{"abstract":"We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively referred to as the \"Services\" or \"we\"), amend portions of our regulations that implement the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The revised regulations clarify, interpret, and implement portions of the Act concerning the procedures and criteria used for adding species to the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants and designating and revising critical habitat. Specifically, the amendments make minor edits to the scope and purpose, add and remove some definitions, and clarify the criteria and procedures for designating critical habitat. These amendments are based on the Services' review of the regulations and are intended to clarify expectations regarding critical habitat and provide for a more predictable and transparent critical habitat designation process. Finally, the amendments are also part of the Services' response to Executive Order 13563 (January 18, 2011), which directs agencies to review their existing regulations and, among other things, modify or streamline them in accordance with what has been learned.","action":"Final rule.","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR","name":"Interior Department","id":253,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/interior-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/253","parent_id":null,"slug":"interior-department"},{"raw_name":"Fish and Wildlife Service","name":"Fish and Wildlife Service","id":197,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/fish-and-wildlife-service","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/197","parent_id":253,"slug":"fish-and-wildlife-service"},{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE","name":"Commerce Department","id":54,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/commerce-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/54","parent_id":null,"slug":"commerce-department"},{"raw_name":"National Marine Fisheries Service","name":"National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration","id":361,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/national-oceanic-and-atmospheric-administration","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/361","parent_id":54,"slug":"national-oceanic-and-atmospheric-administration"}],"body_html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/html/2016/02/11/2016-02680.html","cfr_references":[{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":424,"title":50}],"citation":"81 FR 7414","comment_url":null,"comments_close_on":null,"correction_of":null,"corrections":[],"dates":"Effective date: This rule is effective March 14, 2016. Applicability date: This rule applies to rules for which a proposed rule was published after March 14, 2016.","disposition_notes":null,"docket_ids":["Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2012-0096","Docket No. 120106025-5640-03","4500030114"],"dockets":[],"document_number":"2016-02680","effective_on":"2016-03-14","end_page":7440,"executive_order_notes":null,"executive_order_number":null,"full_text_xml_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/xml/2016/02/11/2016-02680.xml","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/02/11/2016-02680/listing-endangered-and-threatened-species-and-designating-critical-habitat-implementing-changes-to","images":{},"images_metadata":{},"json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/documents/2016-02680?publication_date=2016-02-11","mods_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/metadata/granule/FR-2016-02-11/2016-02680/mods.xml","not_received_for_publication":null,"page_length":27,"page_views":{"count":6179,"last_updated":"2026-08-24 14:15:12 -0400"},"pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2016-02-11/pdf/2016-02680.pdf","presidential_document_number":null,"proclamation_number":null,"public_inspection_pdf_url":"https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2016-02680.pdf?1455111926","publication_date":"2016-02-11","raw_text_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/text/2016/02/11/2016-02680.txt","regulation_id_number_info":{"0648-BB79":{"issue":"201510","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/0648-BB79/listing-endangered-and-threatened-species-and-designating-critical-habitat-implementing-changes-to-t","title":"Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat; Implementing Changes to the Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat","xml_url":"http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=201510&RIN=0648-BB79&operation=OPERATION_EXPORT_XML","priority_category":"Other Significant"},"1018-AX86":{"issue":"201510","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1018-AX86/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-implementing-changes-to-the-regulations-for-designatin","title":"Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Implementing Changes to the Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat","xml_url":"http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=201510&RIN=1018-AX86&operation=OPERATION_EXPORT_XML","priority_category":"Other Significant"}},"regulation_id_numbers":["0648-BB79","1018-AX86"],"regulations_dot_gov_info":{"supporting_documents":[],"comments_url":"https://www.regulations.gov/docketBrowser?rpp=50&so=DESC&sb=postedDate&po=0&dct=PS&D=NOAA_FRDOC_0001","supporting_documents_count":0,"docket_id":"NOAA_FRDOC_0001","regulation_id_number":null,"title":"FR Pending Documents","checked_regulationsdotgov_at":"2016-03-02T06:00:15Z"},"regulations_dot_gov_url":null,"significant":true,"signing_date":null,"start_page":7414,"subtype":null,"title":"Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat; Implementing Changes to the Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat","toc_doc":"Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat","toc_subject":null,"topics":["Administrative practice and procedure","Endangered and threatened species"],"type":"Rule","volume":81}