Proposed Rule Advances to Clarify Policy On Critical Habitat Exclusions for Species

摘要

A proposed rule on Endangered Species Act policy has cleared interagency review as a step toward clarifying expectations on how areas may be excluded from critical habitat designations. The exclusions in the proposed rule, which cleared April 29, concern treatment of conservation plans and partnerships, tribal lands, military lands and federal lands. According to the Obama administration, the proposed policy rule should provide for a credible, predictable and simplified exclusion process. Such a policy could help shape expectations on how conservation plans for a species like the greater sage grouse might allow for exclusions if the bird is listed as threatened as proposed by the Fish and Wildlife Service.