[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 4516-4517]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2347]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 91

RIN 1018-AE07


1997 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck 
Stamp) Contest

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is revising the 
regulations governing the conduct of the 1997 Migratory Bird Hunting 
and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) Contest. The following 
changes are proposed by the Service: (1) Deadline for submitting entry; 
(2) technical requirements for design; and (3) subject matter of entry. 
The contest deadline is being reestablished for submitting entry to 
allow participants additional time to research the anatomy of eligible 
species since many species are located in many diverse geographical 
regions and may require more investigation and perfection of the 
artwork. The technical requirements for design to mat the entry over 
only sets uniformity for exhibiting at various museums across the 
country and protects the entry from being damaged. Additional 
clarification is needed under the subject matter of entry stating the 
design has to be the contestant's original ``hand drawn'' creation. The 
design may not be copied or duplicated from previously published art, 
including photographs, or computer-generated art otherwise it will be 
ineligible or disqualified.

DATES: Comments concerning these amendments must be received no later 
than March 31, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Manager of Licensing, Federal Duck Stamp 
Contest, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, 
1849 C Street, NW, Suite 2058, Washington, D.C. 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mrs. Lita F. Edwards, (202) 208-4354.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is the only 
Federal agency-run art contest and has been in existence since 1949 
with the 1950 stamp the first to be selected in open competition. The 
Federal Duck Stamp 's main use is a revenue stamp needed by waterfowl 
hunters. This year's Contest and species information follows:.

    1. Contest schedule:

1997-98 Federal Duck Stamp Contest--November 4-6, 1997
Public Viewing--Tuesday, November 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Judging--Wednesday, November 5 at 10:30 a.m. through Thursday, November 
6 at 9:00 a.m.

    2. The Contest will be held at the Department of the Interior 
building, Auditorium (C Street entrance), 1849 C Street, NW, 
Washington, DC.
    3. The three eligible species for the Contest: (1) Barrow's 
Goldeneye; (2) Black Scoter; and (3) Mottled Duck.
    As part of an effort to administer and make minor improvements to 
the Contest, the Service proposes the following changes to the 1997 
contest:
    1. Persons wishing to enter the 1997 Contest may submit entries 
anytime after July 1, but all entries must be postmarked no later than 
midnight Monday, September 15, 1997.
    2. The Service is requiring that each entry must be matted (over 
only) with a 9x12 inch white mat, 1 inch wide, and the entire entry 
cannot exceed \1/4\ inch in total thickness. This new format is a 
requirement to secure the artwork from being damaged and sets 
uniformity for exhibiting at various museums across the country.
    3. The Service is clarifying that the identified species must be 
the dominant feature of the design. The design must be the contestant's 
original ``hand drawn'' creation. The design may not be copied or 
duplicated from previously published art, including photographs. 
Photographs, computer-generated art, art produced from a computer 
printer or other computer/mechanical output device (air brush method 
excepted) are ineligible and will be disqualified.
    The Federal Duck Stamp Program's intent is to keep the art 
competition as a traditional American art form. The history, tradition 
and beauty of this unique art form should be maintained by requiring 
art entries to be created in the traditional ``hand painted'' manner 
that artists have been submitting over the years.
    This regulation was not subject to Office of Management and Budget 
review under Executive Order 12866. These proposed regulations have 
been examined under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and have been 
found to contain no information collection requirements. The Department 
of the Interior has determined that this regulation will not have 
significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities 
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) as the 
changes/revisions to the Contest will affect individuals, not 
businesses or other small entities as defined in the Act.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR 91

    Hunting, Wildlife.

    Accordingly, Title 50, Part 91 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 91--(AMENDED)

    1. The authority citation for Part 91 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 718j; 31 U.S.C. 9701.

    2. Section 91.11 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as 
follows:


Sec. 91.11  Contest deadlines.

* * * * *
    (b) Entries must be postmarked no later than midnight September 15.

[[Page 4517]]

    3. Section 91.13 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 91.13  Technical requirements for design and submission of entry.

    The design must be a horizontal drawing or painting seven (7) 
inches high and ten (10) inches wide. The entry may be drawn in any 
medium desired by the contestant and may be in either multicolor or 
black and white. No scroll work, lettering, bird band numbers, 
signatures or initials may appear on the design. Each entry must be 
matted (over only) with a nine (9) inch by twelve (12) inch white mat, 
one (1) inch wide, and the entire entry cannot exceed one quarter (\1/
4\) inch in total thickness. Entries must not be framed, under glass, 
or have a protective covering that is attached to the entry.
    4. Section 91.14 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 91.14  Restriction on subject matter to entry.

    A live portrayal of any bird(s) of the five or fewer identified 
eligible species must be the dominant feature of the design. The design 
may depict more than one of the eligible species. Designs may include, 
but are not limited to, hunting dogs, hunting scenes, use of waterfowl 
decoys, National Wildlife Refuges as the background of habitat scenes, 
and other designs that depict the sporting, conservation, stamp 
collecting and other uses of the stamp. The overall mandate will be to 
select the best design that will make an interesting, useful and 
attractive duck stamp that will be accepted and prized by hunters, 
stamp collectors, conservationists, and others. The design must be the 
contestant's original ``hand drawn'' creation. The entry design may not 
be copied or duplicated from previously published art, including 
photographs. Photographs, computer-generated art, art produced from a 
computer printer or other computer/mechanical output device (air brush 
method excepted) art are not eligible to be entered into the contest 
and will be disqualified. An entry submitted in a prior contest that 
was not selected for the Federal or a state stamp design may be 
submitted in the current contest if it meets the above criteria.

    Dated: January 17, 1997.
George T. Frampton, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 97-2347 Filed 1-29-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-M