Government Lets Companies Pay to Disturb Prairie Chickens
Published Date: 1/14/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is updating plans that help protect the Lesser Prairie-Chicken while allowing oil, gas, wind, solar, power line, and communication tower projects in five states. These changes affect Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas and invite public comments until February 13, 2025. The updates aim to balance energy development with wildlife conservation, with no immediate cost changes announced.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Plan Area Expanded to 2022 Range
The Fish and Wildlife Service proposes to expand the habitat conservation plan (HCP) areas to match the Lesser Prairie-Chicken 2022 estimated occupied range (EOR), adding coverage in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. If approved, the HCPs would be able to provide LEPC conservation and incidental take permit coverage for covered oil, gas, wind, solar, power line, and communication tower activities throughout that 2022 EOR boundary.
Permit Terms and Take Estimates Unchanged
The proposed amendments state there are no changes to the duration of the HCPs and associated permits, no changes to the covered activities, and no changes to the original incidental take estimates. That means existing permit durations, the list of covered activities, and the originally estimated incidental take amounts would remain the same.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-12299 — Presidential Declaration Amendment of a Major Disaster for Public Assistance Only for the Commonwealth of Kentucky
The President has updated the disaster declaration for Kentucky’s severe winter storm from January 23-27, 2026, adding Adair and Casey counties to the list of areas eligible for public assistance. This means more communities can get help recovering, with physical loan applications due by July 28, 2026, and economic injury loans available until March 1, 2027. If you’re in these counties, now’s the time to apply and get the support you need!
2026-12235 — Advisory Committee; Science Board to the Food and Drug Administration; Renewal
The FDA is renewing its Science Board for two more years, keeping expert advice flowing to help ensure safe and effective drugs and products. This renewal affects scientists and public health folks who guide the FDA’s big decisions, with the new term lasting until June 26, 2028. No extra costs or delays are expected—just more smart brains working for your health!
2026-12238 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Comment Request; Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labeling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements
The FDA is asking for public feedback by July 20, 2026, on their rules that keep dietary supplements safe and made right. These rules affect companies that make, package, label, or store supplements, helping ensure products are high quality without adding extra costs. This review keeps the safety standards up-to-date and clear for everyone involved.
2026-12241 — Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
NARA wants to renew approval for a form that helps the FOIA Ombuds office get your okay before sharing info to solve Freedom of Information Act requests. This affects anyone asking for government records and means you might soon be able to submit consent forms online, making the process smoother. Comments on this plan are open until July 20, 2026, with no new costs involved.
2026-12285 — 737th Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS)
The Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (ACRS) is meeting July 8-10, 2026, to focus on updating how nuclear reactors get licensed and checked for safety. They’re trimming down their work to only the most important and new issues, thanks to a recent government order. This means faster, smarter reviews that affect nuclear plant operators and the public, with meetings open for remote participation and no big cost changes expected.
2026-12336 — PacifiCorp; Notice of Application Accepted for Filing, Intent To Waive Scoping, Soliciting Motions To Intervene and Protests, Ready for Environmental Analysis, and Soliciting Comments, Recommendations, and Terms and Conditions
PacifiCorp wants to keep running its Ashton Hydroelectric Project on the Snake River in Idaho without a full license, and the government is ready to review the environmental impact. Local communities, environmental groups, and energy users can share their thoughts or raise concerns by August 14, 2026. This move could speed up clean energy production while protecting the river, with decisions and replies wrapping up by late September.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-00564 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Generic Drug User Fee Program
The FDA wants your thoughts on how it collects info for its Generic Drug User Fee Program, which helps speed up generic drug approvals. This affects drug companies who pay fees to get their products reviewed faster. You’ve got until March 17, 2025, to share your comments, so don’t miss out on shaping how this program runs and how fees are handled!
Next: 2025-00567 — Records Schedules; Availability and Request for Comments
The National Archives is sharing new plans from federal agencies about which old records they want to toss. They’re asking the public to check out these plans and share thoughts by March 3, 2025. This helps keep government files tidy without wasting money or space, and anyone can join the conversation online!