73 



B. Overut i 1 i zat ion for commercial, sporting, 

 scientific, or educational purposes: No 



significant existing or potential threats known. 



C. Disease, predation, or grazing: Mo significant 

 existing or potential threats known. 



D. Inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms: 



None known. 



E. Other natural or manmade factors: None known. 

 II- ASSESSMENT AND RECOMMENDATIONS 



12. General assessment of vigor, trends, and status: 



Gr i nde 1 l a howe 1 1 i i is a species which tolerates 

 habitat disturbance, and which is thriving at many of 

 its locations. It occurs at ^5 sites in a limited area 

 in western Montana, and at two known sites in northern 

 Idaho. Though of limited distribution, its ruderal 

 response has apparently allowed it to survive despite 

 habitat degradation, and in certain instances its 

 abundance has increased as a result. The species is 

 not currently threatened or endangered; however, site 

 data for Gr i nde 1 i a howe I 1 l i will be maintained in the 

 Montana Natural Heritage Program data base. It should 

 be emphasized that many of the roadside populations 

 are possibly ephemeral, and future field studies of 

 populations should be conducted in order to further 

 assess the long-term trends in the species' status. 



13. Recommendations for listing or status change. 



A. Recommendation to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: 



On the basis of information collected during the 

 1986 status survey and reported herein, it is 

 recommended that Gr i nde 1 l a howe 1 1 l i be retained in 

 Category 2. Though the species does not appear 

 to be currently threatened or endangered, and is 

 more abundant than previously believed, it occurs 

 in a limited geographic area. In addition, the 

 approximate total number of known individuals is 

 not great, and there are no data relating to 

 population trends or persistence through time. A 

 final recommendation could be made once complete 

 trend data are available. 



B- Recommendations to other U.S. Federal agencies. 



1. U.S. Forest Service: Gr i ndel i a howe 1 1 i i 



should be placed on the U.S.F.S. Region 1 

 sensitive plant species list. The species is 

 endemic to Region 1, and the National Forests 

 which contain populations should be made 

 aware of its occurrence on their respective 



