[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 5, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8096-8100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02051]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2013-0004; 4500030113]
RIN 1018-AZ26


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing as 
Endangered and Designation of Critical Habitat for Six West Texas 
Aquatic Invertebrate Species

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the 
reopening of the public comment period on the August 16, 2012, proposed 
endangered status for six west Texas aquatic invertebrate species under 
the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We also announce 
the reopening of comment on the August 16, 2012, proposed designation 
of critical habitat for the six west Texas aquatic invertebrate species 
and the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed 
designation and amended required determinations in the proposed rule. 
We are reopening the comment period to allow all interested parties an 
opportunity to comment simultaneously on the proposed rules, the 
associated draft economic analysis, and the amended required 
determinations. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted, 
as they will be fully considered in preparation of the final rules.

DATES: We will consider comments received or postmarked on or before 
March 22, 2013. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES section, below) must be received by 
11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date. Any comments that we 
receive after the closing date may not be considered in the final 
decision on this action.
    Public Hearing: We will hold a public hearing on these proposed 
rules at Balmorhea State Park in Toyahvale, Texas, on February 21, 2013 
(see ADDRESSES).

ADDRESSES: Document availability: You may obtain a copy of the proposed 
rule on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-
R2-ES-2012-0029 or by mail from the Austin Ecological Services Field 
Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). You may obtain a copy of 
the draft economic analysis at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2013-0004.
    Written comments: You may submit written comments by one of the 
following methods:
    (1) Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Submit comments on the listing proposal to Docket 
No. FWS-R2-ES-2012-0029, and submit comments on the critical habitat 
proposal and associated draft economic analysis to Docket No. FWS-R2-
ES-2013-0004. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for an explanation of the 
two dockets.
    (2) By hard copy: Submit comment on the listing proposal by U.S. 
mail or hand-delivery to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R2-ES-
2012-0029; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 
22203. Submit comment on the critical habitat proposal and draft 
economic analysis by U.S. mail or hand-delivery to: Public Comments 
Processing, Attn: FWS-R2-ES-2013-0004; Division of Policy and 
Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax 
Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA 22203.
    We request that you send comments only by the methods described 
above. We will post all comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This 
generally means that we will post any personal information you provide 
us (see the Public Comments section below for more information).
    Public informational session and public hearing: The public 
informational session and hearing will be held in the conference room 
at Balmorhea State Park, State Highway 17, Toyahvale, Texas. The public 
information session will begin at 5:00 p.m., and the public hearing 
will begin at 6:00 p.m. Central Time. People

[[Page 8097]]

needing reasonable accommodation in order to attend and participate in 
the public hearing should contact Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, 
Austin Ecological Services Office, as soon as possible (see FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Ecological Services Field Office, 
10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758; by telephone (512-490-
0057); or by facsimile (512-490-0974). Persons who use a 
telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Comments

    We are reopening the comment period for our proposed listing 
determination and proposed critical habitat designation for the Phantom 
Cave snail (Pyrgulopsis texana), Phantom springsnail (Tryonia 
cheatumi), diminutive amphipod (Gammarus hyalleloides), Diamond Y 
Spring snail (Pseudotryonia adamantina), Gonzales springsnail (Tryonia 
circumstriata), and Pecos amphipod (Gammarus pecos) (the six west Texas 
aquatic invertebrate species) that was published in the Federal 
Register on August 16, 2012 (77 FR 49602). We are specifically seeking 
comments on the draft economic analysis, which is now available, for 
the critical habitat designation; see ADDRESSES.
    We are also notifying the public that we will publish two separate 
rules for the final listing determination and the final critical 
habitat determination for the six west Texas aquatic invertebrate 
species. The final listing rule will publish under the existing docket 
number, FWS-R2-ES-2012-0029, and the final critical habitat designation 
will publish under docket number FWS-R2-ES-2013-0004.
    We request that you provide comments specifically on our listing 
determination under the existing docket number [FWS-R2-ES-2012-0029]. 
We will consider information and recommendations from all interested 
parties. We are particularly interested in comments concerning:
    (1) Biological, commercial trade, or other relevant data concerning 
any threats (or lack thereof) to this species and regulations that may 
be addressing those threats.
    (2) Additional information concerning the historical and current 
status, range, distribution, and population size of this species, 
including the locations of any additional populations of this species.
    (3) Any information on the biological or ecological requirements of 
the species, and ongoing conservation measures for the species and its 
habitat.
    (4) Current or planned activities in the areas occupied by the 
species and possible impacts of these activities on this species.
    We request that you provide comments specifically on the critical 
habitat determination and draft economic analysis under docket number 
[FWS-R2-ES-2013-0004]. We will consider information and recommendations 
from all interested parties. We are particularly interested in comments 
concerning:
    (5) The reasons why we should or should not designate habitat as 
``critical habitat'' under section 4 of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et 
seq.) including whether there are threats to the species from human 
activity, the degree of which can be expected to increase due to the 
designation, and whether that increase in threat outweighs the benefit 
of designation such that the designation of critical habitat may not be 
prudent.
    (6) Specific information on:
    (a) The amount and distribution of habitat for the six west Texas 
aquatic invertebrates;
    (b) What areas, that were occupied at the time of listing (or are 
currently occupied) and that contain features essential to the 
conservation of the species, should be included in the designation and 
why;
    (c) Special management considerations or protection that may be 
needed in critical habitat areas we are proposing, including managing 
for the potential effects of climate change; and
    (d) What areas not occupied at the time of listing are essential 
for the conservation of the species and why.
    (7) Land use designations and current or planned activities in the 
subject areas and their possible impacts on proposed critical habitat.
    (8) Information on the projected and reasonably likely impacts of 
climate change on the six west Texas aquatic invertebrates and proposed 
critical habitat.
    (9) Any probable economic, national security, or other relevant 
impacts of designating any area that may be included in the final 
designation; in particular, any impacts on small entities or families, 
and the benefits of including or excluding areas that exhibit these 
impacts.
    (10) Information on the extent to which the description of economic 
impacts in the draft economic analysis is complete and accurate.
    (11) Whether any specific areas we are proposing for critical 
habitat designation should be considered for exclusion under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act, and whether the benefits of potentially excluding 
any specific area outweigh the benefits of including that area under 
section 4(b)(2) of the Act.
    (12) Whether the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of 
including the area proposed as critical habitat around San Solomon 
Spring at Balmorhea State Park based on the existing habitat 
conservation plan or other relevant factors.
    (13) Whether we could improve or modify our approach to designating 
critical habitat in any way to provide for greater public participation 
and understanding, or to better accommodate public concerns and 
comments.
    If you submitted comments or information on the proposed rules (77 
FR 49601; August 16, 2012) during the initial comment period from 
August 16, 2012, to October 15, 2012, please do not resubmit them. We 
have incorporated them into the public record, and we will fully 
consider them in the preparation of our final rules. On the basis of 
public comments and other relevant information, we may, during the 
development of our final determination on the proposed critical habitat 
designation, find that areas proposed are not essential, are 
appropriate for exclusion under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, or are not 
appropriate for exclusion.
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning the proposed 
rule or draft economic analysis by one of the methods listed in the 
ADDRESSES section. We request that you send comments only by the 
methods described in the ADDRESSES section.
    If you submit a comment via http://www.regulations.gov, your entire 
comment--including any personal identifying information--will be posted 
on the Web site. We will post all hardcopy comments on http://www.regulations.gov as well. If you submit a hardcopy comment that 
includes personal identifying information, you may request at the top 
of your document that we withhold this information from public review. 
However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used, will be available for public inspection on 
http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2012-0029 (for the 
proposed listing rule) and Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2013-0004 (for the 
proposed critical habitat designation and draft economic analysis), or 
by

[[Page 8098]]

appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Austin Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). You may obtain copies of the proposed 
rule on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-
R2-ES-2012-0029 and the draft economic analysis at Docket No. FWS-R2-
ES-2013-0004, or by mail from the Austin Ecological Services Field 
Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section).

Background

    It is our intent to discuss only those topics directly relevant to 
the designation of critical habitat for six west Texas aquatic 
invertebrate species in this document. For more information on the six 
west Texas aquatic invertebrate species, the species' habitat, and 
previous Federal actions concerning the species, refer to the proposed 
listing rule and designation of critical habitat, published in the 
Federal Register on August 16, 2012 (77 FR 49602). The proposed rule is 
available online at http://www.regulations.gov (at Docket No. FWS-R2-
ES-2012-0029) or from the Austin Ecological Services Field Office (see 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT).

Previous Federal Actions

    On August 16, 2012, we published a proposed rule to list as 
endangered and to designate critical habitat for the six west Texas 
aquatic invertebrate species (77 FR 49602). In total, approximately 
181.7 hectares (ha) (450.6 acres (ac)) were proposed for designation as 
critical habitat in four units for three species and one unit for three 
other species. The proposed critical habitat is located in Pecos, 
Reeves, and Jeff Davis Counties, Texas. We proposed to designate 
approximately 3.7 ha (9.2 ac) in four units located in Reeves and Jeff 
Davis Counties, Texas, as critical habitat for the Phantom Cave snail, 
Phantom springsnail, and diminutive amphipod. We also proposed to 
designate approximately 178.6 ha (441.1 ac) in one unit located in 
Pecos County, Texas, as critical habitat for the Diamond Y Spring 
snail, Gonzales springsnail, and Pecos amphipod. That proposal had a 
60-day comment period, ending October 15, 2012. We received a request 
for a public hearing; therefore, a public hearing will be held (see 
DATES and ADDRESSES). We will submit for publication in the Federal 
Register a final listing determination and critical habitat designation 
for the six west Texas aquatic invertebrates on or before August 16, 
2013.

Critical Habitat

    Section 3 of the Act defines critical habitat as the specific areas 
within the geographical area occupied by a species, at the time it is 
listed in accordance with the Act, on which are found those physical or 
biological features essential to the conservation of the species and 
that may require special management considerations or protection, and 
specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by a species at 
the time it is listed, upon a determination by the Secretary that such 
areas are essential for the conservation of the species. If the 
proposed rule is made final, section 7 of the Act will prohibit 
destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat by any activity 
funded, authorized, or carried out by any Federal agency. Federal 
agencies proposing actions affecting critical habitat must consult with 
us on the effects of their proposed actions, under section 7(a)(2) of 
the Act.

Consideration of Impacts Under Section 4(b)(2) of the Act

    Section 4(b)(2) of the Act requires that we designate or revise 
critical habitat based upon the best scientific data available, after 
taking into consideration the economic impact, impact on national 
security, or any other relevant impact of specifying any particular 
area as critical habitat. We may exclude an area from critical habitat 
if we determine that the benefits of excluding the area outweigh the 
benefits of including the area as critical habitat, provided such 
exclusion will not result in the extinction of the species.
    When considering the benefits of inclusion for an area, we consider 
the additional regulatory benefits that area would receive from the 
protection from adverse modification or destruction as a result of 
actions with a Federal nexus (activities conducted, funded, permitted, 
or authorized by Federal agencies), the educational benefits of mapping 
areas containing essential features that aid in the recovery of the 
listed species, and any benefits that may result from designation due 
to State or Federal laws that may apply to critical habitat.
    When considering the benefits of exclusion, we consider, among 
other things, whether exclusion of a specific area is likely to result 
in conservation; the continuation, strengthening, or encouragement of 
partnerships; or implementation of a management plan. We are 
considering excluding the San Solomon Spring Unit that is currently 
covered under a habitat conservation plan with Texas Parks and Wildlife 
Department for the Phantom Cave snail, Phantom springsnail, and 
diminutive amphipod for management activities at Balmorhea State Park. 
However, the final decision on whether to exclude any areas will be 
based on the best scientific data available at the time of the final 
designation, including information obtained during the comment period 
and information about the economic impact of designation. Accordingly, 
we have prepared a draft economic analysis concerning the proposed 
critical habitat designation, which is available for review and comment 
(see ADDRESSES section).

Draft Economic Analysis

    The purpose of the draft economic analysis is to identify and 
analyze the potential economic impacts associated with the proposed 
critical habitat designation for the Phantom Cave snail, Phantom 
springsnail, diminutive amphipod, Diamond Y Spring snail, Gonzales 
springsnail, and Pecos amphipod. The draft economic analysis separates 
conservation measures into two distinct categories according to 
``without critical habitat'' and ``with critical habitat'' scenarios. 
The ``without critical habitat'' scenario represents the baseline for 
the analysis, considering protections otherwise afforded to the six 
west Texas aquatic invertebrate species (e.g., under the Federal 
listing and other Federal, State, and local regulations). The ``with 
critical habitat'' scenario describes the incremental impacts 
specifically due to designation of critical habitat for the species. In 
other words, these incremental conservation measures and associated 
economic impacts would not occur but for the designation. Conservation 
measures implemented under the baseline (without critical habitat) 
scenario are described qualitatively within the draft economic 
analysis, but economic impacts associated with these measures are not 
quantified. Economic impacts are only quantified for conservation 
measures implemented specifically due to the designation of critical 
habitat (i.e., incremental impacts). For a further description of the 
methodology of the analysis, see Appendix B, ``Framework,'' of the 
draft economic analysis.
    The draft economic analysis provides estimated costs of the 
foreseeable potential economic impacts of the proposed critical habitat 
designation for the six west Texas aquatic invertebrate species over 
the next 20 years, which was determined to be the appropriate period 
for analysis because limited planning information is available for most 
activities to forecast activity levels for projects beyond a 20-year 
timeframe.

[[Page 8099]]

It identifies potential incremental costs as a result of the proposed 
critical habitat designation; these are those costs attributed to 
critical habitat over and above those baseline costs attributed to 
listing.
    The draft economic analysis quantifies economic impacts of the six 
west Texas aquatic invertebrate species conservation efforts associated 
with the following categories of activity: (1) Water withdrawals for 
agricultural and municipal use; (2) oil and gas development; and (3) 
recreation and species management.
    We do not anticipate recommending incremental conservation measures 
to avoid adverse modification of critical habitat over and above those 
recommended to avoid jeopardy of the species, and, as such, the 
economic analysis forecasts few incremental economic impacts as a 
result of the designation of critical habitat for these species. A 
number of factors limit the extent to which the proposed critical 
habitat designation will result in incremental costs, including the 
fact that all the proposed habit is occupied by the species, the 
species' survival is so closely linked to the quality of their habitat, 
few actions being carried out in the area are subject to a Federal 
nexus, and much of the proposed habitat is currently managed for 
conservation.
    The total projected incremental costs of administrative efforts 
resulting from section 7 consultations on the six invertebrates are 
approximately $40,000 over 20 years ($4,000 on an annualized basis), 
assuming a seven percent discount rate. The analysis estimates 
potential future administrative impacts based on the historical rate of 
consultation on co-occurring listed species in areas proposed for 
critical habitat, as discussed in Chapter 2 of the draft economic 
analysis.
    As stated earlier, we are soliciting data and comments from the 
public on the draft economic analysis, as well as all aspects of the 
proposed rules and our amended required determinations. We may revise 
the proposed rules or supporting documents to incorporate or address 
information we receive during the public comment period. In particular, 
we may exclude an area from critical habitat if we determine that the 
benefits of excluding the area outweigh the benefits of including the 
area, provided the exclusion will not result in the extinction of this 
species.

Required Determinations--Amended

    In our August 16, 2012, proposed rule (77 FR 49601), we indicated 
that we would defer our determination of compliance with several 
statutes and executive orders until the information concerning 
potential economic impacts of the designation and potential effects on 
landowners and stakeholders became available in the draft economic 
analysis. We have now made use of the draft economic analysis data to 
make these determinations. In this document, we affirm the information 
in our proposed rule concerning Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 
(Regulatory Planning and Review), E.O. 12630 (Takings), E.O. 13132 
(Federalism), E.O. 12988 (Civil Justice Reform), E.O. 13211 (Energy, 
Supply, Distribution, and Use), the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 
U.S.C. 1501 et seq.), the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 
3501 et seq.), the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.), and the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, ``Government-
to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments'' (59 
FR 22951). However, based on the draft economic analysis data, we are 
amending our required determination concerning the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).

Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), 
as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 
1996 (SBREFA; 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), whenever an agency is required to 
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 
(i.e., 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 the 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. Based on our draft economic analysis of the 
proposed designation, we provide our analysis for determining whether 
the proposed rule would result in a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Based on comments we receive, we 
may revise this determination as part of our final rulemaking.
    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; and small businesses (13 CFR 121.201). 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 considered the 
types of activities that might trigger regulatory impacts under this 
designation as well as 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 proposed designation of critical habitat for 
the six west Texas aquatic invertebrate species would affect a 
substantial number of small entities, we considered the number of small 
entities affected within particular types of economic activities, such 
as water withdrawals for agricultural and municipal use, oil and gas 
development, and recreation and species management. In order to 
determine whether it is appropriate for our agency to certify that this 
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities, we considered each industry or 
category individually. In estimating the numbers of small entities 
potentially affected, we also considered whether their activities have 
any Federal involvement. Critical habitat designation will not affect 
activities that do not have any Federal involvement; designation of 
critical habitat only affects activities conducted, funded, permitted, 
or authorized by Federal agencies. If we finalize the proposed listing 
for the species, in areas where any one of the six west Texas aquatic 
invertebrate species is present, Federal agencies will be required to 
consult with us under section 7 of the Act on activities they fund, 
permit, or implement that may affect the species. If we finalize this 
proposed critical habitat designation, consultations to avoid the 
destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat would be 
incorporated into the existing consultation process.
    In the draft economic analysis, we evaluated the potential economic 
effects on small entities resulting from implementation of conservation 
actions

[[Page 8100]]

related to the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Phantom 
Cave snail, Phantom springsnail, diminutive amphipod, Diamond Y Spring 
snail, Gonzales springsnail, and Pecos amphipod. We do not anticipate 
recommending incremental conservation measures to avoid adverse 
modification of critical habitat over and above those recommended to 
avoid jeopardy of the species, and as such the economic analysis 
forecasts few incremental economic impacts as a result of the 
designation of critical habitat for these species. Those incremental 
impacts forecasted are solely related to administrative costs for 
adverse modification analyses in section 7 consultations. We anticipate 
conducting approximately 7 formal, 15 informal, and 3 technical 
assistance consultations considering the designation, for a total of 25 
consultations, over the next 20 years. Assuming the consultations are 
equally likely to occur in any year, this results in fewer than two 
consultations a year. Based on the consultation history, most 
consultations are unlikely to involve a third party. If any 
consultations were to involve a third party, fewer than two small 
entities, if any, could be affected each year. The incremental cost per 
entity of participating in a consultation is likely to range from $400 
to $5,000. Please refer to Appendix A of the draft economic analysis of 
the proposed critical habitat designation for a more detailed 
discussion of potential economic impacts.
    The Service's current understanding of recent case law is that 
Federal agencies are only required to evaluate the potential impacts of 
rulemaking on those entities directly regulated by the rulemaking; 
therefore, they are not required to evaluate the potential impacts to 
those entities not directly regulated. The designation of critical 
habitat for an endangered or threatened species only has a regulatory 
effect where a Federal action agency is involved in a particular action 
that may affect the designated critical habitat. Under these 
circumstances, only the Federal action agency is directly regulated by 
the designation, and, therefore, consistent with the Service's current 
interpretation of RFA and recent case law, the Service may limit its 
evaluation of the potential impacts to those identified for Federal 
action agencies. Under this interpretation, there is no requirement 
under the RFA to evaluate the potential impacts to entities not 
directly regulated, such as small businesses. However, Executive Orders 
12866 and 13563 direct Federal agencies to assess costs and benefits of 
available regulatory alternatives in quantitative (to the extent 
feasible) and qualitative terms. Consequently, it is the current 
practice of the Service to assess to the extent practicable these 
potential impacts, if sufficient data are available, whether or not 
this analysis is believed by the Service to be strictly required by the 
RFA. In other words, while the effects analysis required under the RFA 
is limited to entities directly regulated by the rulemaking, the 
effects analysis under the Act, consistent with the EO regulatory 
analysis requirements, can take into consideration impacts to both 
directly and indirectly impacted entities, where practicable and 
reasonable.
    In summary, we have considered whether the proposed designation 
would result in a significant economic impact on a substantial number 
of small entities. Information for this analysis was gathered from the 
Small Business Administration, stakeholders, and the Service. We 
conclude that future consultations are unlikely to involve a third 
party. However if a third party were to be involved in a consultation, 
we identified fewer than two small business entities that could be 
affected each year as a result of the designation of critical habitat 
for the six west Texas aquatic invertebrate species. For the above 
reasons and based on currently available information, we certify that, 
if promulgated, the proposed critical habitat designations would not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
business entities. Therefore, an initial regulatory flexibility 
analysis is not required.

Authors

    The primary authors of this notice are the staff members of the 
Austin Ecological Services Field Office, Southwest Region, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service.

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: January 23, 2013.
Michael J. Bean,
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and 
Parks.
[FR Doc. 2013-02051 Filed 2-4-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P