Proposed Critical Habitat Designation for 22 Endangered and Threatened Species in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has proposed designating critical habitat for 22 species — 9 animals and 13 plants — native to the Mariana Islands, encompassing both the U.S. Territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). This action is taken under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to legally protect areas essential to the survival and recovery of these species. The proposed designation covers approximately 59,886 acres (24,235 hectares) spread across nine islands: Aguiguan, Alamagan, Asunción, Guam (including Cocos Island), Pagan, Rota, Saipan, Sarigan, and Tinian. These islands contain habitat features — such as native forest, limestone habitat, and coastal areas — considered essential for listed species' biological needs. As a proposed rule, it is subject to a public comment period. Federal agencies undertaking, funding, or permitting activities within or affecting these designated areas would be required to consult with USFWS to ensure their actions do not destroy or adversely modify the critical habitat. An economic analysis of the proposed designation has also been made available for public review. This rule does not directly regulate private landowners unless federal nexus (federal funding or permits) is involved, but the designation signals conservation priority and may influence future land-use decisions and development permitting on these islands.
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Key Changes
- Proposes critical habitat designation for 9 animal species and 13 plant species (22 total) under the Endangered Species Act
- Approximately 59,886 acres (24,235 hectares) across 9 islands — Aguiguan, Alamagan, Asunción, Guam (incl. Cocos), Pagan, Rota, Saipan, Sarigan, and Tinian — would be designated as critical habitat
- Federal agencies must consult with USFWS before authorizing, funding, or carrying out activities that may affect designated critical habitat areas
+ 3 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Federal agencies must consult with USFWS before undertaking, funding, or permitting activities within or affecting the 59,886 acres of designated critical habitat across the nine Mariana Islands to ensure actions do not destroy or adversely modify critical habitat
USFWS must make available an economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat designation for public review
Conduct public comment period on the proposed critical habitat designation before finalizing the rule
Activities with federal nexus (federal funding or permits) in the designated critical habitat areas on Aguiguan, Alamagan, Asunción, Guam, Cocos Island, Pagan, Rota, Saipan, Sarigan, and Tinian must not destroy or adversely modify critical habitat