The Electronic Duck Stamp Act of 2005
(Pub. L. 109-266), passed in August 2006, required that the
Secretary of the Interior conduct a 3-year pilot program under
which up to 15 States could be authorized to issue electronic
Federal Duck Stamps, or E-stamps. In August 2007, eight States
began issuing the E-stamps. More than 59,000 E-stamps were sold the
first year of the pilot program. At that time, the E-stamp was
valid for 45 days from the date of purchase and could be used
immediately while customers wait to receive the actual stamp in the
mail. After 45 days, customers were required to carry the actual
Federal Duck Stamp while hunting or to gain free access to national
wildlife refuges. As expected, the electronic program increased the
availability of Federal Duck Stamps, making it easier for the
public to obtain the stamps and enhancing public participation.
Under our authorities in 16 U.S.C. 718b(a)(2), we have continued
the Electronic Duck Stamp Program in the eight States that
participated in the pilot, and, in 2012, more than 350,000 stamps
were sold. From 2013-2023, we expanded the program by inviting all
State fish and wildlife agencies to participate. We received
applications and interest from another 30 States. Thirty-two of
these States were accepted and 23 new States entered the program in
this ten-year period. As of the end of 2016, we had a total of 30
States participating in the program. The Duck Stamp Modernization
Act of 2023 (Pub. L. 118-25), signed into law on December 19, 2023,
removed the 45-day limit on the E-stamp’s validity; the E-stamp is
now valid from the date of purchase through June 30. To protect the
tradition of the conservation “stamp”, a pictorial stamp will still
be sent to each E-stamp customer each year after March 10 (end of
the migratory bird hunting season). These will be slightly
different in appearance from Federal Duck Stamps purchased through
the U.S. Postal Service or consignees.
US Code:
16 USC 718a et. seq. Name of Law: Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp
Act
US Code: 16
USC 718p Name of Law: Permanent Electronic Duck Stamp Act of
2013
With this submission, we are
reporting discretionary changes of 30 annual responses and 300
annual hours associated with the addition of the new IC for
renewed/amended applications. We are also reporting a change in
estimate of 572 annual responses and 1,118 annual hours.
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.