Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Rule for Endangered Status for Four Plants From South Central Coastal California

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have determined endangered status for Cirsium loncholepis (La Graciosa thistle), Eriodictyon capitatum (Lompoc yerba santa), Hemizonia increscens ssp. villosa (Gaviota tarplant), and Lupinus nipomensis (Nipomo Mesa lupine), pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. These plants are in danger of extinction because their habitats have been significantly reduced over time by residential, commercial, agricultural, and oil and gas development. Their remaining habitats have been adversely affected by development, military activities, alteration of natural fire cycles, and the invasion of nonnative plant species. The limited distribution and small population sizes of these four species also make them more vulnerable to extinction from naturally occurring catastrophic events. Existing regulations do not provide adequate protection to prevent further losses from ongoing activities. This rule will extend the Act's protection to these plants.