Search Results for agency_names:"Fish and Wildlife Service"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received an application from Comstock Homes for a permit to incidentally take the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher during the development of a residential community in Moorpark, Ventura County, California. This permit would be issued under the Endangered Species Act and would allow the “take” (which means to harm or harass) of the gnatcatcher as long as it is incidental to lawful activities. The proposed Habitat Conservation Plan includes measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the impact on the gnatcatcher, and public comments are invited. The Service has determined that the impact of the project would be minor and may qualify for a “low-effect” permit, with comments open until February 7, 2025.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing changes to its existing information collection process related to special use permits for activities on national wildlife refuges. They plan to introduce a new, simplified application form (Form 3-1383-EZ) to reduce the burden on applicants involved in non-economic activities. In addition, they are updating other forms to include more relevant activity options and improve the wording for clarity. Public comments on these changes are invited until February 18, 2025.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has updated maps for the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maine, and New York as required by the Coastal Barrier Resources Act. These changes reflect adjustments due to natural events like erosion and accretion, and also correct previous mapping errors. After consulting with multiple stakeholders, including state and local officials, and considering public comments, the final maps have been made available and will take effect on December 19, 2024. Interested parties can view and download these revised maps online or by contacting the service.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing the big red sage, a plant species from central Texas, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This decision is based on threats including habitat changes, herbivory by deer and other animals, collection, inappropriate propagation, and climate change, which have all contributed to a decline in plant populations and genetic diversity. Although recognizing these threats, the Service has determined that designating critical habitat for the big red sage is imprudent, as it might increase the threat of collection. The proposal highlights the urgent need for conservation actions to protect and recover the species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to start charging fees for hunting permits at the Green River National Wildlife Refuge in Kentucky. These fees, authorized by the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, aim to help cover costs related to managing hunting programs and improving visitor services. The public is invited to provide comments on this proposal by March 20, 2025, with the fees set to begin on July 1, 2025, unless the Service decides otherwise after reviewing the feedback.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking to renew its information collection process for the Federal Duck Stamp and Junior Duck Stamp contests without any changes. These programs, which began in the 1930s and 1990s respectively, help preserve habitats and promote conservation education through art contests that allow participants to submit duck-themed artwork. The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is open to adults, while the Junior Duck Stamp Contest is for students in kindergarten to grade 12, and both programs have contributed significantly to wildlife habitat conservation efforts. The Service is requesting public comments on the collection process to ensure it minimizes burdens and serves its intended purpose.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is inviting public comments on proposed amendments to habitat conservation plans for the lesser prairie-chicken in areas including Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. These amendments involve changes to incidental take permits following updated boundaries for the lesser prairie-chicken's range. The public and various government levels can comment until February 13, 2025. The proposed amendments aim to expand conservation efforts and permit coverage without altering the original duration or scope of the plans.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reopened the comment periods for three proposed rules concerning the monarch butterfly, bleached sandhill skipper, and Suckley's cuckoo bumble bee. These rules aim to declare these insects as threatened or endangered species. Comments can be submitted online or by mail until May 19, 2025, and a public hearing via Zoom for the bleached sandhill skipper is scheduled for April 16, 2025. The previously submitted comments remain valid and will be considered in the final decision.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to establish critical habitat for the San Francisco Bay-Delta distinct population of the longfin smelt, a fish found in California's San Francisco Bay estuary. This includes approximately 91,630 acres of land to help conserve the species under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal outlines specific water conditions and habitat requirements needed for the smelt's survival. Public comments and economic analysis on the proposal are sought before finalizing the critical habitat designation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced they received permit applications for scientific research to help endangered species, inviting public comments on these applications. The permits allow activities like capturing or collecting endangered species for research to aid in their recovery and survival. Public comments are accepted until January 15, 2025, and important information may be made public as part of the process. After considering the public input, they will decide on issuing the permits and announce those decisions in a future Federal Register notice.