Search Results for keywords:"Endangered Species Act"

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 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 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has extended the public comment period for a proposed rule regarding the release of a nonessential experimental population of Central Valley spring-run Chinook salmon in the upper Yuba River, California. This proposal is made under the Endangered Species Act and includes special permissions for certain activities related to the salmon. Originally, the comment period was to end on January 11, 2021, but it has now been extended by 60 days to March 12, 2021. The extension allows the public more time to provide feedback on the proposed rule and the draft environmental assessment associated with it.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a permit to allow certain commercial fisheries to incidentally capture endangered marine mammals, specifically targeting humpback whale stocks, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). This permit, effective for three years, applies to the sablefish pot fishery in Washington, Oregon, and California. The permit includes the requirement that these fisheries have a monitoring program and adhere to a take reduction plan, all of which are in place or being developed to ensure that incidental harm to the whales has minimal impact on their populations. Concerns from environmental groups about the effect of the permit and the lack of certain safeguards have been considered, but the NMFS has determined that the fisheries' operations, as regulated, meet the necessary conditions to minimize harm.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has received an application from Comstock Homes for a permit to incidentally take the federally threatened coastal California gnatcatcher during the development of a residential community in Moorpark, Ventura County, California. This permit would be issued under the Endangered Species Act and would allow the “take” (which means to harm or harass) of the gnatcatcher as long as it is incidental to lawful activities. The proposed Habitat Conservation Plan includes measures to avoid, minimize, and mitigate the impact on the gnatcatcher, and public comments are invited. The Service has determined that the impact of the project would be minor and may qualify for a “low-effect” permit, with comments open until February 7, 2025.

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), part of the Commerce Department, is inviting public comments on the collection of information related to permits for scientific research and enhancement under the Endangered Species Act. They are specifically looking for input on whether the collected information is useful, the time and cost involved, and how the reporting can be made easier. Comments must be submitted by February 18, 2025, and the feedback will help NOAA in managing information collection more effectively while ensuring that activities have minimal impact on endangered species.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA, is organizing three public hearings to discuss proposed critical habitat designations under the Endangered Species Act. These habitats are for the Arctic ringed seal and the Beringia segment of the bearded seal. The hearings will be conducted via conference call on February 23, 24, and 25, 2021. People can submit their comments online or by mail by March 9, 2021, and these comments will become part of the public record.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes listing the eastern hellbender salamander as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This decision is based on the decline of its populations due to threats such as habitat destruction, pollution, disease, and unauthorized collection. The listing would provide the subspecies with greater protection but does not include a critical habitat designation to avoid increasing the risk of illegal collection. Public comments are invited on the rule before February 11, 2025.

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 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has started a 5-year review of the endangered daggernose shark, as mandated by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). This review will determine if the shark should remain listed as endangered, be reclassified, or be delisted, relying on the best scientific and commercial data available. The NMFS is asking for information on the shark's biology, habitat, threats, conservation efforts, and any new findings since the last review completed in 2015. Interested parties need to submit any relevant information electronically by March 3, 2025.