[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 107 (Monday, June 3, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47587-47589]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12089]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[FWS-HQ-MB-2024-0075; FXMB12330900000-245-FF09M13000; 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.

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

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
August 2, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Send your comments on the information collection request 
(ICR) by one of the following methods (please reference ``1018-0135'' 
in the subject line of your comments):
     Internet (preferred): https://www.regulations.gov. Follow 
the instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2024-
0075.
     U.S. mail: Service Information Collection Clearance 
Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB 
(JAO/3W), Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.

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. Individuals in the United States who are 
deaf, deafblind, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability may dial 
711 (TTY, TDD, or TeleBraille) to access telecommunications relay 
services. Individuals outside the United States should use the relay 
services offered within their country to make international calls to 
the point-of-contact in the United States.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act (PRA, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and its implementing regulations at 5 
CFR 1320.8(d)(1), all information collections require approval by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB). 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.
    As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent 
burdens, we invite the public and other Federal agencies 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 especially interested in public comment addressing the 
following:
    (1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
    (2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection 
of information, including the validity of the methodology and 
assumptions used;
    (3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (4) How might the agency minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on those who are to respond, including through the use of 
appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., 
permitting electronic submission of response.
    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 
requires 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 is used for the purchase or lease wetland 
habitat for protection in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The 
Federal Duck Stamp program 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 permit 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's 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 was made permanent with the passage of the Permanent Electronic 
Duck Stamp Act of 2013 (Pub. L. 113-239). The Duck Stamp Modernization 
Act of 2023 (Modernization Act; Pub. L. 118-25) removed the temporary 
nature of the electronic stamp certificate, making the electronic stamp 
valid from the time of purchase through the next June 30. The 
electronic stamp can be stored either digitally or printed and carried 
as a hard copy. The Modernization Act also stipulates that a physical 
stamp would be mailed to all electronic stamp purchasers after March 
10.
    Today anyone, regardless of their State or country of residence, is 
able to purchase an electronic Duck Stamp through any State that 
participates in the program. The electronic stamp is issued as a 
certificate or proof of purchase and is valid from the date of purchase 
until the end of the Federal

[[Page 47588]]

Duck Stamp year, which ends on June 30. Thus the electronic stamp is 
available for immediate use by the purchaser. Because it can be stored 
either digitally or by printing out and carrying a hard copy, customers 
are less likely to lose their proof of purchase. Customers no longer 
have to receive the actual physical stamp in the mail if they purchase 
an electronic stamp to comply with the law.
    Eight States participated in the pilot program beginning in 2007. 
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 and enrolled other interested States. Currently, the program 
includes 30 participating States. Several additional States have 
indicated interest in participating.
    With the passage of the Modernization Act and to mitigate several 
challenges faced by the Service in implementing the program, 
Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) signed between the States and the 
Service must be reviewed, rewritten, and signed to reflect changes in 
the law and address several issues which reflect on the accountability, 
transparency, and effectiveness of the electronic Duck Stamp.
    Interested States must apply, using Form 3-2341, based on their 
ability to meet the responsibilities as outlined in the updated MOU. We 
will use the information provided in the application to determine a 
State's eligibility to participate in the program and willingness to 
comply with the requirements of issuing an electronic stamp. 
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.
     Examples and explanations 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 how attention will be 
drawn to customer support information and identifying features of the 
licensee to be specified on the permit.
     Description of all fees the State will charge for issuance 
of an electronic stamp and how these will be conveyed to the customer.
     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 in which the State will transmit electronic stamp 
customer data.
    Each State approved to participate in the program must provide the 
following information, on a regular basis (not to exceed 7 days post 
purchase), to the Service-approved stamp distribution company, to 
enable that company to issue the physical stamp and to collect funds 
owed to the Service:
     Full name (first, middle, last, and any prefixes/
suffixes), and complete mailing address of each individual who 
purchases an electronic stamp from the State.
     Date of e-stamp purchase.

Proposed Revisions

    Changes to Form 3-2341, ``Application and Instructions to 
Participate in the Electronic Federal Duck Stamp Program'' include:
     change in effective date from September 1, 20##, to July 
1, 20## (field is customizable each year), to coincide with the Duck 
Stamp issue date;
     removal of Application Deadline;
     update the Background of the Electronic Federal Duck Stamp 
Program;
     update website contact information;
     request for transparent description of all charges 
assessed to each customer for the purchase of an Electronic Federal 
Duck Stamp and how they will be relayed to the customer;
     removal of language reflecting the past temporary nature 
of the Electronic Federal Duck Stamp; and
     request for information allowing the Service to measure 
any challenges to the diversity and number of interested Electronic 
Federal Duck Stamp purchasers.
    Changes to the example Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) referenced 
in Form 3-2341 include:
     Section I--Authority: Update to authorities to add the 
Modernization Act.
     Section II--Background: Update details to include dollar 
and acreage figures, as well as details regarding changes required by 
the Modernization Act,
     Section IV--Responsibilities of the Parties: Update the 
requirements of the Service to include:
    [cir] mailing of physical stamps on or after March 10 of each year;
    [cir] monthly invoicing for e-stamp purchases;
    [cir] clarification of the review of handling charges to include 
monitoring for cost efficiencies, consistencies, accuracies, and 
transparency.
    Update the requirements for the States to:
    [cir] assist the Service in promoting the art, tradition, and 
history of the printed pictorial stamp;
    [cir] provide an online electronic stamp option for at least 9 
months covering the period of August 1 through April 30;
    [cir] issue an electronic certificate and a proof of purchase that 
can be carried digitally or on paper which is readily available for 
inspection with supporting identification by all authorized individuals 
(i.e., fee collection or law enforcement officers);
    [cir] clarify that both the certificate and the receipt of purchase 
will contain and display a secure, unique identifier for the individual 
to whom it is issued, specify that the e-stamp is valid until June 30 
of the year printed on the physical stamp, statement that the e-stamp 
is both non-refundable and non-transferable, information that a 
physical stamp will be mailed after March 10, and contact information 
for the Service's stamp fulfillment center in the event of questions;
    [cir] clarify that the State will not provide or replicate a 
digital image of the Federal Duck Stamp itself as proof of purchase;
    [cir] require the State provide the customer with a breakdown of 
all fees the State is charging related to their purchased e-stamp;
    [cir] inform and provide the customer with assistance in the event 
they need to reprint or otherwise retrieve the State issued proof of 
purchase in digital or physical form;
    [cir] inform customers that all sales of the electronic Federal 
Duck Stamp are final and non-refundable;
    [cir] Promptly send the required information for all customers who 
have purchased an e-stamp to the Service's designated stamp fulfillment 
center within a maximum of 7 days of purchase by customer (preferably 
on a daily basis);
    [cir] State will be invoiced at the end of the month for all sales 
of Federal Duck Stamps sold through the State's licensing system during 
the month and partial payments or payments on a quarterly or annual 
basis will not be allowed; and
    [cir] Provide the Service and their Distributor with any updates to 
laws,

[[Page 47589]]

regulations or policies related to the State's electronic licensing 
system.
     Section V--General Provisions: We added distributors to 
the list of required acknowledgements in program material publicity and 
clarified in person or virtual meetings apply to both individually 
scheduled or regularly scheduled meetings.
     Section VII--Period of MOU: We updated the dates from 
2022-2025 to 2025-2028 and included a caveat that the MOU may be 
extended; added a clarification that either party may ask for a meeting 
to discuss issues; and a clause stating that in the event that the 
agreement is terminated for cause, the Service may require the State to 
reapply to be enrolled in the program.
    Upon request, copies of the draft Form 3-2341 and example MOU are 
available by sending a request to the Service Information Collection 
Clearance Officer at [email protected].
    Title of Collection: Electronic Federal Duck Stamp Program.
    OMB Control Number: 1018-0135.
    Form Number: Form 3-2341.
    Type of Review: Revision 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 7 days per respondent for fulfillment reports.
    Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None.

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                                                            Estimated    Estimated    Completion
                                                            number of    number of     time per      Estimated
                   Activity/requirement                       annual       annual      response    total annual
                                                           respondents   responses     (hours)     burden hours
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Application (FWS Form 3-2341)............................            6            6           40             240
Fulfillment Reports......................................           33        1,353            1           1,353
                                                          ------------------------------------------------------
    Totals...............................................           39        1,359  ...........           1,593
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    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.).

Madonna Baucum,
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service.
[FR Doc. 2024-12089 Filed 5-31-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P