Injurious Wildlife Species; Listing Salamanders Due to Risk Of
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Injurious Wildlife Species; Listing Salamanders Due to Risk of Salamander Chytrid Fungus [Genera Chioglossa, Cynops, Euproctus, Hydromantes, Hynobius, Ichthyosaura, Lissotriton, Neurergus, Notophthalmus, Onychodactylus, Paramesotriton, Plethodon, Pleurodeles, Salamandra, Salamandrella, Salamandrina, Siren, Taricha, Triturus, and Tylototriton of the Order Caudata] Draft Economic Analysis & Draft Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Prepared by: Division of Economics U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service November 2015 i TABLE OF CONTENTS ES 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................. 1 ES 1.1 Economic Analysis .......................................................................................................... 1 ES 1.2 Regulatory Flexibility Act ............................................................................................... 3 ES 1.3 Need for and Objectives of the Interim Rule ................................................................... 3 ES 1.4 Alternatives Considered .................................................................................................. 4 ES 1.4.1 Alternative 1.............................................................................................................. 4 ES 1.4.2 Alternative 2.............................................................................................................. 5 ES 1.4.3 Alternative 3.............................................................................................................. 5 ES 1.4.4 Alternative 4.............................................................................................................. 6 ES 1.4.5 Alternative 5.............................................................................................................. 7 ES 1.5 Summary .......................................................................................................................... 7 ES 1.5.1 Economic Costs ........................................................................................................ 8 ES 1.5.2 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Summary................................................................ 9 ES 1.5.2 Economic and Ecological Benefits ......................................................................... 10 ES 1.6 Conclusion ..................................................................................................................... 11 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 13 1.1 Background ......................................................................................................................... 13 1.2 Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Compliance Requirements ............................................... 15 1.3 Structure of This Report ...................................................................................................... 15 The remainder of this report is structured as follows: ............................................................... 15 2.0 OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................................... 17 2.1 Ecological Benefits of Action ............................................................................................. 17 2.2 Salamander Market ............................................................................................................. 18 2.2.1 Salamander Importation ............................................................................................... 19 2.3 Industries Affected by the Action Alternatives ................................................................... 20 2.3.1 Entities Breeding and Selling Salamanders of All Species .......................................... 21 2.3.2 Entities Providing Support Services for Salamanders .................................................. 22 2.3.2.1 Shipping Companies .............................................................................................. 23 2.3.2.2 Veterinary Services ................................................................................................ 23 ii 2.3.3 Research, educational, medical, and zoological entities .............................................. 23 2.3.4 Entities Importing Salamanders.................................................................................... 24 2.3.5 U.S. Bred Salamanders ................................................................................................. 27 2.3.6 Pet Owners and Hobbyists ............................................................................................ 28 3.0 METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................................... 30 3.1 Economic Effects ................................................................................................................ 30 3.1.1 Analysis of Economic Benefits .................................................................................... 30 3.1.2 Analysis of Economic Costs ......................................................................................... 31 3.1.2.1 U.S. Bred Salamander Market ............................................................................... 32 3.1.2.2 Small Businesses .................................................................................................... 32 3.1.3 Secondary Economic Impacts and Estimation Method ................................................ 33 4.0 ALTERNATIVES ................................................................................................................. 38 4.1 Alternative Formulation ...................................................................................................... 38 4.1.1 Interim Rule Alternatives ............................................................................................. 38 4.1.1.1 Alternative 1 (Baseline) ......................................................................................... 38 4.1.1.2 Alternative 2 – Listing 27 Salamander Species ..................................................... 39 4.1.1.3 Alternative 3 – Listing 201 Salamander Species ................................................... 39 4.1.1.4 Alternative 4 – Listing all Salamander Species ..................................................... 40 4.1.1.6 Additional Options Considered.............................................................................. 40 4.2 Alternative 1 (No Action) - Baseline Analysis ................................................................... 41 4.3 Alternative 2 Analysis ......................................................................................................... 41 4.4 Alternative 3 (Preferred Alternative) Analysis ................................................................... 43 4.4.1 Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Conclusion................................................................. 45 4.5 Alternative 4 Analysis ......................................................................................................... 48 4.6 Alternative 5 Analysis ......................................................................................................... 50 4.7 Alternatives Summary ......................................................................................................... 52 4.7.1 Effects on Entities Importing and Selling Salamanders ............................................... 52 4.7.2 10–Year Present Value Impacts ................................................................................... 54 iii 5.0 SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................... 55 APPENDIX A: DETAILED TABLES ...................................................................................... 57 APPENDIX B: COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS .................................................................. 62 APPENDIX C: KEY TERMS .................................................................................................... 63 CITATIONS ................................................................................................................................ 65 iv ES 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) published an interim rule (IR) to add 20 genera from the order Caudata commonly referred to as salamanders, newts, and other names (hereafter, salamanders) to the list of injurious wildlife under the Lacey Act (18 U.S.C. 42, as amended) because of the risk of these species carrying a fungus (Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans; Bsal) that can be lethal to U.S. native salamanders. The fungus is not known to be present in the United States, and the Service’s action is intended to prevent Bsal’s introduction, establishment, and spread. If Bsal is introduced into wild populations of salamanders, we expect it to cause significant harm to wildlife and the wildlife resources of the United States and federally endangered and threatened species. Furthermore, once introduced and established, eradicating Bsal would be extremely difficult, if not impossible. An injurious wildlife listing will prohibit both importation into the United States and interstate transportation between States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States of any live or dead specimen, including parts, of these 20