The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has announced a proposed rule to list the monarch butterfly as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), accompanied by a 4(d) rule and critical habitat designation. As part of this process, the USFWS is seeking public input during a 90-day comment period, open from December 12, 2024, to March 12, 2025.
Public comments are an important part of the rulemaking process, allowing individuals, scientists, and organizations to provide valuable insights and information to inform final decisions. Here’s how you can participate effectively:
Why Your Comment Matters
Federal agencies, such as the USFWS, are required to review and address all new information submitted during the comment period before finalizing a rule. Your well-crafted comment can influence the agency’s final decision by providing relevant data or perspectives.
Tips for Writing a Strong Comment
Research the Proposal: Understand the rule, its goals, and the agency’s mission.
Introduce Yourself: Share your connection to the issue and any relevant expertise or personal experience.
Focus on Key Points: Address specific aspects of the proposal with clear, evidence-based arguments. Avoid speculation.
Be Constructive: Suggest improvements or alternatives and maintain a respectful tone.
Use Evidence: Back up your claims with data, studies, or observations.
Stay Organized: Structure your comment with headings or bullet points for clarity.
Prepare Early: Start well before the deadline, keep a copy of your comment, and use clear file names for attachments.
How to Submit Your Comment
You may submit comments by one of the following methods:
(1) Electronically:
Visit the Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
In the Search box, enter FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137, the docket number for this rulemaking.
Click “Search” and locate the Proposed Rule.
Click “Comment” to submit your input.
Or, follow this direct link https://www.regulations.gov/document/FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137-0001
(2) By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail to:
Public Comments Processing,
Attn: FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/3W,
5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
The USFWS requests that you send comments only using the methods described above. They will post all comments on https://www.regulations.gov. This generally means they will post any personal information you provide them.
Availability of supporting materials: Supporting materials, such as the species status assessment report, are available at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137. If the USFWS finalizes the critical habitat designation, they will make the coordinates or plot points or both from which the maps are generated available at https://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137.
Public informational meeting and public hearing: The public informational meeting and the public hearing will be held virtually using the Zoom platform. See Public Hearing, below, for more information.
Public Meetings and Hearings
The USFWS will hold two public informational meetings followed by public hearings. The first meeting and hearing will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST on January 14, 2025. To accommodate those in western time zones, the second meeting and hearing will be from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. EST on January 15, 2025.