Search Results for agency_names:"Fish and Wildlife Service"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a new rule to list the bleached sandhill skipper, an insect subspecies from Humboldt County, Nevada, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. The listing is due to threats from climate change and groundwater pumping affecting its habitat. The agency invites public comments until March 10, 2025, and will conduct a public hearing if requested. The rule would extend protections to the species, although a critical habitat designation is not yet determined.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced the availability of the records of decision for a highway right-of-way project and an amended incidental take permit in Washington County, Utah. The project involves the Northern Corridor, which was previously challenged in court due to environmental concerns, including impacts on the Mojave desert tortoise. A settlement was reached, leading to further evaluation and public comment periods. The BLM has decided to terminate the highway right-of-way grant, while the FWS has amended the permit to allow incidental take of the desert tortoise without the highway construction, focusing on conservation of land within the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.

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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is starting 5-year status reviews for 14 species, including 4 plant and 10 animal species, under the Endangered Species Act. They are asking for public input by March 4, 2025, to help update the reviews with the latest scientific and commercial information about these species, such as their population trends and habitat conditions. Interested parties can submit their contributions and consult with the specified contacts for more guidance. The process ensures that the conservation measures remain effective and relevant.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing a rule to designate critical habitat for four distinct population segments of the foothill yellow-legged frog in California under the Endangered Species Act. This proposal outlines the locations and features necessary for the conservation of this frog species, covering around 760,071 acres. The proposal also considers potential impacts on land use, such as economic and national security concerns, as well as existing conservation plans. Public comments are invited until March 17, 2025, with requests for a public hearing due by February 28, 2025.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing new hunting regulations for migratory game birds for the 2025-26 season. These regulations are part of an annual process where they set general guidelines, called frameworks, within which individual states can decide specifics like hunting season dates. The proposal includes various regulatory alternatives, particularly for duck hunting, and potential changes to the system of zones and split seasons. The Service is also exploring a new administrative process to streamline regulation, aiming to increase efficiency and save costs while maintaining conservation goals. Public comments are encouraged on all aspects of the proposal.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued a 12-month finding regarding a petition to classify and remove the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE) grizzly bear population as a separate group from the endangered species list. After reviewing scientific data, they concluded that the NCDE grizzly bears do not qualify as a distinct population segment under the Endangered Species Act, which means they are not eligible for separate classification or delisting. The decision was based on the fact that the grizzly bear population in the area is growing and expanding its range, with bears moving beyond the proposed boundaries. Therefore, the action to establish and remove the NCDE group from protection is not warranted at this time.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has decided not to list the spinytail crayfish as an endangered or threatened species. The agency reviewed scientific and commercial information and concluded that the species currently has a stable environment and sufficient habitat. Even though the spinytail crayfish is a narrow-range species in southern Mississippi, it faces no immediate threat of extinction, and its populations are resilient to possible future risks like climate change. The service encourages the public to provide any new information about the crayfish's status or habitat.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to change the status of Furbish’s lousewort, a plant species, from "endangered" to "threatened" under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal suggests measures to conserve the plant, focusing on preventing harm due to climate change and habitat loss. Public comments are invited, and specific regulations are recommended to protect the species. This action is based on scientific findings indicating that the immediate threat to the plant has been reduced, but long-term challenges remain.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received an application from the County of San Diego seeking permission to engage in certain activities that might affect two species: the Quino checkerspot butterfly, listed as endangered, and the western spadefoot, proposed as threatened. This permit would allow the county to develop a 25-acre recreation park while also focusing on conserving and managing habitats within the area. The public is encouraged to offer feedback on the draft habitat conservation plan and environmental assessment until February 20, 2025. This process aims to balance development with environmental protection under the guidelines of the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.