[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22404-22405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11154]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Notice of 
Availability of Draft Economic Analysis for the Designation of Critical 
Habitat in States of Washington, Oregon, and California for the Western 
Snowy Plover

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that 
the draft economic analysis for the proposed designation of critical 
habitat for the western snowy plover is available for public review. 
This draft document examines the economic effect of designating 28 
areas in the states of Washington, Oregon and California.

DATES: Comments received by May 31, 1995, will be considered in the 
preparation of the final document.

ADDRESSES: Persons wanting to review the draft economic analysis may 
obtain a copy from Joel Medlin, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Sacramento Field Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Room E-
1803, Sacramento, CA 95825-1846. Written comments and materials 
concerning the draft economic analysis for the designation of critical 
habitat for the western snowy plover should be sent to Joel Medlin, 
Field Supervisor, at the address above. Written comments and materials 
received will be available for public inspection, by appointment, 
during normal business hours at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:Ms. Karen J. Miller, Sacramento Field 
Office (see ADDRESSES section, telephone (916) 979-275, facsimile (916) 
979-2723.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Service listed the coastal population of 
the western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus) as a 
threatened species on March 5, 1993 (58 FR 12864). The Service proposed 
critical habitat for the species on March 2, 1995 (60 FR 11768). The 
designated areas cover approximately 20,000 acres along 210 miles of 
coastline in the three states: 19 areas in California, 7 in Oregon, and 
2 in Washington. The areas are largely in Federal ownership, but 
significant areas are state and privately owned land, particularly in 
California. The draft economic analysis estimates how the designation 
may affect Federal lands, as well as non-Federal activities authorized 
or funded by Federal agencies. Activities on private or state-owned 
lands that do not involve Federal permits, funding or other Federal 
actions would not be restricted by a designation of critical habitat. 
Economic effects caused by the listing of the plover as threatened and 
effects of other related statutes form the baseline from which critical 
habitat effects are measured. The draft analysis isolates the 
incremental economic and conservation effects of the critical habitat 
designation. Economic effects are measured by evaluating factors such 
as changes in national income, regional jobs, and household income.
    Pursuant to section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act, as 
amended, [[Page 22405]] the Secretary of the Interior may exclude an 
area from critical habitat if it is determined that the economic or 
other benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of designating the 
area as critical habitat, unless such exclusion would lead to the 
extinction of the species. The economic analysis assists in making that 
determination.

Public Comment Solicited

    The final economic analysis concerning the designation of critical 
habitat for the western snowy plover will consider information and 
recommendations from all interested parties. Therefore, comments or 
suggestions from the public, other concerned governmental agencies, the 
scientific community, industry or any other interested party concerning 
this draft document are solicited. All comments and materials received 
during the comment period will be considered in preparing the final 
economic analysis.

    Authority: The authority for this action is the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 USC 1531 et seq).

    Dated: May 1, 1995.
Mollie H. Beattie,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 95-11154 Filed 5-4-95; 8:45 am]
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