HONOLULU — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is opening a public comment period on a proposal to designate critical habitat for 22 species found in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Territory of Guam. Recognizing the impact of critical habitat designations on Americans and their property, the Service is seeking public comment on the proposal to minimize impacts while fulfilling obligations under the Endangered Species Act.
The proposed critical habitat includes approximately 59,886 acres across the islands. Just under 26,000 acres of this designation is on private lands, with the remaining acres being federal, territorial, commonwealth, or other lands. The ESA requires the Service to identify and designate critical habitat for listed species to the maximum extent prudent and determinable. If the Service finds critical habitat is not prudent, then none will be designated.
Critical habitat identifies areas that contain features essential to the conservation of the species. Designation does not change land ownership, create refuges or allow public access to private land. However, the designation can affect activities that involve a federal permit, federal funding or other federal authorization, because federal agencies must consult with the Service to ensure their actions do not destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat.
The Service is also considering excluding 3,981 acres from the final designation because those areas are covered by existing conservation plans that may provide benefits to the species. Furthermore, FWS is requesting information on any economic, national security, or other relevant impacts that may support additional exclusions. The ESA requires consideration of economic, national security or other relevant factors when designating critical habitat. The ESA then allows the Secretary to exclude areas of critical habitat from the designation if the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion so long as the species does not go extinct.
The proposal includes habitat for Slevin’s skink, the Pacific sheath-tailed bat, four land snails, three insects and 13 plants listed under the Endangered Species Act.
The primary threats to listed species in the Mariana Islands include invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species and habitat loss. Additional pressures include urban development, drought, wildfires and natural events such as typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis.
The proposed rule will be published in the Federal Register, opening a 90-day public comment period. The Service will accept comments received or postmarked on or before June 22, 2026. The proposal, supporting materials, and instructions for submitting comments will be available at www.regulations.gov under docket number FWS–R1–ES–2024–0194.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/pacificislands, or connect with us through any of these social media channels at https://www.facebook.com/PacificIslandsFWS, www.flickr.com/photos/usfwspacific/, https://medium.com/usfwspacificislands or www.twitter.com/USFWSPacific.
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