[Federal Register: June 2, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 106)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 31074-31085]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02jn04-29]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 21

RIN 1018-AI92

 
Migratory Bird Permits; Take of Migratory Birds by Department of 
Defense

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) prohibits the taking, 
killing, or possessing of migratory birds unless permitted by 
regulations promulgated by the Secretary of the Interior. While some 
courts have held that the MBTA does not apply to Federal agencies, in 
July 2000, the United States Court of Appeals for the District of 
Columbia Circuit ruled that the prohibitions of the MBTA do apply to 
Federal agencies, and that a Federal agency's taking and killing of 
migratory birds without a permit violated the MBTA. On March 13, 2002, 
the United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruled 
that military training exercises of the Department of the Navy that 
incidentally take migratory birds without a permit violate the MBTA.
    On December 2, 2002, the President signed the 2003 National Defense 
Authorization Act. Section 315 of the Authorization Act provides that, 
not later than one year after its enactment, the Secretary of the 
Interior (Secretary) shall exercise her authority under section 704(a) 
of the MBTA to prescribe regulations to exempt the Armed Forces for the 
incidental taking of migratory birds during military readiness 
activities authorized by the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of 
the military department concerned. The Authorization Act further 
requires the Secretary to promulgate such regulations with the 
concurrence of the Secretary of Defense. This proposed rule has been 
developed in coordination and cooperation with the Department of 
Defense and the Secretary of Defense concurs with the requirements 
herein.
    Current regulations authorize permits for take of migratory birds 
for activities such as scientific research, education, and depredation 
control. However, these regulations do not expressly address the 
issuance of permits for incidental take. As directed by section 315 of 
the Authorization Act, we are proposing this rule to authorize such 
take, with limitations, that result from Department of Defense military 
readiness activities. If the Department of Defense determines that a 
proposed or an ongoing military readiness activity may result in a 
significant adverse effect on the sustainability of a population of a 
migratory bird species of concern, then they must confer and cooperate 
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) to develop 
appropriate and reasonable-conservation measures to minimize or 
mitigate identified significant adverse effects. The Secretary of the 
Interior, or her designee, will retain the power to withdraw or suspend 
the authorization for particular activities in appropriate 
circumstances.
    We invite your comments on this proposed rule.

DATES: We will accept comments on this proposed rule until August 2, 
2004.

ADDRESSES: You may mail, fax, or deliver comments to the Division of 
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North 
Fairfax Drive, Room 4107, Arlington, Virginia 22203-1610, fax (703) 
358-2217. Comments can also be sent on-line at DODMBTARULE@fws.gov. The 
proposed rule and other related documents can be downloaded at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov.
The complete file for this proposed rule is

available for inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours
at the Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203, telephone
(703) 358-1714.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Millsap, Chief, Division of
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, telephone
(703) 358-1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

Migratory birds are of great ecological and economic value and are
an important international resource. They are a key ecological
component of the environment, and they also provide immense enjoyment
to millions of Americans who study, watch, feed, or hunt them.
Recognizing their importance, the United States has been an active
participant in the internationally coordinated management and
conservation of migratory birds. The Migratory Bird

[[Page 31075]]

Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712) (MBTA) is the primary legislation in the
United States established to conserve migratory birds. We, the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are the Federal agency within the
United States responsible for administering and enforcing the statute.
The MBTA, originally passed in 1918, implements the United States'
commitment to four bilateral treaties, or conventions, for the
protection of a shared migratory bird resource. The original treaty
upon which the MBTA was based was the Convention for the Protection of
Migratory Birds signed with Great Britain in 1916 on behalf of Canada
for the protection ``of the many species of birds that traverse certain
parts of the United States and Canada in their annual migration.'' The
MBTA was subsequently amended after treaties were signed with Mexico
(1936, amended 1972, 1995), Japan (1972), and Russia (1976), and the
amendment of the treaty with Canada (1999).
The treaties and subsequent amendments impose substantive
obligations on the United States for the conservation of migratory
birds and their habitats, including, but not limited to, the following
conservation principles:
To conserve and manage migratory birds internationally;
To sustain healthy migratory bird populations for consumptive and
nonconsumptive uses;
To provide for, maintain, and protect habitat necessary for the
conservation of migratory birds; and
To restore depleted populations of migratory birds.
Each of the treaties protects selected species of birds and
specifies closed seasons for hunting game birds. The list of the
species protected by the MBTA appears in title 50, section 10.13, of
the Code of Federal Regulations (50 CFR 10.13).
Under the MBTA, it is unlawful ``by any means or in any manner, to
pursue, hunt, take, capture, [or] kill'' any migratory birds except as
permitted by regulation (16 U.S.C. 703). The regulations at 50 CFR
21.11 prohibit the take of migratory birds except under a valid permit
or as permitted in the implementing regulations. We define ``take'' to
mean to ``pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect''
or to attempt these activities (50 CFR 10.12).
On July 18, 2000, the United States Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia ruled in Humane Society v. Glickman, 217 F.3d 882
(D.C. Cir. 2000), that Federal agencies are subject to the take
prohibitions of the MBTA. The United States had previously taken the
position, and two other courts of appeals held or suggested, that the
MBTA does not by its terms apply to Federal agencies. See Sierra Club
v. Martin, 110 F.3d 1551, 1555 (11th Cir. 1997); Newton County Wildlife
Ass'n v U.S. Forest Service, 113 F.3d 110, 115 (8th Cir. 1997).
Subsequently on December 20, 2000, we issued a Director's Order to
clarify the Service's position that, pursuant to Glickman, Federal
agencies are subject to the permit requirements of the Service's
existing regulations.
Because the MBTA is a criminal statute and does not provide for
citizen suit enforcement, a private party who violates the MBTA is
subject to investigation by the Service and/or prosecution by the
Department of Justice. However, the Administrative Procedure Act (APA)
allows private parties to file suit to prevent a Federal agency from
taking ``final agency action'' that is ``arbitrary, capricious, an
abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law'' (5
U.S.C. 706(2)(A)). If the prohibitions of the MBTA apply to Federal
agencies, private parties could seek to enjoin Federal actions that
take migratory birds, unless such take is authorized pursuant to
regulations developed in accordance with 16 U.S.C. 704, even when such
Federal actions are necessary to fulfill Government responsibilities
and even when the action poses no threat to the species at issue.
In Center for Biological Diversity v. Pirie, a private party
obtained an injunction prohibiting live fire military training
exercises of the Department of the Navy that had the effect of killing
some migratory birds on the island of Farallon de Medinilla (FDM) in
the Pacific Ocean. On March 13, 2002, the United States District Court
for the District of Columbia ruled that the Navy activities at FDM
resulting in a take of migratory birds without a permit from the
Service violated the MBTA and the APA (191 F. Supp. 2d. 161 and 201 F.
Supp. 2d 113). On May 1, after hearing argument on the issue of remedy,
the Court entered a preliminary injunction ordering the Navy to apply
for a permit from the Service to cover the activities, and
preliminarily enjoined the training activities for 30 days. The United
States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit stayed the
District Court's preliminary injunction pending appeal. The preliminary
injunction, and associated stay, expired on May 31. A permanent
injunction was issued by the District Court on June 3. The Circuit
Court also stayed this injunction pending appeal on June 5, 2002. On
December 2, 2002, the President signed the Authorization Act creating
an interim period during which the prohibitions on incidental take of
migratory birds would not apply to military readiness activities.
During the interim period, Congress also directed the Secretary of the
Interior to develop regulations that exempt the Armed Forces from
incidental take during authorized military readiness activities. The
Department of Defense must concur with the regulations before they take
effect. The Circuit Court subsequently dismissed the Pirie case as
moot. In light of the Glickman and Pirie decisions, the authorization
that would be provided by this rule is essential to preserving the
Service's role in determining what military readiness activities, if
any, create an unacceptable risk to the migratory bird resources and
should be modified or curtailed.
The Department of Defense is responsible for protecting the United
States from external threats. To provide for national security, they
engage in military readiness activities, which include all training and
operations of the Armed Forces that relate to combat, and the adequate
and realistic testing of military equipment, vehicles, weapons, and
sensors for proper operation and suitability for combat use. Military
readiness does not include: (a) the routine operation of installation
operating support functions, such as administrative offices, military
exchanges, commissaries, water treatment facilities, storage
facilities, schools, housing, motor pools, laundries, morale, welfare,
and recreation activities, shops, and mess halls; (b) the operation of
industrial activities; or (c) the construction or demolition of
facilities listed above.
The 2003 National Defense Authorization Act (Pub. L. 107-314, 116
Stat. 2458, Dec. 2, 2002, 16 U.S.C. 703 note) (hereinafter
``Authorization Act'') requires the Secretary of Defense, in
consultation with the Secretary, to identify ways to minimize,
mitigate, and monitor take of migratory birds during military readiness
activities and requires the Secretary to prescribe, with the
concurrence of the Secretary of Defense, a regulation that exempts such
activities from the MBTA's prohibitions against take of migratory
birds. With this language, Congress has signaled that the Department of
Defense should give appropriate consideration to the protection of
migratory birds when planning and executing military readiness
activities, but not at the expense of diminishing the effectiveness of
such activities. Any diminishment in effectiveness could impair the
Department of Defense's ability to fulfill

[[Page 31076]]

its national security mission. Diminishment could occur when military
training or testing is modified in ways that do not allow the full
range of training methods to be explored.
This proposed rule, if finalized, will authorize the Department of
Defense to take migratory birds associated with military readiness
activities, subject to certain limitations and subject to withdrawal of
the authorization to ensure consistency with the provisions of the
migratory bird treaties. The authorization provided by this rule is
necessary to ensure that the work of the Department of Defense in
meeting its statutory responsibilities can go forward. This rule is
also appropriate and necessary to preserve the treaties as workable and
sensible protections of a vital resource and to meet the Secretary's
obligations under Section 704 of the MBTA as well as under Section 315
of the Authorization Act. This proposed rule has been developed in
coordination and cooperation with the Department of Defense and the
Secretary of Defense concurs with the requirements herein.

Executive Order 13186

Migratory bird conservation relative to the Department of Defense
activities other than military readiness activities will be addressed
separately in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) developed in
accordance with Executive Order 13186, Responsibilities of Federal
Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds, signed January 10, 2001. Upon
completion of the MOU, and in keeping with the intent of the Executive
Order for Federal agencies to promote the conservation of migratory
bird populations, the Service proposes issuing a 50 CFR 21.27 Special
Purpose Permit to address specific actions identified in the MOU not
covered by this rule.

Measures Taken by the Department of Defense To Minimize and Mitigate
Takes of Migratory Birds

As the basis for this proposed rule, under the authority of the
MBTA and in accordance with Section 315 of the Authorization Act, the
Department of Defense will consult with the Service to identify
measures to minimize and mitigate adverse impacts of authorized
military readiness activities on migratory birds and to identify
techniques and protocols to monitor impacts of such activities. The
inventory, avoidance, habitat enhancement, partnerships, and monitoring
efforts described below illustrate the efforts currently undertaken by
the Department of Defense to minimize adverse impacts to migratory
birds from testing and training activities to maintain a ready defense.
Additional conservation measures, designed to minimize and mitigate
adverse impacts of authorized military readiness activities on affected
migratory bird species, with emphasis on species of concern, will be
developed in joint coordination with the Service when specific military
readiness activities suggest the need for additional measures.
We have a long history of working with Department of Defense
installation natural resources managers through our Field Offices to
develop and implement these conservation initiatives. Many of the
conservation measures detailed below represent state-of-the-art
techniques and practices to inventory, protect, and monitor migratory
bird populations. In accordance with provisions of the Sikes Act
Improvement Act of 1997 (16 U.S.C. 670a et seq.), these conservation
measures are detailed in Integrated Natural Resources Management Plans
(INRMPs) for specific installations and endorsed by the Service and
State fish and game agencies.
Bird Conservation Planning. The Department of Defense prepares
INRMPs for most of the Department of Defense installations. Under the
Sikes Act, the Department of Defense must provide for the conservation
and rehabilitation of natural resources on military installations. To
facilitate the program, the Secretary of Defense prepares and
implements an INRMP for each military installation in the United States
on which significant natural resources are found. The resulting plans
must reflect the mutual agreement of the military department, the
Service, and the appropriate State fish and wildlife agency on
conservation, protection, and management of fish and wildlife
resources. INRMPs incorporate conservation measures addressed in
Regional or State Bird Conservation Plans to ensure that the Department
of Defense does its part in landscape-level management efforts. INRMPs
are a significant source of baseline conservation information and
conservation initiatives used to develop National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) documents for military readiness activities. This linkage
helps to ensure that appropriate conservation measures are incorporated
into mitigation actions, where needed, which will protect migratory
birds and their habitats.
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1980, as amended in 1988,
directs the Secretary of the Interior to ``identify species,
subspecies, and populations of all migratory non-game birds that,
without additional conservation action, are likely to become candidates
for listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.'' This list is
prepared and updated at 5-year intervals by the Service's Division of
Migratory Bird Management. The current list of the ``Birds of
Conservation Concern'' is available at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/reports/bcc2002.pdf . ``Birds of Conservation Concern 2002'' includes species that are of concern because of (a) documented or apparent population declines, (b) small or restricted populations, or (c) dependence on restricted or vulnerable habitats. It includes three distinct geographic scales: Bird Conservation Regions, Service Regions, and National. The Service Regions include the seven Service Regions plus the Hawaiian Islands and Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands. Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs), adopted by the North American Bird Conservation Initiative (NABCI), are the most basic geographical unit by which migratory birds are designated as birds of conservation concern. The BCR list includes certain species endemic to Hawaii, the Pacific Island territories, and the U.S. Caribbean Islands that are not protected by the MBTA, and thus are not subject to this proposed rule. These species are clearly identified in the list. The complete BCR list contains 276 species. NABCI is a coalition of U.S., Canadian, and Mexican governmental agencies and private organizations working together to establish an inclusive framework to facilitate regionally based, biologically driven, landscape-oriented bird conservation partnerships. A map of the NABCI BCRs can be viewed at http://www.nabci-us.org . The comprehensive bird conservation plans, such as the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan, Partners in Flight (PIF) Bird Conservation Plans, and the North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, are the result of coordinated partnership-based national and international initiatives dedicated to migratory bird conservation. Each of these initiatives has produced landscape-oriented conservation plans that lay out population goals and habitat objectives for birds. Additional information on these plans and their respective migratory bird conservation goals can be found at: [[Page 31077]] North American Waterfowl Management Plan (http://birdhabitat.fws.gov/NAWMP/nawmphp.htm ). North American Waterbird Conservation Plan (http://www.waterbirdconservation.org ). U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan (http://shorebirdplan.fws.gov/).Partners in Flight (http://www.partnersinflight.org).

Conservation Partnerships. The Armed Forces have entered into a
number of conservation partnerships with nonmilitary partners to
improve habitats and protect avian species. In 1991, the Department of
Defense, through each of the military services, joined the PIF
initiative. The Department of Defense developed a PIF Strategic Plan in
1994, and revised it in 2002. The Department of Defense PIF program is
recognized as a model conservation partnership program. Through the PIF
initiative, the Department of Defense works in partnership with over
300 Federal and State agencies and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)
for the conservation of neotropical migratory and resident birds and
enhancing migratory bird survival. For example, bases have worked with
NGOs to develop management plans that address such issues as grazing
and the conversion of wastewater treatment ponds to wetlands and
suitable habitat. Universities use the Department of Defense lands for
migratory bird research and, on occasion, re-establish nesting pairs to
take advantage of an installation's hospitable habitat. The Department
of Defense PIF program tracks this research and provides links between
complementary research on different installations and service branches.
The Authorization Act included a provision that allows the
Department of Defense to provide property at closed bases to
conservation organizations for use as habitat and another provision
that, in order to lessen problems of encroachment, allows the
Department of Defense to purchase conservation easements on suitable
property in partnership with other groups. Where utilized, these
provisions will offer further conservation benefits to migratory birds.
Bird Inventories. The most important factor in minimizing and
mitigating takes of migratory birds is an understanding of when and
where such takes are likely to occur. This means developing knowledge
of migratory bird habits and life histories, including their migratory
paths and stopovers as well as their feeding, breeding, and nesting
habits.
The Department of Defense implements bird inventories and
monitoring programs in numerous ways. Some Department of Defense
installations have developed partnerships with the Institute for Bird
Populations to establish Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship
(MAPS) stations. The major objective of the MAPS program is to
contribute to an integrated avian population monitoring system for
North American land birds by providing annual regional indices and
estimates for four population and demographic parameters for select
target species in seven different regions of North America. The MAPS
methodology provides annual regional indices of adult population size
and post-fledgling productivity from data on the numbers and
proportions of young and adult birds captured; annual regional
estimates of adult population size, adult survivorship, and recruitment
into the adult population from capture-recapture data on adult birds;
and additional annual estimates of adult population size from point
count data collected in the vicinity of MAPS stations. Without these
critical data, it is difficult or impossible to account for observed
population changes. The Department of Defense is helping to establish a
network of MAPS stations in all seven biogeographical regions and build
the program necessary to monitor neotropical migratory bird population
changes nationwide. Approximately 20% of the continental MAPS network
involves military lands.
Since the early 1940s, radar has been used to monitor bird
migration. The newest weather surveillance radar, WSR-88D or NEXRAD
(for Next Generation Radar), is ideal for studies of bird movements in
the atmosphere. This sophisticated radar system can be used to map
geographical areas of high bird activity (e.g., stopover, roosting and
feeding, and colonial breeding areas). It also provides information on
the quantity, general direction, and altitudinal distribution of birds
aloft. Currently, the United States Air Force is using NEXRAD, via the
U.S. Avian Hazard Advisory System (AHAS), to provide bird hazard
advisories to all pilots, military and civilian, in an attempt to warn
air traffic of significant bird activity. The information is publicly
available for the contiguous United States on line at http://www.usahas.com and will soon be available for the State of Alaska. The NEXRAD information is critically important for the protection of habitats used by migratory birds during stopover periods. This information is vital to the Department of Defense land managers who protect stopover areas on military land. The data is also particularly important to land managers of military air stations where bird/aircraft collisions threaten lives and cost millions of dollars in damages every year. The Department of Defense established a partnership with the Department of Biological Sciences at Clemson University to collect, analyze, and use the biological information from the NEXRAD network to identify important stopover habitat in relation to the Department of Defense installations. Initial efforts were concentrated in the Southeast to complement existing radar data from the Gulf Coast. This partnership has enabled the collection and transfer of radar data from all NEXRAD sites, via modem, to one remote station at Clemson University, where the data can be archived and analyzed. The Department of Defense uses bird inventory and survey information in connection with the preparation of INRMPs. The Department of Defense also uses bird inventory and survey information when undertaking environmental analyses required under the NEPA. An environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement is used to determine the potential effects of any new, planned activity on natural resources, including migratory birds. The Department of Defense PIF program is currently developing a database of bird species listed in the Service's ``Birds of Conservation Concern'' report that are likely to occur on each of the installations utilizing the Birds of Conservation Concern published by the Service. This database will be valuable in initially evaluating what species may potentially be affected by military readiness activities. Avoidance. Avoidance is the most effective means of minimizing takes of migratory birds. Where practicable, the Department of Defense avoids potentially harmful use of nesting sites during the breeding and nesting seasons and of resting sites on migratory pathways during migration seasons. Avoidance sometimes involves using one area of a range rather than another. On some sites in which bombing, strafing, or other activities involving the use of live military munitions could impact birds in the area, the Department of Defense may conduct an initial, benign sweep of the site to ensure that any migratory birds in the area are dispersed before live ordnance is used. Another tool used by the Department of Defense to deconflict flight training activities is the U.S. Air Force Bird Avoidance Model (BAM). This model [[Page 31078]] places breeding bird and Christmas count data into a Geographic Information Systems model to assist range planners in selecting training times when bird activity is low. The BAM is available on line at the http://www.usahas.com Web site.

Pesticide Reduction. Reducing or eliminating pesticide use also
benefits migratory birds. The Department of Defense maintains an
integrated pest management (IPM) program that is designed to reduce the
use of pesticides to the minimum necessary. The Department of Defense
policy requires all operations, activities, and installations worldwide
to establish and maintain safe, effective, and environmentally sound
IPM programs. IPM is defined as a planned program, incorporating
continuous monitoring, education, record-keeping, and communication to
prevent pests and disease vectors from causing unacceptable damage to
operations, people, property, material, or the environment. IPM uses
targeted, sustainable (i.e., effective, economical, and environmentally
sound) methods, including education, habitat modification, biological
control, genetic control, cultural control, mechanical control,
physical control, regulatory control, and the judicious use of least-
hazardous pesticides. The Department of Defense policy mandates
incorporation of sustainable IPM philosophy, strategies, and techniques
in all aspects of the Department of Defense pest management planning,
training, and operations, including installation pest management plans
and other written guidance to reduce pesticide risk and prevent
pollution.
Habitat Conservation and Enhancement. Habitat conservation and
enhancement generally involve improvements to existing habitat, the
creation of new habitat for migratory birds, and enhancing degraded
habitats. Improvements to existing habitat include wetland protection,
maintenance and enhancement of forest buffers, elimination of feral
animals (in particular, feral cats) that may be a threat to migratory
birds, and elimination of invasive species that crowd out other species
necessary to migratory bird survival. Examples of the latter include
control and elimination of brown tree snake, Japanese honeysuckle,
kudzu, and brown-headed cowbirds.
Efforts to eliminate invasive species are being undertaken in
association with natural resources management under Sikes Act INRMPs.
For example, at one site, grazing was reduced from more than 60,000 to
about 23,000 acres, and has become a management tool to enhance the
competitive advantage of native plants, especially perennial grasses.
Special projects are under way on Department of Defense property to
control exotic plants and to remove unused structures that occupy
potentially valuable habitat or unnaturally increase predator
populations. At some locations, native forest habitat is being
reestablished.
The preparation of INRMPs continues to offer opportunities to
consider such land management measures as converting to uneven-age and/
or other progressive forest management that enhances available habitat
values, establishing native warm-season grasslands, maintaining and
enhancing bottomland hardwood forests, and promoting positive water use
modifications to improve hydrology and avian habitat in arid areas.
Department of Defense installations are active in promoting the use of
nest boxes and, where appropriate, the use of communications towers for
nesting. In addition, the PIF program has prepared fact sheets
addressing such issues as communications towers and power lines, West
Nile virus, wind energy development, the Important Bird Areas program,
and bird/aircraft strike hazards (BASH).
Other. At the very few sites where the potential for migratory bird
take is more severe, the Department of Defense has implemented
extensive mitigation measures. In such instances, the responsible
military service has taken practicable measures to minimize the impacts
of their operations on protected migratory birds. Such measures include
limiting the type and quantity of ordnance; limiting target areas and
activities to places and times that protect key nesting areas for
migratory birds; implementing fire suppression programs or measures
where wildfire can potentially damage nesting habitat; conducting
environmental monitoring; and implementing mitigation measures, such as
predator removal, on the site or nearby.

Monitoring the Impacts of Military Readiness Activities on Migratory
Birds

The Department of Defense monitors bird populations that may be
affected by military readiness activities in numerous ways. In addition
to the MAPS program discussed above, Department of Defense facilities
participate in the Breeding Biology Research and Monitoring Database
(BBIRD) program to study nesting success and habitat requirements for
breeding birds. Many installations also engage in Christmas bird
counts, migration counts (Point, Circle, Area, or Fly Over Counts),
standardized and/or customized breeding and wintering point counts,
grassland bird flush counts, NEXRAD (discussed above) and BIRDRAD
studies, point count surveys, hawk watches, overflight surveys, and/or
rookery surveys. At sites where bird takes are a concern, such as
Farallon de Medinilla in the Northern Marianas, the Department of
Defense engages in more extensive monitoring, including overflight and
rookery surveys several times a year so that it can monitor trends in
bird populations.
Department of Defense is not alone in monitoring the status of
birds on its installations. Much of its monitoring is done through
formal partnerships with conservation organizations. In addition,
Watchable Wildlife programs provide opportunities for the public to
provide feedback on the numbers and types of birds they have observed
from viewing sites on Department of Defense installations.
Department of Defense can use clear evidence of bird takes, such as
the sight of numerous dead or injured birds, as a signal that it should
modify its activities, as practicable, to reduce the number of takes.
With respect to the problem of bird/aircraft collisions, the Department
of Defense undertakes intensive, bird-by-bird monitoring. The U.S. Air
Force Safety Center's Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard team at
Kirtland Air Force Base, NM, and the Navy Safety Center at Norfolk, VA,
track aircraft/wildlife (bird and mammal) collisions because of the
danger such collisions represent to pilots, crews, and aircraft. By
focusing on local, regional, and seasonal populations and movements of
birds, pilots and airport personnel have been better able to avoid
collisions, in many cases by modifying those conditions at airfields
that are attractive to birds.
Department of Defense will continue to develop and implement
conservation measures, as described above, to mitigate adverse impacts
on species of concern, from military readiness activities. Department
of Defense will also continue to consult with the Service to identify
measures to minimize and mitigate testing and training impacts and will
continue to monitor the impacts of military readiness activities on
species of concern.

What Are the Provisions of the Proposed Rule?

NEPA Considerations

The NEPA, and its regulations at 40 CFR 1500-1508, require that
Federal

[[Page 31079]]

agencies prepare environmental impact statements for ``major Federal
actions significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.''
These statements must include a detailed analysis of the impacts of an
agency's proposed action and any reasonable alternatives to that
proposal. NEPA requires the responsible Federal official to ``consult
with and obtain comments of any Federal agency which has jurisdiction
by law or special expertise with respect to any environmental impact
involved. 42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C). NEPA also provides for public
involvement in the decision making process. The Council on
Environmental Quality's (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA emphasize
the integration of the NEPA process with the requirements of other
environmental laws. CEQ regulations at 40 CFR 1500.2 state: ``Federal
agencies shall to the fullest extent possible * * * integrate the
requirements of NEPA with other planning and environmental review
procedures required by law or by agency practice so that all such
procedures run concurrently rather than consecutively.'' Regulations at
40 CFR 1502.25 state: ``To the fullest extent possible, agencies shall
prepare draft environmental impact statements concurrently with and
integrated with environmental impact analyses and related surveys and
studies required by * * * other environmental review laws and executive
orders.''
In keeping with this emphasis, the proposed rule anticipates that
the Department of Defense will use the NEPA process to determine
whether any ongoing or proposed military readiness activity is ``likely
to result in a significant adverse effect on the population of a
migratory bird species of concern.'' More particularly, the Department
of Defense prepares NEPA analyses whenever they propose to undertake a
new military readiness activity that may significantly affect the
quality of the human environment; make a substantial change to an on-
going military readiness activity that is relevant to environmental
concerns; learn of significant new circumstances or information
relevant to the environmental concerns bearing on an on-going military
readiness activity; or prepare or revise an INRMP covering an area used
for military readiness activities. During the preparation of
environmental impacts statements analyzing the military readiness
activities' effects on migratory bird species, DOD consults with the
Service as an agency with jurisdiction by law and special expertise. If
the Department of Defense identifies any such significant adverse
effects on migratory birds during the preparation of its NEPA analysis,
this rule would require the Department of Defense to confer and
cooperate with the Service to develop appropriate conservation measures
to minimize or mitigate any such significant adverse effects. Upon
finalization of this rule, the Department of Defense will continue to
be responsible for ensuring that military readiness activities are
implemented in accordance with all applicable statutes including NEPA
and ESA.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

Section 7(a)(1) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531, et seq.), provides that, ``[t]he Secretary [of
the Interior] shall review other programs administered by him and
utilize such programs in furtherance of the purposes of this Act.''
Furthermore, section 7(a)(2) requires all Federal agencies to insure
that any action authorized, funded, or carried out * * * is not likely
to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or
threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification
of [critical] habitat. We have determined that this proposed rule to
authorize take under the MBTA will have no effect on listed species.
The proposed rule does not authorize take under the ESA. In addition,
if a military training activity may affect a listed species, the
Department of Defense must consult with the Service in accordance with
section 7(a)(2) of the ESA.

Rule Authorization

The proposed rule would authorize the Department of Defense to take
migratory birds as an incidental result of military readiness
activities. The Department of Defense must continue to apply for and
receive an MBTA permit for scientific collecting, control of birds
causing damage to Department of Defense property, or any other activity
that is addressed by our existing permit regulations. These activities
could not be conducted under the authority of this rule. If any
Department of Defense activity falls within the scope of our existing
regulations, we will consider, when processing the application, the
specific take requested as well as any other take authorized by this
proposed rule that may occur.
Authorization of takes under this proposed rule would apply to take
of migratory birds incidental to military readiness activities,
including (a) all training and operations of the Armed Forces that
relate to combat, and (b) the adequate and realistic testing of
military equipment, vehicles, weapons, and sensors for proper operation
and suitability for combat use. Authorization of take would not apply
to: (a) Routine operation of installation operating support functions,
such as administrative offices, military exchanges, commissaries, water
treatment facilities, storage facilities, schools, housing, motor
pools, laundries, morale, welfare, and recreation activities, shops,
and mess halls; (b) operation of industrial activities; or (c)
construction or demolition of facilities relating to these routine
operations.
The authorization provided by this rule is subject to the military
service conducting an otherwise lawful military readiness activity in
compliance with the provisions of the rule. To ensure the Service
maintains the ability to manage and conserve the resource, the
Secretary retains the authority to withdraw authorization of take with
respect to any specific military readiness activity under certain
circumstances.
With respect to a Department of Defense military readiness activity
likely to take migratory birds, the rule would authorize take provided
the Department of Defense is in compliance with the following
requirement:
If ongoing or proposed activities are likely to result in a
significant adverse effect on the sustainability of the population of a
migratory bird species of concern, the Department of Defense must
confer and cooperate with the Service to develop appropriate
conservation measures to minimize or mitigate such significant adverse
effects.
We recognize that data on species of migratory birds may be
limited. Furthermore, the migratory nature of most species complicates
assessment of the expected effects of a proposed action or the effects
of an ongoing action. We encourage the Department of Defense to develop
information that will assist in guiding its decisions regarding
migratory bird conservation, particularly in developing or amending
INRMPs. This proposed rule would not require the Department of Defense
to obtain new data to assess impacts of a proposed or an ongoing action
on birds in order to comply with the provisions of this rule. Existing
demographic, population, habitat association, species indicator, or
ecological indicator data may be used to estimate the level of take and
evaluate whether a proposed or an ongoing action is likely to have a
significant adverse impact on a population.
The Department of Defense will continue to be responsible for
addressing its activities other than military readiness through an MOU

[[Page 31080]]

developed in accordance with Executive Order 13186.

When Would Take Not Be Authorized

If a proposed or an ongoing action may threaten the sustainability
of a population of a migratory bird species of concern, the Department
of Defense must confer with the Service so we may recommend
conservation measures. In certain circumstances, the Secretary must
suspend the take authorization with respect to a particular military
readiness activity; in other circumstances, the Secretary has the
discretion to initiate a process that may result in withdrawal. We will
make every effort to work with the Department of Defense in advance of
a potential determination to withdraw take authorization in order to
resolve migratory bird take concerns and avoid withdrawal. With respect
to discretionary withdrawal, the rule provides an elevation process if
the Secretary of Defense or his/her delegatee determines that
protection of national security requires continuation of the activity.
The Secretary will immediately suspend authorization for take if
continued authorization would not be compatible with any one of the
migratory bird treaties. Withdrawal of authorization may be proposed if
the Secretary determines that failure to do so would result in a
significant adverse effect on the sustainability of a population of a
migratory bird species of concern and one or more of the following
circumstances apply:
(A) The Department of Defense has not implemented conservation
measures that (i) are directly related to protecting the migratory bird
species of concern affected by the proposed military readiness
activity; (ii) would significantly reduce take of migratory birds
species of concern affected by the military readiness activity, (iii)
are economically feasible, and (iv) do not limit the effectiveness of
military readiness activities.
(B) The Department of Defense fails to conduct mutually agreed upon
monitoring to determine the effects of a military readiness activity on
the migratory bird species of concern and/or the efficacy of the
conservation measures implemented by the Department of Defense.
(C) The Department of Defense has not provided reasonable,
appropriate, and readily available information that the Service has
requested and that the Secretary determines is necessary to evaluate
whether withdrawal of take authorization for the specific action is
required or appropriate.
The determination as to whether an immediate suspension of
authorization is warranted (i.e., whether the action would be
compatible with a migratory bird treaty), or withdrawal of an
authorization is proposed will be made independent of each other.
Regardless of whether the circumstances of paragraphs (A) through (C)
above exist, there will be an immediate suspension if the Secretary
determines, after seeking the views of the Secretary of Defense and
after consulting with the Secretary of State, that, incidental take of
migratory birds during a specific military readiness activity would not
be compatible with one or more of the migratory bird treaties.
Proposed withdrawal of authorization will be provided in writing to
the Secretary of Defense including the basis for the determination. The
notice will also specify any conservation measures or other measures
that would, if the Department of Defense agrees to implement them,
allow the Secretary to cancel the proposed withdrawal of authorization.
Any take incidental to a military readiness activity subject to a
proposed withdrawal of authorization would continue to be authorized by
this regulation until the Secretary of the Interior, or his or her
delegatee, makes a final determination on the withdrawal.
The Secretary may, at his or her discretion, cancel a suspension or
withdrawal of authorization at any time. A suspension may be cancelled
in the event new information is provided that the proposed activity
would be compatible with the migratory bird treaties. A proposed
withdrawal may be cancelled if the Department of Defense modifies the
proposed activity to alleviate significant adverse effects on the
sustainability of a population of a migratory bird species of concern
or the circumstances in paragraphs (A)--(C) above no longer exist.
Cancellation of suspension or withdrawal of authorization becomes
effective upon delivery of written notice from the Secretary to the
Department of Defense.

Request for Reconsideration

In order to ensure that the action of the Secretary in not
authorizing take does not result in significant harm to the Nation, any
proposal to withdraw authorization under paragraph 21.15(b)(2) of the
proposed rule, will be reconsidered by the Secretary of the Interior or
his or her delegatee who must be an official nominated by the President
and confirmed by the Senate, if, within 30 days of the notification
with respect to a military readiness activity, the Secretary of
Defense, or his or her delegatee who also must be an official nominated
by the President and confirmed by the Senate, determines that
protection of the national security requires continuation of the
action.

Scope of Authorization

The take authorization provided by the rule would apply to the
Department of Defense military readiness activities, including those
implemented through the Department of Defense contractors and their
agents.

Principles and Standards

As discussed above, the only condition applicable to the
authorization under this rule is that the Department of Defense confer
and cooperate with the Service if the Department of Defense determines
``that a proposed or an ongoing military readiness activity is likely
to result in a significant adverse effect on the sustainability of a
population of a migratory bird species of concern.'' To avoid this
threshold from being reached, as well as to provide for migratory bird
conservation, it is in the Department of Defense's best interest to
address potential migratory bird impacts from military readiness
activities by adopting the following principles and standards.
To proactively address migratory bird conservation, the Department
of Defense should engage in early planning and scoping and involve
agencies with special expertise in the matters relating to the
potential impacts of a proposed action. When a proposed action by the
Department of Defense related to military readiness may result in the
incidental take of birds, we encourage the Department of Defense to
contact the Service so we can assist the Department of Defense in
addressing potential adverse impacts on birds and mitigating those
impacts, particularly those that may have a significant adverse effect
on a population of a migratory bird species of concern.
To identify species of concern, the Department of Defense should
consult ``Birds of Conservation Concern''; priority migratory bird
species documented in the comprehensive bird conservation plans;
species or populations of waterfowl identified as high, or moderately
high, continental priority in the North American Waterfowl Management
Plan; listed threatened and endangered bird species in 50 CFR 17.11;
and MBTA-listed game birds below desired population sizes.
The Department of Defense should, in close coordination with the
Service, develop a list of conservation measures designed to minimize
and mitigate potential adverse impacts of authorized military readiness
activities on affected

[[Page 31081]]

migratory bird species, with emphasis on species of concern. A
cooperative approach initiated early in the project planning process
will have the greatest potential for successfully reducing or
eliminating adverse impacts. Our recommendations will emphasize
avoidance, minimization, and rectifying adverse impacts. We encourage
the Department of Defense to consider obvious avoidance measures at the
outset of project planning, such as siting projects to avoid important
nesting areas or to avoid collisions of birds with structures, or
timing projects to avoid peak breeding activity. In addition, models
such as the U.S. AHAS and BAM should be used to avoid bird activity
when planning flight training and range use. These conservation
measures should be considered for incorporation in new NEPA analyses,
INRMPs, INRMP revisions, and base comprehensive or master plans,
whenever adverse impacts to migratory birds may result from proposed
military readiness activities.
``Conservation measures'' are project design or mitigation
activities that are technically and economically reasonable, and
minimize the take of migratory birds and adverse impacts while allowing
for completion of an action in a timely manner. When appropriate, the
Department of Defense should adopt existing industry guidelines
supported by the Service and developed to avoid or minimize take of
migratory birds. Monitoring is an important conservation measure or a
component of conservation measures when it has the potential to produce
data relevant to substantiating impacts, validating effectiveness of
mitigation, or providing other pertinent information. We recognize that
implementation of conservation measures will be subject to the
availability of appropriations.
The Department of Defense should promote the inclusion of
comprehensive migratory bird management objectives from bird
conservation plans into the Department of Defense planning documents.
The bird conservation plans available either from the Service's
Regional Offices or via the Internet include: North American Waterfowl
Management Plan, PIF, and the U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan. The
North American Waterbird Conservation Plan, the newest planning effort,
addresses conservation of seabirds, wading birds, terns, gulls, and
some marsh birds, and their habitats. The Department of Defense should
continue to work through the PIF program for incorporating bird habitat
management efforts into INRMPs. The Department of Defense should also
work collaboratively with partners to identify, protect, restore, and
manage Important Bird Areas, Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve
Network sites, and other significant bird sites that occur on
Department of Defense lands.
In accordance with the Authorization Act and the 2002 revised Sikes
Act guidelines, the annual review of INRMPs by the Department of
Defense, in cooperation with the Service and State fish and wildlife
agencies, should include monitoring results of any migratory bird
conservation measures.
The Department of Defense should use the best available databases
to determine which migratory bird species are likely to occur in the
area of proposed military readiness activities. This would include
species likely to occur in the project area during all phases of the
project. Any species of concern should be specifically noted.
The Department of Defense should use the best scientific data
available to assess through the NEPA process, or other environmental
requirements, the expected impact of proposed or ongoing military
readiness activities on migratory bird species likely to occur in
action areas. The Department of Defense should address impacts on
species of concern more thoroughly and specifically, focusing on the
effects of the proposed action on the sustainability of these
populations. Special consideration should be given to priority
habitats, such as important nesting areas, migration stop-over areas,
and wintering habitats.
The Department of Defense should adopt, to the maximum extent
practicable, conservation measures designed to minimize and mitigate
any adverse impacts of authorized military readiness activities on
affected migratory bird species, with emphasis on species of concern.
The term ``to the maximum extent practicable'' means without limiting
the subject readiness activities in ways that compromise the
effectiveness of those activities, and to the extent economically
feasible. The Department of Defense should give special emphasis to
addressing those activities that may negatively affect the
sustainability of a population of a migratory bird species of concern.
At the Department of Defense's request, the Service will provide
technical assistance in identifying the migratory bird species and
determining those likely to be taken as a result of the proposed
action, assessing impacts of the action on migratory bird species, and
identifying appropriate conservation measures to mitigate adverse
impacts.

Is This Proposed Rule Consistent With the MBTA?

Yes, section 704 and 712(2) of 16 U.S.C. provide us with broad
authority to promulgate regulations allowing for the take of migratory
birds when compatible with the terms of the migratory bird treaties. We
find the take that would be authorized in this proposed rule is
compatible with the terms of the treaties and consistent with the
purposes of the treaties.
The MBTA implements four treaties: a 1916 treaty with Great Britain
on behalf of Canada that was substantially revised by a 1999 protocol;
a 1936 treaty with Mexico; a 1972 treaty with Japan; and a 1978 treaty
with the former Soviet Union. These international agreements recognize
that migratory birds are important for a variety of purposes. They
provide a food resource, insectivorous birds are useful to agriculture,
they provide recreational benefits, and are useful for scientific and
educational purposes, and are important for aesthetic, social, and
spiritual purposes. Collectively, the treaties provide mechanisms for
protecting the birds and their habitat, and include special emphasis on
protecting those birds that are in danger of extinction.
The Japanese and Soviet treaties have the more broadly worded
prohibitions against take of migratory birds. At the same time, those
treaties include broad exceptions to the take prohibition. The
exceptions recognize a variety of purposes for which take may be
authorized, including scientific, educational, and propagative
purposes; for the protection of persons or property; and for hunting
during open seasons. These treaties also authorize takings for
``specific purposes not inconsistent with the objectives'' of the
treaties.
The take prohibitions in the 1916 treaty with Canada and the 1936
treaty with Mexico have a narrower focus than the take prohibitions in
the Japanese and Soviets treaties. Those treaties are more clearly
directed at stopping the indiscriminate killing of migratory birds from
hunting through the establishment of closed seasons. Likewise, the
prohibitions in the 1999 Canadian protocol retain the structure of the
earlier treaty using closed seasons to prohibit hunting.
The take that is authorized by this proposed rule is compatible
with the migratory bird treaties. The Japanese and Soviet treaties
expressly authorize exceptions from the take prohibition for special
purposes not inconsistent with the treaties. The take that would be

[[Page 31082]]

authorized here is for a special purpose not inconsistent with the
treaties. The authorization allows take of birds only in narrow
instances--take that results from military readiness activities.
Furthermore, the proposed rule expressly requires the Department of
Defense to develop conservation measures to minimize or mitigate
impacts where such impacts may have a significant adverse effect on the
sustainability of a population of a migratory bird species of concern.
Moreover, the Secretary must suspend the take authorization if she
concludes that a specific military readiness activity would not be
compatible with the migratory bird treaties and may withdraw the
authorization if she is unable to obtain from Department of Defense the
information needed to assure compliance. In these circumstances, the
take that would be authorized by this proposed rule is thus compatible
with the terms of the treaties and consistent with the purposes of
those treaties.
The proposed rule's process of broad, automatic authorization
subject to withdrawal is particularly appropriate to military readiness
activities. First, we expect that military readiness activities will
rarely, if ever, have the broad impact that would lead to a significant
adverse effect on migratory bird species of concern, even absent the
conservation measures that the Department of Defense undertakes
voluntarily or pursuant to another statute, such as the ESA. Second,
The Department of Defense, like other Federal agencies, has a special
role in ensuring that the United States complies with its obligations
under the four migratory bird treaties, as evidenced by the Migratory
Bird Executive Order 13186 (January 10, 2001). Like other Federal
agencies, the Department of Defense strives not only to lessen
detrimental effects of the Department of Defense actions on migratory
birds but to actively promote the conservation of the resource and
integrate conservation principles and practices into agency programs.
Numerous internal programs and collaborative ventures among Federal
agencies and non-Federal partners have contributed significantly to
avian conservation. These efforts are grounded in the tenets of
stewardship inherent in our treaty obligations. Third, given the
importance of military readiness to national security, it is especially
important not to create a complex process that, while perhaps useful in
other contexts, might impede the timely carrying-out of military
readiness activities.

Why Does the Proposed Rule Apply Only to the Department of Defense?

This proposed rule is being developed in accordance with the
Authorization Act, which created an interim period, during which the
prohibitions on incidental take of migratory birds would not apply to
military readiness activities, and requiring the development of
regulations authorizing the incidental take of migratory birds
associated with military readiness activities. This proposed rule, if
finalized, will carry out the mandates of the Authorization Act. This
rule would authorize take resulting from otherwise lawful military
readiness activities subject to certain limitations and subject to
withdrawal of the authorization to ensure consistency with the
provisions of the treaties.

Public Comments Invited

We invite comments on this proposed rule from affected or concerned
government agencies, the public, the scientific community, industry,
environmental organizations, and any other interested party. Please
reference ``RIN 1018-AI92'' at the top of your letter. We will consider
all comments submitted to us by the deadline indicated above in DATES.
Our practice is to make comments, including names and home
addresses of respondents, available for public review during normal
business hours. Individual respondents may request that we withhold
their home address from the rulemaking record, which we will honor to
the extent allowable by law. If you wish for us to withhold your name
and/or address, you must state this prominently at the beginning of
your comment. However, we will not consider anonymous comments. We will
make all submissions from organizations or businesses, and from
individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of
organizations or businesses, available for public inspection in their
entirety.

Required Determinations

Regulatory Planning and Review (E.O. 12866) In accordance with the
criteria in Executive Order 12866, this rule is a significant
regulatory action. OMB makes the final determination of significance
under Executive Order 12866.
a. Preliminary analysis indicates this rule will not have an annual
economic effect of $100 million or adversely affect an economic sector,
productivity, jobs, the environment, or other units of government. This
rule is intended to benefit the Department of Defense, and all of its
branches of the Armed Forces, by providing a mechanism to comply with
the MBTA and the treaties. A full cost-benefit and economic analysis is
not required.
This proposed rule would not affect small businesses or other
segments of the private sector. It would apply only to the Department
of Defense. Thus any expenditure under this proposed rule would accrue
only to the Department of Defense. Our current regulations allow us to
permit take of migratory birds only for limited types of activities.
This proposed rule would authorize take resulting from the Department
of Defense military readiness activities, provided the Department of
Defense complies with certain requirements to minimize or mitigate
significant adverse effects on the sustainability of a population of a
migratory bird species of concern.
Preliminary analysis of the annual economic effect of this rule
indicates that it would have de minimis effects for the following
reasons. Without the rule, the Department of Defense could be subject
to injunction by third parties via the APA for lack of authorization
under the MBTA for incidental takes of migratory birds that might
result from military readiness activities. This rule would enable the
Department of Defense to alleviate costs associated with responding to
litigation as well as costs associated with delays in military
training. Furthermore, the rule is structured such that the Department
of Defense is not required to apply for individual permits to authorize
take for every individual military readiness activity. The take
authorization is conveyed by the rule. This avoids potential costs
associated with staff necessary to prepare and review applications for
individual permits to authorize military readiness activities that may
result in incidental take of migratory birds, and the costs that would
be attendant to delay.
The principal annual economic cost to the Department of Defense
would likely be related to costs associated with developing and
implementing conservation measures to minimize or mitigate impacts from
military readiness activities that may have a significant adverse
effect on the sustainability of a population of a migratory bird
species of concern. However, we anticipate that this threshold of
potential effects on the sustainability of a population has a low
probability of occurring. The Department of Defense is already
obligated to comply with a host of other environmental laws, such as
NEPA, which requires them to assess impacts of their military readiness
activities on

[[Page 31083]]

migratory birds, endangered and threatened species, and other wildlife.
Most of the requirements of the proposed rule will be subsumed by these
existing requirements.
With the rule, the Department of Defense would have a regulatory
mechanism to enable the Department of Defense to effectively implement
otherwise lawful military readiness activities. Without the rule, the
Department of Defense might not be able to complete certain military
readiness activities that could result in the take of migratory birds
pending issuance of an MBTA take permit or resolution of any lawsuits.
b. This proposed rule would not create serious inconsistencies or
otherwise interfere with the Department of Defense actions, including
those other than military readiness. The Department of Defense must
already comply with numerous environmental laws intended to encourage
minimizing impacts to wildlife.
c. This proposed rule would not materially affect entitlements,
grants, user fees, loan programs, or the rights and obligations of
their recipients. This rule does not have anything to do with such
programs.
d. This proposed rule raises novel legal or policy issues. This
proposed rule raises a novel policy issue in that it implements a new
area of our program to carry out the MBTA. Under 50 CFR 21.27, the
Service has the authority to issue special purpose permits for take
that is otherwise outside the scope of the standard form permits of
section 21. Special purpose permits may be issued for proposed actions
whereby take of migratory birds could result as an unintended
consequence. However, the Service has previously issued such permits
only in very limited circumstances.
Regulatory Flexibility Act. For the reasons discussed under
Regulatory Planning and Review above, I certify that this proposed rule
would not have a significant economic effect on a substantial number of
small entities as defined under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5
U.S.C. 601 et seq.). A final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not
required. Accordingly, a Small Entity Compliance Guide is not required.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This proposed
rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule:
a. Would not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million
or more.
b. Would not cause a major increase in costs or prices for
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government
agencies, or geographic regions.
c. Would not have significant adverse effects on competition,
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. In accordance with the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501, et seq.):
a. This proposed rule would not ``significantly or uniquely''
affect small governments. A Small Government Agency Plan is not
required. We have determined and certified pursuant to the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this rulemaking would
not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local or
State government or private entities.
b. This rule would not produce a Federal mandate of $100 million or
greater in any year, i.e., it is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
Takings. In accordance with Executive Order 12630, the rule does
not have significant takings implications. A takings implication
assessment is not required. The only effect of this rule would be to
authorize incidental takes of migratory birds by the Department of
Defense as a result of military readiness activities. This rule would
not result in the physical occupancy of property, the physical invasion
of property, or the regulatory taking of any property.
Federalism. In accordance with Executive Order 13132, and based on
the discussions in Regulatory Planning and Review above, this rule
would not have significant Federalism effects. A Federalism assessment
is not required. Due to the migratory nature of certain species of
birds, and given the Federal Government's responsibility to implement
the migratory bird treaties, Congress assigned the Federal Government
responsibility over these species when it enacted the MBTA. This rule
would 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.
Civil Justice Reform. In accordance with Executive Order 12988, the
Office of the Solicitor has determined that this proposed rule would
not unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the
requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Order. The intent of
the rule is to relieve the Department of Defense and the judicial
system from potential litigation resulting from potential take of
migratory birds during military readiness activities. The Department of
the Interior has certified to the Office of Management and Budget that
this rule meets the applicable standards provided in Sections 3(a) and
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.
Paperwork Reduction Act. This rule would not require any new
information collections under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Under the Paperwork Reduction Act, we do not need
to seek Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval to collect
information from current Federal employees, military personnel,
military reservists, and members of the National Guard in their
professional capacities. Because this rule would newly enable us to
collect information only from the Department of Defense employees in
their professional capacity, we do not need to seek OMB approval under
the Paperwork Reduction Act. In other cases, Federal agencies may not
conduct or sponsor, and members of the public are not required to
respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently
valid OMB control number.
National Environmental Policy Act. We have made a determination
that this proposed rule is categorically excluded under the Department
of the Interior's NEPA procedures in 516 Departmental Manual 2,
Appendix 1.10. Appendix 1.10 applies to ``policies, directives,
regulations, and guidelines of an administrative, financial, legal, and
technical, or procedural nature; or the environmental effects of which
are too broad, speculative or conjectural to lend themselves to
meaningful analysis and will be subject later to the NEPA process,
either collectively or case-by-case.''
Department of Defense military readiness activities occur across a
very broad geographic area covering a wide diversity of habitat types
and potentially affecting a high diversity of migratory birds. In
addition, the specific type of military readiness activity will vary
significantly amongst the Armed Services. Because of the broad scope of
activities, their locations, habitat types, and potential migratory
birds present that may be affected by this proposed rule, it is not
foreseeable or reasonable to anticipate all the possible locations
where the Department of Defense may conduct military readiness
activities or what the circumstances of the activities and the
surrounding environment will be, thus it is premature to examine
potential impacts of the proposed rule. Any environmental analysis of
the proposed rule is determined to be too broad, speculative, and
conjectural. A

[[Page 31084]]

copy of the Categorical Exclusion is available upon request at the
address indicated in the ADDRESSES section of this proposed rule.
In addition, we have made the determination that this proposed rule
does not dictate extraordinary circumstances that would warrant
preparation of an environment document in accordance with Departmental
Manual, Part 516, 2.3. First, this proposed rule would only apply to
military readiness activities that are otherwise authorized by the
Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of the military department
concerned. Second, we expect that military readiness activities will
rarely, if ever, have the broad impact that would lead to a significant
adverse effect on migratory bird species of concern, even absent the
conservation measures that the Department of Defense undertakes
voluntarily or pursuant to another statute. The Department of Defense
also has an important role in ensuring that the United States complies
with the four migratory bird treaties.
However, upon finalization of this rule, the Department of Defense
will continue to be responsible for ensuring military readiness
activities are implemented in accordance with all applicable
regulations including NEPA and ESA. In addition, authorization under
this rule would require that if a proposed military readiness activity
may result in a significant adverse impact on the sustainability of a
population of a species of concern, the Department of Defense must
confer and cooperate with the Service to develop appropriate measures
to minimize or mitigate these effects and address them through their
NEPA responsibilities.
Government-to-Government Relationship with Tribes. In accordance
with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, ``Government-to-
Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments'' (59 FR
22951), E.O. 13175, and 512 DM 2, we have evaluated possible effects on
federally recognized Indian tribes and have determined that there are
no effects. This rule applies only to military readiness activities
carried out by the Department of Defense that take migratory birds. It
would not interfere with the Tribes' ability to manage themselves or
their funds.
Energy Effects. On May 18, 2001, the President issued Executive
Order 13211 on regulations that significantly affect energy supply,
distribution, or use. This Executive Order requires agencies to prepare
Statements of Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. As this
proposed rule is not expected to significantly affect energy supply,
distribution, or use, this action is not a significant energy action
and no Statement of Energy Effects is required.
Clarity of Regulations. Executive Order 12866 requires each agency
to write regulations that are easy to understand. We invite your
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 proposed rule? What else
could we do to make the rule easier to understand?
Send a copy of any comments about how we could make this rule
easier to understand to: Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department of
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List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 21

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

For the reasons described in the preamble, we propose to amend
title 50, chapter I, subchapter B of the CFR as follows:

PART 21--[AMENDED]

1. Revise the authority citation for part 21 to read as follows:

Authority: Pub. L. 95-616, 92 Stat. 3112 (16 U.S.C. 704,
712(2)); Pub. L. 107-314, 116 Stat. 2458 (16 U.S.C. 703 note).

2. Amend Sec. 21.3 by adding the following definitions, in
alphabetical order:


Sec. 21.3 Definitions.

* * * * *
Conservation measures, as used in Sec. 21.15, means project design
or mitigation activities that are reasonable and feasible from a
scientific, technological, and economic standpoint, and avoid or
minimize the take of migratory birds, rectify, reduce, or eliminate
adverse impacts over time, or compensate for such adverse impacts,
while allowing for completion of the action in a timely manner.
Monitoring is a conservation measure when it has the potential to
produce data relevant to substantiating impacts, validating
effectiveness of mitigation, or providing other pertinent information.
* * * * *
Military readiness activity includes all training and operations of
the Armed Forces that relate to combat, and the adequate and realistic
testing of military equipment, vehicles, weapons, and sensors for
proper operation and suitability for combat use. It includes activities
carried out by the Department of Defense and their contractors. It does
not include: routine operation of installation operating support
functions, such as administrative offices, military exchanges,
commissaries, water treatment facilities, storage facilities, schools,
housing, motor pools, laundries, morale, welfare, and recreation
activities, shops, and mess halls; operation of industrial activities;
or construction or demolition of facilities relating to these routine
operations.
Population, as used in Sec. 21.15, refers to the population of a
migratory bird species of concern, and means the number of individuals
of a specific species within a particular Bird Conservation Region
(BCR).
* * * * *
Secretary of Defense means the Secretary of Defense or any other
official in the Department of Defense, any of the military departments,
or the Department of Homeland Security with respect to military
readiness activities of the United States Coast Guard, who has been
nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
* * * * *
Significant adverse effect on the sustainability of a population,
as used in Sec. 21.15, means an effect that could result in a
population no longer being maintained at a ``biologically viable level
for the long term.'' A population is ``biologically viable for the long
term'' when its ability to maintain its genetic diversity, to
reproduce, and to perform its role or function in its native ecosystem
are not irreversibly harmed.
Species of concern refers to those species listed in the periodic
report Birds of Conservation Concern published by the FWS Division of
Migratory Bird Management (http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/reports/bcc2002.pdf ); priority migratory bird species documented in the comprehensive bird conservation plans (North American Waterbird Conservation Plan http://www.waterbirdconservation.org), United States Shorebird Conservation Plan (http://shorebirdplan.fws.gov), Partners in
artners in
Flight Bird Conservation Plans

[[Page 31085]]


(http://www.partnersinflight.org); species or populations of waterfowl

identified as high, or moderately high, continental priority in the
North American Waterfowl Management Plan; listed threatened and
endangered bird species in 50 CFR 17.11; and Migratory Bird Treaty
Act--listed game birds below desired population sizes (http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/reports/reports.html ). 3. Amend part 21, subpart B by adding a new Sec. 21.15 as follows: Sec. 21.15 Authorization of take incidental to military readiness activities (a) Except to the extent authorization is withdrawn or suspended pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, the Department of Defense may take migratory birds incidental to military readiness activities provided that, for those ongoing or proposed activities that are likely to result in a significant adverse effect on the sustainability of the population of a migratory bird species of concern, the Department of Defense must confer and cooperate with the Service to develop appropriate conservation measures to minimize or mitigate such significant adverse effects. (b) Withdrawal of take authorization. (1) If the Secretary determines, after seeking the views of the Secretary of Defense and consulting with the Secretary of State, that incidental take of migratory birds during a specific military readiness activity would not be compatible with one or more of the migratory bird treaties, the Secretary will suspend authorization of the take associated with that activity. (2) The Secretary may propose to withdraw, and 30 days thereafter may withdraw, the authorization for any take incidental to a specific military readiness activity if the Secretary determines that a proposed military readiness activity may result in a significant adverse effect on the sustainability of the population of a migratory bird species of concern and one or more of the following circumstances exists: (i) The Department of Defense has not implemented conservation measures that: (A) Are directly related to protecting the migratory bird species of concern affected by the proposed military readiness activity; (B) Would significantly reduce take of the migratory bird species of concern affected by the military readiness activity; (C) Are economically feasible; and (D) Do not limit the effectiveness of the military readiness activity; (ii) The Department of Defense fails to conduct mutually agreed upon monitoring to determine the effects of a military readiness activity on the migratory bird species of concern and/or the efficacy of the conservation measures implemented by the Department of Defense; or (iii) The Department of Defense has not provided reasonably available information that the Secretary has determined is necessary to evaluate whether withdrawal of take authorization for the specific military readiness activity is appropriate. (3) When the Secretary proposes to withdraw authorization with respect to a specific military readiness activity, the Secretary will first provide written notice to the Secretary of Defense. Any such notice will include the basis for the Secretary's determination that withdrawal is warranted in accordance with the criteria contained in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, and will identify any conservation measures or other measures that would, if implemented by the Department of Defense, permit the Secretary to cancel the proposed withdrawal of authorization. (4) Within 30 days of receipt of the notice specified in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, the Secretary of Defense may notify the Secretary in writing of the Department of Defense's objections, if any, to the proposed withdrawal, specifying the reasons therefore. Before acting to withdraw the take authorization for any specific military readiness activity, the Secretary will consider the objections raised by the Department of Defense. If the Secretary continues to believe that withdrawal is appropriate, he or she will provide written notice to the Secretary of Defense of the withdrawal and the rationale therefore, including a response to the Department of Defense's objections. If the Secretary of Defense continues to object to the withdrawal of authorization, the withdrawal will not become effective until the Secretary of Defense has had the opportunity to meet with the Secretary. (5) Any take incidental to a military readiness activity subject to a proposed withdrawal of authorization will continue to be authorized by this regulation until the Secretary makes a final determination on the withdrawal. (6) The Secretary may, at his or her discretion, cancel a suspension or withdrawal of authorization at any time. A suspension may be cancelled in the event new information is provided that the proposed activity would be compatible with the migratory bird treaties. A proposed withdrawal may be cancelled if the Department of Defense modifies the proposed activity to alleviate significant adverse effects on the sustainability of a population of a migratory bird species of concern or the circumstances in paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section no longer exist. Cancellation of suspension or withdrawal of authorization becomes effective upon delivery of written notice from the Secretary to the Department of Defense. (7) The responsibilities of the Secretary under paragraph (b) of this section, may be fulfilled by his or her delegatee who must be an official nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Dated: December 12, 2003. Craig Manson, Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. Dated: January 8, 2004. Concurrence of: Raymond DuBois, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Installation & Environment). Editorial Note: This document was received by the Office of the Federal Register on May 17, 2004. [FR Doc. 04-11411 Filed 5-28-04; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P