Search Results for keywords:"conservation efforts"

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 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has received 25 scientific research permit applications focused on various fish species like salmon and sturgeon. These permits, which include renewals and new requests, aim to aid conservation efforts by enhancing understanding of fish under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed studies utilize methods such as electrofishing and tagging to gather data on fish habitats, population dynamics, and migration, with no intentional harm intended to the fish. Public comments on the applications are invited until March 18, 2021.

The Department of Commerce has submitted an information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This request, made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, involves extending a current information collection concerning conservation efforts under the Endangered Species Act. The initiative includes creating conservation plans or agreements, monitoring their effectiveness, and producing annual reports. Public comments on this proposal are invited for 30 days following the notice's publication date.

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 is seeking public comments on renewing a collection of information related to the Horseshoe Crab and Cooperative Fish Tagging Programs. This initiative collects data from organizations and the public to track and assess the population, migration, and health of tagged species like horseshoe crabs, striped bass, and sturgeon. The data helps improve management practices and conservation efforts. Public feedback will contribute to minimizing the reporting burden and improving the quality and utility of the information collected.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service have announced the availability of the Records of Decision for a new Resource Management Plan for parts of the Bears Ears National Monument in Utah. This plan includes immediate changes for BLM lands and amendments for Forest Service lands to enhance management and conservation efforts. The plan was developed with input from the public, state, local, and tribal entities and focuses on protecting the area's natural and cultural resources. Both departments have addressed and resolved protests and concerns from the Governor of Utah regarding the plan.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received an application for a permit to conduct research on endangered or threatened species. This research aims to support conservation efforts under the Endangered Species Act. They are asking for public comments on this application by January 15, 2025. Comments can be sent via email or U.S. Mail, and all received comments will be part of the public record.

The National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have announced the receipt of an application to renew a scientific research permit related to black abalone, an endangered species. The research aims to improve conservation efforts by studying breeding and growth techniques for black abalone in captivity. Comments on the application are being accepted via email until March 18, 2021. The agencies will evaluate the application and any comments before making a final decision, which will be announced in the Federal Register.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed removing Ute ladies'-tresses, a type of orchid, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. The decision is based on a review of scientific data indicating that the species has recovered enough and is no longer threatened by extinction. The proposal explains that conservation efforts and regulatory protections, along with the species' natural resilience to threats such as urban development and climate change, ensure its survival. If the rule is finalized, the legal protections under the Endangered Species Act for this plant would no longer apply, but post-delisting monitoring will be conducted to ensure the species remains secure.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reviewed a petition to classify the Rio Grande cutthroat trout as endangered or threatened but found that it is not warranted at this time. This trout, which inhabits high-altitude streams in New Mexico and Colorado, faces threats such as hybridization with nonnative trout and habitat threats like wildfires and climate change. However, current conservation efforts, including a multi-agency agreement, have helped improve its population's resiliency. As a result, the Service concludes that the trout is not currently in danger of extinction throughout its range, nor is it likely to become endangered soon.