U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office
6010 Hidden Valley Road
Carlsbad, California 92011
Phone: 760/431-9440
Fax: 760/431-9618
http://www.fws.gov/carlsbad
For Release: Feb. 14, 2008
Contact: Jane Hendron, Carlsbad, CA - 760/431-9440 ext. 205
CRITICAL HABITAT REVISED FOR PEIRSON'S MILK-VETCH
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today published a final rule revising
critical habitat for the federally threatened Peirson's milk-vetch.
Approximately 12,105 acres within the Algodones Dunes in Imperial County,
California, are included in the revised designation. Almost all of the land
designated as critical habitat for the plant is managed by the Bureau of
Land Management (BLM) as part of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area
(ISDRA).
The original critical habitat designation completed in 2004 included about
21,863 acres of land. Today's revised final rule reduces the amount of
critical habitat by 9,758 acres from the original 2004 designation.
An economic analysis was developed based on the areas included in the July
27, 2007, proposed rule to revise critical habitat for Peirson's milk-vetch
which identified approximately 16,108 acres of land as proposed critical
habitat.
The final economic analysis estimates that efficiency impacts could range
from zero up to between $116 and $127 million over the next 20 years
(undiscounted dollars). Approximately 93 percent – between $0 and $113
million - of the potential off-highway vehicle use welfare impacts
attributable to critical habitat were projected to occur in proposed
critical habitat Unit 2 which covered portions of the Gecko and Glamis
Management Areas of the ISDRA.
In the revised final rule, all of Unit 2 is excluded from critical habitat
designation, based on the disproportionate economic impacts.
Other factors that resulted in a smaller amount of land being designated as
critical habitat include the use of a revised methodology to identify areas
essential to the conservation of the plant, and refinements to mapping. The
revised methodology used is based on extensive survey data collected by the
BLM in 2005.
All of the areas included in the revised designation are occupied by
Peirson's milk-vetch plants and/or its seed bank.
This revised final rule will become effective on March 17, 2008, and
supercedes the 2004 critical habitat designation for Peirson's milk-vetch.
Copies of the revised final critical habitat rule, economic analysis and
other information about Peirson's milk-vetch are available on the Internet
at
http://www.regulations.gov or
http://www.fws.gov/Carlsbad.
Peirson's milk-vetch is a perennial member of the legume family. It has a
long tap root that can penetrate deep into the sand to reach moisture and
functions as an anchor for the plant in shifting sands. The plant has
delicate pale purple flowers and produces large fruits containing seeds.
Plants may flower in their first year and produce between one and five
fruits, while older plants produce significantly more fruits.
The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to
conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for
the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and
trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific
excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated
professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our
work and the people who make it happen, visit
www.fws.gov.
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