This document is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on 10/23/2013 and available online at http://federalregister.gov/a/2013-24168, and on FDsys.gov DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2012–0082] [4500030114] RIN 1018–AY20 Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Critical Habitat for the Comal Springs Dryopid Beetle, Comal Springs Riffle Beetle, and Peck’s Cave Amphipod AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), revise the critical habitat for the Comal Springs dryopid beetle (Stygoparnus comalensis), Comal Springs 1 2 riffle beetle (Heterelmis comalensis), and Peck’s cave amphipod (Stygobromus pecki), under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. In total, we are designating approximately 169 acres (68 hectares) as revised critical habitat. The revised critical habitat consists of four units in Comal and Hays Counties, Texas. DATES: This rule is effective on [INSERT DATE 30 DAYS AFTER DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. ADDRESSES: This final rule is available on the internet at http://www.regulations.gov and http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/austintexas/. Comments and materials we received, as well as some supporting documentation we used in preparing this rule, are available for public inspection at http://www.regulations.gov. All of the comments, materials, and documentation that we considered in this rulemaking are available by appointment, during normal business hours at: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Ecological Services Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758; telephone 512– 490–0057; facsimile 512–490–0974. The coordinates or plot points or both from which the maps are generated are included in the administrative record for this revised critical habitat designation and are available at http://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/austintexas/, at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS–R2–ES–2012–0082, and at the Austin Ecological Services Field Office (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). Any additional tools or 3 supporting information that we may develop for this critical habitat designation will also be available at the Fish and Wildlife Service website and field office set out above, and may also appear at http://www.regulations.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Zerrenner, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Austin Ecological Services Field Office, 10711 Burnet Road, Suite 200, Austin, TX 78758; telephone at 512–490–0057, extension 248; or facsimile at 512–490–0974. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 800–877–8339. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Executive Summary Why we need to publish a rule. This is a final rule to designate revised critical habitat for the Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Comal Springs riffle beetle, and Peck’s cave amphipod. Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), any species that is determined to be an endangered or threatened species requires critical habitat to be designated, to the maximum extent prudent and determinable. Designations and revisions of critical habitat can only be completed by issuing a rule. The areas we are designating as revised critical habitat in this rule constitute our 4 current best assessment of the areas that meet the definition of critical habitat for the Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Comal Springs riffle beetle, and Peck’s cave amphipod. Here, we are designating: • Comal Springs dryopid beetle: 39.4 acres (ac) (15.56 hectares (ha)) of surface and 139 ac (56 ha) of subsurface critical habitat. The original designation was surface critical habitat of 39.5 ac (16.0 ha) without subsurface. • Comal Springs riffle beetle: 54 ac (22 ha) of surface critical habitat only. The original designation was surface critical habitat of 30.3 ac (12.3 ha). • Peck’s cave amphipod: 38.4 ac (15.16 ha) surface and 138 ac (56 ha) of subsurface critical habitat. The original designation was surface critical habitat of 38.5 ac (15.6 ha) without subsurface. We have prepared an economic analysis of the designation of critical habitat. In order to consider economic impacts, we have prepared an analysis of the economic impacts of the revised critical habitat designations and related factors. We announced the availability of the draft economic analysis (DEA) in the Federal Register on May 2, 2013 (78 FR 25679), allowing the public to provide comments on our analysis. We have incorporated the comments and have completed the final economic analysis (FEA) concurrently with this final determination. Peer review and public comment. We sought comments from independent specialists to ensure that our designation is based on scientifically sound data and analyses. We 5 obtained opinions from two knowledgeable individuals with scientific expertise to review our technical assumptions and analysis, and to determine whether or not we had used the best available information. These peer reviewers generally concurred with our methods and conclusions, and provided additional information, clarifications, and suggestions to improve this final rule. Information we received from peer review is incorporated in this final revised designation. We also considered all comments and information we received from the public during the comment periods. Previous Federal Actions We listed the Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Comal Springs riffle beetle, and Peck’s cave amphipod as endangered species on December 18, 1997 (62 FR 66295). We designated critical habitat for these three species on July 17, 2007 (72 FR 39248). On October 19, 2012 (77 FR 64272), we proposed to revise critical habitat for the Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Comal Springs riffle beetle, and Peck’s cave amphipod. All other previous Federal actions are described in the October 19, 2012, proposed rule (77 FR 64272) to revise critical habitat for Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Comal Springs riffle beetle, and Peck’s cave amphipod. Summary of Comments and Recommendations 6 We requested written comments from the public on the proposed revision of critical habitat for the Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Comal Springs riffle beetle, and Peck’s cave amphipod during two comment periods. The first comment period, associated with the publication of the proposed rule (77 FR 64272), opened on October 19, 2012, and closed on December 18, 2012. We also requested comments on the proposed revised critical habitat designations and associated draft economic analysis during a comment period that opened May 2, 2013, and closed on June 3, 2013 (78 FR 25679). We did receive one request for a public hearing. We held a public hearing on May 17, 2013, in San Marcos, Texas. We also contacted appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies; scientific organizations; and other interested parties and invited them to comment on the proposed rule and draft economic analysis during these comment periods. During the first comment period, we received five comment letters, two from peer reviewers, one from a State agency, and two from the public, directly addressing the proposed revised critical habitat designations. During the second comment period, we received two comment letters addressing the proposed critical habitat designations or the draft economic analysis. During the May 17, 2013, public hearing, three individuals made comments on the designation of critical habitat for the Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Comal Springs riffle beetle, and Peck’s cave amphipod. All substantive information provided during comment periods has either been incorporated directly into this final designation or is addressed below. Comments we received are addressed in the 7 following summary and incorporated into the final rule as appropriate. Peer Review In accordance with our peer review policy published on July 1, 1994 (59 FR 34270), we solicited expert opinions from eight knowledgeable individuals with scientific expertise that included familiarity with the species, the geographic region in which the species occurs, and conservation biology principles. We received responses from two of the peer reviewers. We reviewed all comments we received from the peer reviewers for substantive issues and new information regarding revised critical habitat for the Comal Springs dryopid beetle, Comal Springs riffle beetle, and Peck’s cave amphipod. The peer reviewers provided additional information, clarifications, and suggestions to improve this final critical habitat rule. Peer reviewer comments are addressed in the following summary and incorporated into the final rule as appropriate. Peer Reviewer Comments (1) Comment: One peer reviewer and several commenters suggested that we extend the size of surface and subsurface critical habitat units to incorporate recharge features, subterranean habitats, drainage basins, flow routes, springsheds, and the extent 8 of the aquifer. Our Response: We have reviewed the available information and have determined that there is not enough information to support a modification to our designation of the area within 50 feet (ft) (15 meters (m)) of spring outlets as surface critical habitat for all three species, and within 360 ft (110 m) of spring outlets as subsurface critical habitat for the Peck’s cave amphipod and Comal Springs dryopid beetle. Based on the definition of critical habitat in the Act (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), we may designate critical habitat in those areas within the geographical area occupied by the species at the time it was listed if the areas contain physical or biological features (1) which are essential to the conservation of the species and (2) which may require special management considerations or protection. In addition, we may designate critical habitat in areas that were not occupied at the time of listing if they are essential to the conservation of the species. We used a distance of 50 ft (15 m) for surface critical habitat because this distance has been found to contain food sources where plant roots interface with water flows of the spring systems.