Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on a Petition To List the Smalltail Shark (Carcharhinus porosus) as Threatened or Endangered Under the Endangered Species Act

2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date

NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.

2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.

2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings

NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.

2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan

Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.

2026-15161, Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits

The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.

2026-15162, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Cost Recovery Program

NMFS publishes notification of a 0.67 percent fee for cost recovery under the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Crab Rationalization Program (Program). This action is intended to provide holders of crab allocations notice of the 2026/2027 crab fishing year fee percentage so they can calculate the required cost recovery fee payment, which must be submitted to NMFS by July 31, 2027.

Previous: 2026-15197, Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Cuyahoga River, Cleveland, OH

The Coast Guard is seeking information and comments on a proposed change to the operating regulation for all movable bridges over the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland, OH. The Cuyahoga River Harbor Safety Committee raised concerns to the Coast Guard regarding the radio frequency of the movable bridges and its interference with distress calls on VHF-FM Marine Channel 16 on 156.800 Megahertz. Currently, the Coast Guard's proposed solution to these issues would move the hailing channel for the bridges from VHF-FM Marine Channel 16 on 156.800 Megahertz to VHF-FM Marine Channel 9 on 156.450 Megahertz for all movable bridges over the Cuyahoga River. We invite your comments on this Notice of Inquiry.

Next: 2026-15211, Energy Conservation Program: Procedures, Interpretations, and Policies for Consideration of New or Revised Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures for Consumer Products and Certain Commercial/Industrial Equipment; Extension of Public Comment Period

On July 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") published in the Federal Register a notice of proposed rulemaking ("NOPR") and announcement of webinar proposing to update the Department's current rulemaking methodology titled, "Procedures, Interpretations, and Policies for Consideration of New or Revised Energy Conservation Standards and Test Procedures for Consumer Products and Certain Commercial/Industrial Equipment." The notice provided an opportunity for submitting written comments by August 6, 2026. On July 13, 2026, DOE received a joint request from multiple trade organizations to extend the public comment period to September 8, 2026. DOE has reviewed this request and is granting a 15-day extension of the public comment period so as to allow public comments to be submitted until August 21, 2026.