Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service: Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

B-322518

October 6, 2011

The Honorable Barbara Boxer
Chairman
The Honorable James M. Inhofe
Ranking Member
Committee on Environment and Public Works
United States Senate

The Honorable Doc Hastings
Chairman
The Honorable Edward J. Markey
Ranking Member
Committee on Natural Resources
House of Representatives

Subject: Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service: Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations

Pursuant to section 801(a)(2)(A) of title 5, United States Code, this is our report on a major rule promulgated by the Department of the Interior (Interior), Fish and Wildlife Service, entitled "Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations" (RIN: 1018-AX34). We received the rule on September 20, 2011. It was published in the Federal Register as a final rule on September 21, 2011. 76 Fed. Reg. 58,682.

The final rule prescribes final late-season frameworks from which the states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2011-12 migratory bird hunting seasons. These late seasons include most waterfowl seasons, the earliest of which commenced on September 24, 2011. The effect of the final rule is to facilitate the states' selection of hunting seasons and to further the annual establishment of the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations.

Enclosed is our assessment of Interior's compliance with the procedural steps required by section 801(a)(1)(B)(i) through (iv) of title 5 with respect to the rule. Our review of the procedural steps taken indicates that Interior complied with the applicable requirements.

Section 808(1) of title 5, United States Code, exempts any rule that "establishes, modifies, opens, closes, or conducts a regulatory program for commercial, recreational, or subsistence activity related to hunting, fishing, or camping" from the 60-day delay in the effective date otherwise required by section 801(a)(3)(A). This is a rule relating to hunting and, therefore, the 60-day delay is not applicable. This final rule is effective on September 21, 2011.

If you have any questions about this report or wish to contact GAO officials responsible for the evaluation work relating to the subject matter of the rule, please contact Shirley A. Jones, Assistant General Counsel, at (202) 512-8156.

signed

Robert J. Cramer
Managing Associate General Counsel

Enclosure

cc: Ronald W. Kokel
Wildlife Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Department of the Interior

ENCLOSURE

REPORT UNDER 5 U.S.C. sect. 801(a)(2)(A) ON A MAJOR RULE
ISSUED BY THE
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE
ENTITLED
"MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING; FINAL FRAMEWORKS FOR
LATE-SEASON MIGRATORY BIRD HUNTING REGULATIONS"
(RIN: 1018-AX34)

(i) Cost-benefit analysis

Interior relied on the economic analysis that was prepared for the 2008-09 season, because it chose to issue identical regulations to past seasons for ducks, and made only minor modifications to the season frameworks for other species. According to Interior, the modifications will not significantly change the economic impacts of the rule which were not quantified for other species. Interior estimated a consumer surplus of $205-270 million.

(ii) Agency actions relevant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. sections 603-605, 607, and 609

Interior determined that this final rule will have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. Interior relied on a small entity flexibility analysis that was last updated in 2008. The primary source of information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-year intervals. The 2008 analysis was based on the 2006 National Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County Business Patterns from which it was estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend approximately $1.2 billion at small businesses in 2008.

(iii) Agency actions relevant to sections 202-205 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 U.S.C. sections 1532-1535

Interior certified that this final rule will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local or state government or private entities.

(iv) Other relevant information or requirements under acts and executive orders

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. sections 551 et seq.

Interior published a series of proposed rules relating to migratory bird hunting from April 8, 2011, to September 1, 2011. 76 Fed. Reg. 19,876 (April 8, 2011); 76 Fed. Reg. 36,508 (June 22, 2011); 76 Fed. Reg. 44,730 (July 26, 2011); 76 Fed. Reg. 53,536 (August 26, 2011); 76 Fed. Reg. 54,052 (August 30, 2011); 76 Fed. Reg. 54,658 (September 1, 2011). Interior received comments on these proposed rules to which they respond in the final rule. Interior found "good cause" under section 553(d)(3) of title 5, allowing this final rule to take effect immediately upon publication.

Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. sections 3501-3520

There are no new information collections under this final rule that would require the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) approval. OMB has approved the existing information collection requirements of the Migratory Bird Surveys and assigned control number 1018-0023, which expires on April 30, 2014. OMB has also approved the existing information collection requirements of the Alaska Subsistence Household Survey, an associated voluntary household survey used to determine levels of subsistence in Alaska, and assigned control number 1018-0124, which expires on April 30, 2013.

Statutory authorization for the rule

Interior promulgated this final rule under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, as amended, 16 U.S.C. sections 703-711.

Executive Order No. 12,866 (Regulatory Planning and Review)

OMB determined that this rule is a significant regulatory action and, therefore, has reviewed the rule under Executive Order 12,866.

Executive Order No. 13,132 (Federalism)

Interior determined that the regulations that prescribe frameworks from which the states make selections regarding the hunting of migratory birds do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism assessment.