Oct 6, 2023 Association Comments on Proposed Rice’s Whale Critical Habitat
“… National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) must withdraw the Proposed Rule and reissue a critical habitat proposal that identifies for designation only those “specific areas within” areas of the Gulf of Mexico (GOMx) actually occupied by Rice’s whales that qualify as habitat and on which are “found” the “essential features” of Rice’s whale habitat that require special management. NMFS must consider the material economic, national security, and other relevant impacts of such a designation, including from “adverse modification” findings, as well as the revenue implications for the federal and state governments. Should NMFS move forward with designation of Rice’s whale critical habitat, it should exclude from such designation the central and northwestern GOMx where the impact of a designation would far outweigh any potential benefits to Rice’s whales.”
