Draft RIR/ESA Section 4(b)(2) Preparatory Assessment/IRFA of Critical Habitat Designation for the Beringia Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the Bearded Seal

This Review/Analysis addresses the designation of critical habitat for the Beringia distinct population segment (DPS) of the bearded seal under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This DPS of the bearded seal is found in waters of the northern Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort Seas adjacent to the coast of Alaska. The purpose of this assessment and analysis is to identify and evaluate the economic, socioeconomic, and other costs and benefits associated with designating critical habitat for this population. This evaluation will assist the Secretary of Commerce in determining whether the benefits of excluding any particular area from the critical habitat designation outweigh the benefits of inclusion.