[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 99 (Friday, May 22, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28343-28344]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-13875]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AD74


Extension of Comment Period: Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations 
Regarding Baiting and Baited Areas

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Service is extending the comment period on the Federal 
Register rule dated March 25, 1998 (63 FR 14415) that invites public 
comments on proposed changes to the migratory bird hunting regulations 
regarding baiting and baited areas.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments will be extended form May 
25, 1998 to October 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding this proposed rulemaking should be 
addressed to: Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Post Office Box 
3247, Arlington, Virginia 22203-3247, or sent via electronic mail to: 
[email protected]. Comments may be hand delivered to 4401 North Fairfax 
Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, Virginia 22203. The public may inspect 
comments during normal business hours at 4401 North Fairfax Drive, 
Suite 500, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Keven Adams, Chief, Division of Law 
Enforcement, telephone 703/358-1949, or Paul Schmidt, Chief, Office of 
Migratory Bird Management, telephone 703/358-1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has authority (16 U.S.C. 
703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742a-j) to regulate activities involving the 
hunting and other taking of migratory game birds. The Service has 
promulgated regulations (50 CFR part 20) for the hunting of migratory 
game birds that

[[Page 28344]]

includes sections for Methods of Take and Definitions of Terms.
    In a Federal Register notice dated March 25, 1998, the Service 
proposed new regulatory language for: accidental scattering of 
agricultural crops or natural vegetation incidental to hunting, normal 
agricultural and soil stabilization practices, baited areas, baiting, 
manipulation, natural vegetation, and top-sowing of seeds. Proposed 
changes also included new guidance with respect to hunting over natural 
vegetation that has been manipulated. However, no change was proposed 
regarding application of strict liability to the migratory game bird 
baiting regulations.
    The Service has received request from a number of organizations to 
extend the comment period. The Service invites careful consideration by 
all parties, and welcomes serious scrutiny from those committed to the 
long-term conservation of migratory birds. Therefore, to facilitate 
substantive public review, the Service is extending the comment period 
through October 1, 1998.

    Dated: May 19, 1998.
Donald J. Barry,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 98-13875 Filed 5-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-55-M