Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2006/08/29/06-7211/migratory-bird-hunting-final-frameworks-for-early-season-migratory-bird-hunting-regulations
Timestamp: 2018-03-22 02:50:57
Document Index: 133986923

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

A Rule by the Fish and Wildlife Service on 08/29/2006
This rule takes effect on August 29, 2006.
71 FR 51405
51405-51420 (16 pages)
06-7211
Final Regulations Frameworks for 2006-07 Early Hunting Seasons on Certain Migratory Game Birds
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/06-7211 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/06-7211
Start Preamble Start Printed Page 51406
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 2006-07 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 in seasons by the States and Territories to further the annual establishment of the early-season migratory bird hunting regulations.
On April 11, 2006, we published in the Federal Register (71 FR 18562) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations process, and dealt with the establishment of seasons, limits, proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2006-07 duck hunting season, 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 2006-07 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal Register notifications were also identified in the April 11 proposed rule. On May 30, 2006, we published in the Federal Register (71 FR 30786) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations and the regulatory alternatives for the 2006-07 duck hunting season. The May 30 supplement also provided detailed information on the 2006-07 regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council meetings.
On June 21 and 22, 2006, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council Consultants at which the participants reviewed information on the current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed recommendations for the 2006-07 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 2006-07 regular waterfowl seasons. On July 28, 2006, we published in the Federal Register (71 FR 43008) a third document specifically dealing with the proposed frameworks for early-season regulations, and on August 24, 2006, we published in the Federal Register (71 FR 50224) a fourth document specifically dealing with the proposed frameworks for late-season regulations.
This document is the fifth 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 2006-07 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, which appeared in the April 11 Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting regulations. We have considered all pertinent comments received. Comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used in the April 11 Federal Register. We have included only the numbered items pertaining to early-season issues for which we received comments. Consequently, the issues do not follow in successive numerical or alphabetical order. We received recommendations from all Flyway Councils. Some recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due to the comprehensive nature of the Councils' annual review of the frameworks, we assume Council support for continuation of last year's frameworks for items for which we received no recommendation. Council recommendations for changes are summarized below.
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended allowing the take of tundra swans during the special youth waterfowl hunt day(s) to those individuals holding a valid permit/tag.
Service Response: Tundra swans may be taken by individuals holding a valid permit/tag at any time during the open season without any additional provisions. For youth-hunt days outside the tundra swan season, we will defer a decision on the recommendation until the management plan for the Eastern Population (EP) of tundra swans has been reviewed and input from the other Flyways has been considered. An update of the management plan is scheduled to begin this year.
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council made several recommendations dealing with early Canada goose seasons. First, the Council recommended that the Service allow the use of special regulations (electronic calls, unplugged guns, extended hunting hours) later than September 15 during existing September Canada goose hunting seasons in Atlantic Flyway States. Use of these special regulations would be limited to the geographic areas of States that were open to hunting and under existing September season ending dates as approved by the Service for the 2006 regulation cycle. This regulation would take effect as soon as the final rule on resident Canada goose management is effective. Second, the Start Printed Page 51407Council recommended increasing the Atlantic Flyway's September Canada goose hunting season daily bag limit to 15 geese, with a possession limit of 30 geese, beginning with the 2006-07 hunting season. Lastly, the Council recommended allowing Maryland to modify the boundary of their Early Resident Canada Goose Western Zone.
The Central Flyway Council recommended that evaluation requirements for September Canada goose hunting seasons from September 16 to September 30 be waived for all east-tier Central Flyway States south of North Dakota. The Council also recommended that the Oklahoma experimental September Canada goose season be allowed to continue until sufficient goose tail fan samples are obtained for the September 16-30 time period to meet Service evaluation requirements and that Kansas be allowed to implement a 3-year (2006—08) experimental Canada goose season during the September 16-30 period.
Service Response: First, we support the Atlantic Flyway Council's desire to increase opportunities to harvest resident Canada geese. Although there are social considerations for increasing the daily bag and possession limits to 15 and 30, respectively, we would like States to have as much flexibility as possible to reduce resident goose populations where appropriate, and we concur with the recommended increased limits. We also concur with the Council's request to modify Maryland's boundary of their Early Resident Canada Goose Western Zone, although we understand it will not be implemented this year. We do not, however, concur with the Council's recommendation for the use of special regulations in September to harvest resident Canada geese. Pending the completion, publication, and implementation of a final rule for resident Canada goose management, we will defer a decision about extending the use of these special (liberalized) regulations beyond September 15 until after the completion of that rulemaking process.
Regarding the Central Flyway Council's recommendation to waive evaluation requirements for east-tier States south of North Dakota, we concur, given the preponderance of evidence that there are relatively few, if any, migrant Canada geese present in these States at this time of the year. Given our approval of the Council's request to waive evaluation requirements for the east-tier States south of North Dakota, the Council's recommendations regarding Oklahoma and Kansas are no longer necessary.
Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the framework opening date for all species of geese for the regular goose seasons in the Flyway be September 16 in 2006 and future years. If this recommendation is not approved, the Committees recommended that the framework opening date for all species of geese for the regular goose seasons in Michigan and Wisconsin be September 16, 2006.
The Central Flyway Council recommended that Canada goose regulations be moved to the early-season regulations schedule in the east-tier States of the Central Flyway. Further, the Council recommended a season framework of 107 days with a daily bag limit of 3 Canada geese (or any other goose species except light geese and white-fronted geese) in all east-tier States, except in the Big Stone Power Plant area of South Dakota where the daily bag limit would be 3 until November 30 and 2 thereafter. Framework dates would be September 16 to the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 18, 2007). States could split the season twice, and the possession limit would be twice the daily bag limit.
Service Response: As we stated last year (Federal Register (70 FR 51522)), we concur with the objective to increase harvest pressure on resident Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway, but do not concur with a September 16 framework opening date throughout the Flyway. A September 16 opening date Flyway-wide would require that the regular season be established during the early-season regulations process, which presents a number of administrative problems. Regarding the recommendations for a September 16 framework opening date in Wisconsin and Michigan, we concur. However, the opening dates in both States will continue to be considered exceptions to the general Flyway opening date, to be reconsidered annually.
Regarding the Central Flyway Council's recommendation that Canada goose regulations be moved to the early-season regulations schedule in the east-tier States of the Central Flyway, our approval to waive evaluation requirements for special Canada goose seasons between September 16'30 in east-tier States south of North Dakota (see 4.A. Special Seasons) resulted in the Council withdrawing this recommendation from the early-season regulatory process.
Council Recommendations: The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended using the 2006 Rocky Mountain Population sandhill crane harvest allocation of 1,321 birds as proposed in the allocation formula using the 2003-2005 3-year running average.
The Pacific Flyway Council recommended initiating a limited hunt for Lower Colorado River sandhill cranes in Arizona, with the goal of the hunt being a limited harvest of 10 cranes in January. To limit harvest, Arizona would issue permit tags to hunters and require mandatory check of all harvested cranes. To limit disturbance of wintering cranes, Arizona would restrict the hunt to one 3-day period. Arizona would also coordinate with the National Wildlife Refuges where cranes occur.
Service Response: We are in general support of allowing a very limited, carefully controlled harvest of sandhill cranes from this population, and we note that the management plan allows for such harvest. However, we do not believe that this limited harvest is of immediate concern, and recommend that prior to instituting such a season, which would be the first time harvest has been permitted for this population, a more detailed harvest strategy be developed by the Flyway Council. The harvest strategy should address: (1) How the number of permits will be determined each year to ensure a sustainable harvest, (2) the allocation of these permits between the States and other political entities that may be interested in sharing this harvest (i.e., Idaho, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona, and the Colorado River Indian Tribe), and (3) appropriate population levels for season closure and reinstatement. This approach is consistent with harvest strategies already in place for other harvested populations of sandhill cranes. We believe that this harvest strategy should be developed and included as an appendix to the management plan prior to any hunting season being instituted.
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended changing the framework closing date for moorhens and gallinules from January 20 to January 31 to help standardize the framework ending dates for those webless species that are found in the same areas as waterfowl.
Service Response: We concur with the recommendation to align the framework closing date with the latest framework Start Printed Page 51408closing date for duck seasons, which is the last Sunday in January.
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended changing the framework closing date for rails from January 20 to January 31 to help standardize the framework ending dates for those webless species that are found in the same areas as waterfowl.
Service Response: We concur with the recommendation to align the framework closing date with the latest framework closing date for duck seasons, which is the last Sunday in January.
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils supported the Service's recommended guidelines for dove zones and split seasons in the Eastern Management Unit. The recommended guidelines consisted of the following:
1. A zone is a geographic area or portion of a State, with a contiguous boundary, for which independent dates may be selected for the dove season.
2. States in management units approved for zoning may select a zone/split option during an open season. It must remain in place for a 5-year period.
4. The zone/split configuration consists of two zones with the option for 3-way (3-segment) split seasons in one or both zones. As a grandfathered arrangement, Texas will have three zones with the option for 2-way (2 segments) split seasons in one, two, or all three zones.
5. States that do not wish to zone for dove hunting may split their seasons into no more than three segments.
The Central Flyway Council endorsed the guidelines with the exception that they recommended allowing a State to revert back to the 2005 zone and split configuration in any year.
The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils also recommended allowing States in the Eastern Management Unit (EMU) to adopt hunting seasons and daily bag limits that include an aggregate daily bag limit composed of mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly or in combination. The Councils further recommended that States be allowed to begin mourning dove seasons as early as September 1, regardless of zones.
Service Response: Regarding the zone/split guidelines for dove seasons, we concur with the Central Flyway Council's recommendation to modify the proposed guidelines by allowing a State to make a one-time change and revert back to the previous zone/split configuration.
Regarding the recommendation for an opening date of September 1 management-unit-wide, we concur with the recommendation from the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils to make September 1 the framework opening date for dove hunting in all zones in the Eastern Management Unit. While we note that the Eastern Management Unit Dove Technical Committee reviewed current information and determined that there was no biological basis for the September 20 initiation date based on latitudinal lines, our concurrence is provisional with respect to Florida. Information from nesting studies in Texas suggest that a delayed framework opening date in the southern portion of that State may be warranted. Due to its similar latitude, we request that Florida provide any information it may have that would help determine an appropriate opening date for dove seasons in that State.
Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils recommended allowing States in the Eastern Management Unit (EMU) to adopt hunting seasons and daily bag limits that include an aggregate daily bag limit composed of mourning doves and white-winged doves, singly or in combination.
Service Response: We concur. White-winged doves appear similar to mourning doves in the field and may occur in mixed feeding flocks. Further, data indicates that whitewing populations are increasing and becoming more widespread in some portions of the EMU. The expected incidental harvest is not expected to adversely impact these expanding whitewing populations.
Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended maintaining status quo in the Alaska early-season frameworks, except for the following changes: (1) An increase in the daily bag limit for white geese from 3 to 4, consistent with other Pacific Flyway States; and (2) that the brant season length be restored to 107 days.
Service Response: We support the Council's recommendation for Alaska's migratory bird seasons. The recommended increase in the daily bag limit for white geese is consistent with that for the other Pacific Flyway States. While the recommended 107-day brant season is consistent with the Pacific brant management plan, we have some concern with provisions in the management plan for changes between the harvest levels. We request that the Flyway Council review these provisions in order to reduce the potential frequency of annual changes.
NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document “Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-14),” filed with the Environmental Protection Agency on June 9, 1988. We published a Notice of Availability in the Federal Register on June 16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August 18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). In addition, an August 1985 environmental assessment entitled “Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands” is available from the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES. In a notice published in the September 8, 2005, Federal Register (70 FR 53376), we announced our intent to develop a new Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the migratory bird hunting program. Public scoping meetings were held in the spring of 2006, and we announced in a March 9, 2006, Federal Register notice (71 FR 12216).
Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543; 87 Stat. 884), provides that, “The Secretary shall review other programs administered by him and utilize such programs in furtherance of the purposes of this Act” (and) shall “insure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out * * * is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of [critical] habitat. * * *” Consequently, we conducted formal consultations to ensure that actions resulting from these regulations would not likely jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitat. Findings from these consultations are included in a biological opinion, which concluded that the regulations are not likely to adversely affect any endangered or threatened species. Additionally, these findings may have caused modification Start Printed Page 51409of some regulatory measures previously proposed, and the final frameworks reflect any such modifications. Our biological opinions resulting from this Section 7 consultation are public documents available for public inspection at the address indicated under ADDRESSES.
The migratory bird hunting regulations are economically significant and were reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under Executive Order 12866. As such, a cost/benefit analysis was initially prepared in 1981. This analysis was subsequently revised annually from 1990-96, updated in 1998, and updated again in 2004. It is further discussed under the heading Regulatory Flexibility Act. Results from the 2004 analysis indicate that the expected welfare benefit of the annual migratory bird hunting frameworks is on the order of $734 to $1,064 million, with a mid-point estimate of $899 million. Copies of the cost/benefit analysis are available upon request from the address indicated under ADDRESSES or from our Web site at www.migratorybirds.gov.
This rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined above, this rule has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. However, because it establishes hunting seasons, we do not plan to defer the effective date required by 5 U.S.C. 801 under the exemption contained in 5 U.S.C. 808(1).
We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 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, OMB has approved the information collection requirements of the surveys associated with the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program and assigned clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 2/29/2008). 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 Sandhill Crane Harvest Survey and assigned clearance number 1018-0023 (expires 11/30/2007). The information from this survey is used to estimate the magnitude and the geographical and temporal distribution of the harvest, and the portion it constitutes of the total population.
Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the Federal Government has been given responsibility over these species by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually prescribe frameworks from which the States make selections regarding the hunting of migratory birds, and we employ guidelines to establish special regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the ability of the States and tribes to determine which Start Printed Page 51410seasons meet their individual needs. Any State or tribe may be more restrictive than the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This process allows States to participate in the development of frameworks from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on their own regulations. These rules do not have a substantial direct effect on fiscal capacity, change the roles or responsibilities of Federal or State governments, or intrude on State policy or administration. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, we intend that the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to comment. Thus, when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was published, we established what we believed were the longest periods possible for public comment. In doing this, we recognized that when the comment period closed, time would be of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the effective date of these regulations after this final rulemaking, States would have insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to communicate those selections to us; and to establish and publicize the necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions. We therefore find that “good cause” exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and these frameworks will, therefore, take effect immediately upon publication. Therefore, under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended (16 U.S.C. 703-711), we prescribe final frameworks setting forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag and possession limits, the shooting hours, the season lengths, the earliest opening and latest closing season dates, and hunting areas, from which State conservation agency officials will select hunting season dates and other options. Upon receipt of season selections from these officials, we will publish a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the conterminous United States for the 2006-07 season.
The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2006-07 hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j.
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, 2006, and March 10, 2007.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive days in the Atlantic Flyway and 16 consecutive days in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 4 teal. Start Printed Page 51411
Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected for the Eastern Unit of Maryland and Delaware. Seasons not to exceed 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected for Connecticut, the Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Except for experimental seasons described below, seasons may not exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder of the Flyway. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 25 days during September 1-25 may be selected for the Montezuma Region of New York and the Lake Champlain Region of New York and Vermont. Experimental seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected by Florida, Georgia, New York (Long Island Zone), North Carolina (except in the Northeast Hunt Unit), and South Carolina. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days during the Start Printed Page 51412period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW goose management zone in Oregon, a 15-day season may be selected during the period September 1-20. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
2. In Arizona, monitoring the racial composition of the harvest must be conducted at 3 year intervals;
Outside Dates: Between September 1 and the last Sunday in January (January 28) 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.
Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between September 1 and the last Sunday in January (January 28) on clapper, king, sora, and Virginia rails.
Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select hunting seasons between October 1 and January 31. States in the Central Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday nearest September 22 (September 23) and January 31.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive Start Printed Page 51413days, with a daily bag limit of 2 band-tailed pigeons.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Except as shown below, seasons must be concurrent with mourning dove seasons.
Central Management Unit: In Texas, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning, white-winged, and white-tipped doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be white-tipped doves. In addition, Texas also may select a hunting season of not more than 4 days for the special white-winged dove area of the South Zone between September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit may not exceed 12 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 4 may be mourning doves and 2 may be white-tipped doves.
Western Management Unit: Arizona may select a hunting season of not more than 30 consecutive days, running concurrently with the first segment of the mourning dove season. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-winged doves.
1. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from Start Printed Page 51414September 28 through December 16. A special, permit-only Canada goose season may be offered on Middleton Island. No more than 10 permits can be issued. A mandatory goose identification class is required. Hunters must check in and check out. The bag limit is 1 daily and 1 in possession. The season will close if incidental harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color value five or less) with a bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters.
2. In Unit 9(D) and the Unimak Island portion of Unit 10, the limits for dark geese are 6 daily and 12 in possession.
3. In Units 9(E) and 18, the limit for dark geese is 4 daily, including no more than 2 Canada geese.
4. In Unit 9, season length for brant is 107 days.
South Zone—Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties. Start Printed Page 51415
Eastern Unit—Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; that portion of Prince George's, Howard, and Baltimore Counties east of Interstate 95.
Western Unit—Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, and Washington Counties; that portion of Prince George's, Howard, and Baltimore Counties west of Interstate 95.
Northeastern Zone—That area north of a line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone. Start Printed Page 51416
North Zone: That portion of the state outside the Northeast Canada Goose Zone and north of a line extending west from the Indiana border along Peotone-Beecher Road to Illinois Route 50, south along Illinois Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone Road, west along Wilmington-Peotone Road to Illinois Route 53, north along Illinois Route 53 to New River Road, northwest along New River Road to Interstate Highway 55, south along I-55 to Pine Bluff—Lorenzo Road, west along Pine Bluff—Lorenzo Road to Illinois Route 47, north along Illinois Route 47 to I-80, west along I-80 to I-39, south along I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across the Mississippi River to the Iowa border.
Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a Start Printed Page 51417line directly northeast to the Canada border.
Northwest Goose Zone— That portion of the State encompassed by a line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
Southeast Goose Zone— That part of the State within the following described boundaries: beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52 and the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; thence along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57; thence along STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; thence along the municipal boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13, Dodge County; thence along CSAH 13 to STH 30; thence along STH 30 to U.S. Highway 63; thence along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of the State; thence along the south and east boundaries of the State to the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; thence along said boundary to the point of beginning.
Five Goose Zone— That portion of the State not included in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, the Northwest Goose Zone, or the Southeast Goose Zone.
West Zone— That portion of the State encompassed by a line beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94 to the North Dakota border.
Middle Tennessee Zone— Those portions of Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson Counties.
East Tennessee Zone— Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and White Counties.
Early-Season Subzone A— That portion of the State encompassed by a line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 141 and the Michigan border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 to State Highway 22, west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, south along U.S. 45 to State 22, west and south along State 22 to State 110, south along State 110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along State 49 to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, south along State 73 to State 60, west along State 60 to State 23, south along State 23 to State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then south along State 78 to the Illinois border.
Early-Season Subzone B— The remainder of the State.
September Canada Goose Unit—That area of Kansas east of U.S. 183 and north of KS 96.
September Canada Goose Unit— That part of Nebraska bounded by a line from the Nebraska-Iowa State line west on U.S. Highway 30 to U.S. Highway 81, then south on U.S. Highway 81 to NE Highway 64, then east on NE Highway 64 to NE Highway 15, then south on NE Highway 15 to NE Highway 41, then east on NE Highway 41 to NE Highway 50, then north on NE Highway 50 to NE Highway 2, then east on NE Highway 2 to the Nebraska-Iowa State line.
September Canada Goose Unit A— Brown, Campbell, Edmunds, Faulk, McPherson, Spink, and Walworth Counties.
September Canada Goose Unit B— Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Marshall, and Roberts Counties.
September Canada Goose Unit C— Beadle, Brookings, Hanson, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, McCook, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Sanborn, Turner, and Union Counties.
East Zone— Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont, and Teton Counties.
Northwest Zone— Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill Counties. Start Printed Page 51418
Southwest Zone— Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath Counties.
East Zone— Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, and Wasco Counties.
Area 1— Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
Area 2A (SW Quota Zone)— Clark County, except portions south of the Washougal River; Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties.
Area 2B (SW Quota Zone)— Pacific County.
Area 3— All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of the Big White Salmon River that are not included in Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
Area 4— Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties.
Area 5— All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River that are not included in Area 4.
Northeastern Zone: Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-Nevada state line; north along the California-Nevada state line to the junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon state lines west along the California-Oregon line state to the point of origin.
Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as “Aqueduct Road” in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in Riverside County as the “Desert Center to Rice Road” to the town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on Start Printed Page 51419I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
Closed areas—(A) That portion of the State lying east and north of a line beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma State line, thence southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with U.S. Highway 287 in Montague County, thence southeast along U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth, thence southwest along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with U.S. Highway 290 East in Austin, thence east along U.S. Highway 290 to its junction with Interstate Loop 610 in Harris County, thence south and east along Interstate Loop 610 to its junction with Interstate Highway 45 in Houston, thence south on Interstate Highway 45 to State Highway 342, thence to the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and thence north and east along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Texas-Louisiana State line. Start Printed Page 51420
[FR Doc. 06-7211 Filed 8-28-06; 8:45 am]