Search Results for keywords:"habitat conservation"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided not to list the spinytail crayfish as an endangered or threatened species. The agency reviewed scientific and commercial information and concluded that the species currently has a stable environment and sufficient habitat. Even though the spinytail crayfish is a narrow-range species in southern Mississippi, it faces no immediate threat of extinction, and its populations are resilient to possible future risks like climate change. The service encourages the public to provide any new information about the crayfish's status or habitat.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Idaho has finalized its decision regarding the conservation of the Greater Sage-Grouse habitat, as outlined in their Record of Decision (ROD). After a decade of planning and various environmental assessments, the BLM has decided not to alter existing land use plans, as they believe that previous processes and science sufficiently address habitat conservation needs. This decision, described in the 2019 Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment, is not open to appeal or protest. The BLM's actions reflect thorough analysis and substantial collaboration with wildlife agencies and other stakeholders.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a Record of Decision (ROD) for managing Greater Sage-Grouse habitats in Utah. Over a decade, the BLM has conducted planning and environmental impact analyses that they believe adequately address the conservation needs of the Sage-Grouse without requiring new land-use plans. The ROD, which confirms decisions made in 2019, is not open to appeals or protests. Interested parties can review the decision online or at the Utah BLM office.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released the Record of Decision (ROD) for managing the Greater Sage-Grouse habitat in Wyoming. After extensive planning and environmental processes over the past decade, the BLM concluded that no new land use planning is required and decided not to amend existing land use plans. This decision aligns with the 2019 Approved Resource Management Plan Amendment and is not open to appeal or protest. The ROD also summarizes considerations on a range of issues, such as environmental impacts and compensatory mitigation strategies for the habitat.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to change the status of Furbish’s lousewort, a plant species, from "endangered" to "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal suggests measures to conserve the plant, focusing on preventing harm due to climate change and habitat loss. Public comments are invited, and specific regulations are recommended to protect the species. This action is based on scientific findings indicating that the immediate threat to the plant has been reduced, but long-term challenges remain.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced the availability of a Record of Decision (ROD) concerning the management of Greater Sage-Grouse habitat in Nevada and Northeastern California. After thorough planning and environmental assessments over the last decade, the BLM concluded that no new land use planning is necessary, as previous processes have adequately addressed habitat conservation. The decision, which aligns with the 2019 Resource Management Plan, is finalized and is not open to appeal or protest. Interested individuals can review the ROD online or inspect physical copies at designated BLM offices in Nevada and California.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued an Incidental Take Permit to Virginia Electric and Power Company, also known as Dominion Virginia Power. This permit allows Dominion to accidentally impact a specific number of Atlantic sturgeon larvae during their lawful operations at the Chesterfield Power Station over five years. The permit includes safety standards and monitoring plans to minimize harm to the sturgeon. Although this includes impacting up to an estimated total of 54,745 larvae, measures are in place to ensure that adult sturgeon are not harmed, and NMFS will oversee monitoring and reporting of any sturgeon impacts.

The Fish and Wildlife Service of the Interior Department is starting 5-year status reviews of seven species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. These reviews will assess the latest scientific and commercial data available since the last review. The agency is asking for new information by March 15, 2021, but will accept data at any time. They evaluate changes in species biology, habitat, conservation efforts, and threat status, and this process aims to inform ongoing recovery programs for these species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has revised the critical habitat designation for the northern spotted owl, resulting in the exclusion of approximately 3.5 million acres across Washington, Oregon, and California. These exclusions reflect a reconsideration of various impacts, including economic and environmental factors, as well as new information since the 2012 designation. The decision is based on the determination that these exclusions will not lead to the extinction of the species, considering the threats posed by invasive barred owls and ongoing habitat conservation efforts. The revised designation continues to protect critical habitat areas for the owl's survival while balancing other land management priorities.