Draft Economic Analysis for Proposed Critical Habitat on Oahu Released for Public Review

The last in a series of draft economic analyses released by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as part of the Hawaiian plant critical habitat designation process was issued today, this one evaluating the potential effect of establishing critical habitat for 99 plant species on Oahu. Because most of the proposed critical habitat units are in mountainous areas already managed for conservation, the report predicts "minor economic impacts."

"This is the final draft document to be released regarding the plant critical habitat designations required by the lawsuit settlement," said Paul Henson, field supervisor for the Fish and Wildlife Service