Opinion ID: 3037715
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Listing Decision Validity

Text: Kern’s primary objection to FWS’s use of the Status Review essentially emanates from the Status Review’s opposing conclusion that the BVL shrew should not be listed as endangered. Despite the conflicting opinion, FWS concluded that the data from the Status Review was consistent with its listing decision. Kern’s concern is misplaced because FWS is not required to accept the Status Review’s conclusion, but rather simply must use the Status Review’s data in reaching its listing decision. See infra Section IV.B; 16 U.S.C. § 1533(b)(1)(A). To the extent that Kern disputes FWS’s interpretation of the data in the new studies or seeks an evaluation of FWS’s data and conclusion, its claim constitutes a substantive challenge to the listing decision. In fact, much of Kern’s argument appears to be a substantive claim couched in alleged procedural violations. Kern’s principal contention is less concerned with the degree to which the Final Rule relies on the new studies than it is on the extent to which the new studies undercut the Final Rule. Kern initially presents a procedural argument that the new studies were critical to the listing decision and thus require public comment, but then spends most of its analysis attempting to demonstrate how the three studies actually undermine the key premises in FWS’s listing decision (a substantive issue meriting the more stringent arbitrary and capricious review). Kern’s procedural claims thus appear inextricably intertwined with its substantive contention that FWS misinterpreted the information from the new studies. Because Kern emphasizes that it only raises procedural violations in this appeal, however, such substantive issues are not properly before us.