Fish and Wildlife Service May 18, 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in accordance with section 10(d) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as amended, provide a list to the public of the permits issued under sections 10(a)(1)(A) and 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA. With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits take of listed species unless a Federal permit is issued that authorizes the taking or is exempted through section 7 of the ESA. Under section 10(a)(1)(A), we issue enhancement of survival permits in conjunction with candidate conservation agreements with assurances (CCAA) and safe harbor agreements (SHA). Section 10(a)(1)(A) also authorizes recovery permits, but this notice is limited to permits issued with CCAAs and SHAs; issued recovery permits will be summarized in a separate notice. Section 10(a)(1)(B) permits authorize take of endangered and threatened species incidental to otherwise lawful activities associated with habitat conservation plans. We provide this list to the public as a summary of our permit issuances for calendar year 2017.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability of a draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the potential issuance of a take permit for bald eagles pursuant to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act), in association with the operation of the Courtenay Wind Farm (project) in Stutsman County, North Dakota. The DEA was prepared in response to an application from Northern States Power CompanyMinnesota, doing business as Xcel Energy (applicant), for a 5- year take permit for bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) under the Eagle Act. The applicant would implement a conservation program to avoid and minimize the project's impacts to eagles, as described in the applicant's Eagle Conservation Plan. We invite public comment on the DEA.