83 FR 24080 - Migratory Bird Permits; Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 101 (May 24, 2018)

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), inform the public that we are no longer considering preparation of a programmatic environmental impact statement (PEIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a proposed rule to authorize incidental take of migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 101 (Thursday, May 24, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 24080]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11147]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 21

[Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2014-0067; FF09M29000-156-FXMB1232090BPP0]


Migratory Bird Permits; Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Announcement.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), inform the 
public that we are no longer considering preparation of a programmatic 
environmental impact statement (PEIS) pursuant to the National 
Environmental Policy Act to evaluate the potential environmental 
impacts of a proposed rule to authorize incidental take of migratory 
birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

DATES: As of May 24, 2018, no further action will be taken in regard to 
the notice of intent to prepare a PEIS that was published in the 
Federal Register on May 26, 2015 (80 FR 30032).

ADDRESSES: The notice of intent and the comments received can be viewed 
online at www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FWS-HQ-MB-2014-0067.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ken Richkus, Deputy Chief, Division of 
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 
Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803, telephone 703-358-1780.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    On May 26, 2015, the Service published in the Federal Register a 
notice of intent (80 FR 30032) to prepare a programmatic environmental 
impact statement (PEIS) pursuant to the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347). The purpose of the PEIS was to 
evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a proposal to authorize 
incidental take of migratory birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act 
(MBTA; 16 U.S.C. 703-711). The Service was considering rulemaking to 
address various approaches to regulating incidental take of migratory 
birds. The regulations would also have provided protection for entities 
that had taken efforts to reduce incidental take by promoting 
implementation of appropriate conservation measures to avoid or reduce 
avian mortality.

Announcement

    Due to issuance of the December 22, 2017, DOI Solicitor Opinion (M-
37050), the actions contemplated are superseded, and we are no longer 
pursuing action on the PEIS as announced in the notice of intent that 
was published in the Federal Register on May 26, 2015 (80 FR 30032). We 
publish this document under the authorities of NEPA and the MBTA.

    Dated: May 16, 2018.
James W. Kurth,
Deputy Director for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Exercising the 
Authority of the Director for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2018-11147 Filed 5-23-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-55-P