The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that it is reopening the comment period for 15 days on a proposed revision to regulations governing permits for various types of activities involving Federally designated threatened and endangered species.
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he proposal, entitled "Revisions to the Regulations Applicable to Permits Issued Under the Endangered Species Act," was originally published in the NewSeptember 10, 2003 New Federal Register, with comments due by 11 November 10, 2003 New. With the reopening of the comment period, announced in the February 23, 2004 New Federal Register, the Service will now accept comments until March 9, 2004 New.
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he proposal would revise existing regulations to more clearly describe the full range of activities for which permits can be issued to enhance species survival, primarily those activities related to domestic species in conjunction with Safe Harbor Agreements and Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAAs). These agreements are intended to remove potential disincentives for landowners to manage their property for the benefit of listed and candidate species. Some landowners have made it clear that they need a better understanding of the obligations and benefits provided by Safe Harbor Agreements and CCAAs before they will participate in agreements.
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intended to expand citizen conservation by addressing landowner concerns and more fully describe the range of activities that can be permitted in conjunction with a Safe Harbor Agreement or CCAA.
he proposed rule would specifically make change in the regulations for permitsassociated with Safe Harbor Agreements and CCAAs to more clearly state the Services ability to authorize "take" (capturing, killing or otherwise disturbing or harming a species or its habitat) in conjunction with activities such as reintroduction and habitat restoration when the benefits of habitat protection or restoration provided by the associated agreements outweigh any impacts caused by anticipated take of protected species.
By ensuring that traditional agricultural uses can continue alongside habitat improvements, this provision can make it easier for landowners to enter into SHAs and CCAAs that will provide overall benefits to the species.
he Service encourages the public to send comments on the proposed rule to Division of Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Room 420, Arlington New New Square New New Building New, New4401 North Fairfax Drive New, Arlington New, VA New New22203 New; New or by e-mail to fw9comments@fws.gov">. Comments must be received by the close of business on NewMarch 9, 2004 New. The text of the proposed rule can be found in the September 10, 2003 New Federal Register, beginning on page 53327 and online at http://endangered.fws.gov.
NewIndent New The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95- million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 542 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
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