GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated 50,635 acres as critical habitat for three wildflowers it considers threatened or endangered, offering them some protection from construction or energy development.
The agency on Friday designated 15,510 acres as critical habitat for the threatened Parachute beardtongue, or Parachute penstemon; 25,484 acres for the threatened DeBeque phacelia; and 9,641 acres for the endangered Pagosa skyrocket.
The agency’s final designations exclude about 3,350 acres in Garfield County owned by Occidental Oil Shale and OXY USA, which is voluntarily protecting the Parachute beardtongue there.
When public land is designated critical habitat for various species, federal agencies must consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service when projects or activities may affect those species.
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