42318 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules

Authority: The authority for this action is

the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531

et seq.).

Dated: June 21, 2000.

Jamie Rappaport Clark,

Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.

[FR Doc. 00–17260 Filed 7–7–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Parts 25 and 32

RIN 1018–AG01

2000–2001 Refuge-Specific Hunting

and Sport Fishing Regulations

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,

Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

SUMMARY: We propose to add national

wildlife refuges (refuges) to the list of

areas open for hunting and/or sport

fishing, along with pertinent refugespecific regulations for such activities;

and amend certain regulations on other

refuges that pertain to migratory game

bird hunting, upland game hunting, big

game hunting, and sport fishing for the

2000–2001 season.

DATES: You should submit comments on

or before August 9, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments

to Chief, Branch of Planning and Policy,

Division of Refuges, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, 1849 C Street, NW, MS

670 ARLSQ, Washington, DC 20240. See

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION for

information on electronic submission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Leslie A. Marler, (703) 358–2397; Fax

(703) 358–2248.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

National Wildlife Refuge System

Administration Act of 1966 (NWRSAA)

closes national wildlife refuges to all

uses until we open them. The Secretary

of the Interior (Secretary) may open

refuge areas to any use, including

hunting and/or fishing upon a

determination that such uses are

compatible with the purposes of the

refuge. The action also must be in

accordance with provisions of all laws

applicable to the areas, must be

consistent with the principles of sound

fish and wildlife management and

administration, and otherwise must be

in the public interest. These

requirements ensure that we maintain

the biological integrity, diversity, and

environmental health of the National

Wildlife Refuge System (System) for the

benefit of present and future generations

of Americans.

We review refuge hunting and fishing

programs annually to determine

whether to include additional refuges or

whether individual refuge regulations

governing existing programs need

modifications, deletions, or additions

made to them. Changing environmental

conditions, State and Federal

regulations, and other factors affecting

wildlife populations and habitat may

warrant modifications to ensure the

continued compatibility of hunting and

fishing programs and that these

programs will not materially interfere

with or detract from the fulfillment of

the mission of the System or the

purposes of the refuge.

You may find provisions governing

hunting and fishing on national wildlife

refuges in 50 CFR part 32. We regulate

hunting and fishing on refuges to:

• Ensure compatibility with the

purpose(s) of the refuge;

• Properly manage the fish and

wildlife resource;

• Protect other refuge values; and

• Ensure refuge user safety.

On many refuges where we decide it

is proper to open them for hunting and

fishing, our general policy of adopting

regulations identical to State hunting

and fishing regulations is adequate in

meeting these objectives. On other

refuges, we must supplement State

regulations with more restrictive

Federal regulations to ensure that we

meet our management responsibilities,

as outlined under the section entitled

‘‘Statutory Authority.’’ We issue refugespecific hunting and sport fishing

regulations when we open wildlife

refuges to either migratory game bird

hunting, upland game hunting, big game

hunting, or sport fishing. These

regulations list the wildlife species that

you may hunt or those species subject

to sport fishing, seasons, bag limits,

methods of hunting or fishing,

descriptions of open areas, and other

provisions as appropriate. You may find

previously issued refuge-specific

regulations for hunting and fishing in 50

CFR part 32. In this rulemaking, we are

promulgating many of the amendments

to these sections to standardize and

clarify the existing language of these

regulations.

Some refuges make seasonal

information available in brochures or

leaflets to supplement these refugespecific regulations, which we provide

for in 50 CFR 25.31.

Plain Language Mandate

In this rule the vast majority of the

revisions to the individual refuge units

are to comply with a Presidential

mandate to use plain language in

regulations and do not modify the

substance of the previous regulations.

These types of changes include using

‘‘you’’ to refer to the reader and ‘‘we’’

to refer to the Service and using the

word ‘‘allow’’ instead of ‘‘permit’’ when

we do not require the use of a permit for

an activity.

Statutory Authority

The National Wildlife Refuge System

Administration Act (NWRSAA) of 1966,

as amended by the National Wildlife

Refuge System Improvement Act of

1997 (16 U.S.C. 668dd–668ee), and the

Refuge Recreation Act (RRA) of 1962 (16

U.S.C. 460k–460k–4) govern the

administration and public use of

national wildlife refuges.

The National Wildlife Refuge System

Improvement Act (NWRSIA) of 1997 is

the latest amendment to the NWRSAA.

It amends and builds upon the

NWRSAA in a manner that provides an

improved ‘‘Organic Act’’ for the System

similar to those that exist for other

public lands. It serves to ensure that we

effectively manage the System as a

national network of lands, waters, and

interests for the protection and

conservation of our Nation’s wildlife

resources. The NWRSAA states first and

foremost that we focus the mission of

the System on conservation of fish,

wildlife, and plant resources and their

habitat. This Act requires the Secretary,

before initiating or allowing a new use

of a refuge, or before expanding,

renewing, or extending an existing use

of a refuge, to determine that the use is

compatible and promotes public safety.

The NWRSIA establishes as the policy

of the United States that wildlifedependent recreation, when it is

compatible, is a legitimate and

appropriate public use of the System,

through which the American public can

develop an appreciation for fish and

wildlife. The NWRSIA establishes six

compatible wildlife-dependent

recreational uses as the priority general

public uses of the System. Those

priority uses are: hunting, fishing,

wildlife observation, wildlife

photography, environmental education,

and environmental interpretation.

The RRA authorizes the Secretary to

administer areas within the System for

public recreation as an appropriate

incidental or secondary use only to the

extent that doing so is practicable and

not inconsistent with the primary

purpose(s) for which Congress and the

Service established the areas. This act

requires that any recreational use of

refuge lands be compatible with the

primary purpose(s) for which we

established the refuge and not

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules 42319

inconsistent with other previously

authorized operations.

The NWRSAA and RRA also

authorize the Secretary to issue

regulations to carry out the purposes of

the acts and regulate uses.

We develop hunting and sport fishing

plans for each refuge prior to opening it

to hunting or fishing. In many cases, we

develop refuge-specific regulations to

ensure the compatibility of the programs

with the purposes for which we

established the refuge. We have ensured

initial compliance with the NWRSAA

and the RRA for hunting and sport

fishing on newly acquired refuges

through an interim determination of

compatibility made at the time of

acquisition. This policy ensures that we

make the determinations required by

these acts prior to adding refuges to the

lists of areas open to hunting and

fishing in 50 CFR part 32. We ensure

continued compliance by the

development of Comprehensive

Conservation Plans, long-term hunting

and sport fishing plans, and by annual

review of hunting and sport fishing

programs and regulations.

In preparation for new openings, we

include the following documents in the

refuges’ ‘‘opening package’’: an interim

hunting and fishing management plan; a

Section 7 determination pursuant to the

Endangered Species Act that these

openings will have no effect, or are not

likely to have an adverse effect, on

listed species or critical habitats; a letter

of concurrence from the affected

State(s); interim compatibility

determinations; and refuge-specific

regulations to administer the hunting

and/or fishing programs. Upon review

of these documents, we have

determined that the opening of these

national wildlife refuges to hunting and

fishing is compatible with the principles

of sound fish and wildlife management

and administration and otherwise will

be in the public interest.

We propose to allow the following

wildlife-dependent recreational

activities for the first time:

Hunting of migratory game birds on:

• Grand Bay National Wildlife

Refuge, Alabama

• Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge,

Louisiana

• Lake Umbagog National Wildlife

Refuge, Maine and New Hampshire

• McNary National Wildlife Refuge,

Oregon

• Balcones Canyonland National

Wildlife Refuge, Texas

• Lower Rio Grande Valley National

Wildlife Refuge, Texas

• Arid Lands National Wildlife

Refuge Complex, Washington

Upland game hunting on:

• Grand Bay National Wildlife

Refuge, Alabama

• Cameron Prairie National Wildlife

Refuge, Louisiana

• Lake Umbagog National Wildlife

Refuge, Maine and New Hampshire

• McNary National Wildlife Refuge,

Oregon

• Arid Lands National Wildlife

Refuge Complex, Washington

Big game hunting on:

• Grand Bay National Wildlife

Refuge, Alabama

• Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge,

Louisiana

• Lake Umbagog National Wildlife

Refuge, Maine and New Hampshire

• San Andres National Wildlife

Refuge, New Mexico

• McNary National Wildlife Refuge,

Oregon and Washington

• Lower Rio Grande Valley National

Wildlife Refuge, Texas

• Mackay Island National Wildlife

Refuge, Virginia

• Arid Lands National Wildlife

Refuge Complex, Washington

Sport fishing on:

• Atchafalaya National Wildlife

Refuge, Louisiana

• Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife

Refuge, Louisiana

• Rachel Carson National Wildlife

Refuge, Maine

• Sand Lake National Wildlife

Refuge, South Dakota

• Trinity River National Wildlife

Refuge, Texas

• Mackay Island National Wildlife

Refuge, Virginia

• Arid Lands National Wildlife

Refuge Complex, Washington

In accordance with NWRSAA and the

RRA, we have determined that these

openings are compatible and consistent

with the primary purposes for which we

established the respective refuges.

We propose to remove Ankeny

National Wildlife Refuge, Oregon,

which had been open for migratory

game bird hunting, from the list of

refuges open for wildlife-dependent

recreational activities.

We are correcting an administrative

error that occurred when we

inadvertently dropped ‘‘Sport Fishing’’

as an activity open to the public in Sand

Lake National Wildlife Refuge in the

State of South Dakota from 50 CFR

32.61. Sand Lake National Wildlife

Refuge has been open to ‘‘Sport

Fishing’’ since December 22, 1978.

We are making a technical correction

to update 50 CFR 25.23 to reflect current

information collection clearance

numbers that the Office of Management

and Budget (OMB) approved for:

‘‘Special Use Permit Application on

National Wildlife Refuges Outside

Alaska’’ (1018–0102 which expires

December 31, 2001), and ‘‘Special Use

Permit Applications on National

Wildlife Refuges In Alaska’’ (1018–0014,

which expires August 31, 2000, and is

currently at OMB for renewal).

Request for Comments

You may comment on this proposed

rule by any one of several methods:

1. You may mail comments to: Chief,

Branch of Planning and Policy, Division

of Refuges, U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service, 1849 C Street, NW, MS 670

ARLSQ, Washington, DC 20240.

2. You may comment via the Internet

to: Refuge_Specific_Comments@fws.

gov. Please submit Internet comments as

an ASCII file avoiding the use of special

characters and any form of encryption.

Please also include: ‘‘Attn: 1018–AG01’’

and your name and return address in

your Internet message. If you do not

receive a confirmation from the system

that we have received your Internet

message, contact us directly at (703)

358–1744.

3. You may fax comments to: Chief,

Branch of Planning and Policy, Division

of Refuges, (703) 358–2248.

4. Finally, you may hand-deliver

comments to the address mentioned

above.

We seek comments on this proposed

rule and will accept comments by any

of the methods described above. Our

practice is to make comments, including

names and home addresses of

respondents, available for public review

during regular business hours.

Individual respondents may request that

we withhold their home address from

the rulemaking record, which we will

honor to the extent allowable by law. In

some circumstances, we would

withhold from the rulemaking record a

respondent’s identity, as allowable by

law. If you wish for us to withhold your

name and/or address, you must state

this request prominently at the

beginning of your comment. However,

we will not consider anonymous

comments. We will make all

submissions from organizations or

businesses and from individuals

identifying themselves as

representatives or officials of

organizations or businesses, available

for public inspection in their entirety.

Department of the Interior policy is,

whenever practicable, to afford the

public a meaningful opportunity to

participate in the rulemaking process.

We considered providing a 60-day

rather than a 30-day comment period.

However, we determined that an

additional 30-day delay in processing

these refuge-specific hunting and

42320 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules

fishing regulations would hinder the

effective planning and administration of

our hunting and fishing programs. That

delay would jeopardize establishment of

hunting and fishing programs this year,

or shorten their duration. Many of these

rules also relieve restrictions and allow

the public to participate in recreational

activities on a number of refuges. In

addition, in order to continue to provide

for previously authorized hunting

opportunities while at the same time

provide for adequate resource

protection, we must be timely in

providing modifications to certain

hunting programs on some refuges.

When finalized, we will incorporate

this regulation into Title 50 Code of

Federal Regulations (50 CFR) parts 25

and 32. Part 25 contains the

administrative provisions for the

National Wildlife Refuge System. Part

32 contains general provisions and

refuge-specific regulations for hunting

and sport fishing on national wildlife

refuges.

Clarity of This Regulation

Executive Order 12866 requires each

agency to write regulations that are easy

to understand. We invite your

comments on how to make this rule

easier to understand, including answers

to questions such as the following: (1)

Are the requirements in the rule clearly

stated? (2) Does the rule contain

technical language or jargon that

interferes with its clarity? (3) Does the

format of the rule (grouping and order

of sections, use of headings,

paragraphing, etc.) aid or reduce its

clarity? (4) Would the rule be easier to

understand if it were divided into more

(but shorter) sections? (5) Is the

description of the rule in the

‘‘Supplementary Information’’ section of

the preamble helpful in understanding

the rule? (6) What else could we do to

make the rule easier to understand?

Regulatory Planning and Review

This document is not a significant

rule subject to Office of Management

and Budget review under Executive

Order 12866. See explanation under

Regulatory Flexibility Act.

a. This rule will not have an annual

economic effect of $100 million or

adversely affect an economic sector,

productivity, jobs, the environment, or

other units of government. A costbenefit and economic analysis is not

required. This rule is administrative,

legal, technical, and procedural in

nature and makes minor modification to

existing refuge public use programs. The

rule will allow hunting on 10 refuges

where we had prohibited hunting and

allow fishing on 7 refuges where we had

prohibited that activity. We estimate

that these changes will result in 9,440

additional visitor-hunting-days and

49,200 visitor-fishing-days. The

appropriate measure for the net benefits

of these changes is the additional net

economic value experienced by the

participants. The 1996 National Survey

of Fishing, Hunting, and WildlifeAssociated Recreation measured net

economic values by activity and region.

Applying these estimates to the number

of additional activity-days permitted by

this rule yields an estimate of the

national benefits from increased hunting

of $368,000 and from increased fishing

of $1.6 million (both in 1999 dollars).

These estimates are below the threshold

for a significant rule.

b. This rule will not create

inconsistencies with other agencies’

actions. Before proposing regulations,

we coordinate recreational use on

national wildlife refuges with State

governments as well as other Federal

agencies having adjoining or

overlapping jurisdiction. The regulation

is consistent with, and not less

restrictive than, other agencies’ rules.

c. This rule will not materially affect

entitlements, grants, user fees, loan

programs, or the rights and obligations

of their recipients. The provisions of

this rule only apply to persons involved

in wildlife-dependent public use,

including regulated hunting and sport

fishing, on national wildlife refuges,

which is a privilege and not a right.

User fees will not change as a result of

this rule.

d. This rule will not raise novel legal

or policy issues. This rule continues the

practice of requiring public use of

refuges to be compatible with the

primary purpose of the refuge.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Department of the Interior

certifies that this rule will not have a

significant economic effect on a

substantial number of small entities

such as businesses, organizations, and

governmental jurisdictions in the area as

defined under the Regulatory Flexibility

Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). A final

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not

attached, and a Small Entity

Compliance Guide is not required.

This rulemaking will not have a

significant economic impact on a

substantial number of small entities

(refer to paragraph a. above for the net

economic values). Congress created the

National Wildlife Refuge System to

conserve fish, wildlife, and plants and

their habitats. They facilitated this

conservation mission by providing

Americans opportunities to visit and

participate in compatible wildlifedependent recreation, including

hunting, fishing, wildlife observation,

wildlife photography, environmental

education, and environmental

interpretation as priority public uses on

national wildlife refuges and to better

appreciate the value of, and need for,

fish and wildlife conservation.

This rule is administrative, legal,

technical, and procedural in nature and

provides for minor changes to the

methods of hunting and fishing

permitted but does not stop the overall

use allowed. This rule will not

significantly change the number of

visitors using refuges or their spending

and, therefore, will have no significant

impact on the local economies in their

vicinity.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement

Fairness Act

This rule is not a major rule under 5

U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, as

discussed in the Regulatory Planning

and Review section above. This rule:

a. Does not have an annual effect on

the economy of $100 million or more

[This regulation will affect only visitors

at national wildlife refuges. It will cause

a slight change in the number of visitors

using the refuge (9,440 additional

visitor-hunting days and 49,200 visitorfishing days).];

b. Will not cause a major increase in

costs or prices for consumers,

individual industries, Federal, State, or

local government agencies, or

geographic regions; or

c. Does not have significant adverse

effects on competition, employment,

investment, productivity, innovation, or

the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to

compete with foreign-based enterprises.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

Since this rule applies to public use

of federally owned and managed

refuges, it does not impose an unfunded

mandate on State, local, or Tribal

governments or the private sector of

more than $100 million per year. The

rule does not have a significant or

unique effect on State, local, or Tribal

governments or the private sector. A

statement containing the information

required by the Unfunded Mandates

Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not

required.

Takings (Executive Order 12630)

In accordance with Executive Order

12630, the rule does not have significant

takings implications. This regulation

will affect only visitors at national

wildlife refuges and limit what they can

do while they are on a refuge.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules 42321

Federalism (Executive Order 13132)

As discussed in the Regulatory

Planning and Review and Unfunded

Mandates Reform Act sections above,

this rule does not have sufficient

federalism implications to warrant the

preparation of a Federalism Assessment

under Executive Order 13132. In

preparing this proposed rule, we

worked with State governments.

Civil Justice Reform (Executive Order

12988)

In accordance with Executive Order

12988, the Office of the Solicitor has

determined that the rule does not

unduly burden the judicial system and

meets the requirements of sections 3(a)

and 3(b)(2) of the Order. The regulation

will clarify established regulations and

result in better understanding of the

regulations by refuge visitors.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This regulation does not contain any

information collection requirements

other than those already approved by

the Office of Management and Budget

under the Paperwork Reduction Act.

See 50 CFR 25.23 for information

concerning that approval.

Section 7 Consultation

In preparation for new openings, we

include Section 7 consultation

documents approved by the Services’

Ecological Services program in the

refuge’s ‘‘openings package’’ for

Regional review and approval from the

Washington Office. We reviewed the

changes in hunting and fishing

regulations herein with regard to

Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act

of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531–1543). For the

national wildlife refuges proposed to

open for hunting and/or fishing the

Service has determined that Bayou

Cocodrie, Lake Umbagog, Grand Bay,

Lower Rio Grande, and McNary will not

likely adversely affect and Rachel

Carson, Atchafalaya, San Andres, and

Mandalay will not affect the continued

existence of any endangered or

threatened species or result in the

destruction or adverse modification of

habitat of such species within the

System.

Arid Lands is opening with no

Section 7 under an existing record of

decision with the Department of Energy,

who has primary jurisdiction.

We comply with Section 7 of the

Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16

U.S.C. 1531–1543) when developing

Comprehensive Conservation Plans,

management plans for public use of

refuges, and prior to implementing any

new or revised public recreation

program on a refuge as identified in 50

CFR 26.32. We also make

determinations required by the

Endangered Species Act on a case-bycase basis before the addition of a refuge

to the lists of areas open to hunting or

fishing as contained in 50 CFR 32.7.

National Environmental Policy Act

We analyzed this rule in accordance

with the criteria of the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969

(NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4332(C)) and 516 DM

6, Appendix 1. This rule does not

constitute a major Federal action

significantly affecting the quality of the

human environment. An environmental

impact statement/assessment is not

required.

A categorical exclusion from NEPA

documentation covers this amendment

of refuge-specific hunting and fishing

regulations since it is technical and

procedural in nature, and the

environmental effects are too broad,

speculative, or conjectural to lend

themselves to meaningful analysis (516

DM 2, Appendix 1.10).

Prior to the addition of a refuge to the

list of areas open to hunting and fishing

in 50 CFR part 32, we develop hunting

and fishing plans for the affected

refuges. We incorporate these proposed

refuge hunting and fishing activities in

the refuge Comprehensive Conservation

Plans and/or step-down management

plans, pursuant to our refuge planning

guidance in 602 FW 1–3. We prepare

these plans in compliance with section

102(2)(C) of NEPA, and the Council on

Environmental Quality’s regulations for

implementing NEPA in 40 CFR parts

1500–1508. We invite the affected

public to participate in the review,

development, and implementation of

these plans.

Available Information for Specific

Refuges

Individual refuge headquarters retain

information regarding public use

programs and the conditions that apply

to their specific programs and maps of

their respective areas. You may also

obtain information from the Regional

offices at the addresses listed below:

Region 1—California, Hawaii, Idaho,

Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

Assistant Regional Director—Refuges

and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service, Eastside Federal Complex,

Suite 1692, 911 N.E. 11th Avenue,

Portland, Oregon 97232–4181;

Telephone (503) 231–6214.

Region 2—Arizona, New Mexico,

Oklahoma, and Texas. Assistant

Regional Director—Refuges and

Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

Box 1306, 500 Gold Avenue,

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103;

Telephone (505) 248–7419.

Region 3—Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,

Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio,

and Wisconsin. Assistant Regional

Director—Refuges and Wildlife, U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, 1 Federal

Drive, Federal Building, Fort Snelling,

Twin Cities, Minnesota 55111;

Telephone (612) 713–5401.

Region 4—Alabama, Arkansas,

Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,

Mississippi, North Carolina, South

Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, and

the Virgin Islands. Assistant Regional

Director—Refuges and Wildlife, U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century

Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia 30345;

Telephone (404) 679–7166.

Region 5—Connecticut, Delaware,

Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New

Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,

Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont,

Virginia, and West Virginia. Assistant

Regional Director—Refuges and

Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,

300 Westgate Center Drive, Hadley,

Massachusetts 01035–9589; Telephone

(413) 253–8306.

Region 6—Colorado, Kansas,

Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota,

South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

Assistant Regional Director—Refuges

and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service, 134 Union Blvd., Lakewood,

Colorado 80228; Telephone (303) 236–

8145.

Region 7—Alaska. Assistant Regional

Director—Refuges and Wildlife, U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, 1011 E.

Tudor Rd., Anchorage, Alaska 99503;

Telephone (907) 786–3545.

Primary Author

Leslie A. Marler, Management

Analyst, Division of Refuges, U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC

20240, is the primary author of this

rulemaking document.

List of Subjects

50 CFR Part 25

Administrative practice and

procedure, Concessions, Reporting and

recordkeeping requirements, Safety,

Wildlife refuges.

50 CFR Part 32

Fishing, Hunting, Reporting and

recordkeeping requirements, Wildlife,

Wildlife refuges.

For the reasons set forth in the

preamble, we propose to amend Title

50, Chapter I, subchapter C of the Code

of Federal Regulations as follows:

42322 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules

PART 25—[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for part 25

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k,

664, 668dd, and 715i, 3901 et seq.; and Pub.

L. 102–402, 106 Stat. 1961.

2. By revising § 25.23 to read as

follows:

§ 25.23 What are the general regulations

and information collection requirements?

The Office of Management and Budget

has approved the information collection

requirements contained in subchapter C,

parts 25, 32, and 36 under 44 U.S.C.

3501 et seq. and assigned the following

clearance numbers: Special Use Permit

Applications on National Wildlife

Refuges in Alaska (SUP–AK), clearance

number 1018–0014; Special Use Permit

Applications on National Wildlife

Refuges Outside Alaska (SUP), clearance

number 1018–0102. See § 36.3 of this

subchapter for further information on

Special Use Permit Applications on

National Wildlife Refuges in Alaska. We

are collecting the information to assist

us in administering these programs in

accordance with statutory authorities

that require that recreational uses be

compatible with the primary purposes

for which the areas were established.

We require the information requested in

the application form for the applicant to

obtain a benefit. We estimate the public

reporting burden for the SUP

application form to be 30 minutes per

response. This includes time for

reviewing instructions, gathering and

maintaining data, and completing and

reviewing the form. Direct comments on

the burden estimate or any other aspect

of this form to the Information

Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service, MS 222 ARLSQ,

Washington, DC 20240 (1018–0014 or

1018–0102).

PART 32—[AMENDED]

3. The authority citation for part 32

continues to read as follows:

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k,

664, 668dd–668ee, and 715i.

§ 32.7 [Amended]

4. In § 32.7 by:

a. Alphabetically adding ‘‘Grand Bay

National Wildlife Refuge’’ in the State of

Alabama;

b. Revising the listing of ‘‘Walnut

Creek National Wildlife Refuge’’ under

the State of Iowa to read ‘‘Neal Smith

National Wildlife Refuge;’’

c. Alphabetically adding ‘‘Lake

Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge’’ in

the State of Maine;

d. Alphabetically adding ‘‘Lake

Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge’’ in

the State of New Hampshire;

e. Alphabetically adding ‘‘San Andres

National Wildlife Refuge’’ in the State of

New Mexico;

f. Removing ‘‘Ankeny National

Wildlife Refuge’’ in the State of Oregon;

g. Revising the listing of ‘‘Klamath

Forest National Wildlife Refuge’’ to read

‘‘Klamath Marsh National Wildlife

Refuge’’ in the State of Oregon.

h. Alphabetically adding ‘‘McNary

National Wildlife Refuge’’ in the State of

Oregon;

i. Alphabetically adding ‘‘Lower Rio

Grande Valley National Wildlife

Refuge’’ in the State of Texas;

j. Alphabetically adding ‘‘Trinity

River National Wildlife Refuge’’ in the

State of Texas;

k. Alphabetically adding ‘‘Mackay

Island National Wildlife Refuge’’ in the

State of Virginia; and

l. Alphabetically adding ‘‘Arid Lands

National Wildlife Refuge Complex’’ in

the State of Washington.

5. In § 32.20 Alabama by

alphabetically adding Grand Bay

National Wildlife Refuge to read as

follows:

§ 32.20 Alabama.

* * * * *

Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of geese, ducks, and

coots on designated areas of the refuge

subject to the following condition: We

require a refuge permit.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of squirrel and rabbits on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following condition: We require a

refuge permit.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of white-tailed deer on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following condition: We require a

refuge permit.

D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]

* * * * *

6. In § 32.23 Arkansas by revising

paragraphs B. and D.1. of Wapanocca

National Wildlife Refuge to read as

follows:

§ 32.23 Arkansas.

* * * * *

Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of squirrel, rabbit, beaver,

nutria, raccoon, and opossum on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following condition: We require

permits.

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. ***

1. We allow fishing from March 15

through October 31 from sunrise to

sunset.

* * * * *

7. In § 32.24 California by:

a. Adding paragraphs A.5., A.6., B.6.,

and B.7. of Colusa National Wildlife

Refuge;

b. Adding paragraphs A.8., A.9, B.6,

and B.7. of Delevan National Wildlife

Refuge;

c. Revising paragraph A.2., and

adding paragraphs A.2.a., A.2.b. of

Lower Klamath National Wildlife

Refuge;

d. Adding paragraphs A.8., A.9., B.6.,

and B.7. of Sacramento National

Wildlife Refuge;

e. Adding paragraphs A.5., A.6., B.5.,

and B.6. of Sutter National Wildlife

Refuge; and

f. Revising paragraph A.2., adding

paragraphs A.2.a. and A.2.b. of Tule

Lake National Wildlife Refuge to read as

follows:

§ 32.24 California.

* * * * *

Colusa National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

5. You may enter or exit only at

designated locations.

6. Vehicles may stop only at

designated parking areas. We prohibit

the dropping of passengers or

equipment or stopping between

designated parking areas.

B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

6. You may enter or exit only at

designated locations.

7. Vehicles may stop only at

designated parking areas. We prohibit

the dropping of passengers or

equipment or stopping between

designated parking areas.

* * * * *

Delevan National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

8. You may enter or exit only at

designated locations.

9. Vehicles may stop only at

designated parking areas. We prohibit

the dropping of passengers or

equipment, or stopping between

designated parking areas.

B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

6. You may enter or exit only at

designated locations.

7. Vehicles may stop only at

designated parking areas. We prohibit

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules 42323

the dropping of passengers or

equipment, or stopping between

designated parking areas.

* * * * *

Lower Klamath National Wildlife

Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

2. Shooting hours end at 1:00 p.m. on

all California portions of the refuge with

the following exceptions:

a. The refuge manager may designate

up to 6 afternoon special youth or

disabled hunter waterfowl hunts per

season; and

b. The refuge manager may designate

up to 3 days per week of afternoon

waterfowl hunting for the general public

after December 1.

* * * * *

Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

8. You may enter or exit only at

designated locations.

9. Vehicles may stop only at

designated parking areas. We prohibit

the dropping of passengers or

equipment or stopping between

designated parking areas.

B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

6. You may enter or exit only at

designated locations.

7. Vehicles may stop only at

designated parking areas. We prohibit

the dropping of passengers or

equipment or stopping between

designated parking areas.

* * * * *

Sutter National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

5. You may enter or exit only at

designated locations.

6. Vehicles may stop only at

designated parking areas. We prohibit

the dropping of passengers or

equipment or stopping between

designated parking areas.

B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

5. You may enter or exit only at

designated locations.

6. Vehicles may stop only at

designated parking areas. We prohibit

the dropping of passengers or

equipment or stopping between

designated parking areas.

* * * * *

Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

2. Shooting hours end at 1:00 p.m. on

all California portions of the refuge with

the following exceptions:

a. The refuge manager may designate

up to 6 afternoon special youth or

disabled hunter waterfowl hunts per

season; and

b. The refuge manager may designate

up to 3 days per week of afternoon

waterfowl hunting for the general public

after December 1.

* * * * *

8. In § 32.27 Delaware by revising

paragraphs A.5., A.7., B.3., the

introductory text of paragraph C.,

paragraphs C.1., C.3., and C.4. and

removing paragraphs A.8. and B.4 of

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

to read as follows:

§ 32.27 Delaware.

* * * * *

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

5. The maximum number of hunters

permitted per blind is as follows: West

Waterfowl Area—4; South Waterfowl

Area—3; Young Waterfowlers Area—2.

* * * * *

7. Waterfowl hunters may not possess

more than 15 shotgun shells per day on

the West and Young Waterfowlers Hunt

Areas.

B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

3. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of turkey and deer on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following conditions:

1. We require a refuge permit except

on the South Upland Hunting Area.

* * * * *

3. We require a valid State permit for

turkey hunting.

4. During firearms deer season,

hunters must wear in a conspicuous

manner as an outer layer on the head,

chest, and back a minimum of 400

square inches (2,600 cm2) of solidcolored orange clothing or material.

* * * * *

9. In § 32.28 Florida by:

a. Revising paragraph D. of

Chassahowitzka National Wildlife

Refuge; and

b. Revising paragraphs A.1., A.5., and

A.7. of Merritt Island National Wildlife

Refuge to read as follows:

§ 32.28 Florida.

* * * * *

Chassahowitzka National Wildlife

Refuge

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

the refuge year round subject to the

following condition: You must fish in

accordance with State regulations.

* * * * *

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game

Birds.***

1. You must possess a valid refuge

hunting permit at all times while

hunting on the refuge. In addition, we

annually require a quota permit for hunt

areas 1 and 4 from the beginning of the

regular waterfowl season through

December 31.

* * * * *

5. You must complete and carry proof

of completing an approved hunter safety

training course in all hunt areas.

* * * * *

7. The public may not enter the refuge

between sunset and sunrise except: You

may access the refuge for waterfowl

hunting only after 4:00 a.m. each

hunting day during waterfowl hunting

season, and a valid refuge hunting

permit must be in your possession.

* * * * *

10. In § 32.31 Idaho by:

a. Revising paragraph B. of Bear Lake

National Wildlife Refuge;

b. Revising paragraph B. of Camas

National Wildlife Refuge;

c. Revising paragraph B. of Kootenai

National Wildlife Refuge; and

d. Revising paragraph B.2. of

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge to

read as follows:

§ 32.31 Idaho.

* * * * *

Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of partridge, grouse, and

cottontail rabbits, including pygmy

rabbits, on designated areas of the refuge

subject to the following condition: You

may possess only approved nontoxic

shot while in the field.

* * * * *

Camas National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of pheasant and grouse on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following condition: You may

possess only approved nontoxic shot

while in the field.

* * * * *

42324 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules

Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of forest grouse on designated

areas of the refuge subject to the

following condition: You may possess

only approved nontoxic shot while in

the field.

* * * * *

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

2. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

* * * * *

11. In § 32.32 Illinois by:

a. Revising paragraph D. of

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge;

b. Revising paragraph A.4.and adding

paragraph A.5. of Upper Mississippi

River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge

to read as follows:

§ 32.32 Illinois.

* * * * *

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following conditions:

1. We allow fishing on Lake

Chautauqua from January 15 through

October 15. You may not fish in the

Waterfowl Hunting Area during

waterfowl hunting season.

2. You may not leave private boats in

refuge waters overnight.

3. We restrict motorboats to ‘‘slow

speed/minimum wake.’’

4. The public may not enter Weis

Lake on the Cameron-Billsbach Unit of

Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge

from October 16 through January 14, to

provide sanctuary for migratory birds.

* * * * *

Upper Mississippi River National

Wildlife and Fish Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

4. On Pools 4 through 11, you may not

place or leave decoys on the refuge

during the time from 1⁄2 hour after the

close of legal shooting hours, until 1

hour before the start of legal shooting

hours.

5. This condition applies to Pools 4

through 11 only. We prohibit

construction of permanent hunting

blinds using manmade materials. You

must remove all manmade blind

materials from the refuge at the end of

each day’s hunt. Any blinds containing

manmade materials left on the refuge

are subject to immediate removal and

disposal. Manmade materials include,

but are not limited to: wooden pallets,

lumber, railroad ties, fence posts

(wooden or metal), wire, nails, staples,

netting, or tarps. We allow you to leave

only seasonal blinds, made entirely of

natural vegetation and biodegradable

twines, on the refuge. We consider all

such blinds public property and open to

use by any person on a first-come basis.

We allow you to gather only willow,

grasses, marsh vegetation, and dead

wood on the ground from the refuge for

blind-building materials. We prohibit

cutting or removing any other refuge

trees or vegetation.

* * * * *

12. In § 32.33 Indiana by revising

paragraph D.1. of Muscatatuck National

Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:

§ 32.33 Indiana.

* * * * *

Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. ***

1. You may fish from the bank and

from nonmotorized boats on Stanfield

Lake from May 15 through October 15.

You may not boat at other times.

Stanfield Lake is open to ice fishing

when ice conditions permit.

* * * * *

13. In § 32.34 Iowa by revising the

heading of Walnut Creek National

Wildlife Refuge to read as follows and

placing the listing in alphabetical order:

§ 32.34 Iowa.

* * * * *

Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

14. In § 32.37 Louisiana by:

a. Revising Atchafalaya National

Wildlife Refuge;

b. Revising paragraphs B., C., and D.

of Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife

Refuge;

c. Revising Cameron Prairie National

Wildlife Refuge;

d. Removing paragraphs D.3. and D.4.

of Grand Cote National Wildlife Refuge;

e. Revising the introductory text of

paragraph A. of Lacassine National

Wildlife Refuge;

f. Revising the introductory text of

paragraph C. of Lake Ophelia National

Wildlife Refuge; and

g. Revising paragraphs A., C., and D.

of Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge to

read as follows:

§ 32.37 Louisiana.

* * * * *

Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of geese, ducks, coots,

snipe, and woodcock on designated

areas of the refuge subject to the

following conditions:

1. Hunting must be in accordance

with Sherburne Wildlife Management

Area regulations.

2. For the Indian Bayou Area, we

require an Army Corps of Engineer

permit.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of squirrel, rabbit, raccoon,

opossum, nutria, muskrat, mink, fox,

bobcat, beaver, and otter on designated

areas of the refuge subject to the

following conditions:

1. Hunting must be in accordance

with Sherburne Wildlife Management

Area regulations.

2. For the Indian Bayou Area, we

require an Army Corps of Engineer

permit.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of deer and turkey on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following conditions:

1. Hunting must be in accordance

with Sherburne Wildlife Management

Area regulations.

2. For the Indian Bayou Area, we

require an Army Corps of Engineer

permit.

D. Sport Fishing. We allow finfishing

and shellfishing year round in

accordance with Sherburne Wildlife

Management Area regulations:

1. We require refuge permits for

commercial shellfishing.

2. For the Indian Bayou Area, we

require an Army Corps of Engineer

permit for commercial shellfishing.

* * * * *

Bayou Cocodrie National Wildlife

Refuge

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of squirrels, rabbit, raccoon,

and coyote on designated areas of the

refuge subject to the following

condition: We require refuge permits.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of white-tailed deer on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following condition: We require

refuge permits.

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following conditions:

1. Each boat/vehicle entering the

refuge must possess an entrance pass.

2. We allow fishing during daylight

hours only.

3. We allow fishing on the Cross

Bayou Cut and all tributaries that fill

with water from Cocodrie Bayou during

high water stages.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules 42325

4. We prohibit camping.

5. We allow only cotton limb lines.

6. You may not use trotlines, slat

traps, or nets while fishing.

* * * * *

Cameron Prairie National Wildlife

Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of migratory game

birds in designated areas of the refuge

subject to the following conditions:

1. We require refuge permits.

2. Any person entering, using, or

occupying the refuge for hunting must

abide by all terms and conditions in the

appropriate refuge brochure.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

upland game hunting in designated

areas of the refuge subject to the

following conditions:

1. We require refuge permits.

2. Any person entering, using, or

occupying the refuge for hunting must

abide by all terms and conditions in the

appropriate refuge brochure.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of white-tailed deer in

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following conditions:

1. We require refuge permits.

2. Any person entering, using, or

occupying the refuge for hunting must

abide by all terms and conditions in the

appropriate refuge brochure.

D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport

fishing in designated areas of the refuge

subject to the following condition: Any

person entering, using, or occupying the

refuge for fishing must abide by all

terms and conditions in the appropriate

refuge brochure.

* * * * *

Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of geese, duck,

gallinules, and coots on designated

areas of the refuge subject to the

following conditions:

* * * * *

Lake Ophelia National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey

on designated areas of the refuge subject

to the following conditions:

* * * * *

Mandalay National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of migratory game

birds in designated areas of the refuge

subject to the following condition: Any

person entering, using, or occupying the

refuge for hunting must abide by all

terms and conditions in the refuge

hunting brochure.

* * * * *

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of white-tailed deer and feral

hogs on designated areas of the refuge

subject to the following condition: Any

person entering, using, or occupying the

refuge for hunting must abide by all

terms and conditions in the refuge

hunting brochure.

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following condition: Any person

entering, using, or occupying the refuge

for fishing must abide by all terms and

conditions in the refuge fishing

brochure.

* * * * *

15. In § 32.38 Maine by:

a. Alphabetically adding Lake

Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge;

b. Revising paragraph D. of Rachel

Carson National Wildlife Refuge; and

c. Revising paragraph D. of Sunkhaze

Meadows National Wildlife Refuge to

read as follows:

§ 32.38 Maine.

* * * * *

Lake Umbagog National Wildlife

Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of ducks, geese,

common snipe, sora, Virginia rail,

common moorhen, and woodcock on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following conditions:

1. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

2. Designated permanent blinds will

be available by reservation. We allow no

other permanent blinds. You must

remove temporary blinds, boats, and

decoys from the refuge following each

day’s hunt.

3. You must wear in a conspicuous

manner on the outermost layer of the

head, chest, and back, a minimum of

400 square inches (2,600 cm2) of solidcolored hunter orange clothing or

material, except when hunting ducks or

geese.

4. We allow pre-hunt scouting,

however, we will not allow dogs during

pre-hunt scouts.

5. We prohibit dog training.

6. You must unload all firearms

outside of legal State hunting hours.

7. We prohibit the use of all-terrain

vehicles (ATV’s).

8. The Refuge will be open to hunting

during the hours stipulated under

Maine hunting regulations, but no

longer than from 1⁄2 hour before legal

sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of coyote, fox, raccoon,

woodchuck, red squirrel, eastern gray

squirrel, porcupine, skunk, American

crow, showshoe hare, ring-necked

pheasant, ruffed grouse, and northern

bobwhite in designated areas subject to

the following conditions:

1. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

2. You may only use pursuit or

trailing dogs to hunt coyote or snowshoe

hare.

3. We allow hunting of snowshoe hare

with dogs from November 20 to January

1.

4. We allow hunting of coyote with

dogs from October 20 to November 9.

5. We allow a maximum of four dogs

per hunter.

6. Dogs may only be on the refuge

when the hunter is present.

7. You must equip dogs used to hunt

coyote with operational radiotelemetry

collars. You must be in possession of a

working radiotelemetry receiver that can

detect and track the frequency(ies)

emitted by each radio collar used.

8. We do not allow hunting for coyote

and raccoon from 1⁄2 hour after sunset to 1⁄2 hour before sunrise.

9. We allow pre-hunt scouting,

however, we do not allow dogs during

pre-hunt scouts.

10. We prohibit dog training.

11. You must wear in a conspicuous

manner on the outermost layer of the

head, chest, and back, a minimum of

400 square inches (2,600 cm2) of solidcolored hunter orange clothing or

material.

12. You must unload all firearms

outside of legal State hunting hours.

13. We prohibit the use of all-terrain

vehicles (ATV’s).

14. The refuge will be open to hunting

during the hours stipulated under

Maine hunting regulations, but no

longer than from 1⁄2 hour before legal

sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of white-tailed deer, moose,

black bear, and wild turkey on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following conditions:

1. We allow bear hunting with dogs

from October 20 to October 29.

2. You must equip dogs used to hunt

bear with operational radiotelemetry

collars. You must be in possession of a

working radiotelemetry receiver that can

detect and track the frequency(ies)

emitted by each radio collar used.

3. We allow a maximum of four dogs

per hunter.

4. Dogs may only be on the refuge

when the hunter is present.

5. You must take the first bear you

tree, except in the case of cubs or a sow

with cubs.

6. You must report where you took

the bear to the State of Maine.

42326 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules

7. We allow pre-hunt scouting,

however, we will not allow dogs during

pre-hunt scouts.

8. We prohibit dog training.

9. You may use only portable tree

stands, and you must remove them from

the refuge each day.

10. You must wear in a conspicuous

manner on the outermost layer of the

head, chest, and back a minimum of 400

square inches (2,600 cm2) of solidcolored hunter orange clothing or

material, except when hunting turkey.

11. You must unload all firearms

outside of legal State hunting hours.

12. We prohibit the use of all-terrain

vehicles (ATV’s).

13. The refuge will be open to hunting

during the hours stipulated under

Maine hunting regulations, but no

longer than from 1⁄2 hour before legal

sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset.

D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]

* * * * *

Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following condition: We allow

fishing from sunrise to sunset.

Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife

Refuge

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. You may fish on the

waters of and from the banks of Baker

Brook, Birch Stream, Buzzy Brook,

Johnson Brook, Little Birch Stream,

Little Buzzy Brook, Sandy Stream, and

Sunkhaze Stream.

16. In § 32.40 Massachusetts by:

a. Revising paragraph D. of Monomoy

National Wildlife Refuge;

b. Adding paragraph D.3. to

Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge; and

c. Revising the introductory text of

paragraph B and revising paragraph B.3.

and adding paragraph B.4. to Oxbow

National Wildlife Refuge to read as

follows:

§ 32.40 Massachusetts.

* * * * *

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing in

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following condition: In addition to

daytime fishing, we allow fishing after

sunset in accordance with State

regulations.

Nantucket National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. ***

* * * * *

3. In addition to daytime fishing, we

allow fishing after sunset in accordance

with State regulations.

Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of upland game birds, turkey,

and small game on designated areas of

the refuge subject to the following

conditions:

* * * * *

3. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field, except

while hunting turkey.

4. Hunters will comply with all State

hunting regulations.

* * * * *

17. In § 32.42 Minnesota by adding

introductory text to paragraph A,

revising the introductory text of

paragraph B. and adding paragraphs

B.2., B.3., and C.3. to Big Stone National

Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:

§ 32.42 Minnesota.

* * * * *

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

You may not hunt any migratory game

birds on the refuge. You may retrieve

waterfowl taken outside the refuge

boundary up to 100 yards (90 m) inside

the refuge.

B. Upland Game Hunting. You may

hunt partridge, pheasant, wild turkey,

gray and fox squirrel, cottontail and jack

rabbit, red and gray fox, raccoon, and

striped skunk on designated areas of the

refuge subject to the following

conditions:

* * * * *

2. You may hunt fox, raccoon, and

striped skunk only during open seasons

for other small game species. You may

not use dogs while raccoon hunting.

3. You may hunt only turkey if you

have a valid State turkey hunting permit

in your possession.

C. Big Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

3. You may hunt only deer if you have

a valid State permit in your possession.

* * * * *

18. In § 32.44 Missouri by revising

paragraphs A., B., and C. of Big Muddy

National Wildlife Refuge to read as

follows:

§ 32.44 Missouri.

* * * * *

Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of migratory game

birds on designated areas of the refuge

subject to posted regulations and the

following conditions:

1. Shotgun hunters may use only

approved nontoxic shot while in the

field.

2. You must remove all boats, decoys,

and blinds from the refuge following

each day’s hunt except for blinds made

entirely of marsh vegetation. You may

not cut woody vegetation on the refuge

for blinds.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of upland game animals on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

posted regulations and the following

conditions:

1. You may use only approved

nontoxic shot while hunting for upland

game, except wild turkeys. You may use

lead shot while hunting for wild turkey.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow big

game hunting on designated areas of the

refuge subject to posted regulations and

the following conditions:

1. You may not use tree spikes to help

you climb trees or hunt on the refuge.

2. You must remove tree stands from

the refuge within 24 hours of the close

of the deer hunting season.

3. You may not hunt over or place on

the refuge any salt or other mineral

blocks.

* * * * *

19. In § 32.47 Nevada by:

a. Revising paragraphs A. and B. of

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge;

b. Revising paragraphs A., B., and D.1.

of Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge;

and

c. Adding paragraph A.3. and revising

the introductory text of paragraph D.

and paragraph D.2. of Ruby Lake

National Wildlife Refuge.

§ 32.47 Nevada.

Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of geese, ducks, coots,

moorhens, snipe, and doves in

accordance with State and refugespecific regulations on designated areas

of the refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. We allow hunting only on

designated days.

2. We allow only nonmotorized boats

or boats with electric motors on the

refuge hunting area during the migratory

waterfowl hunting season.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of quail and rabbit in

accordance with State and refugespecific regulations on designated areas

of the refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. We allow hunting of quail and

rabbit only on designated days during

the regular State season for quail.

2. We prohibit the discharging of

rifles or handguns.

* * * * *

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules 42327

Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of geese, ducks, coots,

moorhens, snipe, and doves in

accordance with State and refugespecific regulations on designated areas

of the refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. We allow hunting only on

designated days.

2. We allow only nonmotorized boats

or boats with electric motors on the

refuge hunting area during the migratory

waterfowl hunting season.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of quail and rabbit in

accordance with State and refugespecific regulations on designated areas

of the refuge subject to the following

condition: We allow hunting of quail

and rabbit only on designated days

during the regular State season for quail.

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. ***

1. We allow fishing year round with

exception of North Marsh, which we

close October 1 to February 1.

* * * * *

Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

3. The refuge is open to the public

from 1 hour before sunrise to 2 hours

after sunset.

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

Federal and State laws and the

following conditions:

* * * * *

2. We allow fishing on dikes in the

areas north of the Brown Dike and east

of the Collection Ditch with the

exception that you may fish by wading

and from personal flotation devices

(float tubes) in designated areas.

* * * * *

20. In § 32.48 New Hampshire by

adding Lake Umbagog National Wildlife

Refuge to read as follows:

§ 32.48 New Hampshire.

* * * * *

Lake Umbagog National Wildlife

Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of ducks, geese,

common snipe, and woodcock on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following conditions:

1. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

2. Designated permanent blinds will

be available by reservation. We will

allow no other permanent blinds. You

must remove temporary blinds, boats,

and decoys from the refuge following

each day’s hunt.

3. You must wear in a conspicuous

manner on the outermost layer of the

head, chest, and back, a minimum of

400 square inches (2,600 cm2) of solidcolored hunter orange clothing or

material, except when hunting ducks or

geese.

4. You must unload all firearms

outside of legal State hunting hours.

5. We prohibit use of all-terrain

vehicles (ATV’s).

6. We allow pre-hunt scouting,

however, we do not permit dogs during

pre-hunt scouts.

7. We prohibit dog training.

8. The refuge will be open to hunting

during the hours stipulated under New

Hampshire hunting regulations, but no

longer than from 1⁄2 hour before legal

sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of coyote, fisher, fox, raccoon,

woodchuck, red squirrel, porcupine,

skunk, weasel, American crow, mink,

muskrat, snowshoe hare, ring-necked

pheasant, ruffed grouse, and northern

bobwhite in designated areas subject to

the following conditions:

1. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

2. You may only use pursuit or

trailing dogs to hunt coyote or snowshoe

hare.

3. We allow hunting of snowshoe hare

from November 20 to January 1.

4. We allow hunting of coyote with

dogs from October 20 to November 9.

5. We allow a maximum of four dogs

per hunter.

6. Dogs may only be on the refuge

when the hunter is present.

7. You must equip dogs used to hunt

coyote with operational radiotelemetry

collars. You must be in possession of a

working radiotelemetry receiver that can

detect and track the frequency(ies)

emitted by each radio collar used.

8. We do not allow hunting for coyote

and raccoon from 1⁄2 hour after sunset to 1⁄2 hour before sunrise.

9. We allow pre-hunt scouting,

however, we will not allow dogs during

pre-hunt scouts.

10. We prohibit dog training.

11. You must wear in a conspicuous

manner on the outermost layer of the

head, chest, and back, a minimum of

400 square inches (2,600 cm2) of solidcolored hunter orange clothing or

material.

12. You must unload all firearms

outside of legal State hunting hours.

13. We prohibit the use of all-terrain

vehicles (ATV’s).

14. The refuge will be open to hunting

during the hours stipulated under New

Hampshire hunting regulations, but no

longer than from 1⁄2 hour before legal

sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of white-tailed deer, moose, and

black bear on designated areas of the

refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. We allow hunting of bear with dogs

from October 20 to November 9.

2. You must equip dogs used to hunt

bear with operational radiotelemetry

collars. You must be in possession of a

working radiotelemetry receiver that can

detect and track the frequency(ies)

emitted by each radio collar used.

3. We allow a maximum of four dogs

per hunter.

4. Dogs may only be on the refuge

when the hunter is present.

5. You must take the first bear you

tree, except in the case of cubs or a sow

with cubs.

6. You must report where you took

the bear to the State of New Hampshire.

7. We allow pre-hunt scouting,

however, we do not allow dogs during

pre-hunt scouts.

8. We prohibit dog training.

9. You may use only portable tree

stands, and you must remove them from

the refuge each day.

10. You must wear in a conspicuous

manner on the outermost layer of the

head, chest, and back, a minimum of

400 square inches (2,600 cm2) of solidcolored hunter orange clothing or

material.

11. You must unload all firearms

outside of legal State hunting hours.

12. We prohibit the use of all-terrain

vehicles (ATV’s).

13. The refuge will be open to hunting

during the hours stipulated under New

Hampshire hunting regulations, but no

longer than from 1⁄2 hour before legal

sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset.

D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]

21. In § 32.49 New Jersey by revising

paragraphs A., C.1., and D.1., revising

the introductory text of paragraphs C.

and D., and adding paragraph D.4 of

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife

Refuge.

§ 32.49 New Jersey.

* * * * *

Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife

Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of waterfowl, coots,

moorhens, and rails on designated areas

of the refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. You must remove all hunting blind

materials, boats, and decoys at the end

of each hunting day. We do not allow

permanent and pit blinds.

42328 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules

2. We may restrict use of Hunting

Unit 3 of the Brigantine Division to

certified Young Waterfowl Program

trainees for up to 30 days as posted.

3. You may not possess more than 25

shells per day in Hunting Units A, B,

and C in the Barnegat Division. You

may not possess more than 50 shells per

day in Unit 1 of the Brigantine Division.

4. In Hunting Unit B of the Barnegat

Division, we restrict hunting to

designated sites, with each site limited

to one party of hunters. We require a

minimum of six decoys per site.

5. In Hunting Unit D of the Barnegat

Division, we require a minimum of six

decoys and do not allow jump shooting.

Access is by boat only; we do not allow

foot access.

6. Access is by boat only in all Units

except the portion of Unit A that is

south of West Creek Dock Road, in the

Barnegat Division, and Unit 5 in the

Brigantine Division. You may access

these Units by foot or boat.

7. You may occupy no sites or Units

before 4:00 a.m. Access is by boat only.

8. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

* * * * *

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of white-tailed deer on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following conditions:

1. We require a State permit for the

appropriate New Jersey Deer

Management Zone. You must have this

permit stamped and validated in person

at the Refuge Headquarters.

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following conditions:

1. We allow saltwater fishing from the

Holgate beach and Little Beach Island

with the exception of those areas posted

as closed. We may close the Holgate

Unit and Little Beach Island to all

public use during the migratory bird

nesting season. We require a saltwater

fishing permit to fish from Little Beach

Island. You may obtain permits from the

Refuge Headquarters.

* * * * *

4. We allow bank fishing and crabbing

at designated areas. Contact the Refuge

Headquarters for locations.

* * * * *

22. In § 32.50 New Mexico by

alphabetically adding San Andres

National Wildlife Refuge to read as

follows:

§ 32.50 New Mexico.

* * * * *

San Andres National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

[Reserved]

B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of oryx or gemsbok (Oryx

gazella) on designated areas of the

refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. We require hunters to check in and

out of the hunt area.

2. We require hunters to attend

unexploded ordnance (UXO) training

prior to entering the hunt area.

3. We require State permits and

payment of a hunt fee.

D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]

* * * * *

23. In § 32.51 New York by revising

paragraphs A.1., B.1., C., and D.4,

deleting paragraph A.3, and

redesignating paragraphs A.4., A.5.,

A.6., and A.7., and A.8. as paragraphs

A.3., A.4., A.5., A.6., and A.7. of

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge to

read as follows:

§ 32.51 New York.

* * * * *

Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

1. We require refuge permits.

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

1. We require refuge permits.

* * * * *

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of deer and turkeys on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following condition: We require

refuge permits.

D. Sport Fishing. ***

* * * * *

4. We do not allow the use of boats

or other flotation devices with the

exception that you may use

nonmotorized boats on Oak Orchard

Creek east of Route 63.

* * * * *

24. In § 32.52 North Carolina by:

a. Revising paragraphs A.2., B.3., and

C.3. of Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife

Refuge; and

b. Revising paragraphs A. and B. of

Roanoke River National Wildlife Refuge

to read as follows:

§ 32.52 North Carolina.

* * * * *

Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

2. Firearms in transport by vehicle or

boat under power must remain

unloaded.

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

3. Firearms in transport by a vehicle

or boat under power must remain

unloaded.

* * * * *

C. Big Game Hunting. * * *

* * * * *

3. Firearms in transport by a vehicle

or boat under power must remain

unloaded.

* * * * *

Roanoke River National Wildlife

Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of ducks and coots on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following condition: We require

refuge permits.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of squirrel, raccoon, and

opossum on designated areas of the

refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. We require refuge permits.

2. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

* * * * *

25. In § 32.53 North Dakota by:

a. Revising paragraphs B. and C. of

Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge; and

b. Revising paragraph C. of Upper

Souris National Wildlife Refuge to read

as follows:

§ 32.53 North Dakota.

* * * * *

Lake Zahl National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of ring-necked pheasants,

sharp-tailed grouse, and gray partridge

on designated areas of the refuge subject

to the following conditions:

1. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

2. The upland game bird season opens

annually on the day following the close

of the regular firearm deer season

through the end of the State season.

3. Hunters may enter the refuge on

foot only.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of deer on designated areas of

the refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. We allow archery hunting through

the day before the opening of the State

waterfowl season and allow it following

the deer gun season.

2. We allow deer gun hunting

concurrent with the State deer gun

season.

3. Hunters may enter the refuge on

foot only.

* * * * *

Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules 42329

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of big game on designated areas

of the refuge as per State law with

certain restrictions as posted.

* * * * *

26. In § 32.54 Ohio by revising

paragraph D. of Cedar Point National

Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:

§ 32.54 Ohio.

* * * * *

Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport

fishing on designated areas of the refuge

subject to the following conditions:

1. You may fish only during daylight

hours during designated dates.

2. We do not allow boats or flotation

devices.

* * * * *

27. In § 32.55 Oklahoma by:

a. Revising paragraph A.4., adding

paragraph B.5, and revising paragraph

D. of Little River National Wildlife

Refuge; and

b. Adding paragraph C.4. and revising

paragraphs B.2. and D.9. of Tishomingo

National Wildlife Refuge to read as

follows:

§ 32.55 Oklahoma.

* * * * *

Little River National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

4. You must possess a refuge permit.

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

5. You must possess a refuge permit.

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

designated areas of the refuge.

1. We prohibit off-road vehicle use.

2. You must possess a refuge permit.

* * * * *

Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

2. We allow only bows and arrows

and shotguns using approved nontoxic

shot.

* * * * *

C. Big Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

4. We prohibit baiting on the refuge

and the Wildlife Management Unit.

D. Sport Fishing. ***

* * * * *

9. You may only take bait for personal

use while fishing in the refuge in

accordance with Oklahoma State law.

We do not allow removal of bait from

the refuge for commercial sales. You

cannot release bait back into the water.

* * * * *

28. In § 32.56 Oregon by:

a. Removing Ankeny National

Wildlife Refuge;

b. Revising paragraphs A.2. and B.2.

and adding paragraphs A.7. and B.5. of

Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge;

c. Revising the heading of ‘‘Klamath

Forest National Wildlife Refuge’’ to read

‘‘Klamath Marsh National Wildlife

Refuge;’’

d. Revising paragraphs A.2. and B.2.

of McKay Creek National Wildlife

Refuge;

e. Adding McNary National Wildlife

Refuge; and

f. Revising paragraph A. of William L.

Finley National Wildlife Refuge to read

as follows:

§ 32.56 Oregon.

* * * * *

Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

2. We allow hunting only on

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays,

Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas

Day, and New Year’s Day.

* * * * *

7. We allow hunting in the Memorial

Marsh Unit by designated blind sites

only.

B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

2. We allow hunting only on

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays,

Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas

Day, and New Year’s Day.

* * * * *

5. We do not allow hunting of upland

game birds until noon of each hunt day.

* * * * *

Klamath Marsh National Wildlife

Refuge

* * * * *

McKay Creek National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

2. We allow hunting only on

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays,

Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas

Day, and New Year’s Day.

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

2. We allow hunting only on

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays,

Sundays, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas

Day, and New Year’s Day.

* * * * *

McNary National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of doves on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following conditions:

1. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

2. We allow dove hunting on the State

Line and Juniper Canyon Units on legal

hunt days in accordance with State

regulations.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of upland game on designated

areas of the refuge subject to the

following conditions:

1. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

2. We allow hunting on State Line and

Juniper Canyon Units in accordance

with State regulations.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow deer

hunting on designated areas of the

refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. We allow shotguns and archery

only.

2. We allow hunting on State Line and

Juniper Canyon Units in accordance

with State regulations.

D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]

* * * * *

William L. Finley National Wildlife

Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

[Reserved]

* * * * *

29. In § 32.60 South Carolina by:

a. Revising paragraph D. of Cape

Romain National Wildlife Refuge; and

b. Revising paragraphs C. and D. of

Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife

Refuge to read as follows:

§ 32.60 South Carolina.

* * * * *

Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing,

crabbing, and shell fishing in

accordance with State regulations, as

specifically designated in refuge

publications, and as posted. Except as

posted, we close refuge islands at night.

We do not allow shrimp baiting from

refuge islands or above the low tide

mark.

Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife

Refuge

* * * * *

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of white-tailed deer, turkey, and

feral hogs on designated areas of the

42330 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules

refuge subject to the following

condition: We require refuge permits.

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

all areas of the refuge, except Martins

Lake and those areas marked by signs as

closed to the public for fishing, subject

to the following conditions:

1. We allow fishing from 1⁄2 hour

before sunrise to 1⁄2 hour before sunset.

2. We allow nonmotorized boats and

boats with electric motors. You must

hand load and unload boats except at

designated boat ramps.

3. We do not allow fish baskets, net,

set hooks, and trotlines.

* * * * *

30. In § 32.61 South Dakota by:

a. Revising paragraph B. of Pocasse

National Wildlife Refuge; and

b. Revising paragraphs B. and D. of

Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge to

read as follows:

§ 32.61 South Dakota.

* * * * *

Pocasse National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of pheasant, sharp-tailed

grouse, and Hungarian partridge on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following condition: You may

possess only approved nontoxic shot

while in the field.

* * * * *

Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of sharp-tailed grouse,

Hungarian partridge, and pheasant on

designated areas of the refuge.

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport

fishing in accordance with State law

and as specifically designated in refuge

publications.

31. In § 32.63 Texas by:

a. Revising paragraphs A., B., and C.

of Balcones Canyonlands National

Wildlife Refuge;

b. Alphabetically adding Lower Rio

Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge;

and

c. Alphabetically adding Trinity River

National Wildlife Refuge to read as

follows:

§ 32.63 Texas.

* * * * *

Balcones Canyonlands National

Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of mourning, whitewing, rock, and Eurasian-collared doves

on designated areas of the refuge subject

to the following conditions:

1. The length of the hunting season

will be concurrent with the State season

in September and October.

2. We allow hunting in designated

areas, from noon to sunset, Saturdays

and Sundays.

3. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

4. We require refuge permits and

payment of a hunt fee by all hunters.

5. We prohibit dogs.

6. All hunters must be 10 years old or

older. An adult 21 years of age or older

must supervise hunters ages 10–17

(inclusive).

7. We prohibit use or possession of

alcohol.

8. We may immediately close the

entire refuge or any portion thereof to

hunting for the protection of resources,

as determined by the refuge manager.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of turkey on designated areas of

the refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. We allow hunting in November,

December, and/or January.

2. We require hunters to check in and

out of a hunt area.

3. We allow bows and arrows,

shotguns, and rifles.

4. We may immediately close the

entire refuge or any portion thereof to

hunting for the protection of resources,

as determined by the refuge manager.

5. Hunters must be at least 12 years

of age. An adult 21 years of age or older

must supervise hunters between the

ages of 12 and 17 (inclusive).

6. The refuge will set bag limits.

7. We require hunters to visibly wear

400 square inches (2,600 cm2) of hunter

orange on the outermost layer of the

head, chest and back, which must

include a hunter orange hat or cap.

8. We require refuge permits and the

payment of a hunt fee.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of white-tailed deer and feral

hogs on designated areas of the refuge

subject to the following conditions:

1. We allow hunting in November,

December, and/or January.

2. We require hunters to check in and

out daily at designated check stations.

3. We allow bows and arrows,

shotguns, and rifles.

4. We may immediately close to

hunting the entire refuge or any portion

thereof for the protection of resources as

determined by the refuge manager.

5. Hunters must be at least 12 years

of age. An adult 21 years of age or older

must supervise hunters between the

ages of 12 and 17 (inclusive).

6. The refuge will set bag limits.

7. We require hunters to wear 400

square inches (2,600 cm2) of hunter

orange on the outermost layer of the

head, chest, and back, which must

include a hunter orange hat or cap.

8. We require refuge permits and the

payment of a hunt fee.

* * * * *

Lower Rio Grande Valley National

Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of mourning, whitewinged, and white-tipped doves in the

months of September, October, and

November on designated areas of the

refuge, subject to the following

conditions:

1. We require a refuge permit and

payment of a fee.

2. We limit hunting to the months of

September, October, and November in

accordance with the State hunting

season.

3. We allow only shotguns.

4. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

5. All hunters must be 12 years of age

or older. An adult 21 years old or older

must accompany hunters 12–17 years of

age.

6. You may park at designated

locations only.

B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of white-tailed deer, feral hogs,

and nilgai antelope on designated areas

of the refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. We require a refuge permit and

payment of a fee.

2. We will offer hunting during

portions of the State hunting season.

3. We enforce a two-deer (one buck

only) limit on white-tailed deer and no

limit on feral hogs and nilgai antelope.

4. All hunters must be 12 years of age

or older. An adult 21 years old or older

must accompany hunters 12–17 years of

age.

5. We will determine location and

method of hunt each year.

6. You may park at designated

locations only.

7. We prohibit the use of dogs and

baiting for hunting.

D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]

* * * * *

Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

[Reserved]

B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]

C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

Champion Lake subject to the following

conditions:

1. We allow fishing only with pole

and line, rod and reel, or hand-held

line.

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules 42331

2. We do not allow the use of

trotlines, setlines, bows and arrows,

gigs, spears, or fish traps.

3. We do not allow use of frogs or

turtles.

4. We allow fishing from sunrise to

sunset.

5. We limit motors to a maximum of

10 horsepower. You may not fish or

enter within 200 yards (180 m) of an

established bird rookery from March

through the end of May. Check at refuge

headquarters for rookery location(s).

32. In § 32.65 Vermont by revising

paragraphs A.1., A.2., A.4., A.5., C.1.,

C.4., and D. of Missisquoi National

Wildlife Refuge to read as follows:

§ 32.65 Vermont.

* * * * *

Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game

Birds. ***

1. We require refuge permits to hunt

in the Long Marsh Channel—Metcalfe

Island Controlled Hunting Area, the

Junior Waterfowl Hunting Area, and the

Saxe’s Pothole-Creek and Shad Island

Pothole Hunting Area.

2. You may not possess more than 25

shells per day on the Long Marsh

Channel-Metcalfe Island Controlled

Hunting Area, the Junior Waterfowl

Hunting Area, and the Saxe’s PotholeCreek and Shad Island Pothole Hunting

Area.

* * * * *

4. Within any controlled hunting area,

you must hunt within 100 feet (30 m) of

the blind or blind stake for the area

except to retrieve crippled birds.

5. You must hunt with one retriever

per hunting party of up to two hunters

per party within the Saxe’s PotholeCreek and Shad Island Pothole Hunting

Area, the Long Marsh Channel-Metcalfe

Island Hunting Area, and the Maquam

Swamp Hunting Area.

* * * * *

C. Big Game Hunting. ***

1. You may use only shotguns and

muzzleloaders on that part of the refuge

east of the Missisquoi River during the

State regular season or on that part of

the refuge north and east of Route 78

during the Youth Hunt.

* * * * *

4. You may use only portable tree

stands. You may leave them in place

during deer seasons with proper

notation on the big game permit.

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following condition: We allow

fishing from refuge lands along Lake

Champlain and the Missisquoi River,

except from any refuge dike or from or

within any refuge water management

unit.

33. In § 32.66 Virginia by:

a. Adding paragraph D.3. of Back Bay

National Wildlife Refuge;

b. Revising paragraph A. of

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge;

and

c. Adding the alphabetical listing of

Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge

to read as follows:

§ 32.66 Virginia.

* * * * *

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. ***

* * * * *

3. We require a refuge permit to fish

in ‘‘D’’ Pool.

* * * * *

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of migratory

waterfowl and rails on designated areas

of the refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. We require a refuge permit to hunt

in designated public hunting areas.

2. We allow guided hunting in

designated areas of Wildcat Marsh with

refuge-designated commercial guides.

* * * * *

Mackay Island National Wildlife

Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

[Reserved]

B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of deer on designated areas of

the refuge subject to the following

condition: We require refuge permits.

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following conditions:

1. We allow fishing only from sunrise

to sunset from March 15 through

October 15.

2. You must attend all fishing lines.

3. We do not allow airboats.

* * * * *

34. In § 32.67 Washington by:

a. Alphabetically adding Arid Lands

National Wildlife Refuge Complex;

b. Revising paragraphs A.1., A.3., and

C. of Columbia National Wildlife

Refuge;

c. Revising McNary National Wildlife

Refuge;

d. Removing paragraphs A.4. and B.4.,

redesignating paragraphs A.5, A.6., and

B.5. as A.4., A.5., and B.4. and revising

newly redesignated paragraphs A.4.,

A.5., and B.4. of Toppenish National

Wildlife Refuge; and

e. Revising paragraphs A. and D. of

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge to

read as follows:

§ 32.67 Washington.

* * * * *

Arid Lands National Wildlife Refuge

Complex

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of migratory game

birds on the Wahluke Wildlife

Recreation Unit of the Complex subject

to the following condition: You may

possess only approved nontoxic shot

while in the field.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of upland game on the Wahluke

Wildlife Recreation Unit of the Complex

subject to the following conditions:

1. You may possess only approved

nontoxic shot while in the field.

2. We allow only shotguns.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of big game on the Wahluke

Wildlife Recreation Unit of the Complex

subject to the following condition: We

allow only shotgun, muzzle loader, and

archery hunting.

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

designated areas of the Wahluke

Wildlife Recreation Unit of the

Complex.

Columbia National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

1. In Marsh Unit 1 and Farm Units

226–227, we allow hunting only on

Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and

Federal holidays.

* * * * *

3. In Marsh Unit 1, concurrent with

the State’s designated Youth Day prior

to the opening of the waterfowl season,

an adult at least 18 years of age who is

not hunting must accompany hunters

under 16 years of age.

* * * * *

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of deer on designated areas of

the refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. We allow only shotgun and archery

hunting.

2. We allow hunting of deer only

during State seasons that run

concurrently with the State waterfowl

season.

* * * * *

McNary National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of geese, ducks, coots,

doves, and snipe on designated areas of

the refuge subject to the following

conditions:

1. On the McNary Division, we allow

hunting by refuge permit only. On the

42332 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 132 / Monday, July 10, 2000 / Proposed Rules

first Saturday in December, only youth

aged 10–17 and an accompanying adult

aged 18 or over may hunt.

2. We allow dove hunting only on the

Wallula, Two Rivers, Peninsula, State

line, and Juniper Canyon Units on legal

hunt days in accordance with State

regulations.

3. We allow waterfowl hunting on the

Wallula and Two Rivers Units 7 days a

week during State waterfowl season.

4. We allow waterfowl hunting on the

Peninsula Unit Friday through Monday

during State waterfowl season subject to

the following condition: Hunting on the

east side of the Peninsula and in the

goose pits is by assigned blinds on a

first-come, first-served basis.

5. The refuge is open from 5 a.m. to

11⁄2 hours after sunset. You may not

leave decoys and other personal

property on the refuge overnight.

6. You may not possess more than 25

approved nontoxic shells while in the

field.

B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of upland game on designated

areas of the refuge subject to the

following conditions:

1. On the McNary Division, we allow

hunting only on Wednesdays,

Saturdays, Sundays, Thanksgiving Day,

Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. We

do not allow hunting until noon of each

hunt day. Hunting is for pheasant and

quail only. On the first Saturday in

December, only youth aged 10–17 and

an accompanying adult aged 18 or over

may hunt.

2. You may not possess more than 25

approved nontoxic shot shells while in

the field.

3. We allow upland game hunting on

the Wallula, Two Rivers, State line, and

Juniper Canyon Units in accordance

with State regulations.

4. We do not allow hunting on the

Peninsula Unit until noon on legal

goose hunting days.

C. Big Game Hunting. We allow

hunting of deer only on the Wallula,

Two Rivers, Peninsula, State line, and

Juniper Canyon Units subject to the

following condition: We allow shotguns

and archery only in accordance with

State regulations.

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on

designated areas of the refuge subject to

the following conditions:

1. On the McNary Division, visiting

hours are from sunrise to sunset. We do

not allow the use of boats and other

flotation devices.

2. We allow fishing only with hook

and line.

3. We allow fishing on the Wallula,

Two Rivers, and Peninsula Units in

accordance with State regulations.

* * * * *

Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

***

* * * * *

4. Snipe hunters may possess only

approved nontoxic shot while in the

field.

5. On the Halvorson and Webb Units,

you may hunt on Wednesdays,

Saturdays, Sundays, Thanksgiving Day,

Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

only. On the Robbins Road Unit, you

may hunt on Tuesdays, Thursdays,

Saturdays, Sundays, Thanksgiving Day,

Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

only. Pumphouse, Isiri, Petty, and

Chambers Units are open 7 days a week

during waterfowl season. B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

4. On the Halvorson and Webb Units,

you may hunt on Wednesdays,

Saturdays, Sundays, Thanksgiving Day,

Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

only. On the Robbins Road Unit, you

may hunt on Tuesdays, Thursdays,

Saturdays, Sundays, Thanksgiving Day,

Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day

only. Pumphouse, Isiri, Petty, and

Chambers Units are open 7 days a week

during waterfowl season.

* * * * *

Willapa National Wildlife Refuge

A. Hunting of Migratory Game Birds.

We allow hunting of geese, ducks, and

coots on designated areas of Riekkola

and Lewis Units, in accordance with

State hunting regulations and subject to

the following conditions: 1. Prior to entering the hunt area at

the Riekkola Unit, we require you to

obtain a refuge permit, pay a recreation

user fee, and obtain a blind assignment. 2. At the Riekkola Unit, you may take

ducks and coot only coincidental to

hunting geese. We do not allow

exclusive hunting of ducks in the

Riekkola Unit.

3. We allow hunting in the Riekkola

Unit only from established blinds on

Wednesdays and Saturdays. 4. You may possess no more than 25

approved nontoxic shells per day while

in the field.

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport

fishing along the shoreline of Willapa

Bay and Bear River on refuge-owned

lands in accordance with State

regulations. 35. In § 32.68 West Virginia by adding

paragraph C.2. in Canaan Valley

National Wildlife Refuge to read as

follows:

§ 32.68 West Virginia.

* * * * *

C. Big Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

2. We allow shotgun and muzzleloader hunting only with the possession

of approved nontoxic shot size #4 or

smaller for hunting of wild turkey. We

prohibit rifle hunting.

* * * * *

36. In § 32.69 Wisconsin by revising

paragraphs B.2., C.1., and C.2. of

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge to

read as follows:

§ 32.69 Wisconsin.

* * * * *

Necedah National Wildlife Refuge

* * * * *

B. Upland Game Hunting. ***

* * * * *

2. During the spring turkey season, we

allow unarmed hunters who have an

unexpired spring turkey permit in their

possession to scout the hunt area. We

allow this scouting beginning on the

Saturday immediately prior to the

opening date listed on their State turkey

hunting permit.

* * * * *

C. Big Game Hunting. ***

1. You may not possess a loaded

firearm or a nocked arrow on a bow

within 50 feet (15 m) of the centerline

of all public roads. Also, during the gun

deer season, you may not possess a

loaded firearm within 50 feet (15 m) of

the center of refuge trails, nor may you

discharge a gun from across, down, or

alongside these trails.

2. You may not construct or use

permanent blinds, stands, or ladders.

* * * * *

37. In § 32.71 United States

Unincorporated Pacific Insular

Possessions by revising paragraph D. of

Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

to read as follows:

§ 32.71 United States Unincorporated

Pacific Insular Possessions.

Johnston Atoll National Wildlife

Refuge.

* * * * *

D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing

only in accordance with posted

regulations (Conservation of Natural

Resources and Protection of Fish and

Wildlife on Johnston Atoll National

Wildlife Refuge), which are available at

refuge headquarters. Other special

restrictions apply on this refuge, and we

outline them in the regulations.

* * * * *

Dated: June 20, 2000.

Donald J. Barry,

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and

Parks.

[FR Doc. 00–16677 Filed 7–7–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–55–P