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Current Status:

The most serious threats to the swamp pink are the filling, clearing, and draining of its forested wetland habitat. Additionally, development is gradually degrading the species' forested wetland habitat through changes in hydrological conditions and influxes of polluted water and sedimentation. Collection, trampling, and invasions of aggressive nonnative plant species also threaten the swamp pink.

Achievements:

Approximately 20 previously unknown populations have been located in New Jersey through surveys and Clean Water Act enforcement actions in the past 2 years. Although these findings are encouraging, most of the sites are experiencing significant threats from development. The swamp pink recovery plan was completed in FY 1991, and several recovery tasks are under way, including research on genetics, habitat requirements, and the impacts of disturbances; development of conservation plans; searches for additional sites; and enforcement of regulations that protect swamp pink habitat. Section 7 consultation between the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency resulted in the protection of a swamp pink population from hazardous waste remediation activities at a Superfund National Priorities List site.

Current Recovery Needs:

This species will need continued habitat protection, which may include protection of an entire upstream watershed to maintain water quality and hydrological conditions, determination and monitoring of threats to extant sites, completion of searches for additional populations, public education, and genetic research.

Section 6 Funding and Activities:

The New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry was provided $8,000 in FY 1991 and $3,000 in FY 1992 to develop swamp pink preserve designs and to determine the impacts of disturbance and development on selected populations.

Partnerships

Army Corps of Engineers: In 1990, the Corps issued a public notice directing section 404 (Clean Water Act) permitters to ensure that any work performed in New Jersey and Delaware under nationwide permits avoids impacts on the swamp pink. As a result, the Fish and Wildlife Service has been notified of several projects subject to nationwide permits that would have affected the species; projects were modified as necessary. The Corps has also ensured protection of the swamp pink on projects subject to individual permits.

New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry: This State agency has completed a research project to determine the effects of disturbance on selected populations and has developed conservation plans for three high priority populations. The agency has also conducted searches for new sites.

University of Georgia: The University initiated research in 1992 to conduct genetic analyses on selected swamp pink populations throughout the species' range.

Recovery Plan Status:

Plan approved 9/30/91.