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The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has published a notice detailing the standard prices and fee percentage for cost recovery under the Central Gulf of Alaska (GOA) Rockfish Program. The program's cost recovery fees cover management and enforcement costs and are capped at 3% of the ex-vessel value of harvested rockfish. For 2020, despite the actual costs being 3.66%, the fee percentage has been set at 3.0%, the same as in 2019, due to legal restrictions. The decrease in fishery value from the previous year resulted in a higher fee percentage calculation before adjustments.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is announcing the standard prices and the fee percentage for cost recovery for the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program for the 2024 fishing year, which runs from May 1 to November 15. The fee percentage is set at 3.00 percent, which is the maximum allowable by law, even though the calculated cost recovery rate was higher. These fees are used to cover management and enforcement costs and must be paid by February 15, 2025. The significant increase in program costs and the decrease in fishery value led to the higher calculated recovery rate.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing a new rule under the Fishery Management Plan for Puerto Rico, which focuses on changing the annual catch limits (ACLs) for the triggerfish stock complex in Puerto Rico's federal waters. This is part of efforts to prevent overfishing and achieve the best use and conservation of these fish resources. The proposed rule intends to decrease the total ACL from 90,552 pounds to 87,220 pounds, affecting both commercial and recreational fishing limits. Public comments on this proposal are invited until January 16, 2025.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, plans to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Odessa Subarea Special Study Project in Washington State. This project aims to evaluate changes to a proposed irrigation system, which will involve installing a buried pipeline not previously considered and requiring blasting. The goal is to replace declining groundwater used for irrigation with surface water from the Columbia Basin Project to maintain the economic viability of local agriculture. NRCS seeks public comments on the proposed actions and potential alternatives by February 21, 2025.

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 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 Deepwater Horizon natural resource Trustees in Texas have released a draft plan to restore wetlands, coastal, and nearshore habitats affected by the oil spill. They are focusing on using dredged materials for this purpose, with an estimated cost of $40 million for seven proposed projects. Public comments on this plan are welcome until February 18, 2025, and a public meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2025, to discuss the proposals. Details about the plan and the comment submission process are available online.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized rules regarding salamanders to protect U.S. ecosystems from the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal). These rules affirm the 2016 interim rule that listed 20 genera of salamanders as injurious and add 16 more genera to the list. The regulation prohibits the import and transport of these genera among certain U.S. jurisdictions, with exceptions for purposes like scientific research. This action aims to prevent the introduction and spread of Bsal, which can have devastating effects on native salamander populations.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is seeking public comments on potential changes to how financial assurance measures are required for hydroelectric project licenses. This inquiry aims to determine if additional financial safeguards are needed to ensure that hydroelectric projects can maintain safety and environmental standards throughout their operation. Different options being considered include requiring bonds, creating trust or remediation funds, or mandating insurance policies for potential hazards. Comments on these proposals, including any alternative suggestions, are due by March 29, 2021.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the Peñasco least chipmunk, a mammal found in New Mexico, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Approximately 4,386 acres in Lincoln County, New Mexico, have been designated as critical habitat for the chipmunk. This decision aims to provide protections against threats such as habitat loss, disease, and small population size. Certain areas, including parts managed by the Mescalero Apache Tribe, have been excluded from the critical habitat designation to maintain effective partnerships and recognize tribal management of their lands.