[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19852-19863]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-08152]



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Vol. 80

Monday,

No. 70

April 13, 2015

Part III





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service





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50 CFR Part 20





Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed 2015-16 Migratory Game Bird Hunting 
Regulations (Preliminary) With Requests for Indian Tribal Proposals and 
Requests for 2017 Spring and Summer Migratory Bird Subsistence Harvest 
Proposals in Alaska; Proposed Rules

  Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 70 / Monday, April 13, 2015 / 
Proposed Rules  

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2014-0064; FF09M21200-156-FXMB1231099BPP0]
RIN 1018-BA67


Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed 2015-16 Migratory Game Bird 
Hunting Regulations (Preliminary) With Requests for Indian Tribal 
Proposals and Requests for 2017 Spring and Summer Migratory Bird 
Subsistence Harvest Proposals in Alaska

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; availability of supplemental information.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter the Service or 
we) proposes to establish annual hunting regulations for certain 
migratory game birds for the 2015-16 hunting season. We annually 
prescribe outside limits (frameworks) within which States may select 
hunting seasons. This proposed rule provides the regulatory schedule, 
describes the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2015-16 duck 
hunting seasons, requests proposals from Indian tribes that wish to 
establish special migratory game bird hunting regulations on Federal 
Indian reservations and ceded lands, and requests proposals for the 
2017 spring and summer migratory bird subsistence season in Alaska. 
Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for 
recreation and sustenance; aid Federal, State, and tribal governments 
in the management of migratory game birds; and permit harvests at 
levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and 
habitat conditions.

DATES: You must submit comments on the proposed regulatory alternatives 
for the 2015-16 duck hunting seasons on or before June 26, 2015. 
Following subsequent Federal Register notices, you will be given an 
opportunity to submit comments for proposed early-season frameworks by 
July 29, 2015, and for proposed late-season frameworks and subsistence 
migratory bird seasons in Alaska by August 29, 2015. Tribes must submit 
proposals and related comments on or before June 5, 2015. Proposals 
from the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-management Council for the 2017 
spring and summer migratory bird subsistence harvest season must be 
submitted to the Flyway Councils and the Service on or before June 13, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposals by one of the 
following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-
MB-2014-0064.
     U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, 
Attn: FWS-HQ-MB-2014-0064; Division of Policy, Performance, and 
Management Programs; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC; 5275 
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041.
    We will not accept emailed or faxed comments. We will post all 
comments on http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we 
will post any personal information you provide us (see the Public 
Comments section, below, for more information).
    Send your proposals for the 2017 spring and summer migratory bird 
subsistence season in Alaska to the Executive Director of the Co-
management Council, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Road, 
Anchorage, AK 99503; or fax to (907) 786-3306; or email to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron W. Kokel at: Division of Migratory 
Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the 
Interior, MS:MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041; (703) 358-
1714. For information on the migratory bird subsistence season in 
Alaska, contact Donna Dewhurst, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E. 
Tudor Road, Mail Stop 201, Anchorage, AK 99503; (907) 786-3499.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Overview

    Migratory game birds are those bird species so designated in 
conventions between the United States and several foreign nations for 
the protection and management of these birds. Under the Migratory Bird 
Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712), the Secretary of the Interior is 
authorized to determine when ``hunting, taking, capture, killing, 
possession, sale, purchase, shipment, transportation, carriage, or 
export of any . . . bird, or any part, nest, or egg'' of migratory game 
birds can take place, and to adopt regulations for this purpose. These 
regulations are written after giving due regard to ``the zones of 
temperature and to the distribution, abundance, economic value, 
breeding habits, and times and lines of migratory flight of such 
birds'' and are updated annually (16 U.S.C. 704(a)). This 
responsibility has been delegated to the Service as the lead Federal 
agency for managing and conserving migratory birds in the United 
States. However, migratory game bird management is a cooperative effort 
of State, Tribal, and Federal governments.
    The Service develops migratory game bird hunting regulations by 
establishing the frameworks, or outside limits, for season lengths, bag 
limits, and areas for migratory game bird hunting. Acknowledging 
regional differences in hunting conditions, the Service has 
administratively divided the Nation into four Flyways for the primary 
purpose of managing migratory game birds. Each Flyway (Atlantic, 
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific) has a Flyway Council, a formal 
organization generally composed of one member from each State and 
Province in that Flyway. The Flyway Councils, established through the 
International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (IAFWA), also 
assist in researching and providing migratory game bird management 
information for Federal, State, and Provincial governments, as well as 
private conservation agencies and the general public.
    The process for adopting migratory game bird hunting regulations, 
located at 50 CFR part 20, is constrained by three primary factors. 
Legal and administrative considerations dictate how long the rulemaking 
process will last. Most importantly, however, the biological cycle of 
migratory game birds controls the timing of data-gathering activities 
and thus the dates on which these results are available for 
consideration and deliberation.
    The process includes two separate regulations-development 
schedules, based on early and late hunting season regulations. Early 
hunting seasons pertain to all migratory game bird species in Alaska, 
Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; migratory game birds other 
than waterfowl (i.e., dove, woodcock, etc.); and special early 
waterfowl seasons, such as teal or resident Canada geese. Early hunting 
seasons generally begin prior to the last week in September. Late 
hunting seasons generally start during or after the last week in 
September and include most waterfowl seasons not already established.
    There are basically no differences in the processes for 
establishing either early or late hunting seasons. For each cycle, 
Service biologists gather, analyze, and interpret biological survey 
data and provide this information to all those involved in the process 
through a series of published status reports and presentations to 
Flyway Councils and other interested parties. Because the Service is 
required to take abundance of

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migratory game birds and other factors into consideration, the Service 
undertakes a number of surveys throughout the year in conjunction with 
Service Regional Offices, the Canadian Wildlife Service, and State and 
Provincial wildlife management agencies. To determine the appropriate 
frameworks for each species, we consider factors such as population 
size and trend, geographical distribution, annual breeding effort, the 
condition of breeding and wintering habitat, the number of hunters, and 
the anticipated harvest.
    After frameworks are established for season lengths, bag limits, 
and areas for migratory game bird hunting, States may select season 
dates, bag limits, and other regulatory options for the hunting 
seasons. States may always be more conservative in their selections 
than the Federal frameworks, but never more liberal.

Notice of Intent To Establish Open Seasons

    This document announces our intent to establish open hunting 
seasons and daily bag and possession limits for certain designated 
groups or species of migratory game birds for 2015-16 in the contiguous 
United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, 
under Sec. Sec.  20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K 
of 50 CFR part 20.
    For the 2015-16 migratory game bird hunting season, we will propose 
regulations for certain designated members of the avian families 
Anatidae (ducks, geese, and swans); Columbidae (doves and pigeons); 
Gruidae (cranes); Rallidae (rails, coots, moorhens, and gallinules); 
and Scolopacidae (woodcock and snipe). We describe these proposals 
under Proposed 2015-16 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations 
(Preliminary) in this document. We published definitions of waterfowl 
flyways and mourning dove management units, and a description of the 
data used in and the factors affecting the regulatory process, in the 
March 14, 1990, Federal Register (55 FR 9618).

Regulatory Schedule for 2015-16

    This document is the first in a series of proposed, supplemental, 
and final rulemaking documents for migratory game bird hunting 
regulations. We will publish additional supplemental proposals for 
public comment in the Federal Register as population, habitat, harvest, 
and other information become available. Because of the late dates when 
certain portions of these data become available, we anticipate 
abbreviated comment periods on some proposals. Special circumstances 
limit the amount of time we can allow for public comment on these 
regulations.
    Specifically, two considerations compress the time for the 
rulemaking process: The need, on one hand, to establish final rules 
early enough in the summer to allow resource agencies to select and 
publish season dates and bag limits before the beginning of hunting 
seasons and, on the other hand, the lack of current status data on most 
migratory game birds until later in the summer. Because the regulatory 
process is strongly influenced by the times when information is 
available for consideration, we divide the regulatory process into two 
segments: Early seasons and late seasons (further described and 
discussed above in the Background and Overview section).
    Major steps in the 2015-16 regulatory cycle relating to open public 
meetings and Federal Register notifications are illustrated in the 
diagram at the end of this proposed rule. All publication dates of 
Federal Register documents are target dates.
    All sections of this and subsequent documents outlining hunting 
frameworks and guidelines are organized under numbered headings. These 
headings are:

1. Ducks
    A. General Harvest Strategy
    B. Regulatory Alternatives
    C. Zones and Split Seasons
    D. Special Seasons/Species Management
    i. September Teal Seasons
    ii. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons
    iii. Black Ducks
    iv. Canvasbacks
    v. Pintails
    vi. Scaup
    vii. Mottled Ducks
    viii. Wood Ducks
    ix. Youth Hunt
    x. Mallard Management Units
    xi. Other
2. Sea Ducks
3. Mergansers
4. Canada Geese
    A. Special Seasons
    B. Regular Seasons
    C. Special Late Seasons
5. White-fronted Geese
6. Brant
7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese
8. Swans
9. Sandhill Cranes
10. Coots
11. Moorhens and Gallinules
12. Rails
13. Snipe
14. Woodcock
15. Band-tailed Pigeons
16. Doves
17. Alaska
18. Hawaii
19. Puerto Rico
20. Virgin Islands
21. Falconry
22. Other

    Later sections of this and subsequent documents will refer only to 
numbered items requiring your attention. Therefore, it is important to 
note that we will omit those items requiring no attention, and 
remaining numbered items will be discontinuous and appear incomplete.
    We will publish final regulatory alternatives for the 2015-16 duck 
hunting seasons in mid-July. We will publish proposed early season 
frameworks in mid-July and late season frameworks in mid-August. We 
will publish final regulatory frameworks for early seasons on or about 
August 15, 2015, and those for late seasons on or about September 19, 
2015.

Request for 2017 Spring and Summer Migratory Bird Subsistence Harvest 
Proposals in Alaska

Background

    The 1916 Convention for the Protection of Migratory Birds between 
the United States and Great Britain (for Canada) established a closed 
season for the taking of migratory birds between March 10 and September 
1. Residents of northern Alaska and Canada traditionally harvested 
migratory birds for nutritional purposes during the spring and summer 
months. The 1916 Convention and the subsequent 1936 Mexico Convention 
for the Protection of Migratory Birds and Game Mammals provide for the 
legal subsistence harvest of migratory birds and their eggs in Alaska 
and Canada during the closed season by indigenous inhabitants.
    On August 16, 2002, we published in the Federal Register (67 FR 
53511) a final rule that established procedures for incorporating 
subsistence management into the continental migratory bird management 
program. These regulations, developed under a new co-management process 
involving the Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and 
Alaska Native representatives, established an annual procedure to 
develop harvest guidelines for implementation of a spring and summer 
migratory bird subsistence harvest. Eligibility and inclusion 
requirements necessary to participate in the spring and summer 
migratory bird subsistence season in Alaska are outlined in 50 CFR part 
92.
    This proposed rule calls for proposals for regulations that will 
expire on August 31, 2017, for the spring and summer subsistence 
harvest of migratory birds in Alaska. Each year, seasons will open on 
or after March 11 and close before September 1.

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Alaska Spring and Summer Subsistence Harvest Proposal Procedures

    We will publish details of the Alaska spring and summer subsistence 
harvest proposals in later Federal Register documents under 50 CFR part 
92. The general relationship to the process for developing national 
hunting regulations for migratory game birds is as follows:
    (a) Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council. The public may 
submit proposals to the Co-management Council during the period of 
November 1-December 15, 2015, to be acted upon for the 2017 migratory 
bird subsistence harvest season. Proposals should be submitted to the 
Executive Director of the Co-management Council, listed above under the 
caption ADDRESSES.
    (b) Flyway Councils.
    (1) The Co-management Council will submit proposed 2017 regulations 
to all Flyway Councils for review and comment. The Council's 
recommendations must be submitted before the Service Regulations 
Committee's late season regulations meeting (July 2015) in order to be 
approved for spring and summer harvest beginning April 2 of the 
following calendar year.
    (2) Alaska Native representatives may be appointed by the Co-
management Council to attend meetings of one or more of the four Flyway 
Councils to discuss recommended regulations or other proposed 
management actions.
    (c) Service Regulations Committee. The Co-management Council will 
submit proposed annual regulations to the Service Regulations Committee 
(SRC) for their review and recommendation to the Service Director. 
Following the Service Director's review and recommendation, the 
proposals will be forwarded to the Department of the Interior for 
approval. Proposed annual regulations will then be published in the 
Federal Register for public review and comment, similar to the annual 
migratory game bird hunting regulations. Final spring and summer 
regulations for Alaska will be published in the Federal Register in the 
preceding winter after review and consideration of any public comments 
received.
    Because of the time required for review by us and the public, 
proposals from the Co-management Council for the 2017 spring and summer 
migratory bird subsistence harvest season must be submitted to the 
Flyway Councils and the Service by August 1, 2016, for Council comments 
and Service action at the October 2016 SRC meeting.

Review of Public Comments

    This proposed rulemaking contains the proposed regulatory 
alternatives for the 2015-16 duck hunting seasons. This proposed 
rulemaking also describes other recommended changes or specific 
preliminary proposals that vary from the 2014-15 final frameworks (see 
August 28, 2014, Federal Register (79 FR 51402) for early seasons and 
September 23, 2014, Federal Register (79 FR 56864) for late seasons) 
and issues requiring early discussion, action, or the attention of the 
States or tribes. We will publish responses to all proposals and 
written comments when we develop final frameworks for the 2015-16 
season. We seek additional information and comments on this proposed 
rule.

Consolidation of Notices

    For administrative purposes, this document consolidates the notice 
of intent to establish open migratory game bird hunting seasons, the 
request for tribal proposals, and the request for Alaska migratory bird 
subsistence seasons with the preliminary proposals for the annual 
hunting regulations-development process. We will publish the remaining 
proposed and final rulemaking documents separately. For inquiries on 
tribal guidelines and proposals, tribes should contact the following 
personnel:
    Region 1 (Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, and the Pacific 
Islands)--Nanette Seto, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 911 NE. 11th 
Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-4181; (503) 231-6164.
    Region 2 (Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas)--Greg Hughes, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM 87103; 
(505) 248-7885.
    Region 3 (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, 
Ohio, and Wisconsin)--Dave Scott, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5600 
American Blvd. West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 55437-1458; (612) 713-
5101.
    Region 4 (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, 
Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, South 
Carolina, and Tennessee)--Laurel Barnhill, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 1875 Century Boulevard, Room 324, Atlanta, GA 30345; (404) 
679-4000.
    Region 5 (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, 
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, 
Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia)--Pam Toschik, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035-9589; 
(413) 253-8610.
    Region 6 (Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South 
Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming)--Casey Stemler, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Federal Building, Denver, CO 80225; 
(303) 236-8145.
    Region 7 (Alaska)--Pete Probasco, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
1011 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99503; (907) 786-3423.
    Region 8 (California and Nevada)--U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825-1846; (916) 414-6727.

Requests for Tribal Proposals

Background

    Beginning with the 1985-86 hunting season, we have employed 
guidelines described in the June 4, 1985, Federal Register (50 FR 
23467) to establish special migratory game bird hunting regulations on 
Federal Indian reservations (including off-reservation trust lands) and 
ceded lands. We developed these guidelines in response to tribal 
requests for our recognition of their reserved hunting rights, and for 
some tribes, recognition of their authority to regulate hunting by both 
tribal and nontribal members throughout their reservations. The 
guidelines include possibilities for:
    (1) On-reservation hunting by both tribal and nontribal members, 
with hunting by nontribal members on some reservations to take place 
within Federal frameworks, but on dates different from those selected 
by the surrounding State(s);
    (2) On-reservation hunting by tribal members only, outside of usual 
Federal frameworks for season dates and length, and for daily bag and 
possession limits; and
    (3) Off-reservation hunting by tribal members on ceded lands, 
outside of usual framework dates and season length, with some added 
flexibility in daily bag and possession limits.
    In all cases, tribal regulations established under the guidelines 
must be consistent with the annual March 10 to September 1 closed 
season mandated by the 1916 Convention Between the United States and 
Great Britain (for Canada) for the Protection of Migratory Birds 
(Convention). The guidelines are applicable to those tribes that have 
reserved hunting rights on Federal Indian reservations (including off-
reservation trust lands) and ceded lands. They also may be applied to 
the establishment of migratory game bird hunting regulations for 
nontribal members on all lands within the exterior boundaries of 
reservations where tribes have full wildlife management authority over 
such hunting, or where the tribes and affected States otherwise have 
reached

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agreement over hunting by nontribal members on non-Indian lands.
    Tribes usually have the authority to regulate migratory game bird 
hunting by nonmembers on Indian-owned reservation lands, subject to our 
approval. The question of jurisdiction is more complex on reservations 
that include lands owned by non-Indians, especially when the 
surrounding States have established or intend to establish regulations 
governing migratory bird hunting by non-Indians on these lands. In such 
cases, we encourage the tribes and States to reach agreement on 
regulations that would apply throughout the reservations. When 
appropriate, we will consult with a tribe and State with the aim of 
facilitating an accord. We also will consult jointly with tribal and 
State officials in the affected States where tribes may wish to 
establish special hunting regulations for tribal members on ceded 
lands. It is incumbent upon the tribe and/or the State to request 
consultation as a result of the proposal being published in the Federal 
Register. We will not presume to make a determination, without being 
advised by either a tribe or a State, that any issue is or is not 
worthy of formal consultation.
    One of the guidelines provides for the continuation of tribal 
members' harvest of migratory game birds on reservations where such 
harvest is a customary practice. We do not oppose this harvest, 
provided it does not take place during the closed season required by 
the Convention, and it is not so large as to adversely affect the 
status of the migratory game bird resource. Since the inception of 
these guidelines, we have reached annual agreement with tribes for 
migratory game bird hunting by tribal members on their lands or on 
lands where they have reserved hunting rights. We will continue to 
consult with tribes that wish to reach a mutual agreement on hunting 
regulations for on-reservation hunting by tribal members.
    Tribes should not view the guidelines as inflexible. We believe 
that they provide appropriate opportunity to accommodate the reserved 
hunting rights and management authority of Indian tribes while also 
ensuring that the migratory game bird resource receives necessary 
protection. The conservation of this important international resource 
is paramount. Use of the guidelines is not required if a tribe wishes 
to observe the hunting regulations established by the State(s) in which 
the reservation is located.

Details Needed in Tribal Proposals

    Tribes that wish to use the guidelines to establish special hunting 
regulations for the 2015-16 migratory game bird hunting season should 
submit a proposal that includes:
    (1) The requested migratory game bird hunting season dates and 
other details regarding the proposed regulations;
    (2) Harvest anticipated under the proposed regulations; and
    (3) Tribal capabilities to enforce migratory game bird hunting 
regulations.
    For those situations where it could be shown that failure to limit 
Tribal harvest could seriously impact the migratory game bird resource, 
we also request information on the methods employed to monitor harvest 
and any potential steps taken to limit level of harvest.
    A tribe that desires the earliest possible opening of the migratory 
game bird season for nontribal members should specify this request in 
its proposal, rather than request a date that might not be within the 
final Federal frameworks. Similarly, unless a tribe wishes to set more 
restrictive regulations than Federal regulations will permit for 
nontribal members, the proposal should request the same daily bag and 
possession limits and season length for migratory game birds that 
Federal regulations are likely to permit the States in the Flyway in 
which the reservation is located.

Tribal Proposal Procedures

    We will publish details of tribal proposals for public review in 
later Federal Register documents. Because of the time required for 
review by us and the public, Indian tribes that desire special 
migratory game bird hunting regulations for the 2015-16 hunting season 
should submit their proposals as soon as possible, but no later than 
June 5, 2015.
    Tribes should direct inquiries regarding the guidelines and 
proposals to the appropriate Service Regional Office listed above under 
the caption Consolidation of Notices. Tribes that request special 
migratory game bird hunting regulations for tribal members on ceded 
lands should send a courtesy copy of the proposal to officials in the 
affected State(s).

Public Comments

    The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever practicable, 
to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking 
process. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written 
comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the proposed 
regulations. Before promulgation of final migratory game bird hunting 
regulations, we will take into consideration all comments we receive. 
Such comments, and any additional information we receive, may lead to 
final regulations that differ from these proposals.
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed 
rule by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We will not 
accept comments sent by email or fax or to an address not listed in the 
ADDRESSES section. Finally, we will not consider hand-delivered 
comments that we do not receive, or mailed comments that are not 
postmarked, by the date specified in the DATES section.
    We will post all comments in their entirety--including your 
personal identifying information--on http://www.regulations.gov. Before 
including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal 
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your 
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be 
made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your 
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public 
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by 
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, 5275 Leesburg 
Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041.
    For each series of proposed rulemakings, we will establish specific 
comment periods. We will consider, but may not respond in detail to, 
each comment. As in the past, we will summarize all comments we receive 
during the comment period and respond to them after the closing date in 
any final rules.

NEPA Consideration

    The programmatic document, ``Second Final Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual Regulations 
Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (EIS 20130139),'' filed 
with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on May 24, 2013, 
addresses NEPA compliance by the Service for issuance of the annual 
framework regulations for hunting of migratory game bird species. We

[[Page 19856]]

published a notice of availability in the Federal Register on May 31, 
2013 (78 FR 32686), and our Record of Decision on July 26, 2013 (78 FR 
45376). We also address NEPA compliance for waterfowl hunting 
frameworks through the annual preparation of separate environmental 
assessments, the most recent being ``Duck Hunting Regulations for 2014-
15,'' with its corresponding August 21, 2014, finding of no significant 
impact. In addition, an August 1985 environmental assessment entitled 
``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Federal Indian 
Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available from the address indicated 
under the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

    Before issuance of the 2015-16 migratory game bird hunting 
regulations, we will comply with provisions of the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543; hereinafter the Act), to 
ensure that hunting is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence 
of any species designated as endangered or threatened or modify or 
destroy its critical habitat and is consistent with conservation 
programs for those species. Consultations under section 7 of the Act 
may cause us to change proposals in this and future supplemental 
proposed rulemaking documents.

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)

    Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 provides that the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant 
rules. OIRA has reviewed this rule and has determined that this rule is 
significant because it would have an annual effect of $100 million or 
more on the economy.
    E.O. 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while calling for 
improvements in the nation's regulatory system to promote 
predictability, to reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most 
innovative, and least burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. 
The executive order directs agencies to consider regulatory approaches 
that reduce burdens and maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for 
the public where these approaches are relevant, feasible, and 
consistent with regulatory objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further 
that regulations must be based on the best available science and that 
the rulemaking process must allow for public participation and an open 
exchange of ideas. We have developed this rule in a manner consistent 
with these requirements.
    An economic analysis was prepared for the 2013-14 season. This 
analysis was based on data from the 2011 National Hunting and Fishing 
Survey, the most recent year for which data are available (see 
discussion in Regulatory Flexibility Act section below). We will use 
this analysis again for the 2015-16 season. This analysis estimated 
consumer surplus for three alternatives for duck hunting (estimates for 
other species are not quantified due to lack of data). The alternatives 
are (1) issue restrictive regulations allowing fewer days than those 
issued during the 2012-13 season, (2) issue moderate regulations 
allowing more days than those in alternative 1, and (3) issue liberal 
regulations identical to the regulations in the 2012-13 season. For the 
2013-14 season, we chose Alternative 3, with an estimated consumer 
surplus across all flyways of $317.8-$416.8 million. We also chose 
alternative 3 for the 2009-10, the 2010-11, the 2011-12, the 2012-13, 
and the 2014-15 seasons. The 2013-14 analysis is part of the record for 
this rule and is available at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. 
FWS-HQ-MB-2014-0064.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The annual migratory bird hunting regulations have a significant 
economic impact on substantial numbers of small entities under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the 
economic impacts of the annual hunting regulations on small business 
entities in detail as part of the 1981 cost-benefit analysis. This 
analysis was revised annually from 1990-95. In 1995, the Service issued 
a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis), which was subsequently 
updated in 1996, 1998, 2004, 2008, and 2013. The primary source of 
information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting 
is the National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-
year intervals. The 2013 Analysis was based on the 2011 National 
Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County 
Business Patterns, from which it was estimated that migratory bird 
hunters would spend approximately $1.5 billion at small businesses in 
2013. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request from the 
Division of Migratory Bird Management (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT) or from our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs or 
at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2014-0064.

Clarity of the Rule

    We are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the 
Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain 
language. This means that each rule we publish must:
    (a) Be logically organized;
    (b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (c) Use clear language rather than jargon;
    (d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us 
comments by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To 
better help us revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as 
possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections 
or paragraphs that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences 
are too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be 
useful, etc.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This proposed rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined 
above, this rule would have an annual effect on the economy of $100 
million or more. However, because this rule would establish hunting 
seasons, we do not plan to defer the effective date under the exemption 
contained in 5 U.S.C. 808(1).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This proposed rule does not contain any new information collection 
that requires approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not 
required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. OMB has reviewed and approved the 
information collection requirements associated with migratory bird 
surveys and assigned the following OMB control numbers:
     1018-0019--North American Woodcock Singing Ground Survey 
(expires 4/30/2015).
     1018-0023--Migratory Bird Surveys (expires 6/30/2017). 
Includes Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program, Migratory Bird 
Hunter Surveys, Sandhill Crane Survey, and Parts Collection Survey.
     1018-0124--Alaska Migratory Bird Subsistence Harvest 
Household Survey (expires 6/30/2016).

[[Page 19857]]

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements 
of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this 
proposed rulemaking would not impose a cost of $100 million or more in 
any given year on local or State government or private entities. 
Therefore, this rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under 
the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

    The Department, in promulgating this proposed rule, has determined 
that this proposed rule will not unduly burden the judicial system and 
that it meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 
12988.

Takings Implication Assessment

    In accordance with E.O. 12630, this proposed rule, authorized by 
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant takings 
implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected 
property rights. This rule would not result in the physical occupancy 
of property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory 
taking of any property. In fact, these rules would allow hunters to 
exercise otherwise unavailable privileges and, therefore, reduce 
restrictions on the use of private and public property.

Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211

    E.O. 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of Energy 
Effects when undertaking certain actions. While this proposed rule is a 
significant regulatory action under E.O. 12866, it is not expected to 
adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or use. Therefore, this 
action is not a significant energy action and no Statement of Energy 
Effects is required.

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, 
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), E.O. 13175, and 512 DM 2, we have 
evaluated possible effects on Federally-recognized Indian tribes and 
have determined that there are no effects on Indian trust resources. 
However, in this proposed rule, we solicit proposals for special 
migratory bird hunting regulations for certain Tribes on Federal Indian 
reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and ceded lands for the 
2015-16 migratory bird hunting season. The resulting proposals will be 
contained in a separate proposed rule. By virtue of these actions, we 
have consulted with Tribes affected by this rule.

Federalism Effects

    Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the 
Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by 
the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from 
which the States make selections regarding the hunting of migratory 
birds, and we employ guidelines to establish special regulations on 
Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the 
ability of the States and tribes to determine which seasons meet their 
individual needs. Any State or Indian tribe may be more restrictive 
than the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed 
in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This 
process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks 
from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on 
their own regulations. These rules do not have a substantial direct 
effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities of 
Federal or State governments, or intrude on State policy or 
administration. Therefore, in accordance with E.O. 13132, these 
regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not have 
sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a 
federalism summary impact statement.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

    Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.

Authority

    The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2015-16 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-711, 16 U.S.C. 712, 
and 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j.

    Dated: March 26, 2015.
Michael J. Bean,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Proposed 2015-16 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations (Preliminary)

    Pending current information on populations, harvest, and habitat 
conditions, and receipt of recommendations from the four Flyway 
Councils, we may defer specific regulatory proposals. No changes from 
the final 2014-15 frameworks established on August 28 and September 23, 
2014 (79 FR 51402 and 79 FR 56864) are being proposed at this time. 
Other issues requiring early discussion, action, or the attention of 
the States or tribes are contained below:

1. Ducks

    Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest 
management are: (A) General Harvest Strategy, (B) Regulatory 
Alternatives, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special Seasons/
Species Management. Only those containing substantial recommendations 
are discussed below.

A. General Harvest Strategy

    We propose to continue using adaptive harvest management (AHM) to 
help determine appropriate duck-hunting regulations for the 2015-16 
season. AHM permits sound resource decisions in the face of uncertain 
regulatory impacts and provides a mechanism for reducing that 
uncertainty over time. We use AHM to evaluate four alternative 
regulatory levels for duck hunting based on the population status of 
mallards. (We enact special hunting restrictions for species of special 
concern, such as canvasbacks, scaup, and pintails).
Pacific, Central, and Mississippi Flyways
    The prescribed regulatory alternative for the Pacific, Central, and 
Mississippi Flyways is based on the status of mallards that contributes 
primarily to each Flyway. In the Pacific Flyway, we set hunting 
regulations based on the status and dynamics of western mallards. 
Western mallards are those breeding in Alaska and the northern Yukon 
Territory (as based on Federal surveys in strata 1-12), and in 
California and Oregon (as based on State-conducted surveys). In the 
Central and Mississippi Flyways, we set hunting regulations based on 
the status and dynamics of mid-continent mallards. Mid-continent 
mallards are those breeding in central North America (Federal survey 
strata 13-18, 20-50, and 75-77, and State surveys in Minnesota, 
Wisconsin, and Michigan).
    For the 2015-16 season, we recommend continuing to use independent 
optimization to determine the optimal regulatory choice for each 
mallard stock. This means that we would develop regulations for mid-
continent mallards and western mallards independently, based upon the 
breeding stock that contributes primarily to each Flyway. We detailed 
implementation of this new AHM decision framework in the July 24, 2008, 
Federal Register (73 FR 43290).

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Atlantic Flyway
    The prescribed regulatory alternative for the Atlantic Flyway is 
determined annually based on the population status of mallards breeding 
in eastern North America (Federal survey strata 51-54 and 56, and State 
surveys in New England and the mid-Atlantic region). In 2012, we 
proposed and subsequently implemented several changes related to the 
population models used in the eastern mallard AHM protocol (77 FR 
42920; July 20, 2012). We propose continuation of the AHM process for 
the 2015-16 season using the revised model set to inform eastern 
mallard harvest regulations until a fully revised AHM protocol is 
finalized. Further details on the revised models and results of 
simulations of this interim harvest policy are available on our Web 
site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds, or at http://www.regulations.gov.
Final 2015-16 AHM Protocol
    We will detail the final AHM protocol for the 2015-16 season in the 
early-season proposed rule, which we will publish in mid-July (see 2015 
Schedule of Regulations Meetings and Federal Register Publications at 
the end of this proposed rule for further information). We will propose 
a specific regulatory alternative for each of the Flyways during the 
2015-16 season after survey information becomes available in late 
summer. More information on AHM is located at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/CurrentBirdIssues/Management/AHM/AHM-intro.htm.

B. Regulatory Alternatives

    The basic structure of the current regulatory alternatives for AHM 
was adopted in 1997. In 2002, based upon recommendations from the 
Flyway Councils, we extended framework dates in the ``moderate'' and 
``liberal'' regulatory alternatives by changing the opening date from 
the Saturday nearest October 1 to the Saturday nearest September 24, 
and by changing the closing date from the Sunday nearest January 20 to 
the last Sunday in January. These extended dates were made available 
with no associated penalty in season length or bag limits. At that time 
we stated our desire to keep these changes in place for 3 years to 
allow for a reasonable opportunity to monitor the impacts of framework-
date extensions on harvest distribution and rates of harvest before 
considering any subsequent use (67 FR 12501; March 19, 2002).
    For 2015-16, we are proposing to maintain the same regulatory 
alternatives that were in effect last year (see accompanying table for 
specifics of the proposed regulatory alternatives). Alternatives are 
specified for each Flyway and are designated as ``RES'' for the 
restrictive, ``MOD'' for the moderate, and ``LIB'' for the liberal 
alternative. We will announce final regulatory alternatives in mid-
July. We will accept public comments until June 26, 2015, and you 
should send your comments to an address listed under the caption 
ADDRESSES.

C. Zones and Split Seasons

    Zones and split seasons are ``special regulations'' designed to 
distribute hunting opportunities and harvests according to temporal, 
geographic, and demographic variability in waterfowl and other 
migratory game bird populations. For ducks, States have been allowed 
the option of dividing their allotted hunting days into two (or in some 
cases three) segments to take advantage of species-specific peaks of 
abundance or to satisfy hunters in different areas who want to hunt 
during the peak of waterfowl abundance in their area. However, the 
split-season option does not fully satisfy many States who wish to 
provide a more equitable distribution of harvest opportunities. 
Therefore, we also have allowed the establishment of independent 
seasons in up to four zones within States for the purpose of providing 
more equitable distribution of harvest opportunity for hunters 
throughout the State.
    In 1978, we prepared an environmental assessment (EA) on the use of 
zones to set duck hunting regulations. A primary tenet of the 1978 EA 
was that zoning would be for the primary purpose of providing equitable 
distribution of duck hunting opportunities within a State or region and 
not for the purpose of increasing total annual waterfowl harvest in the 
zoned areas. In fact, target harvest levels were to be adjusted 
downward if they exceeded traditional levels as a result of zoning. 
Subsequent to the 1978 EA, we conducted a review of the use of zones 
and split seasons in 1990. In 2011, we prepared a new EA analyzing some 
specific proposed changes to the zone and split season guidelines. The 
current guidelines were then finalized in 2011 (76 FR 53536; August 26, 
2001).
    Currently, every 5 years, States are afforded the opportunity to 
change the zoning and split season configuration within which they set 
their annual duck hunting regulations. The next regularly scheduled 
open season for changes to zone and split season configurations will be 
in 2016, for use during the 2016-20 period. In 2011, we stated that in 
order to allow sufficient time for States to solicit public input 
regarding their selections of zone and split season configurations in 
2016, we would reaffirm the criteria during the 2015 late-season 
regulations process and that States should notify us of changes to zone 
and split season configurations by May 1, 2016.
    However, as discussed in the September 23, 2014, Federal Register 
(79 FR 56864), and below under 22. Other, we are implementing 
significant changes to the annual regulatory process as outlined in the 
2013 SEIS. While we have spent considerable time the past several years 
contemplating and planning these changes, one issue that we did not 
anticipate would be a problem is the timing of the open season for duck 
zones and split season configurations. The previously identified May 1, 
2016, due date for zone and split season configuration changes was 
developed under the current regulatory process, when that deadline 
would still allow publication of zone descriptions in the proposed rule 
for hunting seasons and allow for public comment.
    Under the new regulatory schedule we anticipate publishing the 
proposed rule for all 2016-17 migratory bird seasons sometime this 
fall--approximately 30 days after the SRC meeting (which is tentatively 
scheduled for October 28-29, 2015). A final rule tentatively would be 
published 75 days after the proposed rule (no later than April 1). This 
schedule would preclude inclusion of zone descriptions in the proposed 
rule as had been done in past open seasons and would not be appropriate 
because it would preclude the ability for the public to comment on 
individual State zone descriptions. Therefore, we need to include 
proposed 2016-20 zone descriptions in the 2016-17 hunting seasons 
proposed rule document that will be published later this year. 
Obviously, this will require a zone configuration deadline much earlier 
than the previously identified May 1, 2016, deadline.
    Considering all of the above, we have decided that a two-phase 
approach is appropriate. For those States wishing to change zone and 
split season configurations in time for the 2016-17 season, we will 
need to receive that new configuration and zone descriptions by 
December 1, 2015. States that do not send in zone and split season 
configuration changes until the previously identified May 1, 2016, 
deadline would not be able to implement those changes until the 2017-18 
hunting season. While the next normally scheduled open season after 
2016-17 would be 2021-22, we

[[Page 19859]]

welcome State and Flyway Council comment on whether this should be 
pushed back to the 2022-23 season in order to allow those States not 
able to meet the December 1, 2015, deadline to operate under their new 
zone and split season configurations for 5 years rather than 4 years.
    Lastly, because dove zones and split season configurations are on 
the same open season schedule, this revision would apply to dove zones 
as well (see 16. Doves for further discussion).
    We apologize for this oversight. However, we will do everything we 
can to make this transition as smooth as possible and look forward to 
working with the States and Flyways on any implementation issues.
    For the 2016-17 open season, the guidelines for duck zone and split 
season configurations are as follows:
Guidelines for Duck Zones and Split Seasons
    The following zone and split-season guidelines apply only for the 
regular duck season:
    (1) A zone is a geographic area or portion of a State, with a 
contiguous boundary, for which independent dates may be selected for 
the regular duck season.
    (2) Consideration of changes for management-unit boundaries is not 
subject to the guidelines and provisions governing the use of zones and 
split seasons for ducks.
    (3) Only minor (less than a county in size) boundary changes will 
be allowed for any grandfathered arrangement, and changes are limited 
to the open season.
    (4) Once a zone and split option is selected during an open season, 
it must remain in place for the following 5 years.
    Any State may continue the configuration used in the previous 5-
year period. If changes are made, the zone and split-season 
configuration must conform to one of the following options:
    (1) No more than four zones with no splits,
    (2) Split seasons (no more than 3 segments) with no zones, or
    (3) No more than three zones with the option for 2-way (2-segment) 
split seasons in one, two, or all zones.
Grandfathered Zone and Split Arrangements
    When we first implemented the zone and split guidelines in 1991, 
several States had completed experiments with zone and split 
arrangements different from our original options. We offered those 
States a one-time opportunity to continue (``grandfather'') those 
arrangements, with the stipulation that only minor changes could be 
made to zone boundaries. If any of those States now wish to change 
their zone and split arrangement:
    (1) The new arrangement must conform to one of the 3 options 
identified above; and
    (2) The State cannot go back to the grandfathered arrangement that 
it previously had in place.
Management Units
    We will continue to utilize the specific limitations previously 
established regarding the use of zones and split seasons in special 
management units, including the High Plains Mallard Management Unit. We 
note that the original justification and objectives established for the 
High Plains Mallard Management Unit provided for additional days of 
hunting opportunity at the end of the regular duck season. In order to 
maintain the integrity of the management unit, current guidelines 
prohibit simultaneous zoning and/or 3-way split seasons within a 
management unit and the remainder of the State. Removal of this 
limitation would allow additional proliferation of zone and split 
configurations and compromise the original objectives of the management 
unit.

16. Doves

    In 2006 (see July 28, 2006, Federal Register, 71 FR 43008), we 
approved guidelines for the use of zones and split seasons for doves 
with implementation beginning in the 2007-08 season. While the initial 
period was for 4 years (2007-10), we further stated that beginning in 
2011, zoning would conform to a 5-year period.
    The next open season for changes to dove zone and split 
configurations will be for the 2016-20 period. As discussed above under 
C. Zones and Split Seasons for ducks, because of unintentional and 
unanticipated issues with changing the regulatory schedule for the 
2016-17 season, we have decided that a two-phase approach is 
appropriate. For those States wishing to change zone and split season 
configurations in time for the 2016-17 season, we will need to receive 
that new configuration and zone descriptions by December 1, 2015. 
States that do not send in zone and split season configuration changes 
until the previously identified May 1, 2016, deadline would not be able 
to implement those changes until the 2017-18 hunting season. While the 
next normally scheduled open season after 2016-17 would be 2021-22, we 
welcome State and Flyway Council comment on whether this should be 
pushed back to the 2022-23 season in order to allow those States not 
able to meet the December 1, 2015, deadline to operate under their new 
zone and split season configurations for 5 years rather than 4 years.
    The guidelines are as follows:
Guidelines for Dove Zones and Split Seasons in the Eastern and Central 
Mourning Dove Management Units
    (1) A zone is a geographic area or portion of a State, with a 
contiguous boundary, for which independent seasons may be selected for 
dove hunting.
    (2) States may select a zone and split option during an open 
season. The option must remain in place for the following 5 years 
except that States may make a one-time change and revert to their 
previous zone and split configuration in any year of the 5-year period. 
Formal approval will not be required, but States must notify the 
Service before making the change.
    (3) Zoning periods for dove hunting will conform to those years 
used for ducks, e.g., 2016-20.
    (4) The zone and split configuration consists of two zones with the 
option for 3-way (3-segment) split seasons in one or both zones. As a 
grandfathered arrangement, Texas will have three zones with the option 
for 2-way (2-segment) split seasons in one, two, or all three zones.
    (5) States that do not wish to zone for dove hunting may split 
their seasons into no more than 3 segments.
    For the 2016-20 period, any State may continue the configuration 
used in 2011-15. If changes are made, the zone and split-season 
configuration must conform to one of the options listed above. If Texas 
uses a new configuration for the entirety of the 5-year period, it 
cannot go back to the grandfathered arrangement that it previously had 
in place.

21. Falconry

    Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any 
State meeting Federal falconry standards at 50 CFR 21.29. Currently, 
daily bag limits for falconry for all permitted migratory game birds 
must not exceed 3 birds, singly or in the aggregate, during extended 
falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular 
hunting seasons in all States. Additionally, other general hunting 
regulations, including seasons and hunting hours, apply to falconry in 
each State listed at 50 CFR 21.29. Regular season daily bag limits do 
not apply to falconry and the falconry daily bag limit

[[Page 19860]]

is not in addition to gun daily bag limits.
    In 2008, we revised the falconry regulations at 50 CFR 21.29 (73 FR 
59448; October 8, 2008). One of the revisions allowed both general and 
master falconers to possess more raptors taken from the wild (3 and 5, 
respectively, versus 2 and 3 previously). Additionally, master 
falconers also are allowed to possess as many captive-bred birds as 
they wish but these birds must be trained in the pursuit of wild game 
and used in hunting. Further, these revisions were implemented on a 
State-by-State basis. That is, the regulations provided that when a 
State met the requirements for operating under the new regulations, 
falconry permitting would then be delegated to the State. In 2013, the 
last remaining 17 States met the new requirements of the 2008 revisions 
and were added to the list of States operating under the new 
regulations (78 FR 72830; December 4, 2013).
    Historically, we have generally linked the daily migratory game 
bird bag limit for falconers to the maximum number of raptors they 
could possess. Based on the aforementioned revisions beginning in 2008 
and culminating in 2013, we believe it may be appropriate to consider 
changes to the falconry daily bag limits. We welcome comments from the 
States, Flyway Councils, and the general public on the issue.

22. Other

    In a July 26, 2013, Federal Register (78 FR 45376), the Service 
issued its Record of Decision (ROD) for the migratory bird hunting 
program, prepared pursuant to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 
42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) regulations at 40 CFR 1505.2. An integral 
component of that ROD was the decision to promulgate annual migratory 
bird hunting regulations using a single process for early and late 
seasons based on predictions derived from long-term biological 
information and established harvest strategies. We believe this single 
process is the most effective alternative for addressing key issues 
identified during the planning process and will best achieve the 
purposes and goals of the Service and States. At that time, we stated 
that implementation of the new process was targeted for the 2015-16 
regulations cycle.
    In the April 30, 2014, proposed rule (79 FR 24512) we discussed how 
under this new process, the current early and late season regulatory 
actions will be combined into a new single process. Regulatory 
proposals will be developed using biological data from the preceding 
year(s), model predictions, or most recently accumulated data that are 
available at the time the proposals are being formulated. Individual 
harvest strategies will be modified using data from the previous 
year(s) because the current year's data would not be available for many 
of the strategies. Some technical work will be necessary over a period 
of years to adjust the underlying biological models to the new 
regulatory time scale. During this transition period, harvest 
strategies and prescriptions will be modified to fit into the new 
regulatory schedule. These adjustments could be accomplished 
immediately upon adoption of the new process. Many existing regulatory 
prescriptions used for Canada geese, sandhill cranes, mourning doves, 
and American woodcock currently work on this basis. The process will be 
somewhat less precise in some instances because population projections 
would be used instead of current-year status information. However, the 
uncertainty associated with these predictions will be accounted for 
through the adaptive management process. This uncertainty is not 
expected to result in a disproportionately higher harvest rate for any 
stock, nor is it likely to substantially diminish harvest 
opportunities, either annually or on a cumulative basis. Reducing the 
number of meetings could lower administrative costs by 40 percent per 
year and substantially lower the Service's carbon footprint due to a 
decrease in travel and a reduction in the costs associated with the 
additional meetings.
    Obviously, under this new process, the administrative, meeting, and 
Federal Register schedule will all change significantly. In the ROD, we 
described a meeting schedule consisting of SRC regulatory meetings in 
March or April. At the latest, proposed frameworks would be available 
for public review by early June and final frameworks published by mid-
August. The new schedule also allows 30-60 days for public input and 
comments (currently, the comment period can be as short as 10 days). 
Further, the ROD stated that the four Flyway Councils may need to meet 
only once instead of twice per year, and the SRC would meet twice a 
year, once sometime during fall or early winter (September through 
January) and once thereafter, instead of the three times they currently 
convene.
    Over the last year we have worked with the Flyway Councils on a 
number of administrative, meeting, and Federal Register schedule timing 
options to implement the new regulatory process. As we stated in the 
September 23, 2014, final rule (79 FR 56864), these discussions have 
led us to a mutually agreeable regulatory schedule that begins earlier 
than was envisioned in the ROD. We plan to implement the new regulatory 
schedule this summer when the regulatory cycle begins for the 2016-17 
hunting seasons. As a benefit to the public, we will again review and 
discuss these changes here before their implementation this summer 
because of the significantly different regulatory schedule and the fact 
that the process will begin much earlier than that currently utilized.
    Major steps in the 2016-17 regulatory cycle relating to biological 
information availability, open public meetings, and Federal Register 
notifications are illustrated in the diagram at the end of this rule. 
Dates, including survey and assessment information and publications of 
Federal Register documents are target dates largely consisting of 
either specific targets or target windows. Additional information on 
meeting dates and locations will be provided later this year with 
publication of specific meeting notices and the proposed rulemaking for 
the 2016-17 hunting seasons.
    In summary, the 2016-17 regulatory schedule would begin in mid-June 
2015 with the first SRC meeting of the forthcoming year. Flyway 
technical sections and councils would then meet in September and early 
October following the release of the waterfowl and webless population 
status reports in mid-August and the AHM report in early September. 
After the last Flyway Council meeting, the SRC and Flyway Council 
Consultants would meet to review information on the current status of 
migratory shore and upland game birds and waterfowl and develop 
recommendations for the 2016-17 regulations for these species. Proposed 
season frameworks, a 30-day public comment period, and final season 
frameworks would then culminate with publication of all migratory game 
bird hunting seasons in late May to mid-June of 2016 for the 2016-17 
hunting seasons.
    As we previously stated, however, there will remain some technical 
work necessary over a period of years to adjust the underlying 
biological models to the new regulatory time scale. We look forward to 
continuing work on these issues with the Flyway Councils. For a more 
detailed discussion of the various technical aspects of the new 
process, we refer the reader to the 2013 SEIS available on our Web site 
at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds.

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[FR Doc. 2015-08152 Filed 4-10-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-55-C