Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Endangered Status for the Washington Plant Hackelia venusta (Showy Stickseed)

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for the Washington plant Hackelia venusta (showy stickseed). This plant species is a narrow endemic restricted to one small population of approximately 500 plants on less than 1 hectare (2.5 acres) of unstable, granitic talus on the lower slopes of Tumwater Canyon, Chelan County, Washington, entirely on Federal land. Major threats to H. venusta include: Collection; physical disturbance to the plants and habitat by humans, competition and shading from native trees and shrubs; encroachment onto the site by nonnative noxious weed species; wildfire; fire suppression and associated activities; and low seedling establishment. Highway maintenance activities, such as the spreading of sand and salt, and the use of de-icers during winter months, threaten the species. Also, the application of herbicides may pose a threat. Reproductive vigor may be depressed because of the plant's small population size and limited gene pool. A single natural or human-caused random environmental disturbance could destroy a significant percentage of the population. We determine that the designation of critical habitat is not prudent for Hackelia venusta because it would likely increase the threats from collection and both direct and inadvertent habitat degradation and destruction. This rule implements the Federal protections provided by the Act for this plant.