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Sign a petition on one of our initiatives.
National Forests
Engage in a public policy proposal on National Forest land.
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Engage in a public policy proposal on BLM land.
Browse the Federal Register
Engage in public policy proposals in the Federal Register.
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The Threat to Arizona’s Rural Way of Life: The Battle Against Massive Master-Planned Communities
We cherish our rural way of life, with its quiet neighborhoods, low crime rates, and small family-owned businesses. We appreciate the beauty of nature, wildlife, and the rich history of the area. However, this rural way of life is threatened by massive master-planned communities being developed in the West Valley. These communities, led by the…
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Biden declares 1 million acre National Monument in Arizona | Thousands of miles of roads at stake
On August 8th, 2023, Joe Biden used the Antiquities Act and signed a proclamation declaring the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, which has placed over 1 million acres of state and federal public land in Arizona under rigorous protection. The proposed monument was introduced by the Grand Canyon…
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RED ALERT | New BLM rule will decimate multiple use mandate and end public participation requirements
A new proposed rule published in the Federal Register on April 3, 2023 seeks to realign the Bureaus’ objective by placing environmental protection on a level playing field with the bureaus’ multiple use mandate. According to the Bureau, the new regulation will establish conservation “on par” with the Bureaus multiple use mandate established by the…
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SB1100 Moves ahead in House Committees
The new bill in the Arizona Legislature that will refine Arizona’s definition of OHV is moving forward through House committees with the full support of House Republicans. The bill will increase the state’s threshold weight that defines an OHV from 2,500 lbs to 3,500 lbs. Arizona Backcountry Explorers is concerned that OHV regulations designed for…
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SB1393 | Reallocating the OHV fund to establish County Sheriff OHV Safety Fund
Republican Senator Sine Kerr has introduced a bill that will reallocate the Arizona Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) fund. As it is, 30% of the OHV fund goes to the Arizona Highway User Revenue Fund administered by the Arizona Department of Transportation. The new bill will add ARS 28-1182 to reallocate this 30% and establish the…
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ACTION ALERT | SB1100 increases OHV weight limit to 3,500 lbs
Republican Senator Frank Carroll from district 23 has introduced a Bill that will increase the OHV weight limit requiring motorized vehicles under 3,500 lbs to acquire an Arizona Off Highway Vehicle sticker. The bill simply amends Arizona Revised Statutes 28.101, 28.1177, and 28.5801 to change the weight limits from 2,500 to 3,500 lbs.
Federal Register
Browse proposals in the Federal Register that are currently open for comment.
Open For Comment Concerning Arizona
The following proposals concerning Arizona are open for comment. By following the links to the Federal Register, you can read more about each submission..
Salt River Project Roosevelt Habitat Conservation Plan Amendment and Draft Environmental Assessment; Maricopa and Gila Counties, Arizona
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as the lead Federal agency, in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as a cooperating agency, announce the availability of a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the proposed Salt River Project Roosevelt Habitat Conservation Plan (RHCP) Amendment which includes a proposed planned deviation to the Corps' Water Control Manual (WCM) in Gila and Maricopa Counties, Arizona. Salt River Project (applicant) submitted the RHCP amendment, also available for public review, in support of an application for an amended incidental take permit (permit) under the Endangered Species Act. Prepared in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, the draft EA evaluates the impacts of, and alternatives to, amending the existing permit for the operation of the Modified Roosevelt Dam and Lake. If approved, the requested permit amendment would authorize incidental take of the northern Mexican gartersnake and expand the permit area for existing authorized incidental take for the yellow-billed cuckoo, southwestern willow flycatcher, and bald eagle. We invite comments from the public and Federal, Tribal, State, and local governments.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Quitobaquito Tryonia and Designation of Critical Habitat
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the Quitobaquito tryonia (Tryonia quitobaquitae), a springsnail species from Arizona, as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This determination also serves as our 12-month finding on a petition to list the Quitobaquito tryonia. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the species is warranted. We also propose to designate critical habitat for the Quitobaquito tryonia under the Act. In total, approximately 6,095 square feet (566 square meters) across 2 subunits in Pima County, Arizona, fall within the boundaries of the proposed critical habitat designation. We also announce the availability of a draft economic analysis (DEA) of the proposed designation of critical habitat for Quitobaquito tryonia. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would extend the Act's protections to this species and its designated critical habitat.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removing the Apache Trout From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or USFWS), propose to remove the Apache trout (Oncorhynchus apache), a fish native to Arizona, from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife due to recovery. Our review of the best available scientific and commercial data indicates that the threats to the species have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the definition of a threatened species or an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). If we finalize this rule as proposed, the prohibitions and conservation measures provided by the Act, particularly through section 7 and our regulations would no longer apply to the Apache trout. We request information and comments from the public regarding this proposed rule for the Apache trout.
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and To Amend the Resource Management Plan for the Lower Sonoran Field Office, and Notice of Segregation for the Proposed Vulcan Solar Project, Arizona
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona State Director intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and associated Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendment to consider the effects of the Vulcan Solar Project (Project) and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping period to solicit public comments and identify issues, and is providing the planning criteria for public review. The BLM also announces the segregation of 8,911 acres of public lands from appropriation under the public land laws, including the Mining Law, but not the Mineral Leasing or Materials Acts, for a period of two years from the date of publication of this notice, subject to valid existing rights. This segregation will facilitate the orderly administration of the public lands while the BLM considers potential solar development on the described parcels.
Notice of Inventory Completion: Northern Arizona University, Department of Anthropology, Flagstaff, AZ
The Northern Arizona University, Department of Anthropology has completed an inventory of human remains in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a written request to the Northern Arizona University, Department of Anthropology. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Technical Corrections for Eight Species of Endangered and Threatened Fish and Wildlife
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), correct the information provided in the “Where listed'' column of the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife (List) for eight species listed as endangered species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). Errors introduced into the List may be interpreted as indicating that only some populations of these species are listed. We are correcting the List to clarify that protections apply to these species wherever found.
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Notice of Segregation for the Proposed Jove Solar Project, La Paz County, AZ
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), and the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended (FLPMA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Yuma Field Office, Yuma, Arizona, intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to consider the effects of the Jove Solar Project (Jove Solar), an up to 600-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) project and battery storage system proposed on 3,495 acres of BLM-administered land in La Paz County, Arizona, and by this notice is announcing the beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and identify issues. The BLM also announces the segregation of the 3,495 acres of public lands from appropriation under the public land laws, including the Mining Law, but not the Mineral Leasing or Materials Acts, for a period of 2 years from the date of publication of this notice, subject to valid existing rights. This segregation will facilitate the orderly administration of the public lands while the BLM considers potential solar development on the described parcel.
Endangered Wildlife; Recovery Permit Applications
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct activities intended to recover and enhance endangered species survival. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits certain activities that may impact endangered species, unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
Notice of Realty Action: Land Sale Segregation; Arizona
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes a noncompetitive (direct) sale of 20 acres to the City of Apache Junction (City) in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 203 and 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and the BLM land sale regulations. Since the Recreation and Public Purposes Act (R&PP) does not authorize uses aimed predominately at producing revenue or where the principal use is a commercial activity, the City would like to further develop and operate the land through a direct sale. The appraised Fair Market Value (FMV) of the parcel is $1,400,000.
Endangered Wildlife; Recovery Permit Applications
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct activities intended to recover and enhance endangered species survival. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits certain activities that may impact endangered species, unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions
The National Park Service is soliciting electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before March 25, 2023, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places.
National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions
The National Park Service is soliciting electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before July 29, 2023, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places.
National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions
The National Park Service is soliciting electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before August 12, 2023, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places.
Endangered Wildlife; Recovery Permit Applications
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct activities intended to recover and enhance endangered species survival. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits certain activities that may impact endangered species, unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Application
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application for a permit to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on this application. Before issuing the requested permit, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions
The National Park Service is soliciting electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before April 1, 2023, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places.
Notice of Proposed Withdrawal and Notice of Public Meetings, Arizona
On behalf of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and subject to valid existing rights, the Secretary of the Interior proposes to withdraw 21,200 acres of public lands from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including location and entry under the United States mining laws, and from leasing under the mineral and geothermal leasing laws, and 800 acres of Federal surface estate public lands from appropriation under the public land laws, located in La Paz and Yuma Counties, Arizona, for up to 5 years while a land management evaluation is completed. Publication of this notice temporarily segregates the lands for a period ending on April 4, 2024, initiates a 90-day public comment period and announces that the BLM will hold public meetings on the proposed withdrawal.
Endangered Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Applications
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received applications for permits to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation and survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on these applications. Before issuing the requested permits, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
Notice of Inventory Completion: Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY
Vassar College has completed an inventory of human remains in consultation with the appropriate Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations and has determined that there is a cultural affiliation between the human remains and present-day Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations. Lineal descendants or representatives of any Indian Tribe or Native Hawaiian organization not identified in this notice that wish to request transfer of control of these human remains should submit a written request to Vassar College. If no additional requestors come forward, transfer of control of the human remains to the lineal descendants, Indian Tribes, or Native Hawaiian organizations stated in this notice may proceed.
National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions
The National Park Service is soliciting electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before December 24, 2022, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places.
Open For Comment Nationwide
Below you will find policy proposals that take effect nationwide. These proposals will affect all public lands.
Docket No. FWS-HQ-IA-2023-0184; FXIA16710900000-234-FF09A30000]
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on applications to conduct certain activities with foreign species that are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). With some exceptions, the ESA prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing permits for any activity otherwise prohibited by the ESA with respect to any endangered species.
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the December 2016 Record of Decision Entitled Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan
On June 6, 2023, the Secretary of the Interior's Acting Designee to the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Work Group (AMWG), a Federal advisory committee, directed the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS). The supplement is to the December 2016 Record of Decision for the Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental and Management Plan (LTEMP) Final Environmental Impact Statement and will analyze flow options to prevent smallmouth bass and other warmwater invasive nonnative fish from establishing below Glen Canyon Dam (by preventing additional spawning) and will analyze new information regarding the sediment accounting window associated with the LTEMP High-Flow Experiment (HFE) protocol.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; National Park Service Background Investigation/Clearance Initiation Request
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we, the National Park Service (NPS) are proposing to renew an existing information collection with revisions.
Law Enforcement; Criminal Prohibitions
The Forest Service (Forest Service or Agency), United States Department of Agriculture, is proposing to revise the Forest Service's criminal prohibitions to enhance consistency of the Forest Service's law enforcement practices with those of State and other Federal land management agencies. The Forest Service is proposing to streamline enforcement of criminal prohibitions in related to fire and use of vehicles on National Forest System roads and trails by eliminating the requirement to issue an order for enforcement.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for Short-Tailed Snake
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the short-tailed snake (Lampropeltis extenuata), a snake species from peninsular Florida, as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This determination also serves as our 12-month finding on a petition to list the short-tailed snake. After a review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the species is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the short-tailed snake as a threatened species with a rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act (“4(d) rule''). If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add this species to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the species.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Threatened Species Status With Section 4(d) Rule for the Northwestern Pond Turtle and Southwestern Pond Turtle
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to list the northwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata), a species from Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and northern and central California, and the southwestern pond turtle (Actinemys pallida), a species from central and southern California and Baja California, Mexico, as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This determination also serves as our 12-month finding on a petition to list the western pond turtle, which is now recognized as two separate species (northwestern pond turtle and southwestern pond turtle). After a review of the best scientific and commercial information available, we find that listing the northwestern pond turtle and southwestern pond turtle is warranted. Accordingly, we propose to list the northwestern pond turtle and southwestern pond turtle as threatened species with rules issued under section 4(d) of the Act (“4(d) rule'') for each species. If we finalize this rule as proposed, it would add the northwestern pond turtle and southwestern pond turtle to the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and extend the Act's protections to the two species. Due to the current lack of data sufficient to perform required analyses, we conclude that the designation of critical habitat for the northwestern pond turtle and southwestern pond turtle is not determinable at this time.
Call for Nominations for the National Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board
The purpose of this notice is to solicit public nominations for three positions on the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board (Board) that will become vacant on January 11, 2024. The Board provides advice concerning the management, protection, and control of wild free-roaming horses and burros on public lands administered by the Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Department of Agriculture, through the U.S. Forest Service.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance Program
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we, the National Park Service (NPS), are proposing to renew an information collection with revisions.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Programmatic Clearance for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Social Science Research
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing a new information collection.
Special Uses; Land Use Fees; Temporary Land Use Fee Reductions for Recreation Residence Permits
The Forest Service (Forest Service or Agency), United States Department of Agriculture, is proposing to update its special uses regulations, consistent with the requirement in the Cabin Fee Act, to provide for suspension or temporary reduction of the land use fee for a recreation residence permit if access to, or occupancy of, the recreation residence is significantly restricted.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Establishment of a Nonessential Experimental Population of Grizzly Bear in the North Cascades Ecosystem, Washington State
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS or Service), propose to establish a nonessential experimental population (NEP) of the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) within the U.S. portion of the North Cascades Ecosystem (NCE) in the State of Washington under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act or ESA). Establishment of this NEP is intended to support reintroduction and recovery of grizzly bears within the NCE and provide the prohibitions and exceptions under the Act necessary and appropriate to conserve the species within a defined NEP area. The proposed NEP area includes most of the State of Washington except for an area in northeastern Washington that encompasses the Selkirk Ecosystem Grizzly Bear Recovery Zone. The best available data indicate that reintroduction of the grizzly bear to the NCE, within the NEP area, is biologically feasible and will promote the conservation of the species. We are seeking comments on this proposed section 10(j) rule.
Endangered and Threatened Species; Receipt of Recovery Permit Application
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have received an application for a permit to conduct activities intended to enhance the propagation or survival of endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. We invite the public and local, State, Tribal, and Federal agencies to comment on this application. Before issuing the requested permit, we will take into consideration any information that we receive during the public comment period.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget; Sea Lamprey Control Program
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an information collection, without change.
Wild Bird Conservation Act; Receipt of Permit Application
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), invite the public to comment on permit applications regarding foreign bird species for which the Service has jurisdiction under the Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA). With some exceptions, the WBCA prohibits activities with listed species unless Federal authorization is issued that allows such activities. The WBCA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing permits for any activity it otherwise prohibits.
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Species Status Assessment for the Northern California-Southern Oregon Distinct Population Segment of Fisher
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), notify the public that we are requesting new information to develop a species status assessment (SSA) for the Northern California-Southern Oregon (NCSO) distinct population segment (DPS) of fisher (Pekania pennanti). We plan to initiate a status review to determine whether the NCSO DPS of fisher is warranted for listing as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). We request new information since 2019 regarding the NCSO DPS of fisher to inform our SSA. Per a court-approved settlement agreement, we will submit a new final listing determination to the Federal Register on or before August 21, 2025.
Endangered Wildlife; Recovery Permit Applications
We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, invite the public to comment on the following applications for a permit to conduct activities intended to recover and enhance endangered species survival. With some exceptions, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) prohibits certain activities that may impact endangered species, unless a Federal permit allows such activity. The ESA also requires that we invite public comment before issuing these permits.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget; CITES Master's Course
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing a new information collection in use without Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval.
Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Authorizing Grazing Use
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposes to renew an information collection.
National Register of Historic Places; Notification of Pending Nominations and Related Actions
The National Park Service is soliciting electronic comments on the significance of properties nominated before August 26, 2023, for listing or related actions in the National Register of Historic Places.
Agency Information Collection Activities; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Agreements With Friends Organizations
In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew an information collection with revisions.
