Search Results for keywords:"wildlife management"

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released a Record of Decision (ROD) which adopts the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (FWS) Final Environmental Impact Statement for managing barred owls in western Oregon. The decision allows for the implementation of management strategies on BLM lands to help protect the northern spotted owl, under a special permit issued by the FWS. This decision is now final and cannot be appealed. The ROD was signed by BLM officials on December 31, 2024.

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 has released a draft comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) and environmental assessment (EA) for the Charles M. Russell Wetland Management District in Montana. This plan sets out the strategies and objectives for managing the wetland areas to benefit wildlife and promote recreational opportunities like hunting and fishing. The public is invited to review and comment on the draft documents by February 13, 2025, with copies available online or in person at the management district office. The plan seeks to comply with relevant laws and includes special considerations for consulting with Tribal entities regarding their interests and responsibilities.

The Federal Subsistence Board has proposed new rules for wildlife hunting and trapping in Alaska for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 regulatory years. These rules would update the regulations for subsistence use, revise hunting seasons and harvest limits, and ensure that Alaska residents in rural areas have priority for taking fish and wildlife on federal lands. The proposed regulations would replace existing ones and are subject to public meetings for comments and suggestions on changes. Federal agencies, along with rural residents, are working together to manage the subsistence resources effectively.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a 12-month finding regarding a petition to classify and remove the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) grizzly bear population as a separate group from the endangered species list. After reviewing scientific data, they concluded that the NCDE grizzly bears do not qualify as a distinct population segment under the Endangered Species Act, which means they are not eligible for separate classification or delisting. The decision was based on the fact that the grizzly bear population in the area is growing and expanding its range, with bears moving beyond the proposed boundaries. Therefore, the action to establish and remove the NCDE group from protection is not warranted at this time.