[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 195 (Monday, October 7, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 52403-52404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-25664]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
50 CFR Part 23
RIN 1018--AD63
Export of River Otters Taken in Missouri in the 1996-97 and
Subsequent Seasons
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Reopening of comment period on the proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to advise the public of the
availability of additional information that has been received and will
be considered prior to the Service's decision on issuance of the
Scientific Authority and Management Authority findings on the proposed
export of river otters harvested in the State of Missouri. The Service
may apply these findings to harvests of river otters in Missouri during
the 1996-97 season and subsequent seasons, subject to the conditions
applying to approved States.
DATES: The Service will consider comments received on or before October
28, 1996, in making its determination on the proposed rule.
ADDRESSES: Please send correspondence concerning the proposed rule to
the Office of Scientific Authority; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;
4401 North Fairfax Drive, Room 750; Arlington, Virginia 22203. Comments
and materials received will be available for public inspection by
appointment, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the
Arlington Square Building, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington,
Virginia.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scientific Authority--Dr. Marshall A.
Howe, Office of Scientific Authority; phone 703-358-1708; fax 703-358-
2276.
Management Authority/State Export Programs--Ms. Carol Carson,
Office of Management Authority; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401
North Fairfax Drive, Room 430; Arlington, Virginia 22203; phone 703-
358-2095; fax 703-358-2281.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) regulates
international trade in certain animal and plant species. Exports of
animals and plants listed in Appendix II of CITES require an export
permit from the country of origin. As a general rule, export permits
only are issued after two conditions are met. First, the exporting
country's CITES Scientific Authority must advise the permit-issuing
CITES Management Authority that such exports will not be detrimental to
the survival of the species. This advice is known as a ``no-detriment''
finding. Second, the Management Authority must make a determination
that the animals or plants were not obtained in violation of laws for
their protection. If live specimens are being exported, the Management
Authority must also determine that the specimens are being shipped in a
humane manner with minimal risk of injury or damage to health.
On January 5, 1984 (49 FR 590), the Service published a rule
granting export approval for river otters (Lontra canadensis) and
certain other CITES-listed species of furbearing mammals from specified
States and Indian Nations and Tribes for the 1983-84 and subsequent
harvest seasons. In succeeding years, approval for export of one or
more species of furbearers has been granted to other States and Indian
Nations, Tribes, or Reservations through the rule-making process. These
approvals were and continue to be subject to certain population
monitoring and export requirements. Further information on the CITES
requirements and the bases for the Service's Scientific Authority and
Management Authority findings, as well as a summary of the information
previously received from the State of Missouri, are presented in the
proposed rule published in the April 2, 1996, Federal Register (61 FR
14543).
Since the close of that proposed rule's comment period (on June 3,
1996), the Service has met with staff members of the Missouri
Department of Conservation and received several documents including:
(1) A graph showing the relationship between the number of licensed
trappers in Missouri and the price of raccoon pelts; (2) a report on
``Ownership and Use of Traps by Trappers in the United States in 1992''
prepared for the International Association of Fish and Wildlife
Agencies; (3) trapping regulations in Missouri for the 1996-97 season;
(4) a report titled ``Missouri Furbearer Update, Vol. III: 1990-91'';
(5) a summary of current research projects on river otters in Missouri;
and (6) a portion of Missouri's Conservation Commission charter, which,
among other things, stipulates that the Director of the Missouri
Department of Conservation is authorized to act for the Commission on
emergency matters, subject to ratification by the Commission at its
next regular meeting. This includes authority for emergency closure of
trapping seasons.
In addition, the Service requested updated population model
scenarios based on there being no harvest season for river otters in
Missouri during the 1995-96 season and using different
[[Page 52404]]
mortality assumptions. Furthermore, discussions have been and are being
held with selected individuals concerning trapper behavior, and
information obtained on the percentage of individuals trapping beaver
in Missouri. The Service also is reviewing other published references
including ones on the impact of market dynamics on Missouri's furbearer
harvest system and on an examination of variables influencing the fur
harvest in Missouri.
In addition to the information regarding Missouri since the comment
period, the Service has received, will consider, and may rely upon
additional information contained in letters and documents submitted by
several States as part of the annual monitoring described in the
January 5, 1984, Federal Register (49 FR 590), including information
that was solicited in advance from the State of Tennessee.
Proposed Export Decision
As stated in the April 2, 1996, Federal Register (61 FR 14543), the
Service proposes to approve exports of Missouri river otters harvested
during the 1996-97 and subsequent harvest seasons, on the grounds that
both Scientific Authority and Management Authority criteria have been
satisfied. In case a decision is made to approve exports, the Service
may issue its Scientific Authority and Management Authority findings
for 1 or more years in an administrative decision document, or publish
such findings in a Federal Register notice.
Comments Solicited
The Service again requests comments on these proposed findings for
Missouri and the proposed rulemaking adding Missouri to the list of
States approved for export of river otters (61 FR 14543). The final
decision on the proposed rule will take into account comments received
and any additional information received. Such consideration may lead to
findings different from those presented in the proposal.
The reopened comment period on the proposed rule is issued under
authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 as amended (16 U.S.C.
1531 et seq.). The author of this notification is Dr. Charles W. Dane,
Office of Scientific Authority.
List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 23
Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Treaties.
Dated: October 2, 1996.
John G. Rogers,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 96-25664 Filed 10-2-96; 3:48 pm]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P