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Proposed rule to Designate Critical Habitat for Oregon Chub (Oregonichthys crameri)

About the Document
Title: Proposed rule to Designate Critical Habitat for Oregon Chub (Oregonichthys crameri)
Estimated Dissemination Date of the Proposed Rule: March 10, 2009
Estimated Peer Review Timeframe: March 10, 2009 to May 11, 2009
Type of review: Influential
About the Peer Review Process
 
In accordance with the requirements of the Office of Management and Budget’s Final Information Quality Bulletin for Peer Review and the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service’s interagency peer review policy, we will initiate peer review of the science relevant to the proposed rule to designate Critical Habitat for Oregon Chub (Oregonichthys crameri).

The Service will solicit comments from at least three independent scientific reviewers who will submit individual comments in written form.  Peer reviewers will be selected by the Service.  The scientific peer review will run concurrently with public review.  We will solicit reviews from experts who are willing to commit to providing an objective review within the needed time frame.  Reviewers will be selected by the Service from specialists in the relevant areas of expertise.  We will strive to strike a balance between reviewers on one side of the decision with those on the other side and will avoid selecting peer reviewers who are likely to experience personal gain or loss as a result of the Service’s decision.  Service employees will not be used for this peer review.

The primary disciplines or expertise that are needed for this peer review are: fish biologists.  We anticipate soliciting comments from three peer reviewers for this review.

The Service will provide each peer reviewer with information necessary to complete the peer review.  Because the peer review comment period will run concurrently with the public comment period, we cannot provide them with public comments prior to their review.  However, we will ask the peer reviewers to determine whether the relevant data were considered and whether they were considered appropriately.  We will also ask them to evaluate uncertainty and the strength of the data and conclusions.  Deadline for receipt of reviews will be clearly stated.  Peer review comments will be public documents.

Will the public and/or scientific or professional societies be asked to nominate peer reviewers?: No.
Are waivers or deferrals being invoked? No.
Estimated Start Date of Peer Review: March 10, 2009
About Public Participation
The public is invited to comment on this plan and on the proposed rule during the public comment period on the proposed rule.  The public comment period is open from March 10, 2009 to May 11, 2009.
Contact
Call Paul Henson, State Supervisor, Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office, at 503-231-6179 for additional information regarding this peer review plan.