What: On November 22, 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published a proposed rule in the Federal Register setting to designate the Pecos Pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis), a fish species from the Pecos River Basin of New Mexico and Texas, as a threatened species.
Additionally, the FWS proposes to set aside 136.12 river miles (219.06 river kilometers) and 26,555.54 acres (10,746.64 hectares) in Chaves and Eddy Counties, New Mexico, and Culberson and Reeves Counties, Texas, as critical habitat for the pupfish.
FWS has certified that the proposed critical habitat designation will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
FWS also released an economic analysis of the proposed critical habitat designation and will schedule a public hearing if one is requested.
Deadlines: Comments on the proposed rule are due January 21, 2025, and requests for a public hearing must be received by January 6, 2025.
Action: Read the proposed rule, submit comments, and request a public hearing.
Advocacy contact: Send an email to Nick Goldstein at nick.goldstein@sba.gov.