[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 51 (Friday, March 15, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9547-9548]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-04828]



[[Page 9547]]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-HQ-MB-2018-N159; FF09M13200, FXMB12330900000 (189); OMB Control 
Number 1018-0135]


Agency Information Collection Activities; Electronic Federal Duck 
Stamp Program

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
May 14, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request 
(ICR) by mail 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 1018-0135 in the subject line of your 
comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Madonna L. Baucum, Service Information 
Collection Clearance Officer, by email at [email protected], or by 
telephone at (703) 358-2503.

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.
    We are 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. We will include or summarize each comment in our request 
to OMB to approve this ICR. 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: On March 16, 1934, Congress passed, and President 
Franklin D. Roosevelt signed, the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act (16 
U.S.C. 718a et seq.). Popularly known as the Duck Stamp Act, it 
required all migratory waterfowl hunters 16 years of age or older to 
buy a Federal migratory bird hunting and conservation stamp (Federal 
Duck Stamp) annually. The stamps are a vital tool for wetland 
conservation. Ninety-eight cents out of every dollar generated by the 
sale of Federal Duck Stamps goes directly to purchase or lease wetland 
habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The 
Federal Duck Stamp is one of the most successful conservation programs 
ever initiated and is a highly effective way to conserve America's 
natural resources. Besides serving as a hunting license and a 
conservation tool, a current year's Federal Duck Stamp also serves as 
an entrance pass for national wildlife refuges where admission is 
charged. Duck Stamps and products that bear stamp images are also 
popular collector items.
    The Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109-266) required 
the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a 3-year pilot program, under 
which States could issue electronic Federal Duck Stamps. This pilot 
program is now permanent with the passage of the Permanent Electronic 
Duck Stamp Act of 2013 (Pub. L. 113-239). Anyone, regardless of State 
residence, is able to purchase an electronic Duck Stamp through any 
State that participates in the program. The electronic stamp is valid 
for up to 45 days from the date of purchase and is available for 
immediate use while customers wait to receive the actual stamp in the 
mail. After 45 days, customers must carry the signed physical Federal 
Duck Stamp while hunting or to gain free access to national wildlife 
refuges.
    Eight States participated in the pilot. At the end of the pilot, we 
provided a report to Congress outlining the successes of the program. 
The program improved public participation by increasing the ability of 
the public to obtain required Federal Duck Stamps.
    Under our authorities in 16 U.S.C. 718 et seq., we continued the 
Electronic Duck Stamp Program in the eight States that participated in 
the pilot. Currently, the expanded program includes 25 States. Several 
other States have indicated interest in participating, and we have had 
requests to continue to expand the program by inviting the remaining 
eligible State fish and wildlife agencies to apply to participate. 
Interested States must submit an application (FWS Form 3-2341). We will 
use the information provided in the application to determine a State's 
eligibility to participate in the program. Information includes, but is 
not limited to:
     Information verifying the current systems the State uses 
to sell hunting, fishing, and other associated licenses and products.
     Applicable State laws, regulations, or policies that 
authorize the use of electronic systems to issue licenses.
     Example and explanation of the codes the State proposes to 
use to create and endorse the unique identifier for the individual to 
whom each stamp is issued.
     Mockup copy of the printed version of the State's proposed 
electronic stamp, including a description of the format and identifying 
features of the licensee to be specified on the stamp.
     Description of any fee the State will charge for issuance 
of an electronic stamp.
     Description of the process the State will use to account 
for and transfer the amounts collected by the State that are required 
to be transferred under the program.
     Manner by which the State will transmit electronic stamp 
customer data.
    Each State approved to participate in the program must provide the 
following information on a weekly basis, to the Service approved stamp 
distribution company, in order for them to issue the actual stamp 
within the allotted 45-day period:
     Full name (first, middle, last and any prefixes/suffixes), 
and complete mailing address of each individual that purchases an 
electronic stamp from the State.
     Date of e-stamp purchase.

[[Page 9548]]

    Title of Collection: Electronic Federal Duck Stamp Program.
    OMB Control Number: 1018-0135.
    Form Number: FWS Form 3-2341.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents/Affected Public: State fish and wildlife agencies.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
    Frequency of Collection: One time for applications, and an average 
of once every 9 days per respondent for fulfillment reports.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                    Completion
                                                   Annual number   Total annual      time per      Total annual
                   Requirement                    of respondents     responses       response      burden hours
                                                                                      (hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application.....................................               6               6              40             240
Fulfillment Report..............................              33           1,353               1           1,353
                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................................              39           1,359  ..............           1,593
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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: March 12, 2019.
Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2019-04828 Filed 3-14-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P