[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 194 (Wednesday, October 7, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54016-54019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-26856]
[[Page 54015]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part III
Department of the Interior
_______________________________________________________________________
Fish and Wildlife Service
_______________________________________________________________________
50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Extension of Temporary Approval of Tungsten-
Iron Shot as Nontoxic for the 1998-99 Season; Final Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 194 / Wednesday, October 7, 1998 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 54016]]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
RIN 1018-AE35
Migratory Bird Hunting; Extension of Temporary Approval of
Tungsten-Iron Shot as Nontoxic for the 1998-99 Season
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) amends Section
20.21(j) to grant temporary approval of tungsten-iron shot as nontoxic
for the 1998-99 migratory bird hunting season, except in the Yukon-
Kuskokwim (Y-K) Delta region, Alaska. The Service had previously
granted temporary approval of tungsten-iron shot as nontoxic for the
1997-98 season. The toxicological report, which is an extensive
literature search and analysis of tungsten and tungsten-iron, suggests
that these compounds are nontoxic under assumed use and in the
environment. Analysis of the toxicity study reveal no adverse effects
over a 30-day period when dosing mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) with 8
BB size tungsten-iron shot.
DATES: This rule takes effect on October 7, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the EA are available by writing to the Chief,
Office of Migratory Bird Management (MBMO), U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 1849 C Street, NW., room 634-ARLSQ, Washington, DC 20240. The
public may inspect comments during normal business hours in room 634,
Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert J. Blohm, Acting Chief, Office
of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703)
358-1838.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since the mid-1970s, the Service has sought
to identify shot that, when spent, does not pose a significant toxic
hazard to migratory birds and other wildlife. The Service established
procedures and requirements for approval of shot and shot coatings as
nontoxic in 1986 and published them in 50 CFR 20.134. The Service
adopted new procedures in December 1997. These are published at 50 CFR
20.134. Currently, only steel shot and bismuth-tin shot are approved by
the Service as nontoxic shot. The Service granted temporary approval of
bismuth-tin as nontoxic on two separate actions for the hunting seasons
of 1994-95 and 1995-96. Tungsten-iron shot was given temporary approval
for the 1997-98 migratory bird hunting season (62 FR 43444 published
August 18, 1997). The Service believes approval for other suitable
candidate shot materials as nontoxic is feasible. Compliance with the
use of nontoxic shot is increasing over the last few years. The Service
believes that this level of compliance will continue to increase with
the availability and approval of other nontoxic shot types.
Federal Cartridge Company's (Anoka, Minnesota) candidate shot is
made from sintering tungsten and iron, which together forms a two-phase
alloy. Shot made from this material has a density of approximately 10.3
g/cc or 94 percent of the density of lead. The shot will contain
nominally 55 percent tungsten and 45 percent iron, by weight. The
pellet will have sufficient iron to attract a magnet.
Federal's application includes a description of the new tungsten-
iron shot, a toxicological report, and results of a 30-day dosing study
to assess the toxicity of this shot in game-farm mallards (Anas
platyrhynchos). The toxicological report incorporates toxicity
information (a synopsis of acute and chronic toxicity data for birds,
acute effects on mammals, potential for environmental concern, toxicity
to aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles), and
information on environmental fate and transport (shot alteration,
environmental half-life, and environmental concentration). The toxicity
study is a 30-day dosing test to determine if the candidate shot poses
any deleterious effects to game farm mallards. This meets the
requirements of Tier 1 and Tier 2, 50 CFR 20.134(b)(2) and (b)(3)(B).
Toxicity Information
There is considerable difference in the toxicity of soluble and
insoluble compounds of tungsten and iron. Elemental tungsten and iron
are virtually insoluble and, therefore, are expected to be nontoxic.
After completion of the literature review, there appears to be no known
basis for concern of toxicity to wildlife for the candidate shot
material (metallic tungsten and iron) via ingestion by fish, birds, or
mammals (Bursian et al., 1996; Gigiena, 1983; Patty, 1981; Industrial
Medicine, 1946; Karantassis, 1924). However, there is some concern that
the absorption of tungsten into the femur, kidney, and liver could
potentially affect certain endangered or threatened species such as the
spectacled eider (Somateria fischeri) on the Y-K Delta, Alaska. Until a
reproductive/chronic toxicity test has been completed and the Service
has reviewed the results, tungsten-iron shot will not be approved for
the Y-K Delta.
Environmental Fate and Transport
Tungsten is insoluble in water and, therefore, not mobile in
hypergenic environments. Tungsten is very stable with acids and does
not easily complex. Preferential uptake by plants in acid soil suggests
uptake of tungsten in the anionic form associated with tungsten
minerals rather than elemental tungsten (Kabata-Peddias, 1984).
Environmental Concentration
Calculation of the environmental concentration (EEC) for a
terrestrial ecosystem is on 69,000 shot per hectare (Pain 1990),
assuming complete erosion of material in 5 cm of soil. The EEC for
tungsten in soil is 32.9 mg/kg for a shot composition of 62.9 percent
tungsten-iron alloy, 11.87 percent tungsten, and 25.31 percent iron.
Adverse effects on biota are not expected to occur for shot components,
given the Hazard Quotients (HQs).
Environmental Concentration
Calculation of the environmental concentration (EEC) for an aquatic
ecosystem assumes complete erosion of the shot in one cubic foot of
water. The EEC in water for tungsten was 10.5 mg/L for a shot
composition of 62.9 percent tungsten-iron alloy, 11.87 percent
tungsten, and 25.31 percent iron. Given these HQs, adverse effects on
biota are not expected to occur for shot components.
An extensive literature search and review provides information on
the toxicity of elemental tungsten to waterfowl and other birds. In
Ringelman et al. (1993) effects of ingested tungsten-bismuth-tin (TBT)
shot on captive mallards saw no acute toxicity. Orally dosing 20 8-
week-old game farm mallards with 12 to 17 pellets (1.03g) TBT and
monitoring for 32 days for evidence of intoxication saw no effect. No
birds died during the trial. Gross lesions were not observed during the
postmortem examination. Histopathological examination did not reveal
any evidence of toxicity or tissue damage. Tungsten was not detectable
in kidney or liver samples. The author's conclusion is that TBT shot
presents virtually no potential for acute intoxication in mallards.
A study by Kraabel et al. (1996) assesses the effects of embedded
tungsten-bismuth-tin shot on mallards. The authors' conclusion was that
TBT is not acutely toxic when implanted in
[[Page 54017]]
mallard muscle tissue. Inflammatory reactions to TBT shot were
localized, and had no detectable systemic effects on mallard health.
Nell (1981) fed laying hens 0.4 or 1 g/kg tungsten in a commercial
mash for five months to assess the reproductive performance. Weekly egg
production was normal and hatchability of fertile eggs was not
affected.
Large doses of tungsten given to chickens (Gallus domesticus)
either through injection or by feeding saw an increase in tissue
concentration of tungsten and a decreased tissue concentration of
molybdenum (Nell, 1981). The loss rate of tungsten from the liver
occurred in an exponential manner with a half-life of 27 hours. The
alterations in molybdenum metabolism seem to identify with tungsten and
not of molybdenum deficiency. Death due to tungsten occurred when
tissue concentrations were increased to 25 mg/g liver. At this
concentration, the activity of xanthine dehydrogenase was zero.
In Federal's 30-day dosing study 8 male and 8 female adult mallards
given 8 No. 4 steel shot, 8 No. 4 lead shot or 8 BB's of tungsten-iron
were observed over a 30-day period. An additional 8 males and 8 females
were given no shot. All tungsten-iron birds survived the test with a
slight increase in body weight. There were no changes in hematocrit,
hemoglobin concentration, and ALAD activity, as well as 25 plasma
chemistry parameters. Five of the 16 tungsten-iron birds had a mild
hepatocellular biliary stasis, but the authors felt this was not
remarkable. No other histopathological lesions were found. In general,
no adverse effects were seen when mallards were given 8 BB size
tungsten-iron shot and monitored over a 30-day period. Fifty percent of
the lead-dosed birds (5 males and 3 females) died during the 30-day
test while there were no mortalities in the other groups. Lead-dosed
birds were the only ones to display green excreta, lethargy, and
ataxia. Alteration of body weights is not significant in any of the
treatments, although lead-dosed birds which died during the trial lost
an average of 30 percent of their body weight. Hematocrit, hemoglobin
concentrations, and aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (an enzyme
important to hemoglobin synthesis) activity were significantly
depressed at day 15 in the lead-dosed females, while lead-dosed males
had significantly depressed hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration in
comparison to the other three groups. There were no significant
differences in these whole-blood parameters at day 30.
As a result of the toxicological report and toxicity test, the
Service concludes at this time that the available information indicates
that tungsten-iron shot, nominally 40-55 percent tungsten and 60-45
percent iron, by weight with <1 percent="" residual="" lead,="" does="" not="" impose="" significant="" danger="" to="" migratory="" birds="" and="" other="" wildlife="" and="" their="" habitats,="" but="" that="" reproductive/chronic="" toxicity="" data="" is="" lacking.="" lacking="" sufficient="" reproductive/chronic="" toxicity="" data="" on="" the="" candidate="" shot,="" the="" applicant="" was="" advised="" to="" conduct="" additional="" testing="" as="" described="" in="" tier="" 2="" and="" tier="" 3="" as="" outlined="" in="" 50="" cfr="" 20.134(b)(3)="" and="" (4),="" and="" in="" consultation="" with="" the="" service's="" office="" of="" migratory="" bird="" management="" and="" the="" u.s.="" geological="" survey's="" division="" of="" biological="" resources="" (brd).="" one="" test="" includes="" assessment="" of="" reproduction,="" fertility="" rates,="" and="" egg="" hatchability="" (egg="" weight,="" shell="" thickness,="" and="" content="" analysis).="" the="" test="" requires="" the="" applicant="" to="" demonstrate="" that="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" is="" nontoxic="" to="" waterfowl="" and="" their="" offspring.="" the="" service's="" maximum="" environmentally="" acceptable="" level="" of="" residual="" lead="" in="" shot="" is="" trace="" amounts="" of=""><1 percent="" (50="" cfr="" 20.134(b)(5)).="" the="" service="" will="" consider="" any="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" manufactured="" with="" lead="" levels="" equal="" to="" or="" exceeding="" 1="" percent="" as="" toxic="" and,="" therefore,="" illegal.="" at="" this="" time,="" the="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" meets="" the="" acceptable="" specifications.="" before="" approval="" of="" any="" shot="" for="" use="" in="" migratory="" game="" bird="" hunting,="" a="" noninvasive="" field="" testing="" device="" must="" be="" available="" for="" enforcement="" officers="" to="" determine="" the="" shot="" material="" in="" a="" given="" shell="" in="" the="" field="" (50="" cfr="" 20.134(b)(6)).="" several="" noninvasive="" field="" testing="" devices="" are="" under="" development="" to="" separate="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" from="" lead="" shot.="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" can="" be="" drawn="" to="" a="" magnet="" as="" a="" simple="" field="" detection="" method.="" in="" summary,="" this="" rule="" amends="" 50="" cfr="" 20.21(j)="" by="" extending="" temporary="" approval="" of="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" as="" nontoxic="" for="" the="" 1998-99="" migratory="" bird="" hunting="" season,="" except="" in="" the="" y-k="" delta="" region,="" alaska.="" it="" is="" based="" on="" the="" original="" request="" made="" to="" the="" service="" by="" federal="" cartridge="" company="" on="" august="" 20,="" 1996,="" the="" toxicological="" report,="" and="" acute="" toxicity="" study="" reviewed="" by="" the="" service="" in="" its="" initial="" decision="" to="" grant="" temporary="" approval="" for="" the="" 1997-98="" season="" (62="" fr="" 43444),="" and="" comments="" received="" on="" the="" july="" 27,="" 1998="" proposed="" rule="" (63="" fr="" 40077).="" results="" of="" the="" toxicological="" report="" and="" 30-day="" toxicity="" test="" undertaken="" for="" federal="" cartridge="" company="" document="" the="" apparent="" absence="" of="" any="" deleterious="" effects="" of="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" when="" ingested="" by="" captive-="" reared="" mallards="" or="" to="" the="" ecosystem.="" however,="" there="" is="" some="" concern="" that="" the="" absorption="" of="" tungsten="" into="" the="" femur,="" kidney,="" and="" liver="" could="" potentially="" affect="" the="" spectacled="" eider="" (somateria="" fischeri),="" a="" species="" already="" subject="" to="" adverse="" weather,="" predation,="" and="" lead="" poisoning="" on="" the="" y-k="" delta.="" until="" a="" reproductive/chronic="" toxicity="" test="" has="" been="" completed="" and="" the="" service="" has="" reviewed="" the="" results,="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" will="" not="" be="" conditionally="" approved="" for="" the="" y-k="" delta="" region.="" information="" since="" the="" service's="" initial="" decision="" last="" year="" has="" not="" changed="" or="" been="" supplemented="" to="" date.="" a="" reproductive/chronic="" toxicity="" test="" will="" be="" completed="" and="" the="" service="" will="" review="" the="" results,="" prior="" to="" any="" final="" unconditional="" approval="" of="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" for="" migratory="" bird="" hunting.="" public="" comments="" and="" responses="" the="" july="" 27,="" 1998="" proposed="" rule="" published="" in="" the="" federal="" register="" (63="" fr="" 40077)="" invited="" public="" comments="" from="" interested="" parties.="" the="" closing="" date="" for="" receipt="" of="" all="" comments="" was="" august="" 26,="" 1998.="" during="" this="" 30-day="" comment="" period,="" the="" service="" received="" one="" comment.="" the="" wisconsin="" department="" of="" natural="" resources="" (wisconsin)="" supported="" the="" proposal="" to="" grant="" temporary="" approval="" of="" tungsten-iron="" as="" nontoxic="" shot.="" wisconsin="" was="" concerned,="" however,="" with="" the="" timing="" of="" the="" proposed="" and="" final="" rules.="" because="" of="" the="" lateness="" of="" the="" service's="" proposed="" rule,="" relative="" to="" the="" establishing="" and="" beginning="" of="" the="" migratory="" bird="" hunting="" seasons,="" wisconsin="" was="" not="" able="" to="" include="" information="" on="" the="" status="" of="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" in="" their="" annual="" hunting="" regulations="" pamphlet="" that="" went="" to="" press="" in="" late="" august.="" wisconsin="" uses="" the="" pamphlet="" to="" inform="" their="" hunters="" as="" to="" the="" availability="" of="" different="" nontoxic="" shot="" materials="" and="" stated="" that="" because="" of="" the="" timing="" of="" the="" final="" rule="" they="" would="" not="" be="" able="" to="" adequately="" inform="" their="" hunters.="" wisconsin="" encouraged="" that="" any="" subsequent="" rules="" on="" nontoxic="" shot="" be="" initiated="" earlier="" in="" the="" year="" so="" that="" any="" final="" rules="" would="" be="" published="" before="" august="" 1.="" service="" response:="" the="" service="" realizes="" the="" information="" dissemination="" problems="" caused="" by="" conditionally="" approving="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" at="" this="" time.="" however,="" we="" believe="" that="" the="" public="" benefits="" of="" conditionally="" approving="" the="" shot="" outweigh="" any="" potential="" timing="" issues="" and/or="" problems.="" we="" believe="" that="" it="" is="" in="" the="" best="" interest="" of="" the="" hunting="" public="" to="" provide="" them="" an="" additional="" legal="" option="" for="" hunting="" waterfowl="" and="" coots="" for="" the="" 1998-99="" [[page="" 54018]]="" season="" and="" it="" is="" in="" the="" best="" interest="" of="" small="" retailers="" who="" have="" stocked="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" for="" the="" coming="" season.="" additionally,="" we="" believe="" that="" another="" nontoxic="" shot="" option="" likely="" will="" improve="" hunter="" compliance,="" thereby="" reducing="" the="" amount="" of="" lead="" shot="" in="" the="" environment.="" effective="" date="" under="" the="" apa="" (5="" u.s.c.="" 553="" (d))="" the="" service="" waives="" the="" 30-day="" period="" before="" the="" rule="" becomes="" effective="" and="" finds="" that="" ``good="" cause''="" exists,="" within="" the="" terms="" of="" 5="" u.s.c.="" 553(d)(3)="" of="" the="" apa,="" and="" this="" rule="" will,="" therefore,="" take="" effect="" immediately="" upon="" publication.="" this="" rule="" relieves="" a="" restriction="" and,="" in="" addition,="" it="" is="" not="" in="" the="" public="" interest="" to="" delay="" the="" effective="" date="" of="" this="" rule.="" during="" the="" two="" prior="" public="" comment="" periods="" for="" conditional="" approval="" the="" service="" received="" six="" comments.="" of="" these="" comment="" letters,="" three="" were="" from="" individuals,="" two="" from="" industry="" companies,="" and="" one="" from="" a="" state="" natural="" resource="" agency.="" as="" we="" indicated="" in="" our="" august="" 13,="" 1997="" final="" rule,="" individuals="" expressed="" support="" for="" the="" temporary="" approval="" of="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" stating="" that="" they="" ``*="" *="" *="" would="" love="" the="" opportunity="" to="" try="" the="" new="" shot''="" and="" believed="" that''="" *="" *="" *.="" any="" nontoxic="" alternative="" that="" approaches="" the="" effectiveness="" of="" lead="" should="" be="" explored.''="" all="" other="" objections="" have="" been="" remedied="" satisfactorily="" and="" were="" discussed="" in="" either="" the="" august="" 13,="" 1997="" final="" rule="" or="" under="" the="" public="" comment="" and="" responses="" section="" of="" this="" document.="" it="" is="" in="" the="" best="" interest="" of="" migratory="" birds="" and="" their="" habitats="" to="" extend="" the="" conditional="" approval="" on="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" as="" nontoxic="" for="" the="" 1998-99="" migratory="" bird="" hunting="" season.="" it="" is="" in="" the="" best="" interest="" of="" the="" hunting="" public="" to="" provide="" them="" an="" additional="" legal="" option="" for="" hunting="" waterfowl="" and="" coots="" for="" the="" 1998-99="" season,="" which="" began="" on="" september="" 1,="" 1998.="" it="" is="" in="" the="" best="" interest="" of="" small="" retailers="" who="" have="" stocked="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" for="" the="" coming="" season.="" the="" services="" believes="" another="" nontoxic="" shot="" option="" likely="" will="" improve="" hunter="" compliance,="" thereby="" reducing="" the="" amount="" of="" lead="" shot="" in="" the="" environment.="" references="" barr="" engineering="" company.="" 1996.="" toxicology="" report="" on="" new="" shot.="" contract="" report="" 2302118/40970-1/cet.="" 21="" pp.="" bursian,="" s.="" j.,="" m.="" e.="" kelly,="" r.="" j.="" aulerich,="" d.="" c.="" powell,="" and="" s.="" fitzgerald.="" 1996.="" thirty-day="" dosing="" test="" to="" assess="" the="" toxicity="" of="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" in="" game-farm="" mallards.="" 1996.="" report="" to="" federal="" cartridge="" co.="" 77="" pp.="" gigiema="" i.="" sanitariya.="" 1983.="" mezhdunarodnaya="" kniga.="" moscow,="" ussr.="" 48(7):77.="" grandy,="" j.="" w.,="" l.="" n.="" locke,="" and="" g.="" e.="" bagley.="" 1968.="" relative="" toxicity="" of="" lead="" and="" five="" proposed="" substitute="" shot="" types="" to="" pen-reared="" mallards.="" j.="" wildl.="" manage.="" 32(3):483-488.="" interagency="" ecosystem="" management="" task="" force.="" 1995.="" the="" ecosystem="" approach:="" healthy="" ecosystems="" and="" sustainable="" economics.="" volume="" ii-="" implementation="" issues.="" kabata-peddias,="" a.="" and="" h.="" pendias.="" 1984.="" trace="" elements="" in="" soil="" and="" plants.="" crc="" press,="" inc.="" boca="" raton,="" fl.="" karantassis,="" t.="" 1924.="" on="" the="" toxicity="" of="" compounds="" of="" tungsten="" and="" molybdenum.="" ann.="" med.="" 28:1541-1543.="" kraabel,="" f.="" w.,="" m.="" w.="" miller,="" d.="" m.="" getzy,="" and="" j.="" k.="" ringleman.="" 1996.="" effects="" of="" embedded="" tungsten-bismuth-tin="" shot="" and="" steel="" shot="" on="" mallards.="" j.="" wildl.="" dis.="" 38(1):1-8.="" pain,="" d.="" j.="" 1990.="" lead="" shot="" ingestion="" by="" waterbirds="" in="" the="" carmarque,="" france:="" an="" investigation="" of="" levels="" and="" interspecific="" difference.="" environ.="" pollut.="" 66:273-285.="" patty's="" industrial="" hygiene="" and="" toxicology.="" 1981.="" wiley="" interscience.="" wiley="" &="" sons,="" inc.="" ny,="" ny.="" third="" ed.="" ringelman,="" j.="" k.,="" m.="" w.="" miller,="" and="" w.="" f.="" andelt.="" 1992.="" effects="" of="" ingested="" tungsten-bismuth-tin="" shot="" on="" mallards.="" co="" div.="" wildl.,="" fort="" collins,="" 24="" pp.="" nepa="" consideration="" in="" compliance="" with="" the="" requirements="" of="" section="" 102(2)(c)="" of="" the="" national="" environmental="" policy="" act="" of="" 1969="" (42="" u.s.c.="" 4332(c)),="" and="" the="" council="" on="" environmental="" quality's="" regulation="" for="" implementing="" nepa="" (40="" cfr="" 1500-1508),="" the="" service="" prepared="" a="" draft="" environmental="" assessment="" (ea)="" in="" may,="" 1998="" and="" a="" final="" ea="" in="" september="" 1998.="" this="" ea="" is="" available="" to="" the="" public="" at="" the="" location="" indicated="" under="" the="" addresses="" caption.="" based="" on="" review="" and="" evaluation="" of="" the="" information="" in="" the="" ea,="" the="" service="" has="" determined="" that="" amending="" 50="" cfr="" 20.21(j)="" to="" extend="" temporary="" approval="" of="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" as="" nontoxic="" for="" the="" 1998-99="" migratory="" bird="" hunting="" season="" would="" not="" be="" a="" major="" federal="" action="" that="" would="" significantly="" affect="" the="" quality="" of="" the="" human="" environment.="" endangered="" species="" act="" considerations="" section="" 7="" of="" the="" endangered="" species="" act="" (esa)="" of="" 1972,="" as="" amended="" (16="" u.s.c.="" 1531,="" et="" seq.),="" provides="" that="" federal="" agencies="" shall="" ``insure="" that="" any="" action="" authorized,="" funded="" or="" carried="" out="" *="" *="" *="" is="" not="" likely="" to="" jeopardize="" the="" continued="" existence="" of="" any="" endangered="" species="" or="" threatened="" species="" or="" result="" in="" the="" destruction="" or="" adverse="" modification="" of="" (critical)="" habitat="" *="" *="" *''="" the="" service="" has="" completed="" a="" section="" 7="" consultation="" under="" the="" esa="" for="" this="" rule="" and="" determined="" that="" granting="" temporary="" approval="" of="" tungsten-iron="" shot="" for="" the="" 1998-99="" hunting="" season,="" except="" on="" the="" yukon-kuskokwin="" (y-k)="" delta,="" is="" not="" likely="" to="" affect="" any="" threatened,="" endangered,="" proposed="" or="" candidate="" species.="" the="" result="" of="" the="" service's="" consultation="" under="" section="" 7="" of="" the="" esa="" is="" available="" to="" the="" public="" at="" the="" location="" indicated="" under="" the="" addresses="" caption.="" regulatory="" flexibility="" act="" the="" regulatory="" flexibility="" act="" of="" 1980="" (5="" u.s.c.="" 601,="" et="" seq.)="" requires="" the="" preparation="" of="" flexibility="" analyses="" for="" rules="" that="" will="" have="" a="" significant="" effect="" on="" a="" substantial="" number="" of="" small="" entities,="" which="" includes="" small="" businesses,="" organizations="" or="" governmental="" jurisdictions.="" the="" economic="" impacts="" of="" annual="" hunting="" on="" small="" business="" entities="" were="" analyzed="" in="" detail="" and="" a="" small="" entity="" flexibility="" analysis="" (analysis),="" under="" the="" regulatory="" flexibility="" act="" (5="" u.s.c.="" 601,="" et="" seq.),="" was="" issued="" by="" the="" service="" in="" 1998="" (copies="" available="" upon="" request="" from="" the="" office="" of="" migratory="" bird="" management).="" the="" analysis="" documented="" the="" significant="" beneficial="" economic="" effect="" on="" a="" substantial="" number="" of="" small="" entities.="" the="" primary="" source="" of="" information="" about="" hunter="" expenditures="" for="" migratory="" game="" bird="" hunting="" is="" the="" national="" hunting="" and="" fishing="" survey,="" which="" is="" conducted="" at="" 5-year="" intervals.="" the="" analysis="" utilized="" the="" 1996="" national="" hunting="" and="" fishing="" survey="" which="" it="" was="" estimated="" that="" migratory="" bird="" hunters="" would="" spend="" between="" $429="" and="" $1084="" million="" nationwide="" at="" small="" businesses="" in="" 1998.="" the="" approval="" of="" tungsten-iron="" as="" an="" alternative="" shot="" to="" steel="" and="" bismuth-tin="" will="" have="" a="" minor="" positive="" impact="" on="" small="" businesses="" by="" allowing="" them="" to="" sell="" a="" third="" nontoxic="" shot="" to="" the="" hunting="" public.="" however,="" the="" overall="" effect="" to="" hunting="" expenditures="" in="" general="" would="" be="" minor.="" therefore,="" the="" service="" determined="" this="" rule="" will="" have="" no="" effect="" on="" small="" entities="" since="" the="" approved="" shot="" merely="" will="" supplement="" nontoxic="" shot="" already="" in="" commerce="" and="" available="" throughout="" the="" retail="" and="" wholesale="" distribution="" systems.="" the="" service="" anticipates="" no="" dislocation="" or="" other="" local="" effects,="" with="" regard="" to="" hunters="" and="" others.="" [[page="" 54019]]="" executive="" order="" 12866,="" and="" the="" paperwork="" reduction="" act="" this="" rule="" was="" not="" subject="" to="" office="" of="" management="" and="" budget="" (omb)="" review="" under="" executive="" order="" 12866.="" e.o.="" 12866="" requires="" each="" agency="" to="" write="" regulations="" that="" are="" easy="" to="" understand.="" the="" service="" invites="" comments="" on="" how="" to="" make="" this="" rule="" easier="" to="" understand,="" including="" answers="" to="" questions="" such="" as="" the="" following:="" (1)="" are="" the="" requirements="" in="" the="" rule="" clearly="" stated?="" (2)="" does="" the="" rule="" contain="" technical="" language="" or="" jargon="" that="" interferes="" with="" its="" clarity?="" (3)="" does="" the="" format="" of="" the="" rule="" (grouping="" and="" order="" of="" sections,="" use="" of="" headings,="" paragraphing,="" etc.)="" aid="" or="" reduce="" its="" clarity?="" (4)="" would="" the="" rule="" be="" easier="" to="" understand="" if="" it="" were="" divided="" into="" more="" (but="" shorter)="" sections?="" (5)="" is="" the="" description="" of="" the="" rule="" in="" the="" supplementary="" information="" section="" of="" the="" preamble="" helpful="" in="" understanding="" the="" rule?="" what="" else="" could="" the="" service="" do="" to="" make="" the="" rule="" easier="" to="" understand?="" send="" a="" copy="" of="" any="" comments="" that="" concern="" how="" this="" rule="" could="" be="" made="" easier="" to="" understand="" to:="" office="" of="" regulatory="" affairs,="" department="" of="" the="" interior,="" room="" 7229,="" 1849="" c="" street,="" n.w.,="" washington,="" d.c.="" 20240.="" comments="" may="" also="" be="" e-mailed="" to:="">xsec@ios.doi.gov.
Congressional Review
In accordance with Section 251 of the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 8), this rule has been
submitted to Congress. Because this rule deals with the Service's
migratory bird hunting program, this rule qualifies for an exemption
under 5 U.S.C. 808(1); therefore, the Department determines that this
rule shall take effect immediately.
Paperwork Reduction Act
The Service has examined this regulation under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 and found it to contain no information collection
requirements. However, the Service does have OMB approval (1018-0067;
expires 06/30/2000) for information collection relating to what
manufacturers of shot are required to provide the Service for the
nontoxic shot approval process. For further information see 50 CFR
20.134.
Unfunded Mandates Reform
The Service has determined and certifies pursuant to the Unfunded
Mandates Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502, et seq., that this rulemaking will not
impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local or
State government or private entities.
Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988
The Service, in promulgating this rule, determines that these
regulations meet the applicable standards provided in Sections 3(a) and
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.
Takings Implication Assessment
In accordance with Executive Order 12630, these rules, authorized
by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, do not have significant takings
implications and do not affect any constitutionally protected property
rights. These rules will not result in the physical occupancy of
property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking
of any property. In fact, these rules allow hunters to exercise
privileges that would be otherwise unavailable; and, therefore, reduce
restrictions on the use of private and public property.
Federalism Effects
Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the
Federal government has been given responsibility over these species by
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. These rules do not have a substantial
direct effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities
of Federal or State governments, or intrude on State policy or
administration. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612,
these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a
Federalism Assessment.
Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes
In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994,
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American tribal
Governments'' (59 FR 22951) and 512 DM 2, we have evaluated possible
effects on Federally recognized Indian tribes and have determined that
there are no effects.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
Accordingly, for reasons set out in the preamble, title 50, Chapter
1, subchapter B, part 20 of the Code of Federal Regulations is amended
as follows:
PART 20--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for Part 20 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703-712; and 16 U.S.C. 742a-j.
2. Amend Section 20.21 by revising paragraph (j)(2) to read as
follows:
Sec. 20.21 Hunting methods.
* * * * *
(j) * * *
(2) Tungsten-iron shot (nominally 40 parts tungsten: 60 parts iron
with <1 percent="" residual="" lead)="" is="" legal="" as="" nontoxic="" shot="" for="" the="" 1998-="" 99="" migratory="" bird="" hunting="" season,="" except="" in="" the="" yukon-kuskokwim="" (y-k)="" delta="" region,="" alaska.="" dated:="" october="" 1,="" 1998.="" donald="" barry,="" assistant="" secretary="" for="" fish="" and="" wildlife="" and="" parks.="" [fr="" doc.="" 98-26856="" filed="" 10-6-98;="" 8:45="" am]="" billing="" code="" 4310-55-p="">