16 U.S.C. 1361
The regulations contained in this part implement the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361-1407), which among other things, restricts the taking, possession, transportation, selling, offering for sale, and importing of marine mammals.
(a) This part 18 applies solely to marine mammals and marine mammal products as defined in § 18.3. For regulations under the Act with respect to cetacea (whales and porpoises), pinnipedia, other than walrus (seals and sea lions), see 50 CFR part 216.
(b) The provisions in this part are in addition to, and are not in lieu of, other regulations of this subchapter B which may require a permit or prescribe additional restrictions or conditions for the importation, exportation, and interstate transportation of wildlife. (See also part 13 of this subchapter.)
In addition to definitions contained in section 3 of the Act and in part 10 of this subchapter, and unless the context requires otherwise, in this part 18:
(a) The Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501
(b) The Service estimated the public reporting burden for this collection of information to vary from 15 minutes to 4 hours per response, with an average of 1.028 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to the Service Information Collection Clearance Office, Fish and Wildlife, Service Office of Management and Budget, Mail Stop 224, Arlington Square, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240 and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (1018-0022), Washington, DC 20503.
Except as otherwise provided in subpart C, D, or H of this part 18, or part 403, it is unlawful for:
(a) Any person, vessel, or conveyance subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to take any marine mammal on the high seas, or
(b) Any person, vessel, or conveyance to take any marine mammal in waters or on lands under the jurisdiction of the United States.
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subparts C and D of this part 18, it is unlawful for any person to import any marine mammal or marine mammal product into the United States.
(b) Regardless of whether an importation is otherwise authorized pursuant to subparts C and D of this part 18, it is unlawful for any person to import into the United States any:
(1) Marine mammal: (i) Taken in violation of the Act, or
(ii) Taken in another country in violation of the laws of that country;
(2) Any marine mammal product if: (i) The importation into the United States of the marine mammal from which such product is made would be unlawful under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, or
(ii) The sale in commerce of such product in the country of origin of the product is illegal.
(c) Except in accordance with an exception referred to in subpart C and §§ 18.31 and 18.32 of this part, it is unlawful to import into the United States any:
(1) Marine mammal which was pregnant at the time of taking;
(2) Marine mammal which was nursing at the time of taking, or less than 8 months old, whichever occurs later;
(3) Specimen of an endangered or threatened species of marine mammals;
(4) Specimen taken from a depleted species or stock of marine mammals; or
(5) Marine mammal taken in an inhumane manner.
(d) It is unlawful to import into the United States any fish, whether fresh, frozen, or otherwise prepared, if such fish was caught in a manner proscribed by the Secretary of Commerce for persons subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, whether or not any marine mammals were in fact taken incident to the catching of the fish.
Except as otherwise provided in the Act or these regulations, it is unlawful for:
(a) Any person to use any port, harbor, or other place under the jurisdiction of the United States for any purpose in any way connected with a prohibited taking or any unlawful importation of any marine mammal or marine mammal products;
(b) Any person to possess any marine mammal, or product therefrom, taken in violation of the Act or these regulations;
(c) Any person to transport, purchase, sell, or offer to purchase or sell any marine mammal or marine mammal product; or
(d) Any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to use in a commercial fishery, any means or method of fishing in contravention of regulations and limitations issued by the Secretary of Commerce for that fishery to achieve the purposes of this Act.
(a) Section 102(e) of the Act provides in effect that the Act shall not apply to any marine mammal taken prior to December 21, 1972, or to any marine mammal product consisting of, or composed in whole or in part of, any marine mammal taken before such date. Such status may be established by submitting to the Director prior to, or at the time of importation, an affidavit containing the following:
(1) The Affiant's name and address;
(2) Identification of the Affiant;
(3) A description of the marine mammals or marine mammal products which the Affiant desires to import;
(4) A statement by the Affiant that to the best of his knowledge and belief, the marine mammals involved in the application were taken prior to December 21, 1972;
(5) A statement by the Affiant in the following language:
The foregoing is principally based on the attached exhibits which, to the best of my knowledge and belief, are complete, true and correct. I understand that this affidavit is being submitted for the purpose of inducing the Federal Government to permit the importation of _____ under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361-1407) and regulations promulgated thereunder, and that any false statements may subject me to the criminal penalties of 18 U.S.C. 1001.
(b) Either one of two exhibits shall be attached to such affidavit, and will contain either:
(1) Records or other available evidence showing that the product consists of or is composed in whole or in part of marine mammals taken prior to December 21, 1972. Such records or other evidentiary material must include information on how, when, where, and by whom the animals were taken, what processing has taken place since taking, and the date and location of such processing; or
(2) A statement from a government agency of the country of origin exercising jurisdiction over marine mammals that any and all such mammals from which the products sought to be imported were derived were taken prior to December 21, 1972.
(c) Service agents, or Customs officers, may refuse to clear marine mammals or marine mammal products for importation into the United States, pursuant to § 14.53 of this subchapter, until the importer can demonstrate, by production of the affidavit referred in above or otherwise, that section 102(e) of the Act applies to all affected items.
(d) This section has no application to any marine mammal or marine mammal product intended to be imported pursuant to § 18.21, § 18.31 or § 18.32 of this part.
The Act and these regulations shall not apply to the extent that they are inconsistent with the provisions of any international treaty, convention or agreement, or any statute implementing the same, relating to the taking or importation of marine mammals or marine mammal products, which was existent and in force prior to December 21, 1972, and to which the United States was a party. Specifically, the regulations in subpart B of this part and the provisions of the Act shall not apply to activities carried out pursuant to the Interim Convention on the Conservation of North Pacific Fur Seals signed in Washington on February 9, 1957, and the Fur Seal Act of 1966, 16 U.S.C. 1151-1187, as, in each case, from time to time amended.
(a) A Federal, State or local government official or employee may take a marine mammal in the course of his duties as an official or employee and no permit shall be required, if such taking:
(1) Is accomplished in a humane manner;
(2) Is for the protection or welfare of such mammal or from the protection of the public health or welfare; and
(3) Includes steps designed to insure return of such mammal, if not killed in the course of such taking, to its natural habitat. In addition, any such official or employee may, incidental to such taking, possess and transport, but not sell or offer for sale, such mammal and use any port, harbor or other place under the jurisdiction of the United States. All steps reasonably practicable under the circumstances shall be taken by any such employee or official to prevent injury or death to the marine mammal as the result of such taking.
(b) Each taking permitted under this section should be included in a written report, to be submitted to the Director every six months, beginning December 31, 1973. Unless otherwise permitted by
(1) The animal involved;
(2) The circumstances requiring the taking;
(3) The method of taking;
(4) The name and official position of the State official or employee involved;
(5) The disposition of the animal, including in cases where the animal has been retained in captivity, a description of the place and means of confinement and the measures taken for its maintenance and care; and
(6) Such other information as the Director may require.
(a)
(1) For subsistence purposes, or
(2) For purposes of creating and selling authentic native articles of handicraft and clothing, and
(3) In each case, not accomplished in a wasteful manner.
(b)
(i) It is being sent by an Alaskan Native directly or through a registered agent to a tannery registered under paragraph (c) of this section for the purpose of processing, and will be returned directly or through a registered agent to the Alaskan Native; or
(ii) It is sold or transferred to a registered agent in Alaska for resale or transfer to an Alaskan Native; or
(iii) It is an edible portion and it is sold in an Alaskan Native village or town.
(2) “Except for a transfer to a duly authorized representative of the Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for scientific research purposes, no marine mammal taken for purposes of creating and selling authentic Native articles of handicraft and clothing may be sold or otherwise transferred to any person other than an Indian, Aleut or Eskimo, or delivered, carried, transported or shipped in interstate or foreign commerce, unless:
(i) It is being sent by an Indian, Aleut or Eskimo directly or through a registered agent to a tannery registered under paragraph (c) of this section for the purpose of processing, and will be returned directly or through a registered agent to the Indian, Aleut or Eskimo; or
(ii) It is sold or transferred to a registered agent for resale or transfer to an Indian, Aleut, or Eskimo; or
(iii) It has been first transformed into an authentic Native article of handicraft or clothing; or
(iv) It is an edible portion and it is sold (A) in an Alaskan Native village or town or (B) to an Alaskan Native for his consumption.
(c) The restriction in paragraph (b) shall not apply to parts or products of the Pacific walrus (
(d) Any tannery, or person who wishes to act as an agent, within the jurisdiction of the United States may apply to the Director for registration as a tannery or an agent which may possess and process marine mammal products for Indians, Aleuts, or Eskimos. The application shall include the following information:
(1) The name and address of the applicant;
(2) A description of the applicant's procedures for receiving, storing, processing, and shipping materials;
(3) A proposal for a system of bookkeeping and/or inventory segregation by which the applicant could maintain accurate records of marine mammals received from Indians, Aleuts, or Eskimos, pursuant to this section;
(4) Such other information as the Director may request;
(5) A certification in the following language:
I hereby certify that the foregoing information is complete, true, and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that this information is submitted for the purpose of obtaining the benefit of an exception under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361-1407) and regulations promulgated thereunder, and that any false statement may subject me to the criminal penalties of 18 U.S.C. 1001.
(6) The signature of the applicant.
(e) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, whenever, under the Act, the Secretary determines any species or stock of marine mammals to be depleted, he may prescribe regulations pursuant to section 103 of the Act upon the taking of such marine mammals by any Indian, Aleut, or Eskimo and, after promulgation of such regulations, all takings of such marine mammals by such person shall conform to such regulations.
(f)
(i) The term “marking and tagging” of marine mammals as specified in section 109(i) of the Act refers to the actual physical attachment of an approved band or other such marking device or technique to the raw or unhandicrafted (including unmarked tanned skins) skin and skull of polar bears, the tusks of walruses, and the skin and skull of sea otters; and
(ii) The term “reporting” means the collection by Service personnel or the Service's authorized local representatives of biological data, harvest data, and other information regarding the effect of taking of marine mammals on populations, the collection of which the Service determines to be necessary for management purposes. Reporting will be done on forms provided by the Service upon presentation for marking, tagging, and reporting purposes of the marine mammal(s) or specified raw or unhandicrafted parts thereof.
(2) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, but subject to the provisions and conditions contained in this paragraph, no polar bear, walrus, or sea otter, or any parts thereof, taken or collected by an Alaskan Native for subsistence purposes or for purposes of creating and selling authentic Native articles of handicrafts and clothing may be possessed, transported within, or exported from Alaska unless the animal(s), or specified parts thereof, have been reported to, and properly marked and tagged by, Service personnel or the Service's authorized local representative; except:
(i) An Alaskan Native that harvested or participated in the harvest of a polar bear, sea otter, or walrus and who possesses the animal, or any parts thereof, may possess the unmarked, untagged, and unreported animal(s), or parts thereof, for a period of time not to exceed 30 days from the time of taking for the purpose of transporting the specified parts to Service personnel or the Service's local authorized representative for marking, tagging, and reporting;
(ii) Alaskan Natives and registered agents/tanneries may possess the specified unmarked or untagged raw, unhandicrafted, or tanned parts thereof for a period of time not to exceed 180 days from the effective date of this rulemaking for the purpose of transporting to Service personnel or the
(3) Those unmarked, untagged, and unreported specified parts of polar bear, walrus, and sea otter, that must be presented to Service personnel or an authorized Service representative for marking, tagging, and reporting are as follows:
(i) Polar bear—skin and skull.
(ii) Walrus—tusks.
(iii) Sea otter—skin and skull.
(4) The locations where Service personnel or the Service's authorized local representative will be available for marking, tagging, and reporting purposes will be announced annually by the Alaska Regional Director. Local persons authorized to act as representatives for marking, tagging, and reporting purposes in the absence of Service personnel will also be announced annually by the Alaska Regional Director.
(5) Marks and tags will be attached or applied to the skins, skulls, and tusks of the marine mammal(s) in such a manner as to maximize their longevity and minimize their adverse effects to the appearance of the specified parts that might result due to hindering the tanning or handicrafting of skins, or the handicrafting of tusks or skulls. If the tag or mark comes off of the specified part the person in possession of the part shall have 30 days to present the part and broken tag or other marking device to the Service or the Service's authorized local representative for remarking or retagging purposes.
(6) Marks and tags for skins, skulls, and tusks will be provided by the Service. They will be numbered for accountability and of such design, construction, and material so as to maximize their durability and longevity on the specified parts.
(7) Data collected pursuant to this paragraph will be reported on forms provided by the Service and maintained in the Service's Regional Office, Anchorage, Alaska. The Service will summarize the data annually and make it publicly available. The data will also be included in the Service's annual report to Congress as set forth in section 103(f) of the Act.
(8) All items of research (e.g., radio collars, satellite transmitters, tags, etc.) that were attached to animals taken by Alaskan Natives must be returned to Service personnel or an authorized Service representative at the time the animal, or specified unhandicrafted parts thereof, are presented for marking, tagging, and reporting. No penalty will be imposed under the Act for a violation of this paragraph. However, penalties may be sought by the Service under other applicable Federal laws governing the possession and use of Federal property.
(9) Pursuant to this paragraph (f), the following specific conditions and provisions apply:
(i) Marking, tagging, and reporting of polar bears or specified parts thereof.
(A) The skin and skull of an animal must accompany each other when presented for marking, tagging, and reporting except that the skin and skull of an animal need not be presented together for marking and tagging purposes if taken between December 21, 1972, and the effective date of this regulation.
(B) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section, the following information must be reported by Alaskan Natives when presenting polar bears, or specified parts thereof, for marking and tagging: sex of animal, date of kill, and location of kill.
(C) Both the skin and the skull will be marked and tagged and a rudimentary pre-molar tooth may be removed from the skull and retained by the Service. The skin must have the sex identifiers, such as vaginal orifice, teats, or penal sheath or baculum, either attached to, or accompanying the skin.
(D) The skull must be skinned out and the skin may be frozen or unfrozen when presented for marking, tagging, and reporting. If the skin is frozen, the sex identifiers, such as vaginal orifice, teats, penal sheath or baculum, must be visible.
(E) Marks and tags must remain affixed to the skin through the tanning
(ii) Marking, tagging, and reporting of walrus or specified parts thereof.
(A) The paired tusks of the animal(s) must, to the maximum extent practical, accompany each other when presented for marking, tagging, and reporting purposes, except that paired tusks need not be presented together for marking and tagging purposes if taken between December 21, 1972, and the effective date of this regulation.
(B) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section, the following information must be reported by Alaskan Natives when presenting walrus, or specified parts thereof, for marking and tagging: date of take, sex of animal, whether live-killed, floating-dead, or beach-found, and location of the take or location of animal if found floating and dead or beach-found.
(C) Marks and/or tags must remain affixed to the tusks until they have been crafted into a handicraft or for as long as is practical during the handicrafting process.
(iii) Marking, tagging, and reporting of sea otter or specified parts thereof.
(A) The skin and skull of an animal must accompany each other when presented for marking, tagging, and reporting, except that the skin and skull of an animal need not be presented together if taken between December 21, 1972, and the effective date of this regulation.
(B) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section, the following information must be reported by Alaskan Natives when presenting sea otters, or specified parts thereof, for marking and tagging: date of kill, sex of animal, and location of kill.
(C) Both the skin and skull will be marked and tagged and a rudimentary pre-molar tooth may be removed from the skull and retained by the Service. The skin must have the sex identifiers, such as vaginal orifice, teats, or penal sheath or baculum, either attached to, or accompanying the skin.
(D) The skull must be skinned out and the skin may be frozen or unfrozen when presented for marking, tagging, and reporting. If the skin is frozen, the sex identifiers, such as vaginal orifice, teats, or penal sheath or baculum, must be visible.
(E) Marks and tags must remain affixed to the skin through the tanning process and until the skin has been severed into parts for crafting into handicrafts or for as long as is practical during the handicrafting process.
(10) No person may falsify any information required to be set forth on the reporting form when the marine mammal(s), or specified parts thereof, are presented as required by these regulations.
(11) Possession by any person of marine mammal(s), or any parts thereof, in violation of the provisions and conditions of this § 18.23(f) is subject to punishment under the penalties provided for in section 105(a)(1) of the Act.
(12) The information collection requirements contained in this § 18.23(f) have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501
Persons may take marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations until October 21, 1974:
(a) The provisions of the Act and these regulations shall not apply:
(1) To any marine mammal taken before December 21, 1972, or
(2) To any marine mammal product if the marine mammal portion of such product consists solely of a marine mammal taken before such date.
(b) The prohibitions contained in § 18.12(c) (3) and (4) shall not apply to marine mammals or marine mammal products imported into the United States before the date on which notice is published in the
(c) Section 18.12(b) shall not apply to articles imported into the United States before the effective date of the foreign law making the taking or sale, as the case may be, of such marine mammals or marine mammal products unlawful.
(a) Any bones, teeth or ivory of any dead marine mammal may be collected from a beach or from land within
(b) Marine mammal parts so collected may be retained if registered within 30 days with an agent of the National Marine Fisheries Service, or an agent of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
(c) Registration shall include (1) the name of the owner, (2) a description of the article to be registered and (3) the date and location of collection.
(d) Title to any marine mammal parts collected under this section is not transferable, unless consented to in writing by the agent referred to in paragraph (b) of this section.
(a)
(b)
The information collection requirement contained in this § 18.27 has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501
The public reporting burden from this requirement is estimated to vary from 2 to 200 hours per response with an average of 10 hours per response including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing applications for specific regulations and Letters of Authorization. Direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this requirement to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Mail Stop—220 ARLSQ, 18th and C Streets NW.,
(c)
(d)
(i) A description of the specific activity or class of activities that can be expected to result in incidental taking of marine mammals;
(ii) The dates and duration of such activity and the specific geographical region where it will occur;
(iii) Based upon the best available scientific information;
(A) An estimate of the species and numbers of marine mammals likely to be taken by age, sex, and reproductive conditions, and the type of taking (e.g., disturbance by sound, injury or death resulting from collision, etc.) and the number of times such taking is likely to occur;
(B) A description of the status, distribution, and seasonal distribution (when applicable) of the affected species or stocks likely to be affected by such activities;
(C) The anticipated impact of the activity upon the species or stocks;
(D) The anticipated impact of the activity on the availability of the species or stocks for subsistence uses;
(iv) The anticipated impact of the activity upon the habitat of the marine mammal populations and the likelihood of restoration of the affected habitat;
(v) The anticipated impact of the loss or modification of the habitat on the marine mammal population involved;
(vi) The availability and feasibility (economic and technological) of equipment, methods, and manner of conducting such activity or other means of effecting the least practicable adverse impact upon the affected species or
(vii) Suggested means of accomplishing the necessary monitoring and reporting which will result in increased knowledge of the species through an analysis of the level of taking or impacts and suggested means of minimizing burdens by coordinating such reporting requirements with other schemes already applicable to persons conducting such activity; and
(viii) Suggested means of learning of, encouraging, and coordinating research opportunities, plans and activities relating to reducing such incidental taking from such specified activities, and evaluating its effects.
(2) The Director shall determine the adequacy and completeness of a request, and if found to be adequate, will invite information, suggestions, and comments on the preliminary finding of negligible impact and on the proposed specific regulations through notice in the
(3) The Director shall evaluate each request to determine, based on the best available scientific evidence, whether the total taking will have a negligible impact on the species or stock and, where appropriate, will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of such species or stock for subsistence uses. If the Director finds that mitigating measures would render the impact of the specified activity negligible when it would not otherwise satisfy that requirement, the Director may make a finding of negligible impact subject to such mitigating measures being successfully implemented. Any preliminary findings of “negligible impact” and “no unmitigable adverse impact” shall be proposed for public comment along with the proposed specific regulations.
(4) If the Director cannot make a finding that the total taking will have a negligible impact in the species or stock or will not have an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of such species or stock for subsistence uses, the Director shall publish in the
(e)
(2) Regulations will be established based on the best available scientific information. As new information is developed, through monitoring, reporting, or research, the regulations may be modified, in whole or part, after notice and opportunity for public review.
(f)
(2) Issuance of a Letter of Authorization will be based on a determination that the level of taking will be consistent with the findings made for the total taking allowable under the specific regulations.
(3) Notice of issuance of all Letters of Authorization will be published in the
(4) Letters of Authorization will specify the period of validity and any additional terms and conditions appropriate for the specific request.
(5) Letters of Authorization shall be withdrawn or suspended, either on an individual or class basis, as appropriate, if, after notice and opportunity for public comment, the Director determines: (i) The regulations prescribed are not being substantially complied with, or (ii) the taking allowed is having, or may have, more than a negligible impact on the species or stock, or where relevant, an unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species or stock for subsistence uses.
(6) The requirement for notice and opportunity for public review in paragraph (f)(5) of this section shall not apply if the Director determines that an emergency exists which poses a significant risk to the well-being of the species or stocks of marine mammals concerned.
(7) A violation of any of the terms and conditions of a Letter of Authorization or of the specific regulations may subject the Holder and/or any individual who is operating under the authority of the Holder's Letter of Authorization to penalties provided in the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361-1407).
(a)
(1) Certification that:
(i) You or the deceased hunter took the polar bear as a personal sport-hunted trophy;
(ii) You will use the trophy only for personal display purposes;
(iii) The polar bear was not a pregnant female, a female with dependent nursing cub(s) or a nursing cub (such as in a family group), or a bear in a den or constructing a den when you took it; and
(iv) For a polar bear taken after April 30, 1994, you made sure the gall bladder and its contents were destroyed;
(2) Name and address of the person in the United States receiving the polar bear trophy if other than yourself;
(3) For a polar bear received as an inheritance, documentation to show that you are the legal heir of the decedent who took the trophy;
(4) Proof that you or the decedent legally harvested the polar bear in Canada as shown by one of the following:
(i) A copy of the Northwest Territories (NWT) or Nunavut Territory hunting license and tag number;
(ii) A copy of the Canadian CITES export permit that identifies the polar bear by hunting license and tag number;
(iii) A copy of the NWT or Nunavut Territory export permit; or
(iv) A certification from the Department of Resources, Wildlife, and Economic Development, Northwest Territories, or the Department of Sustainable Development, Nunavut Territory, that you or the decedent legally harvested the polar bear, giving the tag number, location (settlement and population), and season you or the decedent took the bear;
(5) An itemized description of the polar bear parts you wish to import, including size and the sex of the polar bear;
(6) The month and year the polar bear was sport hunted;
(7) The location (nearest settlement or community) where the bear was sport hunted;
(8) For a female bear or a bear of unknown sex that was taken before January 1, 1986, documentary evidence that the bear was not pregnant at the time of take, including, but not limited to, documentation, such as a hunting license or travel itinerary, that shows the bear was not taken in October, November, or December or that shows
(9) For a female bear, bear of unknown sex, or male bear that is less than 6 feet in length (from tip of nose to the base of the tail) that was taken prior to the 1996/97 NWT polar bear harvest season, available documentation to show that the bear was not nursing, including, but not limited to, documentation, such as a certification from the NWT, that the bear was not taken while part of a family group.
(b)
(1)
(2)
(c)
(1) In accordance with regulations contained in § 18.33; and
(2) If, in consultation with the appropriate authority in Canada, we determine that the sustainability of Canada's polar bear populations is being adversely affected or that sport hunting may be having a detrimental effect on maintaining polar bear populations throughout their range.
(d)
(1) You previously imported the specimen into the United States without a permit;
(2) The specimen meets the definition of a sport-hunted trophy in paragraph (b) of this section;
(3) You legally harvested the polar bear in Canada;
(4) Canada has a monitored and enforced sport-hunting program consistent with the purposes of the 1973 International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears;
(5) Canada has a sport-hunting program, based on scientifically sound quotas, ensuring the maintenance of the affected population at a sustainable level; and
(6) The export and subsequent import:
(i) Are consistent with the provisions of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and other international agreements and conventions; and
(ii) Are not likely to contribute to illegal trade in bear parts, including for bears taken after April 30, 1994, that the gall bladder and its contents were destroyed.
(e)
(1) You, the permittee, may not import internal organs of the polar bear, including the gall bladder;
(2) After import you may not alter or use the trophy in a manner inconsistent with the definition of a sport-hunted polar bear trophy as given in § 18.30(b);
(3) You may not import a sport-hunted trophy if the polar bear at the time you or the decedent took it was:
(i) A nursing bear or a female with nursing young (i.e., part of a family group);
(ii) A pregnant female; or
(iii) A bear moving into a den or in a den;
(4) You must present to Service personnel at the time of import a valid CITES document from the country of export or re-export;
(5) You must comply with the following import procedures:
(i) Import the sport-hunted trophy through a designated port for wildlife imports (see § 14.12 of this subchapter) during regular business hours, except for full mount trophies that have been granted an exception to designated port permit requirements under § 14.32 of this subchapter;
(ii) Not send the trophy through the international mail; and
(iii) Notify Service personnel at the port at least 48 hours before the import (see § 14.54 of this subchapter) and make arrangements for Service personnel to affix a tag in accordance with paragraph (e)(7) of this section prior to being cleared (see § 14.52 of this subchapter);
(6) You must import all parts of a single trophy at the same time;
(7) The following tagging/marking procedures apply:
(i) Service personnel must affix a permanently locking tag that contains a unique serial number and the common name “polar bear” to the hide which must remain fixed indefinitely to the hide as proof of legal import; and
(ii) Service personnel must permanently mark upon import the parts of the trophy other than the hide, such as the skull and bones, with the hide tag number; and
(8) If the tag comes off the hide, you must within 30 days:
(i) Contact the nearest Service office at a designated port or a Law Enforcement office as given in § 10.22 of this subchapter to schedule a time to present the trophy for retagging;
(ii) Provide as proof that the trophy had been tagged and legally imported a copy of the:
(A) Canceled CITES export permit or re-export certificate;
(B) Canceled U.S. import permit issued under this section; or
(C) Cleared wildlife declaration form (3-177); and
(iii) Present either the broken tag, or if the tag was lost, a signed written explanation of how and when the tag was lost.
(f)
(g)
(2) You must pay the issuance fee of $1,000 when we notify you the application is approved. We cannot issue an import permit until you pay this fee. We will use the issuance fee to develop and implement cooperative research and management programs for the conservation of polar bears in Alaska and Russia under section 113(d) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
(h)
(i) The review will provide an opportunity for public comment and include a response to the public comment in the final report; and
(ii) We will not issue permits under this section if we determine, based upon scientific review, that the issuance of permits under this section is having a significant adverse impact on the polar bear populations in Canada; and
(2) After the initial review, we may review whether the issuance of permits under this section is having a significant adverse impact on the polar bear populations in Canada annually in light of the best scientific information available. The review must be completed no later than January 31 in any year a review is undertaken.
(i)
(1) We have determined that the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Territory, Canada, have a monitored and enforced sport-hunting program that meets issuance criteria of paragraphs (d) (4) and (5) of this section for the following populations: Southern Beaufort Sea, Northern Beaufort Sea, Viscount Melville Sound (subject to the lifting of the moratorium in this population), Western Hudson Bay, M'Clintock Channel (only for polar bears lawfully taken on or before May
(i) For the Southern Beaufort Sea population, no bears are taken west of the equidistant line of the Beaufort Sea;
(ii) For all populations, females with cubs, cubs, or polar bears moving into denning areas or already in dens are protected from taking by hunting activities; and
(iii) For all populations, management agreements among all management entities with scientifically sound quotas are in place; and
(2) Any sport-hunted trophy taken in the Northwest Territories, Canada, between December 21, 1972, and April 30, 1994, may be issued an import permit when:
(i) From an approved population listed in paragraph (i)(1); and
(ii) The issuance criteria of paragraph (d) (1), (2), (3), and (6) of this section are met.
The Director may, upon receipt of an application and in accordance with the issuance criteria of this section, issue a permit authorizing the taking and importation of marine mammals for scientific research purposes or for public display.
(a)
(1) A statement of the purpose, date, location and manner of the taking or importation;
(2) A description of the marine mammal or the marine mammal products to be taken or imported, including the species or subspecies involved; the population stock, when known, the number of specimens or products (or the weight thereof, where appropriate); and the anticipated age, size, sex, and condition (i.e., whether pregnant or nursing) of the animals involved;
(3) If the marine mammal is to be taken and transported alive, a complete description of the manner of transportation, care and maintenance, including the type, size, and construction of the container or artificial environment; arrangements for feeding and sanitation; a statement of the applicant's qualifications and previous experience in caring for and handling captive marine mammals and a like statement as to the qualifications of any common carrier or agent to be employed to transport the animal; and a written certification of a licensed veterinarian knowledgeable in the field of marine mammals that he has personally reviewed the arrangements for transporting and maintaining the animals and that in his opinion they are adequate to provide for the well-being of the animal;
(4) If the application is for a scientific research permit, a detailed description of the scientific research project or program in which the marine mammal or marine mammal product is to be used including a copy of the research proposal relating to such program or project and the names and addresses of the sponsor or cooperating institution and the scientists involved;
(5) If the application is for a scientific research permit, and if the marine mammal proposed to be taken or imported is listed as an endangered or threatened species or has been designated by the Secretary as depleted, a detailed justification of the need for such a marine mammal, including a discussion of possible alternatives, whether or not under the control of the applicant; and
(6) If the application is for a public display permit, a detailed description of the proposed use to which the marine mammal or marine mammal product is to be put, including the manner, location, and times of display, whether such display is for profit, an estimate of the numbers and types of persons who it is anticipated will benefit for such display, and whether and to what extent the display is connected with educational or scientific programs. There shall also be included a complete description of the enterprise seeking
(b)
(c)
(d)
(1) Any permit issued under these regulations must be in the possession of the person to whom it is issued (or an agent of such person) during:
(i) The time of the authorized taking or importation;
(ii) The period of any transit of such person or agent which is incidental to such taking or importation; and
(iii) Any other time while any marine mammal taken or imported under such permit is in the possession of such person or agent.
(2) A duplicate copy of the issued permit must be physically attached to the container, package, enclosure, or other means of containment, in which the marine mammal is placed for purposes of storage, transit, supervision, or care.
(e)
See subpart F (Waiver of the moratorium; State laws and regulations) and subpart G (Notice and Hearing on section 103 Regulations) for procedures regarding waivers of the moratorium in those circumstances where a state provides an acceptable management program for a species or population stock within its jurisdiction.
(a) Whenever application for a permit is received by the director which the director deems sufficient, he shall, as soon as practicable, publish a notice thereof in the
(b) If the request for a hearing is made within the 30-day period referred to in paragraph (a) of this section, or if the director determines that a hearing would otherwise be advisable, the director may, within 60 days after the date of publication of the notice referred to in paragraph (a) of this section, afford to such requesting party or parties an opportunity for a hearing. Such hearing shall also be open to participation by any interested members of the public. Notice of the date, time, and place of such hearing shall be published in the
(c) As soon as practicable but not later than 30 days after the close of the hearing (or if no hearing is held, as soon as practicable after the end of the 30 days succeeding publication of the notice referred to in paragraph (a) of this section the director shall issue or deny issuance of the permit. Notice of the decision of the director shall be published in the
(d) Any permit shall be subject to modification, suspension, or revocation by the director in whole or in part in accordance with these regulations and the terms of such permits. The permittee shall be given written notice by registered mail, return receipt requested, of any proposed modification, suspension, or revocation. Such notice shall specify:
(1) The action proposed to be taken along with a summary of the reasons therefor;
(2) In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 558, the steps which the permittee may take to demonstrate or achieve compliance with all lawful requirements; and
(3) That the permittee is entitled to a hearing thereon if a written request for such a hearing is received by the Director within 10 days after receipt of the aforesaid notice or such other later date as may be specified in the notice to the permittee. The time and place of the hearing, if requested by the permittee, shall be determined by the director and a written notice thereof given to the permittee by registered mail, return receipt requested, not less than 15 days prior to the date of hearing specified. The director may, in his discretion, allow participation at the hearing by interested members of the public. The permittee and other parties participating may submit all relevant material, data, views, comments, arguments, and exhibits at the hearing. A summary record shall be kept of any such hearing.
(e) The Director shall make a decision regarding the proposed modification, suspension, or revocation, as soon as practicable after the close of the hearing, or if no hearing is held, as soon as practicable after the close of the 10 day period during which a hearing could have been requested. Notice of the modification, suspension, or revocation shall be published in the
Regulations governing the transfer of management authority to States pursuant to section 109 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act for marine mammal species under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior are found at part 403 of this title.
(a) Sections 101(a)(2), 101(a)(3)(A), and 101(b) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(2), 1371(a)(3)(A), and 1371(b)) and these regulations authorize the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to: (1) Impose regulations governing the taking of marine mammals incidental to commercial fishing operations; (2) waive the moratorium and adopt regulations with respect to the taking and importing of animals from each species of marine mammals under his jurisdiction; and (3) prescribe regulations governing the taking of depleted marine mammals by any Indian, Aleut or Eskimo, respectively. In prescribing regulations to carry out the provisions of said sections, the act refers the Director to section 103 (16 U.S.C. 1373). In accordance with section 103(d), regulations must be made on the record after opportunity for an agency hearing on such regulations and, in the case of a waiver, on the determination by the Director to waive the moratorium pursuant to section 101(a)(3)(A) (16 U.S.C. 1371(a)(3)(A)).
(b) [Reserved]
Definitions shall be the same as in subpart A of this part except as follows:
(a)
(1) The Director or his representative; or
(2) A person who has notified the Director by specified dates of his or her intent to participate in the hearing pursuant to §§ 18.75 and 18.84(b).
(b)
(c)
The procedural regulations in this subpart govern the practice and procedure in hearings held under section 103(d) of the Act. These hearings will be governed by the provisions of sections 556 and 557 of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 556 and 557). The regulations shall be construed to secure the just, speedy, and inexpensive determination of all issues raised with respect to any waiver and/or regulation proposed pursuant to section 103(d) of the act in a manner which gives full protection to the rights of all persons affected thereby.
The proponents of the proposed regulations and waiver must demonstrate that any taking or importation of any marine mammal under such proposed regulations and waiver would be consistent with the act.
(a) A notice of hearing on any proposed regulations shall be published in the
(b) The notice shall state:
(1) The nature of the hearing;
(2) The place and date of the hearing. The date shall not be less than 60 days after publication of notice of the hearing;
(3) The legal authority under which the hearing is to be held;
(4) The proposed regulations and waiver, where applicable, and a summary of the statements required by section 103(d) of the Act (16 U.S.C. 1373(d));
(5) Issues of fact which may be involved in the hearing;
(6) If an Environmental Impact Statement is required, the date of publication of the Statement and the times and place(s) where the Statement and comments thereon may be viewed and copied;
(7) Any written advice received from the Marine Mammal Commission;
(8) The times and place(s) where records and submitted direct testimony will be kept for public inspection,
(9) The final date for filing with the Director a notice of intent to participate in the hearing pursuant to § 18.75;
(10) The final date for submission of direct testimony on the proposed regulations and waiver, if applicable, and the number of copies required;
(11) The docket number assigned to the case which shall be used in all subsequent proceedings; and
(12) The place and date of the prehearing conference.
Any person desiring to participate as a party shall notify the Director, by certified mail, on or before the date specified in the notice of hearing.
(a) Upon publication of the notice of hearing pursuant to § 18.74, the Office of Hearings and Appeals shall appoint a presiding officer pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3105. No individual who has any conflict of interest, financial or otherwise, shall serve as presiding officer in such proceeding.
(b) The presiding officer, in any proceeding under this subpart, shall have power to:
(1) Change the time and place of the hearing and adjourn the hearing;
(2) Evaluate direct testimony submitted pursuant to these regulations, make a preliminary determination of the issues, conduct a prehearing conference to determine the issues for the hearing agenda, and cause to be published in the
(3) Rule upon motions, requests and admissibility of direct testimony;
(4) Administer oaths and affirmations, question witnesses and direct witnesses to testify;
(5) Modify or waive any rule (after notice) when determining no party will be prejudiced;
(6) Receive written comments and hear oral arguments;
(7) Render a recommended decision; and
(8) Do all acts and take all measures, including regulation of media coverage, for the maintenance of order at and the efficient conduct of the proceeding.
(c) In case of the absence of the original presiding officer or his inability to act, the powers and duties to be performed by the original presiding officer under this part in connection with a proceeding may, without abatement of the proceeding, be assigned to any other presiding officer by the Office of Hearings and Appeals unless otherwise ordered by the Director.
(d) The presiding officer shall withdraw from the proceeding upon his own motion or upon the filing of a motion by a party under § 18.76(e) if he deems himself disqualified under recognized canons of judicial ethics.
(e) A presiding officer may be requested to withdraw at any time prior to the recommended decision. If there is filed by a party in good faith a timely and sufficient affidavit alleging the presiding officer's personal bias, malice, conflict of interest or other basis which might result in prejudice to a party, the hearing shall recess. The Director of the Office of Hearings and Appeals shall immediately determine the matter as a part of the record and decision in the proceeding, after making such investigation or holding such hearings, or both, as he may deem appropriate in the circumstances.
(a) Unless otherwise specified, all direct testimony, including accompanying exhibits, must be submitted to the presiding officer in writing no later than the dates specified in the notice of the hearing (§ 18.74), the prehearing order (§ 18.82), or within 15 days after the conclusion of the prehearing conference (§ 18.84) as the case may be. All direct testimony, referred to in the affidavit and made a part thereof, must be attached to the affidavit. Direct testimony submitted with exhibits must state the issue to which the exhibit relates; if no such statement is made, the presiding officer shall determine the relevance of the exhibit to the issues published in the
(b) The direct testimony submitted shall contain:
(1) A concise statement of the witness' interest in the proceeding and his
(2) Facts that are relevant and material.
(c) The direct testimony may propose issues of fact not defined in the notice of the hearing and the reason(s) why such issues should be considered at the hearing.
(d) Ten copies of all direct testimony must be submitted unless the notice of the hearing otherwise specifies.
(e) Upon receipt, direct testimony shall be assigned a number and stamped with that number and the docket number.
(f) Contemporaneous with the publication of the notice of hearing, the Director's direct testimony in support of the proposed regulations and waiver, where applicable, shall be available for public inspection as specified in the notice of hearing. The Director may submit additional direct testimony during the time periods allowed for submission of such testimony by witnesses.
Unless otherwise specified in the notice of hearing, all direct testimony shall be addressed to the Presiding Officer, c/o Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC 20240. All affidavits and exhibits shall be clearly marked with the docket number of the proceedings.
Any document in a file pertaining to any hearing authorized by this subpart or any document forming part of the record of such a hearing may be inspected and/or copied in the Office of the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC 20240, unless the file is in the care and custody of the presiding officer, in which case he shall notify the parties as to where and when the record may be inspected.
(a) After notice of a hearing is published in the
(b) A record of oral conversations shall be made by the above persons who are contacted. All communications shall be available for public viewing at times and place(s) specified in the notice of hearing.
(c) The presiding officer shall not communicate with any party on any fact in issue or on the merits of the matter unless notice and opportunity is given for all parties to participate.
(a) After an examination of all the direct testimony submitted pursuant to § 18.77, the presiding officer shall make a preliminary determination of issues of fact which may be addressed at the hearing.
(b) The presiding officer's preliminary determination shall be made available at the place or places provided in the notice of the hearing (§ 18.74(b)(8)) at least five days before the prehearing conference is held.
(c) The purpose of the prehearing conference shall be to enable the presiding officer to determine, on the basis of the direct testimony submitted and prehearing discussions:
(1) Whether the presiding officer's preliminary determination of issues of fact for the hearing has omitted any significant issues;
(2) What facts are not in dispute;
(3) Which witnesses may appear at the hearing; and
(4) The nature of the interest of each party and which parties' interests are adverse.
(d) Only parties may participate in the prehearing conference, and a party may appear in person or be represented by counsel.
(a) After the prehearing conference, the presiding officer shall prepare a prehearing order which shall be published in the
(b) The prehearing order shall list: (1) All the issues which the hearing shall address, the order in which those issues shall be presented, and the direct testimony submitted which bears on the issues; and (2) a final date for submission of direct testimony on issues of fact not included in the notice of hearing if such issues are presented. The prehearing order may also specify a final date for submission of direct testimony to rebut testimony previously submitted during the time specified in the notice of the hearing.
(c) The presiding officer shall publish with the prehearing order a list of witnesses who may appear at the hearing, a list of parties, the nature of the interest of each party, and which parties interests are adverse on the issues presented.
(d) All parties shall be bound by the prehearing order.
(a) If the presiding officer determines that no issues of material fact are presented by the direct testimony submitted prior to the date of the hearing, he may publish in the
(b) Promptly after oral argument, if any, the presiding officer shall make a recommended decision based on the record, which in this case shall consist of the direct testimony and any oral argument presented. He shall transmit to the Director his recommended decision, the record and a certificate stating that the record contains all the written direct testimony. The Director shall then make a final decision in accordance with these regulations (§ 18.91).
(a) Direct testimony to rebut testimony offered during the time period specified in the notice of hearing may be submitted pursuant to these regulations within fifteen days after the conclusion of the prehearing conference unless the presiding officer otherwise specifies in the prehearing order.
(b) If the prehearing order presents issues not included in the notice of the hearing published pursuant to § 18.74:
(1) Any person interested in participating at the hearing on such issues presented shall notify the Director by certified mail of an intent to participate not later than ten days after publication of the prehearing order. Such person may present direct testimony or cross-examine witnesses only on such issues presented unless he previously notified the Director pursuant to § 18.75; and
(2) Additional written direct testimony concerning such issues may be submitted within the time provided in the prehearing order. Such direct testimony will comply with the requirements of § 18.77.
Any person who fails to notify the Director of his intent to participate pursuant to § 18.75 or § 18.84 shall be deemed to have waived his right to participate as a party.
(a) The hearing shall be held at the time and place fixed in the notice of hearing, unless the presiding officer changes the time or place. If a change occurs, the presiding officer shall publish the change in the
(b) The presiding officer shall, at the commencement of the hearing, introduce into the record the notice of hearing as published in the
(c) The hearing shall be publicly conducted and reported verbatim by an official reporter.
(d) If a party objects to the admission or rejection of any direct testimony or to any other ruling of the presiding officer during the hearing, he shall state briefly the grounds of such objection, whereupon an automatic exception will follow if the objection is overruled by the presiding officer. The transcript shall not include argument or debate thereon except as ordered by the presiding officer. The ruling of the presiding officer on any objection shall be a part of the transcript and shall be subject to review at the same time and in the same manner as the Director's final decision. Only objections made before the presiding officer may subsequently be relied upon in the proceedings.
(e) All motions and requests shall be addressed to, and ruled on by, the presiding officer if made prior to his certification of the transcript, or by the Director if made thereafter.
(a) Only direct testimony submitted as provided in these regulations and introduced at the hearing by a witness shall be considered part of the record. Such direct testimony, when written, shall not be read into evidence but shall become a part of the record subject to exclusion of irrelevant and immaterial parts thereof.
(b) The witness introducing direct testimony shall:
(1) State his name, address and occupation;
(2) State qualifications for introducing the direct testimony. If an expert, the witness shall briefly state the scientific or technical training which qualifies him as an expert;
(3) Identify the direct testimony previously submitted in accordance with these regulations; and
(4) Submit to appropriate cross- and direct-examination. Cross-examination shall be by a party whose interests are adverse on the issue presented to the witness if the witness is a party, or to the interests of the party who presented the witness.
(c) A party shall be deemed to have waived the right to introduce direct-testimony if such party fails to present a witness to introduce the direct-testimony.
(d) Official notice may be taken of such matters as are judicially noticed by the courts of the United States. Parties shall be given adequate notice, by the presiding officer, at the hearing, of matters so noticed and shall be given adequate opportunity to show that such facts are inaccurate or are erroneously noticed.
(a) The presiding officer may:
(1) Require the cross-examiner to outline the intended scope of the examination; and
(2) Exclude cross-examination questions that are immaterial, irrelevant or unduly repetitious.
(b) Any party shall be given an opportunity to appear, either in person or through an authorized counsel or representative, to cross-examine witnesses. Before cross-examining a witness, the party or counsel shall state his name, address and occupation. If counsel cross-examines the witness, counsel shall state for the record the authority to act as counsel. Cross-examiners shall be assumed to be familiar with the direct testimony.
(c) Any party or party's counsel who fails to appear at the hearing to cross-examine an “adverse” witness shall be deemed to have waived the right to cross-examine that witness.
(d) Scientific, technical or commercial publications may only be utilized for the limited purposes of impeaching witnesses under cross-examination unless previously submitted and introduced in accordance with these regulations.
(a) The presiding officer may, in his discretion, provide for oral argument by parties at the end of the hearing. Such argument, when permitted, may be limited by the presiding officer to the extent necessary for the expeditious disposition of the proceeding.
(b) The presiding officer shall announce at the hearing a reasonable period of time within which any party may file with the presiding officer proposed findings and conclusions and written arguments or briefs, which are based upon the record and citing where practicable the relevant page or pages of the transcript. If a party filing a brief desires the presiding officer to reconsider any objection made by such party to a ruling of the presiding officer, he shall specifically identify such rulings by reference to the pertinent pages of the transcript and shall state his arguments thereon as a part of the brief.
(c) Oral or written arguments shall be limited to issues arising from direct testimony on the record.
(a) Promptly after expiration of the period for receiving written briefs, the presiding officer shall make a recommended decision based on the record and transmit the decision to the Director. The recommended decision shall include:
(1) A statement containing a description of the history of the proceedings;
(2) Findings on the issues of fact with the reasons therefor; and
(3) Rulings on issues of law.
(b) The presiding officer shall also transmit to the Director the transcript of the hearing, the original and all copies of the direct testimony, and written comments. The presiding officer shall attach to the original transcript of the hearing a certificate stating that to the best of his knowledge and belief the transcript is a true transcript of the testimony given at the hearing except in such particulars as are specified.
(c) Upon receipt of the recommended decision, the Director shall send a copy thereof to each party by certified mail and shall publish in the
(1) A summary of the recommended decision;
(2) A statement that any interested person may file written comments on the recommended decision with the Director by a specified date;
(3) The time(s) and place(s) where the record of the hearing transmitted to the Director pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section may be inspected by interested persons; and
(4) The time(s) and place(s) where the recommended decision may be inspected and/or copied by interested persons.
(d) Within thirty days after the notice of receipt of the recommended decision has been published in the
(a) Upon receipt of the recommended decision and transcript and after the thirty-day period for receiving written comments on the recommended decision has passed, the Director shall make a final decision on the proposed regulations and waiver, where applicable. The Director's decision may affirm, modify, or set aside, in whole or in part, the recommended findings, conclusions and decision of the presiding officer. The Director may also remand the hearing record to the presiding officer for a fuller development of the record.
(b) The Director's decision shall include:
(1) A statement containing a description of the history of the proceeding;
(2) Findings on the issues of fact with the reasons therefor;
(3) Rulings on issues of law; and
(4) Any other relevant information which the Director deems appropriate.
(c) The Director's decision shall be published in the
The regulations contained in this subpart fulfill the requirements of section 103 of the Act for regulations to govern the taking and importation of each species of marine mammal for which the moratorium imposed by section 101 has been waived.
(a) The provisions in this subpart apply only after (1) the Director has made a decision to waive a moratorium pursuant to section 101(a)(3)(A) of the Act, (2) the opportunity for a hearing required by section 103(d) of the Act has been provided, and (3) the Director has made a determination, in the case of State laws and regulations, to approve such State laws and regulations pursuant to section 109(a)(2) of the Act and subpart F of this part.
(b) The provisions of this subpart, unless specifically stated, apply to all taking and/or importation of each species of marine mammal for which the moratorium has been waived other than takings for scientific research or public display, which are governed by § 18.31 of this part, or takings incidental to commercial fishing operations which are governed by § 18.24.
(a) Pursuant to sections 101(a)(3)(A) 103, and 109 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the moratorium on the hunting and killing of Pacific walrus (
(b) [Reserved]
At 68 FR 66759, Nov. 28, 2003, subpart J was added, effective Nov. 28, 2003, through Mar. 28, 2005.
Regulations in this subpart apply to the incidental, but not intentional, take of small numbers of polar bear and Pacific walrus by you (U.S. citizens as defined in § 18.27 (c)) while engaged in oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities in the Beaufort Sea and adjacent northern coast of Alaska.
This subpart applies to the specified geographic region defined by a north-south line at Barrow, Alaska, and includes all Alaska coastal areas, State waters, and Outer Continental Shelf waters east of that line to the Canadian border and an area 25 miles inland from Barrow on the west to the Canning River on the east. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is not included in the area covered by this subpart. Figure 1 shows the area where this subpart applies.
Regulations in this subpart are effective from November 28, 2003, through March 28, 2005, for year-round oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities.
(a) You must be a U.S. citizen as defined in § 18.27(c) of this part.
(b) If you are conducting an oil and gas exploration, development, or production activity that may cause the taking of polar bear or Pacific walrus in the specified geographic region described in § 18.122 and you want incidental take authorization under this rule, you must apply for a Letter of Authorization for each exploration activity or a Letter of Authorization for activities in each development and production area. You must submit the application for authorization to our Alaska Regional Director (
(c) Your application for a Letter of Authorization must include the following information:
(1) A description of the activity, the dates and duration of the activity, the specific location, and the estimated area affected by that activity.
(2) A site-specific plan to monitor the effects of the activity on the behavior of polar bear and Pacific walrus that may be present during the ongoing activity. Your monitoring program must document the effects on these marine mammals and estimate the actual level
(3) A site-specific polar bear awareness and interaction plan.
(4) A Plan of Cooperation to mitigate potential conflicts between the proposed activity and subsistence hunting. This Plan of Cooperation must identify measures to minimize adverse effects on the availability of polar bear and Pacific walrus for subsistence uses if the activity takes place in or near a traditional subsistence hunting area.
(a) We will evaluate each request for a Letter of Authorization based on the specific activity and the specific geographic location. We will determine whether the level of activity identified in the request exceeds that considered by us in making a finding of negligible impact on the species and a finding of no unmitigable adverse impact on the availability of the species for take for subsistence uses. If the level of activity is greater, we will reevaluate our findings to determine if those findings continue to be appropriate based on the greater level of activity that you have requested. Depending on the results of the evaluation, we may grant the authorization as is, add further conditions, or deny the authorization.
(b) In accordance with § 18.27(f)(5) of this part, we will make decisions concerning withdrawals of Letters of Authorization, either on an individual or class basis, only after notice and opportunity for public comment.
(c) The requirement for notice and public comment in paragraph (b) of this section will not apply should we determine that an emergency exists that poses a significant risk to the well-being of the species or stock of polar bear or Pacific walrus.
(a) Your Letter of Authorization may allow the incidental, but not intentional, take of polar bear and Pacific walrus when you are carrying out one or more of the following activities:
(1) Conducting geological and geophysical surveys and associated activities;
(2) Drilling exploratory wells and associated activities;
(3) Developing oil fields and associated activities;
(4) Drilling production wells and performing production support operations;
(5) Conducting environmental monitoring programs associated with exploration, development, and production activities to determine specific impacts of each activity.
(b) You must use methods and conduct activities identified in your Letter of Authorization in a manner that minimizes to the greatest extent practicable adverse impacts on polar bear and Pacific walrus, their habitat, and on the availability of these marine mammals for subsistence uses.
(c) Each Letter of Authorization will identify conditions or methods that are specific to the activity and location.
(a) Intentional take of polar bear or Pacific walrus.
(b) Any take that fails to comply with the terms and conditions of these specific regulations or of your Letter of Authorization.
(a) We require holders of Letters of Authorization to cooperate with us and other designated Federal, State, and local agencies to monitor the impacts of oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities on polar bear and Pacific walrus.
(b) Holders of Letters of Authorization must designate a qualified individual or individuals to observe, record, and report on the effects of their activities on polar bear and Pacific walrus.
(c) Holders of Letters of Authorization are required to have a polar bear interaction plan on file with the Service, and polar bear awareness training will also be required of certain personnel.
(d) Under a Plan of Cooperation Industry must contact affected subsistence communities to discuss potential
(e) We may place an observer on the site of the activity or on board drill ships, drill rigs, aircraft, icebreakers, or other support vessels or vehicles to monitor the impacts of your activity on polar bear and Pacific walrus.
(f) If known occupied dens are located within an operator's area of activity, we will require a 1-mile exclusion buffer around the den to limit disturbance or require that the operator conduct activities after the female bears emerge from their dens. We will review these instances for extenuating circumstances on a case by case basis.
(g) Industry may also be required to use Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) imagery and/or scent-trained dogs to determine presence or absence of polar bear dens in areas of activity.
(h) A map of potential coastal polar bear denning habitat can be found at:
(i) For exploratory activities, holders of a Letter of Authorization must submit a report to our Alaska Regional Director within 90 days after completion of activities. For development and production activities, holders of a Letter of Authorization must submit a report to our Alaska Regional Director by January 15 for the preceding year's activities. Reports must include, at a minimum, the following information:
(1) Dates and times of activity;
(2) Dates and locations of polar bear or Pacific walrus activity as related to the monitoring activity; and
(3) Results of the monitoring activities, including an estimated level of take.
(a) The collection of information contained in this subpart has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501
(b) For the duration of this rule, when you conduct operations under this rule, we estimate an 8-hour burden per Letter of Authorization, a 4-hour burden for monitoring, and an 8-hour burden per monitoring report. You must respond to this information collection request to obtain a benefit pursuant to section 101(a)(5) of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). You should direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this requirement to the Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, Mail Stop 222 ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240, and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (1018-0070), Washington, DC 20503.
Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, 85 Stat. 480, as amended, 86 Stat. 905 (16 U.S.C. 742a—j-1).
The regulations contained in this part provide rules relative to the prohibition against shooting or harassing of wildlife from any aircraft, provide the requirements for the contents and filing of annual reports by the States regarding permits issued for such shooting or harassing, and provide regulations necessary for effective enforcement of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 as amended (16 U.S.C. 742a—j-1).
The regulations contained in this part apply to all persons within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States, to all United States citizens whether within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States or on the high seas or on board aircraft in flight over the high seas, and to all persons on board aircraft belonging in whole or in part to any United States citizen, firm, or partnership, or corporation created by or under the laws of the United States, or any State, territory or possession thereof.
The exemptions to general prohibitions of the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, that permit airborne hunting in certain circumstances (See subpart B of this part) do not supersede, or authorize the violation of, other laws designed for the conservation or protection of wildlife, including those laws prohibiting the shooting or harassing of bald and golden eagles, polar bears and other marine mammals, migratory birds, and other wildlife,
In addition to definitions contained in part 10 of this subchapter, and unless the context otherwise requires, in this part 19:
(a) Except as otherwise authorized by the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956 as amended, no person shall:
(1) While airborne in any aircraft shoot or attempt to shoot for the purpose of capturing or killing any wildlife;
(2) Use an aircraft to harass any wildlife; or
(3) Knowingly participate in using an aircraft whether in the aircraft or on the ground for any purpose referred to in paragraph (a) (1) or (2) of this section.
(b) The acts prohibited in this section include, but are not limited to, any person who:
(1) Pilots or assists in the operation of an aircraft from which another person shoots or shoots at wildlife while airborne, or
(2) While on the ground takes or attempts to take any wildlife by means, aid, or use of an aircraft.
The prohibitions of the preceding section shall not apply to any person who:
(1) Is acting within the scope of his official duties as an employee or authorized agent of a State or the United States to administer or protect or aid in the administration or protection of land, water, wildlife, livestock, domesticated animals, human life or crops; or
(2) Is acting within the limitations of a permit referred to in § 19.21 or § 19.31 of this part.
No Federal permits will be issued to authorize any person to hunt, shoot, or harass any wildlife from an aircraft, except for Federal permits to scare or herd migratory birds referred to in § 21.41 of this subchapter.
(a) Except as provided in § 19.3, States may issue permits to persons to engage in airborne hunting or harassing of wildlife for purposes of administering or protecting land, water, wildlife, livestock, domestic animals, human life or crops. States may not issue permits for the purpose of sport hunting.
(b) Upon issuance of a permit by a State to a person pursuant to this section, the issuing authority will provide immediate notification to the Special Agent in Charge having jurisdiction according to § 10.22.
(a) Any State issuing permits to persons to engage in airborne hunting or harassing of wildlife or any State whose employees or agents participate in airborne hunting or harassing of wildlife for purposes of administering or protecting land, water, wildlife, livestock, domestic animals, human life or crops, shall file with the Director, an annual report on or before July 1 for the preceding calendar year ending December 31.
(b) The annual report required by this section shall contain the following information as to each such permit issued:
(1) The name and address of each person to whom a permit was issued.
(2) Permit number and inclusive dates during which permit was valid.
(3) The aircraft number of the aircraft used and the location where such aircraft was based.
(4) Common name and number of the wildlife for which authorization to take was given and a description of the area from which the wildlife were authorized to be taken.
(5) The purpose for which the permit was issued, specifically identifying whether the permit was issued to protect land, water, wildlife, livestock, domestic animals, crops, or human life.
(6) The common name and number of wildlife taken by permittees and State employees or agents.
(c) A compilation of all annual reports required by this section shall be made by the Director and furnished to any State filing such annual report.
16 U.S.C 703-712; 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j; Pub. L. 106-108.
(a)
(b)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
For the purpose of this part, the following terms shall be construed, respectively, to mean and to include:
(a)
(1) Anatidae (ducks, geese [including brant] and swans);
(2) Columbidae (doves and pigeons);
(3) Gruidae (cranes);
(4) Rallidae (rails, coots and gallinules); and
(5) Scolopacidae (woodcock and snipe).
A list of migratory birds protected by the international conventions and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act appears in § 10.13 of this subchapter.
(b)
(2)
(c)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(d)
(e)
(1) Any person who, at their residence or place of business and for hire or other consideration; or
(2) Any taxidermist, cold-storage facility or locker plant which, for hire or other consideration; or
(3) Any hunting club which, in the normal course of operations; receives,
(f)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(j)
(k)
(l)
(m)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
Migratory birds on which open seasons are prescribed in this part may be taken by any method except those prohibited in this section. No persons shall take migratory game birds:
(a) With a trap, snare, net, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than 10 gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machinegun, fish hook, poison, drug, explosive, or stupefying substance;
(b) With a shotgun of any description capable of holding more than three shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler, incapable of removal without disassembling the gun, so its total capacity does not exceed three shells. This restriction does not apply during a light-goose-only season (lesser snow and Ross' geese) when all other waterfowl and crane hunting seasons, excluding falconry, are closed while hunting light geese in Central and Mississippi Flyway portions of Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
(c) From or by means, aid, or use of a sinkbox or any other type of low floating device, having a depression affording the hunter a means of concealment beneath the surface of the water;
(d) From or by means, aid, or use of any motor vehicle, motor-driven land conveyance, or aircraft of any kind, except that paraplegics and persons missing one or both legs may take from any stationary motor vehicle or stationary motor-driven land conveyance;
(e) From or by means of any motorboat or other craft having a motor attached, or any sailboat, unless the motor has been completely shut off and/or the sails furled, and its progress therefrom has ceased:
(f) By the use or aid of live birds as decoys; although not limited to, it shall be a violation of this paragraph for any person to take migratory waterfowl on an area where tame or captive live ducks or geese are present unless such birds are and have been for a period of 10 consecutive days prior to such taking, confined within an enclosure which substantially reduces the audibility of their calls and totally conceals such birds from the sight of wild migratory waterfowl;
(g) By the use or aid of recorded or electrically amplified bird calls or
(h) By means or aid of any motordriven land, water, or air conveyance, or any sailboat used for the purpose of or resulting in the concentrating, driving, rallying, or stirring up of any migratory bird;
(i) By the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area, where a person knows or reasonably should know that the area is or has been baited. However, nothing in this paragraph prohibits:
(1) the taking of any migratory game bird, including waterfowl, coots, and cranes, on or over the following lands or areas that are not otherwise baited areas—
(i) Standing crops or flooded standing crops (including aquatics); standing, flooded, or manipulated natural vegetation; flooded harvested croplands; or lands or areas where seeds or grains have been scattered solely as the result of a normal agricultural planting, harvesting, post-harvest manipulation or normal soil stabilization practice;
(ii) From a blind or other place of concealment camouflaged with natural vegetation;
(iii) From a blind or other place of concealment camouflaged with vegetation from agricultural crops, as long as such camouflaging does not result in the exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of grain or other feed; or
(iv) Standing or flooded standing agricultural crops where grain is inadvertently scattered solely as a result of a hunter entering or exiting a hunting area, placing decoys, or retrieving downed birds.
(2) The taking of any migratory game bird, except waterfowl, coots and cranes, on or over lands or areas that are not otherwise baited areas, and where grain or other feed has been distributed or scattered solely as the result of manipulation of an agricultural crop or other feed on the land where grown, or solely as the result of a normal agricultural operation.
(j)(1) While possessing loose shot for muzzleloading or shotshells containing other than the following approved shot types.
(2) Each approved shot type must contain less than 1 percent residual lead (see § 20.134).
(3) This shot type restriction applies to the taking of ducks, geese (including brant), swans, coots (Fulica americana), and any other species that make up aggregate bag limits with these migratory game birds during concurrent seasons in areas described in § 20.108 as nontoxic shot zones.
No person may take migratory game birds during the closed season established in this part except as provided in parts 21 and 92 of this chapter.
No person shall take migratory game birds except during the hours open to shooting as prescribed in subpart K of this part.
No person shall take in any 1 calendar day, more than the daily bag limit or aggregate daily bag limit, whichever applies.
No person shall kill or cripple any migratory game bird pursuant to this part without making a reasonable effort to retrieve the bird, and retain it in his actual custody, at the place where taken or between that place and either (a) his automobile or principal means of land transportation; or (b) his personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging; or (c) a migratory bird preservation facility; or (d) a post office; or (e) a common carrier facility.
(a) The Director may close or temporarily suspend any season established under subpart K of this part:
(1) Upon a finding that a continuation of such a season would constitute an imminent threat to the safety of any endangered or threatened species or other migratory bird populations.
(2) Upon issuance of local public notice by such means as publication in local newspapers of general circulation, posting of the areas affected, notifying the State wildlife conservation agency, and announcement on local radio and television.
(b) Any such closure or temporary suspension shall be announced by publication of a notice to that effect in the
(c) Any closure or temporary suspension under this section shall be effective on the date of publication of the
No person shall at any time, by any means, or in any manner, possess or have in custody any migratory game bird or part thereof, taken in violation of any provision of subpart C of this part.
No person shall possess any freshly killed migratory game birds during the closed season.
No person shall possess more migratory game birds taken in the United States than the possession limit or the aggregate possession limit, whichever applies.
No person on the opening day of the season shall possess any freshly killed migratory game birds in excess of the daily bag limit, or aggregate daily bag limit, whichever applies.
No person shall possess, have in custody, or transport more than the daily bag limit or aggregate daily bag limit, whichever applies, of migratory game birds, tagged or not tagged, at or between the place where taken and either (a) his automobile or principal means of land transportation; or (b) his personal abode or temporary or transient place of lodging; or (c) a migratory bird preservation facility; or (d) a post office; or (e) a common carrier facility.
No person shall put or leave any migratory game birds at any place (other than at his personal abode), or in the custody of another person for picking, cleaning, processing, shipping, transportation, or storage (including temporary storage), or for the purpose of having taxidermy services performed, unless such birds have a tag attached, signed by the hunter, stating his address, the total number and species of birds, and the date such birds were killed. Migratory game birds being transported in any vehicle as the personal baggage of the possessor shall not be considered as being in storage or temporary storage.
No person shall receive or have in custody any migratory game birds belonging to another person unless such birds are tagged as required by § 20.36.
Every migratory game bird wounded by hunting and reduced to possession by the hunter shall be immediately killed and become a part of the daily bag limit. No person shall at any time, or by any means, possess or transport live migratory game birds taken under authority of this part.
Subject to all other requirements of this part, the possession of birds taken by any hunter shall be deemed to have ceased when such birds have been delivered by him to another person as a gift; or have been delivered by him to a post office, a common carrier, or a migratory bird preservation facility and consigned for transport by the Postal Service or a common carrier to some person other than the hunter.
No person may receive, possess, or give to another, any freshly killed migratory game birds as a gift, except at the personal abodes of the donor or donee, unless such birds have a tag attached, signed by the hunter who took the birds, stating such hunter's address, the total number and species of birds and the date such birds were taken.
No person shall at any time, by any means, or in any manner, transport
No person shall transport migratory game birds belonging to another person unless such birds are tagged as required by § 20.36.
No person shall transport within the United States any migratory game birds, except doves and band-tailed pigeons (
No person shall transport by the Postal Service or a common carrier migratory game birds unless the package or container in which such birds are transported has the name and address of the shipper and the consignee and an accurate statement of the numbers of each species of birds therein contained clearly and conspicuously marked on the outside thereof.
No person shall at any time, by any means, or in any manner, export or cause to be exported, any migratory game bird or part thereof, taken in violation of any provision of subpart C of this part.
No person shall export migratory game birds unless one fully feathered wing remains attached to each such bird while being transported from the United States and/or any of its possessions to any foreign country.
No person shall export migratory game birds via the Postal Service or a common carrier unless the package or container has the name and address of the shipper and the consignee and an accurate statement of the numbers of each species of birds therein contained clearly and conspicuously marked on the outside thereof.
No person shall import migratory game birds in excess of the following importation limits:
(a)
(2) From Mexico, not to exceed the maximum number permitted by Mexican authorities to be taken in any one day:
(b)
(2) From Canada, not to exceed the maximum number permitted to be exported by Canadian authorities.
(3) From Mexico, not to exceed the maximum number permitted by Mexican authorities to be taken in any one day:
No person shall import migratory game birds belonging to another person.
No person shall import migratory game birds unless each such bird has one fully feathered wing attached, and such wing must remain attached while being transported between the port of entry and the personal abode of the possessor or between the port of entry and a migratory bird preservation facility.
No person shall import, possess or transport, any migratory game birds killed in a foreign country unless such birds are accompanied by export permits, tags, or other documentation required by applicable foreign laws or regulations.
No person shall import migratory game birds killed in any foreign country, except Canada, unless such birds are dressed (except as required in § 20.63), drawn, and the head and feet are removed:
No person shall import migratory game birds via the Postal Service or a common carrier unless the package or container has the name and address of the shipper and the consignee and an accurate statement of the numbers of each species of birds therein contained clearly and conspicuously marked on the outside thereof.
No person shall at any time, by any means or in any manner, take, possess, transport, or export any migratory bird, or any part, nest, or egg of any such bird, in violation of any act of Congress or any regulation issued pursuant thereto.
No person shall at any time, by any means or in any manner, take, possess, transport, or export any migratory bird, or any part, nest, or egg of any such bird, in violation of any applicable law or regulation of any State.
No person shall at any time, by any means, or in any manner, import, possess, or transport, any migratory bird, or any part, nest, or egg of any such bird taken, bought, sold, transported, possessed, or exported contrary to any applicable law or regulation of any foreign country, or State or province thereof.
No migratory bird preservation facility shall receive or have in custody any migratory game birds unless such birds are tagged as required by § 20.36.
(a) No migratory bird preservation facility shall:
(1) Receive or have in custody any migratory game bird unless accurate records are maintained which can identify each bird received by, or in the custody of, the facility by the name of the person from whom the bird was obtained, and show (i) the number of each species; (ii) the location where taken; (iii) the date such birds were received; (iv) the name and address of the person from whom such birds were received; (v) the date such birds were disposed of; and (vi) the name and address of the
(2) Destroy any records required to be maintained under this section for a period of 1 year following the last entry on the record.
(b) Record keeping as required by this section will not be necessary at hunting clubs which do not fully process migratory birds by removal of both the head and wings.
No migratory bird preservation facility shall prevent any person authorized to enforce this part from entering such facilities at all reasonable hours and inspecting the records and the premises where such operations are being carried.
Any person may possess, purchase, sell, barter, or transport for the making of fishing flies, bed pillows, and mattresses, and for similar commercial uses the feathers of migratory waterfowl (ducks, geese, brant, and swans) killed by hunting pursuant to this part, or seized and condemned by Federal or State game authorities, except that:
(a) No person shall purchase, sell, barter, or offer to purchase, sell, or barter for millinery or ornamental use the feathers of migratory game birds taken under authority of this part; and
(b) No person shall purchase, sell, barter, or offer to purchase, sell, or barter mounted specimens of migratory game birds taken under authority of this part.
Any person for his own use may possess, transport, ship, import, and export without a permit the feathers and skins of lawfully taken migratory game birds.
(a) The taking, possession, transportation, and other uses of migratory game birds by hunters is generally prohibited unless it is specifically provided for under regulations developed in accordance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Consequently, hunting is prohibited unless regulatory schedules are established for seasons, daily bag and possession limits, and shooting (or hawking) hours. Migratory game bird population levels, including production and habitat conditions, vary annually. These conditions differ over North America, and within the United States, by flyways, States, and frequently areas within States. Thus, it is necessary to make annual adjustments in the schedules to limit the harvests of migratory game birds to permissible levels.
(b) The development of these schedules involves annual data gathering programs to determine migratory game bird population status and trends, evaluations of habitat conditions, harvest information, and other factors having a bearing on the anticipated size of the fall flights of these birds. The proposed hunting schedules are announced early in the spring, and following consideration of additional information as it becomes available, as well as public comment, they are modified and published as supplemental proposals. These are also open to public comment. Public hearings are held for the purpose of providing additional opportunity for public participation in the rulemaking process.
This section provides for the annual hunting of certain doves, pigeons, ducks, coots, gallinules and snipe in Puerto Rico; and for certain doves, pigeons and ducks in the Virgin Islands. In these Commonwealths, the hunting of waterfowl and coots (and other certain species, as applicable) must be
For
This section provides for the annual hunting of certain waterfowl (ducks, tundra swans, geese, and brant), common snipe, and sandhill cranes in Alaska. In Alaska, the hunting of waterfowl must be with the use of nontoxic shot beginning in the 1991-92 waterfowl season.
For
This section provides for the annual hunting of certain doves and pigeons in the 48 contiguous United States. The mourning dove hunting regulations are arranged by the Eastern, Central, and Western Management Units.
For
This section provides for the annual hunting of certain rails, woodcock, and snipe in the 48 contiguous United States.
For
This section provides for the annual hunting of certain waterfowl (ducks, geese [including brant]), coots and gallinules in the 48 contiguous United States. The regulations are arranged by the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central and Pacific Flyways. These regulations often vary within Flyways or States, and by time periods. Those areas of the United States outside of State boundaries, i.e., the United States' territorial waters seaward of county boundaries, and including coastal waters claimed by the separate States, if not already included under the zones contained in § 20.108, are designated for the purposes of § 20.21(j) as nontoxic shot zones for waterfowl hunting beginning in the 1991-92 season.
For
This section provides for the annual hunting of sandhill cranes in designated portions of the 48 contiguous United States.
For
This section provides for the annual hunting of tundra swans in designated portions of the 48 contiguous United States.
For
Beginning September 1, 1991, the contiguous 48 United States, and the States of Alaska and Hawaii, the Territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and the territorial waters of the United States, are designated for the purpose of § 20.21(j) as nontoxic shot zones for hunting waterfowl, coots and certain other species. “Certain other species” refers to those species, other than waterfowl or coots, that are affected by reason of being included in aggregate bags and concurrent seasons.
This section provides annual regulations by which falconers may take permitted migratory game birds.
For
This section provides for establishing annual migratory bird hunting regulations for certain tribes on Federal Indian reservations, Indian Territory, and ceded lands.
For
Whenever the Secretary shall find that emergency State action to prevent forest fires in any extensive area has resulted in the shortening of the season during which the hunting of any species of migratory game bird is permitted and that compensatory extension or reopening the hunting season for such birds will not result in a diminution of the abundance of birds to any greater extent than that contemplated for the original hunting season, the hunting season for the birds so affected may, subject to all other provisions of this subchapter, be extended or reopened by the Secretary upon request of the chief officer of the agency of the State exercising administration over wildlife resources. The length of the extended or reopened season in no event shall exceed the number of days during which hunting has been so prohibited. The extended or reopened season will be publicly announced.
In Alaska, any person may, for subsistence purposes, take, possess, and transport, in any manner, from September 1 through April 1, snowy owls and cormorants for food and their skins for clothing, but birds and their parts may not be sold or offered for sale.
(a) Crows may be taken, possessed, transported, exported, or imported, only in accordance with such laws or regulations as may be prescribed by a State pursuant to this section.
(b) Except in the State of Hawaii, where no crows shall be taken, States may by statute or regulation prescribe a hunting season for crows. Such State statutes or regulations may set forth the method of taking, the bag and possession limits, the dates and duration of the hunting season, and such other regulations as may be deemed appropriate, subject to the following limitations for each State:
(1) Crows shall not be hunted from aircraft;
(2) The hunting season or seasons on crows shall not exceed a total of 124 days during a calendar year;
(3) Hunting shall not be permitted during the peak crow nesting period within a State; and
(4) Crows may only be taken by firearms, bow and arrow, and falconry.
(a)
(2) The Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, shall determine that a specific type of shot material is acceptable for the purposes of 50 CFR 20.21(j), if after a review of applications and supporting data submitted in accordance with this section, together with all other relevant evidence, including public comment, it is concluded that the spent shot material does not impose a significant danger to migratory birds and other wildlife or their habitats.
(b)
(2)
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(
(B) Applicant provides information on the toxicological effects of the shot or shot coating as follows:
(
(
(
(
(
(C) Applicant provides information on the environmental fate and transport, if any, of the shot or shot coating as follows:
(
(
(
(
(
(D)
(
(
(E) If, after review of the Tier 1 data, the Service does not conclude that the shot or shot coating does not impose a significant danger to migratory birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, the applicant is advised to proceed with the additional testing described for Tier 2, Tier 3, or both. A
(F) If review of the Tier 1 data results in a preliminary determination that the candidate material does not impose a significant danger to migratory birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, the Director will publish in the
(ii) [Reserved]
(3)
(ii) Evaluation of the candidate shot or shot coating will first be in a standardized test under
(A)
(
(
(
(B)
(
(
(
(C)
(
(
(
(iii) After the Tier 2 testing, the applicant will report the results to the Director. If, after review of the Tier 2 data, the Service determines that the information does not establish that the shot or shot coating does not impose a significant danger to migratory birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, the applicant is advised to proceed with the additional testing in Tier 3. A
(iv) If review of the Tier 2 test data results in a preliminary determination that the candidate shot or shot coating does not impose a significant danger to migratory birds, other wildlife, and
(4)
(A)
(
(
(
(
(B)
(
(
(
(
(
(
(5)
(6)
The rules of this subpart N apply to the issuance of the annual regulations establishing seasons, bag limits, and other requirements for the seasonal hunting of migratory birds. The rules of this subpart N do not apply to the issuance of regulations under part 21 of this title or under subparts A through J and L through M of this part 20.
As used in this subpart N:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(a)
(b) [Reserved]
(a)
(b)
(1) The minutes of Regulations Committee meetings made pursuant to paragraph (d) of § 20.153;
(2) Any written comments and other significant written communications which occur after the notice of proposed rulemaking;
(3) Summaries, identifying the source, of any significant oral communications which occure after the notice of proposed rulemaking; and
(4) Copies of or references to any other significant data or information.
16 U.S.C. 703-712; Pub. L. 106-108; 16 U.S.C. 668a.
The regulations contained in this part supplement the general permit regulations of part 13 of this subchapter with respect to permits for the taking, possession, transporation, sale, purchase, barter, importation, exportation, and banding or marking of migratory birds. This part also provides certain exceptions to permit requirements for public, scientific, or educational institutions, and establishes depredation orders which provide limited exceptions to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712).
(a) Migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs, lawfully acquired prior to the effective date of Federal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712) may be possessed or transported without a permit, but may not be imported, exported, purchased, sold, bartered, or offered for purchase, sale or barter, and all shipments of such birds must be marked as provided by part 14 of this subchapter:
(b) This part, except for § 21.12(a), (c), and (d) (general permit exceptions); § 21.22 (banding or marking); § 21.29 (Federal falconry standards); and § 21.31 (rehabilitation), does not apply to the bald eagle (
(c) The provisions of this part are in addition to, and are not in lieu of other regulations of this subchapter B which may require a permit or prescribe additional restrictions or conditions for the importation, exportation, and interstate transportation of wildlife (see also part 13).
In addition to definitions contained in part 10 of this chapter, and unless the context requires otherwise, as used in this part:
(a) The Office of Management and Budget approved the information collection requirements contained in this part 21 under 44 U.S.C. 3507 and assigned OMB Control Number 1018-0022.
(b) We estimate the public reporting burden for these reporting requirements to vary from 15 minutes to 4 hours per response, with an average of 0.803 hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the forms. Direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of these reporting requirements to the Service Information Collection Control Officer, MS-222 ARLSQ, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC 20240, or the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (1018-0022), Washington, DC 20603.
No person may take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, purchase, or barter, any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such bird except as may be permitted under the terms of a valid permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this part and part 13 of this chapter, or as permitted by regulations in this part, or part 20 of this subchapter (the hunting regulations), or part 92 of subchapter G of this chapter (the Alaska subsistence harvest regulations). Birds taken or possessed under this part in “included areas” of Alaska as defined in § 92.5(a) are subject to this part and not to part 92 of subchapter G of this chapter.
The following exceptions to the permit requirement are allowed.
(a) Employees of the Department of the Interior authorized to enforce the provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of July 3, 1918, as amended (40 Stat. 755; 16 U.S.C. 703-711), may, without a permit, take or otherwise acquire, hold in custody, transport, and dispose of migratory birds or their parts, nests, or eggs as necessary in performing their official duties.
(b) State game departments, municipal game farms or parks, and public museums, public zoological parks, accredited institutional members of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA) and public scientific or educational institutions may acquire by gift or purchase, possess, transport, and by gift or sale dispose of lawfully acquired migratory birds or their progeny, parts, nests, or eggs without a permit:
(c) Employees of Federal, State, and local wildlife and land management agencies; employees of Federal, State, and local public health agencies; and laboratories under contract to such agencies may in the course of official business collect, possess, transport,
(d) Licensed veterinarians are not required to obtain a Federal migratory bird permit to temporarily possess, stabilize, or euthanize sick and injured migratory birds. However, a veterinarian without a migratory bird rehabilitation permit must transfer any such bird to a federally permitted migratory bird rehabilitator within 24 hours after the bird's condition is stabilized, unless the bird is euthanized. If a veterinarian is unable to locate a permitted rehabilitator within that time, the veterinarian must contact his or her Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office for assistance in locating a permitted migratory bird rehabilitator and/or to obtain authorization to continue to hold the bird. In addition, veterinarians must:
(1) Notify the local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services Office immediately upon receiving a threatened or endangered migratory bird species. Contact information for Ecological Services offices can be located on the Internet at
(2) Euthanize migratory birds as required by § 21.31(e)(4)(iii) and § 21.31(e)(4)(iv), and dispose of dead migratory birds in accordance with § 21.31(e)(4)(vi); and
(3) Keep records for 5 years of all migratory birds that die while in their care, including those they euthanize. The records must include: the species of bird, the type of injury, the date of acquisition, the date of death, and whether the bird was euthanized.
Captive-reared and properly marked mallard ducks, alive or dead, or their eggs may be acquired, possessed, sold, traded, donated, transported, and disposed of by any person without a permit, subject to the following conditions, restrictions, and requirements:
(a) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the taking of live mallard ducks or their eggs from the wild.
(b) All mallard ducks possessed in captivity, without a permit, shall have been physically marked by at least one of the following methods prior to 6 weeks of age and all such ducks hatched, reared, and retained in captivity thereafter shall be so marked prior to reaching 6 weeks of age.
(1) Removal of the hind toe from the right foot.
(2) Pinioning of a wing:
(3) Banding of one metatarsus with a seamless metal band.
(4) Tattooing of a readily discernible number or letter or combination thereof on the web of one foot.
(c) When so marked, such live birds may be disposed of to, or acquired from, any person and possessed and transferred in any number at any time or place:
(d) When so marked, such live birds may be killed, in any number, at any time or place, by any means except shooting. Such birds may be killed by shooting only in accordance with all applicable hunting regulations governing the taking of mallard ducks from the wild:
(1) The hunting regulations (part 20 of this subchapter), with the exception of § 20.108 (Nontoxic shot zones), and
(2) The Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act (duck stamp requirement) shall not apply to shooting preserve operations as provided for in this paragraph, or to bona fide dog training or field trial operations.
(e) At all times during possession, transportation, and storage until the raw carcasses of such birds are finally processed immediately prior to cooking, smoking, or canning, the marked foot or wing must remain attached to each carcass:
Any person may, without a permit, lawfully acquire captive-reared and properly marked migratory waterfowl of all species other than mallard ducks, alive or dead, or their eggs, and possess and transport such birds or eggs and any progeny or eggs therefrom solely for his own use subject to the following conditions and restrictions:
(a) Such birds, alive or dead, or their eggs may be lawfully acquired only from holders of valid waterfowl sale and disposal permits, unless lawfully acquired outside of the United States, except that properly marked carcasses of such birds may also be lawfully acquired as provided under paragraph (c) of this section.
(b) All progeny of such birds or eggs hatched, reared, and retained in captivity must be physically marked as defined in § 21.13(b).
(c) No such birds or eggs or any progeny or eggs thereof may be disposed of by any means, alive or dead, to any other person unless a waterfowl sale and disposal permit has first been secured authorizing such disposal:
(d) Lawfully possessed and properly marked birds may be killed, in any number, at any time or place, by any means except shooting. Such birds may be killed by shooting only in accordance with all applicable hunting regulations governing the taking of like species from the wild. (See part 20 of this subchapter.)
(e) At all times during possession, transportation, and storage until the raw carcasses of such birds are finally processed immediately prior to cooking, smoking, or canning, the marked foot or wing must remain attached to each carcass, unless such carcasses were marked as provided in § 21.25(c)(4) and the foot or wing removed prior to acquisition.
(f) When any such birds, alive or dead, or their eggs are acquired from a waterfowl sale and disposal permittee, the permittee shall furnish a copy of Form 3-186, Notice of Waterfowl Sale or Transfer, indicating all information required by the form and the method or methods by which individual birds are marked as required by § 21.25(c)(2). The buyer shall retain the Form 3-186 on file for the duration of his possession of such birds or eggs or progeny or eggs thereof.
(a)
(2) An export permit is required before any migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs may be exported:
(b)
(1) Whether importation or exportation is requested;
(2) The species and numbers of migratory birds or their parts, nests, or eggs to be imported or exported;
(3) The name and address of the person from whom such birds are being imported or to whom they are being exported;
(4) The purpose of the importation or exportation;
(5) The estimated date of arrival or departure of the shipment(s), and the port of entry or exit through which the shipment will be imported or exported; and
(6) Federal and State permit numbers and type of permits authorizing possession, acquisition, or disposition of such birds, their parts, nests, or eggs where such a permit is required.
(c)
(d)
(a)
(b)
(1) Species and numbers proposed to be banded or marked;
(2) Purpose of banding or marking;
(3) State or States in which authorization is requested; and
(4) Name and address of the public, scientific, or educational institution to which any specimens will be donated that are salvaged pursuant to paragraphs (c) (3) and (4) of this section.
(c)
(1) The banding of migratory birds shall only be by official numbered leg bands issued by the Service. The use of any other band, clip, dye, or other
(2) All traps or nets used to capture migratory birds for banding or marking purposes shall have attached thereto a tag or label clearly showing the name and address of the permittee and his permit number, or the area in which such traps or nets are located must be posted with notice of banding operations posters (Form 3-1155, available upon request from the Bird Banding Laboratory, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, Md. 20708) which shall bear the name and address of the permittee and the number of his permit.
(3) The holder of a banding or marking permit may salvage, for the purpose of donating to a public scientific or educational institution, birds killed or found dead as a result of the permittee's normal banding operations, and casualties from other causes. All dead birds salvaged under authority of a migratory bird banding or marking permit must be donated and transferred to a public scientific or educational institution at least every 6 months or within 60 days of the time such permit expires or is revoked, unless the permittee has been issued a special permit authorizing possession for a longer period of time.
(4) Permittees must keep accurate records of their operations and file reports as set forth in the North American Bird Banding Manual, or supplements thereto, in accordance with instructions contained therein.
(d)
(a)
(b)
(1) Species and numbers of migratory birds or their parts, nests, or eggs to be taken or acquired when it is possible to determine same in advance;
(2) Location or locations where such scientific collecting is proposed;
(3) Statement of the purpose and justification for granting such a permit, including an outline of any research project involved;
(4) Name and address of the public, scientific, or educational institution to which all specimens ultimately will be donated; and
(5) If a State permit is required by State law, a statement as to whether or not the applicant possesses such State permit, giving its number and expiration date.
(c)
(1) All specimens taken and possessed under authority of a scientific collecting permit must be donated and transferred to the public scientific, or educational institution designated in the permit application within 60 days following the date such permit expires or is revoked, unless the permittee has been issued a special purpose permit (See § 21.27) authorizing possession for a longer period of time.
(2) Unless otherwise provided on the permit, all migratory game birds taken pursuant to a scientific collecting permit during the open hunting season for such birds must be in conformance with part 20 of this subchapter;
(3) Unless specifically stated on the permit, a scientific collecting permit does not authorize the taking of live migratory birds from the wild.
(4) In addition to any reporting requirement set forth in the permit, a report of the scientific collecting activities conducted under authority of such
(d)
(a)
(b)
(1) The address of premises where taxidermist services will be provided;
(2) A statement of the applicant's qualifications and experience as a taxidermist; and
(3) If a State permit is required by State law, a statement as to whether or not the applicant possesses such State permit, giving its number and expiration date.
(c)
(1) Receive, transport, hold in custody or possession, mount or otherwise prepare, migratory birds, and their parts, nests, or eggs, and return them to another.
(2) Sell properly marked, captive reared migratory waterfowl which he has lawfully acquired and mounted. Such mounted birds may be placed on consignment for sale and may be possessed by such consignee for the purpose of sale.
(d)
(1) Permittees must keep accurate records of operations, on a calendar year basis, showing the names and addresses of persons from and to whom migratory birds or their parts, nests, or eggs were received or delivered, the number and species of such, and the dates of receipt and delivery. In addition to the other records required by this paragraph, the permittee must maintain in his files, the original of the completed Form 3-186, Notice of Waterfowl Sale or Transfer, confirming his acquisition of captive reared, properly marked migratory waterfowl from the holder of a current waterfowl sale and disposal permit.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section, the receipt, possession, and storage by a taxidermist of any migratory game birds taken by another by hunting is not authorized unless they are tagged as required by § 20.36 of this subchapter. The required tags may be removed during the taxidermy operations but must be retained by the taxidermist with the other records required to be kept and must be reattached to the mounted specimen after mounting. The tag must then remain attached until the mounted specimen is delivered to the owner.
(e)
(a)
(b)
(1) A description of the area where waterfowl are to be kept;
(2) Species and numbers of waterfowl now in possession and a statement showing from whom these were obtained;
(3) A statement indicating the method by which individual birds are marked as required by the provisions of this part 21; and
(4) If a State permit is required by State law, a statement as to whether or not the applicant possesses such State permit, giving its number and expiration date.
(c)
(1) Permittees may not take migratory waterfowl or their eggs from the wild, and may not acquire such birds or their eggs from any person not authorized by a valid permit issued pursuant to this part to dispose of such birds or their eggs.
(2) All live migratory waterfowl possessed in captivity under authority of a valid waterfowl sale and disposal permit shall have been, prior to 6 weeks of age, physically marked as defined in § 21.13(b). All offspring of such birds hatched, reared, and retained in captivity shall be so marked prior to attaining 6 weeks of age. The preceding does not apply to captive adult geese, swans, and brant which were marked previous to March 1, 1967, by a “V” notch in the web of one foot, nor to such birds held in captivity at public zoological parks, and public scientific or educational institutions.
(3) Such properly marked birds may be killed, in any number, at any time or place, by any means except shooting. Such birds may be killed by shooting only in accordance with all the applicable hunting regulations governing the taking of like species from the wild.
(4) At all times during possession, transportation, and storage until the raw carcasses of such birds are finally processed immediately prior to cooking, smoking, or canning, the marked foot or wing must remain attached to each carcass:
(5) Such properly marked birds, alive or dead, or their eggs may be disposed of in any number, at any time or place, to any person:
(6) Permittees shall submit an annual report within 10 days following the 31st day of December of each calendar year to the office of the Fish and Wildlife Service which issued the permit. The
(d)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(1) A detailed statement showing that the goose management and control activities will either provide for human health and safety, protect personal property, or allow resolution of other injury to people or property;
(2) An estimate of the size of the resident Canada goose breeding population in the State;
(3) The requested annual take of resident Canada geese, including eggs and nests;
(4) A statement indicating that the State will inform and brief all employees and designated agents of the requirements of these regulations and permit conditions.
(d)
(1)
(ii) Methods of take for the control of injurious resident Canada geese are at the State's discretion. Methods include, but are not limited to, firearms, alpha-chloralose, traps, egg and nest manipulation and other damage control techniques consistent with accepted wildlife damage-management programs.
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(i) Nothing in this section applies to any Federal land within a State's boundaries without written permission of the Federal Agency with jurisdiction.
(ii) States may not undertake any actions under any permit issued under this section if the activities adversely affect other migratory birds or species designated as endangered or threatened under the authority of the Endangered Species Act.
(iii) We will only issue permits to State wildlife agencies in the conterminous United States.
(iv) States may designate agents who must operate under the conditions of the permit.
(v)
(vi)
(e)
Permits may be issued for special purpose activities related to migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs, which are otherwise outside the scope of the standard form permits of this part. A special purpose permit for migratory bird related activities not otherwise provided for in this part may be issued to an applicant who submits a written application containing the general information and certification required by part 13 and makes a sufficient showing of benefit to the migratory bird resource, important research reasons, reasons of human concern for individual birds, or other compelling justification.
(a)
(b)
(1) A detailed statement describing the project or activity which requires issuance of a permit, purpose of such project or activity, and a delineation of the area in which it will be conducted. (Copies of supporting documents, research proposals, and any necessary State permits should accompany the application);
(2) Numbers and species of migratory birds involved where same can reasonably be determined in advance; and
(3) Statement of disposition which will be made of migratory birds involved in the permit activity.
(c)
(1) Permittees shall maintain adequate records describing the conduct of the permitted activity, the numbers and species of migratory birds acquired and disposed of under the permit, and inventorying and identifying all migratory birds held on December 31 of each calendar year. Records shall be maintained at the address listed on the permit; shall be in, or reproducible in English; and shall be available for inspection by Service personnel during regular business hours. A permittee may be required by the conditions of the permit to file with the issuing office an annual report of operation. Annual reports, if required, shall be filed no later than January 31 of the calendar year followng the year for which
(2) Permittees shall make such other reports as may be requested by the issuing officer.
(3) All live, captive-bred, migratory game birds possessed under authority of a valid special purpose permit shall be physically marked as defined in § 21.13(b) of this part.
(4) No captive-bred migratory game bird may be sold or bartered unless marked in accordance with § 21.13(b) of this part.
(5) No permittee may take, purchase, receive or otherwise acquire, sell, barter, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any captive-bred migratory game bird unless such permittee submits a Service form 3-186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report), completed in accordance with the instructions on the form, to the issuing office within five (5) days of such transaction.
(6) No permittee, who is authorized to sell or barter migratory game birds pursuant to a permit issued under this section, may sell or barter such birds to any person unless that person is authorized to purchase and possess such migratory game birds under a permit issued pursuant to this part and part 13, or as permitted by regulations in this part.
(d)
(a)
(b)
(i) The number of raptors the applicant possesses at the time the application is submitted, including the species, age (if known), sex (if known), date of acquisition, and source of each;
(ii) A check or money order made payable to “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service” in the amount of the application fee listed in § 13.11(d) of this subchapter.
(iii) An original, signed certification concerning the validity of the information provided in the application in the form set forth in § 13.12(a)(5).
(iv) Any additional information requested by the State to which the application is submitted.
(2) Upon receipt of a joint application by a State listed in § 21.29(k) as a participant in a cooperative Federal/State permit application program, the State will process the application for a State falconry permit in accordance with its own procedures. A copy of the application, the check or money order for Federal permit fees, and the original, signed certification required by paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section will be forwarded to the issuing office of the Service designated by § 13.11(b) of this subchapter. If the State decides to issue a falconry permit based upon the application, a copy of the permit will also be forwarded to the appropriate issuing office of the Service.
(3) An applicant who wishes to practice falconry in a State listed in § 21.29(k) of this subchapter, but which does not participate in a cooperative Federal/State permit application program must submit a written application for a falconry permit to the issuing office designated by § 13.11(b) of this subchapter. Each application must contain the general information and certification required by § 13.12(a) of this subchapter plus a copy of a valid
(c)
(d)
(1) A permittee may not take, transport, or possess a golden eagle (
(2) A permit issued under this section is not valid unless the permittee has a valid State falconry permit issued by a State listed in § 21.29(k) of this subchapter.
(3) A permittee may not take, possess, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or transfer any raptor for falconry purposes except under authority of a Federal falconry permit issued under this section and in compliance with the Federal falconry standards set forth in § 21.29 of this subchapter.
(4) No permittee may take, purchase, receive, or otherwise acquire, sell, barter, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any raptor unless such permittee submits a form 3-186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report), completed in accordance with the instructions on the form, to the issuing office within five (5) calendar days of any such transaction.
(5) No raptor may be possessed under authority of a falconry permit unless the permittee has a properly completed form 3-186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report) for each bird possessed, except as provided in paragraph (d)(4) of this section.
(6) A raptor possessed under authority of a falconry permit may be temporarily held by a person other than the permittee for maintenance and care for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. The raptor must be accompanied at all times by a properly completed form 3-186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report) designating the person caring for the raptor as the possessor of record and by a signed, dated statement from the permittee authorizing the temporary possession.
(7) A permittee may not take, possess, or transport any peregrine falcon (
(i) Any peregrine falcon (
(ii) The loss or removal of any band must be reported to the issuing office within five (5) working days of the loss. The lost band must be replaced by a permanent, non-reusable band supplied by the Service. A form 3-186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report) must be filed in accordance with paragraph (d)(4) of this section reporting the loss of the band and rebanding.
(8) A permittee may not sell, purchase, barter, or offer to sell, purchase or barter any raptor unless the raptor is marked on the metatarsus by a seamless, numbered band supplied by the Service.
(9) A permittee may not propagate raptors without prior acquisition of a valid raptor propagation permit issued under section 21.30 of this subchapter.
(e)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(1)
(ii) A sponsor who is a holder of a General or Master Falconry Permit or equivalent class is required for the first two years in which an apprentice permit is held, regardless of the age of the permittee. A sponsor may not have more than three apprentices at any one time;
(iii) Permittee shall not possess more than one raptor and may not obtain more than one raptor for replacement during any 12-month period; and
(iv) Permittee shall possess only the following raptors which must be taken from the wild: an American kestrel (
(2) General (or equivalent) class. (i) A permittee shall be at least 18 years old;
(ii) A permittee shall have at least two years experience in the practice of falconry at the apprentice level or its equivalent;
(iii) A permittee may not possess more than two raptors and may not obtain more than two raptors for replacement birds during any 12-month period; and
(iv) A permittee may not take, transport, or possess any golden eagle or any species listed as threatened or endangered in part 17 of this subchapter.
(3)
(ii) A permittee may not possess more than three raptors and may not obtain more than two raptors taken from the wild for replacement birds during any 12-month period;
(iii) A permittee may not take any species listed as endangered in part 17 of this chapter, but may transport or possess such species in accordance with part 17 of this chapter.
(iv) A permittee may not take, transport, or possess any golden eagle for falconry purposes unless authorized in writing under § 22.24 of this subchapter;
(v) A permittee may not take, in any twelve (12) month period, as part of the
(f)
(g)
(1)
(i) Indoor facilities (mews) shall be large enough to allow easy access for caring for the raptors housed in the facility. If more than one raptor is to be kept in the mews, the raptors shall be tethered or separated by partitions and the area for each bird shall be large enough to allow the bird to fully extend its wings. There shall be at least one window, protected on the inside by vertical bars, spaced narrower than the width of the bird's body, and a secure door that can be easily closed. The floor of the mews shall permit easy cleaning and shall be well drained. Adequate perches shall be provided.
(ii) Outdoor facilities (weathering area) shall be fenced and covered with netting or wire, or roofed to protect the birds from disturbance and attack by predators except that perches more than 6
(2)
(i) Jesses—At least 1 pair of Alymeri jesses or similar type constructed of pliable, high-quality leather or suitable synthetic material to be used when any raptor is flown free. (Traditional 1-piece jesses may be used on raptors when not being flown.);
(ii) Leashes and swivels—At least 1 flexible, weather-resistant leash and 1 strong swivel of acceptable falconry design;
(iii) Bath container—At least 1 suitable container, 2 to 6 inches deep and wider than the length of the raptor, for drinking and bathing for each raptor;
(iv) Outdoor perches—At least 1 weathering area perch of an acceptable design shall be provided for each raptor; and
(v) Weighing device—A reliable scale or balance suitable for weighing the raptor(s) held and graduated to increments of not more than
(3)
(4)
(h)
(1) Any peregrine falcon (
(2) Any peregrine falcon (
(i)
(1) Young birds not yet capable of flight (eyasses) may only be taken by a General or Master Falconer during the period specified by the State and no more than two eyasses may be taken by the same permittee during the specified period.
(2) First-year (passage) birds may be taken only during the period specified by the State;
(3) In no case shall the total of all periods of taking of eyasses or passage birds exceed 180 days during a calendar year, except that a marked raptor may be retrapped at any time; and
(4) Only American kestrels (
(j)
(1) A person who possesses a lawfully acquired raptor before the enactment of these regulations and who fails to meet the permit requirements shall be allowed to retain the raptors. All such birds shall be identified with markers supplied by the Service and cannot be replaced if death, loss, release, or escape occurs.
(2) If you possessed raptors before January 15, 1976, the date these regulations were enacted, and you had more than the number allowed under your permit, you may retain the extra raptors. However, each of those birds must be identified with markers we supplied, and you cannot replace any birds, nor can you obtain any additional raptors, until the number in your possession is at least one fewer than the total number authorized by the class of permit you hold.
(3) A falconry permit holder shall obtain written authorization from the appropriate State wildlife department before any species not indigenous to that State is intentionally released to the wild, at which time the marker from the released bird shall be removed and surrendered to the State wildlife department. The marker from an intentionally released bird which is indigenous to that State shall also be removed and surrendered to the State wildlife department. A standard Federal bird band shall be attached to such birds by the State or Service-authorized Federal bird bander whenever possible.
(4) A raptor possessed under authority of a falconry permit may be temporarily held by a person other than the permittee only if that person is otherwise authorized to possess raptors, and only if the raptor is accompanied at all times by the properly completed form 3-186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report) designating the permittee as the possessor of record and by a signed, dated statement from the permittee authorizing the temporary possession.
(5) Feathers that are molted or those feathers from birds held in captivity that die, may be retained and exchanged by permittees only for imping purposes.
(k)
(a)
(b)
(1) A statement indicating the purpose(s) for which a raptor propagation permit is sought and, where applicable, the scientific or educational objectives of the applicant;
(2) A statement indicating whether the applicant has been issued a State permit authorizing raptor propagation (include name of State, permit number, and expiration date);
(3) A statement fully describing the nature and extent of the applicant's experience with raptor propagation or handling raptors;
(4) A description of each raptor the applicant possesses or will acquire for propagation purposes to include the species, age (if known), sex (if known), date of acquisition, source, and raptor marker number;
(5) A description of each raptor the applicant possesses for purposes other than raptor propagation to include thespecies, age (if known), sex (if known), date of acquisition, source, raptor marker number, and purpose for which it is possessed;
(6) A description and photographs of the facilities and equipment to be used by the applicant including the dimensions of any structures intended for housing the birds;
(7) A statement indicating whether the applicant requests authority to take raptors or raptor eggs from the wild.
(c)
(1) Whether an applicant's raptor propagation facilities are adequate for the number and species of raptors to be held under the permit.
(2) Whether propagation is authorized by the State in which the propagation will occur, and if authorized, whether the applicant has any required State propagation permit.
(3) Whether the applicant is at least 18 years old with a minimum of 2 years experience handling raptors, and if the applicant requests authority to propagate endangered or threatened species, whether the applicant is at least 23 years old with a minimum of 7 years experience handling raptors.
(4) If the applicant requests authority to take raptors or raptor eggs from the wild:
(i) Whether issuance of the permit would have a significant effect on any wild population of raptors;
(ii) Whether suitable captive stock is available; and
(iii) Whether wild stock is needed to enhance the genetic variability of captive stock.
(d)
(1)
(i) Minimize the risk of injury by providing protection from predators, disturbances that would likely cause harm, extreme weather conditions, and collision with interior or perimeter construction materials and equipment such as support poles, windows, wire netting, perches, or lights;
(ii) Enhance sanitation by providing a well-drained floor, fresh air ventilation, source of light, fresh water for bathing and drinking, access for cleaning, and interior construction materials suitable for thorough cleaning or disinfection; and
(iii) Enhance the welfare and breeding success of the raptors by providing suitable perches, nesting and feeding sites, and observation ports or inspection windows during times when disturbance is felt to be undesirable.
(2)
(3)
(i) Except for captive-bred raptors lawfully marked with a seamless, numbered band provided by the Service, any raptor possessed for propagation purposes shall be banded with a permanent, non-reusable, numbered band issued by the Service.
(ii) Unless specifically exempted by the conditions of the raptor propagation permit, each captive-bred raptor produced under authority of a raptor propagation permit shall be banded within two (2) weeks of hatching with a numbered, seamless band provided by the Service, placed on the raptor's leg (metatarsus). In marking captive-bred raptors, permittees:
(A) Shall use a band with an opening (inside diameter) which is small enough to prevent its removal when the raptor is fully grown without causing serious injury to the raptor or damaging the bands integrity or one-piece construction;
(B) May band a raptor with more than one size band when the potential diameter of the raptor's leg at maturity cannot be determined at the time of banding;
(C) Shall remove all but one band from any raptor with more than one band before the raptor is five (5) weeks of age and return all bands removed to the issuing office.
(iii) No raptor taken from the wild, produced from an egg taken from the wild, or produced from an egg from any source other than bred in captivity under authority of a raptor propagation permit may be banded with a numbered seamless band issued by the Service.
(iv) No permittee under this section may band any raptor with any band issued or authorized by the Service unless that raptor is lawfully possessed by the permittee.
(4)
(i) The State or foreign country in which the raptors or raptor eggs are taken must authorize the permittee in writing to take raptors or raptor eggs from the wild for propagation purposes;
(ii) No raptor listed in § 17.11 of this chapter as “endangered” or “threatened” may be taken from the wild without first obtaining the proper permit under part 17 of this chapter; and
(iii) No raptor or raptor egg may be taken from the wild except in accordance with State law.
(5)
(ii) A permittee may transfer, purchase, sell, or barter any raptor which is banded with a numbered seamless marker provided or authorized by the Service, subject to the following conditions:
(A) When the permittee purchases from, sells to, or barters with any person in the U.S., that person must be authorized under this part to purchase, sell, or barter captive-bred raptors;
(B) When the permittee purchases from or barters with any person in a foreign country, that person must be authorized by the competent wildlife management authority of the foreign country in which the transaction occurs to sell or barter captive-bred raptors; and
(C) When the permittee transfers to, sells to or barters with any person in a foreign country, that person must be authorized to possess, purchase or barter captive-bred raptors by the competent wildlife management authority of his/her country of residence or domicile and the same wildlife management authority must certify in writing that the recipient is an experienced falconer or raptor propagator who is required to maintain any raptors in his/her possession under conditions that are comparable to the conditions under which a permittee must maintain raptors under § 21.29 or § 21.30. No certification is required if the competent wildlife management authority itself is the recipient of captive-bred raptors for conservation purposes.
(iii) No raptor may be traded, transferred, purchased, sold, or bartered until it is two weeks old and only after it is properly banded with a nonreuseable marker provided or authorized by the Service, unless it is transferred, sold, or bartered to a State or Federal wildlife management agency for conservation purposes.
(iv) A permittee may purchase, sell, or barter semen collected from any captive-bred raptor.
(v) A permittee may not purchase, sell or barter any raptor eggs, any raptors taken from the wild, any raptor semen collected from the wild, or any raptors hatched from eggs taken from the wild.
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
(12)
(13)
(ii) A permittee may possess addled or blown eggs, nests, and feathers from raptors held under permit and may transfer any of these items to any other person authorized by the Service to possess them provided no money or other consideration is involved.
(14)
(ii) No raptor produced by interspecific hybridization may be intentionally released to the wild.
(15)
(i) Acquisition of raptors, eggs, or semen from sources other than production.
(A) Description of stock:
(
(
(
(B) Type of stock (including number or amount):
(
(
(
(C) How acquired:
(
(
(D) Date acquired: month, day, and year.
(E) From whom or where stock acquired:
(
(
(ii) Disposition of raptors, eggs, or semen.
(A) Description of stock:
(
(
(
(B) Type of stock (including number or amount):
(
(
(
(C) Manner of disposition:
(
(
(
(
(D) Date of disposition: month, day, and year.
(E) To whom or where stock disposed:
(
(
(iii) Production and pedigree record.
(A) Mother and father(s):
(
(
(
(B) Insemination:
(
(
(
(C) Eggs laid:
(
(
(
(D) Eggs hatched:
(
(
(
(E) Young raised to 2 weeks of age:
(
(
(16)
(i) Number of raptors possessed as of December 31 (including the species, marker number, sex, and age of each raptor).
(ii) Number of females laying eggs.
(iii) Number of eggs laid.
(iv) Number of eggs hatched.
(v) Number of young raised to 2 weeks of age.
(vi) Number of raptors purchased, sold, bartered, received, or transferred (including the species, marker number, sex, and age of each raptor) the date of the transaction, and the name, address and permit number of each purchaser, seller, barterer, transferor, or transferee.
(e)
(a)
(b)
(i) Take from the wild or receive from another person sick, injured, or orphaned migratory birds and to possess them and provide rehabilitative care for them for up to 180 days;
(ii) Transport such birds to a suitable habitat for release, to another permitted rehabilitator's facilities, or to a veterinarian;
(iii) Transfer, release, or euthanize such birds;
(iv) Transfer or otherwise dispose of dead specimens; and
(v) Receive, stabilize, and transfer within 48 hours types of migratory bird species not authorized by your permit, in cases of emergency. If a rehabilitator authorized to care for the bird is not available within that timeframe, you must contact the issuing office for authorization to retain the bird until it can be transferred.
(2) The permit does not authorize the use of migratory birds for educational purposes.
(c)
(1) A completed application (Form 3-200-10b);
(2) A copy of your State rehabilitation permit, license, or other authorization, if one is required in your State; and
(3) A check or money order made payable to the “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service” in the amount of the application fee for permits issued under this section listed in § 13.11 of this chapter.
(d)
(i) You must be at least 18 years of age with at least 100 hours of hands-on experience, gained over the course of at least 1 whole year, rehabilitating the types of migratory birds you intend to rehabilitate (e.g., waterbirds, raptors), or comparable experience. Up to 20 hours of the 100-hour time requirement may be fulfilled by participation in migratory bird rehabilitation seminars and courses.
(ii) Your facilities must be adequate to properly care for the type(s) of migratory bird species you intend to rehabilitate, or you must have a working relationship with a person or organization with such facilities.
(iii) You must have an agreement with a licensed veterinarian to provide medical care for the birds you intend to rehabilitate, unless you are a licensed veterinarian.
(iv) You must have a State permit, license, or other authorization to rehabilitate migratory birds if such authorization required by your State.
(2) In issuing a permit, the Regional Director may place restrictions on the types of migratory bird species you are authorized to rehabilitate, based on your experience and facilities as well as on the specific physical requirements and behavioral traits of particular species.
(e)
(1)
(i) Rehabilitation facilities for migratory birds must be secure and provide protection from predators, domestic animals, undue human disturbance, sun, wind, and inclement weather.
(ii) Caging must be made of a material that will not entangle or cause injury to the type of birds that will be housed within.
(iii) Enclosures must be kept clean, well-ventilated, and hygienic.
(iv) Birds must not be overcrowded, and must be provided enough perches, if applicable.
(v) Birds must be housed only with compatible migratory bird species.
(vi) Birds may not be displayed to the public unless you use video equipment, barriers, or other methods to reduce noise and exposure to humans to levels the birds would normally encounter in their habitat. You may not use any equipment for this purpose that causes stress or harm, or impedes the rehabilitation of any bird.
(2)
(3)
(4)
(ii) You may not retain migratory birds longer than 180 days without additional authorization from your Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office. You must release all recuperated birds to suitable habitat as soon as seasonal conditions allow, following recovery of the bird. If the appropriate season for release is outside the 180-day timeframe, you must seek authorization from the Service to hold the bird until the appropriate season. Before releasing a threatened or endangered migratory bird, you must coordinate with your issuing Migratory Bird Permit Office.
(iii) You must euthanize any bird that cannot feed itself, perch upright, or ambulate without inflicting additional injuries to itself where medical and/or rehabilitative care will not reverse such conditions. You must euthanize any bird that is completely blind, and any bird that has sustained injuries that would require amputation of a leg, a foot, or a wing at the elbow or above (humero-ulnar joint) rather than performing such surgery, unless:
(A) A licensed veterinarian submits a written recommendation that the bird should be kept alive, including an analysis of why the bird is not expected to experience the injuries and/or ailments that typically occur in birds with these injuries and a commitment (from the veterinarian) to provide medical care for the bird for the duration of its life, including complete examinations at least once a year;
(B) A placement is available for the bird with a person or facility authorized to possess it, where it will receive the veterinary care described in paragraph (e)(4)(iii)(A) of this section; and
(C) The issuing office specifically authorizes continued possession, medical treatment, and rehabilitative care of the bird.
(iv) You must obtain authorization from your issuing Migratory Bird Permit Office before euthanizing endangered and threatened migratory bird species. In rare cases, the Service may designate a disposition other than euthanasia for those birds. If Service personnel are not available, you may euthanize endangered and threatened migratory birds without Service authorization when prompt euthanasia is warranted by humane consideration for the welfare of the bird.
(v) You may place nonreleasable live birds that are suitable for use in educational programs, foster parenting, research projects, or other permitted activities with persons permitted or otherwise authorized to possess such birds, with prior approval from your issuing Migratory Bird Permit Office.
(vi)(A) You may donate dead birds and parts thereof, except threatened and endangered species, and bald and golden eagles, to persons authorized by permit to possess migratory bird specimens or exempted from permit requirements under § 21.12.
(B) You must obtain approval from your issuing office before disposing of or transferring any live or dead endangered or threatened migratory bird specimen, parts, or feathers.
(C) You must send all dead bald and golden eagles, and their parts and feathers to: National Eagle Repository, Building 128, Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City, CO 80022. If your State requires you to notify State wildlife officers of a dead bald or golden eagle before sending the eagle to the Repository you must comply with State regulations. States may assume temporary possession of the carcasses for purposes of necropsy.
(D) Unless specifically required to do otherwise by the Service, you must
(vii) With authorization from your issuing Migratory Bird Permit Office, you may hold a nonreleasable bird longer than 180 days for the purpose of fostering juveniles during their rehabilitation. You may also use birds you possess under an educational permit to foster juveniles.
(viii) You may possess a reasonable number of feathers for imping purposes, based on the numbers and species of birds for which you regularly provide care.
(ix) You may draw blood and take other medical samples for purposes of the diagnosis and recovery of birds under your care, or for transfer to authorized facilities conducting research pertaining to a contagious disease or other public health hazard.
(x) You may conduct necropsies on dead specimens in your possession, except that you must obtain approval from your Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office before conducting necropsies on threatened or endangered species.
(xi) This permit does not confer ownership of any migratory bird. All birds held under this permit remain under the stewardship of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
(5)
(ii) You must immediately notify the local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Office if you have reason to believe a bird has been poisoned, electrocuted, shot, or otherwise subjected to criminal activity. Contact information for your local Service Law Enforcement office is listed on your permit, or you can obtain it on the Internet at
(iii) If the sickness, injury, or death of any bird is due or likely due to avian virus, or other contagious disease or public health hazard, you must notify and comply with the instructions given by the State or local authority that is responsible for tracking the suspected disease or hazard in your location, if that agency is currently collecting such information from the public.
(6) You must maintain a working relationship with a licensed veterinarian. If your working relationship with your original cooperating veterinarian is dissolved, you must establish an agreement within 30 days with another licensed veterinarian to provide medical services to the birds in your care, and furnish a copy of this agreement to the issuing office.
(7)
(8)
(9) At the discretion of the Regional Director, we may stipulate on the face of your permit additional conditions compatible with the permit conditions set forth in this section, to place limits on numbers and/or types of birds you may possess under your permit, to stipulate authorized location(s) for your rehabilitation activities, or otherwise specify permitted activities, based on your experience and facilities.
(f)
(1)
(ii) This permit does not authorize salvage of dead migratory birds. When dead migratory birds are discovered, a Service law enforcement officer must be notified immediately in order to coordinate the handling and collection of evidence. Contact information for your local Service Law Enforcement office is listed on your permit and on the Internet at
(iii) You must notify your issuing Migratory Bird Permit Office of any migratory birds in your possession within 24 hours of removing such birds from the area.
(2)
(ii)
(g)
(h)
(i)
(2) If your original permit authorization predates permit application procedures requiring submission of photographs and diagrams for approval of your facilities, and your facilities have never been approved by the migratory bird permit office on the basis of such photographs and diagrams, you must submit photographs and diagrams of your facilities as part of your renewal application. If those facilities do not meet the criteria set forth under this section, your permit may be renewed for only 1 year. We will re-evaluate your facilities when you seek renewal
(3) If your facilities have already been approved on the basis of photographs and diagrams, and authorized under a valid § 21.27 special purpose permit, then they are preapproved to be authorized under your new permit issued under this section, unless those facilities have materially diminished in size or quality from what was authorized when you last renewed your permit, or unless you wish to expand the authorizations granted by your permit (e.g., the number or types of birds you rehabilitate). Regulations governing permit renewal are set forth in § 13.22 of this chapter.
(a)
(b)
(1) A description of the area where depredations are occurring;
(2) The nature of the crops or other interests being injured;
(3) The extent of such injury; and
(4) The particular species of migratory birds committing the injury.
(c)
(1) Permittees may not kill migratory birds unless specifically authorized on the permit.
(2) Unless otherwise specifically authorized, when permittees are authorized to kill migratory birds they may do so only with a shotgun not larger than No. 10 gauge fired from the shoulder, and only on or over the threatened area or area described on the permit.
(3) Permittees may not use blinds, pits, or other means of concealment, decoys, duck calls, or other devices to lure or entice birds within gun range.
(4) All migratory birds killed shall be retrieved by the permittee and turned over to a Bureau representative or his designee for disposition to charitable or other worthy institutions for use as food, or otherwise disposed of as provided by law.
(5) Only persons named on the permit are authorized to act as agents of the permittee under authority of the permit.
(d)
Upon the receipt of evidence clearly showing that migratory game birds have accumulated in such numbers in a particular area as to cause or about to cause serious damage to agricultural, horticultural, and fish cultural interests, the Director is authorized to issue by publication in the
(a) That such birds may only be killed by shooting with a shotgun not larger than No. 10 gauge fired from the shoulder, and only on or over the threatened area or areas;
(b) That shooting shall be limited to such time as may be fixed by the Director on the basis of all circumstances involved. If prior to termination of the
(c) That such migratory birds as are killed under the provisions of any depredation order may be used for food or donated to public museums or public scientific and educational institutions for exhibition, scientific, or educational purposes, but shall not be sold, offered for sale, bartered, or shipped for purpose of sale or barter, or be wantonly wasted or destroyed:
(d) That any order issued pursuant to this section shall not authorize the killing of the designated species of depredating birds contrary to any State laws or regulations. The order shall specify that it is issued as an emergency measure designed to relieve depredations only and shall not be construed as opening, reopening, or extending any open hunting season contrary to any regulations promulgated pursuant to section 3 of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
A Federal permit shall not be required to control yellow-headed red-winged, rusty, and Brewer's blackbirds, cowbirds, all grackles, crows, and magpies, when found committing or about to commit depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance:
(a) That none of the birds killed pursuant to this section, nor their plumage, shall be sold or offered for sale, but may be possessed, transported, and otherwise disposed of or utilized.
(b) That any person exercising any of the privileges granted by this section shall permit at all reasonable times including during actual operations, any Federal or State game or deputy game agent, warden, protector, or other game law enforcement officer free and unrestricted access over the premises on which such operations have been or are being conducted; and shall furnish promptly to such officer whatever information he may require, concerning said operations.
(c) That nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the killing of such birds contrary to any State laws or regulations; and that none of the privileges granted under this section shall be exercised unless the person possesses whatever permit as may be required for such activities by the State concerned.
In any county in California in which horned larks, golden-crowned, white-crowned and other crowned sparrows, and house finches are, under extraordinary conditions, seriously injurious to agricultural or other interests, the Commissioner of Agriculture may, without a permit, kill or cause to be killed under his/her general supervision such of the above migratory birds as may be necessary to safeguard any agricultural or horticultural crop in the county:
(a) That such migratory birds shall be killed only when necessary to protect agricultural or horticultural crops from depredation; that none of the above migratory birds killed, or the parts thereof, or the plumage of such birds, shall be sold or removed from the area where killed; but that all such dead migratory birds shall be buried or otherwise destroyed within this area, except that any specimens needed for scientific purposes, as determined by the State or the Director shall not be destroyed.
(b) That any Commissioner of Agriculture exercising the privileges granted by this section shall keep records of the persons authorized by the Commissioner to kill such migratory birds, and the estimated number of such birds killed pursuant to the exercise of his authority, and the Commissioner shall submit a report thereof to the Director
Landowners, sharecroppers, tenants, or their employees or agents, actually engaged in the production of rice in Louisiana, may, without a permit, shoot purple gallinules
(a) That purple gallinules may only be killed pursuant to this section between May 1 and August 15 in any year.
(b) That purple gallinules killed pursuant to this section shall not be transported or sold or offered for sale except that, such transportation within the area, as may be necessary to bury or otherwise destroy the carcasses of such birds is permitted:
(c) That any person exercising any of the privileges granted by this section shall permit at all reasonable times, including during actual operations, any Federal or State game or deputy game agent, warden, protector, or other game law enforcement officer free and unrestricted access over the premises on which such operations have been or are being conducted; and shall furnish promptly to such officer whatever information he may require, concerning said operations.
(d) That nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the killing of such migratory birds contrary to any State laws or regulations; and that none of the privileges granted under this section shall be exercised unless the person possesses whatever permit as may be required for such activities by the State of Louisiana.
(e) That any person authorized by this section to exercise the privileges granted therein shall maintain records of the number of birds killed on the premises and shall submit a report thereof, on or before December 31 of each year, to the Director.
Landowners, sharecroppers, tenants, or their employees or agents actually engaged in the production of nut crops in Washington and Oregon may, without a permit, take scrub jays (
(a) That scrub jays and Steller's jays may only be taken pursuant to this section between August 1 and December 1 in any year, in the Washington counties of Clark, Cowlitz, and Lewis; and the Oregon counties of Benton, Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill.
(b) That scrub jays and Steller's jays taken pursuant to this section shall not be transported or sold or offered for sale except that, such transportation within the area, as may be necessary to bury or otherwise destroy the carcasses of such birds is permitted:
(c) That such birds may be taken only by trapping or shooting and on areas where serious depredations are being or are about to be committed.
(d) That any person exercising any of the privileges granted by this section shall permit at all reasonable times, including during actual operations, any Federal or State game or deputy game agent, warden, protector, or other law enforcement officer free and unrestricted access over the premises on which such operations have been or are being conducted; and shall furnish
(e) That nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the killing of such migratory birds contrary to any State laws or regulations; and that none of the privileges granted under this section shall be exercised unless the person possesses whatever permit as may be required for such activities by the States of Washington and Oregon.
(f) That any person authorized by this section to exercise the privileges granted therein shall maintain records of the number of birds killed on the premises and shall submit a report thereof, on or before December 31 of each year, to the appropriate Special Agent in Charge (see § 10.22 of this subchapter).
(a)
(b)
(c)
(2) This depredation order authorizes employees of the Wildlife Services program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to take double-crested cormorants, with appropriate landowner permission, at roost sites in the vicinity of aquaculture facilities, at any time, day or night, during the months of October, November, December, January, February, March, and April.
(3) Authorized employees of the Wildlife Services program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service may designate agents to carry out control, provided these individuals act under the conditions of the order.
(d)
(2) Double-crested cormorants may be taken only by shooting with firearms, including rifles. Persons using shotguns are required to use nontoxic shot as listed in 50 CFR 20.21(j).
(3) Persons operating under this depredation order may use decoys, taped calls, or other devices to lure within gun range birds committing or about to commit depredations.
(4) Persons operating under this depredation order must obtain appropriate landowner permission before implementing activities authorized by the order.
(5) Double-crested cormorants may not be killed contrary to the laws or regulations of any State, and none of the privileges of this section may be exercised unless the person possesses the appropriate State or other permits, if required.
(6) Persons operating under this depredation order must properly dispose of double-crested cormorants killed in control efforts:
(i) Individuals may donate birds killed under authority of this order to museums or other such scientific and
(ii) Individuals may also bury or incinerate birds taken; and
(iii) Individuals may not allow birds taken under this order, or their plumage, to be sold, offered for sale, bartered, or shipped for purpose of sale or barter.
(7) Nothing in this depredation order authorizes the take of any migratory bird species other than double-crested cormorants. Two look-alike species co-occur with double-crested cormorants in the southeastern States: the anhinga, which occurs across the southeastern United States, and the neotropic cormorant, which is found in varying numbers in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Both species can be mistaken for double-crested cormorants, but take of these two species is not authorized under this depredation order. Persons operating under this order must immediately report the take of a migratory bird species other than double-crested cormorants to the appropriate Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office.
(8) Nothing in this depredation order authorizes the take of any species protected by the Endangered Species Act. Persons operating under this order must immediately report the take of species protected under the Endangered Species Act to the Service.
(i) To protect wood storks and bald eagles, the following conservation measures must be observed within any geographic area where Endangered Species Act protection applies to these species: All control activities are allowed if the activities occur more than 1,500 feet from active wood stork nesting colonies, more than 1,000 feet from active wood stork roost sites, and more than 750 feet from feeding wood storks, and if they occur more than 750 feet from active bald eagle nests.
(ii) At their discretion, landowners, operators, and tenants may contact the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office to request modification of the measures listed in paragraph (d)(8)(i) of this section. Such modification can occur only if the Regional Director determines, on the basis of coordination between the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office and the Endangered Species Field Office, that wood storks and bald eagles will not be adversely affected.
(iii) If adverse effects are anticipated from the control activities in a geographical area where Endangered Species Act protection applies to wood storks or bald eagles, either during the intra-Service coordination discussions described above or at any other time, the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office will initiate consultation with the Endangered Species Field Offices.
(9) Persons operating under this depredation order must:
(i) Keep a log recording the date, number, and location of all birds killed each year under this authorization;
(ii) Maintain this log for a period of 3 years (and maintain records for 3 previous years of takings at all times thereafter); and
(iii) Each year, provide the previous year's log to the appropriate Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office. Regional Office addresses are found in § 2.2 of subchapter A of this chapter.
(10) We reserve the right to suspend or revoke the authority of any Agency or individual granted by this order if we find that the specified purpose, terms, and conditions have not been adhered to by that Agency or individual or if the long-term sustainability of double-crested cormorant populations is threatened by that Agency's or individual's action(s). The criteria and procedures for suspension, revocation, reconsideration, and appeal are outlined in §§ 13.27 through 13.29 of this subchapter. For the purposes of this section, “issuing officer” means the Regional Director and “permit” means the authority to act under this depredation order. For purposes of § 13.29(e), appeals shall be made to the Director.
(e)
(f)
(a)
(b)
(c)
(2) Agencies may designate agents to carry out control, provided those individuals act under the conditions of the order.
(3) Federally recognized Tribes and their agents may carry out control only on reservation lands or ceded lands within their jurisdiction.
(d)
(2) Double-crested cormorants may be taken only by means of egg oiling, egg and nest destruction, cervical dislocation, firearms, and CO
(3) Persons operating under this depredation order may use decoys, taped calls, or other devices to lure within gun range birds committing or about to commit depredation of public resources.
(4) Persons operating under this depredation order must obtain appropriate landowner permission before implementing activities authorized by the order.
(5) Persons operating under this depredation order may not take double-crested cormorants contrary to the laws or regulations of any State, and none of the privileges of this section may be exercised unless the person possesses the appropriate State or other permits, if required.
(6) Persons operating under this depredation order must properly dispose of double-crested cormorants killed in control efforts:
(i) Individuals may donate birds killed under authority of this order to museums or other such scientific and educational institutions for the purposes of scientific or educational exhibition;
(ii) Individuals may also bury or incinerate birds taken; and
(iii) Individuals may not allow birds taken under this order, or their plumage, to be sold, offered for sale, bartered, or shipped for purpose of sale or barter.
(7) Nothing in this depredation order authorizes the take of any migratory bird species other than double-crested cormorants. Two look-alike species co-occur with double-crested cormorants in the southeastern States: the anhinga, which occurs across the southeastern United States, and the neotropic cormorant, which is found in
(8) Nothing in this depredation order authorizes the take of any species protected by the Endangered Species Act. Persons operating under this order must immediately report the take of species protected under the Endangered Species Act to the Service.
(i) To protect piping plovers, interior least terns, wood storks, and bald eagles, the following conservation measures must be observed within any geographic area where Endangered Species Act protection applies to these species:
(A) The discharge/use of firearms to kill or harass double-crested cormorants or use of other harassment methods are allowed if the control activities occur more than 1,000 feet from active piping plover or interior least tern nests or colonies; occur more than 1,500 feet from active wood stork nesting colonies, more than 1,000 feet from active wood stork roost sites, and more than 750 feet from feeding wood storks; or occur more than 750 feet from active bald eagle nests;
(B) Other control activities such as egg oiling, cervical dislocation, CO
(C) To ensure adequate protection of piping plovers, any Agency or its agents who plan to implement control activities that may affect areas designated as piping plover critical habitat in the Great Lakes Region are to obtain prior approval from the appropriate Regional Director. Requests for approval of activities in these areas must be submitted to the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office. The Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office will then coordinate with the Endangered Species Field Office staff to assess whether the measures in paragraph (d)(8)(i)(B) of this section are adequate.
(ii) At their discretion, Agencies or their agents may contact the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office to request modification of the above measures. Such modification can occur only if the Regional Director determines, on the basis of coordination between the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office and the Endangered Species Field Office, that the species listed in paragraph (d)(8)(i) of this section will not be adversely affected.
(iii) If adverse effects are anticipated from the control activities in a geographical area where Endangered Species Act protection applies to any of the four species listed in paragraph (d)(8)(i) of this section, either during the intra-Service coordination discussions described in paragraph (d)(8)(i)(C) of this section or at any other time, the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office will initiate consultation with the Endangered Species Field Offices.
(9) Responsible Agencies must, before they initiate any control activities in a given year, provide a one-time written notice to the appropriate Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office indicating that they intend to act under this order.
(i) Additionally, if any Agency plans a single control action that would individually, or a succession of such actions that would cumulatively, kill more than 10 percent of the double-crested cormorants in a breeding colony, it must first provide written notification to the appropriate Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office. This letter must be received no later than 30 days in advance of the activity and must provide:
(A) The location (indicating specific colonies, if applicable) of the proposed control activity;
(B) A description of the proposed control activity, specifying what public resources are being impacted, how many birds are likely to be taken and what approximate percentage they are of
(C) Contact information for the person in charge of the control action.
(ii) The Regional Director may prevent any such activity by notifying the agency in writing if the Regional Director deems the activity a threat to the long-term sustainability of double-crested cormorants or any other migratory bird species.
(10) Persons operating under this order must keep records of all activities, including those of designated agents, carried out under this order. On an annual basis, Agencies must provide the Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office with a report detailing activities conducted under the authority of this order, including:
(i) By date and location, a summary of the number of double-crested cormorants killed and/or number of nests in which eggs were oiled;
(ii) A statement of efforts being made to minimize incidental take of nontarget species and a report of the number and species of migratory birds involved in such take, if any;
(iii) A description of the impacts or anticipated impacts to public resources by double-crested cormorants and a statement of the management objectives for the area in question;
(iv) A description of the evidence supporting the conclusion that double-crested cormorants are causing or will cause these impacts;
(v) A discussion of other limiting factors affecting the resource (e.g., biological, environmental, and socioeconomic); and
(vi) A discussion of how control efforts are expected to, or actually did, alleviate resource impacts.
(11) Agencies must provide annual reports to the appropriate Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office, as described in paragraph (d)(10) of this section, by December 31 for the reporting period October 1 of the previous year to September 30 of the same year. For example, reports for the period October 1, 2003, to September 30, 2004, would be due on or before December 31, 2004. The Service will regularly review Agency reports and will periodically assess the overall impact of this program to ensure compatibility with the long-term conservation of double-crested cormorants and other resources.
(12) In some situations, Agencies may deem it necessary to reduce or eliminate local breeding populations of double-crested cormorants to reduce the occurrence of resource impacts.
(i) For such actions, Agencies must:
(A) Comply with paragraph (d)(9) of this section;
(B) Carefully plan activities to avoid disturbance of nontarget species;
(C) Evaluate effects of management activities on cormorants at the control site;
(D) Evaluate, by means of collecting data or using best available information, effects of management activities on the public resources being protected and on nontarget species; and
(E) Include this information in the report described in paragraph (d)(10) of this section.
(ii) Agencies may coordinate with the appropriate Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office in the preparation of this information to attain technical or other assistance.
(13) We reserve the right to suspend or revoke the authority of any Agency, Tribe, or State Director granted by this order if we find that the specified purpose, terms, and conditions have not been adhered to or if the long-term sustainability of double-crested cormorant populations is threatened by the action(s) of that Agency, Tribe, or State Director. The criteria and procedures for suspension, revocation, reconsideration, and appeal are outlined in §§ 13.27 through 13.29 of this subchapter. For the purposes of this section, “issuing officer” means the Regional Director and “permit” means the authority to act under this depredation order. For purposes of § 13.29(e), appeals shall be made to the Director.
(e)
(f)
(a)
(b)
(2) Tribal lands within the geographic boundaries in paragraph (b)(1) of this section.
(3) The following areas within the boundaries in paragraph (b)(1) of this section are closed to the conservation order after 10 March of each year: Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (CO); Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (NM); the area within 5 miles of the Platte River from Lexington, Nebraska to Grand Island, Nebraska; the following area in and around Aransas National Wildlife Refuge; those portions of Refugio, Calhoun, and Aransas counties that lie inside a line extending from 5 nautical miles offshore to and including Pelican Island, thence to Port O'Conner, thence northwest along State Highway 185 and southwest along State Highway 35 to Aransas Pass, thence southeast along State Highway 361 to Port Aransas, thence east along the Corpus Christi Channel, thence southeast along the Aransas Channel, extending to 5 nautical miles offshore; except that it is lawful to take mid-continent light geese after 10 March of each year within the Guadalupe WMA. If at any time we receive evidence that a need to close the areas in this paragraph (b)(3) no longer exists, we will publish a proposal to remove the closures in the
(c)
(1) Activities conducted under this section may not affect endangered or threatened species as designated under the Endangered Species Act.
(2) Control activities must be conducted clearly as such and are intended to relieve pressures on migratory birds and habitat essential to migratory bird populations only and are not to be construed as opening, re-opening, or extending any open hunting season contrary to any regulations promulgated under section 3 of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
(3) Control activities may be conducted only when all waterfowl and crane hunting seasons, excluding falconry, are closed.
(4) Control measures employed through this section may be implemented only between the hours of one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.
(5) Nothing in this section may limit or initiate management actions on Federal land without concurrence of the Federal Agency with jurisdiction.
(6) States and Tribes must designate participants who must operate under the conditions of this section.
(7) States and Tribes must inform participants of the requirements/conditions of this section that apply.
(8) States and Tribes must keep records of activities carried out under the authority of this section, including the number of mid-continent light geese taken under this section, the methods by which they were taken,
(d)
(1) Nothing in this section authorizes the take of mid-continent light geese contrary to any State or Tribal laws or regulations; and none of the privileges granted under this section may be exercised unless persons acting under the authority of the conservation order possesses whatever permit or other authorization(s) required for such activities by the State or Tribal government concerned.
(2) Participants who take mid-continent light geese under this section may not sell or offer for sale those birds nor their plumage, but may possess, transport, and otherwise properly use them.
(3) Participants acting under the authority of this section must permit at all reasonable times, including during actual operations, any Federal or State game or deputy game agent, warden, protector, or other game law enforcement officer free and unrestricted access over the premises on which such operations have been or are being conducted, and must promptly furnish whatever information an officer requires concerning the operation.
(4) Participants acting under the authority of this section may take mid-continent light geese by any method except those prohibited as follows:
(i) With a trap, snare, net, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than 10 gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machine gun, fish hook, poison, drug, explosive, or stupefying substance;
(ii) From or by means, aid, or use of a sinkbox or any other type of low floating device, having a depression affording the person a means of concealment beneath the surface of the water;
(iii) From or by means, aid, or use of any motor vehicle, motor-driven land conveyance, or aircraft of any kind, except that paraplegics and persons missing one or both legs may take from any stationary motor vehicle or stationary motor-driven land conveyance;
(iv) From or by means of any motorboat or other craft having a motor attached, or any sailboat, unless the motor has been completely shut off and the sails furled, and its progress therefrom has ceased. A craft under power may be used only to retrieve dead or crippled birds; however, the craft may not be used under power to shoot any crippled birds;
(v) By the use or aid of live birds as decoys; although not limited to, it shall be a violation of this paragraph for any person to take mid-continent light geese on an area where tame or captive live geese are present unless such birds are and have been for a period of 10 consecutive days before the taking, confined within an enclosure that substantially reduces the audibility of their calls and totally conceals the birds from the sight of mid-continent light geese;
(vi) By means or aid of any motor-driven land, water, or air conveyance, or any sailboat used for the purpose of or resulting in the concentrating, driving, rallying, or stirring up of mid-continent light geese;
(vii) By the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area. As used in this paragraph, “baiting” means the placing, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering of shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, salt, or other feed so as to constitute for such birds a lure, attraction or enticement to, on, or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them; and “baited area” means any area where shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, salt, or other feed capable of luring, attracting, or enticing such birds is directly or indirectly placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered; and such area shall remain a baited area for 10 days following complete removal of all such corn, wheat or other grain, salt, or other feed. However, nothing in this paragraph prohibits the taking of mid-
(viii) Participants may not possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than steel shot, or bismuth-tin, or other shots that are authorized in 50 CFR 20.21(j). Season limitations in that section do not apply to participants acting under this order.
(e)
(f)
16 U.S.C. 668a; 16 U.S.C. 703-712; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544.
This part controls the taking, possession, and transportation within the United States of bald and golden eagles for scientific, educational, and depredation control purposes and for the religious purposes of American Indian tribes. This part also governs the transportation into or out of the United States of bald and golden eagle parts for scientific, educational, and Indian religious purposes. The import, export, purchase, sale, trade, or barter of bald and golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs is prohibited.
(a)(1) You can possess or transport within the United States, without a Federal permit:
(i) Any live or dead bald eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs that were
(ii) Any live or dead golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs that were lawfully acquired before October 24, 1962.
(2) You may not transport into or out of the United States, import, export, purchase, sell, trade, barter, or offer for purchase, sale, trade, or barter bald or golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs of these lawfully acquired pre-act birds. However, you may transport into or out of the United States any lawfully acquired dead bald or golden eagles, their parts, nests, or dead eagles, if you acquire a permit issued under § 22.22 of this part.
(3) No exemption from any statute or regulation will apply to any offspring of these pre-act birds.
(4) You must mark all shipments containing bald or golden eagles, alive or dead, their parts, nests, or eggs as directed in § 14.81 of this subchapter. The markings must contain the name and address of the person the shipment is going to, the name and address of the person the shipment is coming from, an accurate list of contents by species, and the number of each species.
(b) The provisions in this part are in addition to, and are not in lieu of, other regulations of this subchapter B which may require a permit or prescribe additional restrictions or conditions for the importation, exportation, and interstate transportation of wildlife (see also part 13 of this subchapter).
In addition to definitions contained in part 0 of this subchapter, and unless the context otherwise requires, in this part 22:
(a) The Office of Management and Budget approved the information collection requirements contained in this part 22 under 44 U.S.C. 3507 and assigned OMB Control Number 1018-0022. The Service may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. We are collecting this information to provide information necessary to evaluate permit applications. We will use this information to review permit applications and make decisions, according to criteria established in the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and its regulations, on the issuance, suspension, revocation, or denial of permits. You must respond to obtain or retain a permit.
(b) We estimate the public reporting burden for these reporting requirements to vary from 1 to 4 hours per response, with an average of 1 hour per response, including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the forms. Direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of these reporting requirements to the Service Information Collection Control Officer, MS-222 ARLSQ, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC 20240, or the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (1018-0022), Washington, DC 20603.
You may not take, possess, or transport any bald eagle (
(a) You do not need a permit under parts 17 and 21 of this subchapter B for any activity permitted under this part 22 with respect to bald or golden eagles or their parts, nests, or eggs.
(b) You must obtain a permit under part 21 of this subchapter for any activity that also involves migratory birds other than bald and golden eagles, and a permit under part 17 of this subchapter for any activity that also involves threatened or endangered species other than the bald eagle.
(c) If you are transporting dead bald or golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or dead eggs into or out of the United States, you will also need a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) permit under part 23 of this subchapter.
(a) You may not sell, purchase, barter, trade, import, or export, or offer for sale, purchase, barter, or trade, at any time or in any manner, any bald eagle (
(b) You may not transport into or out of the United States any
We may, under the provisions of this section, issue a permit authorizing the taking, possession, transportation within the United States, or transportation into or out of the United States
(a)
(1) You must submit applications for permits to take, possess, or transport within the United States lawfully acquired live or dead bald or golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or live or dead eggs for scientific or exhibition purposes to the appropriate Regional Director—Attention: Migratory Bird Permit Office. You can find addresses for the Regional Directors in 50 CFR 2.2.
(2) If you want a permit to
(3) Your application for any permit under this section must also contain the information required under this section, § 13.12(a) of this subchapter, and the following information:
(i) Species of eagle and number of such birds, nests, or eggs proposed to be taken, possessed, or transported;
(ii) Specific locality in which taking is proposed, if any;
(iii) Method taking proposed, if any;
(iv) If not taken, the source of eagles and other circumstances surrounding the proposed acquisition or transportation;
(v) Name and address of the public museum, public scientific societies, or public zoological park for which they are intended;
(vi) Complete explanation and justification of request, nature of project or study, number of specimens now at institution, reason these are inadequate, and other appropriate explanations.
(b)
(c)
(1) The direct or indirect effect which issuing such permit would be likely to have upon the wild populations of bald and golden eagles;
(2) Whether the expertise, facilities, or other resources available to the applicant appear adequate to successfully accomplish the objectives stated in the application;
(3) Whether the justification of the purpose for which the permit is being requested is adequate to justify the removal of the eagle from the wild or otherwise change its status; and
(4) Whether the applicant has demonstrated that the permit is being requested for
(d)
We will issue a permit only to members of Indian entities recognized and eligible to receive services from the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs listed under 25 U.S.C. 479a-1 engaged in religious activities who satisfy all the issuance criteria of this section. We may, under the provisions of this section, issue a permit authorizing the taking, possession, and transportation within the United States, or transportation into or out of the United States of lawfully acquired bald eagles or golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs for Indian religious use. We will not issue a permit under this section that authorizes the transportation into or out of the United States of any
(a)
(1) Species and number of eagles or feathers proposed to be taken, or acquired by gift or inheritance.
(2) State and local area where the taking is proposed to be done, or from whom acquired.
(3) Name of tribe with which applicant is associated.
(4) Name of tribal religious ceremony(ies) for which required.
(5) You must attach a certification of enrollment in an Indian tribe that is federally recognized under the Federally Recognized Tribal List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. 479a-1, 108 Stat. 4791 (1994). The certificate must be signed by the tribal official who is authorized to certify that an individual is a duly enrolled member of that tribe, and must include the official title of that certifying official.
(b)
(1) Bald or golden eagles or their parts possessed under permits issued pursuant to this section are not transferable, except such birds or their parts may be handed down from generation to generation or from one Indian to another in accordance with tribal or religious customs; and
(2) You must submit reports or inventories, including photographs, of eagle feathers or parts on hand as requested by the issuing office.
(c)
(1) The direct or indirect effect which issuing such permit would be likely to have upon the wild populations of bald or golden eagles; and
(2) Whether the applicant is an Indian who is authorized to participate in
(d)
(1) A permit issued to you that authorizes you to take bald or golden eagles will be valid during the period specified on the face of the permit, but will not be longer than 1 year from the date it is issued.
(2) A permit issued to you that authorizes you to transport and possess bald or golden eagles or their parts, nests, or eggs within the United States will be valid for your lifetime.
(3) A permit authorizing you to transport dead bald eagles or golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or dead eggs into or out of the United States can be used for multiple trips to or from the United States, but no trip can be longer than 180 days. The permit will be valid during the period specified on the face of the permit, not to exceed 3 years from the date it is issued.
(a)
(1) Species and number of eagles proposed to be taken;
(2) Location and description of property where taking is proposed;
(3) Inclusive dates for which permit is requested;
(4) Method of taking proposed;
(5) Kind and number of livestock or domestic animals owned by applicant;
(6) Kind and amount of alleged damaged; and
(7) Name, address, age, and business relationship with applicant of any person the applicant proposes to act for him as his agent in the taking of such eagles.
(b)
(1) Bald or golden eagles may be taken under permit by firearms, traps, or other suitable means except by poison or from aircraft;
(2) The taking of eagles under permit may be done only by the permittee or his agents named in the permit;
(3) Any eagle taken under authority of such permit will be promptly turned over to a Service agent or other game law enforcement officer designated in the permit; and
(4) In addition to any reporting requirement on a permit, you must submit a report of activities conducted under the permit to the appropriate Regional Director—Attention: Migratory Bird Permit Office within 10 days following completion of the taking operations or the expiration of the permit, whichever occurs first.
(c)
(1) The direct or indirect effect which issuing such permit would be likely to have upon the wild population of bald or golden eagles;
(2) Whether there is evidence to show that bald or golden eagles have in fact become seriously injurious to wildlife or to agriculture or other interests in the particular locality to be covered by the permit, and the injury complained of is substantial; and
(3) Whether the only way to abate the damage caused by the bald or golden eagle is to take some or all of the offending birds.
(d)
The Director may, upon receipt of an application and in accordance with the issuance criteria of this section, issue a permit authorizing the possession and transportation of golden eagles for falconry purposes.
(a)
(1) A copy of the applicant's master (or equivalent) class permit issued in accordance with 50 CFR 21.28.
(2) A statement of the applicant's experience in handling large raptors, including the species, type of experience and duration of the activity in which the experience was acquired.
(3) At least two (2) letters of reference from individuals with recognized experience in handling and/or flying eagles. Each letter must contain a concise history of the author's experience with eagles. Eagle handling experience is defined as, but is not limited to, the handling of pre-Act birds, zoological specimens, rehabilitating eagles, or scientific studies involving eagles. Each letter must also assess the applicant's capability to properly care for the fly golden eagles in falconry, and recommend the issuance or denial of the permit.
(4) A description of the facilities in which golden eagles will be housed.
(5) If requesting an eagle(s) from the Service, applicants must specify the sex, age and condition of the eagle(s) they will accept.
(6) For eagles already legally possessed, a copy of the permit or other documentation authorizing possession of said birds, and the procedures to be used to minimize or eliminate hazards associated with the use of imprinted birds in falconry.
(7) Name, address, age and experience in handling raptors of any person the applicant proposes to act as an authorized agent in taking possession of golden eagles provided by the Service.
(8) To obtain additional or replacement golden eagles, a request in writing to the appropriate special agent in charge must be tendered, identifying the existing permit and, for replacement eagles, the reason for such replacement.
(b)
(1) Golden eagles possessed for falconry purposes are considered as raptors and must be maintained in accordance with Federal falconry standards described in §§ 21.28 and 21.29 of this subchapter.
(2) Only golden eagles legally obtained may be possessed and transported for falconry purposes.
(3) Captive breeding of golden eagles possessed for falconry purposes is prohibited.
(4) The applicant, or authorized agent, must agree to take possession of a requested golden eagle(s) within 72 hours of notification of availability. Expenses incurred by the applicant in taking possession of said eagle(s) will be the applicant's responsibility.
(5) The golden eagle(s) must be banded with a numbered eagle marker provided by the Service.
(6) All permits issued pursuant to this section shall state on their face that eagles possessed for falconry purposes under authority of this permit may not be transferred or otherwise intentionally disposed of by any means, including release to the wild, without written approval from the appropriate regional director.
(7) All permits issued pursuant to this section shall state on their face that the appropriate special agent in charge must be notified no later than ten (10) days after the death of a permit holder.
(c)
(d)
(1) The applicant's cumulative falconry experience.
(2) The applicant's demonstrated ability to handle and care for large raptors.
(3) Information contained in the applicant's letters of reference.
(e)
(f)
(1) Only golden eagles from a specified depredation area may be trapped for falconry purposes.
(2) Permission to trap golden eagles must be requested in writing from the appropriate State Animal Damage Control (ADC) supervisor subsequent to issuance of the permit to possess and transport golden eagles for falconry purposes.
(3) Permission to trap will not be granted until the permittee suitably demonstrates to the State ADC supervisor or a designated project leader his/her qualifications and capabilities to trap golden eagles from the wild.
(4) All such trapping must be conducted under the direct supervision of the State ADC supervisor or designated project leader in the specified depredation area.
(5) Any permission to trap golden eagles from the wild pursuant to this section shall in no case extend more than 90 days from the date of issue.
(6) Upon issuance of permission to trap in accordance with the above conditions, the appropriate special agent in charge will be notified in writing by the State ADC supervisor of the individual's name, address, location of the specified depredation area and tenure of permission to trap golden eagles.
The Director may, upon receipt of an application and in accordance with the issuance criteria of this section, issue a permit authorizing any person to take golden eagle nests during a resource development or recovery operation when the nests are inactive, if the taking is compatible with the preservation of the area nesting population of golden eagles. The information collection requirements contained within this section have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3507 and assigned clearance number 1018-0022. This information is being collected to provide information necessary to evaluate permit applications. This information will be used to review permit applications and make decisions, according to the criteria established in this section for the issuance or denial of such permits. The obligation to respond is required to obtain or retain a permit.
(a)
(1) A description of the resource development or recovery operation in which the applicant is engaged;
(2) The number of golden eagle nests proposed to be taken;
(3) A description of the property on which the taking is proposed, with reference made to its exact geographic location. An appropriately scaled map or plat must be included which delineates the area of the resource development or recovery operation and identifies the exact location of each golden eagle nest proposed to be taken. The map or plat must contain enough detail so that each golden eagle nest proposed to be taken can be readily located by the Service.
(4) For each golden eagle nest proposed to be taken, the applicant must calculate the area nesting population of golden eagles and identify on an appropriately scaled map or plat the exact location of each golden eagle nest used to calculate the area nesting population unless the Service has sufficient data to independently calculate the area nesting population. The map or plat must contain enough details so that each golden eagle nest used to calculate the area nesting population can be readily located by the Service.
(5) A description of each activity to be performed during the resource development or recovery operation which involves the taking of a golden eagle nest;
(6) A statement with any supporting documents from ornithologists experienced with golden eagles or other qualified persons who have made on site inspections and can verify the applicant's calculation of the area nesting population;
(7) The length of time for which the permit is requested, including the dates on which the proposed resource development or recovery operation is to begin and end;
(8) A statement indicating the intended disposition of each nest proposed to be taken. Applicants should state whether they are willing to collect any nest for scientific or educational purposes; and
(9) A statement indicating any proposed mitigation measures that are compatible with the resource development or recovery operation to encourage golden eagles to reoccupy the resource development or recovery site. Mitigation measures may include reclaiming disturbed land to enhance golden eagle nesting and foraging habitat, relocating in suitable habitat any inactive golden eagle nest taken, or establishing one or more nest sites. If the establishment of one or more nest sites is proposed, a description of the materials and methods to be used and the exact location of each artificial nest site must be included.
(b)
(1) Only inactive golden eagle nests may be taken.
(2) The permittee shall submit a report of activities conducted under the permit to the Director within ten (10) days following the permit's expiration;
(3) The permittee shall notify the Director in writing at least 10 days but not more than 30 days before any golden eagle nest is taken;
(4) The permittee shall comply with any mitigation measures determined by the Director to be feasible and compatible with the resource development or recovery operation; and
(5) Any permit issued before the commencement of a resource development or recovery operation is invalid if the activity which required a permit is not performed.
(c)
(1) Whether the applicant can reasonably conduct the resource development
(2) The total number of golden eagle nests proposed to be taken;
(3) The size of the area nesting population of golden eagles;
(4) Whether suitable golden eagle nesting and foraging habitat unaffected by the resource development or recovery operation is available to the area nesting population of golden eagles to accommodate any golden eagles displaced by the resource development or recovery operation;
(5) Whether feasible mitigation measures compatible with the resource development or recovery operation are available to encourage golden eagles to reoccupy the resource development or recovery site. Mitigation measures may include reclaiming disturbed land to enhance golden eagle nesting and foraging habitat, relocating in suitable habitat any golden eagle nest taken, or establishing one or more nest sites; and
(6) Whether the area nesting population is widely dispersed or locally concentrated.
(d)
(a) Whenever the Governor of any State requests permission to take golden eagles to seasonally protect domesticated flocks and herds in such State, the Director shall make an investigation and if he determines that such taking is necessary to and will seasonally protect domesticated flocks and herds in such States he shall authorize such taking in whatever part or parts of the State and for such periods as he determines necessary to protect such interests.
(b) Requests from the Governor of a State to take golden eagles to seasonally protect domesticated flocks and herds must be submitted in writing to the Director listing the periods of time during which the taking of such birds is recommended, and including a map of the State indicating the boundaries of the proposed area of taking. Such requests should include a statement of the facts and the source of such facts that in the Governor's opinion justifies the request. After a decision by the Director, the Governor will be advised in writing concerning the request and a notice will be published in the
(a) Whenever the taking of golden eagles without a permit is authorized for the seasonal protection of livestock, such birds may be taken by firearms, traps, or other suitable means except by poison or from aircraft.
(b) Any person exercising any of the privileges granted by this subpart D must permit all reasonable times, including during actual operations, any Service agent, or other game law enforcement officer free and unrestricted access over the premises on which such operations have been or are being conducted; and shall furnish promptly to such officer whatever information he may require concerning such operations.
(c) The authority to take golden eagles under a depredations control order issued pursuant to this subpart D only authorizes the taking of golden eagles when necessary to seasonally protect domesticated flocks and herds, and all such birds taken must be reported and turned over to a local Bureau Agent.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 27 U.S.T. 1087; and Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 1531
(a) The regulations in this part implement the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, TIAS 8249.
(b) The regulations identify those species of wildlife and plants included in appendix I, II or III to the Convention.
(a) The regulations of this part apply only to wildlife and plants listed in appendix I, II or III to the Convention, listed herein in § 23.23 for the convenience of the public. It should be noted that many species listed in appendix I, II or III are also listed in part 17 (endangered and threatened species) or part 18 (marine mammals), and are subject to additional regulations in those parts or in part 216 (marine mammals) or parts 217-225 (endangered and threatened species) for species under jurisdiction of the National Marine Fisheries Service.
(b) [Reserved]
In addition to the definitions contained in parts 10 and 17 of this subchapter, and unless the context requires otherwise, in this part:
The following countries are currently parties to the Convention. The name and address of the management authority is included under the name of each country. This list is for the convenience of the public, and does not preclude the application of regulations in this part 23 to importation, exportation or re-exportation to or from other countries.
(a) Unless the requirements in this part 23 are met, or one of the exceptions in this part 23 is applicable, it is unlawful for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to commit, attempt to commit, solicit another to commit, or cause to be committed any of the acts described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this section.
(b)
(2) It is unlawful to import directly into the United States any wildlife or plant listed in appendix I or II (see § 23.23) taken from the sea beyond the jurisdiction of any country.
(c)
(d)
(e)
(a)
(ii) In order to import directly into the United States any wildlife or plant
(2)
(ii) In order to import directly into the United States any wildlife or plant listed in Appendix II taken from the sea beyond the jurisdiction of any country, a United States import permit issued pursuant to § 23.15, must be obtained prior to such importation.
(3)
(ii) In order to import into the United States any wildlife or plant listed in appendix III from a foreign country that has not listed such wildlife or plant in appendix III, a valid foreign certificate of origin or foreign re-export certificate must be obtained prior to such importation.
(b)
(2)
(ii) In order to export or re-export from the United States any wildlife or plant listed in appendix III that has not been listed by the United States, a re-export certificate or certificate of origin, issued pursuant to § 23.15, must be obtained prior to such exportation or re-exportation.
(a) If any wildlife or plant listed in appendix I, II or III is also subject to the regulations in part 17 or part 18 of this subchapter, the prohibitions and exceptions in those parts and in part 23 shall apply. Exceptions in one part cannot be invoked to allow activities prohibited in another part.
(b) The prohibitions in § 23.11 (b) through (d) concerning importation, exportation and re-exportation shall not apply to wildlife or plant listed in appendix I, II or III that are being transshipped through the United States provided such wildlife or plants remain in Customs custody.
(c) The prohibitions in § 23.11 (b) through (d) concerning importation, exportation and re-exportation shall not apply to wildlife or plants when a certificate has been issued by the management authority of the country of origin or the country of re-export to the effect that the wildlife or plant was acquired prior to the date the Convention applied to it. See § 23.15 for rules on the issuance of such -certificates.
(d) The prohibitions in § 23.11 (b) through (d) concerning importation, exportation and re-exportation shall not apply to wildlife or plants that are accompanying personal baggage or part of a shipment of the household effects of persons moving their residences to or from the United States:
(1) Importation by U.S. residents of wildlife or plants listed in appendix I that were acquired outside the United States; or
(2) Importation by U.S. residents of wildlife or plants listed in appendix II that were taken from the wild in a foreign country, if that country requires export permits.
(e) Wildlife or plants listed in appendix I that have been bred in captivity or artificially propagated, for commercial activities, shall be treated as if listed in appendix II.
(f) The prohibitions in § 23.11 (b) through (d) concerning importation, exportation and re-exportation shall not apply to wildlife or plants when a
(g) The prohibitions in § 23.11 (b) through (d) concerning importation, exportation and re-exportation shall not apply to herbarium specimens, other preserved, dried or embedded museum specimens, and live plant material when they are imported, exported or re-exported as a non-commercial loan, donation or exchange between scientists or scientific institutions that have been registered by a management authority of their country, and when a label issued or approved by such management authority is clearly affixed to the package or container. See § 23.15 for rules on registration and issuance or approval of labels.
(a)
(b)
(1) Be issued by an official of the country responsible for authorizing the export of such wildlife or plants;
(2) Specify the species (or taxa to the rank listed in appendix I, II or III) and give the numbers of wildlife or plants covered by the document; and
(3) Contain the following statement or its equivalent:
I, __________ (Signing official), hereby certify that the shipment of wildlife or plants covered by this document is in accordance with the laws of ______ (Country), will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild, and, if living, will be transported in a manner which will minimize the risk of injury, damage to health, or cruel treatment.
(a) In order to import, export or re-export wildlife or plants listed in appendix I, II or III that are also listed as endangered or threatened and subject to regulations in part 17 of this subchapter, the requirements in both part 17 and part 23 must be met. A single application meeting the appropriate application requirements in part 17 will also meet the application requirements in part 23.
(b) In order to import wildlife listed in appendix I, II or III that are marine mammals subject to regulations in part 18 of this subchapter, the requirements in both part 18 and part 23 must be met. A single application meeting the application requirements in part 18 will also meet the application requirements in part 23.
(c) Application requirements for permits or certificates to import, export or reexport wildlife or plants listed in appendix I, II or III that are not subject to the regulations in part 17 or part 18 of this subchapter. Any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States who wishes to get such a permit or certificate submits an application under this section to the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (Attention: Office of Management Authority), 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 700, Arlington, VA 22203 by any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States who wishes to get a permit for the activity. The Service provides Form 3-200 for the application to which as much of the following information relating to the purpose of the permit or certificate must be attached.
(1) The scientific and common names of the species (or taxa to the rank listed in appendix I, II or III) sought to be covered by the permit, the number of wildlife or plants, and the activity
(2) A statement as to whether the wildlife or plant, at the time of application, (i) is living in the wild, (ii) is living but is not in the wild, or (iii) is dead;
(3) A description of the wildlife or plant, including (i) size, (ii) sex (if known), and (iii) type of goods, if it is a part or derivative;
(4) In the case of living wildlife or plants, (i) a description of the type, size and construction of any container the wildlife or plant will be placed in during transportation; and (ii) the arrangements for watering and otherwise caring for the wildlife or plant during transportation;
(5) The name and address of the person in a foreign country to whom the wildlife or plant is to be exported from the United States, or from whom the wildlife or plant is to be imported into the United States;
(6) The country and place where the wildlife or plant was or is to be taken from the wild;
(7) In the case of wildlife or plants listed in appendix I to be imported into the United States, (i) a statement of the purposes and details of the activities for which the wildlife or plant is to be imported; (ii) a brief resume of the technical expertise of the applicant or other persons who will care for the wildlife or plant; (iii) the name, address and a description, including diagrams or photographs, of the facility where the wildlife or plant will be maintained; and (iv) a description of all mortalities, in the two years preceding the date of this application, involving any wildlife species covered in the application (or any species of the same genus or family) held by the applicant, including the causes and steps taken to avoid such mortalities; and
(8) Copies of documents, sworn affidavits or other evidence showing that either (i) the wildlife or plant was acquired prior to the date the Convention applied to it, or (ii) the wildlife or plant was bred in captivity or artificially propagated, or was part of or derived therefrom, or (iii) the wildlife or plant is an herbarium specimen, other preserved, dried or embedded museum specimen or live plant material to be imported, exported or re-exported as a non-commercial loan, donation or exchange between scientists or scientific institutions.
(d)
(1) Whether the proposed import, export or re-export would be detrimental to the survival of the species;
(2) Whether the wildlife or plant was acquired lawfully;
(3) Whether any living wildlife or plant to be exported or re-exported will be so prepared and shipped as to minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment;
(4) Whether any living wildlife or plant to be imported directly into the United States from the sea beyond the jurisdiction of any country will be so handled as to minimize the risk of injury, damage to health or cruel treatment;
(5) Whether an import permit has been granted by a foreign country, in the case of proposed export or re-export from the United States of any wildlife or plant listed in Appendix I;
(6) Whether the proposed recipient of any living wildlife or plant listed in Appendix I to be imported into the United States is suitably equipped to house and care for such wildlife or plant;
(7) Whether any wildlife or plant listed in appendix I to be imported into the United States is to be used for primarily commercial activities; and
(8) Whether the evidence submitted is sufficient to justify an exception, in the case of (i) wildlife or plants that were acquired prior to the date the Convention applied to them; (ii) wildlife or plants that were bred in captivity or artificially propagated, or were part of or derived there from; or (iii) wildlife or plants that are herbarium specimens; other preserved, dried or embedded museum specimens, or live plant material to be imported, exported or re-exported as a noncommercial loan, donation or exchange
(9) Whether in the case of wildlife or plants listed in Appendix II, they are the subject of a large volume of trade and are not necessarily threatened with extinction.
(e)
(1) Any permit must be presented to a Service agent at a designated port of entry upon importation into the United States or prior to exportation or re-exportation from the United States:
(2) Where appropriate and feasible, the Service may require that an identifying mark be affixed upon any wildlife or plant;
(3) In the case of wildlife or plants that are herbarium specimens, other preserved, dried or embedded museum specimens, or live plant material to be imported, exported or re-exported as a non-commercial loan, donation or exchange between scientists or scientific institutions, the names and addresses of the consignor and consignee must be on each package or container. The letters “CITES” (acronym for the Convention), a description such as “herbarium specimens,” and the code letters assigned by the Service to the scientist or scientific institution, must be entered on the Customs declaration form affixed to each package or container.
(f)
(g)
(a) The list in this section includes species of wildlife and plants placed in Appendix I, II or III in accordance with the provisions of Articles XV and XVI of the Convention.
The list of species is organized as follows:
(b) The appendix column of the list includes the annotation “pe” (=possibly extinct) for certain species. It also contains the names of Parties including species in Appendix III.
(c) For purposes of issuing United States certificates of exemption under Article VII(3), the date when the Convention applies to a species is the date when the inclusion of that species in the appendices enters into force under the terms of Article XV or XVI of the Convention. The date of first listing is retained if a species is transferred from one appendix to another or if a listed species is subsequently included with other species in the listing of a taxon above the species level. Such species are shown separately in this publication of the appendices. The date of a subsequent listing is used only if a species is entirely deleted from the appendices and is subsequently reincluded after an intervening period of time.
(d) Subject to the regulations of this part are all living or dead animals or plants in Appendix I, II or III, and all their readily recognizable parts and derivatives except for specified parts or derivatives of particular Appendix III animal species as excluded in the particular listing and the following categorically excluded or exempted parts or derivatives of certain plants:
(1) For Appendix II and Appendix III plants and artificially propagated hybrids of Appendix I plants: Seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers; and
(2) For Appendix II and Appendix III plants: Seeds (other than the seeds of Mexican Cactaceae originating from Mexico, which are included in the Appendices), spores, pollen (including pollinia), and artificially propagated cut flowers; and
(3) For artificially propagated hybrids of Appendix I plants: seeds and pollen (including pollinia) and cut flowers; and
(4) For artificially propagated or naturalized Appendix II Cactaceae species: fruits and their parts and derivatives; for Opuntia subgenus Opuntia species, separate stem joints (pads) and their parts and derivatives.
(5) For Orchidaceae species: in Appendix I, seedling or tissue cultures obtained in vitro, in solid or liquid media, transported in sterile containers; in Appendix II, for artificially propagated Vanilla species, the fruits and their parts and derivatives.
(e) The list of species set out in subsection (f) is informational and not regulatory in nature. It is solely intended as a convenience to the public. The official list of species included in Appendices I, II, and III is the one maintained by the CITES Secretariat based on the decisions of the Parties to the Convention.
(f) The list of species in the Appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is provided below:
The regulation contained in this subpart sets out procedures for participation of the public and consultation with appropriate Federal agencies in the Service's process of developing negotiating positions to be used by the representative of the United States to meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention provided for by Article XI of the Convention.
(a) Upon receipt of a notice of a meeting to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, the director shall publish in the
(b) Upon receipt from the CITES Secretariat of a notice of additional agenda items, the Director shall publish in the
Subsequent to the comment period of the notice of meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, the Director shall publish in the
The Service shall hold at least one public meeting to enable interested persons to provide information and comments on the proposed agenda and at least one such public meeting on the proposed negotiating positions of the Service. Written statements may be submitted to the Service before and at the meeting. Appointments to speak at the meetings may be made with the Federal Wildlife Permit Office, Washington, DC 20240 (703/235-2418). Participants without prior appointments will be given an opportunity to speak to the extent time allows following speakers with appointments.
Subsequent to the comment period of the notice of proposed negotiating positions, and after all associated public meetings have been held, the Director shall publish in the
The Director shall publish in the
The Service shall consult with appropriate Federal agencies in the development of negotiating positions.
(a) Any of the procedures in §§ 23.32 through 23.36 may be modified or suspended by the Director on notice published in the
(b) Any of the negotiating positions set forth in a notice of negotiating positions may be modified, reversed or abandoned by the United States representative to a meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention where to do so would be in the best interests of the United States.
After any meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention attended by a United States representative, the Service shall publish a notice of availability of the official report of such representative and set forth how and where copies of such report can be obtained.
State populations for which the export of the indicated season's harvest may be permitted under § 23.15 of this part:
(a)
Conditions on findings: Roots must be documented as to state of origin and season of collecting.
For further information see: 43 FR 29469, July 7, 1978; 43 FR 35013, Aug. 7, 1978; 43 FR 36293, Aug. 16, 1978; and 43 FR 39305, Sept. 1, 1978.
(b)
Conditions on findings: Roots must be documented as to state of origin and season of collecting. Wild roots must be certified by the state as legally collected. For further information see: 44 FR 25384, Apr. 30, 1979; 44 FR 3107, June 1, 1979; and 44 FR 47912, Aug. 15, 1979.
(c)
Conditions on findings: Roots must be documented as to state or origin and season of collecting. Wild and cultivated roots must be certified by the state as legally collected, and such certification must be presented upon export.
(d)
Condition on findings: Roots must be documented as to state of origin and season of collecting. Wild and cultivated roots must be certified by the state as legally collected and such certification must be presented upon export. Vermont is approved for export of artificially propagated ginseng roots only.
(e)(1) 1982-1993 harvests (wild and cultivated roots for each year unless noted).
(2) Conditions on export: All plants and roots must be documented as to State of origin, season of collection, and dry or green (fresh) weight. The State must certify whether roots and plants originated in that State, are wild or cultivated (artificially propagated) specimens, and were legally obtained in a particular season. Such State certification, a current Federal export document, an executed dealer or exporter's invoice, and the ginseng must be presented upon export. All other export procedures must be followed as described by the Service in this rule. The State must maintain ginseng management and harvest programs, as described by the Service in this rule, and annual ginseng program data for the preceding harvest season should be available to the Office of Management Authority by May 31 of each year. Export procedures must be completed as outlined and discussed in this paragraph.
American ginseng purchased from non-export approved States by State-registered ginseng dealers for domestic use and commerce must be reported to the State of registration, along with all other ginseng commerce. Such ginseng is not eligible for export from the United States and must be dealer-maintained physically separated from that ginseng eligible for export from this country so that there is no chance of intermingling the specimens.
States for which the export of the indicated season's harvest may be permitted under § 23.15 of this part:
(a) States and Harvest Seasons Approved for Export of Bobcat From the United States.
(b)
States for which we permit the export of the indicated season's take under § 23.15 of this part:
(a) States and Indian Nations, and Seasons Approved for Export of River Otter From the United States:
(b) Condition on export: Exporters must clearly identify each pelt as to species, State or Indian Nation of origin, and season of taking by permanently attaching a serially numbered tag of a type approved and provided by the Service and attached under conditions established by the Service. Exception to the tagging requirement: We will allow the export of fully manufactured fur or hide products from the United States only when the CITES export tags removed from the hides prior to manufacture are surrendered to us prior to export. Such tags must be removed by cutting the tag straps on the side next to the locking socket of the tag, so that the locking socket and locking tip remain joined.
States for which the export of the indicated season's harvest may be permitted under § 23.15 of this part:
(a)
For further information: See 42 FR 43729, Aug. 30, 1977; 43 FR 11081, Mar. 16, 1978; and 43 FR 29469, July 7, 1978.
(b)
Condition on findings: Pelts must be clearly identified as to state of origin and season of taking.
For further information: See 43 FR 11096, Mar. 16, 1978; 43 FR 13913, Apr. 3, 1978, 43 FR 15097, Apr. 10, 1978; 43 FR 29469, July 7, 1978; 43 FR 35013, Aug. 7, 1978; 43 FR 36293, Aug. 16, 1978, and 43 FR 39305, Sept. 1, 1978.
(c)
Conditions on findings: Pelts must be clearly identified as to state of origin and state of taking, including tagging according to standards and conditions established by the Service.
For further information: See 44 FR 25383, Apr. 30, 1979; 44 FR 31585, May 31, 1979; 44 FR 40842, July 12, 1979; 44 FR 52289, Sept. 7, 1979; and 44 FR 55540, Sept. 26, 1979.
(d)
Condition on finding: Pelts must be clearly identified as to state of origin and season of taking, including tagging according to conditions established by the Service.
(e)
Condition on findings: Pelts must be clearly identified as to state of origin and season of taking, including tagging according to conditions established by the Service.
(f)
Condition on export: Each pelt must be clearly identified as to state of origin and season of taking by a permanently attached state tag of a type approved by the Service and attached under conditions established by the Service.
(g)
Condition on export: Each pelt must be clearly identified as to species, State of origin and season of taking by a permanently attached, serially numbered tag of a type approved by the Service and attached under conditions established by the Service. Exception to tagging requirement: for the 1983-84 and previous seasons, finished furs and fully manufactured fur products may be exported from the U.S. when accompanied by the State tags removed in a manner described by the Service from pelts contained in the products, such tags must be removed by cutting the tag strap on the female side next to the locking socket of the tag so that the locking socket and locking tip remain joined, and such tags must be surrendered to the Service prior to export.
State for which the export of the indicated season's harvest may be permitted under § 23.15 of this part:
(a)
Condition on findings: Pelts must be tagged as required by the state of Alaska.
(b)
Condition on findings: Pelts must be tagged as required by the state of Alaska.
(c)
Condition on findings: Pelts must be tagged as required by the state of Alaska.
For further information: See 44 FR 25383, Apr. 30, 1979; 44 FR 31583, May 31, 1979; 44 FR 40842, July 12, 1979; 44 FR 52289, Sept. 7, 1979; and 44 FR 55540, Sept. 26, 1979.
(d)
Condition on findings: Pelts must be tagged as required by the state of Alaska.
(e)
Condition on findings: Pelts must be tagged as required by the State of Alaska.
(f)
Condition on export: Each pelt must be clearly identified as to state of origin and season of taking by a permanently attached state tag of a type approved by the Service and attached under conditions established by the Service.
(g)
Condition on export: Each pelt must be clearly identified as to species, State of origin and season of taking by a permanently attached, serially numbered State tag of a type approved and attached under conditions established by the Service. Exception to tagging requirement: for the 1983-84 and previous seasons, finished furs and fully manufactured fur products may be exported from the U.S. when accompanied by the State tags removed in a manner described by the Service from pelts contained in the products, such tags must be removed by cutting the tag strap on the female side next to the locking socket of the tag so that the locking socket and locking tip remain joined, and such tags must be surrendered to the Service prior to export.
State for which the export of the indicated season's harvest may be permitted under § 23.15 of this part:
(a)
Condition on findings: Pelts must be tagged as required by the state of Alaska.
(b)
Condition on findings: Pelts must be tagged as required by the state of Alaska.
(c)
Condition on findings: Pelts must be tagged as required by the state of Alaska.
For further information: See 44 FR 25383, Apr. 30, 1979; 44 FR 31583, May 31, 1979; 44 FR 40842, July 12, 1979; 44 FR 52289, Sept. 7, 1979; and 44 FR 55540, Sept. 26, 1979.
(d)
Condition on findings: Pelts must be tagged as required by the state of Alaska.
(e)
Condition on findings: Pelts must be tagged as required by the State of Alaska.
(f)
Condition on export: Each pelt must be clearly identified as to state of origin and season of taking by a permanently attached state tag of a type approved by the Service and attached under conditions established by the Service.
(g)
Condition on export: Each pelt must be clearly identified as to species, State of origin and season of taking by a permanently attached, serially numbered State tag of a type approved by the Service and attached under conditions established by the Service.
States for which the export of the indicated season's harvest may be permitted under § 23.15 of this part:
(a) 1979-1997 harvests (wild and farm-raised for each year unless noted).
(b)
(2) US-CITES export tags that were removed from the hides used to manufacture products to be exported must be surrendered to the Service prior to the export of those products.
(3) Meat from legally harvested and tagged alligators shall be packed in State-uniform containers, permanently sealed and labeled as required by State law. Bulk meat containers shall be marked with a State “parts tag” or “bulk meat tag” permanently attached indicating, at a minimum, State of origin, year of take, species, original hide export tag number, weight of meat in the container, and identification of State licensed processor or packer.
(4) Small parts such as tails, throats, feet, or backstrips shall be packed in transparent, sealed containers clearly marked with a parts tag. Parts tags shall supply at a minimum the State of origin, species, original hide export tag number, and weight of the parts in the container.
(5) American alligator skulls shall be marked as required by State law. This marking shall include, at a minimum, reference to a valid US-CITES tag number.
Secs. 9(f)(1), 11(f), Pub. L. 93-205, 87 Stat 893, 897 (16 U.S.C. 1538(f)(1), 1540(f)).
The regulations contained in this part are for the purpose of establishing ports for the importation, exportation and reexportation of plants.
The provisions in this part are in addition to, and do not supersede, other regulations in this chapter. Also, the U.S. Department of Agriculture administers the Plant Quarantine Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 151
No person shall import, export, or reexport plants at any place other than at a port designated in 24.12 (hereinafter “designated port”) in accordance with the provisions of this part, unless otherwise specifically authorized by the Service at a nondesignated port in accordance with section 9(f)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
(a) The following U.S. Department of Agriculture ports are designated ports for the importation, exportation, or reexportation of plants which are listed in 50 CFR 17.12 and/or 23.23 and which are required to be accompanied by documentation under 50 CFR part 17 and/or 23:
(b) The U.S. Department of Agriculture ports at Hilo, Hawaii, and Chicago, Illinois, are designated ports for the importation, exportation, or reexportation of plants of the family Orchidaceae (orchids) which are listed in 50 CFR 17.12 or 23.23 and which are required to be accompanied by documentation under 50 CFR part 17 or 23.
(c) The U.S. Department of Agriculture ports at Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Baltimore, Maryland; St. Louis, Missouri; and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; are designated ports for the importation, exportation or reexportation of roots of American ginseng (
(d) The U.S. Department of Agriculture ports at Detroit and Port Huron, Michigan; Buffalo, New York; Rouses Point, New York; and Blaine, Washington, are designated ports for the importation from Canada of plants which are listed in 50 CFR 17.12 or 23.23 and which are required to be accompanied by documentation under 50 CFR part 17 or 23, and for the exportation or reexportation to Canada of plants which are listed in 50 CFR 17.12 or 23.23 and which are required to be accompanied by documentation under 50 CFR part 17 or 23.
(e) The U.S. Department of Agriculture ports at Mobile, Alabama; Fort Lauderdale (=Port Everglades), Jacksonville, and Panama City, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; Gulfport, Mississippi; Wilmington and Morehead City, North Carolina; Portland, Oregon; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Charleston, South Carolina; Laredo, Texas; Norfolk, Virginia; and Vancouver, Washington, are designated ports for the importation of logs and lumber from trees which are listed in the appendices to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) or in 50 CFR 17.12 or 23.23 and which are required to be accompanied by documentation under 50 CFR part 17 or 23.
(f) The U.S. Department of Agriculture port at Wilmington, North Carolina, is a designated port for the exportation of plants of the species
(g) All U.S. Customs designated ports of entry on the United States-Canadian border (Customs designated ports of entry are listed in 19 CFR part 101) and the following U.S. Department of Agriculture ports are designated ports for the importation, exportation, or reexportation of plants not required to be accompanied by documentation under 50 CFR part 17 or 23: