Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Determinations of Prudency for Two Mammal and Four Bird Species in Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and Proposed Designations of Critical Habitat for One Mammal and Two Bird Species

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have reconsidered whether designating critical habitat for the Mariana fruit bat (Pteropus mariannus mariannus), little Mariana fruit bat (Pteropus tokudae), Guam Micronesian kingfisher (Halcyon cinnamomina cinnamomina), Mariana crow (Corvus kubaryi), Guam broadbill (Myiagra freycineti), and Guam subspecies of bridled white-eye (Zosterops conspicillatus conspicillatus) would be prudent. We propose designation of critical habitat for the Mariana fruit bat, Guam Micronesian kingfisher, and Mariana crow pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We propose designating approximately 10,037 hectares (ha) (24,803 acres (ac)) on the island of Guam for the Mariana fruit bat and the Guam Micronesian kingfisher. For the Mariana crow, we propose designating approximately 9,309 ha (23,004 ac) on the island of Guam and approximately 2,462 ha (6,084 ac) on the island of Rota in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). On Guam, the Mariana fruit bat and Guam Micronesian kingfisher proposed critical habitat unit boundaries are identical and the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat for the Mariana crow is contained within these identical boundaries. On Rota, critical habitat is proposed only for the Mariana crow. We have determined that designation of critical habitat would not be prudent for the little Mariana fruit bat, Guam broadbill, and bridled white-eye because all three species likely are extinct. These species inhabited native forests similar to those required by the Mariana fruit bat, Guam Micronesian kingfisher, and Mariana crow, and the designation of critical habitat for these species on Guam will provide some insurance in the event that any of the species presumed extinct are rediscovered. We solicit data and comments from the public on all aspects of this proposal, including data on economic and other impacts. We may revise this proposal to incorporate or address new information received during the comment period.