[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 87 (Monday, May 7, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 25773]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-8692]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Three-Year Pilot Program; Electronic Federal Migratory Bird 
Hunting and Conservation Stamps

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice; call for applications.

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SUMMARY: The Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces 
the opportunity for State fish and wildlife agencies to apply to 
participate in a 3-year pilot program to issue electronic Federal 
Migratory Hunting and Conservation Stamps. The program is expected to 
enhance the ability of the public to obtain required Federal Duck 
Stamps through the use of electronic technology, enhancing public 
participation and increasing the number of stamps sold.

DATES: The deadline for submittal of applications is close of business, 
June 8, 2007. The project period for the pilot program will be from 
September 1, 2007, through September 1, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Please submit your application and supplemental information 
in Word or text format via e-mail to: [email protected]. 
Alternatively, you may hand deliver or mail a hard copy of the 
application and supplemental information to Laurie Shaffer, Federal 
Duck Stamp Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax 
Drive, MS-70, Arlington, VA 22203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Shaffer, Federal Duck Stamp 
Office, 4501 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203; 703-358-2002 
(phone). If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD), you 
may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Federal Duck Stamp Office Mission

    Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamps, commonly 
known as ``Duck Stamps,'' are pictorial stamps produced by the U.S. 
Postal Service for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Not valid for 
postage, the stamps originated in 1934 as the Federal license required 
for all hunters over 16 years of age who wished to hunt migratory 
birds. (For the history of the Federal Duck Stamp Program, please see 
71 FR 18697, April 12, 2006). Federal Duck Stamps have a much larger 
purpose today, however. Federal Duck Stamps are a vital tool for 
wetland conservation. Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar generated 
by the sales of Federal Duck Stamps goes directly to purchase or lease 
wetland habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Action in This Notice

    The Director takes this action under the Electronic Duck Stamp Act 
of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-266), which requires that the Secretary of the 
Interior conduct a 3-year pilot program, under which up to 15 States 
authorized by the Secretary may issue electronic Federal Duck Stamps. 
The number of participating State agencies accepted under this program 
will depend upon the number of compliant applications received.
    The Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA) of 1998 (Pub. 
L.105-277) encourages us to undertake initiatives to improve our 
application processes. Enhancing the ability of individuals and 
entities to conduct business with us electronically is a major part of 
our response to these laws. Therefore, we are taking steps to adopt the 
Internet as our chief means of conducting transactions in order to 
improve services to our customers and to simplify and expedite our 
business processes.

Eligible Applicants

    There are currently 40 States that provide for sales of State 
hunting and fishing licenses by internet, point of sale, or telephone. 
The application process will lead to the selection of up to 15 eligible 
participants for this pilot program.
    Eligible applicants are State fish and wildlife agencies that have 
an automated licensing system authorized under State law and are deemed 
by the Secretary as meeting the requirements of this application 
process. The proposed system for issuing the electronic Federal Duck 
Stamp must be compatible with the hunting licensing system of the State 
and described in the State application approved by the Secretary.

Requests for Applications and Other Information

    The application and the procedures and requirements for completing 
it are available through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Federal 
Duck Stamp Office web page at http://www.fws.gov/duckstamps.
    Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an 
alternative format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer 
diskette) on request to the program contact person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Individuals with disabilities may obtain a 
copy of this request for applications in an alternative format by 
contacting that person.

Fiscal Information

    Congress did not enact an appropriation for this program. The 
Service is inviting applications for this pilot program with this 
understanding.

Randall B. Luthi,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. E7-8692 Filed 5-4-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P