[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 1994)] [Unknown Section] [Page 0] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 94-1704] [[Page Unknown]] [Federal Register: January 27, 1994] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 RIN 1018-AC33 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Marbled Murrelet AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to designate critical habitat for the threatened marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus marmoratus) in Washington, Oregon, and California under the Endangered Species Act, as amended (Act). The marbled murrelet is a small seabird of the Alcidae family that forages in the near-shore marine environment and nests in large trees in coniferous forest along the coast. Proposed critical habitat units are located on Federal lands. This proposed critical habitat designation would result in additional protection requirements under section 7 of the Act with regard to activities that are funded, authorized, or carried out by Federal agencies. Section 4 of the Act requires the Service to designate critical habitat on the basis of the best scientific information available and to consider the economic and other relevant impacts of including particular areas in the designation. DATES: Comments from all interested parties must be received by April 27, 1994. Public hearing requests must be received by March 14, 1994. ADDRESSES: Comments and materials concerning this proposal should be sent to the Assistant Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 911 Northeast 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232. The complete file for this rule is available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the above address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Dale Hall, Assistant Regional Director for Ecological Services, at the above address (503/231-6159). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Previous Federal Action On January 15, 1988, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) received a petition to list the marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus marmoratus) in Washington, Oregon, and California as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). On October 17, 1988 (53 FR 40479), the Service published a finding that the petition had presented substantial information indicating that the requested action may be warranted. Because of the increased research effort and new information available, the status review period was reopened, with the concurrence of the petitioners, from March 5, 1990, through May 31, 1990 (55 FR 4913). On June 20, 1991 (56 FR 28362), the Service published a proposal to list the marbled murrelet in Washington, Oregon, and California as a threatened species. The comment period was reopened for 30 days on January 30, 1992 (57 FR 3804), to gather the most updated information on the species. Following a court order by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington denying a 6-month extension, the Service published the final rule listing the marbled murrelet in Washington, Oregon, and California as a threatened species on October 1, 1992 (57 FR 45328). On November 2, 1993, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington granted a motion by the plaintiffs in Marbled Murrelet v. Babbitt to compel a proposed designation of critical habitat. In the ruling, the court ordered the Secretary to propose designating critical habitat for the marbled murrelet no later than January 21, 1994, and to make a final designation of critical habitat as soon as reasonably possible under applicable law. Ecological Considerations The marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a small seabird of the Alcidae family. The North American subspecies (Brachyramphus marmoratus marmoratus) ranges from the Aleutian Archipelago in Alaska eastward to Cook Inlet, Kodiak Island, Kenai Peninsula, and Prince William Sound, south along the coast through the Alexander Archipelago of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon to central California. Some wintering birds are found in southern California. A separate subspecies (Brachyramphus marmoratus perdix) occurs in Asia. Marbled murrelets spend the majority of their lives at sea, where they feed primarily on small fish and invertebrates in near-shore marine waters. Marbled murrelets nest inland, predominately in older, large-limbed trees in dense forest. Marbled murrelets have been found occasionally on rivers and inland lakes (Carter and Sealy 1986). The marbled murrelet is a social species that is semi-colonial around the breeding site. Two nests discovered in Washington during 1990 were located within 46 meters (150 feet) of each other (Hamer and Cummins 1990), and detections of marbled murrelets exhibiting behaviors associated with nesting activity are often aggregated. Nesting occurs over an extended period from early April to late September (Carter and Sealy 1987). Marbled murrelets have been observed at some inland sites during all months of the year (Paton et al. 1987, Naslund 1993). During the breeding period, adult marbled murrelets lay a single egg in a tree containing structures suitable for nesting (e.g., limbs at least 13 centimeters (cm) (5 inches) in diameter, mistletoe infections, witches brooms, deformities). Both sexes incubate the egg in alternating 24-hour shifts for approximately 30 days, and the young fledge after an additional 28 days (Simons 1980, Hirsch et al. 1981, Singer et al. 1991). Inland flights by adults feeding young are made from ocean feeding areas to nest sites at all times of the day, but most often at dusk and dawn (Hamer and Cummins 1991). Chicks are fed at least once a day. The adults carry only one fish at a time to the young (Carter and Sealy 1987; Hamer and Cummins 1991; Singer et al. 1992; Nelson, Oregon Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit, pers. comm. 1992). The young are altricial, but remain in the nest longer than young of most other alcids. Before leaving the nest, the young molt into a distinctive juvenile plumage. Fledglings fly directly from the nest to the sea rather than exploring the forest environment first (Hamer and Cummins 1991). For the purpose of proposing critical habitat, the Service has concentrated on two components of marbled murrelet habitat: (1) Nesting habitat; and (2) habitat needed to support foraging. Forest stands with conditions that will support nesting marbled murrelets are referred to as ``suitable nesting habitat.'' Throughout the forested portion of the species' range, marbled murrelets nest near the marine environment in forest stands containing characteristics of older forests (Binford et al. 1975; Sealy and Carter 1984; Carter and Sealy 1987; Carter and Erickson 1988; Marshall 1988; Paton and Ralph 1988; Nelson 1989; Burger, University of Victoria, in litt. 1990; Hamer and Cummins 1990, 1991; Quinlan and Hughes 1990; Kuletz 1991; Nelson in litt. 1991; Singer et al. 1991, 1992; Nelson 1992; Nelson et al. 1992). Historically, nesting habitat for the marbled murrelet was widely dispersed, particularly in the wetter portions of its range in Washington, Oregon, and California. This habitat was generally found in very large, contiguous blocks. Currently, the threatened population of marbled murrelets nests in most of the major types of coniferous forests in the western portions of Washington, Oregon, and north-central California, wherever older forests remain in close proximity to the coast. Habitat in the drier parts of the listed species' range (portions of southern Oregon and northern California) is less continuous, occurring naturally in a mosaic pattern. Although marbled murrelet nesting habitat is somewhat variable over the range of the species, some general habitat attributes are common throughout its range, including nesting structure, canopy closure, stand size, tree species, landscape condition, and distance from the marine environment. Individual tree attributes that provide conditions suitable for nesting include branches at least 13 cm (5 inches) in diameter, deformities (e.g., broken tops), mistletoe infections, witches brooms, or other structures providing a platform for nesting (Carter and Sealy 1987; Hamer and Cummins 1990, 1991; Singer et al. 1991, 1992; Ralph et al. 1993). These structures are typically found in old-growth and mature stands, but may be found in a variety of stand types including younger stands containing remnant large trees. Sixty-one tree nests have been located in North America, including 35 in the range of the listed population (6 in Washington, 20 in Oregon, and 9 in California) (Binford et al. 1975; Varoujean et al. 1989; Burger 1990; Quinlan and Hughes 1990; Hamer and Cummins 1990, 1991; Kuletz 1991; Singer et al. 1991, 1992; Nelson unpubl. data). All nests in Washington, Oregon, and California were located in old-growth trees that were greater than 81 cm (32 inches) diameter at breast height (dbh). Most nests have been located on large or deformed branches with a moss covering; however, a few nests have been located on smaller branches, and some nests were situated on conifer needles or sticks rather than moss. Canopy closure over the nest site provides protection from predation and weather. Such canopy closure may be provided by trees adjacent to the nest tree and/or by the nest tree itself. Nests are typically located high above ground and usually have good overhead protection. Such locations allow easy access and provide shelter from potential predators and weather. Although a few nests have been located in relatively small stands, most nests have been found in larger stands with sufficient internal structure to minimize the risk of predation at the nest (i.e., minimize habitat for species known to prey on marbled murrelets) and provide suitable climatic conditions for nesting (Nelson in litt. 1992). Marbled murrelets are more commonly encountered in larger stands of older forests in California (greater than 202 hectares (500 acres)) than in smaller stands (less than 40 hectares (100 acres)). However, marbled murrelets have been detected in smaller isolated stands in Oregon, with one confirmed nest in a 3-hectare (8-acre) stand (Nelson unpubl. data). General landscape condition also may affect use of suitable nesting habitat. In Washington, marbled murrelet detections increased when old- growth/mature forests comprised over 30 percent of the landscape. Hamer and Cummins (1990) found that detections of marbled murrelets decreased in Washington when the percent of clearcut/meadow on the landscape increased above 25 percent. Nests have been located in stands dominated by coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), and western red-cedar (Thuja plicata) (Binford et al. 1975; Quinlan and Hughes 1990; Hamer and Cummins 1991; Singer et al. 1991, 1992; Nelson et al. in prep). The nests themselves have been located in Douglas-fir, coastal redwood, western hemlock, western red-cedar, and Sitka spruce trees. These species of trees have growth forms that produce nesting opportunities and are susceptible to damage (disease, breakage, wind damage) that may produce nesting structure. Critical habitat units should occur at a distance from the marine environment consistent with the flight and energetic capabilities of marbled murrelets. The farthest inland known occupied site is 84 kilometers (52 miles) in Washington. The farthest inland known detections in Oregon and California are 61 and 56 kilometers (38 and 35 miles), respectively. Occupied sites are defined as forest stands where marbled murrelets have been observed exhibiting behaviors indicative of likely nesting activity. Northwestern forests typically require 200 to 250 years to attain the attributes necessary to support marbled murrelet nesting, though characteristics of nesting habitat are sometimes developed in younger redwood forests. Forests with old-age remnant trees remaining from earlier stands may also develop into nesting habitat more quickly than those without. These remnant attributes are products of fire, wind storms, or previous logging operations that did not remove all of the trees. Other factors that may affect the time required to develop suitable nesting characteristics include site productivity and aspects of the site microclimate. It is difficult to locate actual nests for a species such as the marbled murrelet, which may only show activity near the nest once per day and under low light conditions. Therefore, identification of occupied sites and suitable habitat are the best indicators of potential nest sites. Active nests, egg shell fragments, or young found on the forest floor, birds seen flying through the forest beneath the canopy or landing in trees, birds seen circling above the canopy, birds heard calling from a stationary perch, or large numbers of birds heard calling from within and around a stand are all strong indicators of occupied habitat. Their semi-colonial nature makes marbled murrelets easier to detect at high-use sites, though some areas (e.g., highly fragmented habitat with small stand size) support low numbers of reproducing pairs, making detection difficult. Breeding populations of marbled murrelets are not distributed continuously throughout the species' range. In California, there are three separate areas where marbled murrelets concentrate at sea, corresponding to the three largest remaining blocks of coastal old- growth forest inland. These are separated by areas of little or no habitat where few marbled murrelets are found at sea. A large break in the breeding distribution is located at the southern portion of the range in California, where approximately 480 kilometers (300 miles) separate the southern breeding population in San Mateo County from the next known occupied site to the north in Humboldt County. This reach contained marbled murrelets prior to extensive logging in the area (Paton and Ralph 1988). Another distribution gap is located between Tillamook County in Oregon and the Olympic Peninsula in Washington, where few birds and occupied sites are known. The degree of interaction that occurs across these gaps in distribution is unknown. Very little habitat remains at low elevations in the Puget Trough area of Washington. Lands surrounding the Puget Trough, particularly to the east and south, are highly urbanized or developed for agricultural use, forcing marbled murrelets to fly up to 25 miles inland to reach the first available suitable nesting habitat. Although marbled murrelets have been heard and/or seen at some inland sites during most months of the year (Paton et al. 1987, Naslund 1993), detectability at inland sites increases during the spring and reaches a peak late in summer coincident with the peak in breeding activity (Paton and Ralph 1988, Nelson 1989). In early fall, the number of inland detections decreases markedly, presumably because birds have completed breeding and are undergoing a flightless molt at sea. It is unknown why marbled murrelets visit inland sites during the non- breeding season. Researchers hypothesize that birds attending these areas in fall and winter may be experienced resident birds and that these visits may aid in maintaining nest sites, nesting territories, and pair bonds (Naslund 1993). Marbled murrelets are currently experiencing very low recruitment rates. Juvenile to adult ratios of marbled murrelets are between 0.012 and 0.035 (i.e., there are between 1 and 4 juvenile fledglings of that year observed for every 100 adults observed) (Strong et al. 1993). These results are supported by survey data collected at points along the central coast of Oregon during 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, and 1992. The average percentage of juveniles in these counts were approximately 1, 4, 2, 5, and 1 percent, respectively (Nelson and Hardin in prep.). Surveys conducted in California have indicated similar juvenile to adult ratios since 1989 (Ralph, U.S. Forest Service, Redwood Sciences Lab, pers. comm. 1992). If the juvenile to adult ratios observed in the marine environment are accurate, then only 1 to 5 percent of the observed population is successfully reproducing, that is, successfully fledging young. Average annual adult survival for stable populations of several other alcid species is approximately 90 percent (Hudson 1985). Alcids typically experience their highest rates of mortality prior to the attainment of breeding age. The average survival to breeding age for alcids is 29 percent (Hudson 1985). The combination of low fledging rates of marbled murrelets, as demonstrated by the juvenile to adult ratios, and low survival to breeding age are likely to produce recruitment rates far below those required to maintain present population levels. Based upon the longevity of other alcids (Hudson 1985), marbled murrelets are estimated to live an average of 10 years. With such long- lived species, recruitment rates are a more accurate indicator of species condition than population counts. At-sea counts of adult marbled murrelets may reflect a large portion of non-breeders that will not contribute to the future population. If the current low recruitment rates are the result of recent losses of nesting opportunities, counts of adults may not reflect the sustainable population until the population adjusts to remaining nesting habitat. Another possible explanation for the low juvenile to adult ratios is that individuals are attempting to reproduce, but the young of these birds are experiencing high mortality rates prior to reaching the ocean. Predation at marbled murrelet nest sites may have significant impacts on the population. Predation by corvids (common crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos), ravens (Corvus corax), and Steller's jays (Cyanocitta stelleri)), great horned owls (Bubo virginianus), and sharp-shinned hawks (Accipiter striatus) have been identified as causes of marbled murrelet nest failure. From 1974 through 1991, approximately 71 percent of all known marbled murrelet nests in the Pacific Northwest failed; 70 percent of these failed due to predation by these species (Nelson in litt. 1992). Corvids are often considered ``edge species'' that have been found to increase in numbers with increased forest fragmentation (Andren et al. 1985, Wilcove 1985, Small and Hunter 1988). Similar findings have been reported in central Oregon regarding great horned owls (Johnson 1993). In addition, corvid predation on small bird nests is known to increase with increased forest fragmentation and/or decreased distance of nests from a forest edge (Gates and Gysel 1978, Andren et al. 1985, Small and Hunter 1988, Yahner and Scott 1988). The marbled murrelet's main defense against predation is camouflage. The ability to successfully hide from arboreal predators is likely related to the number of nesting (or hiding) opportunities available. Timber harvest reduces the number of nesting opportunities through the removal of nesting habitat within the landscape, thus reducing the area predators must search. In addition to effects on marbled murrelet nesting habitat, the species is affected by impacts and threats to their marine foraging habitat and food supply, as well as direct mortality from human activities such as oil spills and gill netting. Attributes of foraging habitat include distance from shore, prey populations, and potential disturbances. Marbled murrelets are typically distributed in the marine environment in a manner that roughly corresponds to the location of concentrations of inland nesting habitat. Marbled murrelets generally forage in near-shore marine waters. Marine systems producing sufficient prey to support a stable or growing population of marbled murrelets are important foraging habitat for the species. Marbled murrelets have been reported feeding on a variety of small fish and invertebrates, including Pacific herring (Clupea harengus), Pacific sandlance (Ammodytes hexapterus), northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), capelin (Mallotus villosus), smelt, euphids, (Eupahsia pacifica, Thysanoessa spinifera) and mysids (Sealy 1975, Sanger and Jones 1981, Sanger 1987, Carter and Sealy 1990, Strong et al. 1993). Mortality in the marine environment, primarily associated with oil spills and net fisheries in Washington, adversely affects marbled murrelets. The impact of this loss is generally thought to be less than impacts to nesting habitat. Protection of foraging areas from disturbance such as oil spills, net fisheries, and pollution would benefit marbled murrelets. Management Considerations Marbled murrelets are found in forest stands containing a variety of forest structures, which are, in part, the result of varied management practices. In many areas, management practices have resulted in fragmentation of the remaining older forests and creation of large areas of younger forests that have yet to develop habitat characteristics suitable for marbled murrelet nesting. Past forest management practices have also resulted in a forest age distribution unnaturally skewed toward younger-aged stands. In many portions of the range of the marbled murrelet, forest management has historically concentrated on clearcut logging. After forests are clearcut, the areas are traditionally replanted to a single or few tree species and maintained as even-aged stands for maximum wood-fiber production. Site-preparation and management activities may further decrease species diversity. These methods include prescribed burning and the use of herbicides or mechanical methods to control competing vegetation. Historical logging practices in some portions of the species' range consisted of more selective timber harvesting, leaving remnant patches of forests of varying ages with older forest characteristics. The uneven-age management practices used in these areas usually resulted in more diverse stands, but with few trees containing suitable marbled murrelet nesting structure. These areas may contain low concentrations of reproducing marbled murrelets, which are difficult to locate. Current and historic marbled murrelet habitat loss is generally attributed to timber harvest and land conversion practices, although natural disturbances such as forest fires have caused losses as well. Reduction of the remaining older forest has not been evenly distributed over western Washington, Oregon, and California. Harvest has been concentrated at the lower elevations and in the Coast Ranges (Thomas et al. 1990), generally equating with the range of the marbled murrelet. Habitat for marbled murrelets has been declining since the arrival of European settlers. Information specific to the range of the marbled murrelet is not available; however, historic forest condition has been estimated for western Oregon and Washington by several authors. Because marbled murrelet habitat represents a significant portion of area included in these estimates, trends in habitat are assumed to follow the same general pattern. Although the extent of mature and old-growth forest before the 1800s is difficult to quantify, western Oregon and Washington are estimated to have been covered by approximately 9.7 to 11.3 million hectares (24 to 28 million acres) of forest at the time of modern settlement (early to mid-1800s), of which about 70 percent (5.6 to 7.7 million hectares (14 to 19 million acres)) are estimated to have been old-growth (Society of American Foresters Task Force 1983, Morrison 1988, Norse 1988, Spies and Franklin 1988). Historical estimates for northwestern California are not as precise but suggest there were between 526,000 and 1.3 million hectares (1.3 and 3.2 million acres) of old-growth Douglas-fir/mixed conifer forest and approximately 890,000 hectares (2.2 million acres) of old-growth coastal redwood forest (Society of American Foresters Task Force 1983, Laudenslayer 1985, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection 1988, Fox 1988, Morrison 1988). Currently, there are approximately 1.4 million hectares (3.4 million acres) of old-growth forest remaining in western Oregon and Washington, an 82 percent reduction from estimated prelogging levels (Booth 1991). Some of the old-growth areas that have been affected by past natural perturbations such as forest fire and windthrow currently provide suitable nesting habitat for marbled murrelets. Mature forests that have naturally regenerated from such perturbations often retain scattered old-growth trees and clumps, providing structure for nesting. This is particularly true in coastal Oregon where there were extensive fires historically. Marbled murrelet nests have been found in remnant old-growth trees in mature forests in Oregon; no occupied sites have been located in young stands, clearcuts, or young forests that lack at least some remnant old-growth trees (Nelson pers. comm. 1992). Forests generally require 200 to 250 years to develop old-growth characteristics that supply adequate structure for nesting marbled murrelets. This time period may be shorter in redwood forests and in areas where significant remnants of the previous stand remain. Intensively managed forests in Washington, Oregon, and California have been subjected to average cutting rotations of 70 to 120 years (USDI 1984, USDA 1988). Cutting rotations of 40 to 50 years are common for some private lands. Timber harvest strategies on Federal lands and some private lands have emphasized dispersed clearcut patches and even-aged management. Thus, forest lands that are intensively managed for timber production are generally not allowed to develop the old-growth characteristics that are required for marbled murrelet nesting. Suitable nesting habitat that remains under these harvest patterns is highly fragmented. Previous Management Efforts Since the listing of the marbled murrelet in Washington, Oregon, and California as threatened, several different approaches to management of the species or its habitat have been developed through various Federal efforts. In May 1991, the U.S. House of Representatives' Agriculture and Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committees commissioned the Scientific Panel on Late-Successional Forest Ecosystems (Scientific Panel) to provide an array of alternatives for the management of late- successional forests on Federal lands within the range of the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina). Information on the known inland locations of marbled murrelets and marbled murrelet habitat was included in the base information used by the Scientific Panel and was specifically considered in developing the alternatives. These reserve systems are often referred to as Late-Successional/Old-Growth areas (LSOGs). The Scientific Panel conducted risk assessments for marbled murrelets under each alternative (Johnson et al. 1991). In 1993, the Forest Service released its Scientific Analysis Team Report (Thomas et al. 1993). In this report, the Forest Service proposed several interim measures designed to preserve options for management of marbled murrelets and their habitat until the Marbled Murrelet Recovery Plan could be completed and implemented. These measures include: (1) The protection of all marbled murrelet nesting habitat within 35 miles of the marine environment in California and Oregon south of State Highway 42, and within 50 miles of the marine environment in the remainder of Oregon and in Washington; and, (2) the protection of amounts of ``recruitment'' habitat (young stands likely to develop into suitable habitat) equivalent to 50 percent of the total amount of existing suitable habitat in the above mentioned zones. Also, seasonal restrictions on operations in and near suitable habitat were identified to avoid disturbing nesting marbled murrelets. In July 1993, the Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, and Environmental Protection Agency released the Report of the Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment Team (FEMAT Report) (USDA et al. 1993a). From this report, the President identified Option 9 as the Proposed Northwest Forest Plan, described in the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement on Management of Habitat for Late- Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related Species Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl (DSEIS) as Alternative 9 (Alternative 9) (USDA et al. 1993b). Within the range of the marbled murrelet, Alternative 9 would designate a system of Late-Successional Reserves, which provides large areas expected to eventually develop into contiguous, unfragmented forest. This reserve system was constructed in part around the LSOGs designated by the Scientific Panel. In addition, specific measures were included to protect all forest sites occupied by marbled murrelets outside the reserve system. These measures include surveys prior to activities that affect habitat and protection of contiguous marbled murrelet nesting and recruitment habitat (stands capable of becoming suitable within 25 years) within 0.5 mile of areas occupied by murrelets. The Service recognizes the value of the Proposed Northwest Forest Plan (USDA et al. 1993a) and acknowledges that it can play an integral role in marbled murrelet conservation. The Plan complements this critical habitat proposal by stressing the need for protection of large, unfragmented areas of suitable nesting habitat that are well- distributed throughout the species' range, with special emphasis on areas close to the marine environment. Critical Habitat Definition of Critical Habitat Critical habitat is defined in section 3(5)(A) of the Act as: ``(i) the specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the species * * * 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 protection; and (ii) 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.'' The term ``conservation,'' as defined in section 3(3) of the Act, means ``* * * 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 * * *.'' Role in Species Conservation The use of the term ``conservation'' in the definition of critical habitat indicates that its designation should identify lands that may be needed for a species' eventual recovery and delisting. However, when critical habitat is designated at the time a species is listed or before a recovery plan is completed, the Service frequently does not know all the habitat areas that may be essential for a species' recovery. In this regard, critical habitat serves to preserve options for a species' eventual recovery. The designation of critical habitat is one of several measures available to contribute to the conservation of a listed species. Critical habitat helps focus conservation activities by identifying areas that contain essential habitat features (primary constituent elements), regardless of whether or not they are currently occupied by the listed species, thus alerting the public to the importance of an area in the species' conservation. Critical habitat also identifies areas that may require special management or protection. The added emphasis on these areas for conservation of the species may shorten the time needed to achieve recovery. Critical habitat receives consideration under section 7 of the Act with regard to actions carried out, authorized, or funded by a Federal agency. Federal agencies must ensure that their actions do not result in destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. Aside from this added consideration under section 7, the Act does not provide any additional protection to lands designated as critical habitat. Designating critical habitat does not create a management plan for the areas, establish numerical population goals or prescribe specific management actions (inside or outside of critical habitat), or have a direct effect on areas not designated as critical habitat. Specific management recommendations for critical habitat are addressed in recovery plans, management plans, and in section 7 consultations. Primary Constituent Elements A designation of critical habitat begins by identifying areas on which are found the physical and biological features essential to conservation of a species. In determining which areas to designate as critical habitat, the Service considers those physical and biological features that are essential to a species' conservation and that may require special management considerations or protection. Such physical and biological features, as stated in 50 CFR 424.12, include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) Space for individual and population growth, and for normal behavior; (2) Food, water, air, light, minerals or other nutritional or physiological requirements; (3) Cover or shelter; (4) Sites for breeding, reproduction, rearing of offspring; and (5) Habitats that are protected from disturbance or are representative of the historic geographical and ecological distributions of a species. The Service is required to base critical habitat designations upon the best scientific data available (50 CFR 424.12). In proposing to designate critical habitat for the marbled murrelet in Washington, Oregon, and California, the Service has reviewed its overall approach to the conservation of the species. For a thorough discussion of the ecology and life history of the marbled murrelet, see the Service's Biological Report (Marshall 1988), the final rule listing the Washington, Oregon, and California population (57 FR 45328) of this subspecies, and the Ecological Considerations section of this rule. Within habitat areas essential for marbled murrelet nesting, the Service has focused on the following primary constituent elements: (1) Individual trees with potential nesting platforms; (2) forest stands surrounding potential nest trees, including contiguous forest with similar average height and canopy closure; (3) forest stands with high crown cover and sufficient height to contribute to a forest landscape with decreased fragmentation; and (4) forest stands within the potential flight distance of marbled murrelets from the marine environment where the birds feed. These primary constituent elements are essential to provide nesting habitat for the marbled murrelet. Individual nest trees include large trees, generally over 81 cm (32 inches) dbh, with the presence of potential nest platforms or deformities such as large limbs (greater than 13 cm (5 inches)), broken tops, mistletoe infections, witches brooms, or other formations providing a broad platform. Because marbled murrelets do not build nests, moss or detritus to cushion or hold the egg may be important. Platforms should have overhead cover for protection from predators and weather, which may be provided by overhanging branches, limbs above the nest area, or branches from neighboring trees. Based on current information, Douglas-fir, coastal redwood, western hemlock, western red-cedar, or Sitka spruce are the trees most likely to provide suitable nesting structure. Nesting habitat includes the forest stand in which the nest trees are contained. Nest stands are defined as contiguous mature and old- growth forest with no separations of greater than 100 meters (330 feet) wide. Nest trees may be scattered throughout the stand or clumped within portions of the contiguous stand. Nest stands in mature forest may contain fewer than one old-growth tree per acre. Regardless of the distribution of nest trees, nesting habitat includes the entire contiguous forest stand with similar height and canopy closure. The forest stand surrounding the nest tree provides protection from predators and climatic factors. On a landscape basis, the presence of late-successional, mature, and old-growth forests with substantial canopy closure and canopy height of at least one-half the site-potential tree height also contribute to the conservation of the marbled murrelet, even if they do not contain potential nest trees. The site-potential tree height is the average maximum height possible for a tree given the local growing conditions. The presence of these forest stands increases the area predators must search, decreasing predator efficiency. Forests of the general height of the nest stands and in close proximity to the stand reduce edge-associated predation, effects of changes in microclimate associated with abrupt edges, and potential for windthrow during storms. To be considered as nesting habitat, forest stands must occur at a distance from the marine environment consistent with the flight and energetic capabilities of the marbled murrelet. Based on confirmed detections of marbled murrelets, this distance varies from 84 kilometers (52 miles) in Washington to less than 16 kilometers (10 miles) in parts of California. Flight distances may reflect the energetic capabilities of marbled murrelets and the presence of suitable nesting habitat. The Service is not proposing to designate marine areas as critical habitat for the marbled murrelet at this time, but will continue to collect information on threats, the need for marine critical habitat, and the potential benefits of designating marine critical habitat. Criteria for Identifying Critical Habitat Several qualitative criteria were considered in the selection of specific areas as critical habitat. These criteria are generally similar to criteria used in the development of several recent Federal management proposals, such as the report prepared by the Scientific Panel (Johnson et al. 1991) and Alternative 9 (USDA et al. 1993a). The following is a description of the criteria considered: Known Occupied Sites: Proposed critical habitat units include the majority of the known sites occupied by marbled murrelets on Federal lands. However, known occupied sites may represent only a small portion of the population due to the limited coverage of past survey efforts. Suitable Nesting Habitat: Proposed critical habitat units include areas with current suitable nesting habitat and other primary constituent elements. Approximately 48 percent of the suitable nesting habitat on Federal lands within the range of the species in Washington, Oregon, and California is included in proposed critical habitat. Forests that are not currently suitable, but which are of similar average height and canopy closure, are also important in improving habitat conditions through reduced fragmentation and creation of large contiguous forest stands that reduce the potential for predation. The total amount of land containing the other primary constituent elements is currently unknown. Distance from Marine Environment: Marbled murrelets forage daily in the marine environment during the nesting season. To allow for foraging opportunities, nesting habitat must be within the flight capabilities and energetic limits of the species. Proposed critical habitat units were selected based on the distance inland of detections in each general area. As stated above, detections range from over 50 miles from the marine environment in Washington to less than 10 miles in some portions of California. Rangewide Distribution: To reduce the impact of catastrophic losses of habitat or birds and maintain the current distribution of the species, proposed critical habitat units were selected throughout the range of the listed population, where Federal lands were available. With well-distributed critical habitat, the probability of substantial population declines resulting from catastrophic wildfires or storm events is reduced. Maintaining nesting habitat, and therefore local concentrations, throughout the range of the species will reduce potential losses from oil spills or other marine events. Given the intense site fidelity of most alcid species, maintaining rangewide distribution may also provide potential source populations for the recolonization of future habitat. Large, Contiguous Blocks of Habitat: In response to the problems of fragmentation of suitable habitat, potential increases in predation, and reduced reproductive success, the Service concentrated on selecting proposed critical habitat units in terms of large, contiguous blocks of late-successional, mature, and old-growth forest. To provide large blocks of habitat, the Service concentrated on the Late-Successional Reserve system identified in Alternative 9. Marbled murrelet locations and habitat were considered in the development of these reserves. Where large blocks of Federal reserve areas were not available, but where critical habitat was determined to be important for distribution, smaller Federal reserves were included. Adequacy of Existing Protection and Management: The Service considered the existing legal status of lands in the decision to propose specific areas as critical habitat. Areas with permanent legal protection, such as congressionally-designated wilderness areas, national parks, and national wildlife refuges, are not proposed. Results of Applying Criteria Application of the selection criteria resulted in the proposed designation of many of the Late-Successional Reserves, as described in Alternative 9, on Federal lands within the range of the marbled murrelet in Washington, Oregon, and California. At this time, only Federal lands are proposed for designation. However, the Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment Team recognized the limited ability of Federal agencies to recover this species on Federal lands. ``Although the Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment was designed to address only Federal lands within the range of the northern spotted owl, the marbled murrelet is an example of a species whose life history requirements cannot be accommodated only on Federal lands. The marbled murrelet is a seabird that nests inland and therefore is influenced by both the marine and terrestrial environments. Its nesting range in the three-state area includes land that is south of the range of the northern spotted owl. In addition, several areas that are considered key to the recovery of the marbled murrelet involve private and State lands'' (FEMAT Report at IV-151 and IV-152, USDA et al. 1993a). For example, the southernmost portion of the range of the marbled murrelet in California, southwest Washington, and northwest Oregon contain little or no Federal lands or habitat capable of supporting marbled murrelets. The Service currently lacks sufficient information to fully identify any specific non-Federal lands essential to the conservation of the species in these and other areas. The Service will continue to gather information on non-Federal land contributions to conservation and through this notice is requesting comments on this subject. Lands Not Proposed Not all suitable nesting habitat is included within the proposed critical habitat units. Emphasis has been placed on those areas considered most essential to the species in terms of habitat, distribution, and ownership. That does not mean that lands outside critical habitat are not important to the marbled murrelet. Some Federal lands outside of critical habitat are expected to receive additional protection from the conservation measures proposed in Alternative 9. Some habitat on non-Federal lands receives protection through prohibitions against take of marbled murrelets. Congressionally-protected Areas Because they are generally managed as natural ecosystems, congressionally-designated wilderness areas and national parks are expected to protect marbled murrelet habitat from alteration. These areas are not proposed for designation as critical habitat because the management goals are generally adequate to conserve the species. However, not all congressional designations are managed in this manner. For example, national recreation areas may not be managed to maintain older forest habitats. In addition, some national parks and wilderness areas are experiencing internal and external threats (e.g., highway realignments) to marbled murrelet habitat. The Service is continuing to gather information on management goals and potential threats to these types of areas. Congressionally-protected areas (e.g., wilderness areas and national parks) are rare within the range of the marbled murrelet in Washington, Oregon, and California. Few wilderness areas lie within the flight distance of marbled murrelets from the marine environment, though some of these areas provide crucial contributions to the conservation of the species. A substantial portion of these areas are incapable of producing marbled murrelet nesting habitat because of forest composition, lack of forest cover, elevation, and other constraints. Therefore, by themselves, congressionally-protected areas are incapable of supporting stable and interactive populations of marbled murrelets. Wilderness areas and national parks contain approximately 302,000 hectares (747,000 acres) of marbled murrelet nesting habitat, representing 29 percent of the suitable nesting habitat on Federal lands within the range of the marbled murrelet. They contain 46 (8 percent) of the known occupied sites on Federal lands. Effects of Proposed Designation This proposal for designation of critical habitat for the marbled murrelet identifies 62 proposed critical habitat units encompassing approximately 1,217,000 hectares (3,005,000 acres) of Federal land based on information available in the Interagency Geographical Information System (GIS) and FEMAT Report (USDA et al. 1993a). The Service has identified 28 proposed critical habitat units totaling 471,000 hectares (1,162,000 acres) of Federal land in Washington, 20 proposed critical habitat units totaling 560,000 hectares (1,382,000 acres) of Federal land in Oregon, and 14 proposed critical habitat units totaling 186,000 hectares (460,000 acres) of Federal land in California. State, private, tribal, and other non-Federal lands are not proposed as critical habitat at this time even if they are physically located within the boundaries of a proposed critical habitat unit, and acreage of non-Federal lands is not included in the above figures. Some small areas of naturally-occurring or human-created non- suitable habitat (i.e., areas that have never been nor will likely ever be marbled murrelet nesting habitat, such as alpine areas, water bodies, serpentine meadows, airports, roads, buildings, and parking lots) are located within the physical boundaries of proposed critical habitat units. Where possible, these areas were not included within the proposed critical habitat boundaries, and acreage totals were adjusted to reflect the exclusion of this non-suitable habitat. However, many of these areas are small and could not be physically identified on the GIS maps. Also, current mapping information does not allow precise identification of the location of primary constituent elements. The Service is continuing to gather information to refine the boundaries of critical habitat units to eliminate areas that do not contain one or more of the primary constituent elements or will remain non-suitable. Efforts by Federal agencies to survey for marbled murrelets have been concentrated in areas of proposed timber sales or limited research locations. Only a small fraction of the suitable nesting habitat has been surveyed to date, and surveys have not been uniformly spread across the range of the species. Therefore, known occupied sites provide only a partial indication of the actual areas used by the species. The proposed critical habitat includes 449 (78 percent) of the 574 known occupied sites on Federal lands. Congressionally-protected areas include 48 additional occupied sites. Congressionally-protected areas were not included in critical habitat because management is expected to be consistent with the conservation of the marbled murrelet. The Service does not have specific information on the amount of suitable nesting habitat or habitat containing one or more of the primary constituent elements on non-Federal lands within the species' range, though it is aware through the Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment Team databases of approximately 189 known occupied sites on non-Federal lands. The Service continues to seek information and comments on the location of suitable nesting habitat and occupied sites on non-Federal lands. Designation of critical habitat would not offer specific direction for managing marbled murrelet nesting habitat nor provide a management or conservation plan for the species. Recovery plans typically provide guidance for conservation, which may include population goals and the identification of areas that may need protection or special management. Recovery plans usually include management recommendations for designated critical habitat. In February 1993, the Service appointed a recovery team to develop a recovery plan for the marbled murrelet. The team plans to have a draft recovery plan available in the spring of 1994. The Service will continue to work closely with the recovery team and will reexamine proposed critical habitat in light of recovery team recommendations. Section 7--Consultation Section 7(a)(2) of the Act requires Federal agencies to ensure that activities they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat. This Federal responsibility accompanies, and is in addition to, the requirement in section 7(a)(2) of the Act that Federal agencies ensure that their actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any listed species. A Federal agency must consult with the Service if its proposed action may affect a listed species or critical habitat. Regulations implementing this interagency cooperation provision of the Act are codified at 50 CFR part 402. Destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat is defined at 50 CFR 402.02 as ``* * * a direct or indirect alteration that appreciably diminishes the value of critical habitat for both the survival and recovery of a listed species. Such alterations include, but are not limited to, alterations adversely modifying any of those physical or biological features that were the basis for determining the habitat to be critical.'' The jeopardy concept is defined at 50 CFR 402.02 as any action that would be expected to reduce appreciably the likelihood of both the survival and recovery of a species. Survival and recovery, mentioned in both the definition of adverse modification and jeopardy, are directly related. Survival may be viewed as a linear continuum between recovery and extinction of the species. The closer one is to recovery, the greater the certainty in the species' continued survival. The terms survival and recovery are thus related by the degree of certainty that the species will persist over a given period of time. Factors that influence a species' persistence include population numbers, distribution throughout its range, stochasticity, expected duration, and reproductive success. The Act's definition of critical habitat indicates that the purpose of critical habitat is to contribute to a species' conservation. Section 7 prohibitions against the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat apply to actions that would impair survival and recovery of the listed species, thus providing a regulatory means of ensuring that Federal actions within critical habitat are considered in relation to the goals and recommendations of a recovery plan. As a result of the link between critical habitat and recovery in the Act's definition of critical habitat, the prohibition against destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat should provide for the protection of the critical habitat's ability to contribute to the recovery of the species. Thus, the adverse modification standard may be reached closer to the recovery end of the survival continuum, whereas, the jeopardy standard has been applied nearer to the extinction end of the continuum. After a proposal of critical habitat, section 7(a)(4) of the Act and implementing regulations (50 CFR 402.10) require Federal agencies to confer with the Service on any action that is likely to result in the destruction or adverse modification of the proposed critical habitat. Conference reports provide advisory conservation recommendations to assist a Federal agency in identifying and resolving conflicts that may be caused by the proposed action. If an agency requests, and the Service concurs, a formal conference report may be issued. A formal conference report on proposed critical habitat contains an opinion that is prepared in accordance with 50 CFR 402.14 as if the critical habitat were designated, not proposed. Such a formal conference report may be adopted as the biological opinion pursuant to 50 CFR 402.10(d) when the critical habitat is designated, if no significant new information has been brought forward and no changes in the action occur that would alter the content of the opinion. Examples of Proposed Actions Section 4(b)(8) of the Act requires, for any proposed or final regulation that designates critical habitat, a brief description and evaluation of those activities (public or private) that may adversely modify such habitat or may be affected by such designation. As stated earlier, regulations found at 50 CFR 402.02 define destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat as a direct or indirect alteration that appreciably diminishes the value of critical habitat for both the survival and recovery of a listed species. Such alterations include, but are not limited to, alterations adversely modifying any of those physical or biological features that were the basis for determining the habitat to be critical. A wide variety of existing and proposed activities may alter or affect proposed marbled murrelet critical habitat. Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to timber harvest, forest management, salvage activities, limbing or modification of limb structure (e.g., for hazard management), mining and mineral exploration, construction of hydroelectric facilities, road construction and refurbishing, and development. Activities that do not alter forest condition, such as some recreational use and personal-use commodity production (e.g., noncommercial mushroom picking, Christmas tree cutting, rock collection) are unlikely to be affected by the proposed designation. Activities conducted according to the standards and guidelines for Late-Successional Reserves, as described in Alternative 9 of the DSEIS for the Proposed Northwest Forest Plan would, in most cases, be unlikely to result in the destruction or adverse modification of proposed marbled murrelet critical habitat. Activities in these areas would be limited to manipulation of young forest stands that are not currently marbled murrelet nesting habitat. Also, these manipulations would be conducted in a manner that would not slow the development of these areas into future nesting habitat and should speed the development of some characteristics of older forest. Economic and Other Impacts The Act requires the Service to designate critical habitat on the basis of the best scientific data available and to consider the economic and other relevant impacts of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. The Secretary may exclude any 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 he determines, based on the best scientific and commercial data available, that the failure to designate such area as critical habitat will result in the extinction of the species concerned. The Act thus requires the Service to evaluate the economic and other effects likely to result from a designation of critical habitat. Effects attributable to the listing of the species, normal changes in affected industries, or changes in Federal land management that are not caused by the designation are not regarded as effects of the designation of critical habitat. However, due to the complex interplay of economic and other forces, separating impacts associated solely with the designation of critical habitat from other impacts is often difficult. The proposed critical habitat units for the marbled murrelet coincide with the location of many of the Late-Successional Reserves as described in Option 9 of the FEMAT Report (USDA et al. 1993a) and Alternative 9 (USDA et al. 1993b). Alternative 9 is identified as the preferred alternative in the DSEIS for the Proposed Northwest Forest Plan. Based on the description of standards for management of and limitations on impacts to marbled murrelet habitat within the Late- Successional Reserves, management of the Reserves under Alternative 9 would be consistent with designating them as critical habitat for the marbled murrelet. Therefore, the economic effects of the designation of Late-Successional Reserves as critical habitat are not likely to exceed those described in the economic analysis of the FEMAT Report (Johnson et al. 1993, USDA et al. 1993a). The Service has preliminarily reviewed the possible economic impacts of designating critical habitat for the marbled murrelet on ongoing timber activities. Both the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management are currently under court injunctions prohibiting the offering of any new sales until the agencies comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and various forest management legislation. The Proposed Northwest Forest Plan will be presented to the court by April 1994 in an attempt to resolve the court's concerns. Pending that court decision, the only timber available to the timber industry from Federal lands are sold and awarded sales, particularly sales offered under the protection of Section 318. Therefore, the Service proposes to exclude sold and awarded sales from any final critical habitat designation due to economic impacts, both regionally and nationally, due to the limited amount of volume available for Federal harvest. Comments are requested from the public on this aspect of the proposed rule. The time constraints governing this proposed critical habitat designation did not allow for a more detailed evaluation on the particular areas proposed. Following receipt of comments and information during the public comment period, the Service will conduct additional economic analyses if needed. The Service will further evaluate the economic and other relevant impacts of including or excluding particular areas from a designation of marbled murrelet critical habitat. Public Comments Solicited The Service intends that any final action resulting from this proposal will be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, comments or suggestions from the public, other concerned government agencies, Indian Nations, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested party concerning this proposed rule is hereby solicited. Comments are particularly sought concerning: (1) The reasons why any Federal lands (either proposed critical habitat or additional areas) should or should not be determined to be critical habitat as provided by section 4 of the Act, including adaptive management areas under Alternative 9 of the Proposed Northwest Forest Plan; (2) The location and reasons why any non-Federal lands should or should not be determined to be critical habitat as provided by section 4 of the Act, including potential threats and the value of any areas to the conservation of the species; (3) The reasons why any marine areas should or should not be determined to be critical habitat as provided by section 4 of the Act, including information on potential threats, current activities, the effect of current regulatory mechanisms, and benefits to the species; (4) Current and planned activities in proposed critical habitat areas and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat; (5) Any threats to the conservation of the marbled murrelet or the maintenance of marbled murrelet nesting habitat on congressionally- protected lands within the range of the marbled murrelet; (6) Current and planned activities within congressionally-protected areas that might affect, positively or negatively, the conservation of the marbled murrelet, including any management plans or statutory mandates; (7) Other physical and biological features that are essential to the conservation of the species and in need of special management or protection; (8) Specific information on the amount, location, and distribution of suitable marbled murrelet nesting habitat and the numbers and distribution of sites occupied by marbled murrelets on all ownerships and land designations; (9) Information concerning health of the ecosystems on which the marbled murrelet depends; (10) Information on the economic benefits and costs that would result from the proposed designation of critical habitat for the marbled murrelet, including the segments of the economy that would be affected by the proposed designation; (11) Data and information relevant to determining whether the benefits of excluding a particular area from critical habitat outweigh the benefits of specifying the area as critical habitat; (12) Methods of analysis useful in evaluating economic and other relevant impacts; and (13) Additional information that should be included in the analysis of economic and other impacts of the proposed designation. National Environmental Policy Act The Service has determined that an Environmental Assessment, as defined under the authority of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, need not be prepared in conjunction with regulations adopted pursuant to section 4(a) of the Act. A notice outlining the Service's reasons for this determination was published in the Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244). Regulatory Flexibility Act and Executive Order 12866 This proposed rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. The Department of the Interior has determined that the proposed rule will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). Based on the information discussed in this rule concerning public projects and private activities within proposed critical habitat units, it is not clear at this time whether significant economic impacts will result from critical habitat designation. Also, no direct costs, enforcement costs, information collection, or recordkeeping requirements are imposed on small entities by this designation. Further, the rule contains no recordkeeping requirements as defined by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980. Takings Implications Assessment The Service has analyzed the potential takings implications of designating critical habitat for the marbled murrelet in a Takings Implications Assessment prepared pursuant to requirements of Executive Order 12630, ``Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.'' The Takings Implications Assessment concludes that critical habitat designation, as proposed, would not pose significant takings implications. References Cited A complete list of all references cited herein is available upon request from the Field Supervisor, Portland Field Office, 2600 SE 98th Avenue, suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97266, (503) 231-6179. Authors The primary authors of this proposed rule are Robin Bown, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Portland Field Office, 2600 SE 98th Avenue, Suite 100, Portland, Oregon 97266; Kimberly Flotlin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Olympia Field Office, 3704 Griffin Lane SE, suite 102, Olympia, Washington 98501; and Mike Horton, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Sacramento Field Office, 2800 Cottage Way, room E-1803, Sacramento, California 95825. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17 Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting, and recordkeeping requirements, and Transportation. Proposed Regulation Promulgation Accordingly, the Service hereby proposes to amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below: PART 17--[AMENDED] 1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows: Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544; 16 U.S.C. 4201-4245; Pub. L. 99-625, 100 Stat. 3500; unless otherwise noted. Sec. 17.11(h) [Amended] 2. Section 17.11(h) is amended by revising the ``Critical habitat'' entry for ``Murrelet, marbled'' under BIRDS to read ``17.95(b)''. 3. Section 17.95(b) is amended by adding critical habitat for the marbled murrelet in the same alphabetical order as the species occurs in Sec. 17.11(h). Sec. 17.95 Critical habitat--fish and wildlife * * * * * (b) * * * MARBLED MURRELET (Brachyramphus marmoratus marmoratus) For the States of California, Oregon, and Washington, proposed critical habitat units under Federal jurisdiction are depicted on the general configuration maps below. More detailed maps are maintained on file at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services, 911 Northeast 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97323 (503/231-6131). Copies of the detailed maps are available upon request at the requester's expense. Dated: January 14, 1994 BILLING CODE 4310-55-P![]()
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TP27JA94.002 BILLING CODE 4310-55-C Richard N. Smith, Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 94-1704 Filed 01-26-94; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P