Search Results for agency_names:"Fish and Wildlife Service"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a request for public comments on permit applications involving activities with endangered foreign species. The Endangered Species Act generally prohibits certain interactions with listed species unless a permit is granted, which is why public input is important before making any decisions. Various institutions and individuals have applied for permits for purposes like scientific research, species propagation, or importing/exporting specimens. The public can view and comment on these applications via the regulations.gov website until January 21, 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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has officially listed the swale paintbrush, a plant from New Mexico and parts of Mexico, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. This final rule provides protections for the plant, which is at risk due to habitat loss, climate change, and other threats, though no critical habitat will be designated due to collection risks. The decision's goal is to prevent the plant from becoming extinct, recognizing its precarious status with actions set to be effective on January 6, 2025.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced they received permit applications for scientific research to help endangered species, inviting public comments on these applications. The permits allow activities like capturing or collecting endangered species for research to aid in their recovery and survival. Public comments are accepted until January 15, 2025, and important information may be made public as part of the process. After considering the public input, they will decide on issuing the permits and announce those decisions in a future Federal Register notice.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to update the classification of the West Indian manatee by distinguishing between its two subspecies, listing the Florida manatee as a threatened species and the Antillean manatee as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. This proposal involves removing the West Indian manatee from the list and replacing it with the two subspecies to provide them with distinct protections. The Florida manatee faces threats like habitat loss, watercraft collisions, and climate change, whereas the Antillean manatee is endangered by factors like poaching, low genetic diversity, and ineffective regulatory enforcement in some areas. Public comments are invited on this proposed rule until March 17, 2025.

The Federal Subsistence Board has proposed new rules for wildlife hunting and trapping in Alaska for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 regulatory years. These rules would update the regulations for subsistence use, revise hunting seasons and harvest limits, and ensure that Alaska residents in rural areas have priority for taking fish and wildlife on federal lands. The proposed regulations would replace existing ones and are subject to public meetings for comments and suggestions on changes. Federal agencies, along with rural residents, are working together to manage the subsistence resources effectively.

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 released draft revised stock assessment reports for two populations of polar bears in Alaska: the Chukchi/Bering Seas and the Southern Beaufort Sea stocks. These reports are in accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and are open for public comment until April 2, 2025. The assessments include updated population estimates and other vital data about human impacts on these bear populations. Interested parties, including the public and governmental bodies, are encouraged to view and comment on these reports through the Federal eRulemaking Portal or by mail.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to establish critical habitat for the San Francisco Bay-Delta distinct population of the longfin smelt, a fish found in California's San Francisco Bay estuary. This includes approximately 91,630 acres of land to help conserve the species under the Endangered Species Act. The proposal outlines specific water conditions and habitat requirements needed for the smelt's survival. Public comments and economic analysis on the proposal are sought before finalizing the critical habitat designation.

On January 7, 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published a final rule concerning the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) which aimed to exclude incidental take of migratory birds from prohibited activities. However, the rule's effective date, initially set for February 8, 2021, has been delayed to March 8, 2021. This decision follows the Congressional Review Act, ongoing litigation, and concerns from the Canadian government. The delay allows for further review and public comment on whether the rule should be amended, further delayed, or rescinded entirely.