From USFWS original metadata: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for 99 of the 101 species known historically from the Hawaiian island of Oahu. A total of approximately 22,274 hectares (ha) (55,040 acres (ac)) of land on Oahu fall within the boundaries of the 303 critical habitat units designated for the 99 species. This critical habitat designation requires the Service to consult under section 7 of the Act with regard to actions carried out, funded, or authorized by a Federal agency. Section 4 of the Act requires us to consider economic and other relevant impacts when specifying any particular area as critical habitat. This rule also determines that designating critical habitat would not be prudent for two species (Cyrtandra crenata and Pritchardia kaalae). We solicited data and comments from the public on all aspects of the proposed rule, including data on economic and other impacts of the designation.
From USFWS original metadata: Background - In the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants (50 CFR 17.12(h)), there are 101 plant species that, at the time of listing, were reported from the island of Oahu and are at issue in this final rule. Fifty-seven of these species are endemic to the island of Oahu, while 44 species are reported from one or more other islands, as well as Oahu. Although we considered designating critical habitat on Oahu for each of the 101 plant species, for the reasons described below, the final designation includes critical habitat for 99 of 101 plant species. We have designated critical habitat on other islands (Kauai, Niihau, Maui, and Molokai) for species that are also reported from Oahu. Critical habitat may be designated for the species that are also reported from the island of Hawaii in a subsequent rulemaking.
Federal Register / Vol. 67, No. 64 / Wednesday, April 3, 2002 / Proposed Rules
Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 93 / Wednesday, May 14, 2003 / Rules and Regulations
The original data was created as follows: The approach to delineating critical habitat units was applied in the following manner: 1. Critical habitat was proposed and designated on an island by island basis for ease of understanding for landowners and the public, for ease of conducting the public hearing process, and for ease of conducting public outreach. In Hawaii, landowners and the public are most interested and affected by issues centered on the island on which they reside. 2. Focused on designating units representative of the known current and historical geographic and elevational range of each species; and 3. Designated critical habitat units to allow for expansion of existing wild populations and reestablishment of wild populations within the historic range, as recommended by the recovery plans for each species.