1018-0171 Ssa Fr 1018-be34 07072021

Supporting Statement A for

Paperwork Reduction Act Submission

Establishment of Annual Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons

50 CFR Part 20

OMB Control Number 1018-0171

Terms of Clearance: None.

NOTE: Changes made since our December 2020 submission at the proposed rule stage are highlighted in yellow.

1. Explain the circumstances that make the collection of information necessary. Identify any legal or administrative requirements that necessitate the collection.

Overall Annual Process

Migratory game birds are those bird species so designated in conventions between the United States and several foreign nations for the protection and management of these birds. Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703–712), the Secretary of the Interior is authorized to determine when “hunting, taking, capture, killing, possession, sale, purchase, shipment, transportation, carriage, or export of any * * * bird, or any part, nest, or egg” of migratory game birds can take place, and to adopt regulations for this purpose. These regulations are written after giving due regard to “the zones of temperature and to the distribution, abundance, economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of migratory flight of such birds” and are updated annually (16 U.S.C. 704(a)). This responsibility has been delegated to the Service as the lead Federal agency for managing and conserving migratory birds in the United States. However, migratory game bird management is a cooperative effort of State, Tribal, and Federal governments. Migratory game bird hunting seasons provide opportunities for recreation and sustenance; aid Federal, State, and Tribal governments in the management of migratory game birds; and permit harvests at levels compatible with migratory game bird population status and habitat conditions.

The Service develops migratory game bird hunting regulations by establishing the frameworks, or outside limits, for season lengths, bag limits, and areas for migratory game bird hunting. Acknowledging regional differences in hunting conditions, the Service has administratively divided the Nation into four Flyways for the primary purpose of managing migratory game birds. Each Flyway (Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific) has a Flyway Council, a formal organization generally composed of one member from each State and Province in that Flyway. The Flyway Councils, established through the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, also assist in researching and providing migratory game bird management information for Federal, State, and Provincial governments, as well as private conservation entities and the general public.

The process for adopting migratory game bird hunting regulations, located in title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) at part 20, is constrained by three primary factors. Legal and administrative considerations dictate how long the rulemaking process will last. Most importantly, however, the biological cycle of migratory game birds controls the timing of data-gathering activities and thus the dates on which these results are available for consideration and deliberation.

For the regulatory cycle, Service biologists gather, analyze, and interpret biological survey data and provide this information to all those involved in the process through a series of published status reports and presentations to Flyway Councils and other interested parties. Because the Service is required to take abundance of migratory game birds and other factors into consideration, the Service undertakes a number of surveys throughout the year in conjunction with Service Regional Offices, the Canadian Wildlife Service, and State and Provincial wildlife-management agencies. To determine the appropriate frameworks for each species, we consider factors such as population size and trend, geographical distribution, annual breeding effort, condition of breeding and wintering habitat, number of hunters, and anticipated harvest. We then cooperatively develop migratory game bird hunting regulations by establishing the frameworks, or outside limits, for season lengths, bag limits, and areas for migratory game bird hunting in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on their own regulations. After frameworks are established for season lengths, bag limits, and areas for migratory game bird hunting, States and Tribes may select season dates, bag limits, and other regulatory options for the hunting seasons. States may always be more conservative in their selections than the Federal frameworks, but never more liberal.

State and Territories Seasons

After frameworks are established, States, including the U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, may select season dates, bag limits, and other regulatory options for the hunting seasons within the season selection criteria established via the frameworks. This process preserves the ability of the States to determine which seasons meet their individual needs. Selection of States’ and U.S. Territories’ season dates and bag limits is solicited and published via rulemaking.

Tribal Seasons

The tribal process is very similar to the State process and largely uses the resulting frameworks developed in the State process above as the baseline for discussions with the interested Tribal entities desiring to establish special migratory game bird hunting regulations on Federal Indian reservations (including off-reservation trust lands) and ceded lands. However, there is more latitude and deference given to the Tribal seasons as a result of their sovereign status and our recognition of their tribal hunting rights.

Beginning with the 1985–86 hunting season, the Service has employed guidelines described in the June 4, 1985, Federal Register (50 FR 23467) to establish special migratory game bird hunting regulations on Federal Indian reservations (including off-reservation trust lands) and ceded lands. These guidelines were developed in response to tribal requests for recognition of their reserved hunting rights, and for some Tribes, recognition of their authority to regulate hunting by both tribal and nontribal members throughout their reservations. The guidelines include possibilities for:

(1) On-reservation hunting by both tribal and nontribal members, with hunting by nontribal members on some reservations to take place within Federal frameworks, but on dates different from those selected by the surrounding State(s);

(2) On-reservation hunting by tribal members only, outside of usual Federal frameworks for season dates, season length, and daily bag and possession limits; and

(3) Off-reservation hunting by tribal members on ceded lands, outside of usual framework dates and season length, with some added flexibility in daily bag and possession limits.

In all cases, tribal regulations established under the guidelines must be consistent with the annual March 11 to August 31 closed season mandated by the 1916 Convention Between the United States and Great Britain (for Canada) for the Protection of Migratory Birds (Convention). The guidelines are applicable to those Tribes that have reserved hunting rights on Federal Indian reservations (including off-reservation trust lands) and ceded lands. They also may be applied to the establishment of migratory game bird hunting regulations for nontribal members on all lands within the exterior boundaries of reservations where Tribes have full wildlife-management authority over such hunting, or where the Tribes and affected States otherwise have reached agreement over hunting by nontribal members on non-Indian lands.

Tribes usually have the authority to regulate migratory game bird hunting by nonmembers on Indian-owned reservation lands, subject to our approval. The question of jurisdiction is more complex on reservations that include lands owned by non-Indians, especially when the surrounding States have established or intend to establish regulations governing migratory bird hunting by non-Indians on these lands. In such cases, we encourage the Tribes and States to reach agreement on regulations that would apply throughout the reservations.

One of the guidelines provides for the continuation of tribal members’ harvest of migratory game birds on reservations where such harvest is a customary practice. We do not oppose this harvest, provided it does not take place during the closed season required by the Convention, and it is not so large as to adversely affect the status of the migratory game bird resource. Since the inception of these guidelines, we have reached annual agreement with Tribes for migratory game bird hunting by tribal members on their lands or on lands where they have reserved hunting rights. We believe that they provide appropriate opportunity to accommodate the reserved hunting rights and management authority of Indian Tribes while also ensuring that the migratory game bird resource receives necessary protection. The conservation of this important international resource is paramount. Use of the guidelines is not required if a Tribe wishes to observe the hunting regulations established by the State(s) in which the reservation is located.

Tribes that wish to use the guidelines to establish special hunting regulations for migratory game bird hunting season submit a proposal (details below in #2). We then review the proposals and subsequently publish details of tribal proposals for public review via rulemaking.

We have prepared final regulations (RIN 1018-BE34) to update the necessary information we solicit from respondents to establish special migratory game bird hunting regulations in States and on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands.

2. Indicate how, by whom, and for what purpose the information is to be used. Except for a new collection, indicate the actual use the agency has made of the information received from the current collection. Be specific. If this collection is a form or a questionnaire, every question needs to be justified.

Information Requested to Establish Annual Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons

As a result of the incremental rulemaking process explained above, the information requested from States is solicited during a different point in the overall rulemaking process than the information requested from Tribal governments. However, the final rules published at the end of the rulemaking process incorporate all information received from the State and Tribal governments. Therefore, this ICR incorporates both the request for Tribal proposals in the annual proposed rule and the information requested from the States during subsequent proposed rules (all under the same Regulatory Identifier Number, RIN). We post all rules electronically on the Service’s website (https://www.fws.gov/policy/frsystem/default.cfm). State and Tribal governments are aware of this process that affords them the opportunity to provide comments on the information collection requirements identified in the PRA section of each rule.

The information identified below, necessary to establish annual migratory bird hunting seasons, is solicited annually from State (including U.S. territory) and Tribal governments. The required information, received at various times in the year prior to the actual hunting season as part of the rulemaking process described above, is used by the Service as part of the final rulemaking process necessary to open annual hunting seasons otherwise closed by law.

Details Needed from States and U.S. Territories

State and U.S. territory governments that wish to establish annual migratory game bird hunting seasons are required to provide the requested dates and other details for hunting seasons in their respective States or Territories. The information is provided to the Service in a nonform format, usually via letter or spreadsheet, in response to solicitations for the information sent to the State governments each year via an emailed letter and as part of the proposed rule (for the frameworks).

Details Needed in from Tribal Governments

Tribes that wish to use the guidelines (published June 4, 1985, 50 FR 23459 – copy uploaded to ROCIS) to establish special hunting regulations for the annual migratory game bird hunting season are required to submit a proposal that includes:

(1) The requested migratory game bird hunting season dates and other details regarding the proposed regulations;

(2) Harvest anticipated under the proposed regulations; and

(3) Tribal capabilities to enforce migratory game bird hunting regulations.

For those situations where it could be shown that failure to limit Tribal harvest could seriously impact the migratory game bird resource, we also request information on the methods employed to monitor harvest and any potential steps taken to limit level of harvest.

A Tribe that desires the earliest possible opening of the migratory game bird season for nontribal members should specify this request in its proposal, rather than request a date that might not be within the final Federal frameworks. Similarly, unless a Tribe wishes to set more restrictive regulations than Federal regulations will permit for nontribal members, the proposal should request the same daily bag and possession limits and season length for migratory game birds that Federal regulations are likely to permit the States in the Flyway in which the reservation is located.

Reports (50 CFR part 20): The following reports are requested from the States and are submitted either annually or every-three years as explained in the following text.

The reports highlighted below are new and were inadvertently omitted in the Service’s December 2020 submission to OMB under this Control No. when we notified OMB of the completed State reports:

Reports from Experimental Hunting Seasons and Season Structure Changes (Required):

Atlantic Flyway Council:

• Delaware – Experimental tundra swan season (Yearly updates and final report)

Mississippi Flyway Council:

• Alabama – Experimental sandhill crane season (Yearly updates and final report)

• Minnesota – Experimental teal-only season (Yearly updates and final report) (NEW)

Central Flyway Council:

• New Mexico – Sandhill crane season in Estancia Valley (Yearly updates and final report) Now operational – Annual data are still required, but there is not a final report, since this monitoring will occur in perpetuity (or as long as the state has that hunt area).

• South Dakota and Nebraska – Experimental two-tier hunting regulations study (Yearly updates and Final report) (NEW)

• Wyoming – Split (3-way) season for Canada geese (Final report only)

Pacific Flyway Council:

• California – Zones and split season for white-fronted geese (Final report only)

• Idaho – Experimental swan season (Yearly updates and Final report) (NEW)

Additional State-specific Annual Reports:

State specific:

• Arizona – Sandhill crane racial composition of the harvest conducted at 3-year intervals.

• North Carolina and Virginia – Tundra swan harvest and hunter participation data (Yearly).

• Montana (Central Flyway portion), North Dakota, and South Dakota – Tundra swan harvest and hunter participation data (Yearly).

• Montana (Pacific Flyway portion), Utah, and Nevada – Swan harvest-monitoring program to measure the species composition and report detailing swan harvest, hunter participation, reporting compliance, and monitoring of swam populations in designated hunt areas (Yearly).

Reports and monitoring are used for a variety of reasons. Some are used to monitor species composition of the harvest for those areas where species intermingling can confound harvest management and potential overharvest of one species can be a management concern. Others are used to determine overall harvest for those species and/or areas that are not sampled well by our overall harvest surveys due to either the limited nature/area of the hunt or season or where the harvest needs to closely monitored. Experimental season reports are used to determine whether the experimental season is achieving its intended goals and objectives, without causing unintended harm to other species and ultimately whether the experimental season should proceed to operational status. Most experimental seasons are 3-year trials with yearly reports and a final report. Most of the other reports and monitoring are conducted either annually or at 3-year intervals.

3. Describe whether, and to what extent, the collection of information involves the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses, and the basis for the decision for adopting this means of collection. Also describe any consideration of using information technology to reduce burden and specifically how this collection meets GPEA requirements.

The collection of information does not involve the use of electronic or other technological collection techniques. States and Tribes may submit information electronically via email to the appropriate Service Office. If the Tribe prefers, we also accept hard copies of proposals. We anticipate approximately 90% of respondents will submit the requested information via email.

4. Describe efforts to identify duplication. Show specifically why any similar information already available cannot be used or modified for use for the purposes described in Item 2 above.

The information that we collect is unique to each respondent and is not available from any other source. Other than the general identifying information standard for each State or Tribe in their response, collection of duplicate information is minimal.

5. If the collection of information impacts small businesses or other small entities, describe any methods used to minimize burden.

This collection will not have a significant impact on small entities.

6. Describe the consequence to Federal program or policy activities if the collection is not conducted or is conducted less frequently, as well as any technical or legal obstacles to reducing burden.

If we do not collect the information or if we collect the information less frequently, we would not be able to facilitate the States’ selection of hunting seasons and establish the annual migratory bird hunting regulations. Collection of this information is vital for the Service’s ability to provide State and Tribal governments with the opportunity to select seasons and limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with population and habitat conditions.

7. Explain any special circumstances that would cause an information collection to be conducted in a manner:

* requiring respondents to report information to the agency more often than quarterly;

* requiring respondents to prepare a written response to a collection of information in fewer than 30 days after receipt of it;

* requiring respondents to submit more than an original and two copies of any document;

* requiring respondents to retain records, other than health, medical, government contract, grant-in-aid, or tax records, for more than three years;

* in connection with a statistical survey that is not designed to produce valid and reliable results that can be generalized to the universe of study;

* requiring the use of a statistical data classification that has not been reviewed and approved by OMB;

* that includes a pledge of confidentiality that is not supported by authority established in statute or regulation, that is not supported by disclosure and data security policies that are consistent with the pledge, or which unnecessarily impedes sharing of data with other agencies for compatible confidential use; or

* requiring respondents to submit proprietary trade secrets, or other confidential information, unless the agency can demonstrate that it has instituted procedures to protect the information's confidentiality to the extent permitted by law.

There are no circumstances that require us to collect the information in a manner inconsistent with OMB guidelines.

8. If applicable, provide a copy and identify the date and page number of publication in the Federal Register of the agency's notice, required by 5 CFR 1320.8(d), soliciting comments on the information collection prior to submission to OMB. Summarize public comments received in response to that notice and in response to the PRA statement associated with the collection over the past three years, and describe actions taken by the agency in response to these comments. Specifically address comments received on cost and hour burden.

Describe efforts to consult with persons outside the agency to obtain their views on the availability of data, frequency of collection, the clarity of instructions and recordkeeping, disclosure, or reporting format (if any), and on the data elements to be recorded, disclosed, or reported.

Consultation with representatives of those from whom information is to be obtained or those who must compile records should occur at least once every three years — even if the collection of information activity is the same as in prior periods. There may be circumstances that may preclude consultation in a specific situation. These circumstances should be explained.

We have issued final regulations under RIN 1018-BE34 (86 FR ####) to update the necessary information to establish special migratory game bird hunting regulations in States and on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. A copy of the final rule is attached. The final rule is effective immediately upon publication. Delaying the effective date for 30 days would have detrimental effects on the establishment of migratory game birds hunting regulations and, on the States/Tribes and businesses that support this activity. The Department of the Interior finds that it is in the public interest to make this rule effective as soon as possible. For these reasons, we find that “good cause” exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, to make this rule take effect immediately upon publication in the Federal Register. We will, however, accept and consider all public comments concerning the information collection requirements received in response to this final rule.

In addition to soliciting public comments on the information collection requirements at the proposed rule phase, we consult annually with State and Tribal governments annually and on an ongoing basis throughout the rulemaking process. The Service publishes a series of proposed and final rulemaking documents for the establishment of the upcoming annual hunting seasons (see process explained in question 1). Follow-up Federal Register publications discuss and propose the frameworks for the upcoming season migratory bird hunting regulations. Comments and recommendations are summarized and published as part of a follow-on proposed rule.

In addition, we also conduct consultation and outreach as part of this process through the involvement of the Flyway Councils. Acknowledging regional differences in hunting conditions, the Service has administratively divided the Nation into four Flyways for the primary purpose of managing migratory game birds. Each Flyway (Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific) has a Flyway Council, a formal organization generally composed of one member from each State and Province in that Flyway. The Flyway Councils, established through the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, also assist in researching and providing migratory game bird management information for Federal, State, and Provincial governments, as well as private conservation entities and the general public.

9. Explain any decision to provide any payment or gift to respondents, other than remuneration of contractors or grantees.

We do not provide payments or gifts to respondents.

10. Describe any assurance of confidentiality provided to respondents and the basis for the assurance in statute, regulation, or agency policy.

We do not provide any assurance of confidentiality. Information is collected and protected in accordance with the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. § 552a) and the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552).

11. Provide additional justification for any questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. This justification should include the reasons why the agency considers the questions necessary, the specific uses to be made of the information, the explanation to be given to persons from whom the information is requested, and any steps to be taken to obtain their consent.

We do not ask questions of a sensitive nature.

12. Provide estimates of the hour burden of the collection of information. The statement should:

* Indicate the number of respondents, frequency of response, annual hour burden, and an explanation of how the burden was estimated. Unless directed to do so, agencies should not conduct special surveys to obtain information on which to base hour burden estimates. Consultation with a sample (fewer than 10) of potential respondents is desirable. If the hour burden on respondents is expected to vary widely because of differences in activity, size, or complexity, show the range of estimated hour burden, and explain the reasons for the variance. Generally, estimates should not include burden hours for customary and usual business practices.

* If this request for approval covers more than one form, provide separate hour burden estimates for each form and aggregate the hour burdens.

* Provide estimates of annualized cost to respondents for the hour burdens for collections of information, identifying and using appropriate wage rate categories. The cost of contracting out or paying outside parties for information collection activities should not be included here.

We estimate that we will receive 99 responses (from 52 State and U.S. Territories and 30 Tribal governments, as well as 17 additional reports) totaling 9,878 annual burden hours for this information collection. The total dollar value of the annual burden hours is approximately $532,935 (rounded).

NOTE: Our December 2020 submission removed the completed State reports but we neglected to add the three new reports shown in question 2. The corrected “State-specific Reports (Yearly)” reflects a net increase of zero for this IC in ROCIS.

Table 1 of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) News Release USDL-21-1094, June 17, 2021, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—March 2021, lists the hourly rate for all government workers as $53.68, including benefits.

Activity	Number of Annual Responses	Average Time Required per Response (Hours)	Total Annual Burden Hours	Total $ Value of Annual Burden Hours ($53.68/hr)
Solicitation of Annual Season Selection Data	82	4	328	$ 17,607.04
Reports from Experimental Hunting Seasons and Season Structure Changes	7	650	4,550	244,244.00
State-specific Reports (Yearly)	9	500	4,500	244,244.00
State-specific Reports (Every 3 Years)	1	500	500	26,840.00
Totals:	99		9,878	$ 532,935.04

13. Provide an estimate of the total annual non-hour cost burden to respondents or recordkeepers resulting from the collection of information. (Do not include the cost of any hour burden already reflected in item 12.)

* The cost estimate should be split into two components: (a) a total capital and start-up cost component (annualized over its expected useful life) and (b) a total operation and maintenance and purchase of services component. The estimates should take into account costs associated with generating, maintaining, and disclosing or providing the information (including filing fees paid for form processing). Include descriptions of methods used to estimate major cost factors including system and technology acquisition, expected useful life of capital equipment, the discount rate(s), and the time period over which costs will be incurred. Capital and start-up costs include, among other items, preparations for collecting information such as purchasing computers and software; monitoring, sampling, drilling and testing equipment; and record storage facilities.

* If cost estimates are expected to vary widely, agencies should present ranges of cost burdens and explain the reasons for the variance. The cost of purchasing or contracting out information collection services should be a part of this cost burden estimate. In developing cost burden estimates, agencies may consult with a sample of respondents (fewer than 10), utilize the 60-day pre-OMB submission public comment process and use existing economic or regulatory impact analysis associated with the rulemaking containing the information collection, as appropriate.

* Generally, estimates should not include purchases of equipment or services, or portions thereof, made: (1) prior to October 1, 1995, (2) to achieve regulatory compliance with requirements not associated with the information collection, (3) for reasons other than to provide information or keep records for the government, or (4) as part of customary and usual business or private practices.

We have not identified any nonhour cost burden associated with this collection of information.

14. Provide estimates of annualized cost to the Federal government. Also, provide a description of the method used to estimate cost, which should include quantification of hours, operational expenses (such as equipment, overhead, printing, and support staff), and any other expense that would not have been incurred without this collection of information.

We estimate the total cost to the Federal Government to administer this information collection will be $9,343 (rounded).

We used Office of Personnel Management Salary Table 2021-DCB to obtain the most up-to-date hourly rates for staff. We used BLS News Release USDL-21-1094, June 17, 2021, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation—March 2021, to calculate the fully burdened rates for each staff member. The table below shows Federal staff and grade levels performing various tasks associated with this information collection.

Position/Grade	2021 Annual Salary	Annual Salary, Incl. Benefits (x1.59 multiplier)*	Time Spent on Information Collection	Total Annual Cost*
Wildlife Biologist (GS-13/05)	$ 117,516	$ 186,850	5%	$ 9,343

*Rounded

15. Explain the reasons for any program changes or adjustments in hour or cost burden.

We are reporting changes in “Reports from Experimental Hunting Seasons and Season Structure Changes” as highlighted in question 2. Our December 2020 submission removed the completed State reports but we neglected to add the three new reports shown in question 2 (MN, SD/NE, and ID). The corrected “State-specific Reports (Yearly)” reflects a net increase of zero for this IC in ROCIS.

16. For collections of information whose results will be published, outline plans for tabulation and publication. Address any complex analytical techniques that will be used. Provide the time schedule for the entire project, including beginning and ending dates of the collection of information, completion of report, publication dates, and other actions.

There are no plans for publication of the results of these information collections.

17. If seeking approval to not display the expiration date for OMB approval of the information collection, explain the reasons that display would be inappropriate.

We will display the OMB control number and expiration date.

18. Explain each exception to the topics of the certification statement identified in "Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions."

There are no exceptions to the certification statement.

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