Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Amended Designation of Critical Habitat for the Wintering Population of the Piping Plover: Proposed rule.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to amend critical habitat for the wintering population of the piping plover (Charadrius melodus) in North Carolina under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 1,827 acres (ac) (739 hectares (ha)) fall within the boundaries of the proposed amended critical habitat designation, located in Dare and Hyde counties, North Carolina.