22 Rare Critters Score Massive Habitat in Pacific Outposts
Published Date: 3/24/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to protect 22 special plants and animals in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands by marking nearly 60,000 acres as critical habitat. This means these areas will get extra care to help these species survive and thrive. People can share their thoughts by June 22, 2026, and an economic report is ready to show how this might affect local communities.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Nearly 60,000 Acres Marked Critical Habitat
The Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to designate about 59,886 acres (24,235 hectares) on Aguiguan, Alamagan, Asunciôn, Guam (including Cocos), Pagan, Rota, Saipan, Sarigan, and Tinian as critical habitat for 22 species. If your land or a project is on or near these areas, Federal agencies that fund, authorize, or carry out actions must consult with the Service to ensure those actions are not likely to destroy or adversely modify the designated habitat, and may need to implement reasonable and prudent alternatives.
No Change to Ownership or Forced Access
The proposed critical habitat designation does not change land ownership, does not create a refuge or reserve, does not give the government or public a right to access private lands, and does not require non-Federal landowners to restore, recover, or implement conservation measures. The designation only triggers consultation requirements when Federal funding or permits are requested for activities that may affect the designated areas.
One Plant's Habitat Exempted From Designation
The Service identified lands that meet the definition of critical habitat for the endangered plant Solanum guamense but is not proposing those lands for designation because they are exempt under section 4(a)(3)(B)(i) of the Endangered Species Act. That means those identified lands for Solanum guamense are treated differently under this proposed rule than the roughly 59,886 acres proposed for the other 22 species.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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