Search Results for keywords:"threatened species"

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced they have received applications for permits related to activities that help endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. They are asking for comments from the public and various agencies on these applications by February 22, 2021. These permits would allow certain activities for the scientific purpose of enhancing the propagation or survival of these species. All public comments, including those with personal information, may be made available publicly, so commenters should be aware of this when submitting feedback.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has initiated a 5-year review of several coral species, including staghorn, elkhorn, pillar, rough cactus, lobed star, mountainous star, and boulder star corals, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). They are seeking new scientific and commercial information from the public and other stakeholders that could help assess whether these species should remain on the threatened species list or be reclassified. Information categories include the species' biology, habitat conditions, conservation measures, threats, and any other relevant data since their initial listing or last status review. Comments and information must be submitted by March 8, 2021, although new information will be accepted at any time.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (part of the Commerce Department) issued a correction for a notice about the critical habitat for the Beringia Distinct Population Segment of the bearded seal. In the original document published on January 8, 2021, they noted a date error. Specifically, on page 1433, the date "March 9, 2020," should be corrected to "March 9, 2021." This proposed rule appeared in the Federal Register under citation 86 FR 7242.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reviewed a petition to classify the Rio Grande cutthroat trout as endangered or threatened but found that it is not warranted at this time. This trout, which inhabits high-altitude streams in New Mexico and Colorado, faces threats such as hybridization with nonnative trout and habitat threats like wildfires and climate change. However, current conservation efforts, including a multi-agency agreement, have helped improve its population's resiliency. As a result, the Service concludes that the trout is not currently in danger of extinction throughout its range, nor is it likely to become endangered soon.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is planning a recovery planning workshop for the Beringia Distinct Population Segment of bearded seals and the Arctic ringed seals, both listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The workshop aims to gather information and insights from experts but will not seek consensus on recovery strategies. Scheduled for January 23-24, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska, the event is open to the public, and contributions of information to aid in recovery planning are welcomed. Topics of interest include potential recovery criteria, human-related threats, environmental challenges, and necessary recovery actions.

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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced 90-day findings on petitions to add several species to the endangered or threatened species list and to remove one species. They are starting detailed status reviews for the Amargosa toad, Carson Valley monkeyflower, large marble butterfly, Mohave ground squirrel, Morrison bumble bee, Oasis Valley speckled dace, Tennessee bottlebrush crayfish, and the golden-cheeked warbler to understand if these actions are necessary. The agency invites scientific and commercial data to ensure thorough status reviews and will publish further findings after these reviews. The reviews will consider factors such as habitat destruction, climate change, and other threats to the species.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reopened the comment periods for three proposed rules concerning the monarch butterfly, bleached sandhill skipper, and Suckley's cuckoo bumble bee. These rules aim to declare these insects as threatened or endangered species. Comments can be submitted online or by mail until May 19, 2025, and a public hearing via Zoom for the bleached sandhill skipper is scheduled for April 16, 2025. The previously submitted comments remain valid and will be considered in the final decision.

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 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.