2020-19298: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status with Section 4(d) Rule for Big Creek Crayfish and St. Francis River Crayfish and Designations of Critical Habitat

Summary

After review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list two Missouri species, the Big Creek crayfish (Faxonius peruncus) and the St. Francis River crayfish (Faxonius quadruncus), as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to both species. We also propose a species-specific rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act ("4(d) rule") that provides for the protection of the Big Creek crayfish and the St. Francis River crayfish and to designate critical habitat for both species under the Act. In total, approximately 1,069 river miles (1,720 river kilometers) fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation for the Big Creek crayfish, and approximately 1,043 river miles (1,679 river kilometers) fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation for the St. Francis River crayfish. Finally, we announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat designations.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 1 part of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 50 CFR 17 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants