Search Results for agency_names:"Fish and Wildlife Service"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering issuing permits for scientific research to help protect and support endangered and threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. They are inviting public input on these permit applications to take into account any feedback or information before making their decision. This notice encourages public, local, and governmental agencies to review and comment by January 16, 2025. The agency highlights that comments may be publicly accessible and urges those interested to submit quantitative evidence or studies to aid in decision-making.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has revised the critical habitat designation for the northern spotted owl, resulting in the exclusion of approximately 3.5 million acres across Washington, Oregon, and California. These exclusions reflect a reconsideration of various impacts, including economic and environmental factors, as well as new information since the 2012 designation. The decision is based on the determination that these exclusions will not lead to the extinction of the species, considering the threats posed by invasive barred owls and ongoing habitat conservation efforts. The revised designation continues to protect critical habitat areas for the owl's survival while balancing other land management priorities.

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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public feedback on applications for permits to conduct certain activities with foreign species listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA generally prohibits activities involving endangered species without federal authorization, and public comments are part of the permit approval process. Applications are from various zoos and individuals requesting permission to enhance species' survival, including captive breeding and importing sport-hunted trophies. Comments must be submitted by April 23, 2025.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a new rule to update the migratory bird subsistence harvest regulations in Alaska. This rule will clarify language on regional species closures, remove emperor geese from the harvest list due to population concerns, and update the names of specific bird species. It also eliminates the permit requirement for hunting in the Kodiak Island Roaded Area while keeping certain bird species protected. Public comments are being accepted until February 20, 2025.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing changes to its existing information collection process related to special use permits for activities on national wildlife refuges. They plan to introduce a new, simplified application form (Form 3-1383-EZ) to reduce the burden on applicants involved in non-economic activities. In addition, they are updating other forms to include more relevant activity options and improve the wording for clarity. Public comments on these changes are invited until February 18, 2025.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to reclassify the rough popcornflower from "endangered" to "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. This decision is based on scientific information indicating that while the species' condition has improved and it is not in immediate danger of extinction, it is still likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. The proposal also includes regulations under section 4(d) of the Act aimed at conserving the species. The public can submit comments on this proposed rule by February 10, 2025.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have announced the availability of the Records of Decision (ROD) for the Northern Corridor highway right-of-way (ROW) in Washington County, Utah. These decisions include issuing an incidental take permit (ITP) and making amendments to the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area and St. George Field Office Resource Management Plans. The actions are taken to support the installation of the highway while considering the conservation of the Mojave desert tortoise and other protected species. The public and various stakeholders were involved in the decision-making process through consultations and comment periods.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced they have received permit applications for scientific research aimed at helping endangered or threatened species. These permits are necessary under the Endangered Species Act, which controls activities involving such species. The public, as well as local, state, tribal, and federal agencies, are encouraged to comment on these applications by February 20, 2025. All comments received will be publicly available, although personal information may be disclosed.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking the public to comment on its plan to renew a survey for collecting information about sandhill cranes, without making any changes. This is part of an effort to reduce paperwork and improve how they gather data. The information is used to understand the number and distribution of sandhill cranes, influencing hunting regulations to ensure they are not too lenient or too strict. Comments can be submitted online until April 21, 2025, and include ideas on minimizing the public's effort to provide this information.