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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 41 / Thursday, March 4, 2021 / Proposed Rules
we find that listing the species is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the Arizona eryngo as an endangered species under the Act. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants and extend the Acts protections to the species. We also propose to designate critical habitat for the Arizona eryngo under the Act. In total, approximately 13.0 acres 5.3 hectares in Pima and Cochise Counties, Arizona, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis DEA of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Arizona eryngo.
DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before May 3, 2021. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal see ADDRESSES, below must be received by 11:59 p.m.
Eastern Time on the closing date. We must receive requests for a public hearing, in writing, at the address shown in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT by April 19, 2021.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
1 Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
http www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWSR2ES2020
0130, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, click on the Search button. On the resulting page, in the Search panel on the left side of the screen, under the Document Type heading, check the Proposed Rule box to locate this document. You may submit a comment by clicking on Comment Now!
2 By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to: Public Comments Processing, Attn:
FWSR2ES20200130, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W, 5275
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041
3803.
We request that you send comments only by the methods described above.
We will post all comments on http
www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any personal information you provide us see Information Requested, below, for more information.
Availability of supporting materials:
For the critical habitat designation, the coordinates or plot points or both from which the maps are generated are included in the administrative record and are available at https
www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/, at http www.regulations.gov under Docket No. FWSR2ES20200130.

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Any additional tools or supporting information that we may develop for the critical habitat designation will also be available at the Service website set out above and may also be included in the preamble and/or at http
www.regulations.gov.
Jeff Humphrey, Arizona Ecological Services Field Office, 9828 North 31st Ave. C3, Phoenix, AZ 850512517; telephone 6022420210. Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf TDD may call the Federal Relay Service at 8008778339.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Executive Summary Why we need to publish a rule. Under the Act, if we determine that a species is an endangered or threatened species throughout all or a significant portion of its range, we are required to promptly publish a proposal in the Federal Register and make a determination on our proposal within 1 year. To the maximum extent prudent and determinable, we must designate critical habitat for any species that we determine to be an endangered or threatened species under the Act.
Listing a species as an endangered or threatened species and designation of critical habitat can only be completed by issuing a rule.
What this document does. We propose to list the Arizona eryngo as an endangered species under the Act, and we propose the designation of critical habitat for the species.
The basis for our action. Under the Act, we may determine that a species is an endangered or threatened species because of any of five factors: A The present or threatened destruction, modification, or curtailment of its habitat or range; B overutilization for commercial, recreational, scientific, or educational purposes; C disease or predation; D the inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms; or E
other natural or manmade factors affecting its continued existence. We have determined that the Arizona eryngo is primarily at risk of extinction due to habitat changes: Physical alteration of cienegas, water loss, and changes in co-occurring vegetation, all of which are exacerbated by the effects of climate change.
Section 4a3 of the Act requires the Secretary of the Interior Secretary to designate critical habitat concurrent with listing to the maximum extent prudent and determinable. Section 35A of the Act defines critical habitat as i the specific areas within the geographical area occupied by the
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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 protections; 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.
Section 4b2 of the Act states that the Secretary must make the designation on the basis of the best scientific data available and after taking into consideration the economic impact, the impact on national security, and any other relevant impacts of specifying any particular area as critical habitat.
Peer review. In accordance with our joint policy on peer review published in the Federal Register on July 1, 1994 59
FR 34270, and our August 22, 2016, memorandum updating and clarifying the role of peer review of listing actions under the Act, we sought the expert opinions of eight appropriate specialists regarding the species status assessment report used to inform this proposed rule. We received responses from four specialists, which informed this proposed rule. The purpose of peer review is to ensure that our listing determinations and critical habitat designations are based on scientifically sound data, assumptions, and analyses.
The peer reviewers have expertise in the biology, habitat, and threats to the species.
Information Requested We intend that any final action resulting from this proposed rule will be based on the best scientific and commercial data available and be as accurate and as effective as possible.
Therefore, we request comments or information from other concerned governmental agencies, Native American tribes, the scientific community, industry, or any other interested parties concerning this proposed rule.
We particularly seek comments concerning:
1 The species biology, range, and population trends, including:
a Biological or ecological requirements of the species, including habitat requirements for nutrition, reproduction, or pollination;
b Genetics and taxonomy;
c Historical and current range, including distribution patterns;
d Historical and current population levels, and current and projected trends;
and
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