[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 6, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 822-823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-144]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Parts 20 and 21
RIN 1018-AF05
Extension of Comment Period: Migratory Bird Permits;
Establishment of a Conservation Order for the Reduction of Mid-
Continent Light Goose Populations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: The Service is extending the comment period on the Federal
Register rule dated November 9, 1998 (63 FR 60278) that invites public
comments on proposed changes to the migratory bird hunting regulations
regarding implementation of a conservation order for the reduction of
mid-continent light goose populations.
DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments is extended from January 8,
1999 to January 15, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Comments regarding this proposed rulemaking should be
addressed to Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Department of Interior, Ms 634--ARLSQ, 1849 C Street
NW., Washington, D.C. 20240. The public may inspect comments during
normal business hours in room 634--Arlington Square Building, 4401 N.
Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia. Comments and suggestions on the
information collection requirements should be sent directly to the
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs; Office of Management and
Budget; Attention: Interior Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20503; and to
the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Ms 222--ARLSQ, 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Blohm, Acting Chief, Office of
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358-
1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Mid-continent lesser snow goose and
Ross' goose population has nearly quadrupled in the last 30 years. The
Western Central Flyway lesser snow and Ross' goose population also has
quadrupled in the last 23 years. Collectively, these central and
eastern arctic and subarctic-nesting light goose populations are
referred to as Mid-continent light geese (MCLG). Due to high population
growth rates, a decline in adult mortality, and an increase in winter
survival, MCLG are now seriously injurious to their habitat and habitat
important to other migratory birds which poses a serious threat to the
short and long-term health and status of migratory bird populations.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or ``we'') believes
that MCLG populations exceed long-term sustainable levels for their
arctic and subarctic breeding habitats and the populations must be
reduced.
In a Federal Register notice dated November 9, 1998, we propose to
establish a new subpart in 50 CFR Part 21 for the management of
overabundant MCLG populations. In cooperation with State wildlife
agencies, we propose to implement a population control program by
establishing a conservation order for MCLG under the authority of the
proposed subpart. This proposed rule will increase the use and
availability of additional hunting methods and will authorize take of
MCLG outside of the normal open light goose hunting season. In order to
minimize or avoid take of non-target species, States may implement this
proposed action only when all migratory bird hunting seasons are
closed. Although the desired goal is to significantly reduce
overabundant MCLG populations, we believe that this proposed rule will
not threaten the long-term status of MCLG populations or threaten the
status of other species that could be impacted through the
implementation of this proposed rule.
We are concurrently proposing an additional but separate population
reduction strategy. In addition to this proposed rule to amend 50 CFR
Part 21, we are also proposing to amend 50 CFR Part 20 to authorize the
use of new hunting methods to harvest MCLG. That proposed rule would
authorize States to allow the use of new hunting methods (electronic
callers and unplugged shotguns) to harvest MCLG during a light-goose
only season, when all other migratory bird hunting seasons are closed.
The proposal is also in the nature of a proposed rule and the extension
of the comment period on the rule is published in this issue of the
Federal Register. The combination of these two proposals is designed to
increase MCLG harvest and to provide a biologically sound and cost
effective and efficient method for the reduction and management of
overabundant MCLG populations.
We have received a request to extend the comment period on this
rule. The Service invites careful consideration by all parties, and
welcomes serious scrutiny from those committed to the long-term
conservation of migratory birds. Therefore, to facilitate substantive
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public review, we are extending the comment period to January 15, 1999.
Dated: December 30, 1998.
Thomas O. Melius,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 99-144 Filed 1-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
