Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Gymnoderma Lineare (Rock Gnome Lichen) Determined To Be Endangered

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines the lichen Gymnoderma lineare (rock gnome lichen) to be an endangered species under the authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This lichen, which is limited to 25 populations in North Carolina and 7 populations in Tennessee, is threatened by collection, logging, and habitat disturbance due to heavy use by hikers and climbers. It is also indirectly threatened by exotic insect pests and possibly air pollution, which are contributing to the demise of the Fraser fir forests at higher elevations in the [[Page 3558]] Southern Appalachians. This action implements for Gymnoderma lineare the Federal protection and recovery provisions provided by the Act.