Fish and Wildlife Service – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

Results 151 - 200 of 7,959
Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Application
Document Number: 2024-10711
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-05-16
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on an application to conduct certain activities with a foreign species that is 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 activity. 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.
Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed 2024-25 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
Document Number: 2024-09965
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-05-13
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is proposing to establish the frameworks from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2024-25 migratory game bird hunting season. We annually prescribe outside limits (which we call frameworks) within which States may select hunting seasons. Frameworks specify the outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and areas where migratory game bird hunting may occur. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and limits and to allow harvest at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance and aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds.
National Wildlife Refuge System; Drain Tile Setbacks
Document Number: 2024-10242
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-05-13
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), promulgate new regulations pertaining to wetland easements to bring consistency, transparency, and clarity for both easement landowners and the Service in the administration of conservation easements, pursuant to the National Wildlife Refuge Administration Act of 1966, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. These regulations codify the process by which landowners can request and the Service will provide drain tile setbacks under wetland easement contracts. Under these regulations, if landowners fully comply with Service-provided setbacks when installing drain tile and do not later replace or modify the drain tile, the Service grants the landowners a safe harbor from legal action in the event that the setback drain tile nevertheless results in the draining of an easement wetland. Setback distances are calculated based upon the best available science considering soil characteristics, tile diameter, the depth of the tile below the surface, and/or topography sufficient to the easement contract's standard of protection that ensures no drainage of adjacent protected wetland areas. The regulations apply only to setbacks provided by the Service beginning on the effective date of this final rule.
Azalea Hybrid Power Project Habitat Conservation Plan, Kern County, CA; Draft Categorical Exclusion and Draft Habitat Conservation Plan
Document Number: 2024-10352
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-05-13
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from SF Azalea, LLC (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) and giant kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ingens) incidental to development activities in Kern County, California. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and 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, which is also available for public review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Renewal of an Incidental Take Permit for the Sand Skink and Blue-Tailed Mole Skink; Polk County, FL; Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2024-10349
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-05-13
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Nucor Steel Florida, Inc. (applicant) for a renewal of an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. If granted, the renewed ITP would authorize take of the federally listed sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) and blue-tailed mole skink (Eumeces egregious lividus) incidental to the construction of a metal recycling steel plant. The applicant requests the renewal of the ITP to extend the expiration date for 3 additional years in Polk County, Florida. There is no request for additional take or increases in development levels. The proposed time extension maintains the existing levels of take, but would extend the covered activities out to April 19, 2027, instead of April 19, 2024. 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 ITP renewal 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. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Notice of Availability of the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement To Reconsider a Highway Right-of-Way Application and Associated Amendment of an Incidental Take Permit, Washington County, Utah
Document Number: 2024-10078
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-05-10
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 Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) 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 section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA.
Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
Document Number: 2024-10127
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-05-09
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The Department of the Interior (DOI) is issuing a public notice of its intent to rescind six U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Privacy Act systems of records notices (SORNs), INTERIOR/FWS-5, National Wildlife Refuge Special Use Permits, INTERIOR/FWS-7, Water Development Project and/or Effluent Discharge Permit Application Review, INTERIOR/FWS-10, National Fish Hatchery Special Use Permits, INTERIOR/FWS-20, Investigative Case File System, INTERIOR/FWS-22, U.S. Deputy Game Warden, and INTERIOR/FWS-30, Marine Mammals Management, Marking, Tagging and Reporting Program. These SORNs have been superseded by a Department-wide or FWS SORN. This rescindment will eliminate unnecessary duplicate notices and promote the overall streamlining and management of DOI Privacy Act systems of records.
Marine Mammals; Letters of Authorization To Take Pacific Walruses, Polar Bears, and Northern Sea Otters in Alaska, in 2023
Document Number: 2024-09900
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-05-07
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) issues letters of authorization (LOA) for the nonlethal take of polar bears and Pacific walruses incidental to oil and gas industry exploration, development, and production activities in the Beaufort Sea and the adjacent northern coast of Alaska. The Service also issues LOAs for the nonlethal take of northern sea otters incidental to pile driving and marine construction activities in the Gulf of Alaska. This notice announces the LOAs issued in calendar year 2023. The LOAs stipulate conditions and methods that minimize impacts to polar bears, Pacific walruses, and northern sea otters from these activities.
Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities; Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for the Southeast Alaska Stock of Northern Sea Otters in Sitka, Alaska
Document Number: 2024-09895
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-05-07
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 City and Borough of Sitka, Alaska, propose to authorize nonlethal, incidental take by harassment of small numbers of Southeast Alaska stock of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025. The applicant requested this authorization for take by harassment that may result from activities associated with construction of a seaplane base in Sitka Channel, Sitka, Alaska. We estimate that this project may result in the nonlethal, incidental take by harassment of up to 36 sea otters from the Southeast Alaska stock. This proposed authorization, if finalized, will be for up to 36 takes of sea otters by Level B harassment only. No take by injury or mortality is requested, expected, or proposed to be authorized.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Establishment of a Nonessential Experimental Population of Grizzly Bear in the North Cascades Ecosystem, Washington State
Document Number: 2024-09136
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-05-03
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), establish a nonessential experimental population (NEP) of the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) within the U.S. portion of the North Cascades Ecosystem (NCE) in the State of Washington under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act or ESA). Establishment of this NEP is intended to support reintroduction and recovery of grizzly bears within the NCE and provide the prohibitions and exceptions under the Act necessary and appropriate to conserve the species within a defined NEP area. The geographic boundary of the NEP includes most of the State of Washington except for an area in northeastern Washington that encompasses the Selkirk Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone. The best available data indicate that reintroduction of the grizzly bear to the NCE, within the NEP area, is biologically feasible and will promote the conservation of the species.
Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-09674
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-05-03
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.
Marine Mammal Protection Act; Permit Applications and Issuances
Document Number: 2024-09479
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-05-02
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), invite public comment on applications for permits to conduct certain activities involving marine mammals for which the Service has jurisdiction under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). In addition, we announce permits that we have issued recently in response to prior applications.
Migratory Bird Subsistence Harvest in Alaska
Document Number: 2024-09430
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-05-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) announces that we are extending the Kodiak Island Roaded Area experimental season for subsistence migratory bird hunting and egg gathering by registration permit for 1 year (through the spring-summer subsistence harvest season [hereafter, "season"] in 2024). As set forth in a 2021 final rule, this experimental season began in the 2021 season and was set to terminate at the end of the 2023 season. However, we are extending the experimental season to provide subsistence harvest opportunity for an additional year while an evaluation of harvest data from the first 3 years of the experimental season is completed and a long-term plan is developed. Extending the experimental season requires no revision of the regulations pertaining to subsistence harvest of migratory birds in Alaska; we are issuing this document solely for the purpose of public information.
Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sweet Acres Wind Project, White County, IN; Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2024-09349
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-05-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from Indiana Crossroads Wind Farm II LLC (applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act, for its Sweet Acres Wind Project (project). If approved, the ITP would be for a 6-year period and would authorize the incidental take of the federally endangered Indiana bat, the federally endangered northern long-eared bat, and the tricolored bat and little brown bat, both of which are proposed for listing. The applicant has prepared a habitat conservation plan in support of the application. 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; Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-09347
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-05-01
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.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-09129
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-29
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.
Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Prosperity Wind Project, Piatt County, IL; Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2024-09123
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from Prosperity Wind LLC (applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act, for its Prosperity Wind Project (project). If approved, the ITP would be for a 6-year period and would authorize the incidental take of two endangered species, the Indiana bat and the northern long-eared bat, and one species proposed as endangered, the tricolored bat. The applicant has prepared a proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP) in support of the application. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's 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 Applications
Document Number: 2024-09143
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-29
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 and 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 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: 2024-09114
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-29
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.
Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Application
Document Number: 2024-09000
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-26
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on an application to conduct certain activities with a foreign species that is 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 activity. 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.
Hunting and Wildlife Conservation Council Meeting
Document Number: 2024-08723
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-24
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.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding for Lake Sturgeon
Document Number: 2024-08567
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-04-23
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 lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the lake sturgeon 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 lake sturgeon or its habitat.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agreements With Friends Organizations
Document Number: 2024-08517
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-22
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 with revisions.
Agency Information Collection Activities; National Double-Crested Cormorant Survey
Document Number: 2024-08516
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-22
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.
Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-07955
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-16
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; Enhancement of Survival and Incidental Take Permits
Document Number: 2024-07602
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-04-12
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish Wildlife Service (Service), revise the regulations concerning the issuance of enhancement of survival and incidental take permits under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The purposes of these revisions are to: clarify the appropriate use of enhancement of survival permits and incidental take permits; clarify our authority to issue these permits for non-listed species without also including a listed species; simplify the requirements for enhancement of survival permits by combining safe harbor agreements and candidate conservation agreements with assurances into one agreement type; and incorporate portions of our five-point policies for safe harbor agreements, candidate conservation agreements with assurances, and habitat conservation plans into the regulations to reduce uncertainty. We also made technical and administrative revisions to the regulations. The regulatory changes are intended to reduce costs and time associated with negotiating and developing the required documents to support the applications. We anticipate that these improvements will encourage more individuals and companies to engage in these voluntary programs, thereby generating greater conservation results overall.
Proposed Safe Harbor Agreement and Candidate Conservation Agreement With Assurances for the Greene County Pennsylvania, Wharton Run Bat Hibernaculum; Draft Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2024-07482
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-09
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application from CNX Gas Company LLC for an enhancement of survival permit under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant also submitted a proposed safe harbor agreement and candidate conservation agreement with assurances (SHA/CCAA) in support of the application. We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed SHA/CCAA, and 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 and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status for Coal Darter With Section 4(d) Rule
Document Number: 2024-07331
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-04-08
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reopening the comment period on our December 21, 2023, proposed rule to list the coal darter (Percina brevicauda), a benthic freshwater fish native to the Mobile River Basin in Alabama, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are reopening the proposed rule's comment period for 30 days to give all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule. Comments previously submitted will be fully considered in our final determination and do not need to be resubmitted.
R-Project Transmission Line, Nebraska; Revised Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the American Burying Beetle and Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement; Extension of Public Comment Period
Document Number: 2024-07231
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-05
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce that we are extending the comment period for the public to review the draft revised habitat conservation plan (HCP) and draft supplemental environmental impact statement (draft SEIS) associated with Nebraska Public Power District's application under the Endangered Species Act for a permit associated with incidental take of the American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus). Comments previously submitted, or provided at public meetings, need not be resubmitted, as they will be fully considered in preparing the final documents.
Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-07203
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-05
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; Regulations for Interagency Cooperation
Document Number: 2024-06902
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-04-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
FWS and NMFS (collectively referred to as the "Services" or "we") finalize revisions to portions of our regulations that implement section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended ("Act"). The revisions to the regulations clarify, interpret, and implement portions of the Act concerning the interagency cooperation procedures.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants
Document Number: 2024-06901
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-04-05
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), revise our regulations concerning protections of endangered species and threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (Act or ESA). We reinstate the general application of the "blanket rule" option for protecting newly listed threatened species pursuant to section 4(d) of the Act, with the continued option to promulgate species-specific section 4(d) rules. We also extend to federally recognized Tribes the exceptions to prohibitions for threatened species that the regulations currently provide to the employees or agents of the Service and other Federal and State agencies to aid, salvage, or dispose of threatened species. We also make minor changes to clarify or correct the existing regulations for endangered species and threatened species; these minor changes do not alter the substance or scope of the regulations.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat
Document Number: 2024-06899
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-04-05
Agency: Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS; collectively, the "Services"), finalize revisions to portions of our regulations that implement section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended. The revisions to the regulations clarify, interpret, and implement portions of the Act concerning the procedures and criteria used for listing, reclassifying, and delisting species on the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants (Lists) and designating critical habitat.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northwestern Pond Turtle and Southwestern Pond Turtle
Document Number: 2024-07094
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-04-04
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reopening the public comment period on our October 3, 2023, proposed rule to list the northwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata), a species from Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and northern and central California, and the southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys pallida), a species from central and southern California and Baja California, Mexico, as threatened species 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 two species and the proposed rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act ("4(d) rule") for the species. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in our final determinations.
Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-Applicability and Scope; Tongass National Forest Submerged Lands
Document Number: 2024-07012
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-04-03
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
To comply with a court order, the Secretaries, through the Federal Subsistence Board (Board), initiated regulatory proceedings to identify those submerged lands within the Tongass National Forest that did not pass to the State of Alaska at statehood and, therefore, remain Federal public lands subject to Federal subsistence provisions. This rule adds to the list of submerged parcels in the Federal subsistence regulations that have been identified through agency review. The purpose of this rule is to complete regulatory proceedings addressing submerged public lands within the Tongass National Forest, as directed by the Court, and will result in increased subsistence harvest opportunities for rural Alaskans. This final rule will also make nonsubstantive changes to present the list of submerged parcels in a tabular format.
Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force Meeting
Document Number: 2024-07057
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-03
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service gives notice of a public meeting of the 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.
Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council; Public Meeting
Document Number: 2024-07056
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-03
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; Removal of Roanoke Logperch From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
Document Number: 2024-06795
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-04-02
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove the Roanoke logperch (Percina rex) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife due to recovery. The species is currently listed as endangered. Our review of the best available scientific and commercial data indicates that the threats to the Roanoke logperch have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the definition of an endangered or a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Populations of Roanoke logperch are shown to be stable or expanding and reproducing (as evidenced by sustained recruitment) since the time of listing in each of the following river systems: Upper Roanoke River, Pigg River, Smith River, and Nottoway River. The number of streams where the Roanoke logperch has been observed has increased from 14 streams from the time of listing in 1989 to 31 streams in 2019. Accordingly, we propose to delist the Roanoke logperch throughout all of its range, which is in Virginia and North Carolina. If we finalize this rule as proposed, the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act, particularly through sections 7 and 9, would no longer apply to the Roanoke logperch.
Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Eastern Indigo Snake; Citrus County, FL; Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2024-06892
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-02
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Florida Department of TransportationFlorida's Turnpike Enterprise (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperii) incidental to the construction of the Suncoast Parkway 2 Segment 3A from County Road (CR) 486 to CR 495 in Citrus 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.
Beneficial Reuse of Excavated Material in Tidal Marsh Restoration; Intent To Prepare Environmental Impact Statement
Document Number: 2024-06833
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority propose to act in partnership to prepare a joint draft environmental impact statement/environmental impact report to evaluate the impacts on the environment related to placing excavated or other fill material into several former salt production ponds on, and adjacent to, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge to raise the pond bottoms for the purpose of accelerating the timeline for tidal marsh habitat restoration. The Service is providing this notice to open a public scoping period in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and its implementing regulations. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Endangered Wildlife; Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-06830
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-04-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct activities intended to recover and enhance endangered species survival. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits certain activities that may impact endangered species, unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision to the Section 4(d) Rule for the African Elephant
Document Number: 2024-06417
Type: Rule
Date: 2024-04-01
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are revising the rule for the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) promulgated under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The purposes are threefold: To increase protection for African elephants in light of the recent rise in international trade of live African elephants by establishing ESA enhancement permit requirements for international trade in live elephants and specific enhancement requirements for the import of wild-sourced elephants, as well as requirements to ensure that all proposed recipients of live African elephants are suitably equipped to house and care for them; to clarify the existing enhancement requirement during our evaluation of an application for a permit to import African elephant sport-hunted trophies; and to incorporate a Party's designation under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) National Legislation Project into the decision-making process for the import of live African elephants, African elephant sport-hunted trophies, and African elephant parts and products other than ivory and sport-hunted trophies. Amendments to the section 4(d) regulations in 2016 prohibited the import and export of African elephant ivory with limited exceptions. This final rule does not affect the regulations pertaining to African elephant ivory.
Foreign Endangered Species; Receipt of Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-06765
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-29
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.
Receipt of Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan for the Sand Skink and Blue-Tailed Mole Skink; Osceola County, FL; Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2024-06693
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-29
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from the Toho Water Authority (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) and blue-tailed mole skink (Eumeces egregius lividus) incidental to the construction of the Westside Boulevard Extension in Osceola 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.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of an Incidental Take Permit Application and Proposed Habitat Conservation Plan; City of Colton, San Bernardino County, CA; Categorical Exclusion
Document Number: 2024-06617
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-28
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have received an application for an incidental take permit to take the federally listed Santa Ana sucker under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). We request public comment on the application, which includes the applicant's proposed habitat conservation plan (HCP), and 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 and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Pyramid Pigtoe
Document Number: 2024-06221
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-03-26
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), withdraw the September 7, 2021, proposed rule to list the pyramid pigtoe (Pleurobema rubrum), a freshwater mussel, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. This withdrawal is based on new information we received following publication of the proposed rule that indicates the pyramid pigtoe is not a valid listable entity under the Act. In 2023, a comprehensive genetic analysis throughout the range of the pyramid pigtoe (P. rubrum) and round pigtoe (P. sintoxia) mussels concluded that the two mussels are conspecific and that pyramid pigtoe is not a valid taxon. Individuals previously assigned to P. rubrum are now considered to be P. sintoxia, a wide- ranging common species. Because we are withdrawing the proposal to list the pyramid pigtoe, we are also withdrawing the associated proposed rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth
Document Number: 2024-05724
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-03-26
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the pygmy three-toed sloth (Bradypus pygmaeus; hereafter ``pygmy sloth''), an arboreal mammal species from Panama, 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 pygmy sloth. 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 pygmy sloth 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 this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the species.
Endangered Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Applications
Document Number: 2024-06220
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-25
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 the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-2025-26 and 2026-27 Subsistence Taking of Fish and Shellfish Regulations
Document Number: 2024-05821
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2024-03-22
Agency: Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
This proposed rule revises regulations for fish and shellfish seasons, harvest limits, methods, and means related to taking of fish and shellfish for subsistence uses during the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 regulatory years. The Federal Subsistence Board (hereafter referred to as ``the Board'') is on a schedule of completing the process of revising subsistence taking of fish and shellfish regulations in odd- numbered years and subsistence taking of wildlife regulations in even- 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 cycle. When final, the resulting rulemaking replaces the existing subsistence fish and shellfish taking regulations. This proposed rule may also amend the general regulations on subsistence taking of fish and wildlife.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, Conference of the Parties, Twentieth Regular Meeting; Request for Information and Recommendations on Species Proposals, Resolutions, Decisions, and Agenda Items for Consideration
Document Number: 2024-06064
Type: Notice
Date: 2024-03-22
Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
To implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES or the Convention), the Parties to the Convention meet periodically to review what species in international trade should be regulated as well as other aspects of CITES implementation. The twentieth regular meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP20) is tentatively scheduled to be held in the second half of 2025. The specific date and location of CoP20 are yet to be determined. With this notice, we are soliciting recommendations to amend Appendices I and II of CITES at CoP20 as well as recommendations for resolutions, decisions, and agenda items for discussion at CoP20. We invite you to provide us with information and recommendations on animal and plant species for which the United States should consider submitting proposals to amend Appendices I and II. Such proposals may concern the addition of species to Appendix I or Appendix II, the transfer of species from one Appendix to another, or the removal of species from the Appendices. We also invite you to provide us with information and recommendations on resolutions, decisions, and agenda items that the United States might consider submitting for discussion at CoP20. Finally, with this notice, we also describe the United States' approach to preparations for CoP20.
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