The Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized a rule designating approximately 319 river miles as critical habitat for the yellow lance under the Endangered Species Act. The rule becomes effective on May 10, 2021.
FWS Designates Critical Habitat for Yellow Lance
FWS Designates Critical Habitat for Candy Darter
The Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized a rule designating approximately 368 stream miles as critical habitat for the candy darter under the Endangered Species Act. The rule becomes effective on May 7, 2021.
FWS Proposes to List Suwannee Alligator Snapping Turtle Under ESA with 4(d) Rule
The Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed to list the Suwannee alligator snapping turtle as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act with a 4(d) rule. The agency is accepting comments on this proposal until June 7, 2021.
New Mexico Bans Wildlife Trapping, Snaring, Poisoning on Public Lands
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed into law Senate Bill 32 which will prohibit the trapping, snaring, and poisoning of wildlife on public lands.
Wyoming Lowers Minimum Age to Kill Big Game or Trophy Animal
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon has signed into law House Bill 115 which will lower the minimum age at which a person may kill a big game or trophy animal from 12 years old to 11 years old “if the person will attain 12 years old by the end of that calendar year.”
Indiana to Require Animal Disease Reporting Within 24 Hours
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has signed into law Senate Bill 53 which will require any veterinarian, biomedical researcher, public health official, zoo or wildlife personnel, or custodian of an animal who knows or has reason to suspect that an animal is suffering from a disease deemed reportable by the board of animal health to report the occurrence within 24 hours of discovery (reduced from the previous 48-hour requirement).
CBD Challenges Fish and Wildlife Service’s Prioritization of ESA Listings
The Center for Biological Diversity has filed suit against the Fish and Wildlife Service alleging that the agency’s failure to list ten species allegedly due to prioritizing listing other species violates the Administrative Procedure Act. The species the agency failed to list include the northern spotted owl, monarch butterfly, Peñasco least chipmunk, and several aquatic animals.
Virginia to Direct Agencies to Consider Establishing Wildlife Corridors
Virginia Governor Ralph Northam has signed into law Senate Bill 1274 which directs agencies to consider and incorporate wildlife corridors and recommendations of the Wildlife Corridor Action Plan when developing outdoor recreational facilities, forestry plans, transportation plans, or any other governmental strategic map, plan, or action.
Maine Considers Ban on Intentional Balloon Release
Maine House Bill 761 would include balloons among the definition of “litter” and prohibit the intentional release of a balloon outdoors. The residue from such balloons can be hazardous to wildlife.
NMFS Initiates 5-Year Review for Banggai Cardinalfish
The National Marine Fisheries Service has announced it is beginning a 5-year review for the Banggai cardinalfish under the Endangered Species Act and is seeking information on the species that has become available since its listing in 2016.