Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Rule To List the Saint Francis' Satyr as Endangered

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The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to list a butterfly, the Saint Francis' satyr (Neonympha mitchellii francisci) as an endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. This butterfly is known from a single locality in North Carolina. Recent heavy collecting pressure has resulted in a reduction of the only known population of this subspecies and is believed to pose an imminent threat to the species' survival. Due to the need to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of further collection, an emergency rule is published elsewhere in today's Federal Register to provide this butterfly with immediate protection under the Act for a period of 240 days. Proposed listing, if made final, would implement long-term Federal protection and allow for recovery measures in accordance with the Act's provisions.