Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA; 16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.), we are responsible for ensuring that migratory bird populations do not become threatened or endangered. In August 2006, we issued regulations that established two depredation orders and three control orders to allow control and management of resident Canada goose populations without permits. The regulations:
 Allow State and tribal wildlife management agencies, airports, and landowners sufficient flexibility, within predefined guidelines, to reduce resident Canada goose populations.
 Authorize airports, landowners, and State and tribal wildlife agencies (or their authorized agents) to conduct (or allow) management activities, including the take of birds, on resident Canada goose populations.
 Authorize direct population control strategies.
Under this program, the individual States, tribes, or directed public (airports and landowners) are authorized to implement the provisions of the regulations within Service guidelines. In addition to specific strategies, we will continue the use of special and regular hunting seasons, issued under 50 CFR 20, and the issuance of depredation permits and special Canada goose permits, issued under 50 CFR 21.41 and 21.26, respectively.
We are estimating 4,835 responses totaling 8,261 burden hours for this collection, which is a decrease of 1,254 responses and 880 burden hours from our original request. This adjustment decrease is based on our experience over the past 3 years. The decreased estimate for the nest and egg depredation order may be due to a revision in the regulation that allowed homeowner associations and municipalities to register on behalf of their members and residents. As a result, only one entity needs to register in lieu of several. We believe the decrease in respondents for the airport control order may be because airports have continued to operate under a permit rather than the airport control order. Most airport depredation permits allow take of resident Canada geese in addition to a variety of other species that pose risks to public safety. Although the airport control order provides greater latitude for goose management than permits, most airports have chosen to continue to control geese under their multi-species airport depredation permits for simplicity. (Note: We plan to develop a broader airport depredation order that covers additional species over the next couple of years.)
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
1018-0133 30-day published.pdf
1018-0133 Supporting Statement A.rtf
Airport Control Order (private sector)