Press Release
USFWS Releases Draft Economic Analysis of Polar Bear Critical Habitat
USFWS Releases Draft Economic Analysis of Polar Bear Critical Habitat The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released a draft economic analysis of the potential impacts of designating critical habitat for the threatened polar bear. The Service also announced it will reopen the public comment period on the proposed designation of critical habitat for the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Both measures will be subject to a 60-day comment period that will open upon publication in the Federal Register.
The draft economic analysis provides estimated costs of the reasonably foreseeable potential economic impacts of the proposed critical habitat designation for the polar bear through 2039. This timeline pertains to the forecast of impacts to oil and gas exploration, development, and production, and associated construction projects, as these are the primary human activities occurring within the proposed critical habitat area.
Because polar bears already receive significant protection under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the ESA, costs associated with the designation of polar bear critical habitat are primarily associated with considering adverse modification of critical habitat as part of future ESA Section 7 Section 7
Section 7 Consultation The Endangered Species Act (ESA) directs all Federal agencies to work to conserve endangered and threatened species and to use their authorities to further the purposes of the Act. Section 7 of the Act, called "Interagency Cooperation," is the mechanism by which Federal agencies ensure the actions they take, including those they fund or authorize, do not jeopardize the existence of any listed species.
Learn more about Section 7 consultations. The future (2010-2039) total incremental impacts (those estimated to occur because of critical habitat designation) are relatively small; total present value impacts over the 29-year period are estimated to be $669,000 (an annualized impact of $53,900).
Section 4(b) (2) of the ESA requires that the Service designate or revise critical habitat based upon the best scientific and commercial data available, after taking into consideration the economic impact, impact on national security, or any other relevant impact of specifying any particular area as critical habitat.
The draft economic analysis, prepared by Industrial Economics, Inc. of Cambridge, Massachusetts, identifies, analyzes and quantifies the potential economic impacts associated with the proposed critical habitat designation for the polar bear. The economic impact of the proposed critical habitat designation is analyzed by comparing scenarios both
The draft economic analysis provides estimated costs of the reasonably foreseeable potential economic impacts of the proposed critical habitat designation for the polar bear through 2039. This timeline pertains to the forecast of impacts to oil and gas exploration, development, and production, and associated construction projects, as these are the primary human activities occurring within the proposed critical habitat area.
Because polar bears already receive significant protection under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the ESA, costs associated with the designation of polar bear critical habitat are primarily associated with considering adverse modification of critical habitat as part of future ESA Section 7 Section 7
Section 7 Consultation The Endangered Species Act (ESA) directs all Federal agencies to work to conserve endangered and threatened species and to use their authorities to further the purposes of the Act. Section 7 of the Act, called "Interagency Cooperation," is the mechanism by which Federal agencies ensure the actions they take, including those they fund or authorize, do not jeopardize the existence of any listed species.
Learn more about Section 7 consultations. The future (2010-2039) total incremental impacts (those estimated to occur because of critical habitat designation) are relatively small; total present value impacts over the 29-year period are estimated to be $669,000 (an annualized impact of $53,900).
Section 4(b) (2) of the ESA requires that the Service designate or revise critical habitat based upon the best scientific and commercial data available, after taking into consideration the economic impact, impact on national security, or any other relevant impact of specifying any particular area as critical habitat.
The draft economic analysis, prepared by Industrial Economics, Inc. of Cambridge, Massachusetts, identifies, analyzes and quantifies the potential economic impacts associated with the proposed critical habitat designation for the polar bear. The economic impact of the proposed critical habitat designation is analyzed by comparing scenarios both
