FWS Seeks Comments on Endangered Species Permit Forms
Published Date: 6/2/2026
Notice
Summary
The Fish and Wildlife Service is updating the forms and reports needed for permits involving native endangered and threatened species. If you work with these animals or need permits, you’ll see some changes to the paperwork soon. They’re asking for your feedback by August 3, 2026, so get your comments in on time—no extra costs, just smoother rules!
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
Large Aggregate Permit Fees Reported
The Service reports total annual non-hour permit fees of $19,359,100 for the existing collection (OMB Control No. 1018-0094) and $56,360 for the proposed new collection (OMB Control No. 1018-NEW). These are fees associated with permit applications and amendments for activities under the Endangered Species Act.
Big Reduction in Reported Time Burden
The notice shows the existing collection has a total estimated annual burden of 205,640 hours (responses: 1,941; completion time per response up to 2,080 hours), while the proposed new collection reports 14,450 hours (responses: 5,959; completion time per response up to 8 hours). These numbers describe how much applicant time the Service expects the collections to require.
Business Applicants Must Provide New Information
Form 3-200-59 (Recovery Permit Application) will add required information fields for business applicants and clarify instructions distinguishing new, renewal, and amended permit applications. Form 3-200-56 (Incidental Take Permit with HCP) will clarify accepted supporting materials and clarify language on fees and required HCP content.
Bumble Bee Form Simplified; Photos Submitted Separately
Form 3-2526 (Bumble Bee Reporting Form) will be simplified: worksheets reorganized, a new 'Site Data' worksheet added, a new 'Bee Survey Data' worksheet added, extraneous fields removed, and photographs will no longer be embedded in the workbook but submitted separately (for example, in a zipped folder). The form will also add a 'Definitions' worksheet and update instructions to reflect simplified detection protocols.
Bat Reporting Forms Add Hibernacula and Banding Sheets
Seven regional bat reporting forms (Forms 3-202-55b through 3-202-55e and 3-2532 through 3-2534) will add two new worksheets: one for reporting hibernacula survey results and another for documenting banded bats encountered during surveys. These additions aim to prevent mis-submission of hibernacula data and improve data consistency.
Recovery/SSA Information Requests and Public Cost Input
The Service proposes a new collection (OMB Control No. 1018-NEW) to gather information from external partners and the public to inform Species Status Assessments (SSAs) and recovery plans. The Service will request scientific data, threats, ongoing management, potential recovery actions, and public input on costs associated with implementing recommended recovery actions.
Landowner and Permittee Notification Duties
Private landowners with enhancement-of-survival permits must notify the Service if their land management activities incidentally take a covered listed or candidate species, must notify if land ownership changes (permits do not automatically transfer), and permittees keeping wildlife in captivity must notify the Service if any captive wildlife escape.
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Key Dates
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