Search Results for agency_names:"Fish and Wildlife Service"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced the receipt of an application for a permit to help conserve endangered species, as allowed under the Endangered Species Act. The agency is inviting public comments on this application until January 27, 2025. The permit would let the applicant perform actions that could aid the survival and growth of endangered species in the wild. Public input on such proposals can influence whether the permit is issued, and individuals are encouraged to provide information or studies that support their comments.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced preparations for the 20th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), set for November 2025 in Uzbekistan. They plan to propose amendments to the CITES Appendices, which list species needing protection, and are considering resolutions and agenda items based on public feedback. The notice invites public comments on potential proposals and explains how organizations can participate as observers. The Service is also considering various animal and plant species for protection, with a focus on ensuring trade practices do not threaten their survival.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering granting permission for activities that may unintentionally disturb small numbers of polar bears in Alaska's North Slope. The authorization would cover nonlethal disturbances, like noise from oil well cleanup and helicopter flights, but not allow any activities that would harm or kill the bears. They have proposed specific rules to minimize the disturbance, such as keeping aircraft at certain altitudes and avoiding known bear dens. There is also a public comment period until February 12, 2025, where individuals can express their concerns or support for this proposal.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comments on a new information collection in line with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This is related to the Online Eastern Population Sandhill Crane Survey Data Entry Portal, which helps manage and track the migration and population trends of sandhill cranes. Individuals and state agencies participating in the survey are required to register online and contribute data about crane sightings, such as location and number of cranes. The survey assists in creating appropriate hunting regulations and managing the sandhill crane population effectively.

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 has proposed giving the National Science Foundation permission to potentially disturb northern sea otters during a marine survey in the northeast Pacific Ocean. This activity is intended to take place from May 1 to June 30, 2021, and involves using sound waves in the ocean, which might bother the otters. Up to 13 otters could be affected, but the goal is to ensure that this does not harm the species as a whole. The Service is also seeking public feedback on this plan and the related environmental assessment.

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 is asking for public comments on permit applications to conduct scientific research aimed at conserving endangered species. Under the Endangered Species Act, certain activities affecting endangered species are restricted unless a federal permit is granted. These permits may allow activities like capturing and collecting endangered species to help with their recovery and survival. The public can submit comments until February 12, 2025, and should refer to the permit application number when doing so.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a rule to list several Caribbean skink species as endangered or threatened. The Puerto Rican skink, Lesser Virgin Islands skink, and Virgin Islands bronze skink are proposed as endangered, while the Culebra skink is proposed as threatened. The proposal also includes designating critical habitats for these species to aid in their conservation. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted until February 18, 2025.