May 9, 2012

Eastern Diamondback. Photo: Tom MacKenzie, USFWS.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) today announced a 90-day finding on a petition to list the eastern diamondback rattlesnake as threatened and designate critical habitat for the species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

This finding stems from a petition submitted last summer by the Center for Biological Diversity, the Coastal Plains Institute Inc., Protecting all Living Species, and One More Generation. The decision, known as a 90-day finding finds that the petition presents substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing the eastern diamondback rattlesnake may be warranted. The Service will undertake a more comprehensive review of the snake's status throughout the species’ range to determine whether listing is warranted under the ESA.

Eastern diamondbacks can grow to a length of about eight feet and are the largest rattlesnakes in the world. The eastern diamondback historically ranged along the coastal lowlands of the southeastern United States from North Carolina to eastern Louisiana, including all of Florida and its Keys.

Public comments and information must be received by July 9, 2012. See notice for details and submission methods.

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Notice

April 12, 2012

Bald Eagle
Photo: USFWS.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to revise regulations governing the issuance of permits under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act in order to facilitate development of renewable energy and other projects, while ensuring that those operations minimize and avoid impacts to bald and golden eagles. The Service is also inviting ideas from the public on how the permit program can be improved.

UPDATE: The Service has extended the comment period on the proposed rule, published on April 13, 2012, to revise the regulations governing the issuance of permits under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The Service is also inviting ideas from the public on how the permit program can be improved. The comment period will now close on July 12, 2012.

News Release

Comment Period Extended

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April 5, 2012

A visitor prepares her smartphone to scan codes along the iNature Trail
Photo Credit: Chelle Koster Walton

Just when you thought you could give your smartphone a rest, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's national wildlife refuges are finding reasons for you to keep it on. Refuge staff are encouraging the use of mobile apps from quick response (QR) code readers to GPS navigators to connect wired visitors with nature. The interactive iNature Trail at J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida is the first trail in the National Wildlife Refuge System to cater expressly to smartphone users. And the mobile app MyRefuge features maps of scores of refuge recreation trails and other visitor attractions.

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March 16, 2012

Female manatee and nursing calve.

Photo: USFWS.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a proposal to improve protections for manatees in Citrus County, including establishing a year-round manatee refuge in Kings Bay, its tributaries, and adjoining water bodies upstream of the confluence of Kings Bay and Crystal River.  In the winter, Kings Bay’s warm water springs host the largest natural concentration of manatees in Florida.

The final rule provides greater protection to manatees – including protections from collisions with boats – while providing continuing opportunities for manatee viewing, recreation, and boating activities that are important to the local community near Kings Bay.

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Federal Register Notice (Rule)

Questions and Answers on Designation of Kings Bay Manatee Refuge

Sand skink.

Photo: USFWS

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has revised the conservation guidelines and survey protocol for the threatened sand skink (Neoseps reynoldsi) and blue-tailed mole skink (Eumeces egregius lividus). The updated information is available via the link below and on our Consultant/Landowner Tools reference page.

Skink Information

Eastern Indgio Snake.

Photo: USFWS

The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's North Florida Ecological Services Office (NFESO) updated its Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais couperi) protocols. The updated survey protocols provide consultants and landowners a project planning tool to improve the Service's review of permit applications and proposed land clearing activities for potential effects on the federally-threatened eastern indigo snake. The tool is applicable to the NFESFO geographic area of responsibility, which includes the following counties: Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Brevard, Citrus, Clay, Columbia, Dixie, Duval, Flagler, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Madison, Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Putnam, St. Johns, Seminole, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Volusia.

Click here for to review the new information

Checkout Service's South Florida Office conversations as well.