🎣2025 Management Measures for Pacific Halibut Commercial Fishery
NMFS is implementing annual management measures for the 2025 non-Tribal directed commercial Pacific halibut fishery that operates south of Point Chehalis, WA, (lat. 46[deg]53.30' N) in the International Pacific Halibut Commission's (IPHC) regulatory Area 2A off Washington, Oregon, and California. Annual management measures include fishing periods and fishing period limits. NMFS is also implementing modified permit deadlines for all Area 2A non-Tribal commercial fisheries and is modifying inseason action announcement procedures for the Area 2A non-Tribal directed commercial fishery. These actions are intended to conserve Pacific halibut and provide fishing opportunity where available.
Learn More🦦New Regulations for Sea Otter Protection in Marine Construction
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 U.S. Coast Guard, propose to issue regulations for the nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take by harassment of small numbers of Southcentral Alaska, Southeast Alaska, and Southwest Alaska stocks of northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) during pile driving and marine construction activities in Seward, Sitka, and Kodiak, Alaska. Incidental take of northern sea otters may result from in-water noise generated during pile driving and marine construction activities occurring for a period up to 5 years. This proposed rule would authorize take by harassment only, and no lethal take would be authorized. If this rule is finalized, we will issue letters of authorization for the incidental take of northern sea otters, upon request, for specific activities in accordance with the final rule for a period up to 5 years. We request comments on these proposed regulations.
Learn More🐴Proposed Regulation Changes for Horse Importation Requirements
We are proposing to remove the requirement that horses offered for importation to the United States be accompanied by documentation of pre-export examination occurring within 48 hours of departure from the port of embarkation endorsed by a salaried veterinary medical officer. We have found that logistical barriers prevent affected parties from meeting this requirement at this time, and that the other requirements of the regulations are sufficient to ensure that imported horses are free of diseases and pests of livestock.
Learn More🐟Proposed Rule to Delist Gila Chub from Endangered Species List
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove the Gila chub (Gila intermedia) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Our review indicates that, based on the best scientific and commercial data available, the Gila chub is not a valid taxonomic entity and does not meet the definition of a species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Accordingly, we propose to delist the Gila chub. 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 Gila chub.
Learn More🦙Proposed Endangered Species Listing for Seven Pangolin Species
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list seven species of pangolin distributed throughout Asia and Africa as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This determination also serves as our 12-month finding on a petition to list these species. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing these species is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla), Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), Philippine pangolin (Manis culionensis), white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis), black- bellied pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla) and giant pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) as endangered species under the Act. Finalizing this rule as proposed would add these species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to these species. We also propose to revise the entry for Temminck's ground pangolin, which is listed as an endangered species under the Act, to reflect the species' current common name spelling and to use the most recently accepted scientific name.
Learn More🌱Proposed RFS Changes for 2026 and 2027
Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to determine the applicable volume requirements for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for years after those specified in the statute. EPA is proposing the applicable volumes and percentage standards for 2026 and 2027 for cellulosic biofuel, biomass-based diesel (BBD), advanced biofuel, and total renewable fuel. EPA is also proposing to partially waive the 2025 cellulosic biofuel volume requirement and revise the associated percentage standard due to a shortfall in cellulosic biofuel production. Finally, EPA is proposing several regulatory changes to the RFS program, including reducing the number of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) generated for imported renewable fuel and renewable fuel produced from foreign feedstocks and removing renewable electricity as a qualifying renewable fuel under the RFS program (eRINs).
Learn More📦Antidumping Duty Review Results for Light-Walled Pipe and Tube
The U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) determines that light-walled rectangular pipe and tube (LWRPT) from Mexico was sold in the United States at less than normal value during the period of review (POR), August 1, 2022, through July 31, 2023.
Learn More⚒️Tariff Increases on Steel and Aluminum
This regulation modifies United States import tariffs on aluminum and steel, increasing rates to 50% to address national security concerns. The proclamation reflects ongoing trade policies aimed at protecting domestic industries and is expected to impact import pricing and compliance requirements for businesses engaged in these sectors.
Learn More🌱Proposed Endangered Status for Ghost Orchid
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii), a flowering plant species found in the United States in southwestern Florida and in Cuba 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 ghost orchid. After a review of the best scientific and commercial data available, we find that listing the species is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the ghost orchid as an endangered species under the Act. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Plants and extend the Act's protections to the species. We find that designating critical habitat for this species is not prudent.
Learn More📉USDA Updates Tobacco Grading and Inspections Regulations
This direct final rule amends regulations that govern tobacco price support services established under the Agricultural Act of 1949. The Fair and Equitable Tobacco Reform Act of 2004 eliminated the price support and quota system for tobacco produced in the United States. In alignment with Executive Order 14192, AMS is removing and, where appropriate, amending regulations that have expired authorizing statutes and govern non-operational programs.
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