83_FR_18067 83 FR 17987 - Migratory Bird Permits; Regulations for Managing Resident Canada Goose Populations

83 FR 17987 - Migratory Bird Permits; Regulations for Managing Resident Canada Goose Populations

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 80 (April 25, 2018)

Page Range17987-17992
FR Document2018-08500

In 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or ``we'') published a final environmental impact statement on management of resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis) that documented resident Canada goose population levels ``that are increasingly coming into conflict with people and causing personal and public property damage.'' Subsequently, the Service implemented several actions intended to reduce, manage, and control resident Canada goose populations in the continental United States and to reduce related damages; those actions included depredation and control orders that allow destruction of Canada goose nests and eggs by authorized personnel between March 1 and June 30. However, some resident Canada geese currently initiate nests in February, particularly in the southern United States, and it seems likely that in the future nest initiation dates will begin earlier and hatching of eggs will perhaps end later than dates currently experienced. Thus, the Service proposes to amend the depredation and control orders to allow destruction of resident Canada goose nests and eggs at any time of year.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 80 (Wednesday, April 25, 2018)
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 80 (Wednesday, April 25, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17987-17992]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08500]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Parts 20 and 21

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2018-0012; FF09M21200-178-FXMB1232099BPP0L2]
RIN 1018-BC72


Migratory Bird Permits; Regulations for Managing Resident Canada 
Goose Populations

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or 
``we'') published a final environmental impact statement on management 
of resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis) that documented resident 
Canada goose population levels ``that are increasingly coming into 
conflict with people and

[[Page 17988]]

causing personal and public property damage.'' Subsequently, the 
Service implemented several actions intended to reduce, manage, and 
control resident Canada goose populations in the continental United 
States and to reduce related damages; those actions included 
depredation and control orders that allow destruction of Canada goose 
nests and eggs by authorized personnel between March 1 and June 30. 
However, some resident Canada geese currently initiate nests in 
February, particularly in the southern United States, and it seems 
likely that in the future nest initiation dates will begin earlier and 
hatching of eggs will perhaps end later than dates currently 
experienced. Thus, the Service proposes to amend the depredation and 
control orders to allow destruction of resident Canada goose nests and 
eggs at any time of year.

DATES: Comments on this proposed rule must be received by May 25, 2018.

ADDRESSES: 
    Document availability: You may obtain copies of the related 
environmental assessment at http://www.regulations.gov in Docket No. 
FWS-HQ-MB-2018-0012.
    Comment submission: You may submit comments by either one of the 
following methods. Please do not submit comments by both.
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments to Docket No. FWS-HQ-
MB-2018-0012.
     U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, 
Attn: FWS-HQ-MB-2018-0012; Division of Policy, Performance, and 
Management Programs; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; MS: BPHC; 5275 
Leesburg Pike; Falls Church, VA 22041-3803.
    We will not accept email or faxes. We will post all comments on 
http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you 
provide. See Public Comments, below, for more information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul I. Padding, Atlantic Flyway 
Representative, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, 11510 American Holly Drive, Laurel, MD 20708; (301) 
497-5851 or email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Authority and Responsibility

    Migratory birds are protected under four bilateral migratory bird 
treaties the United States entered into with Great Britain (for Canada 
in 1916 as amended in 1999), the United Mexican States (1936 as amended 
in 1972 and 1999), Japan (1972 as amended in 1974), and the Soviet 
Union (1978). Regulations allowing the take of migratory birds are 
authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (Act; 16 U.S.C. 703-712), 
which implements the above-mentioned treaties. The Act provides that, 
subject to and to carry out the purposes of the treaties, the Secretary 
of the Interior is authorized and directed to determine when, to what 
extent, and by what means allowing hunting, killing, and other forms of 
taking of migratory birds, their nests, and eggs is compatible with the 
conventions. The Act requires the Secretary to implement a 
determination by adopting regulations permitting and governing those 
activities.
    Canada geese are federally protected by the Act because they are 
listed as migratory birds in all four treaties. Because Canada geese 
are covered by all four treaties, regulations must meet the 
requirements of the most restrictive of the four. For Canada geese, 
this is the treaty with Canada. All regulations concerning resident 
Canada geese are compatible with its terms, with particular reference 
to Articles II, V, and VII.
    Each treaty not only permits sport hunting, but permits the take of 
migratory birds for other reasons, including scientific, educational, 
propagative, or other specific purposes consistent with the 
conservation principles of the various Conventions. More specifically, 
Article VII, Article II (paragraph 3), and Article V of ``The Protocol 
Between the Government of the United States of America and the 
Government of Canada Amending the 1916 Convention between the United 
Kingdom and the United States of America for the Protection of 
Migratory Birds in Canada and the United States'' provides specific 
limitations on allowing the take of migratory birds for reasons other 
than sport hunting. Article VII authorizes permitting the take, kill, 
etc., of migratory birds that, under extraordinary conditions, become 
seriously injurious to agricultural or other interests. Article V 
relates to the taking of nests and eggs, and Article II, paragraph 3, 
states that, in order to ensure the long-term conservation of migratory 
birds, migratory bird populations shall be managed in accord with 
listed conservation principles.
    The other treaties are less restrictive. The treaties with both 
Japan (Article III, paragraph 1, subparagraph (b)) and the Soviet Union 
(Article II, paragraph 1, subparagraph (d)) provide specific exceptions 
to migratory bird take prohibitions for the purpose of protecting 
persons and property. The treaty with Mexico requires, with regard to 
migratory game birds, only that there be a ``closed season'' on hunting 
and that hunting be limited to 4 months in each year.
    Regulations governing the issuance of permits to take, capture, 
kill, possess, and transport migratory birds are promulgated at title 
50, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), parts 13, 21 and 22, and issued 
by the Service. The Service annually promulgates regulations governing 
the take, possession, and transportation of migratory game birds under 
sport hunting seasons at 50 CFR part 20. Regulations regarding all 
other take of migratory birds (except for eagles) are published at 50 
CFR part 21, and typically are not changed annually.

Background

    In November 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or 
``we'') published a final environmental impact statement on management 
of resident Canada geese that documented resident Canada goose 
population levels ``that are increasingly coming into conflict with 
people and causing personal and public property damage.'' On August 10, 
2006, we published in the Federal Register (71 FR 45964) a final rule 
establishing regulations at 50 CFR parts 20 and 21 authorizing State 
wildlife agencies, private landowners, and airports to conduct (or 
allow) indirect and/or direct population control management activities 
to reduce, manage, and control resident Canada goose populations in the 
continental United States and to reduce related damages. Those 
activities include depredation and control orders that allow 
destruction of resident Canada goose nests and eggs by authorized 
personnel between March 1 and June 30, because that timeframe 
encompassed the period when resident Canada geese typically nested.
    In recent years, some resident Canada geese have initiated nests in 
February, particularly in the southern United States, and it seems 
likely that in the future nest initiation dates will begin earlier and 
hatching of eggs will perhaps end later than dates currently 
experienced. This proposed rule would amend the special permit and 
depredation and control orders to allow destruction of resident Canada 
goose nests and eggs at any time of year, thereby affording State 
agencies, private landowners, and airports greater flexibility to use 
these methods of controlling local abundances of resident Canada geese.

Definition of Resident Canada Geese

    The current definition of resident Canada geese contained in 50 CFR 
20.11 and 21.3 states that ``Canada geese that

[[Page 17989]]

nest within the lower 48 States and the District of Columbia in the 
months of March, April, May, or June, or reside within the lower 48 
States and the District of Columbia in the months of April, May, June, 
July, or August'' are considered resident Canada geese. We are 
proposing to amend this definition by deleting the phrase, ``in the 
months of March, April, May, or June,'' (following the word 
``Columbia'') to clarify that any Canada geese that nest within lower 
48 States and the District of Columbia are resident Canada geese.

Removal of Date Restrictions on Nest and Egg Destruction

    In title 50 of the CFR, destruction of resident Canada goose nests 
and eggs is currently authorized under special Canada goose permits 
(Sec.  21.26), a control order for airports and military airfields 
(Sec.  21.49), a depredation order specific to nests and eggs (Sec.  
21.50), a depredation order for agricultural facilities (Sec.  21.51), 
and a public health control order (Sec.  21.52). Each of these 
regulations prescribes the dates during which nests and eggs of 
resident Canada goose may be destroyed. We propose to remove those date 
restrictions and allow destruction of Canada goose nests and eggs, as 
otherwise authorized under these regulations, at any time of year.
    Our proposal is based on several factors. First, nest and egg 
destruction has been an effective tool in reducing local conflicts and 
damages caused by resident Canada geese. Second, resident Canada geese 
are identified as such based on where, not when, they nest. Lastly, 
some Canada geese are already nesting in February in southern States, 
and it seems likely that nest initiation dates will also advance into 
February in mid-latitude and perhaps northern States in the future, and 
hatching of nests may occur later than June 30.

Eliminating Date Restrictions for Lethal Control Activities in 
California, Oregon, and Washington

    On June 17, 1999, we published in the Federal Register (64 FR 
32766) a final rule establishing 50 CFR 21.26, the special Canada goose 
permit. Special Canada goose permits may be issued to State wildlife 
agencies authorizing them to conduct certain resident Canada goose 
management and control activities that are normally prohibited. At that 
time, we indicated that States may conduct those control activities 
between March 11 and August 31, but that they should make a concerted 
effort to limit the take of adult birds to June, July, and August in 
order to minimize the potential impact on migrant populations. We 
imposed a date restriction of May 1 through August 31 in some areas in 
California, Oregon, and Washington inhabited by the threatened Aleutian 
Canada goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia) pursuant to the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). The 
Aleutian Canada goose was listed as endangered in 1967 (32 FR 4001; 
March 11, 1967) and reclassified to threatened status in 1990 (55 FR 
51106; December 12, 1990). Aleutian geese occur in a small numbers 
within these States, primarily San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento River 
Delta areas in central California, Humboldt Bay and Crescent City areas 
on the northern California coast, and Langlois and Pacific City areas 
on the Oregon coast. We indicated that if this subspecies is delisted, 
we would review this provision.
    On March 20, 2001, we published in the Federal Register (66 FR 
15643) a final rule to remove the Aleutian Canada goose from the 
Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, due to recovery. 
Abundance of this population increased from 790 birds in 1975, to an 
estimated 156,030 in the winter of 2016. The Pacific Flyway Council's 
objective for this population is 60,000 geese. Currently, there is no 
special habitat or other threat that may reduce this population back to 
levels that may need protection under the ESA. Considering the current 
status of the Aleutian Canada goose, we propose to remove the May 1 
restriction so that management and control activities may be conducted 
during the same period (March 11 through August 31) throughout all 
States.

Environmental Assessment

    We prepared an environmental assessment (EA) that analyzed two 
alternative courses of action to address these earlier nesting and 
later hatching dates and decrease local abundances of Canada geese that 
nest in the lower 48 States and the District of Columbia:
    (1) Maintain the current date restrictions specified in regulations 
at 50 CFR 21.26, 21.49, 21.50, 21.51, and 21.52 on destruction of 
resident Canada goose nests and eggs, and no change in the definition 
of resident Canada geese at 50 CFR 20.11 and 21.3 (No action); and
    (2) Revise the definition of resident Canada geese at 50 CFR 20.11 
and 21.3, and allow destruction of resident Canada goose nests and eggs 
at any time of year under 50 CFR 21.26, 21.49, 21.50, 21.51, and 21.52 
(Proposed action).
    The full EA can be found on our website at http://www.fws.gov/birds 
or at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2018-0012.
    We note that the proposed amendment to Sec.  21.26 in regard to 
accounting for the current status of the Aleutian Canada goose was not 
addressed in the EA, but is a categorically excluded action (43 CFR 
46.210) addressed in an environmental action statement (EAS). The EAS 
can be found on our website at http://www.fws.gov/birds or at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2018-0012.

Public Comments

    You may submit your comments and supporting materials by one of the 
methods listed in ADDRESSES. We will not consider comments sent by 
email or fax, or written comments sent to an address other than the one 
listed in ADDRESSES. Comments and materials we receive, as well as 
supporting documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, are 
available for public inspection at http://www.regulations.gov.
    We will post your entire comment--including your personal 
identifying information--on http://www.regulations.gov. You may request 
at the top of your document that we withhold personal information such 
as your street address, phone number, or email address from public 
review; however, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

Required Determinations

Regulatory Planning and Review (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)

    Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 provides that the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) 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

[[Page 17990]]

exchange of ideas. We have developed this proposed rule in a manner 
consistent with these requirements.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., as 
amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 
(SBREFA) of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121)), whenever an agency is required to 
publish a notice of rulemaking for any proposed or final rule, it must 
prepare and make available for public comment a regulatory flexibility 
analysis that describes the effects of the rule on small businesses, 
small organizations, and small government jurisdictions. However, no 
regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of an agency 
certifies the rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    SBREFA amended the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require Federal 
agencies to provide a statement of the factual basis for certifying 
that a rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. Thus, for a regulatory 
flexibility analysis to be required, impacts must exceed a threshold 
for ``significant impact'' and a threshold for a ``substantial number 
of small entities.'' See 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
    The economic impacts of this proposed rule would primarily affect 
State and local governments and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 
Wildlife Services because of the structure of wildlife damage 
management. Data are not available to estimate the exact number of 
local governments that would be affected, but it is unlikely to be a 
substantial number nationally. Therefore, we certify that, if adopted, 
this rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This proposed rule is not a major rule under SBREFA (5 U.S.C. 
804(2)). It would not have a significant impact on a substantial number 
of small entities.
    This rule would not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 
million or more. This rule would not cause a major increase in costs or 
prices for consumers; individual industries; Federal, State, or local 
government agencies; or geographic regions.
    Finally, this rule would not have significant adverse effects on 
competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the 
abilities of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based 
enterprises.

Executive Order 13771--Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory 
Costs

    This proposed rule is expected to be an Executive Order (E.O.) 
13771 (82 FR 9339, February 3, 2017) deregulatory action because it 
would relieve a restriction in 50 CFR parts 20 and 21.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 
et seq.), we have determined the following:
    a. This proposed rule would not ``significantly or uniquely'' 
affect small government activities. A small government agency plan is 
not required.
    b. This proposed rule would not produce a Federal mandate on local 
or State government or private entities. Therefore, this action is not 
a ``significant regulatory action'' under the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act.

Takings

    In accordance with E.O. 12630, this proposed rule does not contain 
a provision for taking of private property, and would not have 
significant takings implications. A takings implication assessment is 
not required.

Federalism

    This proposed rule would not interfere with the States' abilities 
to manage themselves or their funds. We do not expect any economic 
impacts to result from this regulations change. This rule would not 
have sufficient Federalism effects to warrant preparation of a 
federalism summary impact statement under E.O. 13132.

Civil Justice Reform

    In accordance with E.O. 12988, the Office of the Solicitor has 
determined that the proposed rule will not unduly burden the judicial 
system and meets the requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the 
Order.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This proposed rule does not contain new collections of information 
that require approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). OMB 
has approved the information collection requirements associated with 
the control and management of resident Canada geese at 50 CFR part 20 
and 50 CFR part 21, and assigned OMB Control Number 1018-0133 (expires 
December 31, 2018).
    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.

National Environmental Policy Act

    We have analyzed this proposed rule in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and U.S. 
Department of the Interior regulations at 43 CFR part 46. We have 
completed an environmental assessment of the proposed amendment of the 
depredation and control orders that would allow destruction of resident 
Canada goose nests and eggs at any time of year; that environmental 
assessment is included in the docket for this proposed rule. We 
conclude that our proposed action would have the impacts listed below 
under Environmental Consequences of the Action. The proposed amendment 
to Sec.  21.26 in regard to accounting for the current status of the 
Aleutian Canada goose was not addressed in the EA, but is a NEPA 
categorically excluded action (43 CFR 46.210) addressed in an 
environmental action statement (EAS), which is also included in the 
docket for this proposed rule. The docket for this proposed rule is 
available at http://www.regulations.gov (Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2018-
0012).

Environmental Consequences of the Action

    Migrant Canada geese do not nest in the lower 48 States or the 
District of Columbia; thus, this proposed action (amendments related 
only to depredation and control orders) is not expected to have any 
significant impacts on migrant Canada geese. All resident Canada goose 
population abundances are well above population objectives. Assuming 
that the number of resident Canada geese that initiate nests in January 
or February does not exceed the current number that initiate nests in 
March, we expect that this proposed action would result in destruction 
of a maximum of 2,749 additional nests in January and February. We 
expect it is more likely that the proposed action would shift some 
portion of the current resident Canada goose nest and egg destruction 
activities occurring in March to either January or February. All 
populations of resident Canada geese are expected to remain at or above 
population objective levels.
    Socioeconomic. This proposed action is expected to have positive 
impacts on the socioeconomic environment in localized urban and 
suburban areas where resident Canada geese are subjected to continued 
(annual) nest and egg destruction actions that gradually reduce goose 
numbers and

[[Page 17991]]

resulting conflicts. It is also expected to reduce crop depredation at 
some localized agricultural sites where nest destruction can encourage 
geese to leave the site.
    Endangered and threatened species. The proposed rule will not 
affect endangered or threatened species or critical habitats.

Compliance With Endangered Species Act Requirements

    Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 
16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that ``The Secretary [of the 
Interior] shall review other programs administered by him and utilize 
such programs in furtherance of the purposes of this Act'' (16 U.S.C. 
1536(a)(1)). It further states that ``[e]ach Federal agency shall, in 
consultation with and with the assistance of the Secretary, insure that 
any action authorized, funded, or carried out by such agency * * * 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'' (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)). The 
proposed rule would not affect endangered or threatened species or 
critical habitats.

Government-to-Government Relationship With Tribes

    In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, 
``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal 
Governments'' (59 FR 22951), E.O. 13175, and 512 DM 2, we have 
evaluated potential effects on federally recognized Indian tribes and 
have determined that there are no potential effects. This proposed rule 
would not interfere with the tribes' abilities to manage themselves or 
their funds or to regulate migratory bird activities on tribal lands.

Clarity of This Proposed Rule

    We are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the 
Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain 
language. This means that each rule we publish must:
    (a) Be logically organized;
    (b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (c) Use clear language rather than jargon;
    (d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us 
comments by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. To better help us 
revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as possible. For 
example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections or paragraphs 
that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences are too long, 
the sections where you feel lists or tables would be useful, etc.

Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use (E.O. 13211)

    E.O. 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of Energy 
Effects when undertaking certain actions. This proposed rule is not a 
significant regulatory action under E.O. 13211, and would not 
significantly affect energy supplies, distribution, or use. Therefore, 
this action is not a significant energy action. No Statement of Energy 
Effects is required.

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Parts 20 and 21

    Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.

Proposed Regulation Promulgation

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, we hereby propose to amend 
parts 20 and 21, of subchapter B, chapter I, title 50 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, as set forth below:

PART 20--MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING

0
1. The authority citation for part 20 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 703 et seq, and 16 U.S.C. 742a-j.

0
2. Amend Sec.  20.11 by revising paragraph (n) to read as follows:


Sec.  20.11  What terms do I need to understand?

* * * * *
    (n) Resident Canada geese means Canada geese that nest within the 
lower 48 States and the District of Columbia or that reside within the 
lower 48 States and the District of Columbia in the months of April, 
May, June, July, or August.
* * * * *

PART 21--MIGRATORY BIRD PERMITS

0
3. The authority citation for part 21 is revised to read as follows:

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

0
4. Amend Sec.  21.3 by revising the definition for ``Resident Canada 
geese'' to read as follows:


Sec.  21.3  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Resident Canada geese means Canada geese that nest within the lower 
48 States and the District of Columbia or that reside within the lower 
48 States and the District of Columbia in the months of April, May, 
June, July, or August.
* * * * *
0
5. Amend Sec.  21.26 by revising paragraph (d)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  21.26  Special Canada goose permit.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (2) When may a State conduct management and control activities? 
States and their employees and agents may conduct egg and nest 
manipulation activities at any time of year. Other management and 
control activities, including the take of resident Canada geese, under 
this section may only be conducted between March 11 and August 31.
* * * * *
0
6. Amend Sec.  21.49 by revising paragraph (d)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  21.49  Control order for resident Canada geese at airports and 
military airfields.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (3) Airports and military airfields may conduct management and 
control activities, involving the take of resident Canada geese, under 
this section between April 1 and September 15. The destruction of 
resident Canada goose nests and eggs may take place at any time of 
year.
* * * * *
0
7. Amend Sec.  21.50 by revising paragraph (d)(4) to read as follows:


Sec.  21.50  Depredation order for resident Canada geese nests and 
eggs.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (4) Registrants may conduct resident Canada goose nest and egg 
destruction activities at any time of year. Homeowners' associations 
and local governments or their agents must obtain landowner consent 
prior to destroying nests and eggs on private property within the 
homeowners' association or local government's jurisdiction and be in 
compliance with all State and local laws and regulations.
* * * * *
0
8. Amend Sec.  21.51 by revising paragraph (d)(4) to read as follows:


Sec.  21.51   Depredation order for resident Canada geese at 
agricultural facilities.

* * * * *
    (d) * * *
    (4) Authorized agricultural producers and their employees and 
agents may

[[Page 17992]]

conduct management and control activities, involving the take of 
resident Canada geese, under this section between May 1 and August 31. 
The destruction of resident Canada goose nests and eggs may take place 
at any time of year.
* * * * *
0
9. Amend Sec.  21.52 by revising paragraph (e)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  21.52  Public health control order for resident Canada geese.

* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (3) Authorized State and Tribal wildlife agencies and their 
employees and agents may conduct management and control activities, 
involving the take of resident Canada geese, under this section between 
April 1 and August 31. The destruction of resident Canada goose nests 
and eggs may take place at any time of year.
* * * * *

    Dated: April 10, 2018.
Susan Combs,
Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Exercising the Authority of the 
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. 2018-08500 Filed 4-24-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4333-15-P



                                                                             Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                                    17987

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                                                 read as follows:                                                                                                       possessions of the United States.
                                                                                                                  852.247–73      Packing for Domestic                     (2) At least 15 days before shipment, the
                                                 852.247–70 Determining Transportation                            Shipment.                                             Contractor shall request in writing GBLs
                                                 Costs for Evaluation of Offers.                                                                                        from: ________ [Insert name, title, and
                                                                                                                    As prescribed in 847.305–10(b), insert
                                                   As prescribed in 847.305–70, insert                            the following clause:                                 mailing address of designated transportation
                                                 the following provision:                                                                                               officer or other official delegated
                                                                                                                  Packing for Domestic Shipment (Date)                  responsibility for GBLs]. If time is limited,
                                                 Determining Transportation Costs for                                                                                   requests may be by telephone: ________
                                                 Evaluation of Offers (Date)                                        Material shall be packed for shipment in            [Insert appropriate telephone number].
                                                                                                                  such a manner that will insure acceptance by          Requests for GBLs shall include the following
                                                    For the purpose of evaluating bids and for                    common carriers and safe delivery at
                                                 no other purpose, the delivered price per unit                                                                         information.
                                                                                                                  destination. Containers and closures shall               (i) Item identification/description.
                                                 will be determined by adding the nationwide                      comply with regulations of carriers as
                                                 average transportation charge to the F.o.b.                                                                               (ii) Origin and destination.
                                                                                                                  applicable to the mode of transportation.                (iii) Individual and total weights.
                                                 origin bid prices. The nationwide average
                                                 transportation charge will be determined by                      (End of clause)                                          (iv) Dimensional weight.
                                                 applying the following formula: Multiply the                                                                              (v) Dimensions and total cubic footage.
                                                                                                                  ■ 25. Section 852.247–74 is added to                     (vi) Total number of pieces.
                                                 guaranteed shipping weight by the freight,
                                                 parcel post, or express rate, whichever is                       read as follows:                                         (vii) Total dollar value.
                                                 proper, to each destination shown below and                                                                               (viii) Other pertinent data.
                                                                                                                  852.247–74      Advance Notice of Shipment.
                                                 then multiply the resulting transportation                                                                             (End of clause)
                                                 charges by the anticipated demand factor                           As prescribed in 847.305–71(a), insert
                                                 shown for each destination. Total the                            the following clause:
                                                                                                                                                                        852.270–2    [Removed].
                                                 resulting weighted transportation charges for
                                                 all destinations and divide the total by 20 to
                                                                                                                  Advance Notice of Shipment (Date)                     ■   27. Section 852.270–2 is removed.
                                                 give the nationwide average transportation                         [Insert number of work days] work days
                                                 charge.                                                                                                                852.270–3    [Removed].
                                                                                                                  prior to shipping item(s)
                                                                                                                    [Insert items to be shipped], the Contractor        ■   28. Section 852.270–3 is removed.
                                                               ANTICIPATED DEMAND                                 shall furnish the anticipated shipment date,
                                                                                                                  bill of lading number (if applicable), and            PART 870—SPECIAL PROCUREMENT
                                                               Area destination                      Factor       carrier identity to [Insert individual(s) to          CONTROLS
                                                                                                                  receive notification] and to the Contracting
                                                 Oakland, California .........................                3   Officer.                                              870     [Removed and reserved].
                                                 Dallas, Texas ..................................             2   (End of clause)                                       ■   29. Part 870 is removed and reserved.
                                                 Omaha, Nebraska ..........................                   3                                                         [FR Doc. 2018–07130 Filed 4–24–18; 8:45 am]
                                                 Fort Wayne, Indiana .......................                  4   ■ 26. Section 852.247–75 is added to
                                                                                                                                                                        BILLING CODE 8320–01–P
                                                 Atlanta, Georgia ..............................              3   read as follows:
                                                 New York, New York ......................                    5
                                                                                                                  852.247–75      Bills of Lading.
                                                     Total of factors ............................         20       As prescribed in 847.305–71(b), insert              DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                                                                                                                  the following clause:
                                                 (End of provision)                                                                                                     Fish and Wildlife Service
                                                                                                                  Bills of Lading (Date)
                                                 ■ 22. Section 852.247–71 is added to
                                                                                                                     The purpose of this clause is to define            50 CFR Parts 20 and 21
                                                 read as follows:
                                                                                                                  when a commercial bill of lading or a                 [Docket No. FWS–HQ–MB–2018–0012;
                                                 852.247–71         Delivery Location.                            government bill of lading is to be used when          FF09M21200–178–FXMB1232099BPP0L2]
                                                   As prescribed in 847.302, insert a                             shipments of deliverable items under this
                                                                                                                  contract are F.o.b. origin.                           RIN 1018–BC72
                                                 clause substantially as follows:
                                                                                                                     (a) Commercial Bills of Lading. All
                                                 Delivery Location (Date)                                         domestic shipments shall be made via                  Migratory Bird Permits; Regulations
                                                                                                                  commercial bills of lading (CBLs). The                for Managing Resident Canada Goose
                                                   Shipment of deliverable items, other than
                                                                                                                  Contractor shall prepay domestic                      Populations
                                                 reports, shall be to: __* Contracting Officer
                                                                                                                  transportation charges. The Government shall
                                                 shall insert appropriate identifying data.                                                                             AGENCY:   Fish and Wildlife Service,
                                                                                                                  reimburse the Contractor for these charges if
                                                 (End of clause)                                                  they are added to the invoice as a separate           Interior.
                                                                                                                  line item supported by the paid freight               ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                 ■ 23. Section 852.247–72 is added to                             receipts. If paid receipts in support of the
                                                 read as follows:
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                                                                                                                  invoice are not obtainable, a statement as            SUMMARY:  In 2005, the U.S. Fish and
                                                 852.247–72         Marking Deliverables.                         described below must be completed, signed             Wildlife Service (Service or ‘‘we’’)
                                                                                                                  by an authorized company representative,              published a final environmental impact
                                                   As prescribed in 847.305–10(a) insert                          and attached to the invoice.
                                                 a clause substantially the same as:                                 ‘‘I certify that the shipments identified
                                                                                                                                                                        statement on management of resident
                                                                                                                  below have been made, transportation                  Canada geese (Branta canadensis) that
                                                 Marking Deliverables (Date)                                                                                            documented resident Canada goose
                                                                                                                  charges have been paid by (company name),
                                                   (a) The contract number shall be placed on                     and paid freight or comparable receipts are           population levels ‘‘that are increasingly
                                                 or adjacent to all exterior mailing or shipping                  not obtainable.                                       coming into conflict with people and


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                                                 17988                  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                 causing personal and public property                    the Soviet Union (1978). Regulations                   be a ‘‘closed season’’ on hunting and
                                                 damage.’’ Subsequently, the Service                     allowing the take of migratory birds are               that hunting be limited to 4 months in
                                                 implemented several actions intended                    authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty                each year.
                                                 to reduce, manage, and control resident                 Act (Act; 16 U.S.C. 703–712), which                       Regulations governing the issuance of
                                                 Canada goose populations in the                         implements the above-mentioned                         permits to take, capture, kill, possess,
                                                 continental United States and to reduce                 treaties. The Act provides that, subject               and transport migratory birds are
                                                 related damages; those actions included                 to and to carry out the purposes of the                promulgated at title 50, Code of Federal
                                                 depredation and control orders that                     treaties, the Secretary of the Interior is             Regulations (CFR), parts 13, 21 and 22,
                                                 allow destruction of Canada goose nests                 authorized and directed to determine                   and issued by the Service. The Service
                                                 and eggs by authorized personnel                        when, to what extent, and by what                      annually promulgates regulations
                                                 between March 1 and June 30. However,                   means allowing hunting, killing, and                   governing the take, possession, and
                                                 some resident Canada geese currently                    other forms of taking of migratory birds,              transportation of migratory game birds
                                                 initiate nests in February, particularly in             their nests, and eggs is compatible with               under sport hunting seasons at 50 CFR
                                                 the southern United States, and it seems                the conventions. The Act requires the                  part 20. Regulations regarding all other
                                                 likely that in the future nest initiation               Secretary to implement a determination                 take of migratory birds (except for
                                                 dates will begin earlier and hatching of                by adopting regulations permitting and                 eagles) are published at 50 CFR part 21,
                                                 eggs will perhaps end later than dates                  governing those activities.                            and typically are not changed annually.
                                                 currently experienced. Thus, the Service                   Canada geese are federally protected
                                                                                                                                                                Background
                                                 proposes to amend the depredation and                   by the Act because they are listed as
                                                 control orders to allow destruction of                  migratory birds in all four treaties.                     In November 2005, the U.S. Fish and
                                                 resident Canada goose nests and eggs at                 Because Canada geese are covered by all                Wildlife Service (Service or ‘‘we’’)
                                                                                                         four treaties, regulations must meet the               published a final environmental impact
                                                 any time of year.
                                                                                                         requirements of the most restrictive of                statement on management of resident
                                                 DATES: Comments on this proposed rule
                                                                                                         the four. For Canada geese, this is the                Canada geese that documented resident
                                                 must be received by May 25, 2018.                                                                              Canada goose population levels ‘‘that
                                                                                                         treaty with Canada. All regulations
                                                 ADDRESSES:                                                                                                     are increasingly coming into conflict
                                                                                                         concerning resident Canada geese are
                                                    Document availability: You may                                                                              with people and causing personal and
                                                                                                         compatible with its terms, with
                                                 obtain copies of the related                                                                                   public property damage.’’ On August 10,
                                                                                                         particular reference to Articles II, V, and
                                                 environmental assessment at http://                                                                            2006, we published in the Federal
                                                                                                         VII.
                                                 www.regulations.gov in Docket No.                          Each treaty not only permits sport                  Register (71 FR 45964) a final rule
                                                 FWS–HQ–MB–2018–0012.                                    hunting, but permits the take of                       establishing regulations at 50 CFR parts
                                                    Comment submission: You may                          migratory birds for other reasons,                     20 and 21 authorizing State wildlife
                                                 submit comments by either one of the                    including scientific, educational,                     agencies, private landowners, and
                                                 following methods. Please do not                        propagative, or other specific purposes                airports to conduct (or allow) indirect
                                                 submit comments by both.                                consistent with the conservation                       and/or direct population control
                                                    • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://                                                                       management activities to reduce,
                                                                                                         principles of the various Conventions.
                                                 www.regulations.gov. Follow the                                                                                manage, and control resident Canada
                                                                                                         More specifically, Article VII, Article II
                                                 instructions for submitting comments to                 (paragraph 3), and Article V of ‘‘The                  goose populations in the continental
                                                 Docket No. FWS–HQ–MB–2018–0012.                         Protocol Between the Government of the                 United States and to reduce related
                                                    • U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public
                                                                                                         United States of America and the                       damages. Those activities include
                                                 Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–HQ–
                                                                                                         Government of Canada Amending the                      depredation and control orders that
                                                 MB–2018–0012; Division of Policy,
                                                                                                         1916 Convention between the United                     allow destruction of resident Canada
                                                 Performance, and Management
                                                                                                         Kingdom and the United States of                       goose nests and eggs by authorized
                                                 Programs; U.S. Fish and Wildlife
                                                                                                         America for the Protection of Migratory                personnel between March 1 and June
                                                 Service; MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike;                  Birds in Canada and the United States’’                30, because that timeframe
                                                 Falls Church, VA 22041–3803.                            provides specific limitations on
                                                    We will not accept email or faxes. We                                                                       encompassed the period when resident
                                                                                                         allowing the take of migratory birds for               Canada geese typically nested.
                                                 will post all comments on http://
                                                                                                         reasons other than sport hunting. Article                 In recent years, some resident Canada
                                                 www.regulations.gov, including any
                                                                                                         VII authorizes permitting the take, kill,              geese have initiated nests in February,
                                                 personal information you provide. See
                                                                                                         etc., of migratory birds that, under                   particularly in the southern United
                                                 Public Comments, below, for more
                                                                                                         extraordinary conditions, become                       States, and it seems likely that in the
                                                 information.                                            seriously injurious to agricultural or                 future nest initiation dates will begin
                                                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul                   other interests. Article V relates to the              earlier and hatching of eggs will perhaps
                                                 I. Padding, Atlantic Flyway                             taking of nests and eggs, and Article II,              end later than dates currently
                                                 Representative, Division of Migratory                   paragraph 3, states that, in order to                  experienced. This proposed rule would
                                                 Bird Management, U.S. Fish and                          ensure the long-term conservation of                   amend the special permit and
                                                 Wildlife Service, 11510 American Holly                  migratory birds, migratory bird                        depredation and control orders to allow
                                                 Drive, Laurel, MD 20708; (301) 497–                     populations shall be managed in accord                 destruction of resident Canada goose
                                                 5851 or email paul_padding@fws.gov.                     with listed conservation principles.                   nests and eggs at any time of year,
                                                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                                 The other treaties are less restrictive.            thereby affording State agencies, private
                                                                                                         The treaties with both Japan (Article III,             landowners, and airports greater
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                                                 Authority and Responsibility                            paragraph 1, subparagraph (b)) and the                 flexibility to use these methods of
                                                   Migratory birds are protected under                   Soviet Union (Article II, paragraph 1,                 controlling local abundances of resident
                                                 four bilateral migratory bird treaties the              subparagraph (d)) provide specific                     Canada geese.
                                                 United States entered into with Great                   exceptions to migratory bird take
                                                 Britain (for Canada in 1916 as amended                  prohibitions for the purpose of                        Definition of Resident Canada Geese
                                                 in 1999), the United Mexican States                     protecting persons and property. The                     The current definition of resident
                                                 (1936 as amended in 1972 and 1999),                     treaty with Mexico requires, with regard               Canada geese contained in 50 CFR 20.11
                                                 Japan (1972 as amended in 1974), and                    to migratory game birds, only that there               and 21.3 states that ‘‘Canada geese that


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                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                          17989

                                                 nest within the lower 48 States and the                 restriction of May 1 through August 31                 at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket
                                                 District of Columbia in the months of                   in some areas in California, Oregon, and               No. FWS–HQ–MB–2018–0012.
                                                 March, April, May, or June, or reside                   Washington inhabited by the threatened                    We note that the proposed
                                                 within the lower 48 States and the                      Aleutian Canada goose (Branta                          amendment to § 21.26 in regard to
                                                 District of Columbia in the months of                   canadensis leucopareia) pursuant to the                accounting for the current status of the
                                                 April, May, June, July, or August’’ are                 Endangered Species Act of 1973, as                     Aleutian Canada goose was not
                                                 considered resident Canada geese. We                    amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).                 addressed in the EA, but is a
                                                 are proposing to amend this definition                  The Aleutian Canada goose was listed as                categorically excluded action (43 CFR
                                                 by deleting the phrase, ‘‘in the months                 endangered in 1967 (32 FR 4001; March                  46.210) addressed in an environmental
                                                 of March, April, May, or June,’’                        11, 1967) and reclassified to threatened               action statement (EAS). The EAS can be
                                                 (following the word ‘‘Columbia’’) to                    status in 1990 (55 FR 51106; December                  found on our website at http://
                                                 clarify that any Canada geese that nest                 12, 1990). Aleutian geese occur in a                   www.fws.gov/birds or at http://
                                                 within lower 48 States and the District                 small numbers within these States,                     www.regulations.gov at Docket No.
                                                 of Columbia are resident Canada geese.                  primarily San Joaquin Valley and                       FWS–HQ–MB–2018–0012.
                                                 Removal of Date Restrictions on Nest                    Sacramento River Delta areas in central
                                                                                                                                                                Public Comments
                                                 and Egg Destruction                                     California, Humboldt Bay and Crescent
                                                                                                         City areas on the northern California                     You may submit your comments and
                                                   In title 50 of the CFR, destruction of                coast, and Langlois and Pacific City                   supporting materials by one of the
                                                 resident Canada goose nests and eggs is                 areas on the Oregon coast. We indicated                methods listed in ADDRESSES. We will
                                                 currently authorized under special                      that if this subspecies is delisted, we                not consider comments sent by email or
                                                 Canada goose permits (§ 21.26), a                       would review this provision.                           fax, or written comments sent to an
                                                 control order for airports and military                    On March 20, 2001, we published in                  address other than the one listed in
                                                 airfields (§ 21.49), a depredation order                the Federal Register (66 FR 15643) a                   ADDRESSES. Comments and materials we
                                                 specific to nests and eggs (§ 21.50), a                                                                        receive, as well as supporting
                                                                                                         final rule to remove the Aleutian
                                                 depredation order for agricultural                                                                             documentation we used in preparing
                                                                                                         Canada goose from the Federal List of
                                                 facilities (§ 21.51), and a public health                                                                      this proposed rule, are available for
                                                                                                         Endangered and Threatened Wildlife,
                                                 control order (§ 21.52). Each of these                                                                         public inspection at http://
                                                                                                         due to recovery. Abundance of this
                                                 regulations prescribes the dates during                                                                        www.regulations.gov.
                                                                                                         population increased from 790 birds in
                                                 which nests and eggs of resident Canada                                                                           We will post your entire comment—
                                                                                                         1975, to an estimated 156,030 in the
                                                 goose may be destroyed. We propose to                                                                          including your personal identifying
                                                                                                         winter of 2016. The Pacific Flyway
                                                 remove those date restrictions and allow                                                                       information—on http://
                                                                                                         Council’s objective for this population is
                                                 destruction of Canada goose nests and                                                                          www.regulations.gov. You may request
                                                                                                         60,000 geese. Currently, there is no
                                                 eggs, as otherwise authorized under                                                                            at the top of your document that we
                                                 these regulations, at any time of year.                 special habitat or other threat that may
                                                                                                         reduce this population back to levels                  withhold personal information such as
                                                   Our proposal is based on several                                                                             your street address, phone number, or
                                                 factors. First, nest and egg destruction                that may need protection under the
                                                                                                         ESA. Considering the current status of                 email address from public review;
                                                 has been an effective tool in reducing                                                                         however, we cannot guarantee that we
                                                 local conflicts and damages caused by                   the Aleutian Canada goose, we propose
                                                                                                         to remove the May 1 restriction so that                will be able to do so.
                                                 resident Canada geese. Second, resident
                                                 Canada geese are identified as such                     management and control activities may                  Required Determinations
                                                 based on where, not when, they nest.                    be conducted during the same period
                                                                                                         (March 11 through August 31)                           Regulatory Planning and Review
                                                 Lastly, some Canada geese are already                                                                          (Executive Orders 12866 and 13563)
                                                 nesting in February in southern States,                 throughout all States.
                                                 and it seems likely that nest initiation                Environmental Assessment                                 Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 provides
                                                 dates will also advance into February in                                                                       that the Office of Information and
                                                 mid-latitude and perhaps northern                          We prepared an environmental                        Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office
                                                 States in the future, and hatching of                   assessment (EA) that analyzed two                      of Management and Budget (OMB) will
                                                 nests may occur later than June 30.                     alternative courses of action to address               review all significant rules. OIRA has
                                                                                                         these earlier nesting and later hatching               determined that this rule is not
                                                 Eliminating Date Restrictions for Lethal                dates and decrease local abundances of                 significant.
                                                 Control Activities in California, Oregon,               Canada geese that nest in the lower 48                   Executive Order 13563 reaffirms the
                                                 and Washington                                          States and the District of Columbia:                   principles of E.O. 12866 while calling
                                                   On June 17, 1999, we published in the                    (1) Maintain the current date                       for improvements in the nation’s
                                                 Federal Register (64 FR 32766) a final                  restrictions specified in regulations at               regulatory system to promote
                                                 rule establishing 50 CFR 21.26, the                     50 CFR 21.26, 21.49, 21.50, 21.51, and                 predictability, to reduce uncertainty,
                                                 special Canada goose permit. Special                    21.52 on destruction of resident Canada                and to use the best, most innovative,
                                                 Canada goose permits may be issued to                   goose nests and eggs, and no change in                 and least burdensome tools for
                                                 State wildlife agencies authorizing them                the definition of resident Canada geese                achieving regulatory ends. The
                                                 to conduct certain resident Canada                      at 50 CFR 20.11 and 21.3 (No action);                  executive order directs agencies to
                                                 goose management and control activities                 and                                                    consider regulatory approaches that
                                                 that are normally prohibited. At that                      (2) Revise the definition of resident               reduce burdens and maintain flexibility
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                                                 time, we indicated that States may                      Canada geese at 50 CFR 20.11 and 21.3,                 and freedom of choice for the public
                                                 conduct those control activities between                and allow destruction of resident                      where these approaches are relevant,
                                                 March 11 and August 31, but that they                   Canada goose nests and eggs at any time                feasible, and consistent with regulatory
                                                 should make a concerted effort to limit                 of year under 50 CFR 21.26, 21.49,                     objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes
                                                 the take of adult birds to June, July, and              21.50, 21.51, and 21.52 (Proposed                      further that regulations must be based
                                                 August in order to minimize the                         action).                                               on the best available science and that
                                                 potential impact on migrant                                The full EA can be found on our                     the rulemaking process must allow for
                                                 populations. We imposed a date                          website at http://www.fws.gov/birds or                 public participation and an open


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                                                 17990                  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                 exchange of ideas. We have developed                    Executive Order 13771—Reducing                         unless it displays a currently valid OMB
                                                 this proposed rule in a manner                          Regulation and Controlling Regulatory                  control number.
                                                 consistent with these requirements.                     Costs
                                                                                                                                                                National Environmental Policy Act
                                                 Regulatory Flexibility Act                                This proposed rule is expected to be                    We have analyzed this proposed rule
                                                    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act                 an Executive Order (E.O.) 13771 (82 FR                 in accordance with the National
                                                 (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., as amended by the                9339, February 3, 2017) deregulatory                   Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42
                                                 Small Business Regulatory Enforcement                   action because it would relieve a                      U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and U.S.
                                                 Fairness Act (SBREFA) of 1996 (Pub. L.                  restriction in 50 CFR parts 20 and 21.                 Department of the Interior regulations at
                                                 104–121)), whenever an agency is                        Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                           43 CFR part 46. We have completed an
                                                 required to publish a notice of                                                                                environmental assessment of the
                                                 rulemaking for any proposed or final                       In accordance with the Unfunded                     proposed amendment of the
                                                 rule, it must prepare and make available                Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et                  depredation and control orders that
                                                 for public comment a regulatory                         seq.), we have determined the following:               would allow destruction of resident
                                                 flexibility analysis that describes the                    a. This proposed rule would not                     Canada goose nests and eggs at any time
                                                 effects of the rule on small businesses,                ‘‘significantly or uniquely’’ affect small             of year; that environmental assessment
                                                 small organizations, and small                          government activities. A small                         is included in the docket for this
                                                 government jurisdictions. However, no                   government agency plan is not required.                proposed rule. We conclude that our
                                                 regulatory flexibility analysis is required                b. This proposed rule would not                     proposed action would have the impacts
                                                 if the head of an agency certifies the rule             produce a Federal mandate on local or                  listed below under Environmental
                                                 would not have a significant economic                   State government or private entities.                  Consequences of the Action. The
                                                 impact on a substantial number of small                 Therefore, this action is not a                        proposed amendment to § 21.26 in
                                                 entities.                                               ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under                regard to accounting for the current
                                                    SBREFA amended the Regulatory                        the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.                      status of the Aleutian Canada goose was
                                                 Flexibility Act to require Federal                      Takings                                                not addressed in the EA, but is a NEPA
                                                 agencies to provide a statement of the                                                                         categorically excluded action (43 CFR
                                                 factual basis for certifying that a rule                  In accordance with E.O. 12630, this                  46.210) addressed in an environmental
                                                 would not have a significant economic                   proposed rule does not contain a                       action statement (EAS), which is also
                                                 impact on a substantial number of small                 provision for taking of private property,              included in the docket for this proposed
                                                 entities. Thus, for a regulatory flexibility            and would not have significant takings                 rule. The docket for this proposed rule
                                                 analysis to be required, impacts must                   implications. A takings implication                    is available at http://
                                                 exceed a threshold for ‘‘significant                    assessment is not required.                            www.regulations.gov (Docket No. FWS–
                                                 impact’’ and a threshold for a                          Federalism                                             HQ–MB–2018–0012).
                                                 ‘‘substantial number of small entities.’’                                                                      Environmental Consequences of the
                                                 See 5 U.S.C. 605(b).                                      This proposed rule would not
                                                                                                         interfere with the States’ abilities to                Action
                                                    The economic impacts of this
                                                 proposed rule would primarily affect                    manage themselves or their funds. We                      Migrant Canada geese do not nest in
                                                 State and local governments and the                     do not expect any economic impacts to                  the lower 48 States or the District of
                                                 U.S. Department of Agriculture’s                        result from this regulations change. This              Columbia; thus, this proposed action
                                                 Wildlife Services because of the                        rule would not have sufficient                         (amendments related only to
                                                 structure of wildlife damage                            Federalism effects to warrant                          depredation and control orders) is not
                                                 management. Data are not available to                   preparation of a federalism summary                    expected to have any significant impacts
                                                 estimate the exact number of local                      impact statement under E.O. 13132.                     on migrant Canada geese. All resident
                                                 governments that would be affected, but                                                                        Canada goose population abundances
                                                                                                         Civil Justice Reform
                                                 it is unlikely to be a substantial number                                                                      are well above population objectives.
                                                 nationally. Therefore, we certify that, if                In accordance with E.O. 12988, the                   Assuming that the number of resident
                                                 adopted, this rule would not have a                     Office of the Solicitor has determined                 Canada geese that initiate nests in
                                                 significant economic impact on a                        that the proposed rule will not unduly                 January or February does not exceed the
                                                 substantial number of small entities.                   burden the judicial system and meets                   current number that initiate nests in
                                                                                                         the requirements of sections 3(a) and                  March, we expect that this proposed
                                                 Small Business Regulatory Enforcement                   3(b)(2) of the Order.                                  action would result in destruction of a
                                                 Fairness Act                                                                                                   maximum of 2,749 additional nests in
                                                                                                         Paperwork Reduction Act
                                                    This proposed rule is not a major rule                                                                      January and February. We expect it is
                                                 under SBREFA (5 U.S.C. 804(2)). It                        This proposed rule does not contain                  more likely that the proposed action
                                                 would not have a significant impact on                  new collections of information that                    would shift some portion of the current
                                                 a substantial number of small entities.                 require approval by the Office of                      resident Canada goose nest and egg
                                                    This rule would not have an annual                   Management and Budget (OMB) under                      destruction activities occurring in
                                                 effect on the economy of $100 million                   the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995                    March to either January or February. All
                                                 or more. This rule would not cause a                    (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). OMB has                      populations of resident Canada geese
                                                 major increase in costs or prices for                   approved the information collection                    are expected to remain at or above
                                                 consumers; individual industries;                       requirements associated with the                       population objective levels.
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                                                 Federal, State, or local government                     control and management of resident                        Socioeconomic. This proposed action
                                                 agencies; or geographic regions.                        Canada geese at 50 CFR part 20 and 50                  is expected to have positive impacts on
                                                    Finally, this rule would not have                    CFR part 21, and assigned OMB Control                  the socioeconomic environment in
                                                 significant adverse effects on                          Number 1018–0133 (expires December                     localized urban and suburban areas
                                                 competition, employment, investment,                    31, 2018).                                             where resident Canada geese are
                                                 productivity, innovation, or the abilities                An agency may not conduct or                         subjected to continued (annual) nest
                                                 of U.S.-based enterprises to compete                    sponsor, and a person is not required to               and egg destruction actions that
                                                 with foreign-based enterprises.                         respond to, a collection of information                gradually reduce goose numbers and


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                                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2018 / Proposed Rules                                                17991

                                                 resulting conflicts. It is also expected to             of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. To                      Resident Canada geese means Canada
                                                 reduce crop depredation at some                         better help us revise the rule, your                      geese that nest within the lower 48
                                                 localized agricultural sites where nest                 comments should be as specific as                         States and the District of Columbia or
                                                 destruction can encourage geese to leave                possible. For example, you should tell                    that reside within the lower 48 States
                                                 the site.                                               us the numbers of the sections or                         and the District of Columbia in the
                                                   Endangered and threatened species.                    paragraphs that are unclearly written,                    months of April, May, June, July, or
                                                 The proposed rule will not affect                       which sections or sentences are too                       August.
                                                 endangered or threatened species or                     long, the sections where you feel lists or                *     *     *    *     *
                                                 critical habitats.                                      tables would be useful, etc.                              ■ 5. Amend § 21.26 by revising
                                                 Compliance With Endangered Species                      Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use                       paragraph (d)(2) to read as follows:
                                                 Act Requirements                                        (E.O. 13211)                                              § 21.26   Special Canada goose permit.
                                                    Section 7 of the Endangered Species                    E.O. 13211 requires agencies to                         *     *     *     *     *
                                                 Act of 1973, as amended (ESA; 16                        prepare Statements of Energy Effects                        (d) * * *
                                                 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), requires that ‘‘The               when undertaking certain actions. This                      (2) When may a State conduct
                                                 Secretary [of the Interior] shall review                proposed rule is not a significant                        management and control activities?
                                                 other programs administered by him                      regulatory action under E.O. 13211, and                   States and their employees and agents
                                                 and utilize such programs in                            would not significantly affect energy                     may conduct egg and nest manipulation
                                                 furtherance of the purposes of this Act’’               supplies, distribution, or use. Therefore,                activities at any time of year. Other
                                                 (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(1)). It further states               this action is not a significant energy                   management and control activities,
                                                 that ‘‘[e]ach Federal agency shall, in                  action. No Statement of Energy Effects is                 including the take of resident Canada
                                                 consultation with and with the                          required.                                                 geese, under this section may only be
                                                 assistance of the Secretary, insure that                                                                          conducted between March 11 and
                                                                                                         List of Subjects in 50 CFR Parts 20 and
                                                 any action authorized, funded, or                                                                                 August 31.
                                                                                                         21
                                                 carried out by such agency * * * is not                                                                           *     *     *     *     *
                                                 likely to jeopardize the continued                        Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting                    ■ 6. Amend § 21.49 by revising
                                                 existence of any endangered species or                  and recordkeeping requirements,                           paragraph (d)(3) to read as follows:
                                                 threatened species or result in the                     Transportation, Wildlife.
                                                 destruction or adverse modification of                                                                            § 21.49 Control order for resident Canada
                                                                                                         Proposed Regulation Promulgation                          geese at airports and military airfields.
                                                 [critical] habitat’’ (16 U.S.C. 1536(a)(2)).
                                                 The proposed rule would not affect                        For the reasons stated in the                           *     *      *    *     *
                                                 endangered or threatened species or                     preamble, we hereby propose to amend                        (d) * * *
                                                 critical habitats.                                      parts 20 and 21, of subchapter B,                           (3) Airports and military airfields may
                                                                                                         chapter I, title 50 of the Code of Federal                conduct management and control
                                                 Government-to-Government                                Regulations, as set forth below:                          activities, involving the take of resident
                                                 Relationship With Tribes                                                                                          Canada geese, under this section
                                                    In accordance with the President’s                   PART 20—MIGRATORY BIRD                                    between April 1 and September 15. The
                                                 memorandum of April 29, 1994,                           HUNTING                                                   destruction of resident Canada goose
                                                 ‘‘Government-to-Government Relations                    ■ 1. The authority citation for part 20                   nests and eggs may take place at any
                                                 with Native American Tribal                             continues to read as follows:                             time of year.
                                                 Governments’’ (59 FR 22951), E.O.                                                                                 *     *      *    *     *
                                                 13175, and 512 DM 2, we have                              Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq, and 16
                                                                                                                                                                   ■ 7. Amend § 21.50 by revising
                                                                                                         U.S.C. 742a–j.
                                                 evaluated potential effects on federally                                                                          paragraph (d)(4) to read as follows:
                                                 recognized Indian tribes and have                       ■ 2. Amend § 20.11 by revising
                                                 determined that there are no potential                  paragraph (n) to read as follows:                         § 21.50 Depredation order for resident
                                                 effects. This proposed rule would not                                                                             Canada geese nests and eggs.
                                                                                                         § 20.11 What terms do I need to                           *     *     *     *     *
                                                 interfere with the tribes’ abilities to                 understand?
                                                 manage themselves or their funds or to                                                                              (d) * * *
                                                 regulate migratory bird activities on                   *     *     *    *     *                                    (4) Registrants may conduct resident
                                                 tribal lands.                                             (n) Resident Canada geese means                         Canada goose nest and egg destruction
                                                                                                         Canada geese that nest within the lower                   activities at any time of year.
                                                 Clarity of This Proposed Rule                           48 States and the District of Columbia                    Homeowners’ associations and local
                                                    We are required by Executive Orders                  or that reside within the lower 48 States                 governments or their agents must obtain
                                                 12866 and 12988 and by the                              and the District of Columbia in the                       landowner consent prior to destroying
                                                 Presidential Memorandum of June 1,                      months of April, May, June, July, or                      nests and eggs on private property
                                                 1998, to write all rules in plain                       August.                                                   within the homeowners’ association or
                                                 language. This means that each rule we                  *     *     *    *     *                                  local government’s jurisdiction and be
                                                 publish must:                                                                                                     in compliance with all State and local
                                                    (a) Be logically organized;                          PART 21—MIGRATORY BIRD PERMITS                            laws and regulations.
                                                    (b) Use the active voice to address                  ■ 3. The authority citation for part 21 is                *     *     *     *     *
                                                 readers directly;                                       revised to read as follows:                               ■ 8. Amend § 21.51 by revising
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                                                    (c) Use clear language rather than                                                                             paragraph (d)(4) to read as follows:
                                                 jargon;                                                     Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703–712.
                                                    (d) Be divided into short sections and               ■ 4. Amend § 21.3 by revising the                         § 21.51 Depredation order for resident
                                                 sentences; and                                          definition for ‘‘Resident Canada geese’’                  Canada geese at agricultural facilities.
                                                    (e) Use lists and tables wherever                    to read as follows:                                       *     *    *    *     *
                                                 possible.                                                                                                           (d) * * *
                                                    If you feel that we have not met these               § 21.3       Definitions.                                   (4) Authorized agricultural producers
                                                 requirements, send us comments by one                   *        *       *       *      *                         and their employees and agents may


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                                                 17992                  Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 80 / Wednesday, April 25, 2018 / Proposed Rules

                                                 conduct management and control                          § 21.52 Public health control order for                goose nests and eggs may take place at
                                                 activities, involving the take of resident              resident Canada geese.                                 any time of year.
                                                 Canada geese, under this section                        *     *     *    *      *                              *     *    *     *    *
                                                 between May 1 and August 31. The                          (e) * * *
                                                                                                           (3) Authorized State and Tribal                        Dated: April 10, 2018.
                                                 destruction of resident Canada goose
                                                                                                         wildlife agencies and their employees                  Susan Combs,
                                                 nests and eggs may take place at any
                                                 time of year.                                           and agents may conduct management                      Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Exercising
                                                                                                         and control activities, involving the take             the Authority of the Assistant Secretary for
                                                 *     *      *    *     *                               of resident Canada geese, under this                   Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
                                                 ■ 9. Amend § 21.52 by revising                          section between April 1 and August 31.                 [FR Doc. 2018–08500 Filed 4–24–18; 8:45 am]
                                                 paragraph (e)(3) to read as follows:                    The destruction of resident Canada                     BILLING CODE 4333–15–P
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Document Created: 2018-11-02 08:17:40
Document Modified: 2018-11-02 08:17:40
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule.
DatesComments on this proposed rule must be received by May 25, 2018.
ContactPaul I. Padding, Atlantic Flyway Representative, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 11510 American Holly Drive, Laurel, MD 20708; (301) 497-5851 or email [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 17987 
RIN Number1018-BC72
CFR Citation50 CFR 20
50 CFR 21
CFR AssociatedExports; Hunting; Imports; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements; Transportation and Wildlife

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