Wildlife Refuge Expansion Axed for Energy and Farm Wins
Published Date: 7/31/2025
Notice
Summary
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is canceling its plan to buy land for the Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge. This means no new land will be added to the refuge, supporting energy and farming instead. The change follows a 2025 executive order and helps local communities keep their jobs and businesses strong.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
No More Land Acquisitions at Muleshoe
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service withdrew the final Land Protection Plan for Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge that was approved on June 15, 2023. Hereafter, the Service will take no actions to acquire lands within the acquisition boundary created by that withdrawn plan.
Policy Shift Favoring Energy and Farming
The Service says it withdrew the plan to support Executive Order 14154 of January 20, 2025, titled 'Unleashing American Energy.' The withdrawal is intended to ensure lands continue to support energy development, agriculture production, and local economies so local communities can keep their jobs and businesses strong.
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
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-12955 — Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting
The Fish and Wildlife Service is changing how it approves seasonal migratory game bird hunting. Instead of making new rules every year, they’ll issue a hunting plan every three years, updating it sooner if needed. This will save time and money, help States, Tribes, and hunters, and keep bird populations safe.
2026-12951 — Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting
The Fish and Wildlife Service is changing how it approves seasonal migratory game bird hunting. Instead of yearly rules, they’ll issue a hunting plan every three years but still decide harvest levels annually. This new process saves time and money, helps States and Tribes, and kicks in August 25, 2026—unless big objections come in by July 27.
2026-10846 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is officially protecting over 1.5 million acres of land across six states to save the rusty patched bumble bee, a once-common pollinator now endangered. Starting July 1, 2026, this critical habitat designation will help keep these bees buzzing by limiting harmful activities in these areas. Landowners and communities in 33 counties should get ready for new rules that support bee recovery without heavy costs.
2026-08146 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for the Rayed Bean, Sheepnose, Snuffbox, and Spectaclecase Mussels
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is officially protecting over 3,800 river miles across 17 states as critical habitat for four endangered freshwater mussels: rayed bean, sheepnose, snuffbox, and spectaclecase. This means these rivers will get special care to help these mussels survive and thrive. The new protections start May 27, 2026, and could affect activities near these waters, encouraging conservation efforts without heavy costs.
2026-05678 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Designation of Critical Habitat for 22 Species in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Territory of Guam
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wants to protect 22 special plants and animals in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands by marking nearly 60,000 acres as critical habitat. This means these areas will get extra care to help these species survive and thrive. People can share their thoughts by June 22, 2026, and an economic report is ready to show how this might affect local communities.
2026-13719 — Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Kern Canyon Slender Salamander and Endangered Species Status for the Relictual Slender Salamander; Designation of Critical Habitat
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to protect two special salamanders: the Kern Canyon slender salamander as threatened with extra protections, and the relictual slender salamander as endangered. They’re also setting aside important habitats to help these salamanders survive. People have until August 6, 2026, to share their thoughts, and these protections could affect local land use and conservation funding.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-14492 — Pesticides: Notice of Receipt of Requests to Voluntarily Cancel Certain Pesticide Registrations With a 30-Day Comment Period (June 2025)
The EPA got requests from companies to cancel some pesticide products and wants your thoughts within 30 days. If no big issues pop up, these pesticides will be officially canceled, meaning they can’t be sold or used anymore. This affects farmers, sellers, and anyone using these pesticides, so keep an eye on the deadline to share your opinion!
Next: 2025-14494 — Combined Notice of Filings #1
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got a bunch of new electric rate filings from companies like Viridon, Duke Energy, and others. These filings include updates and new agreements that could change how much people pay for electricity, with some changes kicking in as soon as July 2025 and others later in the year. If you want to have your say, make sure to comment by mid-August or earlier for some filings!