What are the conclusions of the draft economic analysis?
The draft economic analysis estimates costs associated with the listing of the five carbonate plants under the Act and the designation of critical habitat could range from $174 million to $281 million, over a 60-year time frame. The draft economic analysis estimates that project modifications attributed solely to the designation of critical habitat could range from $58,000 to $89,000 over the next 60 years. Unlike previous economic analyses, which traditionally relied on a 10-year time frame to estimate economic impacts, the nature of commercial mining as a long-term economic pursuit requires an expanded time frame to adequately estimate potential costs associated with the proposed rule.
