0648-AY54 201410 The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 0600 Department of Commerce DOC Designation of Critical Habitat for the North Atlantic Right Whale

National Marine Fisheries Service proposes to revise critical habitat for the North Atlantic right whale. This proposal would result in modifying the critical habitat that was designated in 1994.

]]> Other Significant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Proposed Rule Stage No No 50 CFR 226 50 CFR 229 16 USC 1361 et seq 16 USC 1531 to 1543 Yes

Under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act, NOAA Fisheries is required to designate critical habitat for newly listed species and revise as new information becomes available.

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Endangered Species Act

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Critical habitat is defined as (i) the specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the species, at the time it is listed, on which are found those physical or biological features (I) essential to the conservation of the species and (II) which may require special management considerations or protection; and (ii) specific areas outside the geographical area occupied by the species at the time it is listed, upon a determination by the Secretary that such areas are essential for the conservation of the species. In developing this rule, NOAA Fisheries is analyzing best available information regarding where these areas occur and performing economic impact analysis to inform designation.

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Because this rule is presently in the beginning stages of development, no analysis has been completed at this time to assess costs and benefits.

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Loss of critical habitat for a species listed as protected under the ESA and Marine Mammals Protection Act, as well as potential loss of right whales due to habitat loss.

]]> NPRM 01/00/2015 Yes Businesses None No No Yes No Donna Wieting Director, Office of Protected Resources 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 301 427-8400 National Marine Fisheries Service, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring MD 20910