Fish and Wildlife Service – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct activities intended to recover and enhance endangered species survival. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), prohibits certain activities that may impact endangered species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, received an application from Saint Martin's Abbey (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. The ITP would authorize the applicant's take of the Yelm subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher, incidental to otherwise lawful construction and maintenance activities at Saint Martin's University in Thurston County, Washington. The application includes a habitat conservation plan (HCP) with measures to minimize and mitigate the impacts of the taking on the covered species. We have also prepared a draft environmental action statement for our preliminary determination that the HCP and our permit decision may be eligible for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act. We provide this notice to open a public comment period and invite comments from all interested parties regarding the documents.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from Headwaters II Wind Farm LLC (applicant) a subsidiary of EDP Renewables North America LLC, for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act, for its Headwaters II Wind Farm (project). If approved, the ITP would be for a 30-year period and would authorize the incidental take of an endangered species, the Indiana bat, and a threatened species, the northern long-eared bat. The applicant has prepared a habitat conservation plan that describes the actions and measures that the applicant would implement to avoid, minimize, and mitigate incidental take of the Indiana bat and northern long-eared bat. We also announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment, which has been prepared in response to the permit application in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. We request public comment on the application and associated documents.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the Sonoran desert tortoise (Gopherus morafkai) as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that it is not warranted at this time to list the Sonoran desert tortoise. However, we ask the public to submit to us at any time any new information relevant to the status of the Sonoran desert tortoise or its habitat.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or USFWS), are removing San Benito evening-primrose (Camissonia benitensis), a plant native to California, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants on the basis of recovery. This final rule is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the threats to the species have been reduced or eliminated to the point that it has recovered and is no longer in danger of extinction or likely to become in danger of extinction in the foreseeable future. Therefore, the plant no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the Tiehm's buckwheat (Eriogonum tiehmii), which the Service has proposed to list as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, we propose to designate approximately 910 acres (368 hectares) in one unit in Nevada as critical habitat for Tiehm's buckwheat. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat designation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is proposing to establish the 2022-23 hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds. We annually prescribe outside limits (which we call frameworks) within which States may select hunting seasons. Frameworks specify the outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and areas where migratory game bird hunting may occur. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and limits and to allow harvest at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance, and aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are correcting an erroneous acreage amount presented twice in the preamble of our July 22, 2021, final rule that was issued to comply with a court order concerning the critical habitat designation for the jaguar (Panthera onca) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).

In December 2016, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, or we) completed a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) wherein we evaluated biological data to establish maximum take limits for permits to take bald eagles in each of six eagle management units in the United States. In the PEIS, we committed to reevaluate biological data and reassess the take limits no less than once every 6 years. This notice is to inform the public that we have reviewed recent data and, using updated population and demographic models, are revising take limits for bald eagles effective immediately.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to revise an existing collection of information.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from Ford Ridge Wind Farm LLC (applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act, for its Ford Ridge Wind Project (project). If approved, the ITP would be for a 6-year period and would authorize the incidental take of an endangered species, the Indiana bat, and a threatened species, the northern long- eared bat. The applicant has prepared a habitat conservation plan that describes the actions and measures that the applicant would implement to avoid, minimize, and mitigate incidental take of the Indiana bat and northern long-eared bat. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and on the Service's preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as ``low-effect,'' categorically excluded under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also able for public review.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the receipt and availability of an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and an associated draft low-effect habitat conservation plan (HCP). Additionally, consistent with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we have prepared a draft low-effect screening form and environmental action statement supporting our preliminary determination that the proposed permit action qualifies for a categorical exclusion under NEPA. The Southern Nevada Water Authority has applied for an ITP under the ESA for the HCP for Warm Springs Natural Area and Hidden Valley Property in Clark County, Nevada. The ITP would authorize the take of seven species incidental to the development, construction and operation of the project. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on the permit application, proposed low-effect HCP, and NEPA categorical exclusion determination documentation. Before issuing the requested ITP, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of an application to amend the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation's enhancement of survival permit and the associated Agricultural Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) for Lesser Prairie Chickens (LEPC) in Oklahoma. The application package includes the proposed amendment to the CCAA and a draft screening form pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).

This document corrects a date in a document that reopened a comment period on a proposed rule and announced a public hearing. On January 11, 2022, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced that we are reopening the public comment period on our September 30, 2021, proposal to remove 23 species from the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List) due to extinction. We also announced a public hearing on the proposal to remove the ivory- billed woodpecker from the List and stated that the comment period reopening is only for the ivory-billed woodpecker proposed delisting. The document stated that the public hearing would take place on January 26, 2021. The correct date is January 26, 2022.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from the Ramona Municipal Water District (applicant) for a 4-year incidental take permit for the endangered Stephens' kangaroo rat and arroyo toad pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are requesting comments on the permit application and on the preliminary determination that the proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP) qualifies as a ``low-effect'' HCP, eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. The basis for this determination is discussed in the environmental action statement and the associated low-effect screening form, which are also available for public review.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reopening the public comment period on our September 30, 2021, proposal to remove the ivory-billed woodpecker from the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (List) due to extinction. We are taking this action to conduct a public hearing on the proposal to remove the ivory-billed woodpecker from the List and to allow all interested parties additional time to comment on the proposed rule to delist the ivory-billed woodpecker (docket number: FWS-R4-ES-2020- 0109). Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. This comment period reopening is only for the ivory-billed woodpecker proposed delisting; we are not taking any comments in regard to the other 22 species proposed in the same rule, for which the comment periods closed on November 29, 2021.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are renumbering, renaming, and rearranging certain subparts and sections in our regulations. These changes will provide users a more organized road map of the Service's migratory bird and eagle permit processes and improve readability of the regulations. These changes necessitate updating cross-references to the affected section numbers in other parts of our regulations. In addition, we are making several nonsubstantive, editorial revisions to correct misspellings, update internet addresses, update applicable Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control numbers, and add or update relevant family and scientific names. This rule is a purely administrative action; it does not change the species protected by, the permit requirements of, or any other requirements of the regulations.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct activities intended to recover and enhance endangered species survival. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), prohibits certain activities that may impact endangered species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list four of six distinct population segments (DPSs) of the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii), a stream dwelling amphibian from Oregon and California, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. This determination also serves as our 12-month finding on a petition to list the foothill yellow-legged frog. After a review of the best scientific and commercial information available, we find that listing the South Sierra and South Coast DPSs as endangered and the North Feather and Central Coast DPSs as threatened is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list these four DPSs under the Act, with the South Sierra and South Coast DPSs listed as endangered species, and the North Feather and Central Coast DPSs listed as threatened species. Our proposal to list the North Feather and Central Coast DPSs as threatened species also includes a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act for each of these two DPSs. If we finalize this proposed rule for these four DPSs, we will then add them to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to them. We have determined that designation of critical habitat for these four DPSs is not determinable at this time. We have also determined that the North Coast DPS (in Oregon and northern California) and the North Sierra DPS (in Yuba, Sierra, Nevada, and Placer Counties, California) of the foothill yellow-legged frog do not warrant listing at this time.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl (Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum), a subspecies found in Mexico, southern Arizona, and southern Texas, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This determination also serves as our 12-month finding on a petition to list the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the subspecies is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act (``4(d) rule''). If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add this subspecies to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the subspecies. The finalization of this rule as proposed would include the issuance of a 4(d) rule. Designation of critical habitat was found to be prudent, but not determinable at this time. We also are notifying the public that we have scheduled an informational meeting followed by a public hearing on the proposed rule.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), as co-leads, announce their intention to prepare a Monument Management Plan (MMP) for the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument (Monument). NOAA and USFWS are updating their original notice of intent to draft the MMP to include information about the expansion of the Monument in 2014, and to announce that NOAA and USFWS are co-leads in drafting the MMP. NOAA and USFWS are seeking input on issues, concerns, ideas, and suggestions for the future management of the Monument. NOAA and USFWS will also prepare a draft environmental assessment, concurrent with the management plan, to evaluate potential effects of implementing the proposed management alternatives for the Monument. Following the completion of the MMP, USFWS will prepare new individual Comprehensive Conservation Plans (CCPs) and revise existing CCPs for National Wildlife Refuges within the Monument, as appropriate.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of a draft recovery plan for Parachute beardtongue, a plant species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. We are requesting review and comment from the public on this draft plan.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of a draft recovery plan for meltwater lednian stonefly and western glacier stonefly, two insect species listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies and the public.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from Aitkin and Carlton Counties for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act for the proposed Aitkin- Carlton Counties Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). If approved, the ITP would authorize the incidental take of three bat species for a 25-year period. The applicant has prepared an HCP to cover a suite of activities associated with continued forest and habitat management. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed HCP, and on the Service's preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as ``low-effect,'' categorically excluded under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low- effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of documents related to an application to amend an existing incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has applied for an amendment to their existing ITP, which, if granted, would add lands for coverage under their Forest Management Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP), and which would effectively extend the permit take coverage to these lands for three federally listed species, the grizzly bear, Canada lynx, and bull trout, and two unlisted species, the westslope cutthroat trout and Columbia redband trout. We invite comments from the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the revised taxonomy of nine wildlife and nine plant species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). We are revising the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants (``the Lists'') to reflect the current scientifically accepted taxonomy and nomenclature for these species that occur in the southwestern United States. We are also correcting errors in the Lists made in previous publications. The taxonomic revisions and correction of publication errors are editorial in nature and involve no substantive changes to the Lists or any applicable regulations.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS; hereafter collectively referred to as the ``Services'' or ``we''), are extending the comment period on our October 27, 2021, proposed rule to rescind the final rule titled ``Regulations for Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat'' that was published on December 16, 2020, and established a regulatory definition of the term ``habitat.'' We are extending the comment period by 15 days.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) and draft categorical exclusion for activities associated with an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The ITP would authorize take of the Central California distinct population segment of the California tiger salamander incidental to activities associated with construction adjacent to the City of Hollister in San Benito County, California. The applicant developed the draft HCP as part of their application for an ITP. The Service prepared a draft low-effect screening form and environmental action statement (CatEx) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment resulting from issuing an ITP to the applicant. We invite public comment on these documents.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove the Okaloosa darter (Etheostoma okaloosae) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (List) due to recovery. Our review of the best available scientific and commercial data indicates that the threats to the species have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the definition of a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We request information and comments from the public regarding this proposed rule and the draft post-delisting monitoring (PDM) plan for Okaloosa darters. If this proposal is finalized, Okaloosa darters will be removed from the List and the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act, particularly through sections 7 and 9, would no longer apply to the species.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from PKY Clermont Owner, LLC (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink incidental to construction in Lake County, Florida. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and the Service's preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as ``low-effect,'' categorically excluded, under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low- effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), list the Atlantic pigtoe, (Fusconaia masoni), a freshwater mussel species from Virginia and North Carolina, as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. We also designate critical habitat for the species under the Act. In total, approximately 563 river miles (906 river kilometers) fall within 17 units of critical habitat in Bath, Botetourt, Brunswick, Craig, Dinwiddie, Greensville, Halifax, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Pittsylvania, and Sussex Counties, Virginia, and in Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Johnston, Montgomery, Nash, Orange, Person, Pitt, Randolph, Rockingham, Vance, Wake, Warren, and Wilson Counties, North Carolina. This rule extends the Act's protections to the species and its designated critical habitat.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Green River Wind Farm Phase 1, LLC (applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), for its Green River Wind Farm (project). The applicant requests the ITP, which would be for a 30-year period, for the take of the federally listed endangered Indiana bat and threatened northern long-eared bat incidental to the otherwise lawful activities associated with the project. The applicant proposes a conservation program to minimize and mitigate for the unavoidable incidental take as described in their habitat conservation plan (HCP). The Service requests public comment on the application including the submission of written data, views or arguments with respect to the application, which includes the applicant's proposed HCP, and the Service's draft environmental assessment, prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. The Service provides this notice to seek comments from the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), revise the designation of critical habitat for the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA or Act), by withdrawing the January 15, 2021, final rule that would have been effective December 15, 2021, and which would have excluded approximately 3.4 million acres (1.4 million hectares) of designated critical habitat for the northern spotted owl (January Exclusions Rule); and instead as we proposed on July 20, 2021, we now exclude approximately 204,294 acres (82,675 hectares) in Benton, Clackamas, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill Counties, Oregon, under section 4(b)(2) of the Act.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our 12-month finding on a petition to list the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii), North America's largest freshwater turtle species, as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the species is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the alligator snapping turtle as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act (``4(d) rule''). If we finalize this rule as proposed, it will add the species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of a draft recovery plan for desert yellowhead, a plant listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies and the public.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Pulte Home Company, LLCNorth Florida Division (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink incidental to construction in Lake County, Florida. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and the Service's preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as ``low-effect,'' categorically excluded, under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, received a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 from JADE Energy, LLC, for authorization to take by Level B harassment a small number of polar bears from the Southern Beaufort Sea (SBS) stock incidental to oil and gas exploratory activities scheduled to occur between December 1, 2021, through November 30, 2022. These activities include mobilization, constructing ice roads and ice pads, drilling wells, and associated cleanup in the Prudhoe Bay Unit and Point Thomson Unit of the North Slope of Alaska. Mobilization would occur in December 2021, along a winter trail stretching east from Deadhorse, Alaska, to Point Thomson, Alaska. Prepacking of snow and construction of ice roads and pads would begin mid-December 2021, and drilling would begin at JADE #1 pad in late-January 2022. If conditions are favorable, drilling on JADE #2 pad would take place in mid-March 2022, preceding cleanup activities, which are proposed to be completed by July 15, 2022. We estimate these activities may result in the nonlethal incidental take of up to two SBS stock polar bears. This proposed authorization, if finalized, will be for take of two SBS stock polar bears by Level B harassment only. No lethal or Level A take of polar bears is likely or requested, and, therefore, such take is not included in this proposed authorization.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Florida Department of TransportationFlorida's Turnpike Enterprise (applicant) (Suncoast Parkway 2) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed eastern indigo snake incidental to construction of the four-lane Suncoast Parkway 2 in Citrus County, Florida. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and the Service's preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as ``low-effect,'' categorically excluded, under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of our draft recovery plan for the Diamond Y invertebrates, including Diamond tryonia (Pseudotryonia adamantina), Gonzales tryonia (Tryonia circumstriata), and Pecos amphipod (Gammarus pecos). These endangered aquatic invertebrates occur in the Diamond Y Spring system of the Chihuahuan Desert of western Texas. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies; nongovernmental organizations; and the public.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives notice of a teleconference/web meeting of the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing an existing collection in use without an Office of Management and Budget control number.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (``the Service'') proposes to rescind the final rule titled ``Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat'' that published on December 18, 2020, and became effective January 19, 2021 (``the Final Rule''). The proposed rescission, if finalized, would remove the regulations established by that rule.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application for an incidental take permit to take the federally listed Delhi Sands flower-loving fly under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The permit application includes a proposed low- effect habitat conservation plan (HCP). In accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), we have prepared a draft low-effect screening form supporting our preliminary determination that the proposed action qualifies as a categorical exclusion under NEPA. We invite comments from the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments on the permit application, proposed low-effect HCP, and draft NEPA compliance documentation.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for the narrow-headed gartersnake (Thamnophis rufipunctatus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. In total, 23,785 acres (9,625 hectares) in Greenlee, Apache, Yavapai, Gila, and Coconino Counties, Arizona, and Grant, Hidalgo, and Catron Counties, New Mexico, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation for the narrow-headed gartersnake. This rule extends the Act's protections to the narrow-headed gartersnake's designated critical habitat.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation and survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the ESA with respect to any endangered species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reclassifying the humpback chub (Gila cypha) from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), due to substantial improvements in the species' overall status since its original listing as endangered in 1974. This action is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information available, which indicates that the humpback chub no longer meets the definition of an endangered species under the Act. The humpback chub will remain protected as a threatened species under the Act. We are also finalizing a rule under section 4(d) of the Act that provides for the conservation of the humpback chub.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the bog buck moth (Hemileuca maia menyanthevora) (=H.iroquois), a moth that occurs in Oswego County, New York (NY), and Ontario, Canada, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the species is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the bog buck moth as an endangered species under the Act. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the species. We have determined that designation of critical habitat for the bog buck moth is not prudent at this time.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our intention to conduct a 5-year status review under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, for the polar bear (Ursus maritimus). The polar bear was listed as threatened in 2008. A 5-year status review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We are requesting submission of information that has become available since the last review of the species in 2017.

On January 7, 2021, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (we, the Service, or USFWS), published a final rule (January 7 rule) defining the scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) as it applies to conduct resulting in the injury or death of migratory birds protected by the MBTA. We now revoke that rule for the reasons set forth below. The immediate effect of this final rule is to return to implementing the MBTA as prohibiting incidental take and applying enforcement discretion, consistent with judicial precedent and longstanding agency practice prior to 2017.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove 23 species from the Federal Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants due to extinction. This proposal is based on a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that these species are no longer extant and, as such, no longer meet the definition of an endangered species or a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are seeking information and comments from the public regarding this proposed rule.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90- day findings on four petitions to add species to the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants and one petition to downlist a species from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petitions to list the American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus), Long Valley speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus ssp.), and Siuslaw hairy-necked tiger beetle (Cicindela hirticollis siuslawensis) present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this document, we announce that we plan to initiate status reviews of these species to determine whether the petitioned actions are warranted. To ensure that the status reviews are comprehensive, we are requesting scientific and commercial data and other information regarding the species and factors that may affect their status. Based on the status reviews, we will issue 12-month petition findings, which will address whether or not the petitioned actions are warranted, in accordance with the Act. We further find that the petition to list the Tucson shovel-nosed snake (Chionactis annulata klauberi) and the petition to downlist the Florida torreya (Torreya taxifolia) do not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating the petitioned action may be warranted. Therefore, we are not initiating a status review of those two species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the Pe[ntilde]asco least chipmunk (Neotamias minimus atristriatus), a mammal from New Mexico, as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the species is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the Pe[ntilde]asco least chipmunk as an endangered species under the Act. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the species. We also propose to designate critical habitat for the Pe[ntilde]asco least chipmunk under the Act. The proposed critical habitat designation includes approximately 2,660 hectares (6,574 acres) in three units in New Mexico. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an information collection with revisions.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a habitat conservation plan developed by Thurston County, Washington (applicant), in support of an application for an incidental take permit under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant is seeking authorization for the incidental take of six species, expected to result from various County-permitted development activities, as well as construction and maintenance of County-owned or County-managed infrastructure, over the next 30 years. The incidental take and other impacts would occur in Thurston County. This notice also announces the availability of the Service's draft environmental impact statement and the opening of the public comment period, which is intended to satisfy the National Environmental Policy Act requirement to evaluate the impacts of the proposed action on the human environment. We are seeking public comments on the habitat conservation plan and draft environmental impact statement.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from the Missouri Department of Conservation (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. If approved, the permit would be for a 50-year period and would authorize the incidental take of two endangered species, the Indiana bat and the gray bat; one threatened species, the northern long-eared bat; and two species petitioned for Federal listing, the little brown bat and the tricolored bat. The applicant has prepared a habitat conservation plan (HCP) to cover a suite of activities associated with continued forest and habitat management within the State of Missouri.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, or we) seeks public and regulated-community input on potential approaches for further expediting and simplifying the permit process authorizing incidental take of eagles. This document also advises the public that the Service may, as a result of public input, prepare a draft environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended. We are furnishing this advance notice of proposed rulemaking to advise other agencies and the public of our intentions and obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to include in the environmental review. Public and regulated community responses will be used to improve and make more efficient the permitting process for incidental take of eagles in a manner that is compatible with the preservation of bald and golden eagles.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), for the slenderclaw crayfish (Cambarus cracens), a cryptic freshwater crustacean that is endemic to streams on Sand Mountain within the Tennessee River Basin in DeKalb and Marshall Counties, Alabama. This rule adds this species to the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. In addition, we designate approximately 78 river miles (126 river kilometers) in DeKalb and Marshall Counties, Alabama, as critical habitat for the species under the Act.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the Miami tiger beetle (Cicindelidia floridana) under the Endangered Species Act (Act). In total, approximately 1,977 acres (ac) (800 hectares (ha)) in Miami-Dade County, Florida, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this species' critical habitat. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Miami tiger beetle.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for Umtanum Desert buckwheat (Eriogonum codium), listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, and endemic to Benton County, Washington. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from Federal, State, and local agencies; Native American Tribes; and the public.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued Letters of Authorization for the nonlethal take of polar bears and Pacific walruses incidental to oil and gas industry exploration, development, and production activities in the Beaufort Sea and the adjacent northern coast of Alaska as well as northern sea otters in Cook Inlet, Alaska, in 2019 and 2020. This notice announces a list of the Letters of Authorizations that were issued in calendar years 2019 and 2020. The Letters of Authorization stipulate conditions and methods that minimize impacts to polar bears, Pacific walruses, and northern sea otters from these activities.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine threatened species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for Bartram's stonecrop (Graptopetalum bartramii), a plant known from Arizona and Mexico. We also issue a final rule under the authority of section 4(d) (a ``4(d) rule'') of the Act that provides measures that are necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of Bartram's stonecrop. We have determined that designation of critical habitat for Bartram's stonecrop is not prudent.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), open, for the first time, seven National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) that are currently closed to hunting and sport fishing. In addition, we open or expand hunting and sport fishing at 81 other NWRs, and add pertinent station-specific regulations for other NWRs that pertain to migratory game bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting, and sport fishing for the 2021-2022 season. We also open hunting or sport fishing on one unit of the National Fish Hatchery System (NFH). We add pertinent station-specific regulations that pertain to migratory game bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting, and sport fishing at this NFH for the 2021-2022 season. Finally, we make regulatory changes to existing station-specific regulations in order to reduce the regulatory burden on the public, increase access for hunters and anglers on Service lands and waters, and comply with a Presidential mandate for plain language standards.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment (dEA) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and application for an incidental take permit (ITP) supported by a habitat conservation plan (HCP) for the operation of an existing wind facility, the Wildhorse Mountain Wind project (project), in Pushmataha County, Oklahoma. Wildhorse Wind Energy, LLC (Applicant) has applied for an ITP under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The requested ITP, which would be in effect for a period of 30 years, if granted, would cover incidental take of the federally endangered Indiana bat and threatened northern long-eared bat. The potential incidental take would be associated with activities associated with the operation of the existing wind project. We invite public comments on the permit application, proposed HCP, and dEA.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are revising the regulations governing the annual Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Contest (also known as the Federal Duck Stamp Contest (Contest)). We are removing the previously specified permanent theme and the mandatory inclusion of an appropriate hunting element within all Contest entries and revising the qualifications of the judging panel to reflect this change beginning with the 2022 Contest.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or USFWS), propose to list six Central Texas mussel species: The Guadalupe fatmucket (Lampsilis bergmanni), Texas fatmucket (Lampsilis bracteata), Texas fawnsfoot (Truncilla macrodon), Guadalupe orb (Cyclonaias necki), Texas pimpleback (Cyclonaias (=Quadrula) petrina), and false spike (Fusconaia (=Quincuncina) mitchelli) as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing Guadalupe fatmucket, Texas fatmucket, Guadalupe orb, Texas pimpleback, and false spike as endangered species is warranted, and listing Texas fawnsfoot as a threatened species is warranted. We propose a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act (``4(d) rule'') for the Texas fawnsfoot. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the species. We also propose to designate critical habitat for all six species under the Act. In total, approximately 1,944 river miles (3,129 river kilometers) in Texas fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designations. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed designation of critical habitat. We also are notifying the public that we have scheduled two informational meetings followed by public hearings on the proposed rule.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are listing the Franklin's bumble bee (Bombus franklini), an invertebrate species from Douglas, Jackson, and Josephine Counties in Oregon, and Siskiyou and Trinity Counties in California, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This rule adds this species to the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and applies the protections of the Act to this species. We are not designating critical habitat for the Franklin's bumble bee because we determined that such a designation would not be beneficial to the species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

The Wildlands Conservancy (applicant) has submitted a safe harbor agreement (SHA) and applied to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for an enhancement of survival permit pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. The Service is considering issuance to the applicant of a 30-year permit that would authorize take of the federally endangered mountain yellow-legged frog and unarmored threespine stickleback (a fish species). We have prepared a draft environmental action statement (EAS) for our preliminary determination that the SHA and permit decision may be eligible for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act. We invite comments from the public on the aforementioned documents.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the receipt of an enhancement of survival (EOS) permit application from the Service's Carlsbad Fish and Wildlife Office that includes a proposed safe harbor agreement (SHA) in southern California for the federally threatened California red-legged frog. If granted, the SHA would provide for California red-legged frog recovery by providing a framework to reestablish frogs within their historical range. The EOS permit would be in effect for a 30-year period and would authorize take of the California red-legged frog incidental to the implementation of the Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement in Orange, Riverside, and San Diego Counties, California. The documents available for review and comment are the SHA and National Environmental Policy Act documentation that supports a categorical exclusion. We invite comments from the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for the Georgetown salamander (Eurycea naufragia) and Salado salamander (Eurycea chisholmensis) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We designate a total of approximately 1,315 acres (538 hectares) of critical habitat for these species in Bell and Williamson Counties, Texas. This rule extends the Act's protections to the Georgetown salamander's and Salado salamander's designated critical habitat.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct activities intended to recover and enhance endangered species survival. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), prohibits certain activities that may impact endangered species unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing a new information collection in use without Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.

In this candidate notice of review (CNOR), we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), present an updated list of foreign plant and animal species that we regard as candidates for or have proposed for addition to the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (Lists) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. This document also includes our findings on resubmitted petitions and describes our progress in revising the Lists during the period October 1, 2018, through September 30, 2020. Combined with other decisions for individual species that were published separately from this CNOR in the past 2 years, the current number of foreign species that are candidates for listing is 19. Identification of candidate species can assist environmental planning efforts by providing advance notice of potential listings, and by allowing landowners, resource managers, range countries, and other stakeholders to take actions to alleviate threats and thereby possibly remove the need to list species as endangered or threatened. Even if we subsequently list a candidate species, the early notification provided here could result in more options for species management and recovery by prompting earlier candidate conservation measures to alleviate threats to the species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are removing Trifolium stoloniferum (running buffalo clover) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants on the basis of recovery. This determination is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial data, including comments received, which indicate that the threats to running buffalo clover have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the definition of an endangered species or a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri), a flightless bird species from Antarctica, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This proposal also serves as our 12-month finding on a petition to list the emperor penguin. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the species is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the emperor penguin as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act (``4(d) rule''). If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for the Sierra Nevada Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator) (hereafter referred to in this rule as the Sierra Nevada DPS). The Sierra Nevada red fox is a small mammal occurring in California and Oregon, with the Sierra Nevada DPS of this broader taxon inhabiting the highest elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. This rule adds the Sierra Nevada DPS of Sierra Nevada red fox to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are extending the comment period on our June 1, 2021, proposed rule to list two distinct population segments (DPSs) of the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), a grassland bird known from southeastern Colorado, western Kansas, eastern New Mexico, western Oklahoma, and the Texas Panhandle under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are extending the proposed rule's comment period for 30 days to give all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted as they are already incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final rule.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our intention to conduct a 5-year status review under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, for the Eskimo curlew. A 5-year status review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We are requesting submission of any new information that has become available since the last review of the species in 2016.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation and survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are issuing this final rule to comply with a court order to vacate Unit 6 and the New Mexico portion of Unit 5 from the March 5, 2014, final rule designating approximately 764,207 acres (309,263 hectares) of land in New Mexico and Arizona as critical habitat for the jaguar (Panthera onca) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In compliance with the court order, this final rule removes approximately 110,438 acres (44,693 hectares) of land within New Mexico from the designation of critical habitat for the jaguar.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing a new information collection in use without Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.

We announce the opportunity to review and comment on two economic analysis documents prepared during development of the proposed rule to revoke the January 7, 2021, rule governing the prohibitions on incidental take under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This document announces the availability of an initial regulatory flexibility analysis and a regulatory impact analysis for public review.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to revise a currently approved information collection.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the federally threatened rufa red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 649,066 acres (ac) (262,667 hectares (ha)) are proposed in 120 units (18 of which are further subdivided into 46 subunits) in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. We also announce a public informational meeting and public hearing and the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat designation.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to reclassify palo de rosa (Ottoschulzia rhodoxylon) from endangered to threatened (downlist) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The proposed downlisting is based on our evaluation of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the species' status has improved such that it is not currently in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, but that it is still likely to become so in the foreseeable future. We also propose a rule under section 4(d) of the Act that provides for the conservation of palo de rosa.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), are proposing to revise an existing collection of information.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of our draft revised recovery plan for the Gila trout, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. This fish species is endemic to mountain streams within the upper Gila River basin in New Mexico and Arizona. We provide this notice to seek comments from the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are proposing to renew an information collection with revisions.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Vulcan Materials Company (applicant) to amend of an existing incidental take permit (TE82956B-0) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the amendment of an incidental take permit (ITP) to take an additional number of the federally listed sand skink incidental sand mining operation in Putman County, Florida. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed amended habitat conservation plan (HCP), and the Service's preliminary determination that this HCP qualifies as ``low-effect,'' categorically excluded, under the National Environmental Policy Act. To make this determination, we used our environmental action statement and low- effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an information collection.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the draft recovery plan for the Agave eggersiana, a plant listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies; nongovernmental organizations; and the public.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove the golden paintbrush (Castilleja levisecta) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants as it no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The golden paintbrush is a flowering plant native to southwestern British Columbia, western Washington, and western Oregon. Our review of the best available scientific and commercial data indicates threats to the golden paintbrush have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species is not in danger of extinction or likely to become so in the foreseeable future. We request information and comments from the public regarding this proposed rule and the draft post-delisting monitoring plan for the golden paintbrush.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of a draft recovery plan for Pagosa skyrocket, a plant listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. We are requesting review and comment from the public on this draft plan.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing any of the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of a draft habitat conservation plan (HCP) and draft categorical exclusion screening form for activities described in an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The ITP would authorize take of a listed species incidental to construction of a residential development in the community of Orcutt within Santa Barbara County, California. The applicants developed the draft HCP in support of their application for an ITP. The Service prepared a draft categorical exclusion screening form in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment resulting from issuing an ITP to the applicants. We invite public comment on these documents.

Notice is hereby given that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) intends to grant to World Wildlife Fund, Inc., whose legal address is 1250 24th St. NW, Washington, DC 20037, an exclusive license to U.S. Patent No. 10,478,276, ``PELLET DELIVERY MECHANISM,'' filed August 11, 2017, and U.S. Patent No. 10,881,493, ``PELLET DELIVERY MECHANISM,'' filed November 19, 2019.