Proposed rule 2026-11414

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reopens comment on listing the southern hognose snake as threatened — holding a public hearing (June 2026)

Interior Department ・Published Jun 8, 2026 ・91 FR 34597

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) reopened the comment period on its August 2025 proposed rule to list the southern hognose snake — a small, burrowing snake of the southeastern U.S. — as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), with protective regulations under section 4(d). The reopening is to hold a public hearing and allow additional comment.

Document overview (primary data)

Document typeProposed rule
AgencyInterior Department
Citation91 FR 34597

Key points

FWS reopened comment on listing the southern hognose snake as threatened (holding a public hearing)
The proposed rule would list it as "threatened" under the ESA with section 4(d) protective regulations
The species is a small, burrowing snake of the southeastern U.S. coastal plains and sandhills
Not a change to the proposal — it provides an additional comment opportunity (no need to resubmit prior comments)
An example of the open process (comment, hearings) in species-conservation rulemaking

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS, part of the Department of the Interior) reopened the comment period on its August 29, 2025 proposed rule (a proposed rule, June 8, 2026).

The proposed rule would list the southern hognose snake (Heterodon simus) as a "threatened" species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, with protective regulations under ESA section 4(d). The species is a small, fossorial (burrowing) snake found across the coastal plains and sandhills of the southeastern United States.

This action does not change the proposed rule itself; it reopens the comment period to conduct a public hearing and give all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment. The FWS states that comments previously submitted need not be resubmitted and will be fully considered in developing the final rule.

The ESA protects species at risk of extinction by listing them as "endangered" or "threatened," and section 4(d) allows tailored protective regulations for threatened species. This is an example of the open process (comment periods, public hearings) in rulemaking on species conservation.

Why it matters

An example of the open process (comment, public hearing) in species-conservation rulemaking. For readers in environment, biodiversity, and land use, or balancing development and conservation, a useful read on how U.S. endangered-species protection (ESA) proceeds.

FAQ

What does "threatened" mean under the ESA?

A category for species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. It is protected separately from the more urgent "endangered" category.

What is section 4(d)?

An ESA provision that allows tailored protective regulations for threatened species, adjusting the protections to what each species needs.

Sources (primary)

Source: Federal Register (federal documents, public domain). Links go to the official site.

#Interior#FWS#Endangered species#ESA#Biodiversity

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