Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Endangered Status for Arabis Perstellata

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines endangered status for Arabis perstellata (rock cress) under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The species is made up of two subspecies occupying distinct geographic areas. The small rock cress (Arabis perstellata E. L. Braun var. perstellata Fernald) is currently known from 27 populations in Kentucky--24 in Franklin County, 2 in Owen County, and 1 in Henry County. The large rock cress (Arabis perstellata E. L. Braun var. ampla Rollins) is known from only two populations in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Both subspecies are endangered throughout their range due to habitat alteration; residential, commercial, or industrial development; timber harvesting; grazing and trampling; and competition with native and exotic weedy species, especially the European garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata). This action extends Federal protection under the Act to the rock cress.