Fish and Wildlife Service – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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Administrative Requirements; Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration and Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Acts
Document Number: 2024-27095
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-12-02
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are proposing to update the regulations pertaining to Federal financial assistance programs and subprograms authorized under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act. We propose these updates to our regulations to ensure they reflect recent legislation; to align with the Office of Management and Budget's administrative rules for Federal financial assistance; to align with other laws, standards, and administrative processes; to respond to comments and feedback on our 2019 rulemaking action; and to provide clarity to help ensure consistency in administering our financial assistance programs and subprograms across the Nation.
Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council Meeting
Document Number: 2024-28056
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) gives notice of a virtual meeting of the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council (Council), in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
Emergency Exemption: Issuance of Emergency Permits To Import Endangered Species
Document Number: 2024-28078
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have waived the 30-day public notice period and have issued two endangered species permits for import of three jaguars (Panthera onca) and three tigers (Panthera tigris). We issue these permits under the Endangered Species Act.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Contiguous U.S. Distinct Population Segment of the Canada Lynx
Document Number: 2024-27767
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-11-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to revise the critical habitat designation for the contiguous U.S. distinct population segment (DPS) of the Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 19,112 square miles (49,500 square kilometers) in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Washington, and Wyoming fall within the boundaries of the proposed revisions to the critical habitat designation. We also announce the availability of an economic analysis of the proposed revised designation of critical habitat for the Canada lynx DPS.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
Document Number: 2024-27316
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-11-26
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), a bumble bee historically known to occur broadly across the eastern United States and portions of Canada, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, we are proposing the designation of approximately 1,635,746 acres (661,963 hectares) of occupied critical habitat in 14 units across 33 counties in 6 States. We also announce the availability of an economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the rusty patched bumble bee.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Critical Habitat Designations for Florida Manatee and Antillean Manatee
Document Number: 2024-27529
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-11-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are extending the comment period on our September 24, 2024, proposed rule to revise critical habitat for Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and to designate critical habitat for Antillean manatee (T. m. manatus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. We are extending the proposed rule's comment period for 60 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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Pecos Pupfish and Designation of Critical Habitat
Document Number: 2024-27127
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-11-22
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the Pecos pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis), a fish species from the Pecos River Basin of New Mexico and Texas, as a threatened species and designate critical habitat 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 Pecos pupfish. 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 Pecos pupfish 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, the Pecos pupfish would be added to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and the Act's protections would be extended to the species. We also propose to designate critical habitat for the Pecos pupfish under the Act. In total, 136.12 river miles (219.06 river kilometers) and 26,555.54 acres (10,746.64 hectares) in Chaves and Eddy Counties, New Mexico, and Culberson and Reeves Counties, Texas, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. We also announce the availability of an economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for Pecos pupfish.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing the Giraffe
Document Number: 2024-26395
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-11-21
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce our 12-month finding on a petition to list the giraffe (including its subspecies) as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act or ESA). After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that the following listing actions are warranted: We propose to list all three subspecies of the northern giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis)the West African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis peralta), the Kordofan giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis antiquorum), and the Nubian giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis)as endangered species under Act. We also propose to list the reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata) and the Masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi), both from east Africa, as threatened species with protective regulations issued under section 4(d) of the Act ("4(d) rule"). After a thorough review of the best scientific and commercial data available, we find that, based on the Act's section 4(a)(1) factors, it is not warranted at this time to list either subspecies of the southern giraffe (Giraffa giraffa)the Angolan giraffe (Giraffa giraffa angolensis) and the South African giraffe (Giraffa giraffa giraffa)but we are proposing, under the authority of section 4(e) of the Act, to treat both of these subspecies as threatened species based on their similarity of appearance to the West African giraffe, Kordofan giraffe, Nubian giraffe, reticulated giraffe, and Masai giraffe. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add all giraffes to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, under the authority of either section 4(a)(1) or 4(e) of the Act, and extend the Act's protections to these taxa.
Endangered Species Act; Issuance of Enhancement of Survival and Incidental Take Permits for Safe Harbor Agreements, Candidate Conservation Agreements, Conservation Plans, and Scientific Activities; January 1, 2023, Through December 31, 2023
Document Number: 2024-26782
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-18
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in accordance with the Endangered Species Act (ESA), provide a list to the public of permits we issued under the ESA during calendar year 2023 for candidate conservation agreements with assurances, safe harbor agreements, habitat conservation plans, and scientific activities. With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits take of listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that authorizes or exempts the taking under the ESA.
Notice of Availability; Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for a Potential Land Exchange Involving Izembek National Wildlife Refuge Lands; Public Meetings
Document Number: 2024-26563
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-15
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, and the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980, as amended, along with other laws as applicable, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), announce the availability of a draft supplemental environmental impact statement (draft supplemental EIS) to consider the effects of a potential land exchange of certain lands owned by the King Cove Corporation with certain lands owned by the U.S. Government and located within the Izembek National Wildlife Refuge and Izembek Wilderness Area. If a land exchange is approved, King Cove Corporation would use the acquired land for a road corridor for noncommercial use. We invite comment on the draft supplemental EIS from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies. We will separately be announcing public meetings.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews of 38 Species in the Southwest
Document Number: 2024-26525
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-14
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are conducting 5-year status reviews of 38 animal and plant species under the Endangered Species Act. A 5-year status review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we are requesting submission of any such information that has become available since the last reviews for the species.
Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-Subpart B, Federal Subsistence Board Membership; Correction
Document Number: 2024-26119
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-11-13
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture are correcting an amendatory instruction in the final rule that published in the Federal Register on October 17, 2024. That rule revises the regulations concerning the composition of the Federal Subsistence Board, which has authority to administer the subsistence taking and uses of fish and wildlife on public lands in Alaska.
Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-25945
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-08
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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.
Notice of Availability of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement To Reconsider a Highway Right-of-Way Application and Associated Amendment of an Incidental Take Permit, Washington County, UT
Document Number: 2024-25903
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-08
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), as co-lead agencies, announce the availability of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to further consider the effects of granting a right-of-way (ROW) to the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) for the Northern Corridor Project (a proposed highway) as well as a potential amendment to the Incidental Take Permit (ITP) issued to Washington County, Utah, under the ESA.
Marine Mammals; Incidental Take of Polar Bears During Specified Activities; North Slope, Alaska
Document Number: 2024-25762
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-11-07
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, propose to revise a portion of our regulations under the Marine Mammal Protection Act pertaining to incidental take of marine mammals. Existing regulations authorize the nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take by harassment of small numbers of polar bears from the Southern Beaufort Sea stock and Pacific walruses during year-round oil and gas industry activities in the Beaufort Sea (Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf) and adjacent northern coast of Alaska. Such take may result from oil and gas exploration, development, production, and transportation activities occurring through August 5, 2026. The proposed revisions would authorize incidental take by Level A harassment of polar bears in addition to the incidental Level B harassment of polar bears and Pacific walruses already authorized in the existing regulations. No lethal take is or would be authorized. We request comments on these proposed regulations.
National Wildlife Refuge System; 2024-2025 Station-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations
Document Number: 2024-25905
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-11-07
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), open or expand hunting opportunities on 12 National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs). We also close hunting on 111 acres at Crab Orchard NWR so that the area can be repurposed for other recreational uses, including camping. We also make 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. Finally, the best available science, analyzed as part of this rulemaking, indicates that lead ammunition and tackle have negative impacts on both wildlife and human health. With this final rule, Canaan Valley NWR in West Virginia will require lead-free ammunition for all hunting on the new Big Cove Unit. Additionally, Des Lacs, J. Clark Salyer, Lostwood, and Upper Souris NWRs in North Dakota will require lead-free ammunition for newly opened elk hunting. While the Service continues to evaluate the future of lead use in hunting and fishing on Service lands and waters, this rulemaking does not include any opportunities that increase or authorize the new use of lead.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Klamath Basin Juvenile Salmon Monitoring Data System
Document Number: 2024-25882
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-07
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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.
Receipt of Application for Renewal of an Incidental Take Permit for the Sand Skink; Lake County, FL; Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2024-25455
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-11-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Sunterra Communities, LLC (applicant) for renewal of an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. If granted, the renewed ITP would authorize take of the federally listed as threatened sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) incidental to the construction of a residential and commercial development in Lake County, Florida. The applicant requests the renewal of the ITP to extend the expiration date for 5 additional years. There is no request for additional take or increases in development levels. The proposed renewal maintains the existing levels of take and renews the permit through June 14, 2029. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's original unchanged habitat conservation plan (HCP), and the Service's determination that the proposed renewal remains eligible for a categorical exclusion pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, the Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual. To make this preliminary determination, we used our existing environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Ocmulgee Skullcap and Designation of Critical Habitat
Document Number: 2024-24897
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-10-30
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), list the Ocmulgee skullcap (Scutellaria ocmulgee), a plant species from Georgia and South Carolina as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. We also designate critical habitat. In total, approximately 6,661 acres (2,696 hectares) in Bibb, Bleckley, Burke, Columbia, Houston, Monroe, Pulaski, Richmond, Screven, and Twiggs Counties, Georgia, and in Aiken and Edgefield Counties, South Carolina, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. This rule extends the protections of the Act to this species and its designated critical habitat.
Receipt of Enhancement of Survival Permit Application and Proposed Conservation Benefit Agreement for Introduction of the Endangered Orangeblack Hawaiian Damselfly to a Conservation Area on the Island of Lāna'i; Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2024-25179
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-30
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from P[umacr]lama L[amacr]na[revaps]i for an enhancement of survival permit (permit) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. If approved, the permit would authorize take of the orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly, ae[revaps]o (Hawaiian stilt), [revaps]alae ke[revaps]oke[revaps]o (Hawaiian coot) and assimulans yellow-faced bee (the "covered species"). The application includes a draft conservation benefit agreement, describing the actions the applicant will take to create new habitat for the covered species, facilitate reintroduction of the orangeblack Hawaiian damselfly to L[amacr]na[revaps]i, and achieve a net conservation benefit for each of the covered species. We have also prepared a draft environmental action statement for our preliminary determination that the permit decision may be eligible for categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, Native Hawaiian, and Federal agencies to comment on these documents.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing Chipola Slabshell and Fat Threeridge From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
Document Number: 2024-23929
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-10-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove the Chipola slabshell (Elliptio chipolaensis) and fat threeridge (Amblema neislerii), both freshwater mussels, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife due to recovery. These species occur in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin of Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. Our review of the best available scientific and commercial data indicates that the threats to the Chipola slabshell and fat threeridge have been eliminated or reduced to the point that both species have recovered and no longer meet the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Accordingly, we propose to delist the Chipola slabshell and the fat threeridge. If we finalize this rule as proposed, the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act, particularly through sections 4 and 7 for the Chipola slabshell and sections 7 and 9 for the fat threeridge, would no longer apply to these species. This proposed rule also serves as the completed status review initiated under section 4(c)(2) of the Act.
Proposed Multi-Bat Species General Conservation Plan for Routine Development Projects in New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia; Draft Environmental Assessment
Document Number: 2024-25089
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability for public comment of a proposed general conservation plan (GCP), as well as an associated draft environmental assessment, for routine development projects in New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia that impact the federally listed Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) and/or northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis), and/or the proposed to be listed tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus). We invite comments from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget; Approval Procedures for Nontoxic Shot and Shot Coatings
Document Number: 2024-25112
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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 without change.
Emergency Exemption: Issuance of Emergency Permit To Import Endangered Species
Document Number: 2024-24965
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-28
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have waived the 30-day public notice period and have issued an endangered species permit for the import and release into the wild of one loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), which was rescued from the wild in Canada, for the purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of the species. This permit is for a single import.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-24849
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits, permit renewals, and/or permit amendments to conduct scientific research to promote conservation or other 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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule
Document Number: 2024-23786
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-10-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or USFWS), are reclassifying the red-cockaded woodpecker (Dryobates (= Picoides) borealis) from endangered to threatened (i.e., downlisting it) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This action 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 finalize protective regulations under the authority of section 4(d) of the Act that are necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of the red-cockaded woodpecker. In addition, we correct the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife to reflect that Picoides is not the current scientifically accepted generic name for this species.
Receipt of Application for Renewal of Incidental Take Permit for Morro Shoulderband Snail; Kellaway Habitat Conservation Plan; Community of Los Osos, San Luis Obispo County, California
Document Number: 2024-24343
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-22
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Thomas R. Kellaway and Doris J. Redmond (permittees), for a renewal of incidental take permit TE48316A (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The requested renewal would extend the ITP by 5 years from the date of reissuance. The existing ITP authorizes take of the federally endangered Morro shoulderband snail (Helminthoglypta walkeriana) incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with the construction of one residence on each of two separate but contiguous parcels in Los Osos, an unincorporated community of San Luis Obispo County. If renewed, the ITP would not authorize any additional take of the species. We request public comment on the application, which includes the permittee's habitat conservation plan (HCP), and on the Service's preliminary determination that the proposed permitting action may be eligible for a categorical exclusion pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, the Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Eastern Indigo Snake; Decatur County, GA; Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2024-24261
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-21
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Tri-State II Solar Project, LLC (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed threatened eastern indigo snake incidental to the construction and operation of a solar facility in Decatur County, Georgia. 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 the proposed permitting action may be eligible for a categorical exclusion pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, the Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual. To make this preliminary determination, we prepared a draft environmental action statement and low-effect screening form, both of which are also available for public review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Endangered Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Application
Document Number: 2024-24260
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-21
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application for a permit to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation and survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on this application. Before issuing the requested permit, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-24254
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-21
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct scientific research to promote conservation or other 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.
Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Meeting
Document Number: 2024-23923
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives notice of a public meeting of the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) Task Force, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The ANS Task Force's purpose is to develop and implement a program for U.S. waters to prevent introduction and dispersal of aquatic invasive species; to monitor, control, and study such species; and to disseminate related information.
Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-Subpart B, Federal Subsistence Board Membership
Document Number: 2024-24088
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-10-17
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Based on requests during joint consultations with Alaska Native Tribes and others, the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture (Departments) revise the regulations concerning the composition of the Federal Subsistence Board (Board), which has authority to administer the subsistence taking and uses of fish and wildlife on public lands in Alaska, subject to the Department's oversight. The Departments add three public members nominated or recommended by federally recognized Tribal governments, require that those nominees have certain knowledge and experience, define requirements used to select the Board Chair, and affirm the Secretaries' authority to replace Board members and the Secretaries' responsibility and oversight regarding Board decisions. These regulatory revisions are responsive to the primary requests made to the Departments during the consultations.
Permits for Incidental Take of Eagles and Eagle Nests; Correction and Technical Amendment
Document Number: 2024-23973
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-10-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, correct and amend a final rule that revised the regulations for the issuance of permits for eagle incidental take and eagle nest take. A provision of the regulations in the final rule specifies eligibility criteria for general permits for wind energy projects based on eagle relative abundance and proximity to eagle nests. We have become aware of confusion on the part of some general permit applicants regarding this provision in the regulations. Accordingly, this document revises the regulatory text of the final rule to ensure clarity. In addition, the final rule inadvertently resulted in errors regarding footnotes to a table. This document corrects those errors. For the convenience of the public, we also provide information to access the Service's online mapping tool for general permit eligibility.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews for 59 Pacific Southwest Species
Document Number: 2024-23830
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are initiating 5-year status reviews under the Endangered Species Act for 59 species. A 5- year status review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, we are requesting submission of any new information on these species that has become available since the last reviews.
Draft Environmental Impact Statement for a General Conservation Plan for the Desert Tortoise in California
Document Number: 2024-23573
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-11
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), provide this notice to open a public review period and announce public meetings in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act. We have prepared a draft environmental impact statement to evaluate the impacts on the human environment related to our proposal to approve and use a general conservation plan for the federally threatened desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) in California to streamline the incidental take permitting process under the Endangered Species Act. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council; Request for Nominations
Document Number: 2024-23476
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-10
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The U.S. Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture are seeking nominations to the Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council (Council) to fill one vacancy for a representative from a state fish and wildlife management agency. The Council provides recommendations to the Federal Government, through the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture, regarding the establishment and implementation of existing and proposed policies and authorities with regard to wildlife and habitat conservation endeavors that benefit wildlife resources; encourage partnership among the public, sporting conservation organizations, wildlife-associated recreation interests, and Federal, State, Tribal, and territorial governments; and benefit fair-chase recreational hunting and safe recreational shooting sports.
Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-23344
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-09
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings for 8 Species
Document Number: 2024-22914
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-10-08
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90- day findings on eight petitions to add species to the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petitions to list the Crater Lake newt (Taricha granulosa mazamae), Florida intertidal firefly (Micronaspis floridana), Iowa skipper (Atrytone arogos iowa), San Francisco Estuary population of white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus), and Tecopa bird's beak (Chloropyron tecopense) 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 are initiating status reviews of these species to determine whether the petitioned actions are warranted. To ensure that the status reviews are comprehensive, we request 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 petitions to list Betta miniopinna, long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis), and southern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) do not present substantial information indicating the petitioned action may be warranted. Therefore, we are not initiating status reviews of Betta miniopinna, long-tailed macaque, or southern pig-tailed macaque.
Endangered Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-22950
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-04
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct scientific research to promote conservation or other 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 the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-22830
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-10-03
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives notice of a public meeting of the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council (Council), in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Bethany Beach Firefly
Document Number: 2024-22358
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-10-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the Bethany Beach firefly (Photuris bethaniensis), a firefly species from Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, 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 Bethany Beach firefly. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the species is warranted. We also propose protective regulations issued under section 4(d) of the Act to provide for the conservation of the Bethany Beach firefly. 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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Not-Warranted Finding for the Las Vegas Bearpoppy
Document Number: 2024-22405
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-10-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the Las Vegas bearpoppy (Arctomecon californica) as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Las Vegas bearpoppy is a plant in the poppy family. It is endemic to the eastern Mojave Desert in southern Nevada and northwest Arizona. After a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the Las Vegas bearpoppy as an endangered or threatened species is not warranted at this time. However, we ask the public to submit to us at any time any new information relevant to the status of the Las Vegas bearpoppy or its habitat.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget; Improving Our Understanding of How Trout Anglers Differ in Their Valuations Between Wild and Hatchery Trout
Document Number: 2024-22271
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-09-30
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing a new information collection.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget; Pollinator Conservation Social Network Analysis Survey
Document Number: 2024-22043
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-09-26
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing a new information collection.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Critical Habitat Designations for Florida Manatee and Antillean Manatee
Document Number: 2024-21182
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-09-24
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to revise the critical habitat designation for the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and to designate critical habitat for the Antillean manatee (T. m. manatus), under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In 1976, we designated critical habitat of approximately 965,394 acres (ac) (390,681 hectares (ha)) in Florida for the Florida manatee based on where large concentrations of manatees were known to occur at the time, but no critical habitat was ever designated for the Antillean manatee subspecies. After a review of the best scientific data available, we propose to revise the existing designated critical habitat for the Florida manatee and designate critical habitat for the Antillean manatee based on the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of each subspecies. The total proposed designation for Florida manatee is 1,904,191 ac (770,599 ha) and 78,121 ac (31,614 ha) for the Antillean manatee subspecies. We also announce the availability of an economic analysis of the proposed revised designation of critical habitat for the Florida manatee and proposed designation for the Antillean manatee.
Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-21718
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-09-24
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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.
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for Rat Eradication From Four Uninhabited Aleutian Islands; Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, AK
Document Number: 2024-21714
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-09-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service, intend to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for a proposed project to eradicate nonnative rats from four uninhabited islands (Amchitka, Attu, Great Sitkin, and Kiska Islands) located in the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is a cooperating agency on the EIS. We invite comments for consideration in establishing the scope and content of the EIS from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for Olympia Pocket Gopher; Tumwater Operations and Maintenance Facility, Thurston County, WA; Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2024-20625
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-09-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from the City of Tumwater Transportation and Engineering Department (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) pursuant to the Endangered Species Act. The ITP would authorize the applicant's take of the federally threatened Olympia subspecies of the Mazama pocket gopher (Thomomys mazama pugetensis) ("covered species"), incidental to their otherwise lawful construction and infrastructure improvements at two locations in the City of Tumwater, Thurston County, Washington. 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 the proposed permitting action may be eligible for a categorical exclusion pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality's National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, the Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual. To make this preliminary determination, we prepared a draft environmental action statement and categorical exclusion screening form, both of which are also available for public review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Kentucky Creekshell and Designation of Critical Habitat
Document Number: 2024-20157
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-09-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the Kentucky creekshell (Leaunio ortmanni [=Villosa ortmanni]), a freshwater mussel species from Kentucky and Tennessee, as an endangered species and designate critical habitat 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 Kentucky creekshell. 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 Kentucky creekshell as an endangered species under the Act. Finalizing this rule as proposed 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 Kentucky creekshell under the Act. In total, approximately 545 river miles (877 river kilometers) in Kentucky and Tennessee fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. We also announce the availability of an economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the Kentucky creekshell.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants
Document Number: 2024-21155
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-09-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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