Comment on FR Doc # E8-23561 - Lorence, NTBG

Review of “USFWS 50 CFR Part 17, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing 48 Species on Kauai as Endangered and Designating Critical Habitat; Proposed Rule.” General comments: Listing of 48 additional plant and animal species on Kauai is both appropriate and timely. From a botanical perspective, I believe all of the 45 plant species deserve listing. Information on individual species is scientifically correct and current. Recent field data from NTBG collectors may provide some minor updates or corrections regarding numbers for wild populations, and this will be submitted separately by NTBG. The assumptions and principles used for circumscriptions of critical habitat (special management) areas for 47 of these species are sound and scientifically accurate. Even if the habitats are currently unoccupied by the listed species, at least the appropriate habitat will be available for future enhancement or increases in population size through natural means or applied conservation measures such as population enhancement or reintroduction of species that are not found in the wild or have been extirpated locally. I completely agree with the assumption that active management practices such as control of invasive plant species and feral ungulates must be implemented in each of the critical habitat areas in order to prevent further degradation and loss of habitat and to ensure survival of the endangered species located therein. Exclusion of developed areas (e.g., buildings, paved areas, and other structures) from the critical habitat designation is a logical and appropriate modification regarding the already designated areas. Specific comments: p. 62600, for Schiedea attenuata, suggest the recent monograph by Wagner et al. 2005 be cited here and in references cited: [Wagner, W. L., S. G. Weller, and A. K. Sakai. 2005. Monograph of Schiedea (Caryophyllaceae subfam. Alsinoideae). Syst. Bot. Monogr. 72: 1-169.] p. 62600, Tetraplasandra flynnii, it seems that nine individuals were first discovered in 1988 by Tim Flynn. Details may be found in the original Lowry and Wood (2000) publication, which should be cited here and in the reference cited: [Lowry, P. P. & K. R. Wood. (2000). A new, threatened species of Tetraplasandra (Araliceae) from Kaua`i, Hawaiian Islands, and notes on its conservation status. Novon 10: 40–44.] Table 2, pp. 62603-62605: Additional threats should be added to threats columns for several species. That is, if a column is checked under Factor A for pigs, goats, or deer, which are all feral ungulates, then logically the corresponding column under Factor C “Predation by Ungulates” should be checked. Under Factor C, suggest adding predation by ungulates for: Astelia waialealae, Canavalia napaliensis, Doryopteris angelica, Dubautia kalalauensis, Dubautia kenwoodii, Lysimachia scopulensis, Melicope paniculata, Myrsine knudsenii, Tetraplasandra flynnii. Factor A, suggest adding Goats for Dubautia kalalauensis p. 62607, column 3, bottom, delete Rubus ellipticus (this species does not occur on Kauai according to Wagner et al., Hawaiian Flora website). p. 62608, column 3, bottom, last word read “rhizomes”, not “stolons” p. 62609, column 3, delete Rubus ellipticus (this species does not occur on Kauai according to Wagner et al., Hawaiian Flora website). p. 62611, column 1, paragraph 3, read “...adversely impact many....” p. 62613, column 2, near top, add “Dubautia kalalauensis (feral goats),” [Bruce Baldwin, pers. comm. 2008] p. 62620, Table. 3. Read “Kadua” instead of “Hedyotis” in last two columns p. 62621, Table 4. Also p. 62626, Table 6. Cyanea kuhihewa was known only from steep, rocky stream banks in lowland wet forest. Therefore it might be appropriate to mention the riparian habitat preference for this species in the text. p. 62622, Column 2, bottom. Read “Kadua” instead of “Hedyotis”. Also, in any other places in text where appropriate, i.e.: p. 62664, column 2; p. 62677, Column 2; p. 62677, top of column 2; p. 62660, column 3, middle. Does term “Tribal lands” equate with Native Hawaiian lands? Pp 62726-34, CDLVI Table, the table caption should explain the difference between “Species occupied” and “Species unoccupied” columns. The meaning is not obviously apparent to the reader.