Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for Chromolaena frustrata (Cape Sable Thoroughwort)
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Final rule.
CFR Part: "50 CFR Part 17"
RIN Number: "RIN 1018-AZ51"
Citation: "79 FR 1552"
Document Number: "Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2013-0029; 4500030113"
"Rules and Regulations"
SUMMARY: We, the
   EFFECTIVE DATE: This rule is effective on
   ADDRESSES: This final rule is available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov and http://www.fws.gov/verobeach/. Comments and materials we received, as well as supporting documentation used in preparation of this rule, are available for public inspection at http://www.regulations.gov. All of the comments, materials, and documentation that we considered in this rulemaking are available by appointment, during normal business hours, at the
   The coordinates, plot points, or both from which the maps are generated are included in the administrative record for this critical habitat designation and are available at http://www.regulations.gov, Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2013-0029, and at the
   FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
   SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Executive Summary
   Why we need to publish a rule. Under section 4(a)(3) of the Endangered Species Act (Act), when we determine that a species is endangered or threatened, we are required to designate critical habitat, to the maximum extent prudent and determinable. Designations of critical habitat can only be completed by issuing a rule.
   We published our determination for Chromolaena frustrata as an endangered species on
   The areas we are designating in this rule constitute our current best assessment of the areas that meet the definition of critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata. In total, we are designating approximately 10,968 acres (4,439 hectares), in nine units, as critical habitat for C. frustrata.
   We have prepared an economic analysis of the designation of critical habitat. Section 4(b)(2) of the Act states that the Secretary shall designate critical habitat on the basis of the best scientific data, after taking into consideration the economic impact, national security impact, and any other relevant impact of specifying any particular areas as critical habitat. In accordance with section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we have prepared an analysis of the economic impacts of the critical habitat designation and related factors. We announced the availability of the draft economic analysis (DEA) in the
   Peer review and public comment. We sought comments from seven independent specialists to ensure that our designation is based on scientifically sound data, assumptions, and analyses. We obtained review from three knowledgeable individuals with scientific expertise to review our technical assumptions and analysis, and to determine whether or not we had used the best available information. These peer reviewers generally concurred with our methods and conclusions, and they provided additional information, clarifications, and suggestions to improve this final rule. Information we received from peer review is incorporated in this final designation. We considered all comments and information we received from the public during the comment periods.
Previous Federal Actions
   On
Summary of Comments and Recommendations
   We requested that the public submit written comments on the proposed designation of critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata during two comment periods. The first comment period opened with the publication of the proposed rule on
   The
   All substantive information provided during the comment periods specifically relating to the proposed critical habitat designation for Chromolaena frustrata is addressed in the following summary and incorporated into this final rule as appropriate.
Peer Reviewer Comments
   In accordance with our peer review policy published on
   We reviewed all comments we received from the peer reviewers for substantive issues and new information regarding critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata. The peer reviewers generally concurred with our methods and conclusions and provided additional information, clarifications, and suggestions to improve this final critical habitat rule. Two peer reviewer comments are addressed in the following summary and incorporated into this final rule as appropriate.
   (1) Comment: One peer reviewer indicated that rockland hammock does not occur in the coastal area of
   Our Response: Unit 1 (ENP) includes the areas and habitats referred to by the peer reviewer. The Service misapplied the name rockland hammock to the coastal hardwood hammock habitat (sensu Rutchey et al. 2006, p. 21) present within this unit. While similar in overall vegetation structure and disturbance regime, coastal hardwood hammock differs from rockland hammock in that it develops on elevated marl ridges with a thin layer of organic matter, as opposed to exposed limestone. The plant species composition of coastal hardwood hammock also differs somewhat from rockland hammock. These clarifications have been incorporated in the "Habitat" and "Distribution and Range" sections; and the Physical or Biological Features and Primary Constituent Elements for Chromolaena frustrata sections of this final rule. No changes were made to the unit boundaries because of this change in classification of the habitat.
   (2) Comment: One peer reviewer indicated that coastal berm does not occur within the critical habitat proposed in ENP.
   Our Response: The Service incorrectly thought that coastal berm habitat was present in Unit 1 (ENP). ENP staff confirmed that this is not the case. We removed references to coastal berm in Unit 1 in the unit description.
Comments From States
   The proposed designation of critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata occurs only in the
Public Comments
   (3) Comment: One commenter indicated that critical habitat designation for Chromolaena frustrata should explicitly include both occupied and unoccupied habitat areas that will buffer this species from climate change, and the Service should explain how these areas will be sufficient to ensure the species' persistence in the face of ongoing sea-level rise.
   Our Response: The sea-level rise projections discussed under Factor E (see the proposed listing rule, 77 FR 61836) suggest that much of the proposed critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata could be lost to sea-level rise by 2100 if high-end projections approaching 6.6 feet (ft) (2 meters (m)) become a reality. This critical habitat designation for C. frustrata includes both occupied and unoccupied habitat at the highest elevation areas available within the species' historical range in the
   In the next 50 to 100 years, in order for Chromolaena frustrata to survive, reintroduction to suitable higher elevation sites outside of its historical range may be the only available option. However, the best available science is not able to project future locations of suitable habitat for C. frustrata on the
   (4) Comment: One commenter indicated there are ample precedent, legal authority, and conservation imperatives for the Service to identify and designate unoccupied inland habitat for the plant to buffer it from the effects of sea-level rise and increasing storm surge.
   Our Response: As stated in the response to Comment 3, above, we agree that considerations should include whether unoccupied areas (including areas outside the historical range) are essential to the conservation of the species, including areas less vulnerable to sea-level rise and storm surge impacts in the future. We have endeavored to designate areas of habitat to serve these functions for Chromolaena frustrata, within the bounds of the best available science. We selected areas of higher elevation within suitable habitat on each of the
Summary of Changes From Proposed Rule
   Based on information we received in comments regarding the habitats that support Chromolaena frustrata, we refined our description of the primary constituent elements to more accurately reflect the habitat needs of the species. Specifically, habitats in ENP previously identified as rockland hammock were reclassified as coastal hardwood hammock to account for the different substrate on which these communities develop and subtle differences in species composition. No adjustments to the unit boundaries were needed as a result of this change. A change, made throughout the final rule, was the clarification that plant species in each habitat community may be present, but are not limited to those native species listed in the vegetation description.
   We corrected errors in the critical habitat unit acreage that were due to rounding errors. These rounding errors resulted in changes of no more than 1 to 3 ac (0 to 1 ha) in any given unit. We also corrected a calculation error in the acreage of Unit 1 (ENP). This error was due to a miscalculation of the unit size. In the proposed rule, we reported the area of Unit 1 as 3,768 ac (1,525 ha). In the final rule, we report the correct area, which is 6,166 ac (2,495 ha). The Service coordinated this change with ENP, who expressed no concern with the change, as their review focused on the mapped boundaries in the proposed rule, which correctly represented the proposed designated habitat. No adjustments to the unit boundaries were needed as a result of this change. This change does not affect the outcome of economic analysis for the proposed unit designations concerning the projection of incremental effects, as it is based on the consultation history in the mapped area, not the acres. The rounding error corrections and the unit 1 acreage correction results in the total acreage of designated critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata to be 10,968 ac (4,439 ha).
Summary of Biological Status for Chromolaena frustrata
   For more information on Chromolaena frustrata' s taxonomy, life history, habitat, population descriptions, and factors affecting the species, refer to the proposed rule published in the
   We have evaluated the biological status of this species and threats affecting its continued existence. Our assessment, as summarized immediately below, is based upon the best available scientific and commercial data and the opinion of the species experts.
   Chromolaena frustrata (Family: Asteraceae) is a perennial herbaceous plant. Mature plants are 5.9 to 9.8 inches (in) (15 to 25 centimeters (cm)) tall with erect stems. The blue to lavender flowers are borne in heads, usually in clusters of two to six. Flowers are produced mostly in the fall, though sometimes year round (Nesom 2006, pp. 544-545).
Taxonomy
   Chromolaena frustrata was first reported by Chapman, from the
Climate
   The climate of south
Habitat
   Chromolaena frustrata grows in open canopy habitats in coastal berms and coastal rock barrens, and in semi-open to closed canopy habitats, including buttonwood forests, coastal hardwood hammocks, and rockland hammocks. C. frustrata is often found in the shade of associated canopy and subcanopy plant species; these canopies buffer C. frustrata from full exposure to the sun (
   Detailed descriptions of coastal berm, coastal rock barren, rockland hammock, and buttonwood forest are presented in the proposed listing rule for Chromolaena frustrata, Consolea corallicola, and Harrisia aboriginum (77 FR 61836;
Coastal Hardwood Hammock</p>
   Coastal hardwood hammock that supports Chromolaena frustrata in ENP is a species-rich, tropical hardwood forest. Though similar to rockland hammock in most characteristics, coastal hardwood hammock develops on a substrate consisting of elevated marl ridges with a very thin organic layer (Sadle 2012a, pers. comm.). Marl is an unconsolidated sedimentary rock or soil consisting of clay and lime. The plant species composition of coastal hardwood hammocks also differs somewhat from that of rockland hammock. Typical tree and shrub species may include, but are not limited to, Capparis flexuosa (bayleaf capertree), Coccoloba diversifolia (pigeon plum), Piscidia piscipula (Jamaican dogwood), Sideroxylon foetidissimum (false mastic), Eugenia foetida (Spanish stopper), Swietenia mahagoni (West Indies mahogany), Ficus aurea (strangler fig), Sabal palmetto (cabbage palm), Eugenia axillaris (white stopper), Zanthoxylum fagara (wild lime), Sideroxylon celastrinum (saffron plum), and Colubrina arborescens (greenheart) (Rutchey et al. 2006, p. 21). Herbaceous species in coastal hardwood forest may include, but are not limited to, Acanthocereus tetragonus (barbed wire or triangle cactus), Alternanthera flavescens (yellow joyweed), Batis maritima (saltwort or turtleweed), Borrichia arborescens (tree seaside oxeye), Borrichia frutescens (bushy seaside oxeye), Caesalpinia bonduc (grey nicker), Capsicum annuum (bird pepper), Galactia striata (
   The sparsely vegetated edges or interior portions of rockland and coastal hardwood hammock where the canopy is open are the areas that have light levels sufficient to support Chromolaena frustrata. However, the dynamic nature of the habitat means that areas not currently open may become open in the future as a result of canopy disruption from hurricanes, while areas currently open may develop more dense canopy over time, eventually rendering that portion of the hammock unsuitable for C. frustrata.
   Forests dominated by buttonwood often exist in upper tidal areas, especially where mangrove swamp transitions to rockland or coastal hardwood hammock. These buttonwood forests have canopy dominated by Conocarpus erectus (buttonwood) and often have an understory dominated by Borrichia frutescens, Lycium carolinianum (Christmasberry), and Limonium carolinianum (sea lavender) (Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) 2010d, p. 4). In ENP, the species most frequently observed in association with Chromolaena frustrata are Capparis flexuosa, Borrichia frutescens, Alternanthera flavescens, Rivina humilis, Sideroxylon celastrinum, Heliotropium angiospermum, Eugenia foetida, Batis maritima, Acanthocereus tetragonus, and Sesuvium portulacastrum (Sadle 2012a, pers. comm.).
   Temperature, salinity, tidal fluctuation, substrate, and wave energy influence the size and extent of buttonwood forests (FNAI 2010e, p. 3). Buttonwood forests often grade into salt marsh, coastal berm, rockland hammock, coastal hardwood hammock, and coastal rock barren (FNAI 2010d, p. 5).
Distribution and Range
   Chromolaena frustrata is endemic to the southern tip of
   Chromolaena frustrata was historically known from
   In ENP, 11 Chromolaena frustrata subpopulations supporting approximately 1,600 to 2,600 plants occur in buttonwood forests and coastal hardwood hammocks from the
   In the
Reproductive Biology and Genetics
   The reproductive biology and genetics of Chromolaena frustrata have received little study. Fresh C. frustrata seeds show a germination rate of 65 percent, but germination rates decrease to 27 percent after the seeds are subjected to freezing, suggesting that long-term seed storage may present difficulties (Kennedy et al. 2012, pp. 40, 50-51). While there have been no studies on the reproductive biology of C. frustrata, we can draw some generalizations from other species of Chromolaena, which reproduce sexually. New plants originate from seeds. Pollinators are likely to be generalists, such as butterflies, bees, flies, and beetles. Seed dispersal is largely by wind (Lakshmi et al. 2011, p. 1).
Population Demographics
   Chromolaena frustrata is relatively a short-lived plant; therefore it must successfully reproduce more often than a long-lived species to maintain populations. C. frustrata populations are demographically unstable, experiencing sudden steep declines due to the effects of hurricanes and storm surges. However, the species appears to be able to rebound at affected sites within a few years (
Critical Habitat
Background
   Critical habitat is defined in section 3 of the Act as:
   (1) The specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the species, at the time it is listed in accordance with the Act, on which are found those physical or biological features
   (a) Essential to the conservation of the species, and
   (b) Which may require special management considerations or protection; and
   (2) Specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed, upon a determination that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species.
   Conservation, as defined under section 3 of the Act, means to use and the use of all methods and procedures that are necessary to bring an endangered or threatened species to the point at which the measures provided pursuant to the Act are no longer necessary. Such methods and procedures include, but are not limited to, all activities associated with scientific resources management such as research, census, law enforcement, habitat acquisition and maintenance, propagation, live trapping, and transplantation, and, in the extraordinary case where population pressures within a given ecosystem cannot be otherwise relieved, may include regulated taking.
   Critical habitat receives protection under section 7 of the Act through the requirement that Federal agencies ensure, in consultation with the Service, that any action they authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. The designation of critical habitat does not affect land ownership or establish a refuge, wilderness, reserve, preserve, or other conservation area. Such designation does not allow the government or public to access private lands. Such designation does not require implementation of restoration, recovery, or enhancement measures by non- Federal landowners. Where a landowner requests Federal agency funding or authorization for an action that may affect a listed species or critical habitat, the consultation requirements of section 7(a)(2) of the Act would apply, but even in the event of a destruction or adverse modification finding, the obligation of the Federal action agency and the landowner is not to restore or recover the species, but to implement reasonable and prudent alternatives to avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat.
   Under the first prong of the Act's definition of critical habitat, areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time it was listed are included in a critical habitat designation if they contain physical or biological features (1) which are essential to the conservation of the species and (2) which may require special management considerations or protection. For these areas, critical habitat designations identify, to the extent known using the best scientific and commercial data available, those physical or biological features that are essential to the conservation of the species (such as space, food, cover, and protected habitat). In identifying those physical or biological features within an area, we focus on the principal biological or physical constituent elements (primary constituent elements such as roost sites, nesting grounds, seasonal wetlands, water quality, tide, soil type) that are essential to the conservation of the species. Primary constituent elements are those specific elements of the physical or biological features that provide for a species' life-history processes and are essential to the conservation of the species.
   Under the second prong of the Act's definition of critical habitat, we can designate critical habitat in areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed, upon a determination that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species. For example, an area currently occupied by the species but that was not occupied at the time of listing may be essential to the conservation of the species and may be included in the critical habitat designation. We designate critical habitat in areas outside the geographical area occupied by a species only when a designation limited to its range would be inadequate to ensure the conservation of the species.
   Section 4 of the Act requires that we designate critical habitat on the basis of the best scientific and commercial data available. Further, our Policy on Information Standards Under the Endangered Species Act (published in the
   When we are determining which areas should be designated as critical habitat, our primary source of information is generally the information developed during the listing process for the species. Additional information sources may include the recovery plan for the species, articles in peer-reviewed journals, conservation plans developed by States and counties, scientific status surveys and studies, biological assessments, other unpublished materials, or experts' opinions or personal knowledge.
   Habitat is dynamic, and species may move from one area to another over time. We recognize that critical habitat designated at a particular point in time may not include all of the habitat areas that we may later determine are necessary for the recovery of the species. For these reasons, a critical habitat designation does not signal that habitat outside the designated area is unimportant or may not be needed for recovery of the species. Areas that are important to the conservation of the species, both inside and outside the critical habitat designation, will continue to be subject to: (1) Conservation actions implemented under section 7(a)(1) of the Act, (2) regulatory protections afforded by the requirement in section 7(a)(2) of the Act for Federal agencies to insure their actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered or threatened species, and (3) section 9 of the Act's prohibitions on taking any individual of the species, including taking caused by actions that affect habitat. Federally funded or permitted projects affecting listed species outside their designated critical habitat areas may still result in jeopardy findings in some cases. These protections and conservation tools will continue to contribute to recovery of this species. Similarly, critical habitat designations made on the basis of the best available information at the time of designation will not control the direction and substance of future recovery plans, habitat conservation plans (HCPs), or other species conservation planning efforts if new information available at the time of these planning efforts calls for a different outcome.
Physical or Biological Features
   In accordance with section 3(5)(A)(i) and 4(b)(1)(A) of the Act and regulations at 50 CFR 424.12, in determining which areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing to designate as critical habitat, we consider the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species and which may require special management considerations or protection. These include, but are not limited to:
   (1) Space for individual and population growth and for normal behavior;
   (2) Food, water, air, light, minerals, or other nutritional or physiological requirements;
   (3) Cover or shelter;
   (4) Sites for breeding, reproduction, or rearing (or development) of offspring; and
   (5) Habitats that are protected from disturbance or are representative of the historical, geographical, and ecological distributions of a species.
   We derived the specific physical or biological features essential for Chromolaena frustrata from studies of this species' habitat, ecology, and life history as described in the Critical Habitat section of the proposed rule to designate critical habitat published in the
Space for Individual and Population Growth
   
Food, Water, Air, Light, Minerals, or Other Nutritional or Physiological Requirements
   Climate (temperature and precipitation). The climate of south
   Soils. Substrates supporting Chromolaena frustrata for anchoring or nutrient absorption vary depending on the habitat and location and include marl (an unconsolidated sedimentary rock or soil consisting of clay and lime) (Sadle 2008 and 2012a, pers. comm.); soils consisting of covering limestone; exposed bare limestone rock or with a thin layer of leaf litter or highly organic soil (
   Hydrology. The species requires coastal berms and coastal rock barrens habitats that occur above the daily tidal range, but are subject to flooding by seawater during extreme tides and storm surge. Rockland hammock and coastal hardwood hammock occur on high ground that does not regularly flood, but they are often dependent upon a high water table to keep humidity levels high, and they can be inundated during storm surges (FNAI 2010d, p. 1). Therefore, we identify habitats inundated by storm surge or tidal events at a frequency needed to limit plant species competition while not creating too high of a saline condition to be a physical or biological feature for Chromolaena frustrata.
Cover or Shelter
   Chromolaena frustrata occurs in open canopy and semi-open to closed canopy habitats and thrives in areas of moderate sun exposure (
Sites for Breeding, Reproduction, or Rearing (or Development) of Offspring
   While there have been no studies on the reproductive biology of Chromolaena frustrata, we can draw some generalizations from other species of Chromolaena, which reproduce sexually. Pollinators are likely to be generalists, such as butterflies, bees, flies, and beetles. New plants originate from seeds and seeds dispersal is largely by wind (Lakshmi et al. 2011, p. 1).
   The sparsely vegetated edges or interior portions opened by canopy disruption are the areas of rockland and coastal hardwood hammock that have light levels sufficient to support Chromolaena frustrata. However, the dynamic nature of the habitat means that areas not currently open may become open in the future as a result of canopy disruption from hurricanes, while areas currently open may develop more dense canopy over time, eventually rendering that portion of the hammock unsuitable for C. frustrata. Therefore, we identify habitats that have disturbance regimes, including hurricanes, and infrequent inundation events that saturate the substrate and maintain the habitat suitability to be physical or biological features for Chromolaena frustrata.
Habitats Protected From Disturbance or Representative of the Historical, Geographic, and Ecological Distributions of the Species
   Chromolaena frustrata continues to occur in habitats that are protected from human-generated disturbances and are representative of the species' historical, geographical, and ecological distribution although its range has been reduced. The species is still found in all of its representative plant communities: rock barrens, coastal berms, buttonwood forest, coastal hardwood hammocks, and rockland hammocks. In addition, representative communities are located on Federal, State, local, and private conservation lands that implement conservation measures benefitting the species. The species requires habitat of sufficient size and connectivity that can support species growth, distribution and population expansion.
Primary Constituent Elements for Chromolaena frustrata
   Under the Act and its implementing regulations, we are required to identify the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of Chromolaena frustrata in areas occupied at the time of listing, focusing on the features' primary constituent elements (PCEs). Primary constituent elements are those specific elements of the physical or biological features that provide for a species' life-history processes and are essential to the conservation of the species.
   Based on our current knowledge of the physical or biological features and habitat characteristics required to sustain the species' life-history processes, we determine that the PCEs specific to Chromolaena frustrata are:
   (1) Areas of upland habitats consisting of coastal berm, coastal rock barren, coastal hardwood hammock, rockland hammocks, and buttonwood forest.
   (a) Coastal berm habitat that contains:
   (i) Open to semi-open canopy, subcanopy, and understory; and
   (ii) Substrate of coarse, calcareous, storm-deposited sediment.
   (b) Coastal rock barren (Keys cactus barren, Keys tidal rock barren) habitat that contains:
   (i) Open to semi-open canopy and understory; and
   (ii) Limestone rock substrate.
   (c) Coastal hardwood hammock habitat occurring in
   (i) Canopy gaps and edges with an open to semi-open canopy, subcanopy, and understory; and
   (ii) Substrate of marl covered with a thin layer of highly organic soil.
   (d) Rockland hammock habitat that contains:
   (i) Canopy gaps and edges with an open to semi-open canopy, subcanopy, and understory; and
   (ii) Substrate with a thin layer of highly organic soil, marl, humus, or leaf litter on top of the underlying limestone.
   (e) Buttonwood forest habitat that contains:
   (i) Open to semi-open canopy and understory; and
   (ii) Substrate with calcareous marl muds, calcareous sands, or limestone rock.
   (2) Plant communities of predominately native vegetation with either no invasive, nonnative species or with low enough quantities of nonnative, invasive plant species to have minimal effect on the survival of Chromolaena frustrata.
   (3) A disturbance regime, due to the effects of strong winds or saltwater inundation from storm surge or infrequent tidal inundation, that creates canopy openings in coastal berm, coastal rock barren, coastal hardwood hammock, rockland hammocks, and buttonwood forest.
   (4) Habitats that are connected and of sufficient area to sustain viable populations in coastal berm, coastal rock barren, coastal hardwood hammock, rockland hammocks, and buttonwood forest.
Special Management Considerations or Protections
   When designating critical habitat, we assess whether the specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing contain features that are essential to the conservation of the species and which may require special management considerations or protection.
   Special management considerations or protection are necessary throughout the critical habitat areas to avoid further degradation or destruction of the habitat that contains those features essential for the conservation of the species. The primary threats to the physical or biological features that Chromolaena frustrata depends on include: (1) Habitat destruction and modification by development; (2) competition with nonnative, invasive plant species that changes the habitat composition and structure; (3) wildfire that destroys habitat; (4) hurricanes and storm surge, if too frequent or severe destroy or modify habitat making it unsuitable; and (5) sea-level rise that changes the habitat to a more saline environment. Some of these threats can be addressed by special management considerations or protection while others (e.g., sea-level rise, hurricanes) are beyond the control of landowners and managers. However, while landowners or land managers may not be able to control all the threats, they may be able to address the results of the threats to the habitats.
   Management activities that could ameliorate these threats include the monitoring and minimizing recreational activities impacts, nonnative species control, and protection from development. Precautions are needed to avoid the inadvertent trampling of Chromolaena frustrata in the course of management activities and public use. Development of recreation facilities or programs should avoid impacting these habitats directly or indirectly. Ditching and filling should be avoided because they alter the hydrology and species composition of these habitats. Sites that have shown increasing encroachment of woody species over time may require efforts to maintain the open nature of the habitat, which favors these species. Nonnative species control programs are needed to reduce competition and prevent habitat degradation. The reduction of these threats will require the implementation of special management actions within each of the critical habitat areas identified in this rule. All critical habitat requires active management to address the ongoing threats listed.
   In summary, we find that each of the areas we are designating as critical habitat contain features essential to the conservation of Chromolaena frustrata that may require special management considerations or protection to ensure conservation of the species. These special management considerations and protections are required to preserve and maintain the essential features provided to C. frustrata by the ecosystems upon which it depends. A more detailed discussion of these threats is presented in the proposed rule under "Summary of Factors Affecting the Species" (77 FR 61836;
Criteria Used To Identify Critical Habitat
   As required by section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we used the best scientific data available to designate critical habitat. In accordance with the Act and our implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.12(b) we review available information pertaining to the habitat requirements of the species and identify occupied areas at the time of listing that contain the features essential to the conservation of the species. If after identifying currently occupied areas, we determine that those areas are inadequate to ensure conservation of the species, in accordance with the Act and our implementing regulations at 50 CFR 424.12(e), we then consider whether designating additional areas--outside those currently occupied--are essential for the conservation of the species. In this rule, we are designating critical habitat in areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing in 2013. We also are designating specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species at the time of listing that were historically occupied, because we have determined that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species. Sources of data for this analysis included the following:
   (1) Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) population records and ArcGIS geographic information system (GIS) software to spatially depict the location and extent of documented populations of Chromolaena frustrata (FNAI 2012, pp. 1-17);
   (2) Reports prepared by botanists with the
   (3) Historical records found in reports and associated voucher specimens housed at herbaria, all of which are also referenced in the above mentioned reports from the IRC and FNAI;
   (4) Digitally produced habitat maps provided by NPS and
   (5) Aerial images of
   Four of the eight extant Chromolaena frustrata populations consist of fewer than 100 individuals; two others have fewer than 250 individuals. Small populations such as these populations that have limited distributions, are vulnerable to relatively minor environmental disturbances (Given 1994, pp. 66-76; Frankham 2005, pp. 135-136), and are subject to the loss of genetic diversity from genetic drift, the random loss of genes, and inbreeding (Ellstrand and Elam 1993, pp. 217-237; Leimu et al. 2006, pp. 942-952). Plant populations with lowered genetic diversity are more prone to local extinction (Barrett and Kohn 1991, pp. 4, 28). Smaller plant populations generally have lower genetic diversity, and lower genetic diversity may in turn lead to even smaller populations by decreasing the species' ability to adapt, thereby increasing the probability of population extinction (Newman and Pilson 1997, p. 360; Palstra and Ruzzante 2008, pp. 3428-3447). Because of the risks associated with small populations or limited distributions, the recovery of many rare plant species includes the creation of new sites or reintroductions to ameliorate these effects.
   The current distribution of the Chromolaena frustrata is much reduced from its historical distribution. We anticipate that recovery will require continued protection of existing populations and habitat, as well as establishing populations in additional locations that more closely approximate its historical distribution in order to ensure there is adequate number of C. frustrata stable populations and that these populations occur over a wide geographic area within the species' historical range. This will help to ensure that catastrophic events, such as hurricanes or wildfire, would not simultaneously affect all known populations.
Areas Occupied at the Time of Listing
   For the purpose of designating critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata, we defined the geographical area currently occupied by the species as required by section 3(5)(A)(i) of the Act. The occupied critical habitat units were delineated around documented extant populations. These units include the mapped extent of the population that contain one or more of the elements of the physical or biological features. We considered the following when identifying occupied areas of critical habitat:
   (1) Space to allow for the successional nature of the occupied habitats (i.e., gain and loss of areas with sufficient light availability due to disturbance of the tree canopy driven by natural events such as inundation and hurricanes), and habitat transition or loss due to sea-level rise. In ENP, the distribution of Chromolaena frustrata is across a larger area than at any other single location. In the
   (2) Some areas will require special management to maintain connectivity of occupied habitat to allow for population expansion and connection with other populations. Isolation of populations can result in localized extinctions.
   (3) Some areas will require special management to be able to support a higher density of the plant within the occupied space. These areas generally are habitats where some of the primary constituent elements have been lost through natural or human causes. These areas would help to off-set the anticipated loss and degradation of habitat occurring or expected from the effects of climate change (such as sea-level rise) or due to development.
   After following the above criteria, we determined that occupied areas were not sufficient for the conservation of the species for the following reasons: (1) Restoring the species to its historical range and reducing its vulnerability to stochastic events such as hurricanes and storm surge requires reintroduction to areas where it occurred in the past but has since been extirpated; (2) providing increased connectivity for populations and areas for small populations to expand requires currently unoccupied habitat; and (3) reintroduction or assisted migration to reduce the vulnerability of the species to sea-level rise and storm surge requires higher elevation sites that currently are unoccupied by Chromolaena frustrata. Therefore, we looked to unoccupied areas that may be essential for the conservation of the species.
Areas Outside the Geographic Area Occupied at the Time of Listing
   When designating critical habitat, we consider future recovery efforts and conservation of the species. Realizing that the current occupied habitat is not enough for the conservation and recovery of Chromolaena frustrata, we used habitat and historical occurrence data to identify unoccupied habitat essential for the conservation of the species as described below.
   The unoccupied areas are essential for the conservation of the species because they:
   (1) Represent the historical range of Chromolaena frustrata. C. frustrata has been extirpated from several locations where it was previously recorded. Of those areas found in reports, we are designating critical habitat only where there are well documented historical occurrences (i.e.,
   (2) Provide areas of sufficient size to support ecosystem processes for populations of Chromolaena frustrata. These areas are essential for the conservation of the species because they will provide areas for population expansion and growth. Large contiguous parcels of habitat are more likely to be resilient to ecological processes of disturbance and succession, and support viable populations of C. frustrata. The unoccupied areas selected were at least 30 ac (12.1 ha) or greater in size.
   The amount and distribution of designated critical habitat will allow Chromoleana frustrata to:
   (1) Maintain its existing distribution;
   (2) Expand its distribution into historically occupied areas (needed to offset habitat loss and fragmentation);
   (3) Use habitat depending on habitat availability (respond to changing nature of coastal habitat including occurring sea-level rise) and support genetic diversity;
   (4) Increase the size of each population to a level where the threats of genetic, demographic, and normal environmental uncertainties are diminished; and
   (5) Maintain its ability to withstand local or unit level environmental fluctuations or catastrophes.
   When determining critical habitat boundaries within this final rule, we made every effort to avoid including developed areas such as lands covered by buildings, pavement, and other structures because such lands lack physical or biological features for Chromolaena frustrata. The scale of the maps we prepared under the parameters for publication within the Code of Federal Regulations may not reflect the exclusion of such developed lands. Any such lands inadvertently left inside critical habitat boundaries shown on the maps of this final rule have been excluded by text in the rule and are not designated as critical habitat. Therefore, a Federal action involving these lands will not trigger section 7 consultation with respect to critical habitat and the requirement of no adverse modification unless the specific action would affect the physical or biological features in the adjacent critical habitat.
   The critical habitat designation is defined by the map or maps, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, presented at the end of this document in the Regulation Promulgation section. We include more detailed information on the boundaries of the critical habitat designation in the preamble of this document. We will make the coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based available to the public on http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2013-0029, on our Internet site at http://www.fws.gov/verobeach/, and at the field office responsible for the designation (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, above).
Final Critical Habitat Designation
   We are designating nine units as critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata. The critical habitat areas described below constitute our best assessment at this time of areas that meet the definition of critical habitat for C. frustrata. The nine units are: (1)
TABLE 1--Chromolaena frustrata Critical Habitat Units Unit No. Unit Name Ownership Percent Acres Hectares Occupied 1 Everglades Federal 100 6,166 2,495 yes. National Park Total 100 6,166 2,495 2 Key Largo Federal 23 804 325 no. State 63 2,170 878 Private 13 457 185 Total 100 3,431 1,388 3 Upper State 34 24 10 yes. Matecumbe Key Private 66 45 18 Total 100 69 28 4 Lignumvita State 100 180 73 yes. e Key Total 100 180 73 5 Lower State 49 22 9 yes. Matecumbe Key Private 51 22 9 Total 100 44 18 6 Long Key State 73 151 61 yes. Private 27 57 23 Total 100 208 84 7 Big Pine Federal 88 686 278 no. Key Private 12 94 38 Total 100 780 316 8 Big Munson Private 100 28 11 yes. Island Total 100 28 11 9 Boca Federal 100 62 25 yes. Grande Key Total 100 62 25 Total All Federal 70 7,718 3,123 Units State 23 2,547 1,031 Private 6 703 284 and Other All 10,968 4,439 Note: Area sizes may not sum due to rounding.
   We present brief descriptions of all units, and reasons why they meet the definition of critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata, below.
Unit 1:
   Unit 1 consists of a total of 6,166 ac (2,495 ha) in
Unit 2:
   Unit 2 consists of a total of 3,431 ac (1,388 ha) in
   This unit extends from near the northern tip of
   This unit is not currently occupied but is essential for the conservation of the species because it serves to protect habitat needed to recover the species, reestablish wild populations within the historical range of the species, and maintain populations throughout the historical distribution of the species in the
Unit 3: Upper Matecumbe Key,
   Unit 3 consists of a total of 69 ac (28 ha) in
   This unit extends from
   The physical or biological features in this unit may require special management considerations or protection to address threats of small population size, nonnative species, and sea-level rise. FDACS conducts nonnative species control efforts in
   Unit 4 consists of a total of 180 ac (73 ha) in
   This unit is currently occupied and contains all the physical or biological features essential for the conservation of the species. This unit includes all the primary constituent of rockland hammock and buttonwood forest habitat that occur within LKBSP on Lignumvitae Key. The physical or biological features in this unit may require special management considerations or protection to address threats of small population size, nonnative species, and sea-level rise. FDACS conducts nonnative species control efforts at LKBSP.
Unit 5: Lower Matecumbe Key,
   Unit 5 consists of a total of 44 ac (18 ha) in
   This unit is currently occupied and contains all the physical or biological features essential for the conservation of the species. The physical or biological features in this unit may require special management considerations or protection to address threats of small population size, nonnative species, and sea-level rise. FDACS conducts nonnative species control efforts at
Unit 6:
   Unit 6 consists of a total of 208 ac (84 ha) in
   The unit is currently occupied and contains all the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of the species. It contains the PCEs of coastal berm, coastal rock barren, rockland hammock, and buttonwood forest. The physical or biological features in this unit may require special management considerations or protection to address threats of development, small population size, nonnative species, and sea-level rise. FDACS conducts nonnative species control efforts at
Unit 7:
   Unit 7 consists of a total of 780 ac (316 ha) in
   This unit is not currently occupied but is essential for the conservation of the species because it serves to protect habitat needed to recover the species, reestablish wild populations within the historical range of the species, and maintain populations throughout the historical distribution of the species in the
Unit 8:
   Unit 8 consists of a total of 28 ac (11 ha) in
   The physical or biological features in this unit may require special management considerations or protection to address threats of development, recreation, nonnative species, and sea-level rise. No conservation actions are known.
Unit 9:
   Unit 9 consists of a total of 62 ac (25 ha) in
   The physical or biological features in this unit may require special management considerations or protection to address threats of small population size, nonnative species, and sea-level rise. The Service conducts nonnative species control at the Key West Refuge.
   Unit 9 of the critical habitat units for Chromolaena frustrata is currently designated as critical habitat under the Act for the wintering piping plover (Charadrius melodus, 50 CFR 17.95(b)), and Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 are designated for the American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus, 50 CFR 17.95(c)).
Effects of Critical Habitat Designation
Section 7 Consultation
   Section 7(a)(2) of the Act requires Federal agencies, including the Service, to ensure that any action they fund, authorize, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated critical habitat of such species. In addition, section 7(a)(4) of the Act requires Federal agencies to confer with the Service on any agency action which is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any species proposed to be listed under the Act or result in the destruction or adverse modification of proposed critical habitat.
   Decisions by the 5th and 9th Circuit Courts of Appeals have invalidated our regulatory definition of "destruction or adverse modification" (50 CFR 402.02) (see
   If a Federal action may affect a listed species or its critical habitat, the responsible Federal agency (action agency) must enter into consultation with us. Examples of actions that are subject to the section 7 consultation process are actions on State, tribal, local, or private lands that require a Federal permit (such as a permit from the
   As a result of section 7 consultation, we document compliance with the requirements of section 7(a)(2) through our issuance of:
   (1) A concurrence letter for Federal actions that may affect, but are not likely to adversely affect, listed species or critical habitat; or
   (2) A biological opinion for Federal actions that may affect and are likely to adversely affect, listed species or critical habitat.
   When we issue a biological opinion concluding that a project is likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a listed species and/or destroy or adversely modify critical habitat, we provide reasonable and prudent alternatives to the project, if any are identifiable, that would avoid the likelihood of jeopardy and/or destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. We define "reasonable and prudent alternatives" (at 50 CFR 402.02) as alternative actions identified during consultation that:
   (1) Can be implemented in a manner consistent with the intended purpose of the action,
   (2) Can be implemented consistent with the scope of the Federal agency's legal authority and jurisdiction,
   (3) Are economically and technologically feasible, and
   (4) Would, in the Director's opinion, avoid the likelihood of jeopardizing the continued existence of the listed species and/or avoid the likelihood of destroying or adversely modifying critical habitat.
   Reasonable and prudent alternatives can vary from slight project modifications to extensive redesign or relocation of the project. Costs associated with implementing a reasonable and prudent alternative are similarly variable.
   Regulations at 50 CFR 402.16 require Federal agencies to reinitiate consultation on previously reviewed actions in instances where we have listed a new species or subsequently designated critical habitat that may be affected and the Federal agency has retained discretionary involvement or control over the action (or the agency's discretionary involvement or control is authorized by law). Consequently, Federal agencies sometimes may need to request reinitiation of consultation with us on actions for which formal consultation has been completed, if those actions with discretionary involvement or control may affect subsequently listed species or designated critical habitat.
Application of the "Adverse Modification" Standard
   The key factor related to the adverse modification determination is whether, with implementation of the proposed Federal action, the affected critical habitat would continue to serve its intended conservation role for the species. Activities that may destroy or adversely modify critical habitat are those that alter the physical or biological features to an extent that appreciably reduces the conservation value of critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata. As discussed above, the role of critical habitat is to support life-history needs of the species and provide for the conservation of the species.
   Section 4(b)(8) of the Act requires us to briefly evaluate and describe, in any proposed or final regulation that designates critical habitat, activities involving a Federal action that may destroy or adversely modify such habitat, or that may be affected by such designation.
   Activities that may affect critical habitat, when carried out, funded, or authorized by a Federal agency, should result in consultation for Chromolaena frustrata. These activities include, but are not limited to:
   (1) Actions that would significantly alter the hydrology or substrate, such as ditching or filling. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, road construction or maintenance, and residential, commercial, or recreational development.
   (2) Actions that would significantly alter vegetation structure or composition, such as clearing vegetation for construction of residences, facilities, trails, and roads.
   (3) Actions that would introduce nonnative species that would significantly alter vegetation structure or composition. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, residential and commercial development, and road construction.
Exemptions
Application of Section 4(a)(3) of the Act
   Section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(3)(B)(i)) provides that: "The Secretary shall not designate as critical habitat any lands or other geographic areas owned or controlled by the
Exclusions
Application of Section 4(b)(2) of the Act
   Section 4(b)(2) of the Act states that the Secretary shall designate and make revisions to critical habitat on the basis of the best available scientific data after taking into consideration the economic impact, national security impact, and any other relevant impact of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. The Secretary may exclude an area from critical habitat if she determines that the benefits of such exclusion outweigh the benefits of specifying such area as part of the critical habitat, unless she determines, based on the best scientific data available, that the failure to designate such area as critical habitat will result in the extinction of the species. In making that determination, the statute on its face, as well as the legislative history, is clear that the Secretary has broad discretion regarding which factor(s) to use and how much weight to give to any factor.
   Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, the Secretary may exclude an area from designated critical habitat based on economic impacts, impacts on national security, or any other relevant impacts. In considering whether to exclude a particular area from the designation, we identify the benefits of including the area in the designation, identify the benefits of excluding the area from the designation, and evaluate whether the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion. If the analysis indicates that the benefits of exclusion outweigh the benefits of inclusion, the Secretary may exercise her discretion to exclude the area only if such exclusion would not result in the extinction of the species.
Exclusions Based on Economic Impacts
   Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider the economic impacts of specifying any particular area as critical habitat. In order to consider economic impacts, we prepared a draft economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat designation and related factors (Loomis et al. 2013a, entire). The draft analysis, dated
   The intent of the final economic analysis (FEA) is to quantify the economic impacts of all potential conservation efforts for Chromolaena frustrata; some of these costs will likely be incurred regardless of whether we designate critical habitat (baseline). The economic impact of the critical habitat designation is analyzed by comparing scenarios both "with critical habitat" and "without critical habitat." The "without critical habitat" scenario represents the baseline for the analysis, considering protections already in place for the species (e.g., under the Federal listing and other Federal, State, and local regulations). The baseline, therefore, represents the costs incurred regardless of whether critical habitat is designated. The "with critical habitat" scenario describes the incremental impacts associated specifically with the designation of critical habitat for the species. The incremental conservation efforts and associated impacts are those not expected to occur absent the designation of critical habitat for the species. In other words, the incremental costs are those attributable solely to the designation of critical habitat above and beyond the baseline costs; these are the costs we consider in the final designation of critical habitat. The analysis looks retrospectively at baseline impacts incurred since the species was listed, and forecasts both baseline and incremental impacts likely to occur with the designation of critical habitat.
   The FEA also addresses how potential economic impacts are likely to be distributed, including an assessment of any local or regional impacts of habitat conservation and the potential effects of conservation activities on government agencies, private businesses, and individuals. The FEA measures lost economic efficiency associated with residential and commercial development and public projects and activities, such as economic impacts on water management and transportation projects, Federal lands, small entities, and the energy industry. Decision-makers can use this information to assess whether the effects of the designation might unduly burden a particular group or economic sector. Finally, the FEA looks retrospectively at costs that occurred between the publication of the final listing rule and the final rule designating critical habitat, and considers those costs that may occur in the 20 years following the designation of critical habitat, which was determined to be the appropriate period for analysis because limited planning information was available for most activities to forecast activity levels for projects beyond a 20-year timeframe. The FEA quantifies economic impacts of Chromolaena frustrata conservation efforts associated with the following categories of activity: (1) Commercial, residential and recreational development; (2) Federal land management; and (3) restoration and conservation.
  &#160;Based on the best available information, including extensive discussions with stakeholders, we estimate the critical habitat designation will result in direct incremental costs of approximately between
   Our economic analysis did not identify any disproportionate costs that are likely to result from the designation. Consequently, the Secretary is not exercising her discretion to exclude any areas from this designation of critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata based on economic impacts.
   A copy of the FEA with supporting documents may be obtained by contacting the South Florida Ecological Services Office (see ADDRESSES) or by downloading from the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov.
Exclusions Based on National Security Impacts
   Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider whether there are lands owned or managed by the
Exclusions Based on Other Relevant Impacts
   Under section 4(b)(2) of the Act, we consider any other relevant impacts, in addition to economic impacts and impacts on national security. We consider a number of factors, including whether the landowners have developed any HCPs or other management plans for the area, or whether there are conservation partnerships that would be encouraged by designation of, or exclusion from, critical habitat. In addition, we look at any tribal issues, and consider the government-to-government relationship of
   In preparing this final rule, we have determined that there are currently no HCPs or other management plans for Chromolaena frustrata, and the final designation does not include any tribal lands or trust resources. We anticipate no impact on tribal lands, partnerships, or HCPs from this critical habitat designation. Accordingly, the Secretary is not exercising her discretion to exclude any areas from this final designation based on other relevant impacts.
Required Determinations
Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)
   Executive Order 12866 provides that the
   Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while calling for improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further that regulations must be based on the best available science and that the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent with these requirements.
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.
   Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C.
   According to the
   Importantly, the incremental impacts of a rule must be both significant and substantial to prevent certification of the rule under the RFA and to require the preparation of a regulatory flexibility analysis. If a substantial number of small entities are affected by the critical habitat designation, but the per-entity economic impact is not significant, the Service may certify. Likewise, if the per-entity economic impact is likely to be significant, but the number of affected entities is not substantial, the Service may also certify.
   The Service's current understanding of recent case law is that Federal agencies are only required to evaluate the potential impacts of rulemaking on those entities directly regulated by the rulemaking; therefore, they are not required to evaluate the potential impacts to those entities not directly regulated. The designation of critical habitat for an endangered or threatened species only has a regulatory effect where a Federal action agency is involved in a particular action that may affect the designated critical habitat. Under these circumstances, only the Federal action agency is directly regulated by the designation, and, therefore, consistent with the Service's current interpretation of RFA and recent case law, the Service may limit its evaluation of the potential impacts to those identified for Federal action agencies. Under this interpretation, there is no requirement under the RFA to evaluate the potential impacts to entities not directly regulated, such as small businesses. However, Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct Federal agencies to assess costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives in quantitative (to the extent feasible) and qualitative terms. Consequently, it is the current practice of the Service to assess to the extent practicable these potential impacts if sufficient data are available, whether or not this analysis is believed by the Service to be strictly required by the RFA. In other words, while the effects analysis required under the RFA is limited to entities directly regulated by the rulemaking, the effects analysis under the Act, consistent with the E.O.s' regulatory analysis requirements, can take into consideration impacts to both directly and indirectly impacted entities, where practicable and reasonable.
   In conclusion, we believe that, based on our interpretation of directly regulated entities under the RFA and relevant case law, this designation of critical habitat will only directly regulate Federal agencies, which are not by definition small business entities. Accordingly, we certify that this designation of critical habitat will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small business entities. Therefore, a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. However, in our final economic analysis for this rule, we considered and evaluated the potential effects to third parties that may be involved with consultations with Federal action agencies related to this action.
   Designation of critical habitat only affects activities authorized, funded, or carried out by Federal agencies. Some kinds of activities are unlikely to have any Federal involvement and so will not be affected by critical habitat designation. In areas where the species is present, Federal agencies already are required to consult with us under section 7 of the Act on activities they authorize, fund, or carry out that may affect the Chromolaena frustrata. Federal agencies also must consult with us if their activities may affect critical habitat. Designation of critical habitat, therefore, could result in an additional economic impact on small entities due to the requirement to reinitiate consultation for ongoing Federal activities (see Application of the "Adverse Modification" Standard section).
   In our FEA, we evaluated the potential economic effects on small business entities resulting from conservation actions related to the listing of the Chromolaena frustrata and the designation of critical habitat. The analysis is based on the estimated impacts associated with the rulemaking as described in Chapters 4 through 5 and Appendices A and B of the analysis and evaluates the potential for economic impacts related to: (1) Federal land management; (2) commercial, residential, and recreational development; and (3) restoration and conservation.
   The threshold for a small governmental jurisdiction is a city, county, town, school district, or special district with a population of less than 50,000. The village of
   There is the potential that project proponents for commercial, residential, and recreational development could be small businesses. As discussed in section 4.2 of the FEA, we do not estimate any incremental administrative time or project modifications above existing permitting requirements and restrictions on land clearing associated with development.
   In summary, we considered whether this designation will result in a significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. Based on the above reasoning and currently available information, we concluded that this rule will not result in a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Therefore, we are certifying that the designation of critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, and a regulatory flexibility analysis is not required.
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use--Executive Order 13211
   Executive Order 13211 (Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use) requires agencies to prepare Statements of Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. OMB has provided guidance for implementing this Executive Order that outlines nine outcomes that may constitute "a significant adverse effect" when compared to not taking the regulatory action under consideration.
   Appendix A of the economic analysis discusses the potential for critical habitat to affect energy supply, distribution, or use through the additional cost of considering adverse modification in section 7 consultation. The economic analysis finds that none of the seven outcomes relative to significant adverse effect thresholds set forth by the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C.
   In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C.
   (1) This rule will not produce a Federal mandate. In general, a Federal mandate is a provision in legislation, statute, or regulation that would impose an enforceable duty upon State, local, or tribal governments, or the private sector, and includes both "Federal intergovernmental mandates" and "Federal private sector mandates." These terms are defined in 2 U.S.C. 658(5)-(7). "Federal intergovernmental mandate" includes a regulation that "would impose an enforceable duty upon State, local, or tribal governments" with two exceptions. It excludes "a condition of Federal assistance." It also excludes "a duty arising from participation in a voluntary Federal program," unless the regulation "relates to a then-existing Federal program under which
   The designation of critical habitat does not impose a legally binding duty on non-Federal Government entities or private parties. Under the Act, the only regulatory effect is that Federal agencies must ensure that their actions do not destroy or adversely modify critical habitat under section 7. While non-Federal entities that receive Federal funding, assistance, or permits, or that otherwise require approval or authorization from a Federal agency for an action, may be indirectly impacted by the designation of critical habitat, the legally binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency. Furthermore, to the extent that non-Federal entities are indirectly impacted because they receive Federal assistance or participate in a voluntary Federal aid program, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act would not apply, nor would critical habitat shift the costs of the large entitlement programs listed above onto State governments.
   (2) We do not believe that this rule will significantly or uniquely affect small governments because it will not produce a Federal mandate of
Takings--Executive Order 12630
   In accordance with Executive Order 12630 (Government Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Private Property Rights), we have analyzed the potential takings implications of designating critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata in a takings implications assessment. As discussed above, the designation of critical habitat affects only Federal actions. Although private parties that receive Federal funding or assistance, or that require approval or authorization from a Federal agency for an action, may be indirectly impacted by the designation of critical habitat, the legally binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency. The takings implications assessment concludes that this designation of critical habitat for Chromolaena frustrata does not pose significant takings implications for lands within or affected by the designation.
Federalism--Executive Order 13132
   In accordance with Executive Order 13132 (Federalism), this rule does not have significant Federalism effects. A federalism summary impact statement is not required. In keeping with
   Where State and local governments require approval or authorization from a Federal agency for actions that may affect critical habitat, consultation under section 7(a)(2) would be required. While non-Federal entities that receive Federal funding, assistance, or permits, or that otherwise require approval or authorization from a Federal agency for an action, may be indirectly impacted by the designation of critical habitat, the legally binding duty to avoid destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat rests squarely on the Federal agency.
Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988
   In accordance with Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform), the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)
   This rule does not contain any new collections of information that require approval by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This rule will not impose recordkeeping or reporting requirements on State or local governments, individuals, businesses, or organizations. An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)
   It is our position that, outside the jurisdiction of the
Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes
   In accordance with the President's memorandum of
   We determined that there are no tribal lands occupied by Chromolaena frustrata at the time of listing that contain the features essential to conservation of the species, and no tribal lands unoccupied by C. frustrata that are essential for the conservation of the species. Therefore, we are not designating critical habitat for C. frustrata on tribal lands.
References Cited
   A complete list of all references cited is available on the Internet at http://www.regulations.gov and upon request from the,
Authors
   The primary authors of this rulemaking are the staff members of the
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 17
   Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation.
Regulation Promulgation
   Accordingly, we amend part 17, subchapter B of chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as set forth below:
PART 17--[AMENDED]
   1. The authority citation for part 17 continues to read as follows:
   Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1361-1407; 1531-1544; 4201-4245, unless otherwise noted.
   2. Amend
* * * * *
   (h) * * *
Species Scientific Common name Historic Family Status When Critical Special name range listed habitat rules FLOWERING PLANTS * * * * * * * Chromo- Cape Sable U.S.A. Asteraceae E 826 17.96(a) NA laena thoroughwor (FL) frustrata t U.S.A. (FL) NA E 17.96(h) NA * * * * * * *
   3. Amend
   (a) Flowering plants.
* * * * *
   Family Asteraceae: Chromolaena frustrata (
   (1) Critical habitat units for Chromolaena frustrata are depicted for
   (2) Within these areas, the primary constituent elements of the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of Chromolaena frustrata consist of four components:
   (i) Areas of upland habitats consisting of coastal berm, coastal rock barren, coastal hardwood hammock, rockland hammocks, and buttonwood forest.
   (A) Coastal berm habitat that contains:
   ( 1) Open to semi-open canopy, subcanopy, and understory; and
   ( 2) Substrate of coarse, calcareous, storm-deposited sediment.
   (B) Coastal rock barren (Keys cactus barren, Keys tidal rock barren) habitat that contains:
   ( 1) Open to semi-open canopy and understory; and
   ( 2) Limestone rock substrate.
   (C) Coastal hardwood hammock habitat occurring in
   ( 1) Canopy gaps and edges with an open to semi-open canopy, subcanopy, and understory; and
   ( 2) Substrate of marl covered with a thin layer of highly organic soil.
   (D) Rockland hammock habitat that contains:
   ( 1) Canopy gaps and edges with an open to semi-open canopy, subcanopy, and understory; and
   ( 2) Substrate with a thin layer of highly organic soil, marl, humus, or leaf litter on top of the underlying limestone.
   (E) Buttonwood forest habitat that contains:
   ( 1) Open to semi-open canopy and understory; and
   ( 2) Substrate with calcareous marl muds, calcareous sands, or limestone rock.
   (ii) Plant communities of predominately native vegetation with either no invasive, nonnative species or with low enough quantities of nonnative, invasive plant species to have minimal effect on the survival of Chromolaena frustrata.
   (iii) A disturbance regime, due to the effects of strong winds or saltwater inundation from storm surge or infrequent tidal inundation, that creates canopy openings in coastal berm, coastal rock barren, coastal hardwood hammock, rockland hammocks, and buttonwood forest.
   (iv) Habitats that are connected and of sufficient area to sustain viable populations in coastal berm, coastal rock barren, coastal hardwood hammock, rockland hammocks, and buttonwood forest.
   (3) Critical habitat does not include manmade structures (such as buildings, aqueducts, runways, roads, and other paved areas) and the land on which they are located exists within the legal boundaries on
   (4) Critical habitat map units. Unit maps were developed using ESRI ArcGIS mapping software along with various spatial data layers. ArcGIS was also used to calculate the size of habitat areas. The projection used in mapping and calculating distances and locations within the units was North American Albers Equal Area Conic, NAD 83. The maps in this entry, as modified by any accompanying regulatory text, establish the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. The coordinates or plot points or both on which each map is based are available to the public at the Service's Internet site at http://www.fws.gov/verobeach/, on the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R4-ES-2013-0029, and at the field office responsible for this designation. You may obtain field office location information by contacting one of the Service regional offices, the addresses of which are listed at 50 CFR 2.2.
   (5) Index map of all critical habitat units for Chromolaena frustrata follows:
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (6) Unit 1:
   (i) General Description: Unit 1 consists of a total of 6,166 acres (2,495 hectares) in
   (ii) Map of Unit 1 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (7) Unit 2:
   (i) General Description: Unit 2 consists of a total of 3,431 acres (1,388 hectares) in
   (ii) Index map of Unit 2 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (iii) Map A of Unit 2 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (iv) Map B of Unit 2 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (v) Map C of Unit 2 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (vi) Map D of Unit 2 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (vii) Map E of Unit 2 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (viii) Map F of Unit 2 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (8) Unit 3: Upper Matecumbe Key,
   (i) General Description: Unit 3 consists of 69 acres (28 hectares) in
   (ii) Map of Unit 3 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (9)
   (i) General Description:
   (ii) Map of
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (10) Unit 5: Lower Matecumbe Key,
   (i) General Description: Unit 5 consists of a total of 44 acres (18 hectares) in
   (ii) Map of Unit 5 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (11) Unit 6:
   (i) General Description: Unit 6 consists of a total of 208 acres (84 hectares) in
   (ii) Index map of Unit 6 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (iii) Map A of Unit 6 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (iv) Map B of Unit 6 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (12) Unit 7:
   (i) General Description: Unit 7 consists of a total of 780 acres (316 hectares) in
   (ii) Index map of Unit 7 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (iii) Map A of Unit 7 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (iv) Map B of Unit 7 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (v) Map C of Unit 7 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (vi) Map D of Unit 7 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (vii) Map E of Unit 7 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (13) Unit 8:
   (i) General Description: Unit 8 consists of a total of 28 acres (11 hectares) in
   (ii) Map of Unit 8 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
   (14) Unit 9:
   (i) General Description: Unit 9 consists of a total of 62 acres (25 hectares) in
   (ii) Map of Unit 9 follows:
See Illustration in Original Document.
* * * * *
   Dated:
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2013-31576 Filed 1-7-14;
BILLING CODE 4310-55-C
| Copyright: | (c) 2014 Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc. |
| Wordcount: | 17705 |
Removal of Certain References to Credit Ratings Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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