Department of the Interior July 16, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Alliant Energy's Interstate Power and Light Company and Wisconsin Power and Light Company (Alliant; applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act, for wind facilities in Iowa and Minnesota (project). The applicant requests the ITP for the take of four bat species 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, 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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) proposes to renew an information collection.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our 90-day finding and 12-month determination on how to proceed in response to a petition to revise critical habitat for Sonora chub (Gila ditaenia) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The petition requests that the Service revise the existing critical habitat designation in Arizona by adding California Gulch. Our 90-day finding is that the petition, in conjunction with information readily available in our files, presents substantial scientific information indicating that the requested revision may be warranted. Our 12-month determination is that we intend to proceed with processing the petition by assessing critical habitat during the next 5-year status review for Sonora chub scheduled for release as soon as fiscal year 2027, as resources allow.