The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is delaying the effective date of the final rule to list two distinct population segments (DPS) of the lesser prairie chicken under the Endangered Species Act. The effective date will be extended by 60 days this year, from Jan. 24 to March 27.
According to FWS, during the extension period, FWS will continue working with interested parties to establish agency-approved grazing management plans that are required for those in the northern DPS. Southeastern Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma and the northeast Texas Panhandle will be included in this segment and subject to a 4(d) rule, which will only provide exemptions for take associated with grazing practices that follow a management plan developed by an agency-approved third party. The southern DPS, which will cover New Mexico and the southwest Texas Panhandle, will be listed as endangered. Incidental take in…
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