Search Results for agency_names:"Interior Department"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to designate critical habitats for four species of freshwater mussels: the rayed bean, sheepnose, snuffbox, and spectaclecase. These designations spread across 17 states in the United States, covering approximately 3,974 river miles. The critical habitats are aimed at protecting key environmental features essential for the mussels' survival, such as suitable water flow, quality, and host fish presence. The agency is inviting comments on this proposal until February 11, 2025, and has also released an economic analysis regarding the designations.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a new information collection related to their concessions program, as part of their efforts to reduce paperwork and gather comments from the public. This program involves private businesses and nonprofits managing recreation facilities within National Wildlife Refuges. They aim to collect information to ensure operations minimize wildlife disturbance, offer high-quality visitor experiences, and comply with financial and management requirements. Comments are invited from the public until February 3, 2021, focusing on the necessity, accuracy, and ways to improve the information collection process.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a new rule to update the migratory bird subsistence harvest regulations in Alaska. This rule will clarify language on regional species closures, remove emperor geese from the harvest list due to population concerns, and update the names of specific bird species. It also eliminates the permit requirement for hunting in the Kodiak Island Roaded Area while keeping certain bird species protected. Public comments are being accepted until February 20, 2025.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), part of the Department of the Interior, is planning to renew the collection of bird count data as part of the North American Breeding Bird Survey. The data helps track bird species in North America and is shared with various stakeholders, including government agencies and the public. Interested parties are invited to submit comments about the data collection process by May 12, 2025, to ensure it meets necessary performance standards and minimizes burdens on respondents. Participation in this survey is voluntary, and the estimated cost related to the data collection, such as mileage for trips, is expected to average $182,000 annually.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) under the Interior Department is requesting public comments on a proposal to renew an information collection, as part of their efforts to reduce paperwork burdens. This notice is in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and the information collection focuses on the maintenance and evaluation of State programs in relation to federal enforcement. The public is invited to share their views on the necessity, accuracy, and methods of this information collection by February 10, 2025. Comments may impact how the OSMRE evaluates state programs and could influence federal involvement if certain requirements are unmet.

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.

The National Park Service (NPS) is proposing a new rule to allow bicycles on approximately 79.8 miles of multi-use trails in the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area. This proposal is part of a comprehensive trail management plan aimed at improving access, accommodating the needs of the growing nearby city of Redding, and reopening trails impacted by the Carr Fire in 2018. The NPS plans to designate these trails for bicycles in a way that balances recreational use with the conservation of natural and cultural resources. Public comments on the proposed rule are being accepted until February 28, 2025.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has announced a proposal to renew an information collection activity under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). This activity gathers bird count data for over 600 North American bird species, which helps in assessing bird populations and trends. Public comments on this collection are invited until March 10, 2025, and individuals who choose to participate in submitting data do so voluntarily. The USGS protects any proprietary information provided and estimates that responding will take about 11 hours on average per submission.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced a final rule to adjust civil penalties for inflation under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. These adjustments are required annually by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 and are intended to maintain the effectiveness of penalties. The rule updates specific penalty amounts and applies to violations of Federal civil statutes. No public comment period or prior notice was required for this adjustment.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a new information collection to better manage the usage of Carbon Dioxide-Carp for controlling invasive Asian carp species. This initiative includes various forms to be filled out by state and tribal governments, helping to track the product's application and effects. The Service is also considering using an automated, online permitting system called "ePermits" to streamline this process and reduce the burden on respondents. Public comments are invited by March 12, 2021, to help improve and assess the utility of this information collection.