Search Results for keywords:"Pennsylvania Fish

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 updates to regulations governing Federal financial assistance programs under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act. The changes aim to align regulations with recent legislation, ensure consistency across the nation, and respond to prior feedback on rulemaking. The proposal includes clarifications on eligible activities, agency responsibilities, and administrative processes to improve program clarity and efficiency. Public comments will be accepted until early 2025, and the updates are meant to enhance management of wildlife and sport fish restoration and related activities.

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 a new information collection related to their concessions program, as part of their efforts to reduce paperwork and gather comments from the public. This program involves private businesses and nonprofits managing recreation facilities within National Wildlife Refuges. They aim to collect information to ensure operations minimize wildlife disturbance, offer high-quality visitor experiences, and comply with financial and management requirements. Comments are invited from the public until February 3, 2021, focusing on the necessity, accuracy, and ways to improve the information collection process.

In this notice, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requesting public comments on renewing an information collection related to its financial assistance programs, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act. The agency issues grants and cooperative awards to various entities under different programs, and seeks feedback on whether collecting this information is necessary, accurate, and efficient. The public is encouraged to submit their comments by March 31, 2025, and it’s noted that personal information included in these comments could be made publicly available.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is inviting comments from the public and other Federal agencies on their information collection activities related to the Cooperative Game Fish Tagging Program. This program helps study the migration and biology of fish like billfish, tunas, and swordfish through tagged releases. Fishermen participate by attaching tags provided by NOAA to the fish they catch and release, then sending a report card with details back to NOAA. The information gathered assists in developing management plans for fisheries, and the program is seeking public feedback to ensure its effectiveness and efficiency.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes a new regulation to enable electronic filing of the Certification of Admissibility (COA) form for importing certain fish and fish products to the United States. This rule aims to streamline the entry process for non-restricted seafood imports while maintaining adherence to laws like the Marine Mammal Protection Act, enabling consistency across programs and reducing paperwork burdens. By automating the COA process through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal, NMFS intends to facilitate trade while ensuring compliance with U.S. import restrictions on fisheries from foreign nations. Stakeholders, including importers and exporters, are encouraged to submit their comments on the proposal by February 18, 2025.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is inviting public comments on the continuation of information collection related to fishery products involved in trade restrictions, under the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This collection ensures that imported fishery products comply with existing U.S. laws and standards. Public comments can be submitted via email, and the information collected helps in evaluating whether the current processes efficiently protect fishery compliance with international regulations. The NOAA aims to minimize the reporting burden while maintaining the flow of trade.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture has issued a notice about the updated dollar limits for retail stores selling meat and poultry products to hotels, restaurants, and similar institutions without requiring federal inspection. For 2025, the limits have been raised to $103,600 for meat and meat products and $74,800 for poultry products. These adjustments are based on changes in consumer prices reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The limits ensure that such retail operations remain exempt from federal inspection while selling to non-household consumers.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed regulations to implement Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery. This proposed rule aims to revise fishery management for South Atlantic red snapper by changing the fishing season dates, catch limits, and fishing practices to prevent overfishing and reduce dead discards. The rule suggests increasing total allowable catch, which includes a larger number of fish but with the goal of ensuring the red snapper population continues to rebuild. Additionally, the rule includes the establishment of a snapper-grouper discard reduction season and new provisions for conducting annual experimental studies to further boost fishing opportunities while safeguarding the fishery.