The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks has applied for a permit associated with the implementation of a programmatic safe harbor agreement (SHA) and candidate conservation agreement with assurances (CCAA) for 14 aquatic species in Kansas. The KDWP has submitted this programmatic SHA/CCAA to facilitate the reintroduction and implementation of conservation measures for the covered species on non-Federal lands in Kansas. 

The following five ESA-listed species are proposed as covered species in the SHA: the Federally threatened Neosho madtom (Noturus placidus), Arkansas River shiner (Notropis girardi), and rabbitsfoot (Quadrula cylindrica cylindrica) and the Federally endangered Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka) and Neosho mucket (Lampsilis rafinesqueana). The following species are proposed to be included in the CCAA: the alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii), peppered chub (Macrhybopsis tetranema), plains minnow (Hybognathus placitus), silver chub (Macrhybopsis storeriana), hornyhead chub (Nocomis biguttatus), butterfly mussel (Ellipsaria lineolata), fluted shell (Lasmigona costata), cylindrical papershell (Anodontoides ferussacianus), and flat floater (Anodonta suborbiculata).

Individual landowners can enroll in the programmatic SHA/CCAA, and receive assurances and take authorization for the appropriate covered species. The requested permit duration is for 50 years from permit issuance. Proposed conservation measures include the introduction, reintroduction, augmentation, or translocation of the covered species, and protection or enhancement of aquatic, wetland, riparian, or adjacent upland habitats for the covered species. Conservation measures would be site-specific and developed by the participating landowner and KDWP.

FWS will accept comments received or postmarked on or before October 15, 2021. The proposed rule, along with comments, can be viewed here.