1997 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) Contest

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 91

RIN 1018-AE07

1997 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck

Stamp) Contest

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is revising the

regulations governing the conduct of the 1997 Migratory Bird Hunting

and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck Stamp) Contest. The following

changes are proposed by the Service: (1) Deadline for submitting entry;

(2) technical requirements for design; and (3) subject matter of entry.

The contest deadline is being reestablished for submitting entry to

allow participants additional time to research the anatomy of eligible

species since many species are located in many diverse geographical

regions and may require more investigation and perfection of the

artwork. The technical requirements for design to mat the entry over

only sets uniformity for exhibiting at various museums across the

country and protects the entry from being damaged. Additional

clarification is needed under the subject matter of entry stating the

design has to be the contestant's original ``hand drawn'' creation. The

design may not be copied or duplicated from previously published art,

including photographs, or computer-generated art otherwise it will be

ineligible or disqualified.

DATES: Comments concerning these amendments must be received no later

than March 31, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to: Manager of Licensing, Federal Duck Stamp

Contest, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior,

1849 C Street, NW, Suite 2058, Washington, D.C. 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mrs. Lita F. Edwards, (202) 208-4354.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Duck Stamp Contest is the only

Federal agency-run art contest and has been in existence since 1949

with the 1950 stamp the first to be selected in open competition. The

Federal Duck Stamp 's main use is a revenue stamp needed by waterfowl

hunters. This year's Contest and species information follows:.

1. Contest schedule:

1997-98 Federal Duck Stamp Contest--November 4-6, 1997

Public Viewing--Tuesday, November 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Judging--Wednesday, November 5 at 10:30 a.m. through Thursday, November

6 at 9:00 a.m.

2. The Contest will be held at the Department of the Interior

building, Auditorium (C Street entrance), 1849 C Street, NW,

Washington, DC.

3. The three eligible species for the Contest: (1) Barrow's

Goldeneye; (2) Black Scoter; and (3) Mottled Duck.

As part of an effort to administer and make minor improvements to

the Contest, the Service proposes the following changes to the 1997

contest:

1. Persons wishing to enter the 1997 Contest may submit entries

anytime after July 1, but all entries must be postmarked no later than

midnight Monday, September 15, 1997.

2. The Service is requiring that each entry must be matted (over

only) with a 9x12 inch white mat, 1 inch wide, and the entire entry

cannot exceed \1/4\ inch in total thickness. This new format is a

requirement to secure the artwork from being damaged and sets

uniformity for exhibiting at various museums across the country.

3. The Service is clarifying that the identified species must be

the dominant feature of the design. The design must be the contestant's

original ``hand drawn'' creation. The design may not be copied or

duplicated from previously published art, including photographs.

Photographs, computer-generated art, art produced from a computer

printer or other computer/mechanical output device (air brush method

excepted) are ineligible and will be disqualified.

The Federal Duck Stamp Program's intent is to keep the art

competition as a traditional American art form. The history, tradition

and beauty of this unique art form should be maintained by requiring

art entries to be created in the traditional ``hand painted'' manner

that artists have been submitting over the years.

This regulation was not subject to Office of Management and Budget

review under Executive Order 12866. These proposed regulations have

been examined under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 and have been

found to contain no information collection requirements. The Department

of the Interior has determined that this regulation will not have

significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities

under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) as the

changes/revisions to the Contest will affect individuals, not

businesses or other small entities as defined in the Act.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR 91

Hunting, Wildlife.

Accordingly, Title 50, Part 91 of the Code of Federal Regulations

is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 91--(AMENDED)

1. The authority citation for Part 91 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 718j; 31 U.S.C. 9701.

2. Section 91.11 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as

follows:

Sec. 91.11 Contest deadlines.

* * * * *

(b) Entries must be postmarked no later than midnight September 15.

[[Page 4517]]

3. Section 91.13 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 91.13 Technical requirements for design and submission of entry.

The design must be a horizontal drawing or painting seven (7)

inches high and ten (10) inches wide. The entry may be drawn in any

medium desired by the contestant and may be in either multicolor or

black and white. No scroll work, lettering, bird band numbers,

signatures or initials may appear on the design. Each entry must be

matted (over only) with a nine (9) inch by twelve (12) inch white mat,

one (1) inch wide, and the entire entry cannot exceed one quarter (\1/

4\) inch in total thickness. Entries must not be framed, under glass,

or have a protective covering that is attached to the entry.

4. Section 91.14 is revised to read as follows:

Sec. 91.14 Restriction on subject matter to entry.

A live portrayal of any bird(s) of the five or fewer identified

eligible species must be the dominant feature of the design. The design

may depict more than one of the eligible species. Designs may include,

but are not limited to, hunting dogs, hunting scenes, use of waterfowl

decoys, National Wildlife Refuges as the background of habitat scenes,

and other designs that depict the sporting, conservation, stamp

collecting and other uses of the stamp. The overall mandate will be to

select the best design that will make an interesting, useful and

attractive duck stamp that will be accepted and prized by hunters,

stamp collectors, conservationists, and others. The design must be the

contestant's original ``hand drawn'' creation. The entry design may not

be copied or duplicated from previously published art, including

photographs. Photographs, computer-generated art, art produced from a

computer printer or other computer/mechanical output device (air brush

method excepted) art are not eligible to be entered into the contest

and will be disqualified. An entry submitted in a prior contest that

was not selected for the Federal or a state stamp design may be

submitted in the current contest if it meets the above criteria.

Dated: January 17, 1997.

George T. Frampton, Jr.,

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

[FR Doc. 97-2347 Filed 1-29-97; 8:45 am]

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