The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is proposing to list the bushy whitlow-wort in South Texas as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
The woody-based plant flowers from spring to late summer in South Texas’ hot, semi-arid climate. USFWS said the only two documented populations are found on 48 acres in northwestern Jim Hogg County.
“The Service finds that bushy-whitlow wort is in danger of extinction throughout its range due to development of new oil and gas wells and wind energy infrastructure,” the agency said in a news release.
USFWS proposes two units of critical habitat totaling about 42 acres on privately owned land in Jim Hogg County. The designation would not affect land ownership, allow the government to take or manage private property, or allow government or public access to private land.
Comments are being accepted through May 20 at tinyurl.com/5n2r8tb6. Comments may also be mailed to Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R2-ES-2023-0102, USFWS, MS: PRB/3W, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803.
