Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Slickspot Peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum), 44584-44617 [2020-14449]

Agencies

• Fish and Wildlife Service
• DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 142 (Thursday, July 23, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 44584-44617]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14449]



[[Page 44583]]

Vol. 85

Thursday,

No. 142

July 23, 2020

Part II





Department of the Interior





-----------------------------------------------------------------------





Fish and Wildlife Service





-----------------------------------------------------------------------





50 CFR Part 17





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

Federal Register / Vol. 85 , No. 142 / Thursday, July 23, 2020 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 44584]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071; FF09E21000 FXES11110900000 201]
RIN 1018-BE61


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Revised proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), again revise 
our previous proposal to designate critical habitat for slickspot 
peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum) under the Endangered Species Act 
(Act). In total, approximately 17,049 hectares (ha) (42,129 acres (ac)) 
in Ada, Elmore, Gem, Payette, and Owyhee Counties in Idaho fall within 
the boundaries of the revised proposed critical habitat designation. If 
we finalize this revised rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's 
protections to this species' critical habitat. We are proposing changes 
to our previous critical habitat proposal for slickspot peppergrass 
based on new information available on the current condition of 
slickspot peppergrass occurrences, as well as use of an alternative 
method for mapping critical habitat for the species that more precisely 
includes areas that provide the physical and biological features 
essential to the conservation of the species. The effect of the revised 
proposed critical habitat would be to conserve slickspot peppergrass 
and its habitat under the Act.

DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before 
September 21, 2020. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES, below) must be received by 11:59 
p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. We must receive requests for 
public hearings, in writing, at the address shown in FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT by September 8, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by the following methods:
    (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071, 
which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, click on the 
Search button. On the resulting page, in the Search panel on the left 
side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the Proposed 
Rule box to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking 
on ``Comment Now!''
    (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments 
Processing, Attn: FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
MS: JAO/1N, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
    We request that you send comments only by the methods described 
above. We will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. This 
generally means that we will post any personal information that you 
provide us (see the Information Requested section below for more 
information).
    Availability of supporting materials: The coordinates or plot 
points or both from which the critical habitat maps are generated are 
included in the administrative record for this proposed revised 
critical habitat designation and are available at https://www.fws.gov/idaho and https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2010-
0071. Any additional tools or supporting information that we may 
develop for this critical habitat designation will also be available at 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website and may also be included in 
the preamble and/or at https://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christopher Swanson, Acting State 
Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Idaho Fish and Wildlife 
Office, 1387 S. Vinnell Way, Room 368, Boise, ID 83709; telephone 208-
378-5243. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf 
(TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Executive Summary

    Why we need to publish a rule. This is a second revision of the 
proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the threatened plant 
species, slickspot peppergrass (76 FR 27184, May 10, 2011, and 79 FR 
8402, Feb. 12, 2014). All areas we are proposing as critical habitat 
are occupied by the species, and the majority of the area proposed is 
located on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 
Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.) (Act), any species that is determined to be threatened or 
endangered 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 reinstated 
slickspot peppergrass as a threatened species under the Act effective 
September 16, 2016 (81 FR 55058, Aug. 17, 2016). We are revising our 
previously proposed critical habitat rule to incorporate new 
information we received from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game 
(IDFG) regarding habitat quality rankings of slickspot peppergrass 
occurrences (Kinter and Miller 2016, Table 5).
    The basis for our action. Section 4(a)(3) of the Act requires the 
Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) to designate critical habitat 
concurrent with listing to the maximum extent prudent and determinable. 
Section 4(b)(2) of the Act states that the Secretary must make the 
designation 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 impacts of specifying any 
particular area as critical habitat. Section 3(5)(A) of the Act defines 
critical habitat as (i) the specific areas within the geographical area 
occupied by the species, at the time it is listed, on which are found 
those physical or biological features (I) essential to the conservation 
of the species and (II) which may require special management 
considerations or protections; and (ii) specific areas outside the 
geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed, 
upon a determination by the Secretary that such areas are essential for 
the conservation of the species.
    Economic analysis. In order to consider economic impacts, we 
previously prepared an analysis of the economic impacts of the proposed 
critical habitat designation and related factors. The final economic 
analysis, which was completed March 12, 2012, concluded that critical 
habitat designation would not likely affect levels of economic activity 
or conservation measures being implemented within the proposed critical 
habitat area. The analysis stated that the primary reason critical 
habitat is unlikely to generate economic impacts beyond administrative 
costs of consultation is that approximately 85.8 percent of the 
proposed critical habitat is Federal land managed by the BLM, which is 
a party to a binding conservation agreement established for the purpose 
of slickspot peppergrass conservation; all projects and activities 
occurring on these public lands within the proposed critical habitat, 
are already subject to section 7 consultation for slickspot peppergrass 
(IEC 2012, p. ES-5). The BLM administers Federal lands that encompass 
approximately 84.7 percent of the current critical habitat

[[Page 44585]]

proposal; we consider this 1.1 percent decrease in the percentage of 
proposed critical habitat administered by BLM to be inconsequential 
relative to the conclusions of the 2012 economic analysis. Unless 
unforeseen changes occur to existing conservation measures or the 
management of land use activities, the incremental impacts of critical 
habitat designation described in the 2012 final economic analysis would 
continue to be limited to additional administrative costs of section 7 
consultations for Federal agencies (primarily BLM), associated with 
considering the potential for adverse modification of critical habitat. 
The final economic analysis is available at https://www.regulations.gov 
under the docket number for this rulemaking, which is FWS-R1-ES-2010-
0071.
    Peer review. In accordance with our peer review policy published 
July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270), and our August 22, 2016, memorandum 
updating and clarifying the role of peer review of listing actions 
under the Act, we solicited expert opinion in 2011 from five 
appropriate and independent specialists regarding the 2011 proposed 
rule. We received input from three of the five individuals. Since that 
time, we have implemented a standard practice of developing a species 
status assessment (SSA) as the scientific foundation to inform our 
listing determinations and recovery plans (U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service 2016, in litt., pp. 1-2). In 2018, we initiated the development 
of an SSA for slickspot peppergrass, and in August 2018, we solicited 
expert opinion from four independent specialists with scientific 
expertise on slickspot peppergrass and its habitat regarding our draft 
SSA report. These four individuals generally concurred with the 
information and conclusions in the draft SSA report, including our use 
of data from the IDFG (Kinter and Miller 2016, entire); these data were 
used extensively in the SSA. The purpose of peer review is to ensure 
that our critical habitat designations are based on scientifically 
sound data, assumptions, and analyses. The peer reviewers have 
expertise in the biology, habitat, and threats to the species. The 
final SSA report (USFWS 2020) is available at https://www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071.
    Because we will consider all comments and information we receive 
during the comment period, our final designation may differ from this 
proposal. Based on the new information we receive (and any comments on 
that new information), our final designation may not include all areas 
proposed, may include some additional areas, and may exclude some areas 
if we find the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of 
inclusion. Such final decisions would be a logical outgrowth of this 
proposal, as long as we: (1) Base the decisions on the best scientific 
and commercial data available and take into consideration the relevant 
impacts; (2) articulate a rational connection between the facts found 
and the conclusions made, including why we changed our conclusion; and 
(3) base removal of any areas on a determination either that the area 
does not meet the definition of ``critical habitat'' or that the 
benefits of excluding the area will outweigh the benefits of including 
it in the designation.

Information Requested

    We intend that any final action resulting from this proposed rule 
will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available and 
be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, we request 
comments or information from other concerned government agencies, 
Native American tribes, the scientific community, industry, or any 
other interested party concerning this revised proposed rule. Comments 
previously submitted during earlier public comment periods on proposed 
critical habitat for slickspot peppergrass will be considered in our 
final decision and need not be resubmitted. We particularly seek 
comments concerning:
    (1) The reasons why we should or should not designate habitat as 
``critical habitat'' under section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.), including information to inform the following factors that the 
regulations identify as reasons why designation of critical habitat may 
be not prudent:
    (a) The species is threatened by taking or other human activity and 
identification of critical habitat can be expected to increase the 
degree of such threat to the species;
    (b) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or 
curtailment of a species' habitat or range is not a threat to the 
species, or threats to the species' habitat stem solely from causes 
that cannot be addressed through management actions resulting from 
consultations under section 7(a)(2) of the Act;
    (c) Areas within the jurisdiction of the United States provide no 
more than negligible conservation value, if any, for a species 
occurring primarily outside the jurisdiction of the United States; or
    (d) No areas meet the definition of critical habitat.
    (2) Specific information on:
    (a) The amount and distribution of [species] habitat;
    (b) What areas, that were occupied at the time of listing and that 
contain the physical or biological features essential to the 
conservation of the species, should be included in the designation and 
why;
    (c) Special management considerations or protection that may be 
needed in critical habitat areas we are proposing, including managing 
for the potential effects of climate change; and
    (d) What areas not occupied at the time of listing are essential 
for the conservation of the species. We particularly seek comments:
    (i) Regarding whether occupied areas are inadequate for the 
conservation of the species; and
    (ii) Providing specific information that supports the determination 
that unoccupied areas will, with reasonable certainty, contribute to 
the conservation of the species and contain at least one physical or 
biological feature essential to the conservation of the species.
    (3) Any additional areas occurring within the historical range of 
the species that should be included in the designation because they (a) 
are occupied at the time of listing and contain the physical and 
biological features that are essential to the conservation of the 
species and that may require special management considerations, or (b) 
are unoccupied at the time of listing and are essential for the 
conservation of the species.
    (4) Land use designations and current or planned activities in the 
subject areas and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat.
    (5) Any probable economic, national security, or other relevant 
impacts of designating any area that may be included in the final 
designation, and the related benefits of including or excluding 
specific areas.
    (6) Information on the extent to which the description of probable 
economic impacts in the draft economic analysis is a reasonable 
estimate of the likely economic impacts.
    (7) New scientific information regarding critical habitat for this 
species that has become available since the May 10, 2011, publication 
of our proposed rule to designate critical habitat for slickspot 
peppergrass (76 FR 27184, May 10, 2011) and the Feb. 12, 2014, 
publication of our revised proposed rule to designate critical habitat 
for slickspot peppergrass (79 FR 8402, Feb. 12, 2014).
    (8) Whether we could improve or modify our approach to designating 
critical habitat in any way to provide for greater public participation 
and understanding, or to better

[[Page 44586]]

accommodate public concerns and comments. We particularly seek comments 
regarding the appropriateness of our use of an updated critical habitat 
mapping methodology that replaces use of Quarter-Quarter sections based 
on the Public Land Survey System.
    (9) Whether any specific areas we are proposing for critical 
habitat designation should be considered for exclusion under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act, and whether the benefits of potentially excluding 
any specific area outweigh the benefits of including that area under 
section 4(b)(2) of the Act. In particular, we are interested in areas 
proposed for designation on non-Federal lands covered by a conservation 
agreement or plan that specifically addresses threats to slickspot 
peppergrass. We are asking for information related to whether the 
specific nonFederal lands covered under the 2006 Candidate Conservation 
Agreement (CCA) signed by the State of Idaho Governor's Office of 
Species Conservation, the BLM, IDFG, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho 
National Guard, and several nongovernmental cooperators should be 
considered for exclusion under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, and whether 
the benefits of potentially excluding these areas outweigh the benefits 
of including these areas under section 4(b)(2) of the Act.
    (10) Although we are not aware of any current habitat conservation 
plans (HCP), safe harbor agreements (SHA), or conservation agreements 
or plans covering municipal or private lands with proposed critical 
habitat, we request information from the public concerning interest in 
developing these agreements to memorialize ongoing conservation 
programs or partnerships that benefit slickspot peppergrass, including 
renewing expired memoranda of agreement (MOAs) associated with the 2006 
CCA that were previously signed by private landowners, which overlap 
with proposed critical habitat. Municipal or private lands covered by 
ongoing or new agreements that include ongoing activities that have 
been demonstrated to effectively benefit slickspot peppergrass may be 
appropriate for exclusion under section 4(b)(2) of the Act.
    (11) We also request information from local governments concerning 
interest in renewing or revising the following expired municipal 
conservation agreements and information regarding ongoing 
implementation of conservation measures associated with these plans 
that benefit slickspot peppergrass, and the appropriateness of 
considering lands covered by these agreements, if renewed or revised, 
for exclusion under section 4(b)(2) of the Act:
    (a) The Conservation Agreement for Slickspot Peppergrass at the 
Boise Airport, Ada County, Idaho, between the Service and the City of 
Boise Airport that expired in December 2015 (City of Boise and U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service 2003, in litt.).
    (b) The Conservation Agreement by, and between, Boise City and the 
Service for Allium aasea (Aase's onion), Astragalus mulfordiae 
(Mulford's milkvetch), and slickspot peppergrass (Hull's Gulch 
Agreement) that expired in 2006 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1996, 
in litt.).
    Please include sufficient information with your submission (such as 
scientific journal articles or other publications) to allow us to 
verify any scientific or commercial information you include.
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning this revised 
proposed rule by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We request 
that you send comments only by the methods described in ADDRESSES. We 
will consider all comments and information received during the comment 
period on this revised proposed rule, as well those received during the 
previous comment periods associated with the 2011 proposed critical 
habitat rule (76 FR 27184, May 10, 2011) and the 2014 revised proposed 
critical habitat rule (79 FR 8402, Feb. 12, 2014), in the preparation 
of a final designation. Therefore, it is not necessary to resubmit 
comments previously provided during the comment periods on those 
proposed rules.
    If you submit information via https://www.regulations.gov, your 
entire submission--including any personal identifying information--will 
be posted on the website. If your submission is made via a hardcopy 
that includes personal identifying information, you may request at the 
top of your document that we withhold this information from public 
review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We 
will post all hardcopy submissions on https://www.regulations.gov.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing this revised proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov.

Public Hearing

    Section 4(b)(5) of the Act provides for a public hearing on this 
proposal, if requested. Requests must be received by the date specified 
in DATES. Such requests must be sent to the address shown in FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. We will schedule a public hearing on this 
proposal, if requested, and announce the date, time, and place of the 
hearing, as well as how to obtain reasonable accommodations, in the 
Federal Register and local newspapers at least 15 days before the 
hearing. For the immediate future, we will provide these public 
hearings using webinars that will be announced on the Service's 
website, in addition to the Federal Register. The use of these virtual 
public hearings is consistent with our regulation at 50 CFR 
424.16(c)(3).

Previous Federal Actions

    In this revised proposed rule, we primarily discuss those topics 
directly relevant to updating the 2011 proposed critical habitat rule 
(76 FR 27184, May 10, 2011) and the 2014 revised proposed critical 
habitat rule (79 FR 8402, Feb. 12, 2014). For more information on 
previous Federal actions concerning slickspot peppergrass, refer to 
those documents and the 2016 final rule reinstating threatened status 
for the species under the Act (81 FR 55058, Aug. 17, 2016).

Changes from the Previous Proposed Rules

Summary of Changes

    There are three primary changes from our previous proposed critical 
habitat rules (76 FR 27184, May 11, 2011; and 79 FR 8402, February 12, 
2014) that we quickly summarize here and discuss in further detail in 
later sections of this document. First, since the publication of our 
May 10, 2011, proposed rule (76 FR 27184) and our February 12, 2014, 
revised proposed rule (79 FR 8402), we received information from IDFG 
regarding some additional areas that meet our definition of critical 
habitat for slickspot peppergrass, and some areas previously proposed 
as critical habitat that no longer meet our definition. We incorporated 
this new information and revised our designation accordingly. In 
addition, we changed our critical habitat mapping methodology to use 
geographic information system (GIS)-generated polygons, replacing our 
use of Quarter-Quarter sections based on the Public Land Survey System.
    Finally, the regulations concerning critical habitat have been 
revised and updated (81 FR 7414, Feb. 11, 2016; 84 FR 45020, August 27, 
2019). The original 2011 proposed rule (76 FR 27184, May 10, 2011) 
identified primary constituent elements (PCEs) for the critical habitat 
designation, and our 2014 revision did not change those (79 FR 8402, 
Feb. 12, 2014). In accordance

[[Page 44587]]

with the revisions to our critical habitat regulations, this revised 
proposed rule includes specific descriptions of the physical and 
biological features (PBFs) that are essential to the conservation of 
the species and which may require special management considerations or 
protection. We also revised the language describing PBF 1(b) to clarify 
the intent of the original language used in the 2011 proposed critical 
habitat rule (76 FR 27190, May 10, 2011) as follows: Sparse vegetation, 
with introduced, invasive, nonnative plant species cover absent or 
limited to low to moderate levels. The 2011 proposed critical habitat 
rule (76 FR 27184, May 10, 2011) described PBF 1(b) as: ``Sparse 
vegetation with low to moderate introduced, invasive, nonnative plant 
species cover'' (76 FR 27190). The intent of this updated language is 
to clarify that introduced, invasive, nonnative plant species are 
absent from slick spot microsites or are limited to low or moderate 
levels.

Summary of New Information

    As described in our 2014 revised critical habitat proposal (79 FR 
8402, Feb. 12, 2014), we based our criteria for the identification of 
critical habitat for slickspot peppergrass on the Element Occurrence 
(EO) rankings of the Idaho Natural Heritage Program (INHP). An EO is 
the distinct geographic location where a species occurs. In the case of 
slickspot peppergrass, EOs are groups of slickspot peppergrass plants 
that all occur within 1 kilometer (km) (0.6 mile (mi)) of each other; 
that is, all slickspot peppergrass plants within a 1-km (0.6-mi) 
distance of one another are aggregated into a single EO (Colket and 
Robertson 2006, in litt., pp. 1-2; Kinter and Miller 2016, p. 1). In 
2016, new information became available on slickspot peppergrass EO 
rankings when IDFG completed a systematic assessment based on field 
data collected from summer 2012 through spring 2016. IDFG used 
NatureServe guidance to rank EOs based on three factors: Size, 
condition, and landscape context (Kinter and Miller 2016, p. 3). We 
believe that the IDFG's 2016 report now constitutes the best available 
information regarding the size and quality of slickspot peppergrass 
occurrences. Incorporating this new information led to the removal of 
critical habitat areas associated with ten EOs that, based on a ranking 
in the 2016 assessment study by IDFG, no longer meet critical habitat 
criteria, as well as the addition of critical habitat areas associated 
with 24 EOs and two sub-EOs that, based on their 2016 IDFG ranking, 
meet critical habitat criteria.
    We also used a more biologically-based GIS method for mapping 
critical habitat in our revised proposal. This GIS-based method 
involved mapping slickspot peppergrass EOs surrounded by 820-foot (ft) 
pollinator buffers, creating polygons that include only those areas 
that meet the definition of critical habitat for the species (see 
Physical and Biological Features Essential to the Conservation of the 
Species below). The new mapping methodology led to a reduction of 
acreage proposed for critical habitat from 61,301 ac in the 2014 
proposal to 42,129 ac, a 31 percent decrease.
    This reopened comment period provides all interested parties with 
an additional opportunity to submit written comments on this revised 
proposed rule, specifically regarding the new proposed EOs that have 
been included or EOs that have been removed from critical habitat based 
on the best scientific data that has become available since the 2011 
proposed critical habitat rule (76 FR 27184, May 10, 2011) and the 2014 
revised proposed critical habitat rule (79 FR 8402, Feb. 12, 2014).

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.
    Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.02 define the geographical area 
occupied by the species as an area that may generally be delineated 
around species' occurrences, as determined by the Secretary (i.e., 
range). Such areas may include those areas used throughout all or part 
of the species' life cycle, even if not used on a regular basis (e.g., 
migratory corridors, seasonal habitats, and habitats used periodically, 
but not solely by vagrant individuals).
    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 resources 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. Designation also does not allow the government 
or public to access private lands, nor does designation 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 Federal agency would be required to consult 
with the Service under section 7(a)(2) of the Act. However, even if the 
Service were to conclude that the proposed activity would result in 
destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat, the 
Federal action agency and the landowner are not required to abandon the 
proposed activity, or to restore or recover the species; instead, they 
must implement ``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 that occur in specific occupied areas, 
we focus on the specific features that are essential to

[[Page 44588]]

support the life-history needs of the species, including, but not 
limited to, water characteristics, soil type, geological features, 
prey, vegetation, symbiotic species, or other features. A feature may 
be a single habitat characteristic or a more complex combination of 
habitat characteristics. Features may include habitat characteristics 
that support ephemeral or dynamic habitat conditions. Features may also 
be expressed in terms relating to principles of conservation biology, 
such as patch size, distribution distances, and connectivity.
    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. When designating critical habitat, the Secretary will first 
evaluate areas occupied by the species. The Secretary will only 
consider unoccupied areas to be essential where a critical habitat 
designation limited to geographical areas occupied by the species would 
be inadequate to ensure the conservation of the species. In addition, 
for an unoccupied area to be considered essential, the Secretary must 
determine that there is a reasonable certainty both that the area will 
contribute to the conservation of the species and that the area 
contains one or more of those physical or biological features essential 
to the conservation of the species.
    Section 4 of the Act requires that we designate critical habitat on 
the basis of the best scientific 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 from the SSA report and information developed during the 
listing process for the species. Additional information sources may 
include any generalized conservation strategy, criteria, or outline 
that may have been developed for the species; 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. 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 ensure 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 available information 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.

Prudency Determination

    Section 4(a)(3) of the Act, as amended, and implementing 
regulations (50 CFR 424.12) require that, to the maximum extent prudent 
and determinable, the Secretary shall designate critical habitat at the 
time the species is determined to be an endangered or threatened 
species. Our regulations (50 CFR 424.12(a)(1)) state that the Secretary 
may, but is not required to, determine that a designation would not be 
prudent in the following circumstances:
    (i) The species is threatened by taking or other human activity and 
identification of critical habitat can be expected to increase the 
degree of such threat to the species;
    (ii) The present or threatened destruction, modification, or 
curtailment of a species' habitat or range is not a threat to the 
species, or threats to the species' habitat stem solely from causes 
that cannot be addressed through management actions resulting from 
consultations under section 7(a)(2) of the Act;
    (iii) Areas within the jurisdiction of the United States provide no 
more than negligible conservation value, if any, for a species 
occurring primarily outside the jurisdiction of the United States;
    (iv) No areas meet the definition of critical habitat; or
    (v) The Secretary otherwise determines that designation of critical 
habitat would not be prudent based on the best scientific data 
available.
    As discussed in our 2009 listing determination (74 FR 52014, Oct. 
8, 2009), there is currently no imminent threat of take attributed to 
collection or vandalism identified under Factor B for this species, and 
identification and mapping of critical habitat is not expected to 
initiate any such threat. We determined that the present or threatened 
destruction, modification, or curtailment of habitat or range is a 
threat to slickspot peppergrass and that those threats in some way can 
be addressed by section 7(a)(2) consultation measures. The species 
occurs wholly in the jurisdiction of the United States, and we are able 
to identify areas that meet the definition of critical habitat. 
Therefore, because none of the circumstances enumerated in our 
regulations at 50 CFR 424.12(a)(1) has been met and because there are 
no other circumstances the Secretary has identified for which this 
designation of critical habitat would be not prudent, we have 
determined that the designation of critical habitat is prudent for 
slickspot peppergrass.

Critical Habitat Determinability

    Having determined that designation is prudent, under section 
4(a)(3) of the Act we must find whether critical habitat for slickspot 
peppergrass is determinable. Our regulations at 50 CFR 424.12(a)(2) 
state that critical habitat is not determinable when one or both of the 
following situations exist:
    (i) Data sufficient to perform required analyses are lacking, or
    (ii) The biological needs of the species are not sufficiently well 
known to

[[Page 44589]]

identify any area that meets the definition of ``critical habitat.''
    When critical habitat is not determinable, the Act allows the 
Service an additional year to publish a critical habitat designation 
(16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(6)(C)(ii)).
    We reviewed the available information pertaining to the biological 
needs of the species and habitat characteristics where this species is 
located. This and other information represent the best scientific data 
available and led us to conclude that the designation of critical 
habitat is determinable for slickspot peppergrass.

Physical and Biological Features Essential to the Conservation of the 
Species

    In accordance with section 3(5)(A)(i) of the Act and regulations at 
50 CFR 424.12(b), in determining which areas we will designate as 
critical habitat from within the geographical area occupied by the 
species at the time of listing, we consider the physical or biological 
features that are essential to the conservation of the species and that 
may require special management considerations or protection. The 
regulations at 50 CFR 424.02 define ``physical or biological features 
essential to the conservation of the species'' as the features that 
occur in specific areas and that are essential to support the life-
history needs of the species, including, but not limited to, water 
characteristics, soil type, geological features, sites, prey, 
vegetation, symbiotic species, or other features. A feature may be a 
single habitat characteristic or a more complex combination of habitat 
characteristics. Features may include habitat characteristics that 
support ephemeral or dynamic habitat conditions. Features may also be 
expressed in terms relating to principles of conservation biology, such 
as patch size, distribution distances, and connectivity. For example, 
physical features essential to the conservation of the species might 
include gravel of a particular size required for spawning, alkali soil 
for seed germination, protective cover for migration, or susceptibility 
to flooding or fire that maintains necessary early-successional habitat 
characteristics. Biological features might include prey species, forage 
grasses, specific kinds or ages of trees for roosting or nesting, 
symbiotic fungi, or a particular level of nonnative species consistent 
with conservation needs of the listed species. The features may also be 
combinations of habitat characteristics and may encompass the 
relationship between characteristics or the necessary amount of a 
characteristic essential to support the life history of the species.
    In considering whether features are essential to the conservation 
of the species, the Service may consider an appropriate quality, 
quantity, and spatial and temporal arrangement of habitat 
characteristics in the context of the life-history needs, condition, 
and status of the species. These characteristics include, but are not 
limited to, space for individual and population growth and for normal 
behavior; food, water, air, light, minerals, or other nutritional or 
physiological requirements; cover or shelter; sites for breeding, 
reproduction, or rearing (or development) of offspring; and habitats 
that are protected from disturbance.
    We derive the specific physical or biological features essential 
for slickspot peppergrass from studies of this species' habitat, 
ecology, and life history as described in the ``Critical Habitat'' 
section of the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on May 
10, 2011 (76 FR 27184), on February 12, 2014 (79 FR 8402), and in the 
information presented below. Additional information can be found in the 
final listing rule published in the Federal Register on October 8, 2009 
(74 FR 52014), the listing reinstatement rule published August 17, 2016 
(81 FR 55058), and our February 2020 slickspot peppergrass SSA report 
(USFWS 2020).
    With rare exception, slickspot peppergrass is known only to occur 
in slick spot microsites scattered within the greater semiarid 
sagebrush-steppe ecosystem of southwestern Idaho. Slick spots provide 
habitats that are representative of the historical, geographical, and 
ecological distribution of slickspot peppergrass, and provide nutrients 
and water for reproduction, germination, and seed dispersal. The 
restricted distribution of slickspot peppergrass is likely due to its 
adaptation to the specific conditions within these slick spot habitats. 
Slick spots are distinguished from the surrounding sagebrush habitat as 
having the following characteristics: Microsites where water pools when 
rain falls (Fisher et al. 1996, pp. 2, 4); sparse native vegetation; 
distinct soil layers with a columnar or prismatic structure, higher 
alkalinity and clay content, and natric (sodic, high sodium) properties 
(Fisher et al. 1996, pp. 15-16; Meyer and Allen 2005, pp. 3-5, 8; 
Palazzo et al. 2008, p. 378); and reduced levels of organic matter and 
nutrients due to lower biomass production (Meyer and Quinney 1993, pp. 
3, 6; Fisher et al. 1996, p. 4). Although the low permeability of slick 
spots appears to help hold moisture (Moseley 1994, p. 8), once the thin 
crust dries out, the survival of slickspot peppergrass seedlings 
depends on the ability of the plant to extend the taproot into the 
argillic horizon (soil layer with high clay content) to extract 
moisture from the deeper natric zone (Fisher et al. 1996, p. 13).
    Ecologically functional slick spots have the following three 
primary layers: the surface silt layer, the middle restrictive layer, 
and an underlying moist clay layer. Although slick spots can appear 
homogeneous on the surface, the actual depth of the silt and 
restrictive layer can vary throughout the slick spot (Meyer and Allen 
2005, Tables 9, 10, and 11). The top two layers (surface silt and 
restrictive) of slick spots are normally very thin; the surface silt 
layer varies in thickness from a 0.25 to 3 centimeters (cm) (0.1 to 1.2 
inches (in)) in slick spots known to support slickspot peppergrass, and 
the restrictive layer varies in thickness from 1 to 3 cm (0.4 to 1.2 
in) (Meyer and Allen 2005, p. 3). Fisher et al. (1996, p. 4) describe 
the smooth surface layer of slick spots as crustlike, with prominent 
vesicular pores. Below the surface layer, the soil clay content 
increases abruptly and creates a strongly structured, finely textured 
boundary (horizon) formed by the concentration of silicate clay 
materials, known as an argillic horizon.
    Slick spot soil profiles are distinctive and distinguished from the 
surrounding soil matrix by very thin surface layers that form 
prominently vesicular crusts, natric-like argillic horizons that occur 
just below the soil surface, and by increasingly saline and sodic 
conditions with depth (Fisher et al. 1996, pp. 11, 16). Disturbances 
that alter the physical properties of slick spot soil layers, such as 
deep disturbance and the addition of organic matter, may lead to 
destruction and permanent loss of slick spots. Slick spot soils are 
especially susceptible to mechanical disturbances when wet (Rengasamy 
et al. 1984, p. 63; Seronko 2004, in litt., entire). Such disturbances 
disrupt the soil layers important to slickspot peppergrass seed 
germination and seedling growth, and alter hydrological function.
    The biological soil crust, also known as a microbiotic crust or 
cryptogamic crust, is another component of quality habitat for 
slickspot peppergrass. Such crusts are commonly found in semiarid and 
arid ecosystems, and are formed by living organisms, primarily 
bryophytes (mosses), lichens, algae, and cyanobacteria (blue-green 
algae), that bind together surface soil particles (Moseley 1994, p. 9; 
Johnston 1997, p. 4). Microbiotic crusts play an important

[[Page 44590]]

role in stabilizing the soil and preventing erosion, increasing the 
availability of nitrogen and other nutrients in the soil, and 
regulating water infiltration and evaporation levels (Johnston 1997, 
pp. 8-10). In addition, an intact crust appears to aid in preventing 
the establishment of invasive plants (Brooks and Pyke 2001, p. 4, and 
references therein; see also Serpe et al. 2006, pp. 174, 176). These 
crusts are sensitive to disturbances that disrupt crust integrity, such 
as compression due to livestock trampling or off-road vehicle (ORV) 
use, and are also vulnerable to damage by fire. Recovery from 
disturbance is possible but occurs very slowly (Johnston 1997, pp. 10-
11).
    The native, semiarid sagebrush-steppe habitat of southwestern Idaho 
where slickspot peppergrass is found can be divided into two plant 
associations, each dominated by the shrub Wyoming big sagebrush 
(Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis): (1) Wyoming big sagebrush--
Thurber's needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum (formerly Stipa 
thurberiana)); and (2) Wyoming big sagebrush--bluebunch wheatgrass 
(Agropyron spicatum) habitat types. The perennial bunchgrasses 
Sandberg's bluegrass (Poa secunda) and bottlebrush squirreltail 
(Sitanion hysrix) are commonly found in the understory of these 
habitats, and the species basin big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata 
ssp. tridentata), grey rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), green 
rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viridiflorus), strict buckwheat (Eriogonum 
strictum), bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), and little-leafed 
horsebrush (Tetradymium glabrata) form a lesser component of the shrub 
community. Under relatively undisturbed conditions, the understory is 
populated by a diversity of perennial bunchgrasses and forbs, including 
species such as Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum (formerly Oryzopsis) 
hymenoides), common yarrow (Achillea millefolium), varileaf phacelia 
(Phacelia heterophylla), Pursh's milkvetch (Astragalus purshii), 
longleaf phlox (Phlox longifolia), and purple threeawn (Aristida 
purpurea var. longiseta).
    Slickspot peppergrass is primarily an outcrossing species requiring 
pollen from separate plants for more successful fruit production; it 
exhibits low seed set in the absence of insect pollinators (Robertson 
2003, p. 9; Robertson and Klemash 2003, p. 339; Robertson and Ulappa 
2004, p. 1707; Billinge and Robertson 2008, pp. 1005-1006). Slickspot 
peppergrass is capable of self-pollinating, however, with a selfing 
rate (rate of self-pollination) of 12 to 18 percent (Billinge 2006, p. 
40; Robertson et al. 2006, p. 40). Known slickspot peppergrass insect 
pollinators include several families of bees (Hymenoptera), including 
Apidae, Halictidae, Sphecidae, and Vespidae; beetles (Coleoptera), 
including Dermestidae, Meloidae, and Melyridae; flies (Diptera), 
including Bombyliidae, Syrphidae, and Tachinidae; and others (Robertson 
and Klemash 2003, p. 336; Robertson and Leavitt 2011, p. 383). Seed set 
does not appear to be limited by the abundance of pollinators 
(Robertson et al. 2004, p. 14). However, studies have shown a strong 
positive correlation between insect diversity and the number of 
slickspot peppergrass flowering at a site (Robertson and Hannon 2003, 
p. 8). Measurement of fruit set per visit revealed considerable 
variability in the effectiveness of pollination by different types of 
insects.
    Since slickspot peppergrass has a wide array of insect pollinators, 
general pollinator management practices for conservation of pollinators 
should be practiced at sites designated as critical habitat. These 
practices include maintaining ``a diversity of native plants whose 
blooming times overlap to provide flowers for foraging throughout the 
seasons; nesting and egg-laying sites, with appropriate nesting 
materials; sheltered, undisturbed places for hibernation and 
overwintering; and a landscape free of poisonous chemicals'' (Shepherd 
et al. 2003, pp. 49-50). An intact native sagebrush community, as 
opposed to a monoculture of nonnative annual grasslands such as 
cheatgrass, is more likely to support a wider array of pollinators. 
Many pollinators depend on native plants and may be unable to access 
resources from introduced species; many bees, for example, not only 
require large numbers of flowers to provide nectar and pollen, but also 
need a variety of flowering plants to sustain them throughout the 
growing season (Kearns and Inouye 1997, p. 298).
    To ensure that sufficient habitat and a diversity of native 
flowering plants are available to support the pollinator community 
required for the viability of slickspot peppergrass populations, we 
determined that each EO should be surrounded by a minimum pollinator 
use area extending 250 meters (m) (820 feet (ft)) from the periphery. 
We chose this extent as a reasonable estimate of the area needed to 
sustain an active pollinator community for slickspot peppergrass. 
Although the species is served by a variety of pollinators, we 
delineated this pollinator-use area based on one of slickspot 
peppergrass's important pollinators with a relatively limited flight 
distance, the solitary bee, assuming that potential pollinators with 
long-range flight capabilities would be capable of using this habitat 
as well. Research suggests that solitary bees have fairly small 
foraging distances (Steffan-Dewenter et al. 2002, pp. 1427-1429; 
Gathmann and Tscharntke 2002, p. 762); a study by Gathmann and 
Tscharntke suggested a maximum foraging range between 150 and 600 m 
(495 and 1,970 ft). Based on this data, we chose 250 m (820 ft) as a 
reasonable mid-range estimate of the distance needed to provide 
sufficient habitat for the pollinator community.
    The areas proposed as critical habitat will ensure maintenance and 
continuity of foraging habitats for insect pollinators adjacent to 
occupied slick spots, which helps to increase seed viability and 
production and is essential for maintaining genetic diversity in the 
species over the long term. Additionally, the provision of sufficient 
native sagebrush-steppe habitat protects slickspot peppergrass from 
wildfire, nonnative plant invasions, and colonization by harvester 
ants, and it helps to maintain local ecosystem characteristics within 
the larger landscape, which are crucial for protecting the species and 
its persistent seed bank. The seed bank is an essential feature of 
slickspot peppergrass's biology because it provides the species with 
resilience in the face of stochastic impacts and variation in 
environmental conditions.

Summary of Essential Physical and Biological Features

    Based on our current knowledge of habitat characteristics required 
to sustain the species' life-history processes, we determine that the 
physical or biological features of critical habitat specific to 
slickspot peppergrass are:
    (1) Ecologically functional microsites or ``slick spots'' that are 
characterized by:
    (a) High sodium and clay content, and a three-layer soil 
horizonation sequence, for successful seed germination, seedling 
growth, and maintenance of the seed bank. The surface horizon consists 
of a thin, silty, vesicular, pored (small cavity) layer that forms a 
physical crust (the silt layer). The subsoil horizon is a restrictive 
clay layer with an abruptic (referring to an abrupt change in texture) 
boundary with the surface layer, that is natric or natric-like in 
properties (a type of argillic (clay-based) horizon with distinct 
structural and chemical features) (the restrictive layer). The second 
argillic subsoil layer (that is less distinct than the upper argillic 
horizon) retains moisture through part of the year (the moist clay 
layer); and

[[Page 44591]]

    (b) Sparse vegetation, with introduced, invasive, nonnative plant 
species cover absent or limited to low to moderate levels.
    (2) Relatively intact, native Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia 
tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) vegetation assemblages, represented by 
native bunchgrasses, shrubs, and forbs, within 250 m (820 ft) of 
slickspot peppergrass element occurrences to protect slick spots and 
slickspot peppergrass from disturbance from wildfire, slow the invasion 
of slick spots by nonnative species and native harvester ants, and 
provide the habitats needed by slickspot peppergrass' pollinators.
    (3) A diversity of native plants whose blooming times overlap to 
provide pollinator species with flowers for foraging throughout the 
seasons and to provide nesting and egg-laying sites; appropriate 
nesting materials; and sheltered, undisturbed places for hibernation 
and overwintering of pollinator species. In order for genetic exchange 
of slickspot peppergrass to occur, pollinators must be able to move 
freely between slick spots. Alternative pollen and nectar sources 
(other plant species within the surrounding sagebrush vegetation) are 
needed to support pollinators during times when slickspot peppergrass 
is not flowering, when distances between slick spots are large, and in 
years when slickspot peppergrass is not a prolific flowerer.
    (4) Sufficient pollinators for successful fruit and seed 
production, particularly pollinator species of the sphecid and vespid 
wasp families, species of the bombyliid and tachnid fly families, 
honeybees, and halictid bee species, most of which are solitary insects 
that nest outside of slick spots in the surrounding sagebrush-steppe 
vegetation, both in the ground and within the vegetation.

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 which are essential to the conservation of 
the species and which may require special management considerations or 
protection.
    A detailed discussion of the threats affecting the physical and 
biological features essential to the conservation of slickspot 
peppergrass, and that may require special management consideration or 
protection, can be found in the final listing rule published in the 
Federal Register on October 8, 2009 (74 FR 52014), the 2016 final rule 
reinstating threatened status for the species under the Act (81 FR 
55058, Aug. 17, 2016), and in the recently completed SSA report (USFWS 
2020, pp. 59-83, 85-103). The primary threats to the physical and 
biological features for slickspot peppergrass include the following 
direct and indirect effects: the current wildfire regime (i.e., 
increasing frequency, size, and duration), invasive, nonnative plant 
species (for example, cheatgrass), and habitat loss and fragmentation 
due to agricultural and urban development. One of the indirect threats 
experienced by slickspot peppergrass is the negative impact on insect 
pollinators caused by conversion and fragmentation of native habitats 
due to invasive, nonnative plant species and various forms of 
development. Another indirect threat is the potential increase in seed 
predation by harvester ants resulting from the conversion of sagebrush-
steppe to grasslands. Livestock pose a threat to slickspot peppergrass, 
primarily through mechanical damage to individual plants and slick spot 
habitats; however, current livestock management conditions and 
associated conservation measures address this potential threat such 
that it does not pose a significant risk to the viability of the 
species as a whole. Other, less significant factors that have the 
potential to impact the species include the effects from rangeland 
revegetation projects, wildfire management practices, recreation, and 
military use.
    Special management to protect the proposed critical habitat areas 
and the features essential to the conservation of slickspot peppergrass 
from the effects of the current wildfire regime may include preventing 
or restricting the establishment of invasive, nonnative plant species, 
post-wildfire restoration with native plant species, and reducing the 
likelihood of wildfires affecting the nearby plant community 
components. Local fire agencies can achieve the latter by providing a 
rapid response or mutual support agreement for wildfire control.
    Special management to protect the features essential to the 
conservation of slickspot peppergrass in the areas proposed as critical 
habitat from the effects of invasive, nonnative unseeded plant species 
and seeded nonnative plants (also referred to as ``highly competitive 
nonnative seeded plants'' (USFWS 2020, p. 68)) may include the 
following: (1) Protecting remnant blocks of native vegetation, (2) 
educating the public about invasive, nonnative species, (3) supporting 
research and funding for nonnative plant species control and native 
species restoration, (4) preventing or restricting the establishment of 
nonnative plant species, (5) washing vehicles prior to travel into 
areas containing slickspot peppergrass, and (6) reducing the likelihood 
of wildfires.
    Special management to protect the features essential to the 
conservation of slickspot peppergrass from the effects of livestock use 
in the areas proposed as critical habitat may include conservation 
measures and actions to minimize the effects of livestock use on these 
lands. Existing conservation plans and land use plans contain numerous 
measures to avoid, mitigate, and monitor the effects of livestock use 
on slickspot peppergrass. Livestock-grazing conservation measures 
implemented through the State of Idaho CCA; State of Idaho et al. 2006, 
in litt., pp. 31-61) and the Mountain Home Air Force Base Integrated 
Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP; Air Force 2017, p. 192) apply 
to all Federal and State-managed lands within the occupied range of 
slickspot peppergrass (approximately 96 percent of the total occupied 
area). Existing conservation measures include prescribing a minimum 
distance for the placement of salt and water troughs, identifying 
livestock use restrictions to reduce trampling of slick spots during 
wet periods, constructing fences, or potentially modifying current 
livestock use. We recognize the potential for negative impacts to 
slickspot peppergrass populations and slick spots that may result from 
seasonal, localized trampling events. However, under current management 
conditions, we do not consider livestock use to pose a significant 
threat to slickspot peppergrass. We encourage the continued 
implementation of conservation measures and associated monitoring to 
ensure potential impacts of livestock trampling to slickspot 
peppergrass are avoided or minimized.
    Special management to protect the features essential to the 
conservation of slickspot peppergrass from the effects of residential 
and agricultural development in the areas proposed may include creating 
managed plant reserves and open spaces; limiting disturbances to and 
within suitable habitats; increasing compliance inspections with permit 
holders; requiring project fencing with adjacent construction 
activities; disallowing new roads; and evaluating the need for and 
conducting restoration or revegetation of native plants in open spaces, 
plant preserves, or disturbed areas, such as cuts for powerlines.
    Special management to protect the features essential to the 
conservation of slickspot peppergrass in the areas proposed as critical 
habitat from the effects of Owyhee harvester ant seed

[[Page 44592]]

predation may include the following: (1) Protecting remnant blocks of 
native vegetation that include shrubs, (2) educating the public about 
wildfire, (3) supporting research and funding for nonnative plant 
species control and native shrub restoration, and (4) reducing the 
likelihood of wildfires.
    The designation of critical habitat does not imply that lands 
outside of critical habitat do not play an important role in the 
conservation of slickspot peppergrass. Activities with a Federal nexus 
that may affect those areas outside of critical habitat, such as 
development, agricultural, or road construction activities, are still 
subject to review under section 7 of the Act if they may affect 
slickspot peppergrass. The prohibitions of section 9 of the Act include 
the import or export of listed species, and the removal to possession 
or malicious damage or destruction of a species under Federal 
jurisdiction (16 U.S.C. 1538(a)(2)).

Criteria and Methodology 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 specific areas within the geographical area 
occupied by the species at the time of listing and any specific areas 
outside the geographical area occupied by the species to be considered 
for designation as critical habitat. We are not currently proposing to 
designate any areas outside the geographical area occupied by the 
species because we have not identified any unoccupied areas that meet 
the definition of critical habitat.
    We based our criteria for the identification of critical habitat 
units on IDFG's systematic assessment of on field data collected from 
summer 2012 through spring 2016. In the case of slickspot peppergrass, 
EOs are groups of slickspot peppergrass plants that all occur within 1 
km (0.6 mi) of each other; that is, all slickspot peppergrass plants 
within a 1-km (0.6-mi) distance of one another are aggregated into a 
single EO (Colket and Robertson 2006, in litt., pp. 1-2; Kinter and 
Miller 2016, p. 1). The IDFG used NatureServe guidance to rank EOs 
based on three factors: size, condition, and landscape context (Kinter 
and Miller 2016, p. 3). Each EO for slickspot peppergrass is given a 
ranking of A, B, C, D, E, F, H, or X by the INHP; higher rankings (the 
highest rank is A) indicate sites with greater habitat quality and 
larger population sizes, which we infer are more likely to persist and 
sustain the species. Rankings of B, BC, C, CD, and D refer to states of 
decreased abundance and quality of detectable plants, native plant 
community, habitat condition, and overall landscape context within 1 km 
(0.6 mi) of occupied slick spots. Plant abundance and habitat quality 
decrease as the rankings move from B to D, with a B ranking signifying 
a greater number of plants and better habitat conditions and a D 
ranking signifying few plants and poor conditions. Areas ranked E are 
those records with confirmed slickspot peppergrass presence but for 
which no additional habitat information is available. F rankings 
indicate areas where slickspot peppergrass was previously found, but no 
individuals were found when last visited by a qualified surveyor. Areas 
ranked H indicate historical occurrences where old location information 
is too vague to allow the EO to be found again. X rankings connote 
extirpated occurrences due to habitat destruction associated with 
development or agricultural conversion. See our 2011 proposed critical 
habitat rule (76 FR 27193, May 10, 2011) for further explanation of the 
ranking system.
    For this rule, we included all slickspot peppergrass EOs with INHP 
rankings of B, BC, C, and CD in the proposed critical habitat except 
for 2 EOs that lack the PBFs essential to the conservation of the 
species (see below for further discussion of these 2 EOs). Since 2006, 
there have been no A- or AB-ranked EOs of slickspot peppergrass (Kinter 
and Miller 2016, p. 8; Colket et al. 2006, p. 11; IDFG's Idaho Fish and 
Wildlife Information System database (IDFG Database 2019)). We 
considered areas with rankings of B, BC, C, and CD to provide the PBFs 
essential to the conservation of the species, as they are the EOs most 
likely to provide for viable populations of slickspot peppergrass that 
will contribute to the conservation and recovery of the species. Each 
EO provides one or more of the PBFs as described in the proposed rule. 
Seventy-five EOs (24 B-ranked, 4 BC-ranked, 39 C-ranked, and 8 CD-
ranked) met our criteria for critical habitat designation as they were 
identified as CD-ranked or better. We did not include sites ranked D or 
lower in the critical habitat designation due to the poor condition of 
the habitat within these sites, the lower viability of the small 
slickspot peppergrass populations remaining at such sites, and the 
fragmented nature of the surrounding landscape.
    Two CD-ranked EOs (EO 23 and EO 57) are not considered for critical 
habitat designation as the PBFs essential to the conservation of the 
species are not present in these two EOs. The most recent IDFG 
assessment surveys found that these two EOs are dominated by invasive 
nonnative plants, and associated IDFG survey maps showed no slick spot 
microsites located within these EOs. Furthermore, slick spot microsites 
observed in the vicinity of EO 57 were described as essentially 
invisible due to high cheatgrass or forage kochia (Kochia prostrata) 
cover (IDFG 2016, EO 57 Rare Plant Observation Form). Increased cover 
of cheatgrass, an invasive nonnative annual grass species, is 
associated with reduced abundance of slickspot peppergrass (Sullivan 
and Nations 2009, pp. 109-112; Bond 2017, p, 12). Forage kochia, a 
highly competitive nonnative seeded species, can dominate slick spot 
microsites and has been documented to displace slickspot peppergrass 
(Debolt 2002, in litt., entire; Colket 2009, pp. 16, 22, 130; Gray 
2011, pp. 67-68; Kinter et al. 2014, p. 13). Therefore, we dropped 
these two CD-ranked EOs from consideration for critical habitat 
designation.
    The total number of EOs (75 EOs) included in this revision reflects 
the merging of two C-ranked EOs (EOs 19 and 41) into B-ranked EO 18. 
Note that EOs 19 and 41 were distinct when IDFG began their EO 
assessment study, and have since been merged with EO 18 (Kinter and 
Miller 2016, p. 49). IDFG retained these two EOs as distinct throughout 
their study for consistency across their field notes, data, photos, 
maps, and tables. Thus, IDFG's EO assessment report shows a total of 41 
C-ranked EOs (Kinter and Miller 2016, pp. 62-65), in contrast to the 39 
C-ranked EOs described here.
    Since our 2014 revised critical habitat proposal (79 FR 8402, Feb. 
12, 2014), ten EOs decreased in ranking (now ranked D), so they no 
longer meet our critical habitat criteria; these EOs have been removed 
from this revised critical habitat proposal. Twenty-two EOs and two 
sub-EOs (sub-EOs are discrete patches or subpopulations within a larger 
EO as described by NatureServe 2002) had improved rankings (now ranked 
CD or higher) that resulted in their inclusion in this revised critical 
habitat proposal. Kinter and Miller (2016, p. 46) indicated that, while 
some of the improved ranks may be due to positive changes in the 
assigned values for EO size, condition, and/or landscape context, it 
should be noted that the previous assessment (Colket et al. 2006, 
entire) evaluated some EOs based on a field visit to only part of the 
EO, and other EOs were evaluated based on reports in the INHP database 
at that

[[Page 44593]]

time. For their 2016 EO assessment study, IDFG conducted intensive 
field assessments across entire EOs whenever possible to inform the EO-
ranking assessment process. For example, searching a larger portion of 
the EO could result in additional plants being found and a larger value 
for the `EO size' rank factor, which would result in an 'improved' EO 
rank (Kinter and Miller 2016, p. 49). In addition, 30 EOs that 
previously lacked sufficient information to be ranked as A through D in 
2006 were assigned new rankings in 2016 (Kinter and Miller 2016, p. i); 
some of these newly ranked EOs meet our critical habitat designation 
criteria.
    Table 1 identifies each EO we are proposing to remove from, or 
incorporate into, this critical habitat proposal; their rankings used 
in our 2014 revised critical habitat proposal (79 FR 8404, Feb. 12, 
2014); and their current rankings as described in IDFG's 2016 EO 
assessment report (Kinter and Miller 2016, Table 5).

   Table 1--Proposed Addition or Removal of Slickspot Peppergrass Critical Habitat Areas Based on 2016 Element
                                             Occurrence Assessments
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        EO ranking used in 2014 revised critical      2016 EO
 Critical habitat unit or subunit name      EO No.                  habitat proposal                  ranking
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 1--Payette County
    Proposed Additions................           EO 69  D.......................................               C
    Proposed Removals.................  ..............  ........................................  ..............
Unit 2--Ada County--Subunit 2a
    Proposed Additions................           EO 36  D.......................................               C
    Proposed Removals.................          EO 108  BC......................................               D
Unit 2--Ada County--Subunit 2b
    Proposed Additions................           EO 43  D.......................................              CD
                                                 EO 58  D?......................................              CD
    Proposed Removals.................  ..............  ........................................  ..............
Unit 2--Ada County--Subunit 2c
    Proposed Additions................           EO 49  F.......................................               C
                                                EO 102  D.......................................               C
    Proposed Removals.................           EO 22  C.......................................               D
Unit 2--Ada County--Subunit 2d
    Proposed Additions................           EO 28  D.......................................               C
                                                EO 119  Not ranked..............................              CD
    Proposed Removals.................  ..............  ........................................  ..............
Unit 3--Elmore County--Subunit 3a
    Proposed Additions................           EO 15  D.......................................               C
    Proposed Removals.................           EO 31  C.......................................               D
                                                EO 112  C.......................................               D
Unit 3--Elmore County--Subunit 3b
    Proposed Additions................          EO 121  (previously unknown EO discovered in                   C
                                                         August 2014).
    Proposed Removals.................           EO 51  BC......................................               D
                                                 EO 62  C.......................................               D
                                                EO 113  C.......................................               D
                                                EO 117  C.......................................               D
Unit 3--Elmore County--Subunit 3c
    Proposed Additions................           EO 63  D.......................................               C
                                                EO 106  Not ranked..............................              CD
    Proposed Removals.................  ..............  ........................................  ..............
Unit 4--Owyhee County
    Proposed Additions................           EO 73  D.......................................              CD
                                                 EO 75  F.......................................               B
                                                 EO 78  F.......................................               C
                                                 EO 79  F.......................................               C
                                                 EO 81  E.......................................              BC
                                                 EO 83  E.......................................               B
                                                 EO 87  E.......................................               C
                                                 EO 90  E.......................................               C
                                                 EO 91  E.......................................              CD
                                                 EO 94  E.......................................               C
                                            sub-EO 701  D.......................................               C
                                            sub-EO 703  D.......................................               C
    Proposed Removals.................           EO 80  B.......................................               D
                                                 EO 95  C.......................................               D
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The ``?'' qualifier is used with the most appropriate rank if there is incomplete information on the EO
  size, condition, and/or landscape context factors.

    Critical habitat unit boundaries for Subunits 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 
and 3c and Unit 4 were revised to incorporate critical habitat areas 
associated with eight EOs (EOs 15, 36, 49, 58, 63, 73, 106, and 121). 
Critical habitat areas associated with these eight EOs are located 
wholly or partially outside of critical habitat unit boundaries

[[Page 44594]]

described in the 2011 proposed critical habitat rule (76 FR 27194-
27198, May 10, 2011) and the 2014 revised proposed critical habitat 
rule (79 FR 8404, Feb. 12, 2014). While the critical habitat unit 
boundaries for Subunits 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, and 3c and Unit 4 have been 
revised, the area currently proposed as critical habitat within these 
unit boundaries has decreased from our 2014 revised critical habitat 
proposal (79 FR 8402, Feb. 12, 2014).
    As in the 2011 proposed critical habitat rule (76 FR 27184, May 10, 
2011) and the 2014 revised proposed critical habitat rule (79 FR 8402, 
Feb. 12, 2014), all lands we are proposing for designation as critical 
habitat are currently occupied by slickspot peppergrass and contain 
physical and biological features essential to the conservation of the 
species that may require special management considerations or 
protection. See the Proposed Critical Habitat Designation section of 
the 2011 proposed critical habitat rule (76 FR 27194-27198, May 10, 
2011) for more information.
    In the 2009 final listing rule (74 FR 52014, Oct. 8, 2009), we 
described the total area of known EOs (that is, area covered by the EOs 
themselves) as being approximately 6,500 ha (16,000 ac). This area 
reflects only the immediate known locations of individuals of the 
plant, as recognized in the IDFG Database as of 2009, and is a small 
portion of the overall geographic range of the species. In the 2011 
proposed critical habitat rule, we described in detail the criteria 
used to identify critical habitat, including a 250-m (820-ft) buffer 
around EO polygons to provide sufficient area for pollinator support 
and to minimize disturbance to the plant's habitat (76 FR 27193-27194, 
May 10, 2011). With the proposed addition and removal of EOs associated 
with the 2016 EO rankings, the total area now proposed for designation 
as critical habitat is 17,049 ha (42,129 ac), which represents a 31 
percent decrease from the total area (24,808 ha (61,301 ac)) of our 
2014 revised critical habitat proposal (79 FR 8402, Feb. 12, 2014).
    For this revision, we relied on GIS-based location information 
(polygons) that more precisely maps areas that meet the biological 
definition of critical habitat than did our previous mapping 
methodology, which used the Public Land Survey System Quarter-Quarter 
section method. This GIS-based method involves delineation of A- 
through CD-ranked slickspot peppergrass EOs surrounded by 250-m (820-
ft) pollinator buffers, creating polygons that include only those areas 
that meet our definition of critical habitat for the species. In 
contrast, critical habitat maps in 2011 and 2014 were created by 
selecting all Quarter-Quarter sections that intersected with A- through 
CD-ranked EOs or their surrounding 250-m (820-ft) pollinator buffers. 
The use of Quarter-Quarter sections, which represent land survey 
boundaries rather than biologically based boundaries, resulted in large 
areas outside of the GIS-generated polygons being included as proposed 
critical habitat in the 2011 proposed critical habitat rule (76 FR 
27184, May 10, 2011) and the 2014 revised proposed critical habitat 
rule (79 FR 8402, Feb. 12, 2014). Use of GIS-based information 
represents a more precise method of delineating critical habitat that 
does not include extraneous areas.
    The use of A- through CD-ranked EO polygons and their surrounding 
250-m (820-ft) pollinator buffers to create a more biologically sound 
critical habitat designation method is feasible, and is consistent with 
current Service regulations (77 FR 25611, May 1, 2012; 81 FR 7414, Feb. 
11, 2016; 84 FR 45020, August 27, 2019) as well as with other recent 
Service critical habitat rules (e.g., White Bluffs bladderpod (78 FR 
76995, Dec. 20, 2013), Oregon spotted frog (81 FR 29336, May 11, 
2016)). In addition, the State of Idaho provided comments in 2011 
indicating that use of the Quarter-Quarter methodology for critical 
habitat designation resulted in more area than was biologically 
required for the species. One commenter also indicated that the maps 
based on the Quarter-Quarter critical habitat delineation methodology 
did not relate to the ``essential elements'' necessary to conserve 
slickspot peppergrass. We agree with these commenters, and because 
critical habitat regulations changed in 2012 to facilitate use of GIS-
based polygons for critical habitat mapping (77 FR 25611, May 1, 2012), 
we used the GIS-based polygon method for our current proposed critical 
habitat revision as described herein.
    When determining proposed critical habitat boundaries, we made 
every effort to avoid including developed areas such as lands covered 
by buildings, pavement, and other structures because such lands lack 
physical or biological features essential for slickspot peppergrass. 
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 proposed rule have been 
excluded by text in the proposed rule and are not proposed for 
designation as critical habitat. Therefore, if the critical habitat is 
finalized as proposed, a Federal action involving these lands would 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.
    We propose to designate as critical habitat lands that we have 
determined are occupied at the time of listing (i.e., currently 
occupied) and that contain one or more of the physical or biological 
features that are essential to support life-history processes of the 
species. Four units and seven subunits are proposed for designation 
based on one or more of the physical or biological features being 
present to support slickspot peppergrass's life-history processes. All 
units and subunits contain all of the identified physical or biological 
features and support multiple life-history processes.
    The critical habitat designation is defined by the map or maps, as 
modified by any accompanying regulatory text, presented at the end of 
this document under Proposed Regulation Promulgation. These are new 
maps of the critical habitat units that have changed since the 2011 
proposed critical habitat rule (76 FR 27184, May 10, 2011) and the 2014 
revised proposed critical habitat rule (79 FR 8402, Feb. 12, 2014). We 
include more detailed information on the boundaries of the critical 
habitat designation in the preamble of this document. We will make the 
coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based, as well 
as maps illustrating the changes from the previously proposed unit 
boundaries, available to the public on https://www.regulations.gov at 
Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071 or at https://www.fws.gov/idaho. As noted 
above, all four units and associated subunits contain additional areas 
we determined meet our definition of critical habitat. Similarly, 
critical habitat Units 2 (Subunits 2a and 2c), 3 (Subunits 3a and 3b), 
and 4 had some areas removed from consideration as critical habitat 
because, based on 2016 EO assessments, these areas no longer meet our 
criteria for critical habitat designation.

Revised Proposed Critical Habitat Designation

    We are proposing four units as critical habitat for slickspot 
peppergrass. The critical habitat areas we describe below constitute 
our current best assessment of areas that meet the definition of 
critical habitat for slickspot peppergrass. The

[[Page 44595]]

four areas we propose as critical habitat are the: (1) Payette County 
Unit, (2) Ada County Unit, (3) Elmore County Unit, and (4) Owyhee 
County Unit. The approximate areas and land ownership of each proposed 
critical habitat unit and associated subunits, if any, are shown in 
Table 2.
    Because of our use of GIS-based critical habitat polygon 
methodology, rather than the Public Land Survey System Quarter-Quarter 
section method, the total area proposed for critical habitat 
designation is reduced by about 31 percent, from 24,808 ha (61,301 ac) 
in 2014 to the currently proposed 17,049 ha (42,129 ac). This reduction 
is directly related to focusing the areas proposed for designation to 
specific EOs and their surrounding pollinator buffers, rather than to 
the land survey boundaries associated with use of the Quarter-Quarter 
sections method for critical habitat mapping, which resulted in 
inclusion of large areas that do not necessarily meet our definition of 
critical habitat for the species. The current revised critical habitat 
extends across the known range of the species, and will continue to 
provide the PBFs essential to the conservation of the species. The 
reduced area of the current revised critical habitat proposal is the 
result of increased mapping precision and includes all occupied 
locations (A- through CD- ranked EOs and their surrounding 250-m 
pollinator buffers) where PBFs currently occur.
    Based on the new EO assessment information and the use of a GIS-
based methodology for critical habitat mapping, we have updated the 
previous proposed critical habitat maps. This update results in a 
proposal to designate a total of 17,049 ha (42,129 ac) of critical 
habitat for slickspot peppergrass in four units in Payette, Gem, Ada, 
Elmore, and Owyhee Counties in Idaho. We are proposing no new units; 
however, the boundaries of six subunits and one unit (subunits 2a, 2b, 
2c, 3a, 3b, and 3c and Unit 4) have been revised to include additional 
areas that meet our critical habitat criteria. The areas currently 
proposed for critical habitat include 14,327 ha (35,403 ac) of U.S. 
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands; 119 ha (294 ac) of Bureau of 
Reclamation (BOR) lands; 1,200 ha (2,965 ac) of State lands; 281 ha 
(694 ac) of municipal lands; and 1,122 ha (2,773 ac) of private lands 
(areas do not add up to precisely 17,049 ha (42,129 ac) due to 
rounding). The approximate area totals for this revised critical 
habitat proposal by unit, subunit, and landownership category are shown 
in Table 2.

                Table 2--Revised Proposed Critical Habitat Units and Area (Hectares (Acres)) by Land Ownership for Slickspot Peppergrass
    [Note: Area estimates reflect the total area of all proposed critical habitat polygons located within individual critical habitat unit or subunit
 boundaries. Area estimates for both the current revised critical habitat proposal and the 2014 revised proposed critical habitat rule (79 FR 8404-8405;
                                    Feb. 12, 2014) are shown for comparison. Area sizes may not sum due to rounding.]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Federal ha (ac)          State ha (ac)        Municipal (county and       Private ha (ac)          Total ha (ac)
                               ------------------------------------------------       city) ha (ac)      -----------------------------------------------
   Critical habitat unit or                                                    --------------------------
            subunit               Current      2014       Current      2014       Current        2014       Current      2014       Current      2014
                                 revision    revision    revision    revision     revision     revision    revision    revision    revision    revision
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unit 1--Payette County Total..         268         273           0           0            0            0          19          16         287         289
                                     (664)       (675)         (0)         (0)          (0)          (0)        (46)        (40)       (710)       (715)
Unit 2--Ada County Total......       4,669       5,984         847       1,182          281          414         529         674       6,325       8,254
                                  (11,536)    (14,789)     (2,092)     (2,921)        (694)      (1,023)     (1,307)     (1,663)    (15,628)    (20,396)
Subunit 2a....................         335         660           0           0          215          338         329         291         879       1,289
                                     (828)     (1,632)         (0)         (0)        (531)        (835)       (814)       (719)     (2,173)     (3,186)
Subunit 2b....................       3,075       3,802          69         114            0            0         0.2         115       3,144       4,031
                                   (7,598)     (9,396)       (170)       (281)          (0)          (0)       (0.4)       (283)     (7,768)     (9,960)
Subunit 2c....................         438         512          49          98     66 (163)           76         144         235         697         921
                                   (1,081)     (1,265)       (122)       (241)                     (188)       (357)       (580)     (1,723)     (2,274)
Subunit 2d....................         821       1,010         728         970            0            0          55          33       1,604       2,013
                                   (2,029)     (2,496)     (1,800)     (2,399)          (0)          (0)       (136)        (81)     (3,965)     (4,977)
Unit 3--Elmore County Total...       2,899       3,933          75          97          0.1            0         575         419       3,549       4,449
                                   (7,165)     (9,725)       (185)       (239)        (0.3)          (0)     (1,420)     (1,035)     (8,771)    (10,999)
Subunit 3a....................         725         760         0.6           0          0.1            0         280         241       1,007       1,001
                                   (1,793)     (1,878)         (1)         (0)        (0.3)          (0)       (693)       (596)     (2,488)     (2,474)
Subunit 3b....................         449       1,044          74          97            0            0          66          49         589       1,190
                                   (1,108)     (2,579)       (184)       (239)          (0)          (0)       (163)       (120)     (1,455)     (2,938)
Subunit 3c....................       1,725       2,132           0           0            0            0         228         129       1,954       2,261
                                   (4,264)     (5,268)         (0)         (0)          (0)          (0)       (564)       (319)     (4,828)     (5,587)
Unit 4--Owyhee County Total...       6,609      11,213         278         600            0            0           0           0       6,888      11,813
                                  (16,332)    (27,709)       (688)     (1,482)          (0)          (0)         (0)         (0)    (17,020)    (29,191)
Critical Habitat Unit Totals..      14,446      21,403       1,200       1,879          281          414       1,122       1,109      17,049      24,808
                                  (35,697)    (52,898)     (2,965)     (4,642)        (694)      (1,023)      (2773)     (2,738)    (42,129)    (61,301)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All critical habitat units and subunits have been revised from our 
2011 proposed critical habitat rule (76 FR 27184, May 10, 2011) and the 
2014 revised proposed critical habitat rule (79 FR 8402, Feb. 12, 2014) 
to include only those areas that currently meet our critical habitat 
criteria; addition and removal of critical habitat areas associated 
with 2016 EO assessments are shown in Table 1. This revised critical 
habitat proposal also varies from the 2011 proposed critical habitat 
rule (76 FR 27184, May 10, 2011) and the 2014 revised proposed critical 
habitat rule (79 FR 8402, Feb. 12, 2014) by including the expansion of 
EO 18 due to discovery of additional subpopulations and the subsequent 
merging of EOs 19 and 41 into EO 18 (IDFG Database 2016, EO 18) and a 
reduction in size of EO 64 associated with a mapping error (Kinter and 
Miller 2016, p. 9).
    We present brief descriptions of all proposed critical habitat 
units, identify the EOs included in each, and provide the reasons why 
they meet the definition of critical habitat for slickspot peppergrass, 
below. Information regarding species abundance, vegetation community, 
conservation measures, and threats for each individual EO is

[[Page 44596]]

available in IDFG's 2016 EO Assessment report (Kinter and Miller 2016, 
entire).

Unit 1: Payette County

    Unit 1 (Payette County Unit) consists of 287 ha (710 ac) located 
within portions of Payette and Gem counties. The northern boundary of 
Unit 1 is approximately 7.0 km (4.3 mi) south of New Plymouth, Idaho. 
Currently, 268 ha (664 ac) are federally managed by the BLM Four Rivers 
Field Office area, and 19 ha (46 ac) are privately owned. This unit is 
composed of five slickspot peppergrass EOs: 66, 68, 69, 70, and 114, 
all of which were occupied at the time of species listing. Unit 1 
critical habitat polygons contain all PBFs: Slick spot microsites, 
suitable vegetation composition and structure, sufficient habitat 
components to support insect pollinators, and insect pollinators to 
allow for sufficient fruit and seed production. Unit 1 is important to 
the conservation of the species because it contains the northernmost 
occurrences for slickspot peppergrass and potentially has the highest 
numbers of individual plants. This unit helps to maintain the 
geographical range of the species and provide opportunity for 
population growth. Unit 1 also provides a core population of the 
species. We consider a core population to be an EO or sub-EO that has 
been assessed as A- or B-ranked, which NatureServe describes as having 
excellent or good estimated viability (Kinter and Miller 2016, p. 7). 
In Unit 1, special management is required to address the threats posed 
by the current wildfire regime, invasive nonnative plant species, 
incompatible livestock use, and residential and agricultural 
development. These threats are being addressed or coordinated with our 
partners and landowners, including BLM and BLM livestock permittees, to 
implement needed actions for species recovery.

Unit 2: Ada County

    Unit 2 (Ada County Unit) consists of 6,325 ha (15,628 ac) divided 
into four subunits: 2a, 2b, 2c, and 2d. Approximately 4,669 ha (11,536 
ac) of this unit are federally managed, of which 4,634 ha (11,450 ac) 
are managed by the BLM and 35 ha (86 ac) are managed by the BOR, 847 ha 
(2,092 ac) are managed by the State of Idaho, 210 ha (419 ac) are 
managed by Ada County, 66 ha (163 ac) are managed by the City of Boise, 
5 ha (11 ac) are managed by the City of Eagle, and 529 ha (1,307 ac) 
are on private lands. This unit is composed of 24 slickspot peppergrass 
EOs split among the 4 subunits. All subunits contain the PBFs essential 
for the conservation of the species, as described in more detail below. 
This unit is important to the conservation of slickspot peppergrass 
because it contains a large remaining intact area of sagebrush-steppe 
habitat that has experienced little impact from wildfire.

Subunit 2a

    Subunit 2a contains the city of Eagle, Idaho, and the southern 
boundary of the subunit is approximately 1.8 km (1.1 mi) northwest of 
Boise, Idaho. It is composed of seven EOs: 36, 38, 52, 65, 76, 107, and 
118, all of which were occupied at the time of species listing. This 
subunit contains the Ada County Landfill Complex (Cole 2008, entire). 
Approximately 335 ha (828 ac) of subunit 2a are federally managed by 
BLM, 210 ha (419 ac) are municipal lands managed by Ada County, 5 ha 
(11 ac) are municipal lands managed by the City of Eagle, and 329 ha 
(814 ac) are privately owned. Subunit 2a is important to the 
conservation of the species because it contains several large 
populations of slickspot peppergrass in the Eagle and Boise Foothills 
area. This subunit helps to maintain the geographical range of the 
species and provide opportunity for population growth. Subunit 2a also 
provides a core population of the species. Subunit 2a critical habitat 
polygons contain all PBFs: Slick spot microsites, suitable vegetation 
composition and structure, sufficient habitat components to support 
insect pollinators, and insect pollinators to allow for sufficient 
fruit and seed production. In Subunit 2a, special management is 
required to address the threats posed by the current wildfire regime, 
invasive nonnative plant species, incompatible livestock use, and 
residential and agricultural development. A portion of the subunit has 
also been impacted by human recreation associated with the construction 
of authorized and unauthorized trails for mountain biking and hiking 
(some slick spots have already been impacted).

Subunit 2b

    The northern boundary of Subunit 2b is approximately 3.2 km (2.0 
mi) south of Kuna, Idaho. Subunit 2b is composed of five EOs: 18, 24, 
25, 43, and 58, all of which were occupied at the time of species 
listing. Approximately 3,075 ha (7,598 ac) of this subunit are 
federally managed by BLM, 69 ha (170 ac) are managed by the State of 
Idaho, and 0.2 ha (0.4 ac) are privately owned. BLM lands in Subunit 2b 
are within the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National 
Conservation Area. Subunit 2b is important to the conservation of the 
species because it contains EO 18, which supports high numbers of 
individual plants. This subunit helps to maintain the geographical 
range of the species and provide opportunity for population growth. 
Subunit 2b also provides a core population of the species. Although 
impacted by past fires, Subunit 2b critical habitat polygons contain 
all PBFs: Slick spot microsites, suitable vegetation composition and 
structure, sufficient habitat components to support insect pollinators, 
and insect pollinators to allow for sufficient fruit and seed 
production. In Subunit 2b, special management is required to address 
the threats posed by the current wildfire regime, invasive nonnative 
plant species, incompatible livestock use, and residential and 
agricultural development. These threats are being addressed or 
coordinated with our partners and landowners, including BLM and BLM 
livestock permittees, to implement needed actions for species recovery.

Subunit 2c

    The northern boundary of Subunit 2c is approximately 6.0 km (3.7 
mi) southwest of Boise, Idaho. It is composed of five EOs: 32, 48, 49, 
64, and 102, all of which were occupied at the time of species listing. 
Subunit 2c comprises primarily BLM lands within the Four Rivers Field 
Office area, private lands, and municipal lands associated with the 
Boise Airport. Approximately 438 ha (1,081 ac) of this subunit are 
federally managed by BLM, 49 ha (122 ac) are managed by the State of 
Idaho, 66 ha (163 ac) are municipal lands managed by the City of Boise, 
and 144 ha (357 ac) are privately owned. Subunit 2c is important to the 
conservation of the species because it provides for connectivity 
between species populations at the eastern and western portions of the 
species' range. This subunit helps to maintain the geographical range 
of the species and provide opportunity for population growth. Subunit 
2c also provides a core population of the species. Subunit 2c critical 
habitat polygons contain all PBFs: Slick spot microsites, suitable 
vegetation composition and structure, sufficient habitat components to 
support insect pollinators, and insect pollinators to allow for 
sufficient fruit and seed production. In Subunit 2c, special management 
is required to address the threats posed by the current wildfire 
regime, invasive nonnative plant species, incompatible livestock use, 
and residential and agricultural development. These threats are being 
addressed or coordinated with our

[[Page 44597]]

partners and landowners, including BLM and BLM livestock permittees, to 
implement needed actions for species recovery.

Subunit 2d

    The northern boundary of subunit 2d is approximately 23.0 km (14.3 
mi) southeast of Boise, Idaho. Subunit 2d is composed of seven EOs: 27, 
28, 67, 72, 77, 104, and 119, all of which were occupied at the time of 
species listing. Approximately 821 ha (2,029 ac) of this subunit are 
federally managed, of which 786 ha (1,943 ac) are managed by BLM and 35 
ha (86 ac) are managed by BOR, 729 ha (1,800 ac) are managed by the 
State of Idaho, and 55 ha (136 ac) are privately owned. Proposed 
critical habitat within this subunit abuts that portion of EO 27 
located within the Idaho Army National Guard-administered Orchard 
Combat Training Center (OCTC, formerly known as the Orchard Training 
Area). EO 27 supports some of the most intact sagebrush steppe habitat 
and some of the highest numbers of slickspot peppergrass plants 
rangewide; because of the implementation of an INRMP on OCTC, we 
determined in 2011 that the 4,644 ha (11,525 ac) of the OCTC that met 
our definition of critical habitat were exempt from designation of 
critical habitat under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act (see Exemptions 
in the 2011 proposed critical habitat rule (76 FR 27200-27201, May 10, 
2011)). Through use of GIS-based critical habitat designation 
methodology, we have determined that 3,455 ha (8,537 ac) within the 
OCTC currently meet our definition of critical habitat; however, these 
3,455 ha (8,537 ac) are exempt from critical habitat designation under 
section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act (see Exemptions and Consideration of 
National Security Impacts sections below).
    Subunit 2d is located in part within the boundary of the BLM Morley 
Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, which also 
contains the Idaho Army National Guard's OCTC. Subunit 2d is important 
to the conservation of the species due to its proximity to that portion 
of EO 27 located primarily within the OCTC boundary. This subunit helps 
to maintain the geographical range of the species and provide 
opportunity for population growth. Subunit 2d also provides a core 
population of the species. Subunit 2d critical habitat polygons contain 
all PBFs: Slick spot microsites, suitable vegetation composition and 
structure, sufficient habitat components to support insect pollinators, 
and insect pollinators to allow for sufficient fruit and seed 
production. In Subunit 2d, special management is required to address 
the threats posed by the current wildfire regime, invasive nonnative 
plant species, incompatible livestock use, and residential and 
agricultural development. These threats are being addressed or 
coordinated with our partners and landowners, including BLM, Idaho Army 
National Guard, the State of Idaho, and BLM livestock permittees, to 
implement needed actions for species recovery.

Unit 3: Elmore County

    Unit 3 (Elmore County Unit) consists of 3,549 ha (8,771 ac) divided 
into three subunits: 3a, 3b, and 3c. Approximately 2,900 ha (7,165 ac) 
of this unit are federally managed, of which 2,815 ha (6,957 ac) are 
managed by BLM and 64 ha (208 ac) are managed by BOR, 75 ha (185 ac) 
are managed by the State of Idaho, and 574 ha (1,420 ac) are privately 
owned. This unit is composed of 16 slickspot peppergrass EOs. All 
subunits contain the PBFs essential for the conservation of the 
species, as described in more detail below. Unit 3 is important to the 
conservation of the species because it contains EOs with higher quality 
habitat, represents a substantial portion of the species' range, and 
contains several EOs with high numbers of slickspot peppergrass 
individuals. Special management to address the threat posed by the 
current wildfire regime, invasive nonnative plant species, incompatible 
livestock use, and residential and agricultural development is required 
in Unit 3.

Subunit 3a

    The northern boundary of Subunit 3a is approximately 6.3 km (3.9 
mi) south of Mayfield, Idaho, while the southern boundary is 
approximately 19.6 km (12.2 mi) northwest of Mountain Home, Idaho. 
Subunit 3a is composed of three EOs: 15, 20, and 30, all of which were 
occupied at the time of species listing. Approximately 726 ha (1,793 
ac) of this subunit are federally managed, of which 702 ha (1,734 ac) 
are managed by BLM and 24 ha (59 ac) are managed by BOR, and 281 ha 
(693 ac) are privately owned. Subunit 3a is bisected by Interstate 84 
and old Highway 30; past burns and associated drill-seeding of crested 
wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum) are evident in portions of the 
subunit.
    This subunit contains PBFs essential to the conservation of 
slickspot peppergrass. Subunit 3a is important to the conservation of 
the species because it contains some EOs supporting high numbers of 
slickspot peppergrass plants. This subunit helps to maintain the 
geographical range of the species and provide opportunity for 
population growth. Subunit 3a also provides a core population of the 
species. Subunit 3a critical habitat polygons contain all PBFs: Slick 
spot microsites, suitable vegetation composition and structure, 
sufficient habitat components to support insect pollinators, and insect 
pollinators to allow for sufficient fruit and seed production. Special 
management to address the threat posed by the current wildfire regime, 
invasive nonnative plant species, incompatible livestock use, off-road 
vehicle use, and residential and agricultural development is required 
in Subunit 3a. These threats are being addressed or coordinated with 
our partners and landowners, including BLM, the State of Idaho, BLM 
livestock permittees, and private landowners, to implement needed 
actions for species recovery.

Subunit 3b

    The boundaries of Subunit 3b include the city of Mountain Home, 
Idaho, while the northern boundary is approximately 55.7 km (34.6 mi) 
southeast of Boise, Idaho. Subunit 3b is composed of nine EOs: 2, 21, 
29, 50, 61, 115, 116, 120, and 121, all of which were occupied at the 
time of species listing. Approximately 449 ha (1,109 ac) of this 
subunit are federally managed, of which 421 ha (1,040 ac) are managed 
by BLM and 28 ha (69 ac) are managed by BOR, 74 ha (184 ac) are managed 
by the State of Idaho, and 66 ha (163 ac) are privately owned. BLM 
lands within Subunit 3b are located within both the Four Rivers Field 
Office area and the Morley Nelson Birds of Prey National Conservation 
Area. Subunit 3b is important to the conservation of the species 
because it provides connectivity between other units across the range 
of the species. This subunit helps to maintain the geographical range 
of the species and provide opportunity for population growth. Subunit 
3b also provides a core population of the species. Subunit 3b critical 
habitat polygons contain all PBFs: Slick spot microsites, suitable 
vegetation composition and structure, sufficient habitat components to 
support insect pollinators, and insect pollinators to allow for 
sufficient fruit and seed production. Subunit 3b contained substantial 
biological soil crust cover and relatively low cheatgrass cover; 
however, a wildfire that occurred in the area in 2012 (USFWS 2013, p. 
3) likely reduced habitat quality in the subunit. In Subunit 3b, 
special management is required to address the threats posed by the 
current wildfire regime, invasive nonnative plant species, incompatible

[[Page 44598]]

livestock use, and residential and agricultural development. These 
threats are being addressed or coordinated with our partners and 
landowners, including BLM, the State of Idaho, BLM livestock 
permittees, and private landowners, to implement needed actions for 
species recovery.

Subunit 3c

    The southern boundary of Subunit 3c is approximately 1.6 km (1.0 
mi) northeast of Hammett, Idaho, while the western boundary is 19.6 km 
(12.2 mi) southeast of Mountain Home, Idaho. This subunit is composed 
of four EOs: 8, 26, 63, and 106, all of which were occupied at the time 
of species listing. Approximately 1,725 ha (4,264 ac) of this subunit 
are federally managed, of which 1,694 ha (4,184 ac) are managed by BLM 
and 32 ha (80 ac) are managed by BOR, and 228 ha (564 ac) are privately 
owned. BLM lands in Subunit 3c are primarily within the Four Rivers 
Field Office area. Subunit 3c is important to the conservation of the 
species because it contains the northeastern-most occurrences for 
slickspot peppergrass and has two EOs with large numbers of individual 
plants. This subunit helps to maintain the geographical range of the 
species and provide opportunity for population growth. Subunit 3c also 
provides a core population of the species. Subunit 3c critical habitat 
polygons contain all PBFs: Slick spot microsites, suitable vegetation 
composition and structure, sufficient habitat components to support 
insect pollinators, and insect pollinators to allow for sufficient 
fruit and seed production. Biological soil crust cover is high in some 
areas of the subunit. In Subunit 3c, special management is required to 
address the threats posed by the current wildfire regime, invasive 
nonnative plant species, incompatible livestock use, recreational use, 
and residential and agricultural development. These threats are being 
addressed or coordinated with our partners and landowners, including 
BLM, the State of Idaho, BLM livestock permittees, and private 
landowners, to implement needed actions for species recovery.

Unit 4: Owyhee County

    Unit 4 (Owyhee County Unit) consists of 6,888 ha (17,020 ac). The 
northern boundary of Unit 4 is approximately 83.8 km (52.1 mi) south of 
Mountain Home, Idaho, while the eastern boundary is 52.0 km (32.3 mi) 
west of Rogerson, Idaho. This unit is important to the conservation of 
slickspot peppergrass because it contains the largest amount of 
contiguous habitat with little fragmentation or development; it helps 
maintain the geographical range of the species and provide opportunity 
for population growth; and provides a core population of the species 
composed of 11 of the 19 sub-EOs within the EO 16 metapopulation, 
including sub-EO 704. This unit is composed of 19 EOs (EOs 73, 74, 75, 
78, 79, 81, 83, 84, 85, 87, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 96, 97, 98, 99) and 11 
sub-EOs (sub-EOs 700, 701, 702, 703, 704, 706, 712, 715, 716, 720, 
725), which are components of the EO 16 metapopulation. The EO 16 
metapopulation is a ``parent'' EO to all sub-EOs numbered 700 or 
greater. EO 16 contains a total of 19 sub-EOs, 11 of which meet our 
criteria for critical habitat designation. Each of these EOs and sub-
EOs were occupied at the time of species listing. About 6,610 ha 
(16,332 ac) of this unit are federally managed by the BLM Jarbidge 
Field Office, while 278 ha (688 ac) are managed by the State of Idaho. 
The majority of sub-EO 704 is located within the Mountain Home Air 
Force Base's Juniper Butte Range (Juniper Butte Range). We determined 
in 2011 that 4,611 ha (11,393 ac) within Juniper Butte Range met our 
definition of critical habitat; however, these 4,611 ha (11,393 ac) 
were exempt from critical habitat designation under section 
4(a)(3)(8)(i) of the Act (see Exemptions in the 2011 proposed critical 
habitat rule (76 FR 27201, May 10, 2011)). Using our current GIS-based 
critical habitat mapping methodology, 3,831 ha (9,466 ac) within the 
Juniper Butte Range currently meet our definition of critical habitat 
and are exempt from critical habitat designation under section 
4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act (see Exemptions and Consideration of National 
Security Impacts sections below).
    Unit 4 critical habitat polygons contain all PBFs: Slick spot 
microsites, suitable vegetation composition and structure, sufficient 
habitat components to support insect pollinators, and insect 
pollinators to allow for sufficient fruit and seed production. In Unit 
4, special management is required to address the threats posed by the 
current wildfire regime, invasive nonnative plant species, and 
incompatible livestock use. These threats are being addressed or 
coordinated with our partners and landowners, including BLM and BLM 
livestock permittees, to implement needed actions for species recovery 
(portions of Unit 4 contain past drill-seedings of crested wheatgrass 
(Agropyron cristatum) and other highly competitive nonnative species).

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 proposed to be listed 
under the Act or result in the destruction or adverse modification of 
proposed critical habitat.
    We published a final regulation with a revised definition of 
destruction or adverse modification on August 27, 2019 (84 FR 44976). 
Destruction or adverse modification means a direct or indirect 
alteration that appreciably diminishes the value of critical habitat as 
a whole for the conservation of a listed 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 Act's 
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, authorized, or carried out by a Federal agency--do not require 
section 7 consultation. The Bureau of Land Management has conducted 
section 7 compliance on slickspot peppergrass proposed critical habitat 
since it was initially proposed in 2011.
    Compliance with the requirements of section 7(a)(2) is documented 
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

[[Page 44599]]

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 
formal consultation under the Act on previously reviewed actions. These 
requirements apply when the Federal agency has retained discretionary 
involvement or control over the action (or the agency's discretionary 
involvement or control is authorized by law) and, subsequent to the 
previous consultation, we have listed a new species or designated 
critical habitat that may be affected by the Federal action, or the 
action has been modified in a manner that affects the species or 
critical habitat in a way not considered in the previous consultation. 
In such situations, Federal agencies sometimes may need to request 
reinitiation of consultation with us, but the regulations also specify 
some exceptions to the requirement to reinitiate consultation on 
specific land management plans after subsequently listing a new species 
or designating new critical habitat. See the regulations for a 
description of those exceptions.

Application of the ``Destruction or Adverse Modification'' Standard

    The key factor related to the destruction or adverse modification 
determination is whether implementation of the proposed Federal action 
directly or indirectly alters the designated critical habitat in a way 
that appreciably diminishes the value of the critical habitat as a 
whole for the conservation of the listed species. As discussed above, 
the role of critical habitat is to support physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of a listed 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 violate section 
7(a)(2) of the Act by destroying or adversely modifying such habitat, 
or that may be affected by such designation.
    Activities that the Services may, during a consultation under 
section 7(a)(2) of the Act, find are likely to destroy or adversely 
modify critical habitat include, but are not limited to: Actions that 
would remove a significant number of slick spot microsites, a 
significant portion of remnant native sagebrush steppe habitat, or a 
significant amount of pollen and nectar source plants, and actions that 
would result in significant ground disturbance. Such activities could 
include, but are not limited to, residential and commercial 
development, infrastructure projects, and conversion to agricultural 
fields. These activities could permanently eliminate or reduce the 
habitat necessary for the growth and reproduction of slickspot 
peppergrass.

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 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)) provides that: ``The Secretary shall not designate as 
critical habitat any lands or other geographic 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 
proposed critical habitat designation for slickspot peppergrass to 
determine if they are exempt under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act. 
The following areas are Department of Defense (DoD) lands with 
completed, Service-approved INRMPs within the proposed critical habitat 
designation.

Approved INRMPs

    Military activities within the range of slickspot peppergrass 
include ordnance-impact areas, training activities, and military 
development. Military-training activities occur at, or near, four EOs: 
Three at the OCTC on the Snake River Plain, and a portion of one EO at 
the Juniper Butte Range on the Owyhee Plateau. INRMPs have been 
developed and implemented for both the Juniper Butte Range and the 
OCTC. The INRMPs provide management direction and conservation measures 
to address or eliminate the effects from military-training exercises on 
slickspot peppergrass and its habitat. Both the Idaho Army National 
Guard (Kinter et al. 2014, p. i) and the U.S. Air Force (Conley 2018, 
p. 3) conduct annual monitoring to ensure impacts to the species due to 
training activities are either avoided or minimized.
Idaho Army National Guard--Orchard Combat Training Center
    The Idaho Army National Guard's OCTC on the Snake River Plain has 
an

[[Page 44600]]

INRMP in place that provides a conservation benefit for slickspot 
peppergrass. This INRMP has been in place for this military training 
facility since 1997. Because the 2013 INRMP is over 5 years old, the 
OCTC is currently managed under an Operational INRMP that includes 
continued implementation of all slickspot peppergrass conservation 
measures from the 2013 INRMP pending completion of the OCTC INRMP 
revision later in 2020 (Baun 2020, in litt., entire). The OCTC contains 
7,213 ac (2,919 ha) of occupied slickspot peppergrass habitat, 7,163 ac 
(2,899 ha) of which represents nearly 60 percent of the highest quality 
occupied slickspot peppergrass habitat in the Snake River Plain region. 
The continuing high quality of this habitat suggests the conservation 
measures are effective in maintaining generally-intact, native-plant 
vegetation and limiting anthropogenic disturbances on the OCTC 
(Sullivan and Nations 2009, p. 91).
    The INRMP for the OCTC provides a framework for managing natural 
resources. Conservation measures included in the INRMP avoid or 
minimize impacts on slickspot peppergrass, slick spot microsites, and 
sagebrush-steppe habitat while allowing for the continued 
implementation of the Idaho Army National Guard's mission. These 
measures include management actions such as restricting off-road 
motorized vehicle use, intensive wildfire suppression efforts, and the 
restriction of ground-operated military training to areas where the 
plants are not found. For example, the INRMP includes objectives for 
maintaining and improving slickspot peppergrass habitat and restoring 
areas damaged by wildfire. The plan specifies that the OCTC will use 
native species and broadcast seeding, collecting, and planting small 
amounts of native seed not commercially available, and will monitor the 
success of seeding efforts (National Guard 2013, pp. 104, 107-108). 
Since 1991, the OCTC, using historical records, has restored several 
areas using native seed and vegetation that was present prior to past 
wildfires.
    The Idaho Army National Guard continues to use restoration methods 
that avoid or minimize impacts to slickspot peppergrass or its habitat, 
with an emphasis on maintaining representation of species that were 
present in presettlement times (National Guard 2013, p. 34). Since 
1987, the Idaho Army National Guard has demonstrated that efforts to 
suppress wildfire and the use of native species with minimal ground-
disturbing activities are effective in reducing the wildfire threat, as 
well as in reducing rates of spread of nonnative, invasive species 
associated with wildfire management activities (National Guard 2013, p. 
34). In 2008, the Idaho Army National Guard also initiated maintenance 
on a series of identified fuel breaks on the OCTC. These fuel breaks 
are designed to act as barriers to prevent fires that might be ignited 
by military training activities from spreading into adjacent slickspot 
peppergrass habitat (USBLM 2008, p. 20).
    Based on the above considerations, and in accordance with section 
4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, we have determined that the identified lands 
are subject to the Idaho Army National Guard's OCTC INRMP and that 
conservation efforts identified in the INRMP are being actively 
implemented, are effective, and will provide a benefit to slickspot 
peppergrass occurring in habitats within or adjacent to the OCTC. 
Therefore, lands within this installation are exempt from critical 
habitat designation under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act. Through use 
of GIS-based critical habitat designation methodology, we have 
determined that 3,455 ha (8,537 ac) within the OCTC currently meet our 
definition of critical habitat; however, we are not including these 
3,455 ha (8,537 ac) of habitat in this proposed critical habitat 
designation because of this exemption.
Mountain Home Air Force Base--Juniper Butte Range
    The U.S. Air Force, Mountain Home Air Force Base, which includes 
the Juniper Butte Range in the Owyhee Plateau region, has an INRMP that 
has been in place for this military training facility since 2004. The 
Mountain Home Air Force Base 2017 INRMP remains active. The U.S. Air 
Force manages 818 ha (2,021 ac) of occupied slickspot peppergrass 
habitat within the Juniper Butte Range. Conservation measures and 
implementation actions for slickspot peppergrass include reseeding 
disturbed areas with native vegetation, eradicating noxious weeds prior 
to their spreading, cleaning vehicles and equipment to remove nonnative 
invasive plants, avoiding pesticide use within 8 m (25 ft) of slick 
spots, and delaying livestock turnout onto the range if slick spot 
microsites are saturated (Air Force 2017, pp. 183-185, 189, 191-192, 
200). The INRMP contains specific measures developed to minimize the 
impacts from military training at the local level, or general measures 
designed to improve the ecological condition of native, sagebrush-
steppe vegetation at a landscape scale, inclusive of areas supporting 
slickspot peppergrass, while allowing for the continued implementation 
of the Air Force mission. For example, the U.S. Air Force has a number 
of ongoing efforts to address wildfire prevention and suppression on 
the entire 4,913 ha (12,141 ac) Juniper Butte Range. Prevention 
measures that are implemented on the Juniper Butte Range include 
reducing standing fuels and weeds, planting fire-resistant vegetation 
in areas with a higher potential for ignition sources, such as along 
roads, and using wildfire indices to determine when to restrict 
military activities when the wildfire hazard rating is extreme (Air 
Force 2017, pp. 215-218). As a result of implementing these measures, 
the threat from wildfire to slickspot peppergrass associated with U.S. 
Air Force training activities has been effective in reducing fires 
within the Juniper Butte Range.
    Based on the above considerations, and in accordance with section 
4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, we have determined that the identified lands 
are subject to the U.S. Air Force INRMP for the Juniper Butte Range 
(Mountain Home Air Force Base) and that conservation efforts identified 
in the INRMP are being implemented, are effective, and will provide a 
conservation benefit to slickspot peppergrass occurring in habitats 
within or adjacent to the Juniper Butte Range. Therefore, lands within 
this installation are exempt from critical habitat designation under 
section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act. Through use of our current GIS-based 
critical habitat mapping methodology, 3,831 ha (9,466 ac) within the 
Juniper Butte Range currently meet our definition of critical habitat 
and are exempt from critical habitat designation; however, we are not 
including these 3,831 ha (9,466 ac) of habitat in this proposed 
critical habitat designation because of this exemption.
    We previously determined in 2011 that 4,664 ha (11,525 ac) of the 
Idaho Army National Guard's OCTC and 4,611 ha (11,393 ac) of the 
Mountain Home Air Force Base's Juniper Butte Range that met our 
critical habitat criteria were exempt from the critical habitat 
designation under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act, based on their 
development and implementation of INRMPs (76 FR 27201, May 10, 2011). 
The areas determined to be exempt from critical habitat designation 
under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act have been recalculated to 
incorporate our current GIS-based critical habitat mapping methodology. 
For this revised proposal, 3,455 ha (8,537 ac) of the Idaho Army 
National Guard's OCTC and 3,831 ha

[[Page 44601]]

(9,466 ac) of the Juniper Butte Range that met our critical habitat 
criteria are exempt from the critical habitat designation (Table 3). 
The acreage exempted within both INRMPs appears to be greater than the 
occupied habitat because the occupied habitat is based purely on EO 
acreage, and does not include the surrounding sagebrush-steppe habitat 
that would be included in critical habitat to provide for sufficient 
pollinator populations and protection of the slickspot peppergrass 
populations from other impacts, such as wildfire or recreational use.

                                            Table 3--Exemptions by Critical Habitat Unit Under 4(a)(3)(B)(i)
    [Areas described in our 2011 proposed critical habitat rule using the Quarter-Quarter critical habitat mapping methodology are also provided for
                                                                  comparison purposes]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                 Areas meeting the definition of    Areas exempted in hectares  (acres)
                                                                                  critical habitat in hectares     -------------------------------------
                                                                                             (acres)
           Critical habitat unit                      Specific area          --------------------------------------  Current revised
                                                                               Current revised                           proposal        2011 proposal
                                                                                   proposal        2011 proposal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2..........................................  Orchard Combat Training Center.           3,455 ha           4,664 ha           3,455 ha           4,664 ha
                                                                                     (8,537 ac)          11,525 ac         (8,537 ac)          11,525 ac
4..........................................  Juniper Butte Range............           3,831 ha           4,611 ha           3,831 ha           4,611 ha
                                                                                     (9,466 ac)        (11,393 ac)         (9,466 ac)        (11,393 ac)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exclusions

Application of 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 he determines 
that the benefits of such exclusion outweigh the benefits of specifying 
such area as part of the critical habitat, unless the Secretary 
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 the determination to exclude a 
particular area, 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.
    The first sentence in section 4(b)(2) of the Act requires that we 
take into consideration the economic, national security, or other 
relevant impacts of designating any particular area as critical 
habitat. We describe below the process that we undertook for taking 
into consideration each category of impacts and our analyses of the 
relevant impacts.
    In 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 discretion to exclude the area only if such exclusion will 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 due to the 
protection from destruction or adverse modification 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 or in the continuation, strengthening, or encouragement of 
partnerships. In the case of slickspot peppergrass, the benefits of 
critical habitat include public awareness of the presence of slickspot 
peppergrass and the importance of habitat protection, and, where a 
Federal nexus exists, increased habitat protection for the species due 
to the protection from destruction or adverse modification of critical 
habitat. Additionally, continued implementation of a management plan 
that provides equal to or more conservation than a critical habitat 
designation would reduce the benefits of including that specific area 
in the critical habitat designation.
    When we evaluate a management plan or conservation agreement during 
our consideration of the benefits of inclusion, we assess a variety of 
factors, including but not limited to, whether the plan or agreement 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 or conservation agreement will be 
implemented into the future, whether the conservation strategies in the 
plan or agreement are likely to be effective, and whether the plan or 
agreement 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 of the species. 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 will evaluate 
whether certain lands in the proposed critical habitat units are 
appropriate for exclusion from the final designation under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act. If the analysis indicates that the benefits of 
excluding lands from the final designation outweigh the benefits of 
designating those lands as critical habitat, then the Secretary may 
exercise his discretion to exclude the lands from the final 
designation.
    We are considering whether to exclude private, State, and municipal 
lands under section 4(b)(2) of the Act from the final critical habitat 
designation for slickspot peppergrass. To inform our decision, we 
specifically

[[Page 44602]]

solicit comments on the inclusion or exclusion of such areas. In the 
paragraphs below, we provide information related to our consideration 
of these lands for exclusion under section 4(b)(2) of the Act.

Consideration of Economic Impacts

    Section 4(b)(2) of the Act and its implementing regulations require 
that we consider the economic impact that may result from a designation 
of critical habitat. To assess the probable economic impacts of a 
designation, we previously prepared an analysis of the economic impacts 
of the proposed critical habitat designation and related factors. We 
then must evaluate the impacts that a specific critical habitat 
designation may have on restricting or modifying specific land uses or 
activities for the benefit of the species and its habitat within the 
areas proposed. We then identify which conservation efforts may be the 
result of the species being listed under the Act versus those 
attributed solely to the designation of critical habitat for this 
particular species. The probable economic impact of a proposed critical 
habitat designation is analyzed by comparing scenarios both ``with 
critical habitat'' and ``without critical habitat.''
    The ``without critical habitat'' scenario represents the baseline 
for the analysis, which includes the existing regulatory and socio-
economic burden imposed on landowners, managers, or other resource 
users potentially affected by the designation of critical habitat 
(e.g., under the Federal listing as well as other Federal, State, and 
local regulations). The baseline, therefore, represents the costs of 
all efforts attributable to the listing of the species under the Act 
(i.e., conservation of the species and its habitat 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 would not 
be expected without 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 use when evaluating the benefits 
of inclusion and exclusion of particular areas from the final 
designation of critical habitat should we choose to conduct a 
discretionary 4(b)(2) exclusion analysis.
    For this particular designation, we developed an economic analysis. 
The draft economic analysis, dated July 22, 2011, was made available 
for public review and comment from October 26, 2011, through December 
12, 2011 (76 FR 66250, Oct. 26, 2011). Following the close of the 
comment period, the final analysis (dated March 12, 2012) of the 
potential economic effects of the designation took into consideration 
the public comments and any new information (IEC 2012). The final 
economic analysis is available at https://www.regulations.gov under the 
docket number for this rulemaking, which is FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071.
    The final economic analysis concluded that critical habitat 
designation would not likely affect levels of economic activity or 
conservation measures being implemented within the proposed critical 
habitat area. The analysis stated that the primary reason critical 
habitat is unlikely to generate economic impacts beyond administrative 
costs of consultation is that approximately 85.8 percent of the 
proposed critical habitat is Federal land managed by the BLM, which is 
a party to a binding conservation agreement established for the purpose 
of slickspot peppergrass conservation; all projects and activities 
occurring on these public lands within the proposed critical habitat, 
including livestock management, wildfire and invasive species 
management, and determining the placement of utility and transportation 
rights-of-way, are already subject to section 7 consultation for 
slickspot peppergrass (IEC 2012, p. ES-5). Following the application of 
our revised mapping methodology, BLM administers Federal lands that 
encompass approximately 84.7 percent of the current critical habitat 
proposal. We consider this 1.1 percent decrease in the current 
percentage of proposed critical habitat administered by BLM to be 
inconsequential relative to the conclusions of the 2012 economic 
analysis. Unless unforeseen changes occur to existing conservation 
measures or the management of land use activities, the incremental 
impacts of critical habitat designation described in the 2012 final 
economic analysis would continue to be limited to additional 
administrative costs of section 7 consultations for Federal agencies 
(primarily BLM), associated with considering the potential for adverse 
modification of critical habitat.
    These costs were estimated to be $14,200 annually or $161,000 over 
a 20-year period (IEC 2012, pp. ES-5, ES-6). Though costs for 
consultations may have incrementally increased since 2012 (due to 
inflation and other economic factors), we do not expect the revised 
critical habitat to have any meaningful practical effect on 
consultation costs because BLM, as the primary Federal agency that 
conducts section 7 consultation on the potential effects of their 
actions on the species, continues to simultaneously enter into section 
7 conference regarding Federal actions that may also affect proposed 
critical habitat. The BLM has indicated that any increase in cost 
associated with critical habitat section 7 compliance would be limited 
to increases in BLM staff costs, which have been minimal since 2012 
when the economic analysis was completed, but not an increase in time 
needed to conduct section 7 compliance (Kershaw 2020, pers. comm.). 
Reduction in the 2020 proposed critical habitat acreage and addition of 
some new critical habitat areas are not expected to increase or 
decrease the number of section 7 consultations and associated costs. 
The majority of critical habitat acreage reductions associated with 
updated mapping methodology as well as the majority of critical habitat 
expansions associated with new EOs and subEOs are located in the BLM 
Jarbidge Field Office area. Most new projects in the Jarbidge Field 
Office area are BLM livestock grazing permit renewals for large, 
landscape-scale allotments that encompass from almost 2,833 to over 
48,157 ha (7,000 to over 119,000 ac). While total critical habitat 
acreage would be reduced within these large allotments, costs are not 
anticipated to increase as consultation for both the species and its 
critical habitat would still be completed for these upcoming BLM permit 
renewals. Thus, there has been no significant increase or decrease in 
BLM administrative costs for slickspot peppergrass critical habitat 
section 7 compliance relative to the 2012 economic analysis, we 
conclude that the 2012 economic analysis remains valid for slickspot 
peppergrass proposed critical habitat.
    Similarly, it remains unlikely that activities on private lands 
will result in additional section 7 consultations. In our final 
economic analysis, we did not anticipate additional consultation under 
section 7 on non-Federal lands; however, in the case that Federal 
permitting or funding is required for future projects on private lands, 
consultation considering effects of the project on slickspot 
peppergrass will occur and critical habitat designation will not likely 
affect the outcome of these consultations (IEC 2012, p. 4-4). In the 
eight years since the 2012 economic analysis, there has been a single 
section 7 consultation associated with Federal permitting on private 
lands

[[Page 44603]]

occupied by slickspot peppergrass. Should additional consultations 
occur after the final critical habitat designation, we anticipate that 
critical habitat will not likely affect the outcome of these future 
consultations IEC 2012, (pp. 4-4) for the following reasons. As the 
final economic analysis stated, within the non-Federal portion (14.2 
percent) of the proposed critical habitat area, project proponents and 
land managers are already aware of the presence of the listed slickspot 
peppergrass and the need to consult for projects with a Federal nexus 
(IEC 2012, pp. 4-2). We do not foresee a circumstance in which critical 
habitat designation will change the outcome of future consultations, 
because activities with a Federal nexus are already undertaking section 
7 consultation considering impacts on slickspot peppergrass and it is 
``not possible for us to differentiate any measures implemented solely 
to minimize impacts to individual [plant]s from those implemented to 
minimize impacts to the critical habitat'' (IEC 2012, p. 4-2). The 
changes in the area designated as critical habitat between the 2011 
proposed rule (76 FR 27184, May 10, 2011) and this revised proposed 
rule are not anticipated to lead to an outcome different than what was 
anticipated in our 2012 analysis. Therefore, the conclusions of the 
2012 final economic analysis apply to this revision of our critical 
habitat proposal.
    Our current proposal includes a net increase of 13 ha (35 ac) of 
additional private lands proposed for critical habitat designation 
relative to our 2014 proposal (79 FR 8402, Feb. 12, 2014). We believe 
that the relatively small amount of occupied area on private lands 
proposed here (1,122 ha (2,773 ac)) is not likely to alter the results 
of the existing economic analysis of the designation because section 7 
consultation for activities on private lands will continue to be 
unlikely. The current overall total area of this revised proposed 
critical habitat on Federal lands has been reduced by about 31 percent 
from the total acreage in the 2014 revised proposed critical habitat 
rule (79 FR 8402, Feb. 12, 2014); the majority of this reduced Federal 
land area is located in Unit 4.
    All projects and activities occurring on public lands within 
proposed critical habitat are already subject to section 7 consultation 
for the species. However, due to the relatively large areas encompassed 
by BLM actions within Unit 4 (livestock management, wildfire and 
invasive species management, and placement of utility and 
transportation rights-of-way), a similar number of BLM projects will 
continue to require section 7 consultation on effects to both critical 
habitat and the species despite the reduction of BLM proposed critical 
habitat acres in Unit 4. We conclude that the incremental impacts of 
our current revised proposed designation of critical habitat for 
slickspot peppergrass will similarly be limited to the additional 
administrative costs of section 7 consultations associated with 
considering the potential for adverse modification of critical habitat, 
and that administrative costs of section 7 consultations will not 
change from levels described in the 2012 final economic analysis.
    The final economic analysis is available at https://www.regulations.gov under the docket number for this rulemaking, which 
is FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071. We encourage submission of additional economic 
impact information through the public comment period, as such 
information may identify areas that may be considered for exclusion 
from the final critical habitat designation under section 4(b)(2) of 
the Act (see ADDRESSES). During the development of a final designation, 
we will consider the information presented in the DEA and an additional 
information on economic impacts received during the public comment 
period to determine whether any specific areas should be excluded from 
the final critical habitat designation under authority of section 
4(b)(2) and our implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.19.

Consideration of National Security Impacts

    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider the impact to 
national security that may result from a designation of critical 
habitat. In preparing this proposal, we have determined that the lands 
within the proposed designation of critical habitat for slickspot 
peppergrass are not owned, managed, or utilized by the DoD or the 
Department of Homeland Security, except for those exempted above under 
section 4(a)(3) of the Act. Therefore, we anticipate no impact on 
national security or homeland security. However, during the development 
of a final designation, we will consider any additional information 
received through the public comment period on the impacts of the 
proposed designation on national security or homeland security to 
determine whether any specific areas should be excluded from the final 
critical habitat designation under authority of section 4(b)(2) and our 
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.19.

Consideration of Other Relevant Impacts

    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider any other relevant 
impacts, in addition to economic impacts and impacts on national 
security. We consider a number of factors including whether there are 
permitted conservation plans covering the species in the area such as 
HCPs, SHAs, or CCAAs, or whether there are non-permitted conservation 
agreements and partnerships that would be encouraged by designation of, 
or exclusion from, critical habitat. In addition, we look at the 
existence of tribal conservation plans and partnerships and consider 
the government-to-government relationship of the United States with 
tribal entities; in this instance, the proposed designation does not 
include tribal lands or trust resources. We also consider any social 
impacts that might occur because of the designation.
    We have determined that there are currently no HCPs, SHAs, or CCAAs 
in the proposed critical habitat area. Therefore, we are not proposing 
the exclusion of any areas in the proposed critical habitat for 
slickspot peppergrass on the basis of permitted plans. However, during 
the development of a final designation, we will consider any additional 
information received through the public comment period on the whether 
any specific areas should be excluded from the final critical habitat 
designation under authority of section 4(b)(2) and our implementing 
regulations at 50 CFR 424.19 on the basis of permitted plans.
Private or Other Non-Federal Conservation Plans or Agreements and 
Partnerships, in General
    We sometimes exclude specific areas from critical habitat 
designations based in part on the existence of private or other non-
Federal conservation plans or agreements and their attendant 
partnerships. A conservation plan or agreement describes actions that 
are designed to provide for the conservation needs of a species and its 
habitat, and may include actions to reduce or mitigate negative effects 
on the species caused by activities on or adjacent to the area covered 
by the plan. Conservation plans or agreements can be developed by 
private entities with no Service involvement, or in partnership with 
the Service.
    We evaluate a variety of factors to determine how the benefits of 
any exclusion and the benefits of inclusion are affected by the 
existence of private or other non-Federal conservation plans or 
agreements and their attendant

[[Page 44604]]

partnerships when we undertake a discretionary section 4(b)(2) 
exclusion analysis. A non-exhaustive list of factors that we will 
consider for non-permitted plans or agreements is shown below. These 
factors are not required elements of plans or agreements, and all items 
may not apply to every plan or agreement.
    (1) The degree to which the plan or agreement provides for the 
conservation of the species or the essential physical or biological 
features (if present) for the species;
    (2) Whether there is a reasonable expectation that the conservation 
management strategies and actions contained in a management plan or 
agreement will be implemented;
    (3) The demonstrated implementation and success of the chosen 
conservation measures;
    (4) The degree to which the record of the plan supports a 
conclusion that a critical habitat designation would impair the 
realization of benefits expected from the plan, agreement, or 
partnership;
    (5) The extent of public participation in the development of the 
conservation plan;
    (6) The degree to which there has been agency review and required 
determinations (e.g., State regulatory requirements), as necessary and 
appropriate;
    (7) Whether National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 
et seq.) compliance was required; and
    (8) Whether the plan or agreement contains a monitoring program and 
adaptive management to ensure that the conservation measures are 
effective and can be modified in the future in response to new 
information.
    2006 Candidate Conservation Agreement (2006 CCA)--In response to 
our 2011 proposed critical habitat rule (76 FR 27184, May 10, 2011), we 
received a request from the State of Idaho to exclude State lands 
covered by their CCA. The BLM, State of Idaho Governor's Office of 
Species Conservation, IDFG, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho National 
Guard, and several nongovernmental cooperators signed a CCA in 2003 
(State of Idaho et al. 2006, in litt.) and renewed the plan in 2006 
(State of Idaho et al. 2006, in litt.). The CCA as signed in 2006 
included rangewide efforts that were intended to address the need to 
maintain and enhance slickspot peppergrass habitat; reduce intensity, 
frequency, and size of natural- and human-caused wildfires; minimize 
loss of habitat associated with wildfire-suppression activities; reduce 
the potential of nonnative plant species invasion from wildfire; 
minimize habitat loss associated with rehabilitation and restoration 
techniques; minimize the establishment of invasive nonnative species; 
minimize habitat loss or degradation from off-highway vehicle use; 
mitigate the negative effects of military training and other associated 
activities on the OCTC; and minimize the impact of ground disturbances 
caused by livestock penetrating trampling when soils are saturated 
(State of Idaho et al. 2006, in litt., p. 3).
    We receive annual reports from the BLM regarding their 
implementation of CCA conservation measures. In addition, annual IDFG 
Habitat Integrity and Population monitoring includes collection of 
habitat condition and management threshold data, which are used to 
inform potential adaptive management actions within EOs. We will 
consider the most recent information regarding implementation and 
effectiveness of the 2006 CCA conservation measures from BLM, IDFG, and 
other sources, including whether any new measures have been added. 
Therefore, we request information with respect to the ongoing 
implementation of the CCA and the performance or completion of any 
additional activities that provide for the conservation of slickspot 
peppergrass under the CCA. Based on current information and any 
information submitted during the comment period, we will consider 
whether to exclude State lands that are covered by the CCA under 
section 4(b)(2).
    Private Lands and Memoranda of Agreements (MOAs)--In our 2011 
proposed critical habitat rule (76 FR 27184, May 10, 2011), we also 
considered applying section 4(b)(2) of the Act to currently occupied 
private lands, which represented only about 5 percent of the overall 
2011 proposed designation (76 FR 27202, May 10, 2011) (currently, 
private lands constitute about 7 percent of our revised total proposed 
designation). In our 2011 proposal, we requested specific information 
concerning any current signed conservation or management plans on 
private lands that we should consider for exclusion from the 
designation under section 4(b)(2). We received comments from the State 
of Idaho and private landowners in response, requesting exclusion of 
private lands. However, to date, we have not received any information 
pertaining to current plans covering private lands that we could use in 
the mandatory weighing and balancing analysis of the benefits of 
inclusion versus the benefits of exclusion we must perform in an 
exclusion analysis.
    Certain private landowners previously signed MOAs committing to 
implementing a subset of conservation measures identified in the CCA 
described above. Six MOAs between nongovernmental cooperators and the 
State of Idaho for conservation of slickspot peppergrass covering 
approximately 17,045 acres of private lands were in place from 2004 
through December 2007. We are not aware that these MOAs have been 
reissued or renewed. A GIS analysis that examined the locations of the 
MOA lands relative to this proposed critical habitat revision found 
that MOA lands that overlap with the current revised proposed critical 
habitat were limited to a single 40-acre parcel located within one of 
the six MOAs. We request information from private landowners on any 
additional acreages, updates to, or renewals of these MOAs under the 
2006 CCA, or any other conservation efforts currently being undertaken 
or implemented. This information will be used in any consideration of 
exclusion of private lands under section 4(b)(2) of the Act.

Summary of Exclusions

    We are not considering any exclusions at this time from the 
proposed revised designation under section 4(b)(2) of the Act based on 
economic impacts, national security impacts, or other relevant impacts 
such as partnerships, management, or protection afforded by cooperative 
management efforts. Some areas within the proposed revised designation 
are included in management plans such as the 2006 CCA. Our final 
decision on whether to exclude any areas will be based on the best 
scientific data available at the time of the final designation, 
including information obtained during the comment period and 
information about the economic impact of designation. In particular, we 
may exclude an area from critical habitat if we determine that the 
benefits of excluding the area outweigh the benefits of including the 
area, provided the exclusion will not result in the extinction of this 
species. In this revised proposed rule we are seeking input from the 
public as to whether or not the Secretary should exclude State or 
private lands covered under applicable conservation plans from the 
final critical habitat designation (see ADDRESSES for instructions on 
how to submit comments and Information Requested for the types of input 
we seek).

[[Page 44605]]

Required Determinations

Clarity of the Rule

    We are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the 
Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain 
language. This means that each rule we publish must:
    (1) Be logically organized;
    (2) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (3) Use clear language rather than jargon;
    (4) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (5) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us 
comments by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. To better help us 
revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as possible. For 
example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections or paragraphs 
that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences are too long, 
the sections where you feel lists or tables would be useful, etc.

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)

    Executive Order 12866 provides that the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget will 
review all significant rules. OIRA determined that the 2011 proposed 
rule was not significant (76 FR 27203, May 10, 2011). This revised 
proposed rule is substantively similar to the 2011 proposed rule and 
proposes to designate less acreage as critical habitat. Thus, we 
determine that this revised proposed rule is not significant under the 
Executive Order 12866 criteria.
    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 revised proposed 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 whether 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, are 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 out by the Agency is not likely to destroy or adversely modify 
critical habitat. Therefore, under section 7, only Federal action 
agencies are directly subject to the specific regulatory requirement 
(avoiding destruction and adverse modification) imposed by critical 
habitat designation. Consequently, it is our position that only Federal 
action agencies will be directly regulated if we adopt this revised 
proposed critical habitat designation. There is no requirement under 
the RFA to evaluate the potential impacts to entities not directly 
regulated. Moreover, Federal agencies are not small entities. 
Therefore, because no small entities would be directly regulated by 
this rulemaking, the Service certifies that, if made final as proposed, 
the proposed critical habitat designation will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Therefore, 
an initial regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.

Executive Order 13771

    This proposed rule is not an E.O. 13771 (``Reducing Regulation and 
Controlling Regulatory Costs'') (82 FR 9339, February 3, 2017) 
regulatory action because this proposed rule is not significant under 
E.O. 12866.

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. In our economic analysis, we did not find that the 
designation of this proposed critical habitat would significantly 
affect energy supplies, distribution, or use. Furthermore, although it 
does include areas where powerlines and power facility construction and 
maintenance may occur in the future, it will not produce a Federal 
mandate of $100 million or greater in any year, that is, it is not a 
`significant regulatory action' under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. 
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:

[[Page 44606]]

    (1) This proposed 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 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 this rule would significantly or uniquely 
affect small governments because it will not produce a Federal mandate 
of $100 million or greater in any year, that is, it is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act. The designation of critical habitat imposes no obligations on 
State or local governments and, as such, a Small Government Agency Plan 
is not required.

Takings--Executive Order 12630

    In accordance with E.O. 12630 (Government Actions and Interference 
with Constitutionally Protected Private Property Rights), we have 
analyzed the potential takings implications of designating critical 
habitat for slickspot peppergrass in a takings implications assessment. 
The Act does not authorize the Service to regulate private actions on 
private lands or confiscate private property as a result of critical 
habitat designation. Designation of critical habitat does not affect 
land ownership, or establish any closures, or restrictions on use of or 
access to the designated areas. Furthermore, the designation of 
critical habitat does not affect landowner actions that do not require 
Federal funding or permits, nor does it preclude development of habitat 
conservation programs or issuance of incidental take permits to permit 
actions that do require Federal funding or permits to go forward. 
However, Federal agencies are prohibited from carrying out, funding, or 
authorizing actions that would destroy or adversely modify critical 
habitat. A takings implications assessment has been completed and 
concludes that, if adopted, this designation of critical habitat for 
slickspot peppergrass does not pose significant takings implications 
for lands within or affected by the designation.

Federalism--Executive Order 13132

    In accordance with E.O. 13132 (Federalism), this revised proposed 
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 proposed critical habitat 
designation with, appropriate State resource agencies in Idaho. 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 revised 
proposed 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 proposed 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 or biological features of the habitat 
necessary for 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 State and local 
governments in long-range planning because they 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) of the Act would 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 revised proposed 
rule does not unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the 
requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Order. We have 
proposed designating critical habitat in accordance with the provisions 
of the Act. To assist the public in understanding the habitat needs of 
the species, the revised proposed rule identifies the elements of 
physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the 
species. The proposed areas of critical habitat are presented on maps, 
and the proposed rule provides several options for the interested 
public to obtain more detailed location information, if desired.

[[Page 44607]]

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

    This revised proposed rule does not contain information collection 
requirements, and a submission to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et 
seq.) is not required. 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 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 have determined that no tribal 
lands fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat for 
slickspot peppergrass, so no tribal lands would be affected by the 
proposed designation.

References Cited

    A complete list of references cited in this rulemaking is available 
on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FWS-R1-ES-
2010-0071 and upon request from the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office (see 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Authors

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

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

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

Proposed Regulation Promulgation

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

PART 17--ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS

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

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

0
2. In Sec.  17.96, as proposed to be added in alphabetical order under 
Family Brassicaceae on May 10, 2011, at 76 FR 27184, the critical 
habitat for ``Lepidium papilliferum (Slickspot Peppergrass)'', is 
revised to read as follows:


Sec.  17.96   Critical habitat--plants.

    (a) Flowering plants.
* * * * *

Family Brassicaceae: Lepidium papilliferum (Slickspot Peppergrass)

    (1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Payette, Gem, Ada, 
Elmore, and Owyhee Counties, Idaho, on the maps in this entry.
    (2) Within these areas, the specific physical or biological 
features essential to the conservation of slickspot peppergrass consist 
of four components:
    (i) Ecologically functional microsites or ``slick spots'' that are 
characterized by:
    (A) A high sodium and clay content, and a three-layer soil 
horizonation sequence, which allows for successful seed germination, 
seedling growth, and maintenance of the seed bank. The surface horizon 
consists of a thin, silty vesicular, pored (small cavity) layer that 
forms a physical crust (the silt layer). The subsoil horizon is a 
restrictive clay layer, with an abruptic (referring to an abrupt change 
in texture) boundary with the surface layer, that is natric or natric-
like in properties (a type of argillic (clay-based) horizon with 
distinct structural and chemical features); this is the restrictive 
layer. The second argillic subsoil layer (that is less distinct than 
the upper argillic horizon) retains moisture through part of the year 
(the moist clay layer); and
    (B) Sparse vegetation, with introduced, invasive, nonnative plant 
species cover absent or limited to low to moderate levels.
    (ii) Relatively intact, native Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia 
tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) vegetation assemblages, represented by 
native bunchgrasses, shrubs, and forbs, within 250 m (820 ft) of 
slickspot peppergrass element occurrences to protect slick spots and 
slickspot peppergrass from disturbance from wildfire, slow the invasion 
of slick spots by nonnative species and native harvester ants, and 
provide the habitats needed by slickspot peppergrass' pollinators.
    (iii) A diversity of native plants whose blooming times overlap to 
provide pollinator species with flowers for foraging throughout the 
seasons and to provide nesting and egg-laying sites; appropriate 
nesting materials; and sheltered, undisturbed places for hibernation 
and overwintering of pollinator species. In order for genetic exchange 
of slickspot peppergrass to occur, pollinators must be able to move 
freely between slick spots. Alternative pollen and nectar sources 
(other plant species within the surrounding sagebrush vegetation) are 
needed to support pollinators during times when slickspot peppergrass 
is not flowering, when distances between slick spots are large, and in 
years when slickspot peppergrass is not a prolific flowerer.
    (iv) Sufficient pollinators for successful fruit and seed 
production, particularly pollinator species of the sphecid and vespid 
wasp families, species of the bombyliid and tachnid fly families, 
honeybees, and halictid bee species, most of which are solitary insects 
that nest outside of slick spots in the surrounding sagebrush-steppe 
vegetation, both in the ground and within the vegetation.
    (3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as 
buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas), 
cultivated agricultural fields, areas dominated by turf grass such as 
parks, and the land on which they are located existing within the legal 
boundaries on [EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE FINAL RULE].
    (4) Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were 
created using Geographic Information Systems feature classes of Element 
Occurrences (EOs). These EO data were provided by the IDFG Database. 
For GIS analyses, we

[[Page 44608]]

dissolved a 250-meter exterior insect pollinator buffer on the EO 
polygon base, and calculated acreages based on these dissolved, 
buffered polygons. Critical habitat polygon outlines are exaggerated 
(using 1 or 2 point size, depending on map scale) to allow viewers to 
better see them. The maps in this entry, as modified by any 
accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical 
habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which 
each map is based are available to the public at the Service's internet 
site https://www.fws.gov/idaho, at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket 
No. FWS-R1-ES-2010-0071, and at the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Office. 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) Index map follows:
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23JY20.000


[[Page 44609]]


    (6) Unit 1: Payette County, Idaho.
    (i) General Description: Unit 1 consists of 287 ha (710 ac) in 
Payette and Gem Counties, Idaho, and is composed of lands in Federal 
(268 ha (664 ac)) and private ownership (19 ha (46 ac)). Federal lands 
within Unit 1 are in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Four Rivers 
Field Office area.
    (ii) Map of Unit 1 follows:
    [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23JY20.001
    
    (7) Unit 2: Ada County, Idaho.
    (i) Subunit 2a General Description: Subunit 2a consists of 879 ha 
(2,175 ac) in Ada County, Idaho, and is composed of lands in Federal 
(335 ha (828 ac)), municipal (215 ha (531 ac)), and private ownership 
(329 ha (814 ac)). Subunit 2a includes the Ada County Landfill Complex 
area.
    (ii) Map of Unit 2, Subunit 2a follows:

[[Page 44610]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23JY20.002

    (iii) Subunit 2b General Description: Subunit 2b consists of 3,144 
ha (7,768 ac) in Ada County, Idaho, and is composed of lands in Federal 
(3,075 ha (7,598 ac)), State (69 ha (170 ac)), and private ownership 
(0.2 ha (0.4 ac)). Subunit 2b includes lands within the Bureau of Land 
Management (BLM) Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National 
Conservation Area south of Kuna, Idaho.
    (iv) Map of Unit 2, Subunit 2b follows:

[[Page 44611]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23JY20.003

    (v) Subunit 2c General Description: Subunit 2c consists of 697 ha 
(1,722 ac) in Ada County, Idaho, and is composed of lands in Federal 
(438 ha (1,081 ac)), State (49 ha (122 ac)), municipal (66 ha (163 
ac)), and private ownership (144 ha (357 ac)). Subunit 2c includes BLM 
lands within the Four Rivers Field Office area, and municipal lands 
associated with the Boise Airport.
    (vi) Map of Unit 2, Subunit 2c follows:

[[Page 44612]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23JY20.004

    (vii) Subunit 2d General Description: Subunit 2d consists of 1,605 
ha (3,965 ac) in Ada County, Idaho, and is composed of lands in Federal 
(821 ha (2,029 ac)), State (728 ha (1,800 ac)), and private ownership 
(55 ha (136 ac)). Proposed critical habitat within subunit 2d is 
adjacent to the Idaho Army National Guard-administered Orchard Combat 
Training Center (formerly known as the Orchard Training Area).
    (viii) Map of Unit 2, Subunit 2d follows:

[[Page 44613]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23JY20.005

    (8) Unit 3: Elmore County, Idaho.
    (i) Subunit 3a General Description: Subunit 3a consists of 1,007 ha 
(2,488 ac) in Elmore County, Idaho, and is composed of lands in Federal 
(726 ha (1,793 ac)) and private ownership (228 ha (564 ac)), including 
lands within the BLM Four Rivers Field Office area.
    (ii) Map of Unit 3, Subunit 3a follows:

[[Page 44614]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23JY20.006

    (iii) Subunit 3b General Description: Subunit 3b consists of 589 ha 
(1,455 ac) in Elmore County, Idaho, and is composed of lands in Federal 
(449 ha (1,108 ac)), State (74 ha (184 ac)), and private ownership (66 
ha (163 ac)), including lands within the BLM Four Rivers Field Office 
area and the BLM Morley Nelson Birds of Prey National Conservation 
Area.
    (iv) Map of Unit 3, Subunit 3b follows:

[[Page 44615]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23JY20.007

    (v) Subunit 3c General Description: Subunit 3c consists of 1,954 ha 
(4,828 ac) in Elmore County, Idaho, and is composed of lands in Federal 
(1,725 ha (4,264 ac)) and private ownership (228 ha (564 ac)), 
including lands within both the BLM Four Rivers Field Office and the 
Morley Nelson Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.
    (vi) Map of Unit 3, Subunit 3c follows:

[[Page 44616]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23JY20.008

    (9) Unit 4: Owyhee County, Idaho.
    (i) General Description: Unit 4 consists of 6,888 ha (17,020 ac) in 
Owyhee County, Idaho, and is composed of lands in Federal (6,609 ha 
(16,332 ac)) and State (278 ha (688 ac)) ownership, including lands 
within the BLM Jarbidge Field Office area.
    (ii) Map of Unit 4 follows:

[[Page 44617]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP23JY20.009

* * * * *

Aurelia Skipwith
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2020-14449 Filed 7-22-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-C