[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 82 (Friday, April 28, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20950-20952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10579]



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[[Page 20951]]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AB83


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Withdrawal of 
Proposed Rule to List the Plant Salix arizonica (Arizona Willow) as 
Endangered With Critical Habitat

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) withdraws a proposal 
to list the plant Salix arizonica (Arizona willow) as an endangered 
species with critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, 
as amended (Act). The Service finds that evidence now available, 
discussed below, does not justify listing of the species as proposed. 
Additional field surveys have provided new data indicating that the 
species has a wider distribution and greater abundance than previously 
known. A multi-agency ``Arizona Willow Conservation Agreement and 
Strategy'' (AWCAS) signed April 7, 1995, has been developed that 
commits several Federal and State agencies to specific actions to 
immediately reduce site-specific threats, to provide long-term 
protection and habitat improvement, and to carry out proactive 
conservation actions. The White Mountain Apache Tribe (Tribe) has 
developed the ``Arizona Willow Management Plan: An Interim Approach to 
High-Elevation Riparian and Cienega Ecosystem Management on the Fort 
Apache Indian Reservation'' which is consistent with, and complementary 
to, the strategies and intent set forth in the AWCAS. Although Arizona 
willow is still considered rare and potentially vulnerable, the new 
distribution data in combination with the management commitments in the 
AWCAS and the tribal plan, reduce the relative magnitude and severity 
of threats to the species so that listing is no longer considered 
warranted.

ADDRESSES: The complete file for this notice is available for public 
inspection by appointment, during normal business hours, at the Arizona 
Ecological Service's State Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Road., Suite 
103, Phoenix, Arizona, 85021-4951.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce K. Palmer, at the above address 
(602/640-2720).


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On November 20, 1992, the Service published a proposal to list the 
Arizona willow as endangered with critical habitat (57 FR 54747). At 
that time the species was known only from high elevation streams and 
wet meadows in the Mount Baldy vicinity of Apache County, Arizona, 
located primarily on the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests and the 
Fort Apache Indian Reservation (Reservation). Threats identified in the 
proposed rule included livestock and wildlife impacts, water 
impoundments and diversions, roads, recreational use, development and 
maintenance of ski resort facilities, disease, alteration of natural 
hydrologic regimes, and changes in species composition and structure of 
the riparian community, including invasion of nonnative vegetation 
(especially Kentucky bluegrass, Poa pratensis) brought about by 
historic and current livestock use.
    In June 1993, following publication of the proposal, the Service 
was notified of a previously misidentified herbarium specimen of 
Arizona willow collected in 1913 from the then-named ``Sevier Forest'' 
in southern Utah. Preliminary surveys in Utah during the summer of 1993 
by the Service did not locate Arizona willow. Surveys initiated by the 
U.S. Forest Service (FS) resulted in rediscovery of Arizona willow in 
Utah on June 30, 1994. Subsequent FS surveys documented Arizona willow 
on the Dixie and Fishlake National Forests, Cedar Breaks National 
Monument, and adjacent private land. The extent of some individual 
populations of Arizona willow plants in Utah far exceeds all 
populations in Arizona.
    On September 6, 1994, the Regional Foresters of the Southwestern 
and Intermountain Regions of the FS and the Regional Director of the 
Service's Southwest Region made a joint decision to develop a 
conservation agreement for Arizona willow on Federal lands to ensure 
the long-term conservation of the species throughout its range. This 
also required the participation of several non-Federal partners 
(Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) and Utah Division of Wildlife 
Resources (UDWR)). A FS policy statement, jointly issued by the 
Regional Foresters of the Southwestern and Intermountain Regions on 
December 19, 1994, initiated actions to reduce threats on the National 
Forests (NF), including designation of FS representation on the Arizona 
Willow Interagency Technical Team. The Arizona Willow Interagency 
Technical Team was formed to develop and implement the AWCAS.
    Concurrent with the development of a conservation strategy for 
Arizona willow on Federal lands, the Tribe has developed a management 
plan that addresses the conservation of Arizona willow on the 
Reservation. The Tribe's ``Arizona Willow Management Plan: An Interim 
Approach to High-Elevation Riparian and Cienega Ecosystem Management on 
the Fort Apache Indian Reservation'' is consistent with, and 
complementary to, the strategies and intent set forth in the AWCAS.
    Specific protection to Arizona willow from cattle herbivory is 
provided on NF's and Reservation lands. Arizona willow is protected 
through rested pastures, livestock exclusion fencing, and/or 
construction of protective cages. On FS lands, no livestock use of any 
pasture is allowed without implementation of specific actions to 
protect Arizona willow. Management plans for each FS allotment that 
includes Arizona willow habitat will be revised within the guidelines 
set forth in the AWCAS prior to removal of site-specific protections.
    Herbivory by wildlife, especially elk in Arizona, has been 
identified as a threat to Arizona willow. The AGFD has implemented 
strategies to reduce elk herd sizes within Arizona willow habitats in 
Arizona, and have committed to maintain stable or continued reductions 
of herd sizes pending results of herbivory studies. The Tribe has also 
initiated actions to stabilize elk herd size. Both the AGFD and the 
UDWR have provided specific commitments to aggressively manage wildlife 
populations consistent with monitoring and research information on 
Arizona willow.
    Arizona willow habitat is further conserved through other measures, 
including the application of FS Standards and Guidelines, and the White 
Mountain Apache Tribe Codes and Tribal Council Resolutions. These 
protection actions provide for buffers from timber harvest activities, 
road closures and off-road vehicle restrictions, relocation of 
recreational trails; restrictions on dispersed camping, and 
informational signing.
    Detailed monitoring of Arizona willow and a variety of research 
projects and studies on its population biology and ecology are being 
undertaken to fully understand the implications of land management 
actions. Such studies are being implemented through various cooperative 
efforts by the Apache-Sitgreaves NFs, Dixie NF, Fishlake NF, Rocky 
Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Cedar Breaks National 
Monument, White Mountain Apache Tribe, AGFD, UDWR, and the 
[[Page 20952]] Service. These studies will help determine appropriate 
management practices and identify suitable areas for expanding and 
augmenting depauperate populations.

    The designation of special management areas, such as Botanical 
Areas, Research Natural Areas, and essential habitat, are being 
evaluated and incorporated into a review process under the National 
Environmental Policy Act. Special management area designation assures 
the priority of Arizona willow management and long-term conservation of 
the species within a multiple-use land management framework.

    Continued implementation of the AWCAS for management of Arizona 
willow on the Apache-Sitgreaves NFs, Dixie NF, Fishlake NF, and Cedar 
Breaks National Monument, and the implementation of the ``Arizona 
Willow Management Plan: An Interim Approach to High-Elevation Riparian 
and Cienega Ecosystem Management on the Fort Apache Indian 
Reservation'' are expected to accomplish significant conservation of 
Arizona willow without its being listed.

    The Service has determined that Arizona willow does not warrant 
listing under the Act and places this plant in category 3C of the plant 
notice of review. Category 3C species are those species for which 
information now in the possession of the Service indicates that the 
species is more abundant or widespread than previously thought and for 
which substantial threats do not exist. If further research or changes 
in habitat indicate a significant decline in the species, it may again 
be included in categories 1 or 2, and its listing status may be 
reevaluated.

Author

    The primary author of this proposed rule is Bruce K. Palmer (see 
ADDRESSES section).

Authority

    The authority for this action is section 4(b)(6)(B)(ii) of the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: April 25, 1995.

Mollie H. Beattie,

Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 95-10579 Filed 4-27-95; 8:45 am]

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