The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released for public review a draft report analyzing the potential economic impacts that would result from the designation of critical habitat for the northern Great Plains population of piping plover. The Service is also re-opening the public comment period and will accept comments and information about the proposed designation of critical habitat and the draft economic analysis until January 28, 2002.
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires the Service to consider potential economic impacts of a critical habitat designation when determining whether or not to designate critical habitat. If the benefits of excluding an area outweigh the benefits of including it, the Service may exclude an area from critical habitat, unless the exclusion would result in the extinction of the species.
The purpose of the economic analysis is to identify possible incremental economic impacts and benefits from the proposed critical habitat designation above and beyond the impacts already resulting from the listing of the piping plover. Critical habitat designations only affect federal actions under 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 of the ESA. This analysis estimates the possible costs of the proposed critical habitat on federal actions involving private landowners, federal, state, and local agencies, and tribes over the next 10 years. The cost estimates include possible consultations regarding the piping plover, project modifications, and development of biological assessments and environmental impact reports, and technical assistance and administrative tasks.
This draft analysis finds that over the next 10 years, total annual ESA Section 7 consultation costs associated with activities potentially affecting piping plover due to designation of critical habitat would be a maximum of approximately $58,000 per year. This cost estimate is based on the number of anticipated informal and formal consultations generated because of the critical habitat designation. It also acknowledges that there might be some project delays because of the consultation requirement. Overall, the report finds that all associated impacts would be minimal. While federal agencies are required to consult with the Service before taking actions, issuing permits, or providing funding for activities that might adversely modify critical habitat, it has no impact on landowners taking actions on their land that do not involve federal funding or permits.
The draft report was developed by Bioeconomics, Inc., a Montana-based economic consulting firm, under a sub-contract to Industrial Economics, Incorporated.
In June 2001, the Service proposed designation of critical habitat for the northern Great Plains population of the piping plover (Charadrius melodus) on approximately 196,576 acres and 1,338 river miles in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska.
Critical habitat refers to specific geographic areas that are essential for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and which may require special management considerations. These areas do not necessarily have to be occupied by the species at the time of designation. A designation does not set up a preserve or refuge and only applies to situations where Federal funding or a Federal permit is involved.
Written comments should be sent to Piping Plover Comments, South Dakota Ecological Services Field Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 420 South Garfield Avenue, Suite 400, Pierre, South Dakota 57501, or by fax to 605-224-9974, or by electronic mail to: FWS_6_PipingPlover@fws.gov
Copies of the economic analysis as well as the critical habitat proposal can be accessed via the Internet at
