Two Endangered Species Act rules took effect. Here is what changes
Two federal rules took effect August 20, changing future protections for threatened species and how the government weighs exclusions from critical habitat.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
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Interior changes how federal migratory bird seasons are authorized
A new three-year federal authorization process keeps annual science reviews in place while states and tribes continue setting their own migratory bird seasons.
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Endangered Species Act overhaul changes future wildlife protections
Three finalized federal rules change future threatened-species protections, critical-habitat exclusions and how regulators interpret habitat-related harm.
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Fish and Wildlife Service Revises Endangered Species Act Rules
The agency finalized changes to threatened-species protections and critical-habitat designations, including an end to the prior blanket-rule option.
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Fish and Wildlife Service finalizes Endangered Species Act regulatory changes affecting critical habitat
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has finalized revisions to Endangered Species Act regulations, including a provision allowing some areas to be excluded from critical-habitat designations when the exclusion would not cause a species’ extinction.
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Federal agencies finalize Endangered Species Act rule changes, removing regulatory definition of “harm”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA Fisheries finalized nationwide revisions to regulations implementing the Endangered Species Act, including removal of the regulatory definition of “harm.”
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Federal wetlands council to review 2026 conservation projects at August 13 meeting
The North American Wetlands Conservation Council is scheduled to review and approve 2026 projects from Canada, Mexico and the United States at an August 13 meeting in Fargo, North Dakota.
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Interior proposes returning more grizzly-bear management authority to Western states
A proposed Fish and Wildlife Service rule would give Western states and tribes a larger role in grizzly-bear management while keeping the species protected under federal law.
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Revised Canada Lynx Critical-Habitat Rule Covering 14,030 Square Miles Takes Effect Aug. 17
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service finalized a revised critical-habitat designation for threatened Canada lynx across Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Washington.
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Proposed grizzly rule could expand Western management authority
A proposed federal rule would keep lower-48 grizzlies threatened while conditionally expanding state, tribal and park management authority.