🐋New Regulations for Florida and Antillean Manatees
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the two subspecies of the West Indian manatee, the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus), under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We have conducted status reviews for the two subspecies, and, as a result, we are proposing to list the Florida manatee as a threatened species with protective regulations under section 4(d) of the Act ("4(d) rule"), and the Antillean manatee as an endangered species, under the Act. These two listings would replace the current threatened species listing of the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus). This determination also serves as our 12-month findings on two petitions and as our completed 5-year review of the West Indian manatee. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would remove the West Indian manatee from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (List), add the Florida manatee and Antillean manatee to the List, and extend the Act's protections to the Florida manatee and Antillean manatee.
Learn More🐸Critical Habitat Designation for Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog in California
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for four distinct population segments (DPSs) of the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, approximately 760,071 acres (307,590 hectares) in California fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. We also announce the availability of an economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for four DPSs.
Learn More🚚Analysis of the Draft Designation of National Multimodal Freight Network
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or Department) is publishing a draft designation of the National Multimodal Freight Network (NMFN or Network) as required Federal law. The designation is informed by the comments received on a notice published by DOT on April 12, 2024. DOT is also using this notice to request comments or proposed modifications to the draft Network prior to designating the Network. Once the Network is designated by DOT, States will have the opportunity to submit additional designations through the "State Input" process required by statute.
Learn More🚧Final Agency Actions on US 380 Project in Texas
This notice announces actions taken by TxDOT and Federal agencies that are final. The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried out by TxDOT pursuant to an assignment agreement executed by FHWA and TxDOT. These actions grant licenses, permits, and approvals for the US 380 project, from FM 1827 to CR 560 in Collin County, Texas.
Learn More♻️California EPA Issues Decision on Diesel Transport Refrigeration Units
The Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") is providing notice of its decision to partially grant the California Air Resources Board's ("CARB's") request for an authorization of amendments to its In-Use Diesel-Fueled Transport Refrigeration Units (TRU) and TRU Generator Sets (collectively, "TRU") regulations ("2022 TRU Amendments"). EPA's decision was issued under the authority of section 209 of the Clean Air Act ("CAA" or "Act").
Learn More🐠Proposed Rule on Injurious Wildlife Affecting Trade and Business
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to add all species of freshwater mussels from two genera, Asian pond mussels (Sinanodonta species) and golden mussels (Limnoperna species), to the list of injurious mollusks. Additionally, the Service proposes to add marbled crayfish (Procambarus virginalis) to the list of injurious crustaceans. Listing these taxa as injurious will prohibit the importation of any live animal, larvae, viable egg, or hybrid of these taxa into the United States, except as specifically authorized. These listings would also prohibit shipment of any live animal, larvae, viable egg, or hybrid of these species between the continental United States, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territory or possession of the United States, except as specifically authorized. The action is necessary to protect wildlife and wildlife resources by preventing the introduction and subsequent establishment of these foreign aquatic invertebrates into ecosystems of the United States.
Learn More🚍Avalon Motor Coaches Tentatively Approved for Key Acquisition
On December 11, 2024, Avalon Motor Coaches, LLC (Avalon Motor Coach), an interstate passenger motor carrier, together with its noncarrier affiliates Virgin-Fish, Inc. (Virgin-Fish), and Jeffrey Brush (Avalon Motor Coach, Virgin-Fish, and Jeffrey Brush will be collectively referred to as "Avalon") filed an application for Avalon to purchase most of the assets of another interstate passenger motor carrier, Rose Chauffeured Transportation, Inc. (Rose), and assume substantially all of its outstanding contracts related to its charter services. The Board is tentatively approving and authorizing this transaction. If no opposing comments are timely filed, this notice will be the final Board action.
Learn More💼2025 Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment - Labor Impact
The U.S. Department of Labor (Department) is publishing this final rule to adjust for inflation the civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced by the Department, pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 as amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Inflation Adjustment Act). The Inflation Adjustment Act requires the Department to annually adjust its civil money penalty levels for inflation no later than January 15 of each year. The Inflation Adjustment Act provides that agencies shall adjust civil monetary penalties notwithstanding section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Additionally, the Inflation Adjustment Act provides a cost- of-living formula for adjustment of the civil penalties. Accordingly, this final rule sets forth the Department's 2025 annual adjustments for inflation to its civil monetary penalties.
Learn More🚛Implications of New FMCSA Regulations for Motor Carriers and Brokers
In a final rule published in the Federal Register on November 18, 2024, FMCSA amended its regulations by making technical corrections throughout the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs). The final rule included an amendatory instruction to revise a stayed section without first lifting the stay. The final rule also included an amendatory instruction which referenced an incorrect paragraph letter. The Agency corrects these errors.
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