🦉Notice on Endangered Species Recovery Permit Applications
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct scientific research to promote conservation or other 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.
Learn More🌊Workshop on Recovery Planning for Endangered Seals in Alaska
NMFS announces its intent to convene a workshop to solicit facts and information from experts to inform recovery planning for the Beringia Distinct Population Segment (DPS) bearded Seal (Erignathus barbatus nauticus) and the Arctic ringed seal (Phoca hispida hispida). We will not be asking for any consensus recommendations on how to recover these species. This workshop will be open to the public. We also request submission of information that might inform the development of the recovery plans.
Learn More🌱Final Environmental Impact Statement for Elliott State Forest
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announces the availability of a final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the evaluation of incidental take permit applications and a supporting habitat conservation plan (HCP) developed by the Oregon Department of State Lands (ODSL; applicant). The applicant seeks incidental take permits from FWS and the National Marine Fisheries Service (together, the Services) to authorize the incidental take of three species expected to result from research and management activities on the Elliott State Research Forest in Coos and Douglas Counties, Oregon. With this notice, we also make available the final Elliott State Research Forest Habitat Conservation Plan submitted by the applicant.
Learn More🌊Draft Environmental Assessment Notice for Incidental Take Permit
NMFS announces the availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) on the effects of issuing an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) (No. 27490) to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as amended, for the incidental take of ESA- listed sea turtles and sturgeon associated with the otherwise lawful fisheries survey activities within and adjacent to the Massachusetts/ Rhode Island Wind Energy Area. The duration of the requested permit is 10 years. NMFS is requesting comment on the draft EA.
Learn More🌿Notification on Gray Wolf Petitions by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 90-day finding on two concurrently filed companion petitions to revise the currently listed gray wolf (Canis lupus) entities under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act or ESA). Together, the petitions requested that the Service: designate and delist a Western Great Lakes (WGL) distinct population segment (DPS) of gray wolf due to recovery; and designate a West Coast States DPS of gray wolf and list it as a threatened species, and potentially delist the remnant areas of the gray wolf entity in the lower 48 States due to extinction. Based on our review, we find that the petitions do not present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted.
Learn More🦋Proposed Listing of Bleached Sandhill Skipper as Endangered
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the bleached sandhill skipper (Polites sabuleti sinemaculata), an insect subspecies from Humboldt County, Nevada, 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 bleached sandhill skipper. 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 bleached sandhill skipper as an endangered species under the Act. If we finalize this rule as proposed, the final rule would add this subspecies to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the subspecies. We find that a designation of critical habitat for the bleached sandhill skipper is not determinable at this time.
Learn More🐾Endangered Species Permits
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have issued permits to conduct certain activities with endangered species. We issue these permits under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Learn More🌿Business Implications of Ute Ladies'-Tresses Delisting Proposal
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove Ute ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. This determination also serves as our 12-month finding on a petition to delist Ute ladies'- tresses. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that delisting the species is warranted. Our review indicates that the threats to Ute ladies'-tresses have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Accordingly, we propose to delist Ute ladies'-tresses. 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 Ute ladies'-tresses. We request information and comments from the public regarding this proposed rule and the draft post-delisting monitoring (PDM) plan for Ute ladies'-tresses.
Learn More🌱Compliance Implications of 5-Year Status Reviews Under ESA
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are initiating 5-year status reviews under the Endangered Species Act, for 4 plant and 10 animal 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 such information that has become available since the last review for the species. We invite comments from the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments.
Learn More🌿Eagle Creek Conservation Permit Notice for Freeport Minerals
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application from Freeport Minerals, a subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc., for a 10(a)(1)(A) enhancement of survival permit supported by the proposed Eagle Creek Multi-Species Conservation Benefit Agreement (CBA) in Greenlee and Graham Counties, Arizona. With this notice, we announce the availability for public comment of the permit application, the proposed CBA, and the draft environmental assessment (EA). We invite comments from the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments.
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