50660 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 6 supplement also provided detailed 1996–97 late-season frameworks. For information on the 1997–98 regulatory those topics where a Council Fish and Wildlife Service schedule and announced the Service recommendation is not shown, the Migratory Bird Regulations Committee Council supported continuing the same 50 CFR Part 20 and Flyway Council meetings. On June frameworks as in 1996–97. RIN 1018-AE14 27, 1997, the Service held a public hearing in Washington, DC, as General Migratory Bird Hunting; Final announced in the March 13 and June 6 Written Comments: The Humane Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory Federal Registers to review the status of Society of the United States (Humane Bird Hunting Regulations migratory shore and upland game birds. Society) expressed concern that the The Service discussed hunting public was not well represented in the AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, regulations for these species and for regulations-development process and Interior. other early seasons. On July 23, 1997, requested establishment of a system ACTION: Final rule. the Service published in the Federal directly involving the non-hunting Register (62 FR 39712) a third public. In addition, they recommended SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final late- document. This document contained the that the Service undertake efforts to season frameworks from which States final regulatory alternatives for the obtain population estimates for all may select season dates, limits, and 1997–98 duck hunting season and the hunted species. Finally, they other options for the 1997–98 migratory proposed early-season frameworks for recommended pre-sunrise shooting be bird hunting season. These late seasons the 1997–98 season. disallowed. include most waterfowl seasons, the On August 7, 1997, the Service held earliest of which generally commence Service Response: As we have stated a public hearing in Washington, DC, as previously, when the preliminary on or about October 1, 1997. The effects announced in the March 13, June 6, and proposed rulemaking document was of this final rule are to facilitate the July 23 Federal Registers to review the published in the Federal Register on selection of hunting seasons by the status of waterfowl. Proposed hunting March 13, 1997, the Service announced States to further the annual regulations were discussed for late the comment periods for the early- establishment of the late-season seasons. On August 20, 1997, the season and late-season proposals and migratory bird hunting regulations. Service published a fifth document (62 gave notice that the process of State selections will be published in the FR 44229) containing final frameworks promulgating hunting regulations Federal Register as amendments to for early migratory bird hunting seasons ‘‘must, by its nature, operate under time §§ 20.104 through 20.107 and § 20.109 from which wildlife conservation constraints.’’ Ample time must be given of title 50 CFR part 20. agency officials from the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands selected to gather and interpret survey data, DATE: This rule takes effect on consider recommendations and develop September 26, 1997. early-season hunting dates, hours, areas, and limits. On August 25, 1997, the proposals, and to receive public ADDRESSES: Season selections from comment. Scheduled dates are set to States are to be mailed to: Chief, Office Service published a sixth document (62 FR 45078) which dealt specifically with give the greatest possible opportunity of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. for public input. The Service is Fish and Wildlife Service, Department proposed frameworks for the 1997–98 late-season migratory bird hunting obligated to, and does, give serious of the Interior, ms 634—ARLSQ, 1849 C consideration to all information Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. regulations. On August 29, 1997, the Service published in the Federal received as public comment. The Comments received are available for Service has long recognized the public inspection during normal Register (62 FR 46512) a seventh document consisting of a final rule problems associated with the length of business hours in room 634, Arlington amending subpart K of title 50 CFR part time necessary to establish the final Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, 20 to set hunting seasons, hours, areas, frameworks, and in conjunction with Arlington, Virginia. and limits for early seasons. This States, Flyway Councils, and the public, FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul document, which establishes final continues to seek new ways to R. Schmidt, Chief, Office of Migratory frameworks for late-season migratory streamline and improve the regulatory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and bird hunting regulations for the 1997–98 process. Wildlife Service, (703) 358–1714. season, is the eighth in the series. Regarding the Service’s efforts to SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: obtain population estimates, the long- Review of Comments and the Service’s term objectives of the Service continue Regulations Schedule for 1997 Response to include providing opportunities to On March 13, 1997, the Service Public-hearing and written comments harvest portions of certain migratory published in the Federal Register (62 received through September 4, 1997, game bird populations and to limit FR 39712) a proposal to amend 50 CFR relating to proposed late-season harvests to levels compatible with each part 20. The proposal dealt with the frameworks, are discussed and population’s ability to maintain healthy, establishment of seasons, limits, and addressed here. Mr. Robert McDowell, viable numbers. Annually, the Service other regulations for migratory game representing the Atlantic Flyway evaluates the status of populations and birds under §§ 20.101 through 20.107, Council, presented a statement at the considers the potential impacts of 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. On August 7, 1997, public hearing. Late- hunting. The Service believes that the June 6, 1997, the Service published in season comments are summarized and hunting seasons provided herein are the Federal Register (62 FR 31298) a discussed in the order used in the consistent with the current status of second document providing March 13, 1997, Federal Register. Only waterfowl populations and long-term supplemental proposals for early- and the numbered items pertaining to late population goals. In regard to shooting late-season migratory bird hunting seasons for which comments were hours, the Service has compiled regulations frameworks and the received are included. Flyway Council information which demonstrates that proposed regulatory alternatives for the recommendations shown below include shooting hours beginning one-half hour 1997–98 duck hunting season. The June only those involving changes from the before sunrise do not contribute Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50661 significantly to the harvest of nontarget burden on individual States that Written Comments: The Mississippi species. Consistent with the Service’s recognize that the regulation package Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and long-term strategy for shooting hours, was overly excessive. Delta further Parks (Mississippi) requested Service published in the September 21, 1990, believed that the Service should play support and approval of the Lower- Federal Register (55 FR 38898), the more of a leadership role in the aspects Region Regulations Committee of the frameworks herein provide for shooting of hunter attitudes and ethical standards Mississippi Flyway Council’s study/ hours of one-half hour before sunrise to of waterfowl hunting. By promoting framework extension proposal. sunset, unless otherwise specified. soley highly technical, statistically Mississippi further offered to (1) accept confusing data and ignoring a 50-day season in return for a January 1. Ducks constituencies, Delta believed that the 31 closure, (2) close the season on the The categories used to discuss issues Service was not acting in the best Sunday before January 31, (3) accept related to duck harvest management are interest of waterfowling. Further, Delta one less hen mallard in the bag, and (4) as follows: (A) General Harvest Strategy, believed that hunters did not ask for assist with the necessary funding to (B) Framework Dates, (C) Season extensive liberalizations in the conduct the study. Length, (D) Closed Seasons, (E) Bag regulations. The Humane Society recommended Limits, (F) Zones and Split Seasons, and Service Response: Beginning in 1995, that all seasons open at noon mid-week (G) Special Seasons/Species the Service, Flyway Councils, and States in order to reduce the high level of Management. Only those categories introduced a new approach to the harvest associated with traditional containing substantial recommendations regulation of duck harvests, called Saturday season openings. Furthermore, are included below. Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM). the Humane Society recommended that An integral part of this harvest- season openings be delayed by 2 weeks A. General Harvest Strategy management approach is the in all breeding areas in order to allow Council Recommendations: The cooperative establishment of a set of ducks time to leave natal marshes before Atlantic Flyway Council, the Upper- regulatory alternatives that includes being subjected to hunting pressure. Region Regulations Committee of the specified season lengths and bag limits Service Response: In the July 23 Mississippi Flyway Council, the Central for very restrictive, restrictive, Federal Register, the Service outlined Flyway Council, and the Pacific Flyway moderate, and liberal seasons. The the reasons why it did not support an Council recommended adopting the alternatives established for this year’s expansion of the framework dates at this ‘‘liberal’’ alternative for the 1997–98 hunting season were the result of time. duck hunting season. extensive discussions with the Flyway Regarding the Humane Society’s The Atlantic and Pacific Flyway Councils and States since last January, recommendation for mid-week season Councils further recommended that the as well as involvement by the public openings, the Service has previously four regulatory packages adopted by the during an open comment period. The stated in the Federal Register (58 FR Service in the July 23, 1997, Federal estimate of total ducks this year is 16 50190) that a State may choose to delay Register be maintained until such time percent higher than the long-term its opening date to correspond with a as the Service and Flyway Councils average and several species are at record particular day of the week or to close agree that there is compelling levels. The outlook for production is earlier to maximize the number of justification for modification. excellent and the 1997 fall flight will be weekends that hunting is allowed. The Lower-Region Regulations comparable to those observed during the Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 1970s. Based on favorable input, the F. Zones and Split Seasons Council recommended adoption of the Service will continue use of the AHM Council Recommendations: The ‘‘liberal’’ alternative with a modification approach initiated last year. The AHM Upper-Region Regulations Committee of of the framework closing date. Specific strategy for 1997 prescribes the ‘‘liberal’’ the Mississippi Flyway Council details are discussed in B. Framework regulatory alternative based on high recommended the Service allow ‘‘3 Dates. mallard and pond numbers. zones and 2-way splits in one or more Written Comments: The Pennsylvania The framework closing date zones’’ as an additional option to the Game Commission (Pennsylvania) recommended by the Lower-Region current zoning process. The Committee supported the Adaptive Harvest Regulations Committee of the also requested that the Service allow Management process and was Mississippi Flyway Council differed States up to 1 year to choose this option, encouraged that information from from those in the ‘‘liberal’’ alternative based on the public-input process States eastern mallards was beginning to be established in the July 23 Federal undertake, before they provide the used to develop harvest strategies for Register. The Service’s frameworks are Service with their proposal (prior to the the Atlantic Flyway. While consistent with the ‘‘liberal’’ alternative 1998–99 regular-duck season). Pennsylvania supported the final four outlined in the July 23 Federal Register Written Comments: The Maine alternatives for 1997–98, they continue and was supported by the other three Department of Inland Fisheries and to support consideration for a fixed bag Flyway Councils as well as the Wildlife (Maine) supported the use of 3 limit in all alternatives. Mississippi Flyway Council’s Upper- zones and 2-way splits in one or more Individuals from California, Florida, Region Regulations Committee. zones as an additional option to the Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, current zoning criteria. Maine further B. Framework Dates Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New requested this change be accomplished York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Council Recommendations: The prior to the 2001 regulation cycle. Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah Lower-Region Regulations Committee of Several individuals from Iowa requested that bag limits and season the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended an elimination of zones lengths not be increased this year since recommended an experimental and allowing a continuous, statewide at least six duck populations (mallard, extension of the framework closing date season. An individual from Missouri wigeon, pintail, redhead, scaup, and to January 31 to allow evaluation of the recommended the use of a 3-way split black ducks) declined in 1996. extension, as long as this does not affect season in Missouri. Delta Waterfowl (Delta) believed that regulations/framework packages in non- The Humane Society urges the the Service was placing tremendous participating states. Service to discontinue all split and 50662 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations special seasons and recommends that goal, and while the decline seems to strategy. They believe that the status of any State establishing such seasons have halted, little increase is evident. pintails derived from eastern areas is reduce the total number of hunting days The Service believes the harvest uncertain and that increasing the bag by a minimum of 10 days. restrictions identified in the 1983 limit to 3 birds will lead to negative Service Response: In 1990, the Service Environmental Assessment should be perceptions from hunters. They established guidelines for the use of maintained until a revised harvest recommend a 2-bird daily bag limit. zones and split seasons for duck strategy is developed. Delta Waterfowl did not support a 3- hunting (Federal Register, 55 FR ii. Canvasbacks pintail daily bag limit in all four 38901). These guidelines were based Written Comments: The New Jersey Flyways. They believed that the upon an evaluation of the historical use Waterfowlers Association recommended proposal did not have adequate time for of zone/split options, and were a canvasback daily bag limit of 2 birds public input and that such a change reviewed by the Flyway Councils. The based on 1995 and 1996 breeding would further erode the confidence of primary purpose of the guidelines was population indices. hunters in AHM. They recommended that, if a 3-bird limit were approved, to provide a framework for controlling Service Response: The Service that no more than 1 hen pintail be the proliferation of changes in zones continues to support the canvasback and split seasons which compromise allowed. Individuals from Michigan and harvest strategy adopted in 1994. Minnesota recommended that the our ability to measure impacts of Current population and habitat status various regulatory changes on harvest. pintail daily bag limit remain at 1 bird. suggests that a daily bag limit of 1 The National Wildlife Federation was One of the guidelines is that once a canvasback during the 1997–98 season State selects a zone/split option during concerned that pintails remain below will result in a harvest within levels population objectives and believed it an open season, the option must remain allowed by the strategy. The Service in place for the following 5 years. would be prudent to reduce the pintail believes that it has insufficient daily bag limit to 2. The first open season for changes was experience with this harvest strategy to in 1991 and the second occurred last The Wildlife Management Institute consider modifications at this time, and expressed concern over the status of year when zone/split configurations is concerned that an overly aggressive were established for the 1996–2000 pintails, but believed the interim strategy could precipitate a return to strategy provides the Service with a period. Last year during the open closed seasons. The Service, as stated in season, the Service revised the 1990 solid foundation for the time being. previous Federal Registers, is Service Response: In the July 23 guidelines, based largely on continuing to monitor the performance Federal Register, the Service adopted recommendations from the four Flyway of the canvasback harvest strategy the Interim Strategy for Northern Pintail Councils. Final guidelines were adopted in 1994. The Service is Harvest Regulations detailed in the June published in the July 22, 1996, Federal particularly interested in harvest 6 and July 23 Federal Registers. The Register. Currently, the 1997–98 season information from the coming duck Service adopted this interim strategy will be only the second year of the 5- season, which will have the longest with the understanding that it would be year moratorium period. The next open season lengths offered in decades. Prior replaced by a more fully adaptive season for changes in zone/split to next summer, the Service plans to approach at the earliest opportunity and configurations will be in 2001. assess how well observed harvests and because it addressed key Service In regard to the recommendation that population abundance were predicted concerns outlined in the July 22, 1996, split and special seasons be by the strategy. The Service notes that Federal Register (61 FR 37994). For the discontinued, the Service notes that the development of the canvasback 1997–98 hunting season, the interim States always have the option of strategy took several years and required harvest strategy prescribes a 3-bird daily selecting a continuous season with no a lot of technical work and consensus- bag limit for pintails in all four Flyways. splits. Furthermore, the Service is not building. The resulting strategy appears aware of any information suggesting that iv. High Plains Management Unit to have been fairly successful at meeting split and special seasons are causing Council Recommendations: The the major needs expressed: (1) provides detrimental impacts to populations. Central Flyway Council recommended a consistent harvest strategy (i.e., minor administrative changes to the G. Special Seasons/Species minimizing closed seasons as High Plains Mallard Management Unit Management previously experienced); (2) provides boundary in North Dakota and South i. Black Ducks hunting opportunity over a wide Dakota for boundary clarification and geographic area; (3) does not include wetland development. Council Recommendations: The seasons within seasons; and (4) provides Atlantic Flyway Council recommended Service Response: The Service for a fairly stabilized population. concurs. that the individual Atlantic Flyway A complete reassessment of the States achieve a 42 percent reduction in strategy is not a high priority, given 4. Canada Geese their black duck harvest during the other pressing issues with AHM. The Council Recommendations: The 1997–98 season compared with the extent of the assessment will be Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 1977–81 base-line harvest. tempered by the amount of staff time the Service not open the regular hunting Written Comments: The New Jersey needed to address higher-priority issues. season on Atlantic Population (AP) Waterfowlers Association recommended iii. Pintails Canada geese during the 1997–98 season a uniform black duck daily bag limit of Council Recommendations: The except that a 10-day season with a 1- 2 birds in the Atlantic Flyway. Atlantic Flyway Council recommended bird daily bag limit be allowed during Service Response: The Service agrees a 2-bird daily bag limit for pintails in November in that portion of New with the Atlantic Flyway Council’s the 1997–98 hunting season instead of England east of the Connecticut River recommendation and acknowledges the the 3-bird daily bag limit prescribed by and in eastern Long Island, New York, Council’s concern for the population the Interim Pintail Harvest Strategy. where geese from the Maritime segment status of black ducks. Black duck Written Comments: The Pennsylvania of the AP population may occur. populations remain below the North Game Commission did not support the The Atlantic Flyway Council also American Waterfowl Management Plan proposed interim pintail harvest recommended the establishment of Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50663 regular-season frameworks in Maine, not supported by available data and basis, guided by cooperatively West Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, serves to further complicate regulations developed management plan. and Florida, and those portions of New in Pennsylvania by creating four areas Regarding the Atlantic Flyway York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, with different goose regulations. They Council’s request to establish a regular and North Carolina that have been disagree with the Service’s position to season on Canada geese in portions of determined not to contain AP Canada manage much of western Pennsylvania the Flyway determined not to contain geese. The Council’s recommended as Southern James Bay Population AP geese, the Service believes that it is frameworks would consist of a 70-day harvest areas and are concerned that the appropriate to conduct such a season season with a 3-bird daily bag limit for Service has ignored available data provided that it is consistent with the Maine, West Virginia, South Carolina, supporting the creation of regular- Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Georgia, and Florida with framework season resident goose areas. They also Management Plan, and maintains those dates of October 1 to February 15; a 70- questioned the need to evaluate the restrictions currently in place in several day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit special late season in areas free of areas (Pennsylvania and South for designated portions of Virginia, migrant geese. Carolina). Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York The National Wildlife Federation Thus, the Service will allow the with framework dates of November 15 agreed with the Service’s frameworks following: in designated areas of to February 15; and a 46-day season intended to help restore migratory geese Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, a with a 3-bird daily bag limit in in the Atlantic Flyway, while the 40-day season with a 2-bird daily bag designated portions of North Carolina Wildlife Management Institute limit between November 15 and January with framework dates of October 1 to applauded the Service’s decision to 14 and the continuation of existing November 15. forego seasons on Atlantic Population experimental 30-day special late seasons The Upper-Region Regulations geese even though production appears with a 5-bird daily bag limit between Committee of the Mississippi Flyway to have improved. January 15 and February 15; in designated areas of New York, a 70-day Council recommended several changes The Southshore Waterfowlers season with 2-bird daily bag limit in Canada goose quotas, season lengths, Association of New York and the between November 15 and January 31; etc., based on population status and Concerned Coastal Sportsmen’s in designated areas of North Carolina, a population management plans and Association of Massachusetts supported 46-day season with a 2-bird daily bag programs. the Atlantic Flyway Council’s The Pacific Flyway Council limit between October 1 and November recommendation of a 10-day season in recommended several changes in 15; in West Virginia, a 70-day season New England. Canada goose frameworks. In southwest with a 3-bird daily bag limit between Washington and northwest Oregon, the An individual from Massachusetts October 1 and January 31; in South Council recommended increasing the supported keeping the season on AP Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, a 70-day bag and possession limits on cackling geese closed, while an individual from season with a 5-bird daily bag limit Canada geese from 2/4 to 3/6 Pennsylvania recommended between October 1 and February 15. respectively in the regular season. In the reinstatement of the regular season on The Service does not support the Balance-of-the-State Zone in California, AP geese. Council’s request for a regular season in the Council recommended that the An individual from Washington Maine because a management plan for season for cackling Canada geese be recommended a 4-bird limit in the Maritime Canada geese has not been extended by two weeks and the Southwest Washington Zone. developed. The Service believes that it possession limit be expanded from 1 to Service Response: The Service does would be inconsistent to establish a 2 birds. In western New Mexico, the not support the Atlantic Flyway season without having a management Council recommended increasing the Council’s request for a November season plan for the entire New England area. bag and possession limit from 2/4 to 3/ (10 days) with a 1-bird daily bag limit Therefore, the Service again asks that 6, respectively. Regarding dusky Canada in that portion of New England east of the Council work to develop a goose harvest quotas, the Council the Connecticut River, including eastern management plan for Maritime Canada recommended establishment of a 85 Long Island, NY, because this stock of geese. dusky Canada goose quota in geese has been considered part of the The Service recognizes Washington’s Lower Columbia River Atlantic Population and a management Pennsylvania’s concerns regarding the Special Goose Management Area and a plan describing this Maritime complicated configurations of Canada 165 dusky Canada goose quota in Population of Canada geese has not yet goose hunting regulations in different Oregon’s Special Goose Management been developed. The Service first areas of the State and believes that these Area. Finally, the Council requested that a Plan be developed in regulations should be reviewed and recommended a minor revision the 1995 and encouraged the Council to simplified to the extent possible. Western Washington Goose work cooperatively with the Canadian However, the Service does not agree that Management Area 2. Provinces to gather more data, review a regular season on resident Canada Written Comments: The key population parameters, and geese should be established in most Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and establish an appropriate harvest areas that are more liberal than those Wildlife supported the Atlantic Flyway strategy. Although the Service does not prescribed by the SJBP Management Council’s recommendation for a 10 day, oppose the delineation of a Maritime Plan. Presently, the Service has not 1-bird daily bag in the New England population, if warranted, more established migrate-free regular seasons area. information is needed to separate the in any Flyway. Furthermore, the regular The Pennsylvania Game Commission Atlantic Population into two units. A season request approved by the Atlantic expressed disappointment with the management plan should set population Flyway included areas in other states Service’s proposal to not accept the goals, identify monitoring programs and that are harvesting SJBP geese. Also, Atlantic Flyway Council’s contain some means to evaluate its several of these areas, including recommendation for regular goose status and the effects of harvest. The portions of Pennsylvania, have special seasons in areas free of AP geese. They Service reiterates its longstanding policy late seasons specifically designed to believed that the Service’s proposal is to manage Canada geese on a population harvest resident Canada geese. These 50664 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations seasons remain experimental and areas of Long Island and southeastern liberalizations in harvest opportunity continue to be evaluated. The Service New York. for Mid-continent whitefronts, but are encourages the Atlantic Flyway Council Regarding the Mississippi Flyway delaying recommendations for such to continue its review of harvest Council’s Upper-Region Regulations changes until the new management plan strategies for specific populations of Committee recommendation to allow an is in place. The Service believes that Canada geese, and to update experimental special late Canada goose changes in the Mississippi Flyway also management plans and simplify season in four counties in Indiana should be deferred until the new regulations wherever possible. beginning in 1997, the Service does not management plan is in place, when all The Service concurs with the changes support the experimental season. The recommendations for liberalizing proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council. criteria for special seasons require two harvest opportunity can be considered years of data collection prior to the C. Special Late Seasons in light of the goals, objectives, and beginning of an experiment and that the harvest strategies in the new plan. Council Recommendations: The data demonstrate that the season likely The Service concurs with the changes Atlantic Flyway Council recommended will meet the criterion regarding proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council. that New York be allowed to expand its proportion of migrants in the special- existing experimental late season area to season harvest. Of the four counties 6. Brant new areas along the north shore of Long proposed, no data were presented for Council Recommendations: The Island and in other areas of southeastern one county and only one year of data for Atlantic Flyway Council recommended New York. another. The limited data available (a a 50-day Atlantic brant season with a 2- The Upper-Region Regulations total of only 12 collars were seen, 3 of bird daily bag limit. Committee of the Mississippi Flyway which were migrant collars) indicate Written Comments: The New Jersey Council recommended a special late that about 25 percent of the harvest Waterfowlers Association supported the season for four counties in Indiana. The would be migrant geese, which exceeds continued use of the Atlantic brant hunt Committee also recommended that the the 20 percent level in the special- plan. experimental special late season in season criteria. The Service concurs Service Response: The Service Michigan’s Southern Michigan Goose with the recommendations for concurs with the recommendation. Management Unit (GMU) be extended Michigan’s special late seasons. The 7. Snow and Ross’s Geese for one additional year to allow Service notes the concern expressed by completion of the final report, and that the Mississippi Flyway Council’s Council Recommendations: The the bag limit be increased from 2 to 5. Lower-Region Regulations Committee Atlantic Flyway Council recommended The Committee further recommended a about the cumulative effects of special- a daily bag and possession limit of 10 new experimental late season be season harvests and will continue to and 30, respectively. initiated in the Central Michigan GMU monitor those harvests in all areas. The Lower Region Regulations with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The Service concurs with the changes Committee of the Mississippi Flyway The Lower-Region Regulations proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council. Council recommended that in a further Committee of the Mississippi Flyway effort to increase snow goose harvest, Council recommended that in areas 5. White-fronted geese the Service implement regulatory where Canada goose populations of Council Recommendations: The changes, as suggested by the Arctic special concern exist, the Service Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Goose Joint Venture Management Board, should closely monitor any cumulative Committees of the Mississippi Flyway for the 1998–99 hunting season. effects that special seasons may have on Council recommended extending the The Central Flyway Council non-target populations. season length from 70 to 86 days and recommended a March 10 framework The Pacific Flyway Council changing the framework closing date closing date, except for the Rainwater recommended several changes in the from January 31 to February 15. Basin Light Goose Area in Nebraska, special late-season frameworks. In The Pacific Flyway Council where the framework closing date southwest Washington, the Council recommends that hunting frameworks would vary according to an recommended increasing the bag and for 1997–98 be changed by adding 14 experimental late-winter snow goose possession limits on cackling Canada days and 1 bird to the daily bag and hunting strategy proposed by the geese from 2/4 to 3/6, respectively, in possession limits for dark geese in the Council. The Council also the late season. Regarding dusky Canada Balance-of-the-State Zone in California. recommended no limit on the number of geese, the Council recommended Written Comments: An individual season splits in the East-tier States. changing the late-season framework from Louisiana recommended a 75- to The Pacific Flyway Council opening date to January 24 in 80-day season with a 3-dark goose limit recommended expanding the possession Washington’s Lower Columbia River including no more than 1 Canada goose. limit to twice the daily bag limit in the Special Goose Management Area. Service Response: The Service will Balance-of-the-State Zone in California. Written Comments: An individual continue use of the same frameworks as Written Comments: The Rainwater from Massachusetts requested a special last year in 1997–98. Greater white- Basin Joint Venture Management Board late season for Canada geese on Cape fronted geese in the Central and of the North American Waterfowl Cod. Mississippi Flyways previously have Management Plan urged the Service to The Humane Society opposed special been managed as separate segments of consider the possibility of alternatives late seasons targeting resident geese. the Mid-continent Population under to the hunting regulations of the last 2 They believe that such hunts fail to separate management plans. Recent years (complete closure of the Rainwater target the populations ostensibly information has suggested that Mid- Basin region after mid-February). responsible for conflicts with humans continent whitefronts should be The National Wildlife Federation and as such are ineffective. managed as one population, and agreed with the Service’s frameworks Service Response: The Service revision/combination of the intended to help reduce white goose concurs with the Atlantic Flyway management plans into one plan is populations. Council’s recommendation to expand under way. The Central Flyway Council The Wildlife Management Institute New York’s existing late season to new and Canada both are considering supported the need to reduce Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50665 populations of snow geese which are allowable hunting methods for snow implementation. This action prevents creating habitat problems on northern geese, the Service recognizes the any states from enacting new laws to breeding areas. They further recognized problems associated with over- close Sunday hunting in order to be that customary approaches to harvest population of Mid-continent snow geese eligible for compensatory days. have not controlled populations and and believes that some management Written Comments: The South that more innovative actions may be actions, including modification of the Carolina Department of Natural necessary. basic regulations, may be appropriate. Resources asserted that Sunday closures An individual from Louisiana However before any such modifications of waterfowl hunting are State issues recommended a 12-bird limit. Other to the basic regulations, the Service and should not be addressed by the individuals from Louisiana, Kansas, and must conduct a thorough public review Service. South Carolina further asserted Missouri recommended allowing the process. that if the Service grants compensatory use of electronic calls to hunt snow 8. Swans days to States that are currently closed geese. Another individual from on Sundays by State law, then Written Comments: The Humane Arkansas recommended the use of rifles compensatory days should also be Society requested that the Service close for snow geese. Several individuals from granted to States that enact Sunday all swan hunting seasons, citing that Iowa recommended allowing a later and closures in the future. In a subsequent tundra swan seasons were impeding, if longer hunt in the spring. An individual letter, South Carolina asserted that the not preventing, winter range expansion from Texas recommended allowing the Service’s action was arbitrary and and recovery of trumpeter swans. use of lead shot. capricious and in violation of the First Service Response: The Service Service Response: The Service would Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. concurs with the Atlantic Flyway refer the Humane Society to our detailed The Georgia Department of Natural Council’s recommendation to increase response in the September 27, 1995, the daily bag and possession limits on Resources objected to the Service Federal Register (60 FR 50042) offering compensatory days to States in snow geese. The Service believes that concerning the establishment of a the extension of the ending framework the Atlantic Flyway with Sunday general swan season. Enhancing Rocky closures. They believed that this was a date for hunting of light geese until Mounting Population trumpeter swan March 10 in Nebraska’s Rainwater Basin State issue and, as such, the Federal range expansion while retaining most government should not be involved. Area may pose a threat to the aspects of tundra swan hunting were management and welfare of other They further believed that each State covered in detail in our 1995 should change any applicable self- migratory bird species during the spring Environmental Assessment ‘‘Proposal to migration period. In response to these imposed restrictions relating to Sunday Establish General Swan Seasons in Parts hunting closures and that involving concerns, the Central Flyway Council of the Pacific Flyway for the 1995–99 proposed an experimental late-winter Federal procedures to circumvent State Seasons’’ (August 1995) which laws sets a bad precedent that could hunting strategy in the eastern portion compares various alternative strategies of this important spring staging area. open the door for further involvement in for reconciling conflicting swan future unresolved issues. This proposal contains the use of both management strategies. Copies are temporal and spacial constraints on The Delaware Division of Fish and available from the Service at the address Wildlife (Delaware) recommended the hunting activity and results in a hunting indicated under the caption ADDRESSES. strategy that would allow for evaluation Service grant compensatory days in lieu of any negative impacts related to 23. Other of Sunday hunting on a 1 for 1 basis to restricted States with no penalty to disturbance and distribution of other A. Compensatory Days migratory birds, disease management, unrestricted States. In a subsequent eco-tourism, and endangered species. Council Recommendations: The letter, Delaware thanked the Service for The Service supports this experimental Atlantic Flyway Council requested the proposing to grant compensatory days to strategy, provided a mutually-acceptable Service grant compensatory days for those States and believed that the issue evaluation component is developed and States in their Flyway that are closed to was more symbolic than biological. implemented. The Service will waterfowl hunting statewide on Sunday Further, Delaware did not believe that cooperate with the Nebraska Game and by State law. The Council’s requested any significant change in harvest would Parks Commission to develop and compensatory days would apply to result. complete assessments of this waterfowl seasons only and not to other The Maryland Department of Natural experimental strategy. migratory game birds. The request Resources (Maryland) requested that the The Service does not support the includes the States of Connecticut, Service grant compensatory days to the Central Flyway proposal for East Tier Delaware, Maine, Maryland, 10 Atlantic Flyway States that are States that would allow for an unlimited Massachusetts, New Jersey, North closed to waterfowl hunting on Sunday number of splits during light goose Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and by State law. They believe that seasons. Alternatively, the Service West Virginia. The Council believes that compensatory days would enable these supports increasing the allowed number granting this request at this time will States to equally share in the of season segments from 2 to 3. This allow integration of these changes into recreational benefits derived from the increase would result in a more AHM evaluations of harvest rates in the Flyway’s waterfowl resource. Maryland consistent use of split-season options Flyway and selection of appropriate supported the Federal closure of Sunday among all flyways. The Service also regulatory alternatives. for the taking of wild waterfowl if the believes that the ability to divide light Public-Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert Service deemed this approach necessary goose seasons into 3 segments provides McDowell, representing the Atlantic to provide compensatory days. adequate flexibility to use the current Flyway Council, offered to modify the However, Maryland requested the season length of 107 days. Flyway’s original request for Service give consideration to the current The Service concurs with the changes compensatory days to states closed to Sunday hunting exception Maryland proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council. Sunday hunting by restricting it to only grants falconers. Regarding the recommendations from those states with existing statewide The New Jersey Division of Fish, several commenters on expanding the prohibitions in place prior to its Game and Wildlife (New Jersey) 50666 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations requested the Service grant breeding in eastern Canada and the Findings from these consultations are compensatory days for States in their northeastern U.S., which would be included in a biological opinion and Flyway that are closed to waterfowl accompanied by a small decrease in may cause modification of some hunting statewide on Sunday by State average breeding population size. A regulatory measures previously law. New Jersey’s requested similar effect is expected on other proposed. The final frameworks reflect compensatory days would apply to species. Thus, after examining the any modifications. The Service’s waterfowl seasons only and not to other various technical and policy concerns, biological opinions resulting from its migratory game birds. The the Service believes that any additional Section 7 consultation are public compensatory request includes the harvest impacts can be adjusted by documents available for public States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, changing regulatory frameworks where inspection in the Service’s Division of Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, needed and that various administrative Endangered Species and MBMO, at the North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and procedural concerns can be address indicated under the caption and West Virginia. managed. Therefore, during the 1997–98 ADDRESSES. The Massachusetts Division of hunting season, the Service will offer Executive Order (E.O.) 12866 Fisheries and Wildlife and the compensatory days to States in Pennsylvania Game Commission accordance to the following guidelines: This rule is economically significant supported the Service’s proposal to (1) Only States in the Atlantic Flyway and was reviewed by the Office of allow compensatory days to those States that prohibit Sunday hunting Statewide Management and Budget (OMB) under prohibited from hunting on Sundays. by State law prior to 1997 are eligible E.O. 12866. They believed that compensatory days (Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Congressional Review would address the issue of inequality in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, hunting opportunities that exist in the North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, In accordance with Section 251 of the Atlantic Flyway. and West Virginia); (2) All Sundays will Small Business Regulatory Enforcement The North American Falconers be closed to all take (including extended Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 8), this Association and several individuals falconry) of migratory waterfowl rule has been submitted to Congress and from Maryland questioned the need to (including mergansers and coots) by has been declared major. Because this close Sundays to the take of all Federal rulemaking. Other migratory rule establishes hunting seasons, this migratory waterfowl, including falconry, game species are not eligible for rule qualifies for an exemption under 5 in order to provide compensatory compensatory days; (3) Season days U.S.C. 808(1); therefore, the Department hunting days to those States prohibiting must run consecutively within determines that this rule shall take Sunday hunting. prescribed framework dates and season effect immediately. The Concerned Coastal Sportsmen’s length, excluding the Sunday closure, Association of Massachusetts supported Regulatory Flexibility Act and conform to existing split-season and commended the Service for offering These regulations have a significant criteria. Total season days (including States in the Atlantic Flyway that now economic impact on a substantial prohibit Sunday hunting compensatory extended falconry) must not exceed 107 number of small entities under the hunting days. An individual from days. Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 Massachusetts supported offering States et seq). In the March 13, 1997, Federal NEPA Consideration that now prohibit Sunday hunting Register, the Service reported measures compensatory hunting days. NEPA considerations are covered by it took to comply with requirements of The Humane Society opposed the programmatic document, ‘‘Final the Act. One measure was to prepare a granting compensatory days in those Supplemental Environmental Impact Small Entity Flexibility Analysis Atlantic Flyway states where Sunday Statement: Issuance of Annual (Analysis) in 1996 documenting the hunting is prohibited. The Humane Regulations Permitting the Sport significant beneficial economic effect on Society believed that hunters in those Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88– a substantial number of small entities. States should work for the passage of 14),’’ filed with EPA on June 9, 1988. The Analysis estimated that migratory legislation to change State law regarding The Service published a Notice of bird hunters would spend between $254 Sunday closures rather than requesting Availability in the June 16, 1988, and $592 million at small businesses in that the Service compensate them. Federal Register (53 FR 22582). The 1996. Copies of the Analysis are Service Response: In 1995, the Service Service published its Record of Decision available upon request from the MBMO. committed to working with the Atlantic on August 18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). Flyway Council to review and better Copies of these documents are available Paperwork Reduction Act clarify the issue of compensatory days from the Service at the address The Department examined these for those States prohibiting Sunday indicated under the caption ADDRESSES. regulations under the Paperwork hunting in an attempt to resolve this Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. long-standing issue. In the past, the Endangered Species Act Consideration 3507(d)). Under the Act, information Service has maintained the policy that As in the past, the Service designs collections must be approved by the this problem is an individual State hunting regulations to remove or Office of Management and Budget issue, to be resolved by each State alleviate chances of conflict between (OMB). The Service uses the various removing their self-imposed restrictions. migratory game bird hunting seasons information collection requirements However, recognizing the difficulties and the protection and conservation of contained in this rule to develop future involved with changing State law, the endangered and threatened species. migratory game bird hunting Service is sympathetic to the loss of Consultations have been conducted to regulations. Specifically, the hunting opportunity that results from ensure that actions resulting from these information collection requirements of the existing prohibitions on Sunday regulatory proposals will not likely the Migratory Bird Harvest Information hunting. A recent Service assessment jeopardize the continued existence of Program have been approved by OMB suggests that compensatory days for endangered or threatened species or and assigned clearance number 1018– Sunday closures will result in a slight result in the destruction or adverse 0015. This information is used to increase in the harvest rates of mallards modification of their critical habitat. provide a sampling frame for voluntary Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50667 national surveys to improve Service standards provided in Sections 3(a) and Atlantic Flyway harvest estimates for all migratory game 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988. The Atlantic Flyway includes birds in order to better manage these List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20 Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, populations. Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting Regulations Promulgation Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and recordkeeping requirements, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode The rulemaking process for migratory Transportation, Wildlife. Island, South Carolina, Vermont, game bird hunting must, by its nature, The rules that eventually will be Virginia, and West Virginia. operate under severe time constraints. promulgated for the 1997–98 hunting However, the Service intends that the season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots public be given the greatest possible 703–711, 16 U.S.C. 712, and 16 U.S.C. Outside Dates: Between October 1 and opportunity to comment on the 742 a—j. January 20. regulations. Thus, when the preliminary Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 proposed rulemaking was published, Dated: September 12, 1997. days and daily bag limit of 6 ducks, the Service established what it believed Donald Barry, including no more than 4 mallards (2 were the longest periods possible for Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. hens), 1 black duck, 3 pintails, 1 public comment. In doing this, the mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, Service recognized that when the Final Regulations Frameworks for 2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, and 1 comment period closed, time would be canvasback. of the essence. That is, if there were a 1997–98 Late Hunting Seasons on Closures: The season on harlequin delay in the effective date of these Certain Migratory Game Birds ducks is closed. regulations after this final rulemaking, Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty the States would have insufficient time Act and delegated authorities, the Sea Ducks: In all areas outside of to select season dates and limits; to Department has approved frameworks special sea duck areas, sea ducks are communicate those selections to the for season lengths, shooting hours, bag included in the regular duck daily bag Service; and to establish and publicize and possession limits, and outside dates and possession limits. However, during the necessary regulations and within which States may select seasons the regular duck season within the procedures to implement their for hunting waterfowl and coots special sea duck areas, the sea duck decisions. between the dates of September 1, 1997, daily bag and possession limits may be Therefore, the Service, under and March 10, 1998. in addition to the regular duck daily bag authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty and possession limits. Act (July 3, 1918), as amended, (16 General Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit U.S.C. 703–711), prescribes final Dates: All outside dates noted below of mergansers is 5, only 1 of which may frameworks setting forth the species to are inclusive. be a hooded merganser. be hunted, the daily bag and possession Shooting and Hawking (taking by Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 limits, the shooting hours, the season falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise coots. lengths, the earliest opening and latest specified, from one-half hour before Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The closing season dates, and hunting areas, sunrise to sunset daily. waterfowl seasons, limits, and shooting from which State conservation agency Possession Limits: Unless otherwise hours shall be the same as those officials may select hunting season dates specified, possession limits are twice selected for the Lake Champlain Zone of and other options. Upon receipt of the daily bag limit. Vermont. season and option selections from these Definitions: For the purpose of Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, officials, the Service will publish in the hunting regulations listed below, the Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Federal Register a final rulemaking collective terms ‘‘dark’’ and ‘‘light’’ Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect geese include the following species: and Virginia may split their seasons into seasons, limits, and shooting hours for Dark geese - Canada geese, white- three segments; Connecticut, Maine, the conterminous United States for the fronted geese, brant, and all other goose Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New 1997–98 season. The Service therefore species except light geese. Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, finds that ‘‘good cause’’ exists, within Light geese - snow (including blue) Vermont, and West Virginia may select the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the geese and Ross’ geese. hunting seasons by zones and may split Administrative Procedure Act, and Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: their seasons into two segments in each these frameworks will, therefore, take Geographic descriptions related to late- zone. effect immediately upon publication. season regulations are contained in a Canada Geese later portion of this document. Unfunded Mandates Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and The Service has determined and Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks Limits: The Canada goose season is certifies in compliance with the for open seasons, season lengths, bag suspended throughout the Flyway requirements of the Unfunded Mandates and possession limits, and other special except as noted below. Unless specified Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this provisions are listed below by Flyway. otherwise, seasons may be split into two rulemaking will not impose a cost of Compensatory Days in the Atlantic segments. $100 million or more in any given year Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut: A special experimental on local or State government or private Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, season may be held in the South Zone entities. Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, between January 15 and February 15, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, with 5 geese per day. Civil Justice Reform—Executive Order and West Virginia, where Sunday Florida: A 70 day season may be held 12988 hunting is prohibited statewide by State between November 15 to February 15, The Department, in promulgating this law, all Sundays are closed to all take with 5 geese per day. rule, has determined that these of migratory waterfowl (including Georgia: In specific areas, a 70-day regulations meet the applicable mergansers and coots). season may be held between November 50668 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

15 and February 15, with a limit of 5 Light Geese geese between the Saturday nearest Canada geese per day. Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and October 1 (October 4) and January 31, Maryland: In designated areas, a 40- Limits: States may select a 107-day and 107 days for light geese between the day season may be held between season between October 1 and March Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4) November 15 to January 14, with 2 geese 10, with 10 geese per day and 30 in and March 10. The daily bag limit is 10 per day. An experimental season in possession. States may split their light geese, 3 Canada geese, 2 white- designated areas of western Maryland seasons into three segments. fronted geese, and 2 brant. The may be held from January 15 to possession limit for light geese is 30. February 15, with 5 geese per day. Brant Specific regulations for Canada geese and exceptions to the above general Massachusetts: In the Central Zone Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and provisions are shown below by State. and a portion of the Coastal Zone, a Limits: States may select a 50-day season between October 1 and January Alabama: In the Southern James Bay season may be held from January 15 to Population (SJBP) Goose Zone, the February 15, with 5 geese per day. 20, with 2 brant per day. States may split their seasons into two segments. season for Canada geese may not exceed New Jersey: An experimental season 35 days. Elsewhere, the season for may be held in designated areas of Mississippi Flyway Canada geese may extend for 70 days in North and South New Jersey from The Mississippi Flyway includes the respective duck-hunting zones. The January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. per day. Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Arkansas: The season for Canada New York: In designated areas, a 70- Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, geese may extend for 23 days in the East day season may be held between Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Zone and 16 days in the West Zone. In November 15 to January 30, with 2 geese both zones, the season may extend to per day. An experimental season may be Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 held between January 15 and February Outside Dates: Between the Saturday Canada geese. In the remainder of the 15, with 5 geese daily in designated nearest October 1 (October 4) and the State, the season for Canada geese is areas of Chemung, Tioga, Broome, Sunday nearest January 20 (January 18). closed. Sullivan, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 Illinois: The total harvest of Canada Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and days with a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, geese in the State will be limited to Rockland Counties. including no more than 4 mallards (no 74,600 birds. Limits are 2 Canada geese North Carolina: A 46-day season may more than 2 of which may be females), daily and 10 in possession. be held between October 1 and 3 mottled ducks, 1 black duck, 3 (a) North Zone - The season for November 15, with 2 geese per day pintails, 2 wood ducks, 1 canvasback, Canada geese will close after 78 days or Statewide, except for the Northeast and 2 redheads. when 8,400 birds have been harvested Hunt Unit and Northampton County. in the Northern Illinois Quota Zone, Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit whichever occurs first. Pennsylvania: In designated areas, a is 5, only 1 of which may be a hooded (b) Central Zone - The season for 40-day season may be held between merganser. Canada geese will close after 78 days or November 15 to January 14, with 2 geese Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 when 12,500 birds have been harvested per day. In Erie, Mercer, and Butler coots. in the Central Illinois Quota Zone, Counties, a 70-day season may be held Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, whichever occurs first. between October 1 and January 31, with Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, (c) South Zone - The harvest of 2 geese per day. In Crawford County, a Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Canada geese in the Southern Illinois 35-day season may be held between Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and and Rend Lake Quota Zones will be October 1 and January 20, with 1 goose Wisconsin may select hunting seasons limited to 26,400 and 5,700 birds, per day. by zones. respectively. The season for Canada An experimental season may be held In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, geese in each zone will close after 78 in the designated areas of western Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, days or when the harvest limit has been Pennsylvania from January 15 to Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season reached, whichever occurs first. In the February 15 with 5 geese per day. may be split into two segments in each Southern Illinois Quota Zone, if any of Rhode Island: An experimental season zone. the following conditions exist after may be held in a designated area from In Minnesota and Arkansas, the December 20, the State, after January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese season may be split into three segments. consultation with the Service, will close per day, Pymatuning Reservoir Area, Ohio: the season by emergency order with 48 The seasons, limits, and shooting hours hours notice: South Carolina: In designated areas, a shall be the same as those selected in 70-day season may be held during (1) Average body weights of adult female the adjacent portion of Pennsylvania geese less than 3,200 grams as measured from November 15 to February 15, with a (Northwest Zone). daily bag limit of 5 Canada geese per a weekly sample of a minimum of 50 geese. Geese (2) Starvation or a major disease outbreak day. resulting in observed mortality exceeding Virginia: In designated areas, a 40-day Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may 5,000 birds in 10 days, or a total mortality season may be held between November be split into three segments. Three-way exceeding 10,000 birds. 15 to January 14, with 2 geese per day. split seasons for Canada geese require In the remainder of the South Zone, An experimental season may be held Mississippi Flyway Council and U.S. the season may extend for 78 days or between January 15 to February 15, with Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and until both the Southern Illinois and 5 geese per day, in all areas west of a 3-year evaluation, by each Rend Lake Quota Zones have been Interstate 95. participating State. closed, whichever occurs first. West Virginia: a 70-day season may be Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Indiana: The total harvest of Canada held between October 1 and January 31, Limits: States may select seasons for geese in the State will be limited to with 3 geese per day. geese not to exceed 70 days for dark 19,200 birds. Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50669

(a) Posey County - The season for (2) Muskegon Wastewater GMU - The 70 days in the respective duck-hunting Canada geese will close after 65 days or season for Canada geese will close after zones. The season may be split into 3 when 3,450 birds have been harvested, 43 days or when 560 birds have been segments, provided that one segment of or when the harvest at the Hovey Lake harvested, whichever occurs first. The at least 9 days occurs prior to October Fish and Wildlife Area exceeds 1,725 daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada birds, whichever occurs first. The daily (3) Saginaw County GMU - The geese. bag limit is 2 Canada geese. season for Canada geese will close after Ohio: The season may extend for 70 (b) Remainder of the State - The 50 days or when 2,000 birds have been days in the respective duck-hunting season for Canada geese may extend for harvested, whichever occurs first. The zones, with a daily bag limit of 2 Canada 65 days in the respective duck-hunting daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. geese, except in the Lake Erie SJBP zones, except in the SJBP Zone, where (4) Tuscola/Huron GMU - The season Zone, where the season may not exceed the season may not exceed 35 days. The for Canada geese will close after 50 days 30 days and the daily bag limit is 1 daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. or when 750 birds have been harvested, Canada goose. In the Pymatuning Iowa: The season may extend for 70 whichever occurs first. The daily bag Reservoir Area, the seasons, limits, and days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada limit is 1 Canada goose. shooting hours for all geese shall be the geese. (5) Remainder of South Zone - The same as those selected in the adjacent Kentucky season for Canada geese may extend for portion of Pennsylvania. (a) Western Zone - The season for 20 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada Tennessee Canada geese may extend for 66 days goose the first 9 days and 2 Canada (a) Northwest Zone - The season for (81 days in Fulton County), and the geese thereafter. Canada geese will close after 79 days or harvest will be limited to 16,500 birds. (d) Southern Michigan GMU - An when 6,150 birds have been harvested, Of the 16,500-bird quota, 10,750 birds experimental special Canada goose whichever occurs first. The season may will be allocated to the Ballard season may be held between January 3 extend to February 15. The daily bag Reporting Area and 3,135 birds will be and February 1. The daily bag limit is limit is 2 Canada geese. allocated to the Henderson/Union 5 Canada geese. (b) Southwest Zone - The season for Reporting Area. If the quota in either (e) Central Michigan GMU - An Canada geese may extend for 64 days, reporting area is reached prior to experimental special Canada goose and the harvest will be limited to 750 completion of the 66-day season, the season may be held between January 3 birds. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada season in that reporting area will be and February 1. The daily bag limit is geese. (c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone - closed. If this occurs, the season in 5 Canada geese. The season for Canada geese will close those counties and portions of counties Minnesota: after 50 days or when 1,800 birds have outside of, but associated with, the (a) West Zone (1) West Central Zone - The season for been harvested, whichever occurs first. respective subzone (listed in State Canada geese may extend for 30 days. In All geese harvested must be tagged. The regulations) may continue for an the Lac Qui Parle Zone, the season will daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. In lieu additional 7 days, not to exceed a total close after 30 days or when 16,000 birds of the quota and tagging requirement of 66 days (81 days in Fulton County). have been harvested, whichever occurs above, the State may select either a 50- The season in Fulton County may first. Throughout the West Central Zone, day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit extend to February 15. The daily bag the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. or a 35-day season with a 2-bird daily limit is 2 Canada geese. (2) Remainder of West Zone - The bag limit for this Zone. (b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone - The season for Canada geese may extend for (d) Remainder of the State - The season may extend for 35 days. The 40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada season for Canada geese may extend for daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. goose. 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada (c) Remainder of the State - The (b) Northwest Zone - The season for geese. season may extend for 50 days. The Canada geese may extend for 40 days. Wisconsin: The total harvest of daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. Canada geese in the State will be limited Louisiana: The season for Canada (c) Remainder of the State - The to 55,700 birds. geese may extend for 9 days. During the season for Canada geese may extend for (a) Horicon Zone - The framework season, the daily bag limit for Canada 70 days, except in the Twin Cities Metro opening date for all geese is September and white-fronted geese is 2, no more Zone and Olmsted County, where the 20. The harvest of Canada geese is than 1 of which may be a Canada goose. season may not exceed 80 days. The limited to 27,600 birds. The season may Hunters participating in the Canada daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. not exceed 93 days. All Canada geese goose season must possess a special (d) Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone - A harvested must be tagged. The daily bag permit issued by the State. special Canada goose season of up to 10 limit is 1 Canada goose and the season Michigan: The total harvest of Canada days may be held in December. During limit will be the number of tags issued geese in the State will be limited to the special season, the daily bag limit is to each permittee. 41,700 birds. 2 Canada geese. (b) Collins Zone - The framework (a) North Zone - The season for Mississippi: The season for Canada opening date for all geese is September Canada geese may extend for 16 days. geese may extend for 70 days. The daily 20. The harvest of Canada geese is The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. bag limit is 3 Canada geese. limited to 900 birds. The season may (b) Middle Zone - The season for Missouri not exceed 68 days. All Canada geese Canada geese may extend for 16 days. (a) Swan Lake Zone - The season for harvested must be tagged. The daily bag The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. Canada geese may extend for 40 days. limit is 1 Canada goose and the season (c) South Zone The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. limit will be the number of tags issued (1) Allegan County GMU - The season (b) Schell-Osage Zone - The season for to each permittee. for Canada geese will close after 41 days Canada geese may extend for 40 days. (c) Exterior Zone - The framework or when 1,760 birds have been The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. opening date for all geese is September harvested, whichever occurs first. The (c) Remainder of the State - The 27. The harvest of Canada geese is daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose. season for Canada geese may extend for limited to 22,700 birds, with 500 birds 50670 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations allocated to the Mississippi River including no more than 5 mallards (2 Texas: For the Western Goose Zone, Subzone. The season may not exceed 93 hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 canvasback, 2 the daily bag limit is 5 dark geese, days and the daily bag limit is 1 Canada redheads, 2 wood ducks, and 3 pintails. including no more than 1 white-fronted goose. In that portion of the Exterior Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit and 4 Canada geese. Zone outside the Mississippi River is 5 mergansers, only 1 of which may be For the Eastern Goose Zone, the daily Subzone, the progress of the harvest a hooded merganser. bag limit is 2 dark geese, including no must be monitored, and the season Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 more than 1 white-fronted goose. closed, if necessary, to ensure that the coots. Pacific Flyway harvest does not exceed 22,200 birds. Zoning and Split Seasons: Kansas Additional Limits: In addition to the (Low Plains portion), Montana, Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Common harvest limits stated for the respective Nebraska (Low Plains portion), New Moorhens zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains portion), Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: geese may be taken in the Horicon Zone South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Concurrent 107 days and daily bag limit under special agricultural permits. Texas (Low Plains portion), and of 7 ducks and mergansers, including no Quota Zone Closures: When it has Wyoming may select hunting seasons by more than 2 female mallards, 3 pintails, been determined that the quota of zones. 2 redheads and 1 canvasback. Canada geese allotted to the Northern In Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New The season on coots and common Illinois, Central Illinois, Southern Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South moorhens may be between the outside Illinois, and Rend Lake Quota Zones in Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the dates for the season on ducks, but not Illinois, Posey County in Indiana, the regular season may be split into two to exceed 107 days. Ballard and Henderson-Union Subzones segments. Coot and Common Moorhen Limits: in Kentucky, the Allegan County, In Colorado, the season may be split The daily bag and possession limits of Muskegon Wastewater, Saginaw County, into three segments. coots and common moorhens are 25, and Tuscola/Huron Goose Management singly or in the aggregate. Units in Michigan, the Lac Qui Parle Geese Outside Dates: Between the Saturday Zone in Minnesota, the Northwest and Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may nearest October 1 (October 4) and the Kentucky/Barkley Lakes (if applicable) be split into three segments. Three-way Sunday nearest January 20 (January 18). Zones in Tennessee, and the Exterior split seasons for Canada geese require Zone in Wisconsin will have been filled, Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, Central Flyway Council and U.S. Fish California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, the season for taking Canada geese in and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3- the respective zone (and associated area, and Washington may select hunting year evaluation, by each participating seasons by zones. if applicable) will be closed by either State. the Director upon giving public notice Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, through local information media at least Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Oregon, Utah, and Washington may 48 hours in advance of the time and Limits: States may select seasons not to split their seasons into two segments. date of closing, or by the State through exceed 107 days; except for dark geese, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and State regulations with such notice and which may not exceed 86 days in Wyoming may split their seasons into time (not less than 48 hours) as they Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, three segments. deem necessary. Oklahoma, South Dakota, and the Colorado River Zone, California: Eastern Goose Zone of Texas. For dark Seasons and limits shall be the same as Central Flyway geese, outside dates for seasons may be seasons and limits selected in the The Central Flyway includes selected between the Saturday nearest adjacent portion of Arizona (South Colorado (east of the Continental October 1 (October 4) and January 31, Zone). except in the Western Goose Zone of Divide), Kansas, Montana (Counties of Geese Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin, Texas, where the closing date is the Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and Sunday nearest February 15 (February Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and all counties east thereof), Nebraska, New 15). For light geese, outside dates for Limits: Except as subsequently noted, Mexico (east of the Continental Divide seasons may be selected between the 100-day seasons may be selected, with except the Jicarilla Apache Indian Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4) outside dates between the Saturday Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, and March 10, except in the Rainwater nearest October 1 (October 4), and the South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming Basin Light Goose Area of Nebraska Sunday nearest January 20 (January 18), (east of the Continental Divide). where the closing date is February 1 in and the basic daily bag limits are 3 light the West and March 10 in the East with geese and 4 dark geese, except in Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots temporal and spatial restrictions California, Oregon, and Washington, Outside Dates: Between October 4 and consistent with the experimental late- where the dark goose bag limit does not January 18. winter snow goose hunting strategy include brant. Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: endorsed by the Central Flyway Council Split Seasons: Unless otherwise (1) High Plains Mallard Management in July 1997. The daily bag and specified, seasons for geese may be split Unit (roughly defined as that portion of possession limits for light geese are 10 into up to 3 segments. Three-way split the Central Flyway which lies west of and 40, respectively. seasons for Canada geese and white- the 100th meridian): 97 days and a daily Dark goose daily bag limits in States fronted geese require Pacific Flyway bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more and goose management zones within Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife than 5 mallards (2 hens), 1 mottled States, may be as follows: Service approval and a 3-year duck, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 wood Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and evaluation, by each participating State. ducks, and 3 pintails. The last 23 days South Dakota: 2 dark geese, including Brant Season - A 16-consecutive-day may start no earlier than the Saturday no more than 1 white-fronted goose. season may be selected in Oregon and nearest December 10 (December 13). Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Washington, and a 30-consecutive day (2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: Wyoming: 4 dark geese. season may be selected in California. In 74 days and a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, North Dakota: 2 dark geese. these States, the daily bag limit is 2 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50671 brant and is in addition to dark goose New Mexico: The daily bag limit for framework closing date is extended the limits. dark geese is 3. Sunday closest to March 1. Closures: There will be no open Oregon: Except as subsequently season on Aleutian Canada geese in the noted, the dark goose limit is 4, Swans Pacific Flyway. The States of California, including not more than 1 cackling In designated areas of Utah, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington must include a Canada goose. and the Pacific Flyway portion of statement on the closure for that Harney, Lake, Klamath, and Malheur Montana, an open season for taking a subspecies in their respective Counties Zone - The season length may limited number of swans may be regulations leaflet. Emergency closures be 100 days. The dark goose limit is 4, selected. Permits will be issued by may be invoked for all Canada geese including not more than 2 white-fronted States and will authorize each permittee should Aleutian Canada goose geese and 1 cackling Canada goose. to take no more than 1 swan per season. distribution patterns or other Western Zone - In the Special Canada The season may open no earlier than the circumstances justify such actions. Goose Management Area, except for Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4). Arizona: The daily bag limit for dark designated areas, there shall be no open The States must implement a harvest- geese is 2. season on Canada geese. In the monitoring program to measure the California designated areas, individual quotas species composition of the swan Northeastern Zone - White-fronted shall be established which collectively harvest. In Utah and Nevada, the geese and cackling Canada geese may be shall not exceed 165 dusky Canada harvest-monitoring program must taken only during the first 23 days of the geese. See section on quota zones. In require that all harvested swans or their goose season. The daily bag limit is 3 those designated areas, the daily bag species-determinant parts be examined geese and may include no more than 2 limit of dark geese is 3 and may include by either State or Federal biologists for dark geese; including not more than 1 3 cackling Canada geese. the purpose of species classification. All cackling Canada goose. Utah: The daily bag limit for dark States should use appropriate measures Colorado River Zone - The seasons geese is 2 geese. to maximize hunter compliance in and limits must be the same as those Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 providing bagged swans for examination selected in the adjacent portion of geese, including 4 dark geese but not or, in the case of Montana, reporting Arizona (South Zone). more than 3 light geese. bill-measurement and color information. Southern Zone - The daily bag and West Zone - In the Lower Columbia All States must provide to the Service possession limits for dark geese is 2 River Special Goose Management Area, by June 30, 1998, a report covering geese, including not more than 1 except for designated areas, there shall harvest, hunter participation, reporting cackling Canada goose. be no open season on Canada geese. In compliance, and monitoring of swan Balance-of-the-State Zone - A 79-day the designated areas, individual quotas season may be selected. Limits may not populations in the designated hunt shall be established which collectively areas. These seasons will be subject to include more than 3 geese per day and shall not exceed 85 dusky Canada geese. 6 in possession, of which not more than the following conditions: See section on quota zones. In this area, In Utah, no more than 2,750 permits 2 daily and 4 in possession may be the daily bag limit of dark geese is 3 and white-fronted geese and not more than may be issued. The season must end no may include 3 cackling Canada geese. later than the first Sunday in December 1 daily or 2 in possession may be Wyoming: The daily bag limit is 4 cackling Canada geese. (December 7) or upon attainment of 15 dark geese. trumpeter swans in the harvest, Three areas in the Balance-of-the- Quota Zones: Seasons on Canada State Zone are restricted in the hunting whichever occurs earliest. geese must end upon attainment of In Nevada, no more than 650 permits of certain geese: individual quotas of dusky Canada (1) In the Counties of Del Norte and may be issued. The season must end no geese allotted to the designated areas of later than the Sunday following January Humboldt, there will be no open season Oregon and Washington. The September for Canada geese. 1 (January 4) or upon attainment of 5 Canada goose season, the regular goose trumpeter swans in the harvest, (2) In the Sacramento Valley Area, the season, any special late Canada goose season on white-fronted geese must end whichever occurs earliest. season, and any extended falconry In Montana, no more than 500 permits on or before December 14, and, except season, combined, must not exceed 107 in the Western Canada Goose Hunt may be issued. The season must end no days and the established quota of dusky later than December 1. Area, there will be no open season for Canada geese must not be exceeded. Canada geese. Hunting of Canada geese in those Tundra Swans (3) In the San Joaquin Valley Area, the designated areas shall only be by hunting season for Canada geese will In Central Flyway portion of Montana, hunters possessing a State-issued permit and in North Carolina, North Dakota, close no later than November 23. authorizing them to do so. In a Service- Colorado: The daily bag limit for dark South Dakota, and Virginia, an open approved investigation, the State must geese is 2 geese. season for taking a limited number of Idaho obtain quantitative information on tundra swans may be selected. Permits Northern Unit - The daily bag limit is hunter compliance of those regulations will be issued by the States and will 4 geese, including 4 dark geese, but not aimed at reducing the take of dusky authorize each permittee to take no more than 3 light geese. Canada geese and eliminating the take more than 1 tundra swan per season. Southwest Unit and Southeastern of Aleutian Canada geese. The daily bag The States must obtain harvest and Unit - The daily bag limit on dark geese limit of Canada geese may not include hunter participation data. These seasons is 4. more than 3 cackling Canada geese. will be subject to the following Montana In the designated areas of the conditions: West of Divide Zone and East of Washington Quota Zone, a special late In the Atlantic Flyway Divide Zone - The daily bag limit on Canada goose may be held between —The season will be experimental. dark geese is 4. January 24 and March 10. The daily bag —The season may be 90 days, from Nevada limit may not include Aleutian Canada October 1 to January 31. Lincoln and Clark County Zone - The geese. In the Special Canada Goose —In North Carolina, no more than daily bag limit of dark geese is 2. Management Area of Oregon, the 5,000 permits may be issued. 50672 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

—In Virginia, no more than 600 Durham, and Newmarket to NH 85 in Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters permits may be issued. Newfields, south to NH 101 in Exeter, of Pennsylvania and a shoreline margin In the Central Flyway east to NH 51 (Exeter-Hampton along Lake Erie from New York on the —The season may be 107 days and Expressway), east to I-95 (New east to Ohio on the west extending 150 must occur during the light goose Hampshire Turnpike) in Hampton, and yards inland, but including all of season. south along I-95 to the Massachusetts Presque Isle Peninsula. —In the Central Flyway portion of border. Northwest Zone: The area bounded on Montana, no more than 500 permits may Inland Zone: That portion of the State the north by the Lake Erie Zone and be issued. north and west of the above boundary. including all of Erie and Crawford —In North Dakota, no more than New Jersey Counties and those portions of Mercer 2,000 permits may be issued. Coastal Zone: That portion of the and Venango Counties north of I-80. —In South Dakota, no more than State seaward of a line beginning at the North Zone: That portion of the State 1,500 permits may be issued. New York border in Raritan Bay and east of the Northwest Zone and north of Area, Unit and Zone Descriptions extending west along the New York a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, border to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west Route 220 to I-180, I-180 to I-80, and I- Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots on NJ 440 to the Garden State Parkway; 80 to the Delaware River. Atlantic Flyway south on the Garden State Parkway to South Zone: The remaining portion of the shoreline at Cape May and Pennsylvania. Connecticut continuing to the Delaware border in Vermont North Zone: That portion of the State Delaware Bay. Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. north of I-95. North Zone: That portion of the State portion of Lake Champlain and that area South Zone: Remainder of the State. north and west of the line extending Maine west of the Coastal Zone and north of a line extending west from the Garden from the New York border along U.S. 4 North Zone: That portion north of the to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. line extending east along Maine State State Parkway on NJ 70 to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike 7 at Vergennes; U.S. 7 to the Canadian Highway 110 from the New Hampshire border. and Maine border to the intersection of to U.S. 206, north on U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Interior Zone: The remaining portion Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; of Vermont. then north and east along Route 11 to Pennsylvania border in the Delaware River. West Virginia the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in Zone 1 : That portion outside the South Zone: That portion of the State Auburn; then north and east on Route boundaries in Zone 2. 202 to the intersection of Interstate not within the North Zone or the Coastal Zone 2 (Allegheny Mountain Upland): Highway 95 in Augusta; then north and Zone. That area bounded by a line extending east along I-95 to Route 15 in Bangor; New York south along U.S. 220 through Keyser to then east along Route 15 to Route 9; Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. U.S. 50; U.S. 50 to WV 93; WV 93 south then east along Route 9 to Stony Brook portion of Lake Champlain and that area to WV 42; WV 42 south to Petersburg; in Baileyville; then east along Stony east and north of a line extending along WV 28 south to Minnehaha Springs; WV Brook to the United States border. NY 9B from the Canadian border to U.S. 39 west to U.S. 219; U.S. 219 south to South Zone: Remainder of the State. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of I-64; I-64 west to U.S. 60; U.S. 60 west Massachusetts Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west to U.S. 19; U.S. 19 north to I-79, I-79 Western Zone: That portion of the shore of South Bay, along and around north to U.S. 48; U.S. 48 east to the State west of a line extending south the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on Maryland border; and along the border from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA the east shore of South Bay; southeast to the point of beginning. 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, south on MA along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the U.S. 4 to the Vermont border. Mississippi Flyway Connecticut border. Long Island Zone: That area Alabama Central Zone: That portion of the consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin State east of the Berkshire Zone and County, that area of Westchester County Counties. west of a line extending south from the southeast of I-95, and their tidal waters. North Zone: The remainder of New Hampshire border on I-95 to U.S. Western Zone: That area west of a line Alabama. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I- extending from Lake Ontario east along Illinois 93 to MA 3, south on MA 3 to U.S. 6, the north shore of the Salmon River to North Zone: That portion of the State west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA I-81, and south along I-81 to the north of a line extending east from the 28 to I-195, west to the Rhode Island Pennsylvania border. Iowa border along Illinois Highway 92 border; except the waters, and the lands Northeastern Zone: That area north of to Interstate Highway 280, east along I- 150 yards inland from the high-water a line extending from Lake Ontario east 280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the mark, of the Assonet River upstream to along the north shore of the Salmon Indiana border. the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River to I-81, south along I-81 to NY 49, Central Zone: That portion of the River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along State south of the North Zone to a line bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone. NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to extending east from the Missouri border Coastal Zone: That portion of NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc Massachusetts east and south of the along I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north Ferry Road, east along Modoc Ferry Central Zone. along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along NY Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly New Hampshire 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the along Modoc Road and St. Leo’s Road to Coastal Zone: That portion of the Vermont border, exclusive of the Lake Illinois Highway 3, north along Illinois State east of a line extending west from Champlain Zone. 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 Maine border in Rollinsford on NH 4 to Southeastern Zone: The remaining to Illinois 161, east along Illinois 161 to the city of Dover, south to NH 108, portion of New York. Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to south along NH 108 through Madbury, Pennsylvania Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50673 the Bond County line, north and east Lake Michigan due west of the mouth of Ohio River Zone: The Counties of along the Bond County line to Fayette Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Adams, County, north and east along the Fayette east to, and easterly and southerly along Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia and Meigs. County line to Effingham County, east the south shore of, Stony Creek to South Zone: That portion of the State and south along the Effingham County Scenic Drive, easterly and southerly between the North and Ohio River Zone line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, boundaries, including the Buckeye Lake Indiana border. easterly along Stony Lake and Garfield Area in Licking County bounded on the South Zone: The remainder of Illinois. Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east west by State Highway 37, on the north Indiana along Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 by U.S. Highway 40, and on the east by North Zone: That portion of the State Business Route (BR) in the city of State 13. north of a line extending east from the Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. Tennessee Illinois border along State Road 18 to 10, east along U.S. 10 to Interstate Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake U.S. Highway 31, north along U.S. 31 to Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north and Obion Counties. U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to along I-75/U.S. 23 to the U.S. 23 exit at State Zone: The remainder of Huntington, then southeast along U.S. Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Tennessee. 224 to the Ohio border. Road in Arenac County, east along Wisconsin Ohio River Zone: That portion of the Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, North Zone: That portion of the State State south of a line extending east from then on a line directly east 10 miles into north of a line extending east from the the Illinois border along Interstate Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a Minnesota border along State Highway Highway 64 to New Albany, east along line directly northeast to the Canada 77 to State 27, south along State 27 and State Road 62 to State 56, east along border. 77 to U.S. Highway 63, and continuing State 56 to Vevay, east and north on South Zone: The remainder of south along State 27 to Sawyer County State 156 along the Ohio River to North Michigan. Road B, south and east along County B Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Mississippi to State 70, southwest along State 70 to Highway 50, then northeast along U.S. Zone 1: Hancock, Harrison, and State 27, south along State 27 to State 50 to the Ohio border. Jackson Counties. 64, west along State 64/27 and south South Zone: That portion of the State Zone 2: The remainder of Mississippi. along State 27 to U.S. 12, south and east between the North and Ohio River Zone Missouri on State 27/U.S. 12 to U.S. 10, east on boundaries. North Zone: That portion of Missouri U.S. 10 to State 310, east along State 310 Iowa north of a line running west from the to State 42, north along State 42 to State North Zone: That portion of the State Illinois border along Interstate Highway 147, north along State 147 to State 163, north of a line extending east from the 70 to U.S. Highway 54, south along U.S. north along State 163 to Kewaunee Nebraska border along State Highway 54 to U.S. 50, then west along U.S. 50 County Trunk A, north along County 175 to State 37, southeast along State 37 to the Kansas border. Trunk A to State 57, north along State to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 South Zone: That portion of Missouri 57 to the Kewaunee/Door County Line, to Interstate Highway 80, then east along south of a line running west from the west along the Kewaunee/Door County I-80 to the Illinois border. Illinois border along Missouri Highway Line to the Door/Brown County Line, South Zone: The remainder of Iowa. 34 to Interstate Highway 55; south along west along the Door/Brown County Line Kentucky I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west along U.S. to the Door/Oconto/Brown County Line, West Zone: All counties west of and 62 to Missouri 53, north along Missouri northeast along the Door/Oconto County including Butler, Daviess, Ohio, 53 to Missouri 51, north along Missouri Line to the Marinette/Door County Line, Simpson, and Warren Counties. 51 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to northeast along the Marinette/Door East Zone: The remainder of Missouri 21, north along Missouri 21 to County Line to the Michigan border. Kentucky. Missouri 72, west along Missouri 72 to South Zone: The remainder of Louisiana Missouri 32, west along Missouri 32 to Wisconsin. West Zone: That portion of the State U.S. 65, north along U.S. 65 to U.S. 54, Central Flyway west of a line extending south from the west along U.S. 54 to Missouri 32, south Arkansas border along Louisiana along Missouri 32 to Missouri 97, south Kansas Highway 3 to Bossier City, east along along Missouri 97 to Dade County NN, High Plains Zone: That portion of the Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south west along Dade County NN to Missouri State west of U.S. 283. along Louisiana 7 to Ringgold, east 37, west along Missouri 37 to Jasper Low Plains Early Zone: That portion along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro, south County N, west along Jasper County N of the State east of the High Plains Zone along U.S. Highway 167 to Lafayette, to Jasper County M, west along Jasper and west of a line extending south from southeast along U.S. 90 to Houma, then County M to the Kansas border. the Nebraska border along KS 28 to U.S. south along the Houma Navigation Middle Zone: The remainder of 36, east along U.S. 36 to KS 199, south Channel to the Gulf of Mexico through Missouri. along KS 199 to Republic County Road Cat Island Pass. Ohio 563, south along Republic County Road East Zone: The remainder of North Zone: The Counties of Darke, 563 to KS 148, east along KS 148 to Louisiana. Miami, Clark, Champaign, Union, Republic County Road 138, south along Catahoula Lake Area: All of Catahoula Delaware, Licking (excluding the Republic County Road 138 to Cloud Lake, including those portions known Buckeye Lake Area), Muskingum, County Road 765, south along Cloud locally as Round Prairie, Catfish Prairie, Guernsey, Harrison and Jefferson and all County Road 765 to KS 9, west along KS and Frazier’s Arm. See State regulations counties north thereof. 9 to U.S. 24, west along U.S 24 to U.S. for additional information. Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning 281, north along U.S. 281 to U.S. 36, Michigan Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded west along U.S. 36 to U.S. 183, south North Zone: The Upper Peninsula. on the north by County Road 306 along U.S. 183 to U.S. 24, west along Middle Zone: That portion of the (known as Woodward Road), on the U.S. 24 to KS 18, southeast along KS 18 Lower Peninsula north of a line west by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on to U.S, 183, south along U.S. 183 to KS beginning at the Wisconsin border in the south by U.S. Highway 322. 4, east along KS 4 to I-135, south along 50674 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

I-135 to KS 61, southwest along KS 61 Low Plains Zone 3: The area east of Texas to KS 96, northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 56, the High Plains Zone, excluding Low High Plains Zone: That portion of the west along U.S. 56 to U.S. 281, south Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone State west of a line extending south along U.S. 281 to U.S. 54, then west 2. from the Oklahoma border along U.S. along U.S. 54 to U.S. 283. Low Plains Zone 4: The area east of 183 to Vernon, south along U.S. 283 to Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder the High Plains Zone and south of Zone Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to of Kansas. 2. Abilene, south along U.S. 277 to Del Montana (Central Flyway Portion) New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion) Rio, then south along the Del Rio Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, North Zone: That portion of the State International Toll Bridge access road to Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, north of I-40 and U.S. 54. the Mexico border. Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith South Zone: The remainder of New Low Plains North Zone: That portion Basin, McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum, Mexico. of northeastern Texas east of the High Phillips, Powder River, Richland, North Dakota Plains Zone and north of a line Roosevelt, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet High Plains Unit: That portion of the beginning at the International Toll Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and State south and west of a line from the Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending Yellowstone. South Dakota border along U.S. 83 and east on U.S. 90 to San Antonio, then Zone 2: The remainder of Montana. I-94 to ND 41, north to U.S. 2, west to continuing east on I-10 to Louisiana Nebraska the Williams/Divide County line, then border at Orange, Texas. High Plains Zone: That portion of the north along the County line to the Low Plains South Zone: The State west of Highways U.S. 183 and Canadian border. remainder of Texas. U.S. 20 from the South Dakota border to Low Plains: The remainder of North Wyoming (Central Flyway portion) Ainsworth, NE 7 and NE 91 to Dunning, Dakota. Zone 1: The Counties of Converse, NE 2 to Merna, NE 92 to Arnold, NE 40 Oklahoma Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, Platte, and NE 47 through Gothenburg to NE High Plains Zone: The Counties of Washakie, and that portion of Park 23, NE 23 to Elwood, and U.S. 283 to Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas. County south of T58N and not within the Kansas border. Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the boundary of the Shoshone National Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High Plains Zone Forest. the State east of the High Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from Zone 2: The remainder of Wyoming. and north and east of a line extending the Texas border along OK 33 to OK 47, from the South Dakota border along NE east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south Pacific Flyway 26E Spur to U.S. 20, west on U.S. 20 to along U.S. 183 to I-40, east along I-40 to Arizona—Game Management Units NE 12, west on NE 12 to the Knox/Keya U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to OK 33, (GMU) as follows: Paha County line, south along the west along OK 33 to I-35, north along I- South Zone: Those portions of GMUs county line to the Niobrara River and 35 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to U.S. 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and GMUs along the Niobrara River to U.S. 183 (the 64, west along U.S. 64 to OK 132, then 10 and 12B-45. High Plains Zone line). Where the north along OK 132 to the Kansas North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions Niobrara River forms the boundary, both border. of GMUs 6 and 8 within Coconino banks will be in Zone 1. Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A. Low Plains Zone 2: That portion of Oklahoma. California the State east of the High Plains Zone South Dakota Northeastern Zone: That portion of and bounded by designated highways High Plains Unit: That portion of the the State east and north of a line and political boundaries starting on U.S. State west of a line beginning at the beginning at the Oregon border; south 73 at the Kansas border, north to NE 67, North Dakota border and extending and west along the Klamath River to the north to U.S. 75, north to NE 2, west to south along U.S. 83 to U.S. 14, east mouth of Shovel Creek; south along NE 43, north to U.S. 34, east to NE 63; along U.S. 14 to Blunt-Canning Road in Shovel Creek to Forest Service Road north and west to U.S. 77; north to NE Blunt, south along Blunt-Canning Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 92; west to U.S. 81; south to NE 66; west to SD 34, east to SD 47, south to I-90, to FS 45N22; west and south along FS to NE 14; south to U.S. 34; west to NE east to SD 47, south to SD 49, south to 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; 2; south to I-80; west to Hamilton/Hall Colome and then continuing south on south and west along U.S. 97 to I-5 at County line (Gunbarrel Road), south to U.S. 183 to the Nebraska border. the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA Giltner Road; west to U.S. 34; west to North Zone: That portion of 89; east and south along CA 89 to the U.S. 136; east on U.S. 136 to NE 10; northeastern South Dakota east of the junction with CA 49; east and north on south to the State line; west to U.S. 283; High Plains Unit and north of a line CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. north to NE 23; west to NE 47; north to extending east along US 212 to SD 15, 395; south and east on U.S. 395 to the U.S. 30; east to NE 14; north to NE 52; then north along SD 15 to Big Stone Nevada border. northeasterly to NE 91; west to U.S. 281, Lake at the Minnesota border. Colorado River Zone: Those portions north to NE 91 in Wheeler County, west South Zone: That portion of Gregory of San Bernardino, Riverside, and to U.S. 183; north to northerly boundary County east of SD 47, Charles Mix Imperial Counties east of a line of Loup County; east along the north County south of SD 44 to the Douglas extending from the Nevada border south boundaries of Loup, Garfield, and County line, south on SD 50 to Geddes, along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south Wheeler County; south along the east east on the Geddes Hwy. to U.S. 281, on a road known as ‘‘Aqueduct Road’’ Wheeler County line to NE 70; east on south on U.S. 281 and U.S. 18 to SD 50, in San Bernardino County through the NE 70 from Wheeler County to NE 14; south and east on SD 50 to Bon Homme town of Rice to the San Bernardino- south to NE 39; southeast to NE 22; east County line, the Counties of Bon Riverside County line; south on a road to U.S. 81; southeast to U.S. 30; east Homme, Yankton, and Clay south of SD known in Riverside County as the along U.S. 30 to U.S. 75, north along 50, and Union County south and west ‘‘Desert Center to Rice Road’’ to the U.S. 75 to the Washington/Burt County of SD 50 and I-29. town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on line; then east along the county line to Middle Zone: The remainder of South I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on the Iowa border. Dakota. this road to Wiley Well; southeast along Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50675 the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe, drainage; Gem; Gooding; Jerome; Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18); then Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee; Payette; north along Route 206 to its intersection on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except with Route 94: then west along Route 94 Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on that portion within the Minidoka to the tollbridge in Columbia; then north this road to U.S. 80; east seven miles on National Wildlife Refuge; Twin Falls; along the Pennsylvania State boundary U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; and Washington Counties. in the Delaware River to the beginning south on this paved road to the Mexican Nevada point. border at Algodones, Mexico. Lincoln and Clark County Zone: All of South - that portion of the State Southern Zone: That portion of Clark and Lincoln Counties. within a continuous line that runs west southern California (but excluding the Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom Colorado River Zone) south and east of remainder of Nevada. along Route 72 to the Garden State a line extending from the Pacific Ocean Oregon Parkway; then south along the Garden east along the Santa Maria River to CA Zone 1: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, State Parkway to Route 9; then south 166 near the City of Santa Maria; east on Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine, along Route 9 to Route 542; then west CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the Jackson, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion, along Route 542 to the Mullica River (at crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at Yamhill, Washington, Columbia, Pleasant Mills); then north (upstream) Tejon Pass; east and north along the Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, along the Mullica River to Route 206; crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow and then south along Route 206 to Route 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to Umatilla Counties. 536; then west along Route 536 to Route U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south Columbia Basin Mallard Management 322; then west along Route 322 to Route on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on CA 58 to Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla 55; then south along Route 55 to Route I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA Counties. 553 (Buck Road); then south along 127 to the Nevada border. Zone 2: The remainder of the State. Route 553 to Route 40; then east along Southern San Joaquin Valley Utah Route 40 to route 55; then south along Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache, Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman Tulare Counties and that portion of Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich, Avenue); then west along Route 552 to Kern County north of the Southern Salt Lake, Summit, Unitah, Utah, Carmel Road; then south along Carmel Zone. Wasatch, and Weber Counties and that Road to Route 49; then south along Balance-of-the-State Zone: The part of Toole County north of I-80. Route 49 to Route 50; then east along remainder of California not included in Zone 2: The remainder of Utah. Route 50 to Route 9; then south along the Northeastern, Southern, and Washington Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle City Colorado River Zones, and the Southern East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone. Crest Trail and east of the Big White the Atlantic Ocean; then north to the Idaho Salmon River in Klickitat County. beginning point. Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters Columbia Basin Mallard Management New York within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, Unit: Same as East Zone. Special Late Season Area for Canada including private inholdings; Bannock West Zone: All areas to the west of the Geese: that area of Chemung County County; Bingham County, except that East Zone. lying east of a continuous line extending portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir south along State Route 13 from the drainage; and Power County east of ID Geese Schuyler County line to State Route 17 37 and ID 39. and then south along Route 17 to the Atlantic Flyway Zone 2: Includes the following New York-Pennsylvania boundary; all of Counties or portions of Counties: Connecticut Tioga and Broome Counties; that area of Adams; Bear Lake; Benewah; Bingham Same zones as for ducks. Delaware, Sullivan, and Orange within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Maryland Counties lying southwest of a those portions of Blaine west of ID 75, Special Regular and Late Seasons for continuous line extending east along south and east of U.S. 93, and between Canada Geese: Allegheny, Carroll, State Route 17 from the Broome County ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 Frederick, Garrett, Washington counties line to U.S. Route 209 at Wurtsboro and outside the Silver Creek drainage; and the portion of Montgomery County then south along Route 209 to the New Bonner; Bonneville; Boundary; Butte; south of Interstate 270 and west of York-Pennsylvania boundary at Port Camas; Caribou except the Fort Hall Interstate 495 to the Potomac River. Jervis, excluding areas on or within 50 Indian Reservation; Cassia within the Massachusetts yards of the Delaware River between the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Special Area for Canada Geese: confluence of the West Branch and East Clark; Clearwater; Custer; Elmore within Central Zone (same as for ducks) and Branch below Hancock and the mouth the Camas Creek drainage; Franklin; that portion of the Coastal Zone that lies of the Shingle Kill (3 miles upstream Fremont; Idaho; Jefferson; Kootenai; north of route 139 from Green Harbor. from Port Jervis); that area of Orange, Latah; Lemhi; Lewis; Madison; Nez New Hampshire Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and Perce; Oneida; Power within the Same zones as for ducks. Westchester Counties lying southeast of Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; New Jersey a continuous line extending north along Shoshone; Teton; and Valley Counties. Special Area for Canada Geese: Route 17 from the New York-New Jersey Zone 3: Includes the following North - that portion of the State boundary at Suffern to Interstate Route Counties or portions of Counties: Ada; within a continuous line that runs east 87, then north along Route 87 to Blaine between ID 75 and U.S. 93 south along the New York State boundary line Interstate Route 84, then east along of U.S. 20 and that additional area to the Hudson River; then south along Route 84 to the northern boundary of between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. the New York State boundary to its Putnam County, then east along that 20 within the Silver Creek drainage; intersection with Route 440 at Perth boundary to the New York-Connecticut Boise; Canyon; Cassia except within the Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its boundary; that area of Nassau and Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; intersection with Route 287; then west Suffolk Counties lying north of State Elmore except the Camas Creek along Route 287 to its intersection with Route 25A and west of a continuous line 50676 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations extending northward from State Route Canada Goose Area: Statewide except those portions of LaSalle and Will 25A along Randall Road (near for Clarendon County and that portion Counties south of Interstate Highway 80. Shoreham) to North Country Road, then of Lake Marion in Orangeburg County South Zone: east to Sound Road and then north to and Berkeley County. Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Long Island Sound and then due north Virginia Alexander, Jackson, Union, and to the New York-Connecticut boundary. Regular and Special Late Season Area Williamson Counties. Regular Season Area in Southwest for for Canada Geese: All areas west of I-95. Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Canada Geese: all of Allegany, Back Bay Area—Defined for white Jefferson Counties. Cattaraugus, and Chautaugua Counties; geese as the waters of Back Bay and its Indiana that area of Erie, Wyoming and Niagara tributaries and the marshes adjacent Same zones as for ducks, but in Counties lying south and west of a thereto, and on the land and marshes addition: continuous line extending from the between Back Bay and the Atlantic SJBP Zone: Jasper, LaGrange, LaPorte, Rainbow Bridge below Niagara Falls, Ocean from Sandbridge to the North Starke, and Steuben Counties, and that north along the Robert Moses Parkway Carolina line, and on and along the portion of the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and to US Route 62A, then east along Route shore of North Landing River and the Wildlife Area in Pulaski County. 62A to US Route 62, then southeast marshes adjacent thereto, and on and Iowa along US Route 62 to Interstate Route along the shores of Binson Inlet Lake Same zones as for ducks. 290, then south along Route 290 to Exit (formerly known as Lake Tecumseh) Kentucky 50 of the NYS Thruway, then east along and Red Wing Lake and the marshes Western Zone: That portion of the the Thruway to Exit 49, then south adjacent thereto. State west of a line beginning at the along NYS Route 78 to State Route 20 West Virginia Tennessee border at Fulton and in Depew, then east along Route 20 to Same zones as for ducks. extending north along the Purchase Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east State Route 77 in Darien Center, then Mississippi Flyway south along Route 77 to Java Center, along I-24 to U.S. Highway 641, north then south along State Route 98 to the Alabama along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast Cattaraugus County line; and that area Same zones as for ducks, but in along U.S. 60 to the Henderson County of Steuben and Chemung Counties lying addition: line, then south, east, and northerly south of State Route 17. SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan along the Henderson County line to the North Carolina County east of U.S. Highway 31, north Indiana border. Regular Season for Canada Geese: of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. Ballard Reporting Area: That area Statewide, except for Northampton 231; that portion of Limestone County encompassed by a line beginning at the County and the Northeast Hunt Unit - south of U.S. 72; and that portion of northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Counties of Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Madison County south of Swancott Ballard County and extending westward Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Road and west of Triana Road. to the middle of the Mississippi River, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington. Arkansas north along the Mississippi River and Pennsylvania East Zone: Arkansas, Ashley, Chicot, along the low-water mark of the Ohio Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties: All Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, River on the Illinois shore to the of Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties. Desha, Drew, Greene, Independence, Ballard-McCracken County line, south Regular Season Area for Canada Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lee, along the county line to Kentucky Geese: Area from New York State line Lincoln, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Highway 358, south along Kentucky 358 west of U.S. Route 220 to intersection of Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie, Pulaski, to U.S. Highway 60 at LaCenter; then I-180, west of I-180 to intersection of SR Randolph, St. Francis, White, and southwest along U.S. 60 to the northeast 147, west of SR 147 to intersection of Woodruff Counties. city limits of Wickliffe. U.S. Route 322, west of U.S. Route 322 West Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Henderson-Union Reporting Area: to intersection of I-81, west of I-81 to Carroll, Cleburne, Conway, Crawford, Henderson County and that portion of intersection of I-83, west of I-83 to I-283, Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Izard, Union County within the Western Zone. west of I-283 to SR 441, west of SR 441 Johnson, Madison, Marion, Newton, Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, to U.S. Route 30, west of U.S. Route 30 Pope, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and Warren to I-83, west of I-83 to Maryland State and Washington Counties, and those Counties and all counties lying west to line, except for the Counties of Erie, portions of Logan, Perry, Sebastian, and the boundary of the Western Goose Mercer, Butler, and Crawford. Yell Counties lying north of a line Zone. Special Late Season Area for Canada extending east from the Oklahoma Michigan Geese: Same as Regular Season Area and border along State Highway 10 to Perry, Same zones as for ducks, but in the area from New York State line east south on State 9 to State 60, then east addition: of U.S. Route 220 to intersection of I- on State 60 to the Faulkner County line. South Zone 180, east of I-180 to intersection of SR Illinois Tuscola/Huron Goose Management 147, east of SR 147 to intersection of Same zones as for ducks, but in Unit (GMU): Those portions of Tuscola U.S. Route 322, east of Route 322 to addition: and Huron Counties bounded on the intersection of I-81, north of I-81 to North Zone: south by Michigan Highway 138 and intersection of I-80, north of I-80 to New Northern Illinois Quota Zone: The Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood Jersey State line. Counties of McHenry, Lake, Kane, and Bay Port Roads, on the north by Rhode Island DuPage, and those portions of LaSalle Kilmanagh Road and a line extending Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Will Counties north of Interstate directly west off the end of Kilmanagh and Providence Counties and portions Highway 80. Road into Saginaw Bay to the west of the towns of Exeter and North Central Zone: boundary, and on the west by the Kingston within Washington County Central Illinois Quota Zone: The Tuscola-Bay County line and a line (see State regulations for detailed Counties of Grundy, Woodford, Peoria, extending directly north off the end of descriptions). Knox, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, Cass, the Tuscola-Bay County line into South Carolina Morgan, Pike, Calhoun, and Jersey, and Saginaw Bay to the north boundary. Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50677

Allegan County GMU: That area (CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west the intersection of State Trunk Highway encompassed by a line beginning at the along CSAH 30 to County Road 70 in (STH) 55 and STH 28 and extending junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Lac qui Parle County, west along County east along STH 28 to County State Aid Highway 196 in Lake Town Township 70 to the western boundary of the State, Highway (CSAH) 33 in Pope County, and extending easterly along 136th north along the western boundary of the north along CSAH 33 to CSAH 3 in Avenue to Michigan Highway 40, State to a point due south of the Douglas County, north along CSAH 3 to southerly along Michigan 40 through intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7 in CSAH 69 in Otter Tail County, north the city of Allegan to 108th Avenue in Big Stone County, and continuing due along CSAH 69 to CSAH 46 in Otter Tail Trowbridge Township, westerly along north to said intersection, then north County, east along CSAH 46 to the 108th Avenue to 46th Street, northerly along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone eastern boundary of Otter Tail County, 1/2 mile along 46th Street to 109th County, east along CSAH 6 to CSAH 21 north along the east boundary of Otter Avenue, westerly along 109th Avenue to in Big Stone County, south along CSAH Tail County to CSAH 40 in Otter Tail I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly 21 to CSAH 10 in Big Stone County, east County, west along CSAH 40 to CSAH along I-196 to the point of beginning. along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift 75 in Otter Tail County, north along Saginaw County GMU: That portion County, east along CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 CSAH 75 to STH 210, west along STH of Saginaw County bounded by in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to 210 to STH 108, north along STH 108 Michigan Highway 46 on the north; U.S. 12, east along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 to CSAH 1 in Otter Tail County, west Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 along CSAH 1 to CSAH 14 in Otter Tail on the south; and Michigan 13 on the to CSAH 9 in Chippewa County, south County, north along CSAH 14 to CSAH east. along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along 44 in Otter Tail County, west along Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That STH 40 to STH 29, then south along CSAH 44 to CSAH 35 in Otter Tail portion of Muskegon County within the STH 29 to the point of beginning. County, north along CSAH 35 to STH boundaries of the Muskegon County Lac qui Parle Zone: That area 108, west along STH 108 to CSAH 19 in wastewater system, east of the encompassed by a line beginning at the Wilkin County, south along CSAH 19 to Muskegon State Game Area, in sections intersection of U.S. Highway 212 and STH 55, then southeast along STH 55 to 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, and 32, County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 27 in the point of beginning. T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, Lac qui Parle County and extending Missouri 12, 13, 14, 24, and 25, T10N R15W, as north along CSAH 27 to CSAH 20 in Lac Same zones as for ducks but in posted. qui Parle County, west along CSAH 20 addition: Special Canada Goose Seasons: to State Trunk Highway (STH) 40, north North Zone Southern Michigan GMU: That along STH 40 to STH 119, north along Swan Lake Zone: That area bounded portion of the State, including the Great STH 119 to CSAH 34 in Lac qui Parle by U.S. Highway 36 on the north, Lakes and interconnecting waterways County, west along CSAH 34 to CSAH Missouri Highway 5 on the east, and excluding the Allegan County 19 in Lac qui Parle County, north and Missouri 240 and U.S. 65 on the south, GMU, south of a line beginning at the west along CSAH 19 to CSAH 38 in Lac and U.S. 65 on the west. Ontario border at the Bluewater Bridge qui Parle County, west along CSAH 38 Middle Zone in the city of Port Huron and extending to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to STH westerly and southerly along Interstate 7, east along STH 7 to CSAH 6 in Swift Schell-Osage Zone: That portion of Highway 94 to I-69, westerly along I-69 County, east along CSAH 6 to County the State encompassed by a line to Michigan Highway 21, westerly along Road 65 in Swift County, south along extending east from the Kansas border Michigan 21 to I-96, northerly along I- County 65 to County 34 in Chippewa along U.S. Highway 54 to Missouri 96 to I-196, westerly along I-196 to Lake County, south along County 34 to CSAH Highway 13, north along Missouri 13 to Michigan Drive (M-45) in Grand Rapids, 12 in Chippewa County, east along Missouri 7, west along Missouri 7 to westerly along Lake Michigan Drive to CSAH 12 to CSAH 9 in Chippewa U.S. 71, north along U.S. 71 to Missouri the Lake Michigan shore, then directly County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 7, 2, then west along Missouri 2 to the west from the end of Lake Michigan southeast along STH 7 to Montevideo Kansas border. Drive to the Wisconsin border. and along the municipal boundary of Ohio Central Michigan GMU: That portion Montevideo to U.S. 212; then west along Same zones as for ducks but in of the South Zone north of the Southern U.S. 212 to the point of beginning. addition: Michigan GMU, excluding the Tuscola/ Northwest Zone: That portion of the North Zone Huron GMU, Saginaw County GMU, state encompassed by a line extending Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning and Muskegon Wastewater GMU. east from the North Dakota border along Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded Minnesota U.S. Highway 2 to State Trunk Highway on the north by County Road 306 West Zone: That portion of the state (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH (known as Woodward Road), on the encompassed by a line beginning at the 92, east along STH 92 to County State west by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, the south by U.S. Highway 322. 60 and the Iowa border, then north and north along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Lake Erie SJBP Zone: That portion of east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, Pennington County, north along CSAH the State encompassed by a line north along U.S. 71 to Interstate 27 to STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH extending south from the Michigan Highway 94, then north and west along 28 in Pennington County, north along border along Interstate Highway 75 to I- I-94 to the North Dakota border. CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall 280, south along I-280 to I-80, and east West Central Zone: That area County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH along I-80 to the Pennsylvania border. encompassed by a line beginning at the 9 in Roseau County, north along CSAH Tennessee intersection of State Trunk Highway 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH Southwest Zone: That portion of the (STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and 310, and north along STH 310 to the State south of State Highways 20 and extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S. Manitoba border. 104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and 59, south along U.S. 59 to STH 67, west Special Canada Goose Seasons: 45W. along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone: That Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion and U.S. 75 to County State Aid Highway area encompassed by a line beginning at Weakley Counties and those portions of 50678 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

Gibson and Dyer Counties not included Mississippi River Subzone: That area Central Flint Hills Unit: That area in the Southwest Tennessee Zone. encompassed by a line beginning at the southwest of Topeka bounded by Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That intersection of the Burlington Northern Highways U.S. 75 to I-35, I-35 to U.S. portion of the State bounded on the Railway and the Illinois border in Grant 50, U.S. 50 to U.S. 77, U.S. 77 to I-70, west by the eastern boundaries of the County and extending northerly along I-70 to U.S. 75. Northwest and Southwest Zones and on the Burlington Northern Railway to the Southeast Unit: That area of southeast the east by State Highway 13 from the city limit of Prescott in Pierce County, Kansas bounded by the Missouri border Alabama border to Clarksville and U.S. then west along the Prescott city limit to U.S. 160, U.S. 160 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 Highway 79 from Clarksville to the to the Minnesota border. to KS 39, KS 39 to U.S. 169, U.S. 169 Kentucky border. Rock Prairie Subzone: That area to the Oklahoma border, and the Wisconsin encompassed by a line beginning at the Oklahoma border to the Missouri Horicon Zone: That area encompassed intersection of the Illinois border and border. by a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate Highway 90 and extending Montana (Central Flyway Portion) State Highway 21 and the Fox River in north along I-90 to County Highway A, Sheridan County: Includes all of Winnebago County and extending east along County A to U.S. Highway 12, Sheridan County. westerly along State 21 to the west southeast along U.S. 12 to State Remainder: Includes the remainder of boundary of Winnebago County, Highway 50, west along State 50 to State the Central Flyway portion of Montana. southerly along the west boundary of 120, then south along 120 to the Illinois Nebraska Winnebago County to the north border. Dark Geese North Unit: Keya Paha County east of boundary of Green Lake County, Central Flyway U.S. 183 and all of Boyd County, westerly along the north boundaries of Colorado (Central Flyway Portion) Green Lake and Marquette Counties to including the boundary waters of the Northern Front Range Area: All lands Niobrara River, all of Knox County and State 22, southerly along State 22 to in Adams, Boulder, Clear Creek, Denver, State 33, westerly along State 33 to U.S. that portion of Cedar County west of Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld U.S. 81. Highway 16, westerly along U.S. 16 to Counties west of I-25 from the Wyoming Weyh Road, southerly along Weyh Road East Unit: The area east of a line border south to I-70; west on I-70 to the beginning at U.S. 183 at the northern to County Highway O, southerly along Continental Divide; north along the County O to the west boundary of State line; south to NE 2; east to U.S. Continental Divide to the Jackson- 281; south to the southern State line, Section 31, southerly along the west Larimer County Line to the Wyoming boundary of Section 31 to the Sauk/ excluding the North Unit. border. West Unit: All of Nebraska west of the Columbia County boundary, southerly South Park/San Luis Valley Area: East Unit. along the Sauk/Columbia County Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Light Geese boundary to State 33, easterly along Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Teller, and Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area State 33 to Interstate Highway 90/94, Rio Grande Counties and those portions (West): The area bounded by the southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache junction of U.S. 283 and U.S. 30 at easterly along State 60 to State 83, Counties east of the Continental Divide. Lexington, east on U.S. 30 to U.S. 281, northerly along State 83 to State 175, North Park Area: Jackson County. south on U.S. 281 to NE 4, west on NE Arkansas Valley Area: Baca, Bent, northerly along State 175 to State 33, 4 to U.S. 34, continue west on U.S. 34 Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway to U.S. 283, then north on U.S. 283 to Counties. 45, northerly along U.S. 45 to the east the beginning. shore of the Fond Du Lac River, Pueblo County Area: Pueblo County. Remainder: Remainder of the Central Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area northerly along the east shore of the (East): The area bounded by the junction Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago, Flyway portion of Colorado. Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose of U.S. 281 and NS 30 at Grand Island, northerly along the western shoreline of north and east on U.S. 30 to NE 92, east Lake Winnebago to the Fox River, then Area: that portion of the State east of Interstate Highway 25. on NE 92 to NE 15, south on NE 15 to westerly along the Fox River to State 21. NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 281, north Collins Zone: That area encompassed Kansas Light Geese on U.S. 281 to the beginning. by a line beginning at the intersection of Unit 1: That portion of Kansas east of Remainder of State: The remainder Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in a line beginning at the intersection of portion of Nebraska. Manitowoc County and extending the Nebraska border and KS 99, New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion) westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty extending south along KS 99 to I-70 to Dark Geese Dumpty Road, southerly along Humpty U.S. 75, south on U.S. 75 to U.S. 54, Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road, west on U.S. 54 to KS 99, and then County and that portion of Socorro easterly and southerly along Poplar south on KS 99 to the Oklahoma border. County lying south of the Sevilleta Grove Road to County Highway JJ, Unit 2: The remainder of Kansas, National Wildlife Refuge Boundary. southeasterly along County JJ to Collins lying west of Unit 1. Remainder: The remainder of the Road, southerly along Collins Road to Dark Geese Central Flyway portion of New Mexico. the Manitowoc River, southeasterly Marais des Cygne Valley Unit: The North Dakota along the Manitowoc River to Quarry area is bounded by the Missouri border Dark Geese Road, northerly along Quarry Road to to KS 68, KS 68 to U.S 169, U.S. 169 to Missouri River Zone: That area Einberger Road, northerly along KS 7, KS 7 to KS 31, KS 31 to U.S. 69, encompassed by a line extending from Einberger Road to Moschel Road, U.S. 69 to KS 239, KS 239 to the the South Dakota border north on U.S. westerly along Moschel Road to Collins Missouri border. 83 and I-94 to ND 41, north to ND 53, Marsh Road, northerly along Collins South Flint Hills Unit: The area is west to U.S. 83, north to ND 23, west to Marsh Road to Hilltop Road. bounded by Highways U.S. 50 to KS 57, ND 37, south to ND 1804, south Exterior Zone: That portion of the KS 57 to U.S. 75, U.S. 75 to KS 39, KS approximately 9 miles to Elbowoods State not included in the Horicon or 39 to KS 96, KS 96 to U.S. 77, U.S. 77 Bay on Lake Sakakawea, south and west Collins Zones. to U.S. 50. across the lake to ND 8, south to ND Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50679

200, east to ND 31, south to ND 25, town of Rice to the San Bernardino- San Joaquin Valley Area: That area south to I-94, east to ND 6, south to the Riverside County line; south on a road bounded by a line beginning at Modesto South Dakota border, and east to the known in Riverside County as the in Stanislaus County proceeding west point of origin. ‘‘Desert Center to Rice Road’’ to the on CA 132 to I-5; southerly on I-5 to CA Statewide: All of North Dakota. town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on 152 in Merced County; easterly on CA South Dakota I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 152 to CA 165; northerly on CA 165 to Dark Geese this road to Wiley Well; southeast along CA 99 at Merced; northerly and westerly Unit 1: Statewide except for Units 2 the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe, on CA 99 to the point of beginning. and 3. Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion) Unit 2: Brule, Buffalo, Campbell, on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dewey, Hughes, Hyde, Lyman, Potter, Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on Dolores, Gunnison, LaPlata, Stanley, Sully, and Walworth Counties this road to U.S. 80; east seven miles on Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and that portion of Corson County east U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; and San Miguel Counties and those of State Highway 65. south on this paved road to the Mexican portions of Hinsdale, Mineral and Unit 3: Charles Mix and Gregory border at Algodones, Mexico. Saguache Counties west of the Counties. Southern Zone: That portion of Continental Divide. Texas southern California (but excluding the State Area: The remainder of the West Unit: That portion of the State Colorado River Zone) south and east of Pacific-Flyway Portion of Colorado. lying west of a line from the a line extending from the Pacific Ocean Idaho international toll bridge at Laredo; north east along the Santa Maria River to CA Zone 1: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, along I-35 and I-35W to Fort Worth; 166 near the City of Santa Maria; east on Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, northwest along US 81 and US 287 to CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Bowie; and north along US 81 to the crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at Counties. Oklahoma border. Tejon Pass; east and north along the Zone 2: The Counties of Ada; Adams; East Unit: Remainder of State. crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA Boise; Canyon; those portions of Elmore Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion) 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to north and east of I-84, and south and Area 1: Converse, Hot Springs, U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south west of I-84, west of ID 51, except the Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on CA 58 to Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Owyhee that portion of Park County south of I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA west of ID 51; Payette; Valley; and T58N. 127 to the Nevada border. Area 2: Platte County. Balance-of-the-State Zone: The Washington. Area 3: Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, remainder of California not included in Zone 3: The Counties of Blaine; Crook, Fremont, Johnson, Laramie, the Northeastern, Southern, and the Camas; Cassia; those portions of Elmore Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston Colorado River Zones. south of I-84 east of ID 51, and within Counties and those portions of Carbon Del Norte and Humboldt Area: The the Camas Creek drainage; Gooding; County east of the Continental Divide Counties of Del Norte and Humboldt. Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee east and Park County north of T58N. Sacramento Valley Area: That area of ID 51; Power within the Minidoka Area 4: Goshen County. bounded by a line beginning at Willows National Wildlife Refuge; and Twin in Glenn County proceeding south on I- Falls. Pacific Flyway 5 to Hahn Road north of Arbuckle in Zone 4: The Counties of Bear Lake; Arizona Colusa County; easterly on Hahn Road Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir GMU 22 and 23: Game Management and the Grimes Arbuckle Road to drainage; Bonneville, Butte; Caribou Units 22 and 23. Grimes on the Sacramento River; except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Remainder of State: The remainder of southerly on the Sacramento River to Clark; Custer; Franklin; Fremont; Arizona. the Tisdale Bypass to O’Banion Road; Jefferson; Lemhi; Madison; Oneida; California easterly on O’Banion Road to CA 99; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except Northeastern Zone: That portion of northerly on CA 99 to the Gridley- the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; the State east and north of a line Colusa Highway in Gridley in Butte and Teton. beginning at the Oregon border; south County; westerly on the Gridley-Colusa Zone 5: All lands and waters within and west along the Klamath River to the Highway to the River Road; northerly on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, mouth of Shovel Creek; south along the River Road to the Princeton Ferry; including private inholdings; Bannock Shovel Creek to Forest Service Road westerly across the Sacramento River to County; Bingham County, except that 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 CA 45; northerly on CA 45 to CA 162; portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir to FS 45N22; west and south along FS northerly on CA 45-162 to Glenn; drainage; and Power County east of ID 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; westerly on CA 162 to the point of 37 and ID 39. south and west along U.S. 97 to I-5 at beginning in Willows. In addition, goose frameworks are set the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA Western Canada Goose Hunt Area: by the following geographical areas: 89; east and south along CA 89 to the That portion of the above described Northern Unit: Benewah, Bonner, junction with CA 49; east and north on Sacramento Valley Area lying east of a Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. line formed by Butte Creek from the Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone 395; south and east on U.S. 395 to the Gridley-Colusa Highway south to the Counties. Nevada border. Cherokee Canal; easterly along the Southwestern Unit: That area west of Colorado River Zone: Those portions Cherokee Canal and North Butte Road to the line formed by U.S. 93 north from of San Bernardino, Riverside, and West Butte Road; southerly on West the Nevada border to Shoshone, Imperial Counties east of a line Butte Road to Pass Road; easterly on northerly on ID 75 (formerly U.S. 93) to extending from the Nevada border south Pass Road to West Butte Road; southerly Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on West Butte Road to CA 20; and Montana border (except the Northern on a road known as ‘‘Aqueduct Road’’ westerly along CA 20 to the Sacramento Unit and except Custer and Lemhi in San Bernardino County through the River. Counties). 50680 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

Southeastern Unit: That area east of Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Washington-Oregon border on the I-5 the line formed by U.S. 93 north from Grant, Baker, Union, and Wallowa Bridge near Vancouver, Washington; the Nevada border to Shoshone, Counties. north on I-5 to Kelso; west on Highway northerly on ID 75 (formerly U.S. 93) to Harney, Klamath, Lake and Malheur 4 from Kelso to Highway 401; south and Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Counties Zone: All of Harney, Klamath, west on Highway 401 to Highway 101 Montana border, including all of Custer Lake, and Malheur Counties. at the Astoria-Megler Bridge; west on and Lemhi Counties. Utah Highway 101 to Gray Drive in the City Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion) Washington County Zone: All of of Ilwaco; west on Gray Drive to Canby East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific Washington County. Road; southwest on Canby Road to the Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The Flyway portion of the State located east North Jetty; southwest on the North Jetty remainder of Utah. of the Continental Divide. to its end; southeast to the Washington- West of the Divide Zone: The Washington Eastern Washington: All areas east of Oregon border; upstream along the remainder of the Pacific Flyway portion Washington-Oregon border to the point of Montana. the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big of origin. Nevada White Salmon River in Klickitat County. Lincoln Clark County Zone: All of Area 1: Lincoln, Spokane, and Walla Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion): Lincoln and Clark Counties Walla Counties; that part of Grant See State Regulations. Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The County east of a line beginning at the Bear River Area: That portion of remainder of Nevada. Douglas-Lincoln County line on WA Lincoln County described in State New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion) 174, southwest on WA 174 to WA 155, regulations. North Zone: The Pacific Flyway south on WA 155 to US 2, southwest on portion of New Mexico located north of US 2 to Pinto Ridge Road, south on Salt River Area: That portion of I-40. Pinto Ridge Road to WA 28, east on WA Lincoln County described in State South Zone: The Pacific Flyway 28 to the Stratford Road, south on the regulations. portion of New Mexico located south of Stratford Road to WA 17, south on WA Eden-Farson Area: Those portions of I-40. 17 to the Grant-Adams County line; Sweetwater and Sublette Counties Oregon those parts of Adams County east of described in State regulations. Southwest Zone: Douglas, Coos, State Highway 17; those parts of Curry, Josephine and Jackson Counties. Franklin County east and south of a line Swans Northwest Special Permit Zone: That beginning at the Adams-Franklin Central Flyway portion of western Oregon west and County line on WA 17, south on WA 17 north of a line running south from the to US 395, south on US 395 to I-182, South Dakota: Beadle, Brookings, Columbia River in Portland along I-5 to west o I-182 to the Franklin-Benton Brown, Campbell, Clark, Codington, OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to County line; those parts of Benton Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, the Stayton Cutoff; then south on the County south of I-182 and I-82; and Hamlin, Hand, Hughes, Hyde, Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south those parts of Klickitat County east of Kingsbury, Marshall, McPherson, Potter, to the Santiam River; then west along U.S. Highway 97. Roberts, Spink, Sully, and Walworth the north shore of the Santiam River to Area 2: All of Okanongan, Douglas, Counties. I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at and Kittitas Counties and those parts of Eugene; then west on OR 126 to Grant, Adams, Franklin, and Benton Pacific Flyway Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill Counties not included in Eastern Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion) Road to Crow Road; then west on Crow Washington Goose Management Area 1. Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on Area 3: All other parts of eastern Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill, Territorial Hwy to OR 126; then west on Washington not included in Eastern Liberty, and Toole Counties and those OR 126 to OR 36; then north on OR 36 Washington Goose Management Areas 1 portions of Pondera and Teton Counties to Forest Road 5070 at Brickerville; then and 2. lying east of U.S. 287–89. west and south on Forest Road 5070 to Western Washington: All areas west Nevada OR 126; then west on OR 126 to the of the East Zone. Pacific Coast. Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Northwest Zone: Those portions of Counties. Pershing Counties. Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, Area 2: Clark, except portions south of Utah Multnomah, and Washington Counties the Washougal River, Cowlitz, Pacific, Open Area: Those portions of Box, outside of the Northwest Special Permit and Wahkiakum Counties. Zone. Area 3: All parts of western Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Closed Zone: Those portions of Coos, Washington not included in Western Toole Counties lying south of State Hwy Curry, Douglas and Lane Counties west Washington Goose Management Areas 1 30, I-80/84, west of I-15, and north of I- of US 101. and 2. 80. Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Lower Columbia River Early-Season [FR Doc. 97–25517 Filed 9–25–97; 8:45 am] Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla, Canada Goose Zone: Beginning at the BILLING CODE 4310±55±F