(2) The Director of Agriculture, by rule, may add or remove any plant species from either list, or change the status of any species on the lists, upon a determination that the species is or is not a threatened species or an endangered species.
(3) A determination that a species is a threatened species or an endangered species shall be based on documented and verifiable scientific information about the species’ biological status. To list a species as a threatened species or an endangered species under ORS 564.100 to 564.130, the director shall determine that the natural reproductive potential of the species is in danger of failure due to limited population numbers, disease, predation or other natural or man-made factors affecting its continued existence. In addition, the director shall determine that one or more of the following factors exist:
(a) That most populations are undergoing imminent or active deterioration of their range or primary habitat;
(b) That overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific or educational purposes is occurring or is likely to occur; or
(c) That existing state or federal programs or regulations are inadequate to protect the species or its habitat.
(4) Determinations required by subsection (3) of this section shall be made on the basis of the best scientific and other data available to the State Department of Agriculture, after consultation with federal agencies, other interested state agencies, other states having a common interest in the species and interested persons and organizations.
(5)(a) Any person may petition the department to, by rule, add, remove or change the status of a species on the list.
(b) A petition shall clearly indicate the action sought and shall include documented scientific information about the species’ biological status to justify the requested action.
(c) Within 90 days of receipt of a petition, the department shall respond in writing to the petitioner indicating whether the petition presents substantial scientific information to warrant the action requested.
(d) If the petition is found to present such information, the department shall commence rulemaking.
(e) If the petition is denied, the petitioner may seek judicial review as provided in ORS 183.484.
(6)(a) Notwithstanding subsections (1) to (5) of this section, the department shall take emergency action to add a species to the list of threatened species or endangered species if it determines there is a significant threat to the continued existence of the species.
(b) The department shall publish notice of such addition in the Secretary of State’s bulletin and shall mail notice to affected or interested persons whose names are included on the department’s mailing list for such purposes.
(c) Such emergency addition shall take effect immediately upon publication in the Secretary of State’s bulletin and shall remain valid for a period no longer than one year, unless during the one-year period the department completes rulemaking procedures as provided in subsections (1) to (4) of this section.
(7)(a) The director shall periodically review the status of all threatened and endangered plant species listed under ORS 496.004, 496.171 to 496.192, 498.026, 564.040 and 564.100 to 564.135.
(b) Each species shall be reviewed at least once every five years to determine whether substantial, documented scientific information exists to justify its reclassification or removal from the list, according to the criteria listed under subsection (3) of this section.
(c) If a determination is made to reclassify a species or remove it from the list, the department, within 90 days, shall commence rulemaking to change the status of the species. [1987 c.686 §10; 1999 c.59 §177; 2003 c.14 §350; 2011 c.319 §22]