Fish and Wildlife Service 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing a new information collection.

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.

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.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce the correction of errors in the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (Lists) made in previous publications. These corrections of publication errors are editorial in nature and involve no substantive changes to the Lists or any applicable regulations.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the Black Creek crayfish (Procambarus pictus), a crayfish species from Florida, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We also propose to designate critical habitat for the Black Creek crayfish under the Act. In total, approximately 1,056 kilometers (656 miles) of streams in Clay, Duval, Putnam, and St. Johns Counties, Florida, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this species and its designated critical habitat. We also announce the availability of an economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat designation for the Black Creek crayfish.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces the availability of a record of decision (ROD) for the final environmental impact statement for the Barred Owl Management Strategy (strategy) in Washington, Oregon, and California. With this notice, we also make available the final strategy. The ROD documents the Service's decision to select the preferred alternative to address the threat that the nonnative and invasive barred owl (Strix varia) poses to the northern spotted owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) and the California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis).