The Service published a notice in the Federal Register today of its intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that will determine its long-term management strategy for overabundant lesser snow and Ross geese populations, as well as the rapidly increasing greater snow goose population. The public will have multiple opportunities to help shape the development of the EIS as it moves forward.
The Service has identified a series of potential responses to light goose overpopulation that could be evaluated in the EIS, based on public comments received for an environmental assessment of the problem completed in 1998. The final set of alternatives to be analyzed in the EIS will be determined based on comments received during a public scoping process that began with publication of todays Federal Register notice.
Public scoping meetings will be held in states containing important snow and Ross goose migration and wintering habitat. The location, date and time of those meetings has not been determined, but will be announced in a future notice in the Federal Register.
Among the alternatives being considered is the legalization of additional hunting methods such as electronic calls, unplugged shotguns and expanded shooting hours.
The EIS may also evaluate the effects of direct population control strategies on the birds wintering grounds and migration routes in the U.S., including trapping and culling programs. While the Service does not have the authority to implement direct population control measures on the breeding grounds in Canada, it also proposes to evaluate those measures in consultation with Canadian wildlife officials. Additional management alternatives may be identified by the scoping process.
Increasing agricultural and refuge development along waterfowl flyways through the Midwest and South has provided light geese with ample forage during their yearly migrations. As a result, adult mortality rates for light geese have fallen steadily over the past three decades, triggering explosive population growth.
Annual winter population counts of mid-continent light geese estimate that the population has more than tripled in the past 30 years, from just over 800,000 birds in 1969 to approximately 2.8 million birds today. Scientists believe the actual spring breeding population may be as high as 4.5 million birds. The spring population of greater snow geese has expanded from less than 50,000 birds in the late 1960s to approximately 700,000 today. With a growth rate of approximately 9% per year, the population is expected to reach 1 million by 2002 and 2 million by 2010.
The fragile Canadian arctic, with its short growing season, cannot support populations of that size. For example, large areas of the breeding grounds around Hudson Bay have been denuded of all vegetation by geese through overgrazing, a situation that scientists believe may also be contributing to the decline of breeding populations of other migratory bird species that share the breeding grounds and winter in the United States.
In February, the Service took interim measures to begin reducing the mid-continent light goose populations. Regulations were implemented that gave 24 Midwestern and southern states the flexibility to allow the use of normally prohibited electronic goose calls and unplugged shotguns during the remaining weeks of their light goose seasons after all other waterfowl and crane seasons had closed. States were also given the authority to implement a conservation order under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act that would allow citizens to take light geese outside of traditional migratory bird hunting season frameworks.
The Services action was supported by the Canadian government and a broad spectrum of the conservation community, including the National Audubon Society, the American Bird Conservancy, the Ornithological Council and Ducks Unlimited. But it was challenged by the Humane Society of the United States, which sought an injunction in Federal court to block implementation of the rules.
A federal judge rejected that request, finding that the Service would probably prevail on its claim that it acted within its mandate under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to take emergency measures to protect migratory bird resources. But the judge did find cause to believe that a full environmental impact statement, rather than the more concise environmental assessment performed by the Service, is likely required by the National Environmental Policy Act to support the conservation measures.
The Service had previously committed to prepare an EIS on snow goose management beginning in 2000. However, in light of the Judges written opinion, the Service decided to begin an EIS this spring. While compilation of the EIS is underway this summer, the Service will propose to withdraw the two rules published in February. At a later date, a proposal to withdraw the rules will be published in the Federal Register.
The Service hopes to complete its analysis in time to implement new management actions during the spring of 2000. However, the EIS process is a lengthy one, and it is unlikely that it will be completed in time to support actions at that time.
The Service encourages public comment on the scope of the EIS. Written comments should be submitted by July 12, addressed to the Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, ms 634 ARLSQ, 1849 C St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. For further information contact the Office of Migratory Bird Management, (703) 358-1714.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System comprised of more than 500 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands, and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
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