🐢Proposed Regulations on Wildlife Conservation for Business Compliance
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to revise regulations issued under section 4(e) of the Endangered Species Act (Act) related to furthering the conservation of the following listed endangered species and threatened species: Pearl River map turtle (Graptemys pearlensis), bog turtle (northern distinct population segment [DPS]) (Glyptemys muhlenbergii), Miami blue butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri), Desert tortoise (Mojave DPS) (Gopherus agassizii), Florida panther (Puma (=Felis) concolor coryi), and pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus). We propose to amend or remove regulations concerning taking or commerce in the following 11 similarity of appearance species: Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra), Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri), Escambia map turtle (Graptemys ernsti), Pascagoula map turtle (Graptemys gibbonsi), bog turtle (southern DPS), cassius blue butterfly (Leptotes cassius theonus), ceraunus blue butterfly (Hemiargus ceraunus antibubastus), nickerbean blue butterfly (Cyclargus ammon), desert tortoise (Sonoran population), puma (=mountain lion) (Puma (=Felis) concolor (all subspecies except coryi)), and shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus). We are proposing these changes to eliminate unnecessary regulations and to ensure that species treated as endangered or threatened under section 4(e) of the Act meet the three required criteria as directed in section 4(e) of the Act.
Learn More🦎Habitat Conservation Plan for Construction Project in Florida
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Prince Poinciana LLC (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed threatened sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink incidental to the construction of a single-family residential development in Polk 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 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual (DM). To make this preliminary determination, we prepared a draft screening form and NEPA statement for HCPs, both of which are available for public review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Learn More🦎Incidental Take Permit Application for Sand Skink in Polk County
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from the City of Davenport (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed threatened sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink incidental to the expansion of the city's utility infrastructure in Polk 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 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual (DM). To make this preliminary determination, we prepared a draft screening form and NEPA statement for HCPs, both of which are available for public review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Learn More🦎Fish and Wildlife Service Notice on Incidental Take Permit Application
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from CBD Land Investors, LLC (applicant), for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink incidental to the construction of a residential development in Polk 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 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual (DM). To make this preliminary determination, we prepared a draft screening form and NEPA statement for HCPs, both of which are available for public review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Learn More🏡Incidental Take Permit Application for Polk County, Florida
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Lennar Homes (Smokey Groves) (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed threatened sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink incidental to the construction of a mixed density residential development in Polk 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 Nation Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, and the DOI Department Manual (DM). To make this preliminary determination, we prepared a draft screening form and NEPA statement for HCPs, which is available for public review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Learn More🏡Notice of Incidental Take Permit Applications in Alabama
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of four separate applications from each of the following applicants for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA): Lindsey and Associates, LLC; Seahaven Farms, LLC; Emmer Holdings, LLC; and Greg Smith (applicant/applicants). Each applicant requests an ITP to take the federally listed Alabama beach mouse incidental to the construction of single-family homes in Baldwin County, Alabama. We request public comment on the applications, which include each applicants' proposed habitat conservation plans (HCPs) and on the Service's preliminary determination that the proposed permitting actions may be eligible for a categorical exclusion pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual (DM). To make these preliminary determinations, we prepared a draft screening form and NEPA statement for each application, which are available for public review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Learn More🌱Incidental Take Permit Application for Polk County Fire Station
We, the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application from Polk County Board of County Commissioners (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The applicant requests the ITP to take the federally listed sand skink and blue-tailed mole skink incidental to the construction of a fire station in Polk 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 National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Department of the Interior's (DOI) NEPA regulations, and the DOI Departmental Manual. To make this preliminary determination, we prepared a draft screening form and NEPA statement for HCPs, which is available for public review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Learn More🌲Record of Decision on Habitat Conservation for Elliott State Forest
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce the availability of a record of decision (ROD) for the issuance of a permit under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for certain activities at the Elliott State Research Forest supported by a habitat conservation plan (HCP) in Coos and Douglas Counties, Oregon. The ROD documents the Service's decision to issue an incidental take permit (ITP) to the Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) in response to their permit application. As summarized in the ROD, the Service has selected the proposed action alternative, which is issuance of an 80-year ITP authorizing take of species listed under the ESA that may occur incidental to research and management activities over the permit term implemented consistent with the HCP.
Learn More🐢Business Implications of NOAA's Endangered Species Act Permit Regulations
The Department of Commerce, through NOAA, seeks public comments on information collection for research and enhancement permits under the Endangered Species Act. This includes applications and reporting for activities affecting endangered species, following guidelines established for environmental protection and conservation efforts.
Learn More🌞Chalan Solar Project Draft Permit for Endangered Species Conservation
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce receipt of an application and draft habitat conservation plan from Chalan Solar Storage, LLC (applicant) for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 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 draft 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 Department of the Interior's (DOI) National Environmental Policy Act (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 are also available for public review. We invite comment from the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies.
Learn More