HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The federal government is declaring about 2,500 acres of land in three Alabama counties critical habitat for two endangered plants. The designation will become official Sept. 25.
What are the plants?
The fleshy-fruit gladecress and the whorled sunflower.
Where are they found?
The sunflower is found in Cherokee, Ala., and the gladecress is found in Lawrence and Morgan counties.
What is threatening the plants?
Road construction, industrial forestry and agriculture, off-road vehicle use, water-level fluctuations in reservoirs and competition from other plants.
What does the designation mean?
Nothing for private landowners, unless they plan activities that need federal authorization, funding or participation (for example a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam permit). The law requires federal agencies avoid harming the habitat.
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