Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for Three Plants From the Island of Nihoa, Hawaii

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines endangered status pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for three plants: Amaranthus brownii (no common name (NCN)), Pritchardia remota (loulu), and Schiedea verticillata (NCN). These three species are endemic to the island of Nihoa, Hawaiian Islands. Two of the species are threatened by competition with the one widespread alien plant that has established on the island. Two of the species grow in steep, rocky habitats which are easily disturbed. Because of the small numbers of existing individuals and populations and their narrow distributions, which are limited to the 0.25 square mile (sq mi) (0.65 sq kilometer (km)) island, these species are subject to a danger of extinction and/or reduced reproductive vigor. This final rule implements the Federal protection provisions provided by the Act.