# Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat
> **Rule** · Final rule. · Published 2020-12-16 · Effective 2021-01-15 · 85 FR 81411
## Document
- **Document number:** 2020-27693
- **Category:** endangered-species
- **Federal Register citation:** 85 FR 81411
- **Publication date:** 2020-12-16
- **Effective date:** 2021-01-15
- **NOAA docket:** Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2020-0047, FF09E23000 FXES1111090FEDR 212
## Abstract

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively referred to as the "Services" or "we"), add a definition of "habitat" to our regulations that implement section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This rulemaking responds to Supreme Court case law regarding the designation of critical habitat and provides transparency, clarity, and consistency for stakeholders.

## Source
- [Federal Register document](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/12/16/2020-27693/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-regulations-for-listing-endangered-and-threatened)
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