LISTING ACTIONS.

During August and September 1999, the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) published the following Endangered Species Act (ESA) listing actions in the Federal Register. The full text of each proposed and final rule can be accessed through our website: http://endangered.fws.gov.

Proposed Rules

Aleutian Canada Goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia) This unique subspecies nests only on a few of Alaska's remote Aleutian Islands and winters in areas of California and Oregon. It was originally listed as endangered after an introduced predator, the arctic fox, almost eliminated the geese from their nesting grounds. By the mid-1970's, the Aleutian Canada goose population numbered only in the hundreds.

For the past several decades, biologists have worked intensively to remove the non-native foxes, reintroduce geese back onto the fox-free islands, research migration routes, and protect wintering habitat. Today, we estimate that the Aleutian Canada goose numbers more than 32,000 birds and is no longer in danger of extinction. On August 3, we proposed to recognize the bird's recovery by removing it from the list of threatened and endangered species. (See "A Spectacular Summer for Birds" in Bulletin Vol. XXIV, No. 4.)

Golden Sedge (Carex lutea) A perennial in the family Cyperaceae, the golden sedge has yellowish green, grass-like leaves and produces steins that may reach 3 feet (0.9 meter) or more with many flowers. This plant is native to the coastal plain of North Carolina, where it is associated with wet pine savannas on sites underlain with calcareous (chalky) deposits. Historically, its open habitat was maintained by periodic wildfires.

The golden sedge currently is known only from eight populations in Pender and Onslow counties. Most of the populations are small, and seven are on privately owned lands vulnerable to draining, development, mining, fire suppression, and a variety of other changes in habitat management. On August 16, we proposed to list this rare plant as endangered. We are also working with the State of North Carolina (which already considers the plant endangered), The Nature Conservancy, and landowners on cooperative protection and management plans.

Scaleshell Mussel (Leptodea leptodon) A freshwater mollusk, the scaleshell mussel has a thin, fragile shell that measures up to about 4 inches (10 centimeters) in width and is marked with faint green rays. It once inhabited 53 rivers or streams throughout most of the eastern United States, with populations found as far west as Oklahoma. Like many other native mussels, however, the scaleshell has declined drastically in range and numbers. Today, populations of this species are known in only 13 rivers in Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, and we believe 10 of these populations are continuing to decline. Accordingly, on August 13, we proposed to list the scaleshell mussel as endangered.

Threats to the scaleshell, as with many other mussels species, include degraded water quality due to pollution and sedimentation; alteration of habitat through the damming, dredging, or channelizing of waterways; and competition with non-native species like the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha). Because the range of the scaleshell overlaps those of several other endangered or threatened mussel species, we do not expect that a decision to list the scaleshell would have any significant additional impacts on river use.

Critical Habitat On August 3, we proposed to designate Critical Habitat in parts of Orange and San Diego counties, California, for the tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi), a small endangered fish. Such a designation requires Federal agencies to ensure that any actions they fund, authorize, or carry out are not likely to adversely modify the Critical Habitat. Descriptions and maps of the proposed Critical Habitat areas were published as part of the proposal.

Final Rules

Ten Hawaiian Plants The following plant taxa native to the Maui Nui group of Hawaiian islands (Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i, and Kaho'olawe) were listed on September 3 as endangered:

* Clermontia samuelii or (in Hawaiian) 'oha wai, a shrub in the bellflower family (Campanulaceae);

* Cyanea copelandii ssp. haleakalaensis or haha, a vine-like shrub in the bellflower family;

* Cyanea glabra or haha, a branched shrub;

* Cyanea hamatiflora ssp. hamatiflora or haha, a palm-like tree;

* Dubautia plantaginea ssp. humilis, or na'ena'e, a dwarfed shrub in the sunflower family (Asteraceae);

* Hedyotis schlechtendahliana var. remyi or kopa, a subshrub in the coffee family (Rubiaceae);

* Kanaloa kahoolawensis, a densely branched shrub in the legume family (Fabaceae);

* Labordia tinifolia var. lanaiensis or kamakahala, an erect shrub or small tree in the logan family (Loganaceae);

* Labordia triflora or kamakahala, a climbing plant; and

* Melicope munroi or alani, a sprawling shrub in the citrus family (Rutaceae).

The l0 plants and their habitats have declined drastically as a result of competition from nonnative plants and/or predation or habitat degradation by non-native animals (primarily goats, pigs, and deer). Such chance events as fires and hurricanes, which may not have jeopardized the survival of these species before they reached the brink of extinction, have become additional threats. For example, one species, K. kahoolawensis, now exists as only two known individuals.

A recovery plan will be developed for all 10 species. Under State contract, the National Tropical Botanical Garden on the island of Kaua'i has collected seeds of K. kahoolawensis and is propagating plants. The habitats of some of the species, particularly those occurring on Federal and State lands, already have been fenced for protection from pigs and goats.

Salmon On August 2, we listed nine "Evolutionary Significant Units" or ESUs of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta), sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka), and steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Washington and Oregon as (depending on their location) endangered or threatened. This listing action was based on status determinations by the NMFS, which has primary ESA jurisdiction for most marine species.

On September 16, we listed two ESUs of chinook salmon in California as threatened, again based on NMFS findings. Like the other Pacific salmon taxa already listed under the ESA, they have been reduced greatly by widespread habitat modification and other factors.

Lake Erie Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon insularum) Populations of this non-venomous snake found among the western Lake Erie islands and adjacent waters in Ohio and Canada were listed on August 30 as threatened. The Lake Erie water snake is distinguished from the related northern water snake (N. s. sipedon) by differences in habitat, behavior, and morphology. Lake Erie water snakes use habitat composed of shorelines that are rocky or contain limestone/dolomite shelves and ledges for sunning and shelter. Loss of this habitat, along with persecution by people who dislike or fear snakes generally, are the main reasons for its decline.

When approached by people, Lake Erie water snakes usually flee into the water or take cover. Certain activities, such as brief handling of the snakes to disentangle them from fishing gear or to transfer them from yards and roads into adjacent natural habitats, would not violate the ESA. (See the August 30 Federal Register for details.)

American Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) On August 25, we celebrated the recovery of the American peregrine falcon by removing it from the list of threatened and endangered species. The primary cause for its decline was contamination by the pesticide DDT, which interfered with the peregrine's reproduction. The 1972 Environmental Protection Agency ban on DDT made falcon recovery possible. However, ESA protection and partnerships with State agencies, universities, and organizations like The Peregrine Fund accelerated the pace of recovery through captive breeding, the release of over 6,000 peregrines into the wild, and preservation of nest sites. Similar efforts took place in Canada, where the Canadian Wildlife Service and provincial agencies took the lead in a major captive breeding and reintroduction program. Currently, at least 1,650 pairs of peregrine falcons fly the skies of the U.S. and Canada. The species will continue to receive protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.