Search Results for keywords:"Endangered Species Act"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a 90-day decision on two petitions related to the gray wolf under the Endangered Species Act. The petitions aimed to change the status of the gray wolf by creating and delisting a distinct Western Great Lakes population and recognizing a West Coast population as threatened. However, after reviewing the petitions, the Service determined they do not provide enough scientific or commercial information to justify these actions. As a result, they will not take further action on the petitions to revise the current gray wolf listings.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a final rule to implement measures for minimizing salmon bycatch in the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery. These measures aim to reduce the incidental catch of Endangered Species Act-listed Chinook and coho salmon. The rule introduces new management tools, including specific area closures and gear requirements, and establishes conditions under which fishery participants can access a Chinook salmon bycatch reserve. The rule also allows for the creation of Salmon Mitigation Plans (SMPs) by groups of fishing vessels to help manage bycatch while providing certain flexibilities to the industry.

The Executive Order 14225, titled "Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production," aims to boost domestic timber production by reducing regulatory barriers. It directs the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture to update guidance and implement strategies for more efficient timber production and forest management. This involves streamlining processes under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), eliminating unnecessary permitting delays, and considering categorical exclusions to simplify environmental assessments. The Order also emphasizes coordination among agencies to identify and address obstacles to domestic timber production.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is planning a recovery planning workshop for the Beringia Distinct Population Segment of bearded seals and the Arctic ringed seals, both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The workshop aims to gather information and insights from experts but will not seek consensus on recovery strategies. Scheduled for January 23-24, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, the event is open to the public, and contributions of information to aid in recovery planning are welcomed. Topics of interest include potential recovery criteria, human-related threats, environmental challenges, and necessary recovery actions.

The Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources has received a permit from the National Marine Fisheries Service to collect and enhance pillar coral to help conserve the species' genetic diversity and boost its numbers in Puerto Rican coral reefs. The permit allows for collection, maintenance, propagation, and replanting of coral colonies both in nurseries and the wild. It will also enable emergency actions like stabilizing or relocating corals affected by events like storms. This 10-year permit ensures activities align with the Endangered Species Act, confirming that the permit was applied for sincerely, will not harm endangered species, and aligns with conservation goals.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received a request for an updated permit to potentially affect endangered and threatened species during the Rooney Ranch Wind Repowering Project in Alameda County, CA. The updated permit will cover additional impacts and species. Public comments are invited on the permit application, conservation plan, and environmental assessment. The project includes measures to minimize and mitigate its impact on species like the California tiger salamander and San Joaquin kit fox.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has released a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) evaluating the impact of granting an Incidental Take Permit (ITP) to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology. This permit would allow the incidental capture of endangered species like sea turtles and sturgeon during fisheries surveys in the Massachusetts/Rhode Island Wind Energy Area. The draft is available for public comment until February 7, 2025. The evaluation considers two options: not issuing the permit or issuing it with specific conditions to minimize harm to the species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced that they are accepting applications for special permits aimed at helping endangered species recover and survive, as allowed by the Endangered Species Act. They are asking for comments from the public and various government agencies on these applications until February 20, 2025. This public input will be used to decide whether or not to issue the permits, which will enable certain activities that are normally prohibited with endangered species. The comments received, unless requested otherwise, may be made publicly available.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued permits that allow certain activities with endangered and threatened species. These permits were issued under the Endangered Species Act after reviewing permit applications and considering public comments. Each permit applicant demonstrated good faith, ensured no disadvantage to the species, and aligned with the Act's purposes. Details and documents related to these permits are accessible online at regulations.gov.

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.