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The Coast Guard, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is considering implementing Safety Management Systems (SMS) to enhance safety and reduce accidents on U.S.-flagged passenger vessels. They're seeking public feedback on whether such systems are feasible and beneficial, focusing on aspects like vessel size, design, and operation. The Coast Guard is also interested in how implementing SMSs could influence the sharing of safety information and if it might lead to the removal of outdated regulations. Public comments are encouraged to help shape potential new rules, and feedback is requested by April 15, 2021.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed a revised rule regarding the designation of critical habitat for the Arctic subspecies of the ringed seal (Pusa hispida hispida) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This rule specifies areas in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas as critical habitat and identifies essential features such as snow-covered sea ice suitable for birth lairs, sea ice for basking and molting, and primary prey resources like Arctic cod and shrimps. The proposal also considers national security impacts and suggests the exclusion of an area used by the U.S. Navy for training and testing activities. The NMFS seeks public comments on various aspects of this proposed designation to ensure that it is based on the best available scientific data.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing changes to the boundaries of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) in Florida and South Carolina. This involves revising maps to add and remove certain areas based on their development status and suitability to be coastal barriers. The proposed changes will impact several counties, including the addition of new units and the adjustment of existing boundaries, and the public is invited to review and comment on these proposed modifications. Final recommendations will be submitted to Congress after considering public input and further evaluations.

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 Coast Guard has established 55 temporary safety zones around the construction of wind energy facilities for the Empire Wind 1 project, located offshore from Long Island, New York. These zones, each extending 500 meters from the facility's center point, aim to protect life, property, and the environment during construction, which may begin as early as March 2025 and continue through February 2028. During enforcement, only authorized vessels are allowed within these safety zones, and mariners will be notified of enforcement periods through various communication channels. This action was implemented following regulatory processes and public comments, focusing solely on safety rather than the wind energy projects themselves.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is asking for public comments on an information collection related to fisheries in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. Fishers will work with NOAA to voluntarily collect detailed data during fishing trips using specific software. This data helps improve understanding of fish populations and can inform management decisions based on the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Public comments on this information collection are open until May 19, 2025.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has proposed a rule to designate critical habitat for the Beringia distinct population segment of the bearded seal under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed critical habitat includes marine areas in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas, and focuses on sea ice habitat essential for the species' survival, such as areas for whelping, nursing, molting, and breeding communication. Public comments on this proposal are being requested, and considerations include potential impacts on existing activities and economic factors. The ultimate goal is to protect the areas critical for the conservation of these seals.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is setting up new recreation fee areas in specific parts of the Upper Colorado River, managed by the Kremmling and Colorado River Valley Field Offices, according to the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Starting July 7, 2025, fees will be charged for day use, individual and group campsites, and special on-river camping permits to help maintain facilities and services. These fees, ranging from $5 to $75, are intended to ensure that visitors who use the sites contribute to their upkeep. The plan aims to enhance public access and resource protection and is consistent with fees at other federal and private sites.

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) announced that it is adopting several categorical exclusions (CEs) from the Department of Energy under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). These exclusions allow for certain proposed actions by EXIM that do not significantly impact the human environment, thereby speeding up project approvals and conserving resources by eliminating the need for detailed environmental assessments. This decision supports EXIM's Make More in America initiative by enabling quicker processing of transactions that promote U.S. business exports. EXIM consulted with the Department of Energy to ensure the appropriateness of these CEs for their proposed actions.

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.