[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 231 (Thursday, December 3, 2009)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 63366-63384]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28855]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

FWS-R4-ES-2009-0079 92210-1117-0000-B4
[RIN 1018-AW52]


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of 
Critical Habitat for the Vermilion Darter

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to designate 
critical habitat for the vermilion darter (Etheostoma chermocki) under 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We propose to designate 
as critical habitat approximately 21.0 kilometers (13.0 stream miles) 
in 5 units. The proposed critical habitat is

[[Page 63367]]

located within the Turkey Creek watershed in Jefferson County, Alabama.

DATES: We will accept comments from all interested parties until 
February 1, 2010. We must receive requests for public hearings, in 
writing, at the address shown in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section by January 19, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     U.S. mail or hand delivery: Public Comments Processing, 
Attn: [FWS-R4-ES-2009-0079]; Division of Policy and Directives 
Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, 
Suite 222; Arlington, VA 22203.
    We will not accept e-mail or faxes. We will post all comments on 
http://www.regulations.gov This generally means that we will post any 
personal information you provide us (see the Public Comments section 
below for more information).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cary Norquist, Deputy Field 
Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Mississippi Fish and 
Wildlife Office, 6578 Dogwood View Parkway, Jackson, Mississippi, 
39213; telephone: 601-321-1127; facsimile: 601-965-4340. If you use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Comments

    We intend that any final action resulting from this proposed rule 
will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available and 
be as accurate and as effective as possible. Therefore, we request 
comments or information from governmental agencies, the scientific 
community, industry, or any other interested party concerning this 
proposed rule. We particularly seek comments concerning:
    (1) The reasons why we should or should not designate habitat as 
``critical habitat'' under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), including whether 
there are threats to the species from human activity, the degree of 
which can be expected to increase due to the designation, and whether 
the benefit of designation would be outweighed by threats to the 
species caused by the designation, such that the designation of 
critical habitat is not prudent.
     (2) Comments or information that may assist us in identifying or 
clarifying the primary constituent elements.
    (3) Specific information on:
     The amount and distribution of vermilion darter habitat,
     What areas occupied at the time of listing and that 
contain features essential to the conservation of the species which may 
require special management considerations or protections we should 
include in the designation and why, and
     What areas not occupied at the time of listing are 
essential for the conservation of the species and why.
    (4) Land-use designations and current or planned activities in the 
subject areas and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat.
    (5) Any probable economic, national security, or other relevant 
impacts of designating any area that may be included in the final 
designation. We are particularly interested in any impacts on small 
entities (e.g., small businesses or small governments) or families, and 
the benefits of including or excluding areas that exhibit these 
impacts.
    (6) Whether any specific areas we are proposing as critical habitat 
should be excluded under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, and whether the 
benefits of potentially excluding any particular area outweigh the 
benefits of including that area under section 4(b)(2) of the Act.
    (7) Information on any quantifiable economic costs or benefits of 
the proposed designation of critical habitat.
     (8) Whether we could improve or modify our approach to designating 
critical habitat in any way to provide for greater public participation 
and understanding, or to better accommodate public concern and 
comments.
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed 
rule by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We will not 
accept comments sent by e-mail or fax or to an address not listed in 
the ADDRESSES section.
    We will post your entire comment--including your personal 
identifying information--on http://www.regulations.gov. If your written 
comments provide personal identifying information , you may request at 
the top of your document that we withhold this information from public 
review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by 
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Office (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).

Background

    It is our intent to discuss only those topics directly relevant to 
the designation of critical habitat in this proposed rule. For more 
information on the vermilion darter, refer to the final listing rule 
published in the Federal Register on November 28, 2001 (66 FR 59367) 
and the Vermilion Darter Recovery Plan, available on the Internet at 
http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/070802.pdf. See also the 
discussion of habitat in the Physical and Biological Features section 
below.
    The vermilion darter is a narrowly endemic fish species, occurring 
in sparse, fragmented, and isolated populations. The species is only 
known in parts of the upper mainstem reach of Turkey Creek and four 
tributaries in Pinson, Jefferson County, Alabama (Boschung and Mayden 
2004, p. 520). Suitable streams have pools of moderate current 
alternating with riffles of moderately swift current, and low water 
turbidity.
     The vermilion darter was listed as endangered (66 FR 59367, 
November 28, 2001) because of ongoing threats to the species and its 
habitat from urbanization within the Turkey Creek watershed. The 
primary threats to the species and its habitat are degradation of water 
quality and substrate components due to sedimentation and other 
pollutants, and altered flow regimes from activities such as 
construction and maintenance activities; impoundments (five within the 
Turkey Creek and Dry Creek system); instream gravel extractions; off-
road vehicle usage; road, culvert, bridge, gas, and water easement 
construction; and stormwater management (Drennen personal observation 
1999-2009; Blanco and Mayden 1999, pp.18-20). These activities lead to 
water quality degradation and the production of pollutants (sediments, 
nutrients from sewage, pesticides, fertilizers, and industrial and 
stormwater effluents), stream channel instability, fragmentation, and 
reduced connectivity of the habitat by altering the stream banks and 
bottoms; degrading the riffles, runs, and pools; and producing changes 
in water quantity and flow necessary for spawning, feeding, resting, 
and other life history functions of the species.

[[Page 63368]]

Previous Federal Actions
    The vermilion darter (Etheostoma chermocki) was listed as 
endangered under the Act on November 28, 2001 (66 FR 59367). The 
Service found that designation of critical habitat was prudent at the 
time of listing. However, due to budgetary constraints, we did not 
designate critical habitat at that time. We approved final recovery 
plan for the vermilion darter on June 20, 2007 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service 2007) and made it available to the public through a notice 
published in the Federal Register on August 2, 2007 (72 FR 42426).
    On November 27, 2007, the Center for Biological Diversity filed a 
lawsuit against the Secretary of Interior for our failure to timely 
designate critical habitat for the vermilion darter (Center for 
Biological Diversity v. Kempthorne (07-CV-2928)). In a court-approved 
settlement agreement, the Service agreed to submit to the Federal 
Register a new prudency determination, and if the designation was found 
to be prudent, a proposed designation of critical habitat, by November 
30, 2009, and a final designation by November 30, 2010.

Critical Habitat

Background
     Critical habitat is defined in section 3 of the Act as:
    (1) The specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the 
species, at the time it is listed in accordance with the Act, on which 
are found those physical or biological features
    (a) Essential to the conservation of the species, and
    (b) Which may require special management considerations or 
protection; and
    (2) Specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the 
species at the time it is listed, upon a determination that such areas 
are essential for the conservation of the species.
    Conservation, as defined under section 3 of the Act, means to use 
and the use of all methods and procedures that are necessary to bring 
an endangered or threatened species to the point at which the measures 
provided under the Act are no longer necessary. Such methods and 
procedures include, but are not limited to, all activities associated 
with scientific resources management such as research, census, law 
enforcement, habitat acquisition and maintenance, propagation, live 
trapping, and transplantation, and, in the extraordinary case where 
population pressures within a given ecosystem cannot be otherwise 
relieved, may include regulated taking.
     Critical habitat receives protection under section 7(a)(2) of the 
Act through the prohibition against Federal agencies carrying out, 
funding, or authorizing the destruction or adverse modification of 
critical habitat. Section 7(a)(2) requires consultation on Federal 
actions that may affect critical habitat. The designation of critical 
habitat does not affect land ownership or establish a refuge, 
wilderness, reserve, preserve, or other conservation area. Such 
designation does not allow the government or public to access private 
lands. Such designation does not require implementation of restoration, 
recovery, or enhancement measures by non-Federal landowners. Where a 
landowner seeks or requests Federal agency funding or authorization for 
an action that may affect a listed species or critical habitat, the 
consultation requirements of section 7(a)(2) would apply, but even in 
the event of a destruction or adverse modification finding, the Federal 
action agency's and the landowner's obligation landowneris not to 
restore or recover the species, but to implement reasonable and prudent 
alternatives to avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical 
habitat.
    To be considered for inclusion in a critical habitat designation, 
habitat within the geographical area occupied by the species at the 
time it was listed must contain the physical or biological features 
that are essential to the conservation of the species. Areas supporting 
the essential physical or biological features are identified, to the 
extent known using the best scientific data available, as the habitat 
areas that provide essential life cycle needs of the species; (i.e., 
areas on which are found the primary constituent elements laid out in 
the appropriate quantity and spatial arrangement essential to the 
conservation of the species). Habitat within the geographical area 
occupied by the species at the time of listing that contains features 
essential to the conservation of the species meets the definition of 
critical habitat only if these features may require special management 
consideration or protection. Under the Act and regulations at 50 CFR 
424.12, we can designate critical habitat in areas outside the 
geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed only 
when we determine that the best available scientific data demonstrate 
that the designation of those areas is essential for the conservation 
of the species.
    Section 4 of the Act requires that we designate critical habitat on 
the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available. 
Further, our Policy on Information Standards Under the Endangered 
Species Act (published in the Federal Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 
34271)), the Information Quality Act (section 515 of the Treasury and 
General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Pub. L. 
106-554; H.R. 5658)), and our associated information quality 
guidelines, provide criteria, establish procedures, and provide 
guidance to ensure that our decisions are based on the best scientific 
data available. They require our biologists, to the extent consistent 
with the Act and with the use of the best scientific data available, to 
use primary and original sources of information as the basis for 
recommendations to designate critical habitat.
    When we are determining which areas we should designate as critical 
habitat, our primary source of information is generally the information 
developed during the listing process for the species. Additional 
information sources may include the recovery plan for the species, 
articles in peer-reviewed journals, conservation plans developed by 
States and counties, scientific status surveys and studies, biological 
assessments, or other unpublished materials and expert opinion or 
personal knowledge.
    Habitat is dynamic, and species may move from one area to another 
over time. In particular, we recognize that climate change may cause 
changes in the arrangement of occupied habitat stream reaches. Climate 
change may lead to increased frequency and duration of severe storms 
and droughts (Golladay et al. 2004, p. 504; McLaughlin et al. 2002, p. 
6074; Cook et al. 2004, p. 1015). From 2006 to 2007, drought conditions 
greatly reduced the habitat of the vermilion darter in Jefferson County 
(Drennen, pers. obs. 2007). Flucker et al. (2007, p. 10) and Drennen 
(pers. obs. 2007) reported that ongoing drought conditions, coupled 
with rapid urbanization within watersheds containing imperiled darters, 
render the populations vulnerable to anthropomorphic disturbances such 
as water extraction, vehicles within Turkey Creek and its tributaries, 
and increased clearing or draining of vulnerable wetlands and spring 
seeps; especially during the breeding season when the darters 
concentrate in specific habitat areas of Turkey Creek and its 
tributaries.
    The information currently available on the effects of global 
climate change and increasing temperatures does not

[[Page 63369]]

make sufficiently precise estimates of the location and magnitude of 
the effects. Nor are we currently aware of any climate change 
information specific to the habitat of the vermilion darter that would 
indicate what areas may become important to the species in the future. 
Therefore, we are unable to determine what additional areas, if any, 
may be appropriate to include in the proposed critical habitat for this 
species; however, we specifically request information from the public 
on the currently predicted effects of climate change on the vermilion 
darter and its habitat. Additionally, we recognize that critical 
habitat designated at a particular point in time may not include all of 
the habitat areas that we may later determine are necessary for the 
recovery of the species. For these reasons, a critical habitat 
designation does not signal that habitat outside the designated 
critical habitat area is unimportant or may not be required for 
recovery of the species.
    Areas that are important to the conservation of the species, but 
are outside the critical habitat designation, will continue to be 
subject to conservation actions we implement under section 7(a)(1) of 
the Act. They are also subject to the regulatory protections afforded 
by the section 7(a)(2) jeopardy standard, as determined based on the 
best available scientific information at the time of the agency action. 
Federally funded or permitted projects affecting listed species outside 
their designated critical habitat areas may still result in jeopardy 
findings in some cases. Similarly, critical habitat designations made 
on the basis of the best available information at the time of 
designation will not control the direction and substance of future 
recovery plans, habitat conservation plans (HCPs), section 7 
consultations, or other species conservation planning efforts if new 
information available at the time of these planning efforts calls for a 
different outcome.
Prudency Determination
    Section 4(a)(3) of the Act, as amended, and implementing 
regulations (50 CFR 424.12) require that, to the maximum extent prudent 
and determinable, the Secretary designate critical habitat at the time 
the species is determined to be endangered or threatened. Our 
regulations at 50 CFR 424.12(a)(1) state that the designation of 
critical habitat is not prudent when one or both of the following 
situations exist: (1) The species is threatened by taking or other 
activity and the identification of critical habitat can be expected to 
increase the degree of threat to the species; or (2) the designation of 
critical habitat would not be beneficial to the species.
    There is no documentation that the vermilion darter is threatened 
by taking or other human activity. In the absence of finding that the 
designation of critical habitat would increase threats to the species, 
if there are any benefits to a critical habitat designation, then a 
prudent finding is warranted. The potential benefits include: (1) 
Triggering consultation, under section 7 of the Act, in new areas for 
action in which there may be a Federal nexus where it would not 
otherwise occur because, for example, it is or has become unoccupied or 
the occupancy is in question; (2) identifying the physical and 
biological features essential to the conservation of the vermilion 
darter and focusing conservation activities on these essential features 
and areas; (3) providing educational benefits to State or county 
governments or private entities engaged in activities or long-range 
planning in areas essential to the conservation of the species; and (4) 
preventing people from causing inadvertent harm to the species. 
Conservation of the vermilion darter and the essential features of the 
habitat will require habitat protection and restoration, which will be 
facilitated by knowledge of habitat locations and the physical and 
biological features of those habitats.
    Therefore, since we have determined that the designation of 
critical habitat will not likely increase the degree of threat to the 
species and may provide some measure of benefit, we find that the 
designation of critical habitat for the vermilion darter is prudent.
Critical Habitat Determinability
     As stated above, section 4(a)(3) of the Act requires the 
designation of critical habitat concurrently with the species' listing 
``to the maximum extent prudent and determinable.'' Our regulations at 
50 CFR 424.12(a)(2) state that critical habitat is not determinable 
when one or both of the following situations exist:
    (1) Information sufficient to perform required analyses of the 
impacts of the designation is lacking, or
     (2) The biological needs of the species are not sufficiently well 
known to permit identification of an area as critical habitat.
    When critical habitat is not determinable, the Act provides for an 
additional year to publish a critical habitat designation (16 U.S.C. 
1533(b)(6)(C)(ii)).
    We reviewed the available information pertaining to the biological 
needs of the vermilion darter, the historical distribution of the 
vermilion darter, and the habitat characteristics where they currently 
survive. This and other information represent the best scientific and 
commercial data available and led us to conclude that the designation 
of critical habitat is determinable for the vermilion darter.
Methods
    As required by section 4(b) of the Act, we used the best scientific 
and commercial data available in determining which areas within the 
geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing 
contain the features essential to the conservation of the vermilion 
darter that may require special management considerations or 
protections, and which areas outside of the geographical area occupied 
at the time of listing are essential for the conservation of the 
species.
    We reviewed the available information pertaining to historical and 
current distributions, life histories, and habitat requirements of this 
species. Our sources included peer-reviewed scientific publications; 
unpublished survey reports; unpublished field observations by Service, 
State, and other experienced biologists; notes and communications from 
qualified biologists or experts; and Service publications such as the 
final listing rule for the vermilion darter and the Recovery Plan for 
the Vermilion Darter.

Physical and Biological Features

    In accordance with sections 3(5)(A)(i) and 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act 
and the regulations at 50 CFR 424.12, in determining which areas within 
the geographical area occupied at the time of listing to propose as 
critical habitat, we consider the physical and biological features that 
are essential to the conservation of the species which may require 
special management considerations or protection. These include, but are 
not limited to:
    (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, or rearing (or development) 
of offspring; and
     (5) Habitats that are protected from disturbance or are 
representative of the historic, geographical, and ecological 
distributions of a species.
    We consider the specific physical and biological features to be the 
primary constituent elements (PCEs) laid out in the appropriate 
quantity and spatial

[[Page 63370]]

arrangement for the conservation of the species. The PCEs required for 
the vermilion darter are derived from biological needs of the species 
as described in the Background section of this proposed rule and in the 
final listing rule (66 FR 59367). Unfortunately, little is known of the 
specific habitat requirements for this species other than that the 
species requires adequate water quality, water quantity, water flow, 
and a stable stream channel. To identify the physical and biological 
needs of the vermilion darter, we have relied on current conditions at 
locations where the species survives, the limited information available 
on this species and its close relatives, and factors associated with 
the decline and extirpation of fish species within the Mobile River 
Basin (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2000, pp.6-13) and other similar 
watersheds.
Space for Individual and Population Growth and for Normal Behavior
    Little is known about the specific space requirements of the 
vermilion darter within the Turkey Creek system; however, in general, 
darters depend on space from geomorphically stable streams with varying 
water quantities and flow. Vermilion darters are found in the 
transition zone between a riffle (shallow, fast water) or run (deeper, 
fast water) and a pool (deep, slow water) (Blanco and Mayden 1999, 
pp.18-20), usually at the head and foot of the riffles and downstream 
of the run habitat. Construction of impoundments in the Turkey Creek 
watershed has altered stream banks and bottoms; degraded the riffles, 
runs, and pools; and altered the natural water quantity and flow of the 
stream. A stable stream maintains its horizontal dimension and vertical 
profile (stream banks and bottoms), thereby conserving the physical 
characteristics of a stream, including bottom features such as riffles, 
runs, and pools and the transition zones between these features. The 
riffles, runs, and pools not only provide space for the vermilion 
darter, but also provide cover and shelter for breeding, reproduction, 
and growth of offspring.
    In addition, the current range of the vermilion darter is reduced 
to localized sites due to fragmentation, separation, and destruction of 
vermilion darter populations. There are both natural (waterfall) and 
manmade (impoundments) dispersal barriers that not only contribute to 
the separation and isolation of vermilion darter populations, but also 
affect water quality. Fragmentation of the species' habitat has 
subjected these small isolated populations within the Turkey Creek 
system to genetic isolation and reduction of space for rearing and 
reproduction, population maintenance and reduction of adaptive 
capabilities, and increased likelihood of local extinctions (Hallerman 
2003, pp. 363-364; Burkhead et al. 1997, pp 397-399). Genetic variation 
and diversity within a species are essential for recovery, adaptation 
to environmental changes, and long-term viability (capability to live, 
reproduce, and develop) (Noss and Cooperrider 1994, pp. 282-297; Harris 
1984, pp. 93-107). Long-term viability is founded on numerous 
interbreeding, local populations throughout the range (Harris 1984, 
pp.93-107). Continuity of water flow between suitable habitats is 
essential in preventing further fragmentation of the species' habitat 
and populations; conserving the essential riffles, runs, and pools 
needed by vermilion darters; and promoting genetic flow throughout the 
populations. Continuity of habitat will maintain spawning, foraging, 
and resting sites, as well as provide heterozygosity or gene flow 
throughout the population. Connectivity of habitats, as a whole, also 
permits improvement in water quality and water quantity by allowing an 
unobstructed water flow throughout the connected habitats.
    Based on the biological information and needs discussed above, it 
is essential to protect riffles, runs, and pools, and the continuity of 
these structures, to accommodate feeding, spawning, growth, and other 
normal behaviors of the vermilion darter and to promote genetic flow 
within the species.
Food, Water, Air, Light, Minerals, or Other Nutritional or 
Physiological Requirements
Water Quantity and Flow
    Much of the cool, clean water provided to the Turkey Creek main 
stem comes from consistent and steady groundwater sources (springs) 
that contribute to the flow and water quantity in the tributaries 
(Beaver Creek, Dry Creek, Dry Branch, and the unnamed tributary to 
Beaver Creek). Flowing water provides a means for transporting 
nutrients and food items, moderating water temperatures and dissolved 
oxygen levels, and diluting non-point and point source pollution. 
Impoundments within Turkey and Dry creeks not only serve as dispersal 
barriers but have also altered stream flows from natural conditions. 
Without clean water sources, water quality and water quantity would be 
considerably lower and would significantly impair the normal life 
stages and behavior of the vermilion darter.
    Favorable water quantity is an average daily discharge of over 50 
cubic feet per second within the Turkey Creek main stem (U.S. 
Geological Survey 2009, compiled from average annual statistics). Along 
with this average daily discharge, both minimum and flushing flows are 
necessary within the tributaries to maintain all life stages and to 
remove fine sediments and dilute other pollutants (Drennen personal 
observation, February 2009a; Instream Flow Council 2004, pp.103-104, 
375; Gilbert et al. eds. 1994, pp. 505-522; Moffett and Moser 1978, pp. 
20-21). These flows are supplemented by groundwater and contribute to 
the overall stream cleansing effect by adding to the total flow of 
high-quality water. This, in turn, helps in maintenance of stream banks 
and bottoms, essential for normal life stages and behavior of the 
vermilion darter.
Water Quality
    Factors that can potentially alter water quality are decreases in 
water quantity through droughts and periods of low seasonal flow, 
precipitation events, non-point source runoff, human activities within 
the watershed, random spills, and unregulated discharge events 
(Instream Flow Council 2004, pp.29-50). These factors are particularly 
harmful during drought conditions when flows are depressed and 
pollutants are concentrated. Impoundments also affect water quality by 
reducing water flow, altering temperatures, and concentrating 
pollutants (Blanco and Mayden 1999, pp. 5-6, 36). Nonpoint-source 
pollution and alteration of flow regimes are primary threats to the 
vermilion darter in the Turkey Creek watershed.
    Aquatic life, including fish, require acceptable levels of 
dissolved oxygen. The type of organism and its life stage determine the 
level of oxygen required. Generally, among fish, cold water species and 
young life forms are the most sensitive. The amount of dissolved oxygen 
that is present in the water (the saturation level) depends upon water 
temperature. As the water temperature increases, the saturated 
dissolved oxygen level decreases. The more oxygen there is in the 
water, the greater the assimilative capacity (ability to consume 
organic wastes with minimal impact) of that water; lower water flows 
have a reduced assimilative capacity (Pitt 2000, pp. 6-7). Low-flow 
conditions affect the chemical environment occupied by the fish, and 
extended low-flow conditions coupled with higher pollutant levels would 
likely result in behavior changes within all life stages, but could be 
particularly detrimental to

[[Page 63371]]

early life stages (e.g., eggs, larvae, and juveniles).
    Optimal water quality lacks harmful levels of pollutants, such as 
inorganic contaminants like copper, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium; 
organic contaminants such as human and animal waste products; 
endocrine-disrupting chemicals; pesticides; nitrogen, potassium, and 
phosphorous fertilizers; and petroleum distillates. Sediment is the 
most abundant pollutant produced in the Mobile River Basin (Alabama 
Department of Environmental Management 1996, pp.13-15). Siltation 
(excess sediments suspended or deposited in a stream) contributes to 
turbidity of the water and has been shown to suffocate aquatic insects, 
smother fish eggs, clog fish gills, and fill in essential interstitial 
spaces (spaces between stream substrates) used by aquatic organisms for 
spawning and foraging; therefore, siltation negatively impacts fish 
growth, physiology, behavior, reproduction, and survival. Nutrification 
(excessive nutrients present, such as nitrogen and phosphorous) 
promotes heavy algal growth that covers and eliminates clean rock or 
gravel habitats necessary for vermilion darter feeding and spawning. 
High conductivity values are an indicator of hardness and alkalinity 
and may denote water nitrification (Hackney et al. 1999, pp.99-103). 
Generally, early life stages of fishes are less tolerant of 
environmental contamination than adults or juveniles (Little et al. 
1993, pp. 67).
    Appropriate water quality and quantity are necessary to dilute 
impacts from storm water and other non-natural effluents. Harmful 
levels of pollutants impair critical behavior functions in fish and are 
reflected in population-level responses (reduced population size, 
biomass, year class success, etc.). Adequate water quantity and flow 
and good to optimal water quality are essential for normal behavior, 
growth, and viability during all life stages.
    The vermilion darter requires relatively clean, cool flowing water 
within the Turkey Creek main stem and tributaries. The Clean Water Act 
(33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), Water Quality Act (Pub. L. 100-4) and Alabama 
Water Pollution Control Act (Ala. Code Sec.  22-22-1) establish 
guidelines for water usage and standards of quality for the State's 
waters necessary to preserve and protect aquatic life. Essential water 
quality attributes for darters and other fish species in fast to middle 
water flow streams include: dissolved oxygen levels greater than 6 
parts per million (ppm), temperatures between 7 [deg] and 26.7 
[deg]Celsius (C) (45 [deg] and 80 [deg]Fahrenheit (F)) with spring egg 
incubation temperatures from 12.2 [deg] to 18.3 [deg]C (54 [deg] to 65 
[deg]F), a specific conductance (ability of water to conduct an 
electric current, based on dissolved solids in the water) of less than 
approximately 225 micro Siemens per centimeter at 26.7 [deg]C (80 
[deg]F), and low concentrations of free or suspended solids (organic 
and inorganic sediments) less than 10 Nephelometric Turbidity Units 
(NTU; units used to measure sediment discharge) and 15 mg/L Total 
Suspended Solids (TSS; measured as mg/L of sediment in water ) (Teels 
et al. 1975, pp. 8-9; Ultschet et al. 1978, pp. 99-101; Ingersoll et 
al. 1984, pp. 131-138; Kundell and Rasmussen 1995, pp. 211-212; Henley 
et al. 2000, pp. 125-139; Meyer and Sutherland 2005, pp. 43-64).
Food
    The vermilion darter is a benthic (bottom) insectivore consuming 
larval chironomids (midges), tipulids (crane flies), and hydropsychids 
(caddisflies), along with occasional microcrustaceans (Boschung and 
Mayden 2004, p. 520; Khudamrongsawat et al. 2005, p.472). Caddisflies 
and crane flies are pollution sensitive organisms found in good to fair 
water quality (Auburn University 1993, p.53). Variation in instream 
flow maintains the stream bottom where food for the vermilion darter is 
found, transports these organisms, and provides oxygen and other 
attributes to various invertebrate life stages. Sedimentation has been 
shown to wear away and suffocate periphyton (organisms that live 
attached to objects underwater) and disrupt aquatic insect communities 
(Waters 1995, pp. 53-86; Knight and Welch 2001, pp. 132-135). In 
addition, nutrification promotes heavy algal growth that covers and 
eliminates the clean rock or gravel habitats necessary for vermilion 
darter feeding and spawning. A decrease in water quality and instream 
flow will correspondingly decrease the major food species for the 
vermilion darter. Thus, food availability for the vermilion darter is 
affected by instream flow and water quality.
    Based on the biological information and needs discussed above, we 
believe it is essential that vermilion darter habitat consist of 
unaltered, connected, stable streams to maintain flow, prevent 
sedimentation, and promote good water quality absent harmful 
pollutants.
Cover or Shelter (Sites for Breeding, Reproduction or Rearing)
    Vermilion darters depend on specific bottom substrates for normal 
and robust life processes such as spawning, rearing, protection of 
young during life stages, protection of adults when threatened, 
foraging, and feeding. These bottom substrates are dominated by fine 
gravel, along with some sand, coarse gravel, cobble, and bedrock 
(Blanco and Mayden 1999, pp. 24-26; Drennen personal observation, 
February 2009b). The vermilion darter prefers small-sized gravel for 
spawning substrates (Blanchard and Stiles 2005, pp.1-12). Occasionally, 
there are also small sticks and limbs on the bottom substrate and 
within the water column (Stiles pers. comm., September 1999; Drennen 
personal observation, May 2007).
    Excessive fine sediments of small sands, silt, and clay may embed 
in the larger substrates, filling in interstitial spaces between these 
structures. Loss of these interstitial areas removes spawning and 
rearing areas, foraging and feeding sites, and escape and protection 
localities (Sylte and Fischenich 2002, pp. 1-25). In addition, dense, 
filamentous algae growth on the substrates may restrict or eliminate 
the usefulness of the interstitial spaces by the vermilion darter.
    Geomorphic instability within the streambed and along the banks 
results in scouring and erosion of these areas, leading to 
sedimentation and loss of shelter and cover for vermilion darters, 
their eggs, and their young. This fine sediment deposition also reduces 
the area available for food sources, such as macroinvertebrates and 
periphyton (Tullos 2005, pp. 80-81).
    Thus, based on the biological information and needs above, 
essential vermilion darter habitat consists of stable streams with a 
stream flow sufficient to remove sediment and eliminate the filling in 
of interstitial spaces and substrate to accommodate spawning, rearing, 
protection of young, protection of adults when threatened, foraging, 
and feeding.
Primary Constituent Elements for Vermilion Darter
    Under the Act and its implementing regulations, we are required to 
identify the physical and biological features essential to the 
conservation of vermilion darter. The physical and biological features 
are the primary constituent elements (PCEs) laid out in the appropriate 
quantity and spatial arrangement essential to the conservation of the 
species. Areas designated as critical habitat for vermilion darter 
contain only occupied areas within the species' historical geographic 
range, and contain sufficient PCEs to support at least one life history 
function.

[[Page 63372]]

    Based on our current knowledge of the life history, biology, and 
ecology of vermilion darter and the requirements of the habitat to 
sustain the essential life history functions of the species, we 
determined that the PCEs specific to vermilion darter are:
     (1) Geomorphically stable stream bottoms and banks (stable 
horizontal dimension and vertical profile) in order to maintain t 
bottom features (riffles, runs, and pools) and transition zones between 
bottom features , to continue appropriate habitat to maintain essential 
riffles, runs, and pools, to promote connectivity between spawning, 
foraging and resting sites, and to maintain gene flow throughout the 
population.
     (2) Instream flow regime with an average daily discharge over 50 
cubic feet per second, inclusive of both surface runoff and groundwater 
sources (springs and seepages).
     (3) Water quality with temperature not exceeding 26.7 [deg]C (80 
[deg]F), dissolved oxygen 6.0 milligrams or greater per liter, 
turbidity of an average monthly reading of 10 Nephelometric Turbidity 
Units (NTU; units used to measure sediment discharge) and 15mg/l Total 
Suspended Solids (TSS; measured as mg/l of sediment in water ) or less; 
and a specific conductance (ability of water to conduct an electric 
current, based on dissolved solids in the water) of no greater than 225 
micro Siemens per centimeter at 26.7 [deg] C (80 [deg]F).
     (4) Bottom substrates consisting of fine gravel with coarse gravel 
or cobble, or bedrock with sand and gravel, with low amounts of fine 
sand and sediments within the interstitial spaces of the substrates.
    With this proposed designation of critical habitat, we intend to 
conserve the physical and biological features essential to the 
conservation of the species, through the identification of the 
appropriate quantity and spatial arrangement of the PCEs sufficient to 
support the life history functions of the species. Each of the areas 
proposed as critical habitat in this rule contains sufficient PCEs to 
provide for one or more of the life history functions of the vermilion 
darter.

Special Management Considerations or Protections

    When designating critical habitat, we assess whether the specific 
areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time 
of listing contain the physical and biological features that are 
essential to the conservation of the species and whether those features 
may require special management considerations or protection.
    The five units we are proposing for designation as critical habitat 
will require some level of management to address the current and future 
threats to the physical and biological features essential to the 
conservation of the species. None of the proposed critical habitat 
units are presently under special management or protection provided by 
a legally operative plan or agreement for the conservation of the 
vermilion darter. Various activities in or adjacent to the critical 
habitat units described in this proposed rule may affect one or more of 
the PCEs. For example, features in the proposed critical habitat 
designation may require special management due to threats posed by 
urbanization activities (such as stream channel modification for flood 
control or gravel extraction) that could cause an increase in bank 
erosion; by significant changes in the existing flow regime within the 
streams due to water diversion or withdrawal; by significant alteration 
of water quality; by significant alteration in the quantity of 
groundwater and alteration of spring discharge sites; by significant 
changes in stream bed material composition and quality due to 
construction projects and maintenance activities; by off-road vehicle 
use; by gas and water easements; by bridge construction; by culvert 
installation; by stormwater management; and by other watershed and 
floodplain disturbances that release sediments or nutrients into the 
water. Other activities that may affect PCEs in the proposed critical 
habitat units include those listed in the ``Effects of Critical 
Habitat'' section below.
    As stated above, designation of critical habitat does not imply 
that lands outside of critical habitat do not play an important role in 
the conservation of the vermilion darter. Activities with a Federal 
nexus that may affect areas outside of critical habitat, such as 
development; road construction and maintenance; oil, gas, and utility 
easements; and effluent discharges, are still subject to review under 
section 7 of the Act if they may affect the vermilion darter, because 
Federal agencies must consider both effects to the species and effects 
to critical habitat independently. The Service should be consulted for 
disturbances to areas both within the proposed critical habitat unist 
as well as upstream of those areas known to support vermilion darter, 
including springs and seeps that contribute to the instream flow in the 
tributaries, especially during times when stream flows are abnormally 
low (i.e., during droughts). The prohibitions of section 9 of the Act 
against the take of listed species also continue to apply both inside 
and outside of designated critical habitat.

Criteria Used to Identify Proposed Critical Habitat

    Using the best scientific and commercial data available, as 
required by section 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act, we identified those areas to 
propose for designation as critical habitat that, within the 
geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing, 
possess those physical and biological features essential to the 
conservation of the vermilion darter which may require special 
management considerations or protection. We also considered the area 
outside the geographical area occupied by the species at the time of 
listing for any areas that are essential for the conservation of the 
vermilion darter.
    We used information from surveys and reports prepared by the 
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Alabama 
Geological Survey, Samford University, University of Alabama, and the 
Service to identify the specific locations occupied by the vermilion 
darter. Currently, occupied habitat for the species is limited and 
isolated. The species is currently located within the upper mainstem 
reaches of Turkey Creek and four tributaries: unnamed tributary to 
Beaver Creek, Beaver Creek, Dry Creek, and Dry Branch in Pinson, 
Jefferson County, Alabama (Blanco and Mayden 1999, pp.18-20; Drennen 
pers. observ. March 2008).
    Following the identification of the specific locations occupied by 
the vermilion darter, we determined the appropriate length of stream 
segments by identifying the upstream and downstream limits of these 
occupied sections necessary for the conservation of the vermilion 
darter. Because populations of vermilion darters are isolated due to 
dispersal barriers, to set the upstream and downstream limits of each 
critical habitat unit, we identified landmarks (bridges, confluences, 
road crossings, and dams) above and below the upper and lowermost 
reported locations of the vermilion darter in each stream reach to 
ensure incorporation of all potential sites of occurrence. These stream 
reaches were then digitized using 7.5' topographic maps and ARCGIS to 
produce the critical habitat map.
    We are proposing to designate as critical habitat all stream 
reaches in occupied habitat. We have defined ``occupied habitat'' as 
those stream reaches occupied at the time of listing and still known to 
be occupied by the vermilion darter ; these stream reaches comprise the 
entire known range of the

[[Page 63373]]

vermilion darter. We are not proposing to designate any areas outside 
the known range of the species because the historical range of the 
vermilion darter, beyond currently occupied areas, is unknown and 
dispersal beyond the current range is not likely due to dispersal 
barriers.
    The five proposed units contain one or more of the PCEs in the 
appropriate quantity and spatial arrangement essential to the 
conservation of this species and support multiple life processes for 
the vermilion darter.
    When identifying proposed critical habitat boundaries, we make 
every effort to avoid including developed areas such as lands covered 
by buildings, pavement, and other structures because such lands usually 
lack PCEs for endangered or threatened species. Areas proposed for 
critical habitat for the vermilion darter below include only stream 
channels within the ordinary high water line and do not contain any 
developed areas or structures.

Proposed Critical Habitat Designation

    We are proposing to designate 5 units, totaling approximately 21.0 
km (13.0 mi), as critical habitat for the vermilion darter. The 
critical habitat units described below constitute our best assessment 
of areas that currently meet the definition of critical habitat for the 
vermilion darter. Table 1 identifies the proposed units for the 
species; shows the occupancy of the units; the approximate extent 
proposed as critical habitat for the vermilion darter; and ownership of 
the proposed designated areas.

                              TABLE 1--Occupancy and Ownership of Proposed Critical Habitat Units for the Vermilion Darter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Private Ownership     State, County, City
                Unit                        Location                Occupied           Stream Kilometers      Ownership  Stream            Total
                                                                                            (Miles)           Kilometers (Miles)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1                                    Turkey Creek            Yes                     14.9                   0.3                    15.2
                                                                                     (9.2)................  (0.2)................  (9.4)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2                                    Dry Branch              Yes                     0.7                    -                      0.7
                                                                                     (0.4)................                         (0.4)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3                                    Beaver                  Yes                     0.9                    0.1                    1.0
                                     Creek.................                          (0.6)................  (< 0.1)..............  (0.6)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4                                    Dry Creek               Yes                     0.6                    -                      0.6
                                                                                     (0.4)................                         (0.4)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5                                    Unnamed Tributary to    Yes                     3.3                    0.4
                                      Beaver Creek                                   (2.0)................  (0.2)................  3.7
                                                                                                                                   (2.2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     TOTAL                                            20.4                  0.8                    21.2
                                                                                     (12.6)...............  (0.5)................  (13.1)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We present brief descriptions of each unit and reasons why they 
meet the definition of critical habitat below. The proposed critical 
habitat units include the stream channels of the creek and tributaries 
within the ordinary high water line. As defined in 33 CFR 329.11, the 
ordinary high water line on nontidal rivers is the line on the shore 
established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical 
characteristics such as a clear, natural water line impressed on the 
bank; shelving; changes in the character of soil; destruction of 
terrestrial vegetation; the presence of litter and debris; or other 
appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding 
areas. In Alabama, the riparian landowner owns the stream to the middle 
of the channel.
    For each stream reach proposed as a critical habitat, the upstream 
and downstream boundaries are described generally below; more precise 
descriptions are provided in the Regulation Promulgation at the end of 
this proposed rule.

Unit 1: Turkey Creek, Jefferson County, Alabama

    Unit 1 includes 15.2 km (9.4 mi) in Turkey Creek from Shadow Lake 
Dam downstream to the Section 13/14 (T15S, R2W) line, as taken from the 
U.S. Geological Survey 7.5 topographical map (Pinson quadrangle).
    Approximately 14.9 km (9.2 mi), or 98 percent of this area is 
privately owned. The remaining 0.3 km (0.2 mi), or 2 percent is 
publicly owned by the City of Pinson or Jefferson County in the form of 
bridge crossings and road easements.
    Turkey Creek supports the most abundant and robust populations of 
the vermilion darter in the watershed. Populations of vermilion darters 
are small and isolated within specific habitat sites of Turkey Creek 
from Shadow Lake dam downstream to the old strip mine pools (13/14 S 
T15S R2W section line, as taken from the U.S. Geological Survey 7.5 
topographical map (Pinson quadrangle)). We consider the entire reach of 
Turkey Creek that composes Unit 1 to be occupied.
    One of the three known spawning sites for the species is located 
within the confluence of Turkey Creek and Tapawingo Spring run (PCE 4). 
In addition, Turkey Creek provides the most darter habitat for the 
vermilion darters with an abundance of pools, riffles, and runs (PCE 
1). These geomorphic structures provide the species with spawning, 
foraging, and resting areas (PCEs 1 and 4), along with good water 
quality, quantity, and flow, which support the normal life stages and 
behavior of the vermilion darter and the species' prey sources (PCEs 2 
and 3).
    There are five impoundments in Turkey Creek (Blanco and Mayden 
1999, pp. 5-6, 36, 63) limiting the connectivity of the range and 
expansion of the species into other units and posing a risk of 
extinction to the species due to changes in flow regime, habitat, water 
quality, water quantity, and stochastic events such as drought. These 
impoundments accumulate nutrients and undesirable fish species that 
could propose threats to vermilion darters and the species' habitat. 
Other threats to the

[[Page 63374]]

vermilion darter and its habitat in Turkey Creek that may require 
special management and protection of PCEs include the potential of: 
urbanization activities (such as channel modification for flood control 
or gravel extraction) that could result in increased bank erosion; 
significant changes in the existing flow regime due to water diversion 
or withdrawal; significant alteration of water quality; and significant 
changes in stream bed material composition and quality as a result of 
construction projects and maintenance activities, off-road vehicle use, 
gas and water easements, bridge construction, culvert installation, 
stormwater management, and other watershed and floodplain disturbances 
that release sediments or nutrients into the water.

Unit 2: Dry Branch, Jefferson County, Alabama

    Unit 2 includes 0.7 km (0.4 mi) of Dry Branch from the bridge at 
Glenbrook Road downstream to the confluence with Beaver Creek.
    Almost all of the 0.7 km (0.4 mi) or close to 100 percent of this 
area is privately owned. Less than 1 percent of the area is publicly 
owned by the City of Pinson or Jefferson County in the form of bridge 
crossings and road easements.
    Dry Branch provides supplemental water quantity to Turkey Creek 
proper (Unit 1) and provides connectivity to additional bottom 
substrate habitat and possible spawning sites (PCEs 1, 3, and 4). One 
of the three known spawning sites for the species is located within the 
confluence of this reach (PCE 1 and 4) and Beaver Creek.
    Threats to the vermilion darter and its habitat at Dry Branch that 
may require special management and protection of PCEs 1, 3, and 4 
include the potential of: urbanization activities (such as channel 
modification for flood control, impoundments, gravel extraction) that 
could result in increased bank erosion; significant changes in the 
existing flow regime due to construction of impoundments, water 
diversion, or water withdrawal; significant alteration of water 
quality; and significant changes in stream bed material composition and 
quality as a result of construction projects and maintenance 
activities, off-road vehicle use, gas and water easements, bridge 
construction, culvert installation, stormwater management, and other 
watershed and floodplain disturbances that release sediments or 
nutrients into the water.

Unit 3: Beaver Creek, Jefferson County, Alabama

    Unit 3 includes 1.0 km (0.6 mi) of Beaver Creek from the confluence 
with the unnamed tributary to Beaver Creek downstream to the confluence 
with Turkey Creek.
    Almost 0.9 km (0.6 mi), or 94 percent of this area is privately 
owned. The remaining 0.1 km (< 0.1 mi), or 6 percent is publicly owned 
by the City of Pinson or Jefferson County in the form of bridge 
crossings and road easements.
    Beaver Creek supports populations of vermilion darters, and 
provides supplemental water quantity to Turkey Creek proper (PCEs 1 and 
2). The reach also contains adequate bottom substrate for vermilion 
darters to use in spawning, foraging, and other life processes (PCE 4). 
Beaver Creek makes available additional habitat and spawning sites, and 
offers connectivity with other vermilion darter populations within 
Turkey Creek, Dry Branch, and the unnamed tributary to Beaver Creek 
(PCEs 1 and 4).
    Threats to the vermilion darter and its habitat at Beaver Creek 
that may require special management of PCEs 1, 2, and 4 include the 
potential of: urbanization activities (such as channel modification for 
flood control, impoundments, gravel extraction) that could result in 
increased bank erosion; significant changes in the existing flow 
regime, water diversion, or water withdrawal; significant alteration of 
water quality; and significant changes in stream bed material 
composition and quality as a result of construction projects and 
maintenance activities, off-road vehicle use, gas and water easements, 
bridge construction, culvert installation, stormwater management, and 
other watershed and floodplain disturbances that release sediments or 
nutrients into the water.

Unit 4: Dry Creek, Jefferson County, Alabama

    Unit 4 includes 0.6 km (0.4 mi) of Dry Creek from Innsbrook Road 
downstream to the confluence with Turkey Creek.
    Almost 0.6 km (0.4 mi), or 100 percent of this area is privately 
owned.
    Dry Creek supports populations of vermilion darters and provides 
supplemental water quantity to Turkey Creek proper (PCEs 1 and 2). The 
reach also contains adequate bottom substrate for vermilion darters to 
use in spawning, foraging, and other life processes (PCE 4). Dry Creek 
makes available additional habitat and spawning sites, and offers 
connectivity with vermilion darter populations in Turkey Creek (PCE 1).
    There are two impoundments in Dry Creek (Blanco and Mayden 1999, 
pp. 56, 62) which limit the range and expansion of the species within 
the unit and increases the risk of extinction due to changes in flow 
regime, habitat or water quality, water quantity, and stochastic events 
such as drought. These impoundments amass nutrients and undesirable 
fish species that could propose threats to vermilion darters and to its 
habitat. Threats that may require special management and protection of 
PCEs include: urbanization activities (such as channel modification for 
flood control and gravel extraction) that could result in increased 
bank erosion; significant changes in the existing flow regime due to 
future impoundment construction, water diversion, or water withdrawal; 
significant alteration of water quality; and significant changes in 
stream bed material composition and quality as a result of construction 
projects and maintenance activities, off-road vehicle use, gas and 
water easements, bridge construction, culvert installation, stormwater 
management, and other watershed and floodplain disturbances that 
release sediments or nutrients into the water.

Unit 5: Unnamed Tributary to Beaver Creek, Jefferson County, Alabama

    Unit 5 includes 3.7 km (2.3 mi) of the unnamed tributary of Beaver 
Creek from the Section 12/11 (T16S, R2W) line, as taken from the U.S. 
Geological Survey 7.5 topographical map (Pinson quadrangle), downstream 
to its confluence with Beaver Creek.
    Almost 3.3 km (2.1 mi), or 89 percent of this area is privately 
owned. The remaining 0.4 km (0.2 mi), or 11 percent is publicly owned 
by the City of Pinson or Jefferson County in the form of bridge 
crossings and road easements.
    The unnamed tributary to Beaver Creek supports populations of 
vermilion darters and provides supplemental water quantity to Turkey 
Creek proper (PCEs 1 and 2). The unnamed tributary to Beaver Creek has 
been intensely geomorphically changed by man over the last 100 years. 
The majority of this reach has been modified for flood control, as it 
runs parallel to Highway 79. There are several bridge crossings, and 
the reach has a history of industrial uses along the bank. However, 
owing to the groundwater effluent that constantly supplies this reach 
with clean and flowing water (PCEs 2 and 3), the reach has been able to 
cleanse itself and maintain a population of vermilion darters at 
several locations. One of the three known spawning sites for the 
species is located within this reach (PCE 4).
    The headwaters of the unnamed tributary to Beaver Creek is

[[Page 63375]]

characterized by natural flows that are attributed to an abundance of 
spring groundwater discharges contributing adequate water quality, 
water quantity, and substrates (PCEs 1, 2, and 3). Increasing the 
connectivity of the vermilion darter populations (PCE 1) into the upper 
reaches of this tributary is an essential conservation requirement as 
it would expand the range and decrease the vulnerability of these 
populations to stochastic threats.
    Threats to the vermilion darter and its habitat that may require 
special management and protection of PCEs are: urbanization activities 
(such as channel modification for flood control, and gravel extraction) 
that could result in increased bank erosion; significant changes in the 
existing flow regime due to future impoundment construction, water 
diversion, or water withdrawal; significant alteration of water 
quality; and significant changes in stream bed material composition and 
quality as a result of construction projects and maintenance 
activities, off-road vehicle use, gas and water easements, bridge 
construction, culvert installation, stormwater management, and other 
watershed and floodplain disturbances that release sediments or 
nutrients into the water.

Effects of Critical Habitat Designation

Section 7 Consultation
    Section 7(a)(2) of the Act requires Federal agencies, including the 
Service, to ensure that actions they fund, authorize, or carry out are 
not likely to destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. Decisions 
by the Fifth and Ninth Circuits Courts of Appeals have invalidated our 
definition of ``destruction or adverse modification'' (50 CFR 402.02) 
(see Gifford Pinchot Task Force v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 378 
F.3d 1059 (9\th\ Cir. 2004) and Sierra Club v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 245 F.3d 434, 442 (5\th\ Cir. 2001)), and we do not rely on 
this regulatory definition when analyzing whether an action is likely 
to destroy or adversely modify critical habitat. Under the statutory 
provisions of the Act, we determine destruction or adverse modification 
on the basis of whether, with implementation of the proposed Federal 
action, the affected critical habitat would remain functional (or 
retain the current ability for the PCEs to be functionally established) 
to serve its intended conservation role for the species.
    Section 7(a)(4) of the Act requires Federal agencies to confer with 
the Service on any action that is likely to jeopardize the continued 
existence of a species proposed for listing or result in destruction or 
adverse modification of proposed critical habitat. Conference reports 
provide conservation recommendations to assist the agency in 
eliminating conflicts that may be caused by the proposed action. We may 
issue a formal conference report if requested by a Federal agency. 
Formal conference reports on proposed critical habitat contain an 
opinion that is prepared according to 50 CFR 402.14, as if critical 
habitat were designated. We may adopt the formal conference report as 
the biological opinion when the critical habitat is designated, if no 
substantial new information or changes in the action alter the content 
of the opinion (see 50 CFR 402.10(d)). The conservation recommendations 
in a conference report or opinion are strictly advisory.
    If a species is listed or critical habitat is designated, section 
7(a)(2) of the Act requires Federal agencies to ensure that activities 
they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the 
continued existence of the species or to destroy or adversely modify 
its critical habitat. If a Federal action may affect a listed species 
or its critical habitat, the responsible Federal agency (action agency) 
must enter into consultation with us. As a result of this consultation, 
we document compliance with the requirements of section 7(a)(2) through 
our issuance of:
    (1) A concurrence letter for Federal actions that may affect, but 
are not likely to adversely affect, listed species or critical habitat; 
or
     (2) A biological opinion for Federal actions that may affect, and 
are likely to adversely affect, listed species or critical habitat.
    When we issue a biological opinion concluding that a project is 
likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species or 
destroy or adversely modify critical habitat, we also provide 
reasonable and prudent alternatives to the project, if any are 
identifiable. We define ``reasonable and prudent alternatives'' at 50 
CFR 402.02 as alternative actions identified during consultation that:
     Can be implemented in a manner consistent with the 
intended purpose of the action,
     Can be implemented consistent with the scope of the 
Federal agency's legal authority and jurisdiction,
     Are economically and technologically feasible, and
     Would, in the Director's opinion, avoid jeopardizing the 
continued existence of the listed species or destroying or adversely 
modifying critical habitat.
    Reasonable and prudent alternatives can vary from slight project 
modifications to extensive redesign or relocation of the project. Costs 
associated with implementing a reasonable and prudent alternative are 
similarly variable.
    Regulations at 50 CFR 402.16 require Federal agencies to reinitiate 
consultation on previously reviewed actions in instances where we have 
listed a new species or subsequently designated critical habitat that 
may be affected and the Federal agency has retained discretionary 
involvement or control over the action (or the agency's discretionary 
involvement or control is authorized by law). Consequently, Federal 
agencies may sometimes need to request to reinitiate of consultation 
with us on actions for which formal consultation has been completed, if 
those actions with discretionary involvement or control may affect 
subsequently listed species or designated critical habitat.
    Federal activities that may affect the vermilion darter or its 
designated critical habitat will require section 7 consultation under 
the Act. Activities on State, Tribal, local, or private lands requiring 
a Federal permit (such as a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers under section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et 
seq.) or a permit from us under section 10 of the Act or involving some 
other Federal action (such as funding from the Federal Highway 
Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, or the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency)) are subject to the section 7 consultation 
process. Federal actions not affecting listed species or critical 
habitat, and actions on State, Tribal, local, or private lands that are 
not Federally funded, authorized, or permitted, do not require section 
7 consultation.

Application of the ``Adverse Modification'' Standard

    The key factor related to the adverse modification determination is 
whether, with implementation of the proposed Federal action, the 
affected critical habitat would continue to serve its intended 
conservation role for the species, or would retain its current ability 
for the PCEs to be functionally established. Activities that may 
destroy or adversely modify critical habitat are those that alter the 
PCEs to an extent that appreciably reduces the conservation value of 
critical habitat for the vermilion darter.
    Section 4(b)(8) of the Act requires us to briefly evaluate and 
describe, in any proposed or final regulation that designates critical 
habitat, activities

[[Page 63376]]

involving a Federal action that may destroy or adversely modify such 
habitat, or that may be affected by such designation.
    Activities that, when carried out, funded, or authorized by a 
Federal agency, may affect critical habitat and therefore result in 
consultation for the vermilion darter include, but are not limited to:
     (1) Actions that would alter the geomorphology of the stream 
habitats. Such activities could include, but are not limited to, 
instream excavation or dredging, impoundment, channelization, and 
discharge of fill materials. These activities could cause aggradation 
or degradation of the channel bed elevation or significant bank erosion 
and could result in entrainment or burial of this species, as well as 
other direct or cumulative adverse effects to this species and its life 
cycle.
     (2) Actions that would significantly alter the existing flow 
regime. Such activities could include, but are not limited to, 
impoundment, water diversion, water withdrawal, and hydropower 
generation. These activities could eliminate or reduce the habitat 
necessary for growth and reproduction of the vermilion darter.
     (3) Actions that would significantly alter water chemistry or 
water quality (for example, changes to temperature or pH, introduced 
contaminants, or excess nutrients). Such activities could include, but 
are not limited to, the release of chemicals, biological pollutants, or 
heated effluents into surface water or connected groundwater at a point 
source or by dispersed release (non-point source). These activities 
could alter water conditions that are beyond the tolerances of the 
species and result in direct or cumulative adverse effects on the 
species and its life cycle.
     (4) Actions that would significantly alter stream bed material 
composition and quality by increasing sediment deposition or 
filamentous algal growth. Such activities could include, but are not 
limited to, construction projects; road and bridge maintenance 
activities; livestock grazing; timber harvest; off-road vehicle use; 
underground gas, water, and electric lines; and other watershed and 
floodplain disturbances that release sediments or nutrients into the 
water. These activities could eliminate or reduce habitats necessary 
for the growth and reproduction of the species by causing excessive 
sedimentation and burial of the species or their habitats, or 
nutrification leading to excessive filamentous algal growth. Excessive 
filamentous algal growth can cause extreme decreases in nighttime 
dissolved oxygen levels through vegetation respiration, and cover the 
bottom substrates and the interstitial spaces between cobble and 
gravel.

Exemptions

Application of Section 4(a)(3) of the Act
    The Sikes Act Improvement Act of 1997 (Sikes Act) (16 U.S.C. 670a) 
required each military installation that includes land and water 
suitable for the conservation and management of natural resources to 
complete an integrated natural resource management plan (INRMP) by 
November 17, 2001. An INRMP integrates implementation of the military 
mission of the installation with stewardship of the natural resources 
found on the base. Each INRMP includes:
     An assessment of the ecological needs on the installation, 
including the need to provide for the conservation of listed species;
     A statement of goals and priorities;
     A detailed description of management actions to be 
implemented to provide for these ecological needs; and
     A monitoring and adaptive management plan.
    Among other things, each INRMP must, to the extent appropriate and 
applicable, provide for fish and wildlife management; fish and wildlife 
habitat enhancement or modification; wetland protection, enhancement, 
and restoration where necessary to support fish and wildlife; and 
enforcement of applicable natural resource laws.
    The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (Pub. 
L. 108-136) amended the Act to limit areas eligible for designation as 
critical habitat. Specifically, section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act (16 
U.S.C. 1533(a)(3)(B)(i)) now provides: ``The Secretary shall not 
designate as critical habitat any lands or other geographical areas 
owned or controlled by the Department of Defense, or designated for its 
use, that are subject to an integrated natural resources management 
plan prepared under section 101 of the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. 670a), if 
the Secretary determines in writing that such plan provides a benefit 
to the species for which critical habitat is proposed for 
designation.''
    There are no Department of Defense lands with a completed INRMP 
within the proposed critical habitat designation.

Exclusions

Application of Section 4(b)(2) of the Act
    Section 4(b)(2) of the Act states that the Secretary shall 
designate or make revisions to critical habitat on the basis of the 
best available scientific data after taking into consideration the 
economic impact, national security impact, and any other relevant 
impact of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. The 
Secretary may exclude an area from critical habitat if he determines 
that the benefits of such exclusion outweigh the benefits of specifying 
such area as part of the critical habitat, unless 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. In making that determination, the 
legislative history is clear that the Secretary has broad discretion 
regarding which factor(s) to use and how much weight to give to any 
factor.
Economic Impacts
    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider the economic impacts 
of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. In order to 
consider economic impacts, we are preparing an analysis of the economic 
impacts of the proposed critical habitat designation and related 
factors.
     We will announce the availability of the draft economic analysis 
as soon as it is completed, at which time we will seek public review 
and comment. At that time, copies of the draft economic analysis will 
be available for downloading from the Internet at the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov, or by contacting the 
Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Office directly (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT ). During the development of a final designation, 
we will consider economic impacts, public comments, and other new 
information, and we may exclude areas may be excluded from the final 
critical habitat designation under section 4(b)(2) of the Act and our 
implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.19.
National Security Impacts
    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider whether there are 
lands owned or managed by the Department of Defense (DOD) where a 
national security impact might exist. In preparing this proposal, we 
have determined that the lands within the proposed designation of 
critical habitat for the vermilion darter are not owned or managed by 
the DOD, and we therefore anticipate no impact to national security. 
There are no areas proposed for exclusion based on impacts to national 
security.
Other Relevant Impacts
    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider any other relevant 
impacts, in

[[Page 63377]]

addition to economic impacts and impacts on national security. We 
consider a number of factors including whether landowners have 
developed any conservation plans or other management plans for the 
area, or whether there are conservation partnerships that would be 
encouraged by designation of, or exclusion of lands from, critical 
habitat. In addition, we look at any Tribal issues, and consider the 
government-to-government relationship of the United States with tribal 
entities. We also consider any social impacts that might occur because 
of the designation.
    In preparing this proposed rule, we have determined that there are 
currently no conservation plans or other management plans for the 
species, and the proposed designation does not include any Tribal lands 
or trust resources. We anticipate no impact to Tribal lands, 
partnerships, or management plans from this proposed critical habitat 
designation. There are no areas proposed for exclusion from this 
proposed designation based on other relevant impacts.
    Notwithstanding these decisions, as stated under the Public 
Comments section above, we are seeking specific comments on whether we 
should exclude any areas proposed for designation under section 4(b)(2) 
of the Act.

Peer Review

    In accordance with our joint policy published in the Federal 
Register on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270), we are obtaining the expert 
opinions of at least three appropriate independent specialists 
regarding this proposed rule. The purpose of peer review is to ensure 
that our proposed actions are based on scientifically sound data, 
assumptions, and analyses. We will invite these peer reviewers to 
comment, during the public comment period, on our specific assumptions 
and conclusions in this proposed designation of critical habitat.
    We will consider all comments and information we receive during 
this comment period on this proposed rule during our preparation of a 
final determination. Accordingly, our final decision may differ from 
this proposal.

Public Hearings

    The Act provides for one or more public hearings on this proposal, 
if we receive any requests for hearings. We must receive your request 
for a public hearing by the date listed in the DATES section of this 
rule. We will schedule public hearings on this proposal, if any are 
requested, and announce the dates, times, and places of those hearings 
in the Federal Register and local newspapers at least 15 days before 
the first hearing.

Required Determinations

Regulatory Planning and Review -- Executive Order 12866
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this 
rule is not significant under Executive Order 12866 (E.O. 12866). OMB 
bases its determination upon the following four criteria:
     (a) Whether the rule will have an annual effect of $100 million or 
more on the economy or adversely affect an economic sector, 
productivity, jobs, the environment, or other units of the government.
     (b) Whether the rule will create inconsistencies with other 
Federal agencies' actions.
     (c) Whether the rule will materially affect entitlements, grants, 
user fees, loan programs, or the rights and obligations of their 
recipients.
     (d) Whether the rule raises novel legal or policy issues.
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., as 
amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 
(SBREFA) of 1996), whenever an agency must publish a notice of 
rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must prepare and make 
available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis that 
describes the effects of the rule on small entities (small businesses, 
small organizations, and small government jurisdictions). However, no 
regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of the agency 
certifies the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. The SBREFA amended RFA to require 
Federal agencies to provide a statement of the factual basis for 
certifying that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities.
    At this time, we lack the specific information necessary to provide 
an adequate factual basis for determining the potential incremental 
regulatory effects of the designation of critical habitat for the 
vermilion darter to either develop the required RFA finding or provide 
the necessary certification statement that the designation will not 
have a significant impact on a substantial number of small business 
entities. On the basis of the development of our proposal, we have 
identified certain sectors and activities that may potentially be 
affected by a designation of critical habitat for the vermilion darter. 
These sectors include industrial development and urbanization along 
with the accompanying infrastructure associated with such projects such 
as road, stormwater drainage, bridge and culvert construction and 
maintenance. We recognize that not all of these sectors may qualify as 
small business entities. However, while recognizing that these sectors 
and activities may be affected by this designation, we are collecting 
information and initiating our analysis to determine (1) which of these 
sectors or activities are or involve small business entities and (2) 
what extent the effects are related to the vermilion darter being 
listed as an endangered species under the Act (baseline effects) or 
whether the effects are attributable to the designation of critical 
habitat (incremental). We believe that the potential incremental 
effects resulting from a designation will be small. As a consequence, 
following an initial evaluation of the information available to us, we 
do not believe that there will be a significant impact on a substantial 
number of small business entities resulting from this designation of 
critical habitat for the vermilion darter. However, we will be 
conducting a thorough analysis to determine if this may in fact be the 
case. As such, we are requesting any specific economic information 
related to small business entities that may be affected by this 
designation and how the designation may impact their business. 
Therefore, we defer our RFA finding on this proposal designation until 
completion of the draft economic analysis prepared under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act and E.O. 12866.
    As discussed above, this draft economic analysis will provide the 
required factual basis for the RFA finding. Upon completion of the 
draft economic analysis, we will announce availability of the draft 
economic analysis of the proposed designation in the Federal Register 
and reopen the public comment period for the proposed designation. We 
will include with this announcement, as appropriate, an initial 
regulatory flexibility analysis or a certification that the rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities accompanied by the factual basis for that determination. We 
have concluded that deferring the RFA finding until completion of the 
draft economic analysis is necessary to meet the purposes and 
requirements of the RFA. Deferring the RFA finding in this

[[Page 63378]]

manner will ensure that we make a sufficiently informed determination 
based on adequate economic information and provide the necessary 
opportunity for public comment.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.)
    In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 
et seq.), we make the following findings:
     (a) This rule would not produce a Federal mandate. In general, a 
Federal mandate is a provision in legislation, statute or regulation 
that would impose an enforceable duty upon State, local, tribal 
governments, or the private sector and includes both ``Federal 
intergovernmental mandates'' and ``Federal private sector mandates.'' 
These terms are defined in 2 U.S.C. 658(5)-(7). ``Federal 
intergovernmental mandate'' includes a regulation that ``would impose 
an enforceable duty upon State, local, or tribal governments'' with two 
exceptions. It excludes ``a condition of Federal assistance.'' It also 
excludes ``a duty arising from participation in a voluntary Federal 
program,'' unless the regulation ``relates to a then-existing Federal 
program under which $500,000,000 or more is provided annually to State, 
local, and tribal governments under entitlement authority,'' if the 
provision would ``increase the stringency of conditions of assistance'' 
or ``place caps upon, or otherwise decrease, the Federal Government's 
responsibility to provide funding,'' and the State, local, or tribal 
governments ``lack authority'' to adjust accordingly. At the time of 
enactment, these entitlement programs were: Medicaid; AFDC work 
programs; Child Nutrition; Food Stamps; Social Services Block Grants; 
Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants; Foster Care, Adoption 
Assistance, and Independent Living; Family Support Welfare Services; 
and Child Support Enforcement. ``Federal private sector mandate'' 
includes a regulation that ``would impose an enforceable duty upon the 
private sector, except (i) a condition of Federal assistance or (ii) a 
duty arising from participation in a voluntary Federal program.''
    The designation of critical habitat does not impose a legally 
binding duty on non-Federal government entities or private parties. 
Under the Act, the only regulatory effect is that Federal agencies must 
ensure that their actions do not jeopardize the continued existence of 
the species, or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat under 
section 7 of the Act. While non-Federal entities that receive Federal 
funding, assistance, or permits, or that otherwise require approval or 
authorization from a Federal agency for an action, may be indirectly 
impacted by the designation of critical habitat, the legally binding 
duty to avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat 
rests squarely on the Federal agency. Furthermore, to the extent that 
non-Federal entities are indirectly impacted because they receive 
Federal assistance or participate in a voluntary Federal aid program, 
the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act would not apply; nor would listing 
these species or designating critical habitat shift the costs of the 
large entitlement programs listed above on to State governments.
    (b) We do not believe that this rule would significantly or 
uniquely affect small governments because the vermilion darter 
primarily occurs in privately owned stream channels. As such, a Small 
Government Agency Plan is not required. We will, however, further 
evaluate this issue as we conduct our economic analysis and revise this 
assessment if appropriate.
Takings--Executive Order 12630
    In accordance with E. O. 12630 (``Government Actions and 
Interference with Constitutionally Protected Private Property 
Rights''), we have analyzed the potential takings implications of 
designating critical habitat for the vermilion darter in a takings 
implications assessment. The takings implications assessment concludes 
that this designation of critical habitat for the vermilion darter does 
not pose significant takings implications.
Federalism--Executive Order 13132
    In accordance with E. O. 13132 (Federalism), the rule does not have 
significant Federalism effects. A Federalism assessment is not 
required. In keeping with Department of the Interior and Department of 
Commerce policy, we requested information from, and coordinated 
development of this proposed critical habitat designation with 
appropriate State resource agencies in Alabama. The critical habitat 
designation may have some benefit to this government in that the areas 
that contain the features essential to the conservation of the species 
are more clearly defined, and the PCEs of the habitat necessary to the 
conservation of the species are specifically identified. While making 
this definition and identification does not alter where and what 
federally sponsored activities may occur, it may assist these local 
governments in long-range planning (rather than waiting for case-by-
case section 7 consultations to occur).
    Where State and local governments require approval or authorization 
from a Federal agency for actions that may affect critical habitat, 
consultation under section 7(a)(2) of the Act would be required. While 
non-Federal entities that receive Federal funding, assistance, or 
permits, or that otherwise require approval or authorization from a 
Federal agency for an action, may be indirectly impacted by the 
designation of critical habitat, the legally binding duty to avoid 
destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat rests squarely 
on the Federal agency.
Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988
    In accordance with E.O. 12988 (Civil Justice Reform), the Office of 
the Solicitor has determined that the rule does not unduly burden the 
judicial system and meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of the Order. We have proposed designating critical habitat in 
accordance with the provisions of the Act. This proposed rule uses 
standard property descriptions and identifies the physical and 
biological features within the designated areas to assist the public in 
understanding the habitat needs of the vermilion darter.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
    This rule does not contain any new collections of information that 
require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This rule will not impose recordkeeping or 
reporting requirements on State or local governments, individuals, 
businesses, or organizations. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and 
a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
    It is our position that, outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. Court 
of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, we do not need to prepare 
environmental analyses as defined by NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) in 
connection with designating critical habitat under the Act. We 
published a notice outlining our reasons for this determination in the 
Federal Register on October 25, 1983 (48 FR 49244). This position was 
upheld by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Douglas 
County v. Babbitt, 48 F.3d 1495 (9th Cir. 1995), cert. denied 516 U.S. 
1042 (1996)).

[[Page 63379]]

Clarity of the Rule
    We are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the 
Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain 
language. This means that each rule we publish must:
    (a) Be logically organized;
    (b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (c) Use clear language rather than jargon;
    (d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
     (e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us 
comments by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To 
better help us revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as 
possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections 
or paragraphs that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences 
are too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be 
useful, etc.
Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes
    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, 
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), E. O. 13175, and the Department of 
Interior's manual at 512 DM 2, we readily acknowledge our 
responsibility to communicate meaningfully with recognized Federal 
Tribes on a government-to-government basis. In accordance with 
Secretarial Order 3206 of June 5, 1997 ``American Indian Tribal Rights, 
Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species 
Act'', we readily acknowledge our responsibilities to work directly 
with Tribes in developing programs for healthy ecosystems, to 
acknowledge that tribal lands are not subject to the same controls as 
Federal public lands, to remain sensitive to Indian culture, and to 
make information available to Tribes.
    We have determined that there are no tribal lands occupied at the 
time of listing that contain the features essential for the 
conservation and no tribal lands that are unoccupied areas that are 
essential for the conservation of the vermilion darter. Therefore, we 
have not proposed designation of critical habitat for the vermilion 
darter on Tribal lands.
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use--Executive Order 13211
    On May 18, 2001, the President issued an Executive Order (E.O. 
13211; Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use) on regulations that significantly affect 
energy supply, distribution, and use. E.O. 13211 requires agencies to 
prepare Statements of Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. 
We do not expect this rule to significantly affect energy supplies, 
distribution, or use. Although two of the proposed units are below 
hydropower reservoirs, current and proposed operating regimes have been 
deemed adequate for the species, and therefore their operations will 
not be affected by the proposed designation of critical habitat. All 
other proposed units are remote from energy supply, distribution, or 
use activities. Therefore, this action is not a significant energy 
action, and no Statement of Energy Effects is required. However, we 
will further evaluate this issue as we conduct our economic analysis, 
and review and revise this assessment as warranted.

References Cited

    A complete list of all references cited in this rulemaking is 
available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov and upon 
request from the Field Supervisor, Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Office 
(see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section).

Author(s)

    The primary authors of this package are staff members of the 
Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Office.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

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

Proposed Regulation Promulgation

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

PART 17--[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.

    2.In Sec.  17.11(h), revise the entry for ``Darter, vermilion'' 
under FISHES in the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife to read 
as follows:

Sec.  17.11 Endangered and threatened wildlife.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Species                                           Vertebrate
------------------------------------------------                   population where                                         Critical
                                                  Historic range     endangered or        Status         When listed        habitat       Special rules
         Common name            Scientific name                       threatened
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         FISHES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Darter, vermilion              Etheostoma        U.S.A. (AL)       Entire            E                 715              17.95(e)         NA
                                chermocki
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                         ...............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *
    3. In Sec.  17.95(e), add an entry for ``Vermilion Darter 
(Etheostoma chermocki),'' in the same alphabetical order as the species 
appears in the table at Sec. 17.11(h), to read as follows:

Sec.  17.95 Critical habitat--fish and wildlife

* * * * *
    (e) Fishes
* * * * *
Vermilion Darter (Etheostoma chermocki)
     (1) The critical habitat units are depicted for Jefferson County, 
Alabama, on the map below.

[[Page 63380]]

    (2) The primary constituent elements (PCEs) of critical habitat for 
the vermilion darter are the habitat components that provide:
     (i) Geomorphically stable stream bottoms and banks (stable 
horizontal dimension and vertical profile) in order to maintain bottom 
features (riffles, runs, and pools) and transition zones between bottom 
features, to continue appropriate habitat to maintain essential 
riffles, runs, and pools, to promote connectivity between spawning, 
foraging, and resting sites, and to maintain gene flow throughout the 
population.
    (ii) Instream flow regime with an average daily discharge over 50 
cubic feet per second inclusive of both surface runoff and groundwater 
sources (springs and seepages).
     (iii) Water quality with temperature not exceeding 26.7 [deg]C (80 
[deg]F), dissolved oxygen 6.0 milligrams or greater per liter, 
turbidity of an average monthly reading of 10 NTU and 15mg/l 
(Nephelometric Turbidity Units; units used to measure sediment 
discharge; Total Suspended Solids measured as mg/l of sediment in 
water) or less; and a specific conductance (ability of water to conduct 
an electric current, based on dissolved solids in the water) of no 
greater than 225 micro Siemens per centimeter at 26.7 [deg]C (80 
[deg]F).
     (iv) Bottom substrates consisting of fine gravel with coarse 
gravel or cobble, or bedrock with sand and gravel, with low amounts of 
fine sand and sediments within the interstitial spaces of the 
substrates.
     (3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures existing 
on the effective date of this rule and not containing one or more of 
the PCEs, such as buildings, bridges, aqueducts, airports, and roads, 
and the land on which such structures are located.
     (4) Critical habitat unit map. The map was developed from USGS 
7.5' quadrangles. Critical habitat unit upstream and downstream limits 
were then identified by longitude and latitude using decimal degrees.
    (5) Note: Index map of critical habitat units for the vermilion 
darter follows:
BILLING CODE 4310-55-S

[[Page 63381]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP03DE09.080

    (6) Unit 1: Turkey Creek, Jefferson County, Alabama.
     (i) Unit 1 includes the channel in Turkey Creek from Shadow Lake 
Dam (086[deg] 38' 22.50'' W long., 033[deg] 40' 44.78'' N lat.) 
downstream to the Section 13/14 (T15S, R2W) line (086[deg] 42' 31.81'' 
W long., 033[deg] 43' 23.61'' N lat.).
     (ii) Map of Unit 1 is provided at paragraph (10)(ii) of this 
entry.

[[Page 63382]]

     (7) Unit 2: Dry Branch, Jefferson County, Alabama.
    (i) Unit 2 includes the channel in Dry Branch from the bridge at 
Glenbrook Road (086[deg] 41' 6.05'' W long., 033[deg] 41' 10.65'' N 
lat) downstream to the confluence with Beaver Creek (86[deg] 41' 
17.39'' W long., 033[deg] 41' 26.94'' N lat.).
     (ii) Map of Unit 2 is provided at paragraph (10)(ii) of this 
entry.
     (8) Unit 3: Beaver Creek, Jefferson County, Alabama.
     (i) Unit 3 includes the channel of Beaver Creek from the 
confluence with the unnamed tributary to Beaver Creek (086[deg] 41' 
17.54'' W long., 033[deg] 41' 26.94'' N lat.) downstream to its 
confluence with Turkey Creek (086[deg] 41' 9.16'' W long., 033[deg] 41' 
55.86 N lat.).
     (ii) Map of Unit 3 is provided at paragraph (10)(ii) of this 
entry.
     (9) Unit 4: Dry Creek, Jefferson County, Alabama.
     (i) Unit 4 includes the channel of Dry Creek, from Innsbrook Road 
(086[deg] 39' 53.78'' W long., 033[deg] 42' 19.11'' N lat) downstream 
to the confluence with Turkey Creek (086[deg] 40' 3.72'' W long., 
033[deg] 42' 1.39'' N lat).
     (ii) Map of Unit 4 is provided at paragraph (10)(ii) of this 
entry.
     (10) Unit 5: Unnamed Tributary to Beaver Creek, Jefferson County, 
Alabama.
    (i) Unit 5 includes the channel of the Unnamed Tributary from its 
confluence with Beaver Creek (086[deg] 41' 17.54'' W long., 033[deg] 
41' 26.94'' N lat.), upstream to the 12/11 (T16S, R2W) section line 
(086[deg] 42' 31.70'' W long., 033[deg] 39' 54.15'' N lat.)
    (ii) Map of Units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 (Map 2) follows:

[[Page 63383]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP03DE09.081


[[Page 63384]]


* * * * *

    Dated: November 16, 2009.
Tom Strickland,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. E9-28855 Filed 12-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-C