Proposed Designation of Critical Habitat for the Steller's Eider

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the Alaska-breeding population of the Steller's eider (Polysticta stelleri), a threatened species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Proposed designation of critical habitat for the Steller's eider includes areas on the North Slope of Alaska, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Y-K Delta), and seven marine areas in southwest and south coastal Alaska. These areas total 65,858 square kilometers (km<SUP>2</SUP>) (25,428 square miles (mi<SUP>2</SUP>)). The marine units include 14,458 kilometers (km) (8,984 mi) of coastline. If this proposal is made final, section 7(a)(2) of the Act requires that Federal agencies ensure that actions they fund, permit, or carry out are not likely to result in the ``destruction or adverse modification'' of critical habitat. ``Destruction or adverse modification'' of critical habitat is defined as an alteration that appreciably diminishes the value of critical habitat for both the survival and recovery of a listed species. Therefore, designation of critical habitat does not restrict human activity or development unless the impact to habitat is so significant that it impairs the survival or recovery potential of the listed taxon as a whole. Furthermore, the regulatory impact of critical habitat designation does not extend beyond those activities funded, permitted, or conducted by Federal agencies. Exclusively State or private actions are not affected. Section 4 of the Act requires us to consider economic and other impacts of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. We solicit data and comments from the public on all aspects of this proposal, including data on the economic and other impacts of the designation. We may revise this proposal to incorporate or address comments and other information received during the comment period.