Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Rule for Endangered Status for Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus (Ventura marsh milk-vetch)

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered status for Astragalus pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus (Ventura marsh milk-vetch) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. Historically known from a three-county region in coastal southern California, A. pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus was believed extinct until its rediscovery in 1997. The only known extant population of this recently rediscovered plant occurs in Ventura County, California, on less than 1 acre of degraded dune habitat that was previously used for disposal of petroleum wastes. The most significant current threats to A. pycnostachyus var. lanosissimus are direct destruction of this population from proposed soil remediation, residential development, and associated activities. This taxon is also threatened by unanticipated human-caused and natural events that could eliminate the single remaining population. Competition from nonnative invasive plant species is an additional threat. This action will extend the Act's protection to this plant.