[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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