Comment deadline to USFWS on the proposed biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health (BIDEH) rules of our national wildlife refuges

March 4th is the deadline to submit comments on USFWS proposed rule about predator hunting and other issues on National Wildlife Refuges.   We assume comments must be posted on-line  just before 10 pm MT, or midnight CT. Or if sending by postal mail, postmarked on 3/4/24.

For the federal register notice … https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/02/2024-02076/national-wildlife-refuge-system-biological-integrity-diversity-and-environmental-health

 Quotes from the FR:

SUMMARY:

“We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose new regulations to ensure that the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health (BIDEH) of the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System) are maintained, and where appropriate, restored and enhanced, in accordance with the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997. In addition, the Service is proposing updates to the existing BIDEH policy, which will be available for public comment concurrently with the proposed regulations in this docket. These proposed regulatory and policy revisions would support conservation throughout the Refuge System in response to both longstanding and contemporary conservation challenges, including the universal and profound effects of climate change on refuge species and ecosystems. Together, these proposals would uphold BIDEH across the Refuge System by providing refuge managers with a consistent approach for evaluating and implementing management actions to protect vulnerable species, restore and connect habitats, promote natural processes, sustain vital ecological functions, increase resilience, and adapt to climate change.”………..

DATES

USFWS  will accept comments on the proposed rule and proposed revisions to the Service Manual chapter at 601 FW 3 that are received or postmarked on or before March 4, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

Document availability: This proposed rule and the draft Service Manual chapter 601 FW 3 are available at the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS–HQ–NWRS–2022–0106, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, click on the Search button. To access the Service Manual chapter, go to the tab for Supporting & Related Material.

Comment submission: You may submit comments on this proposed rule or the proposed revisions to 601 FW 3 by one of the following methods:

• Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. In the Search box, enter FWS–HQ–NWRS–2022–0106, which is the docket number for this rulemaking. Then, click on the Search button. On the resulting screen, find the correct document and submit a comment by clicking on “Comment.”

• By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand delivery to: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–HQ–NWRS–2022–0106; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB (JAO/3W); Falls Church, VA 22041–3803.