the Critical Areas Program. Through the efforts of the Critical Areas Program 

 some rare plant stations have been protected through the cooperation of the 

 landowner (Tyler and Gowler 1980). The Critical Areas Program, working 

 closely with the Nature Conservency and Maine Coast Heritage Trust, has helped 

 acquire (i.e., Great Wass Island in region 6), or gain conservation easements 

 on (i.e., Seawall Beach in region 2), several rare plant locations or unusual 

 rare plant communities. 



MANAGEMENT 



The management of endangered plant species is regulated by the Department of 

 the Interior. Currently no plant species in the coastal zone are under 

 Federal protection because critical habitat was not described within the one 

 year following listing. However, species on the original list ( Mimulus 

 ringens var. colpophilus ) , species listed in the Smithsonian report, and most 

 species on the Maine rare plant list are in need of protection. 



The Smithsonian report (Ayensu and DeFilipps 1978) summarized the key elements 

 of endangered species management: 



1. Prevention of the destruction of populations and their habitats. 



2. Monitoring and research on population levels and viability. 



3. Prevention of collection and commercial exploitation. 



This report states that the preservation and protection of habitats upon which 

 the plants depend for growth and reproduction are the foremost needs in rare 

 plant management. It further states that in situ perpetuation of sufficient 

 populations of endangered and threatened plants is required to ensure their 

 survival . 



Various methods of protection and preserving habitats and populations include 

 landmark designations, conservation easements, tax breaks for landowners, 

 acquisition, and penalty procedures. Priority should be given to habitats 

 supporting more than one species. 



Endangered, threatened, and rare plants should be recognized as basic elements 

 in land-use plans and inventories in which the Federal Government is involved 

 either in a direct capacity or in the role of a guiding or advisory party. 

 Federal agencies involved in land management, including the Bureau of Land 

 Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Energy, Army Corps of 

 Engineers, National Park Service, Forest Service, Energy Research and 

 Development Administration, Department of Defense, Soil Conservation Service, 

 and U.S. Geological Survey, should recognize endangered, threatened, and rare 

 species as natural resources and consider their distribution in natural 

 resource surveys and inventories. 



RESEARCH NEEDS 



Little is known about the current population status of endangered, threatened, 

 and rare plant species in the coastal zone. More information is needed to 

 evaluate potential threats from human activities and to help guide protective 

 and management procedures. 



20-21 



10-80 



