Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing and Designation of Critical Habitat for the Three Forks Springsnail and San Bernardino Springsnail, 71300-71306 [2011-29780]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 222 (Thursday, November 17, 2011)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71300-71306]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29780]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2009-0083; MO 92210-0-0009]
RIN 1018-AV84


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing and 
Designation of Critical Habitat for the Three Forks Springsnail and San 
Bernardino Springsnail

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 public comment period on the April 12, 2011, proposed 
endangered status and designation of critical habitat for the Three 
Forks springsnail (Pyrgulopsis trivialis) and the San Bernardino 
springsnail (Pyrgulopsis bernardina) under the Endangered Species Act 
of 1973, as amended (Act). We are proposing to revise the previously 
proposed critical habitat for the Three Forks springsnail by increasing 
the size of the Boneyard Bog Springs Unit to 5.3 acres (2.1 hectares), 
and by adding an additional unit, the Boneyard Creek Springs Unit. In 
total, we are proposing to designate as critical habitat 17.1 acres 
(6.9 hectares) for the Three Forks springsnail. We also announce the 
availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed 
designation of critical habitat 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 
revised proposed rule, the associated DEA, and the amended required 
determinations section. Comments previously submitted need not be 
resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparation of the 
final rule.

DATES: We will consider comments received on or before December 19, 
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: You may submit written comments by one of the following 
methods:
    (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. Search for Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2009-0083, which 
is the docket number for this rulemaking.
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public 
Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R2-ES-2009-0083; 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: Steve Spangle, Field Supervisor, 
Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, 2321 West Royal Palm Road, 
Suite 103, Phoenix, AZ 85021; telephone (602) 242-0210; facsimile (602) 
242-2513. 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 listing and designation of 
critical habitat for the Three Forks springsnail and San Bernardino 
springsnail that published in the Federal Register on April 12, 2011 
(76 FR 20464), revisions to the proposed critical habitat, 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 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.), including whether there are threats to the species from human 
activity, the degree of which can be expected to increase due to the 
designation, and whether that increase in threat outweighs the benefit 
of designation such that the designation of critical habitat is not 
prudent.
    (2) Specific information on:
    (a) The distribution of the Three Forks springsnail and San 
Bernardino springsnail;
    (b) The amount and distribution of the species' habitat;
    (c) What areas occupied by the species at the time of listing that 
contain features essential for the conservation of the species we 
should include in the designation and why; and
    (d) What areas not occupied at the time of listing are essential to 
the conservation of the species and why.
    (3) Land use designations and current or planned activities in the 
subject areas and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat.
    (4) Any 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) Whether our approach to designating critical habitat could be 
improved or modified in any way to provide for greater public 
participation and understanding, or to assist us in accommodating 
public concerns and comments.
    (6) Information on the extent to which the description of economic 
impacts in the DEA is complete and accurate.
    (7) The likelihood of adverse social reactions to the designation 
of critical habitat 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 20464; April 12, 2011) during the initial comment period from April 
12, 2011, to June 13, 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 both 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 the ADDRESSES section. We 
will not consider comments sent by email or fax or to an address not 
listed in the ADDRESSES section.
    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

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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-R2-ES-2009-0083, or by appointment, during normal business 
hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Ecological 
Services Field 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-R2-ES-2009-0083, or by 
mail from the Arizona Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).

Background

    It is our intent to discuss only those topics directly relevant to 
the proposed listing and designation of critical habitat for Three 
Forks springsnail and San Bernardino springsnail in this document. For 
more information on previous Federal actions concerning these species, 
refer to the proposed designation of critical habitat published in the 
Federal Register on April 12, 2011 (76 FR 20464), which is available 
online at https://www.regulations.gov (at Docket Number FWS-R2-ES-2009-
0083) or from the Arizona Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Previous Federal Actions

    On April 12, 2011 (76 FR 20464), we published a proposed rule to 
list as endangered and designate critical habitat for the Three Forks 
springsnail and San Bernardino springsnail. We proposed to designate 
approximately 11.1 acres (ac) (4.5 hectares (ha)) in Arizona in two 
units located in Apache County as critical habitat for Three Forks 
springsnail and 2.013 ac (0.815 ha) in four units located in Cochise 
County as critical habitat for San Bernardino springsnail. That 
proposal had a 60-day comment period, ending June 13, 2011. We received 
no requests for a public hearing, and, therefore, no public hearing 
will take place.

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.

New Information and Changes From the Previously Proposed Critical 
Habitat

    In this document, we are notifying the public of changes to the 
proposed critical habitat rule. In the April 12, 2011, proposed rule 
(76 FR 20464), we mentioned that springsnails of the same genus as the 
Three Forks springsnail were recently found in a spring along Boneyard 
Creek between Three Forks Springs and Boneyard Bog Springs (Myers 2010, 
p. 1), but additional analysis was needed for a definitive 
determination of its taxonomy. Building on the field work of Myers 
(2010), Myers (2011, p. 5) found additional populations of Pyrgulopsis 
springsnails along Boneyard Creek. These additional populations are 
located in the same watershed and in between the two previously known 
locations, Three Forks Springs and Boneyard Bog Springs. The new 
populations found in Boneyard Creek are less than 1 mile (mi) (1.6 
kilometer (km)) downstream from Boneyard Bog Springs and less than 2 mi 
(3.2 km) upstream of Three Forks Springs. Due to the proximity of these 
new populations in relation to Three Forks Springs and Boneyard Bog 
Springs, we believe that they are the same species. Two different 
species of springsnails occurring together in the same area is very 
rare (Liu et al. 2003, p. 2779). If there were different species of 
springsnails occurring together in this watershed, we can reasonably 
assume that other springsnail species would have been previously found 
in either the Three Forks Springs or Boneyard Bog Springs. Based on 
this information, we believe that the new populations of springsnails 
found in Boneyard Creek are Three Forks springsnails species.
    Also, since publication of the April 12, 2011, proposed rule (76 FR 
20464), we have new information regarding the taxonomy of springsnails 
in Sonora, Mexico. We mentioned in the proposed rule that a springsnail 
belonging to the same family as the San Bernardino springsnail occurs 
in two cienegas, or spring ecosystems, in Sonora, Mexico, about 0.25 
miles (mi) (0.4 kilometers (km)) south of the San Bernardino National 
Wildlife Refuge, but additional research was needed to verify if they 
were the same species as San Bernardino springsnails. Since publication 
of the proposed rule, we have new information that verifies 
springsnails in the two cienegas (spring ecosystems in the desert 
Southwest) in Sonora, Mexico, are San Bernardino springsnails (Varela 
Romero and Myers 2010, p. 10). However, we will not designate critical 
habitat for the species in either of those cienegas, because we do not 
designate critical habitat outside the United States. As such, there 
are no changes to critical habitat as proposed on April 12, 2011, for 
the San Bernardino springsnail.
    We are proposing to revise our proposed critical habitat 
designation for the Three Forks springsnail by increasing the size of 
the Boneyard Bog Springs Unit from 5.0 ac (2.0 ha) to 5.3 ac (2.1 ha) 
to capture an additional springhead that was discovered since the 
publication of the proposed rule. In addition, we are proposing a new 
unit, Boneyard Springs Creek Unit, which is approximately 5.8 ac (2.3 
ha) in size, to encompass the newly discovered populations of Three 
Forks springsnails described above. In total, we are proposing to 
designate as critical habitat 17.1 ac (6.9 ha) for the Three Forks 
springsnail. For a full description of the previously proposed units 
for this species, please see the proposed critical habitat rule (76 FR 
20464; April 12, 2011).
    In the proposed listing and designation of critical habitat rule 
(76 FR 20464; April 12, 2011), we identified specific sites that were 
currently occupied by Three Forks and San Bernardino springsnails, 
which contained the physical and biological features that are essential 
to the conservation of the species, and which may require special 
management considerations or protection. Subsequent to the publication 
of the proposed listing and critical habitat rule, we discovered new 
populations of Three Forks springsnails in areas that contain the 
essential physical and biological features. Therefore, the purpose of 
this proposed revision to the proposed critical habitat is to include 
these new areas that are currently occupied by Three Forks springsnail, 
contain the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of

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the species, and meet the definition of critical habitat. We believe 
the additional unit included in the proposed designation would provide 
for the conservation of Three Forks springsnail by:
    (1) Maintaining the physical and biological features essential to 
the conservation of the species where the species is known to occur, 
and
    (2) Maintaining the current distribution, thus preserving genetic 
variation throughout the range of the species and minimizing the 
potential effects of local extirpation.

Proposed Critical Habitat Designation

    We are proposing to revise the previously proposed critical habitat 
for the Three Forks springsnail by increasing the size of the Boneyard 
Bog Springs Unit, and by adding an additional unit, the Boneyard Creek 
Springs Unit. The proposed critical habitat units constitute our 
current and best assessment of the areas that meet the definition of 
critical habitat for the species. Proposed critical habitat for the 
Three Forks Spring Unit for the Three Forks springsnail, and all 
previously proposed units for the San Bernardino springsnail, are 
unchanged from our descriptions in the April 12, 2011, proposed rule 
(76 FR 20464), and are not repeated in this document. We present below 
brief descriptions of the revised Boneyard Bog Springs Unit and the new 
Boneyard Creek Springs Unit, and reasons why they meet the definition 
of critical habitat for the Three Forks springsnail.

Boneyard Bog Springs Unit

    The proposed Boneyard Bog Springs Unit is a complex of springs, 
spring runs, spring seeps, and the segment of Boneyard Creek connecting 
them, and a small amount of upland area encircling them to make them a 
single unit of approximately 5.3 ac (2.1 ha), in the vicinity of UTM 
Zone 12 coordinate 659970, 3750730, in Apache County, Arizona. The 
entire unit is in Federal ownership and managed by the Apache-
Sitgreaves National Forests of the U.S. Forest Service. The unit 
encompasses eight major springheads and spring runs, each of which 
flows several yards (meters) to Boneyard Creek, a tributary of the 
Black River. The spring complex contains spring seeps along the spring 
runs and the tributary. We are proposing to designate a single critical 
habitat unit that includes the springheads, spring runs, seeps, and 
that portion of Boneyard Creek that connects the spring runs. Boneyard 
Creek is occupied where spring seeps are present along it, and the 
proposed unit provides for springsnail movement among the occupied 
seeps, spring runs, and springs, and is essential for habitat 
connectivity. The area within the proposed unit contains approximately 
3.3 feet (ft) (1.0 meter (m)) in width of upland area adjacent to the 
springheads, spring runs, spring seeps, and tributary segment. The 
moist soils and vegetation in the adjacent uplands are essential to the 
species because they produce food for the snails and protect the 
substrate.
    Threats to the Three Forks springsnail in this unit that may 
require special management of the physical and biological features 
include wildfire, fire retardant used to fight wildfires, elk grazing, 
predation by nonnative crayfish, and potential competition from 
nonnative snails. Also, human-caused changes to the adjacent uplands, 
which may pose a threat to the aquatic habitats in this proposed unit, 
can be managed through conservation efforts by Arizona Game and Fish 
Department and through consultations between the U.S. Forest Service 
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under section 7 of the Act. This 
proposed unit contains all the primary constituent elements and 
supports all of the Three Forks springsnail's life processes.

Boneyard Creek Springs Unit

    The proposed Boneyard Creek Springs Unit is a complex of springs, 
spring runs, spring seeps, and the segment of Boneyard Creek connecting 
them, and a small amount of upland area encompassing them, in a single 
unit of approximately 5.8 ac (2.3 ha), in the vicinity of UTM Zone 12 
coordinate 658300, 3749790, in Apache County, Arizona. The entire unit 
is in Federal ownership and managed by the Apache-Sitgreaves National 
Forests of the U.S. Forest Service. The unit encompasses at least 11 
major springheads and spring runs, which each flow a distance of 
several yards (meters) to Boneyard Creek, a tributary of the Black 
River. The spring complex contains spring seeps along the spring runs 
and the tributary. We are proposing to designate a single critical 
habitat unit that includes the springheads, spring runs, seeps, and 
that portion of Boneyard Creek that connects the spring runs. Boneyard 
Creek is occupied where there are spring seeps along it and provides 
for springsnail movement among the occupied seeps, spring runs, and 
springs, and is essential for habitat connectivity. The area within the 
proposed unit contains approximately 3.3 ft (1.0 m) in width of upland 
area adjacent to the springheads, spring runs, spring seeps, and 
tributary segment. The moist soils and vegetation in the adjacent 
uplands are essential to the species, because they produce food for the 
snails and protect the substrate they use.
    Threats to the Three Forks springsnail in this unit that may 
require special management of the physical and biological features 
include wildfire, fire retardant used to fight wildfires, elk grazing, 
predation by nonnative crayfish, and potential competition from 
nonnative snails. Also, human-caused changes to the adjacent uplands, 
which might pose a threat to the aquatic habitats, can be managed 
through conservation efforts by Arizona Game and Fish Department and 
through consultations between U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service under section 7 of the Act. This proposed unit 
contains all the primary constituent elements and supports all of the 
Three Forks springsnail's life processes.

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 
Three Forks springsnail and San Bernardino springsnail, 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

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exists, increased habitat protection for the species 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 Federal agencies.
    We have not proposed to exclude any areas from critical habitat. 
However, 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 concerning the proposed 
critical habitat designation (DEA), which is available for review and 
comment (see ADDRESSES section).

Draft Economic Analysis

    The purpose of the DEA is to identify and analyze the potential 
economic impacts associated with the proposed critical habitat 
designation for the Three Forks springsnail and San Bernardino 
springsnail. The DEA describes the economic impacts of all potential 
conservation efforts for the Three Forks springsnail and San Bernardino 
springsnail; 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. The incremental conservation efforts and associated 
impacts are those not expected to occur absent the designation of 
critical habitat for the species. In other words, the incremental costs 
are those attributable solely to the designation of critical habitat, 
above and beyond the baseline costs; these are the costs we may 
consider in the final designation of critical habitat when evaluating 
the benefits of excluding particular areas under section 4(b)(2) of the 
Act. Thus, the analysis forecasts both baseline and incremental impacts 
likely to occur if we finalize the proposed listing and critical 
habitat designation. 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 the 
Three Forks springsnail and San Bernardino springsnail over the next 12 
years, which was determined to be the appropriate period for analysis 
because limited planning information is available for most activities 
to forecast activity levels for projects beyond a 12-year timeframe. It 
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. The DEA quantifies economic impacts of Three Forks springsnail 
and San Bernardino springsnail conservation efforts associated with the 
following categories of activity: (1) Pesticide use, (2) groundwater 
pumping, (3) wildfire suppression, and (4) management of ungulate 
grazing. Additionally, the DEA quantifies economic impacts of 
additional administrative costs associated with the following 
categories of activity: (1) Additional effort to address adverse 
modification in a new consultation, and (2) incremental consultation 
resulting entirely from critical habitat designation. Total 
undiscounted costs are estimated at $70,700. The estimated costs are 
limited to administrative impacts that are likely to result from the 
designation of critical habitat.
    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 this species.

Required Determinations--Amended

    In our April 12, 2011, proposed rule (76 FR 20464), 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 preliminary regulatory flexibility 
analysis. Based on comments we receive, we may revise this 
determination as part of our final rule.
    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). 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

[[Page 71304]]

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 
the Three Forks springsnail and San Bernardino springsnail would affect 
a substantial number of small entities, we considered the number of 
small entities affected within particular types of economic activities, 
such as ranch operations. In order to determine whether it is 
appropriate for our agency to certify that this proposed 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 the springsnails are present, once the 
species are listed, the Federal agencies 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 the Three Forks 
springsnail and San Bernardino springsnail. Currently, livestock 
grazing is excluding from all units so no cattle operators will be 
impacted by the designation of critical habitat. The DEA does not 
anticipate impacts to small entities as a result of this designation, 
as all units are on State or federally owned land. Please refer to 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 critical habitat designation would 
not have a significant economic impact on small business entities. 
Therefore, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.

References Cited

    A complete list of all references cited in this proposed rule is 
available on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov or upon request 
from the Field Supervisor, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office 
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Authors

    The primary authors of this notice are the staff members of the 
Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.

Proposed Regulation Promulgation

    Accordingly, we propose to further amend part 17, subchapter B of 
chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which was 
proposed to be amended at 76 FR 20464, April 12, 2011, as follows:

PART 17--ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS

    1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544; 16 U.S.C. 
4201-4245; Pub. L. 99-625, 100 Stat. 3500, unless otherwise noted.

    2. In Sec.  17.95(f), amend the proposed entry for ``Three Forks 
Springsnail (Pyrgulopsis trivialis),'' which we proposed at 76 FR 20464 
on April 12, 2011, by:
    a. Revising proposed paragraph (f)(5);
    b. Revising proposed paragraph (f)(7); and
    c. Adding a new paragraph (f)(8), to read as set forth below.


Sec.  17.95  Critical habitat--fish and wildlife.

* * * * *
    (f) Clams and Snails.
* * * * *
    Three Forks Springsnail (Pyrgulopsis trivialis)
* * * * *
    (5) Note: Index map of critical habitat for the Three Forks 
springsnail follows:
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP17NO11.002

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* * * * *
    (7) Boneyard Bog Springs Unit (2.1 ha; 5.3 ac). The Boneyard Bog 
Springs Unit consists of all areas within boundary points with the 
following coordinates in UTM Zone 12 with the units in meters using 
North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83): 659968, 3750753; 659990, 
3750731; 660021, 3750713; 660060, 3750717; 660070, 3750742; 660176, 
3750787; 660190, 3750781; 660199, 3750758; 660208, 3750744; 660159, 
3750685; 660125, 3750680; 660088, 3750684; 660081, 3750690; 660072, 
3750691; 660072, 3750676; 660076, 3750675; 660076, 3750664; 660069, 
3750664; 660067, 3750663; 660060, 3750654; 660052, 3750648; 660034, 
3750649; 660029, 3750654; 660027, 3750663; 660008, 3750659; 659997, 
3750649; 659997, 3750639; 659988, 3750639; 659982, 3750641; 659958, 
3750660; 659954, 3750671; 659945, 3750675; 659942, 3750688; 659933, 
3750685; 659904, 3750662; 659889, 3750669; 659885, 3750687; 659902, 
3750702; 659919, 3750712; Thence returning to 659968, 3750753.
    (8) Boneyard Creek Springs Unit (2.3 ha; 5.8 ac). The Boneyard 
Creek Springs Unit consists of all areas within boundary points with 
the following coordinates in UTM Zone 12 with the units in meters using 
North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83): 658758,

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3750008; 658765, 3749996; 658763, 3749984; 658732, 3749975; 658714, 
3749981; 658698, 3749968; 658661, 3749971; 658655, 3749981; 658655, 
3749998; 658642, 3750000; 658638, 3750024; 658623, 3750034; 658606, 
3750036; 658580, 3750029; 658568, 3750020; 658553, 3750013; 658537, 
3750005; 658519, 3749993; 658507, 3749985; 658492, 3749992; 658479, 
3749976; 658469, 3749960; 658467, 3749945; 658460, 3749935; 658452, 
3749913; 658405, 3749863; 658371, 3749841; 658343, 3749805; 658312, 
3749789; 658273, 3749741; 658272, 3749733; 658268, 3749725; 658261, 
3749722; 658254, 3749720; 658242, 3749699; 658211, 3749682; 658184, 
3749655; 658140, 3749634; 658119, 3749610; 658074, 3749624; 658024, 
3749603; 657999, 3749549; 657932, 3749492; 657916, 3749492; 657904, 
3749509; 657912, 3749527; 657933, 3749545; 657982, 3749559; 658020, 
3749623; 658072, 3749642; 658111, 3749632; 658129, 3749649; 658174, 
3749667; 658201, 3749691; 658223, 3749705; 658246, 3749743; 658311, 
3749811; 658336, 3749826; 658403, 3749893; 658410, 3749904; 658420, 
3749908; 658434, 3749917; 658447, 3749962; 658473, 3749991; 658493, 
3750013; 658509, 3750003; 658523, 3750019; 658528, 3750030; 658538, 
3750043; 658564, 3750055; 658584, 3750053; 658598, 3750061; 658616, 
3750068; 658657, 3750052; 658658, 3750032; 658656, 3750020; 658667, 
3750002; 658666, 3749982; 658692, 3749984; 658712, 3749994; 658730, 
3749994; Thence returning to 658758, 3750008.
* * * * *

    Dated: November 8, 2011.
Rachel Jacobson,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2011-29780 Filed 11-16-11; 8:45 am]
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