U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Issues Draft Impact Statement on Waterfowl Regulations

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released today a draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on the setting of annual regulations permitting the hunting of migratory birds. The Service uses the annual process to evaluate and establish a framework for hunting seasons and numbers of birds which may be taken in each of four flyways across the nation. Waterfowl and other bird species are hunted for food and recreation through regulations set each year by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in consultation with state fish and wildlife agencies.

The draft SEIS proposes to adjust the process for authorizing migratory bird hunting in accordance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (Act) of 1918. The Act is the Federal authority under which migratory bird hunting seasons are regulated. The Act implements four treaties between the United States and Russia, Mexico, Japan, and Canada. Bird species protected by the Act include nearly all species native to North America, many of which migrate to and from the treaty nations. The Act prohibits the