# FWS Streamlines Raven Conflict Permitting

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has implemented a streamlined statewide permitting process in 2026 to address conflicts involving federally protected common ravens. This new approach authorizes state wildlife and agriculture agencies to issue subpermits directly to landowners, reducing federal administrative workload while ensuring compliance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. This change facilitates faster, more efficient management of raven depredation issues across western states, enhancing coordination between federal and state agencies.

- This streamlined permitting process represents a shift toward greater state-level authority in wildlife conflict management, which may affect how procurement and compliance activities are structured.
- Procurement professionals supporting wildlife management agencies should anticipate increased demand for services related to permit administration, monitoring, and enforcement at the state level.
- Contractors providing wildlife conflict mitigation solutions can leverage this development to engage with state agencies empowered to issue subpermits, potentially expanding market opportunities.
- Organizations involved in regulatory compliance must ensure their processes align with both federal oversight and state-issued permits under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act framework.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Environment
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 29, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS)
- Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies

### Sources
- [U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Announces Streamlined Statewide Approach for Addressing Common Raven Conflicts | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service](https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2026-09/us-fish-and-wildlife-service-announces-streamlined-statewide-approach) - FWS