The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule designating critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act for 83 threatened and endangered plants on the islands of Kauai and Niihau today, in accordance with a federal court order. After taking into account new information and public comments on the January 2002 proposed rule, the Service has reduced the acreage to be included in critical habitat for threatened and endangered plants by almost 50 percent.
The final rule, which becomes effective in 30 days, establishes 217 single-species critical habitat units covering 52,549 acres on Kauai, and 1 unit of 357 acres on Niihau. Although identified in separate units by plant species, many of the Kauai units actually overlap, creating in essence 17 multi-species units. Thirty percent of the acreage designated as critical habitat is privately held, with the remainder in state and federal ownership.
"Now that we have published this final rule, I want to particularly thank the people of Kauai for their active involvement in its development," said Anne Badgley, Pacific regional director for the Fish and Wildlife Service. "During the past 3 years, they have attended workshops and public hearings, met with us on the ground, and submitted many written comments. We know we have a better document because they were willing to take the time to get involved."
The final critical habitat rule
