Search Results for agency_names:"Fish and Wildlife Service"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is revising the process for granting rights-of-way across National Wildlife Refuge System lands and other lands they manage. The changes are aimed at making the permitting process quicker and more efficient by aligning it with other Department of the Interior procedures. Key updates include requiring a preapplication meeting, allowing electronic submission of applications, and ensuring flexibility in determining the value of rights-of-way. The rule also introduces new terms and conditions for permits to ensure use is compatible with the conservation goals of the Refuge System, effective January 10, 2025.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing new hunting regulations for migratory game birds for the 2025-26 season. These regulations are part of an annual process where they set general guidelines, called frameworks, within which individual states can decide specifics like hunting season dates. The proposal includes various regulatory alternatives, particularly for duck hunting, and potential changes to the system of zones and split seasons. The Service is also exploring a new administrative process to streamline regulation, aiming to increase efficiency and save costs while maintaining conservation goals. Public comments are encouraged on all aspects of the proposal.

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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a rule to designate critical habitat for four distinct population segments of the foothill yellow-legged frog in California under the Endangered Species Act. This proposal outlines the locations and features necessary for the conservation of this frog species, covering around 760,071 acres. The proposal also considers potential impacts on land use, such as economic and national security concerns, as well as existing conservation plans. Public comments are invited until March 17, 2025, with requests for a public hearing due by February 28, 2025.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to update the classification of the West Indian manatee by distinguishing between its two subspecies, listing the Florida manatee as a threatened species and the Antillean manatee as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This proposal involves removing the West Indian manatee from the list and replacing it with the two subspecies to provide them with distinct protections. The Florida manatee faces threats like habitat loss, watercraft collisions, and climate change, whereas the Antillean manatee is endangered by factors like poaching, low genetic diversity, and ineffective regulatory enforcement in some areas. Public comments are invited on this proposed rule until March 17, 2025.

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 has proposed listing the blue tree monitor, a rare lizard native to Indonesia, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This proposed rule is due to the lizard's shrinking population, caused by habitat loss from deforestation, climate change, and overcollection for the international pet trade. The service has identified that the blue tree monitor faces an immediate risk of extinction throughout its entire range. Public comments are invited until February 24, 2025, and a temporary 240-day emergency listing is also concurrently in effect.

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 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 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.