[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 6, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 822-823]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-144]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Parts 20 and 21

RIN 1018-AF05


Extension of Comment Period: Migratory Bird Permits; 
Establishment of a Conservation Order for the Reduction of Mid-
Continent Light Goose Populations

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 November 9, 1998 (63 FR 60278) that invites public 
comments on proposed changes to the migratory bird hunting regulations 
regarding implementation of a conservation order for the reduction of 
mid-continent light goose populations.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments is extended from January 8, 
1999 to January 15, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding this proposed rulemaking should be 
addressed to Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Department of Interior, Ms 634--ARLSQ, 1849 C Street 
NW., Washington, D.C. 20240. The public may inspect comments during 
normal business hours in room 634--Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. 
Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia. Comments and suggestions on the 
information collection requirements should be sent directly to the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs; Office of Management and 
Budget; Attention: Interior Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20503; and to 
the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Ms 222--ARLSQ, 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Blohm, Acting Chief, Office of 
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358-
1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Mid-continent lesser snow goose and 
Ross' goose population has nearly quadrupled in the last 30 years. The 
Western Central Flyway lesser snow and Ross' goose population also has 
quadrupled in the last 23 years. Collectively, these central and 
eastern arctic and subarctic-nesting light goose populations are 
referred to as Mid-continent light geese (MCLG). Due to high population 
growth rates, a decline in adult mortality, and an increase in winter 
survival, MCLG are now seriously injurious to their habitat and habitat 
important to other migratory birds which poses a serious threat to the 
short and long-term health and status of migratory bird populations.
    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or ``we'') believes 
that MCLG populations exceed long-term sustainable levels for their 
arctic and subarctic breeding habitats and the populations must be 
reduced.
    In a Federal Register notice dated November 9, 1998, we propose to 
establish a new subpart in 50 CFR Part 21 for the management of 
overabundant MCLG populations. In cooperation with State wildlife 
agencies, we propose to implement a population control program by 
establishing a conservation order for MCLG under the authority of the 
proposed subpart. This proposed rule will increase the use and 
availability of additional hunting methods and will authorize take of 
MCLG outside of the normal open light goose hunting season. In order to 
minimize or avoid take of non-target species, States may implement this 
proposed action only when all migratory bird hunting seasons are 
closed. Although the desired goal is to significantly reduce 
overabundant MCLG populations, we believe that this proposed rule will 
not threaten the long-term status of MCLG populations or threaten the 
status of other species that could be impacted through the 
implementation of this proposed rule.
    We are concurrently proposing an additional but separate population 
reduction strategy. In addition to this proposed rule to amend 50 CFR 
Part 21, we are also proposing to amend 50 CFR Part 20 to authorize the 
use of new hunting methods to harvest MCLG. That proposed rule would 
authorize States to allow the use of new hunting methods (electronic 
callers and unplugged shotguns) to harvest MCLG during a light-goose 
only season, when all other migratory bird hunting seasons are closed. 
The proposal is also in the nature of a proposed rule and the extension 
of the comment period on the rule is published in this issue of the 
Federal Register. The combination of these two proposals is designed to 
increase MCLG harvest and to provide a biologically sound and cost 
effective and efficient method for the reduction and management of 
overabundant MCLG populations.
    We have received a request to extend the comment period on this 
rule. 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

[[Page 823]]

public review, we are extending the comment period to January 15, 1999.

    Dated: December 30, 1998.
Thomas O. Melius,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 99-144 Filed 1-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P