82 FR 60615 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Conservation Order for Light Geese
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 244 (December 21, 2017)
Fish and Wildlife Service
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 244 (December 21, 2017)
| Page Range | 60615-60617 | |
| FR Document | 2017-27536 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 244 (Thursday, December 21, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 60615-60617] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-27536] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS-HQ-MB-2017-N166; FF09M21200-167-FXMB1231099BPP0; OMB Control Number 1018-0103] Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Conservation Order for Light Geese AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, we), are proposing to renew an information collection with revisions. DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before January 22, 2018. ADDRESSES: Send written comments on this information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget's Desk Officer for the Department of the Interior by email at [email protected]; or via facsimile to (202) 395-5806. Please provide a copy of your comments 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 1018-0103 in the subject line of your comments. 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. You may also view the ICR at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. 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. A Federal Register notice with a 60-day public comment period soliciting comments on this collection of information was published on July 3, 2017 (82 FR 30883). The following comments were received: Comment 1: The Central Flyway Council commented that a single survey conducted by Service is the most appropriate and accurate method for annually monitoring the participation and harvest in the light goose conservation order. This approach has been used by the Service since 1960 to monitor waterfowl harvest nationally for regular hunting seasons. Agency Response to Comment 1: With regard to the Central Flyway proposal to implement a single, uniform survey conducted by the Service, during discussions with Flyway Councils regarding initiation of the conservation order in the late 1990s there were concerns about whether or not a national information collection should be developed for the conservation order. That approach was not pursued due to the need to develop a new Federal permit, which we continue to believe is not a feasible alternative at this time. It was decided that each State would conduct its own information collection. Although State harvest estimates may not be fully comparable due to differences in methodology, we believe that summation of such estimates is warranted for general monitoring purposes. Furthermore, our existing Harvest Information Program (HIP) is geared towards estimating harvest of birds during regular hunting seasons that end on or before March 10 each year. Many States hold their light goose conservation order (not a regular hunting season) after March 10. Therefore, if HIP was used to estimate light goose conservation order harvest, our annual HIP reports would be delayed and could affect the normal hunting regulations promulgation process. The Service can only require HIP registration for regular hunting seasons to develop a sampling frame. There is no current mechanism for the Service to require HIP registration for conservation order participants. Therefore, there no sampling frame exists from which to conduct a single, uniform Federal survey. Comment 2: The commenter feels the Service has lied about increasing populations of light geese, promotes the killing of birds to increase hunting license sales, and only considers input from hunters and farmers. Agency Response to Comment 2: Our long-term objectives continue to include providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Having taken into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance, economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of migratory birds, we conclude that the hunting seasons are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations and long-term population goals. With regard to the light goose conservation order, we documented the exponential growth of light goose populations when we authorized the conservation order (64 FR 7517 and 73 FR 65926). In those Federal Register notices, we also documented degradation to breeding habitats as a result of feeding actions of overabundant light goose populations. [[Page 60616]] For that reason, we implemented the conservation order to increase harvest above that which occurs during regulator hunting seasons. Furthermore, we continue to annually document high population levels of light geese in our annual Waterfowl Status Report (https://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/pdf/surveys-and-data/Population-status/Waterfowl/WaterfowlPopulationStatusReport17.pdf). Additionally, we are obligated to, and do, seriously consider to all information received as public comment. While there are problems inherent with any type of representative management of public-trust resources, the Flyway Council system of migratory game bird management has been a longstanding example of State-Federal cooperative management since its establishment in 1952. Public input is provided not only at the Federal level but also at the State level and the input from State public processes is reflected in the Flyway system. Therefore, public involvement from hunters and non-hunters (including those that are not farmers) alike occurs at multiple levels. We disagree that input from the non-hunting, non-agricultural public is ignored. Furthermore, because the Federal government does not sell hunting licenses our actions associated with light goose management are not tied to selling additional hunting licenses. Because the light goose conservation order is not a hunting season, States do not require the purchase of a hunting license to participate and therefore cannot benefit from additional hunting license sales. We are again 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. 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: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (Act; 16 U.S.C. 703-712) implements the four bilateral migratory bird treaties the United States entered into with Great Britain (for Canada), Mexico, Japan, and Russia. The Act authorizes and directs the Secretary of the Interior to allow hunting, taking, etc., of migratory birds subject to the provisions of and in order to carry out the purposes of the four treaties. Section VII of the U.S.-Canada Migratory Bird Treaty authorizes the taking of migratory birds that, under extraordinary conditions, become seriously injurious to agricultural or other interests. The number of light geese (lesser snow, greater snow, and Ross' geese) in the midcontinent region has nearly quadrupled during the past several decades, due to a decline in adult mortality and an increase in winter survival. We refer to these species and subspecies as light geese because of their light coloration, as opposed to dark geese, such as white-fronted or Canada geese. Because of their feeding activity, light geese have become seriously injurious to their habitat, as well as to habitat important to other migratory birds. This poses a serious threat to the short- and long-term health and status of some migratory bird populations. We believe that the number of light geese in the midcontinent region has exceeded long-term sustainable levels for their arctic and subarctic breeding habitats, and that the populations must be reduced. Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at part 21 provides authority for the management of overabundant light geese. Regulations at 50 CFR 21.60 authorize States and Tribes in the midcontinent and Atlantic flyway regions to control light geese within the United States through the use of alternative regulatory strategies. The conservation order authorizes States and Tribes to implement population control measures without having to obtain a Federal permit, thus significantly reducing their administrative burden. The conservation order is a streamlined process that affords an efficient and effective population reduction strategy, rather than addressing the issue through our permitting process. Furthermore, this strategy precludes the use of more drastic and costly direct population- reduction measures such as trapping and culling geese. States and tribes participating in the conservation order must:Designate participants and inform them of the requirements and conditions of the conservation order. Individual States and Tribes determine the method to designate participants and how they will collect information from participants. Keep records of activities carried out under the authority of the conservation order, including: (1) Number of persons participating in the conservation order; (2) Number of days people participated in the conservation order; (3) Number of light geese shot and retrieved under the conservation order; and (4) Number of light geese shot, but not retrieved. Submit an annual report summarizing the activities conducted under the conservation order on or before September 15 of each year. Tribal information can be incorporated in State reports to reduce the number of reports submitted. Title of Collection: Conservation Order for Light Geese, 50 CFR 21.60. OMB Control Number: 1018-0103. Form Number: None. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents/Affected Public: State and Tribal governments; individuals who participate in the conservation order. Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 21,577. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 21,577. Estimated Completion Time per Response: 114 hours for State and Tribal governments and 8 minutes for individuals. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 7,318. Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit. Frequency of Collection: Annually. Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: $78,000, primarily for State overhead costs (materials, printing, postage, etc.) associated with mailing surveys to conservation order participants of approximately $2,000, or a total of $78,000 in non-hour burden costs (39 responses x $2,000). 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.). [[Page 60617]] Dated: December 11, 2017. Madonna L. Baucum, Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. [FR Doc. 2017-27536 Filed 12-20-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4333-15-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 244 / Thursday, December 21, 2017 / Notices 60615
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SUMMARY: In accordance with the regarding initiation of the conservation
HUMAN SERVICES Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the order in the late 1990s there were
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service, concerns about whether or not a
National Institutes of Health we), are proposing to renew an national information collection should
information collection with revisions. be developed for the conservation order.
National Institute on Aging; Notice of DATES: Interested persons are invited to That approach was not pursued due to
Closed Meeting submit comments on or before January the need to develop a new Federal
Pursuant to section 10(d) of the 22, 2018. permit, which we continue to believe is
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as ADDRESSES: Send written comments on not a feasible alternative at this time. It
amended, notice is hereby given of the this information collection request (ICR) was decided that each State would
following meeting. to the Office of Management and conduct its own information collection.
The meeting will be closed to the Budget’s Desk Officer for the Although State harvest estimates may
public in accordance with the Department of the Interior by email at not be fully comparable due to
provisions set forth in sections OIRA_Submission@omb.eop.gov; or via differences in methodology, we believe
552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., facsimile to (202) 395–5806. Please that summation of such estimates is
provide a copy of your comments to the warranted for general monitoring
as amended. The grant applications and
Service Information Collection purposes. Furthermore, our existing
the discussions could disclose
Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Harvest Information Program (HIP) is
confidential trade secrets or commercial
Wildlife Service, MS: BPHC, 5275 geared towards estimating harvest of
property such as patentable material,
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041– birds during regular hunting seasons
and personal information concerning
3803 (mail); or by email to Info_Coll@ that end on or before March 10 each
individuals associated with the grant
fws.gov. Please reference OMB Control year. Many States hold their light goose
applications, the disclosure of which
Number 1018–0103 in the subject line of conservation order (not a regular
would constitute a clearly unwarranted
your comments. hunting season) after March 10.
invasion of personal privacy.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To
Therefore, if HIP was used to estimate
Name of Committee: National Institute on light goose conservation order harvest,
Aging Special Emphasis Panel; Cardiac request additional information about
this ICR, contact Madonna L. Baucum, our annual HIP reports would be
Rehabilitation in Older Adults. delayed and could affect the normal
Date: February 5, 2018. Service Information Collection
Clearance Officer, by email at Info_ hunting regulations promulgation
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Agenda: To review and evaluate grant Coll@fws.gov, or by telephone at (703) process. The Service can only require
applications. 358–2503. You may also view the ICR HIP registration for regular hunting
Place: National Institute on Aging, at http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/ seasons to develop a sampling frame.
Gateway Building, Suite 2C212, 7201 PRAMain. There is no current mechanism for the
Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20892. Service to require HIP registration for
Contact Person: Anita H. Undale, Ph.D., SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In conservation order participants.
MD, Scientific Review Branch, National accordance with the Paperwork Therefore, there no sampling frame
Institute on Aging, Gateway Building, Suite Reduction Act of 1995, we provide the exists from which to conduct a single,
2W200, 7201 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, general public and other Federal uniform Federal survey.
MD 20892, 240–747–7825, anita.undale@ agencies with an opportunity to Comment 2: The commenter feels the
nih.gov. comment on new, proposed, revised, Service has lied about increasing
(Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance and continuing collections of populations of light geese, promotes the
Program Nos. 93.866, Aging Research, information. This helps us assess the killing of birds to increase hunting
National Institutes of Health, HHS)
impact of our information collection license sales, and only considers input
Dated: December 18, 2017. requirements and minimize the public’s from hunters and farmers.
Melanie J. Pantoja, reporting burden. It also helps the Agency Response to Comment 2: Our
Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory public understand our information long-term objectives continue to include
Committee Policy. collection requirements and provide the providing opportunities to harvest
[FR Doc. 2017–27507 Filed 12–20–17; 8:45 am] requested data in the desired format. portions of certain migratory game bird
BILLING CODE 4140–01–P A Federal Register notice with a 60- populations and to limit harvests to
day public comment period soliciting levels compatible with each
comments on this collection of population’s ability to maintain healthy,
information was published on July 3, viable numbers. Having taken into
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
2017 (82 FR 30883). The following account the zones of temperature and
Fish and Wildlife Service comments were received: the distribution, abundance, economic
Comment 1: The Central Flyway value, breeding habits, and times and
[FWS–HQ–MB–2017–N166; FF09M21200– Council commented that a single survey lines of flight of migratory birds, we
167–FXMB1231099BPP0; OMB Control conducted by Service is the most conclude that the hunting seasons are
Number 1018–0103] appropriate and accurate method for compatible with the current status of
annually monitoring the participation migratory bird populations and long-
Agency Information Collection and harvest in the light goose term population goals. With regard to
Activities; Submission to the Office of conservation order. This approach has the light goose conservation order, we
Management and Budget for Review been used by the Service since 1960 to documented the exponential growth of
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
and Approval; Conservation Order for monitor waterfowl harvest nationally for light goose populations when we
Light Geese regular hunting seasons. authorized the conservation order (64
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Agency Response to Comment 1: With FR 7517 and 73 FR 65926). In those
Interior. regard to the Central Flyway proposal to Federal Register notices, we also
implement a single, uniform survey documented degradation to breeding
ACTION: Notice of information collection;
conducted by the Service, during habitats as a result of feeding actions of
request for comment.
discussions with Flyway Councils overabundant light goose populations.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 244 / Thursday, December 21, 2017 / Notices 60617
Dated: December 11, 2017. from the United States mining laws, but System (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov.
Madonna L. Baucum, not from the general land laws or Hearing-impaired persons are advised
Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. leasing under the mineral leasing laws, that information on this matter can be
Fish and Wildlife Service. is hereby extended for an additional 20- obtained by contacting the
[FR Doc. 2017–27536 Filed 12–20–17; 8:45 am] year period. Commission’s TDD terminal on (202)
BILLING CODE 4333–15–P 2. The withdrawal extended by this 205–1810.
order will expire on January 1, 2038, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
unless, as a result of review conducted Commission has received a complaint
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR before the expiration date pursuant to and a submission pursuant to § 210.8(b)
Section 204(f) of the Federal Land of the Commission’s Rules of Practice
Bureau of Land Management Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 and Procedure filed on behalf of
[IDI–32319]
U.S.C. 1714 (f), the Secretary determines Newpark Mats & Integrated Services
that the withdrawal shall be further LLC on December 15, 2017. The
Public Land Order No. 7864; Extension extended. complaint alleges violations of section
of Public Land Order No. 7306; Howell Dated: December 12, 2017. 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C.
Canyon Recreation Complex; Idaho David L. Bernhardt, 1337) in the importation into the United
Deputy Secretary. States, the sale for importation, and the
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, sale within the United States after
Interior. [FR Doc. 2017–27511 Filed 12–20–17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–11–P
importation of certain load supporting
ACTION: Public Land Order. systems, including composite mat
systems, and components thereof. The
SUMMARY: This order extends the
complaint names as respondents
duration of the withdrawal created by INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Checkers Industrial Products, LLC of
Public Land Order No. 7306 for an COMMISSION
Broomfield, CO; Checkers Safety Group
additional 20-year period. This
Notice of Receipt of Complaint; UK LTD of United Kingdom; and Zigma
extension is necessary to continue the
Solicitation of Comments Relating to Ground Solutions LTD of United
protection of the 3,805.87 acre Howell
the Public Interest Kingdom. The complainant requests
Canyon Recreation Complex located in
that the Commission issue a limited
Cassia County, Idaho. AGENCY: U.S. International Trade exclusion order, cease and desist orders,
DATES: This order is effective on January Commission. and impose a bond upon respondents’
2, 2018. ACTION: Notice. alleged infringing articles during the 60-
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeff day Presidential review period pursuant
Cartwright, BLM Idaho State Office 208– SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that to 19 U.S.C. 1337(j).
373–3885. Persons who use a the U.S. International Trade Proposed respondents, other
telecommunications device for the deaf Commission has received a complaint interested parties, and members of the
(TDD) may call the Federal Relay entitled Certain Load Supporting public are invited to file comments, not
Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339 to Systems, Including Composite Mat to exceed five (5) pages in length,
reach the Bureau of Land Management Systems, and Components Thereof, DN inclusive of attachments, on any public
contact during normal business hours. 3281; the Commission is soliciting interest issues raised by the complaint
The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 comments on any public interest issues or § 210.8(b) filing. Comments should
days a week, to leave a message or raised by the complaint or address whether issuance of the relief
question with the above individual. You complainant’s filing pursuant to the specifically requested by the
will receive a reply during normal Commission’s Rules of Practice and complainant in this investigation would
business hours. Procedure. affect the public health and welfare in
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PLO No. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa the United States, competitive
7306 (63 FR 109 (1998)) withdrew R. Barton, Secretary to the Commission, conditions in the United States
3,805.87 acres of National Forest System U.S. International Trade Commission, economy, the production of like or
lands in the Sawtooth National Forest, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC directly competitive articles in the
Cassia County, Idaho, from location and 20436, telephone (202) 205–2000. The United States, or United States
entry under the United States mining public version of the complaint can be consumers.
laws, but not from the general land laws accessed on the Commission’s In particular, the Commission is
or leasing under the mineral leasing Electronic Document Information interested in comments that:
laws. The withdrawal was originally System (EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov, (i) Explain how the articles
authorized to protect the investments and will be available for inspection potentially subject to the requested
made by the United States Forest during official business hours (8:45 a.m. remedial orders are used in the United
Service and its permittees on the Howell to 5:15 p.m.) in the Office of the States;
Canyon Recreation Complex, and to Secretary, U.S. International Trade (ii) identify any public health, safety,
preserve a Research Natural Area. Commission, 500 E Street SW, or welfare concerns in the United States
Washington, DC 20436, telephone (202) relating to the requested remedial
Order 205–2000. orders;
By virtue of the authority vested in General information concerning the (iii) identify like or directly
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
the Secretary of the Interior by Section Commission may also be obtained by competitive articles that complainant,
204 of the Federal Land Policy and accessing its internet server at United its licensees, or third parties make in the
Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. States International Trade Commission United States which could replace the
1714, it is ordered as follows: (USITC) at https://www.usitc.gov . The subject articles if they were to be
1. Subject to valid existing rights, PLO public record for this investigation may excluded;
No. 7306, which withdrew 3,805.87 be viewed on the Commission’s (iv) indicate whether complainant,
acres of National Forest System lands Electronic Document Information complainant’s licensees, and/or third
VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:57 Dec 20, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00040 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\21DEN1.SGM 21DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_60859/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2018-10-25 11:00:53
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 11:00:53
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of information collection; request for comment. | |
| Dates | Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before January 22, 2018. | |
| 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. You may also view the ICR at http:// www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain. | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 60615 |
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