Breaking Down The FWS's Interim Rule Implementing The Big Cat Public Safety Act

On June 12, 2023, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) published an Interim Rule that amends the implementing regulations for the Captive Wildlife Safety Act (CWSA) by "incorporating the requirements" of the Big Cat Public Safety Act (BCPSA). See 88 Fed. Reg. 38358 (6/12/2023). https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/06/12/2023-12636/regulations-to-implement-the-big-cat-public-safety-act. The amended regulations — which are now in effect as of June 12, 2023 — can be found within the Federal Register publication and at 50 CFR Part 14.

FWS also shared public comments that it received in connection with its notice of intent to request emergency clearance of information collections associated with BCPSA. Some of those comments did not address "information collection" but rather, substantive questions and issues regarding the BCPSA and its implementing regulations. FWS responses, included on pages 38365-38368 provide additional information that is not contained