[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 112 (Monday, June 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29423-29424]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14377]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Request for Information Relevant to the Issuance of Import 
Permits for Argali Sheep From Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has been notified 
that Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have established export 
quotas for sport-hunted trophies of argali sheep (Ovis ammon ammon, 
Ovis ammon darwini, and Ovis ammon polii). The Service requests 
information on argali population status and management in these three 
countries to be considered in processing permit applications.

DATES: Information from all interested parties must be received by 
August 9, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments, information, and questions should be addressed to 
the Chief, Office of Management Authority, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, 
Room 430, Arlington, Virginia 22203. Fax Number (703) 358-2280. 
Comments and other information received will be available for public 
inspection, by appointment from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, at the Arlington, Virginia address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kenneth Stansell, Chief, Office of 
Management Authority, at the above address or by phone at (703) 358-
2093.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) classified the argali 
sheep (Ovis ammon) populations as endangered pursuant to the Endangered 
Species Act of 1973, as amended, effective January 1, 1993, except for 
the populations in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan (57 FR 28014). 
At the same time, populations in these three countries were listed as 
threatened with a special rule that allows for the issuance of 
threatened species permits for the import of sport-hunted trophies. The 
special rule also establishes criteria which, if met, would result in 
the removal of this permit requirement, thus allowing imports in 
accordance with Sec. 9(c)(2) of the Act.
    During the time that this special rule was under legal challenge, 
the Service proposed reclassifying the argali population in Kyrgyzstan, 
Mongolia, and Tajikistan from threatened to endangered on April 27, 
1993, (58 FR 25595) because of concern about the removal of controls on 
imports into the United States and the potential for an unlimited 
number of imports.
    After the special rule was sustained by the court, the Service 
began issuing a limited number of import permits for sport-hunted 
trophies of argali from Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia, countries with 
management programs deemed to be sufficient to be able to make the 
required findings for permit issuance. No permits have been issued for 
the import of trophies from Tajikistan and the permits for argali from 
Kyrgyzstan have been limited to those trophies taken in areas believed 
to be outside the range of Ovis ammon karelini.
    In 1993, the Service supported a study to obtain additional 
information on the status and management of argali and enforcement 
capabilities for this species in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Tajikistan. 
This study was conducted and a report prepared by Drs. Anna Luschekina 
and A. Fedosenko, and availability of the report was announced in the 
March 12, 1994, Federal Register notice (59 FR 13302).
    In 1994, Mongolia imposed export quotas of 5 and 10 argali trophies 
from southeastern and western portions of Mongolia, respectively, 
representing the range of Ovis ammon darwini and Ovis ammon ammon. The 
quotas were increased to 10 animals in each area in 1995 and again in 
1996. A portion of the licensing fees have gone toward activities 
contributing to enhancement of management and conservation of the 
argali, including population surveys and waterhole construction.
    Kyrgyzstan imposed an export quota of 16 argali trophies in 1995 
from hunting area(s) in the Naryn area, the range of Ovis ammon polii. 
The quota was increased to 20 for 1996. A portion of the licensing fees 
have gone toward the management of argali. The Government of 
Kyrgyzstan, having already established reserves for Ovis ammon 
karelini, is committed to establishing reserves for Ovis ammon polii.
    The Service has received information from a hunting outfitter 
indicating that Tajikistan has established a hunting quota of 20 argali 
trophies for 1996. The Service is currently seeking confirmation of 
this information with the Ministry of Nature Conservation in 
Tajikistan. A survey of argali in the eastern Pamirs region of 
Tajikistan by A.K. Fedosenko, has been recently received by the Service 
and is available upon request. This report indicates there was a quota 
of 12-15 argali trophies in previous hunting seasons.
    With the retention of import controls established in the special 
rule and without evidence that the status or

[[Page 29424]]

management of argali in Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, or Tajikistan has changed 
since the original classification of these populations in June 23, 1992 
(57 FR 28014), the Service continues to consider these populations as 
threatened. Except for the recent report by Fedosenko on argali in the 
Pamirs region in Tajikistan, the Service has received little additional 
information on the status and management of argali in these countries 
since the 1993 report funded by the Service. Thus, the Service is 
requesting additional and updated information from the Governments of 
Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Mongolia and from individuals and 
organizations knowledgeable about the status and management of the 
argali in these three range countries.

Information Solicited

    The Service can only issue a threatened species permit for the 
import of argali trophies when it finds that the activity will enhance 
the propagation or survival of the species. So the Service solicits 
information on the status of argali populations in Kyrgyzstan, 
Mongolia, and Tajikistan, including: (1) Whether the population in each 
country is sufficiently large, viable, and adequately protected to 
sustain sport hunting, (2) whether the regulating authorities in these 
range countries recognize these argali populations as a valuable 
resource and have the legal and practical means to manage these argali 
populations, including examples of any recent management initiatives, 
and (3) whether the regulating authorities can ensure that the exported 
trophy has in fact been legally taken from the specified population. In 
addition, the Service seeks information on how any funds derived from 
the involved sport hunt or any contributions made directly by the 
applicant and/or the outfitter have been applied to argali 
conservation, including specific examples.
    Information received will be considered in developing the Service's 
findings for future permit applications for the import of sport-hunted 
argali trophies. In the meantime, the Service continues to process 
applications and make its decisions on existing information.

    Dated: May 30, 1996.
John G. Rogers,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 96-14377 Filed 6-7-96; 8:45 am]
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