39716 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules

America platform (available on the apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/. This document does DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Commission’s Web site at www.fcc.gov/ not contain proposed information health/maps) released on June 8, 2017; collection requirements subject to the Fish and Wildlife Service as such, this extension will facilitate Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, such filings in GN Docket No. 16–46. Public Law 104–13. In addition, 50 CFR Part 20 Federal Communications Commission. therefore, it does not contain any [Docket No. FWS–HQ–MB–2016–0051; Ryan Yates, proposed information collection burden FF09M21200–178–FXMB1231099BPP0] ‘‘for small business concerns with fewer Attorney Advisor, Office of the General RIN 1018–BB40 Counsel. than 25 employees,’’ pursuant to the Small Business Paperwork Relief Act of [FR Doc. 2017–17731 Filed 8–21–17; 8:45 am] 2002, Public Law 107–198, see 44 U.S.C. Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed BILLING CODE 6712–01–P 3506(c)(4). Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations on Provisions of the Regulatory Certain Federal Indian Reservations Flexibility Act of 1980 do not apply to and Ceded Lands for the 2017–18 FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS Season COMMISSION this proceeding. Members of the public should note AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 47 CFR Part 73 that from the time a Notice of Proposed Interior. Rule Making is issued until the matter [MB Docket No. 17–196; RM–11794; DA 17– ACTION: Proposed rule. 726] is no longer subject to Commission consideration or court review, all ex SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Radio Broadcasting Services; Cora, parte contacts are prohibited in Service (hereinafter, Service or we) Wyoming Commission proceedings, such as this proposes special migratory bird hunting one, which involve channel allotments. regulations for certain Tribes on Federal AGENCY: Federal Communications See 47 CFR 1.1204(b) for rules Indian reservations, off-reservation trust Commission. governing permissible ex parte contacts. lands, and ceded lands for the 2017–18 ACTION: Proposed rule. For information regarding proper migratory bird hunting season. filing procedures for comments, see 47 SUMMARY: This document requests DATES: You must submit comments on CFR 1.415 and 1.420. comments on a Petition for Rulemaking the proposed regulations by September filed by Wind River Broadcasting, Inc., List of Subjects in 47 CFR Part 73 21, 2017. ADDRESSES: Comments: You may submit proposing to amend the FM Table of Radio, Radio broadcasting. Allotments, of the Commission’s rules, comments on the proposals by one of by allotting Channel 274C2 at Cora, Federal Communications Commission. the following methods: Wyoming, as a first local service. A staff Nazifa Sawez, • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// engineering analysis indicates that Assistant Chief, Audio Division, Media www.regulations.gov. Follow the Channel 274C2 can be allotted to Cora, Bureau. instructions for submitting comments on Docket No. FWS–HQ–MB–2016– consistent with the minimum distance For the reasons discussed in the 0051. separation requirements of the preamble, the Federal Communications • U.S. mail or hand delivery: Public Commission’s rules without a site Commission proposes to amend 47 CFR Comments Processing, Attn: FWS–HQ– restriction. The reference coordinates part 73 as follows: are 43–03–24 NL and 110–08–07 WL. MB–2016–0051; Division of Policy, DATES: Comments must be filed on or PART 73—RADIO BROADCAST Performance, and Management before September 21, 2017, and reply SERVICES Programs; U.S. Fish and Wildlife comments on or before October 6, 2017. Service; MS: BPHC; 5275 Leesburg Pike; ADDRESSES: Secretary, Federal ■ 1. The authority citation for part 73 Falls Church, VA 22041–3803. Communications Commission, 445 continues to read as follows: We will post all comments on http:// Twelfth Street SW., Washington, DC Authority: 47 U.S.C. 154, 303, 309, 310, www.regulations.gov. This generally 20554. In addition to filing comments 334, 336 and 339. means that we will post any personal with the FCC, interested parties should information you provide us (see Public serve counsel for the petitioner as § 73.202 [Amended] Comments, below, for more follows: Dan J. Alpert, Esq., The Law ■ 2. Section 73.202(b), the table is information). Office of Dan J. Alpert, 2120 N. 21st Rd., amended by adding an entry under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Arlington, VA 22201 Wyoming for Cora to read as follows: W. Kokel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: § 73.202 Table of Allotments. Service, Department of the Interior, MS: Deborah A. Dupont, Media Bureau, MB, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, * * * * * (202) 418–2700. VA 22041–3803; (703) 358–1967. (b) Table of FM Allotments. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This is a SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As part of synopsis of the Commission’s Notice of WYOMING DOI’s retrospective regulatory review, Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), MB we developed a schedule for migratory Docket No. 17–196, adopted July 28, game bird hunting regulations that is 2017 and released July 31, 2017. The ***** more efficient and will provide dates full text of this Commission decision is Cora ...... 274C2 much earlier than was possible under available for inspection and copying the old process. This will facilitate during normal business hours in the ***** planning for the States and all parties FCC’s Reference Information Center at interested in migratory bird hunting. Portals II, CY–A257, 445 Twelfth Street * * * * * Beginning in the summer of 2015, with SW., Washington, DC 20554. The full [FR Doc. 2017–17730 Filed 8–21–17; 8:45 am] the development of the 2016–17 hunting text is also available online at http:// BILLING CODE 6712–01–P seasons, we are using a new schedule

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules 39717

for establishing our annual migratory nonmembers on Indian-owned experimental special hunts, after game bird hunting regulations. We will reservation lands, subject to Service evaluation of information obtained by combine the current early- and late- approval. The question of jurisdiction is the Tribes. season regulatory actions into a single more complex on reservations that We believe the guidelines provide process, based on predictions derived include lands owned by non-Indians, appropriate opportunity to from long-term biological information especially when the surrounding States accommodate the reserved hunting and harvest strategies, to establish have established or intend to establish rights and management authority of migratory bird hunting seasons much regulations governing hunting by non- Indian Tribes while ensuring that the earlier than the system we have used for Indians on these lands. In such cases, migratory bird resource receives many years. Under the new process, we we encourage the Tribes and States to necessary protection. The conservation will develop proposed hunting season reach agreement on regulations that of this important international resource frameworks for a given year in the fall would apply throughout the is paramount. Further, the guidelines of the prior year. We will finalize those reservations. When appropriate, we will should not be viewed as inflexible. In frameworks a few months later, thereby consult with a Tribe and State with the this regard, we note that they have been enabling the State agencies to select and aim of facilitating an accord. We also employed successfully since 1985. We publish their season dates in early will consult jointly with tribal and State believe they have been tested summer. This rulemaking is part of that officials in the affected States where adequately and, therefore, we made process. Tribes wish to establish special hunting them final beginning with the 1988–89 We developed the guidelines for regulations for tribal members on ceded hunting season (53 FR 31612, August establishing special migratory bird lands. Because of past questions 18, 1988). We should stress here, hunting regulations for Indian Tribes in regarding interpretation of what events however, that use of the guidelines is response to tribal requests for trigger the consultation process, as well not mandatory and no action is required recognition of their reserved hunting as who initiates it, we provide the if a Tribe wishes to observe the hunting rights and, for some Tribes, recognition following clarification. regulations established by the State(s) in of their authority to regulate hunting by We routinely provide copies of which the reservation is located. both tribal and nontribal hunters on Federal Register publications pertaining Regulations Schedule for 2017 their reservations. The guidelines to migratory bird management to all include possibilities for: State Directors, Tribes, and other On June 10, 2016, we published a (1) On-reservation hunting by both interested parties. It is the responsibility proposal to amend title 50 of the Code tribal and nontribal hunters, with of the States, Tribes, and others to notify of Federal Regulations (CFR) at part 20 hunting by nontribal hunters on some us of any concern regarding any (81 FR 38050). The proposal provided a reservations to take place within Federal feature(s) of any regulations. When we background and overview of the frameworks but on dates different from receive such notification, we will migratory bird hunting regulations those selected by the surrounding initiate consultation. process, and addressed the State(s); Our guidelines provide for the establishment of seasons, limits, and (2) On-reservation hunting by tribal continued harvest of waterfowl and other regulations for hunting migratory members only, outside of the usual other migratory game birds by tribal game birds under §§ 20.101 through Federal frameworks for season dates and members on reservations where such 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. length, and for daily bag and possession harvest has been a customary practice. Major steps in the 2017–18 regulatory limits; and We do not oppose this harvest, provided cycle relating to open public meetings (3) Off-reservation hunting by tribal it does not take place during the closed and Federal Register notifications were members on ceded lands, outside of season defined by the Treaty, and does also identified in the June 10, 2016, usual framework dates and season not adversely affect the status of the proposed rule. length, with some added flexibility in migratory bird resource. Before The June 10 proposed rule also daily bag and possession limits. developing the guidelines, we reviewed provided detailed information on the In all cases, the regulations available information on the current proposed 2017–18 regulatory schedule established under the guidelines must status of migratory bird populations, and announced the Service Regulations be consistent with the March 10 to reviewed the current status of migratory Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council September 1 closed season mandated by bird hunting on Federal Indian meetings. the 1916 Convention between the reservations, and evaluated the potential On October 25–26, 2016, we held United States and Great Britain (for impact of such guidelines on migratory open meetings with the Flyway Council Canada) for the Protection of Migratory birds. We concluded that the impact of Consultants, at which the participants Birds (Treaty). The guidelines apply to migratory bird harvest by tribal reviewed information on the current those Tribes having recognized reserved members hunting on their reservations status of migratory game birds and hunting rights on Federal Indian is minimal. developed recommendations for the reservations (including off-reservation One area of interest in Indian 2017–18 regulations for these species. trust lands) and on ceded lands. They migratory bird hunting regulations On February 9, 2017, we published in also apply to establishing migratory bird relates to hunting seasons for nontribal the Federal Register (82 FR 10222) the hunting regulations for nontribal hunters on dates that are within Federal proposed frameworks for the 2017–18 hunters on all lands within the exterior frameworks, but which are different season migratory bird hunting boundaries of reservations where Tribes from those established by the State(s) regulations. On May 30, 2017, we have full wildlife management authority where the reservation is located. A large published in the Federal Register (82 over such hunting or where the Tribes influx of nontribal hunters onto a FR 24786) final season frameworks for and affected States otherwise have reservation at a time when the season is migratory game bird hunting reached agreement over hunting by closed in the surrounding State(s) could regulations, from which wildlife nontribal hunters on lands owned by result in adverse population impacts on conservation agency officials from the non-Indians within the reservation. one or more migratory bird species. The States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Tribes usually have the authority to guidelines make this unlikely, and we and the Tribes select hunting dates, regulate migratory bird hunting by may modify regulations or establish hours, areas, and limits.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 39718 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules

Population Status and Harvest California. The Tribes own almost all and Conservation Stamp in their Each year we publish various species lands on the reservation, and have full possession while hunting. Other special status reports that provide detailed wildlife management authority. tribally set regulations would apply. As We have yet to hear from the Colorado information on the status and harvest of in the past, the regulations would apply River Indian Tribes. The Tribes usually migratory game birds, including both to tribal and nontribal hunters, and request a split dove season, with the information on the methodologies and nontoxic shot is required for waterfowl early season beginning on September 1 results. These reports are available at hunting. and ending on September 15, 2017. FOR We propose to approve the Colorado the address indicated under Daily bag limits would be 15 mourning FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from River Indian Tribes regulations for the or white-winged doves in the aggregate, 2017–18 hunting season, if the seasons’ our Web site at https://www.fws.gov/ of which no more than 10 may be white- birds/surveys-and-data/reports-and- dates fall within final flyway winged dove. Possession limit would be frameworks (applies to nontribal publications/population-status.php. 45, of which no more than 30 may be We used the following reports: hunters only) and upon receipt of their white-winged dove. They usually proposal. Adaptive Harvest Management, 2017 request the late season for doves to open Hunting Season (August 2016); November 7 and close December 20, (b) Confederated Salish and Kootenai American Woodcock Population Status, 2017. The daily bag limit would be 15 Tribes, Flathead Indian Reservation, 2016 (August 2016); Band-tailed Pigeon mourning doves. The possession limit Pablo, Montana (Tribal and Nontribal Population Status, 2016 (September would be 45. Shooting hours would be Hunters) 2016); Migratory Bird Hunting Activity from one-half hour before sunrise to and Harvest During the 2014–15 and noon in the early season and until For the past several years, the 2015–16 Hunting Seasons (October sunset in the late season. Other special Confederated Salish and Kootenai 2016); Mourning Dove Population tribally set regulations would apply. Tribes and the State of Montana have Status, 2016 (August 2016); Status and The Tribes also usually propose duck entered into cooperative agreements for Harvests of Sandhill Cranes, Mid- hunting seasons. The season would the regulation of hunting on the continent, Rocky Mountain, Lower usually open October 17, 2017, and Flathead Indian Reservation. The State Colorado River Valley and Eastern close January 25, 2018. The Tribes and the Tribes are currently operating Populations, 2016 (September 2016); usually propose the same season dates under a cooperative agreement signed in and Waterfowl Population Status, 2016 for mergansers, coots, and common 1990, which addresses fishing and (August 2016). moorhens. The daily bag limit for ducks, hunting management and regulation including mergansers, would be seven, issues of mutual concern. This Hunting Season Proposals From Indian agreement enables all hunters to utilize Tribes and Organizations except that the daily bag limits could contain no more than two hen mallards, waterfowl hunting opportunities on the For the 2017–18 hunting season, we two redheads, two Mexican ducks, two reservation. received requests from 24 Tribes and goldeneye, three scaup, one pintail, two As in the past, tribal regulations for Indian organizations. In this proposed cinnamon teal, and one canvasback. The nontribal hunters would be at least as rule, we respond to these requests and possession limit would be twice the restrictive as those established for the also evaluate anticipated requests for six daily bag limit after the first day of the Pacific Flyway portion of Montana. Tribes from whom we usually hear but season. The daily bag and possession Goose, duck, and coot season dates from whom we have not yet received limit for coots and common moorhens would also be at least as restrictive as proposals. We actively solicit regulatory would be 25, singly or in the aggregate. those established for the Pacific Flyway proposals from other tribal groups that Shooting hours would be from one-half portion of Montana. Shooting hours for are interested in working cooperatively hour before sunrise to sunset. waterfowl hunting on the Flathead for the benefit of waterfowl and other For geese, the Colorado River Indian Reservation are one-half hour before migratory game birds. We encourage Tribes usually propose a season of sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. Tribes to work with us to develop October 18, 2017, through January 19, Steel shot or other federally approved agreements for management of 2018. The daily bag limit for geese nontoxic shots are the only legal migratory bird resources on tribal lands. would be three light geese and three shotgun loads on the reservation for The proposed frameworks for flyway dark geese. The possession limit would waterfowl or other game birds. regulations were published in the be six light geese and six dark geese For tribal members, the Tribe Federal Register on February 9, 2017 after opening day. Shooting hours proposes outside frameworks for ducks (82 FR 10222), and the final frameworks would be from one-half hour before and geese of September 1, 2017, through on May 30, 2017 (82 FR 24786). We sunrise to sunset. March 9, 2018. Daily bag and possession notified affected Tribes of season dates, In 1996, the Tribes conducted a limits were not proposed for tribal bag limits, etc., of the final frameworks. detailed assessment of dove hunting. members. As previously discussed, no action is Results showed approximately 16,100 required by Tribes wishing to observe mourning doves and 13,600 white- The requested season dates and bag migratory bird hunting regulations winged doves were harvested by limits are similar to past regulations. established by the State(s) where they approximately 2,660 hunters who Harvest levels are not expected to are located. The proposed regulations averaged 1.45 hunter-days. Field change significantly. Standardized for the 30 Tribes that meet the observations and permit sales indicate check station data from the 1993–94 and established criteria are shown below. that fewer than 200 hunters participate 1994–95 hunting seasons indicated no in waterfowl seasons. Under the significant changes in harvest levels and (a) Colorado River Indian Tribes, proposed regulations described here and that the large majority of the harvest is Colorado River Indian Reservation, based upon past seasons, we and the by nontribal hunters. Parker, Arizona (Tribal Members and Tribes estimate harvest will be similar. We propose to approve the Tribes’ Nontribal Hunters) Hunters must have a valid Colorado request for special migratory bird The Colorado River Indian River Indian Reservation hunting permit regulations for the 2017–18 hunting Reservation is located in Arizona and and a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting season.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules 39719

(c) Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Coots and Common Moorhens enforcing bag limits, all migratory birds Chippewa Indians, Cloquet, Minnesota (Common Gallinules) in the possession or custody of band (Tribal Members Only) members on ceded lands will be A. 1854 and 1837 Ceded Territories Since 1996, the Service and the Fond considered to have been taken on those Season Dates: Begin September 9 and du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa lands unless tagged by a tribal or State end November 30, 2017. conservation warden as having been Indians have cooperated to establish Daily Bag Limit: 20 coots and special migratory bird hunting taken on-reservation. All migratory common moorhens, singly or in the birds that fall on reservation lands will regulations for tribal members. The aggregate. Fond du Lac’s December 6, 2017, not count as part of any off-reservation proposal covers land set apart for the B. Reservation bag or possession limit. The band anticipates harvest will be band under the Treaties of 1837 and Season Dates: Begin September 1 and fewer than 500 ducks and geese, and 1854 in northeastern and east-central end November 30, 2017. fewer than 10 sandhill cranes. Minnesota and the Band’s Reservation Daily Bag Limit: 20 coots and We propose to approve the request for near Duluth. common moorhens, singly or in the special migratory bird hunting The band’s proposal for 2017–18 is aggregate. regulations for the Fond du Lac Band of essentially the same as that approved Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. last year. The proposed 2017–18 Sora and Virginia Rails waterfowl hunting season regulations All Areas (d) Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and for Fond du Lac are as follows: Chippewa Indians, Suttons Bay, Season Dates: Begin September 1 and Michigan (Tribal Members Only) Ducks end November 30, 2017. Daily Bag Limit: 25 sora and Virginia In the 1995–96 migratory bird A. 1854 and 1837 Ceded Territories rails, singly or in the aggregate. seasons, the Grand Traverse Band of Season Dates: Begin September 9 and Ottawa and Chippewa Indians and the end November 30, 2017. Common Snipe Service first cooperated to establish Daily Bag Limit: 18 ducks, including All Areas special regulations for waterfowl. The no more than 12 mallards (only 3 of Grand Traverse Band is a self-governing, Season Dates: Begin September 1 and which may be hens), 9 black ducks, 9 federally recognized Tribe located on end November 30, 2017. the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay in scaup, 9 wood ducks, 9 redheads, 9 Daily Bag Limit: Eight common snipe. pintails, and 9 canvasbacks. Leelanau County, Michigan. The Grand Woodcock Traverse Band is a signatory Tribe of the B. Reservation Treaty of 1836. We have approved Season Dates: Begin September 1 and All Areas special regulations for tribal members of end November 30, 2017. Season Dates: Begin September 1 and the 1836 treaty’s signatory Tribes on Daily Bag Limit: 12 ducks, including end November 30, 2017. ceded lands in Michigan since the no more than 8 mallards (only 2 of Daily Bag Limit: Three woodcock. 1986–87 hunting season. which may be hens), 6 black ducks, 6 Mourning Dove For the 2017–18 season, the Tribe scaup, 6 redheads, 6 pintails, 6 wood requests that the tribal member duck ducks, and 6 canvasbacks. All Areas season run from September 1, 2017, through January 20, 2018. A daily bag Mergansers Season Dates: Begin September 1 and end November 30, 2017. limit of 35 would include no more than A. 1854 and 1837 Ceded Territories Daily Bag Limit: 30 mourning doves. 8 pintail, 4 canvasback, 5 hooded Season Dates: Begin September 9 and The following general conditions merganser, 8 black ducks, 8 wood end November 30, 2017. apply: ducks, 8 redheads, and 20 mallards Daily Bag Limit: 15 mergansers, 1. While hunting waterfowl, a tribal (only 10 of which may be hens). For Canada and snow geese, the Tribe including no more than 6 hooded member must carry on his/her person a proposes a September 1, 2017, through mergansers. valid Ceded Territory License. 2. Shooting hours for migratory birds February 15, 2018, season. For white- B. Reservation are one-half hour before sunrise to one- fronted geese and brant, the Tribe Season Dates: Begin September 1 and half hour after sunset. proposes a September 20 through end November 30, 2017. 3. Except as otherwise noted, tribal December 30, 2017, season. The daily Daily Bag Limit: 10 mergansers, members will be required to comply bag limit for Canada and snow geese including no more than 4 hooded with tribal codes that will be no less would be 15, and the daily bag limit for mergansers. restrictive than the provisions of white-fronted geese and including brant Chapter 10 of the Model Off-Reservation would be 5 birds. We further note that, Canada Geese Code. Except as modified by the Service based on available data (of major goose All Areas rules adopted in response to this migration routes), it is unlikely that any proposal, these amended regulations Canada geese from the Southern James Season Dates: Begin September 1 and parallel Federal requirements in 50 CFR Bay Population will be harvested by the end November 30, 2017. part 20 as to hunting methods, Tribe. Daily Bag Limit: 20 geese. transportation, sale, exportation, and For woodcock, the Tribe proposes a Sandhill Cranes other conditions generally applicable to September 1 through November 14, migratory bird hunting. 2017, season. The daily bag limit will 1854 and 1837 Ceded Territories Only 4. Band members in each zone will not exceed five birds. For mourning Season Dates: Begin September 1 and comply with State regulations providing doves, snipe, and rails, the Tribe end November 30, 2017. for closed and restricted waterfowl proposes a September 1 through Daily Bag Limit: Two sandhill cranes. hunting areas. November 14, 2017, season. The daily A crane carcass tag is required prior to 5. There are no possession limits for bag limit would be 15 mourning dove, hunting. migratory birds. For purposes of 10 snipe, and 10 rail.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 39720 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules

For sandhill crane, the Tribe proposes the existence of the tribes’ treaty (primarily waterfowl) with the use of a September 1 through November 14, reserved rights in Minnesota v. Mille hand-held nets, hand-held snares, and/ 2017, season. The daily bag limit would Lacs Band, 199 S. Ct. 1187 (1999). or capture birds by hand in the 1837 be 3 birds and a season limit of 10 birds. We acknowledge all of the States’ and 1842 Treaty Areas. The GLIWFC For snipe and rails, the Tribe concerns, but point out that the U.S. proposal for the use of nets, snares, or proposes a September 1 through Government has recognized the Indian by hand would include the take of birds November 14, 2017, season. The daily treaty reserved rights, and that at night. Third, GLIFWC proposes bag limit would be 10 birds per species. acceptable hunting regulations have beginning the current swan season Shooting hours would be from one- been successfully implemented in September 1 rather than November 1 in half hour before sunrise to one-half hour Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. the 1837 and 1842 Treaty Areas. after sunset. All other Federal Consequently, in view of the above, we However, the trumpeter swan quota regulations contained in 50 CFR part 20 have approved regulations since the would remain at 10 swans. Lastly, would apply. The Tribe proposes to 1987–88 hunting season on ceded lands GLIFWC proposes the addition of a monitor harvest closely through game in all three States. In fact, this sandhill crane hunting season in the bag checks, patrols, and mail surveys. recognition of the principle of treaty 1836 Treaty Area. Harvest surveys from the 2013–14 reserved rights for band members to hunting season indicated that hunt and fish was pivotal in our GLIFWC states that the proposed approximately 30 tribal hunters decision to approve a 1991–92 season regulatory changes are intended to harvested an estimated 100 ducks and for the 1836 ceded area in Michigan. increase the subsistence opportunities 45 Canada geese. Since then, in the 2007 Consent Decree, for tribal migratory bird hunters and We propose to approve the Grand the 1836 Treaty Tribes’ and Michigan provide opportunities for more efficient Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Department of Natural Resources and harvesting. Under the GLIFWC’s Indians 2017–18 special migratory bird Environment established court- proposed regulations, GLIFWC expects hunting proposal. approved regulations pertaining to off- total ceded territory harvest to be approximately 2,000 to 3,000 ducks, 400 (e) Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife reservation hunting rights for migratory to 600 geese, 20 sandhill cranes, and 20 Commission, Odanah, Wisconsin (Tribal birds. swans, which, with the exception of Members Only) For 2017, GLIFWC proposes off- reservation special migratory bird ducks, is roughly similar to anticipated Since 1985, various bands of the Lake hunting regulations on behalf of the levels in previous years for those Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians member Tribes of the Voigt Intertribal species for which seasons were have exercised judicially recognized, Task Force of GLIFWC (for the 1837 and established. GLIFWC further anticipates off-reservation hunting rights for 1842 Treaty areas in Wisconsin and that tribal harvest will remain low given migratory birds in Wisconsin. The Michigan), the Mille Lacs Band of the small number of tribal hunters and specific regulations were established by Ojibwe and the six Wisconsin Bands the limited opportunity to harvest more the Service in consultation with the (for the 1837 Treaty area in Minnesota), than a small number of birds on most Wisconsin Department of Natural and the Bay Mills Indian Community hunting trips. Resources and the Great Lakes Indian (for the 1836 Treaty area in Michigan). Recent GLIFWC harvest surveys Fish and Wildlife Commission Member Tribes of the Task Force are: (1996–98, 2001, 2004, 2007–08, 2011, (GLIFWC) (GLIFWC is an intertribal the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior 2012, and 2015) indicate that tribal off- agency exercising delegated natural Tribe of Chippewa Indians, the Lac reservation waterfowl harvest has resource management and regulatory Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior authority from its member Tribes in Chippewa Indians, the Lac du Flambeau averaged fewer than 1,100 ducks and portions of Wisconsin, Michigan, and Band of Lake Superior Chippewa 250 geese annually. In the latest survey Minnesota). Beginning in 1986, a Tribal Indians, the Red Cliff Band of Lake year for which we have specific results season on ceded lands in the western Superior Chippewa Indians, the St. (2015), an estimated 297 hunters hunted portion of the Michigan Upper Croix Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin, a total of 2,190 days and harvested 2,727 Peninsula was developed in and the Sokaogon Chippewa ducks (1.2 ducks per day) and 639 coordination with the Michigan Community (Mole Lake Band), all in geese. The greatest number of ducks Department of Natural Resources. We Wisconsin; the Mille Lacs Band of reported harvested in a single day was have approved regulations for Tribal Chippewa Indians and the Fond du Lac 10, while the highest number of geese members in both Michigan and Band of Lake Superior Chippewa reported taken on a single outing was 6. Wisconsin since the 1986–87 hunting Indians in Minnesota; and the Lac Vieux Mallards, wood ducks, and blue-winged season. In 1987, GLIFWC requested, and Desert Band of Chippewa Indians and teal composed about 72 percent of the we approved, regulations to permit the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community duck harvest. Two sandhill cranes were Tribal members to hunt on ceded lands in Michigan. reported harvested in each of the first in Minnesota, as well as in Michigan The GLIFWC 2017 proposal has four three Tribal sandhill crane seasons, with and Wisconsin. The States of Michigan changes from regulations approved last 3 reported harvested in 2015. No swans and Wisconsin originally concurred season. First, in the 1837 and 1842 have been harvested. About 81 percent with the regulations, although both Treaty Areas, the GLIFWC proposal of the estimated hunting days took place Wisconsin and Michigan have raised would allow up to 50 Tribal hunters to in Wisconsin, with the remainder various concerns over the years. use electronic calls for any open season occurring in Michigan. As in past years, Minnesota did not concur with the under a limited and experimental most hunting took place in or near original regulations, stressing that the design under a special Tribal permit. In counties with reservations. Overall, State would not recognize Chippewa addition to obtaining a special permit, analysis of hunter survey data over Indian hunting rights in Minnesota’s the Tribal hunter would be required to 1996–2015 indicates a general treaty area until a court with complete and submit a hunt diary for downward, or flat, trend in both harvest jurisdiction over the State acknowledges each hunt where electronic calls were and hunter participation. More specific and defines the extent of these rights. In used. Second, GLIFWC also proposes to discussion on each of the proposals 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld allow the take of migratory birds follows below.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules 39721

Allowing Electronic Calls excluding falconry, were closed (71 FR In that light, we are proposing In the 1837 and 1842 Treaty Areas, 45964, August 10, 2006). In both GLIFWC’s limited experimental GLIFWC proposes allowing an instances, these changes were made in approach with the hope of gaining some experimental application of electronic order to significantly increase the take additional information and knowledge calls with up to 50 Tribal hunters of these species due to serious about the use of electronic calls and allowed to use the devices. Individuals population overabundance, depredation their effects on waterfowl. Ideally, this using electronic calls would be required issues, or public health and safety limited approach would include to obtain a special Tribal permit, issues, or a combination of these. utilizing electronic calls both for Canada complete a hunt diary for each hunt In our previous responses on this geese (where they may already be used where the devices are used, and submit issue, we have also discussed in some instances) and new efforts for information stemming from the use of the hunt diary to the Commission ducks. Important data related to tribal electronic calls during the special light- within 2 weeks of the end of the season hunter interest, participation, effects on goose seasons and our conclusions as to in order to be eligible to obtain a permit targeted species, and harvest would its applicability to most other waterfowl for the following year. GLIFWC need to be closely tracked and reported, species. Given available evidence on the proposes to require hunters to record as GLIFWC has proposed. We conclude effectiveness of electronic calls, we the date, time, and location of each that the experimental removal of the continue to be concerned about the large hunt; the number of hunters; the electronic call prohibition, with the biological uncertainty surrounding any number of each species harvested per proposed limited design, would be widespread use of electronic calls. hunting event; if other hunters were in consistent with helping address and Additionally, given the fact that tribal answer some of our long-standing the area, any interactions with other waterfowl hunting covered by this hunters; and other information GLIFWC concerns, and thus we support proposal would occur on ceded lands GLIFWC’s proposal to allow the deems appropriate. GLIFWC would then that are not in the ownership of the summarize the diary results and submit experimental use of electronic calls in Tribes, we remain very concerned that the 1837 and 1842 Treaty Areas for any a report to the Service. Barring the use of electronic calls to take unforeseen results, GLIFWC proposes open season for a 3-year experimental waterfowl would lead to confusion on period. that this experimental application be the part of the public, wildlife- replicated for 3 years, after which a full management agencies, and law Use of Hand-Held Nets and Snares evaluation would be completed. enforcement officials in implementing As we have stated over the last 6 years the requirements of 50 CFR part 20. GLIFWC proposes that we allow the (76 FR 54676, September 1, 2011; 77 FR Further, similar to the impacts of take of migratory birds (primarily 54451, September 5, 2012; 78 FR 53218, baiting, we have concerns on the waterfowl) with the use of hand-held August 28, 2013; 79 FR 52226, uncertain zone of influence range from nets, hand-held snares, and the September 3, 2014; 80 FR 52663, the use of electronic calls which could capturing of birds by hand in the 1837 September 1, 2015; 81 FR 62404, potentially increase harvest from and 1842 Treaty Areas. The GLIWFC September 9, 2016), the issue of nontribal hunters operating within areas proposal for the use of nets and snares allowing electronic calls and other that electronic calls are used during the and capturing by hand would include electronic devices for migratory game dates of the general hunt. However, the take of birds at night. Within the bird hunting has been highly debated unlike baiting, once the electronic call 1837 and 1842 Treaty Areas, tribal and highly controversial over the last 40 is removed from an area, the attractant members would be allowed to use non- years, similar to other prohibited or lure is immediately removed with mechanical, hand-operated nets (i.e., hunting methods. Electronic calls, i.e., presumably little to no lingering effects. throw/cast nets or hand-held nets the use or aid of recorded or electronic Notwithstanding our above concerns, typically used to land fish) and hand- amplified bird calls or sounds, or we understand and appreciate operated snares, and could chase and recorded or electrically amplified GLIFWC’s position on this issue, their capture migratory birds without the aid imitations of bird calls or sounds to lure desire to increase tribal hunter of hunting devices (i.e., by hand). Non- or attract migratory game birds to opportunity, harvest, and participation, attended nets or snares would not be hunters, were Federally prohibited in and the importance that GLIFWC has authorized under this proposal. Tribal 1957, because of their effectiveness in ascribed to these issues. We further members using nets or snares to take attracting and aiding the harvest of appreciate GLIFWC’s latest proposal on migratory birds, or taking birds by hand, ducks and geese and because they are the issue. GLIFWC has proposed a would be required to obtain a special generally not considered a legitimate limited use of electronic calls under an Tribal permit, complete a hunt diary for component of hunting (see restriction in experimental design with up to only 50 each hunt where these methods are 50 CFR 20.21(g)). In 1999, after much Tribal hunters. Hunters would be used, and submit the hunt diary to the debate, the migratory bird regulations required to obtain special permits and Commission within 2 weeks of the end were revised to allow the use of complete and submit a hunt diary for of the season in order to be eligible to electronic calls for the take of light geese each hunt where electronic calls were obtain a permit to net migratory birds (lesser snow geese and Ross geese) used. Clearly, GLIFWC has given this for the following year. GLIFWC-required during a light-goose-only season when issue considerable thought. In our information would include the date, all other waterfowl and crane hunting recent discussions with them, they have time, and location of the hunt; number seasons, excluding falconry, were closed willingly discussed our concerns and all of hunters; the number of each species (64 FR 7507, February 16, 1999; 64 FR the uncertainties and difficulties harvested per hunting event; and other 71236, December 20, 1999; 73 FR 65926, surrounding them. Therefore, we agree information GLIFWC deems November 5, 2008). The regulations with the tribes that much of the large appropriate. Diary results would then be were also changed in 2006, to allow the uncertainty surrounding any summarized and documented in a use of electronic calls for the take of widespread use of electronic calls could GLIFWC report, which would be resident Canada geese during Canada- be potentially controlled, or submitted to the Service. Barring goose-only September seasons when all significantly lessened, by this very unforeseen results, GLIFWC proposes other waterfowl and crane seasons, modest experiment. that this experimental application be

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 39722 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules

replicated for 3 years, after which a full Sandhill Crane Season in the 1836 D. Woodcock evaluation would be completed. Treaty Area Season Dates: Begin September 5 and Current regulations at 50 CFR part 20 GLIFWC proposes the addition of a end December 31, 2017. do not allow the use of traps, nets, or sandhill crane hunting season in the Daily Bag Limit: 10 woodcock. snares to capture migratory game birds 1836 Treaty Area. Currently, the State of E. Mourning Dove: 1837 and 1842 (see § 20.21(a)), and we are unaware of Michigan does not offer a sandhill crane Ceded Territories Only any current State regulations allowing hunt season to their hunters. In the 1836 the use of traps for the capture of and 1842 Treaty Areas, only two Season Dates: Begin September 1 and resident game birds. While the use of sandhill cranes were reported harvested end November 29, 2017. traps or nets for birds is not generally in each of the first three Tribal sandhill Daily Bag Limit: 15 mourning doves. considered a sport-hunting technique, crane seasons, with 3 reported harvested F. Sandhill Cranes: 1837 and 1842 we recognize that their use may be a in 2015. Given the expected relative Ceded Territories Only customary and traditional hunting light hunting pressure, the proposed method by tribal members. Further, daily bag limit of 1 sandhill crane with Season Dates: Begin September 1 and GLIFWC’s netting and trapping proposal a seasonal bag limit of 3 cranes, and the end December 31, 2017. does not allow baiting (which could fact that crane harvest will be monitored Daily Bag Limit: 2 cranes and no seasonal bag limit in the 1837 and 1842 lead to concerns related to potential through Tribal-required hunter Treaty areas; 1 crane with a seasonal bag disease transmission) or the herding of registration, we see no compelling limit of 3 in the1836 Treaty area. waterfowl into traps when they are biological reason to not approve the largely flightless, such as during the proposal. G. Swans: 1837 and 1842 Ceded summer molt. Practices such as these The proposed 2017–18 waterfowl Territories Only hunting season regulations apply to all would significantly increase our Season Dates: Begin September 1 and concerns. As such, and recognizing the treaty areas (except where noted) for GLIFWC as follows: end December 31, 2017. importance GLIFWC has placed on this Daily Bag Limit: 2 swans. All issue, we are not opposed to the Ducks harvested swans must be registered by trapping of migratory birds, especially presenting the fully-feathered carcass to Season Dates: Begin September 1 and given all the GLIFWC-proposed a tribal registration station or GLIFWC end December 31, 2017. restrictions on their use and the fact that warden. If the total number of trumpeter they will be manned at all times. Thus, Daily Bag Limit: 50 ducks in the 1837 swans harvested reaches 10, the swan we agree with the GLIFWC proposal and and 1842 Treaty Area; 30 ducks in the season will be closed by emergency believe the restrictions they have 1836 Treaty Area. tribal rule. proposed are appropriate to begin a 3- Mergansers General Conditions year experimental evaluation. Season Dates: Begin September 1 and A. All tribal members will be required Extension of the Swan Season end December 31, 2017. to obtain a valid tribal waterfowl Daily Bag Limit: 10 mergansers. GLIFWC has conducted a swan season hunting permit. in the 1837 and 1842 Treaty Areas since Geese B. Except as otherwise noted, tribal members will be required to comply 2014. While the season primarily is Season Dates: Begin September 1 and with tribal codes that will be no less targeted at tundra swans, trumpeter end December 31, 2017. In addition, any restrictive than the model ceded swans are legally allowed in the daily portion of the ceded territory that is territory conservation codes approved bag limit. However, all swans harvested open to State-licensed hunters for goose by Federal courts in the Lac Courte must be registered with the Tribe by hunting outside of these dates will also Oreilles v. State of Wisconsin (Voigt) presenting the fully feathered carcass to be open concurrently for tribal and Mille Lacs Band v. State of a tribal registration station or GLIFWC members. Minnesota cases. Chapter 10 in each of warden, to confirm species. If the total Daily Bag Limit: 20 geese in aggregate. these model codes regulates ceded number of trumpeter swans harvested territory migratory bird hunting. Both reaches 10, GLIFWC closes the swan Other Migratory Birds versions of Chapter 10 parallel Federal season by emergency rule. Hunters are A. Coots and Common Moorhens requirements as to hunting methods, expected to check the GLIFWC’s Web (Common Gallinules) transportation, sale, exportation, and site each day they hunt to determine other conditions generally applicable to season status. To date, no swans have Season Dates: Begin September 1 and migratory bird hunting. They also been harvested. GLIFWC would like to end December 31, 2017. automatically incorporate by reference expand the current swan season by Daily Bag Limit: 20 coots and the Federal migratory bird regulations beginning the season September 1 rather common moorhens (common adopted in response to this proposal. than November 1, as they believe the gallinules), singly or in the aggregate. C. Particular regulations of note current regulations may too restrictive. B. Sora and Virginia Rails include: The trumpeter swan quota would 1. Nontoxic shot will be required for remain at 10 swans. Given the absence Season Dates: Begin September 1 and all waterfowl hunting by tribal of any swan harvest, we agree. If, in end December 31, 2017. members. future years, the swan season closes Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 20, 2. Tribal members in each zone will early due to attainment of the trumpeter singly, or in the aggregate, 25. comply with tribal regulations swan quota before December 31, C. Common Snipe providing for closed and restricted GLIFWC proposes, and we agree, to re- waterfowl hunting areas. These evaluate the earlier opening date in Season Dates: Begin September 1 and regulations generally incorporate the order to shift potential harvest back end December 31, 2017. same restrictions contained in parallel towards tundra swans. Daily Bag Limit: 16 common snipe. State regulations.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules 39723

3. There are no possession limits, chase and capture migratory birds would be around 300 ducks and 30 with the exception of 2 swans (in the without the aid of hunting devices (i.e., geese. aggregate) and 25 rails (in the aggregate). by hand). At this time, non-attended We propose to approve the Tribe’s For purposes of enforcing bag limits, all nets or snares shall not be authorized requested 2017–18 hunting seasons. migratory birds in the possession and under this regulation. Tribal members custody of tribal members on ceded using nets or snares to take migratory (g) Kalispel Tribe, Kalispel Reservation, lands will be considered to have been birds, or taking birds by hand, will be Usk, Washington (Tribal Members and taken on those lands unless tagged by a required to obtain a special permit; they Nontribal Hunters) tribal or State conservation warden as will be required to complete a hunt The Kalispel Reservation was taken on reservation lands. All diary for each hunt where these established by Executive Order in 1914, migratory birds that fall on reservation methods are used; and they will be and currently comprises approximately lands will not count as part of any off- required to submit the hunt diary to the 4,600 acres. The Tribe owns all reservation bag or possession limit. Commission within 2 weeks of the end Reservation land and has full 4. The baiting restrictions included in of the season in order to be eligible to management authority. The Kalispel the respective section 10.05(2)(h) of the obtain a permit to net migratory birds Tribe has a fully developed wildlife model ceded territory conservation for the following year. Required program with hunting and fishing codes will be amended to include information will include the date, time, codes. The Tribe enjoys excellent language which parallels that in place and location of the hunt; number of wildlife management relations with the for nontribal members as published at hunters; the number of each species State. The Tribe and the State have an 64 FR 29799, June 3, 1999. harvested per hunting event; and other operational memorandum of 5. There are no shell limit restrictions. information deemed appropriate. Diary understanding with emphasis on 6. Hunting hours are from 30 minutes results will be summarized and fisheries but also for wildlife. before sunrise to 30 minutes after documented in a Commission report, The nontribal member seasons sunset, except that, within the 1837 and which will be submitted to the Service. described below pertain to a 176-acre 1842 Ceded Territories, hunters may use Barring unforeseen results, this waterfowl management unit and 800 non-mechanical nets or snares that are experimental application would be acres of reservation land with a guide operated by hand to take those birds replicated for 3 years, after which a full for waterfowl hunting. The Tribe is subject to an open hunting season at any evaluation would be completed. utilizing this opportunity to rehabilitate time (see #8 below for further We propose to approve the above an area that needs protection because of information). Hunters shall also be GLIFWC regulations for the 2017–18 past land use practices, as well as to permitted to capture, without the aid of hunting season. other devices (i.e., by hand) and provide additional waterfowl hunting in immediately kill birds subject to an (f) Jicarilla Apache Tribe, Jicarilla the area. Beginning in 1996, the open season, regardless of the time of Indian Reservation, Dulce, New Mexico requested regulations also included a day. (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters) proposal for Kalispel-member-only 7. An experimental application of The Jicarilla Apache Tribe has had migratory bird hunting on Kalispel- electronic calls will be implemented in special migratory bird hunting ceded lands within Washington, the 1837 and 1842 Ceded Territories. Up regulations for tribal members and Montana, and Idaho. to 50 tribal hunters will be allowed to nonmembers since the 1986–87 hunting For the 2017–18 migratory bird use electronic calls. Individuals using season. The Tribe owns all lands on the hunting seasons, the Kalispel Tribe these devices will be required to obtain reservation and has recognized full proposes tribal and nontribal member a special permit; they will be required wildlife management authority. In waterfowl seasons. The Tribe requests to complete a hunt diary for each hunt general, the proposed seasons would be that both duck and goose seasons open where electronic calls are used; and more conservative than allowed by the at the earliest possible date and close on they will be required to submit the hunt Federal frameworks of last season and the latest date under Federal diary to the Commission within 2 weeks by States in the Pacific Flyway. frameworks. of the end of the season in order to be The Tribe proposes a 2017–18 For nontribal hunters on Tribally eligible to obtain an permit for the waterfowl and Canada goose season managed lands, the Tribe requests the following year. Required information beginning October 14, 2017, and a seasons open at the earliest possible will include the date, time, and location closing date of November 30, 2017. date and remain open, for the maximum of the hunt; number of hunters; the Daily bag and possession limits for amount of open days. Specifically, the number of each species harvested per waterfowl would be the same as Pacific Tribe requests a season for ducks run hunting event; if other hunters were in Flyway States. The Tribe proposes a September 23–24, 2017, September 29– the area, any interactions with other daily bag limit for Canada geese of two. 30, 2017, and from October 1, 2017, to hunters; and other information deemed Other regulations specific to the Pacific January 8, 2018. In that period, appropriate. Diary results will be Flyway guidelines for New Mexico nontribal hunters would be allowed to summarized and documented in a would be in effect. hunt approximately 107 days. Hunters Commission report, which will be During the Jicarilla Game and Fish should obtain further information on submitted to the Service. Barring Department’s 2015–16 season, estimated specific hunt days from the Kalispel unforeseen results, this experimental duck harvest was 45, which is the Tribe. application would be replicated for 3 lowest on record. The species For nontribal hunters on Tribally years, after which a full evaluation composition included mainly mallards, managed lands, the Tribe also requests would be completed. northern shovelor, gadwall, American a season for geese run September 9–10, 8. Within the 1837 and 1842 Ceded wigeon, and teal. The estimated harvest 2017, September 16–17, 2017, and from Territories, tribal members will be of geese was 0 birds. October 1, 2017, to January 8, 2018. allowed to use non-mechanical, hand- The proposed regulations are Total number of days should not exceed operated nets (i.e., throw/cast nets or essentially the same as were established 107. Nontribal hunters should obtain hand-held nets typically used to land last year. The Tribe anticipates the further information on specific hunt fish) and hand-operated snares, and may maximum 2017–18 waterfowl harvest days from the Tribe. Daily bag and

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 39724 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules

possession limits would be the same as Based on the number of birds which may be a hen), 1 bufflehead, and those for the State of Washington. produced in the Klamath Basin, this 1 hooded merganser. Possession limits The Tribe reports past nontribal year’s harvest would be similar to last would be twice the daily bag limit. harvest of 1.5 ducks per day. Under the year’s. Information on tribal harvest For coots and gallinules, the Tribe proposal, the Tribe expects harvest to be suggests that more than 70 percent of proposes a September 15, 2017, through similar to last year, that is, fewer than the annual goose harvest is local birds January 26, 2018, season. Daily bag 100 geese and 200 ducks. produced in the Klamath Basin. limits would be five coot and five All other State and Federal We propose to approve those 2017–18 gallinule. regulations contained in 50 CFR part 20, special migratory bird hunting For white-fronted geese, snow geese, such as use of nontoxic shot and regulations. and brant, the Tribe proposes a September 8 through December 10, possession of a signed migratory bird (i) Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Cass 2017, season. Daily bag limits would be hunting and conservation stamp, would Lake, Minnesota (Tribal Members Only) be required. five geese. For tribal members on Kalispel-ceded The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is a For Canada geese only, the Tribe lands, the Kalispel Tribe proposes federally recognized Tribe located in proposes a September 1, 2017, through season dates for ducks of October 10, Cass Lake, Minnesota. The reservation February 4, 2018, season with a daily 2017, through January 31, 2018, and for employs conservation officers to enforce bag limit of five. The possession limit geese of September 10, 2017, through conservation regulations. The Service would be twice the daily bag limit. January 31, 2018. Daily bag and and the Tribe have cooperatively For snipe, woodcock, rails, and possession limits would parallel those established migratory bird hunting mourning doves, the Tribe proposes a in the Federal regulations contained in regulations since 2000. September 1 to November 12, 2017, For the 2017–18 season, the Tribe 50 CFR part 20. season. The daily bag limit would be 10 requests a duck season starting on The Tribe reports that there was no common snipe, 5 woodcock, 10 rails, September 16 and ending December 31, tribal harvest. Under the proposal, the and 10 mourning doves. Possession 2017, and a goose season to run from Tribe expects harvest to be fewer than limits for all species would be twice the September 1 through December 31, 200 birds for the season with fewer than daily bag limit. 2017. Daily bag limits for ducks would The Tribe monitors harvest through 100 geese. Tribal members would be be 10, including no more than 5 pintail, mail surveys. General conditions are as required to possess a signed Federal 5 canvasback, and 5 black ducks. Daily follows: migratory bird stamp and a tribal ceded bag limits for geese would be 10. A. All tribal members will be required lands permit. Possession limits would be twice the to obtain a valid tribal resource card and We propose to approve the daily bag limit. Shooting hours are one- 2017–18 hunting license. regulations requested by the Kalispel half hour before sunrise to one-half hour B. Except as modified by the Service Tribe, since these dates conform to after sunset. rules adopted in response to this Federal flyway frameworks for the The annual harvest by tribal members proposal, these amended regulations Pacific Flyway. on the Leech Lake Reservation is parallel all Federal regulations (h) Klamath Tribe, Chiloquin, Oregon estimated at 250 to 500 birds. contained in 50 CFR part 20. Shooting (Tribal Members Only) We propose to approve the Leech hours will be from one-half hour before Lake Band of Ojibwe’s requested 2017– sunrise to sunset. The Klamath Tribe currently has no 18 special migratory bird hunting C. Particular regulations of note reservation, per se. However, the season. include: Klamath Tribe has reserved hunting, (1) Nontoxic shot will be required for (j) Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, fishing, and gathering rights within its all waterfowl hunting by tribal Manistee, Michigan (Tribal Members former reservation boundary. This area members. Only) of former reservation, granted to the (2) Tribal members in each zone will Klamaths by the Treaty of 1864, is over The Little River Band of Ottawa comply with tribal regulations 1 million acres. Tribal natural resource Indians is a self-governing, federally providing for closed and restricted management authority is derived from recognized Tribe located in Manistee, waterfowl hunting areas. These the Treaty of 1864, and carried out Michigan, and a signatory Tribe of the regulations generally incorporate the cooperatively under the judicially Treaty of 1836. We have approved same restrictions contained in parallel enforced Consent Decree of 1981. The special regulations for tribal members of State regulations. parties to this Consent Decree are the the 1836 treaty’s signatory Tribes on D. Tribal members hunting in Federal Government, the State of ceded lands in Michigan since the Michigan will comply with tribal codes Oregon, and the Klamath Tribe. The 1986–87 hunting season. Ceded lands that contain provisions parallel to Klamath Indian Game Commission sets are located in Lake, Mason, Manistee, Michigan law regarding duck blinds and the seasons. The tribal biological staff and Wexford Counties. The Band decoys. and tribal regulatory enforcement proposes regulations to govern the We plan to approve Little River Band officers monitor tribal harvest by hunting of migratory birds by Tribal of Ottawa Indians’ 2017–18 special frequent bag checks and hunter members within the 1836 Ceded migratory bird hunting seasons. interviews. Territory as well as on the Band’s For the 2017–18 seasons, the Tribe Reservation. (k) The Little Traverse Bay Bands of requests proposed season dates of For the 2017–18 season, the Little Odawa Indians, Petoskey, Michigan October 7, 2017, through January 31, River Band of Ottawa Indians proposes (Tribal Members Only) 2018. Daily bag limits would be 9 for a duck and merganser season from The Little Traverse Bay Bands of ducks, 9 for geese, and 9 for coot, with September 9, 2017, through January 26, Odawa Indians (LTBB) is a self- possession limits twice the daily bag 2018. A daily bag limit of 12 ducks governing, federally recognized Tribe limit. Shooting hours would be one-half would include no more than 2 pintail, located in Petoskey, Michigan, and a hour before sunrise to one-half hour 2 canvasback, 3 black ducks, 3 wood signatory Tribe of the Treaty of 1836. after sunset. Steel shot is required. ducks, 3 redheads, 6 mallards (only 2 of We have approved special regulations

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules 39725

for tribal members of the 1836 treaty’s The LTBB usually proposes to monitor Canada geese. The Tribe’s proposed signatory Tribes on ceded lands in harvest closely through game bag nontribal member white-fronted goose Michigan since the 1986–87 hunting checks, patrols, and mail surveys. In season would run from October 28, season. particular, the LTBB usually proposes 2017, through January 23, 2018, with a For the 2017–18 season, we have not monitoring the harvest of Southern daily bag and possession limits yet heard from the Little Traverse Bay James Bay Canada geese and sandhill concurrent with Federal regulations. Bands of Odawa Indians. The LTBB cranes to assess any impacts of tribal The Tribe’s proposed nontribal-member usually proposes regulations similar to hunting on the population. light goose season would run from those of other Tribes in the 1836 treaty We propose to approve the Little October 28, 2017, through February 11, area. The LTBB usually proposes the Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians’ 2018, and February 12 through March regulations to govern the hunting of requested 2017–18 special migratory 10, 2018. The light goose daily bag limit migratory birds by tribal members on bird hunting regulations, upon receipt would be 20 or the maximum number the LTBB reservation and within the of their proposal. that Federal regulations allow with no 1836 Treaty Ceded Territory. The tribal (l) Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule possession limits. member duck and merganser season For tribal members, the Lower Brule Reservation, Lower Brule, South Dakota would usually run from September 1, Sioux Tribe proposes a duck, merganser, (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters) 2017, through January 31, 2018. A daily and coot season from September 1, bag limit of 20 ducks and 10 mergansers The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe first 2017, through March 10, 2018. The would include no more than 5 hen established tribal migratory bird hunting daily bag limit would be six ducks, mallards, 5 pintail, 5 canvasback, 5 regulations for the Lower Brule including no more than two hen mallard scaup, 5 hooded merganser, 5 black Reservation in 1994. The Lower Brule and five mallards total, two pintail, two ducks, 5 wood ducks, and 5 redheads. Reservation is about 214,000 acres in redheads, two canvasback, three wood For Canada geese, the LTBB usually size and is located on and adjacent to ducks, three scaup, two bonus teal proposes a September 1, 2017, through the Missouri River, south of Pierre. Land during the first 16 days of the season, February 8, 2018, season. The daily bag ownership on the reservation is mixed, and one mottled duck or the maximum limit for Canada geese would be 20 and until recently, the Lower Brule number that Federal regulations allow. birds. We further note that, based on Tribe had full management authority The daily bag limit for mergansers available data (of major goose migration over fish and wildlife via a would be five, only two of which could routes), it is unlikely that any Canada memorandum of agreement (MOA) with be hooded mergansers. The daily bag geese from the Southern James Bay the State of South Dakota. The MOA limit for coots would be 15. Possession Population would be harvested by the provided the Tribe jurisdiction over fish limits would be three times the daily LTBB. Possession limits are twice the and wildlife on reservation lands, bag limits. daily bag limit. including deeded and U.S. Army Corps The Tribe’s proposed Canada goose For woodcock, the LTBB usually of Engineers-taken lands. For the 2017– season for tribal members would run proposes a September 1 to December 1, 18 season, the two parties have come to from September 1, 2017, through March 2017, season. The daily bag limit will an agreement that provides the public a 10, 2018, with a daily bag limit of six not exceed 10 birds. For snipe, the clear understanding of the Lower Brule Canada geese. The Tribe’s proposed LTBB proposes a September 1 to Sioux Wildlife Department license white-fronted goose tribal season would December 31, 2017, season. The daily requirements and hunting season run from September 1, 2017, through bag limit will not exceed 16 birds. For regulations. The Lower Brule March 10, 2018, with a daily bag limit mourning doves, the LTBB usually Reservation waterfowl season is open to of two white-fronted geese or the proposes a September 1 to November tribal and nontribal hunters. maximum number that Federal 14, 2017, season. The daily bag limit For the 2017–18 migratory bird regulations allow. The Tribe’s proposed will not exceed 15 birds. For Virginia hunting season, the Lower Brule Sioux light goose tribal season would run from and sora rails, the LTBB usually Tribe proposes a nontribal member September 1, 2017, through March 10, proposes a September 1 to December 31, duck, merganser, and coot season length 2018. The light goose daily bag limit 2017, season. The daily bag limit will of 97 days, or the maximum number of would be 20 or the maximum number not exceed 20 birds per species. For days allowed by Federal frameworks in that Federal regulations allow, with no coots and gallinules, the LTBB usually the High Plains Management Unit for possession limits. proposes a September 15 to December this season. The Tribe proposes a duck In the 2013–14 season, nontribal 31, 2017, season. The daily bag limit season from October 7, 2017, through members harvested 641 geese and 1,616 will not exceed 20 birds per species. January 11, 2018. The daily bag limit ducks. In the 2013–14 season, duck The possession limit will not exceed 2 would be six birds or the maximum harvest species composition was days’ bag limit for all birds. number that Federal regulations allow, primarily mallard (67 percent), gadwall The LTBB also usually proposes a including no more than two hen mallard (5 percent), green-winged teal (7 sandhill crane season to begin and five mallards total, two pintail, two percent), and wigeon (5 percent). September 1 and end December 1, 2017. redhead, two canvasback, three wood The Tribe anticipates a duck and The daily bag limit will not exceed one duck, three scaup, and one mottled goose harvest similar to those of the bird. The possession limit will not duck. The daily bag limit for mergansers previous years. All basic Federal exceed two times the bag limit. would be five, only two of which could regulations contained in 50 CFR part 20, All other Federal regulations be a hooded merganser. The daily bag including the use of nontoxic shot, contained in 50 CFR part 20 would limit for coots would be 15. Possession Migratory Bird Hunting and apply. limits would be three times the daily Conservation Stamps, etc., would be Harvest surveys from 2014–15 bag limits. observed by the Tribe’s proposed hunting season indicated that The Tribe’s proposed nontribal- regulations. In addition, the Lower approximately 10 hunters harvested 10 member Canada goose season would run Brule Sioux Tribe has an official different waterfowl species totaling 69 from October 28, 2017, through Conservation Code that was established birds. No sandhill cranes were reported February 11, 2018 (107-day season by Tribal Council Resolution in June harvested during the 2014–15 season. length), with a daily bag limit of six 1982 and updated in 1996.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 39726 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules

We plan to approve the Tribe’s The Tribe typically anticipates (2) Hunters must be eligible, enrolled requested regulations for the Lower harvest to be fewer than 10 birds. Tribal Makah tribal members and must carry Brule Reservation if the seasons’ dates reservation police and Tribal fisheries their Indian Treaty Fishing and Hunting fall within final Federal flyway enforcement officers have the authority Identification Card while hunting. No frameworks (applies to nontribal to enforce these migratory bird hunting tags or permits are required to hunt hunters only). regulations. waterfowl. (3) The Cape Flattery area is open to (m) Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Port The Service proposes to approve the waterfowl hunting, except in designated Angeles, Washington (Tribal Members special migratory bird hunting wilderness areas, or within 1 mile of Only) regulations for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe upon receipt of their proposal. Cape Flattery Trail, or in any area that Since 1996, the Service and the Point is closed to hunting by another No Point Treaty Tribes, of which Lower (n) Makah Indian Tribe, Neah Bay, ordinance or regulation. Elwha was one, have cooperated to Washington (Tribal Members Only) (4) The use of live decoys and/or establish special regulations for The Makah Indian Tribe and the baiting to pursue any species of migratory bird hunting. The Tribes are Service have been cooperating to waterfowl is prohibited. now acting independently, and the establish special regulations for (5) Steel or bismuth shot only for Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe would like migratory game birds on the Makah waterfowl is allowed; the use of lead to establish migratory bird hunting Reservation and traditional hunting shot is prohibited. regulations for tribal members for the land off the Makah Reservation since (6) The use of dogs is permitted to 2017–18 season. The Tribe has a the 2001–02 hunting season. Lands off hunt waterfowl. reservation on the Olympic Peninsula in the Makah Reservation are those The Service proposes to approve the Washington State and is a successor to contained within the boundaries of the Makah Indian Tribe’s requested 2017– the signatories of the Treaty of Point No State of Washington Game Management 18 special migratory bird hunting Point of 1855. Units 601–603. regulations. For the 2017–18 season, we have yet The Makah Indian Tribe proposes a to hear from the Lower Elwha Klallam (o) Navajo Nation, Navajo Indian duck and coot hunting season from Tribe. The Tribe usually requests Reservation, Window Rock, Arizona September 23, 2017, to January 28, special migratory bird hunting (Tribal Members and Nontribal Hunters) 2018. The daily bag limit is seven regulations for ducks (including Since 1985, we have established ducks, including no more than five mergansers), geese, coots, band-tailed uniform migratory bird hunting mallards (only two hen mallard), one pigeons, snipe, and mourning doves. regulations for tribal members and canvasback, one pintail, three scaup, The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe usually nonmembers on the Navajo Indian and one redhead. The daily bag limit for requests a duck and coot season from Reservation (in parts of Arizona, New coots is 25. The Tribe has a year-round September 13, 2017, to January 4, 2018. Mexico, and Utah). The Navajo Nation closure on wood ducks and harlequin The daily bag limit will be seven ducks, owns almost all lands on the reservation ducks. Shooting hours for all species of including no more than two hen and has full wildlife management waterfowl are one-half hour before mallards, one pintail, one canvasback, authority. sunrise to sunset. and two redheads. The daily bag and For the 2017–18 season, the Tribe For geese, the Tribe proposes that the possession limit on harlequin duck will requests the earliest opening dates and season open on September 23, 2017, and be one per season. The coot daily bag longest duck, mergansers, Canada geese, close January 28, 2018. The daily bag limit will be 25. The possession limit and coots seasons, and the same daily limit for geese is four and one brant. The will be twice the daily bag limit, except bag and possession limits allowed to Tribe notes that there is a year-round as noted above. Pacific Flyway States under final For geese, the Tribe usually requests closure on Aleutian and dusky Canada Federal frameworks for tribal and a season from September 13, 2017, to geese. nontribal members. January 4, 2018. The daily bag limit will For band-tailed pigeons, the Tribe For both mourning dove and band- be four, including no more than three proposes that the season open tailed pigeons, the Navajo Nation light geese. The season on Aleutian September 22, 2017, and close October proposes seasons of September 1 Canada geese will be closed. 23, 2017. The daily bag limit for band- through September 30, 2017, with daily For brant, the Tribe usually proposes tailed pigeons is two. bag limits of 10 and 5, respectively. to close the season. The Tribe anticipates that harvest Possession limits would be twice the For mourning doves, band-tailed under this regulation will be relatively daily bag limits. pigeon, and snipe, the Tribe usually low since there are no known dedicated The Nation requires tribal members requests a season from September 1, waterfowl hunters and any harvest of and nonmembers to comply with all 2017, to January 11, 2018, with a daily waterfowl or band-tailed pigeons is basic Federal migratory bird hunting bag limit of 10, 2, and 8, respectively. usually incidental to hunting for other regulations in 50 CFR part 20 pertaining The possession limit will be twice the species, such as deer, elk, and bear. The to shooting hours and manner of taking. daily bag limit. Tribe expects fewer than 50 ducks and In addition, each waterfowl hunter age All Tribal hunters authorized to hunt 10 geese to be harvested during the 16 or older must carry on his/her person migratory birds are required to obtain a 2017–18 migratory bird hunting season. a valid Migratory Bird Hunting and tribal hunting permit from the Lower All other Federal regulations Conservation Stamp (Duck Stamp), Elwha Klallam Tribe pursuant to tribal contained in 50 CFR part 20 would which must be signed in ink across the law. Hunting hours would be from one- apply. The following restrictions are face. Special regulations established by half hour before sunrise to sunset. Only also proposed by the Tribe: the Navajo Nation also apply on the steel, tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, (1) As per Makah Ordinance 44, only reservation. tungsten-matrix, and tin shot are shotguns may be used to hunt any The Tribe anticipates a total harvest of allowed for hunting waterfowl. It is species of waterfowl. Additionally, fewer than 500 mourning doves; fewer unlawful to use or possess lead shot shotguns must not be discharged within than 10 band-tailed pigeons; fewer than while hunting waterfowl. 0.25 miles of an occupied area. 1,000 ducks, coots, and mergansers; and

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules 39727

fewer than 1,000 Canada geese for the season dates, and daily bag limits. brant, the Council proposes the season 2017–18 season. The Tribe measures Tribal members and nontribal hunters open on November 9, 2017, and close harvest by mail survey forms. Through hunting on the Reservation or on lands January 31, 2018, for the Port Gamble the established Navajo Nation Code, under the jurisdiction of the Tribe must S’Klallam Tribe, and open on January 10 titles 17 and 18, and 23 U.S.C. 1165, the observe all basic Federal migratory bird and close January 25, 2018, for the Tribe will take action to close the hunting regulations found in 50 CFR Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. The daily season, reduce bag limits, or take other part 20, with the following exceptions: bag limit for brant would be two. appropriate actions if the harvest is Oneida members would be exempt from For band-tailed pigeons, the Port detrimental to the migratory bird the purchase of the Migratory Bird Gamble S’Klallam Tribe season would resource. Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Duck open September 1, 2017, and close We propose to approve the Navajo Stamp); and shotgun capacity is not March 10, 2018. The Jamestown Nation’s 2017–18 special migratory bird limited to three shells. S’Klallam Tribe season would open hunting regulations. The Service proposes to approve the September 13, 2017, and close January 2017–18 special migratory bird hunting (p) Oneida Tribe of Indians of 18, 2018. The daily bag limit for band- regulations for the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, Oneida, Wisconsin (Tribal tailed pigeons would be two. For snipe, Indians of Wisconsin. Members Only) the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe season (q) Point No Point Treaty Council would open September 1, 2017, and Since 1991–92, the Oneida Tribe of close March 10, 2018. The Jamestown Indians of Wisconsin and the Service Tribes, Kingston, Washington (Tribal Members Only) S’Klallam Tribe season would open have cooperated to establish uniform September 13, 2017, and close March We are establishing uniform migratory regulations for migratory bird hunting 10, 2018. The daily bag limit for snipe bird hunting regulations for tribal by tribal and nontribal hunters within would be eight. For mourning dove, the members on behalf of the Point No Point the original Oneida Reservation Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe season Treaty Council Tribes, consisting of the boundaries. Since 1985, the Oneida would open September 1, 2017, and Port Gamble S’Klallam and Jamestown Tribe’s Conservation Department has close January 31, 2018. The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribes. The two tribes have enforced the Tribe’s hunting regulations S’Klallam Tribe would open September reservations and ceded areas in within those original reservation limits. 13, 2017, and close January 18, 2018. The Oneida Tribe also has a good northwestern Washington State and are the successors to the signatories of the The daily bag limit for mourning dove working relationship with the State of would be 10. Wisconsin, and the majority of the Treaty of Point No Point of 1855. These The Tribe anticipates a total harvest of seasons and limits are the same for the proposed regulations will apply to tribal fewer than 175 birds for the 2017–18 Tribe and Wisconsin. members both on and off reservations For the 2017–18 season, the Tribe within the Point No Point Treaty Areas; season. The tribal fish and wildlife submitted a proposal requesting special however, the Port Gamble S’Klallam and enforcement officers have the authority migratory bird hunting regulations. For Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal season to enforce these tribal regulations. ducks, the Tribe proposal describes the dates differ only where indicated below. We propose to approve the Point No general outside dates as being For the 2017–18 season, the Point No Point Treaty Council Tribe’s requested September 16 through December 3, Point Treaty Council requests special 2017–18 special migratory bird seasons. 2017. The Tribe proposes a daily bag migratory bird hunting regulations for (r) Saginaw Tribe of Chippewa Indians, limit of six birds, which could include both the Jamestown S’Klallam and Port Mt. Pleasant, Michigan (Tribal Members no more than six mallards (three hen Gamble S’Klallam Tribes. For ducks, the Only) mallards), six wood ducks, one redhead, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe season two pintails, and one hooded would open September 1, 2017, and The Saginaw Tribe of Chippewa merganser. close March 10, 2018, and coots would Indians is a federally recognized, self- For geese, the Tribe requests a season open September 13, 2017, and close governing Indian Tribe, located on the between September 1 and December 31, February 1, 2018. The Port Gamble Isabella Reservation lands bound by 2017, with a daily bag limit of five S’Klallam Tribes duck and coot seasons Saginaw Bay in Isabella and Arenac Canada geese. If a quota of 500 geese is would open from September 1, 2017, to Counties, Michigan. attained before the season concludes, March 10, 2018. The daily bag limit In a December 1, 2016, letter, the the Tribe will recommend closing the would be seven ducks, including no Tribe proposes special migratory bird season early. more than two hen mallards, one hunting regulations. For ducks, For woodcock, the Tribe proposes a canvasback, one pintail, two redhead, mergansers, and common snipe, the season between September 2 and and four scoters. The daily bag limit for Tribe proposes outside dates as November 5, 2017, with a daily bag and coots would be 14. The daily bag limit September 1, 2017, through January 31, possession limit of two and four, and possession limit on harlequin ducks 2018. The Tribe proposes a daily bag respectively. would be one per season. The daily limit of 20 ducks, which could include For mourning dove, the Tribe possession limits are double the daily no more than five each of the following: proposes a season between September 2 bag limits except where noted. hen mallards; wood duck; black duck; and November 5, 2017, with a daily bag For geese, the Point No Point Treaty pintail; red head; scaup; and and possession limit of 10 and 20, Council proposes the season open on canvasback. The merganser daily bag respectively. September 9, 2017, and close March 10, limit is 10, with no more than 5 hooded The Tribe proposes shooting hours be 2018, for the Jamestown S’Klallam mergansers and 16 for common snipe. one-half hour before sunrise to one-half Tribe, and open on September 1, 2017, For geese, coot, gallinule, sora, and hour after sunset. Nontribal hunters and close March 10, 2018, for the Port Virginia rail, the Tribe requests a season hunting on the Reservation or on lands Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. The daily bag from September 1, 2017, to January 31, under the jurisdiction of the Tribe must limit for geese would be four, not to 2018. The daily bag limit for geese is 20, comply with all State of Wisconsin include more than three light geese. The in the aggregate. The daily bag limit for regulations, including shooting hours of Council notes that there is a year-round coot, gallinule, sora, and Virginia rail is one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, closure on dusky Canada geese. For 20 in the aggregate.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 39728 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules

For woodcock and mourning dove, reports including date of harvest, The Tribes request a common snipe the Tribe proposes a season between number and species harvested, and season with the maximum number of September 1, 2017, and January 31, location of harvest. Hunting hours days and the same daily bag and 2018, with daily bag limits of 10 and 25, would be from one-half hour before possession limits permitted in Idaho respectively. sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. All under Federal frameworks. The Tribes For sandhill crane, the Tribe proposes other regulations in 50 CFR part 20 propose that, if the same number of a season between September 1, 2017, apply, including the use of only hunting days is permitted as in previous and January 31, 2018, with a daily bag nontoxic shot for hunting waterfowl. years, the season would have an limit of one. The Service proposes to approve the opening date of October 7, 2017, and a All Saginaw Tribe members request for 2017–18 special migratory closing date of January 19, 2018. exercising hunting treaty rights are bird hunting regulations for the Sault Nontribal hunters must comply with required to comply with Tribal Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. all basic Federal migratory bird hunting Ordinance 11. Hunting hours would be regulations in 50 CFR part 20 pertaining (t) Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Fort Hall to shooting hours, use of steel shot, and from one-half hour before sunrise to Indian Reservation, Fort Hall, Idaho manner of taking. Special regulations one-half hour after sunset. All other (Nontribal Hunters) regulations in 50 CFR part 20 apply, established by the Shoshone–Bannock including the use of only nontoxic shot Almost all of the Fort Hall Indian Tribes also apply on the reservation. for hunting waterfowl. Reservation is tribally owned. The We note that the requested regulations The Service proposes to approve the Tribes claim full wildlife management are nearly identical to those of last year, request for 2017–18 special migratory authority throughout the reservation, and we propose to approve them for the bird hunting regulations for the Saginaw but the Idaho Fish and Game 2017–18 hunting season if the seasons’ Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Department has disputed tribal dates fall within the final Federal jurisdiction, especially for hunting by flyway frameworks (applies to nontribal (s) Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa nontribal members on reservation lands hunters only). Indians, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan owned by non-Indians. As a (Tribal Members Only) compromise, since 1985, we have (u) Skokomish Tribe, Shelton, Washington (Tribal Members Only) The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of established the same waterfowl hunting Chippewa Indians is a federally regulations on the reservation and in a Since 1996, the Service and the Point recognized, self-governing Indian Tribe, surrounding off-reservation State zone. No Point Treaty Tribes, of which the distributed throughout the eastern The regulations were requested by the Skokomish Tribe was one, have Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Tribes and provided for different season cooperated to establish special Peninsula of Michigan. The Tribe has dates than in the remainder of the State. regulations for migratory bird hunting. retained the right to hunt, fish, trap, and We agreed to the season dates because The Tribes have been acting gather on the lands ceded in the Treaty they would provide additional independently since 2005. The of Washington (1836). protection to mallards and pintails. The Skokomish Tribe has yet to send in a The Tribe proposes special migratory State of Idaho concurred with the proposal to establish migratory bird bird hunting regulations. For ducks, zoning arrangement. We have no hunting regulations for tribal members mergansers, and common snipe, the objection to the State’s use of this zone for the 2017–18 season. The Tribe has Tribe proposes outside dates as again in the 2017–18 hunting season, a reservation on the Olympic Peninsula September 15 through December 31, provided the duck and goose hunting in Washington State and is a successor 2017. The Tribe proposes a daily bag season dates are the same as on the to the signatories of the Treaty of Point limit of 20 ducks, which could include reservation. No Point of 1855. no more than 10 mallards (5 hen In a proposal for the 2017–18 hunting The Skokomish Tribe usually requests mallards), 5 wood duck, 5 black duck, season, the Shoshone–Bannock Tribes a duck and coot season from September and 5 canvasbacks. The merganser daily request a continuous duck (including 16, 2017, to February 28, 2018. The bag limit is 10 in the aggregate and 16 mergansers and coots) season, with the daily bag limit is seven ducks, including for common snipe. maximum number of days and the same no more than two hen mallards, one For geese, teal, coot, gallinule, sora, daily bag and possession limits pintail, one canvasback, and two and Virginia rail, the Tribe requests a permitted for Pacific Flyway States redheads. The daily bag and possession season from September 1 to December under the final Federal frameworks. The limit on harlequin duck is one per 31, 2017. The daily bag limit for geese Tribes propose a duck and coot season season. The coot daily bag limit is 25. is 20, in the aggregate. The daily bag with, if the same number of hunting The possession limit is twice the daily limit for coot, teal, gallinule, sora, and days is permitted as last year, an bag limit, except as noted above. Virginia rail is 20 in the aggregate. opening date of October 7, 2017, and a For geese, the Tribe usually requests For woodcock, the Tribe proposes a closing date of January 19, 2018. The a season from September 16, 2017, to season between September 2 and Tribes anticipate harvest will be about February 28, 2018. The daily bag limit December 1, 2017, with a daily bag and 7,500 ducks. is four, including no more than three possession limit of 10 and 20, The Tribes also request a continuous light geese. The season on Aleutian respectively. goose season with the maximum Canada geese is closed. For brant, the For mourning dove, the Tribe number of days and the same daily bag Tribe usually proposes a season from proposes a season between September 1 and possession limits permitted in November 1, 2017, to February 15, 2018, and November 14, 2017, with a daily Idaho under Federal frameworks. The with a daily bag limit of two. The bag and possession limit of 10 and 20, Tribes propose that, if the same number possession limit is twice the daily bag respectively. of hunting days is permitted as in limit. In 2014, the total estimated waterfowl previous years, the season would have For mourning doves, band-tailed hunters were 266. All Sault Ste. Marie an opening date of October 7, 2017, and pigeon, and snipe, the Tribe usually Tribe members exercising hunting treaty a closing date of January 19, 2018. The requests a season from September 16, rights within the 1836 Ceded Territory Tribes anticipate harvest will be about 2017, to February 28, 2018, with a daily are required to submit annual harvest 5,000 geese. bag limit of 10, 2, and 8, respectively.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules 39729

The possession limit is twice the daily 2, 2017, through January 31, 2018. The on December 31, 2017. The daily bag bag limit. tribe is requesting the daily bag limit for limit for brant would be two. The All Tribal hunters authorized to hunt ducks to be consistent with final Federal possession limit would be twice the migratory birds are required to obtain a frameworks. The possession limit is daily bag limit. tribal hunting permit from the twice the daily bag limit. We propose to approve the Tribe’s Skokomish Tribe pursuant to tribal law. The Tribe usually proposes a season 2017–18 special migratory bird hunting Hunting hours would be from one-half on geese starting September 2, 2017, and regulations, upon receipt of their hour before sunrise to sunset. Only ending on January 31, 2018. The tribe is proposal. steel, tungsten-iron, tungsten-polymer, requesting the daily bag limit for geese (x) Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, tungsten-matrix, and tin shot are to be consistent with final Federal Arlington, Washington (Tribal Members allowed for hunting waterfowl. It is frameworks. The possession limit is Only) unlawful to use or possess lead shot twice the daily bag limit. while hunting waterfowl. Based on the quantity of requests the The Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians The Tribe usually anticipates harvest Spokane Tribe of Indians has received, and the Service have cooperated to to be fewer than 150 birds. The the tribe anticipates harvest levels for establish special regulations for Skokomish Public Safety Office the 2017–18 season for both ducks and migratory game birds since 2001. For enforcement officers have the authority geese to be fewer than 100 total birds, the 2017–18 season, the Tribe requests to enforce these migratory bird hunting with goose harvest at fewer than 50. regulations to hunt all open and regulations. Hunter success will be monitored unclaimed lands under the Treaty of We propose to approve the through mandatory harvest reports Point Elliott of January 22, 1855, Skokomish Tribe’s 2017–18 migratory returned within 30 days of the season including their main hunting grounds bird hunting season, upon receipt of closure. around Camano Island, Skagit Flats, and their proposal. We propose to approve the Spokane Port Susan to the border of the Tulalip Tribe’s requested 2017–18 special Tribes Reservation. Ceded lands are (v) Spokane Tribe of Indians, Spokane migratory bird hunting regulations, located in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Indian Reservation, Wellpinit, upon receipt of their proposal. and Kings Counties, and a portion of Washington (Tribal Members Only) (w) Squaxin Island Tribe, Squaxin Pierce County, Washington. The The Spokane Tribe of Indians wishes Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians is a to establish waterfowl seasons on their Island Reservation, Shelton, Washington (Tribal Members Only) federally recognized Tribe and reserves reservation for its membership to access the Treaty Right to hunt (U.S. v. as an additional resource. An The Squaxin Island Tribe of Washington). established waterfowl season on the Washington and the Service have The Tribe proposes their duck reservation will allow access to a cooperated since 1995, to establish (including mergansers and coot) and resource for members to continue special tribal migratory bird hunting goose seasons run from October 1, 2017, practicing a subsistence lifestyle. regulations. These special regulations to March 10, 2018. The daily bag limit The Spokane Indian Reservation is apply to tribal members on the Squaxin on ducks (including sea ducks and located in northeastern Washington Island Reservation, located in western mergansers) is 10. The daily bag limit State. The reservation comprises Washington near Olympia, and all lands for coot is 25. For geese, the daily bag approximately 157,000 acres. The within the traditional hunting grounds limit is six. The season on brant is boundaries of the Reservation are the of the Squaxin Island Tribe. closed. Possession limits are totals of Columbia River to the west, the Spokane For the 2017–18 season, we have yet these three daily bag limits. River to the south (now Lake Roosevelt), to hear from the Squaxin Island Tribe. The Tribe proposes the snipe seasons Tshimikn Creek to the east, and the 48th The Tribe usually requests to establish run from October 1, 2017, to January 31, Parallel as the north boundary. Tribal duck and coot seasons that would run 2018. The daily bag limit for snipe is 10. membership comprises approximately from September 1, 2017, through Possession limits are three times the 2,300 enrolled Spokane Tribal Members. January 15, 2018. The daily bag limit for daily bag limit. These proposed regulations would ducks would be five per day and could Harvest is regulated by a punch card allow Tribal Members, spouses of include only one canvasback. The system. Tribal members hunting on Spokane Tribal Members, and first- season on harlequin ducks is closed. For lands under this proposal will observe generation descendants of a Spokane coots, the daily bag limit is 25. For all basic Federal migratory bird hunting Tribal Member with a tribal permit and snipe, the Tribe usually proposes that regulations found in 50 CFR part 20, Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and the season start on September 15, 2017, which will be enforced by the Conservation Stamp an opportunity to and end on January 15, 2018. The daily Stillaguamish Tribal law enforcement. utilize the reservation and ceded lands bag limit for snipe would be eight. For Tribal members are required to use steel for waterfowl hunting. These band-tailed pigeon, the Tribe usually shot or a nontoxic shot as required by regulations would also benefit tribal proposes that the season start on Federal regulations. membership through access to this September 1 and end on December 31, The Tribe anticipates a total harvest of resource throughout Spokane Tribal 2017. The daily bag limit would be five. 200 ducks, 100 geese, 50 mergansers, ceded lands in eastern Washington. By The possession limit would be twice the 100 coots, and 100 snipe. Anticipated Spokane Tribal Referendum, spouses of daily bag limit. harvest needs include subsistence and Spokane Tribal Members and children The Tribe usually proposes a season ceremonial needs. Certain species may of Spokane Tribal Members not enrolled on geese starting September 15, 2017, be closed to hunting for conservation are allowed to harvest game animals and ending on January 15, 2018. The purposes, and consideration for the within the Spokane Indian Reservation daily bag limit for geese would be four, needs of certain species will be with the issuance of hunting permits. including no more than two snow geese. addressed. For the 2017–18 season, we have not The season on Aleutian and cackling The Service proposes to approve the yet received the Tribe’s proposal. The Canada geese would be closed. For Stillaguamish Tribe’s request for 2017– Tribe usually requests to establish duck brant, the Tribe usually proposes that 18 special migratory bird hunting seasons that would run from September the season start on September 1 and end regulations.

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 39730 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules

(y) Swinomish Indian Tribal the reservation, and they have full Island, and Whatcom Counties, Community, LaConner, Washington wildlife management authority. All Washington. The Tribe issues tribal (Tribal Members Only) lands within the boundaries of the hunters a harvest report card that will In 1996, the Service and the Tulalip Tribes Reservation are closed to be shared with the State of Washington. For the 2017–18 season, the Tribe Swinomish Indian Tribal Community nonmember hunting unless opened by requests a duck season starting October began cooperating to establish special Tulalip Tribal regulations. For ducks, mergansers, coot, and 1, 2017, and ending February 28, 2018. regulations for migratory bird hunting. snipe, the Tribe proposes seasons for The Tribe proposes a daily bag limit of The Swinomish Indian Tribal tribal members from September 3, 2017, 15 with a possession limit of 20. The Community is a federally recognized through February 28, 2018. Daily bag Tribe requests a coot season starting Indian Tribe consisting of the and possession limits would be 15 and October 1, 2017, and ending February Swinomish, Lower Skagit, Samish, and 30 ducks, respectively, except that for 15, 2018. The coot daily bag limit is 20 Kikialous. The Swinomish Reservation blue-winged teal, canvasback, with a possession limit of 30. was established by the Treaty of Point harlequin, pintail, and wood duck, the The Tribe proposes a goose season Elliott of January 22, 1855, and lies in bag and possession limits would be the from October 1, 2017, to February 28, the Puget Sound area north of Seattle, same as those established in accordance 2018, with a daily bag limit of 7 geese Washington. with final Federal frameworks. For coot, and a possession limit of 10. For brant, For the 2017–18 season, the Tribal daily bag and possession limits are 25 the Tribe proposes a season from Community requests to establish a and 50, respectively, and for snipe 8 and November 1 to November 10, 2017, with migratory bird hunting season on all 16, respectively. Ceremonial hunting a daily bag and possession limit of 2. areas that are open and unclaimed and may be authorized by the Department of The Tribe proposes a mourning dove consistent with the meaning of the Natural Resources at any time upon season between September 1 and treaty. The Tribe proposes their duck application of a qualified tribal member. December 31, 2017, with a daily bag (including mergansers and coot) and Such a hunt must have a bag limit limit of 12 and possession limit of 15. goose seasons run from September 1, designed to limit harvest only to those The anticipated migratory bird 2017, to March 9, 2018. The daily bag birds necessary to provide for the harvest under this proposal would be limit on ducks is 20. The daily bag limit ceremony. 100 ducks, 5 geese, 2 brant, and 10 for coot is 25. For geese, the daily bag For geese, tribal members propose a coots. Tribal members must have the limit is 10. The season on brant runs season from September 3, 2017, through tribal identification and tribal harvest from September 1, 2017, to March 9, February 28, 2018. The goose daily bag report card on their person to hunt. 2018. The daily bag limit is 5. and possession limits would be 10 and Tribal members hunting on the The Tribe proposes the snipe season 20, respectively, except that the bag Reservation will observe all basic run from September 1, 2017, to March limits for brant, cackling Canada geese, Federal migratory bird hunting 9, 2018. The daily bag limit for snipe is and dusky Canada geese would be those regulations found in 50 CFR part 20, 15. The Tribe proposes the mourning established in accordance with final except shooting hours would be 15 dove season run from September 1, Federal frameworks. minutes before official sunrise to 15 2017, to March 9, 2018. The daily bag All hunters on Tulalip Tribal lands minutes after official sunset. limit for mourning dove is 15. The Tribe are required to adhere to shooting hour We propose to approve the Tribe’s proposes the band-tailed pigeon season regulations set at one-half hour before 2017–18 special migratory bird hunting run from September 1, 2017, to March sunrise to sunset, special tribal permit regulations. 9, 2018. The daily bag limit for band- requirements, and a number of other (bb) Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head, tailed pigeon is 3. The Swinomish tribal regulations enforced by the Tribe. Indian Tribal Community requests to Aquinnah, Massachusetts (Tribal Each nontribal hunter 16 years of age Members Only) have no possession limits. and older hunting pursuant to Tulalip The Community anticipates that the Tribes’ Ordinance No. 67 must possess The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head is regulations will result in the harvest of a valid Federal Migratory Bird Hunting a federally recognized Tribe located on approximately 600 ducks and 200 geese. and Conservation Stamp and a valid the island of Martha’s Vineyard in The Swinomish utilize a report card and State of Washington Migratory Massachusetts. The Tribe has permit system to monitor harvest and Waterfowl Stamp. Each hunter must approximately 560 acres of land, which will implement steps to limit harvest validate stamps by signing across the it manages for wildlife through its where conservation is needed. All tribal face. natural resources department. The Tribe regulations will be enforced by tribal Although the season length requested also enforces its own wildlife laws and fish and game officers. by the Tulalip Tribes appears to be quite regulations through the natural We propose to approve these 2017–18 liberal, harvest information indicates a resources department. special migratory bird hunting total take by tribal and nontribal hunters For the 2017–18 season, we have not regulations. of fewer than 1,000 ducks and 500 geese yet heard from the Tribe. The Tribe usually proposes a duck season of (z) The Tulalip Tribes of Washington, annually. We propose to approve the Tulalip October 14, 2017, through February 22, Tulalip Indian Reservation, Marysville, 2018. The Tribe usually proposes a Washington (Tribal Members Only) Tribe’s request for 2017–18 special migratory bird hunting regulations. daily bag limit of eight birds, which The Tulalip Tribes are the successors could include no more than four hen in interest to the Tribes and bands (aa) Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Sedro mallards, four mottled ducks, one signatory to the Treaty of Point Elliott of Woolley, Washington (Tribal Members fulvous whistling duck, four January 22, 1855. The Tulalip Tribes’ Only) mergansers, three scaup, two hooded government is located on the Tulalip The Upper Skagit Indian Tribe and mergansers, three wood ducks, one Indian Reservation just north of the City the Service have cooperated to establish canvasback, two redheads, two pintail, of Everett in Snohomish County, special regulations for migratory game and four of all other species not listed. Washington. The Tribes or individual birds since 2001. The Tribe has The season for harlequin ducks is tribal members own all of the land on jurisdiction over lands within Skagit, usually closed. The Tribe usually

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules 39731

proposes a teal (green-winged and blue) 2 hen mallards, 2 pintail, and 2 For nontribal and tribal hunters, the season of October 10, 2017, through canvasback. For mergansers, the Tribe Tribe proposes a continuous duck, coot, February 22, 2018. A daily bag limit of proposes the season to start September merganser, gallinule, and moorhen six teal would be in addition to the 9 and end December 17, 2017. The hunting season, with an opening date of daily bag limit for ducks. merganser daily bag limit would be five, October 14, 2017, and a closing date of For sea ducks, the Tribe usually with no more than two hooded January 28, 2018. The season on scaup proposes a season between October 7, mergansers. For geese, the Tribe would open November 4, 2017, and end 2017, and February 22, 2018, with a proposes an early season from January 28, 2018. The Tribe proposes a daily bag limit of seven, which could September 1 through September 22, daily duck (including mergansers) bag include no more than one hen eider and 2017, and a late season from September limit of seven, which may include no four of any one species unless otherwise 23 through December 17, 2017. The more than two redheads, two pintail, noted above. early season daily bag limit is 10 geese, three scaup (when open), seven For Canada geese, the Tribe usually and the late season daily bag limit is 5 mallards (including no more than two requests a season between September 4 geese. hen mallards), and two canvasback. The and September 21, 2017, and between For coots, the Tribe proposes a daily bag limit for coots, gallinules, and October 28, 2017, and February 22, September 1 through November 30, moorhens would be 25, singly or in the 2018, with a daily bag limit of 8 Canada 2017, season with daily bag limits of 20 aggregate. geese. For snow geese, the tribe usually coots. For snipe, woodcock, rail, and For geese, the Tribe proposes a season requests a season between September 4 mourning dove, the Tribe proposes a from October 14, 2017, through January and September 21, 2017, and between September 1 through November 30, 28, 2018. Hunting would be limited to November 25, 2017, and February 22, 2017, season with daily bag limits of 10, Canada geese, and the daily bag limit 2018, with a daily bag limit of 15 snow 10, 25, and 25 respectively. Shooting would be three. geese. hours are one-half hour before sunrise to Season dates for band-tailed pigeons For woodcock, the Tribe usually one-half hour after sunset. Nontoxic and mourning doves would start proposes a season between October 10 shot is required. September 1, and end September 15, and November 23, 2017, with a daily Based on past harvest surveys, the 2017, in Wildlife Management Unit 10 bag limit of three. For sora and Virginia Tribe anticipates harvest of 1,000 to and all areas south of Y–70 and Y–10 in rails, the Tribe usually requests a season 2,000 Canada geese and 1,000 to 1,500 Wildlife Management Unit 7, only. of September 2, 2017, through ducks. The White Earth Reservation Proposed daily bag limits for band- November 10, 2017, with a daily bag Tribal Council employs four full-time tailed pigeons and mourning doves limit of 5 sora and 10 Virginia rails. For conservation officers to enforce would be 3 and 10, respectively. snipe, the Tribe usually requests a migratory bird regulations. Possession limits for the above season of September 2, 2017, through We propose to approve the Tribe’s species are twice the daily bag limits. December 16, 2017, with a daily bag 2017–18 special migratory bird hunting Shooting hours would be from one-half limit of 8. regulations. hour before sunrise to sunset. There Prior to 2012, the Tribe had 22 (dd) White Mountain Apache Tribe, Fort would be no open season for sandhill registered tribal hunters and estimates Apache Indian Reservation, Whiteriver, cranes, rails, and snipe on the White harvest to be no more than 15 geese, 25 Arizona (Tribal Members and Nontribal Mountain Apache lands under this mallards, 25 teal, 50 black ducks, and 50 Hunters) proposal. of all other species combined. Tribal A number of special regulations apply members hunting on the Reservation The White Mountain Apache Tribe to tribal and nontribal hunters, which will observe all basic Federal migratory owns all reservation lands, and the may be obtained from the White bird hunting regulations found in 50 Tribe has recognized full wildlife Mountain Apache Tribe Game and Fish CFR part 20. The Tribe requires hunters management authority. As in past years, Department. to register with the Harvest Information the White Mountain Apache Tribe has We plan to approve the White Program. requested regulations that are Mountain Apache Tribe’s requested If we receive a proposal that matches essentially unchanged from those agreed 2017–18 special migratory bird hunting the Tribe’s usual request, we propose to to since the 1997–98 hunting season. regulations. approve those 2017–18 special The hunting zone for waterfowl is Public Comments migratory bird hunting regulations. restricted and is described as: The length of the Black River west of the The Department of the Interior’s (cc) White Earth Band of Ojibwe, White Bonito Creek and Black River policy is, whenever possible, to afford Earth, Minnesota (Tribal Members Only) confluence and the entire length of the the public an opportunity to participate The White Earth Band of Ojibwe is a Salt River forming the southern in the rulemaking process. Accordingly, federally recognized tribe located in boundary of the reservation; the White we invite interested persons to submit northwest Minnesota and encompasses River, extending from the Canyon Day written comments, suggestions, or all of Mahnomen County and parts of Stockman Station to the Salt River; and recommendations regarding the Becker and Clearwater Counties. The all stock ponds located within Wildlife proposed regulations. Before reservation employs conservation Management Units 4, 5, 6, and 7. Tanks promulgating final migratory game bird officers to enforce migratory bird located below the Mogollon Rim, within hunting regulations, we will consider all regulations. The Tribe and the Service Wildlife Management Units 2 and 3, comments we receive. These comments, first cooperated to establish special will be open to waterfowl hunting and any additional information we tribal regulations in 1999. during the 2017–18 season. The length receive, may lead to final regulations For the 2017–18 migratory bird of the Black River east of the Black that differ from these proposals. hunting season, the White Earth Band of River/Bonito Creek confluence is closed You may submit your comments and Ojibwe requests a duck season to start to waterfowl hunting. All other waters materials concerning this proposed rule September 9 and end December 17, of the reservation would be closed to by one of the methods listed in 2017. For ducks, they request a daily waterfowl hunting for the 2017–18 ADDRESSES. We will not accept bag limit of 10, including no more than season. comments sent by email or fax. We will

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:08 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS 39732 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 161 / Tuesday, August 22, 2017 / Proposed Rules

not consider hand-delivered comments Dated: August 9, 2017. individual, or received after the end of that we do not receive, or mailed Todd D. Willens, the comment period, may not be comments that are not postmarked, by Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and considered. All comments received are the date specified in DATES. Wildlife and Parks. a part of the public record and will We will post all comments in their [FR Doc. 2017–17722 Filed 8–21–17; 8:45 am] generally be posted for public viewing entirety—including your personal BILLING CODE 4333–15–P on http://www.regulations.gov without identifying information—on http:// change. All personal identifying www.regulations.gov. Before including information (e.g., name, address, etc.), your address, phone number, email DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE confidential business information, or address, or other personal identifying otherwise sensitive information information in your comment, you National Oceanic and Atmospheric submitted voluntarily by the sender will should be aware that your entire Administration be publicly accessible. NMFS will comment—including your personal accept anonymous comments (enter identifying information—may be made 50 CFR Part 216 ‘‘N/A’’ in the required fields if you wish to remain anonymous). publicly available at any time. While RIN 0648–XF599 you can ask us in your comment to Attachments to electronic comments withhold your personal identifying Notification of Receipt of a Petition To will be accepted in Microsoft Word, information from public review, we Ban Imports of All Fish and Fish Excel, or Adobe portable document file cannot guarantee that we will be able to Products From Mexico That Do Not (PDF) formats only. The complete text of do so. Satisfy the Marine Mammal Protection the petition is available via the internet Comments and materials we receive, Act Provisions at the following web address: http:// as well as supporting documentation we www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ia/. In addition, AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries used in preparing this proposed rule, copies of this petition may be obtained Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and will be available for public inspection by contacting NMFS at the above Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on http://www.regulations.gov, or by address. Commerce. appointment, during normal business FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ACTION: Receipt of petition to ban hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Nina Young, NMFS F/IS at Service, Division of Migratory Bird imports through emergency rulemaking; request for information and comments. [email protected] or 301–427– Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls 8383. Church, VA 22041–3803. SUMMARY: NMFS announces receipt of a SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We will consider, but possibly may petition for emergency rulemaking not respond in detail to, each comment. under the Administrative Procedure Background As in the past, we will summarize all Act. Natural Resources Defense Council, Section 101(a)(2) of the Marine comments we receive during the the Center for Biological Diversity, and Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), 16 comment period and respond to them Animal Welfare Institute petitioned the U.S.C. 1371(a)(2), states that: ‘‘The after the closing date in the preamble of U.S. Department of Commerce and other Secretary of the Treasury shall ban the a final rule. relevant Departments to initiate importation of commercial fish or Required Determinations emergency rulemaking under the products from fish which have been Marine Mammal Protection Act caught with commercial fishing Based on our most current data, we (‘‘MMPA’’), to ban importation of technology which results in the are affirming our required commercial fish or products from fish incidental kill or incidental serious determinations made in the May 30 that have been caught with commercial injury of ocean mammals in excess of rule; for descriptions of our actions to fishing technology that results in United States standards.’’ In August ensure compliance with the following incidental mortality or serious injury of 2016, NMFS published a final rule (81 statutes and Executive Orders, see our vaquita in excess of United States FR 54390; August 15, 2016) May 30, 2017, final rule (82 FR 24786): standards. implementing the fish and fish product • National Environmental Policy Act DATES: Written comments must be import provisions in section 101(a)(2) of (NEPA) Consideration; received by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on the MMPA. This rule established • Endangered Species Act September 21, 2017. conditions for evaluating a harvesting Consideration; ADDRESSES: You may submit comments nation’s regulatory programs to address • Regulatory Flexibility Act; on this document, identified by NOAA– incidental and intentional mortality and • Small Business Regulatory NMFS–2017–0097, by either of the serious injury of marine mammals in Enforcement Fairness Act; following methods: fisheries operated by nations that export • Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 1. Electronic Submissions: Submit all fish and fish products to the United • Unfunded Mandates Reform Act; electronic comments via the Federal e- States. In that rule, NMFS stated that it Rulemaking Portal. Go to may consider emergency rulemaking to • Executive Orders 12630, 12866, www.regulations.gov/ ban imports of fish and fish products 12988, 13132, 13175, 13211, 13563, and #!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2017- from an export or exempt fishery having 13771. 0097, click the ‘‘Comment Now!’’ icon, or likely to have an immediate and List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20 complete the required fields and enter significant adverse impact on a marine or attach your comments. mammal stock. Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting 2. Mail: Submit written comments to: Information in the Petition and recordkeeping requirements, Director, Office of International Affairs Transportation, Wildlife. and Seafood Inspection, Attn: MMPA NMFS received the petition on May The rules that eventually will be Petition, NMFS, F/IS, 1315 East-West 18, 2017. The petition alleges that the promulgated for the 2017–18 hunting Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Secretaries of Commerce and other season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. Instructions: Comments sent by any relevant Federal Departments are 703–712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a–j. other method, to any other address or required to carry out non-discretionary

VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:33 Aug 21, 2017 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22AUP1.SGM 22AUP1 sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with PROPOSALS