[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 68 (Friday, April 9, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17308-17309]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-8921]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting; Application for Approval of HEVI-
METALTM as a Nontoxic Shot Material for Waterfowl Hunting
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of application.
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SUMMARY: We are providing public notification that Standard Resources
Corporation, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, has applied for approval of
HEVI-METALTM shot as nontoxic for waterfowl hunting in the
United States. The Service has initiated review of HEVI-
METALTM under the criteria set out in Tier 1 of the revised
nontoxic shot approval procedures contained in 50 CFR 20.134.
DATES: A comprehensive review of the Tier 1 information is to be
concluded no later than June 8, 1999.
ADDRESSES: The Standard Resources Corporation (Standard) application
may be reviewed in Room 634 at the Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of
Migratory Bird Management, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Andrew, Chief, Office of Migratory
Bird Management, (703) 358-1714, or James R. Kelley, Jr., Wildlife
Biologist, Office of Migratory Bird Management, (703) 358-1964.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We continue to provide opportunity for
submission for approval of alternative types of shot for waterfowling
that, when spent, does not pose a significant toxic hazard to migratory
birds and other wildlife when ingested. Currently, only bismuth-tin and
steel shot are unconditionally approved for use in waterfowling.
Tungsten-iron (published October 7, 1998; 63 FR 54016), tungsten-
polymer (published October 7, 1998; 63 FR 54022), and tungsten-matrix
(published October 19, 1998; 63 FR 55840) shot types received temporary
conditional approval for the 1998-99 waterfowl hunting season. We are
currently reviewing applications for approval for shot types other than
those previously referenced in this notice. We anticipate that approval
of additional suitable candidate shot materials as nontoxic is feasible
in the near future.
On January 25, 1999, Standard submitted its application with the
counsel that it contained all of the specified information for a
complete Tier 1 submission. Tier 1 approval for
[[Page 17309]]
HEVI-METALTM is being sought under the revised test protocol
for nontoxic approval procedures for shot and shot coatings that we
published in 50 CFR 20.134 (December 1, 1997; 62 FR 63608).
We have determined that Standard's application is complete, and
have initiated a comprehensive review of the Tier 1 information. After
this review, we will either: (1) publish a Notice of Review to inform
the public that the Tier 1 test results are inconclusive; or (2)
publish a proposed rule for approval of the candidate shot. We will
indicate in a Notice of Review if we will require other tests before
nontoxic approval of HEVI-METALTM shot is again considered.
If review of the Tier 1 application results in a preliminary
determination that the candidate material does not pose a significant
hazard to migratory birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, we will
proceed with a rulemaking that proposes to approve the candidate shot.
HEVI-METALTM pellets have specific gravity of 11.0 g/
cm\3\ and are composed of 50 percent tungsten, 35 percent nickel, and
15 percent iron. Part A of the application contains a statement of
proposed use, a chemical and physical description of the shot material,
a statement of the expected variability of shot during production, an
estimate of yearly production, and a 5-pound sample of the fabricated
shot. Part B of the application contains a discussion of the acute
toxicities of HEVI-METALTM components to mammals and to
birds, limited information on the fate of ingested shot on a small
sample of captive-reared mallard ducks, and a summary of the known
toxicities of HEVI-METALTM components for vertebrates. Part
C of the application considers the effects of firing on the shot, the
half-life of components of breakdown products, the estimated
environmental concentration in soil and water, and other environmental
impacts of components of the shot. References are provided to support
the information and conclusions contained in the application; the list
of references cited is available from us upon request.
Authorship: The primary author of this document is James R. Kelley,
Jr., Wildlife Biologist, Office of Migratory Bird Management.
Dated: April 2, 1999.
Jamie Rappaport Clark,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 99-8921 Filed 4-8-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
