[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15856-15857]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8552]
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Department of the Interior
Fish and Wildlife Service
Application for Approval of Tin Shot as Nontoxic for Waterfowl
Hunting
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of decision.
SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has reviewed the
International Tin Research Institute, Ltd.'s (ITRI) application for
approval of tin shot as nontoxic for waterfowl hunting in the United
States. The Service has found that the Tier 1 test results are
inconclusive and Tier 2 testing is required before further
consideration.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul R. Schmidt, Chief, or Carol
Anderson, Wildlife Biologist, Office of Migratory Bird Management
(MBMO), (703) 358-1714.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Since the mid-1970s, the Service has sought
to identify shot that, when spent, does not pose a significant toxic
hazard to migratory birds and other wildlife. Currently, only bismuth-
tin and steel shot are approved by the Service as
[[Page 15857]]
nontoxic. Tungsten-iron shot received temporary conditional approval
for the 1997-98 hunting season. The Service believes approval for other
suitable candidate shot materials as nontoxic is feasible.
On February 10, 1998, the Service announced its intention to review
ITRI's Tier 1 information for approval of pure tin shot as nontoxic
pursuant to 50 CFR 20.134 (recently amended--see 62 FR 63608, December
1, 1997). The Service has determined that the Tier 1 test results are
inconclusive. The Service requires that the Tier 2 test be completed
before nontoxic approval of the tin shot can be considered. For a
complete review of the tin shot application and review process, refer
to the Supplementary Information Section of the February 10, 1998,
Federal Register (63 FR 6766).
ITRI submitted a Tier 2 test protocol to conduct an in vitro test
to determine the erosion rate of the candidate shot and an acute
toxicity test to determine the short-term effects of the candidate shot
on game-farm mallards (Anas platyrhynchus) using commercially available
duck food. The test protocol has been reviewed and approved by the
Service, with technical assistance provided by the U.S. Geological
Survey's Biological Resources Division. The general outline of the in
vitro and acute toxicity tests given below is not a complete
description of the testing protocol, but gives the basic outline of the
test procedures being conducted.
In vitro test procedures:
Five #4 each of tin, steel, and lead shot pellets were separately
placed in 15 100 ml screw-top pyrex bottles. These bottles were filled
with 100 ml of a sodium chloride-pepsin (20 g/l) solution. The samples
were maintained at 42 deg.C and continuously stirred using a magnetic
stirrer for 14 days. Each day 1 ml of solution was sampled and analyzed
for metal content. Tin solutions were analyzed using an ICP with
dilutions of the samples at 10 and 20 times in 10 percent hydrochloric
acid. The lead solutions were analyzed using flame atomic absorption
spectroscopy with dilutions at 10 and 50 times in 5 percent nitric
acid. Steel solutions were analyzed using flame atomic absorption
spectroscopy with dilutions at 10 and 50 times in 10 percent
hydrochloric acid.
In vitro results:
The average increase of metal concentration in solution per day was
calculated to be 116 ppm for lead, 58.1 ppm for iron (from the steel
shot), and 26.7 ppm for tin. Extrapolation of these dissolution rates
shows that complete dissolution of one #4 tin shot takes twice the time
for dissolution of steel shot and over three times for dissolution of
lead shot under conditions simulating a waterfowl gizzard.
Acute toxicity test procedures:
Two sets of eight pairs of mallards will be dosed with the
candidate shot. One group will be fed a balanced diet, while the other
is fed a nutritionally deficient (whole corn) diet. Another eight pairs
will be dosed with steel shot, while three pairs each will be sham- and
lead-dosed. All mallards will be housed outdoors during the winter at
low temperatures. All groups, except the sham-dosed group, will be
dosed with 8 #4 pellets of the appropriate shot type. Birds will be
observed for 30 days for toxicological responses, shot retention will
be monitored radiographically, and hematological and biochemical
parameters will be monitored during the study. Selected tissues (liver,
kidney, femur, and gonads) will be collected for histopathological
evaluation and residue analysis.
If the Tier 2 data result in a preliminary determination that the
candidate material does not impose a significant danger to migratory
birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, the Service will propose to
approve this shot based on the toxicological report and toxicity
studies and explain why Tier 3 testing is unnecessary. If the results
are not conclusive or as a result of the public comment period, the
Service determines that the information does not establish that the
shot does not impose a significant danger to migratory birds, other
wildlife, and their habitats, Tier 3 testing will be required and a
Notice of Review published in the Federal Register.
Authorship
The primary author of this notice of application is Carol Anderson,
Wildlife Biologist, Office of Migratory Bird Management.
Dated: March 19, 1998.
Daniel M. Ashe,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 98-8552 Filed 3-31-98; 8:45 am]
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