Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Pacific Coast Population of the Western Snowy Plover

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate 28 areas along the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington as critical habitat for the Pacific coast vertebrate population segment of the western snowy plover (Charadrius alexandrinus nivosus). This small shorebird is listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Section 7 of the Act requires Federal agencies to ensure that actions they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat. As required by section 4 of the Act, we considered economic and other relevant impacts prior to making a final decision on the size and configuration of critical habitat.