28 



Grove Creek Pinnacles site indicates that mining activity is a 

 possibility^ but the potential appears to be low. 



B. Overutilization for commercial, sporting, scientific, or 

 educational purposes: No threats knonn. 



C. Disease, predation, or grazing: At the present time, populations 

 of Shoshonea pulvinata do not appear to be threatened by 

 livestock grazing. The sites are probably free of snow earlier 

 in the year than surrounding areas, and may be favored by grazing 

 animals in early spring. If grazing pressure from wild horses 

 were to increase, Shoshonea populations might be adversely 

 affected. In the Rocky Mountains, bighorn sheep use habitats 

 similar to Shoshonea sites as winter range. If bighorn sheep 

 were reintroduced in large numbers in the Pryor or Beartooth 

 mountains, they might pose a threat to Shoshonea populations. 



D. Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms: None known. 



E. Other natural or man-made factors: None known. 



II. ASSESSMENT AND RECOMENDATIONS 



IS. General assessment of vigor, trends, and status: In Montana, 



Shoshonea pulvinata is presently known from three sites in Carbon 

 County. An estimated 10,500-15,500 plants occur at these three sites. 

 Based on limited observations, Shoshonea populations appear to be 

 stable. Currently there are no serious threats to these populations. 

 The status of populations in Wyoming is currently unknown. 



13. Recommendations for listing or status change. 



A. Recommendation to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: On the basis 

 of current information summarized in this status report, it is 

 recommended that Shoshonea pulvinata be retained in Category 2. 

 Although there are no apparent threats to populations of 

 Shoshonea pulvinata in Montana, the species has few populations 

 and a very localized distribution. The complete distribution, 

 abundance, and condition of Shoshonea populations in Wyoming, 

 which contains the main range of the species, are presently 

 unknown. Final status recommendations should be made upon 

 completion of survey work in Wyoming. 



B. Recommendations to other U.S. federal agencies: Shoshonea 

 pulvinata has been placed on lists of sensitive plant species for 

 Region One of the U.S. Forest Service, and for the Montana State 

 Office of the U.S. D.I. Bureau of Land Management. Personnel 

 charged with management of lands supporting populations of 

 Shoshonea should be made aware of its presence and locations. 

 The impacts of any change in management practices (i.e., timber 

 harvesting, mining, increased stocking rates) on Shoshonea 

 populations should be assessed before being implemented. 



