[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 56094-56098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8190]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AU77


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Prudency 
Determination for the Designation of Critical Habitat for Trichostema 
austromontanum ssp. compactum

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of proposed finding.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have 
reconsidered whether designating critical habitat for Trichostema 
austromontanum ssp. compactum, a plant, is prudent. This taxon was 
listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 
amended (Act), on September 14, 1998; at that time we determined that 
designation of critical habitat was not prudent because designation 
would increase the degree of threat to the taxon and would not benefit 
the taxon. As a consequence of a settlement agreement we are 
withdrawing our previous not prudent finding. Further, on the basis of 
our review and evaluation of the best scientific and commercial 
information available, we believe that designation of critical habitat 
continues to be not prudent for T. a. ssp. compactum. As a result, we 
are proposing a new ``not prudent'' determination for T. a. ssp. 
compactum.

DATES: We will accept comments from all interested parties until 
November 27, 2006.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to comment on the proposed finding, you may 
submit your comments and materials identified by RIN 1018-AU77, by any 
of the following methods:
    (1) E-mail: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d3b5a4ebb0b5a4bcb0bcbebeb6bda7a093b5a4a0fdb4bca5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d5b3a2edb6b3a2bab6bab8b8b0bba1a695b3a2a6fbb2baa3">[email protected]</span></a>. Include ``RIN 1018-AU77'' in 
the subject line.
    (2) Fax: 760/431-9624.
    (3) Mail: Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife 
Office, 6010 Hidden Valley Road, Carlsbad, CA 92011.
    (4) Hand Delivery/Courier: You may hand-deliver written documents 
to our office (see ADDRESSES).
    (5) Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Bartel, Field Supervisor, Carlsbad 
Fish and Wildlife Office, telephone, 760/431-9440; facsimile, 760/431-
9624.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Comments Solicited

    We intend that any final action resulting from this finding will be 
as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, comments or 
suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the 
scientific community, industry, or any other interested party 
concerning this proposed finding are hereby solicited. Comments 
particularly are sought concerning:
    (1) Reasons that designation of critical habitat may or may not be 
prudent for T. a. ssp. compactum;
    (2) Specific information on management activities for this taxon 
and how those activities do or do not address threats identified in the 
listing rule;
    (3) The possible risks and benefits of designating critical habitat 
for T. a. ssp. compactum; and
    (4) Ways in which we could improve or modify this finding to 
increase public participation and understanding.
    If you wish to comment, you may submit your comments and materials 
concerning this proposal by any one of several methods (see ADDRESSES 
section). Please submit Internet comments to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#315746095257465e525e5c5c545f4542715746421f565e47"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c1a0b441f1a0b131f1311111912080f3c1a0b0f521b130a">[email protected]</span></a> in 
ASCII file format and avoid the use of special characters or any form 
of encryption. Please also include ``Attn: RIN 1018-AU77'' in your e-
mail subject header and your name and return address in the body of 
your message. If you do not receive a confirmation from the system that 
we have received your Internet message, contact us directly by calling 
our Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office at phone number (760) 431-9440.
    Our practice is to make comments, including names and home 
addresses of respondents, available for public review during regular 
business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold 
their names and/or home addresses, etc. but if you wish us to consider 
withholding this information you must state this prominently at the 
beginning of your comments. In addition, you must present rationale for 
withholding this information. This rationale must demonstrate that 
disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of privacy. 
Unsupported assertions will not meet this burden. In the absence of 
exceptional, documentable circumstances, this information will be 
released. We will always make submissions from organizations or 
businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as 
representatives of or officials of organizations or businesses, 
available for public inspection in their entirety. Comments and 
materials received will be available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the Carlsbad Fish and 
Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES).

Background

    It is our intent to discuss only those topics directly relevant to 
the not prudent critical habitat determination. For more information on 
biology and ecology of Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum, refer 
to the final rule listing this taxon as threatened published in the 
Federal Register on September 14, 1998 (63 FR 49006).

Taxonomy and Description

    Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum, a member of the 
Lamiaceae (mint family), was described by F. Harlan Lewis (1945) based 
on specimens collected in 1941 by M. L. Hilend in Riverside County, 
California. The taxon occurs only on the northwestern margin of a 
single vernal pool (Bauder 1999, p. 13). T. a. ssp. compactum is a 
compact, soft-villous (with long, shaggy hairs) annual plant, 
approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) tall, with short internodes 
(stem segments between leaves) (Lewis 1945, p. 284-386, Lewis 1993, p. 
732), elliptic leaves, and blue flowers in a five-lobed corolla. The 
two stamens are blue. The fruit consists of four smooth, basally joined 
nutlets. This taxon flowers in July and August.

Threats

    In the 1998 final listing rule, we stated that trampling and low 
numbers (small population size) threatened Trichostema austromontanum 
ssp. compactum (63 FR 49006). At the time of listing there were reports 
of on-going impacts caused by trampling associated with hikers and 
horses. It was observed that trampling by horses crushed plants and 
also created depressions that retained water where seeds and adult 
plants of T. a. ssp. compactum drown (Hamilton 1991, p 2, 22; Hamilton 
1996). Since listing, the California

[[Page 56095]]

Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR), which manages the area, has 
taken several actions to minimize the threat of trampling to this taxon 
(see the ``Prudency Determination'' section for a detailed discussion).
    Regarding the threat posed by low numbers, the Service concluded in 
the final listing rule that the limited number of individual plants and 
the extremely localized range of Trichostema austromontanum ssp. 
compactum, make this taxon more susceptible to single disturbance 
events; such as trampling during the flowering season (63 FR 49006). 
According to Noss et al. (1997), a species distributed across multiple 
sites within its native range is less susceptible to extinction than 
another similar species confined to far fewer sites. As a result, being 
restricted to a single, small location clearly makes the species more 
vulnerable to stochastic (i.e., random, less predictable) threats. 
Using the three categories described by Noss et al. (1997), these 
threats would be (1) genetic (primarily loss of genetic variation), (2) 
demographic (principally extremely small population size), and (3) 
environmental (vernal pool changes and unknown stochastic events).

Previous Federal Actions

    Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum was federally listed as 
threatened on September 14, 1998 (63 FR 49006). This taxon is not 
listed by the State of California. At the time of Federal listing, we 
determined that the designation of critical habitat was not prudent 
because the designation would likely encourage more visitors to the 
geographic location containing the single known occurrence, and would 
undermine attempts by the CDPR to protect the site. We determined that 
critical habitat designation would, therefore, increase the degree of 
threat to the taxon as well as provide no benefit for the taxon. At the 
time of listing, CDPR had initiated actions to decrease the public 
notoriety of the location and visibility of this taxon and 
accessibility by the public to the geographic location containing the 
single occurrence in an effort to decrease threats to this taxon. We 
believed a critical habitat designation would increase notoriety of the 
location and visibility of the taxon, the opposite of what the CDPR was 
trying to accomplish. The increased notoriety and visibility would 
potentially increase visitorship to the area, thus increasing the 
threat of trampling to the taxon.
    On September 13, 2004, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) 
and California Native Plant Society (CNPS) challenged our failure to 
designate critical habitat for this taxon and four other plant species 
(Center for Biological Diversity, et al. v. Gale Norton, Secretary of 
the Department of the Interior, et al., ED CV-04-1150 RT (SGLx) C. D. 
California). The CBD and CNPS alleged that the Service failed to 
provide evidence in the final listing rule supporting its finding that 
critical habitat would not be beneficial to the species and 
establishing how the publication of critical habitat maps would 
increase the threat to the species. Without reaching any conclusions on 
the merits of the previous decision, the Service agreed to withdraw its 
previous not prudent finding and publish a proposed designation of 
critical habitat, if prudent, on or before September 20, 2006, and a 
final rule by September 20, 2007. This withdrawal of the previous not 
prudent finding and new proposed prudency determination complies with 
that settlement agreement.

Prudency Determination

    Section 4(a)(3) of the Act and implementing regulations (50 CFR 
424.12) require that, to the maximum extent prudent and determinable, 
we designate critical habitat at the time a species is determined to be 
endangered or threatened. Regulations under 50 CFR 424.12(a)(1) state 
that the 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 activity and the identification of critical habitat 
can be expected to increase the degree of threat to the species; or (2) 
such designation of critical habitat would not be beneficial to the 
species. In our September 14, 1998 final rule (63 FR 49006), we 
determined that a designation of critical habitat could increase the 
degree of threat to Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum, and that 
such designation would also not be beneficial to the taxon.
    In the final listing rule (63 FR 49019) we stated:
    (1) Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum occurs only in a 
wilderness area on State [CDPR] lands with little potential for Federal 
involvement. Trails, signage, map notations, and references to the 
habitat area have been removed by the State to reduce impacts to this 
highly localized taxon;
    (2) Designation of critical habitat would have little benefit to 
this taxon and would not increase the commitment or management efforts 
of the State; and
    (3) Designation of critical habitat likely would be detrimental to 
this taxon because publishing maps and descriptions of the exact 
locality identifies the site as a unique area. Such a distinction may 
encourage recreational use of the area and negatively impact the taxon.
    Pursuant to the Court's April 14, 2005, stipulated settlement 
agreement and order, we are hereby withdrawing our previous ``not 
prudent'' determination. Consistent with the requirements of the Act 
and our aforementioned agreement and order, we are simultaneously 
making a new proposed determination of ``not prudent'' for Trichostema 
austromontanum ssp. compactum. An explanation of this proposed ``not 
prudent'' determination follows. We encourage the public to comment on 
this proposed determination as described in the ``Public Comments 
Solicited'' section above.
    Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum was listed based on 
threats of trampling associated with recreational activities and low 
numbers of individual plants. Prior to the CDPR taking steps to 
minimize the visibility of the sensitive habitat that supports T. a. 
ssp. compactum there was a clearly marked trail to the location. The 
area was used for many different types of recreational uses. These 
activities impacted the sensitive vegetation in the area by trampling 
live plants and creating multiple footprints in the wet soil around the 
margin of the vernal pool, further impacting habitat through soil 
compaction and alteration of hydrology (Hamilton 1983, 63 FR 49006). 
Since the taxon's listing, the CDPR has continued to implement 
management actions designed to reduce the visitation to this area. As 
stated in the 1998 listing rule, they have removed reference to the 
area from their trail maps and signs, and removed all markers for 
trails to this area in order to reduce recreational use. Although the 
taxon's location was in the public domain in the past, the exact 
location is no longer easily accessible to the public via normal 
information sources (e.g., internet). In contrast, the public notice 
requirements of the Act, including publication of site location 
information and a map in the Federal Register, is intended to make 
information readily accessible to the public in a form that is easy to 
understand.
    The CDPR has continued their efforts to address the threats from 
trampling by further excluding recreational users from the area. In 
2000, CDPR erected a barrier on the trail to the area to exclude horses 
and pack animals from this sensitive area. In 2002, they designated the 
vernal pool and the surrounding area as a Natural Preserve (CDPR 2002 
p. 62). A Natural Preserve is a state

[[Page 56096]]

designation that places resource protection within the area over 
recreational use and, therefore, measures can be taken to ensure the 
long-term survival of T. a. ssp. compactum. Recent visits to the site 
suggest that there has been a decrease in equestrian use of the area as 
a result of the barrier installed along the trail (Wallace 2003, 2005; 
Snapp-Cook 2006).
    As part of the process of determining the prudency of designating 
critical habitat for Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum, we met 
with CDPR to discuss management activities now being conducted for this 
taxon. The current and past actions that they have initiated, partially 
due to the listing of this taxon, appear to be adequate to protect and 
maintain the plant's habitat. On a 2006 field visit to the site, we 
only found signs of minimal human use at the vernal pool reflected in a 
worn trail passing the upper boundary of the vernal pool; however, we 
did not see evidence of higher impact activities such as trash or fire 
pits that would be associated with camping, nor hoof prints or horse 
manure that would be associated with equestrian use (Snapp-Cook 2006). 
This contrasted with the condition of the site prior to the CDPR 
implementing management actions for this plant and the condition of the 
site described at the time of listing (Hamilton 1983; 63 FR 49006). We 
were able to observe T. a. ssp. compactum around the margins of the 
vernal pool and none of the plants showed any signs of damage from 
trampling.
    To support the effectiveness of the management measures that CDPR 
has put in place, a formal study to monitor the recreation use of the 
area is needed. The Service has recently helped the State of California 
to secure funding to conduct a study to determine the condition of the 
population and the effectiveness of the management by CDPR. Funding has 
also been secured to survey and sign the legal boundaries of the 
established Natural Preserve so the regulations of the Natural Preserve 
can be enforced. In addition to these two tasks, a seed banking program 
that includes collection of seeds, a conservation strategy, and 
monitoring, will be established. Through this funding, we are committed 
to work with CDPR, California Department of Fish and Game, the 
California Native Plant Society and Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden to 
establish a long-term conservation strategy for T. a. ssp. compactum. 
These actions should provide additional protection for this taxon and 
help to conserve this plant.
    While the primary threat to Trichostema austromontanum ssp. 
compactum, trampling, appears to have been minimized, little 
information exists on the status of the taxon overall. To obtain all 
available information on this taxon, we initiated a 5-year status 
review. We published a notice announcing the initiation of this review 
for T. a. ssp. compactum and the opening of the first 60-day comment 
period in the Federal Register on July 7, 2005 (70 FR 39327). We 
published another notice reopening the comment period for an additional 
60 days in the Federal Register on November 3, 2005 (70 FR 66842). As 
part of our review, we evaluated the federally-listed status of this 
taxon based on the threats to the plant and its habitat and recommended 
that no change be made to the listing status until a few specific 
conservation actions underway by the CDPR have been concluded. The 
completed 5-year review for this taxon is available upon request from 
the Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES 
section).

Increased Threat to the Species

    The process of designating critical habitat would be expected to 
increase human threats to Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum by 
bringing publicity to this plant and its localized habitat with the 
publication of maps likely resulting in an increase in visitation to 
the site. We generally notify all major regional newspapers, local, 
State, and Federal agencies and other interested parties, including all 
Congressional offices in the local area when designating critical 
habitat to raise the visibility of our actions and involve the public. 
These actions would undermine the conservation efforts taken by the 
CDPR to reduce the threat of trampling to this taxon. For example, the 
designation of critical habitat often generates interest in a species 
and inspires people to study the species and visit the habitat. In the 
case of T. a. ssp. compactum, it takes careful and detailed training to 
recognize this taxon. The plant is small and blends in with other low-
lying species on the ground. It is unlikely that even informed hikers 
could discern the plant's presence in particular areas. In addition, as 
discussed above, this area has been designated as a Natural Preserve, 
and CDPR manages the area to minimize recreational use. There are no 
signed trails or observation areas in place that could allow for 
interested persons to observe the plant from a non-intrusive location. 
Thus, even well-meaning and informed visitors may cause significant 
damage by inadvertently trampling these tiny plants and adversely 
affecting the habitat.
    The District Superintendent of the Inland Empire District of 
California State Parks has expressed concern to the Service that the 
critical habitat designation process may place this plant at increased 
risk via increased visitation (Watts 2006). Our publication of a 
critical habitat map identifying the location and subsequent publicity 
of this action would be counter to CDPR's conservation actions to make 
the area less visible. Prior to the CDPR taking actions to minimize the 
recreational impacts to this taxon, it was apparent that the plant was 
in danger of going extinct. The small size and delicate structure of 
this plant make it especially vulnerable to trampling by people and 
animals (Lewis 1945, p. 284-386; Hamilton 1996). The actions that CDPR 
undertook once these concerns were expressed began to reverse the 
negative impacts to the taxon from recreational activities. Following 
the listing of this plant, CDPR continued to provide measures that were 
designed to recover it. It is important that these and further 
conservation efforts continue so that this taxon no longer requires the 
protections afforded it under the Act. We believe that the 
identification of the specific areas essential to its conservation, 
based on past experiences and information concerning this taxon, would 
be expected to further increase the degree of threat to this plant from 
human activity and undo the conservation efforts and progress by CDPR.
    In addition to increasing threats to this taxon and countering past 
and ongoing conservation actions by the State of California, 
designating critical habitat for this plant would not support our 
ongoing partnership with CDPR.
    Most federally listed species in the United States will not recover 
without the cooperation of non-federal landowners. Stein et al. (1995) 
found that only about 12 percent of listed species were found almost 
exclusively on Federal lands (i.e., 90-100 percent of their known 
occurrences restricted to Federal lands) and that 50 percent of 
federally listed species are not known to occur on Federal lands at 
all. Given the distribution of listed species with respect to land 
ownership, conservation of listed species in many parts of the United 
States is dependent upon working partnerships with a wide variety of 
entities and the voluntary cooperation of many non-federal landowners 
(Wilcove and Chen 1998; Crouse et al. 2002; James 2002). Building 
partnerships and promoting voluntary cooperation of landowners is

[[Page 56097]]

essential to understanding the status of species on non-federal lands 
and is necessary to implement recovery actions such as reintroducing 
listed species, habitat restoration, and habitat protection. Therefore, 
to achieve the conservation of Trichostema austromontanum ssp. 
compactum, it is necessary to maintain our partnership with CDPR.

Benefits to the Species From Critical Habitat Designation

    The most direct, and potentially largest, regulatory benefit of 
critical habitat is that federally authorized, funded, or carried out 
activities require consultation under section 7 of the Act to ensure 
that they are not likely to destroy or adversely modify critical 
habitat. There are two limitations to this regulatory effect. First, it 
only applies where there is a Federal nexus--if there is no Federal 
nexus, designation itself does not restrict actions that destroy or 
adversely modify critical habitat. Second, it only limits destruction 
or adverse modification. By its nature, the prohibition on adverse 
modification is designed to ensure those areas that contain the 
physical and biological features essential to the conservation of the 
species or unoccupied areas that are essential to the conservation of 
the species are not eroded. Critical habitat designation alone, 
however, does not require specific steps toward recovery.
    There is virtually no possibility of a Federal nexus for activities 
that may occur within Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum's 
habitat. The San Jacinto Mountains have been botanically explored for 
over 100 years and only one population of this taxon has been found. 
Because of its association with vernal pool margins, other areas of 
suitable habitat likely do not exist in this mountain range. The Mount 
San Jacinto State Park Wilderness is protected from uses that would 
degrade or destroy natural resources. The specific area where this 
plant is found is designated as a Natural Preserve, which means that 
protection and management of sensitive resources is the highest 
priority for this area. Due to the fact that the taxon occurs only in a 
Natural Preserve on State lands, an area where no changes in land-use 
are planned for the foreseeable future, virtually no chance exists for 
a future Federal nexus that would result in a section 7 consultation 
for this taxon. In fact, the Service has not engaged in any 
consultations for T. a. ssp. compactum since its listing in 1998.
    Another benefit of including lands in critical habitat is that the 
designation of critical habitat serves to educate landowners, State and 
local governments, and the public regarding the potential conservation 
value of an area. This helps focus and promote conservation efforts by 
other parties by clearly delineating areas of high conservation value 
for the affected species.
    In this particular circumstance, any educational benefits that 
could be received through a designation of critical habitat have the 
high probability of undermining the conservation efforts by CDPR and 
causing harm to Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum. The 
designation of critical habitat often generates interest in a species 
and inspires people to study the species and visit the habitat. As 
discussed above, T. a. ssp. compactum is small and blends in with other 
low-lying species on the ground. Thus, someone attempting to learn more 
about this plant and its habitat would likely actually harm members of 
the population in the process.
    The educational benefit is closely related to a second, more 
indirect benefit: that designation of critical habitat informs State 
agencies and local governments about areas that could be conserved 
under State laws or local ordinances. However, as discussed above, CDPR 
is well aware of the areas important to Trichostema austromontanum ssp. 
compactum, and is actively implementing measures to conserve this 
taxon.

Increased Threat to the Species Outweighs Benefits of Designation

    Upon reviewing the available information, we have determined that 
the designation of critical habitat would increase the degree of threat 
from human activity to Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum. There 
is a strong possibility that through the designation of critical 
habitat negative impacts to the habitat would occur. The dissemination 
of location information is likely to result in an increased threat to 
the plant from trampling. Designation of critical habitat will 
undermine the conservation actions that CDPR has already put into place 
for this taxon. These ongoing conservation actions appear to have 
minimized the primary threat to this taxon; and as discussed above, we 
believe that designation of critical habitat would reverse these 
efforts and increase the threat of trampling to this plant. 
Furthermore, we have determined that there is no benefit of critical 
habitat designation to T. a. ssp. compactum because (1) it is highly 
unlikely that a Section 7 consultation will occur for this taxon; (2) 
the general educational benefits afforded by critical habitat 
designation are minimal for this particular taxon; and (3) designation 
of critical habitat would undermine ongoing conservation efforts and 
hinder our partnership with CDPR. Based on our determination that 
critical habitat designation would increase the degree of threats to T. 
a. ssp. compactum and our inability to determine a benefit of 
designation, we believe the increased threat to T. a. ssp. compactum 
from the designation of critical habitat far outweighs any benefits of 
designation.

Summary

    Pursuant to the Court's April 14, 2005, stipulated settlement 
agreement and order we are withdrawing our previous ``not prudent'' 
determination. Further, on the basis of our review of the best 
scientific and commercial information available, we have reaffirmed 
that designation of critical habitat is not prudent for Trichostema 
austromontanum ssp. compactum. We have determined that the designation 
of critical habitat would increase the degree of threat to this taxon 
and will undermine the conservation actions that CDPR has already put 
into place for this taxon. These ongoing conservation actions appear to 
have minimized the primary threat to T. a. ssp. compactum; and as 
discussed above, we believe that designation of critical habitat would 
reverse these efforts and increase the threat of trampling to this 
taxon. Furthermore, we have determined that there is no benefit of 
critical habitat designation to T. a. ssp. compactum, and that, even if 
some benefit from designation may exist, the increased threat to the 
plant from human activity far outweighs any potential benefit to the 
taxon. We therefore propose that it is not prudent to designate 
critical habitat for T. a. ssp. compactum at this time.

Peer Review

    In accordance with our joint policy published in the Federal 
Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270), and based on our implementation 
of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Final Information Quality 
Bulletin for Peer Review, dated December 16, 2004, we will seek the 
expert opinions of at least five appropriate and independent peer 
reviewers regarding the science in this proposed rule. The purpose of 
such review is to ensure that our determination is based on 
scientifically sound data, assumptions, and analyses. We will send 
copies of this proposed determination to the peer reviewers immediately 
following publication in the Federal Register, and will invite the

[[Page 56098]]

peer reviewers to comment during the public comment period on the 
specific assumptions and conclusions regarding the proposed prudency 
determination. We will consider all comments and information received 
during the comment period on this proposed determination during 
preparation of a final determination. Accordingly, the final decision 
may differ from this proposal.

Clarity of the Rule

    Executive Order 12866 requires each agency to write regulations and 
notices that are easy to understand. We invite your comments on how to 
make this proposed determination easier to understand, including 
answers to questions such as the following: (1) Are the requirements in 
the proposed determination clearly stated? (2) Does the document 
contain technical jargon that interferes with the clarity? (3) Does the 
format of the document (grouping and order of the sections, use of 
headings, paragraphing, and so forth) aid or reduce its clarity? (4) Is 
the description of the notice in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section 
helpful in understanding the proposed determination? (5) What else 
could we do to make this proposed determination easier to understand? 
Send a copy of any comments on how we could make this proposed 
determination easier to understand to: Office of Regulatory Affairs, 
Department of the Interior, Room 7229, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, 
DC 20240. You may e-mail your comments to this address: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b2f7cac1d7d1f2dbddc19cd6dddb9cd5ddc4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9cd9e4eff9ffdcf5f3efb2f8f3f5b2fbf3ea">[email protected]</span></a>.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)

    This proposed determination does not contain any new collections of 
information that require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act. This determination will not impose recordkeeping or reporting 
requirements on State or local governments, individuals, businesses, or 
organizations. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is 
not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.

National Environmental Policy Act

    It is our position that, outside the Tenth Circuit, we do not need 
to prepare environmental analyses as defined by the NEPA in connection 
with designating critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended. We published a notice outlining our reasons for this 
determination in the Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 
49244). This assertion was upheld in the courts of the Ninth Circuit 
(Douglas County v. Babbitt, 48 F.3d 1495 (9th Cir. Ore. 1995), cert. 
denied 116 S. Ct. 698 (1996).

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, 
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, and the Department 
of Interior's manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our 
responsibility to communicate meaningfully with recognized Federal 
tribes on a government-to-government basis. We have determined that 
there are no Tribal lands occupied at the time of listing contain the 
features essential for the conservation and no tribal lands that are 
unoccupied areas that are essential for the conservation of Trichostema 
austromontanum ssp. compactum. Therefore, no tribal lands will be 
affected by this finding.

References Cited

    A complete list of all references cited in this finding is 
available upon request from the Field Supervisor, Carlsbad Fish and 
Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES section).

Author

    The primary author of this document is staff of the Carlsbad Fish 
and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES section).

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: September 19, 2006.
David M. Verhey,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 06-8190 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P


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