[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 25, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 20828]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10258]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment on the Proposal 
To Establish Operational/Experimental General Swan Hunting Seasons in 
the Pacific Flyway

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that a Draft Environmental 
Assessment on the Continuation of General Swan Hunting Seasons in 
Portions of the Pacific Flyway is available for public review. Comments 
and suggestions are requested.

DATES: You must submit comments on the Draft Environmental Assessment 
by May 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft Environmental Assessment can be obtained 
by writing to Robert Trost, Pacific Flyway Representative, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 911 NE. 
11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181. The Draft Environmental 
Assessment may also be viewed via the Fish and Wildlife Service Home 
Page at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov. Written comments can be sent to 
the address above. All comments received, including names and 
addresses, will become part of the public record. You may inspect 
comments during normal business hours at the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Trost at: Pacific Flyway 
Representative, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory 
Bird Management, 911 NE. 11th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97232-4181, 
(503) 231-6162.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft Environmental Assessment includes 
a review of the 5-year experimental general swan hunting seasons which 
took place from 1995 to 2000 as well as a summary of the results of the 
2000 hunting season. Information from the most recent breeding season 
and wintering populations surveys is also included in the new 
Environmental Assessment. Three alternatives are proposed to address 
the future of operational and experimental swan hunting seasons in 
Utah, Nevada and Montana. The issuance of a new Environmental 
Assessment was prompted by controversy over current management and the 
need to incorporate experience from the 2000 hunting season and the 
results of recent population surveys. There were also many requests 
from individuals, States, and various conservation organizations for a 
thorough examination of alternatives for swan hunting in the Pacific 
Flyway in light of continuing concerns for the Rocky Mountain 
Population of trumpeter swans. The Environmental Assessment focuses on 
the issue of whether or not to establish an operational approach for 
swan hunting. Related efforts to address population status and 
distributional concerns regarding the Rocky Mountain Population of 
trumpeter swans are also discussed. Three alternatives, including the 
proposed action, are considered.

    Dated: April 18, 2001.
Marshall P. Jones, Jr.,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 01-10258 Filed 4-24-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P