Federal Register #FWSR6ES20260859

30-Year Incidental Take Permit Review for Dakota Skipper Conservation in North Dakota Oil and Gas Projects

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), part of the Department of the Interior, is seeking public comment on a 30-year Incidental Take Permit (ITP) application from the North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) for oil and gas development activities in North Dakota. - Government Buyer: - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Department of the Interior - Office: Ecological Services, Mountain-Prairie Region - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific product OEMs or commercial vendors are mentioned; the primary applicant is the North Dakota Petroleum Council (NDPC) - Products/Services Requested: - Processing and evaluation of a 30-year Incidental Take Permit (ITP) for the Dakota Skipper butterfly (Hesperia dacotae) - Review of a revised Multi-Project Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and draft environmental assessment - Authorization for incidental take of the Dakota Skipper during above-ground oil and gas development activities - Programmatic approach allowing multiple projects to enroll under Certificates of Inclusion - Conservation, monitoring, adaptive management, and funding assurances as part of the HCP - Unique or Notable Requirements: - The permit is for a 30-year term and covers multiple oil and gas projects under a single programmatic HCP - Public and intergovernmental comment is specifically requested - Focus on conservation strategies for an endangered species (Dakota Skipper) during energy development

Description

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces the availability of documents related to an application for an incidental take permit (ITP) under the Endangered Species Act. The North Dakota Petroleum Council is applying for a 30-year permit for incidental take of the Dakota Skipper butterfly during above-ground activities related to oil and gas development in North Dakota. The application includes a revised Habitat Conservation Plan and a draft environmental assessment. Public comments are requested by July 2, 2026, on the application and associated documents.

View original listing