Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Pearl Darter

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the pearl darter (Percina aurora) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. In total, approximately 517 river miles (832 river kilometers) in Clarke, Covington, Forrest, George, Greene, Lauderdale, Jackson, Jones, Newton, Perry, Simpson, Stone, and Wayne Counties, Mississippi, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this species' critical habitat. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation.