Comment on FR Doc # E8-11461

WildLaw and our clients Wild South and Edward W. Mudd, II fully and strongly support the designation of critical habitat for the Alabama Sturgeon as set out in the proposal by the USFWS. The ESA mandates the designation of critical habitat, and all currently occupied habitat as well as all formerly occupied habitat that could be needed or used for recovery must be designated. Most, if not all, of these rivers are already designated critical habitat for other listed species; thus, this designation should add no additional economic or administrative costs or burdens. On the benefit side, though, designation of critical habitat will highlight and guide recovery efforts and work to protect and enhance the habitat for the sturgeon. Efforts to improve habitat for the other listed species are not guaranteed to help this fish; adding this designation to the others will ensure a more complete ecosystem approach to protection, maintenance and enhancement of the habitat for all species needing it. Please keep us informed of all future actions on this proposal. Send all future notices and announcements about the Alabama Sturgeon and this proposal to designate critical habitat for the species to me at the address or e-mail address submitted with these comments. Thank you.