Fish and Wildlife Service September 25, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Prudency Determination for the Designation of Critical Habitat for Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum
Document Number: E7-18678
Type: Rule
Date: 2007-09-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have reconsidered whether designating critical habitat for Trichostema austromontanum ssp. compactum, a plant, is prudent. We listed this taxon as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), in 1998; at that time, we determined that designation of critical habitat was not prudent, because designation would increase the degree of threat to the taxon and would not benefit the taxon. As a consequence of a settlement agreement, we withdrew our previous not- prudent determination, and agreed to reevaluate the prudency of designating critical habitat. However, based on our review and evaluation of the best scientific and commercial information available, we believe that designation of critical habitat continues to be not prudent for T. a. ssp. compactum.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Critical Habitat for the Tidewater Goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi
Document Number: E7-18632
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2007-09-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the reopening of the comment period on the proposed revised designation of critical habitat for the tidewater goby (Eucyclogobius newberryi) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We also announce the availability of the draft economic analysis of the proposed revised critical habitat designation and an amended Required Determinations section of the proposal. The draft economic analysis estimates post-designation costs associated with conservation efforts for the tidewater goby to be approximately $25 million (undiscounted) over the next 20 years (2007 to 2026) as a result of the proposed designation of critical habitat. Discounted future costs are estimated to be approximately $22 million ($1.5 million annualized) at a 3 percent discount rate or approximately $20 million ($1.8 million annualized) at a 7 percent discount rate. Potential cost savings in Unit VEN-2 associated with tidewater goby conservation efforts range from approximately $35 million to $90 million (undiscounted dollars). By combining these savings with the estimated costs of conservation efforts, an overall net cost savings of approximately $10 million to $65 million (undiscounted) could be realized over the next 20 years. In present value terms, net cost savings range from approximately $9.8 million to $60 million (assuming a 3 percent discount rate) or approximately $9.1 million to $54.0 million (assuming a 7 percent discount rate). We are reopening the comment period for the proposed rule to allow all interested parties an opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed rule, the associated draft economic analysis, and the amended Required Determinations section. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they will be incorporated into the public record as part of this comment period, and will be fully considered in preparation of the final designation.
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