Designation of Critical Habitat for the Beringia Distinct Population Segment of the Bearded Seal (ID420)

Designation of Critical Habitat for the Beringia Distinct Population Segment of the Bearded Seal

We are obtaining independent peer review of the following information that provides part of the basis for designating critical habitat for the Beringia distinct population segment (DPS) of the bearded seal under the Endangered Species Act: (1) the available data on habitat uses and needs of Beringia DPS bearded seals and the use and interpretation of this information in making conclusions regarding what areas meet the definition of critical habitat under the ESA; and (2) the draft impact analysis report. This peer review will be conducted during the comment period on the proposed rule.

ID: 420 Info. Type: ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date of Peer Review Report: 6/15/2021 (Start date of peer review 3/15/2021)
Actual Dissemination Date of Peer Review Report: 2/16/2022
Estimated Dissemination Date Final Work Product: 3/22/2022
Contact Person: Carl Rhodes Get contact information
Review Type: Individual letters
Expected Number of Peer Reviewers: 4-10

Peer Reviewers will be selected by: The agency

Will the public, including scientific or professional societies, be asked to nominate potential peer reviewers? No.

Will there be opportunities for the public to comment on the work product to be peer reviewed?
Yes. The revised proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the Arctic ringed seal will be published in the Federal Register and a public comment period will be provided on the revised proposal prior to publication of the final rule and final impact analysis report; electronic copies of the revised proposed rule and the associated draft impact analysis report for the revised proposed rule will be available upon publication from the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov.

Will the agency provide significant and relevant public comments to the peer reviewers before they conduct their review? No

Primary disciplines or expertise needed in the review: Pinniped ecology and biology, including detailed knowledge of ringed seals and other ice- dependent seals; economics and familiarity with analyzing potential impacts of critical habitat designations.