Opinion ID: 3037715
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Best Scientific Data Available

Text: [6] Kern argues that FWS failed to utilize the data from the three studies in reaching its listing decision and, therefore, violated the ESA’s requirement to base its determination on the “best scientific and commercial data available.” 16 U.S.C. § 1533(b)(1)(A ). The best available data requirement “merely prohibits [an agency] from disregarding available scientific evidence that is in some way better than the evidence [it] relies on.” Southwest Ctr. for Biological Diversity v. Babbitt, 215 F.3d 58, 60 (D.C. Cir. 2000) (quotations omitted). Essentially, FWS “cannot ignore available biological information.” Conner v. Burford, 848 F.2d 1441, 1454 (9th Cir. 1988). [7] Because Kern “point[s] to no data that was omitted from consideration,” Building Indus. Ass’n of Superior California v. Norton, 247 F.3d 1241, 1246 (D.C. Cir. 2001) (quotations omitted), this second claim also fails. “[A]bsent superior data . . . occasional imperfections do not violate § 1533(b)(1)(A).” Id. at 1247. Kern does not allege that FWS actually omitted the three new studies from the Final Rule. The Final Rule contains at least twenty citations to the three new studies. Instead, Kern’s claim is hitched to its assertion that FWS misinterpreted the new studies. See supra Section IV.A.3. Kern essentially contends that all three studies undermine the Final Rule and, therefore, FWS “in reality ignored them.” [8] The record, however, is replete with examples to the contrary. FWS thoroughly evaluated and incorporated the data from all three studies in making its listing decision. The data 6872 KERN COUNTY FARM BUREAU v. ALLEN from the studies are discussed and evaluated throughout the Final Rule, and e-mail traffic from agency officials demonstrates that FWS examined the data from the new studies in promulgating the Final Rule. Without any evidence in the record that FWS ignored relevant information, we hold that FWS satisfied its duty to base its listing determinations on the best available data.