# 2026-03883: Prairie-Chickens Booted from Endangered List by Court Mandate

2026-03883, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removal of Northern and Southern Distinct Population Segments of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in Compliance With Court Order, is a Federal Register rule from Interior Department, Fish and Wildlife Service published 2026-02-26, effective 2026-02-26 (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03883
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-03883
- Title: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removal of Northern and Southern Distinct Population Segments of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in Compliance With Court Order
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Interior Department; Fish and Wildlife Service
- Citation: 91 FR 9474
- Published: 2026-02-26
- Effective: 2026-02-26
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1018-BB27
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

Prairie-Chickens Booted from Endangered List by Court Mandate

## Summary

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is removing the northern and southern groups of the lesser prairie-chicken from the endangered and threatened species list, following a court order. This means these birds no longer have special protections under the Endangered Species Act, effective February 26, 2026, though the court’s decision took effect earlier. This change affects conservation rules and could impact land use and wildlife management in their habitats.

## Abstract

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.

## Effects PRIA read

- Lesser Prairie-Chicken Protections Removed: mixed, medium. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the northern and southern distinct population segments (DPSs) of the lesser prairie-chicken from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, so Endangered Species Act protections no longer apply to those DPSs. The published rule is effective Fe…

## Related documents

- [2026-14629](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14629): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Designating Critical Habitat, 2026-07-21
- [2026-14633](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14633): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations Pertaining to Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, 2026-07-21
- [2026-14299](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14299): Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revised Designation of Critical Habitat for the Contiguous U.S. Distinct Population Segment…, 2026-07-16
- [2026-14195](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-14195): Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act, 2026-07-14
- [2026-12955](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12955): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26
- [2026-12951](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12951): Process for Authorizing Seasonal Migratory Game Bird Hunting, 2026-06-26

## Sources
- [2026-03883 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/26/2026-03883/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-removal-of-northern-and-southern-distinct-population)
- [2026-03883 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-02-26/pdf/2026-03883.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-03883 (as of 2026-06-11).