[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 112 (Monday, June 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29423-29424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14377]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
Request for Information Relevant to the Issuance of Import
Permits for Argali Sheep From Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has been notified
that Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have established export
quotas for sport-hunted trophies of argali sheep (Ovis ammon ammon,
Ovis ammon darwini, and Ovis ammon polii). The Service requests
information on argali population status and management in these three
countries to be considered in processing permit applications.
DATES: Information from all interested parties must be received by
August 9, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments, information, and questions should be addressed to
the Chief, Office of Management Authority, 4401 North Fairfax Drive,
Room 430, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Fax Number (703) 358-2280.
Comments and other information received will be available for public
inspection, by appointment from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday, at the Arlington, Virginia address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Stansell, Chief, Office of
Management Authority, at the above address or by phone at (703) 358-
2093.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) classified the argali
sheep (Ovis ammon) populations as endangered pursuant to the Endangered
Species Act of 1973, as amended, effective January 1, 1993, except for
the populations in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan (57 FR 28014).
At the same time, populations in these three countries were listed as
threatened with a special rule that allows for the issuance of
threatened species permits for the import of sport-hunted trophies. The
special rule also establishes criteria which, if met, would result in
the removal of this permit requirement, thus allowing imports in
accordance with Sec. 9(c)(2) of the Act.
During the time that this special rule was under legal challenge,
the Service proposed reclassifying the argali population in Kyrgyzstan,
Mongolia, and Tajikistan from threatened to endangered on April 27,
1993, (58 FR 25595) because of concern about the removal of controls on
imports into the United States and the potential for an unlimited
number of imports.
After the special rule was sustained by the court, the Service
began issuing a limited number of import permits for sport-hunted
trophies of argali from Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, countries with
management programs deemed to be sufficient to be able to make the
required findings for permit issuance. No permits have been issued for
the import of trophies from Tajikistan and the permits for argali from
Kyrgyzstan have been limited to those trophies taken in areas believed
to be outside the range of Ovis ammon karelini.
In 1993, the Service supported a study to obtain additional
information on the status and management of argali and enforcement
capabilities for this species in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan.
This study was conducted and a report prepared by Drs. Anna Luschekina
and A. Fedosenko, and availability of the report was announced in the
March 12, 1994, Federal Register notice (59 FR 13302).
In 1994, Mongolia imposed export quotas of 5 and 10 argali trophies
from southeastern and western portions of Mongolia, respectively,
representing the range of Ovis ammon darwini and Ovis ammon ammon. The
quotas were increased to 10 animals in each area in 1995 and again in
1996. A portion of the licensing fees have gone toward activities
contributing to enhancement of management and conservation of the
argali, including population surveys and waterhole construction.
Kyrgyzstan imposed an export quota of 16 argali trophies in 1995
from hunting area(s) in the Naryn area, the range of Ovis ammon polii.
The quota was increased to 20 for 1996. A portion of the licensing fees
have gone toward the management of argali. The Government of
Kyrgyzstan, having already established reserves for Ovis ammon
karelini, is committed to establishing reserves for Ovis ammon polii.
The Service has received information from a hunting outfitter
indicating that Tajikistan has established a hunting quota of 20 argali
trophies for 1996. The Service is currently seeking confirmation of
this information with the Ministry of Nature Conservation in
Tajikistan. A survey of argali in the eastern Pamirs region of
Tajikistan by A.K. Fedosenko, has been recently received by the Service
and is available upon request. This report indicates there was a quota
of 12-15 argali trophies in previous hunting seasons.
With the retention of import controls established in the special
rule and without evidence that the status or
[[Page 29424]]
management of argali in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, or Tajikistan has changed
since the original classification of these populations in June 23, 1992
(57 FR 28014), the Service continues to consider these populations as
threatened. Except for the recent report by Fedosenko on argali in the
Pamirs region in Tajikistan, the Service has received little additional
information on the status and management of argali in these countries
since the 1993 report funded by the Service. Thus, the Service is
requesting additional and updated information from the Governments of
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Mongolia and from individuals and
organizations knowledgeable about the status and management of the
argali in these three range countries.
Information Solicited
The Service can only issue a threatened species permit for the
import of argali trophies when it finds that the activity will enhance
the propagation or survival of the species. So the Service solicits
information on the status of argali populations in Kyrgyzstan,
Mongolia, and Tajikistan, including: (1) Whether the population in each
country is sufficiently large, viable, and adequately protected to
sustain sport hunting, (2) whether the regulating authorities in these
range countries recognize these argali populations as a valuable
resource and have the legal and practical means to manage these argali
populations, including examples of any recent management initiatives,
and (3) whether the regulating authorities can ensure that the exported
trophy has in fact been legally taken from the specified population. In
addition, the Service seeks information on how any funds derived from
the involved sport hunt or any contributions made directly by the
applicant and/or the outfitter have been applied to argali
conservation, including specific examples.
Information received will be considered in developing the Service's
findings for future permit applications for the import of sport-hunted
argali trophies. In the meantime, the Service continues to process
applications and make its decisions on existing information.
Dated: May 30, 1996.
John G. Rogers,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 96-14377 Filed 6-7-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P
