[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 53 (Thursday, March 19, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13341-13343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-7110]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Park Service

36 CFR Part 7

RIN 1024-AC33


Shenandoah National Park, Recreational Fishing Regulations

AGENCY: National Park Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The National Park Service (NPS) is removing the special 
fishing regulations for Shenandoah National Park. The NPS believes that 
the general regulations found at 36 CFR parts 1 and 2 will provide 
adequate regulatory control to enable the Superintendent to manage the 
fishing resources within Shenandoah National Park. This duplication of 
regulations is unnecessary and often confusing.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This final rule becomes effective on April 20, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Stiles, Assistant Chief Ranger, 
Shenandoah National Park, 3655 U.S. Highway 211 East, Luray, VA 22835. 
Telephone 540-999-3401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The special regulations for fishing for Shenandoah National Park 
are codified at 36 CFR 7.15(a). These regulations

[[Page 13342]]

permit recreational fishing in selected streams of the Park as 
designated by the Superintendent, establish seasons, creel and size 
limits and licensing requirements. A proposed rule to eliminate these 
special regulations was published in the Federal Register on February 
12, 1997 (61 FR 5354). Six comments were received during the public 
comment period. This final rule will eliminate all paragraphs of 36 CFR 
7.15 pertaining to recreational fishing in Shenandoah National Park. 
General regulations found at 36 CFR 1.5 (Closures and public use 
limits) and 36 CFR 2.3 (Fishing) provide sufficient control for the 
park to adequately manage its fishing resources.

Section-by-Section Analysis

1. Open Waters and Applicability

    The general regulations for Fishing, found at 36 CFR 2.3, establish 
that fishing in the parks, except in designated areas, will be in 
accordance with nonconflicting laws and regulations of the State within 
whose exterior boundaries a park area is located. Existing State 
fishing regulations are sufficient for the proper management of the 
fisheries at Shenandoah National Park. The opening, closing and public 
use limits for recreational fishing in the parks require an annual 
review by park management. Any possible changes in public use 
associated with fisheries resources are adequately covered at 36 CFR 
1.5. Therefore, special regulation 36 CFR 7.15(a)(1) Open Waters, is 
not necessary and will be removed.

2. Applicability

    In that the NPS is proposing to remove all special regulations 
pertaining to fishing, a separate paragraph on the applicability of 
special fishing regulations is not necessary. Therefore, 36 CFR 
7.15(a)(2) Applicability, will be removed.

3. Season

    The State of Virginia has established a year-round open season to 
permit fishing on all state designated trout streams. Special 
regulation 36 CFR 7.15(a) established an opening date that coincided 
with the State opening date, which no longer exists. However, 36 CFR 
2.3 Fishing, provides for recreational fishing, except in designated 
areas, in accordance with the laws and regulations of the State. 36 CFR 
1.5(a)(2) allows the park to designate areas for a specific use or 
activity, or impose conditions or restrictions on a use or activity. 
This will allow the park to establish limits in certain designated 
areas when necessary. Therefore, 36 CFR 7.15(a)(3) is no longer needed 
and will be removed.

4. License

    36 CFR 2.3 establishes that fishing in the parks will be in 
accordance with State laws. All persons 16 years and older fishing in 
the Shenandoah National Park must have a Virginia State fishing license 
in his/her possession. Since there is no need for a special regulation 
for licensing, 36 CFR 7.15(a)(4) will be removed.

5. Size and Creel Limits

    The State of Virginia has increased the minimum size limit for 
trout from eight (8) inches to nine (9) inches and has a maximum creel 
limit of six (6) fish compared to current limit of five (5) the park 
has. To avoid confusion and to be consistent with the limits 
established by the State, the park uses the State's limits. Size and 
creel limits for other species of game-fish caught in the park will 
also be in compliance with those established by the State of Virginia. 
Special regulations concerning size and creel limits are not needed as 
36 CFR 2.3, Fishing, would apply. Therefore, 36 CFR 7.15(a)(5) and 36 
CFR 7.15(a)(6) will be removed.

6. Lures; Bait

    36 CFR 2.3 Fishing, currently regulates the use of bait, and the 
State of Virginia permits only the use of a single hook, which may be 
barbed or barbed-less. A special regulation concerning lures and bait 
is not necessary, therefore 36 CFR 7.15(a)(7) will be removed.

7. Fish for Fun

    The term ``fish for fun'' is normally associated with activities 
provided by fish stocking programs in specially designated streams. 
Fish stocking does not occur within the Park. However, the State law 
for ``Catch and Release'' adequately allows for the protection of 
native and non-native fish populations on designated streams. 36 CFR 
1.5(a)(2) and 36 CFR 2.3(a) allow for the designation of ``Catch and 
Release'' streams that are consistent with State regulations. 
Therefore, 36 CFR 7.15(a)(8) is not necessary and will be removed.

Public Comments

    The NPS received six comments during the public comment period. 
Five of the commenters supported the regulatory change. One of the 
commenters stated that the proposed rulemaking would not protect park 
fisheries as well as the special regulations. The NPS has determined 
that this is not a valid concern, as the use of existing regulations at 
36 CFR parts 1 and 2 allow the Superintendent to take necessary action 
to protect fisheries at any time, including actions that may have the 
same effect as the special regulations, as well as actions which can be 
more or less restrictive. These actions can be taken in a much more 
timely manner than rulemaking allows.

Drafting Information

    The process used to develop this proposed rule included numerous 
reviews by Park staff, consultations with Virginia Department of Game 
and Inland Fisheries Biologists, consultations with numerous fisheries 
biologists from other parks, agencies, research institutions and 
organizations. The primary authors of this rulemaking are William J. 
Cook, Center for Resources, Shenandoah National Park, Greg Stiles, 
Resource and Visitor Protection Services, Shenandoah National Park, and 
Dennis Burnett, Washington Office of Ranger Activities, National Park 
Service.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not contain collections of information that require 
approval by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995.

Compliance With Other Laws

    This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
under Executive Order 12866. The Department of the Interior determined 
that this document will not have a significant economic effect on a 
substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et.seq.). The economic effects of this rulemaking are 
local in nature and negligible in scope.
    The NPS has determined and certifies pursuant to the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this rule will not 
impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local, 
State, or tribal governments or private entities.
    The Department has determined that this rule meets the applicable 
standards provided in Section 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 
12988.
    This rule is not a major rule under the Congressional review 
provisions of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (5 
U.S.C. 804(2)).
    The NPS has determined that this proposed rulemaking will not have 
a significant effect on the quality of the

[[Page 13343]]

human environment, health and safety because it is not expected to:
    (a) Increase public use to the extent of compromising the nature 
and character of the area or causing physical damage to it;
    (b) Introduce incompatible uses which compromise the nature and 
character of the area or causing physical damage to it;
    (c) Conflict with adjacent ownerships or land uses; or
    (d) Cause a nuisance to adjacent owners or occupants.
    Based on this determination, the rulemaking is categorically 
excluded from the procedural requirements of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) and by Departmental guidelines in 516 DM 6 (49 FR 
21438). As such, neither an Environmental Assessment nor an 
Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared.
    This final rulemaking is consistent with and supportive of 
Executive Order 12962, Recreational Fisheries, issued June 7, 1995. 
Through this Executive Order, Federal agencies will, to the extent 
permitted by law and where practicable, and in cooperation with States 
and Tribes, improve the quantity, function, sustainable productivity 
and distribution of U.S. aquatic resources for increased recreational 
fishing opportunities. Establishment of this rulemaking is consistent 
with the extent and purposes of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 (16 
U.S.C. 742a-d, and e-j), the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 
U.S.C. 661-666c) and the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management 
Act (16 U.S.C. 1801-1882).

List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 7

    National parks, District of Columbia, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

    In consideration of the foregoing, the NPS is amending 36 CFR 
Chapter I as follows:

PART 7--SPECIAL REGULATIONS, AREAS OF THE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM

    1. The authority citation for Part 7 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1, 3, 9a, 460(q), 462(k); Sec. 7.96 also 
issued under D.C. Code 8-137 (1981) and D.C. Code 40-721 (1981).


Sec. 7.15  Shenandoah National Park.

    2. Section 7.15 is amended by removing paragraph (a) and 
redesignating paragraphs (b) through (d) as new paragraphs (a) through 
(c).

    Dated: January 16, 1998.
Donald J. Barry,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 98-7110 Filed 3-18-98; 8:45 am]
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