Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Revision to the Nonessential Experimental Population of the Mexican Wolf

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 17 [Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2021-0103; FXES111302WOLF0-FF02ENEH00] RIN 1018-BE52 AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or USFWS), revise the regulations for the nonessential experimental population of the Mexican wolf ( Canis lupus baileyi ) in the Mexican Wolf Experimental Population Area under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA). The regulatory revisions in this rule include a revised population objective, a new genetic objective, and the temporary restriction of three take provisions. This rule also includes an essentiality determination under section 10(j) of the ESA. The experimental population, inclusive of these revisions, will contribute to the long-term conservation and recovery of the Mexican wolf by alleviating demographic and genetic threats in this population consistent with our rangewide recovery strategy and goals for the Mexican wolf. DATES: This rule is effective August 1, 2022. ADDRESSES: This final rule, along with the October 29, 2021, proposed rule, public comments on the proposed rule, a final supplemental environmental impact statement, and record of decision, are available on the internet at https://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FWS-R2-ES-2021-0103 or from the office listed in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brady McGee, Mexican Wolf Rec…