Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Mazama Pocket Gophers, 19711-19757 [2014-07415]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 68 (Wednesday, April 9, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 19711-19757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-07415]



[[Page 19711]]

Vol. 79

Wednesday,

No. 68

April 9, 2014

Part II





Department of the Interior





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 Fish and Wildlife Service





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50 CFR Part 17





 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical 
Habitat for Mazama Pocket Gophers; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 79 , No. 68 / Wednesday, April 9, 2014 / 
Rules and Regulations

[[Page 19712]]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2013-0021; 4500030113]
RIN 1018-AZ37


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of 
Critical Habitat for Mazama Pocket Gophers

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate 
critical habitat for three subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher (the 
Olympia pocket gopher, Thomomys mazama pugetensis; the Tenino pocket 
gopher, T. m. tumuli; and the Yelm pocket gopher, T. m. yelmensis) 
under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, 
approximately 1,607 acres (650 hectares) in Thurston County, 
Washington, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat 
designation for the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm pocket gophers. All 
critical habitat proposed for the Roy Prairie pocket gopher (T. m. 
glacialis) in Pierce County, Washington, is exempted under section 
4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act; as a consequence, there is no final critical 
habitat for this subspecies. The effect of this regulation is, 
therefore, to designate critical habitat for the Olympia, Tenino, and 
Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher found in Thurston County, 
Washington, under the Act.

DATES: This rule is effective on May 9, 2014.

ADDRESSES: This final rule is available on the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov and https://www.fws.gov/wafwo/mpg.html. Comments and 
materials we received, as well as some supporting documentation we used 
in preparing this final rule, are available for public inspection at 
https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2013-0021. All of 
the comments, materials, and documentation that we considered in this 
rulemaking are available by appointment, during normal business hours 
at the Washington Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT).
    The coordinates or plot points or both from which the maps are 
generated are included in the administrative record for this critical 
habitat designation and are available at: https://www.regulations.gov 
under Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2013-0021, at https://www.fws.gov/wafwo/mpg.html, and, by appointment, at the Washington Fish and Wildlife 
Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Any additional tools or 
supporting information that we developed for this critical habitat 
designation will also be available at the Fish and Wildlife Service Web 
site and Field Office set out above, and may also be included in the 
preamble and at https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Berg, Manager, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Washington Fish and Wildlife Office, 510 Desmond 
Drive, Suite 102, Lacey, WA 98503-1263; by telephone 360-753-9440; or 
by facsimile 360-753-9405. Persons who use a telecommunications device 
for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service 
(FIRS) at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Executive Summary

    Why we need to publish a rule. This is a final rule to designate 
critical habitat for the following three subspecies of the Mazama 
pocket gopher endemic to the State of Washington: The Olympia pocket 
gopher (Thomomys mazama pugetensis); the Tenino pocket gopher (T. m. 
tumuli); and the Yelm pocket gopher (T. m. yelmensis). We also set 
forth our reasons for not designating critical habitat for a fourth 
subspecies: The Roy Prairie pocket gopher (T. m. glacialis). Under the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), any species that is 
determined to be an endangered or threatened species requires critical 
habitat to be designated, to the maximum extent prudent and 
determinable. Designations and revisions of critical habitat can only 
be completed by issuing a rule.
    We published a proposed rule to list as threatened and designate 
critical habitat for the Olympia, Roy Prairie, Tenino, and Yelm pocket 
gophers (collectively, we refer to these as the four Thurston/Pierce 
subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher throughout this rule) on 
December 11, 2012 (77 FR 73770). The final rule listing the Olympia, 
Roy Prairie, Tenino, and Yelm pocket gophers as threatened species 
under the Act is published elsewhere in today's Federal Register. 
Section 4(b)(2) of the Act states that the Secretary shall designate 
critical habitat on the basis of the best available scientific data 
available after taking into consideration the economic impact, national 
security impact, and any other relevant impact of specifying any 
particular area as critical habitat.
    The critical habitat areas we are designating in this rule 
constitute our current best assessment of the areas that meet the 
definition of critical habitat for the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies 
of the Mazama pocket gopher. This rule:
     Designates as critical habitat approximately 1,607 ac (650 
ha) of land for the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm subspecies of the Mazama 
pocket gopher, including 676 ac (273 ha) for the Olympia pocket gopher, 
399 ac (162 ha) for the Tenino pocket gopher, and 532 ac (215 ha) for 
the Yelm pocket gopher. All of the critical habitat areas for these 
three subspecies are in Thurston County, Washington.
     Exempts, under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, all 4,840 
ac (1,958 ha) of critical habitat proposed for the Roy Prairie pocket 
gopher (T. m. glacialis) on Department of Defense lands in Pierce 
County, Washington; as a consequence, there is no final critical 
habitat for this subspecies.
    This rule consists of: A final designation of critical habitat for 
the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher. 
These three subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher are endemic to the 
State of Washington and found only in Thurston County, and have been 
assigned the status of threatened under the Act elsewhere in today's 
Federal Register. This rule designates critical habitat necessary for 
the conservation of three of the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the 
Mazama pocket gopher. Although critical habitat was proposed for the 
Roy Prairie subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher, which occurs in 
Pierce and Thurston Counties, all of the area proposed for that 
subspecies was on Department of Defense lands and has been exempted 
from critical habitat in this final rule under section 4(a)(3) of the 
Act.
    We have prepared an economic analysis of the designation of 
critical habitat. In order to consider economic impacts, we have 
prepared an analysis of the economic impacts of the critical habitat 
designations and related factors. We announced the availability of the 
draft economic analysis (DEA) in the Federal Register on April 3, 2013 
(78 FR 20074), and requested public comments on our DEA. We have 
incorporated the comments and have completed the final economic 
analysis (FEA). Additional economic analysis conducted in response to 
public comments is captured in the final memorandum to the economic 
analysis (IEc 2014). Both documents are available at https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2013-0021.

[[Page 19713]]

    Peer review and public comment. We sought comments from independent 
specialists to ensure that our designation is based on scientifically 
sound data and analyses. We obtained opinions from two knowledgeable 
individuals with scientific expertise to review our technical 
assumptions and analysis, and whether or not we had used the best 
available information. These peer reviewers generally concurred with 
our methods and conclusions, and provided additional information, 
clarifications, and suggestions to improve this final rule. Information 
we received from peer review is incorporated in this final revised 
designation. We also considered all comments and information received 
from the public during our three open comment periods, which were open 
a total of 135 days. We also held two public information workshops and 
a public hearing in April 2013.

Previous Federal Actions

    The full candidate history and previous Federal actions for the 
four Thurston/Pierce subspecies are described in the proposed rule to 
list and designate critical habitat for four subspecies of the Mazama 
pocket gopher, published December 11, 2012 (77 FR 73770). We published 
a notice of availability of the DEA and announcement of public 
information meetings and a public hearing on April 3, 2013 (78 FR 
20074), and a 6-month extension of the final determination for the 
proposed listing and determination of critical habitat for the four 
subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher on September 3, 2013 (78 FR 
54218). Details regarding the comment periods on the proposed 
rulemaking are provided below.

Summary of Comments and Recommendations

    We requested written comments from the public on the proposed 
designation of critical habitat for the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies 
of the Mazama pocket gopher during three comment periods. The first 
comment period, announced in association with the publication of the 
proposed rule on December 11, 2012 (77 FR 73770), was open for 60 days 
and closed on February 11, 2013. We then made available the DEA of the 
proposed critical habitat designation and reopened the comment period 
on the proposed rule for an additional 30 days, from April 3, 2013, to 
May 3, 2013 (78 FR 20074; April 3, 2013). We also contacted appropriate 
Federal, State, tribal, county, and local agencies; scientific 
organizations; and other interested parties and invited them to comment 
on the proposed rule and the DEA. During this open comment period, we 
held three public information workshops (two in Lacey, Washington, and 
one in Salem, Oregon) and a public hearing (in Olympia, Washington) in 
April 2013, on the proposed rule to list the four Thurston/Pierce 
subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher and the associated proposed 
critical habitat designations. On September 3, 2013, we announced a 6-
month extension of the final determination on the proposed listing and 
designation of critical habitat for the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies 
of the Mazama pocket gopher (78 FR 54218) and reopened the comment 
period for an additional 45 days, ending October 18, 2013.
    During the three public comment periods, we received approximately 
220 comment letters and emails from individuals and organizations, as 
well as individual comments received as speaker testimony at the public 
hearing held on April 18, 2013. These comments addressed the proposed 
critical habitat or proposed listing (or both) for the four Thurston/
Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher. Comments relevant to the 
listing of the Mazama pocket gophers are addressed in a separate 
rulemaking, published elsewhere in today's issue of the Federal 
Register. We received comment letters from two peer reviewers, one 
State agency, and two Federal agencies. No Native American tribes are 
potentially affected by the proposed designation.
    All substantive information provided during comment periods has 
either been incorporated directly into this final designation or is 
addressed below. Comments we received are grouped into general issues 
specifically relating to the proposed critical habitat designation for 
the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher, and 
are addressed in the following summary and incorporated into the final 
rule as appropriate.

Comments From Peer Reviewers

    In accordance with our peer review policy published July 1, 1994 
(59 FR 34270), we solicited expert opinion from six knowledgeable 
individuals with scientific expertise that included familiarity with 
the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher and 
their habitats, biological needs, and threats. Two peer reviewers 
responded, and both were supportive of the Service's evaluation of the 
best scientific and commercial data available in proposing to list the 
four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher and 
designate critical habitat for these subspecies. We received responses 
from one of the peer reviewers on the proposed critical habitat 
designation. Our requests for peer review were limited to a request for 
review of the merits of the scientific information in our documents; if 
peer reviewers volunteered their personal opinions on matters not 
directly relevant to the science of our designation, we do not respond 
to those comments here.
    (1) Comment: One peer reviewer recommended that peripheral areas 
that support pocket gopher populations, or could provide that support, 
should be included in the designation of critical habitat. The reviewer 
stated that the existence of peripheral populations, along with larger, 
core populations, is a reflection of overall population health, as 
those peripheral populations provide the evolutionarily important 
stepping-stone opportunities for gene exchange between core areas. 
These peripheral populations are likely to be ephemeral, because of 
poor or limited resources and overall size of the patch, but they are 
also likely to be recolonized on a regular basis.
    Our Response: Although we are aware of the potential importance of 
peripheral populations, because of the size of the area these 
individual populations occupy (i.e., below the 50-ac (20-ha) minimum 
patch size identified in our primary constituent elements (PCEs)), they 
did not meet our definition of critical habitat for the subspecies. In 
addition, because of the inherent uncertainty of the long-term 
persistence of individual peripheral populations and their contribution 
to core populations, we did not believe we had sufficient justification 
to propose these areas as critical habitat in this case, as we do not 
consider them to provide the physical or biological features essential 
to the conservation of the species. However, this does not mean that 
these undesignated areas are unimportant or will not contribute to the 
long-term conservation of the Mazama pocket gopher. During the recovery 
planning process, we anticipate the areas occupied by these peripheral 
populations to be evaluated for their potential contribution to the 
subspecies' conservation. Although these areas are not included in the 
critical habitat designation, individuals in these peripheral 
populations are still protected under the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), 
and these protections from ``take'' of the species under section 9 and 
section 7 of the Act extend to the avoidance of harming the habitat on 
which these peripheral populations depend. Information regarding the 
role of peripheral populations was added to

[[Page 19714]]

the final listing rule for the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the 
Mazama pocket gopher, which is published elsewhere in today's Federal 
Register
    (2) Comment: One peer reviewer recommended that all soils that may 
be occupied or vegetative cover that may be used by any one of the 
subspecies be listed as ``suitable'' for the other subspecies.
    Our Response: In our PCEs, vegetative cover was discussed as being 
the same for all subspecies. We have revised the soils discussion to 
more broadly include soil types (describing soil qualities) as well as 
including the soil series names which the various subspecies may 
occupy. However, not all soil series in which the four subspecies have 
been found occur within the presumed range of each of the four 
subspecies, and furthermore not all soil series occur within each of 
the units designated as critical habitat. Note that the PCEs only apply 
to areas identified as critical habitat; the regulatory effect of 
critical habitat does not apply anywhere outside of the designated 
units. Given the current level of uncertainty regarding the absolute 
ranges of the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket 
gopher, it is prudent to acknowledge the collective list of soil types 
known to be used by Mazama pocket gophers could be suitable for any of 
the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies. We have revised our final listing 
rule (published elsewhere in today's Federal Register), as well as the 
Physical or Biological Features section of this rule, to acknowledge 
the potential broader use of soil types by each of the four Thurston/
Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher. We have retained our 
more specific identification of the soil types known to be used by each 
of the Mazama pocket gopher subspecies for the purposes of describing 
the PCEs for each subspecies and identification of those specific areas 
that provide the PCEs.

Comments From State Agencies

    Section 4(i) of the Act states, ``the Secretary shall submit to the 
State agency a written justification for his failure to adopt 
regulations consistent with the agency's comments or petition.'' 
Comments we received from State agencies regarding the proposal to 
designate critical habitat for the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies are 
addressed below.
    We received critical habitat comments from the Washington 
Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) related to biological 
information, PCEs, critical habitat exclusions, and recommendations for 
the management of habitat.
    WDFW provided a number of recommended technical corrections or 
edits to the proposed critical habitat designation for the Mazama 
pocket gopher. We have evaluated and incorporated this information into 
this final rule where appropriate to clarify the final critical habitat 
designation. In instances where the Service may have disagreed with an 
interpretation of the technical information that was provided, we have 
responded in separate communication with the agency.
    (3) Comment: WDFW and another commenter observed that four proposed 
critical habitat subunits (1-A, 1-B, 1-C, and 1-D) had more than one 
subspecies name associated with each subunit. The other commenter 
asserted that because critical habitat subunits l-A, l-B, l-C and l-D 
appear to be occupied by two subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher, 
this implies that at least some populations of these subspecies are not 
isolated by geography and should probably not be defined as separate 
subspecies.
    Our Response: The critical habitat proposed for each of the 
subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher drew heavily on species 
occurrence records compiled in the WDFW Heritage Database. A graduate 
student presented work suggesting that the four Thurston/Pierce 
subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher should be considered a single 
clade and collapsed under the subspecies name ``yelmensis.'' However, 
that presentation did not result in revision or annulment of the 
subspecies' taxonomy. Regardless, some detection sites and voucher 
specimens were erroneously labeled with the name ``Thomomys mazama 
yelmensis.'' This resulted in erroneous collection records of ``T. m. 
yelmensis'' within the range of other subspecies, which was codified in 
the 2005 Status Report for the Mazama pocket gopher (Stinson 2005) and 
the WDFW Heritage Database. Due to this error, the appropriate way to 
label these proposed critical habitat subunits was not entirely clear 
at the time the proposed rule was published, and we included the name 
T. m. yelmensis on the subunits where collection records for them 
existed. However, upon further review, we do not believe that more than 
one subspecies was ever naturally present in the same place, nor does 
our error mean that the subspecies' taxonomy has been changed; the 
artifact of two subspecies names in a single polygon reflects a mistake 
based on an erroneous assumption that the taxonomy had been changed. 
Our final critical habitat designation no longer reflects this error. 
In fact, there is no overlap between the subspecies for this 
designation, and as reflected in this final rule, we have changed our 
final critical habitat units to reflect the fact that only a single 
subspecies occurs within each unit. WDFW has similarly revised their 
most recent draft recovery plan for the Mazama pocket gopher to reflect 
this correction (Stinson 2013).
    (4) Comment: WDFW stated that determining occupancy of an area by 
Mazama pocket gopher should not be based on a single survey year. On a 
similar subject, we received a public comment disputing the occupancy 
of a portion of a subunit proposed as critical habitat.
    Our Response: The Service agrees that occupancy of any site by 
Mazama pocket gophers is likely subject to fluctuations in population 
size and forage availability; therefore pocket gophers may not 
necessarily be detected at occupied sites every year. The Service takes 
a conservative approach to habitat evaluation when determining 
occupancy for the designation of critical habitat. Since occupancy is 
linked to the Mazama pocket gopher's ability to disperse into suitable 
habitat, we consider a site likely occupied at the time of listing if 
Mazama pocket gophers are detected in some years, but not others (an 
``intermittently'' occupied site), or if a site has both suitable 
habitat and is near enough to a source population that it is likely 
occupied. If intermittently occupied sites were not considered 
``occupied'' in those years when Mazama pocket gophers were not 
detected, there is a very real possibility that development or other 
irreversible land uses might permanently convert that suitable habitat 
to another form of landscape, within which Mazama pocket gophers will 
not be able to breed and across which gophers will not be able to 
disperse, effectively reducing available suitable habitat and limiting 
dispersal capacity at the same time.
    In our proposed designation, occupancy of critical habitat was 
determined at the subunit level based on a positive detection during a 
survey conducted within the previous 5 years on at least a portion of 
the subunit. Occupancy determinations were not made at less 
biologically relevant scales below the subunit level (e.g., at the 
individual ownership/parcel scale), so it is possible that a portion of 
a unit or a subunit may not be currently occupied, but is part of a 
larger unit or subunit that is considered occupied. However, even if 
pocket gophers are not detected in some portion of a subunit in any 
given year, because the PCEs are present

[[Page 19715]]

(e.g., requisite soil and vegetation types, barriers to dispersal 
absent or permeable) and the area is adjacent or contiguous to an 
occupied portion of the subunit, we consider the whole subunit as 
likely occupied. This is the likely dynamic state of occupancy for the 
majority of areas included in critical habitat as units and subunits. 
It is known that some areas where Mazama pocket gophers are documented 
to occur in one year may not appear to be occupied the next, but the 
gophers then reappear in subsequent years, as they move about the 
landscape (for example, at the Rocky Prairie Natural Area Preserve 
(NAP)). For this reason, we determined that occupancy is most 
reasonably evaluated at the scale of the unit or subunit.
    As described in our listing rule (published elsewhere in today's 
Federal Register), Mazama pocket gophers are not colonial, but are 
relatively solitary and highly territorial; therefore juveniles are 
likely to disperse from their natal sites into nearby suitable habitat. 
Such movements result in apparent changes of the occupancy status of a 
specific site over time, as juveniles disperse and colonize new sites, 
or conversely, as territorial individuals die and specific sites become 
unoccupied. In addition, since vegetation structure varies spatially 
and temporally, yielding a mosaic of suitable habitat patches at any 
given time, it is likely that any Mazama pocket gophers existing in the 
context of an expanse of habitat with contiguous suitable soil types 
(e.g., subunit level) shift their location in response to available 
resources; thus habitat that is occupied at some times may not be 
occupied at others. We also note that in some cases portions of a 
subunit may appear to be intermittently occupied, when in actuality it 
may just be that gophers are only intermittently detected on the site 
due to factors such as differences in level of survey effort, survey 
conditions, survey timing, and overall gopher abundance. Information 
regarding this aspect of occupancy has been added to the final listing 
rule for the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket 
gopher, which is published elsewhere in today's Federal Register, and 
in the Physical or Biological Features and Critical Habitat sections of 
this rule. As noted above, we consider all such habitat to be likely 
occupied by the species, as we do not consider it biologically relevant 
to determine occupancy at a scale below that of the unit or subunit. 
However, in the context of critical habitat, even if such an 
intermittently occupied area were considered to be ``unoccupied'' at 
the time of listing, for the reasons described above and in the 
Critical Habitat section of this document, to be conservative we have 
evaluated such areas as if they were unoccupied, and all such areas 
included in this final critical habitat rule have been determined to be 
essential for the conservation of the species.
    (5) Comment: WDFW pointed out that the expert panel cited in the 
proposed critical habitat rule did not have the empirical data 
necessary to make an informed decision about minimum habitat patch size 
that would provide a high likelihood for long-term persistence of the 
Mazama pocket gopher, implying that the panel decision should not be 
used in estimating the area size necessary for persistence.
    Our Response: The Service relies upon the best available scientific 
and commercial data to inform the decisions necessary for creating 
listing and critical habitat rules. In this case, we drew on the 
knowledge of a team of experts who were assembled to assist with the 
construction of a habitat modeling exercise. In the absence of studies 
demonstrating the minimum possible patch size for persistence of the 
Mazama pocket gopher, we used the 50-ac (20-ha) size as the smallest 
area necessary for recovery of Mazama pocket gopher populations, which 
was the agreed-upon estimate of the expert panel. We acknowledge the 
uncertainty with this estimate, but there are currently no studies 
regarding minimum patch size available for the Mazama pocket gopher, 
nor are there any obvious means by which a better answer can be 
obtained. Thus, the best scientific data available in this case is the 
opinion of an informed expert panel. We also note that areas ultimately 
identified as critical habitat should not necessarily be interpreted as 
the sole areas necessary for species recovery; areas outside of 
designated critical habitat can play an important role in the 
conservation of the species as well. See also response to Comment (1).
    (6) Comment: WDFW stated that genetics and population dynamics of 
gophers suggest that the maintenance of networks of smaller habitat 
patches may be as important as preserving larger patches of isolated 
habitat.
    Our Response: The Service agrees that both small and large habitat 
patches may be important to the recovery of the Mazama pocket gopher 
and does not feel that the decision to identify only larger habitat 
patches as critical habitat disregards the importance of networked 
smaller patches. Successfully maintaining smaller patches may be much 
more difficult than maintaining or restoring large patches. See also 
our response to Comment (1).

Comments From Federal Agencies

Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration
    (7) Comment: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and another 
commenter stated that if the Service had considered the full range of 
economic impacts associated with the designation of critical habitat at 
the Olympia Airport from restricted aviation development and lost 
revenue opportunity, a justified economic case could be made to exclude 
airport property from critical habitat designation. They believe that 
by considering only the incremental impact from additional consultation 
with the Service imposed by the designation of critical habitat, the 
economic analysis is incomplete. Furthermore, the FAA expressed concern 
that restrictions on land use that may be associated with critical 
habitat could interfere with the ability of airport operators to 
maintain specific design criteria and safety standards, or to schedule 
timely repair when safety standards are altered. The FAA requested 
exclusion of airport properties from critical habitat designation, 
based on potential economic impacts and safety considerations.
    Our Response: The baseline utilized in the DEA is the existing 
state of regulation, prior to the designation of critical habitat, 
which provides protection to the species under the Act, as well as 
protection under other Federal, State, and local laws and guidelines. 
To characterize the ``world without critical habitat,'' the DEA also 
endeavors to forecast these conditions into the future over the time 
frame of the analysis (20 years in this case), recognizing that such 
projections are subject to uncertainty. This baseline projection 
presumes that the species will be listed (as critical habitat would not 
be designated absent a listing) and therefore recognizes that the four 
Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher will be subject 
to a variety of Federal, State, and local protections throughout most 
of their ranges, due to their listed status under the Act and 
regardless of the designation of critical habitat. The DEA then 
considers the incremental effects of critical habitat, above and beyond 
this baseline. Based on the incremental impacts of the rule, we were 
unable to conclude that the Olympia Airport warranted exclusion as a 
result of economic impacts. Please refer to the Exclusions Based on 
Economic Impacts

[[Page 19716]]

discussion in the Exclusions section of this document for further 
details on this analysis specific to the Olympia Airport.
    The Olympia Airport Unit contains the largest known area occupied 
by the Olympia pocket gopher in Washington State. As it is occupied by 
the subspecies, any activities with a Federal nexus at this site that 
may affect the Olympia pocket gopher, such as actions funded by the 
FAA, will be subject to consultation under section 7 of the Act. This 
requirement is in effect due to the presence of the listed species, 
regardless of the designation of critical habitat. The regulatory 
effect of a critical habitat designation is that Federal agencies must 
ensure that their actions avoid ``adverse modification'' of critical 
habitat. Where the habitat in question is already occupied by the 
listed species, if there is a Federal nexus, the action agency already 
consults with the Service to ensure its actions will not jeopardize the 
continued existence of the species. In this case, any actions 
associated with safety procedures with a Federal nexus will already be 
subject to consultation under the jeopardy standard. In our experience, 
it is unlikely that the additional consideration of adverse 
modification due to the designation of critical habitat would result in 
any significant project modifications beyond those already recommended 
or necessary to avoid jeopardy to the subspecies. Furthermore, if the 
action was found likely to destroy or adversely modify critical 
habitat, or to jeopardize the subspecies, the Service is required, to 
the extent feasible, to provide reasonable and prudent alternatives 
(RPAs) that would allow the action to proceed and comply with section 
7(a)(2) of the Act. RPAs must be technologically and economically 
feasible, must allow for the intended purpose of the action to be met, 
must avoid jeopardy or adverse modification, and must be within the 
authority of the action agency to implement. In our experience, in the 
vast majority of cases the Service is able to work with the action 
agency to successfully avoid adverse modification. For these reasons, 
we do not anticipate that the designation of critical habitat at the 
Olympia Airport will interfere with the ability of the airport operator 
to comply with safety standards or impair aviation safety.
Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
    (8) Comment: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural 
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) stated they support exclusion of 
the Colvin Ranch property under section 4(b)(2) of the Act as a result 
of ongoing management under a Grasslands Reserve Program agreement. 
NRCS believes the current level of grazing management on this property 
has resulted in healthy native prairie populations, and will continue 
to provide benefits to the native prairie populations, including the 
Mazama pocket gopher, which exceed benefits provided by a critical 
habitat designation. The landowner also commented that he believes 
Colvin Ranch's current management plan exceeds the benefits that may be 
realized from designation of critical habitat on their property.
    Our Response: The Service concurs with this assessment and has 
excluded this property from the final critical habitat designation for 
Mazama pocket gopher (see Exclusions section of this document).

Comments From the Public

    (9) Comment: One commenter asserted that the Service has not 
demonstrated that the Rocky Prairie Unit for the Tenino pocket gopher 
(formerly identified as subunit 1-D in the proposed rule) has the 
necessary PCEs to meet the criteria as critical habitat, and cited 
Alaska Oil and Gas Association v. Salazar (Nos. 3:11-cv-0025-RRB, 3:11-
cv-0036-RRB, 3:11-cv-0106-RRB, Jan. 11, 2013) as support for their 
comment.
    Our Response: In determining what areas meet the definition of 
critical habitat for the Mazama pocket gopher, we first identified 
those areas occupied by the subspecies at the time of listing and that 
provide the essential physical or biological features, which may 
require special management considerations or protection. The most 
important considerations in delineating the areas to include in the 
proposed critical habitat subunits were occupancy and the extent of the 
appropriate soil type. The majority of the private land designated as 
critical habitat for the Tenino pocket gopher in the Rocky Prairie Unit 
is identified in the USDA NRCS Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 
soils data layer as the Spanaway-Nisqually soil type. This soil type is 
a well-drained, prairie-associated soil known to be suitable for the 
Tenino pocket gopher, as evidenced by the persistence of a population 
intermittently detected at the Rocky Prairie NAP, which is contiguous 
with the critical habitat unit along the western perimeter. In the 
Alaska Oil and Gas Association v. Salazar case, the Court ruled that 
the Service's record did not adequately support the presence of all 
components of one of the PCEs in areas designated as critical habitat. 
The proposal and designation of the Rocky Prairie Unit for the Tenino 
pocket gopher is based on an expanse of appropriate soil and 
vegetation. We recognize that the habitat is somewhat degraded and not 
optimally suitable across the majority of the unit; however this area 
does contain the PCEs for the Tenino pocket gopher, and the habitat 
could easily be enhanced and maintained in such a way that the Tenino 
pocket gopher populations could be recovered there. Restoration work 
conducted by Joint Base Lewis McChord (JBLM), the Center for Natural 
Lands Management (CNLM), and WDFW on south Puget Sound prairies has 
shown that native prairie vegetative communities can be reestablished 
on even heavily degraded prairies over a short period of years.
    (10) Comment: One commenter stated that the Service should not 
designate any private property as habitat for the Mazama pocket gopher. 
Another commenter asserted that the designation of critical habitat on 
private lands in the Rocky Prairie Unit for the Tenino pocket gopher 
was not warranted.
    Our Response: According to section 4(a)(3)(A) of the Act, the 
Secretary of the Interior shall, to the maximum extent prudent and 
determinable, concurrently with making a determination that a species 
is an endangered species or a threatened species, designate critical 
habitat for that species. As directed by the Act, we proposed as 
critical habitat those areas that we believe are occupied by the 
species at the time of listing and that contain the physical or 
biological features essential for the conservation of the species, 
which may require special management considerations or protection. To 
the extent that those areas may not, in fact, be occupied, we conclude 
that they are nonetheless essential for conservation of the species.
    The Act does not provide for any distinction between landownerships 
in those areas that meet the definition of critical habitat. However, 
the Act does allow the Secretary to consider whether certain areas may 
be excluded from final critical habitat. An area may be excluded under 
section 4(b)(2) of the Act if the benefits of excluding it outweigh the 
benefits of including it in critical habitat, unless that exclusion 
would result in the extinction of the species. In this case, as 
directed by the statute, the Secretary has considered whether any areas 
should be excluded from the final designation based on economic 
impacts, national security impacts, or other relevant impacts. In the 
case of private landowners, the Secretary has excluded private lands

[[Page 19717]]

from the final designation of critical habitat in cases where she has 
determined that the benefits of excluding areas with conservation 
agreements or other partnerships outweighs the benefits of including 
those areas in critical habitat (see Exclusions section of this 
document).
    The area known as Rocky Prairie was proposed as a single critical 
habitat subunit (1-D in the proposed rule) made up of properties 
belonging to three different landowners (although the portion of 
proposed Subunit 1-D owned by the State is excluded from the final 
designation, leaving two private landowners in what is now called the 
Rocky Prairie Unit for the Tenino pocket gopher). Rocky Prairie is the 
source location for the subspecies Thomomys mazama tumuli (the Tenino 
pocket gopher); the subspecies is known from no other location, making 
this entire unit critical to the recovery of the subspecies. The Rocky 
Prairie NAP portion of the proposed subunit, owned by WDNR and found 
along the western edge of the privately held land, is documented as 
being intermittently occupied, most recently verified through live 
trapping by WDFW in 2012, and visual confirmation of mounding activity 
by Service biologists in 2013. The appearance of intermittent occupancy 
may be due to an interaction between the small size of the property and 
the territorial nature of the Mazama pocket gopher, causing the site to 
undergo intermittent extinctions and recolonizations from a nearby 
source population, or possibly, but less likely, it could be due to a 
lack of detection on the part of the surveying biologists. While the 
Rocky Prairie NAP is the only site in the proposed Subunit 1-D with 
confirmed, if intermittent, occupancy, it is too small to be considered 
sufficient for the conservation of the species over time. We determined 
50 ac (20 ha) to be the minimum patch size necessary for a population 
of Mazama pocket gophers to persist. The proposal of critical habitat 
in Rocky Prairie, which included private property, was predicated on 
the following: (1) Subunit 1-D, as proposed, was documented as occupied 
by T. m. tumuli; (2) all areas within the proposed subunit provide the 
PCEs for T. m. tumuli; (3) Rocky Prairie is the only location from 
which T. m. tumuli is known, and therefore the conservation of this 
subspecies within its historical range is entirely dependent on this 
area; (4) within the proposed Subunit 1-D, the State-owned NAP 
comprises only 35 ac (14 ha) of habitat, which alone does not meet the 
minimum patch size of 50 ac (20 ha) established for Mazama pocket 
gophers, and does not comprise enough acreage to ensure recovery of the 
subspecies; (5) suitable habitat for T. m. tumuli is relatively 
continuous between the NAP and the adjacent private properties, and 
dispersal between these areas is possible; and (6) the perception of 
intermittent occupancy of the NAP indicates that there is a nearby 
source population adjacent to the NAP (although there have been some 
years when gophers were not detected at the NAP, they subsequently 
reappeared in later years. These individuals must have entered the NAP 
from a nearby source population, which, given the relatively limited 
dispersal distances of pocket gophers, most logically would have come 
from the large areas of suitable habitat on the private lands 
immediately adjacent to the NAP). Based on all of these considerations, 
we find it reasonable to conclude that all of the areas within the 
Rocky Prairie Unit are likely occupied by the Tenino pocket gopher, and 
as all of these areas provide the PCEs for the subspecies, they are all 
appropriately identified as critical habitat. However, even if some 
portions of the unit were considered to be unoccupied at the time of 
listing, because this is the only known location for T. m. tumuli and 
the area on the NAP is insufficient to provide for the conservation of 
this subspecies, we consider the entire unit, which provides the 
requisite physical or biological features for T. m. tumuli, to be 
essential to the conservation of the species.
    According to documents submitted to the Service, the privately held 
portion of the Rocky Prairie Unit was surveyed on June 4, 2012. 
However, the Service does not believe that the survey effort was 
adequate to establish absence of the subspecies, as the survey was 
conducted across 590 acres over a period of approximately 9 hours and 
did not adhere to the established WDFW survey protocol. The survey was 
never submitted to WDFW for validation, and WDFW biologists indicate it 
was inconsistent with their established survey protocol for the Mazama 
pocket gopher based on the contractor's description of the survey 
methods and would not have been validated. Considering the factors 
above, the Service concludes that the identification of proposed 
Subunit 1-D (referred to in this final rule as the Rocky Prairie Unit 
for the Tenino pocket gopher), in its entirety, as critical habitat is 
appropriate because the unit, as designated, is likely occupied at the 
time of listing and provides the PCEs for T. m. tumuli. However, even 
if portions of the unit were not occupied at the time of listing, for 
the reasons described above, we have determined that this unit, in its 
entirety, is essential to the recovery of the subspecies T. m. tumuli, 
the Tenino pocket gopher; therefore this area still meets the statutory 
definition of critical habitat and is appropriately designated.
    (11) Comment: One commenter stated that designating critical 
habitat on lands that will require maintenance or restoration of the 
PCEs is not appropriate. Another commenter stated that the designation 
of critical habitat would require special management of the habitat 
under section 7 of the Act, based on the requirement for individuals or 
organizations who receive Federal funds to consult on any alterations 
to known occupied habitat, such as construction, grading, and 
activities as simple as mowing.
    Our Response: By definition under section 3(5)(A)(i) of the Act, 
the essential physical or biological features associated with occupied 
critical habitat ``may require special management considerations or 
protection.'' The prairies of western Washington were anthropogenically 
maintained through the practice of burning by the first peoples for 
millennia. Mazama pocket gophers in and around the south Puget Sound 
evolved in areas kept free of woody vegetation through burning and, as 
such, have been dependent upon human processes to maintain their 
habitat. It is impractical to expect that any area designated as 
critical habitat would maintain itself in the state necessary to 
conserve Mazama pocket gophers; thus all areas designated as critical 
habitat will likely require some level of management to maintain 
appropriate habitat. Since pocket gophers are restricted to the soil 
types to which they are adapted, and there is a finite amount of 
acreage of those soils, the soil type and its continued accessibility 
to the Mazama pocket gopher for burrowing and foraging is of greater 
importance than vegetation for the conservation of the species, as 
vegetation can be relatively easily restored but soils cannot.
    Critical habitat may require special management to maintain optimal 
condition for listed species, but the designation of critical habitat 
does not, by itself, impose a duty on the landowner to engage in those 
special management activities. Anywhere a Federal nexus exists, any 
Federal agency activity that may affect the species or its designated 
critical habitat is subject to consultation under section 7. In these 
cases, a Federal agency proposing an action that may affect the listed 
species or its designated critical habitat would be required to conduct 
an

[[Page 19718]]

evaluation to determine whether or not it may affect the species, and 
if critical habitat is designated, whether or not it may affect that 
habitat.
    (12) Comment: Some commenters questioned whether it was necessary 
to designate critical habitat for the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies 
of the Mazama pocket gopher within Urban Growth Areas (UGAs) which they 
believe creates an unnecessary regulatory burden in those areas, if 
there are alternate areas available outside of those boundaries where 
the subspecies could be recovered.
    Our Response: The Act requires that we designate critical habitat 
for listed species on the basis of the best scientific data available 
and after taking into consideration the economic impact, the impact on 
national security, and any other relevant impact, of specifying any 
particular area as critical habitat. In our proposed rule, it is our 
practice to identify all areas that meet our definition of critical 
habitat for the species. In the case of the Mazama pocket gopher, we 
identified all areas occupied by the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies at 
the time of listing, and that provide the physical or biological 
features essential to their conservation, which may require special 
management considerations or protection. As described in the final rule 
listing the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher 
as threatened under the Act (published elsewhere in today's Federal 
Register), one of the primary threats to the four Thurston/Pierce 
subspecies is the consequence of past and ongoing degradation and 
permanent destruction of their habitat. For the four Thurston/Pierce 
subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher, those specific geographic areas 
that meet our definition of critical habitat include areas occupied by 
Mazama pocket gophers within UGA boundaries, and which provide the 
essential physical or biological features for their conservation, such 
as specific soil types utilized by the pocket gophers. The Secretary 
may exclude some areas from the final critical habitat after 
considering the economic impact, impact on national security, or any 
other relevant impact of the designation. As our final economic 
analysis did not indicate any disproportionate economic impacts 
resulting from the designation, and no impacts to national security or 
other relevant impacts were identified that outweighed the benefits of 
including these areas in critical habitat, any areas that meet our 
definition of critical habitat for the Mazama pocket gopher within the 
UGA are included in this final critical habitat designation.
    (13) Comment: One commenter suggested that Washington State 
reclamation requirements for a gravel mining site located within the 
proposed designation of critical habitat would result in improved 
suitable habitat conditions for Mazama pocket gophers at this site 
after being mined, compared to if mining were prohibited at this site.
    Our Response: The Service has no data to support the commenter's 
conclusion, but careful consideration of Mazama pocket gopher habitat 
characteristics suggest that while the vegetative aspect of the habitat 
may be improved, the net result would be detrimental. Mazama pocket 
gophers evolved in structured soils associated with glacial outwash. 
These soils have deep underlying beds of gravel, which quickly drains 
away any water that may accumulate on the surface. Moving or removing 
the soil from the surface would change the soil structure, while 
extracting the gravel from below the soil would change the drainage 
characteristics of the soil at the surface. Since the underlying gravel 
formation is what provides the well-drained feature of these soils 
necessary for pocket gopher survival (i.e., largely prevents burrows 
and tunnels from being persistently inundated by water), any changes in 
soil characteristics caused by mining will likely result in an 
unrecoverable loss of a large amount of existing and restorable 
habitat. In this particular instance, the subspecies (the Tenino pocket 
gopher) represented at the mining site has the smallest known range of 
any of the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies, and the removal of 
significant acres of existing and restorable habitat from within its 
range could have a detrimental impact on recovery of the subspecies.
    (14) Comment: One commenter noted that the proposed rule 
specifically identifies modification of soil profiles or composition 
and structure of vegetation, including actions such as grading and 
mowing, as actions that would adversely modify critical habitat. The 
commenter interprets this to mean that a landowner would essentially be 
prohibited from grading or mowing his or her property because such 
activities would put the property owner at risk of violating the 
``take'' prohibitions in the Act. The commenter also states that a 
citizen suit could be brought under the Act asserting such a take has 
occurred or been wrongfully permitted by the Washington Department of 
Natural Resources or other regulatory body authorizing ongoing mining 
operations. For these reasons, the commenter disputes the conclusion 
that only Federal agencies are directly affected by designation of 
critical habitat and that no small business entities or private 
property owners are directly affected.
    Our Response: We believe the commenter is confusing the regulatory 
effects that may be associated with the listing of the species under 
the Act, and the automatic protections associated with listing itself, 
with the regulatory effects separately attributable to the designation 
of critical habitat. The prohibition against ``take'' of a listed 
species under section 9 of the Act applies to individuals of the listed 
species. Therefore, if the listed species is present, it is accurate 
that the landowner risks violation of section 9 of the Act if they 
should implement some action that results in take of that species (the 
Act defines ``take'' as ``to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, 
kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such 
conduct''), but section 9 is not attributable to the designation of 
critical habitat. Although in most cases ``take'' refers to a direct 
effect on an individual of the species, ``take'' may also apply to 
actions that result in modification of the habitat of the species, in 
cases where such modification may be considered to constitute ``harm'' 
to the listed species. Once a species is listed under the Act, the 
provisions prohibiting take come into effect. These prohibitions are, 
however, completely independent of the designation of critical habitat. 
That is, the prohibition against take of the listed species applies 
regardless of whether critical habitat is designated.
    It is possible that there could be some economic impact associated 
with actions required to avoid take of a listed species; however, 
section 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act is clear that listing decisions are to be 
made solely on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data 
available. The Act does not provide for the consideration of potential 
economic impacts in association with a listing determination; therefore 
such impacts are not factored into our economic analysis.
    Section 4(b)(2) of the Act, on the other hand, requires the 
consideration of potential economic impacts associated with the 
designation of critical habitat. However, as we have explained 
elsewhere, the regulatory effect of critical habitat under the Act 
directly impacts only Federal agencies, as a result of the requirement 
that those agencies avoid ``adverse modification'' of critical habitat. 
Specifically, section 7(a)(2) of the Act states that, ``Each Federal 
agency shall, in consultation with and with the assistance of the 
Secretary, insure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by

[[Page 19719]]

such agency . . . is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence 
of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the 
destruction or adverse modification of habitat of such species which is 
determined by the Secretary . . . to be critical . . .'' This then, is 
the direct regulatory impact of a critical habitat designation, and 
serves as the foundation of our economic analysis. We define it as an 
``incremental impact'' because it is an economic impact that is 
incurred above and beyond the baseline impacts that may stem from the 
listing of the species (for example, costs associated with avoiding 
take under section 9 of the Act, mentioned by the commenter), thus it 
``incrementally'' adds to those baseline costs. However, in most cases, 
and especially where the habitat in question is already occupied by the 
listed species, if there is a Federal nexus, the action agency already 
consults with the Service to ensure its actions will not jeopardize the 
continued existence of the species; thus the additional costs of 
consultation to further ensure the action will not destroy or adversely 
modify critical habitat are usually relatively minimal. Because the Act 
provides for the consideration of economic impacts associated only with 
the designation of critical habitat, and because the direct regulatory 
effect of critical habitat is the requirement that Federal agencies 
avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat, the 
direct economic impacts of a critical habitat designation in occupied 
areas are generally limited to the costs of consultations on actions 
with a Federal nexus, and are primarily borne by Federal action 
agencies. As described in our final economic analysis, in some cases 
private individuals may incur some costs as third-party applicants in 
an action with a Federal nexus. Beyond this, while small business 
entities may possibly experience some economic impacts as a result of a 
listing of a species as endangered or threatened under the Act, small 
businesses generally do not experience any economic impacts as a direct 
result of the designation of critical habitat.
    We encourage any landowner concerned about potential take of listed 
species on their property to contact the Service (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT) to explore options for developing a safe harbor 
agreement or habitat conservation plan that can provide for the 
conservation of the species and offer management options to landowners, 
associated with a permit for protect the party from violations under 
section 9 of the Act.
    (15) Comment: One commenter stated that the designation of critical 
habitat on agricultural lands would be a ``death blow'' for many 
members of the agricultural community. Another commenter had specific 
questions about the effects of critical habitat designation on property 
values and how potential loss of value might be mitigated or 
compensated to the owner.
    Our Response: The Service proposed to designate 775 acres (ac) (314 
hectares (ha)) of active agricultural land as critical habitat in the 
proposed rule, wholly owned by three individual landowners. One 
landowner had a long-standing conservation agreement that allowed us to 
exclude his entire property, totaling 378 ac (153 ha), due to 
demonstrable benefit to the Mazama pocket gopher and its habitat (see 
Exclusions section of this document). This benefit has been provided 
through the landowner's conscientious stewardship, which outweighed the 
conservation benefit of designation of critical habitat on his 
property. This means that only two private landowners who are part of 
the agricultural community may be affected by the designation of 
critical habitat, rather than the ``many'' referenced in the comment 
above. The designation of critical habitat is intended to highlight the 
value of a particular area to the recovery of an endangered or 
threatened species, since critical habitat is only identified if it is 
considered essential to the recovery of a species. The Service 
carefully considered the areas necessary to recover each subspecies of 
the Mazama pocket gopher we deemed to be threatened before designating 
critical habitat. We encourage any member of the public whose land has 
been designated as critical habitat to contact the Service about 
potential partnerships and ways to continue using the land that are 
compatible with the conservation of the Mazama pocket gopher and its 
habitat. Also see our responses to Comments (11) and (14) for an 
explanation of the Federal nexus limitations of critical habitat. There 
are many kinds of conservation agreements available through the Service 
(contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) or 
our partner agencies that may provide greater regulatory certainty for 
a guarantee of conservation benefit to the species or habitat.
    (16) Comment: One commenter stated that there is enough conserved 
habitat upon which to recover the four subspecies of the Mazama pocket 
gopher found in Thurston and Pierce Counties without the designation of 
critical habitat.
    Our Response: The designation of critical habitat is not an 
optional exercise. According to section 4(a)(3)(A) of the Act, the 
Secretary of the Interior shall, to the maximum extent prudent and 
determinable, concurrently with making a determination that a species 
is an endangered species or a threatened species, designate critical 
habitat for that species. We have determined that critical habitat is 
both prudent and determinable for the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies 
of the Mazama pocket gopher. Therefore, as required by the Act, we 
proposed for critical habitat those areas occupied by the species at 
the time of listing and that contain the physical or biological 
features essential for the conservation of the species, which may 
require special management considerations or protection.
    The Service acknowledges that there are conserved prairies that 
superficially appear to have potential Mazama pocket gopher habitat, 
but are currently unoccupied by Mazama pocket gophers. At this time, 
there are insufficient data to enable us to conclude with confidence 
that these areas provide suitable habitat. While recent efforts to 
improve survivorship during translocation of Mazama pocket gophers into 
unoccupied habitat have resulted in the multi-year persistence of an 
experimental population, it is impossible to speak to the long-term 
success of these efforts. Absent better data, the most reasonable 
conclusion is that the optimal places to conserve the species are where 
each subspecies currently exists, or has been known to exist, on the 
landscape; that is, where habitat is undeniably suitable. There may be 
opportunities to expand recovery efforts to include unoccupied 
conserved prairies in the future, but at this time, the Service has 
outlined the areas we believe are essential to the recovery of the 
subspecies by highlighting the critical habitat identified in this 
rule. We focused our identification of the proposed critical habitat on 
areas with documented occupancy by the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies 
of the Mazama pocket gopher and that provide the PCEs for those 
subspecies, as we consider these areas to be key to the recovery of the 
pocket gophers. However, as detailed further in our response to Comment 
(10), above, due to the life history strategy of the pocket gophers and 
the tendency for occupancy of some specific sites to appear to be 
intermittent in some cases, it is possible that portions of some of the 
areas we identified as occupied at the time of listing may be 
considered unoccupied. As discussed in

[[Page 19720]]

the Critical Habitat section of this document, we have further 
evaluated any such areas as if they were unoccupied at the time of 
listing, and determined that all areas in this final critical habitat 
rule are essential to the conservation of the species.

Comments on Economic Analysis

    (17) Comment: One commenter said the Service must factor the 
economic impact of the critical habitat designation into account when 
assessing whether to exclude areas from critical habitat designations, 
and decide whether the benefits of including the area outweigh the 
benefits of excluding it. They further stated that this in turn 
requires an assessment of whether any additional regulatory benefits 
will come from critical habitat designation that can outweigh the 
burdens the designation imposes.
    Our Response: Our economic analysis identifies those economic 
impacts that are attributable specifically to the designation of 
critical habitat, for the purposes of considering whether the benefits 
of excluding those areas (for example, to avoid disproportionate 
economic impacts) may outweigh the benefit of including them in 
critical habitat. It is the Service's position that, at a minimum, 
critical habitat almost always carries with it at least some 
educational value for landowners, in terms of clearly identifying those 
areas that we consider to provide physical or biological features 
essential for the conservation of the species. In addition, critical 
habitat carries with it the requirement under section 7(a)(2) of the 
Act that Federal agencies avoid actions that will destroy or adversely 
modify critical habitat; this is a benefit that is not conveyed by 
existing regulatory mechanisms absent a formal Federal rulemaking to 
designate critical habitat. In our analyses, as described in detail in 
the Exclusions section of this document, we weigh the benefits that 
come with critical habitat against the burdens or costs that may be 
associated with it.
    In the case of the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama 
pocket gopher, since each area proposed as critical habitat is also 
currently occupied by one of the subspecies, many regulatory 
protections will already be in place as a result of their listed status 
under the Act, and these protections would exist regardless of whether 
critical habitat were designated. Therefore, as explained in our DEA, 
the incremental impact of the designation that is attributable to 
critical habitat is relatively limited, and is primarily represented by 
the administrative costs of Federal agencies conducting section 7 
consultations under the adverse modification standard, above and beyond 
the costs of consultations under the jeopardy standard (which must 
always occur in areas occupied by the listed species, or occupied areas 
that may be affected by the proposed action, regardless of critical 
habitat). Further, it is possible that in some areas, an action may 
occur in a unit or subunit of critical habitat designated in this final 
rule that, as a result of exclusion, will take place in an area where 
occupancy has not necessarily been definitively documented (for 
example, where all remaining critical habitat within a unit or subunit 
is on private lands, and access has not been granted to survey for the 
presence of the Mazama pocket gopher). In such cases, if an action with 
a Federal nexus that may affect critical habitat were to be proposed, 
it is possible that the incremental economic impact of critical habitat 
would be higher than estimated in the DEA. We have considered the 
potential economic impact that may be expected in such a case, to the 
extent permitted by the available data. This information is included in 
the addendum to our final economic analysis, available at https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2013-0021.
    (18) Comment: One commenter stated that the Draft Economic Analysis 
failed to address the impact of the designation of critical habitat in 
an area that contains a gravel mining operation.
    Our Response: The proposed critical habitat acreage in the area 
mentioned by the commenter is considered to be occupied by the Mazama 
pocket gopher. As noted in the DEA and related incremental effects 
memorandum, once a species is formally listed under the Act, its 
presence within critical habitat will require implementation of certain 
conservation efforts to avoid jeopardy concerns. In occupied critical 
habitat, section 7 consultation (which is conducted only for actions 
with a Federal nexus) would therefore consider not only the potential 
for jeopardy to the continued existence of the species, but also the 
potential for destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. 
In practice, however, we note that because the ability of these species 
to exist is very closely tied to the quality of their habitats, 
significant alterations of their occupied habitat may result in 
jeopardy as well as adverse modification. Therefore, we anticipate that 
recommendations to avoid jeopardy as a result of section 7 consultation 
analyses will likely be similar to recommendations to avoid adverse 
modification in occupied areas of habitat. Additional detail concerning 
potential gravel mining activities in proposed critical habitat, along 
with related consultation requirements, has been added to the final 
memorandum to our economic analysis (IEc 2014). Due to uncertainty 
regarding the timing of gravel extraction activities and uncertainty 
surrounding the potential for a Federal nexus, we do not quantify a 
specific number of consultations that may occur or any related 
administrative burden. However, were a Federal nexus to exist for 
gravel mining, because all units with potential gravel mining 
activities are considered occupied by one or more of the species, no 
incremental project modifications are expected to occur beyond what may 
be required to avoid jeopardy of the species, and any incremental 
impacts would be limited to the administrative burden of the portion of 
consultations considering adverse modification. Such an administrative 
burden would be unlikely to exceed $5,000 (in undiscounted dollars) per 
consultation, and no more than one consultation per gravel mining 
action is expected to occur. Therefore, should consultation occur, 
incremental administrative impacts attributable to the designation of 
critical habitat would be small.
    In addition, to be conservative, we considered the potential 
economic impacts of the designation on the gravel mining operation in 
question as if the area were not occupied by the Mazama pocket gopher. 
Details are available in the addendum to our final economic analysis, 
but here we briefly summarize our findings in this regard: The gravel 
mining operation in question occurs in what was proposed Subunit 1-D 
(439 ac (178 ha) total), and is now the Rocky Prairie Unit for the 
Tenino pocket gopher (399 ac (162 ha) total). Following the exclusion 
of 35 ac (14 ha) of State lands at Rocky Prairie NAP, the area within 
the proposed subunit that was surveyed on a regular basis and where 
occupancy by the pocket gopher was definitively documented is no longer 
included within the final critical habitat unit (see also our Response 
to Comment (10), above). Approximately 380 ac (154 ha) of the 399 ac 
(162 ha) of the critical habitat in the Rocky Prairie Unit is within 
the bounds of privately owned lands where gravel mining or other 
mineral extraction is planned; this area contains suitable habitat and 
is within the historical range of the only known location of the Tenino 
pocket gopher. Although we consider this site likely occupied by the 
Tenino pocket gopher, even if the parcel were not presently occupied by 
the listed species, we have

[[Page 19721]]

no evidence to suggest that there is a probable Federal nexus for any 
action at this site; therefore there would be no direct economic impact 
of critical habitat. Possible indirect effects of critical habitat, if 
any, are too speculative to quantify. Furthermore, if there were a 
Federal nexus and the action was found likely to destroy or adversely 
modify critical habitat, the Service is required, where possible, to 
provide reasonable and prudent alternatives (RPAs) that would allow the 
action to proceed; such alternatives must be technologically and 
economically feasible. In our experience, in the vast majority of cases 
the Service is able to work with the action agency to successfully 
avoid adverse modification.
    (19) Comment: Several commenters stated that areas where subspecies 
of the Mazama pocket gopher were determined to be threatened would bear 
a greater economic burden than areas where subspecies of the Mazama 
pocket gopher were not determined to need Federal protection.
    Our Response: The Act, as it was written, does not allow the 
economic effects of listing a species as an endangered species or 
threatened species to be considered when making a status determination. 
Potential economic impacts are allowable for consideration only in 
association with the designation of critical habitat. The mandate of 
the Act is to examine the evidence of threats to a species (or 
subspecies) in an unbiased way, based on the best scientific and 
commercial data available, and determine whether or not it is in danger 
of extinction (endangered) or likely to become so within the 
foreseeable future (threatened). We have determined that the Olympia, 
Roy Prairie, Tenino, and Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher 
are threatened and warrant protection under the Act (see the final 
listing rule published elsewhere in today's Federal Register). 
Regardless of the Federal listing process, all eight subspecies of the 
Mazama pocket gopher in the State of Washington are listed as 
threatened by the State and, as such, will continue to require 
compliance with State regulations.
    The Act only provides for the consideration of economic impacts in 
association with critical habitat, and not in association with the 
listing of a species; therefore our analysis of potential economic 
impacts is limited to the consideration of those impacts that are 
attributable solely to the designation of critical habitat. As 
previously stated, determinations regarding the status of the species 
are to be made ``solely on the basis of the best scientific and 
commercial data available'' to the Secretary. Therefore, any actual or 
perceived ``burdens'' imposed by the listing of the species (for 
example, actions that may be necessary to avoid violating section 9 of 
the Act) are not considered in the weighing process for evaluating the 
relative benefits of including an area in critical habitat versus the 
benefits of excluding it from the final designation, as the regulatory 
consequences of listing the species will be incurred regardless of 
whether critical habitat is designated.
    (20) Comment: One local Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) stated that 
limiting the economic analysis to the anticipated costs of section 7 
consultation and compliance, as was done in the DEA, omits necessary 
analysis of the incremental impacts under section 9 of the Act of 
critical habitat designation on these private landowners. Further, the 
Chamber believes that the DEA should be expanded to include anticipated 
costs to Thurston County jurisdictions and property owners associated 
with changes to Thurston County land use plans and associated zoning 
that Washington State's Growth Management Act (GMA) will require, 
either in the short term, or in future planning update cycles, 
resulting from critical habitat designation of resource lands and 
properties located within cities and urban growth areas. The Chamber 
also notes that protections stemming from critical habitat designation 
may extend to ``buffering'' properties to support the population in the 
area immediately around the Olympia Airport, with associated extended 
impact of the proposal to an expanded group of properties. These costs 
are expected to be substantial.
    Our Response: Again, we believe the commenter is confusing the 
regulatory effects that may be associated with the listing of the 
species under the Act, and the associated automatic protections of the 
listing, with the regulatory effects separately attributable to the 
designation of critical habitat (see response to Comment (14), above). 
In this case, we believe the commenter has erred by attributing 
potential costs under section 9 of the Act to critical habitat 
designation. Section 9 addresses acts that are prohibited with respect 
to any endangered or threatened species of fish or wildlife listed 
pursuant to section 4 of the Act; there is no prohibited act under 
section 9 that would occur as a consequence of critical habitat 
designation. As described in our response to Comment (14), the 
regulatory effect of critical habitat is the requirement under section 
7 of the Act that Federal agencies insure that any action they 
authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to destroy or adversely 
modify critical habitat. As a result, the greatest economic impact of 
critical habitat is most frequently associated with the additional 
costs of section 7 consultation and compliance above and beyond the 
jeopardy standard (in occupied areas), under the standard of adverse 
modification.
    We do not anticipate significant additional costs to be incurred on 
adjacent properties as a result of critical habitat designation at the 
Olympia Airport. We are not sure what the commenter is referring to by 
``buffering'' of the critical habitat to support future expansion of 
the population at the Olympia Airport. The final designation of 
critical habitat is limited to those boundaries identified in this 
final rule; critical habitat does not extend beyond those boundaries, 
and the boundaries cannot change without engaging in rulemaking to 
revise the critical habitat.
    (21) Comment: Several commenters expressed concern that the 
designation of Mazama pocket gopher critical habitat would result in 
economic impacts to municipalities and development in general, 
including delaying or precluding public works projects such as public 
school facilities, utilities, and other services like wastewater 
treatment. Another commenter asked what the expected reduction in 
property values and loss in local property tax revenue would be from 
the critical habitat designation, as well as asked what the economic 
impacts would be from any resulting reduction in the amount of 
productive land that could be used by ranchers and farmers.
    Our Response: Chapter 3 of the DEA states that potential project 
modifications for all activities, including development projects, in 
critical habitat areas occupied by the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies 
of the Mazama pocket gopher are likely to occur due to the presence of 
the subspecies themselves, not because of the designation of critical 
habitat. As each of the critical habitat units and subunits designated 
for the Mazama pocket gopher are considered occupied by one of the 
subspecies, all impacts to public works activities are baseline impacts 
(i.e., impacts realized due to the listing of the subspecies, not to 
designation of critical habitat). Thus, the DEA does not forecast any 
increase in costs related to transportation projects or other public 
works projects as a result of critical habitat designation. 
Accordingly, the DEA also does not

[[Page 19722]]

forecast any diminution of property values or property tax revenues as 
a result of designation, nor does the DEA forecast a reduction in land 
available for productive use in farming or ranching applications. This 
conclusion follows from the fact that each unit and subunit designated 
is considered occupied by one of the subspecies. Thus, any of these 
potential impacts would be considered baseline effects (also see 
response to Comment (14), above).
    (22) Comment: One commenter requested substantiated data 
demonstrating a positive benefit (e.g., to economic growth, to the 
ecosystem) from listing the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the 
Mazama pocket gopher, and asked whether there had been an evaluation of 
the economic impact of the pending action.
    Our Response: As detailed in our response to Comment (19), above, 
in making a determination as to whether a species meets the Act's 
definition of an endangered species or threatened species, under 
section 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act, the Secretary is to make that 
determination based solely on the basis of the best scientific and 
commercial data available (emphasis added). Producing a positive 
benefit to the listing, cannot by law enter into the determination. The 
evaluation of economic impacts comes into play only in association with 
the designation of critical habitat under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, 
as described in detail in our response to Comment (14). Chapter 3 of 
the DEA does provide a qualitative discussion of potential benefits 
attributable to the conservation of the species. Specifically, the DEA 
focuses on potential benefits related to critical habitat designation. 
It concludes that, because material changes in land or water management 
are not envisioned as a result of critical habitat designation, no 
incremental economic benefits are forecast to result from designation 
of critical habitat. There may be ancillary benefits related to species 
conservation resulting from the listing of the species. For example, 
species conservation efforts may result in improved environmental 
quality, which in turn may have collateral human health or recreational 
use benefits. In addition, conservation efforts undertaken for the 
benefit of an endangered or threatened species may enhance shared 
habitat for other wildlife.
    (23) Comment: One commenter requested that a portion of the 
proposed critical habitat designation on the Olympia Airport be removed 
from critical habitat due to future anticipated development at that 
specific location.
    Our Response: All areas proposed as critical habitat at the Olympia 
Airport were identified as critical habitat because they are occupied 
by the Olympia pocket gopher and those areas provide the essential 
physical or biological features, which may require special management 
considerations or protection. Such areas may be removed from the final 
designation if we should determine that they do not, in fact, meet our 
criteria for critical habitat (for example, they do not provide the 
essential features), or if they are excluded by the Secretary. Section 
4(b)(2) of the Act provides the Secretary with the discretion to 
exclude certain areas upon a determination that excluding such areas 
provides a greater benefit than including them in critical habitat. In 
this case, since the Airport anticipates potentially developing the 
area that is presently occupied by the listed species, we cannot 
conclude that there is a greater benefit to exclusion from critical 
habitat than from inclusion. However, we note that, as described in 
detail in earlier responses, since the area in question is presently 
occupied by the listed species, the Olympia Airport would be required 
to consult on any anticipated development activity with a Federal nexus 
under the jeopardy standard of section 7, regardless of whether the 
area is included in critical habitat.

Summary of Changes From Proposed Rule

    In our proposed rule, published December 11, 2012 (77 FR 73770), we 
proposed 9,234 ac (3,737 ha) of critical habitat for the four Thurston/
Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher in one unit comprised of 
eight subunits in Thurston and Pierce Counties, Washington. The 
proposed critical habitat represented 6,345 ac (2,567 ha) on Federal 
lands, 820 ac (331 ha) on State lands, 1,258 ac (509 ha) on private 
lands, and 811 ac (329 ha) on lands owned by local municipalities or 
nonprofit conservation organizations.
    We received a number of site-specific comments related to critical 
habitat for the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket 
gopher; completed our analysis of areas considered for exemption under 
section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act and for exclusion under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act; reviewed the application of our criteria for 
identifying critical habitat across the range of these four subspecies 
to refine our designation; and completed the final economic analysis of 
the designation as proposed. We fully considered all comments from peer 
reviewers and the public on the proposed critical habitat rule and the 
associated economic analysis to develop this final designation of 
critical habitat for the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama 
pocket gopher. This final rule incorporates changes to our proposed 
critical habitat based on the comments that we received and have 
responded to in this document, and considers completed final management 
plans to conserve the subspecies under consideration.
    As described in our Response to Comment (3), above (see Summary of 
Comments and Recommendations), in our proposed rule we inadvertently 
perpetuated an error reflecting the range of the Yelm pocket gopher. 
That error began when detection sites and voucher specimens were 
erroneously labeled with the name ``Thomomys mazama yelmensis,'' 
apparently based on the mistaken understanding that the taxonomy of the 
subspecies had been revised and amended. This error was carried forward 
into the 2005 Status Report for the Mazama pocket gopher (Stinson 2005) 
and the WDFW Heritage Database, which we relied on, in part, to 
determine the distribution of the Mazama pocket gopher subspecies in 
our critical habitat proposal. Consequently, in some cases we 
identified the Yelm pocket gopher as sympatric (overlapping in range) 
with other subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher, and as a result, 
four of the subunits were mistakenly identified as proposed critical 
habitat for more than one subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher 
(proposed Subunit 1-A, 91st Division Prairie--Roy Prairie and Yelm 
pocket gophers; proposed Subunit 1-B, Marion Prairie--Roy Prairie and 
Yelm pocket gophers; proposed Subunit 1-C, Olympia Airport--Olympia and 
Yelm pocket gophers; proposed Subunit 1-D, Rocky Prairie--Tenino and 
Yelm pocket gophers). Upon further review, however, we do not believe 
that more than one subspecies was ever naturally present in the same 
place, and the artifact of two subspecies' names in a single polygon 
reflects an erroneous assumption that the taxonomy had been changed. 
This resulted in collection records inaccurately showing the Yelm 
pocket gopher as co-occurring with other subspecies within the four 
subunits identified above. Our final critical habitat no longer 
reflects this error; there is no overlap between the subspecies within 
the critical habitat units delineated in this designation.
    As we have now determined that only one subspecies occurs in each 
of the critical habitat subunits that were initially proposed, it no 
longer makes sense to amalgamate the critical habitat

[[Page 19723]]

for all four subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher into a single unit 
with multiple subunits. Each subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher is 
listed separately as a threatened species based on its own status (see 
the final listing rule published elsewhere in today's Federal 
Register), and critical habitat is determined separately for each 
subspecies. Therefore, we believe it makes sense to designate critical 
habitat in separate units specific to each subspecies. As a result, in 
this final rule, we are designating critical habitat in three units for 
the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm pocket gophers as follows:
     Critical habitat for the Olympia pocket gopher is 
designated in one unit, the Olympia Airport Unit (Subunit 1-C in the 
proposed rule).
     Critical habitat for the Tenino pocket gopher is 
designated in one unit, the Rocky Prairie Unit (Subunit 1-D in the 
proposed rule).
     Critical habitat for the Yelm pocket gopher is designated 
in one unit composed of two subunits: the Tenalquot Prairie Subunit 
(Subunit 1-E in the proposed rule) and the Rock Prairie Subunit 
(Subunit 1-H in the proposed rule).
    As described elsewhere, although critical habitat was identified 
for the Roy Prairie pocket gopher in two of the proposed critical 
habitat subunits, those subunits are exempted from this final 
designation under section 4(a)(3) of the Act.
    In addition to the changes described above, our final designation 
of critical habitat reflects the following changes from the proposed 
rule:
    (1) As directed by section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, we have 
exempted 6,345 ac (2,567 ha) of Department of Defense lands at JBLM 
based on the completion of an endangered species management plan (ESMP) 
under their 2006 Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) 
that we have determined, in writing, provides a conservation benefit to 
the Mazama pocket gopher. The areas proposed included lands occupied by 
the Roy Prairie pocket gopher in two subunits and the Yelm pocket 
gopher in a third subunit. The exemption of JBLM lands resulted in the 
elimination of two proposed subunits in their entirety (proposed 
subunits 1-A and 1-B, 91st Division Prairie and Marion Prairie, 
respectively) from the critical habitat designation. These two subunits 
were the only proposed subunits occupied by the Roy Prairie pocket 
gopher and represented all critical habitat proposed in Pierce County, 
Washington. Therefore, as a result of this exemption, there is no final 
critical habitat designated in Pierce County, Washington, and no 
critical habitat is designated for the Roy Prairie pocket gopher. We 
also exempted JBLM lands in Thurston County where they were proposed, 
which resulted in the reduction of proposed critical habitat Subunit 1-
E (in this final rule, Tenalquot Prairie Subunit for the Yelm pocket 
gopher). See the Exemptions section of this document for details.
    (2) As indicated for consideration in our proposed rule, we have 
excluded 1,281 ac (518 ha) of State and private lands under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act, based on existing land management plans and 
conservation partnerships that the Secretary deemed to provide greater 
conservation benefit to the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the 
Mazama pocket gopher than would inclusion in designated critical 
habitat (see the Exclusions section of this document). These exclusions 
resulted in the elimination of two subunits in their entirety (proposed 
subunits 1-F and 1-G, West Rocky Prairie and Scatter Creek, 
respectively). In addition, proposed subunits 1-D and 1-H (now Rocky 
Prairie Unit for the Tenino pocket gopher and Rock Prairie Subunit for 
the Yelm pocket gopher, respectively) have both been reduced in size.
    (3) We note that the proposed West Rocky Prairie Subunit 1-F has 
been excluded under section 4(b)(2) based on a beneficial management 
plan for the Mazama pocket gopher and the ongoing partnership between 
the Service and our State counterparts at WDFW. The West Rocky Prairie 
subunit was originally proposed for the Olympia pocket gopher (Thomomys 
mazama pugetensis) because this area provides the PCEs and is presently 
occupied by the Olympia pocket gopher. However, the Olympia pocket 
gopher occurs at West Rocky Prairie only because the subspecies was 
experimentally translocated into the historical range of the Tenino 
pocket gopher (T. m. tumuli), which is restricted to this area and 
therefore recovery of the Tenino pocket gopher may require its use. 
While West Rocky Prairie has been excluded from critical habitat, we 
continue to consider it important to the conservation of the Tenino 
pocket gopher.
    (4) All subunits proposed as critical habitat were occupied by the 
Mazama pocket gopher at the time of the proposed listing (December 
2012). As described in our proposed rule, we identified critical 
habitat from determinations of occupancy based on recent surveys, 
within the previous 5 years, and the presence of one or more of the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
species. For the Mazama pocket gopher, occupancy was thus determined 
based on the documented presence of the subspecies in association with 
the soil types, area, and vegetative cover type required, in 
association with lack of barriers to dispersal. However, in this final 
designation, due to exclusions in portions of proposed subunits 1-D 
(Rocky Prairie) and 1-H (Rock Prairie), the specific areas where we had 
the most definitive documentation of occupancy are no longer included 
within the final unit and subunit in this designation. We wish to 
emphasize that we still consider the Rocky Prairie Unit for the Tenino 
pocket gopher (proposed Subunit 1-D), and Rock Prairie Subunit for the 
Yelm pocket gopher, to be likely occupied, because we have documented 
occupancy of the subspecies in the area directly adjacent to the 
remaining the unit and subunit designated, the physical or biological 
features essential to the subspecies are present and continuous with 
the area of documented occupancy, and any potential barriers to 
dispersal are permeable. Mazama pocket gophers are relatively solitary 
and highly territorial; therefore, juveniles must disperse to establish 
their own territories, meaning that individuals are expected to move 
across the landscape if suitable habitat is present. Considering all of 
these factors, it is reasonable to conclude that the subspecies is 
likely present in the Rocky Prairie Unit and Rock Prairie Subunit. 
However, we also considered the importance of the final Rocky Prairie 
Unit and Rock Prairie Subunit as if they were unoccupied, and have 
determined that they are essential to the conservation of the listed 
subspecies (see the Critical Habitat section of this document for 
details). Therefore, as designated, both the Rocky Prairie Unit for the 
Tenino pocket gopher and the Rock Prairie Subunit for the Yelm pocket 
gopher continue to meet our definition of critical habitat.
    (5) Due to the exemption and exclusion of proposed critical habitat 
subunits in their entirety, and due to the clarification of the range 
of each subspecies, as described above, the critical habitat that 
remains has been renamed and renumbered to make it clear that each unit 
is designated for a single subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher 
within that subspecies' respective range (see Table 1). We are 
designating three critical habitat units, one for each subspecies; two 
subunits comprise critical habitat for the Yelm pocket gopher, and the 
Olympia and Tenino pocket gophers each have one single unit of critical 
habitat.

[[Page 19724]]



                Table 1--Summary of Changes From Proposed Rule in Critical Habitat Unit Identification and Subspecies Occupancy of Units
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           Proposed rule                                                                 Final rule
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                     Corrected
                                                   Subspecies                                                    subspecies present
        Subunit                 Name           identified at time     Critical habitat        Location name       at time of final    Status of critical
                                               of proposed listing          unit                                    listing and            habitat
                                                 and designation                                                    designation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-A...................  91st Division         Roy Prairie, Yelm     NA..................  NA..................  Roy Prairie pocket   Exempted.
                         Prairie.              pocket gophers.                                                   gopher.
1-B...................  Marion Prairie......  Roy Prairie, Yelm     NA..................  NA..................  Roy Prairie pocket   Exempted.
                                               pocket gophers.                                                   gopher.
1-C...................  Olympia Airport.....  Olympia, Yelm pocket  Olympia Pocket        Olympia Airport Unit  Olympia pocket       Designated.
                                               gophers.              Gopher Critical                             gopher.
                                                                     Habitat.
1-D...................  Rocky Prairie.......  Tenino, Yelm pocket   Tenino Pocket Gopher  Rocky Prairie Unit..  Tenino pocket        Designated (some
                                               gophers.              Critical Habitat.                           gopher.              areas excluded).
1-E...................  Tenalquot Prairie...  Yelm pocket gopher..  Yelm Pocket Gopher    Tenalquot Prairie     Yelm pocket gopher.  Designated (some
                                                                     Critical Habitat.     Subunit.                                   areas exempted).
1-F...................  West Rocky Prairie..  Olympia pocket        NA..................  NA..................  Olympia pocket       Excluded.
                                               gopher.                                                           gopher.
1-G...................  Scatter Creek.......  Yelm pocket gopher..  NA..................  NA..................  Yelm pocket gopher.  Excluded.
1-H...................  Rock Prairie........  Yelm pocket gopher..  Yelm Pocket Gopher    Rock Prairie Subunit  Yelm pocket gopher.  Designated (some
                                                                     Critical Habitat.                                                areas excluded).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (6) Based on information received from our Federal and State 
partners and from the public during our three open comment periods, we 
have made numerous technical corrections and clarifications throughout 
the rule. We specifically clarified the language referencing the 
primary constituent elements (PCEs) in relation to soils, and we 
specified the application of those PCEs to make it clear that PCEs only 
exist within the boundaries of the final critical habitat units 
(Olympia, Tenino) or subunits (Yelm), not within the interstitial, 
undesignated areas that were encompassed by the larger unit boundary in 
the proposed rule. We added this clarifying language due to feedback 
received on our proposed rule, where Unit 1-South Sound broadly 
encompassed a number of smaller subunits proposed for the Thurston/
Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher.
    (7) We updated the Physical or Biological Features section and PCEs 
in the preamble of this document to specify the soil series and soil 
series complexes that define the critical habitat of each subspecies 
and to accurately reflect the PCEs as described in the Regulation 
Promulgation section of this rule, including a more thorough 
description of barriers.
    (8) As noted under (1), above, the exemption of critical habitat on 
JBLM under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act resulted in the elimination 
of all critical habitat that was proposed for the Roy Prairie pocket 
gopher (Thomomys mazama glacialis). We include information about the 
Roy Prairie pocket gopher in the preamble discussion and define the 
PCEs used to delineate critical habitat for the subspecies, since we 
believe this information provides valuable information to the public, 
but do not include the Roy Prairie pocket gopher in the Regulation 
Promulgation section of this rule because no critical habitat is 
designated for this subspecies as a result of this exemption.
    In this final rule, we are designating 1,607 ac (650 ha) in 
Thurston County, Washington, as critical habitat for the Olympia, 
Tenino, and Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher. The Olympia 
pocket gopher has a single unit of critical habitat (Olympia Airport), 
the Tenino pocket gopher has a single unit of critical habitat (Rocky 
Prairie), and two separate subunits (Tenalquot Prairie and Rock 
Prairie) comprise a single critical habitat unit for the Yelm pocket 
gopher. Following exclusions and exemptions, this final designation of 
critical habitat is composed of 796 ac (322 ha) of private land and 811 
ac (329 ha) of land owned by municipal corporations or nonprofit 
conservation organizations.

Critical Habitat

Background

    Critical habitat is defined in section 3 of the Act as:
    (1) The specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the 
species, at the time it is listed in accordance with the Act, on which 
are found those physical or biological features
    (a) Essential to the conservation of the species, and
    (b) Which may require special management considerations or 
protection; and
    (2) Specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the 
species at the time it is listed, upon a determination that such areas 
are essential for the conservation of the species.
    Conservation, as defined under section 3 of the Act, means to use 
and the use of all methods and procedures that are necessary to bring 
an endangered or threatened species to the point at which the measures 
provided pursuant to the Act are no longer necessary. Such methods and 
procedures include, but are not limited to, all activities associated 
with scientific resource management such as research, census, law 
enforcement, habitat acquisition and maintenance, propagation, live 
trapping, and transplantation, and, in the extraordinary case where 
population pressures within a given ecosystem cannot be otherwise 
relieved, may include regulated taking.
    Critical habitat receives protection under section 7 of the Act 
through the requirement that Federal agencies ensure, in consultation 
with the Service, that any action they authorize, fund, or carry out is 
not likely to result in the destruction or adverse modification of 
critical habitat. The designation of critical habitat does not affect 
land ownership or establish a refuge, wilderness, reserve, preserve, or 
other conservation area. Such designation does not allow the government 
or public to access private lands. Such designation does not require 
implementation of restoration, recovery, or enhancement measures by 
non-Federal landowners. Where a landowner requests Federal agency 
funding or authorization for an action that may affect a listed species 
or critical habitat, the consultation requirements of section 7(a)(2) 
of the Act would apply, but even in the event of a destruction or 
adverse modification finding, the obligation of the Federal action 
agency and the landowner is not to restore or recover the species, but 
to implement

[[Page 19725]]

reasonable and prudent alternatives to avoid destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat.
    Under the first prong of the Act's definition of critical habitat, 
areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time 
it was listed are included in a critical habitat designation if they 
contain physical or biological features (1) which are essential to the 
conservation of the species and (2) which may require special 
management considerations or protection. For these areas, critical 
habitat designations identify, to the extent known using the best 
scientific and commercial data available, those physical or biological 
features that are essential to the conservation of the species (such as 
space, food, cover, and protected habitat). In identifying those 
physical or biological features within an area, we focus on the 
principal biological or physical constituent elements (primary 
constituent elements such as roost sites, nesting grounds, seasonal 
wetlands, water quality, tide, soil type) that are essential to the 
conservation of the species. Primary constituent elements are those 
specific elements of the physical or biological features that provide 
for a species' life-history processes and are essential to the 
conservation of the species.
    Under the second prong of the Act's definition of critical habitat, 
we can designate critical habitat in areas outside the geographical 
area occupied by the species at the time it is listed, upon a 
determination that such areas are essential for the conservation of the 
species. For example, an area currently occupied by the species but 
that was not occupied at the time of listing may be essential to the 
conservation of the species and may be included in the critical habitat 
designation. We designate critical habitat in areas outside the 
geographical area occupied by a species only when a designation limited 
to its range would be inadequate to ensure the conservation of the 
species.
    Section 4 of the Act requires that we designate critical habitat on 
the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available. 
Further, our Policy on Information Standards Under the Endangered 
Species Act (published in the Federal Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 
34271)), the Information Quality Act (section 515 of the Treasury and 
General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Pub. L. 
106-554; H.R. 5658)), and our associated Information Quality Guidelines 
provide criteria, establish procedures, and provide guidance to ensure 
that our decisions are based on the best scientific data available. 
They require our biologists, to the extent consistent with the Act and 
with the use of the best scientific data available, to use primary and 
original sources of information as the basis for recommendations to 
designate critical habitat.
    When we are determining which areas should be designated as 
critical habitat, our primary source of information is generally the 
information developed during the listing process for the species. 
Additional information sources may include the recovery plan for the 
species, articles in peer-reviewed journals, conservation plans 
developed by States and counties, scientific status surveys and 
studies, biological assessments, other unpublished materials, or 
experts' opinions or personal knowledge.
    Habitat is dynamic, and species may move from one area to another 
over time, and may use only small portions of designated critical 
habitat at any given time. We recognize that critical habitat 
designated at a particular point in time may not include all of the 
habitat areas that we may later determine are necessary for the 
recovery of the species. For these reasons, a critical habitat 
designation does not signal that habitat outside the designated area is 
unimportant or may not be needed for recovery of the species. Areas 
that are important to the conservation of the species, both inside and 
outside the critical habitat designation, will continue to be subject 
to: (1) Conservation actions implemented under section 7(a)(1) of the 
Act, (2) regulatory protections afforded by the requirement in section 
7(a)(2) of the Act for Federal agencies to insure their actions are not 
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or 
threatened species, and (3) section 9 of the Act's prohibitions on 
taking any individual of the species, including taking caused by 
actions that affect habitat. Federally funded or permitted projects 
affecting listed species outside their designated critical habitat 
areas may still result in jeopardy findings in some cases. These 
protections and conservation tools will continue to contribute to 
recovery of this species. Similarly, critical habitat designations made 
on the basis of the best scientific data available at the time of 
designation will not control the direction and substance of future 
recovery plans, habitat conservation plans (HCPs), or other species 
conservation planning efforts if new information available at the time 
of these planning efforts calls for a different outcome.

Physical or Biological Features

    In accordance with section 3(5)(A)(i) and 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act and 
regulations at 50 CFR 424.12, in determining which areas within the 
geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing to 
designate as critical habitat, we consider the physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of the species and which may 
require special management considerations or protection. These include, 
but are not limited to:
    (1) Space for individual and population growth and for normal 
behavior;
    (2) Food, water, air, light, minerals, or other nutritional or 
physiological requirements;
    (3) Cover or shelter;
    (4) Sites for breeding, reproduction, or rearing (or development) 
of offspring; and
    (5) Habitats that are protected from disturbance or are 
representative of the historical, geographical, and ecological 
distributions of a species.
    We derive the specific physical or biological features essential 
for the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher 
from studies of their habitat, ecology, and life history as described 
in the Habitat and Life History section of the final listing rule, 
published elsewhere in today's Federal Register, and in the information 
below. We have determined that the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of 
the Mazama pocket gopher require the following physical or biological 
features:

Space for Individual and Population Growth and for Normal Behavior

    Pocket gophers have low vagility, meaning they have a limited 
dispersal range (Williams and Baker 1976, p. 303). Thomomys mazama 
pocket gophers are smaller in size than other sympatric (occurring 
within the same geographic area; overlapping in distribution) or 
parapatric (immediately adjacent to each other but not significantly 
overlapping in distribution) Thomomys species (Verts and Carraway 2000, 
p. 1). Both dispersal distances and home range size are therefore 
likely to be smaller than for other Thomomys species. Dispersal 
distances may vary based on surface or soil conditions and size of the 
animal. For other, larger, Thomomys species, dispersal distances 
average about 131 ft (40 m) (Barnes 1973, pp. 168-169; Williams and 
Baker 1976, p. 306; Daly and Patton 1990, pp. 1286, 1288). Initial 
results from dispersal research being conducted on JBLM indicate that 
juvenile Mazama

[[Page 19726]]

pocket gophers in Washington usually make movements from 13.1-32.8 ft 
(4-10 m) over a period of 1 to 56 days, though these may not be 
dispersal movements. One juvenile made a distinct dispersal movement of 
525 ft (160m) in 1 day (Olson 2012b, p. 5). Suitable dispersal habitat 
is free of barriers to gopher movement, and may need to contain 
foraging habitat if an animal is required to make a long-distance 
dispersal move. Potential barriers include, but are not limited to, 
forest edges, roads (paved and unpaved), abrupt elevation changes, 
Scot's broom (Cytisus scoparius) thickets, (Olson 2012b, p. 3), highly 
cultivated lawns, inhospitable soil types (Olson 2008, p. 4) or 
substrates, development and buildings, slopes greater than 35 percent, 
and open water. Barriers may be permeable, meaning that they may impede 
movement from place to place without completely blocking it, or they 
may be impermeable, meaning they cannot be crossed. Permeable barriers, 
as well as lower-quality dispersal habitats, may present an intensified 
risk of mortality to animals that use them (e.g., open areas where 
predation risk is increased during passage or a paved area where 
vehicular mortality is high).
    The home range of a Mazama pocket gopher is composed of suitable 
breeding and foraging habitat (described below, under ``Food, water, 
air, light, minerals, or other nutritional or physiological 
requirements''). Home range size varies based on factors such as soil 
type, climate, and density and type of vegetative cover (Cox and Hunt 
1992, p. 133; Case and Jasch 1994, p. B-21; Hafner et al. 1998, p. 
279). Little research has been conducted regarding home range size for 
individual Mazama pocket gophers. Witmer et al. (1996, p. 96) reported 
an average home range size of about 1,076 square feet (ft\2\) (100 
square meters (m\2\)) for Mazama pocket gophers in one location in 
Thurston County, Washington. Gopher density varies greatly due to local 
climate, soil suitability, and vegetation types (Case and Jasch 1994, 
p. B-21; Howard and Childs 1959, pp. 329-336), and densities are likely 
to be higher when habitat quality is better. Therefore, this one report 
on the Mazama pocket gopher (Witmer et al. 1996) is unlikely to 
represent the average density across all soil types, vegetation types, 
and other unique site characteristics across the ranges of the four 
Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher. Research on 
other species of Thomomys pocket gophers in other states showed a wide 
range of home range sizes from approximately 80-14,370 ft\2\ (7.4-335 
m\2\). Some of these are estimates based on density of gophers trapped 
per acre, and some are based on measurements of individual gopher 
territory sizes.
    Work done by Converse et al. (2010, pp. 14-15) estimated that a 
local population of Mazama pocket gophers could persist for at least 50 
years if it occurred on a habitat patch that was equal to or greater 
than 50 ac (20 ha) in size. We acknowledge the uncertainty with this 
estimate, but there are currently no studies regarding minimum patch 
size available for the Mazama pocket gopher, nor are there any obvious 
means by which a better answer can be obtained. Thus, the best 
available scientific data in this case is the opinion of an informed 
expert panel. We also acknowledge that the existence of peripheral, 
perhaps smaller, habitat patches can provide important stepping-stone 
opportunities for gene exchange between core areas. These peripheral 
areas are likely to be intermittently occupied, because of poor or 
limited resources and overall size of the patch, but they are also 
likely to be recolonized on a regular basis, particularly if such areas 
are close (i.e., well within dispersal distance), of an occupied site.
    Therefore, based on the information above, we identify patches of 
breeding and foraging habitat that are equal to or greater than 50 ac 
(20 ha) in size or within dispersal distance of each other, as well as 
corridors of suitable dispersal habitat, as physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of the four Thurston/Pierce 
subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher.

Food, Water, Air, Light, Minerals, or Other Nutritional or 
Physiological Requirements and Sites for Breeding, Reproduction, or 
Rearing (or Development) of Offspring

    The four Thurston/Pierce subspecies are associated with glacial 
outwash prairies in western Washington, an ecosystem of conservation 
concern (Hartway and Steinberg 1997, p. 1). Steinberg and Heller (1997, 
p. 46) found that Mazama pocket gophers are even more patchily 
distributed than are the prairie habitats they inhabit. That is, there 
are some seemingly high quality prairies within the species' range 
where pocket gophers have not been detected. Prairie habitats have a 
naturally patchy distribution, and within them, there is a patchy 
distribution of soil rockiness (Steinberg and Heller 1997, p. 45; WDFW 
2009a), which may further restrict the total area that gophers can 
utilize since they avoid areas of excessive rockiness. Other habitat 
characteristics gophers required for successful burrowing and foraging 
may also be patchily distributed (e.g., micro-site locations of 
impermeable soils and substrates, or seasonal water table depth that 
affects suitability of soils for burrowing) or ephemerally available 
(e.g., forage vegetation), causing gophers to avoid or not use some 
areas.
    Of the glacial outwash prairie soils or prairie-like soils present 
in western Washington, the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the 
Mazama pocket gopher are most often found in deep, well-drained, 
friable soils capable of supporting the forbs, bulbs, and grasses that 
are the preferred forage for gophers (Stinson 2005, pp. 22-23).
    In order to support typical Mazama pocket gopher forage plants, 
areas supporting Mazama pocket gophers tend to be largely free of 
shrubs and trees. Woody plants shade out the forbs, bulbs, and grasses 
that gophers prefer to eat, and high densities of woody plants make 
travel both below and above the ground difficult for gophers. The 
probability of Mazama pocket gopher occupancy is much higher in areas 
with less than 10 percent woody vegetation cover (Olson 2011, p. 16).
    Although some soils used by Mazama pocket gophers are relatively 
sandy, gravelly, or silty, those most frequently associated with the 
four Thurston/Pierce subspecies are loamy and deep, have slopes 
generally less than 15 percent, based on a comparison of gopher 
occurrence data with soil series slope information. These soils also 
tend to have good drainage or permeability. These soil types 
additionally provide the essential physical and biological features of 
cover or shelter, as well as sites for breeding, reproduction, or 
rearing of offspring. Soil series or soil series complexes where 
individuals of the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket 
gopher may be found include, but are not limited to Alderwood, Cagey, 
Everett, Everett-Spanaway complex, Everett-Spanaway-Spana complex, 
Godfrey, Indianola, Kapowsin, McKenna, Nisqually, Norma, Spana, Spana-
Spanaway-Nisqually complex, Spanaway, Spanaway-Nisqually complex, and 
Yelm. These soil series and soil series complex names were derived from 
a GIS overlay of gopher locations with NRCS soil survey maps. These 
soil type names are very broad-scale soil series names, and don't 
include the more specific soil characteristics that come with a full 
soil map unit name, such as ``Spanaway gravelly sandy loam, 0 to 3 
percent slopes.'' We are purposely not using specific map unit names 
because we know that there are imperfections in soil

[[Page 19727]]

mapping. Mapped soil survey information may be imperfect for a variety 
of reasons. First, maps are based on the technology, standards, and 
tools that were available at the time soil surveys were conducted, 
sometimes up to 50 years ago. We recognize that soil survey boundaries 
may be adjusted in the future, and that soil series names may be added 
or removed on the NRCS's soil survey maps database. As a result, the 
overlap of gopher locations with soil series names may be different in 
the future. The soils information presented here is based on best 
scientific data available at the time of this rulemaking. We also 
recognize that some of these soil series are not typically either deep 
or well-drained. For a variety of reasons, a specific mapped soil type 
may or may not have all of the characteristics of that soil type as 
described by NRCS, and the actual soil that occurs on the ground may 
have characteristics that make it inhabitable by Mazama pocket gophers. 
These reasons may include map boundary or transcription errors, map 
projection errors or differences, map identification or typing errors, 
soil or hydrological manipulations that have occurred since mapping 
took place, small-scale inclusions in the mapped soil type that are 
different from the mapped soil, etc. Nevertheless, based on best 
available data, these are the areas where Mazama pocket gopher 
locations and mapped soils have been found to overlap when mapped in 
GIS. All of these soils could potentially be suitable for any of the 
four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher. In 
addition, the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket 
gopher may be able to forage or burrow in soil series not on the above 
list. For these reasons, our list of soils may be incomplete or appear 
to be overly inclusive. Despite this, we have only designated critical 
habitat for each subspecies within its known historical range.
    Encroachment of woody vegetation into the habitat of the four 
Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher continues to 
further reduce the size of the remaining prairies and prairie-type 
areas, thus reducing the amount of habitat available for gophers to 
burrow, forage, and reproduce. Historically these areas would have been 
maintained by natural or human-caused fires. Fire suppression allows 
Douglas-fir and other woody plants to encroach on and overwhelm prairie 
habitat (Stinson 2005, p. 7). Mazama pocket gophers require areas where 
natural disturbance or management prevents the encroachment of woody 
vegetation into their preferred prairie or meadow habitats.
    Therefore, based on the information above, we identify soil series 
and soil series complexes that are known to support the Mazama pocket 
gopher in Washington (listed above), and vegetative habitat with less 
than 10 percent woody plant cover, that provides for breeding, 
foraging, and dispersal as physical or biological features essential to 
the conservation of the Mazama pocket gopher.

Habitats That Are Protected From Disturbance or Are Representative of 
the Historical, Geographical, and Ecological Distributions of a Species

    Predation, specifically feral and domestic cat and dog predation, 
is a threat to the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket 
gopher. Urbanization exacerbates this threat with the addition of feral 
and domestic cats and dogs into the matrix of pocket gopher habitat. 
Many pets are not controlled by their owners in the semi-urban and 
rural environments that the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the 
Mazama pocket gopher currently inhabit, leading to uninhibited 
predation of native animals. Where local populations of native wild 
animals are small or declining, predation can drive populations farther 
toward extinction (Woodworth 1999, pp. 74-75). Due to their solitary 
and territorial nature, many sites occupied by one of the four 
Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher may contain a 
small number of individuals and occur in a matrix of residential and 
agricultural development, with feral and domestic pets in the vicinity. 
Some occupied areas may also occur in places where people recreate with 
their dogs, bringing these potential predators into environments that 
may otherwise be relatively free of them. As described in the final 
listing rule, published elsewhere in today's Federal Register, Mazama 
pocket gophers need areas free of the threat of predation by feral and 
domestic cats and dogs.
    In Washington it is currently illegal to trap or poison Mazama 
pocket gophers (WAC 232-12-011, RCW 77.15.194), but not all property 
owners are aware of these laws, nor are most citizens capable of 
differentiating between mole and pocket gopher soil disturbance. In 
light of this, it is reasonable to believe that mole trapping and 
poisoning efforts have the potential to adversely impact pocket gopher 
populations within the range of the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of 
the Mazama pocket gopher. Mazama pocket gophers require areas free of 
human disturbance from trapping and poisoning.
    Therefore, based on the information above, we identify areas where 
gophers are protected from predation by feral or domestic animals, as 
well as from human disturbance in the form of trapping and poisoning, 
as physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
Mazama pocket gopher.

Primary Constituent Elements for the Four Thurston/Pierce Subspecies of 
the Mazama Pocket Gopher

    Under the Act and its implementing regulations, we are required to 
identify the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama 
pocket gopher in areas occupied at the time of listing, focusing on the 
features' primary constituent elements. Primary constituent elements 
are those specific elements of the physical or biological features that 
provide for a species' life-history processes and are essential to the 
conservation of the species.
    Based on our current knowledge of the physical or biological 
features and habitat characteristics required to sustain the 
subspecies' life-history processes, we determine that the primary 
constituent elements specific to the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of 
the Mazama pocket gopher are:
    (1) Soils that support the burrowing habits of the Mazama pocket 
gopher, and where the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama 
pocket gopher may be found. These are usually friable, loamy, and deep 
soils, some with relatively greater content of sand, gravel, or silt, 
all generally on slopes less than 15 percent. Most are moderately to 
well-drained, but some are poorly drained. The range of each subspecies 
of the Mazama pocket gopher overlaps with a subset of potentially 
suitable soil series or soil series complexes. Here we describe the 
suitable soil series or soil series complexes that may occur within the 
range of each subspecies. As we state above, all of the soil series or 
soil series complexes listed in the Physical or Biological Features 
section could potentially be suitable for any of the four Thurston/
Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher:
    a. Olympia pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama pugetensis) soils include 
the following soil series or soil series complex:

i. Alderwood;
ii. Cagey;
iii. Everett;
iv. Godfrey;

[[Page 19728]]

v. Indianola;
vi. Kapowsin;
vii. McKenna;
viii. Nisqually;
ix. Norma;
x. Spana;
xi. Spanaway;
xii. Spanaway-Nisqually complex; and
xiii. Yelm.

    b. Roy Prairie pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama glacialis) soils 
include the following soil series or soil series complexes:
i. Alderwood;
ii. Everett;
iii. Everett-Spanaway complex;
iv. Everett-Spanaway-Spana complex;
v. Nisqually;
vi. Spana-Spanaway-Nisqually complex; and
vii. Spanaway.

    c. Tenino pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama tumuli) soils include the 
following soil series or soil series complex:
i. Alderwood;
ii. Cagey;
iii. Everett;
iv. Indianola;
v. Kapowsin;
vi. Nisqually;
vii. Norma;
viii. Spanaway;
ix. Spanaway-Nisqually complex; and
x. Yelm.

    d. Yelm pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama yelmensis) soils include the 
following soil series or soil series complex:

i. Alderwood;
ii. Cagey;
iii. Everett;
iv. Godfrey;
v. Indianola;
vi. Kapowsin;
vii. McKenna;
viii. Nisqually;
ix. Norma;
x. Spanaway;
xi. Spanaway-Nisqually complex; and
xii. Yelm.

    (2) Areas equal to or larger than 50 ac (20 ha) in size that 
provide for breeding, foraging, and dispersal activities, found in the 
soil series or soil series complexes listed in (1), above, that have:
    a. Less than 10 percent woody vegetation cover;
    b. Vegetative cover suitable for foraging by gophers. Pocket 
gophers' diet includes a wide variety of plant material, including 
leafy vegetation, succulent roots, shoots, tubers, and grasses. Forbs 
and grasses that Mazama pocket gophers are known to eat include, but 
are not limited to: Achillea millefolium (common yarrow), Agoseris spp. 
(agoseris), Cirsium spp. (thistle), Bromus spp. (brome), Camassia spp. 
(camas), Collomia linearis (tiny trumpet), Epilobium spp. (several 
willowherb spp.), Eriophyllum lanatum (woolly sunflower), Gayophytum 
diffusum (groundsmoke), Hypochaeris radicata (hairy cat's ear), 
Lathyrus spp. (peavine), Lupinus spp. (lupine), Microsteris gracilis 
(slender phlox), Penstemon spp. (penstemon), Perideridia gairdneri 
(Gairdner's yampah), Phacelia heterophylla (varileaf phacelia), 
Polygonum douglasii (knotweed), Potentilla spp. (cinquefoil), Pteridium 
aquilinum (bracken fern), Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion), 
Trifolium spp. (clover), and Viola spp. (violet); and
    c. Few, if any, barriers to dispersal within the unit or subunit. 
Barriers to dispersal may include, but are not limited to, forest 
edges, roads (paved and unpaved), abrupt elevation changes, Scot's 
broom thickets, (Olson 2012b, p. 3), highly cultivated lawns, 
inhospitable soil types (Olson 2008, p. 4) or substrates, development 
and buildings, slopes greater than 35 percent, and open water.
    With this designation of critical habitat, we intend to identify 
the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of 
the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher through 
the identification of the primary constituent elements sufficient to 
support the life-history processes of the subspecies. We have 
determined that the final unit designated as critical habitat for the 
Olympia pocket gopher and the Tenalquot Prairie subunit for the Yelm 
pocket gopher are currently occupied by the listed subspecies and 
contain one or more of the primary constituent elements essential to 
the conservation of the species. We have determined that the final 
critical habitat unit for the Tenino pocket gopher and the Rock Prairie 
Subunit for the Yelm pocket gopher are likely occupied by the 
subspecies and contain one or more of the primary constituent elements 
essential to the conservation of the species; however, due to 
exclusions from the proposed subunits, we do not at this time have 
definitive evidence of occupancy at that scale. Therefore, to be 
conservative, we have also evaluated the Rocky Prairie Unit and Rock 
Prairie Subunit identified here as critical habitat under the standard 
of section 3(5)(a)(ii) of the Act, and determined that they are 
essential to the conservation of the species, as described in Criteria 
Used to Identify Critical Habitat, below. We have further determined 
that the physical or biological features essential to the conservation 
of the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher 
require special management considerations or protection, as described 
below.

Special Management Considerations or Protections

    When designating critical habitat, we assess whether the specific 
areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time 
of listing contain features that are essential to the conservation of 
the species and which may require special management considerations or 
protection. Here we describe the type of special management 
considerations or protections that may be required to protect the 
physical or biological features identified as essential for Mazama 
pocket gophers.
    All areas designated as critical habitat will require some level of 
management to address the current and future threats to the four 
Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher and to maintain 
or enhance the PCEs present. A detailed discussion of activities 
influencing the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket 
gopher and their habitats can be found in the final listing rule, 
published elsewhere in the Federal Register today. Threats to the 
physical or biological features that are essential to the conservation 
of these subspecies and that may warrant special management 
considerations or protection include, but are not limited to: (1) Loss 
of habitat from conversion to other uses; (2) use of heavy equipment in 
suitable habitat that may compact soils in the control of nonnative, 
invasive species; (3) development; (4) construction and maintenance of 
roads and utility corridors; (5) predation by feral or domestic 
animals; and (6) habitat modifications brought on by succession of 
vegetation due to lack of disturbance, both small- and large-scale; and 
(7) control as a pest species. These threats also have the potential to 
affect the PCEs if they occur within or adjacent to designated units.
    The physical or biological features essential to the conservation 
of the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher may 
require special management considerations or protection to control or 
prevent the establishment of invasive woody plants, which create shade 
and compete for light, food and nutrients otherwise utilized by the 
forb, bulb, and grass species that the gophers require for forage. 
Management may be implemented using hand tools or mechanical methods, 
prescribed fire,

[[Page 19729]]

and the judicious use of herbicides. Although several management 
techniques are being implemented on public lands, we may need to 
improve our outreach to educate private landowners on controlling their 
pets and appropriately managing grazing on their properties, as well as 
to developing incentives for landowners who agree to conserve habitat. 
Incentives would create protected areas, through agreements or 
acquisitions. These would include corridors between existing protected 
habitat areas that may require management, enhancement actions, and 
long-term maintenance.

Criteria Used To Identify Critical Habitat

    As required by section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we use the best 
scientific data available to designate critical habitat. In accordance 
with the Act and our implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.12(b) we 
review available information pertaining to the habitat requirements of 
the species and identify occupied areas at the time of listing that 
contain the features essential to the conservation of the species. If 
after identifying currently occupied areas, a determination is made 
that those areas are inadequate to ensure conservation of the species, 
in accordance with the Act and our implementing regulations at 50 CFR 
424.12(e) we then consider whether designating additional areas--
outside those currently occupied--is essential for the conservation of 
the species.
    We plotted the known locations of the four Thurston/Pierce 
subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher where they occur in the south 
Puget Sound lowlands using 2011 NAIP digital imagery in ArcGIS, version 
10 (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.), a computer 
geographic information system program. We additionally examined the 
USDA NRCS GIS soils data layer to determine the extent of suitable soil 
formation underlying occupied areas (accessed June 20, 2008 for 
Thurston County; received from JBLM May 30, 2013 for Pierce County).
    To determine if the currently occupied areas contain the primary 
constituent elements, we assessed the life history components and the 
distribution of the subspecies through element occurrence records in 
State Natural Heritage Databases and natural history information on 
each of the subspecies as they relate to habitat.

Occupied Areas

    For all of the Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket 
gopher we proposed critical habitat only in areas within the 
geographical area we consider likely occupied at the time of listing. 
All units and subunits that were proposed as critical habitat for the 
Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher were 
currently occupied as determined by recent surveys, within 5 years 
prior to the publication of the proposed rule (JBLM 2012; Krippner 
2011, pp. 25-29; WDFW 2012a), and all provide one or more of the 
physical or biological features that may require special management 
considerations or protection, as described in the unit and subunit 
descriptions that follow. As the result of exclusions under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act, the areas that best met our criterion for 
documented occupancy in two of the proposed subunits (proposed Subunit 
1-D and 1-H) are no longer included in this final designation; 
therefore the occupancy of the remaining critical habitat is more 
uncertain. Although we conclude the areas in question are likely 
occupied, as described below in the section Potentially Unoccupied 
Areas, to be conservative we have additionally evaluated these 
remaining areas as if they are not occupied at the time of listing, and 
determined that they are nonetheless essential to the conservation of 
the species. Finally, although critical habitat proposed for the Roy 
Prairie pocket gopher also met these fundamental criteria for 
occupancy, as explained below in the section Application of Section 
4(a)(3) of the Act, critical habitat proposed for the Roy Prairie 
pocket gopher has been exempted from this final designation.
    As described in the Physical or Biological Features section, above, 
although some areas utilized by the Mazama pocket gopher may be used 
intermittently and therefore may not be detected in every year, we 
consider such sites to be occupied by the species for the purposes of 
determining critical habitat. In such cases, if the PCEs are present 
(e.g., requisite soil and vegetation types, permeable or no barriers to 
dispersal) and the area is adjacent to a site of known occupancy, we 
conclude that such sites are likely to be occupied, as this is the 
probable dynamic state of occupancy for the majority of areas included 
in critical habitat units and subunits. Since vegetation structure may 
vary spatially and temporally, yielding a mosaic of suitable habitat 
patches at any given time, it is likely that any Mazama pocket gophers 
existing in the context of an expanse of suitable habitat (i.e., the 
subunit level) may shift their location in response to available 
resources, thus habitat that is occupied at some times may not be 
occupied at others. As long as a source population is nearby, the 
essential physical or biological features are present, and there are no 
impermeable barriers to dispersal, there is no reason to believe that 
pocket gophers would not make use of such areas when conditions are 
favorable, and thus occupancy of such areas is likely. For these 
reasons, we consider all such habitat to be occupied by the species.

Potentially Unoccupied Areas

    If an intermittently occupied site were not considered ``occupied'' 
in years when Mazama pocket gophers are not detected, development or 
other irreversible land uses might permanently convert that suitable 
and intermittently utilized habitat to another form of landscape, 
within which Mazama pocket gophers will not be able to breed and across 
which gophers will not be able to disperse, effectively reducing 
available suitable habitat and limiting dispersal capacity at the same 
time. However, for the purposes of critical habitat, to be conservative 
we assessed the importance of all such areas designated as critical 
habitat as if they were ``unoccupied'' at the time of listing. Because 
the historical range of each of the Mazama pocket gopher subspecies 
considered here is already greatly restricted in extent, thereby 
limiting the scope of the potential area for recovery, and because the 
destruction or degradation of suitable habitat is one of the primary 
threats to each of the subspecies, we consider any areas within the 
historical range of each of the subspecies that provide the essential 
physical or biological features identified within the critical habitat 
units and subunits identified here to be essential for the conservation 
of the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher.
    In the specific case of the Rocky Prairie Unit for the Tenino 
pocket gopher, Rocky Prairie is the only location from which the 
subspecies is known, therefore the conservation of this subspecies 
within its historical range is entirely dependent on this area. The 
area of best documented occupancy is limited to the State-owned NAP, 
which comprises only 35 ac (14 ha) of habitat, and alone does not meet 
the minimum patch size of 50 ac (20 ha) to ensure recovery of the 
subspecies, therefore the area definitively known to be occupied by 
this subspecies is insufficient to provide for its conservation (the 
NAP was excluded from final critical habitat under section 4(b)(2) of 
the Act). Finally, the

[[Page 19730]]

remaining area on private lands within critical habitat provides the 
most extensive contiguous areas containing the PCEs for the Tenino 
pocket gopher and is directly adjacent to an area of known occupancy. 
If currently unoccupied, this area provides for potential dispersal and 
expansion of the population, which is essential to the conservation of 
the subspecies. Therefore, even if the Rocky Prairie Unit were 
considered unoccupied at the time of listing, because this is the only 
known location for the Tenino pocket gopher and the area on the NAP is 
insufficient to provide for the conservation of this subspecies, we 
consider the Rocky Prairie Unit, which provides the requisite physical 
or biological features for the Tenino pocket gopher to be essential to 
the conservation of the species.
    We have also determined that the Rock Prairie Subunit of Yelm 
pocket gopher critical habitat is essential to the conservation of the 
subspecies. As proposed, this 621 ac (251 ha) subunit contained lands 
owned by two private residential and commercial landowners. As a result 
of exclusion under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, the area with the best 
documented occupancy by the Yelm pocket gopher is no longer included in 
critical habitat. However, the remaining area of critical habitat 
within the Rock Prairie Subunit provides the physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of the Yelm pocket gopher, is 
directly adjacent to an area of known occupancy with no impermeable 
barrier between the two areas, is part of the same soil extent 
(Spanaway and Spanaway-Nisqually complex) occurring on the known-
occupied lands adjacent, and contains similar vegetation to the area of 
known occupancy. The Service considers the Rock Prairie Subunit as 
likely to be occupied, but because there have been no recent surveys on 
the Subunit, this can't be confirmed at this time. However, even if 
currently unoccupied, this area provides for potential dispersal and 
expansion of the population, which is essential to the conservation of 
the subspecies. The historical range of each of the four Thurston/
Pierce Mazama pocket gopher subspecies is already greatly restricted in 
extent, thereby limiting the scope of the potential area for recovery. 
Of the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies considered in this rulemaking, 
the Yelm pocket gopher is the most widespread. Because the destruction 
or degradation of suitable habitat is one of the primary threats to the 
Yelm pocket gopher, we consider any areas within the historical range 
that provide the essential physical or biological features to be 
essential for the conservation of the subspecies. Successful 
conservation relies on redundancy in populations; therefore maintaining 
multiple populations of endangered or threatened species across their 
range is a desirable component of recovery. For this reason, we 
conclude that limiting critical habitat designation to the Tenalquot 
Prairie Subunit would not be adequate to ensure the conservation of the 
Yelm pocket gopher. Based on all of these considerations, even if the 
Rock Prairie Subunit were considered unoccupied at the time of listing, 
we consider the Rock Prairie Subunit that is directly adjacent to areas 
of known occupancy and that provides the requisite physical or 
biological features for the Yelm pocket gopher to be essential to the 
conservation of the subspecies.
    We further conclude that, for each of the subspecies, if the 
critical habitat designations were strictly limited to parcels with 
documented occurrence within the subunits delineated in the proposed 
rule, they would be inadequate to ensure the subspecies' conservation. 
Because of the extremely limited geographic range of each of the Mazama 
pocket gopher subspecies and their restricted requirements for specific 
soil and vegetation types, as described above, we conclude that each of 
the areas identified here as critical habitat is essential for the 
conservation of the species.
    When determining critical habitat boundaries within this final 
rule, we made every effort to avoid including developed areas such as 
lands covered by buildings, pavement (such as roads and airport 
runways), and other structures because such lands lack physical or 
biological features for the Mazama pocket gopher. The scale of the maps 
we prepared under the parameters for publication within the Code of 
Federal Regulations may not reflect the exclusion of such developed 
lands. Any such lands inadvertently left inside critical habitat 
boundaries shown on the maps of this final rule have been excluded by 
text in the rule and are not designated as critical habitat. Therefore, 
a Federal action involving these lands will not trigger section 7 
consultation with respect to critical habitat and the requirement of no 
adverse modification unless the specific action would affect the 
physical or biological features in the adjacent critical habitat.
    The critical habitat designation is defined by the maps, as 
modified by any accompanying regulatory text, presented at the end of 
this document in the rule portion. We will make the coordinates or plot 
points or both on which each map is based available to the public on 
https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2013-0021, at https://www.fws.gov/wafwo/mpg.html, and, by appointment, at the field office 
responsible for the designation (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
above).
    Units and subunits are designated based on sufficient elements of 
physical or biological features being present to support life processes 
of the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket 
gopher. This applies whether the units are considered occupied or 
unoccupied by the subspecies at the time of listing. Some units and 
subunits contained all of the identified elements of physical or 
biological features and supported multiple life processes. Some units 
or subunits contain only some elements of the physical or biological 
features necessary to support the particular use of that habitat by any 
of these subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher.

Final Critical Habitat Designation

    We are designating three units, totaling 1,607 ac (650 ha) as 
critical habitat for the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm subspecies of the 
Mazama pocket gopher (critical habitat for the Roy Prairie subspecies 
is exempted, as described below under Exemptions). Each unit is 
presently likely occupied by the subspecies for which it is designated, 
and contains one or more of the PCEs to support essential life-history 
processes for that subspecies. Some areas designated as final critical 
habitat may not be considered occupied at the time of listing. In these 
cases, we have evaluated each of these areas applying the standard 
under section 3(5)(A)(ii) of the Act, and have determined that all such 
areas included in this designation are essential to the conservation of 
the species. The critical habitat areas we describe below constitute 
our current best assessment of areas that meet the definition of 
critical habitat for the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm pocket gophers. The 
three units we designate as critical habitat are: (1) Olympia Pocket 
Gopher Critical Habitat--Olympia Airport Unit; (2) Tenino Pocket Gopher 
Critical Habitat--Rocky Prairie Unit; and (3) Yelm Pocket Gopher 
Critical Habitat--Tenalquot Prairie Subunit and Rock Prairie Subunit. 
The approximate area and landownership for each critical habitat unit 
and subunit is shown in Table 2.

[[Page 19731]]



                      Table 2--Designated Critical Habitat for the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm Subspecies of the Mazama Pocket Gopher
                                       [Area estimates reflect all land within critical habitat unit boundaries.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                        Federal       State       Private      Other *
          Critical habitat unit                   Location name          Subunit as  identified  in  ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                proposed rule           Ac (Ha)      Ac (Ha)      Ac (Ha)      Ac (Ha)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Olympia Pocket Gopher Critical Habitat...  Olympia Airport Unit.......  1-C.........................            0            0            0    676 (274)
Tenino Pocket Gopher Critical Habitat....  Rocky Prairie Unit.........  1-D.........................            0            0    399 (162)            0
Yelm Pocket Gopher Critical Habitat......  Tenalquot Prairie Subunit..  1-E.........................            0            0     154 (62)     135 (55)
                                           Rock Prairie Subunit.......  1-H.........................            0            0     243 (98)            0
������������������������������������������
    Totals...............................  ...........................  ............................            0            0    796 (322)    811 (329)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Other = Local municipalities and nonprofit conservation organization.
Note: Area sizes may not sum due to rounding.

    We present brief descriptions of all critical habitat units and 
subunits and reasons why they meet the definition of critical habitat 
for the Olympia, Tenino, or Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher 
below.
    All critical habitat units are occupied by the subspecies at the 
time of listing (see the final listing rule for the four subspecies of 
the Mazama pocket gopher, published elsewhere in today's Federal 
Register), and all contain the physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of these subspecies, which may require 
special management considerations or protection. All units are subject 
to some or all of the following threats: Development on or adjacent to 
the unit; incompatible management practices; predation; and habitat 
degradation or destruction as the result of the inadequacy of existing 
regulatory mechanisms. The threats of loss of ecological disturbance 
processes, invasive species and succession, and control as a pest 
species are threats to the Tenino pocket gopher in the Rocky Prairie 
Unit and the Yelm pocket gopher in the Tenalquot Prairie and Rock 
Prairie Subunits. In all units, the physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of each subspecies may require special 
management considerations or protection to restore, protect, and 
maintain the essential features found there. Special management 
considerations or protection may be required to address: Direct or 
indirect habitat loss due to conversion to other uses; invasion of 
woody plant species; use of equipment that may compact soils; 
development; construction and maintenance of roads and utility 
corridors; habitat modifications; predation by feral or domestic 
animals; or use of trapping or poisoning techniques by landowners or 
land managers of the units themselves or adjacent landowners or land 
managers.
    Olympia Pocket Gopher Critical Habitat--Olympia Airport Unit. This 
unit consists of 676 ac (274 ha) and is made up of land owned by the 
Port of Olympia, a municipal corporation. The Olympia Airport Unit is 
located south of the cities of Olympia and Tumwater, in Thurston 
County, Washington. This unit is occupied by the Olympia pocket gopher 
and contains the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the subspecies due to the underlying soil series 
(Cagey, Everett, Indianola, and Nisqually), suitable forb and grass 
vegetation present onsite, and its large size. The physical or 
biological features in this subunit are threatened by: Loss of habitat 
through conversion to incompatible uses, such as development; 
predation; and the habitat degradation or destruction due to the 
inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms.
    Tenino Pocket Gopher Critical Habitat--Rocky Prairie Unit. This 
unit consists of 399 ac (162 ha) and is owned by one commercial land 
owner and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. The Rocky Prairie Unit 
is located north of the city of Tenino, Thurston County, Washington; is 
likely occupied by the Tenino pocket gopher; and contains the physical 
or biological features essential to the conservation of the species due 
to the underlying soil series or soil series complex (Everett, 
Nisqually, Spanaway, and Spanaway-Nisqually complex), suitable forb and 
grass vegetation present onsite, and its large size. The physical or 
biological features in this subunit are threatened by: Loss of habitat 
through conversion to incompatible uses, such as pit mining; 
development on adjacent or surrounding areas; the loss of natural 
disturbance processes and invasion by woody plants; predation; small or 
isolated populations as a result of habitat fragmentation; habitat 
degradation or destruction as the result of the inadequacy of existing 
regulatory mechanisms; and control as a pest species. We additionally 
evaluated this area as if it were presently unoccupied by the Tenino 
pocket gopher, and have determined that it is nonetheless essential to 
the conservation of the species (see Potentially Unoccupied Areas for 
details).
    Yelm Pocket Gopher Critical Habitat--Tenalquot Prairie Subunit. 
This subunit consists of 289 ac (117 ha) and contains lands owned by 
one commercial landowner and The Nature Conservancy. This subunit is 
located northwest of the city of Rainier, Thurston County, Washington. 
As proposed, subunit 1-E (now the Tenalquot Prairie Subunit) included 
1,505 ac (609 ha) of JBLM land, which has been exempted based on a 
completed ESMP. This 4(a)(3)(B)(i) exemption, based on this species-
specific management plan, has been determined to provide a conservation 
benefit to the Yelm pocket gopher. The Tenalquot Prairie Subunit is 
occupied by the Yelm pocket gopher and contains the physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the species due to 
the underlying soil series (Spanaway), suitable forb and grass 
vegetation present onsite, and its large size. The physical or 
biological features in this subunit are threatened by: Loss of habitat 
through conversion to incompatible uses, such as development; the loss 
of natural disturbance processes and invasion by woody plants; 
inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; and control as a pest 
species.

[[Page 19732]]

    Yelm Pocket Gopher Critical Habitat--Rock Prairie Subunit. This 
subunit consists of 243 ac (98 ha) and contains lands owned by one 
private residential and commercial landowner. As proposed (subunit 1-
H), this subunit included 378 ac (153 ha) of private ranch land, which 
has been excluded under section 4(b)(2) of the Act (see Exclusions for 
details). The Rock Prairie Subunit is likely occupied by the Yelm 
pocket gopher and contains the physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the species due to the underlying soil 
series or soil series complex (Spanaway and Spanaway-Nisqually 
complex), suitable forb and grass vegetation present onsite, and its 
size. The physical or biological features in this subunit are 
threatened by: Loss of habitat through conversion to incompatible uses, 
such as development; the loss of natural disturbance processes and 
invasion by woody plants; predation; inadequacy of existing regulatory 
mechanisms; and control as a pest species. We additionally evaluated 
this area as if it were presently unoccupied by the Yelm pocket gopher, 
and have determined that it is nonetheless essential to the 
conservation of the species (see Potentially Unoccupied Areas for 
details).

Effects of Critical Habitat Designation

Section 7 Consultation

    Section 7(a)(2) of the Act requires Federal agencies, including the 
Service, to ensure that any action they fund, authorize, or carry out 
is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered 
species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse 
modification of designated critical habitat of such species. In 
addition, section 7(a)(4) of the Act requires Federal agencies to 
confer with the Service on any agency action which is likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of any species listed or proposed to 
be listed under the Act or result in the destruction or adverse 
modification of proposed or finalized critical habitat.
    Decisions by the 5th and 9th Circuit Courts of Appeals have 
invalidated our regulatory definition of ``destruction or adverse 
modification'' (50 CFR 402.02) (see Gifford Pinchot Task Force v. U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, 378 F.3d 1059 (9th Cir. 2004) and Sierra 
Club v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service et al., 245 F.3d 434, 442 (5th 
Cir. 2001)), and we do not rely on this regulatory definition when 
analyzing whether an action is likely to destroy or adversely modify 
critical habitat. Under the statutory provisions of the Act, we 
determine destruction or adverse modification on the basis of whether, 
with implementation of the proposed Federal action, the affected 
critical habitat would continue to serve its intended conservation role 
for the species.
    If a Federal action may affect a listed species or its critical 
habitat, the responsible Federal agency (action agency) must enter into 
consultation with us. Examples of actions that are subject to the 
section 7 consultation process are actions on State, tribal, local, or 
private lands that require a Federal permit (such as a permit from the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under section 404 of the Clean Water Act 
(33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.) or a permit from the Service under section 10 
of the Act) or that involve some other Federal action (such as funding 
from the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Aviation 
Administration, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency). Federal 
actions not affecting listed species or critical habitat, and actions 
on State, tribal, local, or private lands that are not federally funded 
or authorized, do not require section 7 consultation.
    As a result of section 7 consultation, we document compliance with 
the requirements of section 7(a)(2) through our issuance of:
    (1) A concurrence letter for Federal actions that may affect, but 
are not likely to adversely affect, listed species or critical habitat; 
or
    (2) A biological opinion for Federal actions that may affect and 
are likely to adversely affect, listed species or critical habitat.
    When we issue a biological opinion concluding that a project is 
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species and/or 
destroy or adversely modify critical habitat, we provide reasonable and 
prudent alternatives to the project, if any are identifiable, that 
would avoid the likelihood of jeopardy and/or destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat. We define ``reasonable and prudent 
alternatives'' (at 50 CFR 402.02) as alternative actions identified 
during consultation that:
    (1) Can be implemented in a manner consistent with the intended 
purpose of the action,
    (2) Can be implemented consistent with the scope of the Federal 
agency's legal authority and jurisdiction,
    (3) Are economically and technologically feasible, and
    (4) Would, in the Director's opinion, avoid the likelihood of 
jeopardizing the continued existence of the listed species and/or avoid 
the likelihood of destroying or adversely modifying critical habitat.
    Reasonable and prudent alternatives can vary from slight project 
modifications to extensive redesign or relocation of the project. Costs 
associated with implementing a reasonable and prudent alternative are 
similarly variable.
    Regulations at 50 CFR 402.16 require Federal agencies to reinitiate 
consultation on previously reviewed actions in instances where we have 
listed a new species or subsequently designated critical habitat that 
may be affected and the Federal agency has retained discretionary 
involvement or control over the action (or the agency's discretionary 
involvement or control is authorized by law). Consequently, Federal 
agencies sometimes may need to request reinitiation of consultation 
with us on actions for which formal consultation has been completed, if 
those actions with discretionary involvement or control may affect 
subsequently listed species or designated critical habitat.

Application of the ``Adverse Modification'' Standard

    The key factor related to the adverse modification determination is 
whether, with implementation of the proposed Federal action, the 
affected critical habitat would continue to serve its intended 
conservation role for the species. Activities that may destroy or 
adversely modify critical habitat are those that alter the physical or 
biological features to an extent that appreciably reduces the 
conservation value of critical habitat for the Olympia, Tenino, and 
Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher. As discussed above, the 
role of critical habitat is to support life-history needs of the 
species and provide for the conservation of the species.
    Section 4(b)(8) of the Act requires us to briefly evaluate and 
describe, in any proposed or final regulation that designates critical 
habitat, activities involving a Federal action that may destroy or 
adversely modify such habitat, or that may be affected by such 
designation.
    Activities that may affect critical habitat, when carried out, 
funded, or authorized by a Federal agency, should result in 
consultation for the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm subspecies of the Mazama 
pocket gopher. These activities include, but are not limited to:
    (1) Actions that restore, alter, or degrade habitat features 
through development, agricultural activities, burning, mowing, 
herbicide use or other means in suitable habitat for the

[[Page 19733]]

Olympia, Tenino, or Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher.
    (2) Actions that would alter the physical or biological features of 
critical habitat including modification of soil profiles or the 
composition and structure of vegetation in suitable habitat for the 
Olympia, Tenino, or Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher. Such 
activities could include, but are not limited to, construction, grading 
or other development, mowing, conversion of habitat, recreational use, 
off-road vehicles on Federal, State, or private lands). These 
activities may affect the physical or biological features of critical 
habitat for the Olympia, Tenino, or Yelm subspecies of the Mazama 
pocket gopher by crushing burrows, removing forage, or impacting 
habitat essential for completion of life history.
    (3) Activities within or adjacent to critical habitat that affect 
or degrade the conservation value or function of the physical or 
biological features of critical habitat for the Olympia, Tenino, or 
Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher.

Exemptions

Application of Section 4(a)(3) of the Act

    The Sikes Act Improvement Act of 1997 (Sikes Act) (16 U.S.C. 670a) 
required each military installation that includes land and water 
suitable for the conservation and management of natural resources to 
complete an Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP) by 
November 17, 2001. An INRMP integrates implementation of the military 
mission of the installation with stewardship of the natural resources 
found on the base. Each INRMP includes:
    (1) An assessment of the ecological needs on the installation, 
including the need to provide for the conservation of listed species;
    (2) A statement of goals and priorities;
    (3) A detailed description of management actions to be implemented 
to provide for these ecological needs; and
    (4) A monitoring and adaptive management plan.
    Among other things, each INRMP must, to the extent appropriate and 
applicable, provide for fish and wildlife management; fish and wildlife 
habitat enhancement or modification; wetland protection, enhancement, 
and restoration where necessary to support fish and wildlife; and 
enforcement of applicable natural resource laws.
    The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Pub. 
L. 108-136) amended the Act to limit areas eligible for designation as 
critical habitat. Specifically, section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act (16 
U.S.C. 1533(a)(3)(B)(i)) now provides: ``The Secretary shall not 
designate as critical habitat any lands or other geographical areas 
owned or controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated for its 
use, that are subject to an integrated natural resources management 
plan prepared under section 101 of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670a), if 
the Secretary determines in writing that such plan provides a benefit 
to the species for which critical habitat is proposed for 
designation.''
    We consult with the military on the development and implementation 
of INRMPs for installations with listed species. We analyzed INRMPs 
developed by military installations located within the range of the 
critical habitat designation for the Roy Prairie and Yelm subspecies of 
the Mazama pocket gopher to determine if they meet the criteria for 
exemption from critical habitat under section 4(a)(3) of the Act. The 
following areas are Department of Defense lands with completed, 
Service-approved INRMPs within the critical habitat designation as 
proposed: (1) 91st Division Prairie (proposed subunit 1-A), (2) Marion 
Prairie (proposed subunit 1-B), and (3) Tenalquot Prairie (proposed 
subunit 1-E). All of these areas are part of JBLM, except for two 
portions of Tenalquot Prairie known as the Morgan property and Silver 
Springs Cattle Ranch.

Approved INRMPs

    U.S. Army Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) (formerly known as Fort 
Lewis Army Base and McChord Air Force Base) is a military complex in 
western Washington that presently encompasses approximately 91,000 ac 
(36,825 ha). JBLM is composed of both native and degraded prairies; 
shrub-dominated vegetation; conifer, conifer-oak, oak-savannah, oak 
woodland and pine woodland/savannah forests; riverine, lacustrine, and 
palustrine wetlands; ponds and lakes; as well as other unique habitat, 
such as Mima mounds. Portions of JBLM are currently occupied by the Roy 
Prairie and Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher. There are 
6,345 ac (2,567 ha) of lands within the boundary of JBLM that were 
proposed as critical habitat for these two subspecies; these lands 
included the following subunits from the proposed rule (77 FR 73770; 
December 11, 2012): proposed subunit 1-A, 91st Division Prairie 
(occupied by the Roy Prairie pocket gopher); proposed subunit 1-B, 
Marion Prairie (occupied by the Roy Prairie pocket gopher); and a 
portion of proposed subunit 1-E, Tenalquot Prairie (occupied by the 
Yelm pocket gopher). This large Federal landholding includes the 
largest contiguous block of prairie in the State of Washington. Actions 
on this property include military training, recreation, transportation, 
utilities (including dedicated corridors), and land use.
    The mission of JBLM is to maintain trained and ready forces for 
Army and Air Force commanders worldwide, by providing them with 
training support and infrastructure. This includes a land base capable 
of supporting current and future training needs through good 
stewardship of the Installation's natural and cultural resources, as 
directed by Federal statutes, DOD directives, directives and programs 
such as ACUB (Army Compatible Use Buffer Program), and Army, Air Force, 
and JBLM regulations.
    Mazama pocket gophers exist on prairies on JBLM lands where 
vehicular traffic is currently restricted to established roads, but 
prior to their proposed listing, JBLM had not implemented any specific 
restrictions on military training to protect Mazama pocket gophers. 
Currently, efforts to maintain and increase Mazama pocket gopher 
populations on the installation focus on restoring or managing the 
overall condition of suitable habitat. Although only military actions 
are covered by the INRMP and its associated Endangered Species 
Management Plans (ESMPs), several additional actions occurring on JBLM 
could pose substantial threats to the Roy Prairie and Yelm subspecies 
of the Mazama pocket gopher (e.g., increased risk of accidental fires; 
habitat destruction and degradation through construction of training 
infrastructure; vehicle use, dismounted training, bivouac activities, 
digging; and predation related to recreational activities such as dog 
trials), and are restricted to a few prairie properties. Many of the 
avoidance measures for military training action subgroups are 
implemented through environmental review and permitting programs 
related to a specific action. Timing of actions and education of users 
are important avoidance measures for the other activities.
    JBLM actively manages prairie habitat as part of its INRMP (US Army 
2006). The purpose of the plan is to ``provide guidance for effective 
and efficient management of the prairie landscape to meet military 
training and ecological conservation goals.'' There are three overall 
goals including: (1) No net loss of open landscapes for military 
training; (2) no net reduction in the quantity or

[[Page 19734]]

quality of moderate- and high-quality grassland; and (3) viable 
populations of all prairie-dependent and prairie-associated species. 
These goals are conducted in concert with JBLM's stewardship 
responsibility that includes five primary requirements for compliance 
with the Act:
    (1) Requirement to conserve listed species;
    (2) Requirement not to jeopardize listed species;
    (3) Requirement to consult and confer;
    (4) Requirement to conduct a biological assessment; and
    (5) Requirement to not take listed fish and wildlife species or to 
remove or destroy listed plant species (DOD 1995, p. 19-20).
    Two regional programs managed under the INRMP and its associated 
ESMPs and funded by the DOD are currently underway on many of the lands 
where Mazama pocket gophers occur. The JBLM ACUB program is a proactive 
effort to prevent ``encroachment'' at military installations. 
Encroachment includes current or potential future restrictions on 
military training associated with currently listed and candidate 
species under the Act. The JBLM ACUB program focuses on management of 
non-Federal conservation lands in the vicinity of JBLM that contain, or 
can be restored to, native prairie. Some of the ACUB efforts include 
improving habitats on JBLM property for prairie-dependent species, 
including the Mazama pocket gopher. It is implemented by means of a 
cooperative agreement between the Army and Center for Natural Lands 
Management (formerly The Nature Conservancy), and includes WDFW and 
WDNR as partners, as well as others. To date, a total of $14.7 million 
has been allocated to this program (Anderson 2014, pers. comm.). This 
funds conservation actions such as invasive plant control on occupied 
sites and the restoration of unoccupied habitat.
    The JBLM Legacy program is dedicated to ``protecting, enhancing, 
and conserving natural and cultural resources on DOD lands through 
stewardship, leadership, and partnership.'' The Legacy program supports 
conservation actions that have regional or DOD-wide significance, and 
that support military training or fulfill legal obligations (DOD 2011, 
p. 2). In recent years, substantial effort and funding have gone toward 
projects, both on and off JBLM, related to the Mazama pocket gopher.
    JBLM has an INRMP in place that was approved in 2006, which JBLM is 
in the process of updating. In 2014, JBLM amended their existing INRMP 
to specifically include the Mazama pocket gopher by completing an ESMP 
that includes guidelines for protecting, maintaining, and enhancing 
habitat essential to protect the Roy Prairie and Yelm subspecies on 
JBLM, as well as participating in recovery efforts for all four 
Thurston/Pierce subspecies off-base through their ACUB program and 
other funding programs. The ESMP provides specific prescriptions for 
protection of occupied Mazama pocket gopher habitat on JBLM, including 
expansion and enhancement of gopher habitat in ``priority habitat'' 
areas; required permitting before disturbance of occupied areas; 
monitoring of and reporting on population status; compliance, 
implementation, and effectiveness monitoring and reporting; avoidance 
and minimization measures for specific training activities and areas; 
and coordination between the Service and JBLM when consultation is 
required. The Service has found, in writing, that the ESMP under the 
JBLM INRMP provides a conservation benefit to the Mazama pocket 
gophers.
    In accordance with section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, we have 
determined that the identified lands are subject to the JBLM INRMP and 
that conservation efforts identified in the ESMP under the INRMP will 
provide a conservation benefit to the Mazama pocket gopher subspecies 
that occur on DOD lands in Thurston and Pierce Counties. Therefore, 
lands within this installation are exempt from critical habitat 
designation under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act. We are not 
including approximately 6,345 ac (2,567 ha) of habitat in this final 
critical habitat designation for the Roy Prairie and Yelm pocket 
gophers because of this exemption. The lands exempted under section 
4(a)(3)(B)(i) are identified in Table 3.

   Table 3--Areas Exempted From the Designation of Critical Habitat for the Roy Prairie Pocket Gopher and Yelm
                  Pocket Gopher Under Section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act by Critical Habitat Unit
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Areas meeting the    Areas exempted
                                                                             definition of       under section
       Subunit as proposed          Area of subunit   Subspecies present   critical habitat    4(a)(3)(B)(i) of
                                       exempted                                in acres        the act in acres
                                                                              (hectares)          (hectares)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-A, 91st Division Prairie......  entire............  Roy Prairie pocket       4,120 (1,667)       4,120 (1,667)
                                                       gopher (T. m.
                                                       glacialis).
1-B, Marion Prairie.............  entire............  Roy Prairie pocket           720 (291)           720 (291)
                                                       gopher (T. m.
                                                       glacialis).
1-E, Tenalquot Prairie..........  partial...........  Yelm pocket gopher         1,793 (726)         1,505 (609)
                                                       (T. m. yelmensis).
                                                                         ---------------------------------------
    Total.......................  ..................  ..................       6,633 (2,684)       6,345 (2,567)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consideration of Impacts Under Section 4(b)(2) of the Act

    Section 4(b)(2) of the Act states that the Secretary shall 
designate and make revisions to critical habitat on the basis of the 
best available scientific data after taking into consideration the 
economic impact, national security impact, and any other relevant 
impact of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. The 
Secretary may exclude an area from critical habitat if she determines 
that the benefits of such exclusion outweigh the benefits of specifying 
such area as part of the critical habitat, unless he determines, based 
on the best scientific data available, that the failure to designate 
such area as critical habitat will result in the extinction of the 
species. In making that determination, the statute on its face, as well 
as the legislative history are clear that the Secretary has broad 
discretion regarding which factor(s) to use and how much weight to give 
to any factor.
    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we may exclude an area from 
designated critical habitat based on economic impacts, impacts on 
national security, or any other relevant impacts. In

[[Page 19735]]

considering whether to exclude a particular area from the designation, 
we identify the benefits of including the area in the designation, 
identify the benefits of excluding the area from the designation, and 
evaluate whether the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of 
inclusion. If the analysis indicates that the benefits of exclusion 
outweigh the benefits of inclusion, the Secretary may exercise his 
discretion to exclude the area only if such exclusion would not result 
in the extinction of the species.
    When identifying 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; the educational benefits of mapping 
essential habitat for recovery of the listed species; and any benefits 
that may result from a designation due to State or Federal laws that 
may apply to critical habitat.
    When identifying 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 that provides 
equal to or more conservation than a critical habitat designation would 
provide.
    In the case of the Mazama pocket gopher, the benefits of critical 
habitat include promotion of public awareness of the presence of the 
Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm pocket gophers and the importance of habitat 
protection, and in cases where a Federal nexus exists, potentially 
greater habitat protection for the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm pocket 
gophers due to the protection from adverse modification or destruction 
of critical habitat.
    When we evaluate the existence of a conservation plan when 
considering the benefits of exclusion, we consider a variety of 
factors, including but not limited to, whether the plan is finalized; 
how it provides for the conservation of the essential physical or 
biological features; whether there is a reasonable expectation that the 
conservation management strategies and actions contained in a 
management plan will be implemented into the future; whether the 
conservation strategies in the plan are likely to be effective; and 
whether the plan contains a monitoring program or adaptive management 
to ensure that the conservation measures are effective and can be 
adapted in the future in response to new information.
    After identifying the benefits of inclusion and the benefits of 
exclusion, we carefully weigh the two sides to evaluate whether the 
benefits of exclusion outweigh those of inclusion. If our analysis 
indicates that the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of 
inclusion, we then determine whether exclusion would result in 
extinction. If exclusion of an area from critical habitat will result 
in extinction, we will not exclude it from the designation.
    Based on the information provided by entities seeking exclusion, as 
well as any additional public comments received, we evaluated whether 
certain lands in the proposed critical habitat were appropriate for 
exclusion from this final designation pursuant to section 4(b)(2) of 
the Act. We are excluding the following areas from critical habitat 
designation for the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm subspecies of the Mazama 
pocket gopher: Rocky Prairie Natural Area Preserve (NAP); West Rocky 
Prairie Wildlife Area (WLA); Scatter Creek WLA and adjacent private 
inholding; and Colvin Ranch. Table 4 below provides approximate areas 
of lands that meet the definition of critical habitat but are being 
excluded under section 4(b)(2) of the Act from the final critical 
habitat rule.

           TABLE 4--Areas Excluded From Critical Habitat Designation Under Section 4(b)(2) of the Act
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           Areas meeting the
                                                                             definition of      Areas excluded
       Subunit as proposed         Unit as named in      Specific area     critical habitat,     from critical
                                      final rule                               in acres        habitat, in acres
                                                                              (hectares)          (hectares)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-D, Rocky Prairie..............  Tenino Pocket       Rocky Prairie NAP.            43 (178)             38 (16)
                                   Gopher Critical
                                   Habitat--Rocky
                                   Prairie Unit.
1-F, West Rocky Prairie.........  NA (occupied by     West Rocky Prairie            134 (54)            134 (54)
                                   Olympia pocket      WLA.
                                   gopher, but
                                   excluded in
                                   entirety).
1-G, Scatter Creek..............  NA (occupied by     Scatter Creek WLA.           730 (296)           730 (296)
                                   Yelm pocket
                                   gopher, but
                                   excluded in
                                   entirety).
1-H, Rock Prairie...............  Yelm Pocket Gopher  Colvin Ranch......           621 (251)           378 (153)
                                   Critical Habitat--
                                   Rock Prairie
                                   Subunit.
                                                                                             -------------------
    Total Area Excluded.........  ..................  ..................  ..................         1,280 (518)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consideration of Economic Impacts

    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider the economic impacts 
of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. In order to 
consider economic impacts, we prepared a draft economic analysis (DEA) 
of the proposed critical habitat designation and related factors (IEc 
2013a). The draft analysis, dated March 22, 2013, was made available 
for public review from April 3, 2013, through May 3, 2013 (78 FR 20074; 
April 3, 2013). The DEA addressed potential economic impacts of 
critical habitat designation for multiple prairie species of Western 
Washington and Oregon, including not only the Mazama pocket gopher, but 
also Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark 
(Eremophila alpestris strigata). Following the close of the comment 
period, a final analysis of the potential economic effects of the 
designation (FEA) was developed taking into consideration the public 
comments and any new information; this analysis was dated September 30, 
2013 (IEc 2013b). The final rule designating critical habitat for 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly and streaked horned lark published on 
October 3, 2013 (78 FR 61506). On September 3, 2013, we announced a 6-
month extension of the final determination on the proposed listing and 
designation of critical habitat for the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies 
of the Mazama pocket gopher (78 FR 54218) and reopened the comment 
period for an additional 45 days, ending

[[Page 19736]]

October 18, 2013. Additional information relevant to the potential 
economic impacts of critical habitat designation for the Mazama pocket 
gopher is captured in the final memorandum to the economic analysis 
(IEc 2014), available at https://www.regulations.gov and at https://www.fws.gov/wafwo/mpg.html.
    The intent of the final economic analysis (FEA) is to quantify the 
economic impacts of all potential conservation efforts for the four 
Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher; some of these 
costs will likely be incurred regardless of whether we designate 
critical habitat (baseline). The economic impact of the final 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 consider in the final designation of critical 
habitat.
    The FEA also addresses how potential economic impacts are likely to 
be distributed, including an assessment of any local or regional 
impacts of habitat conservation and the potential effects of 
conservation activities on government agencies, private businesses, and 
individuals. The FEA measures lost economic efficiency associated with 
residential and commercial development and public projects and 
activities, such as economic impacts on water management and 
transportation projects, Federal lands, small entities, and the energy 
industry. Decision-makers can use this information to assess whether 
the effects of the designation might unduly burden a particular group 
or economic sector. Finally, the FEA considers those costs that may 
occur in the 20 years following the designation of critical habitat, 
which was determined to be the appropriate period for analysis because 
limited planning information was available for most activities to 
forecast activity levels for projects beyond a 20-year timeframe.
    Designation of critical habitat only affects activities authorized, 
funded, or carried out by Federal agencies. Some kinds of activities 
are unlikely to have any Federal involvement and so will not be 
affected by critical habitat designation. In areas where the species is 
present, Federal agencies already are required to consult with us under 
section 7 of the Act on activities they authorize, fund, or carry out 
that may affect the Olympia, Tenino, or Yelm subspecies of the Mazama 
pocket gopher. Federal agencies also must consult with us if their 
activities may affect critical habitat. Designation of critical 
habitat, therefore, could result in an additional economic impact due 
to the requirement to reinitiate consultation for ongoing Federal 
activities (see Application of the ``Adverse Modification'' Standard 
section).
    In our final economic analysis of the critical habitat designation, 
we evaluated the potential for economic impacts related to: Military 
activities; recreation and habitat management; airport operations and 
agricultural activities; transportation, electricity distribution, and 
forestry activities; and dredging, gravel mining, and other activities. 
The analysis is based on the estimated impacts associated with the 
rulemaking as described in Appendix A of the analysis (IEc 2013b, pp. 
A-1--A-11). The estimated incremental impacts are primarily 
attributable to the administrative costs of section 7 consultation. The 
present value of total incremental cost of critical habitat designation 
is $793,574 over the next 20 years assuming a 7 percent discount rate, 
or $70,007 on an annualized basis. Airport and agricultural activities 
are subject to incremental impacts estimated at $550,000; recreation 
and habitat management at $110,000; military activities at $55,000; 
transportation at $34,000; and electricity distribution and forestry 
activities at $9,300 (present values over 20 years assuming a 7 percent 
discount rate. Of these total costs, it is estimated that approximately 
51 percent will be borne by the Service, 31 percent by Federal action 
agencies, and 18 percent by third parties. It is important to note that 
these total costs represent all six prairie taxa addressed in the FEA 
(Taylor's checkerspot butterfly, streaked horned lark, and four 
Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher), therefore the 
potential economic impacts specific to the Mazama pocket gopher are 
less than these totals.
    In addition, in response to public comments, here we further 
consider the potential incremental impacts of the designation 
specifically on the Olympia Airport and gravel mining operations. These 
potential impacts are described in detail below.
    Airport operations (Olympia Airport). As noted above, our economic 
analysis addressed the potential impacts of critical habitat 
designation for several different prairie taxa of western Washington 
and Oregon: the streaked horned lark, the Taylor's checkerspot 
butterfly, and the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the Mazama pocket 
gopher. Most of the airports considered in our economic analysis were 
in critical habitat proposed for the streaked horned lark (a separate 
final critical habitat rule published for the streaked horned lark and 
the Taylor's checkerspot butterfly on October 3, 2013; 78 FR 61506). 
Chapter 3 of the FEA (IEc 2013b), Airport Operations and Agriculture, 
discusses the potential for this critical habitat designation to affect 
airports and agricultural activities. Overall, 198 consultations are 
expected in relation to operations at 7 airports over the next 20 
years; most of these are related to the streaked horned lark. The cost 
per airport, per consultation, to participate in forecast consultations 
is approximately $875 to $8,750 in any given year. The only airport 
specific to the designation of critical habitat for the Mazama pocket 
gopher is the Olympia Airport in Thurston County, Washington (the 
Olympia Airport Unit, which is the only unit of critical habitat 
designated for the Olympia pocket gopher in this final rule). Here we 
consider any economic impacts specific to the Olympia Airport in 
connection with critical habitat designation for the Olympia pocket 
gopher.
    As noted in our FEA (IEc 2013b, p. 3-23), all airports considered 
in our analysis receive Federal funding through the Federal Aviation 
Administration (FAA). This creates a Federal nexus for any projects 
that utilize this funding. Any projects at the Olympia Airport that 
receive such funding may therefore require a section 7 consultation 
regarding potential effects to listed species and their critical 
habitat. Potential project modifications recommended by the Service for 
the Mazama pocket gopher may include minimizing paving and development 
within habitat, or mitigating impacts with land set-aside or off-site 
conservation. These modifications could potentially limit airport 
development opportunities or require the hiring of additional 
maintenance staff or biologists to ensure that maintenance

[[Page 19737]]

practices do not harm the subspecies or its critical habitat. However, 
because the Olympia Airport is presently occupied by the Mazama pocket 
gopher, all such project modifications described above would likely be 
recommended based on the presence of the species regardless of critical 
habitat designation. Any such costs associated with such modifications 
would therefore be attributable to the listed status of the Mazama 
pocket gopher, which is considered part of the baseline for our 
economic analysis, since these costs would be incurred just the same 
with or without critical habitat. The only costs directly attributable 
to critical habitat would therefore be the additional administrative 
costs of considering the standard of destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat, above and beyond the consideration of 
the jeopardy standard.
    For the Olympia Airport, we estimated 8 formal consultations over 
the next 20 years associated with the realignment of Taxiway F, the 
construction of a helipad and final approach/takeoff area, building/
parking construction, and runway and taxiway construction. In addition, 
one formal consultation a year is anticipated in association with 
routine maintenance activities (IEc 2013b, Exhibit 3-7, p. 3-26). As 
noted earlier, since the Olympia Airport is occupied by the listed 
species, these consultations will be required regardless of the 
presence of critical habitat. The incremental impact of critical 
habitat is therefore limited to the additional cost of considering 
effects to critical habitat in these consultations. For the Olympia 
Airport, this cost is estimated at a total of $43,000 over the years 
2013 through 2032, or an annualized value of $3,800 (IEc 2013b, Exhibit 
3-8, p. 3-28). As noted in our FEA (IEc 2013b, p. ES-11), the majority 
of these administrative costs are borne by the Service (51 percent) or 
Federal action agencies (31 percent).
    Gravel mining. We additionally specifically considered the 
potential economic impacts of critical habitat on gravel mining 
activities within the proposed designation. Critical habitat was 
proposed for the Tenino pocket gopher on a portion of a 685-ac (277-ha) 
parcel of private lands that support sand and gravel extraction 
activities on approximately 50 ac (20 ha) of this landholding. 
Approximately 385 ac (156 ha) surrounding the current extraction area 
is identified as critical habitat for the Tenino Pocket Gopher (Rocky 
Prairie Unit, which is the only unit of critical habitat designated for 
the Tenino pocket gopher in this final rule). As described in this 
rule, the area in question supports the only known population of the 
Tenino pocket gopher, and we consider these lands to be occupied by the 
subspecies. However, to be conservative, we have additionally 
considered what the incremental impacts of the designation would be if 
the property in question were not in fact occupied by the listed 
species.
    First, we consider the potential incremental impacts of the 
designation under the scenario of occupancy by the listed species. The 
direct regulatory effect of critical habitat impacts only Federal 
agencies, and only applies when there is a Federal nexus. If a Federal 
nexus presence triggers consultation under section 7, the presence of a 
listed species will require implementation of certain conservation 
efforts to avoid jeopardy concerns. If the action in question may 
additionally affect designated critical habitat, consultation would 
consider not only the potential for jeopardy to the continued existence 
of the species, but also the potential for destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat. Because the ability of the Tenino 
pocket gopher to exist is very closely tied to the quality of its 
habitat, significant alterations of their occupied habitat may result 
in jeopardy as well as adverse modification. Therefore, we anticipate 
that section 7 consultation analyses will likely result in no 
difference between recommendations to avoid jeopardy or adverse 
modification in occupied areas of habitat.
    In the case at hand, because we consider the area of mineral 
extraction to be occupied by the Tenino pocket gopher, potential 
project modifications would be recommended based on the presence of the 
species to avoid jeopardy concerns, and would be recommended regardless 
of critical habitat. Any costs associated with such modifications would 
therefore be attributable to the listed status of the Tenino pocket 
gopher, which is considered part of the baseline for our economic 
analysis, since these costs would be incurred just the same with or 
without critical habitat. The only costs directly attributable to 
critical habitat would therefore be the additional administrative costs 
of considering the standard of destruction or adverse modification of 
critical habitat, above and beyond the consideration of the jeopardy 
standard.
    We did not have information to suggest a likely Federal nexus in 
regard to mineral or gravel extraction activities on private lands 
within the designation. Due to uncertainty regarding the timing of 
gravel extraction activities and uncertainty surrounding the potential 
for a Federal nexus, our economic analysis did not quantify a specific 
number of consultations that may occur or any related administrative 
burden. As the likelihood of a Federal nexus is small, it is most 
likely that critical habitat designation will not result in any 
economic impact to the landowner. However, were there a Federal nexus 
for the action in question, and if the Tenino pocket gopher is present 
on the property, no incremental project modifications are expected to 
occur as a consequence of critical habitat. That is, there are unlikely 
to be any project modifications above and beyond those that would be 
required to avoid jeopardy to the continued existence of the species, 
due to the presence of the listed species on the property. Therefore, 
any incremental impacts directly attributable to the designation of 
critical habitat will be limited to the administrative burden of the 
portion of consultations considering adverse modification. Such an 
administrative burden would be unlikely to exceed $5,000 (in 
undiscounted dollars) per consultation, and no more than one 
consultation per gravel mining action is expected to occur. 
Furthermore, most of these costs would likely be borne by the Service 
and the Federal action agency. Therefore, we anticipate that should 
consultation occur on gravel mining operations in critical habitat 
occupied by the Tenino pocket gopher, the incremental administrative 
impacts attributable to critical habitat will be small, and the 
business owner will not be likely to suffer a significant economic 
impact as the result of the designation.
    We additionally considered the potential incremental impact of the 
designation on mineral extraction interests if the lands in question 
were considered to be unoccupied by the Tenino pocket gopher. If there 
should be an action with a Federal nexus that may affect the designated 
critical habitat, consultation under section 7 would be required. 
However, in this case, there would be no requirement to analyze the 
effects of the action under the jeopardy standard absent the listed 
species; therefore all costs associated with consultation and any 
project modifications would be attributable solely to critical habitat. 
Any such costs would only be incurred should there be a Federal nexus 
associated with the proposed action, if the action agency concludes 
that the action may affect the designated critical habitat. We have no 
evidence of any prior Federal nexus associated with the mineral 
extraction activities on these lands, nor do we have any evidence to 
suggest that such a

[[Page 19738]]

Federal nexus is likely to occur within the foreseeable future. 
Therefore, absent such a Federal nexus, the presence of unoccupied 
critical habitat will not trigger consultation, and there will not be 
any economic impacts to the landowners as a result of critical habitat 
designation.
    Should there be an unforeseen Federal nexus for a proposed action, 
however, and if the Federal action agency determines that their 
proposed action may affect or is likely to adversely affect unoccupied 
critical habitat, that agency is required to enter into formal 
consultation with the Service. A formal consultation concludes with the 
Service's issuance of a biological opinion. In conducting formal 
consultation, the Service works with the action agency and the 
applicant to consider project modifications to avoid, minimize, or 
mitigate adverse effects to critical habitat. To the extent adverse 
effects are likely to destroy or adversely modify its critical habitat, 
the Service is required to develop, in coordination with the Federal 
action agency and any applicant, a reasonable and prudent alternative 
(RPA) that avoids those outcomes.
    In our experience, in most cases we are able to successfully work 
with the action agency to develop project modifications that avoid 
jeopardy or adverse modification, and no RPAs are necessary. In those 
cases, the consultation is concluded with the Service's issuance of a 
non-jeopardy, non-adverse modification biological opinion. In those 
cases where the Federal agency is unwilling or unable to make such 
modifications, the final biological opinion includes RPAs. The 
implementing regulations for section 7 of the Act define RPAs as 
alternatives that are economically and technologically feasible, are 
capable of being implemented in a manner consistent with the intended 
purpose of the proposed Federal action, and are consistent with the 
scope of the Federal action agency's legal authority and jurisdiction. 
Although some project modifications may be required, the designation of 
critical habitat will not prevent the action agency from proceeding, 
and although critical habitat may limit mineral extraction activities 
to some extent, in our experience it is unlikely to entirely preclude 
such operations on the property in question.
    As there is no consultation history available for potential project 
modifications associated with Mazama pocket gopher habitat in 
association with mineral extraction activities, it is not possible to 
quantify the costs that may be incurred as the result of any project 
modifications that may be recommended. The property owner asserts that 
designation of critical habitat on this parcel will have an economic 
impact on the claimed value of $750 million of aggregate deposit; such 
impacts, they assert, could come from limiting or preventing extraction 
activities on the site. However, based on the considerations discussed 
above and in more detail in the final memorandum to the economic 
analysis (IEc 2014), it appears unlikely that the designation will 
produce such an impact; most likely activities will continue with some 
potential project modifications. Further, for the reasons given here, 
we believe it is highly unlikely for the designation of critical 
habitat to prohibit mining on the parcel in question in its entirety. 
We must acknowledge, however, that such an outcome is not beyond the 
realm of possibility, particularly since the parcel in question 
provides the largest area of suitable habitat within the range of the 
only known population of the Tenino pocket gopher. Finally, we 
considered the potential for indirect effects of critical habitat. Due 
to considerable uncertainty, we were unable to quantify any such 
effects.

Exclusions Based on Economic Impacts

    Our economic analysis did not identify any disproportionate costs 
that are likely to result from the designation. Consequently, the 
Secretary is not exerting her discretion to exclude any areas from this 
designation of critical habitat for the Roy Prairie, Olympia, Tenino, 
or Yelm pocket gopher based on economic impacts.
    A copy of the FEA with supporting documents may be obtained by 
contacting the Washington Fish and Wildlife Office (see ADDRESSES) or 
by downloading from the Internet at https://www.regulations.gov or 
https://www.fws.gov/wafwo/mpg.html.

Exclusions Based on National Security Impacts

    In preparing this final rule, we have exempted from the designation 
of critical habitat those Department of Defense lands with completed 
INRMPs determined to provide a benefit to the Mazama pocket gopher. We 
have also determined that the remaining lands within the designation of 
critical habitat for the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of Mazama 
pocket gopher are not owned or managed by the Department of Defense, 
and, therefore, we anticipate no impact on national security. 
Consequently, the Secretary is not exercising her discretion to exclude 
any areas from this final designation based on impacts on national 
security.


Exclusions Based on Other Relevant Factors

    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider any other relevant 
impacts, in addition to economic impacts and impacts to national 
security. We consider a number of factors, including whether the 
landowners have developed any HCPs or other management plans for the 
area, or whether there are conservation partnerships or relationships 
that would be encouraged by designation of, or exclusion from, critical 
habitat. We also consider any other relevant impacts that might occur 
because of the designation. Our weighing of the benefits of inclusion 
versus exclusion considers all relevant factors in making a final 
determination as to what will result in the greatest conservation 
benefit to the listed species. Depending on the specifics of each 
situation, there may be cases where the designation of critical habitat 
will not necessarily provide enhanced protection, and may actually lead 
to a net loss of conservation benefit. Here we provide our analysis of 
areas proposed for the designation of critical habitat that may provide 
a greater conservation benefit to the Mazama pocket gopher by exclusion 
from the designation.
Benefits of Designating Critical Habitat
    The process of designating critical habitat as described in the Act 
requires that the Service identify those lands within the geographical 
area occupied by the species at the time of listing on which are found 
the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of 
the species that may require special management considerations or 
protection, and those areas outside the geographical area occupied by 
the species at the time of listing that are essential for the 
conservation of the species.
    The identification of areas that contain the features essential to 
the conservation of the species, or are otherwise essential for the 
conservation of the species if outside the geographical area occupied 
by the species at the time of listing, is a benefit resulting from the 
designation. The critical habitat designation process includes peer 
review and public comment on the identified physical and biological 
features and areas, and provides a mechanism to educate landowners, 
State and local governments, and the public regarding the potential 
conservation value of an area. This may help focus and promote 
conservation

[[Page 19739]]

efforts by other parties by clearly delineating areas of high 
conservation value for the species, and can be valuable to land owners 
and managers in developing conservation management plans by describing 
the essential physical and biological features and special management 
actions or protections that are needed for identified areas. Including 
lands in critical habitat also informs State agencies and local 
governments about areas that could be conserved under State laws or 
local ordinances.
    The prohibition on destruction or adverse modification under 
Section 7(a)(2) of the Act constitutes the primary regulatory benefit 
of critical habitat designation. As discussed above, Federal agencies 
must consult with the Service on actions that may affect critical 
habitat and must avoid destroying or adversely modifying critical 
habitat. Federal agencies must also consult with us on actions that may 
affect a listed species and refrain from undertaking actions that are 
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of such species. The 
analysis of effects to critical habitat is a separate and different 
analysis from that of the effects to the species. Therefore, the 
difference in outcomes of these two analyses also represents the 
regulatory benefit of critical habitat. For some species, and in some 
locations, the outcome of these analyses will be similar because 
effects on habitat will often result in effects on the species. 
However, these two regulatory standards are different. The jeopardy 
analysis evaluates how a proposed action is likely to influence the 
likelihood of a species' survival and recovery. The adverse 
modification analysis evaluates how an action affects the capability of 
the critical habitat to serve its intended conservation role (USFWS, in 
litt. 2004). Although these standards are different, it has been the 
Service's experience that in many instances proposed actions that 
affect both a listed species and its critical habitat and that 
constitute jeopardy also constitute adverse modification. In some 
cases, however, application of these different standards results in 
different section 7(a)(2) determinations, especially in situations 
where the affected area is mostly or exclusively unoccupied critical 
habitat. Thus, critical habitat designations may provide greater 
benefits to the recovery of a species than would listing alone.
    There are two limitations to the regulatory effect of critical 
habitat. First, a section 7(a)(2) consultation is required only where 
there is a Federal nexus (an action authorized, funded, or carried out 
by any Federal agency)--if there is no Federal nexus, the critical 
habitat designation of non-Federal lands itself does not restrict any 
actions that destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. Aside from 
the requirement that Federal agencies ensure that their actions are not 
likely to result in destruction or adverse modification of critical 
habitat under section 7, the Act does not provide any additional 
regulatory protection to lands designated as critical habitat.
    Second, designating critical habitat does not create a management 
plan for the areas, does not establish numerical population goals or 
prescribe specific management actions (inside or outside of critical 
habitat), and does not have a direct effect on areas not designated as 
critical habitat. Specific management recommendations for critical 
habitat are addressed in recovery plans, management plans, and in 
section 7 consultation. The designation only limits destruction or 
adverse modification of critical habitat, not all adverse effects. By 
its nature, the prohibition on adverse modification ensures that the 
conservation role and function of those areas designated as critical 
habitat are not appreciably reduced as a result of a Federal action.
    Once an agency determines that consultation under section 7(a)(2) 
of the Act is necessary, the process may conclude informally when the 
Service concurs in writing that the proposed Federal action is not 
likely to adversely affect the species or critical habitat. However, if 
we determine through informal consultation that adverse impacts are 
likely to occur, then formal consultation is initiated. Formal 
consultation concludes with a biological opinion issued by the Service 
on whether the proposed Federal action is likely to jeopardize the 
continued existence of listed species or result in destruction or 
adverse modification of critical habitat.
    For critical habitat, a biological opinion that concludes in a 
determination of no destruction or adverse modification may recommend 
additional conservation measures to minimize adverse effects to primary 
constituent elements, but such measures would be discretionary on the 
part of the Federal agency.
    The designation of critical habitat does not require that any 
management or recovery actions take place on the lands included in the 
designation. Even in cases where consultation has been initiated under 
section 7(a)(2) of the Act because of effects to critical habitat, the 
end result of consultation is to avoid adverse modification, but not 
necessarily to manage critical habitat or institute recovery actions on 
critical habitat. On the other hand, voluntary conservation efforts by 
landowners can remove or reduce known threats to a species or its 
habitat by implementing recovery actions. We believe that in many 
instances the regulatory benefit of critical habitat is minimal when 
compared to the conservation benefit that can be achieved through 
implementing HCPs under section 10 of the Act, or other voluntary 
conservation efforts or management plans. The conservation achieved 
through implementing HCPs or other habitat management plans can be 
greater than what we achieve through multiple site-by-site, project-by-
project, section 7(a)(2) consultations involving project effects to 
critical habitat. Management plans can commit resources to implement 
long-term management and protection to particular habitat for at least 
one and possibly other listed or sensitive species. Section 7(a)(2) 
consultations commit Federal agencies to preventing adverse 
modification of critical habitat caused by the particular project; 
consultation does not require Federal agencies to provide for 
conservation or long-term benefits to areas not affected by the 
proposed project. Thus, implementation of any HCP or management plan 
that incorporates enhancement or recovery as the management standard 
may often provide as much or more benefit than a consultation for 
critical habitat designation. The potential benefits of a critical 
habitat designation are therefore reduced when an effective 
conservation plan is in place. The Secretary places great value on the 
maintenance and encouragement of conservation partnerships with non-
Federal landowners that enable the development of such voluntary 
measures for the benefit of listed species and species of conservation 
concern, for the reasons detailed below.
Considerations Specific to Non-Federal Lands With Conservation 
Agreements
    As noted above, the Secretary may exclude areas from critical 
habitat if she determines that the benefits of exclusion outweigh the 
benefits of including those areas as part of the critical habitat 
(unless exclusion of those areas will result in the extinction of the 
species). We believe that in some cases designation can negatively 
impact the working relationships and conservation partnerships we have 
formed with private landowners, and may serve as a disincentive for the 
formation of future partnerships or relationships that would have the 
potential to provide conservation benefits.

[[Page 19740]]

    The Service recognizes that most federally listed species in the 
United States will not recover without the cooperation of non-Federal 
landowners. More than 60 percent of the United States is privately 
owned (Lubowski et al. 2006, p. 35), and at least 80 percent of 
endangered or threatened species occur either partially or solely on 
private lands (Crouse et al. 2002, p. 720). Groves et al. (2000, pp. 
280-281) reported that about one-third of populations of federally 
listed species are found on Federal lands; private lands were found to 
provide for at least one population of more than two-thirds of 
federally listed species (Groves et al. 2000, p. 283).
    Given the distribution of listed species with respect to 
landownership, the successful conservation of listed species in many 
parts of the United States will clearly depend upon working 
partnerships with a wide variety of entities and the voluntary 
cooperation of many non-Federal landowners (Wilcove and Chen 1998, p. 
1407; Crouse et al. 2002, p. 720; James 2002, p. 271). Building 
partnerships and promoting the willing cooperation of landowners is 
essential to understanding the status of species on non-Federal lands 
and necessary to implement recovery actions, such as the reintroduction 
of listed species, habitat management, and habitat protection.
    Many non-Federal landowners derive satisfaction from voluntarily 
participating in the recovery of endangered or threatened species. 
Conservation agreements with non-Federal landowners, Habitat 
Conservations Plans, Safe Harbor Agreements, other conservation 
agreements, easements, and State and local regulations enhance species 
conservation by extending species protections beyond those available 
through section 7 consultations. We encourage non-Federal landowners to 
enter into conservation agreements based on a view that we can achieve 
greater species conservation on non-Federal land through such 
partnerships than we can through regulatory methods (61 FR 63854; 
December 2, 1996). The Service realizes this benefit through 
partnerships not only with private landowners, but with our State 
partners, Counties, and local municipalities as well.
    We acknowledge that private landowners are often wary of the 
possible consequences of encouraging endangered species conservation on 
their property, and of regulatory action by the Federal government 
under the Act. Social science research has demonstrated that, for many 
private landowners, government regulation under the Act is perceived as 
a loss of individual freedoms, regardless of whether that regulation 
may in fact result in any actual impact to the landowner (Brook et al. 
2003, pp. 1644-1648; Conley et al. 2007, p. 141). Furthermore, in a 
recent study of private landowners who have experience with regulation 
under the Act, only 2 percent of respondents believed the Federal 
Government rewards private landowners for good management of their 
lands and resources (Conley et al. 2007, pp. 141, 144). According to 
some researchers, the designation of critical habitat on private lands 
significantly reduces the likelihood that landowners will support and 
carry out conservation actions (Main et al.1999, p. 1263; Bean 2002, p. 
412; Brook et al. 2003, pp. 1644-1648). The magnitude of this negative 
outcome is greatly amplified in situations where active management 
measures (such as reintroduction, fire management, or control of 
invasive species) are necessary for species conservation (Bean 2002, 
pp. 412-413).
    Since Federal actions such as the designation of critical habitat 
on private lands may reduce the likelihood that landowners will support 
and carry out conservation actions for the benefit of listed species, 
based on the research described above, we believe that in some cases 
the judicious exclusion of non-federally owned lands from critical 
habitat designations can contribute to species recovery and provide a 
greater level of species conservation than critical habitat designation 
alone. In addition, we believe that States, counties, and communities 
will be more likely to develop conservation agreements such as HCPs, 
SHAs, CCAAs, or other plans that benefit listed species if they are 
relieved of any potential additional regulatory burden that might be 
imposed as a result of critical habitat designation. A benefit of 
exclusion from critical habitat is thus the unhindered, continued 
ability to maintain existing and seek new partnerships with future 
participants in the development of beneficial conservation plans, 
including States, Counties, local jurisdictions, conservation 
organizations, and private landowners. Together these entities can 
implement conservation actions that we would be unable to accomplish 
otherwise.
    We believe that acknowledging the positive contribution non-Federal 
landowners are currently making to the conservation of the Mazama 
pocket gopher, and maintaining good working relationships with these 
landowners by excluding these areas, may provide a significant benefit 
to the conservation of the Mazama pocket gopher in areas where non-
Federal lands will play an essential role in the recovery of the 
species. The exclusion of these areas may encourage these landowners to 
continue their positive management practices without fear of further 
government regulation. In addition, the exclusion of such lands may lay 
the foundation for building additional conservation partnerships and 
relationships with other non-Federal landowners, with conservation 
benefit not only for the Mazama pocket gopher, but other endangered or 
threatened species or species of conservation concern as well.
    In contrast, we believe there may be relatively little benefit to 
be gained by the designation of non-Federal lands with adequate 
conservation agreements in place. A potential benefit of designation 
would be the regulatory protections afforded to critical habitat under 
section 7(a)(2) of the Act. However, as described earlier, on non-
Federal lands the regulatory protections of critical habitat only apply 
when there is a Federal nexus (actions funded, permitted, or otherwise 
carried out by the Federal government). All of the lands in this 
critical habitat designation are occupied by the Mazama pocket gopher. 
Thus, even if these lands are excluded from the final critical habitat 
designation, if the Mazama pocket gopher is present and may be 
affected, actions with Federal involvement require consultation to 
review the effects of management activities that might adversely affect 
listed species under a jeopardy standard; this assessment includes 
effects to the species from habitat modification. Overall, given the 
low likelihood of a Federal nexus occurring on these lands, we believe 
the regulatory benefit of a critical habitat designation on these 
lands, if any, may be limited. As described above, the presence of a 
beneficial conservation plan on these lands further reduces this 
benefit. However, in all cases we carefully weigh and consider the 
potential benefits of exclusion versus inclusion for each specific area 
under consideration for exclusion under section 4(b)(2), as detailed 
below.
    The purpose of designating critical habitat is to contribute to the 
conservation of threatened and endangered species and the ecosystems 
upon which they depend. The outcome of the designation is to trigger 
regulatory requirements for actions funded, authorized, or carried out 
by Federal agencies under section 7(a)(2) of the Act. Where there is 
little likelihood of

[[Page 19741]]

a Federal action, the benefits of this protection can be low. On the 
other hand, the benefits of excluding areas that are covered by 
voluntary conservation efforts can, in specific circumstances, be high. 
With the considerations described above in mind, here we describe our 
weighing of the benefits of exclusion versus inclusion of specific non-
Federal lands with existing land and resource management plans, 
conservation plans, or agreements based on conservation partnerships 
from the final designation of critical habitat for the Mazama pocket 
gopher.

Land and Resource Management Plans, Conservation Plans, or Agreements 
Based on Conservation Partnerships

    We consider a current land management or conservation plan (HCPs as 
well as other types) to provide adequate management or protection if it 
meets the following criteria:
    (1) The plan is complete and provides the same or better level of 
protection from adverse modification or destruction than that provided 
through a consultation under section 7 of the Act;
    (2) There is a reasonable expectation that the conservation 
management strategies and actions will be implemented for the 
foreseeable future, based on past practices, written guidance, or 
regulations; and
    (3) The plan provides conservation strategies and measures 
consistent with currently accepted principles of conservation biology.
    We find that the Rocky Prairie Natural Area Preserve (NAP) (which 
is covered under the WDNR State Trust Lands HCP), the WDFW Scatter 
Creek Wildlife Area Management Plan (which also covers the adjacent 
private land), and the NRCS Colvin Ranch Grassland Reserve Program 
Management Plan all fulfill the above criteria. We are excluding these 
non-Federal lands covered by these plans because the plans adequately 
provide for the long-term conservation of the Mazama pocket gopher; 
such exclusion is likely to result in the continuation, strengthening, 
or encouragement of important conservation partnerships; and the 
Secretary has determined that the benefits of excluding such areas 
outweigh the benefits of including them in critical habitat, as 
detailed here.
Washington Department of Natural Resources State Trust Lands HCP
    The WDNR State Trust Lands HCP covers approximately 1.7 million ac 
(730,000 ha) of State lands in Washington. The permit associated with 
this HCP, issued January 30, 1997, was announced in the Federal 
Register on April 5, 1996 (61 FR 15297), has a term of 70 to 100 years, 
and covers activities primarily associated with commercial forest 
management, but also includes limited non-timber activities such as 
some recreational activities. The HCP covers all species, including the 
Mazama pocket gophers and other listed and unlisted species. We are 
excluding Washington State lands totaling approximately 38 ac (16 ha) 
that are covered and managed by the WDNR under its State Trust Lands 
HCP from critical habitat proposed as Subunit 1-D under section 4(b)(2) 
of the Act.
    The HCP addresses multiple species through a combination of 
strategies. The HCP includes a series of NAPs and Natural Resource 
Conservation Areas (NRCAs), including the Rocky Prairie NAP. These 
preserves are managed consistent with the Natural Areas Preserve Act, 
and is a land designation used by the State of Washington to protect 
the best examples of rare and vanishing flora, fauna, plant and animal 
communities, geological, and natural historical value, consistent with 
the Washington Natural Areas Preserves Act of 1972 (RCW 79.70). These 
preserves are used for education, scientific research, and to maintain 
Washington's native biological diversity. This network of preserves 
includes nearly 31,000 ac (12,550 ha) throughout the State, which range 
in size from 8 ac (3.2 ha) to 3,500 ac (1,416 ha). Management plans are 
developed for each NAP, which guide the actions necessary to protect 
each area's natural features, including research, monitoring, 
restoration, and other active management. WDNR actively manages the 
Rocky Prairie NAP to maintain high-quality prairie habitat. This 
location contains many of the essential physical or biological features 
to support the Mazama pocket gopher, and is currently occupied by the 
Tenino pocket gopher within the only known range of this subspecies.
    The NAP property at Rocky Prairie has a species-specific management 
plan that provides for the conservation of the Tenino pocket gopher, 
and this site has been managed for the conservation of prairie species, 
including Mazama pocket gophers specifically. This ongoing practice of 
habitat management and conservation has fostered a diverse variety of 
native food plants that complement the friable well-drained soil. The 
management planning for each of these areas has established a decades-
long track record of activity focused on enhancing prairie composition 
and structure at the Rocky Prairie NAP (WDNR 1989b). The conservation 
measures applied at the NAP has more recently been refocused through 
the development of a site-specific restoration plan that will benefit 
the Tenino pocket gopher. This restoration plan (Wilderman and 
Davenport 2011c) provides for the needs of the Tenino pocket gopher by 
protecting and managing the Rocky Prairie NAP and implementing species-
specific conservation measures designed to avoid and minimize impacts 
to pocket gophers.
    Benefits of Inclusion--Rocky Prairie Natural Area Preserve under 
the WDNR State Trust Lands HCP--We find there are minimal benefits to 
including the Rocky Prairie Natural Area Preserve in critical habitat. 
As discussed above, the primary effect of designating any particular 
area as critical habitat is the requirement for Federal agencies to 
consult with us under section 7 of the Act to ensure actions they carry 
out, authorize, or fund do not adversely modify designated critical 
habitat. Absent critical habitat designation in occupied areas, Federal 
agencies remain obligated under section 7 of the Act to consult with us 
on actions that may affect a federally listed species to ensure such 
actions do not jeopardize the species' continued existence. Rocky 
Prairie NAP is currently occupied and has been undergoing restoration 
through a federally-funded program (the Department of Defense's (DOD) 
Army Compatible Use Buffer program (ACUB)), thus any proposed ACUB 
actions for habitat restoration would trigger section 7 consultation 
for both the Tenino pocket gopher and its designated critical habitat. 
The benefits of inclusion in critical habitat at this site would be 
minimized since it is occupied by the Tenino pocket gopher. Because the 
primary threats to the Tenino pocket gopher include habitat loss and 
degradation, any potential formal consultations under section 7 of the 
Act will evaluate the effects of the action on the capability of the 
habitat to support the life history requirements for the species 
regardless of whether critical habitat is designated for these lands. 
The analytical requirements to support a jeopardy determination on 
excluded land are similar, but not identical, to the requirements in an 
analysis for an adverse modification determination on land included in 
critical habitat. The additional benefit of consultation under the 
adverse modification standard at this occupied site would therefore be 
reduced.
    The inclusion of Rocky Prairie NAP as critical habitat could 
potentially provide some additional Federal regulatory benefits for the 
species consistent with the conservation standard based on the

[[Page 19742]]

Ninth Circuit Court's decision in Gifford Pinchot Task Force v. United 
States Fish and Wildlife Service, 378 F.3d 1059 (9th Cir. 2004). As 
noted above, a potential benefit of inclusion would be the requirement 
of a Federal agency to ensure that their actions on this non-Federal 
land would not likely result in the destruction or adverse modification 
of critical habitat. Any Federal nexus on this land would likely result 
from actions to restore or maintain favorable habitat conditions, 
carried out under the HCP or granting of Federal funds for beneficial 
management of prairie-associated species, such as the Mazama pocket 
gophers. As the action being consulted on is itself intended to benefit 
prairie-associated species, including the Tenino pocket gopher, the 
incremental benefit to the Tenino pocket gopher would likely be 
minimal, as we would not expect additional conservation measures to be 
recommended as the result of section 7 consultation required by this 
habitat management funding.
    The Service has coordinated with WDNR on conservation actions to be 
implemented for the Tenino pocket gopher at Rocky Prairie NAP. 
Management of NAPs in Thurston County, Washington, is guided in large 
part by the South Puget Sound Prairie Landscape Working Group. The 
Service is a charter member of this partnership group, which was 
established in 1994, to promote and improve the management and planning 
of conservation actions on south Puget Sound prairies and associated 
habitats. The Working Group includes WDNR, JBLM, NRCS, WDFW, CNLM, the 
Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT), as well as other 
Federal, State, county, city, nongovernmental, and private group 
entities, each with knowledge and expertise in prairie ecosystem 
management. The Working Group coordinates regularly, meeting twice-
yearly to share information and discuss priorities, and making 
significant improvements on the ground in prairies and oak woodlands. 
At one south Puget Sound location, volunteers implement restoration and 
recovery actions for prairie species every Tuesday throughout the year. 
This is a well-established group that is expected to continue its 
coordination efforts into the foreseeable future, regardless of the 
designation of critical habitat. Management of the Rocky Prairie NAP 
site receives oversight from the Mazama Pocket Gopher Working Group, a 
multi-agency working group that has been in existence since 2009. 
Participants in the working group include JBLM, NRCS, USFS, WDNR, WDFW, 
WSDOT, University of Washington researchers, CNLM, and other Federal, 
State, county, city, nongovernmental, private entities and individuals, 
each with knowledge and expertise on the Mazama pocket gopher, its 
conservation, habitat, and restoration needs. Designation of the Rocky 
Prairie NAP as critical habitat would therefore likely yield no 
additional benefit to the outputs of the working groups, their members, 
or their ease of coordination. The active, long-term restoration 
efforts already in place at this site thus reduce the potential benefit 
of critical habitat.
    Another potential benefit of including lands in a critical habitat 
designation is that it serves to educate landowners, State and local 
governments, and the public regarding the potential conservation value 
of an area. This can help focus and promote conservation efforts by 
identifying areas of high conservation value for the Tenino pocket 
gopher. The designation of critical habitat informs State agencies and 
local governments about areas that could be conserved under State laws 
or local ordinances. Any additional information about the needs of the 
Tenino pocket gopher or its habitat that reaches a wider audience can 
be of benefit to future conservation efforts. During the spring of 2013 
alone, the Service hosted two prairie workshops, one public hearing, 
and two local Thurston County events attended by nearly 1,000 people to 
publicize and educate local community members of the species' declining 
distribution, and the threat to the native flora and fauna found on 
western Washington prairies. An important conservation measure that is 
gained through these outreach networks is the ability to educate the 
public about the historical role and current importance of prairies to 
our local community and economy. Included among the outreach measures 
is the distribution of educational material, and encouraging landowners 
to conduct prairie restoration activities on their properties. In early 
2013 the Service also held two workshops specifically to answer 
questions about the proposed listing of the Mazama pocket gopher and 
proposed critical habitat designation; one designed for Federal, State, 
and County partners and one for private parties. Additional events are 
expected to occur in the future, and designation of the site as 
critical habitat is not expected to increase the number of such 
meetings or improve their outcomes; the additional educational value of 
critical habitat is therefore minimized.
    The incremental benefit of inclusion is reduced because of the 
long-standing management planning and implementation efforts for the 
site, which presently benefit the conservation of the Tenino pocket 
gopher and its habitat, as discussed above. In addition, the NAP 
restoration plan provides greater protection to Tenino pocket gopher 
habitat than would the designation of critical habitat, since the 
planning effort is intended to actively improve the structure and 
composition of the habitat (critical habitat does not carry any 
requirement for habitat restoration or improvement, only the avoidance 
of destruction or adverse modification). Therefore, designation of 
critical habitat at Rocky Prairie NAP would not provide any additional 
management focus or benefits for the species or its habitat that is not 
already occurring at this location under Washington State management 
authority, through plans developed through our recovery program, or 
through the DOD ACUB funding authority, which has provided funding 
support for many of our local protected prairies, including Rocky 
Prairie NAP.
    Benefits of Exclusion--Rocky Prairie Natural Area Preserve under 
the WDNR State Trust Lands HCP--The benefit of excluding Rocky Prairie 
NAP from critical habitat is relatively greater. The WDNR HCP has 
served as a model for several completed and ongoing HCP efforts, 
including the Washington State Forest Practices HCP. The Service 
accrues a significant benefit from encouraging the development of such 
HCPs and other voluntary conservation agreements in cooperation with 
non-Federal partners. Since issuance of the WDNR State Trust Lands HCP, 
a number of land transactions and land exchanges within the HCP area 
have occurred. These transactions have included creation of additional 
NRCAs and NAPs (land designations with a high degree of protection), 
and have also included large land exchanges and purchases that have 
changed the footprint of the HCP. These land-based adjustments have 
facilitated better management on many important parcels and across 
larger landscapes than would otherwise have been possible.
    HCPs typically provide for greater conservation benefits to a 
covered species than section 7 consultations because HCPs ensure the 
long-term protection and management of a covered species and its 
habitat. In addition, funding for such management is ensured through 
the Implementation Agreement. Such assurances are typically not 
provided by section 7 consultations, which, in contrast to

[[Page 19743]]

HCPs, often do not commit the project proponent to long-term, special 
management practices or protections. Thus, a section 7 consultation 
typically does not afford the lands it covers similar extensive 
benefits as an HCP. The development and implementation of HCPs provide 
other important conservation benefits, including the development of 
biological information to guide the conservation efforts and assist in 
species conservation, and the creation of innovative solutions to 
conserve species while meeting the needs of the applicant. In this 
case, substantial information has been developed from the research, 
monitoring, and surveys conducted by WDNR. Therefore, exclusion is a 
benefit because it maintains and fosters the development of biological 
information and innovative solutions.
    The Washington DNR has requested that the lands covered by this HCP 
be excluded from critical habitat. This HCP is located in key 
landscapes across the State, and the NAP at Rocky Prairie--which is 
covered by the HCP--contributes meaningfully to the recovery of the 
Tenino pocket gopher. We consider the acknowledgement of the State's 
positive contributions by relieving them of any additional regulatory 
burden associated with critical habitat, whether real or perceived, to 
be a significant benefit of exclusion. Excluding the area covered by 
the WDNR State Trust Lands HCP provides significant benefit in terms of 
sustaining and enhancing the partnership between the Service and the 
State of Washington, with positive consequences for conservation of the 
Tenino pocket gopher as well as other species that may benefit from 
such partnerships in the future. Because the majority of occurrences of 
endangered or threatened species are on non-Federal lands, partnerships 
with non-Federal landowners and land managers are vital to the 
conservation of listed species. Therefore, the Service is committed to 
maintaining and encouraging such partnerships through the recognition 
of positive conservation contributions.
    By excluding these lands, we preserve our current private and local 
conservation partnerships and encourage additional conservation such 
partnerships in the future. Exclusion of these areas will additionally 
help us maintain an important and successful partnership with other 
Washington State conservation partners (via the South Puget Sound 
Prairie Landscape Working Group and the Mazama Pocket Gopher Working 
Group) who collectively organized themselves in 2009 to include the 
Mazama pocket gopher in their management and restoration plans, as well 
as encouraging others to join in these and other conservation 
partnerships. We consider the positive effect of excluding proven 
conservation partners from critical habitat to be a significant benefit 
of exclusion.
    Benefits of Exclusion Outweigh Benefits of Inclusion--Rocky Prairie 
Natural Area Preserve under the WDNR State Trust Lands HCP--The 
Secretary has determined that the benefits of excluding the WDNR-
managed Rocky Prairie NAP from the designation of critical habitat for 
the Tenino pocket gopher outweigh the benefits of including these areas 
in critical habitat. The benefits of including the 38 ac (16 ha) of 
Washington State lands at the Rocky Prairie NAP and covered under the 
State Trust Lands HCP in critical habitat are relatively small. Any 
Federal nexus on this land would likely result from actions to enhance 
or maintain favorable habitat conditions, undertaken under the HCP or 
granting of Federal funds for beneficial management of prairie-
associated species, such as the Tenino pocket gopher. If a Federal 
nexus were to occur, it would most likely be with the Service or DOD, 
and their actions will be geared toward the conservation benefits of 
restoring and enhancing habitat specifically for the Tenino pocket 
gopher, or other prairie-associated species. This type of management 
would benefit the Tenino pocket gopher if focused on the maintenance of 
open, short-statured vegetative conditions that the pocket gopher 
typically occupies. As the action being consulted on is itself intended 
to benefit prairie-associated species, including the Tenino pocket 
gopher, the incremental benefit to the Tenino pocket gopher would 
likely be minimal, as we would not expect additional conservation 
measures to be recommended as the result of section 7 consultation 
required by this habitat management funding.
    The South Puget Sound Prairie Landscape Working Group partnership, 
which contributes to management planning on the NAP, and the Mazama 
Pocket Gopher Working Group, which also provides further species 
management guidance, would not be additionally benefitted due to 
inclusion of these areas in critical habitat. These working groups are 
well-established, cohesive, and productive groups that have yielded and 
will continue to yield positive conservation outcomes for the Mazama 
pocket gopher on south Puget Sound prairies including Rocky Prairie 
NAP, regardless of the designation of critical habitat. The 
conservation strategies of the NAP restoration plan and the ongoing 
adaptive habitat restoration strategies are designed to protect and 
enhance habitat for the Mazama pocket gopher and other prairie-
associated species. These strategies include species-specific 
management actions to support the Tenino pocket gopher, avoidance and 
minimization measures, and monitoring requirements to ensure proper 
implementation, which further minimizes the benefits of including these 
areas in a designation of critical habitat.
    In contrast, the benefits derived from excluding areas covered the 
Washington State Trust Lands HCP and Rocky Prairie NAP management plan, 
thus enhancing our partnership with the State of Washington and other 
Washington State conservation partners, are substantial. The WDNR State 
Trust Lands HCP provides for significant conservation and management 
within geographical areas that contain the physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of the Tenino pocket gopher, and 
helps achieve recovery of this species through the conservation 
measures of the HCP. Exclusion of these lands from critical habitat 
will help foster the partnership we have developed with WDNR, through 
the development and continuing implementation of the HCP and the area 
management plans. It will also help us maintain and foster important 
and successful partnerships with our Washington State conservation 
partners in the South Puget Sound Prairie Landscape Working Group and 
the species-specific Mazama Pocket Gopher Working Group, which share 
significant overlap and, by doing so, bridge ecosystem management 
strategies and species-specific conservation actions. Both WDNR and the 
working groups have encouraged others to join in conservation 
partnerships as well, and exclusion of these lands will encourage the 
future development of such beneficial conservation partnerships. The 
recognition of the positive contributions made through the Washington 
State Trust Lands HCP through exclusion from critical habitat will 
likely encourage the development of future HCPs for the benefit of 
additional listed species and their habitats, with far-reaching 
benefits for conservation. The positive conservation benefits that may 
be realized through the maintenance of these existing partnerships, as 
well as through the encouragement of future such partnerships, and the 
importance of developing such partnerships on non-

[[Page 19744]]

Federal lands for the benefit of listed species, are such that we 
consider the positive effect of excluding proven conservation partners 
from critical habitat to be a significant benefit of exclusion. For 
these reasons, we have determined that the benefits of exclusion 
outweigh the benefits of inclusion for Rocky Prairie NAP.
    Exclusion Will Not Result in the Extinction of the--Rocky Prairie 
Natural Area Preserve under the WDNR State Trust Lands HCP--We have 
determined that exclusion of approximately 38 ac (16 ha) of the Rocky 
Prairie NAP, which is covered under the WDNR State Trust Lands HCP, 
will not result in the extinction of the Tenino pocket gopher. Actions 
covered by the HCP will not result in extinction of the Tenino pocket 
gopher because the NAP is set aside as a conservation site expressly 
for the purpose of preserving and restoring the native prairie 
ecosystem. The State Trust Lands HCP provides for the future needs of 
the Tenino pocket gopher by restoring, maintaining, and creating 
habitat within these areas, and supporting management of Mazama pocket 
gopher habitat and that of other rare species through HCP compliance. 
Additionally, the NAP operates under a specific management plan to 
guide long-term site management, and a more recently developed 
restoration plan to direct the habitat enhancement activity. For these 
reasons, we find that exclusion of the Rocky Prairie NAP covered by the 
WNDR State Trust Lands HCP will not result in extinction of the Tenino 
pocket gopher. Based on the above discussion, the Secretary is 
exercising her discretion under section 4(b)(2) of the Act to exclude 
from this final critical habitat designation a portion of the proposed 
critical habitat Subunit 1-D that is covered by the WDNR State Trust 
Lands HCP as identified above, totaling about 38 ac (16 ha).
Scatter Creek Wildlife Area and Adjacent Private Land, and the West 
Rocky Prairie Wildlife Area
    We are excluding 767 ac (310 ha) of Washington State lands 
designated as Wildlife Areas, and 98 ac (40 ha) of private land 
inholding, from this critical habitat designation under section 4(b)(2) 
of the Act. These Wildlife Areas are known as the Scatter Creek 
Wildlife Area (633 ac (256 ha)) (proposed subunit 1-G, Scatter Creek, 
critical habitat for the Yelm pocket gopher) and West Rocky Prairie 
Wildlife Area (134 ac (54 ha)) (proposed subunit 1-F, West Rocky 
Prairie, critical habitat for the Olympia pocket gopher), both owned 
and managed by WDFW. The private inholding is associated with the 
Scatter Creek Wildlife Area (proposed subunit 1-G, Scatter Creek) and 
is managed by WDFW identically to the Wildlife Area itself. Wildlife 
Areas provide a variety of habitat for endangered and threatened 
species, including the Mazama pocket gopher, and are managed for that 
purpose, among others. Each Wildlife Area operates under a Wildlife 
Area Management Plan specific to the unique management needs of that 
area. Species-specific management plans have been written for a subset 
of the Wildlife Areas, including Scatter Creek and West Rocky Prairie. 
Wildlife Areas are purchased to provide the highest benefit to fish, 
wildlife, and the public. In addition, WDFW is currently developing an 
HCP for lands in Wildlife Areas with the help of the Service, which 
will incorporate a landscape-level approach to managing at-risk 
species, including the Mazama pocket gopher.
    WDFW developed a management plan for the Scatter Creek Wildlife 
Area and the adjacent private land in 2010 that specifically details 
the habitat needs of the Mazama pocket gopher and continues to refine 
habitat conservation measures through collaboration with local 
conservation partners from the Service, WDNR, the University of 
Washington, and CNLM (Hays 2010). WDFW also has a draft management plan 
to guide prairie management at the West Rocky Prairie Wildlife Area 
(WDFW 2011), which will be this area's guiding document until 
finalized. Prior to the management plan being developed, the site was 
managed for an array of species and recreational activities, including 
restoration actions designed to improve the prairie conditions for the 
Mazama pocket gopher, mardon skipper butterfly (Polites mardon), and 
Taylor's checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha taylori). The Scatter 
Creek Wildlife Area, the adjacent private lands, and the West Rocky 
Prairie Wildlife Area are currently occupied by Mazama pocket gophers, 
the Yelm pocket gopher at Scatter Creek and Olympia pocket gopher at 
West Rocky Prairie. The West Rocky Prairie Wildlife Area was the 
recipient site for a translocation study conducted using the Olympia 
pocket gopher, despite being within the historical range of the Tenino 
pocket gopher.
    Benefits of Inclusion--Scatter Creek Wildlife Area and Adjacent 
Private Land; West Rocky Prairie Wildlife Area--We find there are 
minimal benefits to including these areas in critical habitat. As 
discussed above, the primary effect of designating any particular area 
as critical habitat is the requirement for Federal agencies to consult 
with us under section 7 of the Act to ensure actions they carry out, 
authorize, or fund do not adversely modify designated critical habitat. 
Absent critical habitat designation in occupied areas, Federal agencies 
remain obligated under section 7 of the Act to consult with us on 
actions that may affect a federally listed species to ensure such 
actions do not jeopardize the species' continued existence.
    The analysis of effects to critical habitat is a separate and 
different analysis from that of the effects to the species. Therefore, 
the difference in outcomes of these two analyses represents the 
regulatory benefit of critical habitat. The regulatory standard is 
different, as the jeopardy analysis investigates the action's impact on 
the survival and recovery of the species, while the adverse 
modification analysis focuses on the action's effects on the designated 
habitat's contribution to conservation. This may, in some instances, 
lead to different results and different regulatory requirements. Thus, 
critical habitat designations have the potential to provide greater 
benefit to the recovery of a species than would listing alone.
    The inclusion of these covered lands as critical habitat could 
provide some additional Federal regulatory benefits for the species 
consistent with the conservation standard based on the Ninth Circuit 
Court's decision in Gifford Pinchot Task Force v. United States Fish 
and Wildlife Service, 378 F.3d 1059 (9th Cir. 2004). As noted above, a 
potential benefit of inclusion would be the requirement of a Federal 
agency to ensure that their actions on these non-Federal lands would 
not result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical 
habitat. The granting of Federal funds for beneficial management of 
prairie-associated species such as the Mazama pocket gopher would 
provide the only foreseeable Federal nexus for these non-Federal lands. 
WDFW has received funding specifically to improve habitat features at 
these sites such as vegetation composition, and structure to support 
native prairie associated species. These improvements to native prairie 
vegetative structure and composition also benefit the Mazama pocket 
gopher. This funding will support activities through 2017. Funding is 
also provided to WDFW from the DOD ACUB program, which is a high 
priority program for DOD. Leadership at DOD has confirmed that the 
program will continue into the future (Jeff Foster, pers. comm. 2013). 
Because the primary threats to the

[[Page 19745]]

Mazama pocket gophers include habitat loss and degradation, any 
potential formal consultations under section 7 of the Act will evaluate 
the effects of the action on the capability of the habitat to support 
the life history requirements for the listed pocket gophers regardless 
of whether critical habitat is designated for these lands. The 
analytical requirements to support a jeopardy determination on excluded 
land are similar, but not identical, to the requirements in an analysis 
for an adverse modification determination on land included in critical 
habitat. The additional consideration of adverse modification of 
critical habitat is therefore unlikely to result in a different 
outcome. In addition, for Scatter Creek, the adjoining private land, 
and West Rocky Prairie, the action most likely to be consulted on is 
itself intended to benefit prairie-associated species, therefore the 
outcome of consultation is unlikely to provide a significant additional 
benefit to the Mazama pocket gopher as a result of critical habitat 
designation. Thus, for the reasons described above, the potential 
regulatory benefits of critical habitat in this case are limited.
    The Service has coordinated with WDFW on conservation actions to be 
implemented for the Mazama pocket gopher at the Scatter Creek Wildlife 
Area, the adjoining private land, and West Rocky Prairie Wildlife Area 
in south Thurston County, Washington. As with the NAPs in Thurston 
County, management of the prairie Wildlife Areas in Thurston County is 
guided in large part by the South Puget Sound Prairie Landscape Working 
Group, which was established in 1994, to promote and improve the 
management and planning of conservation actions on south Puget Sound 
prairies and associated habitats. This is a well-established group that 
is expected to continue its coordination efforts into the foreseeable 
future. We conclude that designation of these Wildlife Areas as 
critical habitat would yield no additional benefit to the outputs of 
the South Puget Sound Prairie Landscape Working Group, its members, or 
their ease of coordination, as the active, long-term efforts of this 
group are expected to continue regardless of the designation of 
critical habitat. Management of Scatter Creek Wildlife Area and 
adjacent private land receives oversight from the Mazama Pocket Gopher 
Working Group, a multi-agency working group that has been in existence 
since 2009. Participants in the working group include JBLM, NRCS, USFS, 
WDNR, WDFW, WSDOT, University of Washington researchers, CNLM, and 
other Federal, State, county, city, nongovernmental, private entities 
and individuals, each with knowledge and expertise on the Mazama pocket 
gopher, its conservation, habitat, and restoration needs. The 
incremental benefit from designating critical habitat for the Mazama 
pocket gopher in these areas is further minimized because of the long-
standing management planning efforts that have been implemented and 
planned for the two Wildlife Areas and the associated private land 
inholding, which is managed using the same management methods as the 
Wildlife Areas. These properties have implemented management for the 
conservation of prairie habitat and prairie-associated species. Each 
Wildlife Area focuses their management to promote the improvement of 
native prairie vegetative composition, which provides ample food 
resources for the Mazama pocket gopher as well as all of the essential 
physical or biological features to support the species.
    Management planning for each of the Wildlife Areas has established 
a track record of activity focused on enhancing native prairie 
composition and structure. The conservation measures regularly 
implemented at the Wildlife Areas have recently been refocused through 
the development of site specific restoration plans for each location to 
benefit the Mazama pocket gopher and other prairie-associated species 
(Hays 2013). The restoration being implemented and the guidance from 
the management plan provides greater protection to Mazama pocket gopher 
habitat than would the designation of critical habitat, since the 
planning effort is intended to actively improve the composition and 
structure of the habitat (the designation of critical habitat does not 
require any active management). Therefore, the existing management at 
this site will provide greater benefit than the regulatory designation 
of critical habitat, which only requires the avoidance of destruction 
or adverse modification, and does not require the creation, 
improvement, or restoration of habitat.
    Another potential benefit of including Wildlife Area lands and the 
adjacent private inholding in a critical habitat designation is that it 
serves to educate landowners, State and local governments, and the 
public regarding the potential conservation value of an area. This can 
help focus and promote conservation efforts by other parties by 
identifying areas of high conservation value for the Mazama pocket 
gopher. The designation of critical habitat informs State agencies and 
local governments about areas that could be conserved under State laws 
or local ordinances. Any additional information about the needs of the 
Mazama pocket gopher or its habitat that reaches a wider audience can 
be of benefit to future conservation efforts. During the spring of 2013 
alone, the Service hosted two prairie workshops, one public hearing, 
and two local Thurston County events attended by nearly 1,000 people to 
publicize and educate local community members of the species' declining 
distribution, and the threat to the native flora and fauna found on 
western Washington prairies. An important conservation measure that is 
gained through these outreach networks is the ability to educate the 
public about the historical role and current importance of prairies to 
our local community and economy. Included among the outreach measures 
is the distribution of educational material, and encouraging landowners 
to conduct prairie restoration activities on their properties. In early 
2013 the Service also held two workshops specifically to answer 
questions about the proposed listing of the Mazama pocket gopher and 
proposed critical habitat designation; one designed for Federal, State, 
and County partners and one for private parties. Additional events are 
expected to occur in the future, and designation of the Wildlife Areas 
as critical habitat is not expected to increase the number of such 
meetings or improve their outcomes. Therefore, in this case the 
incremental benefit of critical habitat in terms of education value is 
negligible.
    The incremental benefit of inclusion is minimized because of the 
long-standing management planning efforts for each Wildlife Area, and 
the associated private inholding, as discussed above. In addition, the 
restoration plans provide greater protection to Mazama pocket gopher 
habitat than does the designation of critical habitat, since the 
planning effort is intended to actively improve the native prairie 
vegetative component of the habitat. Therefore, designation of critical 
habitat on these areas would not provide any additional management 
focus that is not already occurring at these locations under Washington 
State management authority, through plans developed through the 
Service's recovery program, or through the DOD ACUB funding authority 
which has provided financial support for many of our local protected 
prairies, including these Wildlife Areas. For these reasons, we find 
that the benefit of including these particular areas in critical 
habitat is relatively small.
    Benefits of Exclusion--Scatter Creek Wildlife Area and Adjacent 
Private

[[Page 19746]]

Land; West Rocky Prairie Wildlife Area--The benefits of excluding these 
two Wildlife Areas and the associated private inholding from designated 
critical habitat are relatively greater. We have worked to create and 
maintain a close partnership with WDFW through regular coordination and 
the development of the Wildlife Area management plans, not only for 
Scatter Creek and West Rocky Prairie Wildlife Areas, but other Wildlife 
Areas as well, and we are currently collaborating with WDFW to develop 
an HCP that would cover all of their Wildlife Areas. The management 
plans contain provisions that will improve the conservation status of 
the Mazama pocket gopher. Measures contained in the management plans 
are consistent with recommendations from the Service for the 
conservation of the Mazama pocket gopher, and will afford benefits to 
these subspecies and their habitat.
    Excluding these Wildlife Areas and associated private inholding 
from critical habitat designation will provide significant benefits in 
terms of sustaining and enhancing the excellent partnership between the 
Service, WDFW, and the private landowner, as well as other partners who 
participate in prairie management decision-making, resulting in 
positive and ongoing consequences for conservation. The willingness of 
WDFW and the private landowner to undertake conservation efforts for 
the benefit of the Mazama pocket gopher and to work with the Service to 
develop new management plans for the species will continue to reinforce 
those conservation efforts and our partnership, which will support the 
recovery process for the Mazama pocket gopher. We consider this 
voluntary partnership in conservation vital to our understanding of the 
status of the Mazama pocket gopher on WDFW lands in Thurston County, 
and necessary for us to implement recovery actions such as habitat 
protection, restoration, and beneficial management actions for the 
species. Furthermore, exclusion from critical habitat could have the 
benefit of encouraging other landowners to engage in similar 
conservation partnerships and efforts with positive outcomes for the 
conservation of listed species.
    In addition, our understanding of the historical range of each the 
Mazama pocket gopher subspecies has grown as a result of the 
collaboration with WDFW biologists, highlighting the potential effects 
of the translocation study that moved the Olympia pocket gopher into 
the historical range of the Tenino pocket gopher. Although the West 
Rocky Prairie Wildlife Area was proposed as critical habitat for the 
Olympia pocket gopher because the subspecies presently occupies that 
area, the site is not within the historical range of that subspecies, 
nor is there currently any intent by the Service to utilize that site 
as part of the recovery effort for the Olympia pocket gopher. 
Therefore, we do not consider this area, even though technically 
occupied by the Olympia pocket gopher, to be essential to the 
conservation of the subspecies. Exclusion of the West Rocky Prairie 
Wildlife Area from critical habitat will allow us greater flexibility 
in exercising future recovery actions at this site. If the West Rocky 
Prairie Wildlife Area were included as a critical habitat subunit for 
the Olympia pocket gopher, in an area outside of its historical range 
but within that of the Tenino pocket gopher, our ability to recover the 
Tenino pocket gopher at the site would be constrained. Exclusion of the 
West Rocky Prairie Wildlife Area would allow a wider range of recovery 
options for the Tenino pocket gopher, a subspecies for which a single 
isolated population is currently known to exist, and which is therefore 
highly dependent upon successful recovery efforts at appropriate sites 
within its historical range.
    As described above, the designation of critical habitat could have 
an unintended negative effect on our relationship with non-Federal 
landowners due to the perceived imposition of redundant government 
regulation. If lands within the area managed by WDFW for the benefit of 
the Mazama pocket gopher are designated as critical habitat, it could 
have a dampening effect on our continued ability to seek new 
partnerships with future participants including States, counties, local 
jurisdictions, conservation organizations, and private landowners, 
which together can implement various conservation actions (such as 
SHAs, HCPs, and other conservation plans, particularly large, regional 
conservation plans that involve numerous participants or address 
landscape-level conservation of species and habitats) that we would be 
unable to accomplish otherwise.
    Excluding these areas from critical habitat designation provides 
significant benefit in terms of sustaining and enhancing the 
partnership between the Service, the State of Washington, and the 
private landowner, with positive consequences for conservation for the 
Mazama pocket gopher as well as other species that may benefit from 
such partnerships in the future. Because the majority of occurrences of 
endangered or threatened species are on non-Federal lands, conservation 
partnerships with non-Federal landowners and land managers are vital to 
the conservation of listed species. Therefore, the Service is committed 
to maintaining and encouraging such partnerships through the 
recognition of positive conservation contributions. Our WDFW 
conservation partners made a commitment by including the Mazama pocket 
gopher in their Wildlife Area implementation plan, and they have 
engaged with and encouraged others to join in conservation 
partnerships, such as the South Puget Sound Prairie Landscape Working 
Group and the Mazama Pocket Gopher Working Group. In addition, the 
private landowner serves as a model of voluntary conservation and may 
aid in fostering future voluntary conservation efforts by other private 
parties in other locations for the benefit of listed species; this is a 
significant benefit, since the majority of listed species occur on 
private lands. We consider the positive effect of excluding proven 
conservation partners from critical habitat to be a significant benefit 
of exclusion.
    Benefits of Exclusion Outweigh Benefits of Inclusion-Scatter Creek 
Wildlife Area and Adjacent Private Land; West Rocky Prairie Wildlife 
Area--The Secretary has determined that the benefits of excluding these 
prairie Wildlife Areas (Scatter Creek and the adjacent private land, 
and West Rocky Prairie) from the designation of critical habitat for 
the Yelm and Olympia pocket gopher outweigh the benefits of including 
these areas in critical habitat. The regulatory and informational 
benefits of including these 767 ac (310 ha) of Washington State 
Wildlife Areas and associated 98 ac (40 ha) of private land inholding 
are minimal. As noted above, a potential benefit of inclusion would be 
the requirement that Federal agencies ensure that their actions on 
these non-Federal lands would not likely result in the destruction or 
adverse modification of critical habitat. However, this potential 
benefit is limited because if a Federal nexus were to occur, it would 
most likely be with the Service or DOD, and the proposed actions would 
be geared toward the conservation benefits of restoring and enhancing 
habitat specifically for the Mazama pocket gopher, or other prairie-
associated species from which the Mazama pocket gopher would benefit. 
This type of proactive management, if focused on the maintenance of 
open, short-statured vegetative conditions that the Mazama pocket 
gopher typically occupies, will outweigh any benefit from the 
regulatory designation of critical habitat,

[[Page 19747]]

which only requires the avoidance of adverse modification and does not 
require the creation, improvement, or restoration of habitat. The 
incremental benefit to the Mazama pocket gopher from the small amount 
of resultant section 7 consultation required by this habitat management 
funding is likely minimal, especially considering that the action being 
consulted on is itself intended to benefit prairie-associated species, 
including the Mazama pocket gopher.
    The South Puget Sound Prairie Landscape Working Group partnership 
and the Mazama Pocket Gopher Working Group, which assists with guiding 
management on the Wildlife Areas, would not be additionally benefitted 
due to inclusion of the Wildlife Areas in critical habitat, as this is 
a well-established, cohesive, and productive group that has yielded, 
and will continue to yield, positive conservation outcomes for the 
Mazama pocket gopher on south Sound prairies, including these Wildlife 
Areas, regardless of critical habitat. The conservation strategies of 
each Wildlife Area management plan are crafted to protect and enhance 
habitat for the Mazama pocket gopher. These plans include species-
specific management actions to support the Mazama pocket gopher, 
avoidance and minimization measures, and monitoring requirements to 
ensure proper implementation, which further minimizes the benefits of 
including these areas in a designation of critical habitat.
    In contrast, the benefits accrued from excluding areas within the 
Scatter Creek Wildlife Area, West Rocky Prairie Wildlife Area, and the 
associated private inholding, are substantial. Excluding the West Rocky 
Prairie Wildlife Area will improve recovery options for the Tenino 
pocket gopher by allowing greater flexibility in selecting which 
subspecies is ultimately best conserved at the West Rocky Prairie 
Wildlife Area, while inclusion of West Rocky Prairie Wildlife Area 
would imply that the Service intends to recover the Olympia pocket 
gopher at that site; an area within the historical range of the Tenino 
pocket gopher, the subspecies with the most highly restricted range of 
the four subspecies listed.
    A significant benefit of excluding these lands is that it will help 
us maintain and foster an important and successful partnership with our 
Washington State conservation partners who have already chosen to 
include the Mazama pocket gopher in Wildlife Area management plans. 
They have encouraged others to join in conservation partnerships as 
well such as the Mazama Pocket Gopher Working Group. Recognizing the 
important contributions of our conservation partners through exclusion 
from critical habitat helps to preserve these partnerships, and helps 
foster future partnerships for the benefit of listed species, the 
majority of which do not occur on Federal lands; we consider this to be 
a substantial benefit of exclusion. For these reasons, we have 
determined that the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of 
inclusion in this case.
    Exclusion Will Not Result in the Extinction of the Species--Scatter 
Creek Wildlife Area and Adjacent Private Land; West Rocky Prairie 
Wildlife Area--We have determined that exclusion of approximately 633 
ac (256 ha) of the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area owned by WDFW and 98 ac 
(40 ha) of private land that is managed by WDFW in the same way as 
Scatter Creek Wildlife Area, and 134 ac (54 ha) of the West Rocky 
Prairie Wildlife Area, lands covered by management plans vetted by 
several conservation partners working in south Puget Sound, will not 
result in the extinction of the Yelm or Olympia pocket gophers, 
respectively. Actions covered by the Wildlife Area management plans 
will not result in extinction of the Yelm or Olympia pocket gophers 
because the plans provide for the needs of the species by protecting, 
restoring, and enhancing all the known occupied Mazama pocket gopher 
habitat under the jurisdiction of the State; committing to the 
enhancement and recruitment of additional habitat through management on 
each Wildlife Area to support meta-population structure within the 
Wildlife Areas; and implementing species-specific conservation measures 
designed to avoid and minimize impacts to Mazama pocket gophers. 
Further, for projects having a Federal nexus and potentially affecting 
the Mazama pocket gopher in occupied areas, the jeopardy standard of 
section 7 of the Act, coupled with protection provided by the voluntary 
Mazama pocket gopher conservation plans that are available to 
landowners if they so choose, would provide a level of assurance that 
this species will not go extinct as a result of excluding these lands 
from the critical habitat designation. Additionally, each of the 
Wildlife Areas has a specific management plan to guide long-term 
management to direct the habitat enhancement activities at each 
location. The species is also protected from take under section 9 of 
the Act on all properties where the species is found. Federal agencies 
would be required to minimize the effects of incidental take, and would 
be encouraged to avoid incidental take through the section 7 
consultation process. For these reasons, we find that exclusion of 
these lands covered by these specific Wildlife Area management plans 
will not result in extinction of the Yelm or Olympia pocket gophers. 
Based on the above discussion, the Secretary is exercising her 
discretion under section 4(b)(2) of the Act to exclude from this final 
critical habitat designation portions of the proposed critical habitat 
Subunits 1-F and 1-G that are owned or managed by WDFW, totaling about 
865 ac (350 ha).
Colvin Ranch Grassland Reserve Program Management Plan
    Private lands totaling 378 ac (153 ha) that are covered under an 
NRCS Grassland Reserve Program Management Plan are excluded from 
proposed Subunit 1-H in this critical habitat designation under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act. The Service has coordinated directly with NRCS 
regarding conservation actions that are being implemented on the 
portion of Rock Prairie that lies south of Old Hwy 99 (hereafter known 
as Colvin Ranch). Colvin Ranch has been managed for approximately 10 
years under a long-term Grassland Reserve Program Management Plan (GRP 
management plan), and 530 ac (215 ha) of the property is conserved in 
perpetuity by a conservation easement held by NRCS, of which a portion 
(378 ac (153 ha)) is excluded from critical habitat. Under the GRP 
management plan, the landowners manage their land using a livestock 
grazing guideline for western Washington prairies developed in 
partnership with NRCS. The GRP management plan uses intensive livestock 
grazing as the primary tool to minimize the invasion of prairies by 
Douglas fir and other woody native and nonnative shrub species. 
Additionally, pasture grasses that are often in competition for 
resources with the native prairie species are consumed by the 
livestock, which makes room for native prairie species and restores 
prairie composition, structure and function. All of these practices 
provide a positive conservation benefit for the Yelm pocket gopher and 
its habitat. Colvin Ranch is currently occupied by the Yelm pocket 
gopher.
    Benefits of Inclusion--Colvin Ranch Grassland Reserve Program 
Management Plan--We find there are minimal benefits to including Colvin 
Ranch in critical habitat. As discussed above, the primary effect of 
designating any particular area as critical habitat is

[[Page 19748]]

the requirement for Federal agencies to consult with us under section 7 
of the Act to ensure actions they carry out, authorize, or fund do not 
adversely modify designated critical habitat. Absent critical habitat 
designation in occupied areas, Federal agencies remain obligated under 
section 7 of the Act to consult with us on actions that may affect a 
federally listed species to ensure such actions do not jeopardize the 
species' continued existence. Colvin Ranch is currently occupied by the 
Yelm pocket gopher; therefore a Federal action with potential adverse 
effects would trigger both a jeopardy analysis and an analysis of 
adverse modification, should critical habitat be designated. The 
benefits derived from including critical habitat for this property 
would most likely be derived from the potential Federal nexus resulting 
from the granting of Federal funds intended to manage the lands to 
benefit prairie associated species, such as the Yelm pocket gopher. 
However, we anticipate that section 7 consultation related to habitat 
management funding is not likely to provide much added benefit to the 
species, since the action being consulted on is itself intended to 
benefit prairie-associated species, including the Yelm pocket gopher.
    Another benefit of including lands in a critical habitat 
designation is that it serves to educate landowners, State and local 
governments, and the public regarding the potential conservation value 
of an area. This can help focus and promote conservation efforts by 
other parties by identifying areas of high conservation value for the 
Yelm pocket gopher. Designation of critical habitat informs State 
agencies and local governments about areas that could be conserved 
under State laws or local ordinances. Any additional information about 
the needs of the Yelm pocket gopher or its habitat that reaches a wider 
audience can be of benefit to future conservation efforts.
    In this case, however, the potential educational benefit of 
critical habitat is reduced due to the extensive community outreach 
that is already taking place. During the spring of 2013 alone, the 
Service hosted four prairie focused workshops and one public hearing 
specifically related to the proposed listing and designation of 
critical habitat. We also participated in two local prairie education 
events in Thurston County attended by nearly 1,000 people to publicize 
and educate local community members of the declining distributions and 
threats to the native flora and fauna found on the west-side prairies. 
One of these events is an annual event that was again hosted in 2013 at 
Colvin Ranch, as it is each year. An important conservation measure 
gained through these outreach networks is our ability to educate the 
public about the historical role and current importance of prairies to 
our local community and economy. Included among the outreach measures 
is the distribution of educational material and the benefit derived 
from encouraging landowners to conduct prairie restoration activities 
on their own properties. In early 2013 the Service also held two 
workshops specifically to answer questions about the proposed listing 
of the Mazama pocket gopher and proposed critical habitat designation; 
one designed for our Federal, State, and County partners and one for 
private parties. Additional events are expected to occur in the future, 
and designation of Colvin Ranch as critical habitat is not expected to 
increase the number of such meetings or improve their outcomes. As 
Colvin Ranch is already serving as a center of educational information 
regarding the conservation of prairie habitats and their associated 
species, including the Yelm pocket gopher, any potential additional 
benefit stemming from the designation of critical habitat on this 
property is negligible.
    The incremental benefit from designating critical habitat for the 
Yelm pocket gopher is further minimized due to the long-standing 
management planning efforts implemented on Colvin Ranch. The property 
owner has implemented management for the conservation of prairie 
habitat that provides a diversity of native prairie vegetation for the 
Yelm pocket gopher, and the land itself contains all of the essential 
physical or biological features to support the Yelm pocket gopher. The 
implementation of the GRP management plan for Colvin Ranch has 
established a track record of activity focused on enhancing prairie 
plant composition and structure. The implementation of Colvin Ranch GRP 
management plan provides greater protection to Yelm pocket gopher 
habitat than the designation of critical habitat since the management 
is intended to improve the habitat structure and composition of the 
several native prairie-dominated paddocks on Colvin Ranch (critical 
habitat designation does not require active management, only avoidance 
of destruction or adverse modification). In many cases, this work is 
accomplished without Federal funding, which highlights the landowner's 
willingness to continue the partnership.
    Colvin Ranch has been an active working ranch in southern Thurston 
County since 1865. Originally over 3,000 ac (1,214 ha) in size, it is 
now approximately 1,000 ac (405 ha). Grazing systems have been modified 
dramatically during this time period. Colvin Ranch required an 
improvement to the infrastructure in order to accomplish the goal of 
improving native prairie composition on the ranch through intensive 
grazing, a practice of grazing greater numbers of cows on specific 
pastures (paddocks) for shorter time periods. Miles of fencing were 
erected to partition the fields into intensively managed paddocks, and 
in each paddock a water source was made available. The intensive 
management regime requires that livestock be moved often according to 
vegetation height or soil condition changes specified in the GRP 
management plan. The Colvin Ranch has been partitioned into 35 
paddocks, with nearly 300 ac (120 ha) managed for the production of 
native prairie plant composition. Colvin Ranch is presently being 
managed for the benefit of prairie species, including the Yelm pocket 
gopher and its habitat; we have no information to suggest that the 
designation of critical habitat on this property would generate any 
appreciable added benefit to the already positive management efforts 
being implemented.
    Benefits of Exclusion--Colvin Ranch Grassland Reserve Program 
Management Plan--The benefits of excluding this private property from 
designated critical habitat are relatively greater. We have developed a 
close partnership with the landowner and NRCS through regular 
coordination and outreach activities, using Colvin Ranch as an example 
of land uses that are compatible with prairie conservation. The GRP 
management plan provisions that will improve the conservation status of 
the Yelm pocket gopher include novel grazing practices which have 
resulted in the dramatic increase and maintenance of native prairie 
vegetation. Measures contained in the GRP management plan are 
consistent with recommendations from the Service for the conservation 
of the Yelm pocket gopher, and will afford benefits to the species and 
its habitat. The Service accrues a significant benefit from encouraging 
the development of such voluntary conservation agreements in 
cooperation with non-Federal partners. Because the majority of 
occurrences of endangered or threatened species are on non-Federal 
lands, partnerships with non-Federal landowners and land managers are 
vital to the conservation of listed species. Therefore, the Service is 
committed to maintaining and encouraging such partnerships through

[[Page 19749]]

the recognition of positive conservation contributions.
    Excluding this private property from critical habitat designation 
will provide a significant benefit in terms of sustaining and enhancing 
the excellent partnership between the Service, NRCS, and the private 
landowner, as well as other partners who participate in prairie 
management decision-making, with positive consequences for 
conservation. The willingness of the private landowner to undertake 
conservation efforts for the benefit of the Yelm pocket gopher, and 
work with NRCS and the Service to develop and employ conservation 
actions, will continue to reinforce those conservation efforts and our 
partnership, which contribute toward achieving recovery of the Yelm 
pocket gopher. We consider this voluntary partnership in conservation 
vital to the development of our understanding of the status of the Yelm 
pocket gopher on agricultural lands in western Washington, and 
necessary for us to implement recovery actions such as habitat 
protection, restoration, and beneficial management actions for this 
species. In addition, exclusion will provide the landowner with relief 
from any potential additional regulatory burden associated with the 
designation of critical habitat, whether real or perceived, which we 
consider to be a significant benefit of exclusion in acknowledging the 
positive contributions of our proven conservation partners.
    The designation of critical habitat could have an unintended 
negative effect on our relationship with non-Federal landowners due to 
the perceived imposition of redundant regulation. Designation of 
critical habitat on private lands that are managed for the benefit of 
prairie species, including the Yelm pocket gopher, could have a 
dampening effect on our continued ability to seek new partnerships with 
future participants including States, counties, local jurisdictions, 
conservation organizations, and private landowners. Together, these 
parties can implement various cooperative conservation actions (such as 
SHAs, HCPs, and other conservation plans, particularly large, regional 
conservation plans that involve numerous participants and/or address 
landscape-level conservation of species and habitats) that we would be 
unable to accomplish otherwise. This private landowner made a 
commitment almost a decade ago to develop and implement this GRP 
management plan, which has restored much of Rock Prairie to habitat 
favorable to the Yelm pocket gopher, and they have engaged with and 
encouraged other parties, both public and private, to join in 
conservation partnerships. We believe Colvin Ranch would be less likely 
to encourage others to participate in similar grazing intensive 
ranching practices that restore habitat for Mazama pocket gophers if 
critical habitat were to be designated on this property. This private 
landowner serves as a model of voluntary conservation and may aid in 
fostering future voluntary conservation efforts by other parties in 
other locations for the benefit of listed species. Most endangered or 
threatened species do not occur on Federal lands. As the recovery of 
these species will therefore depend on the willingness of non-Federal 
landowners to partner with us to engage in conservation efforts, we 
consider the positive effect of excluding proven conservation partners 
from critical habitat to be a significant benefit of exclusion.
    Benefits of Exclusion Outweigh Benefits of Inclusion--Colvin Ranch 
Grassland Reserve Program Management Plan--The Secretary has determined 
that the benefits of excluding the NRCS GRP managed prairies at Colvin 
Ranch from the designation of critical habitat for the Yelm pocket 
gopher outweigh the benefits of including these areas in critical 
habitat. The regulatory and informational benefits of including Colvin 
Ranch in critical habitat are minimal. Furthermore, any potential 
limited benefits of inclusion on the section 7 process are relatively 
unlikely to be realized, because a Federal nexus on these lands would 
rarely occur. If one were to occur, it would most likely be with the 
Service or NRCS, and their actions will be geared toward the 
conservation benefits of restoring and enhancing habitat specifically 
for the Yelm pocket gopher and other prairie-associated species. This 
type of management is focused on the maintenance of open, short 
statured vegetative conditions that the Yelm pocket gopher requires to 
persist. Since any action likely to be the subject of consultation 
under the adverse modification standard on this area would be focused 
on providing positive habitat benefits for the Yelm pocket gopher, we 
find it unlikely that critical habitat would result in any significant 
additional benefit to the species. Furthermore, the benefits of 
including this area in critical habitat are reduced since significant 
management actions are already underway to restore the prairie habitat 
in this area for the benefit of rare prairie-associated species, 
including the Yelm pocket gopher. In this instance, the GRP management 
plan for Colvin Ranch contains provisions for protecting and restoring 
prairie habitat on Rock Prairie on which the Yelm pocket gopher relies 
and those provisions exceed the conservation benefits that would be 
afforded through section 7 consultation.
    In contrast, the benefits derived from excluding Colvin Ranch are 
substantial. Excluding these lands will help us maintain and foster an 
important and successful partnership with this private landowner 
partner and NRCS. They have consistently supported stewardship of 
prairie habitat beneficial to the conservation of the Yelm pocket 
gopher and have consistently encouraged others to join in conservation 
partnerships as well. The exclusion of Colvin Ranch will serve as a 
positive conservation model, and provides encouragement for other 
private landowners to partner with the Service for the purpose of 
conserving listed species. The positive conservation benefits that may 
be realized through the maintenance of this existing partnership, as 
well as through the encouragement of future such partnerships, and the 
importance of developing such partnerships on non-Federal lands for the 
benefit of listed species, are such that we consider the positive 
effect of excluding proven conservation partners from critical habitat 
to be a significant benefit of exclusion. For these reasons, we have 
determined that the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of 
inclusion in this case.
    Exclusion Will Not Result in the Extinction of the Species--Colvin 
Ranch Grassland Reserve Program Management Plan--We have determined 
that exclusion of approximately 378 ac (153 ha) for the portion of the 
Rock Prairie critical habitat subunit managed under the GRP management 
plan implemented at Colvin Ranch will not result in extinction of the 
Yelm pocket gopher. Actions covered by the GRP management plan will not 
result in the extinction of the Yelm pocket gopher because the 
management implemented on Colvin Ranch has continually improved Yelm 
pocket gopher habitat during the time it has been practiced and 
management of the prairie paddocks will continue and be modified over 
time as new information is gained through systematically monitoring the 
results of their intensive grazing system. Based on the above 
discussion, the Secretary is exercising her discretion under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act to exclude from this final critical habitat the 378 
ac (153 ha) that are covered

[[Page 19750]]

under an NRCS Grassland Reserve Program Management Plan at Colvin Ranch 
identified in proposed Subunit 1-H.

Required Determinations

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)

    Executive Order 12866 provides that the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant rules. The Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs has determined that this rule is 
not significant.
    Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while 
calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote 
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most 
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. 
The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches 
that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for 
the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and 
consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further 
that regulations must be based on the best available science and that 
the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open 
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent 
with these requirements.

Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), 
as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 
1996 (SBREFA; 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), 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 effects 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 the agency certifies the rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
The SBREFA amended the RFA to require Federal agencies to provide a 
certification statement of the factual basis for certifying that the 
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.
    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 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.
    The Service's current understanding of the requirements under the 
RFA, as amended, and following recent court decisions, is that Federal 
agencies are only required to evaluate the potential incremental 
impacts of rulemaking on those entities directly regulated by the 
rulemaking itself, and therefore, not required to evaluate the 
potential impacts to indirectly regulated entities. The regulatory 
mechanism through which critical habitat protections are realized is 
section 7 of the Act, which requires Federal agencies, in consultation 
with the Service, to ensure that any action authorized, funded, or 
carried by the Agency is not likely to adversely modify critical 
habitat. Therefore, under these circumstances only Federal action 
agencies are directly subject to the specific regulatory requirement 
(avoiding destruction and adverse modification) imposed by critical 
habitat designation. Under these circumstances, it is our position that 
only Federal action agencies will be directly regulated by this 
designation. Federal Agencies are not small entities and to this end, 
there is no requirement under RFA to evaluate the potential impacts to 
entities not directly regulated. Therefore, because no small entities 
are directly regulated by this rulemaking, the Service certifies that, 
if promulgated, the final critical habitat designation will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    During the development of this final rule we reviewed and evaluated 
all information submitted during the comment period that may pertain to 
our consideration of the probable incremental economic impacts of this 
critical habitat designation. Based on this information, we affirm our 
certification that this final critical habitat designation will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities, and a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.

Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use--Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211 (Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use) requires 
agencies to prepare Statements of Energy Effects when undertaking 
certain actions. OMB has provided guidance for implementing this 
Executive Order that outlines nine outcomes that may constitute ``a 
significant adverse effect'' when compared to not taking the regulatory 
action under consideration. The economic analysis finds that none of 
these criteria are relevant to this analysis. Thus, based on 
information in the economic analysis, energy-related impacts associated 
with Mazama pocket gopher conservation activities within critical 
habitat are not expected. As such, the designation of critical habitat 
is not expected to significantly affect energy supplies, distribution, 
or use. Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action, and 
no Statement of Energy Effects is required.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.)

    In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 
et seq.), we make the following findings:
    (1) This rule will not produce a Federal mandate. In general, a 
Federal mandate is a provision in legislation, statute, or regulation 
that would impose an enforceable duty upon State, local, or tribal 
governments, or the private sector, and includes both ``Federal 
intergovernmental mandates'' and ``Federal private sector mandates.'' 
These terms are defined in 2 U.S.C. 658(5)-(7). ``Federal 
intergovernmental mandate'' includes a regulation that ``would impose 
an enforceable duty upon State, local, or tribal governments'' with two 
exceptions. It excludes ``a condition of Federal assistance.'' It also 
excludes ``a duty arising from participation in a voluntary Federal 
program,'' unless the regulation ``relates to a then-existing Federal 
program under which $500,000,000 or more is provided annually to State, 
local, and tribal governments under entitlement authority,'' if the 
provision would ``increase the stringency of conditions of assistance'' 
or ``place caps upon, or

[[Page 19751]]

otherwise decrease, the Federal Government's responsibility to provide 
funding,'' and the State, local, or tribal governments ``lack 
authority'' to adjust accordingly. At the time of enactment, these 
entitlement programs were: Medicaid; Aid to Families with Dependent 
Children work programs; Child Nutrition; Food Stamps; Social Services 
Block Grants; Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants; Foster Care, 
Adoption Assistance, and Independent Living; Family Support Welfare 
Services; and Child Support Enforcement. ``Federal private sector 
mandate'' includes a regulation that ``would impose an enforceable duty 
upon the private sector, except (i) a condition of Federal assistance 
or (ii) a duty arising from participation in a voluntary Federal 
program.''
    The designation of critical habitat does not impose a legally 
binding duty on non-Federal Government entities or private parties. 
Under the Act, the only regulatory effect is that Federal agencies must 
ensure that their actions do not destroy or adversely modify critical 
habitat under section 7. While non-Federal entities that receive 
Federal funding, assistance, or permits, or that otherwise require 
approval or authorization from a Federal agency for an action, may be 
indirectly impacted by the designation of critical habitat, the legally 
binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical 
habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency. Furthermore, to the 
extent that non-Federal entities are indirectly impacted because they 
receive Federal assistance or participate in a voluntary Federal aid 
program, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act would not apply, nor would 
critical habitat shift the costs of the large entitlement programs 
listed above onto State governments.
    (2) We do not believe that this rule will significantly or uniquely 
affect small governments. The designation of critical habitat does not 
impose a legally binding duty on non-Federal Government entities or 
private parties. Under the Act, the only regulatory effect is that 
Federal agencies must ensure that their actions do not destroy or 
adversely modify critical habitat under section 7. While non-Federal 
entities that receive Federal funding, assistance, or permits, or that 
otherwise require approval or authorization from a Federal agency for 
an action, may be indirectly impacted by the designation of critical 
habitat, the legally binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency. 
Therefore, this rule does not place an enforceable duty upon State, 
local, or Tribal governments, or on the private sector.
    Consequently, we do not believe that the critical habitat 
designation will significantly or uniquely affect small government 
entities. As such, a Small Government Agency Plan is not required.

Takings--Executive Order 12630

    In accordance with Executive Order 12630 (``Government Actions and 
Interference with Constitutionally Protected Private Property 
Rights''), we have analyzed the potential takings implications of 
designating critical habitat for the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm 
subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher in a takings implications 
assessment. Based on the best available information, the takings 
implications assessment concludes that this designation of critical 
habitat for the Olympia, Tenino, and Yelm subspecies of the Mazama 
pocket gopher does not pose significant takings implications.

Federalism--Executive Order 13132

    In accordance with E.O. 13132 (Federalism), this final rule does 
not have significant Federalism effects. A Federalism summary impact 
statement is not required. In keeping with Department of the Interior 
and Department of Commerce policy, we requested information from, and 
coordinated development of this critical habitat designation with, 
appropriate State resource agencies in Washington State. We received 
comments from WDFW and WDNR and have addressed them in the Summary of 
Comments and Recommendations section of the rule. From a federalism 
perspective, the designation of critical habitat directly affects only 
the responsibilities of Federal agencies. The Act imposes no other 
duties with respect to critical habitat, either for States and local 
governments, or for anyone else. As a result, the rule does not have 
substantial direct effects either on the States, or on the relationship 
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution 
of powers and responsibilities among the various levels of government. 
The designation may have some benefit to these governments because the 
areas that contain the features essential to the conservation of the 
species are more clearly defined, and the physical and biological 
features of the habitat necessary to the conservation of the species 
are specifically identified. This information does not alter where and 
what federally sponsored activities may occur. However, it may assist 
these local governments in long-range planning (because these local 
governments no longer have to wait for case-by-case section 7 
consultations to occur).
    Where State and local governments require approval or authorization 
from a Federal agency for actions that may affect critical habitat, 
consultation under section 7(a)(2) will be required. While non-Federal 
entities that receive Federal funding, assistance, or permits, or that 
otherwise require approval or authorization from a Federal agency for 
an action, may be indirectly impacted by the designation of critical 
habitat, the legally binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency.

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

    In accordance with Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform), 
the Office of the Solicitor has determined that the rule does not 
unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the applicable 
standards set forth in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Order. We are 
designating critical habitat in accordance with the provisions of the 
Act. To assist the public in understanding the habitat needs of the 
species, the rule identifies the elements of physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of the Olympia, Roy Prairie, 
Tenino, and Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher, although final 
critical habitat is not designated for the Roy Prairie pocket gopher as 
a consequence of the exemption of DOD lands. The designated areas of 
critical habitat are presented on maps, and the rule provides several 
options for the interested public to obtain more detailed location 
information, if desired.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)

    This rule does not contain any collections of information that 
require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This rule does not impose recordkeeping or 
reporting requirements on State or local governments, individuals, 
businesses, or organizations. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are 
not required to respond to a collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.

National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)

    It is our position that, outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court 
of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, we do not need to prepare 
environmental analyses pursuant to the National Environmental

[[Page 19752]]

Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) in connection with 
designating critical habitat under the Act. We published a notice 
outlining our reasons for this determination in the Federal Register on 
October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244). This position was upheld by the U.S. 
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Douglas County v. Babbitt, 48 
F.3d 1495 (9th Cir. 1995), cert. denied 516 U.S. 1042 (1996)).

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994 
(Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments; 59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and 
Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments), and the Department of the 
Interior's manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our 
responsibility to communicate meaningfully with recognized Federal 
Tribes on a government-to-government basis. In accordance with 
Secretarial Order 3206 of June 5, 1997 (American Indian Tribal Rights, 
Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act), 
we readily acknowledge our responsibilities to work directly with 
tribes in developing programs for healthy ecosystems, to acknowledge 
that tribal lands are not subject to the same controls as Federal 
public lands, to remain sensitive to Indian culture, and to make 
information available to tribes. We determined that there are no tribal 
lands occupied by any of the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the 
Mazama pocket gopher at the time of listing that contain the physical 
or biological features essential to conservation of the species, and no 
tribal lands unoccupied by the four Thurston/Pierce subspecies of the 
Mazama pocket gopher that are essential for the conservation of the 
species. Therefore, we are not designating critical habitat for any 
subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher on tribal lands.

References Cited

    A complete list of all references cited is available on the 
Internet at https://www.regulations.gov and upon request from the 
Washington Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT).

Authors

    The primary authors of this rulemaking are the staff members of the 
Washington Fish and Wildlife Office.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

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

Regulation Promulgation

    Accordingly, we amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 
of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below:

PART 17--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 1531-1544; 4201-4245; unless 
otherwise noted.


0
2. In Sec.  17.95, amend paragraph (a) by adding entries for the 
Olympia pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama pugetensis), Tenino pocket 
gopher (Thomomys mazama tumuli), and Yelm pocket gopher (Thomomys 
mazama yelmensis), in the same order that the species appear in the 
table at Sec.  17.11(h), to read as follows:


Sec.  17.95  Critical habitat--fish and wildlife.

    (a) Mammals.
* * * * *

Olympia pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama pugetensis)
    (1) Critical habitat for the Olympia pocket gopher in Thurston 
County, Washington, is depicted on the map below.
    (2) Within this area, the primary constituent elements of the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
Olympia pocket gopher consist of two components:
    (i) Friable, loamy, and deep soils, some with relatively greater 
content of sand, gravel, or silt, all generally on slopes less than 15 
percent in the following soil series or soil series complex:
    (A) Alderwood;
    (B) Cagey;
    (C) Everett;
    (D) Godfrey;
    (E) Indianola;
    (F) Kapowsin;
    (G) McKenna;
    (H) Nisqually;
    (I) Norma;
    (J) Spana;
    (K) Spanaway;
    (L) Spanaway-Nisqually complex; and
    (M) Yelm.
    (ii) Areas equal to or larger than 50 ac (20 ha) in size that 
provide for breeding, foraging, and dispersal activities, found in the 
soil series listed in paragraph (2)(i) of this entry that have:
    (A) Less than 10 percent woody vegetation cover;
    (B) Vegetative cover suitable for foraging by gophers. Pocket 
gophers' diets include a wide variety of plant material, including 
leafy vegetation, succulent roots, shoots, tubers, and grasses. Forbs 
and grasses that Mazama pocket gophers eat are known to include, but 
are not limited to: Achillea millefolium (common yarrow), Agoseris spp. 
(agoseris), Cirsium spp. (thistle), Bromus spp. (brome), Camassia spp. 
(camas), Collomia linearis (tiny trumpet), Epilobium spp. (several 
willowherb spp.), Eriophyllum lanatum (woolly sunflower), Gayophytum 
diffusum (groundsmoke), Hypochaeris radicata (hairy cat's ear), 
Lathyrus spp. (peavine), Lupinus spp. (lupine), Microsteris gracilis 
(slender phlox), Penstemon spp. (penstemon), Perideridia gairdneri 
(Gairdner's yampah), Phacelia heterophylla (varileaf phacelia), 
Polygonum douglasii (knotweed), Potentilla spp. (cinquefoil), Pteridium 
aquilinum (bracken fern), Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion), 
Trifolium spp. (clover), and Viola spp. (violet); and
    (C) Few, if any, barriers to dispersal. Barriers to dispersal may 
include, but are not limited to, forest edges, roads (paved and 
unpaved), abrupt elevation changes, Scot's broom thickets, highly 
cultivated lawns, inhospitable soil types or substrates, development 
and buildings, slopes greater than 35 percent, and open water.
    (3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as 
buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, railroad tracks, and other paved 
areas) and the land on which they are located existing within the legal 
boundaries on May 9, 2014.
    (4) Critical habitat map unit. Data layers defining map units were 
created on 2010 aerial photography from U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
National Agriculture Imagery Program base maps using ArcMap 
(Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.), a computer geographic 
information system (GIS) program. The map in this entry, as modified by 
any accompanying regulatory text, establishes the boundaries of the 
critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on 
which the map is based are available to the public at the Service's 
Internet site at https://www.fws.gov/wafwo/mpg.html, at https://www.regulations.gov (Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2013-0021), and at the field 
office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office 
location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, 
the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2.

[[Page 19753]]

    (5) Olympia Airport Unit, Thurston County, Washington. Map follows:
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[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR09AP14.000

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Tenino Pocket Gopher (Thomomys mazama tumuli)

    (1) Critical habitat for the Tenino pocket gopher in Thurston 
County, Washington, is depicted on the map below.
    (2) Within this area, the primary constituent elements of the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of Tenino 
pocket gopher consist of two components:
    (i) Friable, loamy, and deep soils, some with relatively greater 
content of sand, gravel, or silt, all generally on slopes less than 15 
percent in the following soil series or soil series complex:
    (A) Alderwood;
    (B) Cagey;
    (C) Everett;

[[Page 19754]]

    (D) Indianola;
    (E) Kapowsin;
    (F) Nisqually;
    (G) Norma;
    (H) Spanaway;
    (I) Spanaway-Nisqually complex; and
    (J) Yelm.
    (ii) Areas equal to or larger than 50 ac (20 ha) in size that 
provide for breeding, foraging, and dispersal activities, found in the 
soil series listed in paragraph (2)(i) of this entry that have:
    (A) Less than 10 percent woody vegetation cover;
    (B) Vegetative cover suitable for foraging by gophers. Pocket 
gophers' diets include a wide variety of plant material, including 
leafy vegetation, succulent roots, shoots, tubers, and grasses. Forbs 
and grasses that Mazama pocket gophers are known to eat include, but 
are not limited to: Achillea millefolium (common yarrow), Agoseris spp. 
(agoseris), Cirsium spp. (thistle), Bromus spp. (brome), Camassia spp. 
(camas), Collomia linearis (tiny trumpet), Epilobium spp. (several 
willowherb spp.), Eriophyllum lanatum (woolly sunflower), Gayophytum 
diffusum (groundsmoke), Hypochaeris radicata (hairy cat's ear), 
Lathyrus spp. (peavine), Lupinus spp. (lupine), Microsteris gracilis 
(slender phlox), Penstemon spp. (penstemon), Perideridia gairdneri 
(Gairdner's yampah), Phacelia heterophylla (varileaf phacelia), 
Polygonum douglasii (knotweed), Potentilla spp. (cinquefoil), Pteridium 
aquilinum (bracken fern), Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion), 
Trifolium spp. (clover), and Viola spp. (violet); and
    (C) Few, if any, barriers to dispersal. Barriers to dispersal may 
include, but are not limited to, forest edges, roads (paved and 
unpaved), abrupt elevation changes, Scot's broom thickets, highly 
cultivated lawns, inhospitable soil types or substrates, development 
and buildings, slopes greater than 35 percent, and open water.
    (3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as 
buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the 
land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on 
May 9, 2014.
    (4) Critical habitat map unit. Data layers defining the map unit 
were created on 2010 aerial photography from U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, National Agriculture Imagery Program base maps using 
ArcMap (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.), a computer 
geographic information system (GIS) program. The map in this entry 
establishes the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The 
coordinates or plot points or both on which the map is based are 
available to the public at the Service's Internet site at https://www.fws.gov/wafwo/, at https://www.regulations.gov (Docket No. FWS-R1-
ES-2013-0021), and at the field office responsible for this 
designation. You may obtain field office location information by 
contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which 
are listed at 50 CFR 2.2.
    (5) Rocky Prairie Unit, Thurston County, Washington. Map follows:
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

[[Page 19755]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR09AP14.001

BILLING CODE 4310-55-C

Yelm Pocket Gopher (Thomomys mazama yelmensis)

    (1) Critical habitat for the Yelm pocket gopher in Thurston County, 
Washington, is depicted on the map below.
    (2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
Yelm pocket gopher consist of two components:
    (i) Friable, loamy, and deep soils, some with relatively greater 
content of sand, gravel, or silt, all generally on slopes less than 15 
percent in the following soil series or soils series complex:
    (A) Alderwood;
    (B) Cagey;
    (C) Everett;
    (D) Godfrey;
    (E) Indianola;
    (F) Kapowsin;
    (G) McKenna;
    (H) Nisqually;
    (I) Norma;
    (J) Spanaway;
    (K) Spanaway-Nisqually complex; and
    (L) Yelm.
    (ii) Areas equal to or larger than 50 ac (20 ha) in size that 
provide for breeding, foraging, and dispersal activities, found in the 
soil series listed in paragraph (2)(i) of this entry that have:

[[Page 19756]]

    (A) Less than 10 percent woody vegetation cover;
    (B) Vegetative cover suitable for foraging by gophers. Pocket 
gophers' diets include a wide variety of plant material, including 
leafy vegetation, succulent roots, shoots, tubers, and grasses. Forbs 
and grasses that Mazama pocket gophers are known to eat include, but 
are not limited to: Achillea millefolium (common yarrow), Agoseris spp. 
(agoseris), Cirsium spp. (thistle), Bromus spp. (brome), Camassia spp. 
(camas), Collomia linearis (tiny trumpet), Epilobium spp. (several 
willowherb spp.), Eriophyllum lanatum (woolly sunflower), Gayophytum 
diffusum (groundsmoke), Hypochaeris radicata (hairy cat's ear), 
Lathyrus spp. (peavine), Lupinus spp. (lupine), Microsteris gracilis 
(slender phlox), Penstemon spp. (penstemon), Perideridia gairdneri 
(Gairdner's yampah), Phacelia heterophylla (varileaf phacelia), 
Polygonum douglasii (knotweed), Potentilla spp. (cinquefoil), Pteridium 
aquilinum (bracken fern), Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion), 
Trifolium spp. (clover), and Viola spp. (violet); and
    (C) Few, if any, barriers to dispersal. Barriers to dispersal may 
include, but are not limited to, forest edges, roads (paved and 
unpaved), abrupt elevation changes, Scot's broom thickets, highly 
cultivated lawns, inhospitable soil types or substrates, development 
and buildings, slopes greater than 35 percent, and open water.
    (3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as 
buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the 
land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on 
May 9, 2014.
    (4) Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining the map units 
were created on 2010 aerial photography from U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, National Agriculture Imagery Program base maps using 
ArcMap (Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.), a computer 
geographic information system (GIS) program. The map in this entry 
establishes the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The 
coordinates or plot points or both on which the map is based are 
available to the public at the Service's Internet site at https://www.fws.gov/wafwo/, at https://www.regulations.gov (Docket No. FWS-R1-
ES-2013-0021), and at the field office responsible for this 
designation. You may obtain field office location information by 
contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which 
are listed at 50 CFR 2.2.
    (5) Tenalquot Prairie and Rock Prairie Subunits, Thurston County, 
Washington.
    Map follows:
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

[[Page 19757]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR09AP14.002

* * * * *

    Dated: March 27, 2014.
Rachel Jacobson,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2014-07415 Filed 4-8-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-C