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Federal Register Opportunities

The Federal Register is a daily publication by the United States Government, known as the newspaper of the federal government. It includes executive orders, public notices, proclamations, and proposed and final administrative regulations for federal agencies. It also provides opportunities for the public to comment on proposed rules before they are finalized. Public comments can be submitted in writing, orally at a hearing, or, in some cases, online via e-mail.  Comment periods are typically between 30 and 90 days, though they do vary. Instructions on how, when, and where to submit comments for each proposed regulation are available in the Register and agencies are required to list the name and telephone number of a spokesperson to contact for more information. Agencies are also required to address significant issues introduced in comments and publicize changes made in response.

See below for upcoming meetings and current public comment opportunities on issues relevant to ecology.

Upcoming Public Meetings:

 

 

Opportunities for Public Comment and Nominations:

  • BOEM – Notice of Availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale for Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 261V
    The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the availability of the Proposed Notice of Sale (Proposed NOS) for the proposed Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 261 (GOM Lease Sale 261). GOM Lease Sale 261 is required by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. BOEM is publishing this notice pursuant to its regulatory authority. Pursuant to section 19 of the OCS Lands Act the Secretary of the Interior provides Governors of affected States and the executive of any affected local government the opportunity to review and comment on the Proposed NOS. The Proposed NOS describes the proposed size, timing, and location of the sale, including lease stipulations, terms and conditions, minimum bids, royalty rates, and rental rates.
  • Bureau of Land Management, Interior – Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project in Jerome, Lincoln, and Minidoka Counties, ID
  • In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announces the availability of the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Lava Ridge Wind Project in Jerome, Lincoln, and Minidoka Counties, Idaho. To afford the BLM the opportunity to consider comments in the final EIS, please ensure that the BLM receives your comments within 60 days following the date the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) publishes its Notice of Availability (NOA) of the draft EIS in the Federal Register.
  • Bureau of Land Management, Interior – Notice of Availability of the Draft Resource Management Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the North Dakota Field Office 
  • In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has prepared a draft resource management plan (RMP) and draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the North Dakota Field Office and by this notice announces the opening of the comment period on the Draft RMP/EIS. This notice also announces the comment period on the BLM’s proposed area of critical environmental concern (ACEC) within the RMP area. This notice announces the opening of a 90-day comment period for the Draft RMP/EIS beginning with the date of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) publication of its Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft RMP/EIS in the Federal Register.
  • Council on Environmental Quality – National Environmental Policy Act Guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change
    On January 9, 2023, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) issued guidance to assist agencies in analyzing greenhouse gas and climate change effects of their proposed actions under the National Environmental Policy Act and requested public comment on the guidance. This notice extends the deadline date for receiving public comments for an additional 30 days, until April 10, 2023. The comment period for the interim guidance published January 9, 2023, at 88 FR 1196, is extended. Comments should be received on or before by April 10, 2023.
  • Department of the Interior – Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group Draft Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment: Birds
  • In accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA), the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) Oil Spill Final Programmatic Damage Assessment Restoration Plan and Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Final PDARP/PEIS), Record of Decision and Consent Decree, the Federal natural resource trustee agencies for the Open Ocean Trustee Implementation Group (Open Ocean TIG) have prepared the Draft Restoration Plan 3 and Environmental Assessment: Birds (Draft RP/EA). The Draft RP/EA proposes projects to help restore bird species injured in the DWH oil spill. The Draft RP/EA evaluates a reasonable range of 11 project alternatives under the Oil Pollution Act’s Natural Resource Damage Assessment regulations and NEPA. The total cost to implement the Open Ocean TIG’s seven preferred alternatives is approximately $26,000,000. A No Action alternative is also analyzed. The Open Ocean TIG invites comments on the Draft RP/EA. The Open Ocean TIG will consider public comments on the Draft RP/EA received on or before April 28, 2023.
  • Energy Department – Request for Information-Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI)
  • The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) publishes the following questions regarding potential engagement with the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI), directed to be established under the CHIPS and Science Act. The purpose of this RFI is to seek input on how DOE stakeholders may engage with the FESI directly, and how DOE may engage with the FESI and the communities it will serve. Interested parties are requested to answer some or all of the questions at their discretion. Responses to the RFI must be received no later than 5 p.m. (ET) on March 27, 2023.
  • Energy Department – Activation Energy: DOE’s National Laboratories as Catalysts of Regional Innovation
    The Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science and the Office of Technology Transitions invite interested parties to provide input on place-based innovation opportunities that support the DOE mission. Responses to this RFI must be received by March 28, 2023.
  • EPA – Proposed Deletion From the National Priorities List
    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is issuing a Notice of Intent to delete three sites and partially delete eight sites from the National Priorities List (NPL) and requests public comments on this proposed action. The NPL, promulgated pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended, is an appendix of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The EPA and the states, through their designated state agency, have determined that all appropriate response actions under CERCLA have been completed. However, this deletion does not preclude future actions under Superfund. Comments regarding this proposed action must be submitted on or before March 24, 2023.
  • EPA – Reconsideration of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter
  • Based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) reconsideration of the air quality criteria and the national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM), the EPA proposes to revise the primary annual PM2.5 standard by lowering the level. The Agency proposes to retain the current primary 24-hour PM2.5 standard and the primary 24-hour PM10 standard. The Agency also proposes not to change the secondary 24-hour PM2.5 standard, secondary annual PM2.5 standard, and secondary 24-hour PM10 standard at this time. The EPA also proposes revisions to other key aspects related to the PM NAAQS, including revisions to the Air Quality Index (AQI) and monitoring requirements for the PM NAAQS. Comments must be received on or before March 28, 2023.
  • EPA – Stakeholder Engagement Opportunities on Inflation Reduction Act Programs To Reduce Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated With Construction Materials and Products 
  • The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the first opportunities for public input on new programs focused on lower carbon construction materials made possible by a $350 million investment from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The Agency will hold three public webinars and is accepting written feedback on establishing the new grant and technical assistance programs and a carbon labeling program for construction materials with substantially lower levels of embodied carbon. Comments must be received on or before May 1, 2023.
  • EPA – Cumulative Risk Assessment; Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) Virtual Public Meeting; Notice of Availability and Request for Comment
    The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing the availability of and soliciting public comment on two draft documents that are being submitted to the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC) for peer review: “Draft Proposed Principles of Cumulative Risk Assessment under the Toxic Substances Control Act” and “Draft Proposed Approach for Cumulative Risk Assessment of High-Priority Phthalates and a Manufacturer-Requested Phthalate under the Toxic Substance Control Act.” The SACC will consider and review these documents at a 4-day virtual public meeting on May 8 to 11, 2023, that was previously announced in the Federal Register of December 21, 2022. April 24, 2023—Deadline for submitting a request for special accommodations for participating in the virtual public meeting in order to allow EPA time to process the request before the meeting.
    April 28, 2023—Deadline for providing comments for distribution to the SACC before the meeting.
    May 1, 2023—Deadline for registering to be listed on the meeting agenda to make oral comments during the virtual meeting. Those not making oral comments may continue to register through May 11, 2023 in order to receive the links to observe the meeting.
  • EPA – Request for Nominations to the Good Neighbor Environmental Board 
  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to its Good Neighbor Environmental Board. Approximately ten vacancies are expected to be filled by December 2023. For appointment consideration, nominations should be submitted by May 31, 2023.
  • EPA – Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC): Request for Nominations
  • The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to its Clean Air Act Advisory Committee (CAAAC). Vacancies are anticipated to be filled by August 2023.
  • Forest Service FWS – Subsistence Management Regulations for Public Lands in Alaska-2024-25 and 2025-26 Subsistence Taking of Wildlife Regulations
  • This proposed rule would establish regulations for hunting and trapping seasons, harvest limits, and methods and means related to taking of wildlife for subsistence uses during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 regulatory years. The Federal Subsistence Board (Board) is on a schedule of completing the process of revising subsistence taking of wildlife regulations in even-numbered years and subsistence taking of fish and shellfish regulations in odd-numbered years; public proposal and review processes take place during the preceding year. The Board also addresses customary and traditional use determinations during the applicable cycle. When final, the resulting rulemaking will replace the existing subsistence wildlife taking regulations. This proposed rule could also amend the general regulations on subsistence taking of fish and wildlife. Comments should be submitted to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (see “Information Collection” section below under by April 28, 2023.
  • FWS – Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Sickle Darter
  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to designate critical habitat for the sickle darter ( Percina williamsi) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. In total, approximately 104 river miles (168 river kilometers) in Bledsoe, Blount, Morgan, and Roane Counties, Tennessee, and Scott, Smyth, and Washington Counties, Virginia, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. If the FWS finalizes this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act’s protections to this species’ critical habitat. The FWS also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for the sickle darter. The FWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before March 27, 2023.
  • FWS – Intent To Prepare a Comprehensive Conservation Plan for Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UT, and Bear River Watershed Conservation Area in UT, ID, and WY
  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) intends to gather information necessary to prepare a comprehensive conservation plan (CCP) for Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and Bear River Watershed Conservation Area, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and its implementing regulations. The Service provides this notice in compliance with the Service’s CCP policy to advise other Federal and State agencies, Native American Tribes, and the public of intentions, and to obtain suggestions and information on the scope of issues to consider in the planning process. To ensure consideration, written comments must be received or postmarked on or before March 27, 2023.
  • FWS – Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for the San Francisco Bay-Delta Distinct Population Segment of the Longfin Smelt
  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is reopening the public comment period on our October 7, 2022, proposed rule to list the San Francisco Bay-Delta distinct population segment (DPS) of longfin smelt ( Spirinchus thaleichthys) (Bay-Delta longfin smelt), a fish species of the Pacific Coast, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The FWS is taking this action to conduct a public hearing and allow all interested parties additional time to comment on the proposal to list the Bay-Delta longfin smelt as endangered. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule. The FWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before March 29, 2023.
  • FWS – Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removal of the Southeast U.S. Distinct Population Segment of the Wood Stork From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to remove the Southeast U.S. distinct population segment (DPS) of the wood stork ( Mycteria americana) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife due to recovery. This determination is based on a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial data, which indicate that this wood stork DPS has recovered and the threats to it are being adequately managed such that the DPS no longer meets the definition of an endangered species or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). If the FWS finalize this rule as proposed, the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act, particularly through section 7, and the regulations would no longer apply to the wood stork DPS. The FWS are seeking information and comments from the public regarding this proposed rule. The FWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before April 17, 2023. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES, below) must be received by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on the closing date. The FWS must receive requests for public hearings, in writing, at the address shown in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT by April 3, 2023.
  • FWS – Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Reviews of Two Northeastern Species
  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is initiating 5-year reviews under the Endangered Species Act, as amended, for two northeastern species. A 5-year review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. The FWS is requesting submission of any such information that has become available since the previous 5-year review for each species. To ensure consideration, please submit your written information by April 5, 2023.
  • FWS – Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Review of the Mexican Wolf in the Southwest
  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is conducting a 5-year status review of the Mexican wolf under the Endangered Species Act. A 5-year status review is based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review; therefore, the FWS is requesting submission of any such information that has become available since the last review for the species. To ensure consideration, the FWS is requesting submission of new information no later than April 12, 2023.
  • FWS – Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Establishment of a Nonessential Experimental Population of the Gray Wolf in Colorado
  • The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to establish a nonessential experimental population (NEP) of the gray wolf ( Canis lupus) in the State of Colorado, under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The State of Colorado (Colorado Parks and Wildlife or CPW) requested that the Service establish an NEP in conjunction with their State-led gray wolf reintroduction effort. Establishment of this NEP would provide for allowable, legal, purposeful, and incidental taking of the gray wolf within a defined NEP area while concurrently providing for the conservation of the species. The geographic boundaries of the NEP would include the State of Colorado. The best available data indicate that reintroduction of the gray wolf into Colorado is biologically feasible and will promote the conservation of the species. The FWS is seeking comments on this proposal and on our associated draft environmental impact statement (DEIS), prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, which describes the potential alternatives for providing a regulatory framework for the State’s reintroduction. The FWS will accept comments on this proposed rule or the DEIS that are received or postmarked on or before April 18, 2023. Comments submitted electronically using the Federal eRulemaking Portal (see ADDRESSES, below) must be received by 11:59 p.m. eastern time on the closing date.
  • FWS – Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; California Spotted Owl; Endangered Status for the Coastal-Southern California Distinct Population Segment and Threatened Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Sierra Nevada Distinct Population Segment
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to list two distinct population segments (DPSs) of the California spotted owl (Strix occidentalis occidentalis), a bird species from California and Nevada, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This determination also serves as the service’s 12-month finding on a petition to list the California spotted owl. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, the FWS finds that listing the Coastal-Southern California DPS as endangered is warranted, and that listing the Sierra Nevada DPS as threatened is warranted. Accordingly, the FWS proposes to list the Coastal-Southern California DPS as an endangered species under the Act and the Sierra Nevada DPS as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act (“4(d) rule”). If the FWS finalizes this rule as proposed, it will add these two DPSs to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act’s protections to them. The FWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before April 24, 2023.
  • FWS – Marine Mammal Protection Act; Draft Stock Assessment Reports for the Pacific Walrus Stock and Three Northern Sea Otter Stocks in Alaska
  • In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act and its implementing regulations, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed draft revised marine mammal stock assessment reports (SAR) for the Pacific walrus ( Odobenus rosmarus divergens) and for each of the three northern sea otter ( Enhydra lutris kenyoni) stocks in Alaska. The FWS invites comments on the four SARs from the public and from Federal, tribal, state, and local governments. The service must receive comments by May 8, 2023.
  • FWS – Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removal of the Puerto Rican Boa From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
  • On July 13, 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposed to delist the Puerto Rican boa ( Chilabothrus inornatus, but listed as Epicrates inornatus), an endemic snake from Puerto Rico. The FWS announced a 60-day public comment period on the proposed rule, ending September 12, 2022. The FWS are reopening the comment period for 30 days to hold a public hearing and to allow all interested parties additional time to comment on our proposal. Comments previously submitted will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule and do not need to be resubmitted.
  • Geological Survey – Notice To Reopen the Advisory Council for Climate Adaptation Science Call for Nominations
  • A request for nominations was published by the Department of the Interior in the Federal Register on December 2, 2022, for membership on the Advisory Council on Climate Adaptation Science (Council). The nomination period ended on January 16, 2023. This notice reopens the nomination period until April 17, 2023. The nomination period for the notice published on December 2, 2022, at 87 FR 74164, is reopened. Nominations for the vacant positions are due on or before April 17, 2023.
  • Marine Mammal Commission – Request for Nominations; Committee of Scientific Advisers on Marine Mammals
  • The Marine Mammal Commission was created under title II of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended. The Commission is assisted in its duties by the Committee of Scientific Advisers on Marine Mammals. The Committee consists of nine members, appointed by the Chair of the Commission. As a general rule, Committee Members are appointed for three-year terms, which may be extended, but vacancies do not occur on a regular basis. To assist the Commission in identifying qualified candidates for appointment to the Committee if and when vacancies occur, the Commission is soliciting nominations from the public. Nominations for this solicitation should be received 30 days after publication of this notice.
  • NASA – Request for Information: DRAFT Federal Strategy to Advance an Integrated U.S. Greenhouse Gas Monitoring and Information System; Number NNH23ZDA009L
  • The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Greenhouse Gas Monitoring & Measurement Interagency Working Group (GHG IWG), established by the Office of Science & Technology Policy, White House Climate Policy Office, and Office of Management and Budget. The GHG IWG seeks to receive input from the public on the draft Federal Strategy to Advance an Integrated U.S. Greenhouse Gas Monitoring & Information System (GHGMIS Strategy) that is posted on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System’s (NSPIRES). The GHG IWG will use information received to 1) inform the drafting of the final version of the GHGMIS Strategy and 2) in discussions on potential partnerships related to demonstration projects. Comments are requested on or before April 4, 2023. Early comments are encouraged.
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA – Request for Public Input About Implementation of the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watersheds Initiative and the National Water Quality Initiative
  • The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) requests public input for NRCS to use in refining the Mississippi River Basin Healthy Watershed Initiative (MRBI) and the National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI) to better protect and improve water quality. NRCS also requests comments on how we can streamline and improve MRBI and NWQI to increase efficiencies and expand access for underserved communities and producers. Finally, NRCS requests comments on how we can engage with partners to provide technical assistance for MRBI and NWQI implementation. This effort will help NRCS identify and prioritize improvements to MRBI and NWQI starting in fiscal year (FY) 2024. The NRCS will consider comments that are received by April 7, 2023.
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA – Request for Nominations to the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research
  • The Secretary of Agriculture invites nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for a 2-year term on the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research, typically referred to as the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF), established by the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to provide recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on agricultural air quality issues. This notice solicits nominations for membership to AAQTF. The Secretary of Agriculture will consider nominations that are postmarked by May 8, 2023.
  • NOAA NMFS – Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings and Hearings
    The Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has begun its annual preseason process to develop regulations to manage the 2023 ocean salmon fisheries off the U.S. West Coast. This document informs the public of opportunities to provide oral and written comments on the development of 2023 ocean salmon regulations. Comments on the salmon management alternatives that will be adopted by the Council at its March 2023 meeting and will be described in its Preseason Report II, received orally, electronically, or in hard copy by 5 p.m. Pacific Time, March 31, 2023, will be considered in the Council’s final recommendation for the 2023 management measures.
  • NOAA NMFS – Endangered and Threatened Wildlife; 90-Day Finding on a Petition To List Olympic Peninsula Steelhead as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act
  • The NMFS announces a 90-day finding on a petition to list Olympic Peninsula (OP) steelhead ( Oncorhynchus mykiss) as a threatened or endangered distinct population segment (DPS) under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and to designate critical habitat concurrently with the listing. The NMFS finds that the petition presents substantial scientific and commercial information indicating the listing may be warranted. The NMFS will conduct a status review of OP steelhead to determine whether listing is warranted. To ensure that the status review is comprehensive, the NMFS are soliciting scientific and commercial information pertaining to this species from any interested party. Scientific and commercial information pertinent to the petitioned action must be received by April 11, 2023.
  • NOAA NMFS – Endangered and Threatened Species; Notice of Initiation of a 5-Year Review for the Arabian Sea, Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa, Central America, Mexico, and Western North Pacific Distinct Population Segments of Humpback Whales
  • NMFS announces the initiation of a 5-year review for the Arabian Sea, Cape Verde Islands/Northwest Africa, Central America, Mexico, and Western North Pacific Distinct Population Segments of the humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae). NMFS is required by the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to conduct 5-year reviews to ensure that the listing classifications of species are accurate. The 5-year review must be based on the best scientific and commercial data available at the time of the review. The NMFS requests submission of any such information on the humpback whale. To allow the service adequate time to conduct this review, the NMFS must receive your information no later than April 12, 2023.
  • NOAA NMFS – Proposed Rule To List the Sunflower Sea Star as Threatened Under the Endangered Species Act
  • The NMFS has completed a comprehensive status review for the sunflower sea star, Pycnopodia helianthoides, in response to a petition to list this species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Based on the best scientific and commercial information available, including the draft status review report, and after taking into account efforts being made to protect the species, the NMFS has determined that the sunflower sea star is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout its range. Therefore, it proposes to list the sunflower sea star as a threatened species under the ESA. Should the proposed listing be finalized, any protective regulations under section 4(d) of the ESA would be proposed in a separate Federal Register notice. The NMFS does not propose to designate critical habitat at this time because it is not currently determinable. The NMFS is soliciting information to inform their final listing determination, as well as the development of potential protective regulations and critical habitat designation. Comments on the proposed rule to list the sunflower sea star must be received by May 15, 2023.
  • NOAA NMFS – Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Petition for Emergency Action To Close the Red King Crab Savings Area and Subarea to All Fishing Gear With Bottom Contact
    NMFS announces the receipt of a petition for emergency rulemaking under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) from the Alaska Bering Sea Crabbers (ABSC). This petition requests NMFS take action to close the Red King Crab Savings Area (RKCSA) and Red King Crab Savings Subarea (RKCSS) to all fishing gear to protect Bristol Bay red king crab (BBRKC) and their habitat at a time of historically low crab abundance for a period of 6 months from January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023.
  • NOAA DOC OAR – Notice of Request for Information; U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP)
  • The United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) requests input from the public to guide an update of the 2009 “Climate Literacy: Essential Principles of Climate Science”. This request for information (RFI) will inform USGCRP as it updates the Guide to include current climate and social science, and a focus on justice and capacity to implement solutions. Comments should be submitted via https://contribute.globalchange.gov and must be received by May 31, 2023.
  • NOAA NOS DOC OCS – Request for Public Comment on a Draft Standard Ocean Mapping Protocol
  • The National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization (NOMEC) Council and the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping (IWG-OCM) request public comment from all interested parties on the IWG-OCM’s draft Standard Ocean Mapping Protocol (SOMP). The draft SOMP was developed in accordance with Objective 2.1 of the National Strategy for Ocean Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (National Strategy). Objective 2.1 directs the IWG-OCM to establish a SOMP to encourage consistency in data acquisition, stewardship and data management across a subset of ocean sensing capabilities for seafloor mapping, including bathymetry (acoustic and airborne), seabed backscatter, water column backscatter, side scan sonar imagery, sub-bottom profiling, and magnetometer data readings. Comments must be received via email by 5 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on June 2, 2023.
  • NOAA NOS DOC ONMS – Initiation of Review of Management Plan for Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary; Intent To Conduct Scoping and Prepare Draft Environmental Analysis and Draft Management Plan
    In accordance with section 304(e) of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, as amended (NMSA), NOAA is initiating a review of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS or sanctuary) management plan, to evaluate substantive progress toward implementing the goals of the sanctuary, and to make revisions to the management plan as necessary to fulfill the purposes and policies of the NMSA. NOAA anticipates management plan changes will require preparation of an environmental analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). NOAA will conduct public scoping meetings to gather information and other comments from individuals, organizations, tribes, and government agencies on the scope, types, and significance of issues related to the OCNMS management plan and the proper scope of environmental analysis for the management plan review. The scoping meetings are scheduled as detailed in the DATES section. Written comments should be received on or before April 3, 2023.
  • NPS – Request for Nominations for the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission 
  • The National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Department of the Interior, is requesting nominations for qualified persons to serve as members of the Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission (Commission). Written nominations must be postmarked by April 5, 2023.
  • NSF – Notice of Intent To Renew a Current Information Collection
    The National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES) within the National Science Foundation (NSF) is announcing plans to request renewal of the Survey of Graduate Students and Postdoctorates in Science and Engineering (OMB Control Number 3145-0062). In accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, NSF is providing opportunity for public comment on this action. After obtaining and considering public comments, NSF will prepare the submission requesting that OMB approve clearance of this collection for three years. Written comments on this notice must be received by April 18, 2023 to be assured of consideration. Comments received after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. Send comments to the address below.
  • NSF – Agency Information Collection Activities: Comment Request; NSF Evaluation of Anti-Harassment Term and Condition
    The National Science Foundation (NSF) has submitted the following information collection requirement to OMB for review and clearance under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This is the second notice for public comment; the first was published in the Federal Register , and no comments were received. NSF is forwarding the proposed submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance simultaneously with the publication of this second notice. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of this notice to www.reginfo.gov/​public/​do/​PRAmain.
  • OSTP – Framing the National Nature Assessment
    Nature is important in its own right, and provides value to the lives of all Americans. To increase our knowledge of nature in the United States and its links to global change, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), on behalf of the United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), requests input from the public to help inform the framing, development, and eventual use of the first National Nature Assessment (NNA). USGCRP committed to conducting a National Nature Assessment on April 8, 2022, under the authority of the Global Change Research Act of 1990. President Biden reinforced and elevated the importance of this assessment to a matter of national policy by calling for it in Executive Order 14072 (https://www.federalregister.gov/​documents/​2022/​04/​27/​2022-09138/​strengthening-the-nations-forests-communities-and-local-economies) on Strengthening the Nation’s Forests, Communities and Local Economies (April 22, 2022). This request for information (RFI) will inform USGCRP as it develops this first-of-its-kind assessment.
    Responses are due by March 31, 2023.
  • US Army Corps of Engineers – Water Resources Development Act of 2022 Comment Period and Stakeholder Sessions      The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works (ASA (CW)) is seeking public comment on any provisions in the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022. The Office of the ASA(CW) will consider all comments received during the 60-day public comment period in the preparation of any guidance. The public comment period will end on March 21, 2023.
  • US Army Corps of Engineers – National Wetland Plant List
  • The National Wetland Plant List (NWPL) provides plant species indicator status ratings, which are used in determining whether the hydrophytic vegetation factor is met when conducting wetland delineations under the Clean Water Act and wetland determinations under the Wetland Conservation Provisions of the Food Security Act. Other applications of the NWPL include wetland restoration, establishment, and enhancement projects. To update the NWPL, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as part of an interagency effort with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is announcing the availability of the proposed changes to the 2022 NWPL and its web address to solicit public comments. The public will now have the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to wetland indicator status ratings for two plant species in the Arid West (AW) region. In addition, we are accepting comments on the proposal to move from a two-year update cycle to a three-year update cycle for the NWPL. Finally, USACE is seeking comments on the overall NWPL update process. Comments must be submitted on or before March 21, 2023.
  • USDA NRCS – Proposed Revisions to the National Handbook of Conservation Practices for the Natural Resources Conservation Service
  • The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is reopening the comment period for 45 days to allow the public to provide comments on the specified conservation practice standards to be revised in the National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP) published on December 19, 2022. The service will consider comments that we receive by April 13, 2023.

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