CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OF THE

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

WILLIAM L. KOVACS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT ENVIRONMENT, TECHNOLOGY &

REGULATORY AFFAIRS

January 2, 2014

1615 H STREET, NW WASHINGTON, DC 20062

(202) 463-5457

VIA ELECTRONIC FILING

United States Fish & Wildlife Service Public Comments Processing Attn: FWS?R5?ES?2011?0024 Division of Policy and Directives Management 4401 N. Fairfax Drive MS2042-PDM Arlington, VA 22203

Re: Comments on the Proposed Listing of the Northern Long-Eared Bat, Federal Register Vol. 78, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2013) Docket No. FWS?R5?ES?2011?0024

Dear Sir/Madam:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce ("Chamber"), the world's largest business federation, representing the interests of more than three million businesses and organizations of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations, and dedicated to promoting, protecting, and defending America's free enterprise system, offers these comments on the United States Fish & Wildlife Service's ("the Service") proposed rule and 12-month finding for the Petition to List the Eastern Small-Footed Bat and the Northern Long-Eared Bat as Endangered or Threatened Species; Listing the Northern Long-Eared Bat as an Endangered Species (78 Fed. Reg. 60146) ("the Notice").

The Chamber membership includes companies involved in several industries that likely will be impacted by the Service's proposal, including oil and gas, utilities, agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. The proposal to list the Northern Long-Eared Bat has the potential to adversely impact some or all of these Chamber members. Therefore, the Chamber has a strong interest in the Service's decision.

As indicated in the comments of the American Petroleum Institute ("API") and the Independent Petroleum Association of America ("IPAA"), MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P., and the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the Service's proposal regarding the Northern Long-Eared Bat is not supported by the record or by the law, particularly given the impact of the white nose syndrome on this species. The Chamber urges the Service to obtain a

United States Fish & Wildlife Service January 2, 2014 Page 2 of 2

six-month extension to the deadline for making a final decision on the Northern Long-Eared Bat. This additional time would benefit both the Service and the stakeholders because it would allow (i) stakeholders and the scientific community at large time to peer review data cited in the Notice; (ii) the Service time to review the comments received with respect to the proposed listing, and (iii) the Service time to consider and compile additional data and information which may have been absent from the current analysis.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this proceeding. If you have any follow up questions, I may be reached at (202) 463-5457 or by e-mail: wkovacs@.

Sincerely,

William L. Kovacs

cc: (via U.S. Mail) Peter Fasbender Field Supervisor United States Fish & Wildlife Service Green Bay Ecological Services Office 2661 Scott Tower Dr. New Franken, WI 54229

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