Vermont Governor Phil Scott has signed a bill that prohibits the purchase or sale of a product wholly or partially made from a number of wild animals, including cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, sea turtles, tigers, and chimpanzees. The bill contains exceptions for law enforcement agencies, activities expressly authorized by federal law, antiques, and some educational purposes. The law will take effect January 1, 2022.
Vermont Restricts Trade in Wild Animal Products
Wildearth Guardians Brings Suit Challenging APHIS Wildlife Services Program
Wildearth Guardians has filed suit against the Animal Plant and Health Inspection Service, arguing that the agency’s routine practice of killing predators and other species violates under the National Environmental Policy Act, Council on Environmental Quality regulations, and Administrative Procedure Act.
CBD Challenges FWS Over Protections for Crayfish
The Center for Biological Diversity has filed suit against the Fish and Wildlife Center and Secretary Bernhardt, challenging the agency’s failure to make a determination on the listing of the Panama city crayfish under the Endangered Species Act.
Congress Considers Changes to Endangered Species Act
Senate Bill 4589, introduced by Republican Senator John Barrasso, proposes to amend the Endangered Species Act in order to include consideration of commercial evidence and promote safe harbor agreements.
Congress Considers Changes to Endangered Species Act
Senate Bill 4589, introduced by Republican Senator John Barrasso, proposes to amend the Endangered Species Act in order to include consideration of commercial evidence and promote safe harbor agreements.
BLM Calls for Nominations for National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board
The Bureau of Land Management has announced that it is accepting nominations for three positions on the Wild Horse and Burrow Advisory Board. The agency is accepting nominations until November 2, 2020.
FWS Proposes New ESA Critical Habitat Rule
The Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a new rule regulating the process for excluding areas of critical habitat under section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act. The agency is accepting comments on the proposed rule until October 8, 2020.
Bill Introduced to Remove Gray Wolf from Protected Species
H.R. 8180 proposes to amend the Endangered Species Act to exclude the gray wolf from the protections of the Act.
FWS Finds No Need for Critical Habitat for Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
The Fish and Wildlife Service has found that a designation of critical habitat for the rusty patched bumble bee would not be prudent at this time.
Groups Challenge Administration’s Failure to Designate Critical Habitat for Grouper
The Center for Biological Diversity, Wildearth Guardians, and Miami Waterkeeper have filed suit against the National Marine Fisheries service and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration for failing to designate critical habitat for Nassau grouper under the Endangered Species Act.