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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued permits that allow certain activities with endangered and threatened species. These permits were issued under the Endangered Species Act after reviewing permit applications and considering public comments. Each permit applicant demonstrated good faith, ensured no disadvantage to the species, and aligned with the Act's purposes. Details and documents related to these permits are accessible online at regulations.gov.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced the reclassification of the June sucker from "endangered" to "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act, reflecting significant improvements in its population through conservation efforts. The agency has implemented a set of rules under section 4(d) to continue the protection and recovery of the species, allowing certain activities like research, habitat restoration, and the management of recreational fisheries to occur without violating the Act, provided they aid in the conservation of the June sucker. These activities include removing nonnative fish, conducting habitat restoration projects, and monitoring populations, all aimed at securing the June sucker's recovery while maintaining public engagement and education efforts.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed removing Ute ladies'-tresses, a type of orchid, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. The decision is based on a review of scientific data indicating that the species has recovered enough and is no longer threatened by extinction. The proposal explains that conservation efforts and regulatory protections, along with the species' natural resilience to threats such as urban development and climate change, ensure its survival. If the rule is finalized, the legal protections under the Endangered Species Act for this plant would no longer apply, but post-delisting monitoring will be conducted to ensure the species remains secure.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a request for public comments on permit applications involving activities with endangered foreign species. The Endangered Species Act generally prohibits certain interactions with listed species unless a permit is granted, which is why public input is important before making any decisions. Various institutions and individuals have applied for permits for purposes like scientific research, species propagation, or importing/exporting specimens. The public can view and comment on these applications via the regulations.gov website until January 21, 2025.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is proposing changes to streamline the process for granting rights-of-way on FWS-managed lands. The proposed rule aims to align FWS's processes with other bureaus by requiring a standard application form, allowing electronic submissions, introducing pre-application meetings, and offering flexible methods to determine fair market value. These changes are intended to reduce the time and costs for both applicants and FWS while ensuring compatibility with land management objectives and compliance with applicable laws.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to classify the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. They aim to designate critical habitat areas, particularly in California, to protect these butterflies. Additionally, they plan to allow certain activities, like habitat restoration and conservation efforts, even if they might unintentionally harm some butterflies. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until March 12, 2025, and informational meetings are scheduled to discuss the details further.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced the availability of the records of decision for a highway right-of-way project and an amended incidental take permit in Washington County, Utah. The project involves the Northern Corridor, which was previously challenged in court due to environmental concerns, including impacts on the Mojave desert tortoise. A settlement was reached, leading to further evaluation and public comment periods. The BLM has decided to terminate the highway right-of-way grant, while the FWS has amended the permit to allow incidental take of the desert tortoise without the highway construction, focusing on conservation of land within the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received an application from Freeport Minerals for a survival permit supported by the Eagle Creek Multi-Species Conservation Benefit Agreement in Greenlee and Graham Counties, Arizona. This plan aims to protect endangered species such as the spikedace, loach minnow, and Gila chub, and the threatened narrow-headed gartersnake by constructing a fish barrier on Eagle Creek to prevent invasion by non-native species. The public is invited to comment on this proposal by February 3, 2025, and the documents are available online for review. The project is a collaboration with the Bureau of Reclamation, which will help with the barrier's design and maintenance.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed giving the National Science Foundation permission to potentially disturb northern sea otters during a marine survey in the northeast Pacific Ocean. This activity is intended to take place from May 1 to June 30, 2021, and involves using sound waves in the ocean, which might bother the otters. Up to 13 otters could be affected, but the goal is to ensure that this does not harm the species as a whole. The Service is also seeking public feedback on this plan and the related environmental assessment.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing changes to the listing and management of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states. They intend to redefine the grizzly bear's geographic boundaries as a distinct population segment (DPS) and retain its threatened status under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal aims to promote conservation by clarifying areas suitable for grizzly bears, including revisions to protective regulations under section 4(d) of the Act. Public comments on the proposed changes will be accepted until March 17, 2025, along with multiple public informational meetings and hearings scheduled in early 2025.