[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 10, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 6766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3253]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Application for Approval of Tin Shot as Nontoxic for Waterfowl 
Hunting

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of application.

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announces that 
the International Tin Research Institute, Ltd. (ITRI), of Uxbridge, 
Middlesex, United Kingdom, has applied for approval of tin shot as 
nontoxic for waterfowl hunting in the United States. The Service has 
initiated review of the Tier 1 application.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul R. Schmidt, Chief, or Carol 
Anderson, Wildlife Biologist, Office of Migratory Bird Management 
(MBMO), (703) 358-1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since the mid-1970s, the Service has sought 
to identify shot that, when spent, does not pose a significant toxic 
hazard to migratory birds and other wildlife. Currently, only bismuth-
tin and steel shot are approved by the Service as nontoxic. Tungsten-
iron shot received temporary conditional approval for the 1997-98 
hunting season. The Service believes approval for other suitable 
candidate shot materials as nontoxic is feasible.
    On November 5, 1997, ITRI submitted their Tier 1 application for 
approval of pure tin shot as nontoxic pursuant to 50 CFR 20.134 
(recently amended--see 62 FR 63608, December 1, 1997). The Service has 
determined that the application is complete, and has initiated a 
comprehensive review of the Tier 1 information to be concluded within 
April 13, 1998. After this review, the Service 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. The Notice of Review will indicate whether Tier 2, Tier 
3, or both tests will be required before nontoxic approval of the tin 
shot is granted. If the Tier 1 data results in a preliminary 
determination that the candidate material does not impose a significant 
danger to migratory birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, the 
Service will propose to approve this shot based on the toxicological 
report and toxicity studies.
    ITRI's candidate shot is made from commercially pure tin; no 
alloying or other alterations are intentionally made to the chemical 
composition of the shot. This shot has a density of approximately 7.29 
g/cm3. The shot is 99.97 percent tin, with a low level of 
iron pickup due to the steel production equipment.
    The application includes a statement of proposed use, a description 
of the new shot, a statement of expected variability of shot during 
production, an estimate of yearly production, and a 5-pound sample of 
shot. It also includes a discussion on the toxicity of elemental tin to 
wildlife and man and the fate of discharged tin shot in the environment 
(Tier 1). ITRI's discussion incorporates the following toxicity 
information: a synopsis of toxicity data for wild mammals (including 
man) and birds; secondary toxicosis of avian predators; potential 
dissolution and absorption of ingested tin shot; effect of one shot 
absorbed in 24 hours; toxicity to fish, amphibians, and reptiles; 
effects of firing tin shot; chemical transformation of tin shot in the 
environment; and information on environmental fate and transport.

References available upon request.

Authorship

    The primary author of this notice of application is Carol Anderson, 
Wildlife Biologist, Office of Migratory Bird Management.

Dated: January 30, 1998.
Jamie Rappaport Clark,
Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 98-3253 Filed 2-9-97; 8:45 am]
Billing Code 4310-55-F