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Notice2026-17936

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget; Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, Experimental Populations

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Published

September 2, 2026

Issuing agencies

Interior DepartmentFish and Wildlife Service

Abstract

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew three information collections without change.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 169 (Wednesday, September 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 2, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56460-56467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17936]

[[Page 56460]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket Nos. FWS-HQ-ES-2026-2741 (OMB Control Number 1018-0095)
FXES11130900000-267-FF09E32000, FWS-HQ-ES-2026-2742 (OMB Control Number
1018-0197) FXES11130600000-267-FF06E00000, and FWS-HQ-ES-2026-2743 (OMB
Control Number 1018-0199) FXES11130100000-267-FF01E00000]

Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the
Office of Management and Budget; Endangered and Threatened Wildlife,
Experimental Populations

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are proposing to renew
three information collections without change.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before
October 2, 2026.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent within 30 days of publication of
this notice to <a href="https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain">https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain</a>. Find this
particular information collection by selecting ``Currently under
Review--Open for Public Comments'' or by using the search function.
Please provide a copy of your comments to the Service Information
Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB
(JAO/3W), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 (mail); or by
email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#662f0800093925090a0a2600111548010910"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0940676f66564a666565496f7e7a276e667f">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>. Please reference the corresponding OMB
Control Number in the subject line of your email:

--OMB Control Number 1018-0095, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife,
Experimental Populations (50 CFR 17.84),
--OMB Control Number 1018-0197, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife,
Experimental Populations--Colorado Gray Wolf (50 CFR 17.84), and/or
--OMB Control Number 1018-0199, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife,
Experimental Populations--Grizzly Bear (50 CFR 17.84).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information
Collection Clearance Officer, by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f4bd9a929babb79b9898b4928387da939b82"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d099beb6bf8f93bfbcbc90b6a7a3feb7bfa6">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, or by
telephone at (703) 358-2503. Individuals in the United States who are
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial
711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay
services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay
services offered within their country to make international calls to
the point-of-contact in the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act (PRA; 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 5
CFR 1320.8(d)(1), all information collections (ICs) require approval
under the PRA. We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

Solicitation of Public Comments for OMB Control No. 1018-0095

On March 12, 2026, we published in the Federal Register (91 FR
12211) a notice of our intent to request that OMB approve this
information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60
days, ending on May 11, 2026. We also published the Federal Register
notice on <a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a> (Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1463) and received
the following comment in response to that notice:
Comment 1: Electronic comment received May 12, 2026, via
<a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a> (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1463-0024) from Michael Robinson,
Senior Conservation Advocate, with the Center for Biological Diversity.
This comment suggested two additional categories of information
collection under this renewal related to depredation-related take.
Specifically, Mr. Robinson suggested collecting information on
preventative measures taken by landowners to protect livestock prior to
implementing lethal take, and to measure the amount of time between a
depredation-related take of an individual of an experimental population
and renewed depredation of the same landowner's livestock.
Agency Response to Comment 1: Mr. Robinson's suggestions for
information collection include data that are already collected and
tracked by Service employees as specified in 50 CFR part 17 Subpart H
(existing data collections approved under this Control Number), as well
as in each species-specific final rule issued by the Service
establishing the experimental population. If we issue a permit for take
of a listed animal of an experimental population relative to
depredation prevention, the reporting requirements would be specified
under the permit's terms and conditions and be covered under OMB
Control Number 1018-0094. Additionally, the Service acknowledges the
usefulness of this type of information and will continue to consider
the usefulness of this information in future rulemaking actions.
The remaining comments listed below did not address the information
collection requirements and therefore, no response is required:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment ID Name Date submitted
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1463-0003..... Brown, Dan..... March 16, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1463-0004..... Gereb, Barry... March 17, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1463-0005..... Anonymous...... March 18, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1463-0009..... Calcione, March 21, 2026.
Marissa.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1463-0010..... Butkus, Joann.. March 23, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1463-0015..... Dub, J......... April 15, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1463-0016..... Anonymous...... April 23, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1463-0018..... Anonymous...... May 4, 2026
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1463-0019..... Kappelman, John May 11, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1463-0020..... Pettus, Dave... May 10, 2026.
WS-HQ-ES-2025-1463-0026...... WhoPoo App M... May 11, 2026.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 56461]]

Solicitation of Public Comments for OMB Control No. 1018-0197

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment ID Name Date submitted Responsive?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0009............. Woodruff, Dana......... March 19, 2026......... No.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0016............. Mikita, Zayne.......... March 13, 2026......... No.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0022............. Barnes, Sheryl......... March 19, 2026......... No.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0023............. Smith, Megan........... March 20, 2026......... Yes.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0035............. Harris, Arthur......... March 26, 2026......... Yes.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0038............. Lemoine, Kathryn....... March 26, 2026......... Yes
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0047............. Stoic Wolf............. April 2, 2026.......... No.
OverWatch..............
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0048............. Buck, Janet............ April 5, 2026.......... No.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0068............. Meuter, Aimee.......... April 23, 2026......... Yes.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0071............. Anonymous.............. May 4, 2026............ No.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0072............. Anonymous.............. May 9, 2026............ No.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0073............. Anonymous.............. May 9, 2026............ Yes
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0074............. Gunnison County May 9, 2026............ Yes.
Stockgrowers'
Association.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0075............. Gunnison County May 9, 2026............ Yes.
Stockgrowers'
Association.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0076............. Team Wolf.............. May 11, 2026........... Yes.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0077............. Hopkins, Becca......... May 11, 2026........... No.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Comment 1: Two commenters (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0023, FWS-HQ-ES-
2025-1464-0073) supported the information collection and recommended
that the estimated burden be increased from 30 minutes for reporting
and 30 minutes for recordkeeping to 1 hour for each.
Agency Response to Comment 1: Because the organization that reports
this information to the Service affirmed (below) that the burden
estimate is accurate, the Service declines to update the burden
estimates based on these comments.
Comment 2: Two commenters (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0035, FWS-HQ-ES-
2025-1464-0076) recommended that we prioritize data collection for non-
lethal deterrents prior to any ``depredation-related take'' incidents.
Agency Response to Comment 2: We appreciate the recommendation to
prioritize data collection for non-lethal deterrents prior to any
``depredation-related take'' incidents. The Service recognizes the
importance of non-lethal deterrents in mitigating depredation and
reducing the need for lethal management actions. Currently, our data
collection efforts include information on the use and effectiveness of
non-lethal deterrents as part of the reporting process. At this time,
no additional action is being taken to further prioritize data
collection for non-lethal deterrents, as the existing process already
captures relevant information. However, we will continue to review and
evaluate the effectiveness of our data collection procedures and
consider future enhancements as necessary to ensure comprehensive
reporting and utility.
Comment 3: Two commenters (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0023, FWS-HQ-ES-
2025-1464-0035) recommended an electronic reporting system to track
data in real time.
Agency Response to Comment 3: We appreciate the suggestion to
implement an electronic reporting system for real-time data tracking.
The Service recognizes the potential benefits of such a system,
including improved efficiency, accuracy, and timely access to
information. Currently, our reporting process utilizes traditional
methods, but in the future, we may consider enhancements to improve
data collection and management. The feasibility of transitioning to an
electronic system will be evaluated in terms of cost, technical
requirements, and compatibility with existing procedures. We will
continue to explore opportunities to modernize our reporting
infrastructure and welcome ongoing input from stakeholders to ensure
that any future system meets the needs of both the agency and reporting
organizations.
Comment 4: Two commenters (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0023, FWS-HQ-ES-
2025-1464-0068) suggested using a standardized form for the data
collection.
Agency Response to Comment 4: The Service appreciates this comment
and may consider adding a standardized form in the future. However,
currently only one organization provides data under this collection, so
creating a new form would create an additional burden on the single
organization.
Comment 5: Multiple comments (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0038, FWS-HQ-ES-
2025-1464-0068, FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0072) supported the information
collection overall but did not provide any suggestions on ways to
change the information collection itself.
Agency Response to Comment 5: The Service appreciates the public's
interest in this information collection.
Comment 6: Another commenter (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0074, duplicate
comment FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1464-0075) supports renewing the information
collection, emphasizing that comprehensive reporting is essential for
evaluating wolf-livestock conflicts and management effectiveness. They
provided recommendations for what the annual report should include.
They also recommended timely agency action and transparent
documentation of denied or delayed requests and that the information
collection shows whether producers receive prompt notice of wolf
presence and depredation history.
Agency Response to Comment 6: The Service appreciates this comment
supporting renewing the information collection and recognizes the
importance of comprehensive reporting in evaluating wolf-livestock
conflicts and management effectiveness. Your recommendations regarding
the contents of the annual report, timely agency action, and
transparent documentation of denied or delayed requests are valuable.
Our current

[[Page 56462]]

reporting procedures are designed to capture relevant data, and we will
continue to assess opportunities for improving transparency and
responsiveness. The Service will take these recommendations under
consideration to ensure that this information collection supports
effective management.
The remaining comments received did not address the information
collection requirements and therefore, no response is required.

Solicitation of Public Comments for OMB Control No. 1018-0199

On March 12, 2026, we published in the Federal Register (91 FR
12211) a notice of our intent to request that OMB approve this
information collection. In that notice, we solicited comments for 60
days, ending on May 11, 2026. We also published the Federal Register
notice on <a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a> (Docket No. FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465). We received
the following comment in response to that notice:
Comment 1: Electronic comment received from Michael Robinson,
Senior Conservation Advocate, with the Center for Biological Diversity
submitted via <a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a> (FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465-0014) on May 12,
2026. The commenter suggested that we collect information related to
instances of take that occur incidental to, and not as the purpose of,
the carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity, such as incidental
take that is authorized in the 10(j) rule for grizzly bears in the
North Cascades Ecosystem. For such incidental take, in addition to the
information currently required to be reported pertaining to lethal or
permanently-injurious take, the Service should collect the following
three categories of information:
(1) Occurrences of non-lethal, temporarily-injurious incidental
take.
(2) The detailed circumstances surrounding each occurrence of
incidental take.
(3) Any measures undertaken or intended to be undertaken to reduce
the likelihood of such incidental take in the future.
Agency Response to Comment 1: We appreciate the suggestion to
collect additional information related to incidental take; however,
collecting additional information on minor or temporary incidental take
events would not provide data that meaningfully improves management of
the experimental population. The Service's reporting requirements are
intentionally focused on information that is directly relevant to
conservation and conflict management, such as lethal take, injurious
non-lethal take, recovery of dead individuals, and management actions
conducted under MOUs. Expanding reporting to include detailed
documentation of incidental take would create unnecessary burden for
the public and cooperating agencies without adding value to population
monitoring or recovery efforts. For these reasons, the Service is not
adopting the suggested changes.
The remaining comments identified below received did not address
the information collection requirements and therefore, no response is
required:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comment ID Name Date submitted
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465-0002..... Friel, Bob..... March 13, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465-0003..... Anonymous...... March 18, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465-0004..... Woodruff, Dana. March 19, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465-0005..... High Country March 20, 2026.
Observations.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465-0006..... Smith, Randy... March 26, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465-0007..... Lykins, Denny.. March 27, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465-0008..... Scharin, Lisa.. March 30, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465-0009..... Anonymous...... April 30, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465-0011..... Anonymous...... April 30, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465-0012..... Kappelman, John May 11, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465-0013..... Grover, Herb... May 11, 2026.
FWS-HQ-ES-2025-1465-0015..... Int'l Wildlife May 10, 2026.
Coexistence
Network.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies to comment on
new, proposed, revised, and continuing collections of information. This
helps us assess the impact of our information collection requirements
and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public
understand our IC requirements and provide the requested data in the
desired format.
We are especially interested in public comment addressing the
following:
(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection
of information, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of response.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of
public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request
to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone
number, email address, or other personal identifying information in
your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--including
your personal identifying information--may be made publicly available
at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold your
personal identifying information from public review, we cannot
guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Renewal, Without Change, of OMB Control No. 1018-0095

Title of Collection: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife,
Experimental Populations (50 CFR 17.84).
Form Numbers: None.
Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved
collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals and households, private
sector, and State/local/Tribal governments.
Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.

[[Page 56463]]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Completion time
Requirement Annual number of Total annual per response Total annual
respondents responses (mins.) burden hours *
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notification--General Take or Removal:
Individuals.......................... 12 12 30 6
Private Sector....................... 7 7 30 4
Government........................... 29 29 30 15
Notification--Depredation-Related Take:
Individuals.......................... 25 25 30 13
Private Sector....................... 2 2 30 1
Government........................... 9 9 30 5
2Notification--Specimen Collection:....
Individuals.......................... 3 3 30 2
Private Sector....................... 2 2 30 1
Government........................... 16 16 30 8
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals........................... 105 105 ................. 55
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rounded.

Abstract: Section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), authorizes the Secretary of the
Interior to establish experimental populations of endangered or
threatened species. Because the ESA protects individuals of
experimental populations, the information we collect is important for
monitoring the success of reintroduction and recovery efforts. This is
a nonform collection (meaning there is no designated form associated
with this collection). Regulations at 50 CFR 17.84 contain information
collection requirements for experimental populations of vertebrate
endangered and threatened species. These regulations identify and
describe the three categories of information we collect, which include:
1. General take or removal. ``Take'' is defined by the ESA as
``[to] harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture,
or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct.'' In this
information collection, take most commonly is considered to be in the
form of human-related mortality, including:
a. Unintentional taking incidental to otherwise lawful activities
(e.g., highway mortalities);
b. Animal husbandry actions authorized to manage the population
(e.g., translocation or providing aid to sick, injured, or orphaned
individuals);
c. Take in defense of human life;
d. Take related to defense of property (if authorized); or
e. Take in the form of authorized harassment.
2. Depredation-related take. Involves take for management purposes
of documented livestock depredation, and may include authorized
harassment or authorized lethal take of experimental population animals
in the act of attacking livestock. See 50 CFR 17.84 for specific
provisions of harassment for each species within this section.
The information that we collect includes:
a. Name, address, and phone number of reporting party;
b. Species involved;
c. Type of incident;
d. Quantity of take;
e. Location and time of the reported incident; and
f. Description of the circumstances related to the incident.
3. Specimen collection, recovery, or reporting of dead individuals.
This information documents incidental or authorized scientific
collection. Most of the information collected addresses the reporting
of sightings of experimental population animals or the inadvertent
discovery of an injured or dead individual.
Service recovery specialists use this information to determine the
success of reintroductions in relation to established recovery plan
goals for the experimental populations of vertebrate endangered and
threatened species involved. In addition, this information helps us to
assess the effectiveness of control activities in order to develop
better means to reduce problems with livestock for those species where
depredation is a problem.

Renewal, Without Change, of OMB Control No. 1018-0197

Title of Collection: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife,
Experimental Populations--Colorado Gray Wolf (50 CFR 17.84).
Form Numbers: None.
Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved
collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals; private sector; and
State/local/Tribal governments.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: Annually for annual report and on occasion
for other requirements.
Total Estimated Annual Non-hour Burden Cost: None.

[[Page 56464]]

Government.................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Request for ``Shoot-on-Sight'' Written Take
Authorization:
Individuals................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Private Sector.............................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Government.................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Reporting Requirement--Lethal Take:
Individuals................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Private Sector.............................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Government.................................. 1 1 1/ 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Reporting Requirement--Opportunistic or
Intentional Harassment:
Individuals................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Private Sector.............................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Government.................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Reporting Requirement--Captivity for Care or to
be Euthanized:
Individuals................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Private Sector.............................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Government.................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Annual Report:
Individuals................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Private Sector.............................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Government.................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Notification--Recovery or Reporting of Dead
Specimen and Specimen Collection:
Individuals................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Private Sector.............................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Government.................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Proposal--Take of Gray Wolfes on Tribal Lands:
Government.................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.................................. 25 ........... 25 ................................................ 25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Abstract: Experimental populations established under section 10(j)
of the Act, as amended, require information collection and reporting to
the Service. We collect information on the gray wolf nonessential
experimental population (NEP) to help further the recovery of the
species and to assess the success of the reintroduced populations.
There are no forms associated with this information collection. The
respondents notify us when an incident occurs, so there is no set
frequency for collecting the information. Other Federal agencies
provide us with the vast majority of the information on experimental
populations under cooperative agreements for the conduct of the
recovery programs. However, the public also provides some information
to us. The information collection requirements identified below require
approval by OMB:
1. Appointment of designated agent--A designated agent is an
employee of a Federal, State, or Tribal agency that is authorized or
directed by the Service to conduct gray wolf management. A prospective
designated agent submits a letter to the Service requesting designated
agent status. The letter includes a proposal for the work to be
completed, a list of individuals that may perform the work, and a
resume (or similar) demonstrating qualifications of each individual to
competently perform the work. The Service then responds to the
requester with a letter authorizing them to complete the work.
2. Request for written take authorization--After receiving
confirmation of wolf activity on private land, on a public land grazing
allotment, or on a Tribal reservation, we or the designated agent may
issue a written take authorization valid for not longer than 1 year,
with appropriate conditions, to any landowner or public land permittee
to intentionally harass wolves. The harassment must occur in the area
and under the conditions as specifically identified in the written take
authorization.
3. Request for ``repeatedly depredating wolf or wolves'' written
take authorization--The Service or designated agent may issue a
``repeatedly depredating wolf or wolves'' written take authorization of
limited duration (45 days or fewer) to a landowner or their employees,
or to a public land grazing permittee, to take up to a specified (by
the Service or our designated agent) number of wolves.

[[Page 56465]]

4. Reporting requirements--Except as otherwise specified in this
rule or in a take authorization, any take of a gray wolf must be
reported to the Service, or our designated agent as follows (additional
reasonable time will be allowed if access to the site is limited):
a. Lethal take must be reported within 24 hours. We will allow
additional reasonable time if access to the site is limited.
b. Opportunistic or intentional harassment must be reported within
7 days.
c. Gray wolves taken into captivity for care or to be euthanized
must be reported to the Service within 24 hours, or as soon as
reasonably appropriate.
5. Annual report--To evaluate progress toward achieving State
downlisting and delisting criteria, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
summarizes monitoring information in an annual report. The report, due
by June 30 of each year, will describe wolf conservation and management
activities that occurred in Colorado for as long as the gray wolf is
federally listed during any portion of a calendar or biological year.
The annual report includes, but is not limited to:
a. post-release wolf movements and behavior;
b. wolf minimum counts or abundance estimates;
c. reproductive success and recruitment;
d. territory use and distribution;
e. cause-specific wolf mortalities; and
f. a summary of wolf conflicts and associated management activities
to minimize wolf conflict risk.
6. Recovery or reporting of dead individuals and specimen
collection from experimental populations--This type of information is
for the purpose of documenting incidental or authorized scientific
collection. Specimens are to be retained or disposed of only in
accordance with directions from the Service. Most of the contacts with
the public deal primarily with the reporting of sightings of
experimental population animals, or the inadvertent discovery of an
injured or dead individual.
7. Proposal--Take of Gray wolves on Tribal Lands--The exception to
allow take of gray wolves that are contributing to unacceptable impacts
to wild ungulate population or herds on Tribal land requires Tribes to
develop a science-based proposal that must, at a minimum, include the
following information:
a. The basis of ungulate population or herd management objectives;
b. Data indicating that the ungulate herd is below management
objectives;
c. Data indicating that wolves are a major cause of the
unacceptable impact to the ungulate population;
d. Why wolf removal is a warranted solution to help restore the
ungulate herd to management objectives;
e. The level and duration of wolf removal being proposed;
f. How ungulate population response to wolf removal will be
measured and control actions adjusted for effectiveness; and
g. A demonstration that attempts were and are being made to address
other identified major causes of ungulate herd or population declines
or of Tribal government commitment to implement possible remedies or
conservation measures in addition to wolf removal. The proposal must be
subjected to both public and peer review prior to it being finalized
and submitted to the Service for review. At least three independent
peer reviewers with relevant expertise in the subject matter that are
not staff of the Tribe submitting the proposal must review the
proposal. Upon Service review, and before wolf removals can be
authorized, the Service will evaluate the information provided by the
requesting Tribe and provide a written determination to the requesting
Tribal game and fish agency on whether such actions are scientifically
based and warranted.
The Service uses the information described above to assess the
effectiveness of control activities and develop means to reduce
problems with livestock where depredation is a problem. Service
recovery specialists use the information to determine the success of
reintroductions in relation to established recovery plan goals for the
species involved.

Renewal, Without Change, of OMB Control No. 1018-0199

Title of Collection: Endangered and Threatened Wildlife,
Experimental Populations--Grizzly Bear (50 CFR 17.84).
Form Numbers: None.
Type of Review: Extension without change of a currently approved
collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals; private sector; and
State/Tribal governments.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: Annually for annual report and on occasion
for other requirements.
Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of
Number of annual Total Total annual
Requirement annual responses annual Average completion time burden hours
respondents each responses
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notification--Lethal Take:
Individuals................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Private Sector.............................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
State/Tribal Gov't.......................... 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Notification--Nonlethal Take:
Individuals................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Private Sector.............................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
State/Tribal Gov't.......................... 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Notification--Recovery or Reporting of Dead
Specimen and Specimen Collection:
Individuals................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Private Sector.............................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
State/Tribal Gov't.......................... 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Memorandums of Understanding--Relocation of
Bears:

[[Page 56466]]

State/Tribal Gov't.......................... 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Memorandums of Understanding--Removal of Grizzly
Bears:
State/Tribal Gov't.......................... 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Written Authorization--Conditioned Lethal Take:
Individuals................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Obtaining Landowner/Land Management Entity
Authorization:
Individuals................................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
Private Sector.............................. 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
State/Tribal Gov't.......................... 1 1 1 30 min (reporting).............................. 1
30 min (recordkeeping)..........................
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.................................. 15 ........... 15 ................................................ 15
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Abstract: Experimental populations established under section 10(j)
of the Act, as amended, require information collection and reporting to
the Service. The Service would collect information on the grizzly bear
NEP to help further the recovery of the species and to assess the
success of the reintroduced populations. There are no forms associated
with this information collection. The respondents would notify the
Service when an incident occurs, so there would be no set frequency for
collecting the information. Federal, State, and participating Tribal
agencies would provide the Service with the vast majority of the
information on grizzly bears within the NEP. However, the public also
would provide some information to the Service. The information
collection requirements identified below require approval by OMB:
1. Reporting Requirements--The respondents would notify the Service
when an incident occurs and annually report the number of grizzly bears
relocated and removed. The State and other Federal agencies would
provide the Service with the vast majority of the information on
experimental populations under interagency agreements for the conduct
of the recovery programs. However, the public also would provide some
information to the Service. Reporting parties would include, but would
not be limited to, individuals or households, businesses, farms,
nonprofit organizations, and State/Tribal governments. The Service
would collect the information by means of telephone calls or emails
from the public to Service offices specified in the individual
regulations. Standard information collected would include:
a. Name, address, and phone number of reporting party;
b. Species involved;
c. Type of incident;
d. Take (quantity);
e. Location and time of reported incident; and
f. Description of the circumstances related to the incident.
Some of these contacts would be necessary follow-up reports under
where the Service has authorized lethal take of experimental animals
(e.g., livestock depredation).
The Service would collect information in three categories:
i. Lethal take must be reported by individuals within 24 hours to
the Service's Ecological Services point of contact in the final rule
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Establishment of a
Nonessential Experimental Population of Grizzly Bear in the North
Cascades Ecosystem, Washington State (May 3, 2024, 89 FR 36982). Lethal
take must be reported by a Federal, State, or Tribal authority of an
authorized agency within 24 hours by following the reporting
instructions as described in the authorized agency's MOU.
ii. Nonlethal take that results in injury by an individual must be
reported within 5 days to the Service's Ecological Services point of
contact as specified above. Nonlethal take that results in injury by a
Federal, State, or Tribal authority of an authorized agency must be
reported within 5 days by following the reporting instructions as
described in the authorized agency's MOU. Incidental take that results
from indirect activities such as incidental take in the form of harm
resulting from habitat modification does not need to be reported.
iii. Recovery or reporting of dead individuals and specimen
collection from experimental populations. This type of information is
for the purpose of documenting incidental or authorized scientific
collection. Most of the contacts with the public would deal primarily
with the reporting of sightings of experimental population animals, or
the inadvertent discovery of an injured or dead individual.
2. Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)--The Service would enter
into MOUs with Federal, State, or Tribal agencies to authorize grizzly
bear management consistent with the final rule. The Service does not
expect to enter into MOUs with local governments or authorities. The
Service would collect information in two general categories from the
relevant agencies in relation to these MOUs:
a. Relocation of bears. With prior approval from the Service, a
Federal, State, or Tribal authority may live-capture any grizzly bear
occurring in the NEP area and transport and release in a remote
location agreed to by the Service, the Washington Department of Fish
and Wildlife, and the applicable land-managing agency.
b. Removal of grizzly bears involved in conflict. Authorized
Service, Federal, State, or Tribal authorities may lethally take a
grizzly bear in the NEP area with prior approval from the Service if
the Service or an authorized agency determines it is not reasonably
possible to otherwise eliminate the threat by nonlethal deterrence or
live-capturing and releasing the grizzly bear unharmed, and if the
taking is done in a humane manner. Grizzly bears may be taken in self-
defense or in defense of other persons, based on a good-faith belief
that the actions taken were to protect the person from bodily harm.
3. Written Authorization--conditioned lethal take--With prior
written agreement from the Service, individuals may lethally take a
grizzly bear within 200 yards (183 meters) of legally present livestock
in Management Areas B and C if a depredation has been confirmed by the
Service or an authorized agency and it has been

[[Page 56467]]

determined that it is not reasonably possible to eliminate the threat
through nonlethal deterrence or live-capturing and releasing the
grizzly bear unharmed. Additionally, the Service may issue written
authorization to an individual to kill a grizzly bear in Management
Area C if the Service or an authorized agency identifies the grizzly
bear as an ongoing threat to human safety, livestock, or other property
(e.g., compost, chickens, beehives), and it is not reasonably possible
to eliminate the threat through nonlethal deterrence or live-capturing
and releasing the grizzly bear unharmed.
4. Recovery or reporting of dead individuals and specimen
collection from experimental populations--This type of information
would be for the purpose of documenting incidental or authorized
scientific collection and surrender of grizzly bear carcasses as the
result of lethal take. Most of the contacts with the public primarily
would be with the reporting of sightings of experimental population
animals, or the inadvertent discovery of an injured or dead individual.
5. Obtaining Landowner/Land Management Entity Authorization--
Individuals requesting the written authorizations mentioned above must
also obtain or confirm authorization from the landowner or land
management entity, where appropriate.
The Service would use the information described above to document
the locations of reintroduced animals, determine causes of mortality
and conflict with human activities so that Service managers could
minimize conflicts with people, and improve management techniques for
reintroduction. The information would help the Service assess the
effectiveness of management activities and develop means to reduce
problems with livestock for those species where depredation is a
problem. Service recovery specialists would use the information to
determine the success of reintroductions in relation to established
recovery plan goals for the species.
An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-17936 Filed 9-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P

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