Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Lepidium papilliferum (Slickspot Peppergrass), 66250-66255 [2011-27727]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 66250-66255]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27727]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071; MO 92210-0-0009]
RIN 1018-AX16


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of 
Critical Habitat for Lepidium papilliferum (Slickspot Peppergrass)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
reopening of the comment period on our May 10, 2011, proposal to 
designate critical habitat for Lepidium papilliferum (slickspot 
peppergrass) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 
(Act). We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis 
(DEA) of the proposed designation and an amended required 
determinations section of the proposal. We are reopening the comment 
period to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment 
simultaneously on the proposed rule, the associated DEA, and the 
amended required determinations section. Comments previously submitted 
on this rulemaking do not need to be resubmitted, as they will be fully 
considered in preparation of the final rule.

DATES: We will consider comments received on or before December 12, 
2011. Comments must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the 
closing date. Any comments that we receive after the closing date may 
not be considered in the final decision on this action.

ADDRESSES: 
    Document availability: You may obtain a copy of the DEA via https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071 or by contacting 
the office listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

[[Page 66251]]

    Comment submission: You may submit comments by one of the following 
methods:
    (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. In the box that reads ``Enter Keyword or ID,'' 
enter the docket number for this proposed rule, which is FWS-R1-ES-
2010-0071, and then click the Search button. You should then see an 
icon that reads ``Submit a Comment.'' Please ensure that you have found 
the correct rulemaking before submitting your comment.
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public 
Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071; Division of Policy and 
Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax 
Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
    We will post all comments on  https://www.regulations.gov. This 
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide 
us (see the Public Comments section below for more information).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian T. Kelly, State Supervisor, 
Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Room 368, Boise, 
ID 83709, by telephone (208-378-5243), or by facsimile (208-378-5262). 
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call 
the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Public Comments

    We will accept written comments and information during this 
reopened comment period on our proposed critical habitat for Lepidium 
papilliferum that was published in the Federal Register on May 10, 2011 
(76 FR 27184), our DEA of the proposed designation, and the amended 
required determinations provided in this document. We will consider 
information and recommendations from all interested parties. We are 
particularly interested in comments concerning:
    (1) The reasons why we should or should not designate habitat as 
``critical habitat'' under section 4 of the Act, including whether 
there are threats to the species from human activity, the degree to 
which threats from human activity can be expected to increase due to 
the designation, and whether that increase in threats outweighs the 
benefit of designation such that the designation of critical habitat 
may not be prudent.
    (2) Specific information on:
    (a) The amount and distribution of Lepidium papilliferum habitat;
    (b) What areas occupied at the time of listing and that contain 
features essential to the conservation of Lepidium papilliferum should 
be included in the designation and why;
    (c) The habitat components (primary constituent elements) essential 
to the conservation of the species, such as specific soil 
characteristics, plant associations, or pollinators, and the quantity 
and spatial arrangement of these features on the landscape needed to 
provide for the conservation of the species;
    (d) What areas not occupied at the time of listing are essential 
for the conservation of the species, if any, and why; and
    (e) Special management considerations or protections that the 
features essential to the conservation of Lepidium papilliferum may 
require, including managing for the potential effects of climate 
change.
    (3) Land use designations and current or planned activities in the 
proposed critical habitat areas and their possible impacts on proposed 
critical habitat.
    (4) Any reasonably foreseeable economic, national security, or 
other relevant impacts that may result from designating any area that 
may be included in the final designation. We are particularly 
interested in any impacts on small entities, and the benefits of 
including or excluding areas from the proposed designation that are 
subject to these impacts.
    (5) Information on whether the benefits of an exclusion of any 
particular area outweigh the benefits of inclusion under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act, after considering both the potential impacts and 
benefits of the proposed critical habitat designation. Under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act, we may exclude an area from critical habitat if we 
determine that the benefits of such exclusion outweigh the benefits of 
including that particular area as critical habitat, unless failure to 
designate that specific area as critical habitat will result in the 
extinction of the species. We are considering the possible exclusion of 
areas under private ownership, in particular, as we anticipate the 
benefits of exclusion may outweigh the benefits of inclusion in those 
areas. We therefore request specific information on:
    (a) The benefits of including any specific areas in the final 
designation and supporting rationale,
    (b) The benefits of excluding any specific areas from the final 
designation and supporting rationale, and
    (c) Whether any specific exclusions may result in the extinction of 
the species and why (see ``Consideration of Impacts Under Section 
4(b)(2) of the Act,'' below).
    (6) The use of Public Land Survey System quarter-quarter sections 
to delineate the proposed critical habitat designation. We used 
quarter-quarter sections in this proposed rule because they are the 
most-commonly-used minimum size and method for delineating land 
ownership boundaries within the range of Lepidium papilliferum.
    (7) The projected and reasonably likely impacts of climate change 
on Lepidium papilliferum and on the critical habitat areas we are 
proposing.
    (8) Whether we could improve or modify our approach to designating 
critical habitat in any way to provide for greater public participation 
and understanding, or to better accommodate public concerns and 
comment.
    (9) Information on the extent to which the description of economic 
impacts in the DEA is reasonable and accurate.
    (10) The likelihood of adverse social reactions to the designation 
of critical habitat, as discussed in the DEA, and how the consequences 
of such reactions, if likely to occur, would relate to the conservation 
and regulatory benefits of the proposed critical habitat designation.
    If you submitted comments or information on the proposed rule (76 
FR 27184) during the initial or extended comment period (76 FR 39807) 
that was open from May 11 through September 9, 2011, please do not 
resubmit them. We will incorporate them into the public record as part 
of this comment period, and we will fully consider them in the 
preparation of our final determination. Our final determination 
concerning critical habitat will take into consideration all written 
comments and any additional information we receive during all comment 
periods. On the basis of public comments, we may, during the 
development of our final determination, find that areas proposed are 
not essential, are appropriate for exclusion under section 4(b)(2) of 
the Act, or are not appropriate for exclusion.
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning the proposed 
rule or DEA by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We request that 
you send comments only by the methods described in ADDRESSES.
    If you submit a comment via https://www.regulations.gov, your entire 
comment--including any personal identifying information--will be posted 
on the Web site. We will post all hardcopy comments on https://www.regulations.gov as well. If you

[[Page 66252]]

submit a hardcopy comment that includes personal identifying 
information, you may request at the top of your document that we 
withhold this information from public review. However, we cannot 
guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing the proposed rule and DEA, will be 
available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov at Docket 
No. FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071, or by appointment, during normal business 
hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish and Wildlife 
Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). You may obtain copies of 
the proposed rule and the DEA on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket Number FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071, or by mail 
from the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT).

Background

    It is our intent to discuss only those topics directly relevant to 
the designation of critical habitat for Lepidium papilliferum in this 
document. For more information on previous Federal actions concerning 
L. papilliferum, refer to the proposed designation of critical habitat 
published in the Federal Register on May 10, 2011 (76 FR 27184). For 
more information on L. papilliferum or its habitat, please refer to the 
final listing rule published in the Federal Register on October 8, 2009 
(74 FR 52014), which is available online at https://www.regulations.gov 
at Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071 or from the Idaho Fish and Wildlife 
Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Previous Federal Actions

    On May 10, 2011, we published a proposed rule to designate critical 
habitat for Lepidium papilliferum (76 FR 27184). We proposed to 
designate as critical habitat approximately 23,374 hectares (57,756 
acres) in four units in Ada, Elmore, Payette, and Owyhee Counties in 
Idaho. We announced a 60-day comment period in that proposed rule, 
scheduled to close on July 11, 2011. On June 1, 2011, we received a 
request from the Governor of Idaho seeking a 60-day extension of the 
comment period so that the State of Idaho may coordinate comments 
between the State agencies that may be affected by critical habitat, 
and to allow adequate time for citizens to provide input on the 
proposed critical habitat designation. In response to this request, on 
July 7, 2011, we announced in the Federal Register an extension of the 
comment period for an additional 60 days, until September 9, 2011 (76 
FR 39807).
Critical Habitat
    Section 3 of the Act defines critical habitat as the specific areas 
within the geographical area occupied by a species, at the time it is 
listed in accordance with the Act, on which are found those physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the species and 
that may require special management considerations or protection, and 
specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by a species at 
the time it is listed, upon a determination that such areas are 
essential for the conservation of the species. If the proposed rule is 
made final, section 7 of the Act will prohibit destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat by any activity funded, authorized, or 
carried out by any Federal agency. Federal agencies proposing actions 
affecting critical habitat must consult with us on the effects of their 
proposed actions, under section 7(a)(2) of the Act.
Consideration of Impacts Under Section 4(b)(2) of the Act
    Section 4(b)(2) of the Act requires that we designate or revise 
critical habitat based upon the best scientific data available, after 
taking into consideration the economic impact, impact on national 
security, or any other relevant impact of specifying any particular 
area as critical habitat. We may exclude an area from critical habitat 
if we determine that the benefits of excluding the area outweigh the 
benefits of including the area as critical habitat, provided such 
exclusion will not result in the extinction of the species.
    When considering the benefits of inclusion for an area, we consider 
the additional regulatory benefits that area would receive from the 
protection from adverse modification or destruction as a result of 
actions with a Federal nexus (activities conducted, funded, permitted, 
or authorized by Federal agencies), the educational benefits of mapping 
areas containing essential features that aid in the recovery of the 
listed species, and any benefits that may result from designation due 
to State or Federal laws that may apply to critical habitat.
    When considering the benefits of exclusion, we consider, among 
other things, whether exclusion of a specific area is likely to result 
in conservation; the continuation, strengthening, or encouragement of 
partnerships; or implementation of a management plan.
    In the case of Lepidium papilliferum, the benefits of critical 
habitat include public awareness of the presence of the species and the 
importance of habitat protection, and, where a Federal nexus exists, 
increased habitat protection for L. papilliferum due to protection from 
adverse modification or destruction of critical habitat. In practice, 
situations with a Federal nexus exist primarily on Federal lands or for 
projects undertaken by, or with the authorization or permission of, 
Federal agencies. We are considering the possible exclusion of areas 
under private ownership from the designation of critical habitat for L. 
papilliferum, as we anticipate the benefits of exclusion may outweigh 
the benefits of inclusion in those areas.
    The final decision on whether to exclude any areas will be based on 
the best scientific data available at the time of the final 
designation, including information obtained during the comment period 
and information about the economic impact of designation. Accordingly, 
we have prepared a draft economic analysis (DEA) concerning the 
proposed critical habitat designation, which is available for review 
and comment (see ADDRESSES section).
Draft Economic Analysis
    The DEA identifies and analyzes the potential economic impacts 
associated with the proposed critical habitat designation for Lepidium 
papilliferum. The DEA describes the economic impacts of all potential 
conservation efforts for L. papilliferum; some of these costs will 
likely be incurred regardless of whether we designate critical habitat. 
The economic impact of the proposed critical habitat designation is 
analyzed by comparing scenarios both ``with critical habitat'' and 
``without critical habitat.'' The ``without critical habitat'' scenario 
represents the baseline for the analysis, considering protections 
already in place for the species (e.g., under the Federal listing and 
other Federal, State, and local regulations). The baseline, therefore, 
represents the costs incurred regardless of whether critical habitat is 
designated. The ``with critical habitat'' scenario describes the 
incremental impacts associated specifically with the designation of 
critical habitat for the species. In other words, these incremental 
impacts would not occur but for the designation.
    These incremental impacts produce the costs that we consider in the 
final designation of critical habitat when evaluating the benefits of 
excluding particular areas under section 4(b)(2) of the Act. The 
analysis looks retrospectively at baseline impacts incurred since the 
species was listed, and forecasts both baseline and incremental impacts 
likely to occur if

[[Page 66253]]

we finalize the proposed critical habitat designation.
    As described above, the DEA separates conservation measures into 
two distinct categories according to ``without critical habitat'' and 
``with critical habitat'' scenarios. The ``without critical habitat'' 
scenario represents the baseline for the analysis, considering 
protections otherwise afforded to the species (e.g., under the Federal 
listing and other Federal, State, and local regulations). The ``with 
critical habitat'' scenario describes the incremental impacts 
specifically due to designation of critical habitat for the species. In 
other words, these incremental conservation measures and associated 
economic impacts would not occur but for the designation. Conservation 
measures implemented under the baseline (without critical habitat) 
scenario are described qualitatively within the DEA, but economic 
impacts associated with these measures are not quantified. Economic 
impacts are only quantified for conservation measures implemented 
specifically due to the designation of critical habitat (i.e., 
incremental impacts). For a further description of the methodology of 
the analysis, see Chapter 2, ``Framework for the Analysis,'' of the 
DEA.
    The DEA provides estimated costs of the foreseeable potential 
economic impacts of the proposed critical habitat designation for 
Lepidium papilliferum over the next 20 years, from 2012 through 2031. 
We determined that this 20-year timeframe was the appropriate period 
for analysis because the availability of land-use planning information 
becomes very limited for most activities beyond that timeframe. The DEA 
identifies potential incremental costs as a result of the proposed 
critical habitat designation; these are those costs attributed to 
critical habitat over and above those baseline costs attributed to 
listing and other regulatory protections. The DEA quantifies economic 
impacts of L. papilliferum conservation efforts associated with the 
following categories of activity: (1) Wildfire and invasive nonnative 
species management; (2) commercial and residential development; (3) 
utility and transportation activities; and (4) livestock use. The most 
visible effect to L. papilliferum and its habitat from livestock use is 
through localized trampling impacts; however, as stated in the final 
listing rule, under current management conditions we do not consider 
this activity to represent a significant threat to the species. 
Although the final listing rule evaluated recreation as a possible 
minor threat to the species, this does not appear to be a major factor 
impacting either L. papilliferum or its habitat. We therefore do not 
anticipate any measurable economic impact of critical habitat 
designation for this species on recreation, and this activity was not 
considered in the draft economic analysis.
    Approximately 95 percent of the proposed critical habitat area is 
on public lands (roughly 86 percent is Federal land managed by the 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)). Of this, 8 percent is State land, 2 
percent is County land (Payette, Ada, Owyhee, and Elmore counties, 
Idaho), and the remaining 5 percent covers privately owned lands. 
Commercial and residential develop could result in the loss of Lepidium 
papilliferum populations, as well as indirect losses through the 
development of infrastructure that allows greater access to the habitat 
(e.g., off-road vehicles, human-ignited wildfires) and habitat 
fragmentation. Although no development has taken place within the 
proposed critical habitat areas since publication of the proposed rule, 
portions of the critical habitat area are adjacent to urban and rural 
development, or within the Interstate 84 corridor, increasing the 
probability that the areas may be subject to future development.
    The most significant biological threats to the species are related 
to increased frequency of wildfire, combined with the invasion of 
nonnative annual grasses. The invasion of nonnative annual grasses 
provides a continuous source of fuel, which directly contributes to a 
dramatic increase in natural fire frequency. Conservation measures 
related to wildfire and nonnative species have been incorporated into a 
Conservation Agreement being implemented by the BLM, which applies to 
86 percent of the proposed critical habitat area. Rights-of-way and 
pipeline activities, particularly those related to utilities and 
transportation activities, became subject to section 7 consultation in 
2009, when the species was listed under the Act, and actions are 
already being reviewed to evaluate potential impacts to the species 
related to equipment operation or construction within areas occupied by 
the species. A review of our consultation records indicates that no 
project modifications have been required to date, either because the 
activities were not within Lepidium papilliferum habitat, or 
conservation measures were incorporated into project designs to avoid 
impacts to the species or its habitat.
    The draft economic analysis concludes that critical habitat 
designation is not likely to affect levels of economic activity or 
conservation measures being implemented within the proposed critical 
habitat area. Unless changes occur to existing conservation measures or 
the management of land use activities, the incremental impacts of 
critical habitat designation would be limited to the additional 
administrative costs of section 7 consultations for Federal agencies, 
associated with considering the potential for adverse modification of 
critical habitat. These costs are estimated to be $14,200 annually, or 
$161,000 over a 20-year period, based on the present value discounted 
at seven percent.
    Because approximately 86 percent of the proposed critical habitat 
area is Federal land managed by the BLM, the proposed critical habitat 
designation is unlikely to generate economic impacts beyond 
administrative costs of section 7 consultation. Additionally, a binding 
Conservation Agreement has been developed to address the conservation 
needs of this species on BLM land, and BLM already consults with us 
under section 7 of the Act to ensure their activities do not jeopardize 
the continued existence of the species. The BLM intends to continue to 
manage these lands for conservation of Lepidium papilliferum, by 
implementing the specific conservation measures identified in Chapter 3 
of the draft economic analysis. In addition, project proponents and 
land managers are aware of the species' presence throughout its range, 
and the need to consult with the Service for projects that have a 
Federal nexus that may affect the species. We believe activities on 
private lands are unlikely to have a Federal nexus or be subject to 
section 7 consultation, based on a review of our consultation records 
to date. However, in the case that private lands may possibly be 
subject to a Federal permit or funding source in the future (e.g., U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service 
programs or Federal permitting of alternative energy projects), the DEA 
underestimates potential administrative costs due to critical habitat 
designation in the 5 percent of proposed critical habitat that overlaps 
the private lands. However, we have no information indicating that any 
such activity will occur on private lands in the foreseeable future.
    In conclusion, the Service does not foresee a circumstance in which 
critical habitat designation will change the outcome of future section 
7 consultations. Any conservation

[[Page 66254]]

measures implemented to minimize impacts to the species would very 
likely be sufficient to also minimize impacts to critical habitat. 
Therefore, we do not believe any additional conservation measures would 
be needed solely to minimize impacts to critical habitat. Based on this 
reasoning, we also do not anticipate critical habitat designation to 
result in any appreciable incremental economic benefits. Any economic 
benefits related to conservation activities would flow from the listing 
of the species, rather than the designation of critical habitat, and 
would fall within the economic baseline.
    As we stated earlier, we are soliciting data and comments from the 
public on the DEA, as well as all aspects of the proposed rule and our 
amended required determinations. We may revise the proposed rule or 
supporting documents to incorporate or address information we receive 
during the public comment period. In particular, we may exclude an area 
from critical habitat if we determine that the benefits of excluding 
the area outweigh the benefits of including the area, provided the 
exclusion will not result in the extinction of the species.

Required Determinations--Amended

    In our May 10, 2011, proposed rule (76 FR 27184), we indicated that 
we would defer our determination of compliance with several statutes 
and executive orders until the information concerning potential 
economic impacts of the designation and potential effects on landowners 
and stakeholders became available in the DEA. We have now made use of 
the DEA data to make these determinations. In this document, we affirm 
the information in our proposed rule concerning Executive Order (E.O.) 
12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review), E.O. 12630 (Takings), E.O. 
13132 (Federalism), E.O. 12988 (Civil Justice Reform), E.O. 13211 
(Energy, Supply, Distribution, and Use), the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.), the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.), and the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, 
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments'' (59 FR 22951). However, based on the DEA data, we are 
amending our required determination concerning the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act, as amended by the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (5 U.S.C. 802(2)), 
whenever an agency is required to publish a notice of rulemaking for 
any proposed or final rule, it must prepare and make available for 
public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis that describes the 
effect of the rule on small entities (i.e., small businesses, small 
organizations, and small government jurisdictions). However, no 
regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of an agency 
certifies the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Based on our DEA of the proposed 
designation, we provide our analysis for determining whether the 
proposed rule would result in a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Based on comments we receive, we 
may revise this determination as part of our final rulemaking.
    According to the Small Business Administration, small entities 
include small organizations, such as independent nonprofit 
organizations; small governmental jurisdictions, including school 
boards and city and town governments that serve fewer than 50,000 
residents; and small businesses (13 CFR 121.201). For example, small 
businesses include manufacturing and mining concerns with fewer than 
500 employees, wholesale trade entities with fewer than 100 employees, 
retail and service businesses with less than $5 million in annual 
sales, general and heavy construction businesses with less than $27.5 
million in annual business, special trade contractors doing less than 
$11.5 million in annual business, and agricultural businesses with 
annual sales less than $750,000. To determine if potential economic 
impacts to these small entities are significant, we considered the 
types of activities that might trigger regulatory impacts under this 
designation as well as types of project modifications that may result. 
In general, the term ``significant economic impact'' is meant to apply 
to a typical small business firm's business operations.
    To determine if the proposed designation of critical habitat for 
Lepidium papilliferum would affect a substantial number of small 
entities, we considered the number of small entities affected within 
particular types of economic activities, such as commercial and 
residential development. In order to determine whether it is 
appropriate for our agency to certify that this rule would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, 
we considered each industry or category individually. In estimating the 
numbers of small entities potentially affected, we also considered 
whether their activities have any Federal involvement. Critical habitat 
designation will not affect activities that do not have any Federal 
involvement; designation of critical habitat only affects activities 
conducted, funded, permitted, or authorized by Federal agencies. In 
areas where L. papilliferum is present, Federal agencies already are 
required to consult with us under section 7 of the Act on activities 
they fund, permit, or implement that may affect the species. If we 
finalize this proposed critical habitat designation, consultations to 
avoid the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat would 
be incorporated into the existing consultation process.
    In the DEA, we evaluated the potential economic effects on small 
entities resulting from implementation of conservation actions related 
to the proposed designation of critical habitat for Lepidium 
papilliferum. As estimated in Chapter 4 of the DEA, incremental impacts 
of the proposed designation are limited to additional incremental costs 
of time spent by the Service, Federal action agency, and any third 
parties in section 7 consultation over and above time spent on the 
jeopardy analysis component of the consultation. Small entities may 
participate in section 7 consultation as a third party (the primary 
consulting parties being the Service and the Federal action agency); 
therefore, it is possible that the small entities may spend additional 
time considering critical habitat during section 7 consultation for L. 
papilliferum. These incremental administrative impacts are the only 
potential incremental impacts of critical habitat designation that may 
be borne by small entities. Some of the forecast consultations for L. 
papilliferum may involve third parties, such as ranchers, energy 
companies (for pipeline projects), or developers. The maximum 
annualized incremental impact to such third parties is anticipated to 
total $2,810 between 2012 and 2031; such costs are expected to be 
distributed between multiple third parties. While $2,810 is expected to 
represent the maximum total cost annually, the potential third party 
cost for each individual consultation is anticipated to be 
significantly less, on the order of $260 to $1,750 depending on the 
consultation type. Small entities are consequently anticipated to bear 
a relatively low cost impact as a result of the designation of critical 
habitat for L. papilliferum. We do not believe this designation will 
have a significant impact on these small entities or affect a 
substantial number of them. Please

[[Page 66255]]

refer to Appendix A of the DEA of the proposed critical habitat 
designation for a more detailed discussion of potential economic 
impacts.
    In summary, we have considered whether the proposed designation 
would result in a significant economic impact on a substantial number 
of small entities. Information for this analysis was gathered from the 
Small Business Administration, stakeholders, and the Service. For the 
above reasons and based on currently available information, we certify 
that if promulgated, the proposed designation would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small business 
entities. Therefore, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis is not 
required.

Authors

    The primary authors of this notice are the staff members of the 
Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: October 17, 2011.
Eileen Sobeck,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2011-27727 Filed 10-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P