🐋NMFS Issues Permit Amendment for SeaWorld's Marine Research
Notice is hereby given that a major amendment to Permit No. 22095-01 has been issued to SeaWorld LLC (6240 Sea Harbor Drive, Orlando, Florida 32821).
Learn More🐟Summary of Endangered Species Permits and Renewals
Notice is hereby given that NMFS has received nine scientific research permit application requests relating to Pacific salmon, steelhead, green sturgeon, rockfish, and eulachon. The proposed research is intended to increase knowledge of species listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to help guide management and conservation efforts. The applications may be viewed online at: https:/ /apps.nmfs.noaa.gov/preview/preview_open_for_comment.cfm.
Learn More🦋Reopening Comment Periods for Endangered Species Proposed Rules
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announce that we are reopening the comment periods for proposed rules pertaining to three insect species: monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), bleached sandhill skipper (Polites sabuleti sinemaculata), and Suckley's cuckoo bumble bee (Bombus suckleyi). We also announce a public hearing for the bleached sandhill skipper. Comments previously submitted on these proposed rules need not be resubmitted as they are already incorporated into the public records for these rulemaking actions and will be fully considered in our development of the final rules.
Learn More🐻Grizzly Bear Listing and Comment Period Extension Announcement
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or FWS), announce that we are extending the comment period on our January 15, 2025, proposed rule to revise the listing of the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) in the lower-48 States under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act or ESA). We are extending the comment period for the proposed rule to give all interested parties adequate opportunity to comment. Comments previously submitted on the proposed rule need not be resubmitted as they are already incorporated into the public record for this rulemaking actions and will be fully considered in our development of the final rule.
Learn More🐋Proposed Permit for Incidental Take of Endangered Marine Mammals
NMFS is proposing to issue a permit to authorize the incidental, but not intentional, take of specific Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed marine mammal species or stocks under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), in the Category II California (CA) thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (>=14 inch (in) mesh) fishery and the corresponding high seas component of the fishery as defined on the MMPA List of Fisheries as the Pacific highly migratory species drift gillnet fishery (hereinafter, collectively referred to as the CA thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (>=14 in mesh)/Pacific highly migratory species drift gillnet fishery.
Learn More🦜Public Comment Period on Scarlet Macaw Regulatory Explanation
In response to an order by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are opening a public comment period related to a specific issue regarding our listing determination under the Endangered Species Act (Act) for the northern distinct population segment (DPS) of the southern subspecies of the scarlet macaw (Ara macao macao). We seek comments on the explanation presented in this document regarding why we did not conduct an analysis under section 4(e) of the Act pertaining to the DPS.
Learn More🦞12-Month Finding for Spinytail Crayfish - Not Warranted
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the spinytail crayfish (Procambarus fitzpatricki) as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The spinytail crayfish is a small, burrowing freshwater crayfish endemic to southern Mississippi. After a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the spinytail crayfish 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 spinytail crayfish or its habitat.
Learn More🐠New Regulations Affecting Businesses Due to Coral Reclassification
In accordance with the memorandum of January 20, 2025, from President Donald J. Trump, entitled "Regulatory Freeze Pending Review," published in the Federal Register on January 28, 2025, this action delays the effective date of the final rule NMFS published in the Federal Register on December 17, 2024, regarding the reclassification of the pillar coral (Dendrogyra cylindrus) on the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Species.
Learn More🌊Puget Sound Energy Environmental Assessment for Spillway Project
The Department of Energy announces the intention to prepare an environmental assessment for Puget Sound Energy's proposed Spillway Project at the Upper Baker Dam. This project aims to enhance dam stability and address accumulated debris, while assessing potential impacts on endangered species and essential fish habitat as required by federal regulations. Public involvement and compliance with environmental guidelines are emphasized.
Learn More🐢Business Implications of Endangered Species Regulatory Updates
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90- day findings on seven petitions to add species to, and one petition to remove a species from, 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 Amargosa toad (Anaxyrus nelsoni), Carson Valley monkeyflower (Erythranthe carsonensis), large marble butterfly (Euchloe ausonides) (including the large marble butterfly type subspecies (Euchloe ausonides ausonides)), Mohave ground squirrel (Xerospermophilus mohavensis), Morrison bumble bee (Bombus morrisoni), Oasis Valley population of Amargosa speckled dace (Rhinichthys nevadensis nevadensis; hereafter referred to as "Oasis Valley speckled dace"), Tennessee bottlebrush crayfish (Barbicambarus simmonsi), and one petition to delist the golden-cheeked warbler (Setophaga chrysoparia) 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.
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