[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 222 (Tuesday, November 17, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73233-73238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24195]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 92

[Docket No. FWS-R7-MB-2020-0022; FXMB12610700000-201-FF07M01000]
RIN 1018-BF12


Migratory Bird Subsistence Harvest in Alaska; Updates to the 
Regulations

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or we) is revising 
the migratory bird subsistence harvest regulations in Alaska. These 
regulations allow for the continuation of customary and traditional 
subsistence uses of migratory birds in Alaska and prescribe regional 
information on when and where the harvesting of birds may occur. These 
regulations were developed under a co-management process involving the 
Service, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, and Alaska Native 
representatives. This rule incorporates regulatory revisions requested 
by these partners.

DATES: This rule is effective December 17, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may find the comments submitted on the proposed rule at 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov in Docket 
No. FWS-R7-MB-2020-0022.

[[Page 73234]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cheryl Graves, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, 1011 E Tudor Road, Mail Stop 201, Anchorage, AK 99503; (907) 
786-3887.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (MBTA, 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.) 
was enacted to conserve certain species of migratory birds and gives 
the Secretary of the Interior the authority to regulate the harvest of 
these birds. The law further authorizes the Secretary to issue 
regulations to ensure that the indigenous inhabitants of the State of 
Alaska may take migratory birds and collect their eggs for nutritional 
and other essential needs during seasons established by the Secretary 
``so as to provide for the preservation and maintenance of stocks of 
migratory birds'' (16 U.S.C. 712(1)).
    The take of migratory birds for subsistence uses in Alaska occurs 
during the spring and summer, during which timeframe the sport harvest 
of migratory birds is not allowed. Regulations governing the 
subsistence harvest of migratory birds in Alaska are located in title 
50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in part 92. These 
regulations allow for the continuation of customary and traditional 
subsistence uses of migratory birds and prescribe regional information 
on when and where the harvesting of birds in Alaska may occur. The 
migratory bird subsistence harvest regulations are developed 
cooperatively by the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council 
(Council), which consists of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the 
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG), and representatives of 
Alaska's Native population. The Council's primary purpose is to develop 
recommendations pertaining to the subsistence harvest of migratory 
birds.
    This rule incorporates changes to the subsistence harvest 
regulations that were recommended by the Council in 2018 and 2019, as 
described below. This rule also sets forth a list of migratory bird 
season openings and closures in Alaska by region.

Comments Received on the Proposed Rule

    Per the collaborative process described above, we published a 
proposed rule to update the regulations for the taking of migratory 
birds for subsistence uses in Alaska during the spring and summer (85 
FR 27698, May 11, 2020). By the end of the comment period on the 
proposed rule, we received nine comments. While some of the comments 
pertained to issues that are outside the scope of this rulemaking 
action, we hereby respond to the relevant issues that were raised in 
the public input. We made no changes to the proposed rule as a result 
of the input we received via the public comments (see Final 
Regulations, below, for more information).
    Issue: A commenter expressed support for regulations that allow 
indigenous people to engage in their traditional subsistence and 
cultural practices. Another commenter indicated that the regulations 
seem to allow for ``a truly sustainable system,'' but the proposed rule 
did not include information about limits to individual harvests.
    Response: The Service's intent of these regulations is to maintain 
sustainable populations of migratory birds concurrent with ensuring the 
continuation of customary, traditional, and cultural harvest of 
migratory birds by rural residents of Alaska who are eligible 
participants.
    The distribution, types of species, and levels of migratory bird 
harvest during the spring-summer subsistence season in Alaska are based 
on tradition, culture, and nutritional needs. Harvest levels are based 
on a tradition of: Take only what is needed and leave the rest for 
future generations. The Service monitors the distribution, abundance, 
and trend of migratory bird species via aerial and ground-based surveys 
and banding programs; adaptive harvest management is based on these 
data.
    Issue: Some commenters expressed objections regarding Federal 
regulations that allow killing of migratory birds for any purposes, 
including subsistence uses.
    Response: The MBTA authorizes the indigenous inhabitants of the 
State of Alaska to take migratory birds and collect their eggs for 
nutritional and other essential needs during seasons established by the 
Secretary of the Interior. The proposed rule did not address other 
types of potential migratory bird mortality or criminal violations of 
the MBTA.
    Issue: A commenter expressed support for Alaska Native customary 
and traditional migratory bird subsistence harvest throughout the 
State. However, the commenter has specific concerns about subsistence 
bird harvest along the city of Kodiak road system.
    The commenter expressed concern about wasteful bird harvest along 
the Kodiak road system associated with the fall-winter sport harvest 
and thinks that a spring-summer hunt will have the same issues. The 
commenter believes that wasteful take could pose a serious threat to 
local bird populations and is concerned that there is no effort to 
narrow the harvest list beyond the four exceptions related to species 
of conservation concern. The commenter further expressed concerns about 
the ability of regulatory officials to administer and police a permit 
system effectively in a community the size of Kodiak. The commenter 
believes that allowing a large, nonnative community to take birds along 
the Kodiak road system could injure subsistence resources.
    Response: The regulation will permit the harvest of migratory birds 
and their eggs during spring-summer in the Kodiak Island Roaded Area by 
residents of the Kodiak Archipelago Region of Alaska for a 3-year trial 
period (2020-2022) after which time the regulation would sunset. The 
Service recognizes the necessity to protect species of conservation 
concern along the Kodiak road system; thus, spring-summer subsistence 
hunting and egg gathering in the Roaded Area would remain closed for 
Arctic terns, Aleutian terns, mew gulls, and emperor geese. Arctic and 
Aleutian tern nesting colonies have declined by greater than 80 percent 
in Alaska over the last 20 years, and only a few colonies remain on 
Kodiak Island, the largest of which are within the Roaded Area. Thus, 
protecting these tern species from further decline is a high priority 
of the Service.
    Furthermore, the Roaded Area would remain closed to take of mew 
gulls and eggs because colony-level disturbance from targeted mew gull 
harvest could be detrimental to nesting terns and mew gull nests, and 
eggs may be confused with those of terns resulting in incidental 
harvest of tern eggs. Also, the Roaded Area would remain closed to take 
of emperor geese out of concern that it would provide unrestricted 
hunter access to a relatively small wintering population of emperor 
geese that utilize several bays near the road system, potentially 
increasing harvest vulnerability of a carefully managed species.
    The mandatory registration permit hunt and required reporting of 
hunter activity and harvest will allow estimation of hunter 
participation, bird and egg harvest, and harvest composition during the 
3-year trial period; this information will be used to inform a 
potential proposal and a decision to reopen the Roaded Area to 
subsistence hunting in the future. The Roaded Area registration permit 
will be administered by the ADFG Division of Subsistence in cooperation 
with the Sun'aq Tribe of Kodiak. Administration

[[Page 73235]]

of the registration permit will be similar to that of the registration 
permit for subsistence hunting administered successfully in Cordova, 
Alaska, with a reporting rate of 93 percent.
    Enforcement of regulations for the Kodiak Island Roaded Area will 
be the responsibility of the Service's Office of Law Enforcement. 
Enforcement personnel are aware of cultural and traditional practices 
of migratory bird subsistence harvest by rural residents of Alaska who 
are eligible to participate for this permit hunt concurrent with the 
need to ensure conservation of migratory birds, particularly species of 
conservation concern; of the necessary adherence to specific 
regulations requiring a permit and mandatory harvest reporting; and 
that hunting and egg gathering of Arctic terns, Aleutian terns, mew 
gulls, and emperor geese would remain closed in the Roaded Area.

Proposed Regulatory Revisions

    In the proposed rule, we set forth the same subsistence harvest 
regulations in subpart D, Annual Regulations Governing Subsistence 
Harvest, as those from the 2018 and 2019 subsistence harvest seasons 
(see 83 FR 13684, March 30, 2018, and 84 FR 12946, April 3, 2019) for 
the 2020 season with the following five exceptions:

(1) Yukon/Kuskokwim Delta Region 30-Day Closure Period

    The current date range at the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge 
to set the 30-day closure period to protect waterbird species during 
their primary nesting is June 1-August 15. However, this timeframe does 
not allow for a closure period that sufficiently protects them during 
early nesting in years that allow early nesting. This rule extends the 
date range for the 30-day closure by 2 weeks on the front end to 
provide refuge managers the flexibility to begin the closure period in 
May in years that allow early nesting.

(2) North Slope Region Unit Boundary Change

    This rule adjusts the boundary between the Northern and Southern 
Units of the North Slope Region in Alaska to move the communities of 
Atqasuk and Wainwright from the Southern Unit to the Northern Unit. 
Currently, season dates in the Northern Unit better align with the 
timing of hunting activities in Atqasuk and Wainwright, relative to 
spring breakup patterns and the phenology of migratory birds, than 
those of the Southern Unit. Accordingly, the change will result in 
season dates that more effectively balance the opportunity for hunters 
to harvest birds and eggs with an appropriate 30-day closure period to 
protect birds during the primary nesting period. This change in unit 
boundaries is not expected to result in increased harvest of birds and 
eggs in the North Slope Region.

(3) North Slope Region 30-Day Closure Period

    While all Alaska subsistence harvest regions, except the Yukon/
Kuskokwim Delta (YKD) Region, use fixed dates for the mandatory 30-day 
primary nesting period closure when bird and egg take is prohibited, 
the North Slope Borough Fish and Game Management Committee in 2019 
asked for flexible dates for the 30-day closure period in the North 
Slope Region of Alaska. Accordingly, we proposed to allow the dates for 
the 30-day closure period in the North Slope Region to be changed from 
fixed dates published in the Federal Register to variable, annually 
derived dates if environmental and biological conditions warrant such a 
change. If a change in dates is unwarranted, the dates published in the 
Federal Register would apply. This rule allows for a protocol similar 
to that used by the YKD Region that would allow for the 30-day closure 
dates to be based on reports from field biologists and local villagers 
of when most birds have initiated nesting. Outreach materials would 
announce the closure dates.

(4) North Slope Region Special Brant Hunting Season Boundary

    This rule changes the southern boundary of the Special Brant 
Hunting Season on the North Slope Region of Alaska. The regulations 
currently allow harvest of migrating brant from June 20 through July 5 
along the coastline and in open water around the village of Wainwright. 
The change extends the boundary associated with the Special Black Brant 
Hunting Season south and west to include the entirety of Kasegaluk 
Lagoon to provide hunters from the village of Point Lay the opportunity 
to harvest migrating brant. While this boundary change may increase 
brant harvest slightly in the North Slope Region, any additional 
harvest is expected to have negligible impact to brant population 
status.

(5) Kodiak Archipelago Region Kodiak Island Roaded Area Closure

    This rule allows migratory bird hunting and egg gathering by 
registration permit in the Kodiak Island Roaded Area in the Kodiak 
Archipelago Region of Alaska for a 3-year trial period (2020-2022). 
This rule change will allow all residents of the Kodiak Archipelago 
Region the opportunity to participate in subsistence hunting activities 
without the need for a boat. Current regulations close the Roaded Area 
to all subsistence migratory bird hunting and egg gathering, but allow 
these activities in adjacent marine waters beyond 500 feet from shore, 
including offshore islands where access requires a watercraft.
    The required registration permit and the mandatory reporting of 
hunter activity and harvest will allow estimation of hunter 
participation, bird and egg harvest, and harvest composition during the 
3-year trial period. These data will inform a potential proposal and 
decision to reopen the Roaded Area to subsistence hunting in the 
future. To protect species of conservation concern, spring-summer 
subsistence hunting and egg gathering for Arctic terns, Aleutian terns, 
mew gulls, and emperor geese would remain closed in the Roaded Area.

Final Regulations

    We are making no changes to the regulatory revisions proposed in 
our May 11, 2020, document (85 FR 27698) as a result of the input we 
received via the public comments. We are, however, making two changes 
to the proposed regulations at Sec.  92.31(g) to correct errors, as 
described below.
    In the proposed revisions to paragraph (g)(1), we included three 
references to the ``North Slope Borough boundary;'' in the final rule, 
we change these references to the ``North Slope regional boundary.'' 
The current regulations in Sec.  92.31(g) refer to the ``North Slope 
regional boundary,'' and we should have been consistent and used that 
same terminology in the proposed rule. This correction of the boundary 
description will have no negative repercussions to subsistence hunters. 
On the contrary, this change will make the boundary description more 
accurate, and clarity of geographic boundaries is essential for hunters 
and for the production of consistent maps for public outreach and 
regulations booklets.
    The proposed revisions to paragraph (g)(4) included this line, 
which we are now removing, ``The 30-day closure period will occur 
between June 7 and July 29 of each year.'' This specific closure period 
was not part of the Council's proposal. Moreover, this language was not 
included in the proposed rule in the section of the preamble that 
described the proposed regulatory changes pertaining to the North Slope 
Region. Addition of this

[[Page 73236]]

language was an administrative error, and we remove it from the final 
rule. As described in the preamble, the closure period will allow for 
flexible dates based on environmental and biological conditions.

Compliance With the MBTA and the Endangered Species Act

    The Service has dual objectives and responsibilities for 
authorizing a subsistence harvest while protecting migratory birds and 
endangered and threatened species. Although these objectives continue 
to be challenging, they are not irreconcilable, provided that: (1) 
Regulations continue to protect endangered and threatened species; (2) 
measures to address documented threats are implemented; and (3) the 
subsistence community and other conservation partners commit to working 
together.
    Mortality, sickness, and poisoning from lead exposure have been 
documented in many waterfowl species. The Service will work with 
partners to increase our education, outreach, and enforcement efforts 
to ensure that subsistence waterfowl hunting is conducted using 
nontoxic shot.

Conservation Under the MBTA

    We have monitored subsistence harvest for more than 25 years 
through the use of household surveys in the most heavily used 
subsistence harvest areas, such as the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Based on 
our monitoring of the migratory bird species and populations taken for 
subsistence, we find that this rule will provide for the preservation 
and maintenance of migratory bird stocks as required by the MBTA. 
Communication and coordination between the Service, the Co-management 
Council, and the Pacific Flyway Council have allowed us to set harvest 
regulations to ensure the long-term viability of the migratory bird 
stocks.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

    Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 
16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) requires the Secretary of the Interior to 
review other programs administered by the Department of the Interior 
and utilize such programs in furtherance of the purposes of the ESA. 
The Secretary is further required to insure that any action authorized, 
funded, or carried out by the Department of the Interior is not likely 
to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or 
threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification 
of critical habitat.
    Spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri) and the Alaska-breeding 
population of Steller's eiders (Polysticta stelleri) are listed as 
threatened species under the ESA. Their migration and breeding 
distribution overlap with areas where the spring and summer migratory 
bird subsistence hunt is open in Alaska. Neither species is included in 
the list of subsistence migratory bird species at 50 CFR 92.22; 
therefore, both species are closed to subsistence harvest.
    The Alaska Division of Migratory Bird Management conducted an 
intra-agency consultation with the Service's Fairbanks Fish and 
Wildlife Field Office on the proposed and a related interim rule (85 FR 
18455, April 2, 2020). The consultation was completed with a biological 
opinion that concluded these rulemaking actions are not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species 
or result in the destruction or adverse modification of designated 
critical habitat. Therefore, we have determined that this rule complies 
with the ESA.

Required Determinations

Executive Order 13771--Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory 
Costs

    This rule is not subject to the requirements of Executive Order 
13771 (82 FR 9339, February 3, 2017) because this rule would establish 
annual harvest limits related to routine hunting or fishing.

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)

    Executive Order 12866 provides that the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant rules. OIRA has 
determined that this rule is not significant.
    Executive Order 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.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department of the Interior certifies that this rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities as defined under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 
et seq.). A regulatory flexibility analysis is not required. 
Accordingly, a Small Entity Compliance Guide is not required. This rule 
would legalize a preexisting subsistence activity, and the resources 
harvested will be consumed.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule:
    (a) Would not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million 
or more. It legalizes and regulates a traditional subsistence activity. 
It will not result in a substantial increase in subsistence harvest or 
a significant change in harvesting patterns. The commodities that will 
be regulated under this rule are migratory birds. This rule deals with 
legalizing the subsistence harvest of migratory birds and, as such, 
does not involve commodities traded in the marketplace. A small 
economic benefit from this rule derives from the sale of equipment and 
ammunition to carry out subsistence hunting. Most, if not all, 
businesses that sell hunting equipment in rural Alaska qualify as small 
businesses. We have no reason to believe that this rule would lead to a 
disproportionate distribution of benefits.
    (b) Would not cause a major increase in costs or prices for 
consumers; individual industries; Federal, State, or local government 
agencies; or geographic regions. This rule does not deal with traded 
commodities and, therefore, would not have an impact on prices for 
consumers.
    (c) Would not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. This 
rule deals with the harvesting of wildlife for personal consumption. It 
would not regulate the marketplace in any way to generate substantial 
effects on the economy or the ability of businesses to compete.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    We have determined and certified under the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.) that this rule will not impose a cost of 
$100 million or more in any given year on local,

[[Page 73237]]

State, or tribal governments or private entities. The rule would not 
have a significant or unique effect on State, local, or tribal 
governments or the private sector. A statement containing the 
information required by the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act is not 
required.
    Participation on regional management bodies and the Co-management 
Council requires travel expenses for some Alaska Native organizations 
and local governments. In addition, they assume some expenses related 
to coordinating involvement of village councils in the regulatory 
process. Total coordination and travel expenses for all Alaska Native 
organizations are estimated to be less than $300,000 per year. In a 
notice of decision (65 FR 16405; March 28, 2000), we identified 7 to 12 
partner organizations (Alaska Native nonprofits and local governments) 
to administer the regional programs. The ADFG also incurs expenses for 
travel to Council and regional management body meetings. In addition, 
the State of Alaska would be required to provide technical staff 
support to each of the regional management bodies and to the Council. 
Expenses for the State's involvement may exceed $100,000 per year, but 
should not exceed $150,000 per year. When funding permits, we make 
annual grant agreements available to the partner organizations and the 
ADFG to help offset their expenses.

Takings (Executive Order 12630)

    Under the criteria in Executive Order 12630, this rule would not 
have significant takings implications. This rule is not specific to 
particular land ownership, but applies to the harvesting of migratory 
bird resources throughout Alaska. A takings implication assessment is 
not required.

Federalism (Executive Order 13132)

    Under the criteria in Executive Order 13132, this rule does not 
have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a 
federalism summary impact statement. We discuss effects of this rule on 
the State of Alaska in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act section, above. 
We worked with the State of Alaska to develop these regulations. 
Therefore, a federalism summary impact statement is not required.

Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order 12988)

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

Government-to-Government Relations With Native American Tribal 
Governments

    Consistent with Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249; November 6, 
2000), ``Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments,'' and Department of the Interior policy on Consultation 
with Indian Tribes (December 1, 2011), we sent letters via electronic 
mail to all 229 Alaska Federally recognized Indian tribes. Consistent 
with Congressional direction (Pub. L. 108-199, div. H, Sec. 161, Jan. 
23, 2004, 118 Stat. 452, as amended by Pub. L. 108-447, div. H, title 
V, Sec. 518, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat. 3267), we also sent letters to 
approximately 200 Alaska Native corporations and other tribal entities 
in Alaska soliciting their input as to whether or not they would like 
the Service to consult with them on the migratory bird subsistence 
harvest regulations.
    We implemented the amended treaty with Canada with a focus on local 
involvement. The treaty calls for the creation of management bodies to 
ensure an effective and meaningful role for Alaska's indigenous 
inhabitants in the conservation of migratory birds. According to the 
Letter of Submittal, management bodies are to include Alaska Native, 
Federal, and State of Alaska representatives as equals. They develop 
recommendations for, among other things: Seasons and bag limits, 
methods and means of take, law enforcement policies, population and 
harvest monitoring, education programs, research and use of traditional 
knowledge, and habitat protection. The management bodies involve 
village councils to the maximum extent possible in all aspects of 
management. To ensure maximum input at the village level, we required 
each of the 11 participating regions to create regional management 
bodies consisting of at least one representative from the participating 
villages. The regional management bodies meet at least one time each 
year to review and/or submit proposals to the statewide body.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA)

    This rule does not contain any new collections of information that 
require Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval under the PRA 
(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 our 
collection of information associated with voluntary annual household 
surveys that we use to determine levels of subsistence take (OMB 
Control Number 1018-0124, expires August 31, 2022).

National Environmental Policy Act Consideration (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq.)

    Implementation of the Service's 2013 supplemental environmental 
impact statement on the hunting of migratory birds resulted in changes 
to the overall timing of the annual regulatory schedule for the 
establishment of migratory bird hunting regulations and the Alaska 
migratory bird subsistence harvest regulations. The programmatic 
document, ``Second Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: 
Issuance of Annual Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of 
Migratory Birds (EIS 20130139),'' addresses compliance with the 
National Environmental Policy Act by the Service for issuance of the 
annual framework regulations for hunting of migratory game bird 
species. We 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).
    The annual regulations and options are considered in a February 
2020 environmental assessment, ``Managing Migratory Bird Subsistence 
Hunting in Alaska: Hunting Regulations for the 2020 Spring/Summer 
Harvest.'' Copies are available from the person listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or at http://www.regulations.gov.

Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (Executive Order 13211)

    Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of 
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. This is not a 
significant regulatory action under this Executive Order; it allows 
only for traditional subsistence harvest and improves conservation of 
migratory birds by allowing effective regulation of this harvest. 
Further, this rule is not expected to significantly affect energy 
supplies, distribution, or use. Therefore, a Statement of Energy 
Effects is not required.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 92

    Hunting, Treaties, Wildlife.

Regulation Promulgation

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, we amend title 50, chapter 
I, subchapter G, of the Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

[[Page 73238]]

PART 92--MIGRATORY BIRD SUBSISTENCE HARVEST IN ALASKA

0
1. The authority citation for part 92 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703-712.


0
2. Amend Sec.  92.31 by:
0
a. Revising paragraph (b)(2);
0
b. Adding a heading for paragraph (e);
0
c. Revising the first sentence of paragraph (e) introductory text and 
adding a sentence following the first sentence;
0
d. Revising the introductory text of paragraph (g)(1), paragraph 
(g)(1)(iii), and introductory text of paragraph (g)(2); and
0
e. Redesignating paragraphs (g)(4) and (5) as paragraphs (g)(5) and (6) 
and adding a new paragraph (g)(4).
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  92.31   Region-specific regulations.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Closure: 30-day closure dates to be announced by the Service's 
Alaska Regional Director or his designee, after consultation with field 
biologists and the Association of Village Council President's Waterfowl 
Conservation Committee. This 30-day period will occur between May 15 
and August 15 of each year. A press release announcing the actual 
closure dates will be forwarded to regional newspapers and radio and 
television stations.
* * * * *
    (e) Kodiak Archipelago region. The Kodiak Island Roaded Area is 
open to the harvesting of migratory birds and their eggs by 
registration permit only as administered by the Alaska Department of 
Fish and Game, Division of Subsistence, in cooperation with the Sun'aq 
Tribe of Kodiak. No hunting or egg gathering for Arctic terns, Aleutian 
terns, mew gulls, and emperor geese is allowed for the Kodiak Island 
Roaded Area Registration Permit Hunt. * * *
    (g) * * *
    (1) Southern Unit (Southwestern North Slope regional boundary 
northeast to Icy Cape, and everything west of longitude line 
161[deg]55' W and south of latitude line 69[deg]45' N to the west bank 
of the Sagavanirktok River and south along the west bank to the North 
Slope regional boundary, then west to the beginning):
* * * * *
    (iii) Special Black Brant Hunting Season: June 20-July 5. The open 
area consists of the coastline from the mean high-water line outward to 
the North Slope regional boundary to include open water and barrier 
islands from southern Kasegaluk Lagoon from latitude line 69[deg]16' N 
to the north and east to longitude line 158[deg]30' W.
    (2) Northern Unit (From Icy Cape, everything east of longitude line 
161[deg]55' W and north of latitude line 69[deg]45' N to the west bank 
of Sagavanirktok River and north to 71[deg]):
* * * * *
    (4) Annual 30-day closure periods in the Southern, Northern, and 
Eastern Units of the North Slope Region may differ from fixed dates 
(see unit-specific closure dates in paragraphs (g)(1) through (3) of 
this section) if environmental and biological conditions warrant such a 
change. After consultation with Service field biologists, the North 
Slope Borough (NSB) Department of Wildlife Management, and the NSB Fish 
and Game Management Committee, the Service's Alaska Regional Director 
or his/her designee may announce closure dates that differ from those 
fixed dates.
* * * * *

George Wallace,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2020-24195 Filed 11-16-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P