Search Results for keywords:"U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service"

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 is delaying the effective date of a rule concerning the critical habitat of the northern spotted owl until April 30, 2021. This decision allows for further review due to concerns about legal and procedural issues with the rulemaking process, as well as significant changes in habitat exclusions made in the final rule. During this delay, the Service is opening a 30-day comment period for public input on the issues raised by the rule and whether an additional delay is necessary. The postponement is also intended to avoid possible legal challenges and to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act.

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 issued a 12-month finding regarding a petition from Wyoming to create and remove a distinct population segment for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem grizzly bear. After reviewing scientific data, they concluded that the grizzly bears in this area do not qualify as a separate listable population. Consequently, the petition to delist these grizzly bears is not warranted. The agency plans to conduct a more comprehensive evaluation of grizzly bear status in the lower-48 states by January 2026.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge in New York has completed an inventory under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and found a cultural connection between two sets of human remains and accompanying artifacts and the Tonawanda Band of Seneca. These items, collected from areas around the refuge, include objects like a pipe stem and ceramic fragment. Repatriation—to return these items to the appropriate Native American group—can happen after February 18, 2025. Anyone with a cultural connection or who can prove descent may request repatriation.

The Forest Service, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, has decided to withdraw its earlier plans to create an environmental impact statement for the greater sage-grouse in the Dakota Prairie Grasslands. This decision was made because recent changes have reduced threats to the sage-grouse, including a rule from 2020 that limits oil and gas development in their habitat and a 2015 decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stating that the species doesn't need protection under the Endangered Species Act.

The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled announced the deletion of certain products and services from the Procurement List. These products and services were previously provided by nonprofit agencies employing individuals who are blind or have severe disabilities. The deletions, effective June 01, 2025, include specific file folders and bulk equipment kits, as well as janitorial services at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's facility in Colorado. This decision is made under regulations to ensure these offerings are no longer deemed necessary for federal procurement.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has updated its rules to allow the general public, educators, and government agencies to possess migratory birds and eagles under certain conditions without needing a permit. This change improves clarity and reduces administrative burdens by moving from a permit system to regulatory authorizations for various activities, such as the salvage of dead birds, exhibition use of bird specimens, and relocating birds trapped in buildings. The revisions also address specific rules for handling, possessing, and using eagle specimens for educational purposes, and clarify situations under which these birds can be handled. The updates aim to streamline processes while ensuring the protection of migratory birds and eagles.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service are proposing amendments to the consultation regulations under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. These changes pertain to land management plans by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. The proposed revisions aim to make it clear that when new information emerges which could affect species or habitats in ways not previously considered, reinitiating consultation won't always be necessary, as long as a separate action-specific consultation is conducted for any related actions. The goal is to improve the efficiency and consistency of interagency cooperation procedures.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a rule to list several Caribbean skink species as endangered or threatened. The Puerto Rican skink, Lesser Virgin Islands skink, and Virgin Islands bronze skink are proposed as endangered, while the Culebra skink is proposed as threatened. The proposal also includes designating critical habitats for these species to aid in their conservation. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until February 18, 2025.