[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 7, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33036-33064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13227]



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Vol. 76

Tuesday,

No. 109

June 7, 2011

Part II





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service



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50 CFR Part 17



Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical 
Habitat for Roswell Springsnail, Koster's Springsnail, Noel's Amphipod, 
and Pecos Assiminea; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 76 , No. 109 / Tuesday, June 7, 2011 / Rules 
and Regulations  

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2009-0014; 92210-1117-0000-B4]
RIN 1018-AW50


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of 
Critical Habitat for Roswell Springsnail, Koster's Springsnail, Noel's 
Amphipod, and Pecos Assiminea

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, designate critical 
habitat for the Pecos assiminea (Assiminea pecos), Roswell springsnail 
(Pyrgulopsis roswellensis), Koster's springsnail (Juturnia kosteri), 
and Noel's amphipod (Gammarus desperatus), under the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended. In total, we are designating as critical 
habitat approximately 521.3 acres (211.0 hectares) for the four species 
of aquatic invertebrates. The critical habitat is located in Chaves 
County, New Mexico, and Pecos and Reeves Counties, Texas.

DATES: This rule becomes effective on July 7, 2011.

ADDRESSES: This final rule and the associated final economic analysis 
and final environmental assessment are available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov or http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/NewMexico/. Comments and materials received, as well as supporting 
documentation used in preparing this final rule, are available for 
public inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours, at the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Ecological Services Field 
Office, 2105 Osuna Rd, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113; telephone 505-346-
2525; facsimile 505-346-2542.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Wally ``J'' Murphy, Field Supervisor, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New Mexico Ecological Services Field 
Office, 2105 Osuna Rd, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113; telephone 505-761-
4781; facsimile 505-246-2542. If you use a telecommunications device 
for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) 
at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  It is our intent to discuss in this final 
rule only those topics directly relevant to the development and 
designation of critical habitat for the Roswell springsnail 
(Pyrgulopsis roswellensis), Koster's springsnail (Juturnia kosteri), 
Noel's amphipod (Gammarus desperatus), and Pecos assiminea (Assiminea 
pecos) (four invertebrates). For more information on the biology and 
ecology of the four invertebrates, refer to the final listing rule 
published in the Federal Register on August 9, 2005 (70 FR 46304). For 
information on the four invertebrates' critical habitat, refer to the 
proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the four invertebrates, 
published in the Federal Register on June 22, 2010 (75 FR 35375), and 
February 17, 2011 (76 FR 9297).

Previous Federal Actions

    On February 12, 2002, we proposed listing the Roswell springsnail, 
Koster's springsnail, Noel's amphipod, and Pecos assiminea as 
endangered with critical habitat (67 FR 6459) under the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). 
Proposed critical habitat for the four species included portions of 
Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge) in New Mexico, as well as 
two sites in Texas for the Pecos assiminea. On May 31, 2002, and again 
on May 4, 2005, we reopened the comment period on our February 12, 
2002, proposed listing of the four invertebrates with critical habitat 
(67 FR 38059 and 70 FR 23083, respectively).
    On August 9, 2005, we listed Roswell springsnail, Koster's 
springsnail, Noel's amphipod, and Pecos assiminea as endangered under 
the Act (70 FR 46304). In that rule, we also designated critical 
habitat for Pecos assiminea at Diamond Y Springs Complex in Pecos 
County, Texas, and at East Sandia Springs in Reeves County, Texas. We 
excluded proposed areas on the Refuge from the final critical habitat 
designation because special management for the four invertebrates was 
already occurring there. As a result, only the Pecos assiminea had 
critical habitat designated for two areas in Texas, and no critical 
habitat was designated for the other three species.
    On March 12, 2009, in response to a complaint filed by Forest 
Guardians (now WildEarth Guardians) challenging the exclusion of the 
Refuge from the final critical habitat designation for the four 
invertebrate species, we published an announcement reopening a 60-day 
comment period on the proposed designation of lands of the Bitter Lake 
National Wildlife Refuge as critical habitat for the four invertebrates 
(74 FR 10701).
    On June 22, 2010, we published a proposed rule to revise critical 
habitat for the Pecos assiminea and propose new critical habitat for 
Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, and Noel's amphipod (75 FR 
35375). The comment period was open for 60 days and closed on August 
23, 2010. Information we received during that comment period led to our 
consideration of a new area for critical habitat for the Noel's 
amphipod along the Rio Hondo on the South Tract of the Refuge and, 
therefore, led to our publication of an additional document on February 
17, 2011 (76 FR 9297), to accept public comment on the proposed 
designation of this additional area.

Summary of Comments and Recommendations

    We requested written comments from the public on the proposed 
designation of critical habitat for the four invertebrates during the 
comment periods held from March 12 to May 11, 2009; June 22 to August 
23, 2010; and February 17 to March 21, 2011. We did not receive any 
requests for a public hearing, and none was held. We also contacted 
appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies; scientific 
organizations; and other interested parties and invited them to comment 
on the proposed rule, draft economic analysis, and draft environmental 
assessment during the last two comment periods.
    During the comment periods, we received six comment letters 
directly addressing the proposed critical habitat designation. All 
substantive information provided during comment periods has either been 
incorporated directly into this final determination as appropriate or 
addressed below.

Peer Review

    In accordance with our peer review policy published on July 1, 1994 
(59 FR 34270), we solicited expert opinions from three knowledgeable 
individuals with scientific expertise that included familiarity with 
the species, the geographic region in which the species occur, and 
conservation biology principles. We received responses from two of the 
peer reviewers.
    We reviewed all comments received from the peer reviewers for 
substantive issues and new information regarding critical habitat for 
the four invertebrates. The peer reviewers generally concurred with our 
methods and conclusions and provided additional information, 
clarifications, and suggestions to improve the final critical habitat 
rule. Peer reviewer comments are addressed in the following summary and 
incorporated into the final rule as appropriate.

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Peer Reviewer Comments

    (1) Comment: Both peer reviewers and the State of New Mexico 
recommended the habitat supporting the Rio Hondo population of Noel's 
amphipod on the South Tract of the Refuge be included in this critical 
habitat designation.
    Our response: We agree that the Rio Hondo population of Noel's 
amphipod should be included in this designation of critical habitat, 
and we published an additional document to request public comments on 
the proposed designation of the additional area on February 17, 2011 
(76 FR 9297). We have included this area in this final critical habitat 
designation.
    (2) Comment: One peer reviewer and the State of New Mexico 
requested we clarify the language discussing the number of locations of 
Pecos assiminea that occur on the Refuge, which stated disparate 
numbers of populations.
    Our response: We have revised the language accordingly in this 
final critical habitat designation.
    (3) Comment: One peer reviewer suggested we designate additional 
areas of Hunter Marsh on the Refuge that may likely contain additional 
habitat occupied by the four invertebrates.
    Our response: We considered all areas of Hunter Marsh for possible 
inclusion as critical habitat. In doing so, we relied on species 
experts and Refuge staff to identify those areas occupied by any of the 
four invertebrates at the time of listing that contain the physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the species and 
which may require special management considerations or protection. 
Using mapping techniques and field visits, we designated all areas 
within this tract on the Refuge that meet the criteria for critical 
habitat. For areas not occupied by any of the four invertebrates at the 
time they were listed, we found none that would meet the criteria to be 
essential for the four invertebrates' conservation, and none of the 
four invertebrates is likely to become established in other areas.
    (4) Comment: One peer reviewer and the State of New Mexico noted 
that the Pecos assiminea proposed critical habitat map does not show 
any of the property owned by the City of Roswell (City) as being 
proposed for critical habitat.
    Our response: In the proposal, we incorrectly identified the Refuge 
boundary. The revised map shows the correct boundary, accurately 
displaying portions of Units 2a and 2b as City property.

Comments From States

    Section 4(i) of the Act states, ``the Secretary shall submit to the 
State agency a written justification for his failure to adopt 
regulations consistent with the agency's comments or petition.'' We 
received two comment letters from the State of New Mexico. The comments 
in the first letter are addressed above (see (1), (2), and (4) under 
Peer Reviewer Comments). The second letter specifically addressed our 
February 17, 2011 (76 FR 9297), proposed rule, stating that the New 
Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) supports the critical 
habitat designation.

Public Comments

    (5) Comment: One commenter suggested we include additional areas 
surrounding depleted springs and ponds as critical habitat.
    Our response: Much of the historic habitat for these four 
invertebrates has been degraded to such a degree that it no longer 
contains the physical and biological features necessary for 
conservation of these species. Only areas meeting the criteria for 
critical habitat for the four invertebrates are designated as critical 
habitat in this rule, as well as surrounding areas contiguous with 
occupied habitat that may be inhabited in the future. Because the 
depleted springs and ponds mentioned by the commenter are dewatered due 
to groundwater loss in the area, it is not likely they could be 
rehabilitated in the future to restore the necessary habitat features 
for the four invertebrates. Therefore, these areas are unlikely to 
contribute to the recovery of the species, are not considered essential 
to their conservation, and are not included in this critical habitat 
designation.
    (6) Comment: One commenter recommended limiting designation of 
critical habitat to areas of the Refuge where the four invertebrates 
can occur.
    Our response: Updated geographic information system (GIS) 
techniques have allowed us to more closely map the wetlands, springs, 
and seeps on the Refuge in which the four invertebrates can occur; 
therefore, our designation is refined from the 2002 proposal to 
designate critical habitat for the four invertebrates (February 12, 
2002; 67 FR 6459) and no longer includes uplands or other Refuge lands 
that do not contain the essential physical and biological features of 
critical habitat for these four invertebrates.

Summary of Changes From the Proposed Rule

    Since the publication of the June 22, 2010, proposed rule to revise 
critical habitat for the Pecos assiminea and propose new critical 
habitat for Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, and Noel's 
amphipod (75 FR 35375), we have made the following changes:
    (1) Because the Pecos assiminea occupies different habitats than 
the Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, and Noel's amphipod, we 
created separate critical habitat units for the Pecos assiminea on the 
Refuge.
    (2) Due to the discovery of a population of Noel's amphipod along 
the Rio Hondo on the South Tract of the Refuge, we proposed an 
additional critical habitat area on February 17, 2011 (76 FR 9297). 
This area is included as critical habitat in this final rule.
    (3) Because of the addition of new units for the Pecos assiminea 
and Noel's amphipod, the unit numbers have changed from those in the 
proposed rule.
    (4) Due to a mapping error, the total amount of critical habitat is 
0.5 acres (ac) (0.2 hectares (ha)) more than was proposed. No 
additional critical habitat has been designated in this rule, as the 
error was purely mathematical.

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 pursuant to 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,

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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 of the Act 
through the requirement that Federal agencies ensure, in consultation 
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), that any action they 
authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to result in the 
destruction or adverse modification of 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) of the Act would apply, but even in the event of a destruction 
or adverse modification finding, the obligation of the Federal action 
agency and the landowner is not to restore or recover the species, but 
to implement reasonable and prudent alternatives to avoid destruction 
or adverse modification of critical habitat.
    For inclusion in a critical habitat designation, the habitat within 
the geographical area occupied by the species at the time it was listed 
must contain physical and biological features which are essential to 
the conservation of the species and which may require special 
management considerations or protection. Critical habitat designations 
identify, to the extent known using the best scientific and commercial 
data available, those physical and biological features that are 
essential to the conservation of the species (such as space, food, 
cover, and protected habitat), focusing on the principal biological or 
physical constituent elements (primary constituent elements) within an 
area that are essential to the conservation of the species (such as 
roost sites, nesting grounds, seasonal wetlands, water quality, tide, 
soil type). Primary constituent elements are the elements of physical 
and biological features that provide for a species' life history 
processes and are essential to the conservation of the species.
    Under the Act, we can designate critical habitat in 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. We designate critical habitat in areas outside the 
geographical area occupied by a species only when a designation limited 
to its range would be inadequate to ensure the conservation of the 
species. When the best available scientific data do not demonstrate 
that the conservation needs of the species require such additional 
areas, we will not designate critical habitat in areas outside the 
geographical area occupied by the species. An area currently occupied 
by the species but that was not occupied at the time of listing may, 
however, be essential to the conservation of the species and may be 
included in the critical habitat designation.
    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 should be designated 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.
    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 area is unimportant or may not be required for 
recovery of the species. Areas that are important to the conservation 
of the species, both inside and outside the critical habitat 
designation, will continue to be subject to: (1) Conservation actions 
implemented under section 7(a)(1) of the Act, (2) regulatory 
protections afforded by the requirement in section 7(a)(2) of the Act 
for Federal agencies to insure their actions are not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened 
species, and (3) the prohibitions of section 9 of the Act if actions 
occurring in these areas may affect the species. Federally funded or 
permitted projects affecting listed species outside their designated 
critical habitat areas may still result in jeopardy findings in some 
cases. These protections and conservation tools will continue to 
contribute to recovery of this species. 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), or other 
species conservation planning efforts, if new information available at 
the time of these planning efforts calls for a different outcome.

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 designate as 
critical habitat, we consider the physical and biological features 
essential to the conservation of the species that 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 derive the specific physical and biological features required 
for the four invertebrates from studies of these species' habitat, 
ecology, and life history as described in the Critical Habitat section 
of the proposed rule to designate critical habitat published in the 
Federal Register on June 22, 2010 (75 FR 35375) and in the information 
presented below. Additional information can be found in the final 
listing rule published in the

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Federal Register on August 9, 2005 (70 FR 46304). We have determined 
that the following physical and biological features are required by the 
four invertebrates.
Space for Individual and Population Growth and for Normal Behavior
Roswell Springsnail, Koster's Springsnail, Noel's Amphipod
    The aquatic environment provides foraging and sheltering habitat 
for Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, and Noel's amphipod, as 
well as habitat structure necessary for reproduction and survival of 
offspring. These invertebrates are completely aquatic and require 
perennial, flowing water for all of their life stages. The springsnails 
can survive in seepage areas, as long as flows are perennial and within 
the species' physiological tolerance limit; pool-like habitat is less 
suitable for these species, which prefer flowing water. They inhabit 
springs and spring-fed wetland systems with variable water temperatures 
(50-68 degrees Fahrenheit ([deg]F)) (10-20 degrees Celsius ([deg]C)). 
In general, the springsnails inhabit slow to moderate water velocities 
over compact substrate (material on the bottom of the stream) ranging 
from deep organic silts to gypsum sands and gravel (NMDGF 2005, pp. 13, 
16). Habitat of Koster's springsnail consists of soft substrates of 
springs and seeps (Taylor 1987, p. 43). Roswell springsnail, on the 
other hand, was found to be most abundant on hard, gypsum substrate 
(NMDGF 2005, p. 16), which may make the species more susceptible to 
sedimentation. Noel's amphipod is found beneath stones and in aquatic 
vegetation (Cole 1988, p. 5; Smith 2001, pp. 572-574). The addition of 
stones, which increased current velocity, appeared to improve habitat 
for Noel's amphipod along the Unit 6 spring-ditch on the Refuge (Lang 
2002, p. 2).
    The two springsnails and Noel's amphipod are sensitive to water 
contamination. Amphipods generally do not tolerate habitat desiccation 
(drying), standing water, sedimentation, or other adverse environmental 
conditions; they are very sensitive to habitat degradation (NMDGF 1999, 
p. B3; Smith 2001, p. 575; NMDGF 2005, p. 15). Further, Taylor (1985, 
p. 15) concluded that an unidentified groundwater pollutant was 
responsible for reduction in abundance of springsnail species in the 
headspring and outflow of Diamond Y Spring, in Pecos County, Texas.
Pecos Assiminea
    The Pecos assiminea requires saturated, moist soil at stream or 
spring-run margins and is found in wet mud or beneath mats of 
vegetation, usually within 1 inch (in) (2 to 3 centimeters (cm)) of 
flowing water. Spring complexes that contain flowing water create 
saturated soils that provide the specific habitat needed for population 
growth, sheltering, and normal behavior of the species. Although this 
snail seldom occurs immersed in water, the species cannot withstand 
permanent drying of springs or spring complexes. Consequently, wetland 
plant species are required to provide leaf litter (dead leaf material), 
shade, and appropriate microhabitat. Plant species such as Scirpus 
americanus (American three-square), Eleocharis spp. (spike rush), 
Distichlis spicata (inland saltgrass), and Juncus spp. (rushes) provide 
the appropriate cover and shelter required by Pecos assiminea (NMDGF 
2005, p. 13).
Food
    Invertebrates in small spring ecosystems depend on food from two 
sources: that which grows in or on the substrate (aquatic and attached 
plants and algae) and that which falls or is blown into the system 
(primarily leaves). Leaves from nonnative plants that fall into the 
water are often less suitable food sources for invertebrates because of 
either their resins or their physical structure (Bailey et al. 2001, p. 
445). Water is also the medium necessary to provide the algae, detritus 
(dead or partially decayed plant materials or animals), bacteria, and 
submergent vegetation (vegetation submerged in water) on which the four 
species depend as a food resource, although submergent vegetation is 
less important for the Pecos assiminea because it inhabits the wet 
soils just above the water's edge.
Roswell Springsnail and Koster's Springsnail
    The springsnails feed on algae, bacteria, and decaying organic 
material (NMDGF 2005, p. 14). They will also incidentally ingest small 
invertebrates while grazing on algae and detritus. Submergent 
vegetation contributes the necessary nutrients, detritus, and bacteria 
on which these species forage. Resource abundance and productivity 
appears to be an important factor in regulating population size (NMDGF 
2005, p. 16).
Noel's Amphipod
    Amphipods are omnivorous, feeding on algae, submergent vegetation, 
and decaying organic matter (Holsinger 1976, p. 28; Pennak 1989, p. 
476). Noel's amphipod is often found in beds of submergent aquatic 
plants, indicating that they probably feed on a surface film of algae, 
diatoms (single-celled algae with high silica content), bacteria, and 
fungi (Smith 2001, p. 575; NMDGF 2005, p. 14). Young amphipods depend 
on microbial foods, such as algae and bacteria, associated with aquatic 
plants (Covich and Thorp 1991, p. 677). Cannibalism may occur at high 
densities when food becomes limiting (Smith 2001, p. 575; NMDGF 2005, 
p. 15).
Pecos Assiminea
    The Pecos assiminea has a file-like radula (a ribbon of teeth) 
situated behind the mouth that it uses to graze or scrape food from the 
foraging surface. Saturated soils and wetland vegetation adjacent to 
spring complexes contribute to the necessary components to support the 
algae, detritus, and bacteria on which this species forages.
Primary Constituent Elements
    Under the Act and its implementing regulations, we are required to 
identify the physical and biological features essential to the 
conservation of the Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, Noel's 
amphipod, and Pecos assiminea in areas occupied at the time of listing, 
focusing on the features' primary constituent elements. We consider 
primary constituent elements to be the elements of physical and 
biological features that provide for a species' life-history processes 
and are essential to the conservation of the species.

Primary Constituent Elements for Roswell Springsnail and Koster's 
Springsnail

    Based on the above needs and our current knowledge of the life 
history, biology, and ecology of the species and the habitat 
requirements for sustaining the essential life history functions of the 
species, we have determined that the primary constituent element 
essential to the conservation of Roswell springsnail and Koster's 
springsnail is springs and spring-fed wetland systems that:
    (1) Have permanent, flowing water with no or no more than low 
levels of pollutants;
    (2) Have slow to moderate water velocities;
    (3) Have substrates ranging from deep organic silts to limestone 
cobble and gypsum;
    (4) Have stable water levels with natural diurnal (daily) and 
seasonal variations;

[[Page 33040]]

    (5) Consist of fresh to moderately saline water;
    (6) Vary in temperature between 50-68 [deg]F (10-20 [deg]C) with 
natural seasonal and diurnal variations slightly above and below that 
range; and
    (7) Provide abundant food, consisting of:
    (a) Algae, bacteria, and decaying organic material; and
    (b) Submergent vegetation that contributes the necessary nutrients, 
detritus, and bacteria on which these species forage.

Primary Constituent Elements for Noel's Amphipod

    Based on the above needs and our current knowledge of the life 
history, biology, and ecology of the species and the habitat 
requirements for sustaining the essential life history functions of the 
species, we have determined that the primary constituent element 
essential to the conservation of Noel's amphipod is springs and spring-
fed wetland systems that:
    (1) Have permanent, flowing water with no or no more than low 
levels of pollutants;
    (2) Have slow to moderate water velocities;
    (3) Have substrates including limestone cobble and aquatic 
vegetation;
    (4) Have stable water levels with natural diurnal (daily) and 
seasonal variations;
    (5) Consist of fresh to moderately saline water;
    (6) Have minimal sedimentation;
    (7) Vary in temperature between 50-68 [deg]F (10-20 [deg]C) with 
natural seasonal and diurnal variations slightly above and below that 
range; and
    (8) Provide abundant food, consisting of:
    (a) Submergent vegetation and decaying organic matter;
    (b) A surface film of algae, diatoms, bacteria, and fungi; and
    (c) Microbial foods, such as algae and bacteria, associated with 
aquatic plants, algae, bacteria, and decaying organic material.

Primary Constituent Elements for Pecos Assiminea

    Based on the above needs and our current knowledge of the life 
history, biology, and ecology of the species and the habitat 
requirements for sustaining the essential life history functions of the 
species, we have determined that the primary constituent element 
essential to the conservation of Pecos assiminea is moist or saturated 
soil at stream or spring run margins:
    (1) That consists of wet mud or occurs beneath mats of vegetation;
    (2) That is within 1 in (2 to 3 cm) of flowing water;
    (3) That has native wetland plant species, such as salt grass or 
sedges, that provide leaf litter, shade, cover, and appropriate 
microhabitat;
    (4) That contains wetland vegetation adjacent to spring complexes 
that supports the algae, detritus, and bacteria needed for foraging; 
and
    (5) That has adjacent spring complexes with:
    (a) Permanent, flowing, fresh to moderately saline water with no or 
no more than low levels of pollutants; and
    (b) Stable water levels with natural diurnal and seasonal 
variations.
    With this designation of critical habitat, we intend to identify 
the physical and biological features essential to the conservation of 
the species, through the identification of the primary constituent 
elements sufficient to support the life-history processes of the 
species. All units designated as critical habitat are currently 
occupied by at least one of the four invertebrates and contain the 
primary constituent elements sufficient to support the life history 
needs of the species.

Special Management Considerations or Protection

    When designating critical habitat, we assess whether the specific 
areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time 
of listing contain features that are essential to the conservation of 
the species and that may require special management considerations or 
protection. As stated in the final listing rule (70 FR 46304; August 9, 
2005), threats to the four invertebrates include reducing or 
eliminating water in suitable or occupied habitat through drought or 
pumping; introducing pollutants to levels unsuitable for the species 
from urban areas, agriculture, release of chemicals, and oil and gas 
operations; fires that reduce or eliminate available habitat; and 
introducing nonnative species into the invertebrates' inhabited spring 
systems such that suitable habitat is reduced or eliminated. Each of 
these threats is discussed below.
Water Quantity
    These four invertebrate species depend on water for survival. 
Therefore, the loss or alteration of spring habitat continues to be the 
main threat to the four invertebrates. The scattered distribution of 
springs makes them aquatic islands of unique habitat in an arid-land 
matrix (Myers and Resh 1999, p. 815).
    Members of the snail family Hydrobiidae (including Roswell and 
Koster's springsnails) are susceptible to extirpation or extinction 
because they often occur in isolated desert springs (Hershler 1989, p. 
294; Hershler and Pratt 1990, p. 291; Hershler 1994, p. 1; Lydeard et 
al. 2004, p. 326). There is evidence these habitats have been 
historically reduced or eliminated by aquifer depletion (Jones and 
Balleau 1996, p. 4). The lowering of water tables through aquifer 
withdrawals for irrigation and municipal use has degraded desert spring 
habitats. At least two historical sites for the invertebrates (South 
Spring, Lander Spring) are currently dry due to aquifer depletion (Cole 
1981, p. 27; Jones and Balleau 1996, p. 5), and Berrendo Spring, 
historical habitat for the Roswell springsnail, is currently at 12 
percent of the original 1880s flow (Jones and Balleau 1996, p. 13). 
However, during the mid-1970s, when groundwater pumping was at its 
highest rate and the area was experiencing extreme drought (McCord et 
al. 2005, p. 6), the springs currently inhabited by the species 
continued to flow. This suggests these springs and seeps may be 
somewhat resilient to reduced water levels, although climate change may 
test that resiliency.
    Models suggest climate change may cause the southwestern United 
States to experience the greatest temperature increase of any area in 
the lower 48 States (IPCC 2007, p. 15). There is also high confidence 
that many semi-arid areas like the western United States will suffer a 
decrease in water resources due to climate change (IPCC 2007, p. 16), 
as a result of less annual mean precipitation and reduced length of 
snow season and snow depth (Christensen et al. 2007, p. 850). These 
predictions underscore the importance of special management to maintain 
aquifer levels to ensure survival of the four invertebrates.
    The primary threat to Pecos assiminea in Texas is the potential 
failure of spring flow due to excessive groundwater pumping or drought 
or both, which would result in total habitat loss for the species. 
Diamond Y Spring is the last major spring still flowing in Pecos 
County, Texas (Veni 1991, p. 2). Pumping of the regional aquifer system 
for agricultural production of crops has resulted in the drying of most 
other springs in this region (Brune 1981, p. 356). Other springs that 
have already failed include Comanche Springs, which was once a large 
spring in Fort Stockton, Texas, about 8 miles (mi) (12.9 kilometers 
(km)) from Diamond Y Spring. Comanche Springs flowed at more than 142 
cubic feet per second (cfs) (4.0 cubic meters per second (cms))

[[Page 33041]]

(Scudday 1977, p. 515; Brune 1981, p. 358) and undoubtedly provided 
habitat for rare species of fish and invertebrates, including 
springsnails. The spring ceased flowing by 1962 (Brune 1981, p. 358), 
except for brief periods (Small and Ozuna 1993, p. 26). Leon Springs, 
located upstream of Diamond Y Spring in the Leon Creek watershed, was 
measured at 18 cfs (0.5 cms) in the 1930s and was also known to contain 
rare fish, but ceased flowing in the 1950s following significant 
irrigation pumping (Brune 1981, p. 359). There have been no continuous 
records of spring flow discharge at Diamond Y Spring by which to 
determine trends in spring flow.
    East Sandia Spring discharges at an elevation of 3,205 feet (ft) 
(977 meters (m)) from alluvial sand and gravel (Schuster 1997, pp. 92-
93). Brune (1981, pp. 385-386) noted that flows from East Sandia Spring 
were declining. East Sandia Spring may be very susceptible to over-
pumping in the area of the local aquifer that supports the spring. 
Measured discharges in 1995 and 1996 ranged from 0.45 to 4.07 cfs 
(0.013 to 0.11 cms) (Schuster 1997, p. 94). The small outflow channel 
from East Sandia Spring has not been significantly modified, and water 
flows into an irrigation system approximately 328 to 656 ft (100 to 200 
m) after surfacing.
    In summary, special management considerations are needed to protect 
the habitats of the four invertebrates from the loss or alteration of 
spring habitat as a result of drought or pumping.
Water Contamination
    Water contamination, particularly from oil and gas operations, is a 
significant threat for these four invertebrates. In order to assess the 
potential for contamination, a study was completed in September 1999 to 
delineate the area that serves as sources of water for the springs on 
the Refuge (Balleau et al. 1999, pp. 1-42). This study reported that 
the sources of water that will reach the Refuge's springs include a 
broad area beginning west of Roswell near Eightmile Draw, extending to 
the northeast to Salt Creek, and southeast to the Refuge. This area 
represents possible pathways that contaminants may enter the 
groundwater that feeds the springs on the Refuge. This broad area sits 
within a portion of the Roswell Basin and contains a mosaic of Federal, 
State, and private lands with multiple land uses, including expanding 
urban development.
    There are 378 natural gas and oil wells that are potential sources 
of groundwater contamination in the 12-township area encompassing the 
source-water capture zone for the springs where the four invertebrates 
occur on the Refuge (Go-Tech 2010). Of these, 17 oil and gas leases are 
currently within the habitat protection zone designated by the 
Department of the Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to reduce 
risk to the endangered Pecos gambusia (Gambusia nobilis) from drilling 
operations. The BLM habitat protection zone will also reduce risk to 
the four invertebrates from drilling operations because it protects the 
same source-water capture zone for the four invertebrates. This habitat 
protection zone encompasses 12,585 ac (5,093 ha) of the Federal mineral 
estate within the water resource area for the Refuge (U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (Service) 2005a, pp. 3-8). Twenty natural gas wells 
currently exist on these leases. The BLM has estimated, according to 
well spacing requirements established by the New Mexico Oil 
Conservation Division (Service 2005a, pp. 4-6), a maximum potential 
development of 66 additional wells within the habitat protection zone. 
From 2002 to 2004, there were 200 notices of ``intentions to drill'' 
(59 on State, 33 on private, and 108 on Federal lands) filed for oil or 
natural gas in Chaves County (Go-Tech 2010).
    There are additional risks of groundwater contamination from 
accidental release of pollutants on State and private lands. Existing 
State regulations apply to all State and private lands where oil and 
gas operations occur and are designed to minimize the risk of spills 
and leaks. However, there are numerous examples in which oil and gas 
operations have met these regulatory standards within karst lands in 
New Mexico and other States, but where these measures failed to protect 
groundwater resources and prevent aquifer drawdown (Quarles 1983, p. 
155; Richard and Boehm 1989, p. 1). Groundwater contamination can be a 
serious threat because to clean the aquifer would be extremely 
difficult should it become contaminated by oil, chemicals, or organics, 
such as nitrates. In most cases, contamination of an underground 
aquifer by agricultural, industrial, or domestic sources is treated 
only at the source. When a contamination site is discovered, the source 
of the contamination is treated, and rarely do remediation efforts pump 
water from the aquifer and treat it before sending it back. This is 
largely because these techniques are very costly and difficult to apply 
(S. McGrath, pers. comm. 2001). Because these invertebrate species are 
sensitive to contaminants, efforts to clean up pollution after the 
aquifer has been contaminated may not be sufficient to protect these 
species and the aquatic habitat on which they depend.
    Currently there are two active gas wells on the Middle Tract of the 
Refuge that are upstream (within the underground watershed) of occupied 
habitat for the four invertebrates. In 2006, Yates Petroleum applied 
for two additional gas wells, one of which would have been just 
upstream of occupied habitat for the four invertebrates. The 
applications have since been withdrawn due to ecological concerns of 
the proposal (including possible effects on the four invertebrates and 
the endangered fish, Pecos gambusia) and other issues, although the 
potential for oil and gas development remains.
    The Diamond Y Springs Complex is within an active oil and gas 
extraction field. At this time there are still many active wells and 
pipelines located within 100 meters of the surface waters at the 
springs. In addition, a natural gas refinery is located within 0.5 mi 
(0.8 km) upstream of Diamond Y Spring. There are also old brine pits, 
which can contribute salt and other mineral pollutants to the 
groundwater, associated with previous drilling within feet of surface 
waters. In addition, oil and gas pipelines cross the spring outflow 
channels and marshes where the Pecos assiminea occurs, creating a 
constant potential for contamination from pollutants from leaks or 
spills. These activities pose a threat to the habitat of the Pecos 
assiminea by creating the potential for pollutants to enter underground 
aquifers that contribute to spring flow or for pollutants to 
contaminate the surface through spills and leaks of petroleum products.
    As an example of the likelihood of a spill occurring, in 1992, 
approximately 10,600 barrels of crude oil were released from a 6-in 
(15.2-cm) pipeline that traverses Leon Creek above its confluence with 
Diamond Y Draw. The oil was from a ruptured pipeline at a point several 
hundred feet away from the Leon Creek channel. The site itself is about 
1 mi (1.6 km) overland from Diamond Y Spring. The distance that surface 
runoff of oil residues must travel is about 2 mi (3.2 km) down Leon 
Creek to reach Diamond Y Draw. The pipeline was operated at the time of 
the spill by the Texas-New Mexico Pipeline Company, but ownership has 
since been transferred to several other companies. The Texas Railroad 
Commission has been responsible for overseeing cleanup

[[Page 33042]]

of the spill site. Remediation of the site initially involved 
aboveground land farming of contaminated soil and rock strata to allow 
microbial degradation. In recent years, remediation efforts have 
focused on vacuuming oil residues from the surface of groundwater 
exposed by trenches dug at the spill site. No impacts on the rare fauna 
of Diamond Y Springs Complex have been observed, but no specific 
monitoring of the effects of the spill was undertaken (Service 2005a, 
pp. 4-12).
    Water contamination is a significant threat for Noel's amphipod in 
the small spring vents (where the spring opens to the surface) along 
the Rio Hondo on the South Tract of the Refuge. One possible source of 
water contamination is runoff of agricultural fertilizers and 
pesticides that are applied to the croplands on the South Tract of the 
Refuge. This tract encompasses approximately 1,400 ac (570 ha) that are 
closed to public access. About 330 ac (130 ha) are used as agricultural 
cropland to provide food, habitat, and feeding areas for wintering 
migratory bird populations (Service 1998, p. 7). Alfalfa, corn, hegari, 
barley, winter wheat, sorghum, and other small grains are cultivated on 
this tract (Service 2010, p. 14). Although crop rotation minimizes the 
need for chemical fertilizers, both fertilizers and pesticides are used 
on this tract, and these chemicals have the potential to enter the 
springs inhabited by Noel's amphipod. Chemicals used on the South Tract 
in the past 10 years include Accent (Nicosulfuron), Banvel (Dicamba), 
Pounce (Permethrin), Roundup and equivalents (Glyphosate), Pursuit DG 
(Imazathapyr), Rhonox (2-ethylhexyl ester of 2-methyl-4-
chlorophenoxyacetic acid), Steadfast (Nicosulfuron/Rimsulfuron), 
Malathion 57 (Malathion), and Impact (Topramezone) (Service 2010, pp. 
43-44). To protect aquatic life in the Rio Hondo, the Refuge implements 
chemical-specific buffers within which the chemicals cannot be used. 
Additionally, restrictions are in place on Refuges prohibiting use of 
chemicals that dissolve and travel in groundwater. These restrictions 
and buffers serve to minimize exposure of Noel's amphipod to these 
chemicals. Nevertheless, there remains a potential for contamination 
and negative effects to Noel's amphipod and its habitat.
    The Refuge is in the process of reviewing the farming program on 
the South Tract. A draft environmental analysis (Service 2010, pp. 1-
55) evaluates the effects of several levels of farming on this tract. 
The current preferred alternative is to eliminate farming on the South 
Tract; if the draft environmental analysis is adopted, no future 
chemical application of fertilizers or pesticides would occur in the 
vicinity of Noel's amphipod populations, and this source of potential 
water contamination would be eliminated.
    Another potential source of water contamination in Noel's amphipod 
habitats on the South Tract is from periodic inundation by water from 
the Rio Hondo. The Rio Hondo is a perennial stream from Roswell to its 
confluence with the Pecos River, and its watershed extends eastward to 
the Sacramento Mountains. The majority of the lower Rio Hondo valley is 
used for extensive agricultural purposes, including ranching, 
commercial livestock feeding, and crop production, as well as 
residential land use (USACE 1974, p. 8). Stormwater runoff from areas 
with these land uses is one way contaminants can be transported into 
the Rio Hondo and into Noel's amphipod habitats. While we have no 
specific information on the water quality of the stormwater entering 
the Rio Hondo, stormwater runoff from other urban areas has been 
identified as potentially containing materials such as solids, 
plastics, sediment, nutrients, metals, pathogens, salts, oils, fuels, 
and various chemicals, including antifreeze, detergents, pesticides, 
and other pollutants that can be toxic to aquatic life (Burton and Pitt 
2002, pp. 6-7; Selbig 2009, p. 1).
    Another way the Rio Hondo receives contaminants is by wastewater 
effluent discharge (USACE 1974, p. 9; Smith 2000, p. 65). At the 
present time, the average return flow from City of Roswell Wastewater 
Treatment Facility is approximately 6.2 cfs (0.18 cms). Effluent from 
the Roswell Wastewater Treatment Facility is largely used for crop 
irrigation from February through November or is discharged to the North 
Spring River, which flows 5 mi (8 km) before entering the Rio Hondo 
(Smith 2000, p. 65; USEPA 2006, p. 2), upstream of the Noel's amphipod 
population. In 2010, the Roswell Wastewater Treatment Facility was 
modified to provide a higher level of water purification that should 
improve the quality of the effluent discharge (USEPA 2007, p. 5; J. 
Anderson, City of Roswell, pers. comm. December 9, 2010). However, some 
nutrients, bacteria, metals, pesticides, oxygen-demanding substances, 
organic chemicals, surfactants (materials that remove surface tension 
of water, such as soaps and detergents), flame retardants, personal 
care products, steroids, hormones, and pharmaceuticals are expected to 
remain in the Rio Hondo (USEPA 2009, pp. 26-39).
    Past analysis of water quality in the Rio Hondo has indicated some 
concerns. For example, sampling in the past yielded that total 
dissolved solids in Rio Hondo water averaged 935 milligrams per liter 
(mg/L), sulfates averaged 722 mg/L, and chlorides averaged 40 mg/L 
(USACE 1974, p. V-4) (both sulfates and chlorides are components of 
salt). However, more recent sampling by the New Mexico Environment 
Department (NMED) (2006a, p. 13) found higher total dissolved solids 
(average 7,321 mg/L), including more chloride (average 2,640 mg/L) and 
slightly more sulfate (average 776 mg/L) than reported by the U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers (USACE 1974, p. V-4). In addition, the NMED (2006b, 
p. 32) identified water quality parameters of nutrients, bacteria, 
salinity, and temperature as a concern in the upper Rio Hondo 
watershed. Potential sources of nutrients or bacteria are municipal 
wastewater treatment facility effluents, onsite waste treatment systems 
(septic tanks), residential areas, landscape maintenance, livestock 
feeding operations, rangeland grazing, atmospheric deposition, stream 
modification or destabilization, and urban areas and construction sites 
(NMED 2006b, p. 32).
    Riverine conditions in the Rio Hondo are not suitable for Noel's 
amphipod; the amphipod is found only in the nearby springs. However, 
Noel's amphipod could be affected by river water entering the spring 
runs during periods of high flow by either flushing the amphipods 
downstream or by river water mixing with spring water and introducing 
contaminants or altered water chemistry to the spring habitats. The Rio 
Hondo has a base flow between 2 and 6 cfs (0.06 to 0.17 cms) but 
exceeds 10 cfs (0.03 cms; a flow high enough to inundate the springs) 
approximately 5 to 10 times per year for short durations (USGS 2010, p. 
1). Under base flow conditions, the spring runs that harbor Noel's 
amphipod are found along the riverbank at elevations higher than the 
stream, and, therefore, the water from the river does not mix with the 
spring outflow water. However, when Rio Hondo flows are elevated, these 
springs become inundated with water from the river, and the amphipods 
may be exposed to contaminants from the Rio Hondo. The impacts of any 
such contaminants would be lessened due to the high dilution rate of 
any treated wastewater discharge during a flood event.
    Groundwater that supplies the outflow to the springs where the 
amphipod occurs is an additional potential source of spring water

[[Page 33043]]

contamination. This water is clearly distinct from the water of the 
nearby Rio Hondo based on very different temperatures and low dissolved 
oxygen measurements (Lusk 2010, p. 1). Low dissolved oxygen is typical 
of spring water conditions, as oxygen enters the water mainly through 
the atmosphere (White et al. 1990, p. 584), and spring water 
temperatures remain much more constant throughout the year due to the 
insulating effect of soil and rock on groundwater (Constantz 1998, p. 
1610). The South Tract of the Refuge lies within the same groundwater 
source area as the Middle Tract, where the other Noel's amphipod 
populations are found and is, therefore, subject to the same threat of 
contamination from oil and gas activities as discussed above.
    There has been no research on the specific effects on Noel's 
amphipod of contaminants such as metals, pesticides, fertilizers, 
nutrients, or bacteria. However, there is some evidence that freshwater 
amphipods in the family Gammaridae (in particular, Gammarus) may 
require higher oxygen levels and less polluted water than some other 
amphipods such as Crangonyx (e.g., MacNeil et al. 1997, pp. 350, 356; 
MacNeil et al. 2000, p. 2). Gammarid amphipods (such as Noel's 
amphipod) may be considered an indicator of relatively unpolluted 
waters (MacNeil et al. 1997, p. 356; MacNeil et al. 2000, p. 6). 
Additionally, bacteria in high levels can affect amphipods directly 
through infections, or indirectly by depleting the dissolved oxygen in 
the water column through respiration or decomposition (Boylen and Brock 
1973, p. 631).
    In summary, special management efforts are needed to protect 
habitats of the four invertebrates from the potential effects of water 
contamination from oil and gas operations, agricultural activities, 
wastewater effluent, and stormwater runoff.
Wildfire
    Fire suppression efforts on the Refuge are largely restricted to 
established roads due to the safety hazards of transporting equipment 
over karst terrain. This severely limits the ability to quickly 
suppress fires that threaten fragile aquatic habitats on the Refuge. On 
March 5, 2000, the Sandhill wildfire burned 1,000 ac (405 ha) of the 
western portion of the Refuge, including portions of Bitter Creek. The 
fire burned through Dragonfly Spring, a spring in the headwaters of 
Bitter Creek, which is occupied habitat for Noel's amphipod and 
Koster's springsnail. The fire eliminated vegetation shading the 
spring, and generated a substantial amount of ash in the spring system 
(Lang 2002, p. 3; NMDGF 2005, p. 15). This resulted in the formation of 
dense algal mats, increased water temperature fluctuations, increased 
maximum water temperatures, and decreased dissolved oxygen levels (Lang 
2002, pp. 5-6). The pre-fire dominant vegetation of submergent aquatic 
plants and mixed native grasses within the burned area has also been 
replaced by the invasive common reed (Phragmites australis) (NMDGF 
2005, p. 15; 2008, p. 8). Following the fire at Dragonfly Spring, a 
dramatic reduction in Noel's amphipod was observed, and Koster's 
springsnail presently occurs at lower densities than were observed 
prior to the fire (Lang 2002, p. 7; NMDGF 2006a, p. 9). Strategically 
timed prescribed burns throughout the range of the species would 
significantly reduce fuel loads, limiting the risk of detrimental 
wildfires.
    Removal of vegetative cover by burning in habitats occupied by 
Pecos assiminea may be an important factor in decline or loss of 
populations (Taylor 1987, p. 5, NMDGF 2005, p. 16). It is likely that 
Pecos assiminea may survive fire or other vegetation reduction if 
sufficient litter and ground cover remain to sustain appropriate soil 
moisture and humidity at a microhabitat scale (Service 2004, pp. 4-5; 
NMDGF 2005, p. 16). Complete combustion of vegetation and litter, high 
soil temperatures during fire, or extensive vegetation removal 
resulting in soil and litter drying may create unsuitable habitat 
conditions and loss of populations (NMDGF 2005, p. 16). Pecos assiminea 
was discovered at Dragonfly Spring following the burning of habitat 
there during the Sandhill fire (NMDGF 2005, p. 16). Season of burning, 
intensity of the fire, and frequency of fire likely determine the 
magnitude of the fire's effects on Pecos assiminea population 
persistence and abundance (NMDGF 2005, p. 16), as the species has been 
found to persist in areas following fires (Lang 2002, p. B8). Pecos 
assiminea is relatively vulnerable to fires because the assiminea 
resides at or near the surface of the water.
    In summary, special management efforts are needed to correctly plan 
prescribed fires in order to protect habitats of the four invertebrates 
from the potential effects of wildfire.
Introduced Species
    Introduced species are one of the most serious threats to native 
aquatic species (Williams et al. 1989, p. 18; Lodge et al. 2000, p. 7). 
Because the distribution of the four invertebrates is so limited, and 
their habitat so restricted, introduction of certain nonnative species 
into their habitat could be devastating. Several invasive terrestrial 
plant species that may affect the invertebrates are present on the 
Refuge, including Tamarix spp. (saltcedar), common reed, and Salsola 
spp. (Russian thistle). Saltcedar, found on the Refuge and at Diamond Y 
Spring Complex and East Sandia Spring, threatens spring habitats 
primarily through the amount of water it consumes and from the chemical 
composition of the leaves that drop to the ground and into the springs. 
Saltcedar leaves that fall to the ground and into the water add salt to 
the system, as their leaves contain salt glands (DiTomaso 1998, p. 
333). Additionally, dense stands of common reed choke the stream 
channel, slowing water velocity and creating more pool-like habitat; 
this habitat is less suitable for Roswell and Koster's springsnails, 
which prefer flowing water. Finally, Russian thistle (tumbleweed) can 
create problems in spring systems by being blown into the channel, 
slowing flow and overloading the system with organic material (Service 
2005b, p. 2). In one case, even efforts to control nonnative vegetation 
by physical removal of the plants inadvertently caused local 
extirpations of populations of Pecos assiminea in New Mexico due to 
vegetation removal that resulted in soil and litter drying, thereby 
making the habitat unsuitable (Taylor 1987, p. 9; NMDGF 2005, p. 16).
    Nonnative mollusks have affected the distribution and abundance of 
native mollusks in the United States. Of particular concern for three 
of the invertebrates (Noel's amphipod, Roswell springsnail, and 
Koster's springsnail) is the red-rim melania (Melanoides tuberculata), 
a snail that can reach tremendous population sizes and has been found 
in isolated springs in the west. The red-rim melania has caused the 
decline and local extirpation of native snail species, and it is 
considered a threat to endemic aquatic snails that occupy springs and 
streams in the Bonneville Basin of Utah (Rader et al. 2003, p. 655). It 
is easily transported on fishing boats and gear or aquatic plants, and 
because it reproduces asexually (individuals can develop from 
unfertilized eggs), a single individual is capable of founding a new 
population. It has become established in isolated desert spring 
ecosystems such as Ash Meadows, Nevada, and Cuatro Ci[eacute]negas, 
Mexico, and in the 1990s, the red-rim melania became established in 
Diamond Y Springs Complex (Echelle 2001, p. 18). It has become the most 
abundant snail in the upper watercourse of the Diamond Y Springs 
Complex (Echelle 2001, p. 14). In many locations, this

[[Page 33044]]

exotic snail is so numerous that it essentially is the substrate in the 
small stream channel. The effect the species is having on native snails 
is not known; however, it probably has less effect on Pecos assiminea 
than on the other endemic aquatic snails present in the spring because 
it is aquatic.
    In summary, special management efforts are needed to protect the 
four invertebrates from the potential effects of invasive, nonnative 
terrestrial plants and invasive, nonnative snails.

Criteria Used To Identify Critical Habitat

    As required by section 4(b) of the Act, we used the best scientific 
and commercial data available in determining which areas should be 
designated as critical habitat for the four invertebrates. We relied on 
information from knowledgeable biologists and recommendations contained 
in State wildlife resource reports (Cole 1985, p. 102; Jones and 
Balleau 1996, pp. 1-16; Boghici 1997, pp. 1-120; Balleau et al. 1999, 
pp. 1-42; NMDGF 1999, pp. A1-B46; NMDGF 2006b, pp. 1-16; NMDGF 2007, 
pp. 1-20; NMDGF 2008, pp. 1-28) and the State recovery plan (NMDGF 
2005, pp. 1-80) in making this determination. We also reviewed the 
available literature pertaining to habitat requirements, historical 
localities, and current localities for these species. This includes 
data submitted during section 7 consultations and regional geographic 
information system (GIS) coverages.
    In accordance with the Act and its implementing regulation at 50 
CFR 424.12(e), we considered whether designating additional areas--
outside those currently occupied as well as those occupied at the time 
of listing--is necessary to ensure the conservation of the species. In 
revising critical habitat for the Pecos assiminea, and designating 
critical habitat for Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, and 
Noel's amphipod, we selected areas within the geographical area 
occupied at the time of listing that contain the features essential to 
their conservation that may require special management considerations 
or protection. We also considered areas outside of the geographical 
area occupied at the time of listing to designate critical habitat for 
the four invertebrates, if the areas were considered essential to the 
conservation of the species.
Occupancy
    We consider an area to be occupied at the time of listing if 
Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, Pecos assiminea, or Noel's 
amphipod were found to be present by species experts within 5 years of 
the listing in 2005, and no major habitat modification has occurred 
that would preclude their presence. Five years is an appropriate time 
period because surveys may not occur in all areas in all years. The 
species would be likely to persist in an area over multiple years 
unless major habitat modification occurred. We are designating as 
critical habitat all sites occupied by at least one of the four 
invertebrates at the time of listing because all of these areas contain 
the physical and biological features essential for the conservation of 
the species and require special management.
    Since the June 22, 2010, critical habitat proposal (75 FR 35375), 
we identified an additional site along the Rio Hondo on the South Tract 
of the Refuge that is occupied only by Noel's amphipod. We believe this 
site was occupied by Noel's amphipod at the time of listing because 
amphipods were first found at this site in 2006, one year after listing 
(Warrick 2006, p. 1). However, they were not taxonomically confirmed to 
be Noel's amphipod until 2010 (Berg 2010, p. 1; Lang 2010, p. 1). 
Because this spring area is isolated from other occupied areas and no 
reintroduction efforts have taken place, it has likely been occupied 
for a very long time, but appropriate surveys had not been previously 
conducted to verify it. We reasonably assume, therefore, that the site 
was occupied at the time of listing in 2005.
Essential Areas
    For areas not occupied by the species at the time of listing, the 
Service must demonstrate that these areas are essential to the 
conservation of the species in order to include them in a critical 
habitat designation.
    There are several locations within the historical range of the four 
invertebrates where the species no longer occur and that were not 
occupied at the time of listing. These areas include the South Spring 
River, Lander Springbrook, Berrendo Spring, and North Spring in New 
Mexico. These areas no longer contain the physical and biological 
features to support any of the four invertebrates. South Spring and 
Lander Spring are both dry due to aquifer depletion (Cole 1981, p. 27; 
Jones and Balleau 1996, p. 5), and reaches of Berrendo Creek (the 
springbrook from Berrendo Spring) remain dry and unable to support the 
invertebrates (NMDGF 2005, p. 18). North Spring, located on the grounds 
of the Roswell Country Club, was enclosed by a brick wall, native 
vegetation was removed from the margins of the springhead and 
springbrook, and the banks were sodded (Cole 1988, p. 2; NMDGF 2005, p. 
18). The brick wall at North Spring has since been removed and the 
spring outflow has been widened, allowing a nearby pond to back into 
the spring, introducing carp to the system (B. Lang, NMDGF, pers. 
comm., 2010). Springsnails have not been found at North Spring since 
1995, and suitable habitat is not present there.
    Because these formerly occupied sites have been so severely 
impacted in the past (particularly due to the decline of groundwater 
and subsequent loss of spring flows), it is not likely that they could 
be rehabilitated in the future or be restored to contain the physical 
and biological features necessary to support habitat for the four 
invertebrates. This is because there are currently no mechanisms to 
restore the spring flow to these historic sites. As a result, these 
areas are unlikely to contribute to the recovery of the species and are 
not considered essential to the conservation of the species. Therefore, 
they are not included in the designation of critical habitat. In 
addition, the four invertebrates currently exist throughout their 
ranges in a spatial arrangement that provides sufficient areas for 
their long-term conservation. Therefore, we are not currently 
designating any areas outside the geographical area presently occupied 
by the species, because the unoccupied areas within the historic range 
are not restorable and the occupied areas are sufficient for the 
conservation of the species.
Summary
    When determining revised critical habitat boundaries within this 
rule, we made every effort to avoid including structures such as 
culverts and roads, because areas with such structures lack PCEs for 
Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, Noel's amphipod, and Pecos 
assiminea. The scale of the maps we prepared under the parameters for 
publication within the Code of Federal Regulations may not reflect the 
exclusion of such areas. Any such structures inadvertently left inside 
critical habitat boundaries shown on the maps of this final rule are 
excluded from this rule by text and are not designated as critical 
habitat. Therefore, Federal actions involving these areas would not 
trigger section 7 consultation with respect to critical habitat and the 
requirement of no adverse modification unless the specific action would 
affect the PCEs in the adjacent critical habitat.
    We are designating as critical habitat lands that we have 
determined are occupied at the time of listing and contain sufficient 
physical and biological features to support life-

[[Page 33045]]

history processes essential for the conservation of the species and may 
require special management. All of the critical habitat units are 
designated based on the finding that they contain all of the essential 
physical and biological features necessary to support the life 
processes of one or more of the four invertebrates.
    The Act's definition of critical habitat includes a provision that 
except under circumstances determined by the Secretary, critical 
habitat shall not include the entire geographic area which can be 
occupied by the species (section 3(5)(C)). We have designated as 
critical habitat all of the areas that are currently occupied by one or 
more of the four invertebrates. All of these areas are needed for the 
conservation of these species because of their small geographic ranges 
and to maintain genetic diversity. Conserving multiple populations of 
rare species, such as the four invertebrates, lowers the risk of 
extinction due to an event that negatively affects one population. In 
addition, the four invertebrates are not migratory, nor is there 
regular gene exchange between populations or critical habitat units. As 
a result, all of the currently occupied areas are important to the 
conservation of the species because they allow for the maintenance of 
the existing genetic diversity of the four invertebrates. The areas we 
have designated meet the definition of critical habitat for the four 
invertebrates and include all populations necessary for conserving the 
species and maintaining all of the known remaining genetic diversity 
within each species. Therefore, these circumstances support designating 
all of the currently occupied habitat.

Final Critical Habitat Designation

    We are designating approximately 70.2 ac (28.4 ha) in two units in 
New Mexico as critical habitat for the Roswell springsnail and Koster's 
springsnail (Table 1). We are designating approximately 75.9 ac (30.7 
ha) in three units in New Mexico as critical habitat for Noel's 
amphipod (Table 2). We are designating approximately 494.7 ac (200.2 
ha) in four units in New Mexico and Texas as critical habitat for the 
Pecos assiminea (Table 3). The critical habitat areas we describe below 
constitute our current best assessment of areas that meet the 
definition of critical habitat for each of the four invertebrates. All 
areas being designated as critical habitat were occupied at the time of 
listing and are currently occupied by at least one of the four 
invertebrates.

    Table 1--Designated Critical Habitat for Roswell Springsnail and
                          Koster's Springsnail
      [Area estimates reflect all land within critical habitat unit
                               boundaries]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Size of unit in
      Critical habitat unit          Land ownership     acres (hectares)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Sago/Bitter Creek Complex....  Service............        31.9 (12.9)
2a. Springsnail/Amphipod           Service...........        35.5 (14.3)
 Impoundment Complex.
                                  City of Roswell....          2.8 (1.1)
                                                      ------------------
    Total.......................  ...................        70.2 (28.4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Area sizes may not sum due to rounding.


        Table 2--Designated Critical Habitat for Noel's Amphipod
      [Area estimates reflect all land within critical habitat unit
                               boundaries]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Size of unit in
      Critical habitat unit          Land ownership     acres (hectares)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Sago/Bitter Creek Complex....  Service............        31.9 (12.9)
2a. Springsnail/Amphipod          Service............        35.5 (14.3)
 Impoundment Complex.
                                  City of Roswell....          2.8 (1.1)
3. Rio Hondo....................  Service............          5.8 (2.3)
                                                      ------------------
    Total.......................  ...................        75.9 (30.7)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Area sizes may not sum due to rounding.


       Table 3--Revised Critical Habitat Units for Pecos Assiminea
      [Area estimates reflect all land within critical habitat unit
                               boundaries]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        Size of unit in
      Critical habitat unit          Land ownership     acres (hectares)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Sago/Bitter Creek Complex....  Service............        31.9 (12.9)
2b. Assiminea Impoundment         Service............         15.5 (6.3)
 Complex.
                                  City of Roswell....          2.8 (1.1)
4. Diamond Y Springs Complex....  The Nature               441.4 (178.6)
                                   Conservancy.
5. East Sandia Spring...........  The Nature                   3.0 (1.2)
                                   Conservancy.
                                                      ------------------
    Total.......................  ...................      494.7 (200.2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Area sizes may not sum due to rounding.


[[Page 33046]]

    We present brief descriptions of the units and reasons why the 
critical habitat units meet the definition of critical habitat for the 
Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, Noel's amphipod, and Pecos 
assiminea below.

Unit 1: Sago/Bitter Creek Complex

    Unit 1 consists of 31.9 ac (12.9 ha) of habitat that was occupied 
by all four invertebrates at the time of listing and that remains 
occupied at the present time. We designate this unit as critical 
habitat for all four species; it contains all of the physical and 
biological features essential to the conservation of these species. 
Unit 1 is located on the northern portion of the Middle Tract of Bitter 
Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Chaves County, New Mexico. The 
designation includes all springs, seeps, sinkholes, and outflows 
surrounding Bitter Creek and the Sago Springs complex. Habitat in this 
unit is in need of special management because of threats by subsurface 
oil and gas drilling or similar activities that contaminate surface 
drainage or aquifer water; wildfire; and nonnative fish, crayfish, 
snails, and vegetation. Therefore, the essential physical and 
biological features in this unit may require special management 
considerations or protection to minimize impacts resulting from these 
threats. The entire unit is owned by the Service.

Unit 2a: Springsnail/Amphipod Impoundment Complex

    Unit 2a consists of 38.3 ac (15.5 ha) of habitat that was occupied 
by three of the four invertebrates at the time of listing and that 
remains occupied at the present time. We designate this unit as 
critical habitat for Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, and 
Noel's amphipod; it contains all of the physical and biological 
features essential to the conservation of these species. Unit 2a is 
located on the southern portion of the Middle Tract of Bitter Lake 
National Wildlife Refuge and on property owned by the City of Roswell, 
Chaves County, New Mexico. This unit includes portions of impoundments 
3, 6, 7, and 15, and Hunter Marsh. The designation includes all 
springs, seeps, sinkholes, and outflows surrounding the Refuge 
impoundments. Habitat in this unit is threatened by subsurface drilling 
for oil and gas or similar activities that contaminate surface drainage 
or aquifer water; wildfire; and nonnative fish, crayfish, snails, and 
vegetation. Therefore, the essential physical and biological features 
in this unit may require special management considerations or 
protection to minimize impacts resulting from these threats. Land 
ownership in this unit includes the Service and the City of Roswell, 
New Mexico.

Unit 2b: Assiminea Impoundment Complex

    Unit 2b consists of 18.4 ac (7.4 ha) of habitat that was occupied 
by the Pecos assiminea at the time of listing and that remains occupied 
at the present time. We designate this unit as critical habitat for 
Pecos assiminea; it contains all of the features essential to the 
conservation of this species. Unit 2b is located on the southern 
portion of the Middle Tract of Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge and 
on property owned by the city of Roswell, Chaves County, New Mexico. 
This unit includes portions of impoundments 7 and 15, and Hunter Marsh. 
The designation includes all springs, seeps, sinkholes, and outflows 
surrounding the Refuge impoundments. Habitat in this unit is threatened 
by subsurface drilling for oil and gas or similar activities that 
contaminate surface drainage or aquifer water; wildfire; and nonnative 
fish, crayfish, snails, and vegetation. Therefore, the essential 
physical and biological features in this unit may require special 
management considerations or protection to minimize impacts resulting 
from these threats. Land ownership in this unit includes the Service 
and the City of Roswell, New Mexico.

Unit 3: Rio Hondo

    Unit 3 consists of 5.8 ac (2.3 ha) of habitat that is currently 
occupied by Noel's amphipod. We designate this unit as critical habitat 
for Noel's amphipod only. It contains all of the features essential to 
the conservation of this species. We consider this site to be occupied 
by Noel's amphipod at the time of listing. Although the amphipods were 
first found at this site in 2006, one year after listing (Warrick 2006, 
p. 1), they were taxonomically confirmed to be Noel's amphipod in 2010 
(Berg 2010, p. 1; Lang 2010, p. 1). Unit 3 is located on the South 
Tract of Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Chaves County, New 
Mexico. The designation includes all springs and seeps along 
approximately 0.4 mi (0.64 km) of the Rio Hondo, including the river 
channel and both banks. Habitat in this unit is threatened by 
subsurface drilling for oil and gas or similar activities that 
contaminate surface drainage or aquifer water; nonnative fish, 
crayfish, snails, and vegetation; chemical fertilizers and pesticides 
applied to adjacent farmland; contaminants in the Rio Hondo from 
upstream of the amphipod populations; and fire. Therefore, the 
essential physical and biological features in this unit may require 
special management considerations or protection to minimize impacts 
resulting from these threats. The entire unit is owned by the Service.

Unit 4: Diamond Y Springs Complex

    Unit 4 consists of 441.4 ac (178.6 ha) of habitat that is currently 
occupied by Pecos assiminea. We designate this unit for Pecos assiminea 
only. This unit contains all of the features essential to the 
conservation of the Pecos assiminea and was occupied by this species at 
the time of listing. The designation includes the Diamond Y Spring and 
approximately 4.2 mi (6.8 km) of its outflow, ending at approximately 
0.5 mi (0.8 km) downstream of the State Highway 18 bridge crossing. 
Also included in this unit is approximately 0.5 mi (0.8 km) of Leon 
Creek upstream of the confluence with Diamond Y Draw. All surrounding 
riparian vegetation and mesic (wet) soil environments within the 
spring, outflow, and portion of Leon Creek are also designated, as 
these areas are considered habitat for the Pecos assiminea. This 
designation is approximately 441.4 ac (178.6 ha) of aquatic and 
neighboring mesic habitat. Habitat in this unit is threatened by 
increased groundwater pumping; subsurface drilling for oil and gas or 
similar activities that contaminate surface drainage or aquifer water; 
wildfire; and nonnative fish, crayfish, snails, and vegetation. 
Therefore, the essential physical and biological features in this unit 
may require special management considerations or protection to minimize 
impacts resulting from these threats. This unit occurs entirely on 
private lands managed as a nature preserve by The Nature Conservancy.

Unit 5: East Sandia Spring

    Unit 5 consists of 3.0 ac (1.2 ha) of aquatic and mesic habitat 
that is currently occupied by Pecos assiminea. We designate this unit 
for Pecos assiminea only. This unit contains all of the features 
essential to the conservation of the Pecos assiminea and was occupied 
by this species at the time of listing. East Sandia Spring is at the 
base of the Davis Mountains just east of Balmorhea, Texas, and is part 
of the San Solomon-Balmorhea Spring Complex, the largest remaining 
desert spring system in Texas where the Pecos assiminea is found. The 
designation includes the springhead itself, surrounding seeps, and all 
submergent vegetation and moist soil habitat found at the margins of 
these areas, comprising

[[Page 33047]]

the physical and biological features for the Pecos assiminea. Habitat 
in this unit is threatened by increased groundwater pumping; wildfire; 
and nonnative fish, crayfish, snails, and vegetation. Therefore, the 
essential physical and biological features in this unit may require 
special management considerations or protection to minimize impacts 
resulting from these threats. This unit occurs entirely on private 
lands managed as a nature preserve by The Nature Conservancy. Our 
previous designation of critical habitat for the Pecos assiminea (70 FR 
46304, August 9, 2005) included 16.5 ac (6.7 ha) of critical habitat in 
this unit. Updated GIS techniques have allowed us to more closely map 
the wetlands, springs, and seeps in this area, resulting in fewer acres 
proposed for critical habitat, and 3.0 ac (1.2 ha) are being designated 
in this rule.

Effects of Critical Habitat Designation

Section 7 Consultation

    Section 7(a)(2) of the Act requires Federal agencies, including the 
Service, to ensure that any action they fund, authorize, or carry out 
is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered 
species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse 
modification of designated critical habitat of such species. In 
addition, section 7(a)(4) of the Act requires Federal agencies to 
confer with the Service on any agency action which is likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of any species proposed to be listed 
under the Act or result in the destruction or adverse modification of 
proposed critical habitat.
    Decisions by the 5th and 9th Circuit Courts of Appeals have 
invalidated our regulatory 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 (9th Cir. 2004) and Sierra 
Club v. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service et al., 245 F.3d 434, 442 (5th 
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 continue to serve its intended conservation role 
for the species.
    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. Examples of actions that are subject to the 
section 7 consultation process are actions on State, tribal, local, or 
private lands that require 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 the Service under section 10 
of the Act) or that involve some other Federal action (such as funding 
from the Federal Highway Administration, Federal Aviation 
Administration, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency). Federal 
actions not affecting listed species or critical habitat, and actions 
on State, tribal, local, or private lands that are not federally funded 
or authorized, do not require section 7 consultation.
    As a result of section 7 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, or 
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 and/or 
destroy or adversely modify critical habitat, we provide reasonable and 
prudent alternatives to the project, if any are identifiable, that 
would avoid the likelihood of jeopardy and/or destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat. We define ``reasonable and prudent 
alternatives'' (at 50 CFR 402.02) as alternative actions identified 
during consultation that:
    (1) Can be implemented in a manner consistent with the intended 
purpose of the action,
    (2) Can be implemented consistent with the scope of the Federal 
agency's legal authority and jurisdiction,
    (3) Are economically and technologically feasible, and
    (4) Would, in the Director's opinion, avoid the likelihood of 
jeopardizing the continued existence of the listed species and/or avoid 
the likelihood of 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 sometimes may need to request reinitiation 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.

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 retain those physical and 
biological features that relate to the ability of the area to 
periodically support the species. Activities that may destroy or 
adversely modify critical habitat are those that alter the physical and 
biological features to an extent that appreciably reduces the 
conservation value of critical habitat for the Roswell springsnail, 
Koster's springsnail, Noel's amphipod, and Pecos assiminea. As 
discussed above, the role of critical habitat is to support the life 
history needs of the species and provide for the conservation of the 
species.
    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 involving a Federal action that may destroy or 
adversely modify such habitat, or that may be affected by such 
designation.
    Examples of activities that, when authorized, funded, or carried 
out by a Federal agency, may affect critical habitat and therefore 
should result in section 7 consultation for the Roswell springsnail, 
Koster's springsnail, Noel's amphipod, and Pecos assiminea include, but 
are not limited to:
    (1) Actions that would contaminate or cause significant degradation 
of habitat occupied by these species, including surface drainage water 
or aquifer water quality. Such activities could include, but are not 
limited to, the use of chemical insecticides or herbicides that results 
in killing or injuring these species; subsurface drilling or similar 
activities within the 12,585-ac (5,093-ha) Federal mineral estate and 
9,945-ac (4,025-ha) habitat protection zone in New Mexico (Balleau et 
al. 1999, p. 3;

[[Page 33048]]

BLM 2002, p. 1) that contaminate or cause significant degradation of 
water quality in surface or aquifer waters supporting the habitat 
occupied by these species; septic tank placement and use where the 
groundwater is connected to sinkhole or other aquatic habitats occupied 
by these species; and unauthorized discharges or dumping of toxic 
chemicals or other pollutants into the areas supporting the four 
invertebrates. These activities could alter water conditions to levels 
that are beyond the tolerances of the invertebrates and result in 
degradation of their occupied habitat to an extent that individuals are 
killed or injured or essential behaviors such as breeding, feeding, and 
sheltering are impaired.
    (2) Actions that would destroy or alter habitat for the four 
invertebrates. Such activities could include, but are not limited to, 
discharging fill material into occupied sites, draining, ditching, 
tilling, channelizing, drilling, pumping, or other activities that 
interrupt surface or groundwater flow into or out of the spring 
complexes and occupied habitats of these species. These activities 
could result in significant impairment of essential life-sustaining 
requirements such as breeding, feeding, and sheltering.
    (3) Actions that would introduce nonnative species into occupied 
habitats for the four invertebrates. Potential nonnative species 
include, but are not limited to, mosquitofish, crayfish, nonnative 
snails, or vegetation. These nonnative species compete for scarce 
resources and some may predate upon the four invertebrates.

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 resources 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 within the areas we are 
designating as critical habitat for the four invertebrates; therefore, 
we are not exempting lands from this final designation of critical 
habitat for the four invertebrates pursuant to section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of 
the Act.

Exclusions

Application of Section 4(b)(2) of the Act

    Section 4(b)(2) of the Act states that the Secretary shall 
designate and 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 data available, that the failure to designate 
such area as critical habitat will result in the extinction of the 
species. In making that determination, the statute on its face, as well 
as the legislative history, are clear that the Secretary has broad 
discretion regarding which factor(s) to use and how much weight to give 
to any factor.
    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, the Secretary may exclude an area 
from designated critical habitat based on economic impacts, impacts on 
national security, or any other relevant impacts. In considering 
whether to exclude a particular area from the designation, we identify 
the benefits of including the area in the designation, identify the 
benefits of excluding the area from the designation, and evaluate 
whether the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion. 
If the analysis indicates that the benefits of exclusion outweigh the 
benefits of inclusion, the Secretary may exercise his discretion to 
exclude the area only if such exclusion would not result in the 
extinction of the species.
Exclusions Based on 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 prepared a draft economic analysis, which 
we made available for public review on June 22, 2010 (75 FR 35375), 
based on the proposed rule published concurrently. We accepted comments 
on the draft analysis until August 23, 2010. We again accepted comments 
on the updated draft economic analysis from February 17, 2011, to March 
21, 2011 (76 FR 9297). Following the close of the comment periods, a 
final analysis of the potential economic effects of the designation was 
completed in April 2011 taking into consideration the public comments 
and any new information.
    The intent of the final economic analysis (FEA) is to quantify the 
economic impacts of all potential conservation efforts for the four 
invertebrates; some of these costs will likely be incurred regardless 
of whether we designate critical habitat (baseline). The economic 
impact of the final critical habitat designation is analyzed by 
comparing scenarios both ``with critical habitat'' and ``without 
critical habitat.'' The ``without critical habitat'' scenario 
represents the baseline for the analysis, considering protections 
already in place for the species (e.g., under the Federal listing and 
other Federal, State, and local regulations). The baseline, therefore, 
represents the costs incurred regardless of whether critical habitat is 
designated. The ``with critical habitat'' scenario describes the 
incremental impacts associated specifically with the designation of 
critical habitat for the species. The incremental conservation efforts 
and associated impacts are those not expected to occur absent the 
designation of critical habitat for the species. In other words, the 
incremental costs are those attributable solely to the designation of 
critical habitat above and beyond the baseline costs; these are the 
costs we consider in the final

[[Page 33049]]

designation of critical habitat. The analysis looks retrospectively at 
baseline impacts incurred since the species was listed, and forecasts 
both baseline and incremental impacts likely to occur with the 
designation of critical habitat.
    The FEA also addresses how potential economic impacts are likely to 
be distributed, including an assessment of any local or regional 
impacts of habitat conservation and the potential effects of 
conservation activities on government agencies, private businesses, and 
individuals. The FEA measures lost economic efficiency associated with 
residential and commercial development, and public projects and 
activities, such as economic impacts on water management and 
transportation projects, Federal lands, small entities, and the energy 
industry. Decision-makers can use this information to assess whether 
the effects of the designation might unduly burden a particular group 
or economic sector. Finally, the FEA looks retrospectively at costs 
that have been incurred since 2005 when the four invertebrates were 
listed (70 FR 46304), and considers those costs that may occur in the 
20 years following the designation of critical habitat, which was 
determined to be the appropriate period for analysis because limited 
planning information was available for most activities to forecast 
activity levels for projects beyond a 20-year timeframe.
    The FEA quantifies economic impacts of conservation efforts for the 
four invertebrates associated with the following categories of 
activity:
    (1) Project modifications made by oil and gas developers, 
consistent with requirements under the BLM Habitat Protection Zone;
    (2) Habitat management costs incurred by the Service, the New 
Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and The Nature Conservancy; and
    (3) Potential lost farm income due to prohibition of chemical 
spraying within critical habitat and a buffer.
    Because all of the critical habitat we are designating is currently 
occupied by the species, ongoing project modifications and conservation 
measures are already required to satisfy the jeopardy standard. In 
addition, most of the critical habitat we are designating is already 
held in conservation status, and the small portion of critical habitat 
owned by the City of Roswell has already been designated as critical 
habitat for the Pecos sunflower (Helianthus paradoxus) and is 
unsuitable for development due to presence of wetlands. Habitat 
management costs are attributable to existing conservation agreements 
and are therefore also classified as baseline costs (i.e., these costs 
will be incurred even if critical habitat designation does not occur). 
Finally, most section 7 consultations would be pursued in the absence 
of critical habitat. To the extent that incremental costs are incurred 
in the context of a section 7 consultation regarding the species, they 
will be borne by public agencies rather than private entities. Because 
of these factors, there were few actual incremental costs of this 
rulemaking. Incremental costs are those costs expected to be incurred 
as a result of critical habitat designation for the four invertebrates. 
The FEA found the overall annualized incremental costs associated with 
the designation of critical habitat for the four invertebrates are 
estimated to be approximately $6,420. These costs derive from the added 
effort associated with considering adverse modification in the context 
of section 7 consultation.
    Our economic analysis did not identify any disproportionate costs 
that are likely to result from the designation. Consequently, the 
Secretary is not exerting his discretion to exclude any areas from this 
designation of critical habitat for the four invertebrates based on 
economic impacts. A copy of the final economic analysis with supporting 
documents may be obtained by contacting the New Mexico Ecological 
Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES) or for downloading from the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
Exclusions Based on 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 final rule, we 
have determined that the lands within the designation of critical 
habitat for Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, Noel's amphipod, 
and Pecos assiminea are not owned or managed by the DOD, and therefore, 
we anticipate no impact to national security. We are aware that there 
are DOD lands (managed by New Mexico Air National Guard) in the 
vicinity of the Refuge, east of the Pecos River, but our designation 
does not include these lands, and the designation will have no affect 
on the operations or land management of these lands. Therefore, we 
anticipate no impact to national security, and the Secretary is not 
exerting his discretion to exclude any areas from this final 
designation based on impacts on national security.
Exclusions Based on Other Relevant Impacts
    Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider any other relevant 
impacts, in addition to economic impacts and impacts on national 
security. We consider a number of factors including whether the 
landowners have developed any habitat conservation plans (HCPs) or 
other management plans for the area, or whether there are conservation 
partnerships that would be encouraged by designation of, or exclusion 
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 final rule, we have determined that there are 
currently no HCPs for the Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, 
Noel's amphipod, and Pecos assiminea, and the final designation does 
not include any tribal lands or trust resources. We anticipate no 
impact to tribal lands, partnerships, or HCPs from this critical 
habitat designation. In addition, we considered other relevant impacts 
during preparation of the environmental assessment pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act (see Required Determinations, 
National Environmental Policy Act below) and found no other significant 
impacts that would warrant our consideration for excluding any areas 
from critical habitat designation. Accordingly, the Secretary is not 
exercising his discretion to exclude any areas from this final 
designation based on other relevant impacts.

Editorial Changes

    When we listed Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, Noel's 
amphipod, and Pecos assiminea as endangered species on August 9, 2005 
(70 FR 46304), we neglected to insert the appropriate date code in the 
``When listed'' column of the List of Endangered and Threatened 
Wildlife at 50 CFR 17.11(h). Further, information we had intended to 
display in the ``Critical habitat'' column was misplaced under the 
``When listed'' column, and information intended for the ``Special 
rules'' column was misplaced under the ``Critical habitat'' column. 
This final rule corrects these errors. This change is purely editorial; 
it does not affect the substance of the listing rule.

[[Page 33050]]

Required Determinations

Regulatory Planning and Review--Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this 
rule is not significant and has not reviewed this rule under Executive 
Order 12866. OMB bases its determination upon the following four 
criteria:
    (1) 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.
    (2) Whether the rule will create inconsistencies with other Federal 
agencies' actions.
    (3) Whether the rule will materially affect entitlements, grants, 
user fees, loan programs, or the rights and obligations of their 
recipients.
    (4) Whether the rule raises novel legal or policy issues.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    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 (5 U.S.C 801 et seq.), 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 certification statement of 
the factual basis for certifying that the rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
In this final rule, we are certifying that the critical habitat 
designation for Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, Noel's 
amphipod, and Pecos assiminea will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The following 
discussion explains our rationale.
    According to the Small Business Administration, small entities 
include small organizations, such as independent nonprofit 
organizations; small governmental jurisdictions, including school 
boards and city and town governments that serve fewer than 50,000 
residents; as well as small businesses. Small businesses include 
manufacturing and mining concerns with fewer than 500 employees, 
wholesale trade entities with fewer than 100 employees, retail and 
service businesses with less than $5 million in annual sales, general 
and heavy construction businesses with less than $27.5 million in 
annual business, special trade contractors doing less than $11.5 
million in annual business, and agricultural businesses with annual 
sales less than $750,000. To determine if potential economic impacts to 
these small entities are significant, we consider the types of 
activities that might trigger regulatory impacts under this rule, as 
well as the types of project modifications that may result. In general, 
the term ``significant economic impact'' is meant to apply to a typical 
small business firm's business operations.
    To determine if the rule could significantly affect a substantial 
number of small entities, we consider the number of small businesses 
affected within particular types of economic activities. We considered 
potential effects to 936 small businesses in the FEA. We apply the 
``substantial number'' test individually to each industry to determine 
if certification is appropriate. However, the SBREFA does not 
explicitly define ``substantial number'' or ``significant economic 
impact.'' Consequently, to assess whether a ``substantial number'' of 
small entities is affected by this designation, this analysis considers 
the relative number of small entities likely to be impacted in an area. 
In some circumstances, especially with critical habitat designations of 
limited extent, we may aggregate across all industries and consider 
whether the total number of small entities affected is substantial. In 
estimating the number of small entities potentially affected, we also 
consider whether their activities have any Federal involvement.
    Designation of critical habitat only affects activities authorized, 
funded, or carried out by Federal agencies. Some kinds of activities 
are unlikely to have any Federal involvement and so will not be 
affected by critical habitat designation. In areas where the species is 
present, Federal agencies already are required to consult with us under 
section 7 of the Act on activities they authorize, fund, or carry out 
that may affect the Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, Noel's 
amphipod, and Pecos assiminea. Federal agencies also must consult with 
us if their activities may affect critical habitat. Designation of 
critical habitat, therefore, could result in an additional economic 
impact on small entities due to the requirement to reinitiate 
consultation for ongoing Federal activities (see Application of the 
``Adverse Modification'' Standard section).
    In our final economic analysis of the critical habitat designation, 
we evaluated the potential economic effects on small business entities 
resulting from conservation actions related to the listing of the four 
invertebrates and the designation of critical habitat. The analysis is 
based on the estimated impacts associated with the rulemaking as 
described in Chapters 3 through 5 and Appendix A of the analysis and 
evaluates the potential for economic impacts. Activities anticipated 
occurring within the next 20 years within or adjacent to the critical 
habitat we are designating for the four invertebrates that potentially 
affect small businesses include: oil and gas production; irrigated 
agricultural production; and livestock operations.
    We determined from our analysis (Appendix A in FEA) that there will 
be minimal additional economic impacts to small entities resulting from 
the designation of critical habitat, because almost all of the 
potential costs of modification of activities and conservation 
identified in the economic analysis represent baseline costs that would 
be realized in the absence of critical habitat. The economic analysis 
estimates the overall annual incremental costs associated with the 
designation of critical habitat for the four invertebrates to be very 
modest, at approximately $6,420. All of these costs would derive from 
the added effort associated with considering adverse modification in 
the context of section 7 consultations.
    In summary, we considered whether this designation would result in 
a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small 
entities. Based on our analysis and currently available information, we 
concluded that this rule will not result in a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. Therefore, we are 
certifying that the designation of critical habitat for Roswell 
springsnail, Koster's springsnail, Noel's amphipod, and Pecos assiminea 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities, and a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.

Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use--Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211 (Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use) requires 
agencies to prepare Statements of Energy Effects

[[Page 33051]]

when undertaking certain actions. OMB has provided guidance for 
implementing this Executive Order that outlines nine outcomes that may 
constitute ``a significant adverse effect'' when compared to not taking 
the regulatory action under consideration. The final economic analysis 
(Appendix A.2) finds that none of these criteria are relevant to this 
analysis because any potential effects on oil and natural gas 
operations will be very small and not approach the threshold for a 
significant adverse effect. Thus, based on information in the economic 
analysis, energy-related impacts associated with Roswell springsnail, 
Koster's springsnail, Noel's amphipod, and Pecos assiminea conservation 
activities within critical habitat are not expected. As such, the 
designation of critical habitat is not expected to significantly affect 
energy supplies, distribution, or use. Therefore, this action is not a 
significant energy action, and no Statement of Energy Effects is 
required.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 
et seq.), we make the following findings:
    (1) This rule will 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, or 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; Aid to Families 
with Dependent Children 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 destroy or adversely modify critical 
habitat under section 7. 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 
critical habitat shift the costs of the large entitlement programs 
listed above onto State governments.
    (2) This rule will not significantly or uniquely affect small 
governments. The public lands we are designating as critical habitat 
are owned by the City of Roswell and the Service. Small governments, 
such as the City of Roswell, will be affected only to the extent that 
any programs having Federal funds, permits, or other authorized 
activities must ensure that their actions will not adversely affect the 
critical habitat. As discussed above and in our environmental 
assessment, the areas owned by the City of Roswell that are being 
designated as critical habitat for the four invertebrates have already 
been designated as critical habitat for the Pecos sunflower and are 
unsuitable for development because of the presence of wetlands. In 
addition, we do not anticipate significant effects to the City of 
Roswell's wastewater treatment plant from designation of the Rio Hondo 
unit. Therefore, a Small Government Agency Plan is not required.

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 Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, Noel's 
amphipod, and Pecos assiminea in a takings implications assessment. 
Critical habitat designation does not affect landowner actions that do 
not require Federal funding or permits, nor does it preclude 
development of habitat conservation programs or issuance of incidental 
take permits to permit actions that do require Federal funding or 
permits to go forward. The takings implications assessment concludes 
that this designation of critical habitat for the four invertebrates 
does not pose significant takings implications for lands within or 
affected by the designation.

Federalism--Executive Order 13132

    In accordance with E.O. 13132 (Federalism), this 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 critical habitat designation with appropriate 
State resource agencies in New Mexico and Texas. We received comments 
from NMDGF and have addressed them in the Summary of Comments and 
Recommendations section of this rule. The designation of critical 
habitat in areas currently occupied by the Roswell springsnail, 
Koster's springsnail, Noel's amphipod, and Pecos assiminea imposes no 
additional restrictions to those currently in place and, therefore, has 
little incremental impact on State and local governments and their 
activities. The designation may have some benefit to these governments 
in that the areas that contain the physical and biological features 
essential to the conservation of the species are more clearly defined, 
and the habitat necessary to the conservation of the species are 
specifically identified. This information does not alter where and what 
federally sponsored activities may occur. However, it may assist local 
governments in long-range planning (rather than having them wait 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) 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

[[Page 33052]]

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 Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform), 
the regulation meets the applicable standards set forth in sections 
3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Order. We are designating critical habitat in 
accordance with the provisions of the Act. This final rule uses 
standard property descriptions and identifies the elements of physical 
and biological features essential to the conservation of the Roswell 
springsnail, Koster's springsnail, Noel's amphipod, and Pecos assiminea 
within the designated areas to assist the public in understanding the 
habitat needs of the species.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)

    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) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)

    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)).
    However, when the range of the species includes States within the 
Tenth Circuit, such as that of the Roswell springsnail, Koster's 
springsnail, Noel's amphipod, and Pecos assiminea, under the Tenth 
Circuit ruling in Catron County Board of Commissioners v. U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 75 F.3d 1429 (10th Cir. 1996), we undertake a NEPA 
analysis for critical habitat designation and notify the public of the 
availability of the draft environmental assessment for the proposal 
when it is finished.
    We performed the NEPA analysis and drafts of the environmental 
assessment were available for public comment on June 22, 2010 (75 FR 
35375), and February 17, 2011 (76 FR 9297). The final environmental 
assessment has been completed and is available for review with the 
publication of this final rule. You may obtain a copy of the final 
environmental assessment online at http://www.regulations.gov, by mail 
from the New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES), 
or by visiting our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/NewMexico/.
    The final environmental assessment included a detailed analysis of 
the potential effects of the critical habitat designation on resource 
categories, including: Water resources; oil and gas; land management; 
livestock grazing and dairy operation; Roswell wastewater treatment 
facility; recreation; socioeconomic conditions and environmental 
justice; and the cumulative effects. The scope of the effects were 
primarily limited to those activities involving Federal actions, 
because critical habitat designation does not have any impact on the 
environment other than through the ESA section 7 consultation process 
conducted for Federal actions. Private actions that have no Federal 
involvement are not affected by critical habitat designation.
    Based on the review and evaluation of the information contained in 
the environmental assessment, we determined that the designation of 
critical habitat for the four invertebrates does not constitute a major 
Federal action having a significant impact on the human environment 
under the meaning of section 102(2)(c) of NEPA.
    Pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality regulations for 
implementing NEPA, preparation of an environmental impact statement is 
required if an action is determined to significantly affect the quality 
of the human environment (40 CFR Sec.  1502.3). Significance is 
determined by analyzing the context and intensity of a proposed action 
(40 CFR 1508.27). Context refers to the setting of the proposed action 
and includes consideration of the affected region, affected interests, 
and locality (40 CFR 1508.27[a]). The context of both short- and long-
term effects of proposed designation of critical habitat are the 
proposed critical habitat units in Chaves County, New Mexico, and Pecos 
and Reeves Counties, Texas, totaling about 521 acres (211 ha), and the 
surrounding areas. The effects of proposed critical habitat designation 
at this scale, although long-term, would be small. Intensity refers to 
the severity of an impact and is evaluated by considering ten factors 
(40 CFR 1508.27[b]).
    The intensity of potential impacts that may result from designation 
of critical habitat for the four invertebrates under the proposed 
action is considered low. This conclusion is reached based on the 
following findings in the environmental assessment:
    (1) The potential impacts may be both beneficial and adverse, but 
minor.
    (2) There would be no effects to public health or safety from 
proposed designation of critical habitat.
    (3) The proposed action may provide a small benefit to wetlands and 
ecologically critical areas, and would not affect other unique 
characteristics of the geographic area.
    (4) Potential impacts from critical habitat designation on the 
quality of the environment are unlikely to be highly controversial.
    (5) Potential impacts from critical habitat do not involve a high 
degree of uncertainty or unique or unknown risks.
    (6) Proposed designation of critical habitat for the four 
invertebrate species does not set a precedent for future actions with 
significant effects.
    (7) Proposed designation of critical habitat would not result in 
significant cumulative impacts.
    (8) Significant cultural, historical, or scientific resources are 
not likely to be affected by proposed designation of critical habitat.
    (9) Critical habitat designation may have a beneficial effect on 
the four invertebrates.
    (10) Critical habitat designation would not violate any Federal, 
state, or local laws or requirements imposed for the protection of the 
environment.
    The effects of proposed critical habitat designation at this scale, 
although long-term, would be small. Therefore, we found that the 
proposed designation will not significantly affect the quality of the 
human environment and an environmental impact statement is not 
required.

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 the 
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

[[Page 33053]]

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 determined that there are no Tribal lands occupied at the time 
of listing that contain the features essential for the conservation, 
and no unoccupied Tribal lands that are essential for the conservation 
of the Roswell springsnail, Koster's springsnail, Noel's amphipod, and 
Pecos assiminea. Therefore, we are not designating critical habitat for 
the four invertebrates on Tribal lands.

References Cited

    A complete list of references cited is available on the Internet at 
http://www.regulations.gov and upon request from the New Mexico 
Ecological Services Field Office (see ADDRESSES).

Authors

    The primary authors of this package are the staff members of the 
New Mexico Ecological Services Field Office.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

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

Regulation Promulgation

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

PART 17--ENDANGERED AND THREATENED WILDLIFE AND PLANTS

0
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.


0
2. Amend Sec.  17.11(h) by revising the entries for:
0
a. ``Pecos assiminea'', ``Springsnail, Koster's'', and ``Springsnail, 
Roswell'' under SNAILS; and
0
b. ``Amphipod, Noel's'' under CRUSTACEANS, in the List of Endangered 
and Threatened Wildlife to read as follows:


Sec.  17.11  Endangered and threatened wildlife.

* * * * *
    (h) * * *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Species                                                     Vertebrate
--------------------------------------------------------                         population where                      When       Critical     Special
                                                            Historic  range       endangered or         Status        listed      habitat       rules
           Common name                Scientific name                               threatened
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
              Snails
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Pecos assiminea..................  Assiminea pecos.....  U.S.A. (NM, TX).....  NA.................  E                      770     17.95(f)           NA
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Springsnail, Koster's............  Juturnia kosteri....  U.S.A. (NM).........  NA.................  E                      770     17.95(f)           NA
Springsnail, Roswell.............  Pyrgulopsis           U.S.A. (NM).........  NA.................  E                      770     17.95(f)           NA
                                    roswellensis.
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
           Crustaceans
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
Amphipod, Noel's.................  Gammarus desperatus.  U.S.A. (NM).........  NA.................  E                      770     17.95(h)           NA
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


0
2. Amend Sec.  17.95 by:
0
a. In paragraph (f), revising the entry for ``Pecos Assiminea 
(Assiminea pecos)'' and adding an entry for ``Koster's springsnail 
(Juturnia kosteri) and Roswell springsnail (Pyrgulopsis roswellensis)'' 
in the same alphabetical order that those species appear in the table 
at 50 CFR 17.11(h), to read as follows; and
0
b. In paragraph (h), adding an entry for ``Noel's amphipod (Gammarus 
desperatus)'' in the same alphabetical order that the species appears 
in the table at 50 CFR 17.11(h), to read as follows.


Sec.  17.95  Critical habitat--fish and wildlife.

* * * * *
    (f) Clams and Snails.
* * * * *
Pecos Assiminea (Assiminea Pecos)
    (1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Chaves County, New 
Mexico, and Pecos and Reeves Counties, Texas, on the maps below.
    (2) The primary constituent element of critical habitat for the 
Pecos assiminea is moist or saturated soil at stream or spring run 
margins:
    (i) That consists of wet mud or occurs beneath mats of vegetation;
    (ii) That is within 1 inch (2 to 3 centimeters) of flowing water;
    (iii) That has native wetland plant species, such as salt grass or 
sedges, that provide leaf litter, shade, cover, and appropriate 
microhabitat;
    (iv) That contains wetland vegetation adjacent to spring complexes 
that supports the algae, detritus, and bacteria needed for foraging; 
and
    (v) That has adjacent spring complexes with:

[[Page 33054]]

    (A) Permanent, flowing, fresh to moderately saline water with no or 
no more than low levels of pollutants; and
    (B) Stable water levels with natural diurnal and seasonal 
variations.
    (3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as 
buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the 
land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on 
the effective date of this rule.
    (4) Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were 
created on a base of USGS 1:24,000 maps, and critical habitat units 
were then mapped using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates.
    (5) Unit 1: Sago/Bitter Creek Complex, Chaves County, New Mexico.
    (i) Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 13N, North American 
Datum of 1983 (NAD83) coordinates (E, N):
    (A) 553337, 3705095; 553357, 3705102; 553360, 3705067; 553371, 
3705041; 553420, 3705010; 553433, 3704982; 553482, 3704987; 553499, 
3704955; 553437, 3704946; 553424, 3704909; 553401, 3704883; 553340, 
3704906; 553319, 3704879; 553266, 3704869; 553274, 3704816; 553240, 
3704797; 553240, 3704623; 553306, 3704532; 553300, 3704419; 553280, 
3704354; 553287, 3704287; 553338, 3704221; 553438, 3704145; 553459, 
3704108; 553499, 3704091; 553533, 3704059; 553559, 3704024; 553588, 
3704004; 553650, 3704024; 553655, 3704014; 553654, 3703981; 553699, 
3703983; 553745, 3703960; 553775, 3703978; 553799, 3703979; 553828, 
3704003; 553859, 3704016; 553871, 3704037; 553907, 3704053; 553938, 
3704074; 553964, 3704078; 553983, 3704080; 553993, 3703978; 553939, 
3703960; 553917, 3703914; 553903, 3703927; 553758, 3703909; 553710, 
3703936; 553656, 3703932; 553567, 3703940; 553484, 3704010; 553426, 
3704085; 553396, 3704109; 553357, 3704150; 553270, 3704273; 553271, 
3704299; 553270, 3704344; 553255, 3704398; 553274, 3704444; 553254, 
3704540; 553218, 3704577; 553197, 3704824; 553205, 3704843; 553246, 
3704885; 553233, 3704911; 553238, 3704941; 553265, 3704950; 553294, 
3704941; 553312, 3705045; 553337, 3705095.
    (B) 553906, 3704450; 553915, 3704455; 553920, 3704452; 553917, 
3704438; 553926, 3704432; 553935, 3704420; 553957, 3704404; 553965, 
3704405; 553974, 3704406; 553985, 3704388; 553993, 3704387; 554019, 
3704376; 554037, 3704362; 554045, 3704389; 554060, 3704406; 554083, 
3704416; 554085, 3704429; 554110, 3704452; 554132, 3704457; 554121, 
3704474; 554106, 3704494; 554102, 3704531; 554119, 3704531; 554135, 
3704523; 554144, 3704510; 554157, 3704481; 554154, 3704460; 554174, 
3704431; 554192, 3704393; 554210, 3704366; 554216, 3704346; 554190, 
3704357; 554174, 3704365; 554166, 3704375; 554159, 3704395; 554146, 
3704394; 554126, 3704391; 554117, 3704384; 554123, 3704364; 554119, 
3704346; 554105, 3704337; 554091, 3704312; 554097, 3704289; 554094, 
3704269; 554084, 3704261; 554059, 3704273; 554052, 3704260; 554034, 
3704259; 554022, 3704248; 554005, 3704272; 554024, 3704293; 554040, 
3704300; 554041, 3704321; 554016, 3704332; 554006, 3704317; 553974, 
3704323; 553963, 3704324; 553963, 3704316; 553966, 3704314; 553961, 
3704302; 553949, 3704302; 553936, 3704302; 553934, 3704311; 553946, 
3704321; 553952, 3704323; 553946, 3704332; 553946, 3704353; 553958, 
3704373; 553964, 3704381; 553958, 3704392; 553946, 3704391; 553938, 
3704396; 553934, 3704394; 553930, 3704397; 553930, 3704409; 553924, 
3704409; 553906, 3704413; 553902, 3704424; 553894, 3704419; 553885, 
3704419; 553898, 3704448; 553906, 3704450.
    (ii) Note: Map of Pecos Assiminea Critical Habitat Units 1 and 2b 
follows:
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P

[[Page 33055]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR07JN11.000


[[Page 33056]]


    (6) Unit 2b: Assiminea Impoundment Complex, Chaves County, New 
Mexico.
    (i) Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 13N, North American 
Datum of 1983 (NAD83) coordinates (E, N):
    (A) 554768, 3699378; 554765, 3699345; 554761, 3699217; 554681, 
3699179; 554608, 3699086; 554569, 3699029; 554501, 3699079; 554455, 
3699103; 554488, 3699119; 554497, 3699142; 554543, 3699151; 554539, 
3699185; 554571, 3699264; 554587, 3699280; 554622, 3699291; 554639, 
3699320; 554667, 3699343; 554699, 3699341; 554719, 3699367; 554748, 
3699380; 554768, 3699378.
    (B) 554053, 3697672; 554064, 3697692; 554077, 3697704; 554085, 
3697691; 554078, 3697672; 554215, 3697667; 554216, 3697653; 554045, 
3697649; 554053, 3697672.
    (C) 554223, 3697539; 554247, 3697505; 554195, 3697448; 554171, 
3697394; 554179, 3697365; 554152, 3697343; 554132, 3697360; 554123, 
3697373; 554155, 3697405; 554167, 3697472; 554223, 3697539.
    (D) 554070, 3697244; 554099, 3697254; 554134, 3697240; 554127, 
3697220; 554096, 3697208; 554071, 3697229; 554070, 3697244.
    553784, 3697256; 553807, 3697291; 553829, 3697279; 553849, 3697268; 
553881, 3697270; 553911, 3697274; 553931, 3697267; 553979, 3697295; 
553989, 3697296; 553980, 3697274; 553965, 3697264; 553963, 3697246; 
553939, 3697239; 553914, 3697242; 553901, 3697230; 553881, 3697235; 
553872, 3697251; 553848, 3697246; 553833, 3697254; 553829, 3697262; 
553821, 3697262; 553799, 3697250; 553784, 3697256.
    (E) 553928, 3697415; 553935, 3697425; 553952, 3697426; 553941, 
3697416; 553940, 3697405; 553942, 3697385; 553927, 3697367; 553852, 
3697391; 553833, 3697408; 553822, 3697403; 553766, 3697414; 553739, 
3697424; 553735, 3697478; 553747, 3697483; 553764, 3697425; 553795, 
3697420; 553820, 3697429; 553849, 3697415; 553880, 3697408; 553905, 
3697395; 553921, 3697407; 553928, 3697415.
    (F) 553538, 3697315; 553550, 3697308; 553572, 3697322; 553580, 
3697314; 553556, 3697287; 553538, 3697302; 553538, 3697315.
    (G) 555054, 3699844; 555015, 3699840; 555015, 3699840; 555006, 
3699890; 555065, 3699975; 555086, 3700030; 555115, 3700032; 555114, 
3700030; 555076, 3699953; 555038, 3699915; 555039, 3699861; 555054, 
3699844.
    (ii) Note: Map of Unit 2b for Pecos assiminea is provided at 
paragraph (5)(ii) of this entry.
    (7) Unit 4: Diamond Y Springs Complex, Pecos County, Texas.
    (i) Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 13N, North American 
Datum of 1983 (NAD83) coordinates (E, N): 700260, 3434916; 700413, 
3434953; 700640, 3435053; 700734, 3435148; 700861, 3435401; 700950, 
3435543; 701171, 3435706; 701340, 3435785; 701466, 3435869; 701519, 
3436053; 701645, 3436390; 701919, 3436264; 701835, 3435969; 701714, 
3435753; 701698, 3435711; 701356, 3435479; 701145, 3435353; 701045, 
3435258; 701024, 3435174; 701029, 3435095; 700998, 3434990; 700861, 
3434921; 700813, 3434832; 700629, 3434721; 700555, 3434727; 700445, 
3434700; 700371, 3434700; 700303, 3434658; 700255, 3434600; 700281, 
3434521; 700281, 3434390; 700281, 3434300; 700276, 3434147; 700250, 
3433984; 700203, 3433889; 700113, 3433726; 700124, 3433684; 700055, 
3433652; 699981, 3433626; 699923, 3433563; 699902, 3433489; 699755, 
3433326; 699665, 3433189; 699581, 3433047; 699550, 3432931; 699486, 
3432852; 699407, 3432826; 699318, 3432820; 699249, 3432747; 699202, 
3432594; 699128, 3432494; 698991, 3432415; 698849, 3432378; 698681, 
3432352; 698607, 3432262; 698533, 3432136; 698491, 3431973; 698428, 
3431931; 698396, 3431794; 698386, 3431620; 698296, 3431515; 698175, 
3431473; 698070, 3431509; 698038, 3431594; 698054, 3431794; 698149, 
3431983; 698260, 3432110; 698323, 3432189; 698449, 3432283; 698449, 
3432362; 698391, 3432436; 698370, 3432552; 698539, 3432647; 698665, 
3432605; 698727, 3432620; 698791, 3432636; 698955, 3432705; 698981, 
3432826; 699018, 3432931; 699134, 3433015; 699234, 3433021; 699286, 
3433094; 699302, 3433157; 699313, 3433168; 699460, 3433384; 699650, 
3433610; 699792, 3433784; 699834, 3433837; 699850, 3433947; 699893, 
3434001; 699929, 3434047; 699974, 3434107; 700013, 3434158; 700055, 
3434326; 700013, 3434463; 700013, 3434648; 700108, 3434827; 700260, 
3434916.
    (ii) Note: Map of Pecos Assiminea Critical Habitat Units 4 and 5 
follows:

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    (8) Unit 5: East Sandia Spring, Reeves County, Texas.
    (i) Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 13N, North American 
Datum of 1983 (NAD83) coordinates (E, N): 621217, 3429265; 621262, 
3429320; 621304, 3429356; 621352, 3429393; 621397, 3429383; 621397, 
3429384; 621398, 3429384; 621342, 3429283; 621240, 3429237; 621217, 
3429265.
    (ii) Map of Unit 5 for Pecos assiminea is provided at paragraph 
(7)(ii) of this entry.
* * * * *
Koster's Springsnail (Juturnia Kosteri) and Roswell Springsnail 
(Pyrgulopsis Roswellensis)
    (1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Chaves County, New 
Mexico, on the map below.
    (2) The primary constituent element of critical habitat for the 
Koster's springsnail and Roswell springsnail is springs and spring-fed 
wetland systems that:
    (i) Have permanent, flowing water with no or no more than low 
levels of pollutants;
    (ii) Have slow to moderate water velocities;
    (iii) Have substrates ranging from deep organic silts to limestone 
cobble and gypsum;
    (iv) Have stable water levels with natural diurnal (daily) and 
seasonal variations;
    (v) Consist of fresh to moderately saline water;
    (vi) Vary in temperature between 50-68 [deg]F (10-20 [deg]C) with 
natural seasonal and diurnal variations slightly above and below that 
range; and
    (vii) Provide abundant food, consisting of:
    (A) Algae, bacteria, and decaying organic material; and
    (B) Submergent vegetation that contributes the necessary nutrients, 
detritus, and bacteria on which these species forage.
    (3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as 
buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the 
land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on 
the effective date of this rule.
    (4) Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were 
created on a base of USGS 1:24,000 maps, and critical habitat units 
were then mapped using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates.
    (5) Unit 1: Sago/Bitter Creek Complex, Chaves County, New Mexico.
    (i) Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 13N, North American 
Datum of 1983 (NAD83) coordinates (E, N):
    (A) 553337, 3705095; 553357, 3705102; 553360, 3705067; 553371, 
3705041; 553420, 3705010; 553433, 3704982; 553482, 3704987; 553499, 
3704955; 553437, 3704946; 553424, 3704909; 553401, 3704883; 553340, 
3704906; 553319, 3704879; 553266, 3704869; 553274, 3704816; 553240, 
3704797; 553240, 3704623; 553306, 3704532; 553300, 3704419; 553280, 
3704354; 553287, 3704287; 553338, 3704221; 553438, 3704145; 553459, 
3704108; 553499, 3704091; 553533, 3704059; 553559, 3704024; 553588, 
3704004; 553650, 3704024; 553655, 3704014; 553654, 3703981; 553699, 
3703983; 553745, 3703960; 553775, 3703978; 553799, 3703979; 553828, 
3704003; 553859, 3704016; 553871, 3704037; 553907, 3704053; 553938, 
3704074; 553964, 3704078; 553983, 3704080; 553993, 3703978; 553939, 
3703960; 553917, 3703914; 553903, 3703927; 553758, 3703909; 553710, 
3703936; 553656, 3703932; 553567, 3703940; 553484, 3704010; 553426, 
3704085; 553396, 3704109; 553357, 3704150; 553270, 3704273; 553271, 
3704299; 553270, 3704344; 553255, 3704398; 553274, 3704444; 553254, 
3704540; 553218, 3704577; 553197, 3704824; 553205, 3704843; 553246, 
3704885; 553233, 3704911; 553238, 3704941; 553265, 3704950; 553294, 
3704941; 553312, 3705045; 553337, 3705095.
    (B) 553906, 3704450; 553915, 3704455; 553920, 3704452; 553917, 
3704438; 553926, 3704432; 553935, 3704420; 553957, 3704404; 553965, 
3704405; 553974, 3704406; 553985, 3704388; 553993, 3704387; 554019, 
3704376; 554037, 3704362; 554045, 3704389; 554060, 3704406; 554083, 
3704416; 554085, 3704429; 554110, 3704452; 554132, 3704457; 554121, 
3704474; 554106, 3704494; 554102, 3704531; 554119, 3704531; 554135, 
3704523; 554144, 3704510; 554157, 3704481; 554154, 3704460; 554174, 
3704431; 554192, 3704393; 554210, 3704366; 554216, 3704346; 554190, 
3704357; 554174, 3704365; 554166, 3704375; 554159, 3704395; 554146, 
3704394; 554126, 3704391; 554117, 3704384; 554123, 3704364; 554119, 
3704346; 554105, 3704337; 554091, 3704312; 554097, 3704289; 554094, 
3704269; 554084, 3704261; 554059, 3704273; 554052, 3704260; 554034, 
3704259; 554022, 3704248; 554005, 3704272; 554024, 3704293; 554040, 
3704300; 554041, 3704321; 554016, 3704332; 554006, 3704317; 553974, 
3704323; 553963, 3704324; 553963, 3704316; 553966, 3704314; 553961, 
3704302; 553949, 3704302; 553936, 3704302; 553934, 3704311; 553946, 
3704321; 553952, 3704323; 553946, 3704332; 553946, 3704353; 553958, 
3704373; 553964, 3704381; 553958, 3704392; 553946, 3704391; 553938, 
3704396; 553934, 3704394; 553930, 3704397; 553930, 3704409; 553924, 
3704409; 553906, 3704413; 553902, 3704424; 553894, 3704419; 553885, 
3704419; 553898, 3704448; 553906, 3704450.
    (ii) Note: Map of Koster's Springsnail and Roswell Springsnail 
Critical Habitat Units 1 and 2a follows:
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[[Page 33060]]

    (6) Unit 2a: Springsnail/Amphipod Impoundment Complex, Chaves 
County, New Mexico.
    (i) Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 13N, North American 
Datum of 1983 (NAD83) coordinates (E, N):
    (A) 554982, 3703317; 555004, 3703315; 555011, 3703299; 555053, 
3703215; 555079, 3703205; 555094, 3703168; 555171, 3703138; 555222, 
3703093; 555259, 3703078; 555289, 3703055; 555338, 3703047; 555420, 
3703024; 555458, 3702955; 555442, 3702940; 555422, 3702925; 555406, 
3702974; 555330, 3703017; 555277, 3703025; 555229, 3703068; 555188, 
3703090; 555151, 3703125; 555131, 3703116; 555075, 3703115; 555042, 
3703144; 555014, 3703147; 554978, 3703231; 554964, 3703290; 554982, 
3703317.
    (B) 555695, 3701598; 555603, 3701536; 555568, 3701479; 555565, 
3701460; 555559, 3701324; 555532, 3701296; 555502, 3701277; 555355, 
3700892; 555356, 3700852; 555342, 3700778; 555333, 3700694; 555294, 
3700533; 555271, 3700409; 555281, 3700322; 555273, 3700266; 555257, 
3700265; 555238, 3700281; 555247, 3700304; 555268, 3700316; 555269, 
3700343; 555221, 3700433; 555257, 3700433; 555263, 3700446; 555269, 
3700498; 555260, 3700534; 555284, 3700550; 555285, 3700567; 555274, 
3700604; 555288, 3700636; 555312, 3700666; 555322, 3700725; 555325, 
3700767; 555345, 3700858; 555350, 3700891; 555355, 3700901; 555365, 
3700958; 555379, 3700992; 555392, 3701014; 555436, 3701152; 555450, 
3701200; 555450, 3701241; 555472, 3701247; 555480, 3701271; 555504, 
3701300; 555520, 3701303; 555534, 3701340; 555529, 3701451; 555549, 
3701492; 555589, 3701560; 555621, 3701579; 555656, 3701579; 555669, 
3701602; 555686, 3701610; 555695, 3701598.
    (C) 554768, 3699378; 554765, 3699345; 554761, 3699217; 554681, 
3699179; 554608, 3699086; 554569, 3699029; 554501, 3699079; 554455, 
3699103; 554488, 3699119; 554497, 3699142; 554543, 3699151; 554539, 
3699185; 554571, 3699264; 554587, 3699280; 554622, 3699291; 554639, 
3699320; 554667, 3699343; 554699, 3699341; 554719, 3699367; 554748, 
3699380; 554768, 3699378.
    (D) 554487, 3699017; 554487, 3698993; 554435, 3698991; 554392, 
3698980; 554398, 3699012; 554405, 3699026; 554410, 3699056; 554427, 
3699057; 554423, 3699035; 554458, 3699018; 554487, 3699017.
    (E) 554195, 3698145; 554220, 3698101; 554258, 3698101; 554256, 
3698043; 554224, 3698055; 554210, 3698079; 554193, 3698085; 554191, 
3698097; 554195, 3698145.
    (F) 554223, 3697539; 554247, 3697505; 554195, 3697448; 554171, 
3697394; 554179, 3697365; 554152, 3697343; 554132, 3697360; 554123, 
3697373; 554155, 3697405; 554167, 3697472; 554223, 3697539.
    (G) 554070, 3697244; 554099, 3697254; 554134, 3697240; 554127, 
3697220; 554096, 3697208; 554071, 3697229; 554070, 3697244.
    (H) 553784, 3697256; 553807, 3697291; 553829, 3697279; 553849, 
3697268; 553881, 3697270; 553911, 3697274; 553931, 3697267; 553979, 
3697295; 553989, 3697296; 553980, 3697274; 553965, 3697264; 553963, 
3697246; 553939, 3697239; 553914, 3697242; 553901, 3697230; 553881, 
3697235; 553872, 3697251; 553848, 3697246; 553833, 3697254; 553829, 
3697262; 553821, 3697262; 553799, 3697250; 553784, 3697256.
    (I) 553928, 3697415; 553935, 3697425; 553952, 3697426; 553941, 
3697416; 553940, 3697405; 553942, 3697385; 553927, 3697367; 553852, 
3697391; 553833, 3697408; 553822, 3697403; 553766, 3697414; 553739, 
3697424; 553735, 3697478; 553747, 3697483; 553764, 3697425; 553795, 
3697420; 553820, 3697429; 553849, 3697415; 553880, 3697408; 553905, 
3697395; 553921, 3697407; 553928, 3697415.
    (J) 553538, 3697315; 553550, 3697308; 553572, 3697322; 553580, 
3697314; 553556, 3697287; 553538, 3697302; 553538, 3697315.
    (K) 555054, 3699844; 555015, 3699840; 555015, 3699840; 555006, 
3699890; 555065, 3699975; 555086, 3700030; 555115, 3700032; 555114, 
3700030; 555076, 3699953; 555038, 3699915; 555039, 3699861; 555054, 
3699844.
    (ii) Map of Unit 2a for Koster's springsnail and Roswell 
springsnail is provided at paragraph (5)(ii) of this entry.
* * * * *
    (h) Crustaceans.
* * * * *
    Noel's amphipod (Gammarus desperatus)
    (1) Critical habitat units are depicted for Chaves County, New 
Mexico, on the maps below.
    (2) The primary constituent element of critical habitat for Noel's 
amphipod is springs and spring-fed wetland systems that:
    (i) Have permanent, flowing water with no or no more than low 
levels of pollutants;
    (ii) Have slow to moderate water velocities;
    (iii) Have substrates including limestone cobble and aquatic 
vegetation;
    (iv) Have stable water levels with natural diurnal (daily) and 
seasonal variations;
    (v) Consist of fresh to moderately saline water;
    (vi) Have minimal sedimentation;
    (vii) Vary in temperature between 50-68 [deg]F (10-20 [deg]C) with 
natural seasonal and diurnal variations slightly above and below that 
range; and
    (viii) Provide abundant food, consisting of:
    (A) Submergent vegetation and decaying organic matter;
    (B) A surface film of algae, diatoms, bacteria, and fungi; and
    (C) Microbial foods, such as algae and bacteria, associated with 
aquatic plants, algae, bacteria, and decaying organic material.
    (3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as 
buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the 
land on which they are located existing within the legal boundaries on 
the effective date of this rule.
    (4) Critical habitat map units. Data layers defining map units were 
created on a base of USGS 1:24,000 maps, and critical habitat units 
were then mapped using Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates.
    (5) Unit 1: Sago/Bitter Creek Complex, Chaves County, New Mexico.
    (i) Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 13N, North American 
Datum of 1983 (NAD83) coordinates (E, N):
    (A) 553337, 3705095; 553357, 3705102; 553360, 3705067; 553371, 
3705041; 553420, 3705010; 553433, 3704982; 553482, 3704987; 553499, 
3704955; 553437, 3704946; 553424, 3704909; 553401, 3704883; 553340, 
3704906; 553319, 3704879; 553266, 3704869; 553274, 3704816; 553240, 
3704797; 553240, 3704623; 553306, 3704532; 553300, 3704419; 553280, 
3704354; 553287, 3704287; 553338, 3704221; 553438, 3704145; 553459, 
3704108; 553499, 3704091; 553533, 3704059; 553559, 3704024; 553588, 
3704004; 553650, 3704024; 553655, 3704014; 553654, 3703981; 553699, 
3703983; 553745, 3703960; 553775, 3703978; 553799, 3703979; 553828, 
3704003; 553859, 3704016; 553871, 3704037; 553907, 3704053; 553938, 
3704074; 553964, 3704078; 553983, 3704080; 553993, 3703978; 553939, 
3703960; 553917, 3703914; 553903, 3703927; 553758, 3703909; 553710, 
3703936; 553656, 3703932; 553567, 3703940; 553484, 3704010; 553426, 
3704085; 553396, 3704109; 553357, 3704150; 553270, 3704273; 553271, 
3704299; 553270, 3704344; 553255, 3704398; 553274, 3704444; 553254, 
3704540; 553218, 3704577; 553197,

[[Page 33061]]

3704824; 553205, 3704843; 553246, 3704885; 553233, 3704911; 553238, 
3704941; 553265, 3704950; 553294, 3704941; 553312, 3705045; 553337, 
3705095.
    (B) 553906, 3704450; 553915, 3704455; 553920, 3704452; 553917, 
3704438; 553926, 3704432; 553935, 3704420; 553957, 3704404; 553965, 
3704405; 553974, 3704406; 553985, 3704388; 553993, 3704387; 554019, 
3704376; 554037, 3704362; 554045, 3704389; 554060, 3704406; 554083, 
3704416; 554085, 3704429; 554110, 3704452; 554132, 3704457; 554121, 
3704474; 554106, 3704494; 554102, 3704531; 554119, 3704531; 554135, 
3704523; 554144, 3704510; 554157, 3704481; 554154, 3704460; 554174, 
3704431; 554192, 3704393; 554210, 3704366; 554216, 3704346; 554190, 
3704357; 554174, 3704365; 554166, 3704375; 554159, 3704395; 554146, 
3704394; 554126, 3704391; 554117, 3704384; 554123, 3704364; 554119, 
3704346; 554105, 3704337; 554091, 3704312; 554097, 3704289; 554094, 
3704269; 554084, 3704261; 554059, 3704273; 554052, 3704260; 554034, 
3704259; 554022, 3704248; 554005, 3704272; 554024, 3704293; 554040, 
3704300; 554041, 3704321; 554016, 3704332; 554006, 3704317; 553974, 
3704323; 553963, 3704324; 553963, 3704316; 553966, 3704314; 553961, 
3704302; 553949, 3704302; 553936, 3704302; 553934, 3704311; 553946, 
3704321; 553952, 3704323; 553946, 3704332; 553946, 3704353; 553958, 
3704373; 553964, 3704381; 553958, 3704392; 553946, 3704391; 553938, 
3704396; 553934, 3704394; 553930, 3704397; 553930, 3704409; 553924, 
3704409; 553906, 3704413; 553902, 3704424; 553894, 3704419; 553885, 
3704419; 553898, 3704448; 553906, 3704450.
    (ii) Note: Map of Noel's Amphipod Critical Habitat Units 1 and 2a 
follows:
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[[Page 33062]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR07JN11.003

    (6) Unit 2a: Springsnail/Amphipod Impoundment Complex, Chaves 
County, New Mexico.
    (i) Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 13N, North American 
Datum of 1983 (NAD83) coordinates (E, N):
    (A) 554982, 3703317; 555004, 3703315; 555011, 3703299; 555053, 
3703215; 555079, 3703205; 555094, 3703168; 555171, 3703138; 555222, 
3703093; 555259, 3703078; 555289, 3703055; 555338, 3703047; 555420, 
3703024; 555458, 3702955; 555442, 3702940; 555422, 3702925; 555406, 
3702974; 555330, 3703017; 555277, 3703025; 555229, 3703068; 555188, 
3703090; 555151, 3703125; 555131, 3703116; 555075, 3703115; 555042, 
3703144; 555014, 3703147; 554978, 3703231; 554964, 3703290; 554982, 
3703317.
    (B) 555695, 3701598; 555603, 3701536; 555568, 3701479; 555565, 
3701460; 555559, 3701324; 555532, 3701296; 555502, 3701277; 555355, 
3700892; 555356, 3700852; 555342, 3700778; 555333, 3700694; 555294, 
3700533; 555271, 3700409; 555281, 3700322; 555273, 3700266; 555257, 
3700265; 555238, 3700281; 555247, 3700304; 555268, 3700316; 555269, 
3700343; 555221, 3700433; 555257,

[[Page 33063]]

3700433; 555263, 3700446; 555269, 3700498; 555260, 3700534; 555284, 
3700550; 555285, 3700567; 555274, 3700604; 555288, 3700636; 555312, 
3700666; 555322, 3700725; 555325, 3700767; 555345, 3700858; 555350, 
3700891; 555355, 3700901; 555365, 3700958; 555379, 3700992; 555392, 
3701014; 555436, 3701152; 555450, 3701200; 555450, 3701241; 555472, 
3701247; 555480, 3701271; 555504, 3701300; 555520, 3701303; 555534, 
3701340; 555529, 3701451; 555549, 3701492; 555589, 3701560; 555621, 
3701579; 555656, 3701579; 555669, 3701602; 555686, 3701610; 555695, 
3701598.
    (C) 554768, 3699378; 554765, 3699345; 554761, 3699217; 554681, 
3699179; 554608, 3699086; 554569, 3699029; 554501, 3699079; 554455, 
3699103; 554488, 3699119; 554497, 3699142; 554543, 3699151; 554539, 
3699185; 554571, 3699264; 554587, 3699280; 554622, 3699291; 554639, 
3699320; 554667, 3699343; 554699, 3699341; 554719, 3699367; 554748, 
3699380; 554768, 3699378.
    (D) 554487, 3699017; 554487, 3698993; 554435, 3698991; 554392, 
3698980; 554398, 3699012; 554405, 3699026; 554410, 3699056; 554427, 
3699057; 554423, 3699035; 554458, 3699018; 554487, 3699017.
    (E) 554195, 3698145; 554220, 3698101; 554258, 3698101; 554256, 
3698043; 554224, 3698055; 554210, 3698079; 554193, 3698085; 554191, 
3698097; 554195, 3698145.
    (F) 554223, 3697539; 554247, 3697505; 554195, 3697448; 554171, 
3697394; 554179, 3697365; 554152, 3697343; 554132, 3697360; 554123, 
3697373; 554155, 3697405; 554167, 3697472; 554223, 3697539.
    (G) 554070, 3697244; 554099, 3697254; 554134, 3697240; 554127, 
3697220; 554096, 3697208; 554071, 3697229; 554070, 3697244.
    (H) 553784, 3697256; 553807, 3697291; 553829, 3697279; 553849, 
3697268; 553881, 3697270; 553911, 3697274; 553931, 3697267; 553979, 
3697295; 553989, 3697296; 553980, 3697274; 553965, 3697264; 553963, 
3697246; 553939, 3697239; 553914, 3697242; 553901, 3697230; 553881, 
3697235; 553872, 3697251; 553848, 3697246; 553833, 3697254; 553829, 
3697262; 553821, 3697262; 553799, 3697250; 553784, 3697256.
    (I) 553928, 3697415; 553935, 3697425; 553952, 3697426; 553941, 
3697416; 553940, 3697405; 553942, 3697385; 553927, 3697367; 553852, 
3697391; 553833, 3697408; 553822, 3697403; 553766, 3697414; 553739, 
3697424; 553735, 3697478; 553747, 3697483; 553764, 3697425; 553795, 
3697420; 553820, 3697429; 553849, 3697415; 553880, 3697408; 553905, 
3697395; 553921, 3697407; 553928, 3697415.
    (J) 553538, 3697315; 553550, 3697308; 553572, 3697322; 553580, 
3697314; 553556, 3697287; 553538, 3697302; 553538, 3697315.
    (K) 555054, 3699844; 555015, 3699840; 555015, 3699840; 555006, 
3699890; 555065, 3699975; 555086, 3700030; 555115, 3700032; 555114, 
3700030; 555076, 3699953; 555038, 3699915; 555039, 3699861; 555054, 
3699844.
    (ii) Map of Unit 2a for Noel's amphipod is provided at paragraph 
(5)(ii) of this entry.
    (7) Unit 3: Rio Hondo, Chaves County, New Mexico.
    (i) Land bounded by the following UTM Zone 13N, North American 
Datum of 1983 (NAD83) coordinates (E, N): 554121, 3694838; 554166, 
3694847; 554200, 3694673; 554230, 3694507; 554247, 3694358; 554277, 
3694294; 554243, 3694274; 554212, 3694343; 554196, 3694458; 554164, 
3694649; 554121, 3694838.
    (ii) Note: Map of Noel's Amphipod Critical Habitat Unit 3 follows:

[[Page 33064]]

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR07JN11.004

* * * * *

    Dated: May 19, 2011.
Eileen Sobeck,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2011-13227 Filed 6-6-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-C