[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 193 (Tuesday, October 6, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 53635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26827]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
RIN 1018-AD74
Extension of Comment Period: Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
Regarding Baiting and Baited Areas
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 proposed rule published March 25, 1998 (63 FR 14415) and
extended on May 22, 1998 (63 FR 28343) that invites public comments on
proposed changes to the migratory bird hunting regulations regarding
baiting and baited areas.
DATES: The deadline for postmark on comments will be extended from
October 1, 1998, to October 22, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Comments regarding this proposed rulemaking should be
addressed to: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Post Office Box 3247,
Arlington, Virginia 22203-3247, or sent via electronic mail to:
[email protected] Comments may be hand-delivered to 4401 North Fairfax
Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, Virginia 22203. The public may inspect
comments upon appointment during normal business hours at 4401 North
Fairfax Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, Virginia 22203.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Adams, Chief, Office of Law
Enforcement, telephone 703/358-1949.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has authority (16
U.S.C. 712 and 16 U.S.C. 742a-j) to regulate activities involving the
hunting and other taking of migratory game birds. The Service has
promulgated regulations (50 CFR part 20) for the hunting of migratory
game birds that includes sections for Methods of Take and Definitions
of Terms.
In a Federal Register notice dated March 25, 1998, the Service
proposed new regulatory language for: accidental scattering of
agricultural crops or natural vegetation incidental to hunting, normal
agricultural and soil stabilization practices, baited areas, baiting,
manipulation, natural vegetation, and top-sowing of seeds. Proposed
changes also included new guidance with respect to hunting over natural
vegetation that has been manipulated. However, no change was proposed
regarding application of strict liability to the migratory game bird
baiting regulations.
At the request of a number of organizations, in a Federal Register
notice dated May 22, 1998, the Service extended the comment period to
October 1, 1998. In response to requests to again extend the comment
period, and to invite careful consideration by all parties and
facilitate substantive public review, the Service is extending the
comment period through October 31, 1998.
Dated: October 1, 1998.
Jamie R. Clark,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 98-26827 Filed 10-2-98; 11:48 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
