[Federal Register: July 22, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 140)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 39460-39478] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr22jy99-27] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service 50 CFR Part 20 RIN 1018-AF24 Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations and Regulatory Alternatives for the 1999-2000 Duck Hunting Season; Notice of Meeting AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Proposed rule; Supplemental. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) is proposing to establish the 1999-2000 early-season hunting regulations for certain migratory game birds. We annually prescribe frameworks, or outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the maximum number of birds that may be taken and possessed in early seasons. Early seasons generally open prior to October 1, and include seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of final seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with population status and habitat conditions. This supplement to the proposed rule also provides the regulatory alternatives for the 1999-2000 duck hunting season. DATES: To comment on the proposed early-season frameworks, you must do so by August 2, 1999. ADDRESSES: Send your comments on these proposals to the Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management (MBMO), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, room 634-Arlington Square, Washington, DC 20240. All comments received, including names and addresses, will become part of the public record. You may inspect comments during normal business hours in room 634, Arlington Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Andrew, Chief, or Ron W. Kokel, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358-1714. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulations Schedule for 1999 On May 3, 1999, we published in the Federal Register (64 FR 23742) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt with the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for migratory game birds under Sec. 20.101 [[Page 39461]] through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. On June 17, we published in the Federal Register (64 FR 32758) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early-and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations frameworks and the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 1999-2000 duck hunting season. The June 17 supplement also provided detailed information on the 1999-2000 regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee and Flyway Council meetings. This document is the third in a series of proposed, supplemental, and final rulemaking documents for migratory bird hunting regulations and deals specifically with proposed frameworks for early-season regulations and the final regulatory alternatives for the 1999-2000 duck hunting season. It will lead to final frameworks from which States may select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and possession limits for the 1999-2000 season. We have considered all pertinent comments received through July 2, 1999, in developing this document. In addition, new proposals for certain early-season regulations are provided for public comment. Comment periods are specified above under DATES. We will publish final regulatory frameworks for early seasons in the Federal Register on or about August 20, 1999. Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee Meetings The June 22-23 meetings reviewed information on the current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed 1999-2000 migratory game bird regulations recommendations for these species plus regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl seasons in designated States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway; and extended falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary information on the status of waterfowl as it relates to the development and selection of the regulatory packages for the 1999-2000 regular waterfowl seasons. The previously announced August 3-4 meetings will review information on the current status of waterfowl and develop 1999- 2000 migratory game bird regulations recommendations for regular waterfowl seasons and other species and seasons not previously discussed at the early season meetings. In accordance with Departmental policy, these meetings are open to public observation and you may submit written comments to the Director on the matters discussed. Population Status and Harvest May Breeding Waterfowl and Habitat Survey In the Western or Traditional survey area, breeding habitat conditions were generally good to excellent, and overall better than conditions in 1998. An early warm spring and plenty of precipitation resulted in abundant ponds and excellent nesting cover in most of the Dakotas, northern Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories, and western Ontario. The exceptions to these good conditions were southern and central Alberta, central Saskatchewan, and western Montana, where a dry early spring limited nesting habitat; and Alaska, where spring was as much as 2 weeks late. The estimated number of May ponds in the traditional survey area (6.7 <plus-minus> 0.3 million) was 46% greater (P<0.01) than that of 1998, and 37% greater than the 1974-98 average (P<0.01). Overall, the traditional survey area was in good to excellent condition this spring and good to excellent waterfowl production is expected this year. An expanded area of Eastern habitat conditions was included this year in the East. Although these additional areas have been surveyed since 1996, information from them is included this year for the first time. Unlike the Western survey area, habitat conditions in the east were generally poorer this year than last year. Much of the eastern survey area was relatively dry, especially Maine, the Maritimes, southern Quebec, and southern Ontario. Conditions resulted in few temporary ponds and low water levels in permanent water bodies. The northern portions of the east were in good to excellent condition, but lack of brood rearing habitat is expected to also limit production from this area. Overall, the eastern survey area was in fair to good condition, with fair to good production expected this year. The 1999 total duck population estimate for the traditional survey area was 44.4 <plus-minus> 0.8 million birds, an increase (P<0.01) of 14% over that of 1998, and 35% higher (P<0.01) than the 1955-98 average. Mallard abundance was 11.3 (<plus-minus> 0.4) million, an increase of 17% (P<0.01) over last year and 53% (P<0.01) greater than the long term average. Blue-winged teal abundance was 7.2 (<plus-minus> 0.4) million, similar (P=0.10) to 1998, but 66% greater than the long term average (P<0.01). Northern pintail (3.1 <plus-minus> 0.2 million, +21%), scaup (4.4 <plus-minus> 0.2 million, +27%), green-winged teal (2.8 <plus-minus> 0.2 million, +36%), and northern shoveler (3.9 <plus-minus> 0.2 million, +22%) increased from 1998 estimates (P<0.04). Gadwall (3.2 <plus-minus> 0.2 million, +110%), green-winged teal (+61%), northern shoveler (+95%), redheads (1.0 <plus-minus> 0.1 million, +60%), and canvasbacks (0.7 <plus-minus> 0.1 million, +34%) were above their respective long term averages (P<0.03), while pintails (-30%) and scaup (-18%) were below their long term averages (P<0.01). In the eastern areas of Canada and the U.S., the total number of ducks (1.3 <plus-minus> 0.1 million) remained unchanged from last year and the 1995-98 average. Abundances of individual species in the east were similar (P<gr-thn-eq>0.11) to those of last year, except for increased estimates of goldeneye (+197%) (P<0.09). Goldeneye was above it's long term average (+288%), while blue-winged teal (-95%) and scaup (-90%) were below theirs (P<0.03). Sandhill Cranes The Mid-Continent Population of Sandhill Cranes appears to have stabilized following dramatic increases in the early 1980's. The Central Platte River Valley 1999 preliminary spring index, uncorrected for visibility, was 222,500. The photo-corrected 3-year average for the 1996-98 period was 477,911, which was 3% above the established population-objective range of 343,000-465,000 cranes. All Central Flyway States, except Nebraska, elected to allow crane hunting in portions of their respective States in 1998-99. About 8,700 hunters participated in these seasons, which was 8% higher than the previous year's seasons. About 21,849 cranes were harvested in 1998-99 in the Central Flyway, a 5% increase from the previous year's high estimate. Harvests from Pacific Flyway, Canada and Mexico are estimated to be about 13,700 for 1998-99 sport-hunting seasons. The total North American sport harvest, including crippling losses, was estimated to be about 41,414 for the Mid-Continent Population. The fall 1998 pre-migration survey estimate for the Rocky Mountain Population was 18,202, which is similar to the 1997 estimate. Limited special seasons were held during 1998 in portions of Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, resulting in an estimated harvest of 538 cranes. Woodcock Wing-collection and Singing-ground surveys were conducted to assess the population status of the American woodcock (Scolopax minor). The 1998 recruitment index for the Eastern Region (1.7 immatures per adult female) [[Page 39462]] equaled the long-term regional average; the recruitment index for the Central Region (1.6 immatures per adult female) was 6% below the long- term regional average. The index of daily hunting success in the Eastern Region increased from 1.8 woodcock per successful hunt in 1997 to 1.9 woodcock per successful hunt in 1998, but seasonal hunting success declined 4%, from 6.9 to 6.6 woodcock per successful hunter in 1997 and 1998, respectively. In the Central Region, the daily success index in 1998 was unchanged from the 1997 index (2.1 woodcock per successful hunt) but the seasonal success index increased from 10.0 to 11.0 (10%) woodcock per successful hunter. Singing-ground Survey data indicated that the number of displaying woodcock in the Eastern Region was unchanged (P>0.1) from 1998 levels. In the Central Region, there was a 13.4% decrease in the number of woodcock heard displaying (P<0.01) compared to 1998 levels. Trends from the Singing-ground Survey during 1989-99 were negative (-3.3 and -3.7% per year for the Eastern and Central regions, respectively; P<0.01). There were long-term (1968- 99) declines (P<0.01) of 2.4% per year in the Eastern Region and 1.6% per year in the Central Region. Doves and Band-Tailed Pigeons Analyses of Mourning Dove Call-count Survey data indicated significant declines in doves heard over the most recent 10 years and the entire 34 years of the survey in all 3 management units. White- winged doves in Arizona are maintaining a fairly stable population since the late 1970's. A low harvest is being maintained compared with birds taken several decades ago. In Texas, the phenomenon of the white- winged dove range expansion continues. Birds are now seen in most large cities in north and central Texas. White-tipped doves in Texas are maintaining their population with a relatively low harvest level. For band-tailed pigeons, the Coastal population continues to show a significant decline as indicated by the Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) for the 10 and 32-year periods. In contrast, mineral spring counts at 10 selected sites in Oregon indicate an overall stable population in the state with an increasing trend since 1986. Call-count survey results in Washington show no significant trends in the bandtail population between 1975-98. Washington has not opted to select a hunting season for band-tail pigeons since 1991. The harvest of coastal pigeons is estimated to be less than 20,000 birds out of a population of about 3 million. The Interior band-tailed pigeon population is stable with no trend indicated by the BBS over the short or long-term time periods. Harvest is less than 1,000 birds. Review of Public Comments The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the May 3 Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting regulations. The supplemental proposed rule, which appeared in the June 17 Federal Register, defined the public comment period for the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 1999-2000 duck hunting season. The public comment period for the proposed regulatory alternatives ended July 2, 1999. Early-season comments and comments pertaining to the proposed alternatives are summarized below and numbered in the order used in the May 3 Federal Register. Only the numbered items pertaining to early seasons issues and the proposed regulatory alternatives for which written comments were received are included. We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are summarized below. We seek additional information and comments on the recommendations in this supplemental proposed rule. New proposals and modifications to previously described proposals are discussed below. Wherever possible, they are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered items in the May 3, 1999, Federal Register. 1. Ducks Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest management are: (A) Harvest Strategy Considerations, (B) Framework Dates, (C) Season Length, (D) Closed Seasons, (E) Bag Limits, (F) Zones and Split Seasons, and (G) Special Seasons/Species Management. The categories correspond to previous published issues/discussion and only those containing substantial recommendations are discussed below. A. Harvest Strategy Considerations Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended continued use of the 1998-99 duck hunting packages for the 1999-2000 season. They further recommended the Service not allow framework date extensions in any States during the 1999-2000 season. The Upper-Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended the Service use the 1997-98 regulations packages for the 1999-2000 duck season, including frameworks dates from the Saturday nearest October 1 to the Sunday nearest January 20. The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended the Service continue use of the 1998-99 regulatory packages for the 1999- 2000 season and further recommended deletion of the ``very restrictive'' alternative and modification of the framework opening and closing dates to the Saturday nearest to September 23 to January 31 for all alternatives with no offsets. The Central Flyway Council recommended the Service continue use of the 1998-99 regulatory packages for the 1999-2000 season with several modifications. The Council recommended framework opening dates of the Saturday nearest to September 24 in the ``liberal'' and ``moderate'' regulatory alternatives with no offsets. The framework closing date would remain the Sunday nearest to January 20. Additionally, the Council recommended that no additional changes be allowed to the packages for a five-year period. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended framework dates of the Saturday nearest to September 23 to January 31 without offsets in the ``liberal'' alternative and with offsets in the ``moderate'' alternative (as long as the offset does not exceed 7 days with a season of not less than 79 days in the Pacific Flyway). For the ``restrictive'' and ``very restrictive'' alternatives, the Council recommended maintaining current framework dates. The Council also recommended maintaining the current mallard bag limits and preserving the traditional differences in harvest opportunity both within and between Flyways. Written Comments: The Alabama Division of Game and Fish believed the ``very restrictive'' alternative should be deleted. Service Response: For the 1999-2000 regular duck hunting season, we will use the four regulatory alternatives detailed in the accompanying table (see further discussion in B. Framework Dates). Alternatives are specified for each Flyway and are designated as ``VERY RES'' for the very restrictive, ``RES'' for the restrictive, ``MOD'' for the moderate, and ``LIB'' for the liberal alternative. We will propose a specific [[Page 39463]] regulatory alternative in early August when survey data on waterfowl population and habitat status are available in late July. B. Framework Dates Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that the Service not allow framework date extensions in any States during the 1999-2000 season. The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended no change in the framework dates from the 1997-98 regulatory alternatives. The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended modification of the framework opening and closing dates to the Saturday nearest to September 23 to January 31 for all regulatory alternatives with no offsets. The Central Flyway Council recommended a framework opening date of the Saturday nearest to September 24 in the ``liberal'' and ``moderate'' regulatory alternatives with no offsets. The framework closing date would remain the Sunday nearest to January 20. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended framework dates of the Saturday nearest to September 23 to January 31 with no offsets in the ``liberal'' alternative and with offsets in the ``moderate'' alternative (as long as the offset does not exceed 7 days with a season of not less than 79 days in the Pacific Flyway). For the ``restrictive'' and ``very restrictive'' alternatives, the Council recommended maintaining current framework dates. Written Comments: The Alabama Division of Game and Fish believe that the January 31 framework extension should occur in all alternatives with no associated offset in season length. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources continues to support the 1998-99 regulatory alternatives, as published in the August 5 Federal Register. However, given the current situation facing the Service, they believe this year's proposal minimizes the damage caused by the frameworks issue and allows movement forward to more important waterfowl management issues. Furthermore, they are concerned about the changing distribution and continued shift in Flyway harvest over the past few years to the southern States and requested us to examine the contribution of the current ``liberal'' alternative to this harvest shift. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (Mississippi) supported frameworks dates of the Saturday closest to September 23 to January 31 in the ``liberal'', ``moderate'', and ``restrictive'' alternatives. They further requested that all States taking the framework extension be allowed to offset potential harvest increases with appropriate season length reductions and believed that framework dates should not be used as a regulatory tool. In a separate letter, Mississippi questioned the proposed 9-day offset. More specifically, they believe that the offset should be proportional to the extension. Last season, the normal framework closing date for the rest of the Mississippi Flyway was January 17 (the Sunday closest to January 20), resulting in a realized 14-day extension to January 31 for Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. This season, the framework closing date for the rest of the Mississippi Flyway is January 23 (again, the Sunday closest to January 20), resulting in only a realized 8-day extension to January 31. Thus, Mississippi believes the offset for this season should be 5 days. The Missouri Department of Conservation supported the proposals for the 1999-2000 regulatory alternatives and agreed with maintaining the framework date specifications through the 2002-03 season. While Missouri continued to believe that the 1998-99 alternatives offered the most acceptable regulations package, they believed that the next best solution was the Service's proposal of framework extensions limited to Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. They believed that this alternative would have the least biological impact and the least effect on continuing AHM progress. The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (South Dakota) generally agreed with the proposed regulatory alternatives, including bag limits and season lengths. However, they believed that there was room to provide increased hunting opportunity for northern production States by extending the framework opening date, with or without offsets, to the Saturday nearest to September 24 in the ``liberal'' and ``moderate'' alternatives. South Dakota further believed that the impact of any framework extension would be minimal and that the effects of such an extension should be evaluated in an adaptive manner after the fact rather than assuming worst-case scenario impacts. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency requested the Service allow additional time to review harvest data from last year and solicit public comments before committing to an additional 4-year January 31 framework closing date alternative. They requested that this decision be part of the normal late-season selection process. The California Waterfowl Association recommended the Service offer Pacific Flyway States a January 31 framework closing date in both the ``moderate'' and ``liberal'' alternatives. More specifically, they recommended frameworks of the Saturday nearest September 23 to January 31 in the ``moderate'' and ``liberal'' alternatives, with associated offsets. They believe that continuing the use of the 1998-99 frameworks will effectively inhibit the gathering of data critical to developing a predictive AHM model for California and other Pacific Flyway States. The Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Mississippi Outfitters Association supported a January 31 framework closing date in the ``liberal'', ``moderate'', and ``restrictive'' alternatives. Individuals in Alabama and Tennessee supported a January 31 framework closing date, while an individual in Minnesota supported a framework opening date of the Saturday nearest October 1. Another individual in Minnesota requested a later closing date for northern States citing concerns over global warming. An individual in Texas requested that seasons be shifted 2-3 weeks later to account for changes in waterfowl migration patterns. Service Response: As indicated in the June 17 Federal Register, there remains a diversity of opinions: (1) about the desirability of framework-date extensions at this time; (2) about the need for corresponding reductions in season length; (3) about whether extensions should be applied to opening dates, closing dates, or both; and (4) about the inclusion of framework-date extensions in some or all of the regulatory alternatives. In light of the lack of consensus among the Flyways and States, and because of a pressing need for stable regulatory alternatives, we are continuing the use of the 1998-99 regulatory alternatives published in the August 5, 1998, Federal Register, for the 1999-2000 hunting season with one exception. For the States of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee, we will offer the use of a 51-day season in the ``liberal'' alternative and a 38-day season in the ``moderate'' alternative with a January 31 framework closing date in both alternatives. Of the six States that were offered the framework extension in the 1998-99 season, only these three States availed themselves of this option. We believe that a reduction in season length is needed to offset the expected increase in duck harvest (about 18% for mallards), and that 9 [[Page 39464]] days in the ``liberal'' alternative and 7 days in the ``moderate'' alternative are commensurate offsets for this region of the country. These season-length offsets are based on the average increase in harvest associated with extending the framework beyond the traditional date of the Sunday nearest January 20. Although we recognize that the length of the framework extension will vary with calender changes, it currently is technically impossible to reliably assess year-specific offsets of season-length. The framework-date extension is limited to the ``liberal'' and ``moderate'' regulatory alternatives to avoid the introduction of additional uncertainty about harvest impacts at other regulatory levels, and to avoid the potential for late-season physiological or behavioral impacts on ducks when population levels are insufficient to support more liberal seasons. Framework opening and closing dates for all other States would remain unchanged from those published in the August 5, 1998, Federal Register. Further, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee should base their decision on the clear understanding that we intend to maintain these framework-date specifications through the 2002-03 hunting season, or until such time that the Flyway Councils can develop an approach that adequately addresses the concerns of the Service and a majority of States. Thus, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee must decide on whether they want to enter into a 4-year commitment on frameworks. Following their decision this year, we do not intend to annually revisit this issue. This stability is necessary to assess the appropriateness of the offset for the extended framework closing date in the southern Mississippi Flyway, and to ensure that the AHM process can continue to increase our understanding of the effects of hunting on waterfowl populations. This understanding is essential to providing maximum levels of biologically sustainable hunting opportunity. Finally, in making this offer to Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee, we believe that it is important to reiterate one of our guidelines from last year (63 FR 63580) that if a season closing date after the Sunday nearest January 20 is selected for any portion of the State, the season-length offset applies throughout the State. F. Zones and Split Seasons Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the Service add ``3 zones with 2-way splits permitted in one or more zones'' as an additional option beginning in 2001. Further, because of the public input process many States undertake, the Committee recommended that States have up to one year to choose this option prior to the 2001 regular duck season regulations process. The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the Service consider offering all States the option of choosing 3 zones with a split season in each zone in the year 2001. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended the Service engage the Flyway Councils in an evaluation of the guidelines for zoning and split seasons, prior to the 2001 ``open season'' on regulation changes. Written Comments: The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the Mississippi Outfitters Association requested that all States participating in a framework extension be allowed 1 split. Service Response: We acknowledge the recommendations from the Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council and the Pacific Flyway Council pertaining to revision of guidelines for selecting zone and split options for duck hunting. Accordingly, we will work with all the Flyway Councils in the next year to review the existing guidelines, and plan to finalize these guidelines during next year's (2000-01) late season regulations process. The final guidance will then be available for use by all States in the ensuing year as they solicit public input for zone and split configurations for use during 2001-05. Regarding the comments from Mississippi, we will continue to utilize the existing zone/split guidelines published in the July 22, 1996, Federal Register (61 FR 37994) until the next open season in 2001. These guidelines apply to all States, regardless of whether a State chooses to participate in an experimental framework extension. G. Special Seasons/Species Management i. Scaup In the past year, we have continued to indicate our growing concern for the status and trends of North American scaup. We have distributed a status report on scaup and provided some initial guidelines concerning a scaup harvest strategy to the Flyway Councils and others for consideration in the development of recommendations for the 1999- 2000 hunting season. In response to this information, all four Flyways discussed the issue at their winter meetings. Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that the Service monitor and manage the harvest of greater and lesser scaup populations separately. They recommended that differences in harvest management, when required, be achieved through different daily bag limits applied on a regional basis. In the Atlantic Flyway, they recommended that in those regions harvesting primarily greater scaup, 1999-2000 scaup harvest regulations be based on the status of greater scaup, while the remaining portions of the Flyway be based on the status of lesser scaup. They further recommended that population objectives and regulatory triggering levels be finalized this summer. The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the scaup daily bag limit be reduced from 6 to 3 for 1999. The Central Flyway Council believes that the North American Waterfowl Management Plan's scaup population objective (6.3 million) is too high and that a more appropriate objective is 5.4 million (1955- 1998 average). This new objective would consist of 4.9 million lesser scaup and 462,000 greater scaup. The Council recommended a prescription for scaup bag limits based on the status of lesser scaup as follows: <2 million, bag limit of 1; 2-4.2 million, bag limit of 2; and >4.2, the bag limit for scaup should equal the regular daily duck limit as determined by the AHM process. Service Response: We remain concerned about the long-term status and trends in North American scaup populations. Further, we appreciate the efforts of all four Flyway Councils to constructively address the issue of a harvest strategy for scaup and will continue to work with the Councils to finalize a harvest strategy for scaup for the 1999-2000 season. iv. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council requested that the Service clarify the linkage between the Flyway-wide wood duck harvest strategy, September teal seasons, and regional (reference area) September wood duck seasons. They further recommended the continuation of the experimental September teal/wood duck seasons in Kentucky and Tennessee in 1999 with no changes from the 1998 season. Service Response: In the July 17, 1998, Federal Register (63 FR 38707) we [[Page 39465]] indicated that September wood duck seasons would be allowed to continue for a maximum of 3 years. Results from the Wood Duck Population Monitoring Initiative indicate that sufficient monitoring capabilities currently do not exist at the sub-Flyway level to support continuation of September wood duck seasons. Therefore, the seasons in Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee will be discontinued after September 2000. Flyway harvest strategies that address regular-season wood duck regulations will then be implemented for the 2001-2002 season. We see no linkage between the Flyway-wide wood duck strategy, September teal seasons, and regional September wood duck seasons. v. Youth Hunt Council Recommendations: The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council and the Central Flyway Council recommended expansion of the special youth waterfowl hunt to 2 days. Written Comments: The Alabama Division of Game and Fish recommended expansion of the special youth hunt to 2 consecutive days. Service Response: We appreciate the Flyway Councils' support of the youth waterfowl hunting day, but do not support the recommendation of the Mississippi Flyway Council's Lower-Region Regulations Committee and the Central Flyway Council to expand the youth hunt to two consecutive days. Our intent in establishing this special day of opportunity was to introduce youth to the concepts of ethical utilization and stewardship of waterfowl and other natural resources, encourage youngsters and adults to experience the outdoors together, and to contribute to the long-term conservation of the migratory bird resource. We view the special youth hunting day as a unique educational opportunity, above and beyond the regular season, which helps ensure high-quality learning experiences for those youth indicating interest in hunting. We believe that the youth hunting day will help develop a conservation ethic in our youth and is consistent with the Service's responsibility to foster an appreciation for our nation's valuable wildlife resources. We do not believe an extensive evaluation of the effects of youth hunting day is cost effective but believe waterfowl populations can support this limited additional opportunity. Increases in the duration of this unique opportunity would increase the pressure to conduct additional evaluations. With the above objectives and potential costs in mind, there is not a compelling reason to extend the opportunity beyond the 1-day period. 4. Canada Geese A. Special Seasons Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council made several recommendations concerning September goose seasons. They recommended the approval of operational status for a September 1 to 25 framework in Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and a September 1 to 30 framework in New Jersey. They further recommended the expansion of the September goose season framework closing date around Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, New York from September 15 to 20. The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that Minnesota be allowed to have an experimental extension of their September special season from September 16 to 22, except in the Northwest Goose Zone, for the 1999-2001 hunting seasons. The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council urged the Service to use caution in changing or expanding special goose seasons. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended the addition of the Bridger Valley hunt unit to the existing September RMP Canada goose seasons in western Wyoming, with frameworks of September 1 to 7. Written Comments: The Alabama Division expressed appreciation for the caution demonstrated by the Service in changing or expanding special Canada goose seasons. The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau recommended lengthening hunting seasons for resident geese to provide relief from excessive crop damage. An individual in Pennsylvania also supported increasing hunting seasons to help farmers control excessive goose damage. Service Response: We concur with the recommendations regarding the change in status for the New Jersey and Pennsylvania special seasons. Additionally, we concur with the recommendations for experimental extensions of the special September Canada goose seasons in New York and Minnesota, with the provisions and evaluation outlined in their proposals. We also concur with the proposal to add the Bridger Valley Hunt Unit in Wyoming. B. Regular Seasons Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the 1999 regular goose season opening date be as early as September 18 in Michigan and Wisconsin. Service Response: We concur with the recommendations for a September 18 opening date in Wisconsin and the North Zone (Upper Peninsula) of Michigan. For the Lower Peninsula (Middle and South Zones) of Michigan, we concur with the recommendation for a September 18 opening under the conditions for Canada geese identified in the following frameworks. Continuation of an opening date earlier than the Saturday nearest October 1 in the Lower Peninsula beyond the 1999-2000 hunting season will be contingent upon the State's developing a proposal for evaluating the population composition of the Canada goose harvest during the earlier regular seasons in comparison to seasons with a traditional opening date. In addition to identifying the kinds of data to be collected and analyzed during the next few years, the proposal should include a summary of data collected during the earlier regular seasons in 1998-99 and 1999-2000. Michigan should submit the proposal to us and the Mississippi Flyway Council prior to the Council's March 2000 meeting. Regarding the Lower-Region Regulation Committee's concern for cumulative impacts of special-season harvests on migrant Canada goose populations of concern, we are aware of the Committee's concern and are monitoring the harvests occurring during these seasons. 9. Sandhill Cranes Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended removal of the ``float'' portion (10% of the total allowable harvest) of the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) greater sandhill crane annual harvest allocation for the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons. The Council recommended removal of this harvest portion to allow a research study. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended several changes in sandhill crane seasons. For greater sandhill cranes, the Council recommended the establishment of a new experimental crane hunt in Box Elder County, Utah, between September 1 and September 30. For RMP cranes, the Council recommended that the frameworks be modified to include Bear Lake and Fremont Counties in Idaho, and that the current requirement for hunter check stations in these counties be waived. The Council further recommended that the annual check station requirement for the Arizona [[Page 39466]] RMP Greater Sandhill Crane hunt be modified to a required check station every 3 years. Service Response: We concur with the various proposals from the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils regrading RMP Cranes. We note that several of the proposals received from the Pacific Flyway Council were requests for exemptions from specific provisions of the management plan for this population. We believe the biological information was clearly in support of the recommended exemptions, however, it would also note that it is our strong preference to see the Councils address these types of issues through management plan revisions rather than through exemptions to procedures placed in Federal regulations. Therefore, we have approved these recommendations but require that the management plan for this population be revised to reflect these changes in procedures by July, 2001. Further, we request that the Pacific Flyway Council give consideration to changing management plans rather than requesting federal regulatory changes if similar situations should develop with this or other populations of migratory game birds in the future. 18. Alaska Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council made several recommendations concerning Alaska. For sea ducks, the Council recommended reducing the separate sea duck bag and possession limits from 15/30 to 10/20 king and common eiders, scoters, and mergansers in the aggregate. Long-tailed ducks (oldsquaws) and harlequins would be included in general duck limits and seasons would remain closed for spectacled and Steller's eiders. For Canada geese, the Council recommended removal of Canada goose bag limit restrictions within dark goose bag limits (4/8) in Alaska Game Management Subunit 9E (Alaska Peninsula) and Unit 18 (Y-K Delta). Further, for tundra swans, the Council recommended that tundra swan permits issued for swan hunts in Alaska allow the take of up to 3 swans per permit, with no change in reporting requirements or other framework conditions. Written comments: A constituent from Alaska wrote regarding the need for greater reductions in sea duck harvest regulations than had been proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council. Service Response: We concur with the recommendations of the Pacific Flyway Council regarding Alaska's migratory game birds regulations for the 1999-2000 hunting season. We have carefully reviewed the recommendation regarding changes in sea duck regulations for Alaska from both the Council and from a concerned constituent from Alaska. The population status of sea ducks remains a concern to us. We believe that the changes proposed by the Council constitute a good first step in developing a more comprehensive strategy for the long-term harvest management of sea ducks in Alaska. We are convinced that the long-term solution will involve both sport and subsistence harvest as well as meeting many of the pressing information needs for this important group of waterfowl. We look forward to working with our partners in the newly formed Sea Duck Joint Venture to meet these challenges. Additionally, we note that the tundra swan permit request for Alaska is another instance where the Council is requesting an exemption from procedures outlined in approved management plans. While we recognize the special circumstances that have lead to this recommendation and have approved the change in procedures as recommended by the Council, we strongly prefer that future deviations from procedures in the management plan be addressed through management plan revisions rather than Federal regulation. Further, it is our belief that changes in total harvest allocation were not intended to result from the proposed changes in the permit procedure. Therefore, we have not changed the total swan harvest allocated to Alaska. We strongly recommend that the western tundra swan management and hunt plans be revised in a timely fashion and prior to any further requests for exceptions to the procedures outlined in the management and hunt plans. We suggest that July of 2001 would seem a reasonable target date for completion of such a revision and will work with the Council to achieve this goal. Public Comment Invited We intend that adopted final rules be as responsive as possible to all concerned interests, and therefore desire to obtain the comments and suggestions of the public, other governmental agencies, non- governmental organizations, and other private interests on these proposals. However, special circumstances are involved in the establishment of these regulations which limit the amount of time that we can allow for public comment. Specifically, two considerations compress the time in which the rulemaking process must operate: (1) the need to establish final rules at a point early enough in the summer to allow affected State agencies to appropriately adjust their licensing and regulatory mechanisms; and (2) the unavailability, before mid-June, of specific, reliable data on this year's status of some waterfowl and migratory shore and upland game bird populations. Therefore, we believe that to allow comment periods past the dates specified is contrary to the public interest. The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever practicable, to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the proposed regulations. Before promulgation of final migratory game bird hunting regulations, we will take into consideration all comments received. Such comments, and any additional information received, may lead to final regulations that differ from these proposals. We invite interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written comments to the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES. You may inspect comments received on the proposed annual regulations during normal business hours at the Service's office in room 634, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia. For each series of proposed rulemakings, we will establish specific comment periods. We will consider, but possibly may not respond in detail to, each comment. As in the past, we will summarize all comments received during the comment period and respond to them after the closing date. NEPA Consideration NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document, ``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88- 14),'' filed with the Environmental Protection Agency on June 9, 1988. We published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on June 16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August 18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). Copies are available from the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES. Endangered Species Act Consideration Prior to issuance of the 1999-2000 migratory game bird hunting regulations, we will consider provisions of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543; hereinafter the Act) to ensure that hunting is not likely to jeopardize the [[Page 39467]] continued existence of any species designated as endangered or threatened or modify or destroy its critical habitat and that the proposed action is consistent with conservation programs for those species. Consultations under Section 7 of this Act may cause us to change proposals in this and future supplemental proposed rulemakings. Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 While this individual supplemental rule was not reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the migratory bird hunting regulations are economically significant and are annually reviewed by OMB under E.O. 12866. E.O. 12866 requires each agency to write regulations that are easy to understand. We invite comments on how to make this rule easier to understand, including answers to questions such as the following: (1) Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated? (2) Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that interferes with its clarity? (3) Does the format of the rule (grouping and order of sections, use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or reduce its clarity? (4) Would the rule be easier to understand if it were divided into more (but shorter) sections? (5) Is the description of the rule in the ``Supplementary Information'' section of the preamble helpful in understanding the rule? What else could we do to make the rule easier to understand? Regulatory Flexibility Act These regulations have a significant economic impact on substantial numbers of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the economic impacts of the annual hunting regulations on small business entities in detail and issued a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis) in 1998. The Analysis documented the significant beneficial economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. The primary source of information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-year intervals. The Analysis was based on the 1996 National Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County Business Patterns from which it was estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend between $429 and $1,084 million at small businesses in 1998. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act This rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined above, this rule has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. However, because this rule establishes hunting seasons, we do not plan to defer the effective date under the exemption contained in 5 U.S.C. 808(1) . Paperwork Reduction Act We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. We utilize the various recordkeeping and reporting requirements imposed under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, Subpart K, in the formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations. Specifically, OMB has approved the information collection requirements of the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program and assigned clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 9/30/2001). This information is used to provide a sampling frame for voluntary national surveys to improve our harvest estimates for all migratory game birds in order to better manage these populations. OMB has also approved the information collection requirements of the Sandhill Crane Harvest Questionnaire and assigned clearance number 1018-0023 (expires 9/30/2000). The information from this survey is used to estimate the magnitude, the geographical and temporal distribution of harvest, and the portion it constitutes of the total population. A Federal 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. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act We have determined and certify, in compliance with the requirements of the Unfunded Mandates Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local or State government or private entities. Civil Justice Reform-Executive Order 12988 The Department, in promulgating this proposed rule, has determined that these regulations meet the applicable standards found in Sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988. Takings Implication Assessment In accordance with Executive Order 12630, this proposed rule, authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not have significant takings implications and does not affect any constitutionally protected property rights. This rule will not result in the physical occupancy of property, the physical invasion of property, or the regulatory taking of any property. In fact, these rules allow hunters to exercise otherwise unavailable privileges; and, therefore, reduce restrictions on the use of private and public property. Federalism Effects Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the Federal government has been given responsibility over these species by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from which the States make selections and employ guidelines to establish special regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the ability of the States and Tribes to determine which seasons meet their individual needs. Any State or Tribe may be more restrictive than the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This allows States to participate in the development of frameworks from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on their own regulations. These rules do not have a substantial direct effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities of Federal or State governments, or intrude on State policy or administration. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 12612, these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment. List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20 Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Transportation, Wildlife. The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 1999-2000 hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-711, 16 U.S.C. 712, and 16 U.S.C. 742a-j. Dated: July 13, 1999. Donald J. Barry, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 1999-2000 Early Hunting Seasons on Certain Migratory Game Birds Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following proposed frameworks which prescribe season lengths, bag limits, shooting hours, and outside dates [[Page 39468]] within which States may select for certain migratory game birds between September 1, 1999, and March 10, 2000. General Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive. Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily. Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits are twice the daily bag limit. Flyways and Management Units Waterfowl Flyways Atlantic Flyway--includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Mississippi Flyway--includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Central Flyway--includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide), Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin, Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof), Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide). Pacific Flyway--includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway. Management Units Mourning Dove Management Units Eastern Management Unit--All States east of the Mississippi River, and Louisiana. Central Management Unit--Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. Western Management Unit--Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. Woodcock Management Regions Eastern Management Region--Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Central Management Region--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin. Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of this document. Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and coots). Special September Teal Season Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas delineated by State regulations: Atlantic Flyway--Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. All seasons are experimental. Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, New Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive days in the Atlantic Flyway and 16 consecutive days in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 4 teal. Shooting Hours Atlantic Flyway--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, if evaluated; otherwise sunrise to sunset. Mississippi and Central Flyways--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset. Special September Duck Seasons Florida: A 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate. Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September teal season, a 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks. Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season in September. All ducks which are legal during the regular duck season may be taken during the September segment of the season. The September season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest September 20 (September 18). The daily bag and possession limits will be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change during the late-season regulations process. The remainder of the regular duck season may not begin before October 10. Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day Outside Dates: States may select 1 day per duck-hunting zone, designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day,'' in addition to their regular duck seasons. The day must be held outside any regular duck season on a weekend, holiday, or other non-school day when youth hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The day may be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any other open season on migratory birds. Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limit may include ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be the same as that allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and area restrictions would remain in effect. Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult could not duck hunt but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth day. Scoter, Eider, and Oldsquaw Ducks (Atlantic Flyway) Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 20. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate of the listed sea- duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters. Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: Within the special sea duck areas, during the regular duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, States may choose to allow the above sea duck limits in addition to the limits applying to other ducks during the regular duck season. In all other areas, sea ducks may be taken only during the regular open season for ducks and are part of the regular duck season daily bag (not to exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits. [[Page 39469]] Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and emergent vegetation in New Jersey, South Carolina, and Georgia; and in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore, island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described, delineated, and designated as special sea-duck hunting areas under the hunting regulations adopted by the respective States. Special Early Canada Goose Seasons Atlantic Flyway General Seasons Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected for the Montezuma Region of New York, the Lake Champlain Region of New York and Vermont, the Eastern Unit of Maryland, and Delaware. Seasons not to exceed 20 days during September 1-20 may be selected for the Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina. Seasons not to exceed 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected by New Jersey. Seasons may not exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder of the Flyway, except Georgia and Florida, where the season is closed. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations. Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese. Experimental Seasons Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 20 days during September 1-20 may be selected by New York (Montezuma Region). Experimental seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected by New York (Long Island Zone), North Carolina (except in the Northeast Hunt Unit), and South Carolina. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations. Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese. Mississippi Flyway General Seasons Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the season may not extend beyond September 10, and in the Michigan Counties of Huron, Saginaw and Tuscola, where no special season may be held. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations. Experimental Seasons An experimental Canada goose season of up to 7 consecutive days during September 16-22 may be selected by Minnesota, except in the Northwest Goose Zone. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Central Flyway General Seasons Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations. Pacific Flyway General Seasons Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese between September 1-15. This season is subject to the following conditions: 1. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the September portion of the sandhill crane season. 2. All participants must have a valid State permit for the special season. 3. A daily bag limit of 2, with season and possession limits of 4 will apply to the special season. Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW goose management zone, a 15-day season may be selected during the period September 1-20. Any portion of the season selected between September 16 and 20 will be considered experimental. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada geese. In the NW goose zone, at a minimum, Oregon must provide an annual evaluation of the number of dusky Canada geese present in the hunt zone during the period September 16-20 and agree to adjust seasons as necessary to avoid any potential harvest of dusky Canada geese. Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits may not exceed 3 Canada geese. Idaho may select a 15-day season in the special East Canada Goose Zone, as described in State regulations, during the period September 1- 15. All participants must have a valid State permit and the total number of permits issued is not to exceed 110 for this zone. The daily bag limit is 2. Idaho may select a 7-day Canada Goose Season during the period September 1-15 in Nez Perce County, with a bag limit of 4. California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2. Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations. Regular Goose Seasons Regular goose seasons may open as early as September 18 in Wisconsin and Michigan. In Wisconsin, and in Michigan for all geese except Canada geese, season lengths and bag and possession limits will be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change during the late-season regulations process. In the Middle and South Zones of Michigan, for Canada goose seasons opening September 18, the season may not exceed 23 days. The daily bag limit will be 2 Canada geese, except that in the South Zone, during that portion of the season that overlaps the duck season, the daily bag limit will be one Canada goose. Provision for seasons opening October 2 or later will be contained in the late-season frameworks. Sandhill Cranes Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28. Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 58 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of the following States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of the following States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes. Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane seasons must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit and/or, in those States where a Federal sandhill crane permit is not issued, a State-issued Harvest Information Survey Program (HIP) certification for game bird hunting, in their possession while hunting. Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming may [[Page 39470]] select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the Rocky Mountain Population subject to the following conditions: Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31. Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30 days. Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season. Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the appropriate State, in their possession while hunting. Other provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates, protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils with the following exceptions: (1) In Utah, the requirement for monitoring the racial composition of the harvest in the experimental season is waived and 100% of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota; (2) In Arizona, the annual requirement for monitoring the racial composition of the harvest is changed to once every 3 years; and (3) In Idaho, seasons are experimental and the requirement for monitoring the racial composition of the harvest is waived, 100% of the harvest will be assigned to the RMP quota. Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 20 in the Atlantic Flyway, and between September 1 and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 23) in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. States in the Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are late-season frameworks and no frameworks are provided in this document. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70 days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species. Rails Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between September 1 and January 20 on clapper, king, sora, and Virginia rails. Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 70 days, and may be split into 2 segments. Daily Bag Limits Clapper and King Rails--In Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the two species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, 15, singly or in the aggregate of the two species. Sora and Virginia Rails--In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 in possession, singly or in the aggregate of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder of the Pacific Flyway. Common Snipe Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, where the season must end no later than January 31. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107 days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8 snipe. American Woodcock Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select hunting seasons between October 6 and January 31. States in the Central Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday nearest September 22 (September 25) and January 31. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 30 days in the Atlantic Flyway and 45 days in the Central and Mississippi Flyways. The daily bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split into two segments. Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The season in each zone may not exceed 24 days. Band-Tailed Pigeons Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada) Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive days, with bag and possession limits of 2 and 2 band-tailed pigeons, respectively. Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9 consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone must close by October 4. Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah) Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive days, with a daily bag limit of 5 band-tailed pigeons. Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 20 consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may not open until October 1. Mourning Doves Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag limits as follows: Eastern Management Unit Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit of 15. Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more than three periods. The hunting seasons in the South Zones of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi may commence no earlier than September 20. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting zones. Central Management Unit Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit of 15. Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more than three periods. Texas may select hunting seasons for each of three zones subject to the following conditions: A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods, except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove season is allowed, where a limited mourning dove season may be held concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove frameworks). B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 20 and January 25. C. Each zone may have a daily bag limit of 12 doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate, no more than 2 of which may be white- tipped doves, except that during the special white-winged dove season, the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be mourning doves and 2 may be white-tipped doves. [[Page 39471]] D. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each hunting zone. Western Management Unit Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag limit of 10 mourning doves (in Nevada, the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate). Arizona and California--Not more than 60 days which may be split between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season, the daily bag limit is restricted to 10 mourning doves. In California, the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate. White-Winged and White-Tipped Doves Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits Except as shown below, seasons in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas must be concurrent with mourning dove seasons. Arizona may select a hunting season of not more than 30 consecutive days, running concurrently with the first segment of the mourning dove season. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-winged doves. In Florida, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate, of which no more than 4 may be white-winged doves. In the Nevada Counties of Clark and Nye, and in the California Counties of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate. In New Mexico, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate. In Texas, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate, of which not more than 2 may be white- tipped doves. In addition, Texas may also select a hunting season of not more than 4 days for the special white-winged dove area of the South Zone between September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be mourning doves and 2 may be white-tipped doves. Alaska Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26. Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of five zones. The season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in each zone must be concurrent. Closures: The season is closed on Canada geese from Unimak Pass westward in the Aleutian Island chain. The hunting season is closed on Aleutian Canada geese, emperor geese, spectacled eiders, and Steller's eiders. Daily Bag and Possession Limits Ducks--Except as noted, a basic daily bag limit of 7 and a possession limit of 21 ducks. Daily bag and possession limits in the North Zone are 10 and 30, and in the Gulf Coast Zone they are 8 and 24, respectively. The basic limits may include no more than 1 canvasback daily and 3 in possession. In addition to the basic duck limits, there is a sea duck daily bag limit of 10, with a possession limit of 20, scoter, common and king eiders, and common and red-breasted mergansers, singly or in the aggregate. Alaska may choose to allow these sea duck limits in addition to regular duck bag limits. However, the total daily bag limit for any duck species may not exceed 10. Light Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 3 and a possession limit of 6. Dark Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of 8. Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions: 1. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from September 28 through December 16. A special, permit only Canada goose season may be offered on Middleton Island. No more than 10 permits can be issued. A mandatory goose identification class is required . Hunters must check-in and check-out. Bag limit of 1 daily and 1 in possession. Season to close if incidental harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color value five or less) with a bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters. 2. In Unit 10 (except Unimak Island), the taking of Canada geese is prohibited. 3. In Unit 9(D) and the Unimak Island portion of Unit 10, the limits for dark geese are 6 daily and 12 in possession. Brant--A daily bag limit of 2. Common snipe--A daily bag limit of 8. Sandhill cranes--A daily bag limit of 3. Tundra Swans--Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject to the following conditions: 1. All seasons are by registration permit only. 2. All season framework dates are September 1-October 31. 3. In GMU 18, no more than 500 swans may be harvested during the operational season. Up to 3 tundra swans may be authorized per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season. 4. In GMU 22, no more than 300 swans may be harvested during the operational season. Each permittee may be authorized to take up to 3 tundra swan per permit. No more than 1 permit may be issued per hunter per season. 5. In GMU 23, no more than 300 swans may be harvested during the experimental season. No more than 3 tundra swans may be authorized per permit with no more than 1 permit issued per hunter per season. The experimental season evaluation must adhere to the guidelines for experimental seasons as described in the Pacific Flyway Management Plan for the Western Population of (Tundra) Swans. Hawaii Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31. Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 under the alternative) for mourning doves. Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning doves. Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20. Puerto Rico Doves and Pigeons Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15. Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida, mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate. Not to exceed 5 scaly-naped pigeons. Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island, El Verde [[Page 39472]] Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas. Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31. Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into two segments. Daily Bag Limits Ducks--Not to exceed 6. Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6. Common snipe--Not to exceed 8. Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white- cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot, and Caribbean coot. Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island. Virgin Islands Doves and Pigeons Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15. Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves. Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail doves, or pigeons in the Virgin Islands. Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix). Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge; Common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled pigeon. Ducks Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31. Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days. Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6. Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white- cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, and masked duck. Special Falconry Regulations Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any State meeting Federal falconry standards in 50 CFR 21.29(k). These States may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in accordance with the following: Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or experimental seasons shall not exceed 107 days for any species or group of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided into a maximum of 3 segments. Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March 10. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Falconry daily bag and possession limits for all permitted migratory game birds shall not exceed 3 and 6 birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate, during extended falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular hunting seasons in all States, including those that do not select an extended falconry season. Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR 21.29(k). Regular-season bag and possession limits do not apply to falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to gun limits. Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions Mourning and White-Winged Doves Alabama South Zone--Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties. North Zone--Remainder of the State. California White-winged Dove Open Areas--Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Florida Northwest Zone--The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98 and east of the St. Marks River). South Zone--Remainder of State. Georgia Northern Zone--That portion of the State lying north of a line running west to east along U.S. Highway 280 from Columbus to Wilcox County, thence southward along the western border of Wilcox County; thence east along the southern border of Wilcox County to the Ocmulgee River, thence north along the Ocmulgee River to Highway 280, thence east along Highway 280 to the Little Ocmulgee River; thence southward along the Little Ocmulgee River to the Ocmulgee River; thence southwesterly along the Ocmulgee River to the western border of the Jeff Davis County; thence south along the western border of Jeff Davis County; thence east along the southern border of Jeff Davis and Appling Counties; thence north along the eastern border of Appling County, to the Altamaha River; thence east to the eastern border of Tattnall County; thence north along the eastern border of Tattnall County; thence north along the western border of Evans to Candler County; thence west along the southern border of Candler County to the Ohoopee River; thence north along the western border of Candler County to Bulloch County; thence north along the western border of Bulloch County to U.S. Highway 301; thence northeast along U.S. Highway 301 to the South Carolina line. South Zone--Remainder of the State. Louisiana North Zone--That portion of the State north of Interstate Highway 10 from the Texas State line to Baton Rouge, Interstate Highway 12 from Baton Rouge to Slidell and Interstate Highway 10 from Slidell to the Mississippi State line. South Zone--The remainder of the State. Mississippi South Zone--The Counties of Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, and Walthall. North Zone--The remainder of the State. Nevada White-winged Dove Open Areas--Clark and Nye Counties. Texas North Zone--That portion of the State north of a line beginning at the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line. South Zone--That portion of the State south and west of a line beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to San Antonio; then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas. [[Page 39473]] Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone--That portion of the State south and west of a line beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to Uvalde; south on U.S. 83 to TX 44; east along TX 44 to TX 16 at Freer; south along TX 16 to TX 285 at Hebbronville; east along TX 285 to FM 1017; southwest along FM 1017 to TX 186 at Linn; east along TX 186 to the Mansfield Channel at Port Mansfield; east along the Mansfield Channel to the Gulf of Mexico. Area with additional restrictions--Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties. Central Zone--That portion of the State lying between the North and South Zones. Band-Tailed Pigeons California North Zone--Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity Counties. South Zone--The remainder of the State. New Mexico North Zone--North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from Socorro to the Texas State line. South Zone--Remainder of the State. Washington Western Washington--The State of Washington excluding those portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County. Woodcock New Jersey North Zone--That portion of the State north of NJ 70. South Zone--The remainder of the State. Special September Canada Goose Seasons Atlantic Flyway Connecticut North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-95. Maryland Eastern Unit--Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Annes, St. Marys, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George's Counties east of I-95. Western Unit--Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, and Washington Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George's Counties east of I-95. Massachusetts Western Zone--That portion of the State west of a line extending south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut border. Central Zone--That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I- 95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone. Coastal Zone--That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the Central Zone. New York Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border. Long Island Zone--That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their tidal waters. Western Zone--That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along I-81 to the Pennsylvania border, except for the Montezuma Zone. Montezuma Zone--Those portions of Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario, Wayne, and Oswego Counties north of U.S. Route 20, east of NYS Route 14, south of NYS Route 104, and west of NYS Route 34. Northeastern Zone--That area north of a line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone. Southeastern Zone--The remaining portion of New York. North Carolina Northeast Hunt Unit--Counties of Bertie, Camden, Chovan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington. South Carolina Early-season Hunt Unit--Clarendon County and those portions of Orangeburg County north of SC Highway 6 and Berkeley County north of SC Highway 45 from the Orangeburg County line to the junction of SC Highway 45 and State Road S-8-31 and west of the Santee Dam. Vermont Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that area north and west of the line extending from the New York border along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes; U.S. 7 to the Canadian border. Interior Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont. Mississippi Flyway Illinois Northeast Canada Goose Zone--Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties. North Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada Goose Zone and north of a line extending east from the Iowa border along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the Indiana border. Central Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada Goose Zone and south of the North Zone to a line extending east from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc Ferry Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly along Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 3, north along Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to Illinois 161, east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County line, north and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, north and east along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east and south along the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana border. South Zone: The remainder of Illinois. [[Page 39474]] Iowa North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border. South Zone: The remainder of Iowa. Michigan North Zone: The Upper Peninsula. Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to the Canada border. South Zone: The remainder of Michigan. Minnesota Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone. A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus Township lying south of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka County; all of the cities of Ramsey, Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop, Columbia Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, and Centerville; and all of the city of Ham Lake except that portion lying north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. Highway 65. C. That part of Carver County lying north and east of the following described line: Beginning at the northeast corner of San Francisco Township; thence west along the north boundary of San Francisco Township to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; thence north along the east boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; thence west along U.S. Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; thence north on STH 284 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; thence north and west on CSAH 10 to CSAH 30; thence north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25; thence east and north on STH 25 to CSAH 10; thence north on CSAH 10 to the Carver County line. D. In Scott County, all of the cities or Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St. Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River. E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan, Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St. Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger. F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the west boundary of the county; thence east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61; thence south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; thence east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; thence due east to the east boundary of the State. Northwest Goose Zone (included for reference only, not a special September Goose Season Zone)--That portion of the State encompassed by a line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border. Two Goose Zone--That portion of the state lying east of Interstate Highway 35 and south of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone. Five Goose Zone--That portion of the state not included in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, the Northwest Goose Zone, or the Two Goose Zone. Tennessee Middle Tennessee Zone--Those portions of Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson Counties. East Tennessee Zone--Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, Dekalb, Fentress, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and White Counties. Wisconsin Early-Season Subzone A--That portion of the State encompassed by a line beginning at the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan, then west along State Highway 23 to State 67, southerly along State 67 to County Highway E in Sheboygan County, southerly along County E to State 28, south and west along State 28 to U.S. Highway 41, southerly along U.S. 41 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to County Highway U in Washington County, southerly along County U to County N, southeasterly along County N to State 60, westerly along State 60 to County Highway P in Dodge County, southerly along County P to County O, westerly along County O to State 109, south and west along State 109 to State 26, southerly along State 26 to U.S. 12, southerly along U.S. 12 to State 89, southerly along State 89 to U.S. 14, southerly along U.S. 14 to the Illinois border, east along the Illinois border to the Michigan border in Lake Michigan, north along the Michigan border in Lake Michigan to a point directly east of State 23 in Sheboygan, then west along that line to the point of beginning on the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan. Early-Season Subzone B--That portion of the State between Early- Season Subzone A and a line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 141 and the Michigan border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 to State Highway 22, west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, south along U.S. 45 to State 22, west and south along State 22 to State 110, south along State 110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along State 49 to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, south along State 73 to State 60, west along State 60 to State 23, south along State 23 to State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then south along State 78 to the Illinois border. [[Page 39475]] Central Flyway Kansas September Canada Goose Unit--That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the Kansas-Missouri state line west on KS-68 to its junction with KS-33, then north on KS-33 to its junction with US-56, then west on US- 56 to its junction with KS-31, then west-northwest on KS-31 to its junction with KS-99, then north on KS-99 to its junction with US-24, then east on US-24 to its junction with KS-63, then north on KS-63 to its junction with KS-16, then east on KS-16 to its junction with KS- 116, then east on KS-116 to its junction with US-59, then northeast on US-59 to its junction with the Kansas-Missouri line, then south on the Kansas-Missouri line to its junction with KS-68. South Dakota September Canada Goose Unit--Brookings, Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, Moody Counties, and Miner County east of SD 25, and that portion of Minnehaha County north and west of a line beginning at the junction of County 130 (Renner Road) and the Minnesota border, then west on County 130 to I-29 and along I-29 to the Lincoln County line. Pacific Flyway Idaho East Zone--Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont and Teton Counties. Oregon Northwest Zone--Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill Counties. Southwest Zone--Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath Counties. East Zone--Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union and Wasco Counties. Washington Southwest Zone--Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties. East Zone--Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Garfield, Klickitat, and Whitman Counties. Wyoming Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State regulations. Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State regulations. Farson-Edon Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette Counties described in State regulations. Teton Area--Those portions of Teton County described in State regulations. Bridger Valley Area--The area described as the Bridger Valley Hunt Unit in State regulations. Ducks Atlantic Flyway New York Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border. Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their tidal waters. Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along I-81 to the Pennsylvania border. Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone. Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York. Mississippi Flyway Indiana North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31, north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border. Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56 to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along U.S. 50 to the Ohio border. South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio River Zone boundaries. Iowa North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border. South Zone: The remainder of Iowa. Central Flyway Kansas High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283. Low Plains Early Zone: That portion of the State east of the High Plains Zone and west of a line extending south from the Nebraska border along KS 28 to U.S. 36, east along U.S. 36 to KS 199, south along KS 199 to Republic County Road 563, south along Republic County Road 563 to KS 148, east along KS 148 to Republic County Road 138, south along Republic County Road 138 to Cloud County Road 765, south along Cloud County Road 765 to KS 9, west along KS 9 to U.S. 24, west along U.S. 24 to U.S. 281, north along U.S. 281 to U.S. 36, west along U.S. 36 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to U.S. 24, west along U.S. 24 to KS 18, southeast along KS 18 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 183 to KS 4, east along KS 4 to I-135, south along I-135 to KS 61, southwest along KS 61 to KS 96, northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 56, west along U.S. 56 to U.S. 281, south along U.S. 281 to U.S. 54, then west along U.S. 54 to U.S. 283. Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas. New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion) North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54. South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico. Pacific Flyway California Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89; east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S. 395 to the Nevada border. Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial Counties east of a line [[Page 39476]] extending from the Nevada border south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as ``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico. Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada border. Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone. Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone. Canada Geese Michigan North Zone: The Upper Peninsula. Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to the Canada border. South Zone: The remainder of Michigan. Sandhill Cranes Central Flyway Colorado Regular-Season Open Area--The Central Flyway portion of the State except the San Luis Valley (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide) and North Park (Jackson County). Kansas Regular Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the Oklahoma border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I- 135 to Salina, and north on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border. New Mexico Regular-Season Open Area--Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay, and Roosevelt Counties. Middle Rio Grande Valley Area--The Central Flyway portion of New Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties. Southwest Zone--Sierra, Luna, and Dona Ana Counties. Oklahoma Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of I-35. Texas Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of a line from the International Toll Bridge at Brownsville along U.S. 77 to Victoria; U.S. 87 to Placedo; Farm Road 616 to Blessing; State 35 to Alvin; State 6 to U.S. 290; U.S. 290 to Austin; I-35 to the Texas- Oklahoma border. North Dakota Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of U.S. 281. South Dakota Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of U.S. 281. Montana Regular-Season Open Area--The Central Flyway portion of the State except that area south of I-90 and west of the Bighorn River. Wyoming Regular-Season Open Area--Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties. Riverton-Boysen Unit--Portions of Fremont County. Park and Bighorn County Unit--Portions of Park and Bighorn Counties. Pacific Flyway Arizona Special-Season Area--Game Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 32. Montana Special-Season Area--See State regulations. Utah Special-Season Area--Rich, Cache, and Box Elder Counties. Wyoming Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State regulations. Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State regulations. Eden-Farson Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette Counties described in State regulations. All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska North Zone--State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26. Gulf Coast Zone--State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and 10--Unimak Island only. Southeast Zone--State Game Management Units 1-4. Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone--State Game Management Unit 10-- except Unimak Island. Kodiak Zone--State Game Management Unit 8. All Migratory Birds in the Virgin Islands Ruth Cay Closure Area--The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St. Croix. All Migratory Birds in Puerto Rico Municipality of Culebra Closure Area--All of the municipality of Culebra. Desecheo Island Closure Area--All of Desecheo Island. Mona Island Closure Area--All of Mona Island. El Verde Closure Area--Those areas of the municipalities of Rio Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes 956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all lands lying west of Route 186 for one kilometer from the juncture of Routes 186 and 956 south to [[Page 39477]] Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km 14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest Boundary whether private or public. Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas--All of Cidra Municipality and portions of Aguas, Buenas, Caguas, Cayer, and Comerio Municipalities as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning on Highway 172 as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge, north to Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on Highway 1 to Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on Highway 763 to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1, southwest on Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway 729, north on Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point of beginning. BILLING CODE 4310-55-P [[Page 39478]] [GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TP22JY99.003 [FR Doc. 99-18672 Filed 7-21-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-C