[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 171 (Tuesday, September 3, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Page 46431] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-22194] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 50 CFR Part 21 Availability of a Draft Environmental Assessment on Permits for Control of Injurious Canada Geese and Request for Comments on Potential Regulations AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that a Draft Environmental Assessment on Permits for Control of Injurious Canada Geese is available for public review and announces the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (hereinafter Service) intent to consider regulatory changes to the process for issuing these permits. Comments and suggestions are requested. DATES: Written comments are requested by October 18, 1996. ADDRESSES: Copies of the Draft Environmental Assessment can be obtained by writing to the Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, room 634--Arlington Square, Washington, DC 20240. Written comments can be sent to the same address. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Paul R. Schmidt, Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 358- 1714. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft Environmental Assessment reviews the existing regulations governing issuance of permits to control injurious Canada geese. The Assessment was prompted by requests from States and the U. S. Department of Agriculture to improve the permit issuance process. The Assessment deals only with how permits are issued and does not address specific control measures used to control injury problems in the field. The Service's proposed action is to issue a blanket permit to State Conservation Agencies and/or the U. S. Department of Agriculture on a State-specific basis. This permit will be limited to the period March 11 through August 31 to avoid conflicts with existing hunting seasons. This approach is intended to provide a quicker response time to problem situations, allow for greater local oversight in control actions, and reduce government administrative costs and overhead related to issuance of these permits. Three alternatives, including the proposed action, are considered. Dated: August 23, 1996 George T. Frampton, Jr. Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks [FR Doc. 96-22194 Filed 8-30-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-F