September 9, 2003
Archived May 14, 2004

Subject: Proposed Fee Increases for Service Import/Export Licenses and Permits

Background: The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is seeking public comment on a proposal to increase fees for permits and licenses for conducting wildlife-related activities, including import/export. The issuance of permits represents a special service that allows individuals, companies, and organizations to conduct activities not otherwise authorized for the general public. Federal agencies are required to recoup the cost of such services from those who benefit from them. Fees collected today, however, defray only a small portion of the cost of administering the Service permit program

Action: On August 26, 2003, the Service published a proposed rule in the Federal Register explaining the need to increase permit application fees and outlining a new fee schedule.

The proposed increases will allow the Service to recover more of the costs associated with reviewing and approving permit applications. The new fees reflect the nature of the activity permitted (public interest vs. commercial benefit) and the complexity and time required to process applications.

Fees have also been added for making substantive changes to existing permits. Amendment fees will not be assessed for administrative changes, such as revising addresses or telephone numbers.

The table below shows the new fees that have been proposed for import/export licenses and permits obtained directly from the Office of Law Enforcement:

Please be aware that similar increases have been proposed for Service permits authorizing a variety of other import/export activities. You may review the full text of the proposed rule and the complete fee schedule on the web at http://permits.fws.gov/federalregister/federalregister.shtml .

Comments: All comments on this proposal to increase fees for Service permits (including those issued by the Office of Law Enforcement) should be submitted by October 10, 2003, to the Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, MBSP 4107, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1610. Comments may be also be faxed to (703) 358-2272, or sent by e-mail to: permitspart13@fws.gov.