Fish and Wildlife Service – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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).

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Mosaic Fertilizer, LLC (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take a portion of the breeding territory of the federally listed crested caracara (Audubon's) [FL DPS] (Caracara plancus audubonii) incidental to the construction and operation of a phosphate mine in Hardee County, Florida. 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 (Service), are reopening the public comment period on our December 20, 2023, proposed rule to list the West Virginia spring salamander (Gyrinophilus subterraneus), an amphibian species from Greenbrier County, West Virginia, as an endangered species and to designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are taking this action to allow all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed listing of the species and the proposed critical habitat. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in our final determinations.

This final rule establishes regulations for seasons, harvest limits, and methods and means related to the taking of wildlife for subsistence uses in Alaska for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 regulatory years. The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) completes the biennial process of revising subsistence hunting and trapping regulations in even-numbered years and subsistence fishing and shellfish regulations in odd-numbered years; public proposal and review processes take place during the preceding year. The Board also addresses customary and traditional use determinations during the applicable biennial cycle. This rule also revises the customary and traditional use determinations for wildlife, the general regulations, and a deferred proposal from the last fish cycle.

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.

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

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.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), in accordance with the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, are amending the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (List) by updating the entries for five species of threatened Caribbean corals (Orbicella annularis, O. faveolata, O. franksi, Dendrogyra cylindrus, and Mycetophyllia ferox) to reflect the designation of critical habitat for these species. We are also amending the List by adding three nonessential experimental populations of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Upper Yuba River Central Valley spring-run, McCloud and Upper Sacramento Rivers Sacramento River winter-run, and Central Valley spring-run. These amendments are based on previously published determinations by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce, which has jurisdiction for these species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received two applications for incidental take permits (ITPs) for the federally threatened Central California Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of the California tiger salamander and California red-legged frog under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. Each of the two applicants submitted a permit application which, if issued, would authorize take of the California tiger salamander and California red- legged frog incidental to activities associated with the development and improvement of school facilities in the cities of San Juan Bautista and Salinas in San Benito and Monterey Counties, respectively, in California. As part of the application for an ITP, each applicant submitted a draft habitat conservation plan for their respective project. For each project, the Service prepared a draft screening form in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate the potential effects to the natural and human environment resulting from issuing an ITP to each applicant for their project. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on the draft screening forms and on the Service's preliminary determination that the proposed permitting actions may be eligible for categorical exclusions pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality's NEPA regulations, the Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the Long Valley speckled dace (Rhinichthys nevadensis caldera), a fish native to California, as an endangered 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 Long Valley speckled dace. 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 Long Valley speckled dace as an endangered species under the Act. 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 subspecies. We have determined that designation of critical habitat for the Long Valley speckled dace is not determinable at this time.

The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) announces the public meetings of the 10 Alaska Subsistence Regional Advisory Councils (Councils) for the winter and fall cycles of 2025. The Councils each meet approximately twice a year to provide advice and recommendations to the Board about subsistence hunting and fishing issues on Federal public lands in Alaska.

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 approval.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to open hunting opportunities on six National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) and to expand hunting or sport fishing opportunities on seven NWRs. Crab Orchard NWR is proposing to close hunting on 111 acres so that the area can be used for visitor services facilities and activities. We also propose to 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 proposed rulemaking, indicates that lead ammunition and tackle have negative impacts on both wildlife and human health. In this proposed rule, Canaan Valley NWR in West Virginia is proposing to 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 are proposing to require lead-free ammunition for elk hunting. These proposals would be effective immediately in fall 2024, if adopted as part of a final rule. 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 proposing to increase or authorize the new use of lead.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), invite the public to comment on foreign or native species for which the Service has jurisdiction under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). With some exceptions, the MMPA prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. The MMPA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited with respect to any species.

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 (Service), have issued the following permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species. We issue these permits under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), determine endangered species status under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended, for the Sira curassow (Pauxi koepckeae) and southern helmeted curassow (Pauxi unicornis), two bird species from South America. This rule extends the protections of the Act to these species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), in response to a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, from Turnagain Marine Construction, propose to authorize nonlethal, incidental take by harassment of small numbers of Southcentral Alaska stock northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) from July 19, 2024, to July 18, 2025. The applicant has requested this authorization for take by harassment that may result from activities associated with pile driving and marine construction activities on the western shore of Passage Canal in Whittier, Alaska. We estimate that this project may result in the nonlethal incidental take by harassment of up to 162 northern sea otters from the Southcentral stock. This proposed authorization, if finalized, will be for up to 17 takes of northern sea otters by Level A harassment and 145 takes of northern sea otters by Level B harassment. Neither the applicant nor the FWS anticipated any lethal take, and the FWS does not propose to authorize any lethal take. We invite comments on the proposed incidental harassment authorization and the accompanying draft environmental assessment from the public, and local, State, Tribal and Federal agencies.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from Alliant Energy's Interstate Power and Light Company and Wisconsin Power and Light Company (Alliant; applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act, for wind facilities in Iowa and Minnesota (project). The applicant requests the ITP for the take of four bat species incidental to the otherwise lawful activities associated with the project. The applicant proposes a conservation program to minimize and mitigate for the unavoidable incidental take as described in their habitat conservation plan (HCP). The Service requests public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed HCP, and the Service's draft environmental assessment, prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. The Service provides this notice to seek comments from the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments.

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.

We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Pelicans Jaw Solar, LLC (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed San Joaquin kit fox and blunt-nosed leopard lizard, as well as two other unlisted species should they become listed, incidental to development activities in Kern County, California. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat conservation plan, 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, announce receipt of an application from Pacific Gas and Electric for an incidental take permit for the Valley Elderberry Longhorn Beetle Operation and Maintenance Habitat Conservation Plan. Under the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act, we are making available the applicant's draft habitat conservation plan and our draft environmental assessment. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on the documents. Before issuing a requested permit, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.

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.