[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 235 (Friday, December 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58022-58024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26446]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-HQ-MB-2017-N158; FF07CAFB00-178-FXFR13350700001; OMB Control 
Number 1018-0146]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Depredation 
Orders

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we, 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are proposing to renew an 
information collection with revisions.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
January 8, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments on this information collection request 
(ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget's Desk Officer for the 
Department of the Interior by email at [email protected]; or 
via facsimile to (202) 395-5806. Please provide a copy of your comments 
to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-
3803 (mail); or by email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB 
Control Number 1018-0146 in the subject line of your comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request additional information 
about this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, by email at [email protected], or by 
telephone at (703) 358-2503. You may also view the ICR at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, we provide the general public and other Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on new, proposed, revised, and 
continuing collections of information. This helps us assess the impact 
of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's 
reporting burden. It also helps the public understand our information 
collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired 
format.
    A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period 
soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on 
July 3, 2017 (82 FR 30884). We received one comment in which the 
commenter objected to the collection of this information, but did not 
specifically address the information collection requirements. We did 
not make any changes to our requirements as a result of that comment.
    We are again soliciting comments on the proposed ICR that is 
described below. We are especially interested in public comment 
addressing the following issues: (1) Is the collection necessary to the 
proper functions of the Service; (2) will this information be processed 
and used in a timely manner; (3) is the estimate of burden accurate; 
(4) how might the Service enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (5) how might the Service minimize 
the burden of this collection on the respondents, including through the 
use of information technology.
    Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. 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.
    Abstract: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA; 16 U.S.C. 703 et 
seq.) implements four treaties concerning migratory birds signed by the 
United States with Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia. These treaties 
require that we preserve most U.S. species of birds, and prohibit 
activities involving migratory birds, except as authorized by 
regulation. Under the MBTA, it is unlawful to take, possess, import, 
export, transport, sell, purchase, barter--or offer for sale, purchase, 
or barter--migratory birds or their parts, nests, or eggs, except as 
authorized by regulation. This information collection is associated 
with our regulations that implement the MBTA. We collect information 
concerning depredation actions taken to determine how many birds of 
each species are taken each year and whether the control actions are 
likely to affect the populations of those species.
    In 2003, the Service issued regulations at 50 CFR 21.43 
establishing a depredation order that authorize the take of blackbirds, 
cowbirds, crows, grackles, and magpies under certain circumstances. In 
this regulation is a depredation order that authorizes take of 
blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows, and magpies ``when found 
committing or about to commit depredations upon ornamental or shade 
trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated 
in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other 
nuisance.''
    In 1974, the Service issued a regulation at 50 CFR 21.46 
establishing a depredation order that authorizes the take of scrub jays 
and Steller's jays in Washington and Oregon under certain 
circumstances. This regulation imposes reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements. 50 CFR 21.46 authorizes take of scrub jays and Steller's 
jays ``when found committing or about to commit serious depredations to 
nut crops on the premises owned or occupied by such persons.''
    Reporting Requirements (50 CFR 21.43 and 21.46)--All persons or 
entities acting under depredation orders must provide an annual report 
(FWS Form 3-202-21-2143, ``Annual Report--Depredation Order for 
Blackbirds, Cowbirds, Grackles, Magpies, and Crows'' or FWS Form 3-
2500, ``Depredation Order for Depredating Jays in Washington and 
Oregon,'' containing the following information:
     Species taken,
     Number of birds taken,
     Months and years in which the birds were taken,

[[Page 58023]]

     State(s) and county(ies) in which the birds were taken 
(reporting required only in the States of Washington and Oregon),
     General purpose for which the birds were taken (such as 
for protection of agriculture, human health and safety, property, or 
natural resources), and
     Disposition of non-target species (Released, sent to 
rehabilitation facilities, etc.).
    Recordkeeping Requirements (50 CFR 13.48)--Persons and entities 
operating under these orders must keep accurate records to complete 
Forms 3-202-21-2143 and 3-2500. The records must be legibly written or 
reproducible in English of any taking and maintained for five years 
after they have ceased the activity authorized by this Order. Persons 
or entities who reside or are located in the United States and persons 
or entities conducting commercial activities in the United States who 
reside or are located outside the United States must maintain records 
at a location in the United States where the records are available for 
inspection.
    Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Species Take Report (50 CFR 
21.43 and 50 CFR 21.46)--If attempts to trap any species under this 
order injure a bird of a non-target species that is federally listed as 
endangered or threatened, or that is a candidate for listing, the bird 
must delivered to a rehabilitator and must be reported by phone or 
email to the nearest U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Field Office or 
Special Agent. Capture and disposition of all non-target migratory 
birds must also be reported on the annual report.
    Title of Collection: Depredation Orders Under 50 CFR 21.43 and 
21.46.
    OMB Control Number: 1018-0146.
    Form Number: FWS Forms 3-202-21-2143 and 3-2500.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: State and Federal wildlife damage 
management personnel, farmers, and individuals.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 56.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 56.
    Estimated Completion Time per Response: 4 hours for annual reports 
and 1 hour for take reports.
    Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 209.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: On occasion for take reports and annually 
for annual reports.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.

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                                                                                             Number of                     Avg. time per
                Respondent                            Activity             Annual number    submissions    Total annual      response      Total annual
                                                                          of respondents       each          responses        (hours)     burden hours *
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                                          Depredation Order Annual Report (FWS Form 3-202-21-2143) 50 CFR 21.43
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Individuals...............................  Reporting...................               5               1               5               2              10
                                            Recordkeeping...............                                                               2              10
Private Sector............................  Reporting...................               5               1               5               2              10
                                            Recordkeeping...............                                                               2              10
Government................................  Reporting...................              20               1              20               2              40
                                            Recordkeeping...............                                                               2              40
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    Subtotals:............................  ............................              30  ..............              30  ..............             120
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                                          Depredation Order for Depredating Jays (FWS Form 3-2500) 50 CFR 21.46
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Individuals...............................  Reporting...................              10               1              10               2              20
                                            Recordkeeping...............                                                               2              20
Private Sector............................  Reporting...................              10               1              10               2              20
                                            Recordkeeping...............                                                               2              20
Government................................  Reporting...................               1               1               1               2               2
                                            Recordkeeping...............                                                               2               2
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    Subtotals:............................  ............................              21  ..............              21  ..............              84
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                                         Endangered, Threatened, and Candidate Species Take Report 50 CFR 21.43
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Individuals...............................  Reporting...................               1               1               1               1               1
Private Sector............................  Reporting...................               1               1               1               1               1
Government................................  Reporting...................               3               1               3               1               3
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Subtotals:............................  ............................               5  ..............               5  ..............               5
                                           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Totals:...........................  ............................              56  ..............              56  ..............             209
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[[Page 58024]]

    An agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required 
to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.
    The authority for this action is the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

    Dated: December 4, 2017.
Madonna L. Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2017-26446 Filed 12-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P