[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 138 (Wednesday, July 19, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 37314-37318]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14756]
[[Page 37313]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part VII
Department of the Interior
_______________________________________________________________________
Fish and Wildlife Service
_______________________________________________________________________
50 CFR Part 20
Migratory Bird Hunting Supplemental Proposals for Migratory Game Bird
Hunting Regulations; Meetings; Proposed Rule
Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 138 / Wednesday, July 19, 1995 /
Proposed Rules
[[Page 37314]]
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Part 20
RIN: 1018-AC79
Migratory Bird Hunting; Supplemental Proposals for Migratory Game
Bird Hunting Regulations; Notice of Meetings.
Editorial Note: The document set forth below was originally
published at 60 FR 31890, June 16, 1995, and is being reprinted in
its entirety because of typesetting errors.
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter the Service)
proposed in an earlier document to establish annual hunting regulations
for certain migratory game birds. This supplementary document further
describes proposed changes from 1994-95 hunting regulations and
provides additional information that will facilitate establishment of
the 1995-96 hunting regulations. This document also announces the
meetings of the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee.
DATES: The Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee will meet to
consider and develop proposed regulations for early seasons on June 20,
21, and 22, and for late seasons on August 1, 2, and 3. Public hearings
on proposed early- and late-season frameworks will be held at 9:00 a.m.
on June 22 and August 3, 1995, respectively. The comment period for
proposed migratory bird hunting-season frameworks for Alaska, Hawaii,
Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and other early seasons will end on
July 21, 1995, and for late-season proposals will end on September 4,
1995.
ADDRESSES: Meetings of the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee
will be held in room 200 of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's
Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.
Public hearings will be held in the Auditorium of the Department of the
Interior Building, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC. Written comments
on the proposals and notice of intention to participate in either
hearing should be sent to the Chief, Office of Migratory Bird
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior,
ms 634--ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. Comments
received will be available for public inspection during normal business
hours in room 634, ARLSQ Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington,
Virginia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul R. Schmidt, Chief, Office of
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358-
1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulations Schedule for 1995
On March 24, 1995, the Service published in the Federal Register
(60 FR 15642) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt
with the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for
migratory game birds under Secs. 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and
20.110 of subpart K. This document is the second in a series of
proposed, supplemental, and final rules for migratory game bird hunting
regulations. Comment periods on this second document are specified
above under DATES. Early-season frameworks will be proposed in late
June and late-season frameworks in early August. Final regulatory
frameworks for early seasons are scheduled for publication on or about
August 16, 1995, and those for late seasons on or about September 25,
1995.
On June 22, 1995, a public hearing will be held in Washington, DC,
to review the status of migratory shore and upland game birds and
waterfowl hunted during early seasons and the recommended hunting
regulations for these species.
On August 3, 1995, a public hearing will be held in Washington, DC,
to review the status of waterfowl and recommended hunting regulations
for regular waterfowl seasons, and other species and seasons not
previously discussed at the June 22 public hearing.
Announcement of Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee
Meetings
The meeting on June 20 is to review information on the current
status of migratory shore and upland game birds and to develop 1995-96
migratory game bird regulations recommendations for these species plus
regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the
Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl seasons in designated
States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway; and extended
falconry seasons. The June 21 meeting is to ensure that the Service's
regulations recommendations are developed with the benefit of full
consultation on the above issues.
The meeting on August 1 is to review information on the current
status of waterfowl and to develop 1995-96 migratory game bird
regulations recommendations for regular waterfowl seasons and other
species and seasons not previously discussed at the early season
meetings. The August 2 meeting is to ensure that the Service's
regulations recommendations are developed with the benefit of full
consultation on the above issues.
In accordance with Departmental policy regarding meetings of the
Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee that are attended by any
person outside the Department, these meetings will be open to public
observation. Members of the public may submit to the Director written
comments on the matters discussed.
Announcement of Flyway Council Meetings
Service representatives will be present at the following meetings
of Flyway Councils:
Atlantic Flyway--July 27-28, Charleston, West Virginia (Holiday
Inn, Charleston House)
Mississippi Flyway--July 29-30, Green Bay, Wisconsin (Mid-way Best
Western Motel)
Central Flyway--July 27-28, Custer, South Dakota (Blue Bell Lodge
and Resort - Custer State Park)
Pacific Flyway--July 28, Reno, Nevada (Peppermill Hotel)
Although agendas are not yet available, these meetings usually
commence at 8:30 a.m. on the days indicated.
Review of Public Comments
This supplemental rulemaking describes changes which have been
recommended based on the preliminary proposals published on March 24,
1995, in the Federal Register. Only those recommendations that would
require either new proposals or substantial modification of the
preliminary proposals to facilitate effective public participation are
included herein. Those that support or oppose but do not recommend
alternatives to the preliminary proposals are not included, but will be
considered later in the regulations-development process. The Service
will publish responses to proposals, written comments, and public-
hearing testimony when final frameworks are developed.
The Service seeks additional information and comments on the
recommendations contained in this supplemental proposed rule. These
recommendations and all associated comments will be considered during
development of the final frameworks.
New proposals and modifications to previously described proposals
are discussed below. Wherever possible, they are discussed under
headings
[[Page 37315]]
corresponding to the numbered items in the March 24, 1995, Federal
Register.
1. Ducks
The categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest
management are as follows: (A) General Harvest Strategy, (B) Framework
Dates, (C) Season Length, (D) Closed Seasons, (E) Bag Limits, (F) Zones
and Split Seasons, and (G) Special Seasons/Species Management. Only
those categories containing substantial recommendations are included
below.
A. General Harvest Strategy
In the March 24, 1995, Federal Register, the Service proposed that
the choice of regulations frameworks for the 1995-96 regular duck
season be limited to three sets of frameworks similar to those in
effect during the 1979-93 hunting seasons. These three framework
options were generally described as restrictive, moderate, or liberal.
The Service also subsequently proposed in an information package made
available on March 24, 1995, specific guidelines for selecting one of
these framework packages based on the size of the mallard breeding
population and habitat conditions in May 1995. The information package
contained specific details of this year's proposed regulatory
``packages'' for each flyway, guidelines for the use of these
regulatory packages, and a general description of the harvest
management objective and duck population dynamics that were considered
in the process. Based on public comments to date, the Service is
continuing to refine the guidelines for the use of these regulatory
packages and the specific details of the proposed packages for each
flyway in this transition year to the Service's proposed development of
a more formal and objective decision-making process.
All four Flyway Councils have endorsed the proposal to limit the
choice of 1995-96 frameworks to three packages. However, the Pacific,
Central, and Mississippi Flyway Councils recommended some modifications
to the specific regulatory packages proposed, and these modifications
are identified below under ``Framework Dates'', ``Season Length'', and
``Bag Limits.''
The Atlantic Flyway Council endorsed the guidelines proposed for
selecting a regulations package in 1995, but commented that the
guidelines were based only on mid-continent mallards, which comprise a
very small portion of the duck harvest in the Atlantic Flyway. The
Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council
also endorsed the guidelines. The Central Flyway Council and the Upper-
Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council
expressed concerns about using the guidelines before the proposed
general approach to managing duck harvests has been thoroughly reviewed
by all interested parties. These concerns related only to the 1995-96
hunting season. The Pacific Flyway Council supported the general format
of the guidelines, but expressed reservations about guidelines based
upon mid-continent mallards and a harvest strategy that does not permit
greater harvest opportunity on lightly-harvested species. Further, the
Council urged development of a specific harvest strategy for pintails,
the second-most important species in the Pacific Flyway harvest.
B. Framework Dates
In the frameworks packages proposed for 1995-96, the Pacific and
Central Flyway Councils and the Upper-Region Regulations Committee of
the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the framework opening
and closing dates in all 3 packages be the Saturday nearest October 1
and the Sunday nearest January 20. The Lower-Region Regulations
Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the
opening and closing dates be the Saturday nearest October 1 and January
20 in all three packages.
C. Season Length
In the frameworks packages proposed for 1995-96, the Pacific Flyway
Council recommended that in the ``restrictive'' package, the season
length be 60 days instead of 59 days.
E. Bag Limits
In the frameworks packages proposed for 1995-96, the Pacific Flyway
Council recommended that mallard daily bag limits be 5 (with 1 hen)
instead of 4 (with 1 hen) in the ``moderate'' package and 6 (with 2
hens) instead of 6 (with 1 hen) in the ``liberal'' package. The Council
also recommended that the pintail daily bag limit in the ``liberal''
package be 3 birds instead of 2.
The Central Flyway Council recommended reinstating the point-system
option for establishing the daily bag limit for ducks in 1995. Further,
the Council also would like to work with the Service in another
cooperative review of its point-system policy.
F. Zones and Split Seasons
The Central Flyway Council recommended that the Service eliminate
its policy that States may not zone and/or use a 3-way split season
simultaneously within a special management unit and the remainder of
the State when establishing duck hunting zones.
G. Special Seasons/Species Management
The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended that during the first 9 days of the regular duck
season, production States be given the option of 1 additional blue- or
green-winged teal in the bag limit during a 3-year experimental period.
i. Canvasback
As part of the general harvest strategy, the Pacific Flyway Council
recommended that limits on canvasbacks follow the Service's harvest
strategy; however, the Council believes that canvasbacks should be
managed by western and eastern populations.
ii. September Teal Seasons
The Central Flyway Council recommended that the September teal
season in the Central Flyway be increased from 9 to 16 days.
4. Canada Geese
A. Special Seasons
The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that Delaware and Rhode
Island be permitted to initiate a 3-year experimental resident Canada
goose season with framework dates of September 1 to 15.
The Atlantic Flyway Council also recommended that Massachusetts,
New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia be
permitted to expand the hunt areas of their experimental goose seasons.
In North Carolina, the Atlantic Flyway Council requested that the
framework date for the experimental resident Canada goose season in the
Northeast hunt area be September 1 to 20.
The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended modification of the early Canada goose seasons
criteria to allow any State to conduct a non-experimental special
season between the dates of September 1 and 15. The Committee
recommended that States continue monitoring hunter activity and success
until they begin participation in the Harvest Information Program and
close areas where evidence from band recoveries or other sources
indicated unacceptable (greater than 10 percent) harvest non-target
populations of concern. Special seasons occurring after September 15
would be required to meet all existing Service criteria for special
resident Canada goose seasons and would not be altered in any way
during the 3-year experimental period.
If the above modifications to the special-season criteria are not
approved,
[[Page 37316]]
the Upper-Region Regulations Committee recommended the following
experimental special seasons:
In Indiana, a Statewide season during September 1 to 15.
In Illinois, a season in the nine northeast counties of the State
during September 9 to 18.
In Wisconsin, expand the size of the Southeastern Zone for a
September 1 to 13 season.
The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended that the flyway-wide framework for special resident
giant Canada goose seasons be September 1 to 15 where areas of concern
do not exist.
In Tennessee, the Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the zone for the special
resident Canada goose season in east Tennessee be expanded from 11 to
28 counties, east of and including Anderson, Campbell, Hamilton, Rhea,
and Roane Counties. The Committee also recommended that Tennessee be
permitted to hold a special September Canada goose season in the
Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone in west Tennessee.
The Pacific Flyway Council requested modification of the early
Canada goose seasons criteria to allow any State to conduct a season
between the dates of September 1 and 15 for a 3-year experimental
period. The Council recommended that States continue monitoring hunter
activity and success until they begin participation in the Harvest
Information Program and close areas where evidence from band recoveries
or other sources indicated unacceptable (greater than 10 percent)
harvest of non-target populations of concern. Special seasons occurring
after September 15 would be required to meet all existing Service
criteria for special Canada goose seasons and would not be altered in
any way during the 3-year experimental period.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended continuation of the early
September Canada goose season in southwestern Wyoming and that an
experimental hunt be allowed in Teton County, Wyoming, where it would
be by State permit (no more than 40 permits may be issued) with
framework dates of September 1 to 15 and a maximum limit of 2 Canada
geese permitted per season.
B. Regular Seasons
The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended a September 23 framework opening date for regular
goose seasons in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Statewide in
Wisconsin.
The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway
Council recommended that the Canada goose hunting season in Louisiana
be expanded from the Southwest Louisiana Zone to Statewide, using the
same guidelines followed during the past 5 years.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a daily bag limit of 1
cackling Canada goose in northwestern Oregon and southwestern
Washington. The Council recommends allowing one additional cackling
Canada goose in the bag if additional Canada goose hunting season
closures are required to further protect dusky Canada geese, however,
and provided that the 1995 breeding pair index indicates a continued
increase in the cackling Canada goose population and the strategy for
harvesting not more than 1,500 in northwestern Oregon and 1,000 in
southwestern Washington remains unchanged.
7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese
The Central Flyway Council recommended that framework dates for
hunting light geese in the Central Flyway be extended to March 10.
8. Tundra Swans
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a 5-year experimental swan
season that would allow a restricted take of trumpeter swans in
otherwise tundra swan hunting seasons, with the previous tundra swan
seasons and areas open to hunting being modified to minimize the take
of trumpeter swans. The Council seeks a responsible balance between its
efforts to enhance expansion of the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) of
trumpeter swans and accommodate opportunities to hunt tundra swans.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended changing the closing date
for swan hunting seasons from the Sunday closest to January 20 to
December 1 for Montana, the Sunday closest to December 15 for Utah, and
the Sunday following January 1 for Nevada.
The Pacific Flyway Council also recommended changes to the swan
hunt areas in Montana and Utah. In Montana, those portions of Pondera
and Teton Counties west of U.S. Highways 287-89 would be deleted from
the open area, while Choteau County would be added. Utah would be
reduced from the Statewide hunt area that existed prior to 1994 to just
the Great Salt Lake Basin, i.e., those portions of Box Elder, Weber,
Davis, Salt Lake, and Tooele Counties bounded by Utah State Highway 30,
Interstate 80/84, Interstate 15, and Interstate 80.
The Pacific Flyway Council also recommended that the number of swan
permits remain unchanged at 500 for Montana and 650 for Nevada but
increased from 2,500 to 2,750 for Utah. The Council deemed the increase
in Utah permits as appropriate to partially offset anticipated
reduction in swan hunting opportunities resulting from the recommended
changes.
In addition to the foregoing changes, the Pacific Flyway Council
proposed limiting the potential take of trumpeter swans by establishing
a quota of 20 trumpeter swans which would be divided between Utah and
Nevada prior to the season. A State season would be allowed, within the
frameworks, so long as that quota had not been attained; however, the
season would be closed through emergency action by the affected State
upon attainment of that quota. To measure the take of trumpeters with
respect to the quota, the Council recommended hunters in Utah and
Nevada be required to participate in a mandatory parts check at
designated sites within 72 hours of harvesting any swan. In Montana,
where there would be no recommended quota, species composition of the
harvest would be determined through the voluntary bill-measurement card
program currently operated by the State.
Mr. Laurence N. Gillette, representing The Trumpeter Swan Society
(TTSS), submitted an integrated package of recommendations for
enhancing efforts to expand both the winter and summer range of RMP of
trumpeter swans while allowing continuation of significantly modified
tundra swan seasons in Montana, Utah, and Nevada. Dispersal of
trumpeter swans from winter concentration areas in less-than-optimum,
high-mountain habitats in the Tri-state Area of Montana, Wyoming, and
Idaho is deemed of primary importance and, if accomplished, would
likely result in trumpeter swans following tundra swan migration
corridors through hunt areas in Utah and Nevada enroute to California.
Aside from recommendations regarding management actions directed
only at RMP trumpeter swans, TTSS recommended that the Service minimize
the mortality of trumpeters during tundra swan seasons by: (1)
authorizing seasons only during times of peak tundra swan abundance
when the generally later-arriving RMP trumpeter swans are less likely
to be present and the ratio of tundra to trumpeters is highest, i.e.,
Montana and Utah - open early to mid-October and close by December 1,
Nevada - open early to mid-October and close by January 1; (2)
authorizing tundra swan hunting only
[[Page 37317]]
in key tundra swan hunting areas, i.e., Montana (Pacific Flyway
portion) - Freezeout Lake and currently hunted areas east of U.S.
Highway 287 between Augusta and Choteau and east of U.S. Highway 89
between Choteau and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation; Utah - Great Salt
Lake Basin, specifically those portions of Box Elder, Weber, Davis,
Salt Lake and Tooele Counties that lie south of Utah State Highway 30
and Interstate 84, west of Interstate 15, and north of Interstate 80;
Nevada - same as in 1994 because swan hunting is currently restricted
to concentration areas in western Nevada; and (3) identifying specific
hunt management actions and prohibitions on the Bear River Migratory
Bird Refuge in Utah.
Should the above three recommendations regarding tundra swan
hunting be fully implemented, TTSS would not object to the Service
authorizing an accidental harvest quota of not more than 25 trumpeter
swans for the Pacific Flyway States and, thereby, removing liability
from tundra swan hunters mistakenly shooting a trumpeter swan. The
quota would be subject to the following: (1) the quota would be
allocated prior to the season, (2) a State could optionally zone and
allocate the quota among zones before the season, but the zone or
entire Statewide hunt area will close immediately if the quota is
attained, (3) require that swans be tagged immediately and brought in
to be checked and measured within 3 days, and (4) each permittee must
either check a tagged bird or submit an unused tag at the end of the
season, with penalties for noncompliance. Specific efforts to monitor
RMP trumpeter swans and to educate hunters were recommended.
Service Response: During 1994, the Service restricted the tundra
swan season and hunt areas in Utah and required Montana, Utah, and
Nevada to measure the accidental take, if any, of trumpeter swans
during the tundra swan seasons. Pending reports on the occurrence and
take of trumpeter swans in the hunt areas last year, possible
additional changes may be warranted. The Service believes continued
tundra swan hunting in these three States is warranted but that seasons
may be modified to minimize, but not preclude, the accidental take of
trumpeter swans. A general swan season with a limited, biologically
acceptable, but very controlled take of trumpeter swans may be a
feasible approach to accommodate management objectives for both
species. Final decision on such an approach, however, will be deferred
until the late-season final frameworks, when all public comment has
been considered.
9. Sandhill Cranes
The Central Flyway Council recommended that the Wyoming sandhill
crane hunting season be expanded to Park and Bighorn Counties.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended following the management
plan with respect to seasons on the Rocky Mountain Population of
greater sandhill cranes. Pending final results of the March 1995 survey
which should be available in June 1995, harvest guidelines would allow
an open season in the States of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New
Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming if the population is above 16,000 cranes;
otherwise, there would be no open season. With an open season, there
would be no change in frameworks.
14. Woodcock
The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that woodcock season
frameworks remain unchanged in the Eastern Region for 1995-96 unless
adverse weather substantially depresses the breeding populations as
measured by the 1995 Singing Ground Survey. The Council believes that
population declines are attributed to habitat loss and degradation
rather than due to current harvest levels.
18. Alaska
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended changes in bag and
possession limits for ducks in Alaska. Specifically, the Council
requested for the framework set and the combined moderate-liberal
framework set, respectively, the following bag and possession limits:
North Zone 8/24 or 10/30, Gulf Coast Zone 6/18 or 8/24, and Southeast,
Pribilof/Aleutian, and Kodiak zones 5/15 or 7/21; pintail limits 2/4;
and canvasback limits 2/4. Sea duck limits of 15/30 would be separate,
with seasons to remain closed on spectacled and Steller's eiders.
20. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico recommended that the daily bag limit for ducks be
increased from 3 to 4 birds and that the daily bag limit for snipe be
increased from 6 to 8 birds.
Public Comment Invited
The Service intends that adopted final rules be as responsive as
possible to all concerned interests, and therefore desires to obtain
for consideration the comments and suggestions of the public, other
concerned governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and
other private interests on these proposals. Such comments, and any
additional information received, may lead to final regulations that
differ from these proposals.
Special circumstances are involved in the establishment of these
regulations which limit the amount of time that the Service can allow
for public comment. Specifically, two considerations compress the time
in which the rulemaking process must operate: (1) the need to establish
final rules at a point early enough in the summer to allow affected
State agencies to appropriately adjust their licensing and regulatory
mechanisms; and (2) the unavailability, before mid-June, of specific,
reliable data on this year's status of some waterfowl and migratory
shore and upland game bird populations. Therefore, the Service believes
that to allow comment periods past the dates specified is contrary to
the public interest.
Comment Procedure
It is the policy of the Department of the Interior, whenever
practical, to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the
rulemaking process. Accordingly, interested persons may participate by
submitting written comments to the Chief, Office of Migratory Bird
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior,
ms 634--ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. Comments
received will be available for public inspection during normal business
hours at the Service's office in room 634, Arlington Square Building,
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia. All relevant comments
received during the comment period will be considered. The Service will
attempt to acknowledge received comments, but substantive response to
individual comments may not be provided.
NEPA Consideration
NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic
document,``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance
of Annual Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds
(FSES 88-14),'' filed with EPA on June 9, 1988. Notice of Availability
was published in the Federal Register on June 16, 1988 (53 FR 22582).
The Service's Record of Decision was published on August 18, 1988 (53
FR 31341). Copies of these documents are available from the Service at
the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.
Endangered Species Act Consideration
As in the past, hunting regulations this year will be designed,
among other
[[Page 37318]]
things, to remove or alleviate chances of conflict between seasons for
migratory game birds and the protection and conservation of endangered
and threatened species. Consultations are presently under way to ensure
that actions resulting from these regulatory proposals will not likely
jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species
or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical
habitat. It is possible that the findings from the consultations, which
will be included in a biological opinion, may cause modification of
some regulatory measures proposed in this document. Any modifications
will be reflected in the final frameworks. The Service's biological
opinions resulting from its consultation under Section 7 are considered
public documents and are available for public inspection in the
Division of Endangered Species and the Office of Migratory Bird
Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arlington Square Building,
4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia.
Regulatory Flexibility Act; Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 and the
Paperwork Reduction Act
In the Federal Register dated March 24, 1995 (60 FR 15642), the
Service reported measures it had undertaken to comply with requirements
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Executive Order. These
included preparing an Analysis of Regulatory Effects and an updated
Final Regulatory Impact Analysis (FRIA), and publication of a summary
of the latter. Although a FRIA is no longer required, the economic
analysis contained in the FRIA was reviewed and the Service determined
that it met the requirements of E.O. 12866. However, the Service is
currently preparing a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis, under the
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq), to further document
the significant beneficial economic effect on a substantial number of
small entities. This rule was not subject to review by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under E.O. 12866.
These proposed regulations contain no information collections
subject to OMB review under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). However, the Service does utilize information
acquired through other various information collections in the
formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations. These
information collection requirements have been approved by OMB and
assigned clearance numbers 1018-0005, 1018-0006, 1018-0008, 1018-0009,
1018-0010, 1018-0015, 1018-0019, and 1018-0023.
Authorship
The primary authors of this proposed rule are Ron W. Kokel and
Patricia R. Hairston, Office of Migratory Bird Management.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR part 20
Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.
The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 1995-96
hunting season are authorized under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July
3, 1918), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 703-711); the Fish and Wildlife
Improvement Act (November 8, 1978), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 712); and
the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (August 8, 1956), as amended, (16
U.S.C. 742 a-d and e-j).
Dated: June 5, 1995.
George T. Frampton, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 95-14756 Filed 6-15-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-F
Editorial Note: This document was originally published at 60 FR
31890, June 16, 1995, and is being reprinted in its entirety because
of typesetting errors.
