Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Rule to Reclassify the Plant Isotria medeoloides (Small Whorled Pogonia) From Endangered to Threatened

Resumen

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines that Isotria medeoloides (small whorled pogonia) warrants reclassification from endangered to threatened. The determination is based on the fulfillment of reclassification criteria as stated in the Small Whorled Pogonia (Isotria medeoloides) Recovery Plan: First Revision (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1992) and substantial improvement in the status of this orchid species. As outlined in the revised Recovery Plan, reclassification of Isotria medeoloides from endangered to threatened should proceed when a minimum of 25 percent of the known viable sites (as of 1992) are protected. Currently, 61 percent of the viable populations are permanently protected. This rule implements the Federal protection and recovery provisions for threatened species as provided by the Act.