Service estimates economic impacts of critical habitat designation for West Virginia fish

March 28, 2013

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has analyzed the economic impacts of designating critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act for the diamond darter. The agency today released a draft economic analysis concluding that costs related to the proposed critical habitat for the diamond darter would be narrow and mostly administrative. Additionally, the designation would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, such as county governments, small businesses and organizations. In July 2012, the Service proposed that the darter be protected as endangered under the Endangered Species Act and that a total of 123 river miles be established as critical habitat in West Virginia and Kentucky.

For more information, contact John Schmidt, acting field office supervisor, 304-636-6586 x 16.

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Economic analysis
2012 news release