Feds withdraw rare wildflower proposal

SALT LAKE CITY – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday withdrew its proposal to list as threatened a wildflower that grows only in areas of Utah and Colorado where oil shale and tar sand exploration are being done.

The decision prompted environmental groups who have fought for the listing of the Graham’s penstemon to accuse the FWS and
Bureau of Land Management of choosing energy development leases over a threatened species.

“This is a political decision to deny listing to something that needs to be listed due to energy development,” said Tony Frates, conservation co-chairman for the Utah Native Plant Society. “It is restricted to a very limited geologic formation … and the potential for the oil shale development would gravely impact it’s ability to survive.”

The flower is a member of the snapdragon family and blooms in lavender flowers.

AP