[PCA] FR Notice: Proposed Rule, Withdrawal (Lepidium papilliferum)

[Megan_Haidet at fws.gov]

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 17
RIN 1018-AU99

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Withdrawal of
Proposed Rule To List Lepidium papilliferum (Slickspot Peppergrass)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), again
withdraw our July 15, 2002, proposal (67 FR 46441) to list Lepidium
papilliferum (slickspot peppergrass) as an endangered species under the
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The best available
data for L. papilliferum indicates that, while its sagebrush-steppe
matrix habitat is degraded, there is little evidence of negative
impacts on the abundance of L. papilliferum, which inhabits slickspot
microsites within this system. Annual abundance of the plant is
strongly correlated with spring precipitation, therefore a high degree
of variability in annual abundance is to be expected. Data on overall
population trends are inconsistent; although recent declines that do
not correlate with spring rainfall are noted in one portion of the
species' range, range-wide data demonstrate increases in abundance that
continue to track consistently with rainfall during those same years.
The best available range-wide data indicate that abundance of the
population range-wide is strongly correlated with precipitation and has
increased in recent years in association with increased rainfall, as
expected.

ADDRESSES: Supporting documentation for this action is available for
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the
Snake River Fish and Wildlife Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Boise, ID 
83709.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffery Foss, Field Supervisor, Snake
River Fish and Wildlife Office at the above address; by telephone at
208/378-5243; by facsimile at 208/378-5262; or by electronic mail at: <A 
HREF="mailto:fw1srbocomment at fws.gov">
fw1srbocomment at fws.gov</A>.
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