Peer Review Plans

Title and Description:
Critical Habitat Designation for Elkhorn and Staghorn corals under the Endangered Species Act

The analysis of critical habitat for elkhorn and staghorn corals will consist of a report describing the habitat needs of the two corals. This report will contain biological assessments of elkhorn and staghorn corals’ natural histories and habitat uses to support a proposed critical habitat designation for these two corals. The economic analysis will consists of a report describing the potential economic benefits and impacts of designating critical habitat for elkhorn and staghorn corals. The report will describe the types and possible extent of impacts stemming from restrictions on economic activities from enforcement of section 7 of the Endangered Species Act for the critical habitat designation of elkhorn and staghorn corals.

ID:  68 Info. Type:  ISI
Estimated Dissemination Date:  1/31/2008
Contact Person:  Tom Gleason NOAA Locator

Date First Posted in Peer Review Agenda:  12/15/2006

Estimated Peer Review Start Date: 12/1/2007
Review type:  individual letters
Expected number of peer reviewers:  3 or fewer
Peer reviewers will be selected by:  the agency

Will the public, including scientific or professional societies, be asked to nominate potential peer reviewers?  yes

Will there be opportunities for the public to comment on the work product to be peer reviewed?  yes

How?  A proposed rule will be published and a public comment period commenced prior to final rule publication.

When?  Approximately 60 days prior to final rule publication.  The report will not be disseminated for formal public comment period until after the peer review has been conducted.

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:  Biology, ecology, distribution, habitat needs and use patterns, biology of elkhorn and staghorn corals, economics, analysis of regulatory impacts.

Comments on Peer Review:
Charge statement to the peer reviewers: ID68_ChargeStatement_AcroporaCH.pdf
Final peer review report: ID68_PeerRevRpt.rtf
Work product: ID68_WorkProduct_4b2rpt.pdf
Proposed Rule: ID68_WorkProduct_ProposedRule.pdf