Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2012/08/30/2012-21293/migratory-bird-hunting-final-frameworks-for-early-season-migratory-bird-hunting-regulations
Timestamp: 2018-12-17 10:03:02
Document Index: 163827517

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 20', '§\u200920', '§\u200920', '§\u200920', 'art 20', 'art 20']

A Rule by the Fish and Wildlife Service on 08/30/2012
This rule takes effect on August 30, 2012.
53117-53135 (19 pages)
Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2012-0005: FF09M21200-123-FXMB1231099BPP0L2
Final Regulations Frameworks for 2012-13 Early Hunting Seasons on Certain Migratory Game Birds
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2012-21293 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2012-21293
This rule prescribes final early-season frameworks from which the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2012-13 migratory bird hunting seasons. Early seasons are those that generally open prior to October 1, and include seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the selection of hunting seasons by the States and Territories to further the annual establishment of the early-season migratory bird hunting regulations.
States and Territories should send their season selections to: Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ms MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240. You may inspect comments during normal business hours at the Service's office in room 4107, 4501 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia, or at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2012-0005.
On April 17, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 23094) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations process, and addressed the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for hunting migratory game birds under §§ 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. Major steps in the 2012-13 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal Register notifications were also identified in the April 17 proposed rule. Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under numbered headings. Subsequent documents will refer only to numbered items requiring attention. Therefore, it is important to note that we omit those items requiring no attention, and remaining numbered items might be discontinuous or appear incomplete.
On June 19 and 20, 2012, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council Consultants where the participants reviewed information on the current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed recommendations for the 2012-13 regulations for these species plus regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl seasons in designated States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway; and extended falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary information on the status of waterfowl as it relates to the development and selection of the regulatory packages for the 2012-13 regular waterfowl seasons.
On July 20, 2012, we published in the Federal Register (77 FR 42920) a fourth document specifically dealing with the proposed frameworks for early-season regulations. We published the proposed frameworks for late-season regulations (primarily hunting seasons that start after October 1 and most waterfowl seasons not already established) in an August 17, 2012, Federal Register (77 FR 49868).
This document is the sixth in a series of proposed, supplemental, and final rulemaking documents. It establishes final frameworks from which States may select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and possession limits for the 2012-13 season. These selections will be published in the Federal Register as amendments to §§ 20.101 through 20.107, and § 20.109 of title 50 CFR part 20.
The preliminary proposed rulemaking (April 17 Federal Register) opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting regulations and announced the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2012-13 duck hunting season. Comments concerning early-season issues and the proposed alternatives are summarized below and numbered in the order used in the April 17 Federal Register document. Only the numbered items pertaining to early-seasons issues and the proposed regulatory alternatives for which we received written comments are included. Consequently, the issues do not follow in consecutive numerical or alphabetical order.
Written Comments: An individual commenter provided several comments protesting the entire migratory bird hunting regulations process, the killing of all migratory birds, and the lack of accepting electronic public comments.
Service Response: Our long-term objectives continue to include providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Having taken into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance, economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of migratory birds, we believe that the hunting seasons provided for herein are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are obligated to, and do, give serious consideration to all information received as public comment. While there are problems inherent with any type of representative management of public-trust resources, we believe that the Flyway-Council system of migratory bird management has been a longstanding example of State-Federal cooperative management since its establishment in 1952. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways to streamline and improve the process.
Regarding the comment concerning our acceptance, or lack thereof, of electronic public comments, we do accept electronic comments submitted through the official Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov). Public comment methods are identified in the ADDRESSES sections of the documents we published in the Federal Register on April 17, 2012 (77 FR 23094); May 17, 2012 (77 FR 29516); and July 20, 2012 (77 FR 42920).
Regarding the regulations for this year, utilizing the criteria developed for the teal season harvest strategy, this year's estimate of 9.2 million blue-winged teal from the traditional survey area indicates that a 16-day September teal season in the Atlantic, Central, and Mississippi Flyways is appropriate for 2012.
Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended that we increase the daily bag limit framework from 8 to 15 for North Dakota and South Dakota during the special early Canada goose hunting season in September.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended increasing the daily bag limit in the Pacific Flyway portion of Wyoming from two to three geese, and increasing the possession limit from four to six birds during the special September season.
Service Response: We agree with the Central Flyway Council's request to increase the Canada goose daily bag limit in North Dakota and South Dakota. Last year, we increased the daily bag limit in North Dakota from 5 to 8 geese in an effort to address increasing numbers of resident Canada geese (76 FR 54052, August 30, 2011). In 2010, we increased daily bag limits in South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Oklahoma during their special early Canada goose seasons (75 FR 52873, August 30, 2010). The Special Early Canada Goose hunting season is generally designed to reduce or control overabundant resident Canada geese populations. Increasing the daily bag limit from 8 to 15 geese may help both States reduce or control existing high populations of resident Canada geese, which greatly exceed population objectives. In 2012, the estimated spring population in the portion of Western Prairie and Great Plains Populations range included in the May Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (WBPHS) was 1.8 million geese. This estimate was 54 percent higher than last year's estimate of 1.17 million and has increased an average of 10 percent per year since 2003.
Regarding the increase in the daily bag limit in Wyoming, we agree. As the Pacific Flyway Council notes in their recommendation, the 2011 Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) breeding population index (BPI) was 120,363, with a 3-year average BPI of 139,298. Further, the 2012 RMP Midwinter Index (MWI) of 166,994 showed a 38 percent increase from the previous year's index and was the highest on record. All estimates exceed levels in the management plan which allow for harvest liberalization (80,000). An increase in the daily bag limit is expected to result in minimal increases in Canada goose harvest rates and allow Wyoming to address some localized goose depredation issues.
Service Response: We concur. Michigan, beginning in 1998, and Wisconsin, beginning in 1989, have opened their regular Canada goose seasons prior to the Flyway-wide framework opening date to address resident goose management concerns in these States. As we have previously stated (73 FR 50678, August 27, 2008), we agree with the objective to increase harvest pressure on resident Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway and will continue to consider the opening dates in both States as exceptions to the general Flyway opening date, to be reconsidered annually. We note that the most recent resident Canada goose estimate for the Mississippi Flyway was 1.76 million birds in 2012, which was 8 percent higher than the 2011 estimate, and well above the Flyway's population goal of 1.18 to 1.40 million birds.
Council Recommendations: The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommend using the 2012 Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) sandhill crane harvest allocation of 1,270 birds as proposed in the allocation formula described in the management plan for this population. The Pacific Flyway Council also recommended an expansion of the hunting area for RMP greater sandhill crane hunting in Arizona and the establishment of a new RMP sandhill crane hunt area in Idaho. (We note that Councils' recommendation to establish a new RMP sandhill crane hunt area in northwest Colorado, identified in the May 17 proposed rule, was withdrawn by both Councils at the June 19-20 SRC meetings.)
Written Comments: The Colorado Crane Conservation Coalition stated concerns about the harvest of RMP cranes, particularly those in proposed new hunt areas of Arizona, Colorado, and Idaho, and questioned the validity of the data we use to promulgate annual hunting regulations.
An individual believed that the data used to support crane harvest-management decisions were insufficient, and advocated that such decisions be allowed only after a thorough scientific review of the data and publication of peer-reviewed articles.
Service Response: We agree with the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils' recommendations on the RMP sandhill crane harvest allocation of 1,270 birds for the 2012-13 season, as outlined in the RMP sandhill crane management plan's harvest allocation formula. The objective for the RMP sandhill crane is to manage for a stable population index of 17,000-21,000 cranes determined by an average of the three most recent, reliable September (fall pre-migration) surveys. Additionally, the RMP sandhill crane management plan allows for the regulated harvest of cranes when the population index exceeds 15,000 cranes. In 2011, 17,494 cranes were counted in the September survey and the most recent 3-year average for the RMP sandhill crane fall index is 19,626 birds. Both the new hunt area in Idaho and the expansion of the existing hunt area in Arizona are allowed under the management plan.
Regarding the comments concerning the harvest of RMP cranes and questioning the validity of the data we use to promulgate annual hunting regulations, RMP sandhill cranes have been hunted in one or more States since 1981. Although abundance surveys for the RMP have been in place since 1984, we have used a fall pre-migration survey in the States of Montana, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado to monitor the numbers of these birds since 1987. The fall 2011 count of the RMP was 17,494 birds, which is only slightly lower than the first official fall count of 18,036 birds in 1997, and 10 percent lower than the long-term average. Additionally, because counts from surveys conducted during migration periods can be variable, depending on annual phenology and weather events, we use a 3-year average count when developing harvest regulations. The most recent 3-year average is within the range (18,295 to 21,614 birds) of 3-year average counts since 1997. Thus, we believe there is no evidence of a sustained decline in the numbers of RMP cranes.
We recognize that counts from surveys during migration can be highly variable, particularly at small scales. Thus, we believe that analyzing trends at small scales from these types of surveys can lead to inappropriate conclusions about bird status. Rather, the overall status of the birds is of primary importance, and we believe the overall survey area for the RMP is sufficiently large to encompass most of the pre-migration staging areas and provides a good index to annual abundance of the RMP.
In addition to surveys to estimate abundance, we and our partners also annually monitor the harvest and recruitment of RMP cranes. All of this information is used in calculating an annual allowable harvest for these birds to ensure that hunting mortality is commensurate with their annual population status. Although not scientifically peer-reviewed, the management plan, data collection protocols, and harvest strategy were developed by professional wildlife biologists and managers and are designed to result in a sustainable harvest. Following the harvest strategy laid out in the management plan has not resulted in any detrimental impacts to the RMP since hunting was first allowed in 1981. The allowable annual harvest for the RMP is allocated to the States using an agreed-upon formula in the management plan. Addition, or removal, of hunt areas does not change the calculation of the annual allowable harvest. Although the allocation among and within States may change in response to modifying harvest areas, overall harvest on the population is not increased as new areas are added. Thus, the addition of proposed new hunt areas in Colorado (which was subsequently withdrawn and will not be implemented this year), Idaho, and Arizona should not impact the overall status of the RMP. States periodically change hunt areas to address changes in crane use of areas, depredation, and other issues to either increase or decrease numbers of cranes in certain areas. As a result, numbers of birds at smaller (e.g., State) scales may change. If such area-specific changes occur, the States can be more restrictive than the Federal regulations.
Last year, we implemented an interim harvest strategy for woodcock for a period of 5 years (2011-15) (76 FR 19876, April 8, 2011). The interim harvest strategy provides a transparent framework for making regulatory decisions for woodcock season length and bag limit while we work to improve monitoring and assessment protocols for this species. Utilizing the criteria developed for the interim strategy, the 3-year average for the Singing Ground Survey indices and associated confidence intervals fall within the “moderate package” for both the Eastern and Central Management Regions. As such, a “moderate season” for both management regions for the 2012-13 woodcock hunting season is appropriate for 2012. Specifics of the interim harvest strategy can be found at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewsPublicationsReports.html.
Written Comments: An individual commented that there should be no hunting season for the Pacific Coast population of band-tailed pigeons. The request was based on perceived wide-spread landscape changes, specifically the lack of food items in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon resulting from current forest management practices (including use of herbicides), and in California resulting from fire and drought.
Service Response: Management of the Pacific Coast population band-tailed pigeons is detailed in a plan endorsed by the Pacific Flyway Council. The long-term objectives include providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Based on the harvest strategy and current data, the prescribed regulatory alternative for the Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada) during the 2012-13 hunting season is the restrictive regulatory alternative. This represents no change from the previous year. While studies do indicate that food availability does appear to be a major determinant of band-tailed pigeon abundance, distribution, and productivity, two independent surveys provide little or no evidence that abundance of Pacific Coast pigeons decreased during the recent 8 or 10 years. Thus, we believe that the hunting seasons provided herein are consistent with current population status and long-term population goals for band-tailed pigeons.
The Mississippi and Central Flyway Councils recommend the use of the standard (or “moderate”) season package of a 15-bird daily bag limit and a 70-day season for the 2012-13 mourning dove season in the States within the Central Management Unit. They also recommended that the Special White-winged Dove Area in Texas be expanded to Interstate Highway 37 in the 2013-14 season.
Regarding the Central Flyway Council's recommendation to expand the Special White-winged Dove Area in Texas, we support the Council's recommendation to provide additional hunting opportunities for white-winged doves. However, we believe an important tenet of special regulations is that harvest pressure be effectively directed primarily at target stocks. While we believe that the expanding white-winged dove population in Texas can support additional harvest, and support the geographic expansion of the Special White-winged Dove Area, we note that about 40 percent of the harvest in the current Special White-winged Dove Area is comprised of mourning doves. We believe this proportion is higher than that which should occur during a special season that targets white-winged doves. Therefore, to reduce the proportion of non-target species taken during this season, we will reduce the bag limit of mourning doves from 4 to 2 doves within the aggregate bag of 15 doves during this season throughout the Special White-winged Dove Area. The changes will take effect during the 2013-14 hunting season.
An economic analysis was prepared for the 2008-09 season. This analysis was based on data from the 2006 National Hunting and Fishing Survey, the most recent year for which data are available (see discussion in Regulatory Flexibility Act section below). This analysis estimated consumer surplus for three alternatives for duck hunting (estimates for other species are not quantified due to lack of data). The alternatives are (1) Issue restrictive regulations allowing fewer days than those issued during the 2007-08 season, (2) Issue moderate regulations allowing more days than those in alternative 1, and (3) Issue liberal regulations identical to the regulations in the 2007-08 season. For the 2008-09 season, we chose alternative 3, with an estimated consumer surplus across all flyways of $205-$270 million. We also chose alternative 3 for the 2009-10 and the 2010-11 seasons. At this time, we are proposing no changes to the season frameworks for the 2011-12 season, and as such, we will again consider these three alternatives. However, final frameworks for waterfowl will be dependent on population status information available later this year. For these reasons, we have not conducted a new economic analysis, but the 2008-09 analysis is part of the record for this rule and is available at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs or at http://www.regulations.gov at Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2012-0005.
We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). The various recordkeeping and reporting requirements imposed under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, subpart K, are utilized in the formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations. Specifically, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information collection requirements of our Migratory Bird Surveys and assigned control number 1018-0023 (expires 4/30/2014). This information is used to provide a sampling frame for voluntary national surveys to improve our harvest estimates for all migratory game birds in order to better manage these populations. OMB has also approved the information collection requirements of the Alaska Subsistence Household Survey, an associated voluntary annual household survey used to determine levels of subsistence take in Alaska, and assigned control number 1018-0124 (expires 4/30/2013). A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor and a person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following frameworks, which prescribe season lengths, bag limits, shooting hours, and outside dates within which States may select hunting seasons for certain migratory game birds between September 1, 2012, and March 10, 2013.
Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season in September. All ducks that are legal during the regular duck season may be taken during the September segment of the season. The September season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest September 20 (September 22). The daily bag and possession limits will be the same as those in effect last year but are subject to change during the late-season regulations process. The remainder of the regular duck season may not begin before October 10.
Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and will be the same as those allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and area restrictions will remain in effect.
B. A daily bag limit of 3, with season and possession limits of 6, will apply to the special season.
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and the last Sunday in January (January 27) in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. States in the Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are late-season frameworks, and no frameworks are provided in this document.
B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between the Friday nearest September 20 (September 21), but not earlier than September 17, and January 25.
Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions: A. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from September 28 through December 16.
C. In Units 6-B, 6-C, and on Hinchinbrook and Hawkins Islands in Unit 6-D, a special, permit-only Canada goose season may be offered. Hunters must have all harvested geese checked and classified to subspecies. The daily bag limit is 4 daily and 8 in possession. The Canada goose season will close in all of the permit areas if the total dusky goose (as defined above) harvest reaches 40.
Special Early Canada Goose Unit—Entire State of South Dakota except the Counties of Bennett, Gregory, Hughes, Lyman, Perkins, and Stanley; that portion of Potter County west of US Highway 83; that portion of Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, and Hyde County south and west of a line beginning at the Hughes-Hyde County line of SD Highway 34, east to Lees Boulevard, southeast to SD 34, east 7 miles to 350th Avenue, south to I-90, south and east on SD Highway 50 to Geddes, east on 285th Street to US Highway 281, south on US Highway 281 to SD 50, east and south on SD 50 to the Bon Homme-Yankton County boundary; that portion of Fall River County east of SD Highway 71 and US Highway 385; that portion of Custer County east of SD Highway 79 and south of French Creek; that portion of Dewey County south of BIA Road 8, BIA Road 9, and the section of US 212 east of BIA Road 8 junction.
Early Zone—That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the Nebraska-Kansas State line south on K-128 to its junction with US-36, then east on US-36 to its junction with K-199, then south on K-199 to its junction with Republic County 30 Rd, then south on Republic County 30 Rd to its junction with K-148, then east on K-148 to its junction with Republic County 50 Rd, then south on Republic County 50 Rd to its junction with Cloud County 40th Rd, then south on Cloud County 40th Rd to its junction with K-9, then west on K-9 to its junction with US-24, then west on US-24 to its junction with US-281, then north on US-281 to its junction with US-36, then west on US-36 to its junction with US-183, then south on US-183 to its junction with US-24, then west on US-24 to its junction with K-18, then southeast on K-18 to its junction with US-183, then south on US-183 to its junction with K-4, then east on K-4 to its junction with I-135, then south on I-135 to its junction with K-61, then southwest on K-61 to McPherson County 14th Avenue, then south on McPherson County 14th Avenue to its junction with Arapaho Rd, then west on Arapaho Rd to its junction with K-61, then southwest on K-61 to its junction with K-96, then northwest on K-96 to its junction with US-56, then southwest on US-56 to its junction with K-19, then east on K-19 to its junction with US-281, then south on US-281 to its junction with US-54, then west on US-54 to its junction with US-183, then north on US-183 to its junction with US-56, then southwest on US-56 to its junction with Ford County Rd 126, then south on Ford County Rd 126 to its junction with US-400, then northwest on US-400 to its junction with US-283, then north on US-283 to its junction with the Nebraska-Kansas State line, then east along the Nebraska-Kansas State line to its junction with K-128.
Late Zone—That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the Nebraska-Kansas State line south on K-128 to its junction with US-36, then east on US-36 to its junction with K-199, then south on K-199 to its junction with Republic County 30 Rd, then south on Republic County 30 Rd to its junction with K-148, then east on K-148 to its junction with Republic County 50 Rd, then south on Republic County 50 Rd to its junction with Cloud County 40th Rd, then south on Cloud County 40th Rd to its junction with K-9, then west on K-9 to its junction with US-24, then west on US-24 to its junction with US-281, then north on US-281 to its junction with US-36, then west on US-36 to its junction with US-183, then south on US-183 to its junction with US-24, then west on US-24 to its junction with K-18, then southeast on K-18 to its junction with US-183, then south on US-183 to its junction with K-4, then east on K-4 to its junction with I-135, then south on I-135 to its junction with K-61, then southwest on K-61 to 14th Avenue, then south on 14th Avenue to its junction with Arapaho Rd, then west on Arapaho Rd to its junction with K-61, then southwest on K-61 to its junction with K-96, then northwest on K-96 to its junction with US-56, then southwest on US-56 to its junction with K-19, then east on K-19 to its junction with US-281, then south on US-281 to its junction with US-54, then west on US-54 to its junction with US-183, then north on US-183 to its junction with US-56, then southwest on US-56 to its junction with Ford County Rd 126, then south on Ford County Rd 126 to its junction with US-400, then northwest on US-400 to its junction with US-283, then south on US-283 to its junction with the Oklahoma-Kansas State line, then east along the Oklahoma-Kansas State line to its junction with US-77, then north on US-77 to its junction with Butler County, NE 150th Street, then east on Butler County, NE 150th Street to its junction with US-35, then northeast on US-35 to its junction with K-68, then east on K-68 to the Kansas-Missouri State line, then north along the Kansas-Missouri State line to its junction with the Nebraska State line, then west along the Kansas-Nebraska State line to its junction with K-128.
Southeast Zone—That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the Missouri-Kansas State line west on K-68 to its junction with US-35, then southwest on US-35 to its junction with Butler County, NE 150th Street, then west on NE 150th Street until its junction with K-77, then south on K-77 to the Oklahoma-Kansas State line, then east along the Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its junction with the Missouri State line, then north along the Kansas-Missouri State line to its junction with K-68.
Zone 3—Area bounded by designated Federal and State highways, County Roads, and political boundaries beginning at the Wyoming-Nebraska border at the intersection of the Interstate Canal; east along northern borders of Scotts Bluff and Morrill Counties to Broadwater Road; south to Morrill County Rd 94; east to County Rd 135; south to County Rd 88; southeast to County Rd 151; south to County Rd 80; east to County Rd 161; south to County Rd 76; east to County Rd 165; south to County Rd 167; south to U.S. Hwy. 26; east to County Rd 171; north to County Rd 68; east to County Rd 183; south to County Rd 64; east to County Rd 189; north to County Rd 70; east to County Rd 201; south to County Rd 60A; east to County Rd 203; south to County Rd 52; east to Keith County Line; east along the northern boundaries of Keith and Lincoln Counties to NE Hwy. 97; south to U.S. Hwy 83; south to E Hall School Rd; east to N Airport Road; south to U.S. Hwy. 30; east to Merrick County Rd 13; north to County Rd O; east to NE Hwy. 14; north to NE Hwy. 52; west and north to NE Hwy. 91; west to U.S. Hwy. 281; south to NE Hwy. 22; west to NE Hwy. 11; northwest to NE Hwy. 91; west to U.S. Hwy. 183; south to Round Valley Rd; west to Sargent River Rd; west to Sargent Rd; west to Milburn Rd; north to Blaine County Line; east to Loup County Line; north to NE Hwy. 91; west to North Loup Spur Rd; north to North Loup River Rd; east to Pleasant Valley/Worth Rd; east to Loup County Line; north to Loup-Brown county line; east along northern boundaries of Loup and Garfield Counties to Cedar River Rd; south to NE Hwy. 70; east to U.S. Hwy. 281; north to NE Hwy. 70; east to NE Hwy. 14; south to NE Hwy. 39; southeast to NE Hwy. 22; east to U.S. Hwy. 81; southeast to U.S. Hwy. 30; east to U.S. Hwy. 75; north to the Washington County line; east to the Iowa-Nebraska border; south to the Missouri-Nebraska border; south to Kansas-Nebraska border; west along Kansas-Nebraska border to Colorado-Nebraska border; north and west to Wyoming-Nebraska border; north to intersection of Interstate Canal; and excluding that area in Zone 4.
[FR Doc. 2012-21293 Filed 8-29-12; 8:45 am]