Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determination of Endangered Status for the Plant Eriogonum apricum (inclusive of vars. apricum and prostratum) (Ione Buckwheat) and Threatened Status for the Plant Arctostaphylos myrtifolia (Ione Manzanita)

We determine endangered status pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for Eriogonum apricum (inclusive of vars. apricum and prostratum) (Ione buckwheat). We also determine threatened status for Arctostaphylos myrtifolia (Ione manzanita). These two species occur primarily on soils derived from the Ione Formation in Amador and/or Calaveras counties in the central Sierra Nevada foothills of California and are imperiled by one or more of the following factors--mining, clearing of vegetation for agriculture and fire protection, disease, inadequate regulatory mechanisms, habitat fragmentation, residential and commercial development, changes in fire frequency, and continued erosion due to prior off-road vehicle use. Existing regulatory mechanisms do not adequately protect these species. Random events increase the risk to the few, small populations of E. apricum. This action implements the protection of the Act for these plants.