Department of the Interior April 5, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that we are extending the comment period for the public to review the draft revised habitat conservation plan (HCP) and draft supplemental environmental impact statement (draft SEIS) associated with Nebraska Public Power District's application under the Endangered Species Act for a permit associated with incidental take of the American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus). Comments previously submitted, or provided at public meetings, need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparing the final documents.

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.

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Southern New Mexico Resource Advisory Council (RAC) will meet as indicated below.

In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) New Mexico State Director is announcing the availability of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument (Monument) Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Resource Management Plan (RMP). This notice begins a 90-day public comment period to solicit public comments associated with the Monument RMP land use allocations and resource management goals and objectives, and the environmental analysis developed using best available science to identify potential impacts to objects of scientific and historic interest, as well as natural resources, resource values, and wildlife habitat located on the Monument.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), revise our regulations concerning protections of endangered species and threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (Act or ESA). We reinstate the general application of the "blanket rule" option for protecting newly listed threatened species pursuant to section 4(d) of the Act, with the continued option to promulgate species-specific section 4(d) rules. We also extend to federally recognized Tribes the exceptions to prohibitions for threatened species that the regulations currently provide to the employees or agents of the Service and other Federal and State agencies to aid, salvage, or dispose of threatened species. We also make minor changes to clarify or correct the existing regulations for endangered species and threatened species; these minor changes do not alter the substance or scope of the regulations.