Fish and Wildlife Service June 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing Golden Paintbrush From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants
Document Number: 2021-13882
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-06-30
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Four Subspecies of Mazama Pocket Gopher
Document Number: 2021-13872
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for Four Subspecies of Mazama Pocket Gopher. The four subspecies, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, are endemic to Thurston and Pierce Counties, Washington. We request review and comment on this draft recovery plan from Federal, State, and local agencies; Native American Tribes; and the public.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Pagosa Skyrocket
Document Number: 2021-13827
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2021-13648
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-28
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2021-13647
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-28
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews for 77 Species in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Hawaii
Document Number: 2021-13534
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are initiating 5-year status reviews for 77 species in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Hawaii under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. 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 Habitat Conservation Plan and Draft Categorical Exclusion for the Vintage Ranch Project; Santa Barbara County, California
Document Number: 2021-13518
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision of a Nonessential Experimental Population of Black-Footed Ferrets (Mustela nigripes) in the Southwest
Document Number: 2021-12991
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-06-25
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service and USFWS), propose to revise the regulation for the nonessential experimental population of the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) (ferret) in Arizona. We established the Aubrey Valley Experimental Population Area (AVEPA) in 1996 in accordance with section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). This proposed rule would allow the reintroduction of ferrets across a larger landscape as part of a nonessential experimental population and include the AVEPA within a larger ``Southwest Experimental Population Area'' (SWEPA), which includes parts of Arizona and identified contiguous Tribal land in New Mexico and Utah. This proposed revision provides a framework for establishing and managing reintroduced populations of ferrets that will allow greater management flexibility and increased landowner cooperation. The best available data indicate that reintroduction of the ferret into suitable habitat in the proposed SWEPA is biologically feasible and will promote the conservation of the species. We are seeking comments on this proposal and on our draft environmental assessment (EA) that analyzes the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed regulatory revisions.
Notice of Intent To Grant Exclusive License to World Wildlife Fund
Document Number: 2021-13294
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-24
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Kanab Ambersnail From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
Document Number: 2021-13257
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-06-24
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are removing the Kanab ambersnail (Oxyloma haydeni kanabensis) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. This determination is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific information. Our review indicates that the Kanab ambersnail is not a valid subspecies and therefore cannot be listed as an endangered entity under the Endangered Species Act.
Marine Mammal Protection Act; Stock Assessment Reports for Two Stocks of Polar Bears
Document Number: 2021-13227
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-24
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, after consideration of comments received from the public, have revised marine mammal stock assessment reports for each of the two polar bear stocks in Alaska. We now make the final revised stock assessment reports for the Southern Beaufort Sea polar bear stock and the Chukchi/Bering Seas polar bear stock available to the public.
Marine Mammal Protection Act; Stock Assessment Report for the Southern Sea Otter in California
Document Number: 2021-13209
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-24
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (MMPA), and its implementing regulations, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that we have revised our stock assessment report (SAR) for the southern sea otter stock in the State of California, including incorporation of public comments. We now make our final revised SAR available to the public.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassifying Smooth Coneflower as Threatened With Section 4(d) Rule
Document Number: 2021-12951
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-06-24
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to reclassify from endangered to threatened (``downlist'') the smooth coneflower (Echinacea laevigata) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) due to improvements in the species' overall status since the original listing in 1992. This proposed action is based on a thorough review 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. This proposed rule completes the 5-year status review for the species, initiated on March 12, 2018. If this proposal is finalized, smooth coneflower would be reclassified as a threatened species under the Act. We seek information, data, and comments from the public on this proposal. We also propose to establish a rule under section 4(d) of the Act for the protection of smooth coneflower.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removal of Chrysopsis floridana (Florida Golden Aster) From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants
Document Number: 2021-12741
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-06-24
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove the Florida golden aster (Chrysopsis floridana), a short-lived perennial, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants (List) due to recovery (delist). This determination is based on our evaluation of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the threats to the species have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species has recovered and no longer meets the definition of a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). If this proposal is finalized, the Florida golden aster will be removed from the List.
Revision of Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp) Contest Regulations
Document Number: 2021-13476
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-06-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to revise the regulations governing the annual Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp Contest (also known as the Federal Duck Stamp Contest (Contest)). Our proposed amendments would remove the previously specified permanent theme and the mandatory inclusion of an appropriate hunting element within all Contest entries and revise the qualifications of the judging panel to reflect this change. This change would be scheduled to begin with the 2022 Contest.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassification of the Hawaiian Stilt From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule
Document Number: 2021-13290
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-06-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), recently proposed to reclassify the Hawaiian stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) from an endangered species to a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. We are reopening the proposed rule comment period to give all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule. We also announce a public informational meeting and public hearing 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; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews for 37 Southeastern Species
Document Number: 2021-13170
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are initiating 5-year status reviews for 37 species under the Endangered Species Act, as amended. A 5-year review is an assessment of the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. We are requesting submission of any such information that has become available since the previous status review for each species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for the Alaska-Breeding Population of Steller's Eider, First Revision
Document Number: 2021-13153
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the draft first revision of the recovery plan for the threatened Alaska-breeding population of Steller's eiders (Polysticta stelleri). We request review and comment on the revised plan from local, State and Federal agencies, Tribes, and the public. We will also accept any new information on the status of the Alaska-breeding population of Steller's eiders throughout its range to assist in finalizing the recovery plan.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Reclassifying the Fender's Blue Butterfly From Endangered to Threatened With a Section 4(d) Rule
Document Number: 2021-12576
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-06-23
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to reclassify the Fender's blue butterfly (Icaricia icarioides fenderi) from endangered to threatened (downlist) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Fender's blue butterfly is endemic to the Willamette Valley of Oregon. 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 the species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 90-Day Findings for Two Species
Document Number: 2021-12814
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-06-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90- day findings on two petitions to add species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petitions 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 the Temblor legless lizard (Anniella alexanderae) and Santa Ana speckled dace (Rhinichthys osculus) 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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Nipomo Mesa lupine (Lupinus nipomensis)
Document Number: 2021-12763
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-17
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for Nipomo Mesa lupine (Lupinus nipomensis) for public review and comment. The draft recovery plan includes objective, measurable criteria, and site-specific management actions as may be necessary to ameliorate threats such that the species can be removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants.
Availability of Birds of Conservation Concern 2021
Document Number: 2021-12694
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability of Birds of Conservation Concern 2021. This publication identifies species, subspecies, and populations of migratory birds in need of additional conservation actions. The purpose and goal of this publication is to stimulate and guide coordinated, collaborative, and proactive conservation actions for these taxa among Federal, State, Tribal, and private partners.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Online Program Management System for Carbon Dioxide-Carp
Document Number: 2021-12660
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-16
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; Removal of Lepanthes eltoroensis From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants
Document Number: 2021-12528
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-06-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are removing Lepanthes eltoroensis (no common name), an orchid species from Puerto Rico, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants, due to recovery. This determination is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, which indicates that the threats to the species have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Accordingly, the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act will no longer apply to this species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Water Howellia From the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants
Document Number: 2021-12522
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-06-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are removing water howellia (Howellia aquatilis) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. The best available scientific and commercial data indicate that threats to water howellia identified at the time of listing in 1994 are not as significant as originally determined and are being adequately managed. Therefore, the species no longer meets the definition of an endangered or a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. This determination is based on a thorough review of all available information, which indicates that this species' populations and distribution are much greater than were known at the time of listing and that threats to this species have been sufficiently minimized.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status for Mount Rainier White-Tailed Ptarmigan With a Section 4(d) Rule
Document Number: 2021-12460
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-06-15
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan (Lagopus leucura rainierensis), a bird subspecies in Washington, as a 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 subspecies is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the Mount Rainier white- tailed ptarmigan 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 species. We have determined that designation of critical habitat for this subspecies is not prudent.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for White Fringeless Orchid
Document Number: 2021-12455
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-15
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the availability for public review and comment of the draft recovery plan for the Platanthera integrilabia (white fringeless orchid), a plant listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. We request review and comment on the draft recovery plan from local, State, and Federal agencies, Tribes, nongovernmental organizations, and the public.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Status for the Beardless Chinchweed and Designation of Critical Habitat
Document Number: 2021-12005
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-06-15
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine that the beardless chinchweed (Pectis imberbis) is an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, and designate critical habitat. In total, approximately 10,604 acres (4,291 hectares) in Pima, Cochise, and Santa Cruz Counties, Arizona, fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Draft Recovery Plan for Cirsium scariosum var. loncholepis (La Graciosa thistle)
Document Number: 2021-12304
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-11
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of the Draft Recovery Plan for Cirsium scariosum var. loncholepis (La Graciosa thistle) for public review and comment. The draft recovery plan includes objective, measurable criteria, and site- specific management actions as may be necessary to ameliorate threats, such that the species can be removed from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Urban Bird Treaty Program Requirements
Document Number: 2021-12289
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-11
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing a new information collection.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Online Eastern Population Sandhill Crane Survey Data Entry Portal
Document Number: 2021-12288
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-11
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 Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2021-12262
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-11
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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 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: 2021-12116
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-10
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designating Texas Hornshell Critical Habitat
Document Number: 2021-11966
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-06-10
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 Texas hornshell (Popenaias popeii), a freshwater mussel, under the Endangered Species Act (Act). In total, the proposed critical habitat designation includes approximately 463.6 river miles (745.9 kilometers) in Eddy County, New Mexico, and in Culberson, Brewster, Terrell, Val Verde, Kinney, Maverick, and Webb Counties, Texas. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this species' critical habitat. The effect of this regulation is to designate critical habitat for the Texas hornshell under the Act. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat. We also are notifying the public that we have scheduled an informational meeting followed by a public hearing on the proposed rule.
Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities; Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for Southeast Alaska Stock of Northern Sea Otters in the Queen Charlotte Fault Region, Alaska
Document Number: 2021-12134
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-09
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in response to a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, from the National Science Foundation and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, propose to authorize nonlethal, incidental take by harassment of small numbers of the Southeast Alaska stock of northern sea otters between July 1, 2021, and August 31, 2021. The applicants have requested this authorization for take that may result from high- energy seismic surveys in the Queen Charlotte Fault region of Southeast Alaska. Seismic surveys are being conducted to characterize crustal and uppermost mantle velocity structure, fault zone architecture and rheology, and seismicity in the Queen Charlotte Fault. We estimate that this project may result in the nonlethal incidental take of up to 27 northern sea otters from the Southeast Alaska stock. This proposed authorization, if finalized, will be for up to 49 takes of 27 northern sea otters by Level B harassment only. No injury or mortality is expected or will be authorized.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Neuse River Waterdog, Endangered Species Status for Carolina Madtom, and Designations of Critical Habitat
Document Number: 2021-11600
Type: Rule
Date: 2021-06-09
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), list two North Carolina species, the Carolina madtom (Noturus furiosus) as endangered, and the Neuse River waterdog (Necturus lewisi) as threatened, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. We also issue a rule under section 4(d) of the Act for the Neuse River waterdog, to provide for the conservation of this species. In addition, we designate critical habitat for both species under the Act. For the Carolina madtom, approximately 257 river miles (mi) (414 river kilometers (km)) fall within 7 units of critical habitat in Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Johnston, Jones, Nash, Orange, Vance, Warren, and Wilson Counties, North Carolina. For the Neuse River waterdog, approximately 779 river mi (1,254 river km) fall within 18 units of critical habitat in Craven, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Greene, Halifax, Johnston, Jones, Lenoir, Nash, Orange, Person, Pitt, Wake, Warren, Wayne, and Wilson Counties, North Carolina. This rule extends the Act's protections to these species and their designated critical habitats.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Finding on a Petition To List the Tiehm's Buckwheat as Threatened or Endangered
Document Number: 2021-11700
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-06-04
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 Tiehm's buckwheat (Eriogonum tiehmii) as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Service has determined, after a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, that the petitioned action to list Tiehm's buckwheat, a plant species native to Nevada in the United States, is warranted. The Service, therefore, will promptly publish a proposed rule to list Tiehm's buckwheat under the Act.
Draft Environmental Assessment and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan; Receipt of an Application for an Incidental Take Permit, California Ridge Wind Farm, Champaign and Vermilion Counties, Illinois
Document Number: 2021-11602
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-03
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from California Ridge Wind Energy, LLC (applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), for its California Ridge Wind Farm (project). If approved, the ITP would authorize the incidental take of four bat species. The applicant has prepared a habitat conservation plan, which is also available for review. 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.
Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities; North Slope, Alaska
Document Number: 2021-11496
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-06-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in response to a request from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, propose to issue regulations authorizing the nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take by harassment of small numbers of polar bears 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. Take may result from oil and gas exploration, development, production, and transportation activities occurring for a period of 5 years. These activities are similar to those covered by the previous 5- year Beaufort Sea incidental take regulations effective from August 5, 2016, through August 5, 2021. This proposed rule would authorize take by harassment only. No lethal take would be authorized. If this rule is finalized, we will issue Letters of Authorization, upon request, for specific proposed activities in accordance with this proposed regulation. Therefore, we request comments on these proposed regulations.
Foreign Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Receipt of Permit Applications
Document Number: 2021-11489
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), invite the public to comment on an applications to conduct certain activities with foreign species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and foreign or native species for which the Service has jurisdiction under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With some exceptions, the ESA and the MMPA prohibit activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. The ESA and MMPA also require that we invite public comment before issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the ESA or MMPA with respect to any endangered species or marine mammals.
Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits
Document Number: 2021-11488
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have issued the following permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species, marine mammals, or both. We issue these permits under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Lesser Prairie-Chicken; Threatened Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northern Distinct Population Segment and Endangered Status for the Southern Distinct Population Segment
Document Number: 2021-11442
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2021-06-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose 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). This determination also serves as our 12-month finding on a petition to list the lesser prairie-chicken. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the Southern DPS as endangered is warranted, and that listing the Northern DPS as threatened is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the Southern DPS as an endangered species under the Act and the Northern DPS 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 these two DPSs to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to them. We also are notifying the public that we have scheduled informational meetings followed by public hearings on the proposed rule.
Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink, Orange County, FL; Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2021-11416
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Spring Grove, 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 the construction of a housing development in Orange 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.
Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink, Lake County, FL; Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2021-11411
Type: Notice
Date: 2021-06-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from PMDW Ventures, 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.
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