Department of Interior

This direct final rule changes the administrative process for authorizing seasonal migratory game bird hunting in the United States. Migratory game bird hunting regulations are currently promulgated annually to provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance; aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds; and allow harvests at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions.The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is adopting a more efficient administrative process for authorizing seasonal migratory game bird hunting. The Service will issue a memorandum for migratory game bird hunting once every 3 years. The Service will continue to make annual decisions on harvest levels and will update the memorandum sooner than 3 years if changes are prescribed by our decision frameworks. The process eliminates the need for subsequent annual Federal regulation promulgation and rulemaking and is expected to increase efficiency; better meet State, Tribal, and Federal rulemaking constraints; and reduce the complexity and costs. Our goal is to better serve State partners and the hunting public while continuing to meet the legal and conservation purposes of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.Tribes are already authorized under a similar process.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are amending the definition of "shellfish" in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) by removing the phrase "having a shell" and adding specific taxa. This amendment will clarify that squid, cuttlefish, octopus, and other cephalopods are included within the regulatory definition of shellfish. This action is deregulatory in nature, as it reduces regulatory ambiguity, aligns the Service's regulations with current biological understanding and commercial practice, reduces regulatory burden and is within the Service's purview to amend definitions as needed.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are revising the migratory bird subsistence harvest regulations in Alaska. Subsistence harvest regulations allow for the continuation of customary and traditional subsistence uses of migratory birds in Alaska and establish when and where the harvesting of certain migratory birds may occur within each subsistence region. Subsistence harvest regulations, including the changes set forth in this document, were developed through a cooperative process involving the Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Alaska Native representatives.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are approving two amendments to the West Virginia regulatory program (the West Virginia program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). West Virginia proposed revisions to the West Virginia Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act (WVSCMRA), codified at Title 22, Article 3, of the West Virginia Code (W. Va. Code), along with revisions to its administrative regulations promulgated in the West Virginia Code of State Rules (CSR) that relate to electronic permit filing, pre-subsidence surveys, and issuance of show cause orders, certain fees for surface mining permits and related authorizations, and other miscellaneous topics. We tentatively approved the provisions relating to permitting fees through an interim rule we promulgated on June 29, 2011, which became effective on July 14, 2011. With this rule, our approval of those provisions is now final.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce findings that two species are not warranted for listing as endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After a thorough review of the best scientific and commercial data available, we find that it is not warranted at this time to list the Sangre de Cristo peaclam (Pisidium sanguinichristi) and black-backed tanager (Stilpnia peruviana). However, we ask the public to submit to us at any time any new information relevant to the status of either of the species mentioned above or their habitats.

The Department of the Interior (DOI or Department), through the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), is incorporating by reference a collection of production measurement industry standards and safety industry standards into its regulations governing oil, gas, and sulfur operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Incorporation of these documents by reference will provide industry with up-to-date standards for measuring oil and gas production volumes and enhancing safety. Compliance with these standards will reduce uncertainty in the measurement of oil and gas production and update the minimum standards in the safety regulations.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are removing the northeastern bulrush (Scirpus ancistrochaetus) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. Our review of the best scientific and commercial data available indicates that the threats to the northeastern bulrush have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Accordingly, the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act, particularly through sections 7 and 9, will no longer apply to the northeastern bulrush.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat for the rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis), a bumble bee historically known to occur broadly across the eastern United States and portions of Canada, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). In total, we are designating approximately 1,534,951 acres (621,172 hectares) of occupied critical habitat in 14 units across 33 counties in 6 States.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is APPROVING an amendment to the Montana regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA). Montana submitted this proposed amendment to OSM on its own initiative in response to a State law passed by the Montana Legislature House Bill 587 (HB 587). The proposed amendment provides a new definition of "Material damage" with respect to the hydrologic balance, alluvial valley floors, and subsidence. It also creates an option for a permit applicant to provide self-collected information related to its determination of probable hydrologic consequences, if an appropriate Federal or State agency cannot provide such information. Finally, HB 587 includes contingencies that apply to the proposed amendment but are not codified into the Montana Code Annotated (MCA): a severability clause, a contingent voidness clause, an effective date clause, and a retroactive applicability clause.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are updating our regulations to provide the public with the most current information for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service headquarters program and Regional offices.

The Department of the Interior amends its regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ("Title VI") to eliminate disparate-impact liability. These amendments align the conduct prohibited by the Department's regulations with Title VI's original public meaning, avoid constitutional concerns, reduce compliance costs, and serve the public interest. In addition, these revisions implement changes directed in Executive Order 14281.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is approving an amendment to the Kentucky regulatory program (hereinafter, the Kentucky program), under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). OSM is approving revisions to Kentucky's administrative regulations that reflect the repeal of its interim program regulations and make unrelated editorial updates and corrections.

The Bureau of Land Management is correcting a direct final rule that appeared in the Federal Register on April 29, 2026. The document revises existing regulations pertaining to royalty on production to effectuate changes required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act enacted on July 4, 2025.

The Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) is issuing this final rule to adopt the interim final rule (IFR) published on January 10, 2025, with a few changes made to respond to public comments, to clarify procedures, and to correct typographical errors. The IFR was originally set to go into effect February 10, 2025, but the effective date was delayed several times until July 21, 2025, to provide time for review pursuant to the memorandum of January 20, 2025, from President Donald J. Trump, entitled Regulatory Freeze Pending Review. The IFR became effective on July 21, 2025.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reclassifying the rough popcornflower (Plagiobothrys hirtus) from endangered to threatened (downlist) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This action is based on our evaluation of the best scientific and commercial data available, which indicates that the species' status has improved such that it is not in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range, but that it is still likely to become so within the foreseeable future. We also finalize protective regulations under the authority of section 4(d) of the Act that are necessary and advisable to provide for the conservation of this species.

Through this final rule, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is fully rescinding the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule, issued as a final rule on May 9, 2024. This action restores balance to federal land management under the principles of multiple use and sustained yield by prioritizing access, empowering local decision-making, and aligning the BLM's implementing regulations with statutory requirements and national energy policy.

Due to the receipt of significant adverse comments on the December 15, 2025, direct final rule (DFR) extending certain phase-in deadlines of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Waste Prevention and Resource Conservation regulations, the Department of the Interior, through the BLM, is issuing a new final rule that responds to those comments.

This direct final rule (DFR) revises existing regulations pertaining to royalty on production to effectuate changes required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) enacted on July 4, 2025.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are designating critical habitat for the rayed bean (Villosa fabalis), sheepnose (Plethobasus cyphyus), snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra), and spectaclecase (Cumberlandia monodonta), all species of freshwater mussel, under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Specifically, we designate approximately 599 river miles (rmi) (964 river kilometers (rkm)) in 15 units as critical habitat for rayed bean; approximately 801 rmi (1,289 rkm) in 11 units as critical habitat for sheepnose; approximately 2,425 rmi (3,902 rkm) in 38 units as critical habitat for snuffbox; and approximately 1,140 rmi (1,835 rkm) in 12 units as critical habitat for spectaclecase. Portions of these designations overlap among the four species; in total, approximately 3,814 unique rmi (6,138 rkm) of critical habitat within 76 units across 17 States (Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin) fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designations.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is confirming the effective date of the direct final rule entitled, "Backfilling and Grading," which was originally published on November 28, 2025. The direct final rule rescinded a regulation that prescribed time and distance performance standards for the completion of rough backfilling and grading for surface mining operations that were suspended by the Secretary of the Interior in 1992 but never removed from the Code of Federal Regulations. During the comment period, OSM received two comments that required further review and consideration to determine whether the comments warranted a response or the withdrawal or modification of the final rule. After further review and consideration, OSM determined that these comments were not significant adverse comments and is confirming the effective date of this rule.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is confirming the effective date of March 30, 2026, for the direct final rule entitled, "General Reclamation Requirements," which was published in the Federal Register on November 28, 2025. The direct final rule revised the Federal regulations to rescind obsolete language requiring compliance with the regulations when funding reclamation projects with prior balance replacement funds, which are moneys from the United States Treasury's General Fund that replaced State or Tribal share funds that were allocated before October 1, 2007, but were never appropriated by Congress. During the comment period, OSM received comments that required further review and consideration to determine whether the comments warranted a response, or the withdrawal or modification of the final rule. After further review and consideration, OSM determined that these comments were not significant adverse comments and is confirming the effective date.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended, and its implementing regulations, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, finalize incidental take regulations that facilitate the authorization of nonlethal, incidental, unintentional take by harassment of small numbers of northern sea otters during marine construction and pile driving in Seward, Sitka, and Kodiak, Alaska. Incidental take of northern sea otters may result from in-water noise generated during pile driving and marine construction activities. This rule is effective for 5 years from the date of issuance.

This action withdraws a final rule that published on January 13, 2025. The National Park Service has terminated the rulemaking process.

The National Park Service (NPS) amends the special regulations for Assateague Island National Seashore to remove certain permit eligibility requirements for motor vehicles that drive on designated beaches and oversand routes. The rule eliminates requirements addressing vehicle weight, ground clearance, and dimensions. These requirements were established in 1976 and are no longer necessary. In addition, the NPS is making several technical, non-substantive changes to the regulations.

The Department of the Interior (DOI or Department), through the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), is revising the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) downhole commingling regulations consistent with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). These revisions update the regulations to ensure consistency with the OBBB when BSEE reviews a request for downhole commingling.

In response to a court order, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) are removing the northern and the southern distinct population segments (DPSs) of the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Additionally, we are rescinding the rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act for the northern DPS. As a result of the court's orders, the regulatory protections under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) no longer apply to either DPS.

The Department of the Interior (Department or DOI) is adopting the interim final rule (IFR) published on July 3, 2025, with minor changes, as final. In the IFR, DOI provided a 30-day comment period for the public to review and make comments. This final rule addresses public comments and adopts as final the IFR, with certain substantive changes as explained herein. The IFR partially rescinded DOI's regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and made necessary targeted updates to those provisions that were not repealed. DOI will henceforth maintain the majority of its NEPA procedures--which apply only to DOI's internal processes--in a Departmental Handbook separate from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are publishing this final rule to amend the existing Federal Lands Cooperative Agreement between West Virginia and the U.S. Department of the Interior (Department). The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act) and the Federal regulations authorize a State with an approved permanent regulatory program to enter into an agreement for the State regulation of surface coal mining and reclamation operations on Federal lands. West Virginia's existing cooperative agreement with the Department was adopted in February 1984, to allow for the State regulation of SMCRA on Federal lands within West Virginia under its approved permanent regulatory program (the West Virginia program).

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement ("OSMRE" or "OSM") is rescinding the "Ten-Day Notices and Corrective Action for State Regulatory Program Issues" rule adopted on April 9, 2024 (the "2024 Rule"), and replacing it, in large part, with the rule titled, "Clarification of Provisions Related to the Issuance of Ten-Day Notices to State Regulatory Authorities and Enhancement of Corrective Action for State Regulatory Program Issues," which was first adopted on November 24, 2020 (the "2020 Rule"). This final rule does make some minor modifications to the 2020 Rule to further streamline the process for OSM's coordination with State regulatory authorities, minimize duplication of efforts in the administration of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 ("SMCRA" or "the Act"), and appropriately recognize that State regulatory authorities are the primary regulatory authorities for non- Federal, non-Indian lands within their borders.

Due to the receipt of a substantive comment on the direct final rule (DFR) rescinding portions of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) regulations that address the Leasing of Solid Minerals Other Than Coal and Oil Shale, the Department of the Interior, through the BLM, is issuing a new final rule that responds to the comment.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM), are approving an amendment to the North Dakota regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). North Dakota proposed amendments to its program based on changes to the North Dakota Century Code made by the State legislature that resulted in changes to the North Dakota Administrative Code for surface coal mining and reclamation operations. The changes added a perfected lien or security interest in real property to the definition of collateral bond. The changes also added conditions that must be met for real property pledged as collateral bond.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) approves an amendment to the Montana regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Montana proposed an addition to the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), which would revise and add regulations in the Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) pertaining to ownership and control. These changes were required by an October 2, 2009, letter from OSM to Montana and in response, Senate bill 92, was approved by the 2013 Montana Legislature. Montana also proposed other ARM revisions unrelated to ownership and control.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are removing the Southeast U.S. distinct population segment (DPS) of the wood stork (Mycteria americana) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. After a review of the best scientific and commercial data available, we find that delisting the species is warranted. Our review indicates that the threats to the Southeast U.S. DPS of the wood stork have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the definition of an endangered species or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Accordingly, the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act, particularly through sections 4 and 7, will no longer apply to the Southeast U.S. DPS of the wood stork.

The National Park Service amends the special regulations for Whiskeytown National Recreation Area to allow bicycle use on approximately 79.8 miles of multi-use trails. National Park Service regulations require promulgation of a special regulation to allow bicycles on new trails outside of developed areas and for existing trails that require construction or significant modification to accommodate bicycles.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is confirming the effective date of January 27, 2026, for the direct final rule "Rescission of Portions of Permanent Program Performance Standards Regulating Subsidence Controls for Underground Mines," published on November 28, 2025. The direct final rule lifts the suspension of the regulatory provision and revises the Federal regulations to remove paragraphs related to establishing a rebuttable presumption of causation for damage to any non-commercial building or occupied residential dwelling or structure related thereto that occurs as a result of earth movement within an area determined by projecting a specified angle of draw from the outermost boundary of any underground mine workings to the surface of the land. During the comment period, OSM received one substantive comment. That comment was not a significant adverse comment because it did not effectively challenge the rule's underlying premise or approach or explain why the rule would be inappropriate without a change. As a result, the comment does not warrant a delay of the effective date.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is confirming the effective date of January 27, 2026, for the direct final rule "Rescission of Portions of Permanent Program Performance Standards Related to Siltation Structures," published on November 28, 2025. The direct final rule removes paragraphs that required that all surface drainage from the disturbed area pass through a siltation structure before leaving the permit area. These provisions were struck down by a reviewing court in 1985 and have no legal effect but were never removed from the Code of Federal Regulations. During the comment period, OSM received one substantive comment. That comment was not a significant adverse comment because it did not effectively challenge the rule's underlying premise or approach or explain why the rule would be inappropriate without a change. As a result, the comment does not warrant a delay of the effective date.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is delaying the effective date of the direct final rule "Backfilling and Grading," published on November 28, 2025. The direct final rule rescinded a regulation that prescribed time and distance performance standards for the completion of rough backfilling and grading for surface mining operations, which was suspended by the Secretary of the Interior in 1992 but never removed from the Code of Federal Regulations. During the comment period, OSM received comments that require further review and consideration to determine whether they are significant adverse comments warranting a response, withdrawal, or modification of the final rule.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is delaying the effective date of the direct final rule "General Reclamation Requirements," published on November 28, 2025. The direct final rule revised the Federal regulations to rescind language requiring compliance with the regulations when funding reclamation projects with prior balance replacement funds, which are moneys from the United States Treasury's General Fund that replaced State or Tribal share funds that were allocated before October 1, 2007, but never appropriated by Congress. During the comment period, OSM received comments that require further review and consideration to determine whether they are significant adverse comments warranting a response, withdrawal, or modification of the final rule.

This direct final rule removes certain regulations related to enforcement of various activities on Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge, St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge, and Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Specifically, the rescinded regulations relate to activities such as use of fireworks, damaging vegetation, dogs that disturb wildlife or habitat, use of firearms and other weapons, littering, alcohol use, and boat speed. These regulations are redundant and therefore can be rescinded without adverse impact.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), approve an amendment to the Pennsylvania regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The amendment revises the Pennsylvania program by adding language consistent with section 5 of the Bituminous Mine Subsidence and Land Conversation Act, which specifies circumstances where a finding of presumptive evidence of potential pollution under the Commonwealth's Clean Streams Law is not warranted.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, made deregulatory actions pertaining to Federal financial assistance programs and subprograms authorized under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act to better serve the American public, streamline government operations, and increase efficiencies for recipients of our financial assistance programs. This final rule reflects recent legislation; aligns with the Office of Management and Budget's administrative rules for Federal financial assistance; aligns with other laws, standards, and administrative processes; responds to comments and feedback on our 2019 rulemaking action; and provides clarity to help ensure consistency in administering our financial assistance programs and subprograms across the Nation.

This direct final rule (DFR) rescinds portions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (Service) regulations containing general provisions related to requirements for programs and subprograms authorized under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act. This DFR removes redundancies and eliminates superfluous sections. These recissions will result in regulations that better serve the American public, streamline government operations, and increase efficiencies for recipients of our financial assistance programs.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are approving an amendment to the Texas regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Texas proposes administrative revisions to its regulations to update, correct, and clarify existing rules. These proposals include changing language to gender neutral, updating terms and definitions for consistency with existing Federal and State regulations, and correcting and updating references.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM, we) is issuing this direct final rule (DFR) to amend BLM regulations to extend the phase-in date for compliance with the minimum bond amount for Statewide oil and gas bonds. The current regulation requires operators to increase or replace existing Statewide bonds to meet the $500,000 minimum bond amount by June 22, 2026. This rule extends that deadline to June 22, 2027, aligning it with the phase-in date for individual lease bonds.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM, we) is promulgating this direct final rule (DFR) to amend its regulations to extend the phase-in dates for compliance with regulations related to both measurement-and- sampling requirements for high-pressure flares and the submission of Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programs.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), approve in part an amendment to the West Virginia regulatory program under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). This amendment makes changes to the West Virginia Code of State Rules (CSR), authorized under the West Virginia Surface Coal Mining and Reclamation Act (WVSCMRA), relating to bonding requirements for operations seeking permit renewals, topsoil, inactive status, and contemporaneous reclamation.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), approve in part amendments to the West Virginia regulatory program (the West Virginia program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). These amendments make changes to the West Virginia Coal Mining and Reclamation Act (WVSCMRA), the Code of West Virginia (W.Va. Code), and the West Virginia Code of State Rules (CSR). We approve 12 provisions, approving with understanding 5 provisions, and not approving 1 provision.

This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to rescind language requiring compliance with the regulations when funding reclamation projects with prior balance replacement funds, which are moneys from the United States Treasury's General Fund that replaced State or Tribal share funds that were allocated before October 1, 2007, but never appropriated by Congress.

This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to rescind obsolete regulations related to the applicability of the Federal regulations implementing the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act).

This direct final rule lifts the suspension and revises the Federal regulations to remove paragraphs related to establishing a rebuttable presumption of causation for damage to any non-commercial building or occupied residential dwelling or structure related thereto that occurs as a result of earth movement within an area determined by projecting a specified angle of draw from the outermost boundary of any underground mine workings to the surface of the land. These paragraphs were struck down on judicial review because the court found that the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) failed to provide adequate support to justify its presumption that damage was the result of mining within the angle of draw.

This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to rescind expired fee rates for coal produced for sale, transfer, or use from October 1, 2012, through September 30, 2021. New rates have been established and are in effect beginning October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2034.

This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to rescind language identifying obsolete funds as part of the moneys that the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) must distribute to eligible States and Tribes each fiscal year. The existing regulations refer to prior balance replacement funds, which are moneys from the United States Treasury's General Fund that replaced State or Tribal share funds that were allocated before October 1, 2007, but never appropriated by Congress.

This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to remove paragraphs that required that all surface drainage from the disturbed area pass through a siltation structure before leaving the permit area. These paragraphs were struck down on judicial review because the court found that the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) had not articulated a sufficient basis for the rule under the Administrative Procedure Act and that OSMRE had not sufficiently demonstrated that siltation structures were the best technology currently available.

This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to rescind an obsolete regulation that was suspended by the Secretary of the Interior in 1992 and that has been inoperative for 33 years. The regulations prescribed time and distance performance standards for the completion of rough backfilling and grading for surface mining operations.

This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to rescind obsolete regulations related to the scope of the regulations implementing the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA).

This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to rescind references to prior balance replacement funds, which are moneys from the United States Treasury's General Fund that replaced State or Tribal share funds that were allocated before October 1, 2007, but never appropriated by Congress, and to make minor conforming language changes.

This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to rescind provisions that required the distribution and awarding of prior balance replacement funds, which are moneys from the United States Treasury's General Fund that replaced State or Tribal share funds that were allocated before October 1, 2007, but never appropriated by Congress.

This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to rescind regulations related to prior balance replacement funds, which are moneys from the United States Treasury's General Fund that replaced State or Tribal share funds that were allocated before October 1, 2007, but never appropriated by Congress. Additionally, this rule will rescind the regulations that detail how prior balance replacement funds may be used.

This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to rescind language identifying obsolete funds as part of the moneys that the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) must distribute to eligible States and Tribes each fiscal year. The existing regulations refer to prior balance replacement funds, which are moneys from the United States Treasury's General Fund that replaced State or Tribal share funds that were allocated before October 1, 2007, but never appropriated by Congress.

This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to remove references to prior balance replacement funds and to rescind the phase-in schedule for minimum program make up fund distributions between October 1, 2007, and October 1, 2010.

This direct final rule revises the Federal regulations to rescind language identifying obsolete funds as part of the moneys that the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) must distribute to eligible States and Tribes each fiscal year. The existing regulations refer to prior balance replacement funds, which are moneys from the United States Treasury's General Fund that replaced State or Tribal share funds that were allocated before October 1, 2007, but never appropriated by Congress.

Consistent with Executive and Secretary's orders, ONRR proposes to amend ONRR's Federal oil, gas, and coal valuation regulations and to specify the standard of review for Director-level appeals. This rulemaking also proposes changes that will likely reduce cost and burden to industry and the Federal Government by simplifying regulatory requirements and ultimately incentivize production to unleash energy dominance. ONRR solicits comments on all aspects of this proposed action.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is proposing changes to the administrative process for authorizing seasonal migratory game bird hunting in the United States. Migratory game bird hunting regulations are currently promulgated annually to provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance; aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds; and allow harvests at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions.The Service proposes a more efficient administrative process for authorizing seasonal migratory game bird hunting. The Service would issue a memorandum for migratory game bird hunting once every 3 years. The Service would continue to make annual decisions on harvest levels and would update the memorandum sooner than 3 years if changes are prescribed by our decision frameworks. The process eliminates the need for subsequent annual Federal regulation promulgation and rulemaking and is expected to increase efficiency; better meet State, Tribal, and Federal rulemaking constraints; and reduce the complexity and costs. Our goal is to better serve State partners and the hunting public while continuing to meet the legal and conservation purposes of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Tribes are already authorized under a similar process.

In response to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted on July 4, 2025, and Executive Order (E.O.) 14154, entitled, "Unleashing American Energy," dated January 20, 2025, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to modify its existing regulations pertaining to royalties due on oil and natural gas lost on Federal and Indian leases. These modifications would reduce unnecessary compliance burdens for operators and streamline the BLM's royalty determinations on lost oil or natural gas.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to revise its oil and gas leasing regulations to reflect new requirements in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB); policy direction in Executive Orders (E.O.) entitled Unleashing American Energy and Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Deregulatory Initiative and Modernizing Payments To and From America's Bank Account; and policy guidance in Secretary's Order entitled Unleashing American Energy. In addition, the proposed rule would reflect provisions of the Royalty Resiliency Act, which pertains to applications for oil and gas agreements for allocation schedules that outline how royalties would be distributed across different leases within the agreement. The BLM proposes to return the minimum bond amounts to those prior to the finalization of the 2024 rule. Finally, the proposed rule would improve the BLM's leasing process to ensure stewardship of public lands as required by the Mineral Leasing Act (MLA) and as directed by the OBBB and the above Executive orders.

On June 8, 2026, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), published a document reopening the comment period and announcing a public hearing for the southern hognose snake. That document included an incorrect date for the public hearing in the DATES section. This document corrects that error.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reopening the comment period on our August 29, 2025, proposed rule to list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus), a small, fossorial snake species from the coastal plains and sandhills across the southeastern United States, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) with protective regulations under section 4(d) of the Act (proposed rule). We are taking this action to conduct a public hearing and to allow all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule. Comments previously submitted on the proposed rule need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in our development of the final rule.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to open or expand hunting opportunities on 111 field stations, including 107 units of the National Wildlife Refuges System (Refuge System or NWRS) and 4 units of the National Fish Hatchery System (Hatchery System or NFHS). This includes opening hunting or sport fishing opportunities for the first time on 14 National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) and 3 National Fish Hatcheries (NFH). The proposed actions will open or expand more than 1,450 opportunities for hunting and fishing across the NWRS and NFHS. In accordance with Secretary's Order 3447 and Director's Order 233, we also propose to make changes to existing station-specific regulations in order to improve the clarity and accuracy of regulations, reduce the regulatory burden on the public, ensure consistency across FWS lands and waters, and comply with a Presidential mandate for plain-language standards.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, received a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 from SAExploration, Inc., to issue regulations facilitating the authorization of incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of polar bears during seismic exploration activities on the North Slope of Alaska. Take may result from three-dimensional seismic survey programs and associated activities occurring for a period of 5 years beginning July 1, 2026. If this rule is finalized, we may issue letters of authorization, upon request, for specific activities in accordance with the final rule for a period of up to 5 years. We intend that any final action resulting from this proposed rule will be as accurate and effective as possible. Therefore, we request comments on these proposed regulations and the accompanying draft environmental assessment from the public, Tribes, and local, State, and Federal agencies.

The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to amend special regulations for Denali National Park and Preserve to clarify the number of vehicles that can travel on the restricted section (miles 15-90) of the Denali Park Road in accordance with a Vehicle Management Plan that the NPS has been implementing since 2012. The rule would clarify that no more than 160 vehicles may travel on the restricted section of the road per 24-hour period during the visitor season (also referred to as the "annual allocation season"), defined in the park's General Management Plan as beginning on the Saturday before Memorial Day and ending on the second Thursday after Labor Day. This limit allows the NPS to meet growing visitor demand while maintaining a high-quality experience for visitors.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA) are proposing to revise the grazing regulations, Grazing Administration--Exclusive of Alaska, to establish a new part addressing land health management, with certain provisions relocated from existing regulations, and to make conforming updates to the regulations that govern administrative appeals of BLM grazing decisions to OHA's Departmental Cases Hearings Division (DCHD). We solicit comment on all aspects of this rule.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) is extending the public comment period on our notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled "Risk Management and Financial Assurance for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations" by seven days. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing receipt of a proposed amendment to the Utah coal regulatory program (hereinafter, the Utah program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Utah submitted this proposed amendment on its own initiative, following the passage of Utah House Bill 419 (HB 419) during the 2026 legislative session. HB 419 amended Title 72B, chapter 5, part 8 of the Utah Code Annotated (UCA) and would require that a bond be posted by a plaintiff who obtains a "stay or other temporary remedy issued by an agency for an "environmental action." HB 419 also states that these changes are effective as of May 6, 2026. This document gives the times and locations that the Utah program and this proposed amendment to that program are available for your inspection, the comment period during which you may submit written comments on the amendment, and the procedures that we will follow for the public hearing, if one is requested.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the Temblor legless lizard (Anniella alexanderae) as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Temblor legless lizard inhabits the eastern foothills of the Temblor and Diablo ranges of California, along with adjacent portions of the San Joaquin Valley floor. After a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the Temblor legless lizard as an endangered or threatened species is not warranted at this time. However, we ask the public to submit to us at any time any new information relevant to the status of the Temblor legless lizard or its habitat.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reopening the comment period on our March 19, 2024, proposed rule to delist the North Park phacelia (Phacelia formosula), a plant found in the state of Colorado, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are reopening the proposed rule's comment period for 30 days to give all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule in consideration of the updated Species Status Assessment (SSA) report, which we revised based on new information from comments previously submitted, and based on peer review. Comments previously submitted will be fully considered in our final determination and do not need to be resubmitted.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the Jamaican kite swallowtail (Eurytides marcellinus), a butterfly species from Jamaica, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). After a review of the best scientific and commercial data available, we find that listing the species is warranted. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the species.

The National Park Service is extending the public comment period on our recently published proposed rule to improve guidance for unit managers and the public and to restore opportunities for protected activities by returning to the Alaska-specific regulations that were in effect for over three decades, prior to a series of amendments starting in 2015 that will be rescinded under the proposal. This action will provide interested parties additional time and opportunity to comment on the proposed restoration of the pre-2015 regulations and other modifications. Comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in preparation of the final rule.

The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) is announcing receipt of a proposed regulatory amendment to the Wyoming coal program (Wyoming program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Wyoming submitted this proposed amendment to us, on its own initiative, following the Wyoming Environmental Quality Council's (EQC) and Wyoming Governor's approval of the proposed changes to its Land Quality Division (LQD)--Coal Rules on September 17, 2025, and October 29, 2025, respectively. Through this amendment, Wyoming is proposing to recognize a specific type of reclamation bond estimate adjustment that would not be considered a bond release request.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to designate critical habitat for 9 animal species and 13 plant species from the Mariana Islands (the U.S. Territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands) under the Endangered Species Act (Act). In total across both the Territory and Commonwealth, approximately 59,886 acres (24,235 hectares) on the islands of Aguiguan, Alamagan, Asunci[oacute]n, Guam (including the island of Cocos), Pagan, Rota, Saipan, Sarigan, and Tinian fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. We also announce the availability of an economic analysis of the proposed designation of critical habitat for these species.

The National Park Service proposes to amend its regulations for hunting, fishing, trapping, and other natural resource harvest in national preserves in Alaska and for the procedures used to restrict public use and access in Alaska park lands. These changes restore National Park Service interpretations of law, policies, and regulations adopted to implement the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 that were in effect for over three decades. Rulemaking in 2015, 2017, and 2024 preempted methods of State-authorized fish and wildlife harvests, revised codified and established procedures for restricting public access and activities in Alaska park lands, and added severability provision, among other changes. The revisions in this proposed rule are consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 14153, E.O. 14192, and Secretary of the Interior's Order (S.O.) 3422 titled "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential."

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing changes to the migratory bird subsistence harvest regulations in Alaska. Subsistence harvest regulations allow for the continuation of customary and traditional subsistence uses of migratory birds in Alaska and establish when and where the harvesting of certain migratory birds may occur within each subsistence region. Subsistence harvest regulations, including these proposed changes, were developed through a cooperative process involving the Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Alaska Native representatives.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, received a request under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association to issue regulations facilitating the authorization of incidental, unintentional take of small numbers of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and Pacific walruses (Odobenus rosmarus divergens) during year-round oil and gas industry activities in the Beaufort Sea (Alaska and the Outer Continental Shelf) and adjacent northern coast of Alaska. Take may result from oil and gas exploration, development, production, and transportation activities occurring for a period of 5 years. Oil and gas industry operations include similar types of activities covered by the previous 5-year Beaufort Sea incidental take regulations effective from August 5, 2021, through August 5, 2026. If this rule is finalized, we may issue letters of authorization, upon request, for specific proposed activities in accordance with this proposed regulation. We are proposing that this rule, if finalized, will be for 5 years. We intend that any final action resulting from this proposed rule will be as accurate and effective as possible. Therefore, we request comments or suggestions on these proposed regulations and the accompanying draft environmental assessment from the public, Tribes, and local, State, and Federal agencies.

The Department of the Interior (the Department or DOI), acting through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), in response to Executive Order (E.O.) 14154 of January 20, 2025, Unleashing American Energy, as well as Secretarial Order No. 3418 of February 3, 2025, has reviewed market conditions of supply and demand in the crude oil and gas markets, and, as a result, is proposing to amend its existing risk management and financial assurance regulations. BOEM is tasked with managing the development of U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) energy, mineral, and geological resources in an environmentally and economically responsible way. As such, BOEM is proposing to maintain certain provisions of the existing regulations and modify only those elements that, under new market conditions, merit updating. The major proposed amendments in this rule include returning to the previous BOEM practice of considering the financial strength of jointly liable predecessor lessees, revising the credit rating threshold for determining whether oil, gas, and sulfur lessees, right-of-use and easement (RUE) grant holders, and pipeline right-of-way (ROW) grant holders on the OCS are required to provide supplemental financial assurance above the required general financial assurance amount to ensure compliance with their Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) obligations, revising the decommissioning estimate used to determine the amount of supplemental financial assurance required, and revising the appeals bond provision related to the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) appeal procedures. Each of these proposed amendments will be discussed in its corresponding section of this preamble. This proposed rule, if finalized, would significantly reduce the amount of supplemental financial assurance required from oil, gas, and sulfur lessees operating on the OCS, thereby supporting the goals of E.O. 14154 Unleashing American Energy. BOEM estimates that a total of approximately $6.2 billion of

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to amend the definition of "shellfish" in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) by removing the phrase "having a shell" and adding specific taxa. This amendment would clarify that squid, cuttlefish, octopus, and other cephalopods are included within the regulatory definition of shellfish. This action is deregulatory in nature, as it reduces regulatory ambiguity, aligns the Service's regulations with current biological understanding and commercial practice, reduces regulatory burden and is within the Service's purview to amend definitions as needed.

In response to a court order, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) are initiating a new 12-month petition finding process for the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We ask the public to submit to us any information relevant to the status of the lesser prairie-chicken or its habitat.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to remove Geocarpon minimum from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Plants. Our review indicates that the threats to Geocarpon minimum have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Accordingly, we propose to delist Geocarpon minimum. This proposed rule completes the 5-year status review for the species. If we finalize this rule as proposed, the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act, particularly through sections 4 and 7, would no longer apply to Geocarpon minimum.

Consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 14285, "Unleashing America's Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources" (April 24, 2025), E.O. 14154 "Unleashing American Energy" (January 20, 2025), E.O. 14192 "Unleashing Prosperity through Deregulation" (January 31, 2025), and consistent with agency policy, the Department of the Interior (the Department or DOI), acting through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), proposes administrative revisions to regulations that govern prospecting, leasing, and operations related to minerals other than oil, gas, and sulphur ("hard minerals") on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

The Department of the Interior (DOI or Department), through the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), is revising certain regulatory provisions published in the 2023 final well control rule for drilling, workover, completion, and decommissioning operations. BSEE is proposing revisions to clarify certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements. This rule would reduce duplicative submissions and provide consistency and clarity of information available for BSEE review.

The National Park Service (NPS) proposes to amend the special regulations for Mammoth Cave National Park to allow bicycle use on approximately 37 miles of multi-use trails throughout the park. The proposed rule also would allow visitors to ride horses on the 5.4-mile Houchin Ferry North/Ollie Road.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are reopening the comment period on our May 21, 2025, proposed rule to list the Fish Lake Valley tui chub (Siphateles obesus ssp.), a fish found in Esmeralda County in southwestern Nevada, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We are taking this action to conduct a public hearing and to allow all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule. Comments previously submitted on the proposed rule need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in our development of the final rule.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to revise its regulations governing site security and production handling and commingling applications to reflect Congress's direction in section 50101(d)(3) of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBB) and policy direction in Executive Orders (E.O.s) entitled, Unleashing American Energy and Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's "Department of Government Efficiency" Deregulatory Initiative and policy guidance in Secretary's Order (S.O.) 3418, entitled, Unleashing American Energy. The BLM is proposing to revise the regulations to allow for commingling of production more broadly to promote oil and gas production on Federal, Indian, private and State lands. Commingling of production can reduce an operator's cost which could extend the economic life of a well, thereby allowing the operator to continue producing from a well that might otherwise be abandoned.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce 90- day findings on 10 petitions to add species to the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Based on our review, we find that the petitions to list the Alvord chub (Siphateles alvordensis), Donner und Blitzen pebblesnail (Fluminicola insolitus), gray cat's-eye (Oreocarya leucophaea), Mount Pinos sooty grouse (Dendragapus fuliginosus howardi), mysterious lantern firefly (Photuris mysticalampas), Olympic marmot (Marmota olympus), San Joaquin tiger beetle (Cicindela tranquebarica joaquinensis), stippled studfish (Fundulus bifax), Wilson's phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor), and wonder caddisfly (Neothremma prolata) present substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that the petitioned actions may be warranted. Therefore, with the publication of this document, we announce that we are initiating status reviews of these species to determine whether the petitioned actions are warranted. To ensure that the status reviews are comprehensive, we request scientific and commercial data and other information regarding the species and factors that may affect their status. Based on the status reviews, we will issue 12-month petition findings, which will address whether or not the petitioned actions are warranted, in accordance with the Act.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), are announcing receipt of a proposed rule amendment to the Wyoming regulatory program (Wyoming program) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). Between 2017 and 2021, the Wyoming Environmental Quality Council (EQC) approved several changes to the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WYDEQ) Rules of Practice and Procedure. These updates largely focused on "Contested Case Hearings" rules and regulations for Wyoming State agencies. Accordingly, the State submitted this amendment proposal to OSMRE on its own initiative.

We, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), announce receipt of a proposed amendment to the North Dakota abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation plan (the North Dakota plan) under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (SMCRA or the Act). The proposed amendment updates the purposes for which the North Dakota abandoned mine reclamation fund may be used and creates a set-aside trust account in the State treasury. The definition of eligible lands and water and project priorities are also revised.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to revise our regulations concerning protections of threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (Act). We are proposing to remove the "blanket rule" option for protecting newly listed threatened species pursuant to section 4(d) of the Act. The Service intends to create species- specific rules for all threatened species currently protected under the "blanket rule" option. Until such species-specific rules are promulgated, threatened species that receive protections under the "blanket rule" option will continue to receive those protections.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS; collectively, the "Services") propose to revise portions of our regulations for section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA or Act). The proposed revisions to the interagency cooperation regulations confirm the Services' application of statutory requirements for interagency cooperation, while continuing to provide for the conservation of listed species.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS or the Service), propose to amend portions of our regulations for section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act or ESA). Specifically, we propose to revise regulations related to section 4(b)(2) of the Act. Section 4(b)(2) requires consideration of the economic impact, the impact on national security, and any other relevant impact of designating any particular area as critical habitat; and authorizes the exclusion of areas from critical habitat if the benefits of excluding the area outweigh the benefits of designating it as critical habitat. These proposed revisions articulate when and how we determine whether the benefits of excluding an area outweigh the benefits of designating the area as critical habitat (exclusion analysis). This proposed rule reflects the Service's experience and existing case law. The intended effect of this proposed rule is to provide greater transparency and certainty for the public and stakeholders.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS; collectively, the "Services"), propose to revise portions of our regulations for section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA or Act). The proposed revisions to the regulations clarify and interpret portions of the Act concerning the procedures and criteria used for listing, reclassifying, and delisting species on the Lists of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants and designating critical habitat.

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce a 12-month finding on a petition to list the Okinawa woodpecker (Dendrocopos noguchii) as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). The Okinawa woodpecker is a relatively large woodpecker endemic to northern Okinawa, Japan. After a thorough review of the best scientific and commercial data available, we find that listing the Okinawa woodpecker as an endangered, or threatened, species is not warranted at this time. However, we ask the public to submit to us, at any time, any new information relevant to the status of the Okinawa woodpecker, or its habitat.