What are the major factors that contributed to the Services decision to not designate critical habitat for showy stickseed?
A. The primary reason for not designating critical habitat for showy stickseed is because the species has been repeatedly collected for many decades. The Service was concerned that publishing maps that show where the plants are found would increase the notoriety of the species and exacerbate the threat of collection. Because the species is an endemic plant known only from one location, the Service felt that the designation of critical habitat would not benefit the species beyond the protections provided by listing it under ESA. An effect determination for an action that would adversely modify or destroy critical habitat would also jeopardize the continued existence of the species, therefore there would be no additional benefit from designating critical habitat beyond that provided by listing the species.
Related Questions
- What is the status of the Fish and Wildlife Service’s previous proposal to designate critical habitat for the threatened Louisiana black bear?
- What are the major factors that contributed to the Services decision to not designate critical habitat for showy stickseed?
- Is the Service proposing to designate critical habitat for the southern California DPS of mountain yellow-legged frog?
