Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Marbled Murrelet

摘要

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to designate critical habitat for the threatened marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus marmoratus) in Washington, Oregon, and California under the Endangered Species Act, as amended (Act). The marbled murrelet is a small seabird of the Alcidae family that forages in the near-shore marine environment and nests in large trees in coniferous forest along the coast. Proposed critical habitat units are located on Federal lands. This proposed critical habitat designation would result in additional protection requirements under section 7 of the Act with regard to activities that are funded, authorized, or carried out by Federal agencies. Section 4 of the Act requires the Service to designate critical habitat on the basis of the best scientific information available and to consider the economic and other relevant impacts of including particular areas in the designation.