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)