Draft Environmental Assessment for Designation of Critical Habitat for the Penasco Least Chipmunk

The Peñasco least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus atristriatus) was proposed for listing as endangered with critical habitat on September 27, 2021.  In finalizing our rule to list the species with critical habitat, an environmental assessment (EA) was completed as part of our National Environmental Protection Act requirements.  This Draft EA will be used by the Service to determine whether the species’ critical habitat will be designated as proposed, if the proposed action requires refinement, or if further analyses are needed through preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.