Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized new regulations regarding critical habitat designations under the Endangered Species Act that provide greater legal certainty and create an orderly and transparent public process for the public to understand the requirements of ESA section 4(b)(2) and promote better conservation for endangered and threatened species through stronger collaboration with private landowners and other partners.
Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes the public safety protection efforts of Federal Wildlife Officers who in 2020 successfully led the seizure of 13,615 pounds of illegal narcotics on national wildlife refuges. The 2020 street value of the seizures was $43 million -- 17 times more than in 2019, which was $2.5 million. The Trump Administration has made it a priority to end the drug overdose epidemic that kills approximately 70,000 Americans each year.
To improve implementation of the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries have defined the term “habitat” under the act. Not previously defined by the act, the definition will help stimulate more effective conservation, and improve consistency and predictability around critical habitat designations.
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Notices Final Rule Proposed Rule Notice | ||
12/16/2020. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Listing Endangered and Threatened Species and Designating Critical Habitat | ||
12/15/2020. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding for the Northern Spotted Owl | ||
12/08/2020. Marine Mammals; Incidental Take During Specified Activities; Proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization for Polar Bears in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska | ||
12/03/2020. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Eleven Species Not Warranted for Listing as Endangered or Threatened Species | ||