[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 4274]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1807]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 21

[Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2011-0033; 91200-1231-9BPP]
RIN 1018-AX82


Migratory Bird Permits; Double-Crested Cormorant Management in 
the United States

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Request for comments; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, extend the comment 
period for public comments to guide the preparation of a Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Assessment on the 
development of revised regulations governing the management of double-
crested cormorants. Under current regulations, cormorant damage 
management activities are conducted annually at the local level by 
individuals or agencies operating under USFWS depredation permits, the 
existing Aquaculture Depredation Order, or the existing Public Resource 
Depredation Order. The depredation orders are scheduled to expire on 
June 30, 2014. Our analysis will update the 2003 Final Environmental 
Impact Statement (FEIS): Double-crested cormorant management in the 
United States (USFWS 2003). If you have previously submitted comments, 
please do not resubmit them, because we have already incorporated them 
in the public record and will fully consider them in our final 
decision.

DATES: Electronic comments via http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov must 
be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 6, 2012. Comments 
submitted by mail must be postmarked no later than April 6, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by either one of the following 
methods:
    Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-R9-
MB-2011-0033.
    U.S. Mail or hand delivery: Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-
R9-MB-2011-0033; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Mail Stop 2042-
PDM; Arlington, VA 22203-1610.
    We will not accept email or faxes. We will post all comments on 
http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will 
post any personal information that you provide. See the Public Comments 
section below for more information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Terry Doyle, Wildlife Biologist, at 
(703) 358-1799.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Public Comments

    We request comments and suggestions on this topic from other 
concerned governmental agencies, the scientific community, industry, or 
any other interested parties. You may submit your comments and 
materials concerning this issue by one of the methods listed in the 
ADDRESSES section. We will not consider comments sent by email or fax 
or to an address not listed in the ADDRESSES section.
    If you submit a comment via http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov, 
your entire comment--including any personal identifying information--
will be posted on the Web site. If you submit a hardcopy comment that 
includes personal identifying information, you may request at the top 
of your document that we withhold this information from public review. 
However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. We will 
post all hardcopy comments on http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we use in preparing a proposed rule, will be available 
for public inspection at http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov, or by 
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service (contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT).

Background

    On November 8, 2011, we published a request for comments for 
consideration as we revise the regulations governing double-crested 
cormorant management (76 FR 69225). We requested comments on a variety 
of issues related to double-crested cormorants, and asked a number of 
questions for consideration as we develop a proposal to revise the 
regulations at 50 CFR 21.47 and 21.48. See that document for detailed 
information.
    We have received requests from two Flyways for an extension of the 
comment period so that they may consider the regulations and management 
issues at their upcoming meetings. To accommodate these requests, we 
extend the comment period for an additional 60 days, until April 6, 
2012.

    Dated: January 18, 2012.
Rachel Jacobson,
Acting, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2012-1807 Filed 1-26-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P