Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants; designations of critical habitat for plant species from the island of oahu, hawaii; extension of comment period and notice of availability of draft economic analysis

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the draft economic analysis for the proposed designations of critical habitat for plant species from the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The comment period for the proposed critical habitat designations originally closed on July 29, 2002. On August 26, 2002, we reopened the comment period and provided notice that the comment period would close on September 30, 2002. On October 10, 2002, we announced a public hearing and reopened the comment period to allow all interested parties to submit oral or written comments on the proposal until November 30, 2002. We are now providing notice of an extension of the comment period to allow peer reviewers and all interested parties to comment simultaneously on the proposed rule and the associated draft economic analysis. Over a 10-year time period, the total section 7-related direct costs associated with the plants species listings and critical habitat are estimated at $1.1 million to $2.3 million. Indirect costs have the potential to be as much as $100 million, although the likelihood of this potential being reached is unclear. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they will be incorporated into the public record as part of this extended comment period and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.