Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Candy Darter

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the candy darter (Etheostoma osburni) under the Endangered Species Act (Act). In total, approximately 596 stream kilometers (370 stream miles), in Virginia and West Virginia, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this species' critical habitat. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the candy darter. Elsewhere in the Federal Register today, we published a final rule listing the candy darter as an endangered species under the Act.