Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Designation and Nondesignation of Critical Habitat for 46 Plant Species From the Island of Hawaii, HI

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for 41 of 58 listed plant species known historically from the island of Hawaii. A total of approximately 84,200 hectares (208,063 acres) of land on the island of Hawaii fall within the boundaries of the 99 critical habitat units designated for these 41 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 four species, Cyanea copelandii ssp. copelandii, Ochrosia kilaueaensis, Pritchardia affinis, and Pritchardia schattaueri. 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.