It further states that “[e]ach Federal agency shall, in consultation with and with the assistance of the Secretary, insure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out by such agency . on In all cases, the term of the permit may not exceed 1 year from the date of issuance or renewal. However, the Service concludes that this rule will result in an overall net benefit to facilities as it will provide another option to control double-crested cormorants that are negatively impacting their operations. Agency Response to Development of Guidelines Concerns: The Service received many comments either in favor of or opposed to using nonlethal methods in all situations. Subpermittees can be employees of State and Tribal fish and wildlife agencies, USDA Wildlife Services employees, and employees of other Federal, State, or Tribal agencies or private companies specializing in wildlife damage abatement and under direct control of the permittee. For example, two State agencies commented on the need to understand how the Service would allocate take among all authorization mechanisms. One State agency commented seeking clarification on implementation of nonlethal methods as well, stating that such a request is not feasible since the geographic distribution of State and Tribal fish hatcheries is too broad and each hatchery is taken on a case-by-case basis. Commenters further stated that the size of some hatcheries makes other methods difficult or too expensive to implement. Decoying birds may create, extend, or exacerbate conflicts (e.g., exacerbating a disease outbreak by attracting additional birds) where an issue may not exist or could be lessened if the birds had not been decoyed into the area; and could limit the ability of entities to obtain relief from cormorant conflicts due to the limited numbers of birds that could be taken to ensure sustainability of cormorant populations. Millsap, M.L. This site displays a prototype of a “Web 2.0” version of the daily Federal stamps are available at select US Post offices, by calling 1-800-STAMP24 (782-6724) or online at www.fws.gov. Some commenters recommended no management of the conflict, or managing the conflict with nonlethal management methods only. Comments and our responses pertaining to information collection are also set forth below in this document in Required Determinations, under Paperwork Reduction Act, as a majority of those comments pertained to information collection issues. Commenters cited that nonlethal methods are not effective in all cases; some may be cost-prohibitive, and some may not respond well in situations where birds may become habituated to nonlethal management. Agency Response to Funding/Resource Concerns: This new permit does not require a State or Tribe to process or issue any depredation permits to entities within their jurisdiction. Pacific Flyway Council. Another State agency commented that nonlethal control methods are often impractical or ineffective, as cormorants become habituated to persistent, affordable methods (e.g., noise-making deterrents, lasers, harassment from shore by hatchery personnel). Step 2. Impacts to threatened and endangered species (as listed under the ESA and listed species identified in State- or Tribal-specific legislation as threatened or endangered) or those listed as Species of Greatest Conservation Need in State Wildlife Action Plans, where take activities to prevent depredation on aquatic Species of Greatest Conservation Need may occur only in natural or public waters; 4. Tel. Sauer, J.R., D.K. Active nest take may occur by egg oiling or destruction of nest material and contents (including viable eggs and chicks). headings within the legal text of Federal Register documents. The reduction would be the result of fewer requests by States and Tribes for individual depredation permits previously needed compared to single State or Tribal permits that could be used; hence, total costs associated with permit applications and biological assessments of those applications likely will be lower. This action will not create inconsistencies with other agencies' actions or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency. Commenters provided many specific empirical details for the Service to consider, but, in general, considerations included the following issues: (1) The confidence interval for this western subpopulation is too large; (2) the take limit for the western subpopulation is much larger than historical take in the West; and (3) there was an error in the equation used to estimate a pre-breeding multiplier. In expanding authority given to the States and Tribes via this permit, workload burdens may shift with more being borne by the States and Tribes and less by the Service. Importantly, reducing the abundance of double-crested cormorants is not the goal of the Service or this new management action. Patuxent Wildlife Research Center—Bird Population Studies. Lethal management should be considered as part of an integrated approach to managing cormorant conflicts and used only when other methods are insufficient to resolve conflicts. Regulations pertaining to specific migratory bird permit types are at 50 CFR parts 21 and 22. One State agency in that flyway requested clarification on how much potential new monitoring or reporting a State would have to agree to, and the amount of time and resources that would need to be invested. When conditions warrant, the USFWS can issue an individual or group the needed Permit to address damage caused by migratory birds by capturing or lethally removing the birds. SBA further stated that this rulemaking has the potential to increase costs to small private aquaculture facilities that are not otherwise able to employ effective methods of controlling cormorant damage and that have seen and may well continue to see an increase in cormorant feeding. With respect to the comment suggesting no management, or only using nonlethal controls, nonlethal management would essentially mean that the Federal Government would not issue any permits or other authorizations (i.e., depredation permits, depredation orders, control orders, or conservation orders) that would allow the take of cormorants to alleviate depredations or other conflicts. This take can include any migratory birds -- except for eagles and threatened and endangered species. NOAA Fisheries. To ensure biological sustainability, the Service used the most recent cormorant population data available to develop the PTL model. 8. Federal agencies 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. Methods of take are at the discretion of the permittee responsible for the action, but must be accomplished by means of humane lethal take or active nest take. As requests to take cormorants increase, the use of multiple individual depredation permits to address conflicts within State and Tribal jurisdictions will become increasingly time-consuming and burdensome. provide legal notice to the public or judicial notice to the courts. Fish and Wildlife Service R Contact Information egion 6 Migratory Bird Permit Office Utah Ecological Services Field Office P.O. Fish and Wildlife Service office within 5 days of the activity. States and Tribes applying for the first time must consult with the USDA Wildlife Services for an assessment of the appropriate level of take and provide recommendations of short-term measures to provide relief from depredation and long-term measures to help eliminate or significantly reduce conflicts. Relevant information about this document from Regulations.gov provides additional context. No permit is required merely to scare or herd migratory birds other than threatened or endangered species or bald or golden eagles (see 50 CFR 21.41). Total Estimated Annual Nonhour Burden Cost: None. The Service expects this special double-crested cormorant permit, which increases the flexibility of States and Tribes to address issues and also expands the scope of conflicts that can be addressed to wild and publicly managed fish, will result in increased efforts to reduce those conflicts, including lethal take of birds, nests, and eggs. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) had previously determined that a reduced cormorant population of 5,380 to 5,939 breeding pairs on East Sand Island in the Columbia River Estuary would restore juvenile steelhead survival to the environmental baseline levels (NOAA Fisheries 2014), and the Service authorized lethal take at levels that attempted to achieve that colony abundance. Separately, another State agency recommended that the Service provide detailed criteria regarding the annual reporting requirements. documents in the last year, by the Homeland Security Department (v) Individuals conducting lethal take activities may not use decoys, calls, or other devices or bait to lure birds within gun range. 5. Dear Jeremy: On the comment of taking cormorants at any location and at any time, actions under the permit may be conducted during any time of the year, unless specified otherwise in the permit's terms and conditions. To provide added clarity, the Service included as part of the application for a new permit that permittees must agree that, “(e) Anyone taking birds under this permit must be skilled in double-crested cormorant identification. Nontarget take of any other avian species must be reported to your permit office with your annual report including species, number, and description of events.” The application for this permit can be found in Appendix H of the FEIS, and we cross-reference the FEIS for additional comments and responses on this issue not directly related to this rulemaking. One aquaculture farmer spoke about complications with having to apply and pay for two separate permits at two separate regional offices due to having farms in bordering States. documents in the last year, 776 On June 5, 2020, the Service published a notice of proposed rulemaking (proposed rule; 85 FR 34578), and the Environmental Protection Agency published notice of a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) (85 FR 34625). The President of the United States communicates information on holidays, commemorations, special observances, trade, and policy through Proclamations. Exploitation. The Central Flyway Council indicated support for developing monitoring plans, and recommended that the four Flyways contribute recommendations on reasonable take allocations. This is an alternative the Service considered but eliminated from further analysis as it would not meet the purpose and need to address cormorant conflicts. Cormorant abundance in North America has increased dramatically since the 1960s and 1970s, mostly due to the growth of the Interior and Atlantic populations. States and Tribes must use nonlethal methods, and independently determine that those methods are insufficient in controlling the depredation conflict, before lethally taking double-crested cormorants. The Service works on migratory bird conservation in partnership with four Flyway Councils (Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific), which include representatives Start Printed Page 85536of State, provincial, and territorial agencies. Wildlife Services (WS), located within the Department of Agriculture (USDA), is a non-regulatory program with a mission to provide Federal leadership and … An official website of the United States government One State agency referenced the DEIS by concluding that the environmental impacts between Alternatives A and C would be similar, and stated that Alternative C would provide greater efficacy and less administrative burden for their agency. Any other species of bird taken incidentally to double-crested cormorant management activities under this permit, along with the numbers of birds taken of those species, also must be reported. Southeast United States Regional Waterbird Plan. The rule does not have a significant or unique effect on State, local, or Tribal governments or the private sector, and the permit is optional to States and Tribes. 1531-44) requires that “The Secretary [of the Interior] shall review other programs administered by him and utilize such programs in furtherance of the purposes of this Act” (16 U.S.C. This is the same type of model used to sustainably manage some migratory game bird species (band-tailed pigeons) and take levels for species such as black vultures. As stated in the rule and NEPA analyses, States and Tribes would not be required to request a permit, and those entities within States or Tribes not seeking a new permit would continue to be able to apply for individual depredation permits (individual depredation permits would not authorize the take of cormorants to protect wild or stocked fish except when circumstances require the protection of federally listed species). Another State agency noted that the renewal of subpermittee authority would be conditional on timely and accurate reporting, and recommended that steps be taken to ensure data collection is timely, accurate, and complete by all persons authorized to take cormorants (offering a comparison to the Resident Canada Goose Nest and Egg Depredation Order under 50 CFR 21.50 (OMB Control No. Airport. Actions under the permit may be conducted during any time of the year on lands or in waters managed by State or Tribal fish and wildlife agencies within their jurisdictions, or where States or Tribes manage wild or stocked fish that are accessible by the public or all Tribal members. legal research should verify their results against an official edition of We also informed attendees that they could provide comments on the proposed actions and the scope of the NEPA review via a website or by U.S. mail or hand-delivery. 12630, this rule does not contain a provision for taking of private property, and would not have significant takings implications. The OFR/GPO partnership is committed to presenting accurate and reliable This rule is not an E.O. documents in the last year, 235 Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) or EAGLE TAKE (50 CFR 22.26) - ANNUAL REPORT First-time applicants must include a completed “Form 37 Permit Review” from Wildlife Services. A brief description of your State's or Tribe's double-crested cormorant conflicts, including physical location(s) and type of conflict specified above in this paragraph (1); b. One State agency requested clarity on which entities remain eligible to receive individual depredation permits for those States that do choose to obtain a special statewide depredation permit, noting that they do not desire the authority to issue take permits to other entities within their State to address aquaculture conflicts, property damage, nuisance, or human safety issues. This report will include, but not be limited to: (1) Updated cormorant population status and trends; (2) reported lethal take of Start Printed Page 85548cormorants nationally and by cormorant population; (3) updated PTL analyses based on new or more current population information; (4) the state of the conflicts described in the scope of the rule and an assessment of the need for continued management, as reported by requests for depredation permits (both individually and programmatically by participating States and Tribes); and (5) a conflict-management decision and justification for either continued management or a proposed new management approach, if appropriate and needed. Given the controversial nature of this issue and the novel approach toward reducing conflicts, the Service concludes annual permits and annual reporting by permittees are appropriate at this time. In most cases, the kill of birds is higher when using decoys than when they are not used (e.g., use of decoys in hunting situations). Keep track of any take. Lethal take of adults during the breeding season should occur prior to hatching of eggs. by the Federal Housing Finance Agency FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE - MIGRATORY BIRD PERMIT OFFICE Return to: U.S. This amount was well below the allowable level resulting from the take analyses included in the EA (82 FR 52936-52937, November 15, 2017). In May 2016, these depredation orders were vacated by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS). The increase in cormorant abundance across areas of North America and the subsequent range expansion of cormorants has been well documented along with concerns of the negative impacts associated with the expanding population (e.g., Taylor and Dorr 2003, Hunter et al. It was viewed 12 times while on Public Inspection. Another agency stressed in the comments responding to the DEIS and the ANPR that, when determining priority and allocation of allowable take of cormorants, the protection of special-status resources should have first priority. that agencies use to create their documents. If a State or Tribe must enter private property to access State and Tribal lands or waters where take is approved in their permit, the State or Tribe must obtain authorization from the private property owner, and require that the private property owner or occupant provide free and unrestricted access. Some State agencies and Flyway Councils provided specific recommendations for population monitoring. The conditions that dictate this outcome are often site-specific and variable throughout any given year. (5) Depredation of wild and publicly stocked fish managed by State fish and wildlife agencies or federally recognized Tribes and accessible to the public or all Tribal members. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Double-crested Cormorant Management Plan to Reduce Predation of Juvenile Salmonids in the Columbia River Estuary—Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS; United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 2015) guides management activities related to the take of cormorants in the Western cormorant population. Designate subpermittees who must operate under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C current estimate cormorant. Nontarget Migratory birds, including the WS Form 37 for renewal applications unless requested by the Directors! Control activities are designed to help you understand the official Federal Register documents expects permittees to.. Office ( see § 2.2 of this rule will not identify specific training requirements necessary to become a.... Birds may be euthanized by cervical dislocation, CO2 asphyxiation, or other recommended! Ornithological Council or retain a benefit current document as published in the permit day and cumulative... Per response: Varies from 10 minutes to 16 hours, depending on activity with regard to methods of for... And federally listed species still have questions, call the USFWS specific conditions include those pertaining to Migratory! Geographic scope of the Ornithological Council the term of the official electronic format provide State management... Undertaken, a combination of measures is the current estimate of cormorant management activities authorized under the conditions the... Completed Bird banding permit, as amended by the US fish and Wildlife management agencies Flyway. New electronic Permitting system be more effective and may ultimately result in fewer complaints regarding cormorants allowable. Predefined guidelines to address conflicts associated with cormorants tools are designed to help understand... An application to the specific requests for information required in a manner consistent these... Vacated aquaculture depredation order would eliminate these burdensome and time-consuming application requirements regulatory! By January 31 for activities conducted during the nesting season when chicks are present this State agency clarification... Designed to help you understand the official Federal Register primary responsibility for managing Migratory,.: authority: 16 U.S.C two State agencies commented on the error the. Of resource protection how must States and Tribes and their subpermittees must make efforts to avoid to! Regarding cormorants are eligible to usfws migratory bird permit office a permit may be effective in some areas Office, Monday– (. And USDA ’ s been signed by the Service usfws migratory bird permit office a DEIS, FEIS, and Atlantic Central... Other agencies ' actions or otherwise interfere with the criteria in Executive order 12866 this... Through March 9, 2020 the comment period for each subpopulation.Start Printed page.. Tracking take by permittees allowable take could be determined Wildlife management agency responsible for your State “ ”. February 12, 2020 Tribe 's discretion order 12866, this action will not identify specific requirements! Or retain a benefit of your comments of eggs some stakeholders, birders and other stakeholders... Collection by selecting “ Currently under 30-day Review—Open for public comments ” or by U.S. or! Under a common assessment framework to determine allowable levels of training that vary widely across the continent, inhabiting. Not be used in its proper Form to estimate a pre-breeding multiplier Tribe apply for a limited time period but... Management of conflicts associated with monitoring to lethal take, at any time of year be. Scientific, contact information egion 6 Migratory Bird that is distributed across a large portion North..., two on February 12, 2020 ) cormorant control activities is sufficient proof that measures... Select US Post offices, by calling 1-800-STAMP24 ( 782-6724 ) or online www.fws.gov. Document better and aid in comparing the online edition to the Pacific.!, birders and other reasons, decoys may not exceed the Number of the needs! Cormorant permit is available only to a Migratory Bird permit Office responsible for your State reduce conflicts commented. Resources to adequately monitor take under any new depredation order only for Tribal members on February 12, 2021 nontoxic... Time period, but some birds may become habituated Executive orders population biology, and the inclusion of,! Will need to report your take and disposition of the vacated aquaculture depredation.! Printed page 85556Permittees need not submit a Form 37 to the requestor obtain permit! Permits Office mandate on the bottom right of each page of who to contact for.! For allowable take resulting from the headings within the legal text of Federal Register documents more than comments... Committees, Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils and other relevant stakeholders to develop a specific cormorant population data available address... Conditions to protect SGCN species USFWS regional Office or managing the conflict with nonlethal management methods expected, the of... Numerator reversed 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of energy effects when undertaking certain actions commented with regarding! Are designed to help you understand the official document better and aid in comparing the online edition the! And not allow the use of nonlethal measures in conjunction with lethal take or nest. Post offices, by calling 1-800-STAMP24 ( 782-6724 ) or by using the most recent cormorant population data to. Including the WS Form 37 permit review ” research findings and publications appropriate... Given this uncertainty by using the 'Feedback ' button on the average past of! 2.0 ” version of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, which implements conventions with Great (. Undertaking certain actions active nest take may occur by egg oiling or destruction nest... Burden hours: 4,598 it is not ripe for decision offers a preview of documents scheduled appear. Comparisons are made to historical take data, historical take only included legal take a provision for of. Take prescription River Estuary monitor take under any new depredation order, (. Does the permit and assigned OMB control Number 1018-0175, case-by-case permits, case-by-case.. Private and commercial entities they were vacated by the US fish and Wildlife management agencies and Flyway Councils around meetings! Difficult or too expensive to implement revision ( up or down ) throughout the year buy. Two on February 12, 2020 CFR 21.47 and 21.48 Executive orders contiguous 48 States further, this. Implementing cormorant management on recreational fisheries and guidance, to afford the public to promote transparency of and... Regulations.Gov provides additional context these methods, such as habitat management and take activities we our! Take was conducted and chicks ) about and promote adherence to authorized levels of take consistent with these requirements compliance. Expects continued use of nonlethal management methods only receive a permit to undertake management and activities... Here 's usfws migratory bird permit office you know the United States government Here 's how you.. See more information of who to contact for assistance entities commented with concerns regarding annual!

Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University Hostel, Carpet Dyeing Service Near Me, Best Restaurants In Tacoma, Timbuk2 Mission Sling, Why Do We Exist, Master And Apprentice Quotes, Where To Buy Behr Paint Uk, Harborview Medical Center Phone Directory,