator,="" since="" the="" island="" is="" within="" national="" park="" boundaries.="" nps="" has="" already="" developed="" a="" keen="" interest="" in="" the="" conservation="" of="" the="" taxa="" in="" this="" rule="" on="" santa="" cruz="" island,="" and="" the="" service="" would="" anticipate="" coordination="" with="" nps="" on="" issues="" affecting="" those="" taxa.="" the="" act="" and="" its="" implementing="" regulations="" set="" forth="" a="" series="" of="" general="" prohibitions="" and="" exceptions="" that="" apply="" to="" all="" endangered="" plants="" or="" threatened="" plants.="" all="" prohibitions="" of="" section="" 9(a)(2)="" of="" the="" act,="" implemented="" by="" 50="" cfr="" 17.61="" for="" endangered="" plants,="" and="" 50="" cfr="" 17.71="" for="" threatened="" plants,="" apply.="" these="" prohibitions,="" in="" part,="" make="" it="" illegal="" for="" any="" person="" subject="" to="" the="" jurisdiction="" of="" the="" united="" states="" to="" import="" or="" export,="" transport="" in="" interstate="" or="" foreign="" commerce="" in="" the="" course="" of="" a="" commercial="" activity,="" sell="" or="" offer="" for="" sale="" in="" interstate="" or="" foreign="" commerce,="" or="" remove="" and="" reduce="" the="" species="" to="" possession="" from="" areas="" under="" federal="" jurisdiction.="" in="" addition,="" for="" plants="" listed="" as="" endangered,="" the="" act="" prohibits="" the="" malicious="" damage="" or="" destruction="" on="" areas="" under="" federal="" jurisdiction="" and="" the="" removal,="" cutting,="" digging="" up,="" or="" damaging="" or="" destroying="" of="" such="" plants="" in="" knowing="" violation="" of="" any="" state="" law="" or="" regulation,="" including="" state="" criminal="" trespass="" law.="" certain="" exceptions="" to="" the="" prohibitions="" apply="" to="" agents="" of="" the="" service="" and="" state="" conservation="" agencies.="" it="" is="" the="" policy="" of="" the="" service,="" published="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" (59="" fr="" 34272)="" on="" july="" 1,="" 1994,="" to="" identify="" to="" the="" maximum="" extent="" practicable="" at="" the="" time="" a="" species="" is="" listed="" those="" activities="" that="" would="" or="" would="" not="" be="" likely="" to="" constitute="" a="" violation="" of="" section="" 9="" of="" the="" act.="" the="" intent="" of="" this="" policy="" is="" to="" clarify="" the="" potential="" impacts="" of="" a="" species="" listing="" on="" proposed="" and="" ongoing="" activities="" within="" its="" range.="" eight="" of="" the="" 13="" taxa="" in="" this="" final="" rule="" are="" known="" to="" occur="" on="" lands="" under="" the="" jurisdiction="" of="" the="" nps="" or="" dod;="" an="" additional="" 4="" taxa="" historically="" occurred="" on="" these="" same="" federal="" lands,="" and="" potential="" habitat="" may="" still="" exist.="" collection,="" damage,="" or="" destruction="" of="" listed="" species="" on="" these="" lands="" is="" prohibited.="" however,="" authorization="" to="" incidentally="" remove="" or="" destroy="" such="" species="" on="" federal="" lands="" may="" be="" granted="" by="" the="" fish="" and="" wildlife="" service="" for="" any="" otherwise="" legal="" action="" funded,="" authorized,="" or="" implemented="" by="" a="" federal="" agency="" through="" section="" 7="" of="" the="" act.="" the="" removal="" and="" reduction="" to="" possession="" of="" listed="" species="" on="" federal="" lands="" for="" research="" activities="" may="" be="" authorized="" by="" the="" service="" under="" section="" 10(a)(1)(a)="" of="" the="" act.="" section="" 9="" of="" the="" act="" prohibits="" removal,="" cutting,="" digging="" up,="" damaging,="" or="" destroying="" endangered="" plants="" on="" federal="" or="" non-federal="" lands="" in="" knowing="" violation="" of="" any="" law="" or="" regulation="" of="" any="" state="" or="" in="" the="" course="" of="" any="" violation="" of="" a="" state="" criminal="" trespass="" law.="" as="" an="" example,="" if="" individuals="" of="" an="" endangered="" plant="" species="" were="" grazed="" or="" trampled="" by="" cattle="" while="" the="" livestock="" were="" trespassing="" on="" either="" federal="" or="" non-federal="" land,="" a="" violation="" of="" section="" 9="" may="" exist.="" however,="" if="" the="" livestock="" grazing="" occurred="" under="" the="" authority="" of="" a="" local="" permit="" on="" non-federal="" land="" or="" under="" a="" section="" 7="" consultation="" on="" federal="" land,="" section="" 9="" would="" not="" be="" violated.="" questions="" regarding="" whether="" [[page="" 40973]]="" specific="" activities="" would="" constitute="" a="" violation="" of="" section="" 9="" should="" be="" directed="" to="" the="" field="" supervisor="" of="" the="" service's="" ventura="" field="" office="" (see="" addresses="" section).="" the="" act="" and="" 50="" cfr="" 17.62="" and="" 17.63="" for="" endangered="" plants="" and="" 50="" cfr="" 17.72="" for="" threatened="" plants="" also="" provide="" for="" the="" issuance="" of="" permits="" to="" carry="" out="" otherwise="" prohibited="" activities="" involving="" endangered="" or="" threatened="" plants="" under="" certain="" circumstances.="" such="" permits="" are="" available="" for="" scientific="" purposes="" and="" to="" enhance="" the="" propagation="" or="" survival="" of="" the="" species.="" for="" threatened="" plants,="" permits="" also="" are="" available="" for="" botanical="" or="" horticultural="" exhibition,="" educational="" purposes,="" or="" special="" purposes="" consistent="" with="" the="" purposes="" of="" the="" act.="" requests="" for="" copies="" of="" the="" regulations="" regarding="" listed="" species="" and="" inquiries="" about="" prohibitions="" and="" permits="" may="" be="" addressed="" to="" the="" u.s.="" fish="" and="" wildlife="" service,="" endangered="" species="" permits,="" 911="" n.e.="" 11th="" avenue,="" portland,="" oregon="" 97232-4181="" (telephone="" 503/231-2063,="" facsimile="" 503/231-6243).="" national="" environmental="" policy="" act="" the="" fish="" and="" wildlife="" service="" has="" determined="" that="" environmental="" assessments="" and="" environmental="" impact="" statements,="" as="" defined="" under="" the="" authority="" of="" the="" national="" environmental="" policy="" act="" of="" 1969,="" need="" not="" be="" prepared="" in="" connection="" with="" regulations="" adopted="" pursuant="" to="" section="" 4(a)="" of="" the="" endangered="" species="" act="" of="" 1973,="" as="" amended.="" a="" notice="" outlining="" the="" service's="" reasons="" for="" this="" determination="" was="" published="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" on="" october="" 25,="" 1983="" (48="" fr="" 49244).="" required="" determinations="" the="" service="" has="" examined="" this="" regulation="" under="" the="" paperwork="" reduction="" act="" of="" 1995="" and="" found="" it="" to="" contain="" no="" information="" collection="" requirements.="" references="" cited="" a="" complete="" list="" of="" all="" references="" cited="" herein="" is="" available="" upon="" request="" from="" the="" ventura="" field="" office="" (see="" addresses="" section).="" authors:="" the="" primary="" authors="" of="" this="" final="" rule="" are="" tim="" thomas="" and="" connie="" rutherford,="" botanists,="" ventura="" field="" office="" (see="" addresses="" section).="" list="" of="" subjects="" in="" 50="" cfr="" part="" 17="" endangered="" and="" threatened="" species,="" exports,="" imports,="" reporting="" and="" recordkeeping="" requirements,="" transportation.="" regulations="" promulgation="" accordingly,="" the="" service="" amends="" part="" 17,="" subchapter="" b="" of="" chapter="" i,="" title="" 50="" of="" the="" code="" of="" federal="" regulations,="" as="" set="" forth="" below:="" part="" 17--[amended]="" 1.="" the="" authority="" citation="" for="" part="" 17="" continues="" to="" read="" as="" follows:="" authority:="" 16="" u.s.c.="" 1361-1407;="" 16="" u.s.c.="" 1531-1544;="" 16="" u.s.c.="" 4201-4245;="" pub.="" l.="" 99-625,="" 100="" stat.="" 3500;="" unless="" otherwise="" noted.="" 2.="" section="" 17.12(h)="" is="" amended="" by="" adding="" the="" following,="" in="" alphabetical="" order="" under="" flowering="" plants,="" to="" the="" list="" of="" endangered="" and="" threatened="" plants="" to="" read="" as="" follows:="" sec.="" 17.12="" endangered="" and="" threatened="" plants.="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" (h)="" *="" *="" *="" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------="" species="" --------------------------------------------------------="" historic="" range="" family="" status="" when="" listed="" critical="" special="" scientific="" name="" common="" name="" habitat="" rules="" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" flowering="" plants="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" arabis="" hoffmannii................="" hoffman's="" rockcress.="" u.s.a.="" (ca)........="" brassicaceae--musta="" e="" 623="" na="" na="" rd.="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" arctostaphylos="" confertiflora.....="" santa="" rosa="" island="" u.s.a.="" (ca)........="" ericaceae--manzanit="" e="" 623="" na="" na="" manzanita.="" a.="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" berberis="" pinnata="" ssp.="" insularis..="" island="" barberry.....="" u.s.a.="" (ca)........="" berberidaceae--barb="" e="" 623="" na="" na="" erry.="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" castilleja="" mollis................="" soft-leaved="" indian="" u.s.a.="" (ca)........="" scrophularia-......="" e="" 623="" na="" na="" paintbrush.="" ceae--figwort......="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" dudleya="" nesiotica................="" santa="" cruz="" island="" u.s.a.="" (ca)........="" crassulaceae--stone="" t="" 623="" na="" na="" dudleya.="" crop.="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" galium="" buxifolium................="" island="" bedstraw.....="" u.s.a.="" (ca)........="" rubiaceae--bedstraw="" e="" 623="" na="" na="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" gilia="" tenuiflora="" ssp.="" hoffmannii.="" hoffmann's="" gilia....="" u.s.a.="" (ca)........="" polemoniaceae--phlo="" e="" 623="" na="" na="" x.="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" helianthemum="" greenei.............="" island="" rush="" rose....="" u.s.a.="" (ca)........="" asteraceae--aster..="" t="" 623="" na="" na="" [[page="" 40974]]="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" malacothamnus="" fasciculatus="" ssp.="" santa="" cruz="" island="" u.s.a.="" (ca)........="" malvaceae--mallow..="" e="" 623="" na="" na="" nesioticus.="" bush-mallow.="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" malacothrix="" indecora.............="" santa="" cruz="" island="" u.s.a.="" (ca)........="" asteraceae--aster..="" e="" 623="" na="" na="" malacothrix.="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" malacothrix="" squalida.............="" island="" malacothrix..="" u.s.a.="" (ca)........="" asteraceae--aster..="" e="" 623="" na="" na="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" phacelia="" insularis="" ssp.="" insularis="" island="" phacelia.....="" u.s.a.="" (ca)........="" hydrophylla-.......="" e="" 623="" na="" na="" ceae--waterleaf....="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" thysanocarpus="" conchuliferus......="" santa="" cruz="" island="" u.s.a.="" (ca)........="" brassicaceae--musta="" e="" 623="" na="" na="" lacepod.="" rd.="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" *="" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------="" dated:="" july="" 24,="" 1997="" john="" g.="" rogers,="" director,="" fish="" and="" wildlife="" service.="" [fr="" doc.="" 97-20133="" filed="" 7-30-97;="" 8:45="" am]="" billing="" code="" 4310-55-p="">