The Fish and Wildlife Service is removing the Nelson’s checker-mallow (Sidalcea nelsoniana), a flowering plant found in the Willamette Valley and the Coast Range of Oregon and Washington, from the Endangered Species List, it said in a final rule released Oct. 16. An FWS review indicated that “threats to Nelson’s checker-mallow have been eliminated or reduced to the point that the species no longer meets the definition of an endangered or threatened species," the agency said. The delisting takes effect Nov. 16.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is removing 21 species from its Endangered Species List because the species have gone extinct. A final rule released by FWS on Oct. 16 delists the little Marana fruit bat and 10 species of birds, including the Kauai akialoa; Kauai nukupuu; Kauai 'o'o (honeyeater); Large Kauai thrush (kam'a); Maui akepa; Maui nukupuu; Molokai creeper (kakawahie); po'ouli (honeycreeper); bridled white-eye and Bachman's warbler. It also removes two fish species, the San Marcos Gambusia and the Scioto madtom. Eight species of clams are also being removed, including the flat pigtoe; southern acornshell; stirrupshell; upland combshell; green blossom (pearly mussel); tubercled blossom (pearly mussel); turgid blossom (pearly mussel) and the yellow blossom (pearly mussel). The final rule takes effect Nov. 16.
An analysis of the Rapid Response Mechanism, aimed at bolstering the rights of Mexican workers in USMCA, says it's early yet to see if it raises wages and employment in export-intensive sectors, and if the U.S. is successful in replicating the approach in other trade agreements.
Panelists and a senior administrative official acknowledged that the Inflation Reduction Act agitated Japanese, South Korean and European allies who saw its tax provisions as protectionist, but the politics made it the only way to ramp up U.S. climate ambition, several said.
The Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final rule Oct. 5 listing the Lassics lupine (Lupinus constancei), a plant species native to northern California, as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The rule also designates a critical habitat area. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect Nov. 6.
The Energy Department is amending its energy efficiency standards for commercial water heating equipment, it said in a final rule released Oct. 5 and effective Dec. 5. The compliance date for the updated standards is Oct. 6, 2026.
The Federal Maritime Commission last week dismissed a charge complaint against Mediterranean Shipping Company lodged by SOFi Paper Products after MSC refunded SOFi for a congestion surcharge that allegedly violated U.S. shipping regulations. The FMC also determined no violations "of the Shipping Act were proven in this proceeding."
An academic and a think tank scholar agreed that, despite the upcoming visit between the EU president and the U.S. president, they don't expect the global arrangement on steel and aluminum negotiations to conclude by their Oct. 31 deadline.
The Bureau of International Labor Affairs, or ILAB, is asking for comments on its recent report on the worst forms of child labor; its list of goods produced by child labor or forced labor; and on Comply Chain, advice for importers on labor compliance. Comments are open until Dec. 15. Comments may lead to the department updating the list, and will be used in preparing next year's report. For the Comply Chain comments, ILAB is asking for "information on current practices of firms, business associations, and other private sector groups to reduce the likelihood of child labor and forced labor in the production of goods."
The Fish and Wildlife Service is issuing a final rule reclassifying the relict darter (Etheostoma chienense), a fish species that occupies the Bayou de Chien stream system in western Kentucky, from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The listing includes a 4(d) rule for this species that prohibits importation and exportation without a permit. The rule becomes effective Oct. 27.