Government Moves to Save California's Last Lake Minnows
Published Date: 1/16/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to protect the Clear Lake hitch, a special fish found only in California’s Clear Lake area, by listing it as a threatened species. This means new rules will help keep the fish safe and healthy. People can share their thoughts on this plan until March 17, 2025, and the changes could affect local fishing and conservation efforts.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Clear Lake hitch listed as threatened
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to list the Clear Lake hitch as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act and to add it to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. The proposal was published January 16, 2025, and the Service will accept public comments through March 17, 2025.
Section 4(d) rule will set protections
The proposal includes issuing protective regulations under section 4(d) of the Endangered Species Act to govern activities affecting the Clear Lake hitch. The Service specifically seeks information about how much of the section 9 prohibitions to include and whether any exceptions should apply.
Critical habitat not determinable now
The Service states that, concurrently with listing, it must designate critical habitat to the maximum extent prudent and determinable, but that critical habitat for the Clear Lake hitch is not determinable at this time. When designating critical habitat, the Secretary must consider the economic impact and other relevant impacts of any particular area.
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