Extension of Comment Period: Migratory Bird Permits; Establishment of a Conservation Order for the Reduction of Mid- Continent Light Goose Populations

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Parts 20 and 21

RIN 1018-AF05

Extension of Comment Period: Migratory Bird Permits;

Establishment of a Conservation Order for the Reduction of Mid-

Continent Light Goose Populations

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Service is extending the comment period on the Federal

Register rule dated November 9, 1998 (63 FR 60278) that invites public

comments on proposed changes to the migratory bird hunting regulations

regarding implementation of a conservation order for the reduction of

mid-continent light goose populations.

DATES: The deadline for receipt of comments is extended from January 8,

1999 to January 15, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding this proposed rulemaking should be

addressed to Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, Department of Interior, Ms 634--ARLSQ, 1849 C Street

NW., Washington, D.C. 20240. The public may inspect comments during

normal business hours in room 634--Arlington Square Building, 4401 N.

Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia. Comments and suggestions on the

information collection requirements should be sent directly to the

Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs; Office of Management and

Budget; Attention: Interior Desk Officer, Washington, DC 20503; and to

the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service, Ms 222--ARLSQ, 4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington, VA 22203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Blohm, Acting Chief, Office of

Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358-

1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Mid-continent lesser snow goose and

Ross' goose population has nearly quadrupled in the last 30 years. The

Western Central Flyway lesser snow and Ross' goose population also has

quadrupled in the last 23 years. Collectively, these central and

eastern arctic and subarctic-nesting light goose populations are

referred to as Mid-continent light geese (MCLG). Due to high population

growth rates, a decline in adult mortality, and an increase in winter

survival, MCLG are now seriously injurious to their habitat and habitat

important to other migratory birds which poses a serious threat to the

short and long-term health and status of migratory bird populations.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or ``we'') believes

that MCLG populations exceed long-term sustainable levels for their

arctic and subarctic breeding habitats and the populations must be

reduced.

In a Federal Register notice dated November 9, 1998, we propose to

establish a new subpart in 50 CFR Part 21 for the management of

overabundant MCLG populations. In cooperation with State wildlife

agencies, we propose to implement a population control program by

establishing a conservation order for MCLG under the authority of the

proposed subpart. This proposed rule will increase the use and

availability of additional hunting methods and will authorize take of

MCLG outside of the normal open light goose hunting season. In order to

minimize or avoid take of non-target species, States may implement this

proposed action only when all migratory bird hunting seasons are

closed. Although the desired goal is to significantly reduce

overabundant MCLG populations, we believe that this proposed rule will

not threaten the long-term status of MCLG populations or threaten the

status of other species that could be impacted through the

implementation of this proposed rule.

We are concurrently proposing an additional but separate population

reduction strategy. In addition to this proposed rule to amend 50 CFR

Part 21, we are also proposing to amend 50 CFR Part 20 to authorize the

use of new hunting methods to harvest MCLG. That proposed rule would

authorize States to allow the use of new hunting methods (electronic

callers and unplugged shotguns) to harvest MCLG during a light-goose

only season, when all other migratory bird hunting seasons are closed.

The proposal is also in the nature of a proposed rule and the extension

of the comment period on the rule is published in this issue of the

Federal Register. The combination of these two proposals is designed to

increase MCLG harvest and to provide a biologically sound and cost

effective and efficient method for the reduction and management of

overabundant MCLG populations.

We have received a request to extend the comment period on this

rule. The Service invites careful consideration by all parties, and

welcomes serious scrutiny from those committed to the long-term

conservation of migratory birds. Therefore, to facilitate substantive

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public review, we are extending the comment period to January 15, 1999.

Dated: December 30, 1998.

Thomas O. Melius,

Acting Director.

[FR Doc. 99-144 Filed 1-5-99; 8:45 am]

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