November 12, 2008

**Contacts:** Jim Boggs, 337-291-3100

> Debbie Fuller, 337-291-3124
>
> Tom MacKenzie, 404-679-7291

**DRAFT ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROPOSED CRITICAL
HABITAT FOR THE LOUISIANA BLACK BEAR AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT**

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today released for public review a
draft report analyzing the potential economic impacts that could result
from the proposed designation of critical habitat for the threatened
Louisiana black bear in Louisiana.

The Service proposed critical habitat on May 6, 2008, and is seeking
public input on the draft economic analysis and the proposed critical
habitat designation until December 12, 2008.

According to the draft economic analysis, additional costs resulting
from the proposed critical habitat designation (incremental costs) are
associated with oil and gas development and result from the potential
modification or relocation of above-ground well sites in the area
proposed as black bear critical habitat. The draft economic analysis
estimates the post-designation incremental economic impacts for the next
20 years range from \$1.5 million to \$8.6 million, applying a three
percent discount rate, or \$1.1 million to \$6.3 million applying a
seven percent discount rate. The range in values of incremental costs is
a result of the uncertainty in forecasting the number of new wells that
are likely to be drilled in the next 20 years. However, it is unlikely
that the energy industry will experience a significant adverse effect
from a designation of critical habitat for the Louisiana black bear.

With the help of its partners, such as the Natural Resources
Conservation Service and other federal agencies, state agencies in
Louisiana and Mississippi, the Black Bear Conservation Committee, the
Louisiana Forestry Association, and private citizens, the Service
estimates that about 600,000 acres of land have been restored or
protected in the bear's range since it was listed in January 1992. This
includes lands that have been purchased by state and federal agencies
and public and private lands protected from development as well as
privately owned lands where bear habitat has been restored. Bear numbers
also appear to be increasing. In 1997, the statewide Louisiana black
bear population was estimated to range from 200 to 400 bears. Studies to
obtain reliable current population estimates are underway but it is
generally believed that the current population numbers range from 400 to
700 bears.

Proposed critical habitat for the Louisiana black bear encompasses about
1,330,000 acres of forested and adjacent vegetated habitat in the
Mississippi River Valley and coastal area in the following Louisiana
parishes: Avoyelles, East Carroll, Catahoula, Concordia, Franklin,
Iberia, Iberville, Madison, Pointe Coupee, Richland, St. Martin, St.
Mary, Tensas, West Carroll, and West Feliciana.

Critical habitat refers to specific geographic areas that are essential
for the conservation of a threatened or endangered species and that may
require special management and protection. A critical habitat
designation does not establish a preserve or refuge nor does it affect
individual citizens, organizations, states, local governments, or other
non-federal entities that do not require federal permits or funding.

The Endangered Species Act requires the Service to consider potential
economic impacts of a critical habitat designation when determining
whether or not to designate critical habitat. If the benefits of
excluding an area outweigh the benefits of including it, the Service may
exclude an area from critical habitat, unless the exclusion would result
in the extinction of the species.

The comment period that was announced in the proposed rule, 50 CFR Part
17, has been reopened to allow a 30-day comment period on the draft
economic analysis and the proposed rule. The Service will consider
comments and information on the draft economic analysis and critical
habitat proposal that are received or postmarked on or before December
12, 2008.

Please submit comments by one of the following methods:

\(1\) Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at *http://
[www.regulations.gov](http://www.regulations.gov/)* and follow the
instructions for submitting comments; or

\(2\) Via U.S. Mail or hand-delivery to: Public Comments Processing,
Attn: \[FWS- R4-ES-2008-0047; Division of Policy and Directives
Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite
222; Arlington, VA 22203. The Service will not accept e-mail or faxes.
All comments received will be posted at
http://[www.regulations.gov](http://www.regulations.gov/) .

Copies of the draft economic analysis of critical habitat designation or
the proposed designation of critical habitat are available at
[http://www.regulations.gov](http://www.regulations.gov/) or
<http://www.fws.gov/policy/frsystem/default.cfm>. They may also be
obtained by visiting our website:
*<http://www.fws.gov/>[lafayette]{.underline}* or by contacting Debbie
Fuller, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 646 Cajundome Blvd, Suite 400,
Lafayette, LA 70506; phone 337-291-3124.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency
responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and
plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American
people. Visit the Service's websites at <http://www.fws.gov/southeast/>

and <http://www.fws.gov/>