Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of Extension of Comment Period on Proposed Threatened Status for Castilleja Levisecta (Golden Paintbrush)

DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of

Extension of Comment Period on Proposed Threatened Status for

Castilleja Levisecta (Golden Paintbrush)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of extension of public comment period on proposed

threatened status for Castilleja levisecta.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) gives notice that

the comment period for the proposed listing of Castilleja levisecta

(golden paintbrush) as a threatened species is extended. The proposed

rule to list this plant species was published on May 10, 1994 (59 FR

24106), and opened the comment period until July 11, 1994. This notice

extends the comment period until August 11, 1994.

DATES: Comments on the proposed listing of Castilleja levisecta (golden

paintbrush) as a threatened species must be submitted by August 11,

1994.

ADDRESSES: Information, comments, or questions on the proposed listing

of Castilleja levisecta should be submitted to the State Supervisor,

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 3704 Griffin Lane SE, Suite 102,

Olympia, Washington 98501. Materials pertaining to the proposed listing

of this species will be available for public inspection during normal

business hours, by appointment, at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Frederick, State Supervisor, at

the above Olympia address (telephone: (206) 753-9440).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Castilleja levisecta (golden paintbrush), a perennial herb in the

snapdragon family, once occurred from the Willamette Valley in Oregon

north to Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. Only ten

disjunct populations of this plant now exist, in open grasslands

ranging from south of Olympia, Thurston County, Washington; north

through the Puget Trough to southwest British Columbia, Canada. Threats

to the species include competition with encroaching native and alien

plant species, habitat modification through succession in the absence

of fire, predation, and stochastic (random) events, such as

catastrophic fire. Commercial and residential development also threaten

this species. The plant occurs on Federal, State, and privately owned

land.

On May 10, 1994, the Service published a proposed rule in the

Federal Register to list Castilleja levisecta as a threatened species

(59 FR 24106). The rule initiated a public comment period which closes

on July 11, 1994. In order that the best information be available

before making a final determination on the proposed listing of this

plant species, the Service now extends the comment period for a period

of 30 days until August 11, 1994.

Author

This notice was prepared by Leslie Propp, Olympia Field Office (see

ADDRESSES section).

Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered

Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 16 U.S.C.

1531-1544; 16 U.S.C. 4201-4245; Pub. 99-625, 100 Stat. 3500, unless

otherwise noted).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and

record keeping requirements, and Transportation.

Dated June 28, 1994.

Marvin L. Plenert,

Regional Director, Region 1, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 94-16397 Filed 7-6-94; 8:45 am]

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