(AP) -- The federal government is designating about 175 miles of Carolinas coastline as critical habitat for loggerhead sea turtles.
The turtles are considered threatened in the Carolinas and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comment on the designation.
The designation means any federal actions in the area must be considered for possible impact on the habitat. It does not impose restrictions on non-federal lands unless an activity needs a federal permit.
The designation includes 96 miles of shoreline in North Carolina that include areas in Carteret County south to Brunswick County. In South Carolina, 79 miles of shoreline has been designated critical habitat, including areas from Georgetown County south to Beaufort County.
The government is designating 740 miles of shoreline from the Carolinas to Alabama as critical habitat.
(Copyright ©2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
