Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Arizona Distinct Population Segment of the Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum)

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We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose designation of critical habitat pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum) (pygmy-owl). Information on the biological needs of the pygmy-owl that would help us define areas essential to its conservation is limited. However, we must respond to a court order issued on September 21, 2001, vacating critical habitat established for the pygmy-owl and remanding the previous designation of critical habitat for preparation of a new analysis of the economic and other effects of the designation (National Association of Home Builders et al. v. Norton, Civ.-00-903-PHX-SRB). This proposed designation, totaling approximately 488,863 hectares (ha) (1,208,001 acres (ac)), includes portions of Pima and Pinal Counties, Arizona, and includes approximately 9 percent of the recognized historical range of the pygmy-owl in Arizona. If this proposal is made final, section 7 of the Act would prohibit destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat by any activity funded, authorized, or carried out by any Federal agency. As required by section 4 of the Act, we