[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 178 (Friday, September 14, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52576-52577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18139]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

 Fish and Wildlife Service


2007 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck 
Stamp) Contest

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) announce the

[[Page 52577]]

dates and location of the 2007 Federal Duck Stamp contest, and the 
species eligible to be subjects for this year's designs. We invite the 
public to enter and to attend. The 2007 contest will select the image 
that will grace the 75th Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and 
Conservation Stamp.

DATES: The public may first view the 2007 Federal Duck Stamp Contest 
entries on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    1. Judging will be held on Friday, October 12, 2007 beginning at 1 
p.m. and on Saturday, October 13, 2007 beginning at 9 a.m., at the 
Sanibel, FL location.

ADDRESSES: Requests for complete copies of the contest rules, 
reproduction rights agreement, and display and participation agreement 
by calling 1-703-358-2000, or by writing to: Federal Duck Stamp 
Contest, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, 
4401 North Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop MBSP-4070, Arlington, VA 22203-
1622. You may also download the information from the Federal Duck Stamp 
Web site at http://duckstamps.fws.gov.
    The contest will be held in Sanibel, Florida at the Big Arts 
Center, 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957. Phone (239)395-0900.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laurie Shaffer, Federal Duck Stamp 
Office, (703) 358-2002, or by e-mail [email protected] or fax at 
(703) 358-2009.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On March 16, 1934, Congress passed and President Franklin Roosevelt 
signed the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act. Popularly known as the 
Duck Stamp Act, it required all waterfowl hunters 16 years or older to 
buy a stamp annually. The revenue generated was originally earmarked 
for the Department of Agriculture, but 5 years later was transferred to 
the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 
to buy or lease waterfowl sanctuaries. Regulations governing the 
contest appear at 50 CFR part 91.
    In the years since its enactment, the Federal Duck Stamp Program 
has become one of the most popular and successful conservation programs 
ever initiated. Today, some 1.8 million stamps are sold each year, and 
as of 2005, Federal Duck Stamps have generated more than $700 million 
for the preservation of more than 5.2 million acres of waterfowl 
habitat in the United States. Numerous other birds, mammals, fish, 
reptiles, and amphibians have similarly prospered because of habitat 
protection made possible by the program. An estimated one-third of the 
Nation's endangered and threatened species find food or shelter in 
refuges preserved by Duck Stamp funds. Moreover, the protected wetlands 
help dissipate storms, purify water supplies, store flood water, and 
nourish fish hatchlings important for sport and commercial fishermen.

The Contest

    The first Federal Duck Stamp was designed at President Franklin 
Roosevelt's request by Jay N. ``Ding'' Darling, a nationally known 
political cartoonist for the Des Moines Register and a noted hunter and 
wildlife conservationist. In subsequent years, noted wildlife artists 
were asked to submit designs. The first contest was opened in 1949 to 
any U.S. artist who wished to enter, and 65 artists submitted a total 
of 88 design entries in the only art competition of its kind sponsored 
by the U.S. Government. To select each year's design, a panel of noted 
art, waterfowl, and philatelic authorities are appointed by the 
Secretary of the Interior. Winners receive no compensation for the 
work, except a pane of their stamps, but winners may sell prints of 
their designs, which are sought by hunters, conservationists, and art 
collectors.
    The public may view the 2007 Federal Duck Stamp entries on Tuesday, 
September 25, 2007 and through the days of judging. This year's judging 
will be held on Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13, 2007.

Eligible Species

    The following species are eligible for the 2007 contest: Mallard, 
American Green-winged Teal, Northern Pintail, Canvasback and Harlequin 
Duck. Entries featuring a species other than the above listed species 
will be disqualified.

     Dated: September 5, 2007.
H. Dale Hall,
Director.
[FR Doc. E7-18139 Filed 9-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P