# Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat

**Action Urgency Score:** 55/100

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Interior Department; Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Type | Final rule |
| Action | Final rule. |
| Published | 2026-07-21 |
| Effective | 2026-08-20 |
| Significant | Yes (EO 12866) |
| CFR parts | 50 CFR 17 |
| Summary | We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS or the Service), amend portions of our regulations for section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act or ESA). Specifically, we revise regulations related to section 4(b)(2) of the Act. Section 4(b)(2) requires consideration of the economic impact, the impact on national security, and any other relevant impact of designating any particular area as critical habitat and authorizes the exclusion of areas from critical habitat if the benefits of excluding the area outweigh the benefits of designating it as critical habitat. These revisi |
| Document number | 2026-14629 |

## Why this score
- Significant rule under EO 12866.
- Final rule.

Source: Federal Register API (Office of the Federal Register) (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/21/2026-14629/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-regulations-for-designating-critical-habitat). Last refreshed: 2026-11-04T21:40:49.974Z.
Data from the Federal Register API; the published Federal Register document is authoritative. Informational only, not legal advice.