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W AIS Document Retrieval u02698 Critical habitat for the southwestern willow flycatcher will include riparian areas within the 100-year floodplain along streams and rivers in southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico (Figure 1) . Descriptions and maps of each area are located in this rule under "Regulation Promulgation." BILLING CODE 4310-55-P [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR22JY97.010 [[Page 39134]] Available Conservation Measures Because Empidonax traillii extimus is a listed species, the Act provides conservation measures, including recognition, recovery actions, requirements for Federal protection, and prohibitions against certain practices. Recognition through listing encourages and results in conservation actions by Federal, State, and private agencies, groups, and individuals. The Act provides for possible land acquisition and cooperation with the States and authorizes recovery plans for all listed species. The protection required of-Federal agencies and the prohibitions against taking and harm are discussed, in part, below. Section 7(a) of the Act requires Federal agencies to evaluate their actions with respect to any species that is proposed or listed as endangel'ed or threatened and with respect to its critical habitat, if any is being designated. Regulations implementing this interagency cooperation provision of the Act are codified in 50 CFR part 402. Section 7(a) (2) requires Federal agencies to ensure that activities they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of such a species or to destroy or adversely modify its critical habitat. If a Federal action may affect a listed species or its critical habitat, the responsible Federal agency must enter into formal consultation with the Service. The U.S. Marine Corps and Service have worked together to develop a comprehensive, ecosystem-oriented wildlife conservation management plan covering all riparian and coastal wetland habitat areas on the base at Camp Pendleton. This effort culminated in a mutually agreed upon conservation strategy and implementation program that was endorsed by the Secretary of the Interior and Service at a signing ceremony with the Commanding General in October 1995. The conservation program has contributed substantially to the protection and recovery of the least Bell's vireo, southwestern willow flycatcher, and other listed species (i.e., arroyo toad, tidewater goby, California least tern, and western snowy plover) found in riparian and coastal wetland habitats along the Santa Margarita River and Pacific Ocean. Indeed, the Department of Defense awarded Camp Pendleton the Department's Natural Resources Award for 1996 largely because of the successful implementation of the riparian and coastal wetland conservation program. The Service does not intend the designation of critical habitat to result in the imposition of any additional restrictions for actions taken at Camp Pendleton which are consistent with the conservation measures outlined under the management plan. Thus, for example, if the Marine Corps needed a permit under the Clean Water Act for an activity which was consistent with the conservation management plan, the Service would not view such activity as adversely modifying or destroying critical habitat for the willow flycatcher. On other Federal lands, various ongoing activities within riparian areas may benefit the flycatcher. The Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have focused attention on modifying livestock grazing practices in recent years, particularly as they affect riparian ecosystems. The Bureau of Land Management's San Pedro National Riparian Conservation Area in Arizona has excluded livestock for 10 years which Tuesday, July 22, 1997 Page 9 of21 2:05 PM