[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 244 (Friday, December 18, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 82376-82389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28033]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2019-0115; FF09E23000 FXES1111090FEDR 212]
RIN 1018-BD84


Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for 
Designating Critical Habitat

AGENCY: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS or Service), amend 
portions of our regulations that implement section 4 of the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The revisions set forth a 
process for excluding areas of critical habitat under section 4(b)(2) 
of the Act, which mandates our consideration of the impacts of 
designating critical habitat and permits exclusions of particular areas 
following a discretionary exclusion analysis. These regulations outline 
when and how the Service will undertake an exclusion analysis, 
including identifying a non-exhaustive list of categories of potential 
impacts that we will consider. This rule, reflects agency experience, 
codifies some current agency practices, makes some modifications to 
current agency practice, and responds to applicable Supreme Court case 
law. The intended effect of this rule is to provide greater 
transparency and certainty for the public and stakeholders.

DATES: 
    Effective date: This final regulation is effective on January 19, 
2021.
    Applicability date: This revised regulation applies to critical 
habitat rules for which a proposed rule is published after January 19, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: Public comments and materials received, as well as 
supporting documentation used in the preparation of this final 
regulation, are available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov 
in Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2019-0115.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Frazer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240, telephone 
202/208-4646. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf 
(TDD), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 800/877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On September 8, 2020, we proposed to amend portions of our 
regulations that implement section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (hereafter ``Act''; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). In that 
proposed rule (85 FR 55398), we provided the background for our 
proposed revisions in terms of the statute, legislative history, and 
case law; a brief description of the proposed rule follows:
    The implementing regulations for the designation of critical 
habitat for listed species are located in part 424 of title 50 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations. Relevant definitions are at 50 CFR 424.02, 
and the standards and procedures for identifying critical habitat are 
at 50 CFR 424.12. These regulations are jointly administered between 
the Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (referred 
to hereafter as the ``Services''). On February 11, 2016, the Services 
issued a joint policy describing how we implement the authority to 
exclude areas from critical habitat designations (``Policy Regarding 
Implementation of Section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act,'' 81 
FR 7226; hereafter the ``2016 Policy'').
    The proposed revisions in our September 8, 2020, proposed rule (85 
FR 55398) set forth a process for excluding areas of critical habitat 
under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, which mandates our consideration of 
the impacts of designating critical habitat. Section 4(b)(2) of the Act 
requires us first to consider the relevant impacts of designating 
critical habitat and authorizes us then to exclude particular areas 
from the designation based on our discretionary exclusion analysis. We 
wanted to articulate clearly when and how we will undertake an 
exclusion analysis, including identifying a non-exhaustive list of 
categories of potential impacts for us to consider.
    In the proposed rule, we revisited certain language in the preamble 
of the 2016 Policy, as well as certain statements in the preamble to a 
2013 rule that revised the regulations on the timing of our economic 
analyses at 50 CFR 424.19 (August 28, 2013, 78 FR 53058). This 2013 
rule is discussed below in this document and is referred to hereafter 
as the ``Final 424.19 Rule.'' Our goal in the proposed rule was to 
provide clarity to the Service and the public in light of agency 
experience and current practices, and to respond to the Supreme Court's 
recent decision in Weyerhaeuser Co. v. U.S. FWS, 139 S. Ct. 361 (2018).
    In this final rule, we focus our discussion on the comments we 
received during the comment period and our consideration of the issues 
raised. For background on the statutory and legislative history and 
case law relevant to this regulation, we refer the reader to the 
proposed rule (85 FR 55398, September 8, 2020).

Effects of the Final Rule

    After consideration of the information provided through the public 
comment process, we are finalizing this rule as proposed, but have 
provided clarification to questions and concerns below in the responses 
to public comments.
    In finalizing the specific changes to the current regulations in 
the rule portion of this document and setting out the accompanying 
clarifying discussion in this preamble, we are establishing prospective 
standards only. Although this regulation is effective 30 days from the 
date of publication as indicated in DATES above, it will apply only to 
relevant rulemakings for which the proposed rule is published after 
that date. Thus, the Service will continue to apply the 2016 Policy and 
the regulations at 50 CFR part 424 to any rulemakings for which a 
proposed rule was published before the effective date of this rule. 
Nothing in this final revised regulation is intended to require that 
any previously completed critical habitat designation be reevaluated on 
the basis of this final regulation.
    For critical habitat designations or revisions that FWS proposes 
after the effective date of this rulemaking action, we will not apply 
the 2016 Policy or the Final 424.19 Rule. These regulations primarily 
adopt and deepen the provisions in the 2016 Policy and Final 424.19 
Rule, and, therefore, supersede the 2016 Policy and Final 424.19 Rule 
with respect to FWS. However, NMFS will continue to implement the 2016 
Policy and Final 424.19 Rule for purposes of their critical habitat 
rulemaking actions. For critical habitat designations or revisions that 
FWS proposed prior to the effective date of these regulations, FWS will 
apply the 2016 Policy and the Final 424.19 Rule.

Summary of Comments and Responses

    In our proposed rule published on September 8, 2020 (85 FR 55398), 
we requested public comments on the provisions of the proposed rule. 
During the public comment period, we received several requests for 
public hearings. Public hearings are not required for regulation 
revisions of this type, and we elected not to hold public hearings. 
After considering several requests for

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extensions of the public comment period beyond the original 30-day 
public comment period, we also decided not to extent the public comment 
period.
    The APA does not specify a minimum number of days for a comment 
period, but the comment period must be long enough to afford the public 
a meaningful opportunity to comment, which usually leads agencies to 
allow a comment period of at least 60 days. Consistent with this 
principle, courts give broad discretion to agencies in determining the 
reasonableness of a comment period. Courts have frequently upheld 
comment periods that were shorter than 60 days. See, e.g., Connecticut 
Light & Power Co. v. Nuclear Regulatory Comm'n, 673 F.2d 525, 534 (D.C. 
Cir. 1982) (upholding a 30-day comment period and stating that 
``neither statute nor regulation mandates that the agency do more''). 
In addition to the length of a comment period, courts consider the 
number of comments received and whether comments had an effect on an 
agency's final rule, in assessing whether the public had a meaningful 
opportunity to comment. Although the comment period here was shorter 
than 60 days, the public had a meaningful opportunity to comment on the 
proposed rule. The Services received more than 28,600 public 
submissions representing more than 107,600 individual commenters. Among 
the submissions were multiple letters from organizations signed by 
thousands of individuals expressing general opposition to the rule. 
Although many of the other individual comments were non-substantive in 
nature, expressing either general support for, or opposition to, the 
proposed rule with no supporting information or analysis, we also 
received many detailed substantive comments with specific rationale for 
support of, or opposition to, specific portions of the proposed rule. 
Below, we summarize the substantive public comments sent by the October 
8, 2020, deadline.
    Comment 1: Some commenters supported adding a requirement that the 
Service always exclude areas from critical habitat when the costs of 
designation outweigh the benefits of critical habitat, while others 
said that the proposed process would prioritize economic gains over 
species protection. Some were concerned the proposed process for 
analyzing potential exclusions would base critical habitat exclusions 
on analyses of incomparable ecological and economic costs and benefits. 
Additionally, others requested that we determine the monetary value of 
species and habitats according to the ecosystem services they provide 
as a way to directly compare the economic costs of designation with 
biological benefits.
    Response: When identifying the areas that meet the definition of 
``critical habitat,'' Congress expressly prohibited the Secretaries 
from using anything other than the best scientific data available. 
However, Congress also expressly required the Secretaries to consider 
economic impacts, national-security impacts, and other relevant impacts 
before finalizing the critical habitat designation. Thus, Congress 
intended us to consider both the biological needs of a species and 
economic considerations when designating critical habitat.
    As described in the proposed rule, once the Secretary has 
identified and considered economic and other relevant impacts, he has 
discretion in how to determine whether the benefits of excluding a 
particular area from the designation outweigh the benefits of including 
that area in the designation (see also M-37016,''The Secretary's 
Authority to Exclude Areas from a Critical Habitat Designation under 
Section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act'', October 3, 2008). The 
regulation states that the Secretary shall exclude any area where the 
benefits of exclusion outweigh those of inclusion; benefits of 
exclusion may include avoidance of economic, national security, and 
other relevant impacts while benefits of inclusion may include 
ecological or conservation benefits.
    When the Service undertakes the mandatory consideration of economic 
costs and benefits of each critical habitat designation, we are guided 
by the Final 424.19 Rule. That rule codified the approach of evaluating 
the incremental impacts when conducting impact analyses, including 
economic analyses, for critical habitat designations. The preamble to 
the Final 424.19 Rule provided the numerous legal authorities that 
support the use of an incremental-impacts analysis, including the 
Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) Circular A-4, which provides 
guidance and best practices for consideration of impacts of regulatory 
actions. Additionally, this final rule incorporates the incremental-
impacts language from the Final 424.19 Rule without change, including 
the first two sentences of paragraph (a) and all of paragraph (b). As 
part of this process, we consider the best available information 
regarding the anticipated impacts of exclusion, either positive or 
negative, and may include valuation or monetization of ecosystem 
services provided by species and ecosystems if the information is 
available.
    Comment 2: Several commenters requested that we include all 
economic impacts of a listing in our economic assessment following the 
coextensive approach, rather than limiting it to the incremental 
effects of critical habitat designation. Commenters also requested that 
the regulation include a definition of ``meaningful'' economic impacts 
and a description of their scope, along with a requirement to use a 
quantitative economic assessment whenever possible. Additionally, some 
commenters requested that only economic impacts in a defined area and 
only those tied to Federal actions should be considered.
    Response: Our Final 424.19 Rule codified the use of the incremental 
method for conducting impact analyses, including economic analyses, for 
critical habitat designations. That final rule contains responses to 
public comments that clearly lay out the Services' rationale for using 
the incremental method. Evaluating incremental impacts that result from 
a regulation being promulgated, rather than considering coextensive 
impacts that may be ascribed to various previous regulations, is 
further supported by Executive Order 12866, as applied by OMB Circular 
A-4. In addition, a recent court decision addressing this question 
confirmed the validity of evaluating incremental impacts of critical 
habitat designations even in the Tenth Circuit, which used to require 
coextensive analysis. Northern N.M. Stockman's Ass'n v. U.S.F.W.S., No. 
18-1138 JB/JFR, slip op. 136-37, 140-78 (D.N.M. Oct. 13, 2020) 
(concluding that the Service's incremental impacts approach was 
permissible in light of regulatory changes that post-dated Tenth 
Circuit decision that had required coextensive approach).
    We do not define ``meaningful,'' as we intend it to have its plain-
language meaning. We included the word to indicate that evidence of de 
minimis economic impacts of a proposed designation will not trigger an 
exclusion analysis. Our consideration of economic impacts includes an 
assessment of the probable economic impacts of a designation. We 
evaluate specific land uses or activities and projects that may occur 
in the area of the critical habitat. In conducting economic analyses, 
we follow the guidance and best practices set out in Executive Orders 
(E.O.s) 12866 and 13563, as well as OMB's Circular A-4. Those 
guidelines direct Federal agencies to assess the costs and benefits of 
available regulatory alternatives in quantitative (to the extent

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feasible, including monetization) and qualitative terms. As part of our 
analysis, we consider the types of economic activities that are likely 
to occur within the areas likely affected by the critical habitat 
designation.
    Comment 3: Many commenters support inclusion of a non-exhaustive 
list of categories of potential impacts described in the proposed rule. 
Commenters stated that lists would provide clarity and would allow 
focused public comments while being adaptable to the needs of affected 
areas. Additionally, many commenters suggested that we add to or 
elaborate on the potential impacts listed in the proposed regulations, 
including that we add both direct and indirect impacts to the list.
    Response: The text of the regulation is clear that the examples or 
categories provided in the regulation are not exhaustive. Based on the 
specific facts in particular critical habitat designations, there may 
be other impacts identified, and we would consider those impacts. We 
develop and share a draft economic analysis that considers categories 
of potential economic impacts at the time we propose critical habitat 
for a species. When available, we also describe exclusions we are 
considering and solicit public comments on specific information that 
may inform those potential exclusions and other potential impacts not 
known to us at the time of the proposed designation. We are required to 
evaluate the direct and indirect costs of the designation of critical 
habitat under the provisions of Executive Order 12866, and we do so 
through the draft economic analyses of the designation.
    Comment 4: Some commenters stated that the Service should engage 
with appropriate State and other authorities while developing a non-
exhaustive list of categories of potential impacts prior to publishing 
a draft critical habitat designation. Regulations should include a 
process for consulting with and considering input of State fish and 
wildlife agencies, local governments, and Tribal governments to 
identify economic and other relevant impacts.
    Response: We routinely coordinate with State and Federal partners 
during the development of a species status assessment for evaluation of 
whether to list a species, and with Federal agencies during the 
development of the draft economic analysis of a proposed critical 
habitat rule. Through these coordination efforts, we typically receive 
information from State and Federal agencies regarding potentially 
relevant impacts of a designation of critical habitat early in our 
development of a critical habitat designation. Additionally, during the 
public comment period for a proposed critical habitat designation, we 
receive information regarding other potentially relevant economic or 
other impacts from State agencies, local governments, and Tribal 
governments that we consider when finalizing the designation. We 
conclude that our current process provides for coordination with States 
and other authorities, and it is unnecessary to codify our process in 
regulation.
    Comment 5: Some commenters indicated that the list of economic 
impacts and ``other relevant impacts'' is unlawfully broad, such as 
including ``community impacts.'' They believed such items were far-
reaching and speculative, and definitions could conceivably apply to 
all but the least substantiated information submissions and to nearly 
every proposed critical habitat designation, rendering what was a 
discretionary analysis mandatory under the proposed rule. Such broad 
lists would place a heavy burden on the Service to evaluate claims of 
impacts even if evidence is weak. Some commenters suggested we clarify 
terms such as ``community impacts.''
    Response: The phrase ``other relevant impacts'' in the statute 
gives the Secretary broad discretion to determine what those other 
relevant impacts might be. This discretion is thoroughly described in 
Solicitor's Memorandum Opinion M-37016, ``The Secretary's Authority to 
Exclude Areas from a Critical Habitat Designation under Section 4(b)(2) 
of the Endangered Species Act,'' (October 3, 2008, p. 12), and the list 
provided in the proposed rule and in this final rule illustrates the 
types of information we may consider. We do not agree with comments 
that state that the elaboration of the types of other relevant impacts 
is overly broad and therefore would lead us to conduct exclusion 
analyses for every designation, thereby rendering those analyses 
``mandatory.'' The credible-information threshold states that an 
economic or other relevant impact must be meaningful to support a 
benefit of exclusion. Therefore, with the application of the credible-
information threshold, we anticipate that we will not be in a position 
where every submission by a proponent of an exclusion would meet the 
standard of having a meaningful impact and thereby trigger an exclusion 
analysis. Regarding the phrase ``community impacts,'' the proposed rule 
provides a few examples of this phrase; however, we will evaluate on a 
case-by-case basis any information that is submitted by a proponent of 
an exclusion to determine whether credible information regarding 
whether there is an impact to a community is presented.
    Comment 6: Commenters stated that the proposed rule does not 
address the impacts of excluding an area necessary to the recovery of a 
species, nor does it address the mechanisms through which benefits will 
accrue for the species if critical habitat were to be designated. 
Impacts on recovery should be addressed, because the goal of the Act is 
ultimately to recover and delist the species. Additionally, we should 
consider all relevant factors--including how designating critical 
habitat is likely to affect the species' risk of extinction and how 
potential exclusion of areas would affect the recovery of the species--
before granting exclusions.
    Response: We consider the potential effects to species' recovery 
when we enter into an exclusion analysis under section 4(b)(2) of the 
Act. In giving weights to the benefits of including and excluding 
particular areas, we evaluate the conservation value of the area, 
including the current function of the area for the species and the 
future recovery value of the area to the species. Benefits of including 
or excluding an area from critical habitat are considered for each 
designation and are fact-specific to each species. We note that 
critical habitat is one of many tools available to recover species, and 
the exclusion of an area from a critical habitat designation does not 
mean that it no longer contributes to recovery. In fact, FWS has 
excluded many areas because they are already being managed for the 
conservation of the species thereby reducing the benefits of including 
those areas within a critical habitat designation. Further, many areas 
that are excluded from critical habitat designation but are not being 
managed for conservation of the species still contribute to the 
recovery of the species.
    Comment 7: Some commenters stated that we should allow comment on 
the draft economic analysis and on our evaluation of any relevant 
impact of including or excluding areas from the critical habitat. The 
public may have significant non-economic concerns. Therefore, 
commenters recommended we expand this rule to allow the public to 
comment on any relevant factor regarding a designation, not just the 
economic analysis. The commenters opined that doing so is consistent 
with congressional intent and would minimize judicial challenge.
    Response: We routinely seek comment on proposed designations of 
critical habitat regarding a wide range of issues, including biological 
factors that

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support the proposed designation and non-biological considerations that 
may inform potential exclusions from the final designation. We do not 
limit the scope of public comment to non-economic considerations; all 
relevant substantive comments are considered when developing a final 
designation of critical habitat. We make the draft economic analysis of 
the proposed designation of critical habitat available concurrent with 
publication of the proposed rule to designate critical habitat. During 
the public comment period for a proposed designation, the public has 
ample opportunity to review and comment on the economic analysis, as 
well as on any other relevant impacts from the designation of critical 
habitat. Because we already request public comment on all areas of the 
rulemaking whenever we propose to designate critical habitat, modifying 
this regulation to require the Service to request comments on non-
economic impacts is duplicative and unnecessary.
    Comment 8: Commenters stated that the proposed rule's non-
exhaustive list of ``other relevant impacts'' and economic impacts is 
heavily weighted toward negative impacts of designating critical 
habitat on the community and other stakeholders. It does not consider 
the potential economic and community benefits (e.g., socio-economic 
benefits), or cultural or other ecological benefits or co-benefits 
(such as protection of other species), that may be distinct from the 
``conservation value of the area.'' Historically, the Service 
considered a broad array of direct and indirect economic benefits from 
critical habitat designations. The list of categories of potential 
impacts largely focuses on costs and fails to provide transparency 
about benefits that the Service should consider.
    Response: We are not limited to considering the relevant impact 
examples included in this rule. If the specific facts indicate that 
there are economic benefits from including a particular area in the 
designation, we would consider those benefits, where appropriate. In 
situations where economic benefits are relevant, we generally describe 
two broad categories of benefits of inclusion of particular areas of 
critical habitat: (1) Those associated with the primary goal of species 
conservation and recovery, and (2) those that derive from the habitat 
conservation measures to achieve this primary goal. In the rare cases 
where there are incremental impacts beyond administrative impacts from 
designating critical habitat, we may lack specific information to 
quantify the use or non-use benefits associated with critical habitat 
designations such as recreation, wildlife viewing, or ecosystem 
services that may result from critical habitat designations, but 
discuss them qualitatively, as permitted by OMB Circular A-4. As a 
result, we focus our analysis of benefits of inclusion qualitatively to 
describe the conservation value of the particular area of critical 
habitat as weighed against the benefits of exclusion.
    Comment 9: Commenters stated that it is not clear how the text in 
proposed Sec.  17.90(a) differs from the ``consider[ation of] probable 
economic, national security, and other relevant impacts'' referred to 
in Sec.  17.90(b).
    Response: The difference in these two paragraphs is procedural; in 
Sec.  17.90, paragraph (a) describes the information we will provide in 
the proposed rule, while paragraph (b) describes our considerations in 
finalizing the rule. Paragraph (a) explains that the proposed critical 
habitat designation will identify known national security and other 
relevant impacts of the proposed designation and identify areas that 
the Secretary has reason to consider for exclusion and explain why. 
Additionally, we explain that at the proposed rule stage the Secretary 
will identify, to the extent known, the categories of potential 
impacts. We noted in the proposed rule that these impacts are the same 
as those that the Secretary will consider, as appropriate, when 
conducting the mandatory consideration of any other relevant impacts as 
expressed in the first sentence of section 4(b)(2) of the Act and in 
Sec.  17.90(b). Including this list of categories as described in Sec.  
17.90(a) for consideration provides greater transparency and clarity to 
the public and stakeholders by providing information at the proposed 
rule stage to better inform public comment.
    Comment 10: Commenters cite the statutory requirement that the 
appropriate scale of analysis is of the ``particular area'' of a 
proposed critical habitat designation and note that this is in conflict 
with the proposed rule allowing the Secretary to determine the 
appropriate scale for the consideration of impacts from a critical 
habitat designation. The commenters ask the Service to establish a 
consistent scale of analysis for all designations, or specify in the 
regulation that the scale of analysis applies to the ``particular 
area'' or otherwise clarify that the exclusion analysis will only 
evaluate impacts at a scale that considers the ``particular areas'' of 
a designation. Commenters state that the proposed rule, as written, 
would allow the Secretary to select the scale used in the exclusion 
analysis and assess impacts without regard to the ``particular areas'' 
of a proposed designation. Other commenters suggest that the Secretary 
should retain the discretion to determine exclusions at whatever scale 
he deems to be appropriate, to specifically state what that scale is in 
the proposed rule when making a critical habitat designation, and to 
take into full consideration the economic impacts at that scale. 
Another commenter suggested that the scale of the analysis should be 
tied to the probability of a Federal nexus.
    Response: Each critical habitat designation is different in terms 
of determining the area that meets the definition of critical habitat, 
the scope of the applicable Federal actions, economic activity, and the 
scales for which data are available, and each is very fact-specific. 
Therefore, the Service must have flexibility to evaluate these 
``particular areas'' of critical habitat in whatever way is most 
meaningful and at whatever scale is appropriate in each situation. For 
example, for a narrowly distributed endemic species, a critical habitat 
proposal may cover a small area; in contrast, for a wide-ranging 
species, a critical habitat proposal may cover an area that is orders 
of magnitude greater. The appropriate scale of the impact analysis for 
these two species may not be the same. For the endemic species, it may 
be possible to conduct an impact analysis at a very fine scale with a 
great level of detail. In contrast, an impact analysis for the wide-
ranging species, which may cover wide expanses of land or water, may 
use a coarser scale of analysis, due to the sheer size of the proposed 
designation. Each critical habitat proposal includes a description of 
the scope of the area being proposed and the ``particular areas'' that 
are being considered for exclusion, and uses the scale of analysis 
appropriate to that situation. Furthermore, while we will evaluate the 
likely effects of designating critical habitat upon the need to engage 
in, or outcomes of, consultations under section 7 of the Act, the scale 
of the analysis will be at the appropriate scale as determined by the 
Secretary. Because the scale is dependent on the data available and is 
very fact-specific, it will not be necessarily determined by the 
potential for section 7 consultations.
    Comment 11: Commenters requested that the rule clarify or provide a 
definition for ``credible information'' and outline a clear process for 
soliciting this information. They suggested clarifying what information 
should be submitted, when to submit, and how the Service will evaluate 
the information to determine whether it constitutes credible 
information.

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    Response: As stated in the proposed rule, ``credible information'' 
refers to information that constitutes a reasonably reliable indication 
regarding the existence of a meaningful economic or other relevant 
impact supporting a benefit of exclusion for a particular area. In each 
proposed designation of critical habitat, we solicit information 
regarding the biological basis for the designation, as well as any 
probable impact resulting from it. In addition to soliciting public 
comments on the proposed designation, we also share a draft economic 
analysis of the designation and solicit comments on that analysis. In 
determining what constitutes ``credible information,'' we will look at 
whether the proponent has provided factual information in support of 
the claimed impacts. We will typically use our economic analysis of the 
proposed critical habitat designation to help identify any information 
that does not meet the credible information standard or to confirm or 
rebut information that is provided by a proponent of an exclusion. 
Whether the claimed impacts support a benefit of exclusion that could 
potentially outweigh the benefits of inclusion may therefore be 
meaningful for the purposes of an exclusion analysis.
    Comment 12: Some commenters asserted that their information, such 
as from the States or other regulated entities, should always be 
considered credible, whereas other commenters stated that assuming 
information is credible unless the Service has rebutting information 
allows non-FWS entities to drive exclusions of critical habitat.
    Response: We will evaluate any information provided from outside 
entities on a case-by-case basis and will decide whether to conduct an 
exclusion analysis based on whether the proponent of an exclusion has 
presented credible information regarding a meaningful impact supporting 
a benefit of exclusion. We decline to institute a list of entities 
whose information automatically qualifies as credible information. All 
information submitted to us in support of exclusion will be subject to 
the credible-information standard.
    Comment 13: One commenter asserts that the credible-information 
standard would prioritize non-biological impacts when considering 
whether to conduct an exclusion analysis because the commenter 
anticipates that the most common credible information the Service is 
likely to receive will be information about non-biological impacts of 
designations of critical habitat.
    Response: As stated in the proposed rule, the credible-information 
standard applies equally to biological and non-biological information, 
and the number of either category of comments that we receive that meet 
the ``credible-information standard'' is likely to differ from one 
designation to another. It is unknown if the Service will receive more 
comments about non-biological impacts or whether comments about non-
biological impacts are more likely to meet the credible-information 
standard; we stress that each analysis will be done on a case-by-case 
basis. However, because the Act mandates our consideration of the 
impact to three broad categories of non-biological impacts prior to 
designating critical habitat, we conclude the inclusion of the broad 
array of non-biological considerations detailed in this rule is 
consistent with the Act.
    Comment 14: Commenters provided both support for and opposition to 
the provision to assign weights of benefits of inclusion or exclusion 
based on who has the expertise. Commenters stated that it is unclear 
how the Service will determine if someone is an expert or what 
constitutes firsthand knowledge. They suggested that the Service should 
provide more clarity on how the expertise will be determined and how 
the weights will be assigned. They further stated that, without this 
information, the rule would establish a process that is less 
transparent and vague, would lead to inconsistent application, and is 
contrary to the conservation goals of the Act. Commenters expressed 
concern that this provision would inappropriately presume the validity 
of such information, which could include speculative economic analyses 
because the rule incentivizes inclusion of impacts provided by self-
interested parties, and thereby allow non-FWS entities to drive 
critical habitat designations. Commenters expressed concern that 
deferring to information from outside experts would inappropriately 
delegate expert judgment and authority to third parties who are not 
statutorily authorized to perform these duties.
    Alternatively, other commenters provided support for this provision 
because it allows for engagement from the public and stakeholders that 
will allow them to be part of the process and provide their firsthand 
knowledge. Commenters anticipated that allowing this stakeholder 
involvement will increase trust and would ensure we receive the best 
information. Some commenters supported the provision to weigh non-
biological impacts in accordance with information provided by State or 
local governments because these entities have special expertise that 
should be included in an exclusion analysis. Further, some commenters 
suggested that the rule include a mandatory consultation process for 
States to ensure that the correct weights of benefits of exclusion are 
incorporated in the exclusion analysis, because States have had the 
responsibility of managing these species before FWS. Other commenters 
expressed support for allowing outside entities to provide information 
on economic impacts of the designation of critical habitat because the 
information from outside entities would improve FWS's economic 
analyses, which do not provide enough granularity to allow the public 
to understand the impacts.
    Response: As stated in the proposed rule, we will give weight to 
benefits of inclusion or exclusion based on who has the relevant 
expertise. We will base critical habitat designations on the best 
available information, evaluate the information provided from outside 
entities on a case-by-case basis, and give weights of the benefits of 
inclusion or exclusion consistent with the available information from 
experts, firsthand knowledge, and the best available information that 
the Secretary may have to rebut that information. We do not consider 
speculative or unsupported information to be the best available 
information and will use our best professional judgment to evaluate all 
information critically before incorporating it into any exclusion 
analysis. Further, the list of categories included in paragraph (d)(1) 
is non-exhaustive, and if we receive information that is credible and 
outside the scope of our expertise, we will consider that information 
on a case-by-case basis as appropriate. We routinely coordinate with 
outside entities, such as State fish and wildlife agencies, during the 
development of a species status assessment for evaluation of whether to 
list a species and when necessary, we continue this coordination during 
the development of a designation of critical habitat. We conclude that 
our current process is sufficient to coordinate with States and other 
authorities, and it is unnecessary to codify any additional 
consultation process in regulation.
    Comment 15: Some commenters stated that the Service should expand 
Sec.  17.90(d)(1)(i) to include assigning weights consistent with 
expert or firsthand information from Tribes regarding economic impacts.
    Response: We consider any economic impact information submitted by 
a Tribe when we undertake exclusion analyses. The weights we give to 
economic impacts identified by Tribes will be

[[Page 82381]]

consistent with the information the Tribes provide unless we have 
knowledge or material evidence information that rebuts that 
information. Thus, no changes were needed to address the intent of 
these comments.
    Comment 16: A number of commenters stated that the regulation 
should include provisions requiring the Service to invite Tribal 
participation in the process for designating critical habitat or in 
establishing standards for designating Tribal lands as critical 
habitat. For example, some commenters stated that the regulations 
should require the Service to consult with affected Indian Tribes when 
designating critical habitat, while others stated that the regulations 
should establish a rebuttable presumption that Tribal lands either 
would be excluded from designations of critical habitat, or would not 
be considered for designations.
    Response: We are committed to honoring and strengthening our unique 
legal relationship with Indian Tribal governments. When we designate 
critical habitat, we follow the applicable laws and policies setting 
out principles and requirements for ensuring meaningful and timely 
input by Tribal entities. This includes consulting with affected Tribes 
in accordance with both Executive Order 13175, ``Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,'' 65 FR 67249 (Nov. 9, 
2000), and Secretarial Order 3206, ``American Indian Tribal Rights, 
Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act'' 
(June 5, 1997) (S.O. 3206), among other authorities. Because we are 
already required to consult with affected Tribes under these 
authorities when we designate critical habitat, we did not make any 
changes to the regulation in response to these comments.
    We do not have the authority to establish a standard making all 
Tribal lands ineligible for designation as critical habitat, or to 
establish a rebuttable presumption that Tribal lands would be excluded. 
The Act requires that critical habitat be designated on the basis of 
the best scientific data available; therefore, if Tribal lands meet the 
definition of critical habitat, those areas will be proposed as 
critical habitat. Our authority to exclude areas from critical habitat 
is limited to situations in which the benefits of excluding an area 
outweigh the benefits of including the area in the critical habitat 
designation where exclusion will not result in extinction of the 
species. We will give weight to the benefits of excluding Tribal areas 
consistent with Tribes' firsthand or expert knowledge, in accordance 
with economic and other information provided by affected Tribes. 
However, there may be times when we determine the benefits of including 
Tribal lands outweigh the benefits of excluding those areas. Therefore, 
we cannot establish a rebuttable presumption that Tribal lands will be 
excluded from critical habitat designations. In this regulation, we do 
not make a determination about whether Tribal lands meet the definition 
of ``critical habitat'' in the first instance because that would fall 
within the first step in designating critical habitat and is therefore 
outside the scope of this rulemaking.
    Comment 17: Some commenters stated that Sec.  17.90(d)(1)(i) 
specifying that the Service will assign weights consistent with non-
biological impacts of inclusion or exclusion identified by federally 
recognized Indian Tribes is too narrow. For example, the provision 
should include assigning weights consistent with expert or firsthand 
information from Tribes regarding biological impacts or impacts on 
natural resources, including traditional ecological knowledge.
    Response: As stated in the proposed rule, whenever we undertake a 
discretionary exclusion analysis, we comply with Secretarial Order 
3206, ``American Indian Tribal Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust 
Responsibilities, and the Endangered Species Act'' (June 5, 1997) (S.O. 
3206), prior to finalizing the designation of critical habitat. The 
exclusion analysis therefore includes consideration of the impacts to 
any Tribal lands included in, or resources affected by, a potential 
designation, and we would consider all relevant available information 
(whether non-biological or biological), including Tribal expertise, 
firsthand information, and traditional ecological knowledge.
    Comment 18: We received comments stating that the regulation should 
include impacts on Alaska Native-owned lands in the list of ``other 
relevant impacts'' that the Service must consider. Some commenters also 
stated that the Service should assign weights consistent with impacts 
identified by Alaska Native Corporations and other Alaska Native 
organizations, because those entities also have expert and firsthand 
knowledge about impacts of critical habitat designations to Tribes, 
their natural resources, and their economies.
    Response: Impacts on Alaska Native-owned lands qualify as ``other 
relevant impacts'' under section 4(b)(2), and we intend to address 
those impacts when we designate critical habitat. Similarly, non-
biological impacts identified by any Tribal organizations, including 
Alaska Native Corporations and Alaska Native organizations, are outside 
the scope of the Service's expertise; therefore, we would give weights 
to those impacts in accordance with the firsthand information or expert 
knowledge those organizations provide. We conclude that it is not 
necessary to change the text of the final rule because both of the 
lists that the comment references are expressly non-exhaustive. Section 
17.90(a) states that `` `[o]ther relevant impacts' may include, but are 
not limited to, impacts to'' a variety of entities and values. 
Similarly, Sec.  17.90(d)(1) states, ``Impacts that are outside the 
scope of the Service's expertise include, but are not limited to'' 
several categories of impacts (emphasis added).
    Comment 19: Some commenters pointed to Tribal treaties that give 
Tribes property or other rights with regard to their fisheries; these 
commenters stated that the proposed rule would put these Tribal rights 
further at risk by broadening the scope of critical habitat exclusions.
    Response: We do not anticipate that the proposed rule would 
increase risks to any land or resources. To the extent an Indian Tribe 
is concerned that designating an area as critical habitat or excluding 
an area from a critical habitat designation could affect their treaty 
or other rights, under Sec.  17.90(d)(1)(i) of these final regulations, 
those concerns would be an important part of the discretionary 
exclusion analysis. Impacts to Tribal rights concerning their land and 
fisheries fall within the category of impacts that are outside the 
scope of the Service's expertise. As a result, if any Tribe provides 
information indicating that its rights would be adversely affected by 
either including or excluding a particular area from a critical habitat 
designation, the Service would give a weight to those impacts in 
accordance with the Tribe's information.
    Comment 20: Several commenters requested a clear definition for 
``national security'' and ``homeland security'' with predetermined 
activities to avoid the use of open-ended terms. Other commenters made 
the case that water projects and related infrastructure and domestic 
petroleum production should be considered for exclusion due to 
homeland-security and national-security implications.
    Response: As we stated in the proposed rule, we will rely on the 
expertise of the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland 
Security, or affiliated agencies to make a determination as to what 
constitutes an impact to national or homeland

[[Page 82382]]

security. The Service is not an expert agency in determining all the 
activities or projects that may have national-security implications; 
therefore, we decline to produce a list or further define ``national 
security'' or ``homeland security'' in these regulations. We will 
continue to rely on the expert judgment of the agencies responsible for 
national security and homeland security and any reasonably detailed 
justification of the potential impacts that they provide regarding a 
designation of critical habitat to inform our discretionary exclusion 
analysis.
    Comment 21: One commenter suggested project developers and private 
contractors who work for the Federal Government should be contributors 
toward the analysis of non-biological impacts to critical habitat.
    Response: As captured in the proposed rule and explained in the 
preamble, Sec.  17.90(d)(1) provides a list of entities that may have 
specific knowledge that is outside the scope of the Service's expertise 
and would therefore be considered in an exclusion analysis if deemed to 
meet the credible information standard. That list is expressly non-
exhaustive. Regarding submissions from project developers or private 
contractors working for another Federal agency, we would anticipate 
submissions of information to be made ``on behalf of'' or in their 
``official capacity representing'' a Federal agency. Therefore, it is 
unnecessary to add categories of experts or sources to that list.
    Comment 22: Commenters both supported and opposed the provision 
clarifying when the Service will consider excluding Federal lands. 
Those that expressed opposition to the proposed provision cited the 
statutory provision of sections 2(c) and 7 of the Act, which both 
generally state that Federal agencies shall seek to conserve listed 
species and use their authorities to further the purposes of the Act. 
Furthermore, commenters stated that, because section 7 of the Act 
requires consultation by Federal agencies to ensure their actions do 
not jeopardize listed species or destroy or adversely modify their 
critical habitat, Federal lands are important locations for species 
recovery, especially in light of ongoing habitat fragmentation and 
climate-change effects. Other commenters noted that the potential 
increase in exclusions of Federal lands could be a negative signal to 
private landowners regarding the commitment of Federal land managers to 
species recovery and section 7 consultation. Commenters stated that the 
change in position from the 2016 Policy to this proposed rule was not 
adequately explained, there were no changes in circumstances that 
apparently prompted this change, and they therefore believe this 
provision is arbitrary and capricious. Commenters also noted that, 
combined with national-security exclusions and exemptions, additional 
exclusion of Federal lands could skew critical habitat designations to 
State and private lands and in turn could potentially pose an economic 
disadvantage to State and private lands, especially in Western States. 
Commenters further stated that administrative or transactional costs 
tend to be minor and should not be a basis for exclusion.
    Other commenters expressed support for the approach to Federal 
lands in the proposed rule and asked that additional provisions be 
added to the final rule, such as specifically including consideration 
of more than section 7 transactional costs (for example, considering 
impacts on the private property of a lessee or permittee). Commenters 
asked for additional specificity in the types of Federal lands, 
minerals, and oil and gas activities to be considered for exclusion; 
whether federally withdrawn lands on which non-Federal entities are 
conducting activities could be considered; and whether exclusion could 
apply only with the project footprint or would extend to adjacent areas 
on Federal land where there may be an effect from the project.
    Response: The Act is clear in section 2(c)(1) and section 7(a)(1) 
that Federal agencies shall use their authorities to further the 
purposes of the Act and carry out programs for the conservation of 
endangered and threatened species, and in section 7(a)(2) that Federal 
agencies must ensure their actions do not jeopardize the continued 
existence of listed species or result in destruction or adverse 
modification of their critical habitat. However, section 4(b)(2) of the 
Act does not provide for a different standard for exclusions on Federal 
lands relative to other lands. This final regulation does not change 
the obligations of Federal agencies or our implementation of those 
provisions of the Act.
    Our change in consideration of exclusions of Federal lands from the 
2016 Policy recognizes that Federal agencies are required to avoid 
jeopardy of listed species and destruction or adverse modification of 
critical habitat through section 7 consultation. While the standards 
for evaluating Federal and non-Federal lands are the same, we will 
consider the extent to which consultation would produce an outcome that 
has economic or other impacts, such as by requiring project 
modifications and additional conservation measures by the Federal 
agency or other affected parties, on a case-by-case basis. 
Additionally, we expect to evaluate the types of activities that are 
being permitted or the types of leases and activities being conducted 
on Federal land, any economic benefits associated with those leases and 
activities, any potential impacts that designating the lands as 
critical habitat could have on those economic benefits, and the 
conservation value of the areas that qualify as critical habitat, 
including whether the areas are occupied or unoccupied. Regardless of 
inclusion or exclusion of Federal lands from a designation of critical 
habitat, we consider Federal lands an important piece of species 
recovery efforts.
    In any exclusion analysis for Federal lands, we will consider not 
only the transactional costs associated with consultation with a 
Federal agency, but also any potential costs to affected parties, 
including applicants for Federal authorizations (e.g., permits, 
licenses, leases, contracts), that would stem from any project 
modifications that may be required to avoid destruction or adverse 
modification of critical habitat. While we agree that the transactional 
costs of consultation with Federal agencies tend to be a relatively 
minor cost, we do not wish to foreclose the potential to exclude areas 
under Federal ownership in cases where the benefits of exclusion 
outweigh the benefits of inclusion. Consideration of other Federal 
agency transactional costs and other costs, including those to a 
permittee or lessee, will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
    Comment 23: Several commenters shared concerns over the exclusion 
of lands under an agreement through section 10 of the Act. Comments 
included concern over the non-binding nature of habitat conservation 
plans (HCPs), changing conservation measures over time, the finite 
nature of the agreements, the question of whether the lands are in a 
currently acceptable state for the listed entity, the lack of 
protective measures compared to a designation, and an overall concern 
regarding the durability of agreements compared to a critical habitat 
designation.
    Response: As stated in the proposed rule in paragraph (d)(3) and 
associated preamble text, we place great value on the partnerships that 
are developed during the preparation and implementation of plans, 
agreements, or partnerships that have been permitted under section 10 
of the Act. We anticipate consistently excluding areas

[[Page 82383]]

covered by plans, agreements, or partnerships as long as the conditions 
in paragraphs (d)(3)(i)-(iii) are met. Because section 10 permits 
authorize take of covered species that would otherwise be unlawful, 
permittees are incentivized to continue the implementation of the 
measures contained in the conservation plan and required by the 
associated permit following the exclusion of the covered area. 
Therefore, the benefits of inclusion are generally less than the 
benefits of exclusion. We further noted in the proposed rule that this 
is not the same fact pattern for draft plans or agreements, and we thus 
would generally give little weight to these draft agreements or 
unrealized promises of future conservation actions in a discretionary 
section 4(b)(2) exclusion analysis. The Service will always consider 
the plans, agreements, or partnerships that have been permitted under 
section 10 of the Act on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the 
benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion. We have been 
applying these concepts formally following the finalization of the 2016 
Policy, and our experience is that they work well and provide the 
clarity needed for landowners and partners to meet the exclusion 
requirements.
    Comment 24: Commenters requested that the Service provide a clear 
and simple set of metrics for section 10 permitted plans to meet the 
requirements for areas covered by the plans to be excluded from 
critical habitat. Commenters stated that setting out these metrics 
would bolster the confidence of landowners, as well as incentivize 
participation in permitted plans. Some commenters suggested that the 
language in the final rule should include a presumption that areas 
covered by such plans would be excluded, and others suggested that the 
Service automatically exclude lands under section 10 agreements, or 
undertake a single comprehensive analysis to cover all section 10 
agreements, similar to State wildlife plans, and thereby reduce 
workload of private landowners and Service employees.
    Response: When we undertake a discretionary section 4(b)(2) 
exclusion analysis, we will always consider whether to exclude areas 
covered by a permitted HCP or candidate conservation agreement with 
assurances (CCAA) or safe harbor agreement (SHA), and we anticipate 
consistently excluding such areas from a designation of critical 
habitat if incidental take caused by the activities in those areas is 
covered by the permit under section 10 of the Act and the CCAA, SHA, or 
HCP meets all of the conditions set forth in the final regulation. We 
have been applying these concepts formally following the finalization 
of the 2016 Policy, and our experience is that they work well and 
provide the clarity needed for landowners and partners to meet the 
exclusion requirements. Additionally, since finalization of the 2016 
Policy, we are aware of at least one instance where a landowner holding 
a section 10 permit requested not to be excluded from a designation of 
critical habitat; this experience underscores that exclusion should not 
be an automatic conclusion for permitted plans such as CCAAs, SHAs, or 
HCPs so as not to negatively impact our relationship with permittees 
conducting voluntary conservation. Because every plan is unique, as are 
the specific needs of every species, it is difficult to offer an 
automatic exclusion and/or a single comprehensive analysis to cover all 
conservation agreements. For this reason, the Service has set out 
general conditions in the final regulation and conducts case-by-case 
analyses to determine whether to exclude areas covered by permitted 
plans.
    Comment 25: Commenters stated concerns that the Service would 
provide little weight to draft voluntary agreements and emphasized that 
analysis of each agreement should be based on the past successes, on 
the strength of existing relationships, and on the stage of the process 
(e.g., whether the draft is an early version or a late version). 
Commenters agreed that a party must demonstrate that the voluntary 
conservation plan is being implemented consistent with its terms. 
However, the requirement to demonstrate ``success'' of the chosen 
mechanism is overbroad and would place an unreasonable threshold for 
appropriate recognition of voluntary conservation measures. Instead of 
attempting to measure ``success,'' the Service should instead consider 
whether the party is meeting or exceeding the metrics or goals 
identified within the applicable plan.
    Commenters stated that non-permitted plans should receive a heavier 
weight than the regulation implies. In the view of some commenters, the 
regulations make it too difficult to exclude areas covered by non-
permitted plans because the proposed regulation requires the Service's 
involvement in developing the plans and the factors set out in 
paragraphs (d)(4)(i)-(viii) that the Service considers in evaluating 
whether to exclude areas covered by non-permitted plans are too 
onerous. Commenters stated that the regulation should also provide 
clear and simple procedures to meet the exclusion threshold. The 
Service should take the necessary steps to promote conservation plans 
and bring more attention to them, not disincentivize their use. 
Additionally, some commenters stated that the presumption of exclusion 
should extend to agreements not permitted under section 10 of the Act. 
They stated that the language is only found in the preamble and should 
be restated in the regulation.
    Response: Adding this provision (which was also in our section 
4(b)(2) policy) to our regulations is intended to incentivize and 
recognize voluntary conservation efforts that provide conservation 
benefits to listed species and other species at risk. When we consider 
plans, agreements, or partnerships that have not been authorized by a 
permit under section 10 of the Act, we evaluate a variety of factors. 
Paragraphs (d)(4)(i)-(viii) of the rule provide a non-exhaustive list 
of these factors. We use these factors to determine how the benefits of 
exclusion and the benefits of inclusion of a particular area are 
affected by the existence of private or other non-Federal conservation 
plans or agreements and their attendant partnerships when we undertake 
a discretionary section 4(b)(2) exclusion analysis. The considerations 
that commenters suggested are already included within the factors that 
the Service will consider when evaluating plans that have not been 
authorized by a permit under section 10 of the Act; therefore, no 
changes are necessary.
    We have been applying these concepts formally following the 
finalization of the 2016 Policy, and our experience is that they work 
well. Further, as described in the preamble to the proposed rule, the 
Service is not required to be part of a non-permitted plan or agreement 
in order to consider the area for exclusion based on that plan. 
Evaluation of the success of a non-permitted plan or agreement directly 
relates to the benefits of exclusion of specific areas. We value the 
collaboration and conservation value provided by voluntary private or 
non-Federal conservation plans or agreements. It is in that context 
that we included in paragraphs (d)(4)(i)-(viii) descriptions of how we 
will consider these plans in a discretionary section 4(b)(2) exclusion 
analysis. Exclusions are not automatic and are determined on a case-by-
case basis in light of the particular facts of each situation.
    Comment 26: Commenters stated that the requirement of public 
participation, agency review, and review under the

[[Page 82384]]

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for plans, agreements, or 
partnerships that have not been authorized by a permit under section 10 
of the Act will unnecessarily hinder meaningful and qualified private 
voluntary conservation measures or programs. While public review and 
comment are appropriate procedures for governmental programs, it is 
inappropriate to obligate private entities to meet these standards as a 
prerequisite for exclusion. They stated that to the extent that the 
Service believes public review and comment is necessary for the 
application of an exclusion, such process of review and comment can be 
addressed through the notice-and-comment process on the critical 
habitat designation. Specifically, as part of its development of a 
draft critical-habitat proposal, it is within our discretion to solicit 
public comments on areas that should be excluded from the critical 
habitat. Further, concurrent with the issuance of the proposed 
critical-habitat designation, we can likewise identify any areas that 
we already anticipate excluding and request public comment on whether 
we should exclude those or any other areas. Such a process allows for 
public participation in the exclusion process, as well as providing for 
an open and transparent process.
    Response: As stated in the preamble to the proposed rule, a non-
permitted plan or agreement is not required to go through agency 
review, NEPA review, or similar processes for lands covered by the plan 
or agreement to qualify for exclusion. However, completion of those 
processes in development of a plan or agreement does indicate that the 
plan or agreement has already received a high degree of critical 
analysis and further bolster the case for exclusion. Additionally, as 
stated in paragraph (a) of the proposed rule, we will identify areas in 
the proposed critical-habitat designation that the Secretary has reason 
to consider for exclusion. As part of the normal critical-habitat 
designation, the Service requests public input and comment on specific 
areas considered for exclusion and any other areas that should be 
considered for exclusion.
    Comment 27: Some commenters interpreted the proposed rule as 
creating a provision that requires the Secretary to waive his 
discretion on whether to conduct the exclusion analysis given the 
presence of the ``credible information'' trigger to enter into an 
exclusion analysis.
    Response: Under this rule, the Secretary will conduct an exclusion 
analysis when credible information triggers that analysis. The rule 
does not waive the Secretary's discretion; instead, the regulation 
constitutes the Secretary's decision on how to exercise his discretion 
under the statute on a consistent comprehensive basis instead of a 
case-by-case basis.
    Comment 28: Some commenters expressed concern that the proposed 
rule would reduce the Secretary's discretion as to whether to conduct 
an exclusion analysis because it would collapse the second step (the 
discretionary exclusion analysis) of the critical habitat designation 
process into the first step (the requirement to take into consideration 
economic and other relevant impacts). Other commenters took the 
contrary view, stating for example that the rule should narrow the 
Secretary's discretion to undertake an exclusion analysis by specifying 
when and how he will exercise that discretion. Some of the commenters 
went so far as to request that the rule should eliminate the 
Secretary's discretion on this issue by requiring the Secretary to 
always conduct an exclusion analysis to determine if the benefits of 
exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion. The commenters disagreed 
that the Secretary has discretion as to whether to undertake an 
exclusion analysis, because section 4(b)(2) requires the Secretary to 
take economic and other relevant impacts into consideration and the 
balancing of impacts in the exclusion analysis is part of that 
consideration. Therefore, in the view of these commenters, the 
Secretary's discretion is much narrower--the only part of section 
4(b)(2) that is left to the Secretary's discretion is the ultimate 
decision whether or not to exclude areas.
    Response: The structure of section 4(b)(2) makes clear that the 
exclusion analysis is discretionary. The authorities in section 4(b)(2) 
are split between two sentences: The first sentence is framed in 
mandatory terms (``shall designate critical habitat . . . after taking 
into consideration . . . relevant impacts''), and the second sentence 
is framed in discretionary terms (``may exclude any area . . . if the 
benefits of such exclusion outweigh'') (emphasis added). Consideration 
of relevant impacts appears in the first sentence, which is the 
sentence framed in mandatory terms. The decision to enter into the 
exclusion analysis and the weighing of benefits of exclusion and 
inclusion appear in the second sentence, which is the sentence framed 
in discretionary terms. The proposed rule neither alters this structure 
of section 4(b)(2) nor collapses the two sentences together--it just 
describes how and when the Secretary will exercise the discretion to 
undertake an exclusion analysis and to exclude a particular area from 
the critical habitat designation. This framework facilitates the 
transparent and consistent implementation of the statute.
    Comment 29: Some commenters stated that the proposed rule would 
give too much discretion to the Secretary in assigning weights and 
deciding on exclusions in certain outcomes, which would contradict 
congressional intent to afford imperiled species ``the highest of 
priorities.'' Some commenters were concerned that the broad discretion 
that the proposed rule gives to the Secretary in assigning weights to 
experts in non-biological fields of knowledge runs the risk of placing 
disproportionate weight on the expertise of entities with private 
interests whose ultimate goal may not be conservation. Other commenters 
took the opposite view, stating that the proposed rule would cede the 
Secretary's discretion as to whether to undertake an exclusion analysis 
by deferring to regulated entities, lessees, and private landowners on 
the weighing of costs. Some commenters found it reasonable for experts 
to provide information about what costs and benefits are, but wanted to 
make sure that the Service ultimately retained the discretion to reject 
questionable claims by critical habitat opponents, as well as to 
``assign the weights'' that result in the balance achieved by a 
particular decision meeting legal requirements. Some commenters went 
further and stated that only the Service has the expertise to determine 
the weights of costs and benefits.
    Response: Rather than ceding the Secretary's discretion, the 
proposed rule enhances implementation by establishing a transparent and 
balanced approach in exercising it. Congress gave the authority to 
undertake exclusion analyses to the Secretary, and the Secretary 
delegated that authority to the Director of the Service, because the 
Service has the expertise to evaluate the impact that excluding 
particular areas from a critical habitat designation would have on an 
endangered or threatened species. Other relevant impacts of excluding 
or including particular areas in a critical habitat designation may not 
be within the Service's expertise. As some of the commenters pointed 
out, it is reasonable for the Secretary to seek input from experts 
regarding those other relevant impacts that are outside the scope of 
the Service's expertise. The proposed rule strikes that balance by 
providing for the Service to seek that input from experts and give 
weights to particular impacts in accordance with that input, while

[[Page 82385]]

also making clear that the Service ultimately retains the discretion to 
reject or adjust that input to the extent it is rebutted by the best 
information available to the Service. By retaining that discretion for 
the Service, the rule avoids putting disproportionate weight on the 
expertise of entities whose ultimate goal may not be conservation.
    Comment 30: Some commenters requested that the rule clarify whether 
the Secretary intends to delegate his authority to undertake an 
exclusion analysis to the Director of the Service.
    Response: The Departmental Manual provides that the Secretary has 
delegated his authority to undertake leadership and coordination 
responsibilities under the Act to the Assistant Secretary for Fish and 
Wildlife and Parks and has further delegated those responsibilities, in 
part, to the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service (632 DM 1). This 
includes responsibilities for all aspects of designating critical 
habitat for endangered species and threatened species.
    Comment 31: We received comments that both supported and opposed 
the inclusion of the phrase ``shall exclude'' in Sec.  17.90(e). 
Specifically, commenters supported the conclusion that the Service will 
always exclude the areas where the benefits of exclusion outweigh the 
benefits of inclusion, as long as exclusion will not result in the 
extinction of the listed species. Commenters stated that the proposed 
provision would create a clear standard and encourage consistent and 
transparent application of section 4(b)(2) of the Act. In addition, in 
the view of some commenters, once the exclusion analysis is completed, 
there are no further considerations because if the benefits of 
exclusion outweighed the benefits of inclusion, including that area in 
the designation of critical habitat would be arbitrary and capricious, 
lack a rational basis, and run counter to the evidence evaluated by the 
Service.
    Alternatively, other commenters opposed using the words ``shall 
exclude'' in Sec.  17.90(e) because those words would be more 
restrictive and would require us to automatically exclude an area from 
critical habitat if we determine that the benefits of exclusion 
outweigh the benefits of inclusion, regardless of the circumstances. 
Some commenters expressed concern that use of the word ``shall'' 
constituted an arbitrary and capricious change in agency practice 
without justification, citing the language in the 2016 Policy (i.e., 
that ``the decision to exclude is always discretionary,'' and, 
``[u]nder no circumstances is exclusion required under the second 
sentence of section 4(b)(2)'') (81 FR 7226, 7229; Feb. 11, 2016). 
Commenters expressed concern that this approach would result in more 
exclusions and contradict the purpose of the Act and Congress's intent 
that the Secretary retain discretion in determining whether to exclude 
particular areas from critical habitat. Commenters also expressed 
concern that requiring that the Secretary exclude areas whenever the 
benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion would allow 
for detrimental impacts to a listed species' habitat as long as the 
species does not go completely extinct.
    Response: As described in the proposed rule, this rulemaking 
directly adopts some aspects of the 2016 Policy and alters other 
aspects. Using the phrase ``shall exclude'' in this rulemaking is not 
inconsistent with the statements that the commenters cite from the 2016 
Policy. The commenters' excerpts from the 2016 Policy make clear that 
decisions to exclude areas from critical habitat are discretionary 
under the structure and language of the statute. The regulation does 
not change or contravene that fact. Rather, this rulemaking is an 
exercise of the discretion referenced in those excerpts. As we 
discussed in the proposed rule, the Secretary is choosing to exercise 
his discretion in this way to provide for transparency and certainty. 
Under the statute, the Secretary could have elected to undertake 
exclusion analyses on a case-by-case basis and exclude areas every time 
the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion. However, 
the approach finalized here would provide greater transparency and 
certainty because it creates an advance understanding of how the 
Secretary will proceed when the benefits of exclusion outweigh the 
benefits of inclusion.
    As we explained in the proposed rule, section 4(b)(2) of the Act 
gives the Secretary the discretion to exclude areas from critical 
habitat designations when certain criteria have been met. Using the 
phrase ``shall exclude'' in the regulation indicates how the Secretary 
is choosing to exercise his discretion, and making this choice is 
neither unlawful nor contrary to the purposes of the Act. Even with the 
words ``shall exclude'' in the regulation, under the statute the 
Secretary could exclude areas only if the Secretary determines that the 
benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion after 
considering the conservation value or benefit of inclusion of the area 
weighed against the impacts of the designation or benefits of 
exclusion, and the Secretary determines that exclusion will not lead to 
extinction of the species.
    Comment 32: Some commenters identified circumstances in which the 
Secretary should retain the discretion to include a particular area in 
a designation even though the benefits of exclusion outweigh the 
benefits of inclusion. These included where the benefits of exclusion 
are equal or very near to the benefits of inclusion; or where 
permittees in areas covered by conservation plans, agreements, or 
partnerships may prefer to have the area included in the critical 
habitat designation.
    Response: These circumstances are already addressed within the 
process that the regulation describes for analyzing potential 
exclusions. In determining whether the benefits of excluding an area 
outweigh the benefits of including it in the critical habitat 
designation, we take into consideration numerous factors, perspectives, 
and impacts, including, for example, the views of permittees. As part 
of the exclusion analysis, we thoroughly evaluate the impacts based on 
credible information and Service knowledge and give weight to the 
various impacts based on the relevant expertise and best available 
information. Further, the regulation requires exclusion of particular 
areas only if the benefits of exclusion outweigh those of inclusion; if 
they are equal, it would not require (and the statute would not allow) 
exclusion.
    Comment 33: Many commenters stated that the proposed regulation 
violates the Administrative Procedure Act because we failed to provide 
a reasoned explanation or rational basis for the proposed changes in 
process for conducting a discretionary section 4(b)(2) exclusion 
analysis. Commenters stated that referring to the need to address the 
Supreme Court's decision in Weyerhaeuser is not a reasoned explanation 
because nothing in that decision required that the Service promulgate a 
regulation on the procedure for exclusion analyses under section 
4(b)(2) of the Act. Further, they state that the U.S. Supreme Court did 
not, and, indeed, could not, authorize the Service to abdicate its 
statutory authority and discretion regarding whether and how to conduct 
a critical habitat exclusion analysis under section 4(b)(2) of the Act 
in the first instance. Additionally, they stated that we failed to 
explain departure from our 2016 Policy.
    Response: To provide transparency, clarity, and certainty to the 
public and other stakeholders about how the Secretary intends to 
exercise his

[[Page 82386]]

discretion regarding exclusions under section 4(b)(2), we are 
finalizing this regulation, which would supersede the regulations at 50 
CFR 424.19 and the 2016 Policy with respect to the Service's 
implementation of the Act. In the proposed rule, we explained our 
rationale for the amendments and changes from the 2016 Policy. The 
proposed rule also sought comments from the public on the provisions of 
the regulation, and our comment responses above provide a detailed and 
reasoned explanation of why the specific terminology in the definition 
accomplishes the purposes of the definition and the conservation goals 
of the Act. Therefore, we have provided a reasoned explanation and 
rational basis for our action as required by the APA.
    In addition, regarding Weyerhaeuser, although the Supreme Court's 
opinion did not require promulgation of regulations on the procedure 
for exclusion analyses under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, it did 
establish that decisions not to exclude a particular area of critical 
habitat are judicially reviewable. Weyerhaeuser, 139 S. Ct. at 371 
(noting that the challenge to the Service's decision not to exclude a 
particular area was a ``familiar one in administrative law that the 
agency did not appropriately consider all of the relevant factors that 
the statute sets forth to guide the agency in the exercise of its 
discretion''). In light of the Court's holding that decisions not to 
exclude may be reviewed by courts for abuse of discretion under section 
706(2) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA, 5 U.S.C 706(2)), the 
Service is of the view that the Court's decision underscores the 
importance of being deliberate and transparent about how the Service 
goes about making decisions about whether to exclude areas from 
designations of critical habitat.
    Comment 34: The Service received comments stating that invoking the 
NEPA categorical exclusion at 43 CFR 46.210(i) is contrary to the 
requirements of NEPA and its implementing regulations, further 
asserting that the regulation would have significant, adverse 
environmental impacts on endangered and threatened species. That 
categorical exclusions applies to ``[p]olicies, directives, 
regulations, and guidelines: That are of an administrative, financial, 
legal, technical, or procedural nature'' under the Service's NEPA 
implementing regulations. Commenters stated that we violate NEPA by 
failing to consider the impacts of this proposed rule in combination 
with the August 5, 2020, proposal that would add a new definition of 
``habitat'' to our regulations for making critical habitat designations 
under section 4 of the Act (see 85 FR 47333, Aug. 5, 2020) (Endangered 
and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Listing Endangered 
and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat; Proposed 
Rule). They state that if we proceed with this rulemaking, an 
environmental impact statement should be prepared and circulated for 
public review and comment that considers the cumulative environmental 
impacts of both the proposed rule and the proposed definition of 
``habitat.''
    Response: We conclude that the categorical exclusion for 
``[p]olicies, directives, regulations, and guidelines: That are of an 
administrative, financial, legal, technical, or procedural nature'' (43 
CFR 46.210(i)) applies to this rulemaking. As we made clear in the 
proposed rule, the objective of this rulemaking is to ``provide greater 
transparency and certainty for the public and stakeholders'' because 
the Weyerhaeuser decision may raise questions about the process the 
Service will use when conducting an exclusion analysis for particular 
areas of critical habitat. The result of promulgating this regulation 
is to inform the public and the Service's employees of the mechanics of 
how the process for excluding areas from critical habitat will work, so 
that the process of designating critical habitat is more 
straightforward, more efficient, and more transparent. Accordingly, 
this rulemaking is of a technical nature.
    Comment 35: Commenters requested that we coordinate with NMFS to 
assist in the development of corresponding regulations implementing 
section 4(b)(2) of the Act for species under NMFS's jurisdiction.
    Response: NMFS will continue to implement the 2016 Policy for 
exclusions from critical habitat for species in their jurisdiction. The 
Service and NMFS will continue to comply with requirements of the Act 
and applicable regulations and policies when designating critical 
habitat for species in their respective jurisdictions.

Required Determinations

Regulatory Planning and Review--Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    Executive Order 12866 provides that the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget will 
review all significant rules. OIRA has determined that this rule is 
significant.
    Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while 
calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote 
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most 
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. 
The Executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches 
that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for 
the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and 
consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further 
that regulations must be based on the best available science and that 
the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open 
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent 
with these requirements. This rule is consistent with Executive Order 
13563, and in particular with the requirement of retrospective analysis 
of existing rules, designed ``to make the agency's regulatory program 
more effective or less burdensome in achieving the regulatory 
objectives.''

Executive Order 13771

    This final rule is an Executive Order 13771 ``other'' action.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (as amended by the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of 1996; 5 U.S.C. 
601 et seq.), whenever a Federal 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 effect 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 
an agency, or his designee, certifies that the rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
SBREFA amended the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) to require Federal 
agencies to provide a statement of the factual basis for certifying 
that a rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. The following discussion explains 
our rationale.
    This rulemaking responds to applicable Supreme Court case law 
regarding designating critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act 
and provides transparency, clarity, and consistency for stakeholders. 
The changes to these regulations do not alter the reach of designations 
of critical habitat.

[[Page 82387]]

    The Service is the only entity that is directly affected by this 
rule because we are the only entity that will designate critical 
habitat under this regulation. Small entities are not directly 
regulated by this rulemaking, as it only imposes requirements on the 
Service. No external entities, including any small businesses, small 
organizations, or small governments, will experience any direct 
economic impacts from this rule. There is no requirement under the RFA 
to evaluate the potential impacts to entities that are not directly 
regulated. At the proposed rule stage, we certified that this rule 
would not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of 
small entities. Nothing in this final rule changes that conclusion. 
Therefore the Service once again certifies that this rule will not have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.)

    In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 
et seq.):
    (a) On the basis of information contained in the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act section above, this final rule would not 
``significantly or uniquely'' affect small governments. We have 
determined and certify pursuant to the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 
U.S.C. 1502, that this rule would not impose a cost of $100 million or 
more in any given year on local or State governments or private 
entities (IEc 2020). A Small Government Agency Plan is not required. As 
explained above, small governments would not be affected because this 
final rule would not place additional requirements on any city, county, 
or other local municipality.
    (b) This rule would not produce a Federal mandate on State, local, 
or Tribal governments or the private sector of $100 million or greater 
in any year; that is, this final rule is not a ``significant regulatory 
action''' under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. This rule would 
impose no obligations on State, local, or Tribal governments.

Takings (E.O. 12630)

    In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this rule would not have 
significant takings implications. This rule would not directly affect 
private property, nor would it cause a physical or regulatory taking. 
It would not result in a physical taking because it would not 
effectively compel a property owner to suffer a physical invasion of 
property. Further, the rule would not result in a regulatory taking 
because it would not deny all economically beneficial or productive use 
of any land or aquatic resources and it would not present a barrier to 
all reasonable and expected beneficial use of private property.

Federalism (E.O. 13132)

    In accordance with Executive Order 13132, we have considered 
whether this rule would have significant federalism effects and have 
determined that a federalism summary impact statement is not required. 
This rule pertains only to designations of critical habitat under the 
Endangered Species Act, and would not have substantial direct effects 
on the States, on the relationship between the Federal Government and 
the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among 
the various levels of government.

Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988)

    This rule does not unduly burden the judicial system and meets the 
applicable standards provided in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive 
Order 12988. This rule pertains only to designations of critical 
habitat under the Endangered Species Act.

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with Executive Order 13175 ``Consultation and 
Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments,'' the Department of the 
Interior's manual at 512 DM 2 (December 1, 1995), we have considered 
possible effects of this final rule on federally recognized Indian 
Tribes. The following Tribes and Tribal entities stated that 
Government-to-Government consultation is required or requested 
Government-to-Government consultation: Southern Ute Indian Tribe; 
Swinomish Indian Tribe; National Congress of American Indians; and 
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission member Tribes including the 
Lummi, Nooksack, Swinomish, Upper Skagit, Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, 
Tulalip, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Nisqually, Squaxin Island, Skokomish, 
Suquamish, Port Gamble S'Klallam, Jamestown S'Klallam, Lower Elwha 
Klallam, Makah, Quileute, Quinault, and Hoh.
    The Service has reviewed the comments from these Tribes and 
concludes that the changes to these implementing regulations make 
general changes to the Act's implementing regulations and do not 
directly affect specific species or Tribal lands or interest. This 
regulation describes how we undertake our mandatory consideration of 
the impacts of designating critical habitat and our discretionary 
authority to exclude particular areas following a discretionary 
exclusion analysis as it is applied to designating critical habitat. 
Therefore, this rule directly affects only the Service. With or without 
these regulatory revisions, the Service must continue to list species 
and to designate critical habitat based on the best available data. 
Therefore, we conclude that this regulation does not have ``tribal 
implications'' under section 1(a) of E.O. 13175, and formal government-
to-government consultation is not required by the Executive order and 
related policies of the Department of the Interior. We will continue to 
collaborate with Tribes on issues related to federally listed species 
and their habitats and will work with Tribes as we implement the 
provisions of the Act. See Joint Secretarial Order 3206 (``American 
Indian Tribal Rights, Federal-Tribal Trust Responsibilities, and the 
Endangered Species Act,'' June 5, 1997).
    We recognize that some commenters stated that government-to-
government consultation is necessary because in their view the changes 
that the proposed rule would make would have ``substantial direct 
effects on one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the 
Federal government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power 
and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian 
tribes.'' However, these regulations primarily adopt and deepen the 
provisions in the 2016 Policy, so they do not have any substantial 
direct effects of that nature. The 2016 Policy stated that the Service 
would always consider excluding Tribal lands and would give great 
weight to Tribal concerns in analyzing the benefits of exclusion. 
Because the final regulation provides for consideration of any 
exclusions for which proponents provide credible information, Tribes 
have the ability to ensure that the Service always considers excluding 
their lands if that is what they want. In addition, the 2016 Policy 
already stated that the Service would give great weight to Tribes' 
concerns when it undertakes exclusion analyses. This regulation 
essentially does the same thing by stating that the weights the Service 
gives to the benefits of excluding or including areas that affect 
Tribal lands or resources will be consistent with the information 
provided by the affected Tribes. Therefore, this rule does not trigger 
the requirement to undertake government-to-government consultation 
because the provisions of the rule merely codify and strengthen the 
provisions of the 2016 Policy, and this regulation therefore does not 
``have substantial direct effects on one or more

[[Page 82388]]

Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal government and 
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.''

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not contain any new collections of information that 
require approval by the OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act and does 
not alter the existing collections of information approved under OMB 
Control Numbers 1018-0093 and 1018-0094. 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

    We analyzed this final rule in accordance with the criteria of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the 
Interior regulations on Implementation of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (43 CFR 46.10-46.450), and the Department of the Interior 
Manual (516 DM 8). This rulemaking responds to recent Supreme Court 
case law.
    As a result, we conclude that the categorical exclusion found at 43 
CFR 46.210(i) applies to this regulation. At 43 CFR 46.210(i), the 
Department of the Interior has found that the following category of 
actions would not have a significant effect on the human environment 
and are, therefore, categorically excluded from the requirement for 
completion of an environmental assessment or environmental impact 
statement: ``Policies, directives, regulations, and guidelines: that 
are of an administrative, financial, legal, technical, or procedural 
nature.''
    We have considered the extent to which this regulation has a 
significant impact on the human environment and determined it falls 
within one of the categorical exclusions for actions that have no 
effect on the quality of the human environment.

Energy Supply, Distribution or Use (E.O. 13211)

    Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of 
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. This regulation is not 
expected to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy, and it has not been otherwise 
designated by the Administrator of OIRA as a significant energy action. 
Therefore, this action is a not a significant energy action, and no 
Statement of Energy Effects is required.

Authority

    We issue this final rule under the authority of the Endangered 
Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17

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

Regulation Promulgation

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service amends part 17 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; 1531-1544; and 4201-4245, unless 
otherwise noted.

Subpart J--[Redesignated as Subpart K]

0
2. Subpart J, consisting of Sec. Sec.  17.100 through 17.199, is 
redesignated as subpart K.

Subpart I--[Redesignated as Subpart J]

0
3. Subpart I, consisting of Sec. Sec.  17.94 through 17.99, is 
redesignated as subpart J.

0
4. New subpart I, consisting of Sec.  17.90, is added to read as 
follows:

Subpart I--Considerations of Impacts and Exclusions From Critical 
Habitat


Sec.  17.90   Impact analysis and exclusions from critical habitat.

    (a) At the time of publication of a proposed rule to designate 
critical habitat, the Secretary will make available for public comment 
the draft economic analysis of the designation. The draft economic 
analysis will be summarized in the Federal Register notice of the 
proposed designation of critical habitat. The Secretary will also 
identify any national security or other relevant impacts that the 
Secretary determines are contained in a particular area of proposed 
designation. Based on the best information available regarding 
economic, national security, and other relevant impacts, the proposed 
designation of critical habitat will identify the areas that the 
Secretary has reason to consider for exclusion and explain why. The 
identification of areas in the proposed rule that the Secretary has 
reason to consider for exclusion is neither binding nor exhaustive. 
``Economic impacts'' may include, but are not limited to, the economy 
of a particular area, productivity, jobs, and any opportunity costs 
arising from the critical habitat designation (such as those 
anticipated from reasonable and prudent alternatives that may be 
identified through a section 7 consultation) as well as possible 
benefits and transfers (such as outdoor recreation and ecosystem 
services). ``Other relevant impacts'' may include, but are not limited 
to, impacts to Tribes, States, local governments, public health and 
safety, community interests, the environment (such as increased risk of 
wildfire or pest and invasive species management), Federal lands, and 
conservation plans, agreements, or partnerships. The Secretary will 
consider impacts at a scale that the Secretary determines to be 
appropriate and will compare the impacts with and without the 
designation. Impacts may be qualitatively or quantitatively described.
    (b) Prior to finalizing the designation of critical habitat, the 
Secretary will consider the probable economic, national security, and 
other relevant impacts of the designation upon proposed or ongoing 
activities.
    (c)(1) Subject to paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the Secretary 
has discretion as to whether to conduct an exclusion analysis under 16 
U.S.C. 1533(b)(2).
    (2) The Secretary will conduct an exclusion analysis when:
    (i) The proponent of excluding a particular area (including but not 
limited to permittees, lessees or others with a permit, lease, or 
contract on federally managed lands) has presented credible information 
regarding the existence of a meaningful economic or other relevant 
impact supporting a benefit of exclusion for that particular area; or
    (ii) The Secretary otherwise decides to exercise discretion to 
evaluate any particular area for possible exclusion.
    (d) When the Secretary conducts a discretionary exclusion analysis 
pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, the Secretary shall weigh 
the benefits of including or excluding particular areas in the 
designation of critical habitat, according to the following principles:
    (1) When analyzing the benefits of including or excluding any 
particular area based on impacts identified by experts in, or by 
sources with firsthand knowledge of, areas that are outside the scope 
of the Service's expertise, the Secretary will give weight to those 
benefits consistent with the expert or firsthand information, unless 
the Secretary has knowledge or material

[[Page 82389]]

evidence that rebuts that information. Impacts that are outside the 
scope of the Service's expertise include, but are not limited to:
    (i) Nonbiological impacts identified by federally recognized Indian 
Tribes, consistent with all applicable Executive and Secretarial 
orders;
    (ii) Nonbiological impacts identified by State or local 
governments;
    (iii) Impacts based on national security or homeland security 
implications identified by the Department of Defense, Department of 
Homeland Security, or any other Federal agency responsible for national 
security or homeland security; and
    (iv) Nonbiological impacts identified by a permittee, lessee, or 
contractor applicant for a permit, lease, or contract on Federal lands.
    (2) When analyzing the benefit of including or excluding any 
particular area based on economic impacts or other relevant impacts 
described in paragraph (b) of this section, the Secretary will weigh 
such impacts relative to the conservation value of that particular 
area. For benefits of inclusion or exclusion based on impacts that fall 
within the scope of the Service's expertise, the Secretary will give 
weight to those benefits in light of the Service's expertise.
    (3) When analyzing the benefits of including or excluding 
particular areas covered by conservation plans, agreements, or 
partnerships that have been authorized by a permit under section 10 of 
the Act, the Secretary will consider the following factors:
    (i) Whether the permittee is properly implementing the conservation 
plan or agreement;
    (ii) Whether the species for which critical habitat is being 
designated is a covered species in the conservation plan or agreement; 
and
    (iii) Whether the conservation plan or agreement specifically 
addresses the habitat of the species for which critical habitat is 
being designated and meets the conservation needs of the species in the 
planning area.
    (4) When analyzing the benefits of including or excluding 
particular areas covered by conservation plans, agreements, or 
partnerships that have not been authorized by a permit under section 10 
of the Act, factors that the Secretary may consider include, but are 
not limited to:
    (i) The degree to which the record of the plan, or information 
provided by proponents of an exclusion, supports a conclusion that a 
critical habitat designation would impair the realization of the 
benefits expected from the plan, agreement, or partnership.
    (ii) The extent of public participation in the development of the 
conservation plan.
    (iii) The degree to which agency review and required determinations 
(e.g., State regulatory requirements) have been completed, as necessary 
and appropriate.
    (iv) Whether National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.) reviews or similar reviews occurred, and the nature of 
any such reviews.
    (v) The demonstrated implementation and success of the chosen 
mechanism.
    (vi) The degree to which the plan or agreement provides for the 
conservation of the physical or biological features that are essential 
to the conservation of the species.
    (vii) Whether there is a reasonable expectation that the 
conservation management strategies and actions contained in a 
management plan or agreement will be implemented.
    (viii) Whether the plan or agreement contains a monitoring program 
and adaptive management to ensure that the conservation measures are 
effective and can be modified in the future in response to new 
information.
    (e) If the Secretary conducts an exclusion analysis under paragraph 
(c) of this section, and if the Secretary determines that the benefits 
of excluding a particular area from critical habitat outweigh the 
benefits of specifying that area as part of the critical habitat, then 
the Secretary shall exclude that area, unless the Secretary determines, 
based on the best scientific and commercial data available, that the 
failure to designate that area as critical habitat will result in the 
extinction of the species concerned.

George Wallace,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the 
Interior.
[FR Doc. 2020-28033 Filed 12-17-20; 8:45 am]
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