🚧FHWA Proposes Rescinding Outdated Wildlife Management Regulations
FHWA proposes to rescind the regulations issued on February 27, 2004, Federal Lands Highway Program; Management Systems Pertaining to the Fish and Wildlife and the Refuge Roads Program.
Learn More🌾Removal of Obsolete Agriculture Regulations by FSA
FSA is in the process of reviewing all regulations within its purview to reduce regulatory burdens and costs. Pursuant to this review, FSA has identified the following obsolete, unnecessary, and outdated provisions. FSA is removing these provisions to streamline and clarify the dictates of FSA regulations. The changes in this rule will have no impact on past or present FSA customers.
Learn More🌵Removal of Colorado Hookless Cactus from Endangered Species List
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are removing Colorado hookless cactus (Sclerocactus glaucus) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. Recent taxonomic studies have indicated that the currently listed entity is actually two species: Sclerocactus glaucus and Sclerocactus dawsoniae (previously identified as S. dawsonii in the proposed rule). When we use the common name "Colorado hookless cactus" or refer to "the species" in this final rule, we are referring to information or conclusions regarding both species (S. glaucus and S. dawsoniae) as the currently listed entity. When we are referring to information or analysis pertaining to one species, we will use the new scientific names of S. glaucus or S. dawsoniae. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that delisting Colorado hookless cactus is warranted. Our review indicates that the threats to the Colorado hookless cactus 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, the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act, particularly through sections 4 and 7, will no longer apply to the Colorado hookless cactus.
Learn More🦋Notice of Endangered Species Recovery Permit Applications
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation and survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
Learn More🐟Proposed Endangered Status for Fish Lake Valley Tui Chub
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the Fish Lake Valley tui chub (Siphateles obesus ssp.), a fish found in Esmeralda County in southwestern 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 Fish Lake Valley tui chub. After a review of the best scientific and commercial data available, we find that listing the Fish Lake Valley tui chub is warranted. If adopted as proposed, this rule would extend the Act's protections to the Fish Lake Valley tui chub.
Learn More🎣Proposed Hunting and Fishing Regulations for 2025-2026
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to open or expand hunting or sport fishing opportunities on 16 National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) stations and 1 National Fish Hatchery System (NFHS) station. This includes inaugural hunting opportunities at Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), the newest addition to the NWRS, and the formal opening of hunting opportunities at Grasslands Wildlife Management Area (WMA), as well as inaugural sport fishing at North Attleboro National Fish Hatchery (NFH). These actions will open or expand 42 opportunities for hunting and fishing across more than 87,000 acres of Service lands and waters. In addition, at the request of the State of Minnesota and the White Earth Nation, Tamarac NWR proposes to end an experimental 5-day early teal hunt where the refuge overlaps with Tribal land to ensure safety for wild rice harvesting and to align with State regulations. We also propose to make administrative changes to existing station-specific regulations to improve the clarity and accuracy of regulations, reduce the regulatory burden on the public, and comply with a Presidential mandate for plain- language standards.
Learn More🦭Summary of Marine Mammal Photography Permit Application
Notice is hereby given that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Natural History and Factual Productions Ltd. and BBC Studios Americas Inc., (Responsible Party: Sarah Conner), Bridgewater House, Counterslip, Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6BX, United Kingdom, has applied in due form for a permit to conduct commercial and educational photography on pinnipeds.
Learn More🐬Proposed Regulations for Marine Mammals in Military Readiness Activities
NMFS has received a request from the U.S. Department of the Navy (including the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps (Navy)) and on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard; hereafter, Navy and Coast Guard are collectively referred to as Action Proponents) for Incidental Take Regulations (ITR) and three associated Letters of Authorization (LOAs) pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). The requested regulations would govern the authorization of take of marine mammals incidental to training and testing activities conducted in the Atlantic Fleet Training and Testing (AFTT) Study Area over the course of seven years from November 2025 through November 2032. NMFS requests comments on this proposed rule. NMFS will consider public comments prior to making any final decision on the promulgation of the requested ITR and issuance of the LOAs; agency responses to public comments will be summarized in the final rule, if issued. The Action Proponents' activities are considered military readiness activities pursuant to the MMPA, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (2004 NDAA).
Learn More🦆Proposed 2025-26 Frameworks for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is proposing to establish the frameworks from which States may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2025-26 migratory game bird hunting season. We annually prescribe outside limits (which we call frameworks) within which States may select hunting seasons. Frameworks specify the outside dates, season lengths, shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and areas where migratory game bird hunting may occur. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and limits and to allow harvest at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance and aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds.
Learn More🦏Rescinding "Harm" Definition in Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) (collectively referred to as the Services or we) are proposing to rescind the regulatory definition of "harm" in our Endangered Species Act (ESA or the Act) regulations. The existing regulatory definition of "harm," which includes habitat modification, runs contrary to the best meaning of the statutory term "take." We are undertaking this change to adhere to the single, best meaning of the ESA.
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