FedCenter - Removal of Northern and Southern Distinct Population Segments of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in Compliance With Court Order (Final)

Removal of Northern and Southern Distinct Population Segments of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in Compliance With Court Order (Final)

Mar. 2, 2026

In response to a court order U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are removing the northern and the southern distinct population segments (DPSs) of the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. Additionally, they are rescinding the rule issued under section 4(d) of the Act for the northern DPS. As a result of the court's orders, regulatory protections under the ESA no longer apply to either DPS. This rule is effective 26 February 2026. However, the court's orders had legal effect upon filing on 29 March 2025, and 12 August 2025. POC is Clay Nichols, Biologist, Southwest Regional Office, 817-277-1100, clay_nichols@fws.gov. (Federal Register 26 February 2026 [Rule] Pages 9474-9475)