Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; Threatened species status with Section 4(d) Rule for Monarch Butterfly and designation of critical habitat

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), the iconic orange and black butterfly, as a threatened species and designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We propose to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species with protective regulations under section 4(d) of the Act (a ‘‘4(d) rule’’)