Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat, 59353-59357 [2021-23214]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 27, 2021 / Proposed Rules sections or paragraphs that you believe are unclearly written, identify any sections or sentences that you believe are too long, and identify the sections where you believe lists or tables would be useful. Authority We issue this proposed rule under the authority of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Fish and Wildlife Service DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 424 [Docket No. FWS–HQ–ES–2020–0047, FF09E23000 FXES1111090FEDR 212; Docket No. 211007–0205] List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17 RIN 1018–BE69; 0648–BJ44 Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat Proposed Regulation Promulgation AGENCY: For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to amend part 17 of chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations as set forth below: PART 17—ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS 1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361–1407; 1531– 1544; and 4201–4245, unless otherwise noted. Subpart I [Removed] 2. Remove subpart I, consisting of § 17.90. ■ Subpart J [Redesignated as Subpart I] 3. Redesignate subpart J, consisting of §§ 17.94 through 17.99, as subpart I. ■ Subpart K [Redesignated as Subpart J] 4. Redesignate subpart K, consisting of §§ 17.100 through 17.199, as subpart J. ■ Shannon A. Estenoz, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. [FR Doc. 2021–23011 Filed 10–26–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:29 Oct 26, 2021 Jkt 256001 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior; National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Commerce. ACTION: Proposed rule. We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (hereafter collectively referred to as the ‘‘Services’’ or ‘‘we’’), propose to rescind the final rule titled ‘‘Regulations for Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat’’ that was published on December 16, 2020, and became effective on January 15, 2021. The proposed rescission, if finalized, would remove the regulatory definition of ‘‘habitat’’ established by that rule. DATES: We will accept comments from all interested parties until November 26, 2021. Please note that if you are using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES below), the deadline for submitting an electronic comment is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on that date. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods: (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS–HQ–ES–2020–0047, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, in the Search panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, click on the Proposed Rules link to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking on ‘‘Comment.’’ (2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–HQ–ES–2020–0047; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB(3W), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041– 3803. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 59353 We request that you send comments only by the methods described above. Comments and materials we receive will be available for public inspection on https://www.regulations.gov. (See Public Comments below for more information.) FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bridget Fahey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Conservation and Classification, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041–3803, telephone 703/358–2171; or Angela Somma, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, telephone 301/427–8403. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 800/877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background On December 16, 2020, we published a final rule adding a definition of the term ‘‘habitat’’ to our implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.02 (85 FR 81411). The final rule summarized and responded to numerous public comments on our proposed rule that published on August 5, 2020 (85 FR 47333). The definition of ‘‘habitat’’ that we adopted in that final rule is: For the purposes of designating critical habitat only, habitat is the abiotic and biotic setting that currently or periodically contains the resources and conditions necessary to support one or more life processes of a species. Rationale for Rescission On January 20, 2021, the President issued Executive Order 13990 (hereafter referred to as ‘‘the E.O.’’), which, among other things, required all agencies to review agency actions issued between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021. In support of the E.O., a ‘‘Fact Sheet’’ was issued that set forth a nonexhaustive list of specific agency actions that agencies are required to review to determine consistency with section 1 of the E.O. (See www.whitehouse.gov/ briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/ 01/20/fact-sheet-list-of-agency-actionsfor-review/). One of the agency actions included on the Fact Sheet was our December 16, 2020, final rule promulgating a regulatory definition for ‘‘habitat’’ under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (hereafter referred to as ‘‘the Act’’; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). We have reevaluated that final rule, and we are now proposing to rescind it. The following discussion provides our rationale for rescinding that rule. First, upon reconsideration of the final rule’s discussion of the extent to E:\FR\FM\27OCP1.SGM 27OCP1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 59354 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 27, 2021 / Proposed Rules which areas that may need some degree of restoration can be considered ‘‘habitat’’ for a species, we find that the definition and the preamble of the final rule inappropriately constrain the Services’ ability to designate areas that meet the definition of ‘‘critical habitat’’ under the Act. The definition of ‘‘habitat’’ requires that the areas contain the resources and conditions necessary to support one or more life processes of a species. As stated in the preamble to the final rule, this definition of ‘‘habitat’’ excludes areas that do not currently or periodically contain the requisite resources and conditions, even if such areas could meet this requirement in the future after restoration activities or other changes occur. We have reviewed the statute’s broad definition of ‘‘conservation’’ and find significant tension between that definition and that of ‘‘habitat’’ as defined in our December 16, 2020, final rule. The statute’s definition of ‘‘conservation’’ expressly contemplates a wide range of tools for furthering the ultimate goal of recovering listed species. ‘‘Conservation’’ is defined as follows: To use and the use of all methods and procedures which are necessary to bring any endangered species or threatened species to the point at which the measures provided pursuant to this 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 (16 U.S.C. 1532(3); defining ‘‘conserve,’’ ‘‘conserving,’’ and ‘‘conservation’’). We find that the broad definition of ‘‘conservation,’’ along with the statute’s recognition of destruction or loss of habitat as a key factor in the decline of listed species (in section 4(a)(1) of the Act), indicates that areas not currently in an optimal state to support the species could nonetheless be considered ‘‘habitat’’ and ‘‘critical habitat.’’ The quality of habitat varies along a continuum, and species, and individuals within a species, often use habitats with variable quality over the course of their life histories. Some individuals of a listed species may use degraded or suboptimal areas, whereas other individuals may not. Including those areas in critical habitat designations, where appropriate, may be essential for the conservation of some species and is consistent with the Services’ practice prior to the final rule becoming effective in January 2021. To VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:29 Oct 26, 2021 Jkt 256001 hold otherwise would lead to the illogical result that the more a species’ habitat has been degraded, the less ability there is to attempt to recover the species. While we acknowledged in the final rule that we have the ability to revise critical habitat after resources and conditions within a specific area change (e.g., the area is restored or naturally improves), Congress required the Services to identify unoccupied areas that are ‘‘essential for the conservation’’ of the species when designating critical habitat. Identifying and protecting those areas when we determine they are essential, rather than delaying until an arbitrary point in time when conditions that are not required under the Act’s definition are realized, better fulfills the conservation purposes of the Act and ensures that important areas of habitat are protected in section 7 consultations from destruction or adverse modification. Moreover, designating as critical habitat areas of habitat that are unoccupied but essential for the conservation of the species may guide future habitat-restoration efforts and make them more efficient and effective. Therefore, we find that some of the language included in the preamble to the final rule reflects an unnecessarily limiting interpretation of the Act that effectively hinders its stated purpose, and that the better reading of the Act is that an area should not be precluded from qualifying as habitat because some management or restoration is necessary for it to provide for a species’ recovery. In addition, our attempt to codify a single, one-size-fits-all definition of ‘‘habitat’’ under the Act that would cover a wide array of species’ habitat requirements and also satisfy the underlying need that the definition be broad enough to include areas that could meet the Act’s definition of unoccupied critical habitat resulted in the use of overly vague terminology in the definition. The resulting definition was one that neither stemmed from the scientific literature nor had a clear relationship with the statutory definition of ‘‘critical habitat.’’ We had reviewed and considered definitions from the ecological literature (e.g., Odum 1971, Kearney 2006) and found there is inconsistent use of the term ‘‘habitat’’ (e.g., Hall et al. 1987). We also received many suggestions for definitions of habitat from public comments on the proposed rule. Some were ecological-based definitions; others were revisions of our definition in the proposed rule; and others introduced concepts that were either in tension with the ecological principles or the definition of ‘‘critical habitat’’ in the PO 00000 Frm 00047 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Act. We rejected the available ecological definitions for use as our regulatory definition because we determined they were either too broad or too narrow to guide designation of areas that could qualify under the statute as unoccupied critical habitat. In addition, because the scientific literature evolves over time, and there is currently some ambiguity in the use of the term ‘‘habitat’’ (cf. Bamford and Calver 2014), codifying a single definition in regulation could constrain the Services’ ability to incorporate the best available ecological science in the future. The Act clearly indicates critical habitat should be determined on the best available science and provides a definition for the term ‘‘critical habitat.’’ Upon reconsideration, the separate regulatory definition of ‘‘habitat’’ could conflict with this mandate by shaping or limiting how the Services can consider what areas meet the definition of ‘‘critical habitat.’’ Rather, we find relying on the best available scientific data as specified in the Act, including species-specific ecological information, is the best way to determine whether areas constitute habitat and meet the definition of critical habitat for a species. We had also deliberately avoided using terminology from the statutory definition of ‘‘critical habitat’’ because we wanted to make clear that ‘‘habitat’’ is logically and necessarily broader than ‘‘critical habitat.’’ So, for example, we avoided use of the phrase ‘‘physical or biological features.’’ However, we now find that in doing so, we resorted to terminology that is unclear and has no established meaning in the statute or our prior regulations or practices (i.e., the phrases ‘‘biotic and abiotic setting’’ and ‘‘resources and conditions’’). Thus, after reevaluating the 2020 rule, we now find that, despite our efforts to promulgate a definition that was both sufficiently broad and clear, the resulting definition is not only insufficiently clear, but also confusing. Further, the definition of ‘‘habitat’’ was developed specifically for use in the context of critical habitat designations under the Act. As the Services expressed at the time we adopted the rule, the addition of this definition to the Code of Federal Regulations was not intended to create an additional step in the process of designating critical habitat for any species (85 FR 81411, December 16, 2020). Rather, the intent was that this definition would act as a regulatory standard that would be relevant in only a limited set of cases where questions arose as to whether an area was in fact ‘‘habitat’’ for a particular species. As the Services explained, for areas that are E:\FR\FM\27OCP1.SGM 27OCP1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 27, 2021 / Proposed Rules within the occupied range of the species, a determination that those areas meet the statutory definition of ‘‘critical habitat’’ (at 16 U.S.C. 1532(5)(A)(i)) inherently validates that the area is in fact ‘‘habitat’’ (85 FR 81411, December 16, 2020) because the area must: (1) Be part of the geographical area occupied by the species; and (2) contain physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species. Thus, as we explained in our final rule, the applicability of the definition of ‘‘habitat’’ is limited only to designations with unoccupied areas and further to a subset of those where ‘‘genuine questions’’ might exist as to whether areas are habitat for a species (85 FR 81411, December 16, 2020; p. 81414). However, we now recognize that the approach of codifying a regulatory definition of ‘‘habitat’’ with a limited application, which was not intended to be applied regularly in the course of designating critical habitat, is inherently confusing. As noted, we intended the definition to apply only to the process of designating critical habitat under the Act and therefore included the phrase, ‘‘For purposes of designation of critical habitat only’’ in the definition. However, even with the specific limitation of the definition’s applicability, we understand that there is continuing concern that a definition of ‘‘habitat’’ may appear to conflict, or create inconsistencies, with other Federal agency statutory authorities or programs that also have definitions or understandings of habitat. Having multiple definitions and interpretations of what constitutes habitat that varies based on the application is confusing. Finally, although adoption of the regulation was in part intended to be a response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Weyerhaeuser Co. v. U.S.F.W.S., 139 S. Ct. 361, 372 (2018) (Weyerhaeuser), that decision did not require that the Services adopt a regulatory definition for ‘‘habitat.’’ Rather, the Court remanded the case to the lower court to consider whether the particular record supported a finding that the area disputed in the litigation was habitat for the particular species at issue (the dusky gopher frog). Similarly, we find after reconsidering the Court’s decision that we can adequately address, on a case-by-case basis and on the basis of the best scientific data available, any concerns that may arise in future designations as to whether unoccupied areas are habitat for a particular species. Having reconsidered the definition in light of E.O. 13990 and the issues discussed above, we now find that it VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:29 Oct 26, 2021 Jkt 256001 would be more appropriate to return to implementing the statute as we had done for decades prior to January 2021, when the Services did not have a codified definition of ‘‘habitat.’’ Therefore, we propose to remove this definition from 50 CFR 424.02. Public Comments We are soliciting public comment on this proposal. All relevant information will be considered prior to making a final determination regarding the regulatory definition of ‘‘habitat.’’ You may submit your comments and materials concerning the proposed rule by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. Comments must be submitted to https:// www.regulations.gov before 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the date specified in DATES. We will not consider mailed comments that are not postmarked by the date specified in DATES. We will post all comments on https:// www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide us. If you provide personal identifying information in your comment, 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. Required Determinations Regulatory Planning and Review (E.O.s 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 has determined that this rule is significant. Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while calling for improvements in the nation’s regulatory system to promote predictability, reduce uncertainty, and encourage use of the best, most innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. E.O. 13563 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 and 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 proposed rule in a manner consistent with the requirements of E.O. 13563, and in particular with the requirement of PO 00000 Frm 00048 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 59355 retrospective analysis of existing rules designed ‘‘to make the agency’s regulatory program more effective or less burdensome in achieving the regulatory objectives.’’ Regulatory Flexibility Act Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of 1996; 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), whenever a Federal agency is required to publish a notice of rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare, and make available for public comment, a regulatory flexibility analysis that describes the effect of the rule on small entities (i.e., small businesses, small organizations, and small government jurisdictions). However, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of an agency, or their designee, certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. SBREFA amended the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require Federal agencies to provide a statement of the factual basis for certifying that a rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. NMFS and FWS are the only entities that are directly affected by this rule because we are the only entities that designate critical habitat under the Act. No other entities, including any small businesses, small organizations, or small governments, will experience any direct economic impacts from this rule. Therefore, we certify that, if adopted as proposed, this rule would not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. 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.): (a) On the basis of information contained in the Regulatory Flexibility Act section, this proposed rule would not ‘‘significantly or uniquely’’ affect small governments. We have determined and certify pursuant to the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502, that this rule would not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local or State governments or private entities. A Small Government Agency Plan is not required. As explained above, small governments would not be affected because the proposed rule would not place additional requirements on any city, county, or other local municipalities. E:\FR\FM\27OCP1.SGM 27OCP1 59356 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 27, 2021 / Proposed Rules (b) This proposed rule would not produce a Federal mandate on State, local, or Tribal governments or the private sector of $100 million or greater in any year; therefore, this proposed rule is not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. This proposed rule would impose no obligations on State, local, or Tribal governments. Takings (E.O. 12630) In accordance with E.O. 12630, this proposed rule would not have significant takings implications. This proposed rule would not directly affect private property, nor would it cause a physical or regulatory taking. It would not result in a physical taking because it would not effectively compel a property owner to suffer a physical invasion of property. Further, the proposed rule would not result in a regulatory taking, because it would not deny all economically beneficial or productive uses of the land or aquatic resources, it would substantially advance a legitimate government interest (conservation and recovery of endangered species and threatened species), and it would not present a barrier to all reasonable and expected beneficial uses of private property. Federalism (E.O. 13132) In accordance with E.O. 13132, we have considered whether this proposed rule would have significant federalism effects, and we have determined that a federalism summary impact statement is not required. This proposed rule pertains only to designation of critical habitat under the Act and would not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the Federal Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988) This proposed rule does not unduly burden the judicial system and meets the applicable standards provided in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988. This proposed rule pertains only to designation of critical habitat under the Act. Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes In accordance with E.O. 13175, ‘‘Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,’’ the Department of the Interior’s manual at 512 DM 2, the Department of Commerce Tribal Consultation and Coordination Policy (May 21, 2013), the Department of Commerce Departmental VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:29 Oct 26, 2021 Jkt 256001 Administrative Order (DAO) 218–8 (April 2012), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrative Order (NAO) 218–8 (April 2012), we considered the possible effects of this proposed rule on federally recognized Indian Tribes. This proposed rule is general in nature and does not directly affect any specific Tribal lands, treaty rights, or Tribal trust resources. This regulation, if finalized, would remove the definition of ‘‘habitat’’ from 50 CFR 424.02, which only has a direct effect on the Services. With or without the regulatory definition of ‘‘habitat,’’ the Services would be obligated to continue to designate critical habitat based on the best available data and would continue to coordinate and consult as appropriate with Indian Tribes and Alaska Native corporations on critical habitat designations, per our longstanding practice. Therefore, we preliminarily conclude that this rule does not have ‘‘tribal implications’’ under section 1(a) of E.O. 13175; thus, formal governmentto-government consultation is not required by E.O. 13175 and related policies of the Departments of Commerce and the Interior. We will continue to collaborate with Tribes on issues related to federally listed species and their habitats and work with the Tribes as we implement the provisions of the Act. See Joint Secretarial Order 3206 (‘‘American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act’’, June 5, 1997). Paperwork Reduction Act This proposed rule does not contain any new collections of information that require approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (45 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). In accordance with the PRA, we may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information, 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 We are analyzing this proposed regulation in accordance with the criteria of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Interior regulations on Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (43 CFR 46.10–46.450), the Department of the Interior Manual (516 DM 8), the NOAA Administrative Order 216–6A, and the NOAA Companion Manual (CM), ‘‘Policy and Procedures for Compliance with the National Environmental Policy PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 Act and Related Authorities’’ (effective January 13, 2017). We have made an initial determination that a detailed statement under the NEPA is not required because the proposed rule is covered by a categorical exclusion. At 43 CFR 46.210(i), the Department of the Interior has found that the following categories of actions would not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment and are, therefore, categorically excluded from the requirement for completion of an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement: ‘‘Policies, directives, regulations, and guidelines: that are of an administrative, financial, legal, technical, or procedural nature.’’ We have also determined that the proposed rule does not involve any of the extraordinary circumstances listed in 43 CFR 46.215 that would require further analysis under NEPA. NOAA’s NEPA procedures include a similar categorical exclusion for ‘‘preparation of policy directives, rules, regulations, and guidelines of an administrative, financial, legal, technical, or procedural nature’’ (Categorical Exclusion G7, at CM Appendix E). This proposed rule does not involve any of the extraordinary circumstances provided in NOAA’s NEPA procedures, and therefore does not require further analysis to determine whether the action may have significant effects (CM at 4.A). As a result, we anticipate that the categorical exclusion found at 43 CFR 46.210(i) and in the NOAA CM applies to the proposed regulation rescission, and neither Service has identified any extraordinary circumstances that would preclude this categorical exclusion. We will review any comments submitted prior to completing our analysis or finalizing this action, in accordance with applicable NEPA regulations. Energy Supply, Distribution or Use (E.O. 13211) Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare statements of energy effects when undertaking certain actions. The proposed rescission of the regulatory definition of ‘‘habitat’’ is not expected to affect energy supplies, distribution, and use. Therefore, this action is a not a significant energy action, and no statement of energy effects is required. Clarity of the Rule We are required by E.O.s 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: E:\FR\FM\27OCP1.SGM 27OCP1 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 205 / Wednesday, October 27, 2021 / Proposed Rules (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 believe that we have not met these requirements, send us comments by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. Authority We issue this proposed rule under the authority of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq). List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 424 Administrative practice and procedure, Endangered and threatened species. Shannon A. Estenoz Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior. Samuel D. Rauch, III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Proposed Regulation Promulgation For the reasons set out in the preamble, we hereby propose to amend part 424, subchapter A of chapter IV, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below: PART 424—LISTING ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES AND DESIGNATING CRITICAL HABITAT 1. The authority citation for part 424 continues to read as follows: ■ Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq. § 424.02 [Amended] 2. Amend § 424.02 by removing the definition for ‘‘Habitat’’. ■ [FR Doc. 2021–23214 Filed 10–26–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333–15–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1 50 CFR Part 665 [Docket No. 211020–0213; RTID 0648– XP016] Pacific Island Pelagic Fisheries; 2022 U.S. Territorial Longline Bigeye Tuna Catch Limits National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and AGENCY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:29 Oct 26, 2021 Jkt 256001 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Proposed specifications; request for comments. NMFS proposes a 2022 limit of 2,000 metric tons (t) of longlinecaught bigeye tuna for each U.S. Pacific territory (American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), collectively ‘‘the territories’’). NMFS would allow each territory to allocate up to 1,500 t to U.S. longline fishing vessels through specified fishing agreements that meet established criteria. However, the overall allocation limit among all territories may not exceed 3,000 t. As an accountability measure, NMFS would monitor, attribute, and restrict (if necessary) catches of longline-caught bigeye tuna, including catches made under a specified fishing agreement. The proposed catch limits and accountability measures would support the long-term sustainability of fishery resources of the U.S. Pacific Islands. DATES: NMFS must receive comments by November 12, 2021. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on this document, identified by NOAA– NMFS–2021–0076, by either of the following methods: • Electronic Submission: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Go to https://www.regulations.gov and enter NOAA–NMFS–2021–0076 in the Search box. Click on the ‘‘Comment’’ icon, complete the required fields, and enter or attach your comments. • Mail: Send written comments to Michael D. Tosatto, Regional Administrator, NMFS Pacific Islands Region (PIR), 1845 Wasp Blvd., Bldg. 176, Honolulu, HI 96818. Instructions: Comments sent by any other method, to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NMFS. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted for public viewing on www.regulations.gov without change. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender will be publicly accessible. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) and NMFS prepared a 2019 environmental assessment (EA), a 2020 SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 59357 supplemental environmental assessment (SEA), a 2020 supplemental information report (SIR), and a 2021 SIR that support this proposed action. The EA, SEA, and SIRs are available at www.regulations.gov, or from the Council, 1164 Bishop St., Suite 1400, Honolulu, HI 96813, tel 808–522–8220, fax 808–522–8226, www.wpcouncil.org. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynn Rassel, NMFS PIRO Sustainable Fisheries, 808–725–5184. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS proposes to specify a 2022 catch limit of 2,000 t of longline-caught bigeye tuna for each U.S. Pacific territory. NMFS would also authorize each U.S. Pacific territory to allocate up to 1,500 t of its 2,000 t bigeye tuna limit, not to exceed a 3,000 t total annual allocation limit among all the territories, to U.S. longline fishing vessels that are permitted to fish under the Fishery Ecosystem Plan for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific (FEP). Those vessels must be identified in a specified fishing agreement with the applicable territory. The Council recommended these specifications. The proposed catch limits and accountability measures are identical to those that NMFS has specified for U.S. Pacific territories in each year since 2014. The proposed individual territorial allocation limit of 1,500 t is identical to what NMFS specified for 2020 and 2021. The overall allocation limit among all of the territories may not exceed 3,000 t for the year, which is consistent with previous years. NMFS has determined that the existing EA and SEA adequately address the potential impacts on the human environment by the proposed action, and that no additional analyses are required. NMFS will monitor catches of longline-caught bigeye tuna by the longline fisheries of each U.S Pacific territory, including catches made by U.S. longline vessels operating under specified fishing agreements. The criteria that a specified fishing agreement must meet, and the process for attributing longline-caught bigeye tuna, will follow the procedures in 50 CFR 665.819. When NMFS projects that a territorial catch or allocation limit will be reached, NMFS would, as an accountability measure, prohibit the catch and retention of longline-caught bigeye tuna by vessels in the applicable territory (if the territorial catch limit is projected to be reached), and/or vessels in a specified fishing agreement (if the allocation limit is projected to be reached). NMFS will consider public comments on the proposed action and will E:\FR\FM\27OCP1.SGM 27OCP1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 27, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 59353-59357]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23214]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 424

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2020-0047, FF09E23000 FXES1111090FEDR 212; Docket
No. 211007-0205]
RIN 1018-BE69; 0648-BJ44

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for
Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical
Habitat

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior; National Marine
Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National
Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (hereafter collectively referred to as
the ``Services'' or ``we''), propose to rescind the final rule titled
``Regulations for Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and
Designating Critical Habitat'' that was published on December 16, 2020,
and became effective on January 15, 2021. The proposed rescission, if
finalized, would remove the regulatory definition of ``habitat''
established by that rule.

DATES: We will accept comments from all interested parties until
November 26, 2021. Please note that if you are using the Federal
eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES below), the deadline for submitting
an electronic comment is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on that date.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
(1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS-HQ-ES-2020-0047,
which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, in the Search
panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading,
click on the Proposed Rules link to locate this document. You may
submit a comment by clicking on ``Comment.''
(2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments
Processing, Attn: FWS-HQ-ES-2020-0047; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
MS: PRB(3W), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
We request that you send comments only by the methods described
above. Comments and materials we receive will be available for public
inspection on https://www.regulations.gov. (See Public Comments below
for more information.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bridget Fahey, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Division of Conservation and Classification, 5275 Leesburg
Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803, telephone 703/358-2171; or Angela
Somma, National Marine Fisheries Service, Office of Protected
Resources, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, telephone
301/427-8403. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf
(TDD), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 800/877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

On December 16, 2020, we published a final rule adding a definition
of the term ``habitat'' to our implementing regulations at 50 CFR
424.02 (85 FR 81411). The final rule summarized and responded to
numerous public comments on our proposed rule that published on August
5, 2020 (85 FR 47333).
The definition of ``habitat'' that we adopted in that final rule
is: For the purposes of designating critical habitat only, habitat is
the abiotic and biotic setting that currently or periodically contains
the resources and conditions necessary to support one or more life
processes of a species.

Rationale for Rescission

On January 20, 2021, the President issued Executive Order 13990
(hereafter referred to as ``the E.O.''), which, among other things,
required all agencies to review agency actions issued between January
20, 2017, and January 20, 2021. In support of the E.O., a ``Fact
Sheet'' was issued that set forth a non-exhaustive list of specific
agency actions that agencies are required to review to determine
consistency with section 1 of the E.O. (See www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/01/20/fact-sheet-list-of-agency-actions-for-review/). One of the agency actions included on the Fact
Sheet was our December 16, 2020, final rule promulgating a regulatory
definition for ``habitat'' under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (hereafter referred to as ``the Act''; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).
We have reevaluated that final rule, and we are now proposing to
rescind it. The following discussion provides our rationale for
rescinding that rule.
First, upon reconsideration of the final rule's discussion of the
extent to

[[Page 59354]]

which areas that may need some degree of restoration can be considered
``habitat'' for a species, we find that the definition and the preamble
of the final rule inappropriately constrain the Services' ability to
designate areas that meet the definition of ``critical habitat'' under
the Act. The definition of ``habitat'' requires that the areas contain
the resources and conditions necessary to support one or more life
processes of a species. As stated in the preamble to the final rule,
this definition of ``habitat'' excludes areas that do not currently or
periodically contain the requisite resources and conditions, even if
such areas could meet this requirement in the future after restoration
activities or other changes occur. We have reviewed the statute's broad
definition of ``conservation'' and find significant tension between
that definition and that of ``habitat'' as defined in our December 16,
2020, final rule. The statute's definition of ``conservation''
expressly contemplates a wide range of tools for furthering the
ultimate goal of recovering listed species. ``Conservation'' is defined
as follows: To use and the use of all methods and procedures which are
necessary to bring any endangered species or threatened species to the
point at which the measures provided pursuant to this 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 (16 U.S.C. 1532(3);
defining ``conserve,'' ``conserving,'' and ``conservation'').
We find that the broad definition of ``conservation,'' along with
the statute's recognition of destruction or loss of habitat as a key
factor in the decline of listed species (in section 4(a)(1) of the
Act), indicates that areas not currently in an optimal state to support
the species could nonetheless be considered ``habitat'' and ``critical
habitat.'' The quality of habitat varies along a continuum, and
species, and individuals within a species, often use habitats with
variable quality over the course of their life histories. Some
individuals of a listed species may use degraded or suboptimal areas,
whereas other individuals may not. Including those areas in critical
habitat designations, where appropriate, may be essential for the
conservation of some species and is consistent with the Services'
practice prior to the final rule becoming effective in January 2021. To
hold otherwise would lead to the illogical result that the more a
species' habitat has been degraded, the less ability there is to
attempt to recover the species. While we acknowledged in the final rule
that we have the ability to revise critical habitat after resources and
conditions within a specific area change (e.g., the area is restored or
naturally improves), Congress required the Services to identify
unoccupied areas that are ``essential for the conservation'' of the
species when designating critical habitat. Identifying and protecting
those areas when we determine they are essential, rather than delaying
until an arbitrary point in time when conditions that are not required
under the Act's definition are realized, better fulfills the
conservation purposes of the Act and ensures that important areas of
habitat are protected in section 7 consultations from destruction or
adverse modification. Moreover, designating as critical habitat areas
of habitat that are unoccupied but essential for the conservation of
the species may guide future habitat-restoration efforts and make them
more efficient and effective. Therefore, we find that some of the
language included in the preamble to the final rule reflects an
unnecessarily limiting interpretation of the Act that effectively
hinders its stated purpose, and that the better reading of the Act is
that an area should not be precluded from qualifying as habitat because
some management or restoration is necessary for it to provide for a
species' recovery.
In addition, our attempt to codify a single, one-size-fits-all
definition of ``habitat'' under the Act that would cover a wide array
of species' habitat requirements and also satisfy the underlying need
that the definition be broad enough to include areas that could meet
the Act's definition of unoccupied critical habitat resulted in the use
of overly vague terminology in the definition. The resulting definition
was one that neither stemmed from the scientific literature nor had a
clear relationship with the statutory definition of ``critical
habitat.'' We had reviewed and considered definitions from the
ecological literature (e.g., Odum 1971, Kearney 2006) and found there
is inconsistent use of the term ``habitat'' (e.g., Hall et al. 1987).
We also received many suggestions for definitions of habitat from
public comments on the proposed rule. Some were ecological-based
definitions; others were revisions of our definition in the proposed
rule; and others introduced concepts that were either in tension with
the ecological principles or the definition of ``critical habitat'' in
the Act. We rejected the available ecological definitions for use as
our regulatory definition because we determined they were either too
broad or too narrow to guide designation of areas that could qualify
under the statute as unoccupied critical habitat. In addition, because
the scientific literature evolves over time, and there is currently
some ambiguity in the use of the term ``habitat'' (cf. Bamford and
Calver 2014), codifying a single definition in regulation could
constrain the Services' ability to incorporate the best available
ecological science in the future.
The Act clearly indicates critical habitat should be determined on
the best available science and provides a definition for the term
``critical habitat.'' Upon reconsideration, the separate regulatory
definition of ``habitat'' could conflict with this mandate by shaping
or limiting how the Services can consider what areas meet the
definition of ``critical habitat.'' Rather, we find relying on the best
available scientific data as specified in the Act, including species-
specific ecological information, is the best way to determine whether
areas constitute habitat and meet the definition of critical habitat
for a species. We had also deliberately avoided using terminology from
the statutory definition of ``critical habitat'' because we wanted to
make clear that ``habitat'' is logically and necessarily broader than
``critical habitat.'' So, for example, we avoided use of the phrase
``physical or biological features.'' However, we now find that in doing
so, we resorted to terminology that is unclear and has no established
meaning in the statute or our prior regulations or practices (i.e., the
phrases ``biotic and abiotic setting'' and ``resources and
conditions''). Thus, after reevaluating the 2020 rule, we now find
that, despite our efforts to promulgate a definition that was both
sufficiently broad and clear, the resulting definition is not only
insufficiently clear, but also confusing.
Further, the definition of ``habitat'' was developed specifically
for use in the context of critical habitat designations under the Act.
As the Services expressed at the time we adopted the rule, the addition
of this definition to the Code of Federal Regulations was not intended
to create an additional step in the process of designating critical
habitat for any species (85 FR 81411, December 16, 2020). Rather, the
intent was that this definition would act as a regulatory standard that
would be relevant in only a limited set of cases where questions arose
as to whether an area was in fact ``habitat'' for a particular species.
As the Services explained, for areas that are

[[Page 59355]]

within the occupied range of the species, a determination that those
areas meet the statutory definition of ``critical habitat'' (at 16
U.S.C. 1532(5)(A)(i)) inherently validates that the area is in fact
``habitat'' (85 FR 81411, December 16, 2020) because the area must: (1)
Be part of the geographical area occupied by the species; and (2)
contain physical or biological features essential to the conservation
of the species. Thus, as we explained in our final rule, the
applicability of the definition of ``habitat'' is limited only to
designations with unoccupied areas and further to a subset of those
where ``genuine questions'' might exist as to whether areas are habitat
for a species (85 FR 81411, December 16, 2020; p. 81414). However, we
now recognize that the approach of codifying a regulatory definition of
``habitat'' with a limited application, which was not intended to be
applied regularly in the course of designating critical habitat, is
inherently confusing.
As noted, we intended the definition to apply only to the process
of designating critical habitat under the Act and therefore included
the phrase, ``For purposes of designation of critical habitat only'' in
the definition. However, even with the specific limitation of the
definition's applicability, we understand that there is continuing
concern that a definition of ``habitat'' may appear to conflict, or
create inconsistencies, with other Federal agency statutory authorities
or programs that also have definitions or understandings of habitat.
Having multiple definitions and interpretations of what constitutes
habitat that varies based on the application is confusing.
Finally, although adoption of the regulation was in part intended
to be a response to the Supreme Court's decision in Weyerhaeuser Co. v.
U.S.F.W.S., 139 S. Ct. 361, 372 (2018) (Weyerhaeuser), that decision
did not require that the Services adopt a regulatory definition for
``habitat.'' Rather, the Court remanded the case to the lower court to
consider whether the particular record supported a finding that the
area disputed in the litigation was habitat for the particular species
at issue (the dusky gopher frog). Similarly, we find after
reconsidering the Court's decision that we can adequately address, on a
case-by-case basis and on the basis of the best scientific data
available, any concerns that may arise in future designations as to
whether unoccupied areas are habitat for a particular species.
Having reconsidered the definition in light of E.O. 13990 and the
issues discussed above, we now find that it would be more appropriate
to return to implementing the statute as we had done for decades prior
to January 2021, when the Services did not have a codified definition
of ``habitat.'' Therefore, we propose to remove this definition from 50
CFR 424.02.

Public Comments

We are soliciting public comment on this proposal. All relevant
information will be considered prior to making a final determination
regarding the regulatory definition of ``habitat.'' You may submit your
comments and materials concerning the proposed rule by one of the
methods listed in ADDRESSES. Comments must be submitted to https://www.regulations.gov before 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on the date
specified in DATES. We will not consider mailed comments that are not
postmarked by the date specified in DATES.
We will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. This
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide
us. If you provide personal identifying information in your comment,
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.

Required Determinations

Regulatory Planning and Review (E.O.s 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 has determined that this rule is
significant.
Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while
calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote
predictability, reduce uncertainty, and encourage use of the best, most
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends.
E.O. 13563 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 and 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 proposed rule in a manner consistent with
the requirements of E.O. 13563, and in particular with the requirement
of retrospective analysis of existing rules designed ``to make the
agency's regulatory program more effective or less burdensome in
achieving the regulatory objectives.''

Regulatory Flexibility Act

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (as amended by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of 1996; 5 U.S.C.
601 et seq.), whenever a Federal agency is required to publish a notice
of rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare, and make
available for public comment, a regulatory flexibility analysis that
describes the effect of the rule on small entities (i.e., small
businesses, small organizations, and small government jurisdictions).
However, no regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of
an agency, or their designee, certifies that the rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
SBREFA amended the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require Federal
agencies to provide a statement of the factual basis for certifying
that a rule will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities.
NMFS and FWS are the only entities that are directly affected by
this rule because we are the only entities that designate critical
habitat under the Act. No other entities, including any small
businesses, small organizations, or small governments, will experience
any direct economic impacts from this rule. Therefore, we certify that,
if adopted as proposed, this rule would not have a significant economic
effect on a substantial number of small entities.

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.):
(a) On the basis of information contained in the Regulatory
Flexibility Act section, this proposed rule would not ``significantly
or uniquely'' affect small governments. We have determined and certify
pursuant to the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502, that this
rule would not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year
on local or State governments or private entities. A Small Government
Agency Plan is not required. As explained above, small governments
would not be affected because the proposed rule would not place
additional requirements on any city, county, or other local
municipalities.

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(b) This proposed rule would not produce a Federal mandate on
State, local, or Tribal governments or the private sector of $100
million or greater in any year; therefore, this proposed rule is not a
``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded Mandates Reform
Act. This proposed rule would impose no obligations on State, local, or
Tribal governments.

Takings (E.O. 12630)

In accordance with E.O. 12630, this proposed rule would not have
significant takings implications. This proposed rule would not directly
affect private property, nor would it cause a physical or regulatory
taking. It would not result in a physical taking because it would not
effectively compel a property owner to suffer a physical invasion of
property. Further, the proposed rule would not result in a regulatory
taking, because it would not deny all economically beneficial or
productive uses of the land or aquatic resources, it would
substantially advance a legitimate government interest (conservation
and recovery of endangered species and threatened species), and it
would not present a barrier to all reasonable and expected beneficial
uses of private property.

Federalism (E.O. 13132)

In accordance with E.O. 13132, we have considered whether this
proposed rule would have significant federalism effects, and we have
determined that a federalism summary impact statement is not required.
This proposed rule pertains only to designation of critical habitat
under the Act and would not have substantial direct effects on the
States, on the relationship between the Federal Government and the
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the
various levels of government.

Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)

This proposed rule does not unduly burden the judicial system and
meets the applicable standards provided in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of
E.O. 12988. This proposed rule pertains only to designation of critical
habitat under the Act.

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

In accordance with E.O. 13175, ``Consultation and Coordination with
Indian Tribal Governments,'' the Department of the Interior's manual at
512 DM 2, the Department of Commerce Tribal Consultation and
Coordination Policy (May 21, 2013), the Department of Commerce
Departmental Administrative Order (DAO) 218-8 (April 2012), and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrative
Order (NAO) 218-8 (April 2012), we considered the possible effects of
this proposed rule on federally recognized Indian Tribes. This proposed
rule is general in nature and does not directly affect any specific
Tribal lands, treaty rights, or Tribal trust resources. This
regulation, if finalized, would remove the definition of ``habitat''
from 50 CFR 424.02, which only has a direct effect on the Services.
With or without the regulatory definition of ``habitat,'' the Services
would be obligated to continue to designate critical habitat based on
the best available data and would continue to coordinate and consult as
appropriate with Indian Tribes and Alaska Native corporations on
critical habitat designations, per our longstanding practice.
Therefore, we preliminarily conclude that this rule does not have
``tribal implications'' under section 1(a) of E.O. 13175; thus, formal
government-to-government consultation is not required by E.O. 13175 and
related policies of the Departments of Commerce and the Interior. We
will continue to collaborate with Tribes on issues related to federally
listed species and their habitats and work with the Tribes as we
implement the provisions of the Act. See Joint Secretarial Order 3206
(``American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal Tribal Trust
Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act'', June 5, 1997).

Paperwork Reduction Act

This proposed rule does not contain any new collections of
information that require approval by the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA) (45 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.). In accordance with the PRA, we may not conduct or
sponsor a collection of information, 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

We are analyzing this proposed regulation in accordance with the
criteria of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the
Department of the Interior regulations on Implementation of the
National Environmental Policy Act (43 CFR 46.10-46.450), the Department
of the Interior Manual (516 DM 8), the NOAA Administrative Order 216-
6A, and the NOAA Companion Manual (CM), ``Policy and Procedures for
Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act and Related
Authorities'' (effective January 13, 2017). We have made an initial
determination that a detailed statement under the NEPA is not required
because the proposed rule is covered by a categorical exclusion. At 43
CFR 46.210(i), the Department of the Interior has found that the
following categories of actions would not individually or cumulatively
have a significant effect on the human environment and are, therefore,
categorically excluded from the requirement for completion of an
environmental assessment or environmental impact statement: ``Policies,
directives, regulations, and guidelines: that are of an administrative,
financial, legal, technical, or procedural nature.'' We have also
determined that the proposed rule does not involve any of the
extraordinary circumstances listed in 43 CFR 46.215 that would require
further analysis under NEPA.
NOAA's NEPA procedures include a similar categorical exclusion for
``preparation of policy directives, rules, regulations, and guidelines
of an administrative, financial, legal, technical, or procedural
nature'' (Categorical Exclusion G7, at CM Appendix E). This proposed
rule does not involve any of the extraordinary circumstances provided
in NOAA's NEPA procedures, and therefore does not require further
analysis to determine whether the action may have significant effects
(CM at 4.A).
As a result, we anticipate that the categorical exclusion found at
43 CFR 46.210(i) and in the NOAA CM applies to the proposed regulation
rescission, and neither Service has identified any extraordinary
circumstances that would preclude this categorical exclusion. We will
review any comments submitted prior to completing our analysis or
finalizing this action, in accordance with applicable NEPA regulations.

Energy Supply, Distribution or Use (E.O. 13211)

Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare statements of
energy effects when undertaking certain actions. The proposed
rescission of the regulatory definition of ``habitat'' is not expected
to affect energy supplies, distribution, and use. Therefore, this
action is a not a significant energy action, and no statement of energy
effects is required.

Clarity of the Rule

We are required by E.O.s 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:

[[Page 59357]]

(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 believe that we have not met these requirements, send us
comments by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES.

Authority

We issue this proposed rule under the authority of the Endangered
Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 424

Administrative practice and procedure, Endangered and threatened
species.

Shannon A. Estenoz
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the
Interior.
Samuel D. Rauch, III,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs, National Marine
Fisheries Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Proposed Regulation Promulgation

For the reasons set out in the preamble, we hereby propose to amend
part 424, subchapter A of chapter IV, title 50 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, as set forth below:

PART 424--LISTING ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES AND DESIGNATING
CRITICAL HABITAT

0
1. The authority citation for part 424 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.

Sec. 424.02 [Amended]

0
2. Amend Sec. 424.02 by removing the definition for ``Habitat''.
[FR Doc. 2021-23214 Filed 10-26-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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