50 C.F.R. PART 21—MIGRATORY BIRD PERMITS
Title 50 - Wildlife and Fisheries
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703–712; Pub. L. 106–108; 16 U.S.C. 668a.
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45986, Aug. 10, 2006. Source: 39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, unless otherwise noted.
The regulations contained in this part supplement the general permit regulations of part 13 of this subchapter with respect to permits for the taking, possession, transporation, sale, purchase, barter, importation, exportation, and banding or marking of migratory birds. This part also provides certain exceptions to permit requirements for public, scientific, or educational institutions, and establishes depredation orders which provide limited exceptions to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703–712). [54 FR 38150, Sept. 14, 1989] (a) Migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs, lawfully acquired prior to the effective date of Federal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703–712) may be possessed or transported without a permit, but may not be imported, exported, purchased, sold, bartered, or offered for purchase, sale or barter, and all shipments of such birds must be marked as provided by part 14 of this subchapter: Provide, no exemption from any statute or regulation shall accrue to any offspring of such migratory birds. (b) This part, except for §21.12(a), (c), and (d) (general permit exceptions); §21.22 (banding or marking); §21.29 (Federal falconry standards); and §21.31 (rehabilitation), does not apply to the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) or the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), for which regulations are provided in part 22 of this subchapter. (c) The provisions of this part are in addition to, and are not in lieu of other regulations of this subchapter B which may require a permit or prescribe additional restrictions or conditions for the importation, exportation, and interstate transportation of wildlife (see also part 13). [39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 46 FR 42680, Aug. 24, 1981; 68 FR 61137, Oct. 27, 2003]
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45986, Aug. 10, 2006. In addition to definitions contained in part 10 of this chapter, and unless the context requires otherwise, as used in this part: Bred in captivity or captive-bred refers to raptors, including eggs, hatched in captivity from parents that mated or otherwise transferred gametes in captivity. Captivity means that a live raptor is held in a controlled environment that is intensively manipulated by man for the purpose of producing raptors of selected species, and that has boundaries designed to prevent raptors, eggs or gametes of the selected species from entering or leaving the controlled environment. General characteristics of captivity may include, but are not limited to, artificial housing, waste removal, health care, protection from predators, and artificially supplied food. Falconry means the sport of taking quarry by means of a trained raptor. Raptor means a live migratory bird of the Order Falconiformes or the Order Strigiformes, other than a bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) or a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). Resident Canada geese means Canada geese that nest within the conterminous United States and/or Canada geese which reside within the conterminous United States during the months of June, July, or August. Service or we means the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior. [48 FR 31607, July 8, 1983, as amended at 64 FR 32774, June 17, 1999] (a) The Office of Management and Budget approved the information collection requirements contained in this part 21 under 44 U.S.C. 3507 and assigned OMB Control Number 1018–0022. The Service may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. We are collecting this information to provide information necessary to evaluate permit applications. We will use this information to review permit applications and make decisions, according to criteria established in the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, 16 U.S.C. 703–712 and its regulations, on the issuance, suspension, revocation, or denial of permits. You must respond to obtain or retain a permit. (b) We estimate the public reporting burden for these reporting requirements to vary from 15 minutes to 4 hours per response, with an average of 0.803 hours per response, including time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and completing and reviewing the forms. Direct comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of these reporting requirements to the Service Information Collection Control Officer, MS–222 ARLSQ, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC 20240, or the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (1018–0022), Washington, DC 20603. [63 FR 52637, Oct. 1, 1998] No person may take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, purchase, or barter, any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such bird except as may be permitted under the terms of a valid permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this part and part 13 of this chapter, or as permitted by regulations in this part, or part 20 of this subchapter (the hunting regulations), or part 92 of subchapter G of this chapter (the Alaska subsistence harvest regulations). Birds taken or possessed under this part in “included areas” of Alaska as defined in §92.5(a) are subject to this part and not to part 92 of subchapter G of this chapter. [68 FR 43027, July 21, 2003] The following exceptions to the permit requirement are allowed. (a) Employees of the Department of the Interior authorized to enforce the provisions of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of July 3, 1918, as amended (40 Stat. 755; 16 U.S.C. 703–711), may, without a permit, take or otherwise acquire, hold in custody, transport, and dispose of migratory birds or their parts, nests, or eggs as necessary in performing their official duties. (b) State game departments, municipal game farms or parks, and public museums, public zoological parks, accredited institutional members of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA) and public scientific or educational institutions may acquire by gift or purchase, possess, transport, and by gift or sale dispose of lawfully acquired migratory birds or their progeny, parts, nests, or eggs without a permit: Provided, That such birds may be acquired only from persons authorized by this paragraph or by a permit issued pursuant to this part to possess and dispose of such birds, or from Federal or State game authorities by the gift of seized, condemned, r sick or injured birds. Any such birds, acquired without a permit, and any progeny therefrom may be disposed of only to persons authorized by this paragraph to acquire such birds without a permit. Any person exercising a privilege granted by this paragraph must keep accurate records of such operations showing the species and number of birds acquired, possessed, and disposed of; the names and addresses of the persons from whom such birds were acquired or to whom such birds were donated or sold; and the dates of such transactions. Records shall be maintained or reproducible in English on a calendar year basis and shall be retained for a period of five (5) years following the end of the calendar year covered by the records. (c) Employees of Federal, State, and local wildlife and land management agencies; employees of Federal, State, and local public health agencies; and laboratories under contract to such agencies may in the course of official business collect, possess, transport, and dispose of sick or dead migratory birds or their parts for analysis to confirm the presence of infectious disease. Nothing in this paragraph authorizes the take of uninjured or healthy birds without prior authorization from the Service. Additionally, nothing in this paragraph authorizes the taking, collection, or possession of migratory birds when circumstances indicate reasonable probability that death, injury, or disability was caused by factors other than infectious disease and/or natural toxins. These factors may include, but are not limited to, oil or chemical contamination, electrocution, shooting, or pesticides. If the cause of death of a bird is determined to be other than natural causes or disease, Service law enforcement officials must be contacted without delay. (d) Licensed veterinarians are not required to obtain a Federal migratory bird permit to temporarily possess, stabilize, or euthanize sick and injured migratory birds. However, a veterinarian without a migratory bird rehabilitation permit must transfer any such bird to a federally permitted migratory bird rehabilitator within 24 hours after the bird's condition is stabilized, unless the bird is euthanized. If a veterinarian is unable to locate a permitted rehabilitator within that time, the veterinarian must contact his or her Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office for assistance in locating a permitted migratory bird rehabilitator and/or to obtain authorization to continue to hold the bird. In addition, veterinarians must: (1) Notify the local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services Office immediately upon receiving a threatened or endangered migratory bird species. Contact information for Ecological Services offices can be located on the Internet at http://offices.fws.gov; (2) Euthanize migratory birds as required by §21.31(e)(4)(iii) and §21.31(e)(4)(iv), and dispose of dead migratory birds in accordance with §21.31(e)(4)(vi); and (3) Keep records for 5 years of all migratory birds that die while in their care, including those they euthanize. The records must include: the species of bird, the type of injury, the date of acquisition, the date of death, and whether the bird was euthanized. [39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 50 FR 8638, Mar. 4, 1985; 54 FR 38151, Sept. 14, 1989; 68 FR 61137, Oct. 27, 2003] Captive-reared and properly marked mallard ducks, alive or dead, or their eggs may be acquired, possessed, sold, traded, donated, transported, and disposed of by any person without a permit, subject to the following conditions, restrictions, and requirements: (a) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the taking of live mallard ducks or their eggs from the wild. (b) All mallard ducks possessed in captivity, without a permit, shall have been physically marked by at least one of the following methods prior to 6 weeks of age and all such ducks hatched, reared, and retained in captivity thereafter shall be so marked prior to reaching 6 weeks of age. (1) Removal of the hind toe from the right foot. (2) Pinioning of a wing: Provided, That this method shall be the removal of the metacarpal bones of one wing or a portion of the metacarpal bones which renders the bird permanently incapable of flight. (3) Banding of one metatarsus with a seamless metal band. (4) Tattooing of a readily discernible number or letter or combination thereof on the web of one foot. (c) When so marked, such live birds may be disposed of to, or acquired from, any person and possessed and transferred in any number at any time or place: Provided, That all such birds shall be physically marked prior to sale or disposal regardless of whether or not they have attained 6 weeks of age. (d) When so marked, such live birds may be killed, in any number, at any time or place, by any means except shooting. Such birds may be killed by shooting only in accordance with all applicable hunting regulations governing the taking of mallard ducks from the wild: Provided, That such birds may be killed by shooting, in any number, at any time, within the confines of any premises operated as a shooting preserve under State license, permit, or authorization; or they may be shot, in any number, at any time or place, by any person for bona fide dog training or field trial purposes: Provided further, That the provisions: (1) The hunting regulations (part 20 of this subchapter), with the exception of §20.108 (Nontoxic shot zones), and (2) The Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act (duck stamp requirement) shall not apply to shooting preserve operations as provided for in this paragraph, or to bona fide dog training or field trial operations. (e) At all times during possession, transportation, and storage until the raw carcasses of such birds are finally processed immediately prior to cooking, smoking, or canning, the marked foot or wing must remain attached to each carcass: Provided, That persons, who operate game farms or shooting preserves under a State license, permit, or authorization for such activities, may remove the marked foot or wing when either the number of his State license, permit, or authorization has first been legibly stamped in ink on the back of each carcass and on the container in which each carcass is maintained, or each carcass is identified by a State band on leg or wing pursuant to requirements of his State license, permit, or authorization. When properly marked, such carcasses may be disposed of to, or acquired from, any person and possessed and transported in any number at any time or place. [40 FR 28459, July 7, 1975, as amended at 46 FR 42680, Aug. 24, 1981; 54 FR 36798, Sept. 5, 1989] Any person may, without a permit, lawfully acquire captive-reared and properly marked migratory waterfowl of all species other than mallard ducks, alive or dead, or their eggs, and possess and transport such birds or eggs and any progeny or eggs therefrom solely for his own use subject to the following conditions and restrictions: (a) Such birds, alive or dead, or their eggs may be lawfully acquired only from holders of valid waterfowl sale and disposal permits, unless lawfully acquired outside of the United States, except that properly marked carcasses of such birds may also be lawfully acquired as provided under paragraph (c) of this section. (b) All progeny of such birds or eggs hatched, reared, and retained in captivity must be physically marked as defined in §21.13(b). (c) No such birds or eggs or any progeny or eggs thereof may be disposed of by any means, alive or dead, to any other person unless a waterfowl sale and disposal permit has first been secured authorizing such disposal: Provided, That bona fide clubs, hotels, restaurants, boarding houses, and dealers in meat and game may serve or sell to their customers the carcass of any such birds which they have acquired from the holder of a valid waterfowl sale and disposal permit. (d) Lawfully possessed and properly marked birds may be killed, in any number, at any time or place, by any means except shooting. Such birds may be killed by shooting only in accordance with all applicable hunting regulations governing the taking of like species from the wild. (See part 20 of this subchapter.) (e) At all times during possession, transportation, and storage until the raw carcasses of such birds are finally processed immediately prior to cooking, smoking, or canning, the marked foot or wing must remain attached to each carcass, unless such carcasses were marked as provided in §21.25(c)(4) and the foot or wing removed prior to acquisition. (f) When any such birds, alive or dead, or their eggs are acquired from a waterfowl sale and disposal permittee, the permittee shall furnish a copy of Form 3–186, Notice of Waterfowl Sale or Transfer, indicating all information required by the form and the method or methods by which individual birds are marked as required by §21.25(c)(2). The buyer shall retain the Form 3–186 on file for the duration of his possession of such birds or eggs or progeny or eggs thereof. [40 FR 28459, July 7, 1975, as amended at 46 FR 42680, Aug. 24, 1981] (a) Permit requirement. (1) Except for migratory game birds imported in accordance with the provisions of subpart G of part 20 of this subchapter B, an import permit is required before any migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs may be imported. (2) An export permit is required before any migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs may be exported: Provided, that captive-reared migratory game birds that are marked in compliance with the provisions of §21.13(b) may be exported to Canada or Mexico without a permit. Provided further, that raptors lawfully possessed under a falconry permit issued pursuant to §21.28 of this part may be exported to or imported from Canada or Mexico without a permit for the purposes of attending bona fide falconry meets, as long as the person importing or exporting the birds returns the same bird(s) to the country of export following any such meet. Nothing in this paragraph, however, exempts any person from the permit requirements of parts 17, 22, and 23 of this subchapter. (b) Application procedures. Applications for permits to import or export migratory birds shall be submitted to the appropriate issuing office (see §§10.22 and 13.11(b) of this subchapter). Each such application must contain the general information and certification required by §13.12(a)(5) of this subchapter plus the following additional information: (1) Whether importation or exportation is requested; (2) The species and numbers of migratory birds or their parts, nests, or eggs to be imported or exported; (3) The name and address of the person from whom such birds are being imported or to whom they are being exported; (4) The purpose of the importation or exportation; (5) The estimated date of arrival or departure of the shipment(s), and the port of entry or exit through which the shipment will be imported or exported; and (6) Federal and State permit numbers and type of permits authorizing possession, acquisition, or disposition of such birds, their parts, nests, or eggs where such a permit is required. (c) Additional permit conditions. In addition to the general conditions set forth in part 13 of this subchapter B, import and export permits shall be subject to any requirements set forth in the permit. (d) Term of permit. An import or export permit issued or renewed under this part expires on the date designated on the face of the permit unless amended or revoked, but the term of the permit shall not exceed three (3) years from the date of issuance or renewal. [54 FR 38151, Sept. 14, 1989] (a) Permit requirement. A banding or marking permit is required before any person may capture migratory birds for banding or marking purposes or use official bands issued by the Service for banding or marking any migratory bird. (b) Application procedures. Applications for banding or marking permits shall be submitted by letter of application addressed to the Bird Banding Laboratory, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, Maryland 20708. Each such application shall contain the general information and certification set forth by §13.12(a) of this subchapter plus the following additional information: (1) Species and numbers proposed to be banded or marked; (2) Purpose of banding or marking; (3) State or States in which authorization is requested; and (4) Name and address of the public, scientific, or educational institution to which any specimens will be donated that are salvaged pursuant to paragraphs (c) (3) and (4) of this section. (c) Additional permit conditions. Inaddition to the general conditions set forth in part 13 of this subchapter B, banding or marking permits shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) The banding of migratory birds shall only be by official numbered leg bands issued by the Service. The use of any other band, clip, dye, or other method of marking is prohibited unless specifically authorized in the permit. (2) All traps or nets used to capture migratory birds for banding or marking purposes shall have attached thereto a tag or label clearly showing the name and address of the permittee and his permit number, or the area in which such traps or nets are located must be posted with notice of banding operations posters (Form 3–1155, available upon request from the Bird Banding Laboratory, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Laurel, Md. 20708) which shall bear the name and address of the permittee and the number of his permit. (3) The holder of a banding or marking permit may salvage, for the purpose of donating to a public scientific or educational institution, birds killed or found dead as a result of the permittee's normal banding operations, and casualties from other causes. All dead birds salvaged under authority of a migratory bird banding or marking permit must be donated and transferred to a public scientific or educational institution at least every 6 months or within 60 days of the time such permit expires or is revoked, unless the permittee has been issued a special permit authorizing possession for a longer period of time. (4) Permittees must keep accurate records of their operations and file reports as set forth in the North American Bird Banding Manual, or supplements thereto, in accordance with instructions contained therein. (d) Term of permit. A banding or marking permit issued or renewed under this part expires on the date designated on the face of the permit unless amended or revoked, but the term of the permit shall not exceed three (3) years from the date of issuance or renewal. [39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 54 FR 38151, Sept. 14, 1989] (a) Permit requirement. A scientific collecting permit is required before any person may take, transport, or possess migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs for scientific research or educational purposes. (b) Application procedures. Submit applications for scientific permits to the appropriate Regional Director (Attention: Migratory bird permit office). You can find addresses for the Regional Directors in 50 CFR 2.2. Each application must contain the general information and certification required in §13.12(a) of this subchapter, and the following additional information: (1) Species and numbers of migratory birds or their parts, nests, or eggs to be taken or acquired when it is possible to determine same in advance; (2) Location or locations where such scientific collecting is proposed; (3) Statement of the purpose and justification for granting such a permit, including an outline of any research project involved; (4) Name and address of the public, scientific, or educational institution to which all specimens ultimately will be donated; and (5) If a State permit is required by State law, a statement as to whether or not the applicant possesses such State permit, giving its number and expiration date. (c) Additional permit conditions. In addition to the general conditions set forth in part 13 of this subchapter B, scientific collecting permits shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) All specimens taken and possessed under authority of a scientific collecting permit must be donated and transferred to the public scientific, or educational institution designated in the permit application within 60 days following the date such permit expires or is revoked, unless the permittee has been issued a special purpose permit (See §21.27) authorizing possession for a longer period of time. (2) Unless otherwise provided on the permit, all migratory game birds taken pursuant to a scientific collecting permit during the open hunting season for such birds must be in conformance with part 20 of this subchapter; (3) Unless specifically stated on the permit, a scientific collecting permit does not authorize the taking of live migratory birds from the wild. (4) In addition to any reporting requirement set forth in the permit, a report of the scientific collecting activities conducted under authority of such permit shall be submitted to the issuing officer on or before January 10 of each calendar year following the year of issue unless a different date is stated in the permit. (d) Term of permit. A scientific collecting permit issued or renewed under this part expires on the date designated on the face of the permit unless amended or revoked, but the term of the permit shall not exceed three (3) years from the date of issuance or renewal. [39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 54 FR 38151, Sept. 14, 1989; 63 FR 52637, Oct. 1, 1998] (a) Permit requirement. A taxidermist permit is required before any person may perform taxidermy services on migratory birds or their parts, nests, or eggs for any person other than himself. (b) Application procedures. Submit application for taxidermist permits to the appropriate Regional Director (Attention: Migratory bird permit office). You can find addresses for the Regional Directors in 50 CFR 2.2. Each application must contain the general information and certification required in §13.12(a) of this subchapter, and the following additional information: (1) The address of premises where taxidermist services will be provided; (2) A statement of the applicant's qualifications and experience as a taxidermist; and (3) If a State permit is required by State law, a statement as to whether or not the applicant possesses such State permit, giving its number and expiration date. (c) Permit authorizations. A permit authorizes a taxidermist to: (1) Receive, transport, hold in custody or possession, mount or otherwise prepare, migratory birds, and their parts, nests, or eggs, and return them to another. (2) Sell properly marked, captive reared migratory waterfowl which he has lawfully acquired and mounted. Such mounted birds may be placed on consignment for sale and may be possessed by such consignee for the purpose of sale. (d) Additional permit conditions. Inaddition to the general conditions set forth in part 13 of this subchapter B, taxidermist permits shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) Permittees must keep accurate records of operations, on a calendar year basis, showing the names and addresses of persons from and to whom migratory birds or their parts, nests, or eggs were received or delivered, the number and species of such, and the dates of receipt and delivery. In addition to the other records required by this paragraph, the permittee must maintain in his files, the original of the completed Form 3–186, Notice of Waterfowl Sale or Transfer, confirming his acquisition of captive reared, properly marked migratory waterfowl from the holder of a current waterfowl sale and disposal permit. (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section, the receipt, possession, and storage by a taxidermist of any migratory game birds taken by another by hunting is not authorized unless they are tagged as required by §20.36 of this subchapter. The required tags may be removed during the taxidermy operations but must be retained by the taxidermist with the other records required to be kept and must be reattached to the mounted specimen after mounting. The tag must then remain attached until the mounted specimen is delivered to the owner. (e) Term of permit. A taxidermist permit issued or renewed under this part expires on the date designated on the face of the permit unless amended or revoked, but the term of the permit will not exceed five (5) years from the date of issuance or renewal. [39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 54 FR 38151, Sept. 14, 1989; 63 FR 52637, Oct. 1, 1998; 70 FR 18320, Apr. 11, 2005] (a) Permit requirement. A waterfowl sale and disposal permit is required before any person may lawfully sell, trade, donate, or otherwise dispose of, to another person, any species of captive-reared and properly marked migratory waterfowl or their eggs, except that such a permit is not required for such sales or disposals of captive-reared and properly marked mallard ducks or their eggs. (b) Application procedures. Submit application for waterfowl sale and disposal permits to the appropriate Regional Director (Attention: Migratory bird permit office). You can find addresses for the Regional Directors in 50 CFR 2.2. Each application must contain the general information and certification required in §13.12(a) of this subchapter, and the following additional information: (1) A description of the area where waterfowl are to be kept; (2) Species and numbers of waterfowl now in possession and a statement showing from whom these were obtained; (3) A statement indicating the method by which individual birds are marked as required by the provisions of this part 21; and (4) If a State permit is required by State law, a statement as to whether or not the applicant possesses such State permit, giving its number and expiration date. (c) Additional permit conditions. In addition to the general conditions set forth in part 13 of this subchapter B, waterfowl sale and disposal permits shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) Permittees may not take migratory waterfowl or their eggs from the wild, and may not acquire such birds or their eggs from any person not authorized by a valid permit issued pursuant to this part to dispose of such birds or their eggs. (2) All live migratory waterfowl possessed in captivity under authority of a valid waterfowl sale and disposal permit shall have been, prior to 6 weeks of age, physically marked as defined in §21.13(b). All offspring of such birds hatched, reared, and retained in captivity shall be so marked prior to attaining 6 weeks of age. The preceding does not apply to captive adult geese, swans, and brant which were marked previous to March 1, 1967, by a “V” notch in the web of one foot, nor to such birds held in captivity at public zoological parks, and public scientific or educational institutions. (3) Such properly marked birds may be killed, in any number, at any time or place, by any means except shooting. Such birds may be killed by shooting only in accordance with all the applicable hunting regulations governing the taking of like species from the wild. (4) At all times during possession, transportation, and storage until the raw carcasses of such birds are finally processed immediately prior to cooking, smoking, or canning, the marked foot or wing must remain attached to each carcass: Provided, That permittees who are also authorized to sell game under a State license, permit or authorization may remove the marked foot or wing from the raw carcasses if the number of his State license, permit, or authorization has first been legibly stamped in ink on the back of each carcass and on the wrapping or container in which each carcass is maintained, or each carcass is identified by a State band on leg or wing pursuant to requirements of his State license, permit, or authorization. (5) Such properly marked birds, alive or dead, or their eggs may be disposed of in any number, at any time or place, to any person: Provided, That all such birds shall be physically marked prior to sale or disposal regardless of whether or not they have attained 6 weeks of age: And provided further, That on each date that any such birds or their eggs, are transferred to another person, the permittee must complete a Form 3–186, Notice of Waterfowl Sale or Transfer, indicating all information required by the form and the method or methods by which individual birds are marked as required by §21.25(c)(2). (Service will provide supplies of form.) The permittee will furnish the original of completed Form 3–186 to the person acquiring the birds or eggs; retain one copy in his files as a record of his operations: attach one copy to the shipping container for the birds or eggs, or include the copy in shipping documents which accompany the shipment; and, on or before the last day of each month, mail two copies of each form completed during that month to the office of the Fish and Wildlife Service which issued his permit. (6) Permittees shall submit an annual report within 10 days following the 31st day of December of each calendar year to the office of the Fish and Wildlife Service which issued the permit. The information provided shall give the total number of waterfowl by species in possession on that date and the method or methods by which individual birds are marked as required by the provisions of this part 21. (d) Term of permit. A waterfowl sale and disposal permit issued or renewed under this part expires on the date designated on the face of the permit unless amended or revoked, but the term of the permit will not exceed five (5) years from the date of issuance or renewal. [40 FR 28460, July 7, 1975, as amended at 54 FR 38151, Sept. 14, 1989; 63 FR 52637, Oct. 1, 1998; 70 FR 18320, Apr. 11, 2005] (a) What is the special Canada goose permit and what is its purpose? The special Canada goose permit is a permit issued by us to a State wildlife agency authorizing certain resident Canada goose management and control activities that are normally prohibited. We will only issue such a permit when it will contribute to human health and safety, protect personal property, or allow resolution or prevention of injury to people or property. The management and control activities conducted under the permit are intended to relieve or prevent injurious situations only. No person should construe the permit as opening, reopening, or extending any hunting season contrary to any regulations established under Section 3 of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. (b) Who may receive a permit? Only State wildlife agencies (State) are eligible to receive a permit to undertake the various goose management and control activities. Additionally, only employees or designated agents of a permitted State wildlife agency may undertake activities for injurious resident Canada geese in accordance with the conditions specified in the permit, conditions contained in 50 CFR part 13, and conditions specified in paragraph (d) of this section. (c) How does a State apply for a permit? Any State wildlife agency wishing to obtain a permit must submit an application to the appropriate Regional Director (see §13.11(b) of this subchapter) containing the general information and certification required by §13.12(a) of this subchapter plus the following information: (1) A detailed statement showing that the goose management and control activities will either provide for human health and safety, protect personal property, or allow resolution of other injury to people or property; (2) An estimate of the size of the resident Canada goose breeding population in the State; (3) The requested annual take of resident Canada geese, including eggs and nests; (4) A statement indicating that the State will inform and brief all employees and designated agents of the requirements of these regulations and permit conditions. (d) What are the conditions of the permit? The special Canada goose permits are subject to the general conditions in 50 CFR part 13, the conditions elsewhere in this section, and, unless otherwise specifically authorized on the permit, the conditions outlined below: (1) What are the limitations on management and control activities? (i) Take of resident Canada geese as a management tool under this section may not exceed the number authorized by the permit. States should utilize non-lethal goose management tools to the extent they deem appropriate in an effort to minimize lethal take. (ii) Methods of take for the control of injurious resident Canada geese are at the State's discretion. Methods include, but are not limited to, firearms, alpha-chloralose, traps, egg and nest manipulation and other damage control techniques consistent with accepted wildlife damage-management programs. (2) When may a State conduct management and control activities? States and their employees and agents may conduct management and control activities, including the take of resident Canada geese, under this section between March 11 and August 31. In California, Oregon and Washington, in areas where the threatened Aleutian Canada goose (B. c. leucoperia) has been present during the previous 10 years, lethal control activities are restricted to May 1 through August 31, inclusive. (3) How must the States dispose or utilize geese taken under this permit? States and their employees and agents may possess, transport, and otherwise dispose of Canada geese taken under this section. States must utilize such birds by donation to public museums or public institutions for scientific or educational purposes, by processing them for human consumption and distributing them free of charge to charitable organizations, or by burying or incinerating them. States, their employees, and designated agents may not sell, offer for sale, barter, or ship for the purpose of sale or barter any Canada geese taken under this section, nor their plumage or eggs. (4) How does the permit relate to existing State law? No person conducting management and control activities under this section should construe the permit to authorize the killing of injurious resident Canada geese contrary to any State law or regulation, nor on any Federal land without specific authorization by the responsible management agency. No person may exercise the privileges granted under this section unless they possess any permits required for such activities by any State or Federal land manager. (5) When conducting management and control activities, are there any special inspection requirements? Any State employee or designated agent authorized to carry out management and control activities must have a copy of the permit and designation in their possession when carrying out any activities. The State must also require the property owner or occupant on whose premises the State is conducting activities to allow, at all reasonable times, including during actual operations, free and unrestricted access to any Service special agent or refuge officer, State wildlife or deputy wildlife agent, warden, protector, or other wildlife law enforcement officer (wildlife officer) on the premises where they are, or were, conducting activities. Furthermore, any State employee or designated agent conducting such activities must promptly furnish whatever information is required concerning such activities to any such wildlife officer. (6) What are the reporting requirements of the permit? Any State employee or designated agent exercising the privileges granted by this section must keep records of all activities carried out under the authority of this permit, including the number of Canada geese killed and their disposition. The State must submit an annual report detailing activities, including the time, numbers and location of birds, eggs, and nests taken and non-lethal techniques utilized, before December 31 of each year. The State should submit the annual report to the appropriate Assistant Regional Director—Refuges and Wildlife (see §10.22 of this subchapter). (7) What are the limitations of the special permit? The following limitations apply: (i) Nothing in this section applies to any Federal land within a State's boundaries without written permission of the Federal Agency with jurisdiction. (ii) States may not undertake any actions under any permit issued under this section if the activities adversely affect other migratory birds or species designated as endangered or threatened under the authority of the Endangered Species Act. (iii) We will only issue permits to State wildlife agencies in the conterminous United States. (iv) States may designate agents who must operate under the conditions of the permit. (v) How long is the special permit valid? A special Canada goose permit issued or renewed under this section expires on the date designated on the face of the permit unless it is amended or revoked or such time that we determine that the State's population of resident Canada geese no longer poses a threat to human health or safety, personal property, or injury to other interests. In all cases, the term of the permit may not exceed five (5) years from the date of issuance or renewal. (vi) Can we revoke the special permit? We reserve the right to suspend or revoke any permit, as specified in §§13.27 and 13.28 of this subchapter. (e) What are the OMB information collection requirements of the permit program? OMB has approved the information collection requirements of the permit and assigned clearance number 1018–0099. Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. We will use the information collection requirements to administer this program and in the issuance and monitoring of these special permits. We will require the information from State wildlife agencies responsible for migratory bird management in order to obtain a special Canada goose permit, and to determine if the applicant meets all the permit issuance criteria, and to protect migratory birds. We estimate the public reporting burden for this collection of information to average 8 hours per response for 45 respondents (States), including the time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Thus, we estimate the total annual reporting and record-keeping for this collection to be 360 hours. States may send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, Fish and Wildlife Service, ms 224–ARLSQ, 1849 C Street N.W., Washington, DC 20240, or the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project 1018–0099, Washington, DC 20503. [64 FR 32774, June 17, 1999] Permits may be issued for special purpose activities related to migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs, which are otherwise outside the scope of the standard form permits of this part. A special purpose permit for migratory bird related activities not otherwise provided for in this part may be issued to an applicant who submits a written application containing the general information and certification required by part 13 and makes a sufficient showing of benefit to the migratory bird resource, important research reasons, reasons of human concern for individual birds, or other compelling justification. (a) Permit requirement. A special purpose permit is required before any person may lawfully take, salvage, otherwise acquire, transport, or possess migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs for any purpose not covered by the standard form permits of this part. In addition, a special purpose permit is required before any person may sell, purchase, or barter captive-bred, migratory game birds, other than waterfowl, that are marked in compliance with §21.13(b) of this part. (b) Application procedures. Submit application for special purpose permits to the appropriate Regional Director (Attention: Migratory bird permit office). You can find addresses for the Regional Directors in 50 CFR 2.2. Each application must contain the general information and certification required in §13.12(a) of this subchapter, and the following additional information: (1) A detailed statement describing the project or activity which requires issuance of a permit, purpose of such project or activity, and a delineation of the area in which it will be conducted. (Copies of supporting documents, research proposals, and any necessary State permits should accompany the application); (2) Numbers and species of migratory birds involved where same can reasonably be determined in advance; and (3) Statement of disposition which will be made of migratory birds involved in the permit activity. (c) Additional permit conditions. Inaddition to the general conditions set forth in part 13 of this subchapter B, special purpose permits shall be subject to the following conditions: (1) Permittees shall maintain adequate records describing the conduct of the permitted activity, the numbers and species of migratory birds acquired and disposed of under the permit, and inventorying and identifying all migratory birds held on December 31 of each calendar year. Records shall be maintained at the address listed on the permit; shall be in, or reproducible in English; and shall be available for inspection by Service personnel during regular business hours. A permittee may be required by the conditions of the permit to file with the issuing office an annual report of operation. Annual reports, if required, shall be filed no later than January 31 of the calendar year followng the year for which the report is required. Reports, if required, shall describe permitted activities, numbers and species of migratory birds acquired and disposed of, and shall inventory and describe all migratory birds possessed under the special purpose permit on December 31 of the reporting year. (2) Permittees shall make such other reports as may be requested by the issuing officer. (3) All live, captive-bred, migratory game birds possessed under authority of a valid special purpose permit shall be physically marked as defined in §21.13(b) of this part. (4) No captive-bred migratory game bird may be sold or bartered unless marked in accordance with §21.13(b) of this part. (5) No permittee may take, purchase, receive or otherwise acquire, sell, barter, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any captive-bred migratory game bird unless such permittee submits a Service form 3–186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report), completed in accordance with the instructions on the form, to the issuing office within five (5) days of such transaction. (6) No permittee, who is authorized to sell or barter migratory game birds pursuant to a permit issued under this section, may sell or barter such birds to any person unless that person is authorized to purchase and possess such migratory game birds under a permit issued pursuant to this part and part 13, or as permitted by regulations in this part. (d) Term of permit. A special purpose permit issued or renewed under this part expires on the date designated on the face of the permit unless amended or revoked, but the term of the permit shall not exceed three (3) years from the date of issuance or renewal. [39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 54 FR 38152, Sept. 14, 1989; 63 FR 52637, Oct. 1, 1998] (a) Permit requirements. A falconry permit is required before any person may take, possess, transport, sell, purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase, or barter raptors for falconry purposes. (b) Application procedures. (1) An applicant who wishes to practice falconry in a State listed in §21.29(k) of this part and which has been designated as a participant in a cooperative Federal/State permit application program may submit an application for a falconry permit to the appropriate agency of that State. Each such application must incorporate a completed official form approved by the Service and must include in addition to the general information required by part 13 of this subchapter all of the following: (i) The number of raptors the applicant possesses at the time the application is submitted, including the species, age (if known), sex (if known), date of acquisition, and source of each; (ii) A check or money order made payable to “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service” in the amount of the application fee listed in §13.11(d) of this subchapter. (iii) An original, signed certification concerning the validity of the information provided in the application in the form set forth in §13.12(a)(5). (iv) Any additional information requested by the State to which the application is submitted. (2) Upon receipt of a joint application by a State listed in §21.29(k) as a participant in a cooperative Federal/State permit application program, the State will process the application for a State falconry permit in accordance with its own procedures. A copy of the application, the check or money order for Federal permit fees, and the original, signed certification required by paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section will be forwarded to the issuing office of the Service designated by §13.11(b) of this subchapter. If the State decides to issue a falconry permit based upon the application, a copy of the permit will also be forwarded to the appropriate issuing office of the Service. (3) An applicant who wishes to practice falconry in a State listed in §21.29(k) of this subchapter, but which does not participate in a cooperative Federal/State permit application program must submit a written application for a falconry permit to the issuing office designated by §13.11(b) of this subchapter. Each application must contain the general information and certification required by §13.12(a) of this subchapter plus a copy of a valid State falconry permit issued to the applicant by a State listed in §21.19(k) of this subchapter. (c) Issuance criteria. Upon receiving an application completed in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section that meets all requirements of this part, the Director will issue a permit. In addition to meeting the general criteria in §13.21(b), the applicant must have a valid State falconry permit issued by a State listed in §21.29(k) of this subchapter. (d) Permit conditions. In addition to the general conditions set forth in part 13 of this subchapter, every permit issued under this section shall be subject to the following special conditions: (1) A permittee may not take, transport, or possess a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) unless authorized in writing under §22.24 of this subchapter. (2) A permit issued under this section is not valid unless the permittee has a valid State falconry permit issued by a State listed in §21.29(k) of this subchapter. (3) A permittee may not take, possess, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or transfer any raptor for falconry purposes except under authority of a Federal falconry permit issued under this section and in compliance with the Federal falconry standards set forth in §21.29 of this subchapter. (4) No permittee may take, purchase, receive, or otherwise acquire, sell, barter, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any raptor unless such permittee submits a form 3–186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report), completed in accordance with the instructions on the form, to the issuing office within five (5) calendar days of any such transaction. (5) No raptor may be possessed under authority of a falconry permit unless the permittee has a properly completed form 3–186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report) for each bird possessed, except as provided in paragraph (d)(4) of this section. (6) A raptor possessed under authority of a falconry permit may be temporarily held by a person other than the permittee for maintenance and care for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days. The raptor must be accompanied at all times by a properly completed form 3–186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report) designating the person caring for the raptor as the possessor of record and by a signed, dated statement from the permittee authorizing the temporary possession. (7) A permittee may not take, possess, or transport any peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), or Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) unless such bird is banded either by a seamless numbered band provided by the Service or by a permanent, non-reusable band provided by the Service. (i) Any peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), or Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) taken from the wild must be reported to the issuing office within five (5) days of taking and must be banded with a permanent, non-reusable band provided by the Service. No raptor removed from the wild may be banded with a seamless numbered band. (ii) The loss or removal of any band must be reported to the issuing office within five (5) working days of the loss. The lost band must be replaced by a permanent, non-reusable band supplied by the Service. A form 3–186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report) must be filed in accordance with paragraph (d)(4) of this section reporting the loss of the band and rebanding. (8) A permittee may not sell, purchase, barter, or offer to sell, purchase or barter any raptor unless the raptor is marked on the metatarsus by a seamless, numbered band supplied by the Service. (9) A permittee may not propagate raptors without prior acquisition of a valid raptor propagation permit issued under section 21.30 of this subchapter. (e) Term of permit. A falconry permit issued or renewed under this part expires on the date designated on the face of the permit unless amended or revoked, but the term of the permit shall not exceed three (3) years from the date of issuance or renewal. [54 FR 38152, Sept. 14, 1989] (a) Before you can practice falconry in any State. You cannot take, possess, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer to sell, purchase, or barter any raptor for falconry purposes, in any State unless the State allows the practice of falconry, and the State has submitted copies of its laws and regulations governing the practice of falconry to us (Director), and we have determined that they meet or exceed the Federal falconry standards established in this section. If you are a Federal falconry permittee, you can possess and transport for falconry purposes a lawfully possessed raptor through States that do not allow falconry or meet Federal falconry standards so long as the raptors remain in transit in interstate commerce. The States that are in compliance with Federal falconry standards are listed in paragraph (k) of this section. (b) More restrictive State laws. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent a State from making and enforcing laws or regulations not inconsistent with the standards contained in any convention between the United States and any foreign country for the protection of raptors or with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and which shall give further protection to raptors. (c) What is the process for Federal approval of a State program? Any State that wishes to allow the practice of falconry must submit to the Director of the Service a copy of the laws and regulations that govern the practice of falconry in the State. If we determine that they meet or exceed the Federal standards, which are established by this section, we will publish a notice in the (d) Permit. State laws or regulations shall provide that a valid State falconry permit from either that State or another State meeting Federal falconry standards and listed in paragraph (k) of this section is required before any person may take, possess, or transport a raptor for falconry purposes or practice falconry in that State. (e) Classes of permits. States may have any number of classes of falconry permits provided the standards are not less restrictive than the following: (1) Apprentice (or equivalent) class. (i) Permittee shall be at least 14 years old; (ii) A sponsor who is a holder of a General or Master Falconry Permit or equivalent class is required for the first two years in which an apprentice permit is held, regardless of the age of the permittee. A sponsor may not have more than three apprentices at any one time; (iii) Permittee shall not possess more than one raptor and may not obtain more than one raptor for replacement during any 12-month period; and (iv) Permittee shall possess only the following raptors which must be taken from the wild: an American kestrel (Falco sparverius), a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), a red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus), or, in Alaska only, a goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). (2) General (or equivalent) class. (i) A permittee shall be at least 18 years old; (ii) A permittee shall have at least two years experience in the practice of falconry at the apprentice level or its equivalent; (iii) A permittee may not possess more than two raptors and may not obtain more than two raptors for replacement birds during any 12-month period; and (iv) A permittee may not take, transport, or possess any golden eagle or any species listed as threatened or endangered in part 17 of this subchapter. (3) Master (or equivalent) class. (i) An applicant shall have at least five years experience in the practice of falconry at the general class level or its equivalent. (ii) A permittee may not possess more than three raptors and may not obtain more than two raptors taken from the wild for replacement birds during any 12-month period; (iii) A permittee may not take any species listed as endangered in part 17 of this chapter, but may transport or possess such species in accordance with part 17 of this chapter. (iv) A permittee may not take, transport, or possess any golden eagle for falconry purposes unless authorized in writing under §22.24 of this subchapter; (v) A permittee may not take, in any twelve (12) month period, as part of the three-bird limitation, more than one raptor listed as threatened in part 17 of this chapter, and then only in accordance with part 17 of this chapter. (f) Examination. State laws or regulations shall provide that before any State falconry permit is issued the applicant shall be required to answer correctly at least 80 percent of the questions on a supervised examination provided or approved by the Service and administered by the State, relating to basic biology, care, and handling of raptors, literature, laws, regulations or other appropriate subject matter. (g) Facilities and equipment. Statelaws or regulations shall provide that before a State falconry permit is issued the applicant's raptor housing facilities and falconry equipment shall be inspected and certified by a representative of the State wildlife department as meeting the following standards: (1) Facilities. The primary consideration for raptor housing facilities whether indoors (mews) or outdoors (weathering area) is protection from the environment, predators, or undue disturbance. The applicant shall have the following facilities, except that depending upon climatic conditions, the issuing authority may require only one of the facilities described below. (i) Indoor facilities (mews) shall be large enough to allow easy access for caring for the raptors housed in the facility. If more than one raptor is to be kept in the mews, the raptors shall be tethered or separated by partitions and the area for each bird shall be large enough to allow the bird to fully extend its wings. There shall be at least one window, protected on the inside by vertical bars, spaced narrower than the width of the bird's body, and a secure door that can be easily closed. The floor of the mews shall permit easy cleaning and shall be well drained. Adequate perches shall be provided. (ii) Outdoor facilities (weathering area) shall be fenced and covered with netting or wire, or roofed to protect the birds from disturbance and attack by predators except that perches more than 6 (2) Equipment. The following items shall be in the possession of the applicant before he can obtain a permit or license: (i) Jesses—At least 1 pair of Alymeri jesses or similar type constructed of pliable, high-quality leather or suitable synthetic material to be used when any raptor is flown free. (Traditional 1-piece jesses may be used on raptors when not being flown.); (ii) Leashes and swivels—At least 1 flexible, weather-resistant leash and 1 strong swivel of acceptable falconry design; (iii) Bath container—At least 1 suitable container, 2 to 6 inches deep and wider than the length of the raptor, for drinking and bathing for each raptor; (iv) Outdoor perches—At least 1 weathering area perch of an acceptable design shall be provided for each raptor; and (v) Weighing device—A reliable scale or balance suitable for weighing the raptor(s) held and graduated to increments of not more than (3) Maintenance. All facilities and equipment shall be kept at or above the preceding standards at all times. (4) Transportation; temporary holding. A raptor may be transported or held in temporary facilities which shall be provided with an adequate perch and protected from extreme temperatures and excessive disturbance, for a period not to exceed 30 days. (h) Marking. All peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), and Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) possessed for falconry purposes must be marked in accordance with the following provisions: (1) Any peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), or Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus), except a captive bred raptor lawfully marked by a numbered, seamless band issued by the Service, must be banded with a permanent, non-reusable, numbered band issued by the Service. (2) Any peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), or Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) possessed for falconry purposes must be banded at all times in accordance with these standards. Loss or removal of any band must be reported to the issuing office within five (5) working days of the loss and must be replaced with a permanent, non-reusable, numbered band supplied by the Service. (i) Taking restrictions. State laws or regulations shall provide the following restrictions on the taking of raptors from the wild: (1) Young birds not yet capable of flight (eyasses) may only be taken by a General or Master Falconer during the period specified by the State and no more than two eyasses may be taken by the same permittee during the specified period. (2) First-year (passage) birds may be taken only during the period specified by the State; (3) In no case shall the total of all periods of taking of eyasses or passage birds exceed 180 days during a calendar year, except that a marked raptor may be retrapped at any time; and (4) Only American kestrels (Falcosparverius) and great-horned owls (Bubo virginianus) may be taken when over one year old, except that any raptor other than endangered or threatened species taken under a depredation (or special purpose) permit may be used for falconry by General and Master falconers. (j) Other restrictions. State laws or regulations shall provide the following restrictions or conditions: (1) A person who possesses a lawfully acquired raptor before the enactment of these regulations and who fails to meet the permit requirements shall be allowed to retain the raptors. All such birds shall be identified with markers supplied by the Service and cannot be replaced if death, loss, release, or escape occurs. (2) If you possessed raptors before January 15, 1976, the date these regulations were enacted, and you had more than the number allowed under your permit, you may retain the extra raptors. However, each of those birds must be identified with markers we supplied, and you cannot replace any birds, nor can you obtain any additional raptors, until the number in your possession is at least one fewer than the total number authorized by the class of permit you hold. (3) A falconry permit holder shall obtain written authorization from the appropriate State wildlife department before any species not indigenous to that State is intentionally released to the wild, at which time the marker from the released bird shall be removed and surrendered to the State wildlife department. The marker from an intentionally released bird which is indigenous to that State shall also be removed and surrendered to the State wildlife department. A standard Federal bird band shall be attached to such birds by the State or Service-authorized Federal bird bander whenever possible. (4) A raptor possessed under authority of a falconry permit may be temporarily held by a person other than the permittee only if that person is otherwise authorized to possess raptors, and only if the raptor is accompanied at all times by the properly completed form 3–186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report) designating the permittee as the possessor of record and by a signed, dated statement from the permittee authorizing the temporary possession. (5) Feathers that are molted or those feathers from birds held in captivity that die, may be retained and exchanged by permittees only for imping purposes. (k) States meeting Federal falconry standards. We have determined that the following States meet or exceed the minimum Federal falconry standards established in this section for regulating the taking, possession, and transportation of raptors for the purpose of falconry. The States that are participants in a cooperative Federal/State permit system are designated by an asterisk (*).
*Alabama, *Alaska, Arizona, *Arkansas, *California, *Colorado, Connecticut, *Delaware, *Florida, *Georgia, *Idaho, *Illinois, *Indiana, *Iowa, *Kansas, *Kentucky, *Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, *Michigan, *Minnesota, *Mississippi, Missouri, *Montana, *Nebraska, *Nevada, *New Hampshire, *New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, *North Carolina, *North Dakota, *Ohio, Oklahoma, *Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, *South Carolina, *South Dakota, *Tennessee, Texas, Utah, *Vermont, *Virginia, *Washington, West Virginia, *Wisconsin, *Wyoming. [41 FR 2238, Jan. 15, 1976; 41 FR 8053, Feb. 24, 1976, as amended at 42 FR 42353, Aug. 23, 1977; 43 FR 968, Jan. 5, 1978; 43 FR 10566, Mar. 14, 1978; 43 FR 34150, Aug. 3, 1978; 43 FR 57606, Dec. 8, 1978; 45 FR 25066, Apr. 14, 1980; 45 FR 70276, Oct. 23, 1980; 48 FR 31608, July 8, 1983; 48 FR 42820, Sept. 20, 1983; 54 FR 38153, Sept. 14, 1989; 59 FR 11204, Mar. 10, 1994; 64 FR 48566, Sept. 7, 1999; 65 FR 49509, Aug. 14, 2000; 70 FR 34698, June 15, 2005] (a) Permit requirement. A raptor propagation permit is required before any person may take, possess, transport, import, purchase, barter, or offer to sell, purchase, or barter any raptor, raptor egg, or raptor semen for propagation purposes. (b) Application procedures. Submit application for raptor propagation permits to the appropriate Regional Director (Attention: Migratory bird permit office). You can find addresses for the Regional Directors in 50 CFR 2.2. Each application must contain the general information and certification required in §13.12(a) of this subchapter, and the following additional information: (1) A statement indicating the purpose(s) for which a raptor propagation permit is sought and, where applicable, the scientific or educational objectives of the applicant; (2) A statement indicating whether the applicant has been issued a State permit authorizing raptor propagation (include name of State, permit number, and expiration date); (3) A statement fully describing the nature and extent of the applicant's experience with raptor propagation or handling raptors; (4) A description of each raptor the applicant possesses or will acquire for propagation purposes to include the species, age (if known), sex (if known), date of acquisition, source, and raptor marker number; (5) A description of each raptor the applicant possesses for purposes other than raptor propagation to include the species, age (if known), sex (if known), date of acquisition, source, raptor marker number, and purpose for which it is possessed; (6) A description and photographs of the facilities and equipment to be used by the applicant including the dimensions of any structures intended for housing the birds; (7) A statement indicating whether the applicant requests authority to take raptors or raptor eggs from the wild. (c) Issuance criteria. Upon receiving an application completed in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, the Director will decide whether a permit should be issued. In making this decision, the Director shall consider, in addition to the general criteria in §13.21(b) of this chapter, the following factors: (1) Whether an applicant's raptor propagation facilities are adequate for the number and species of raptors to be held under the permit. (2) Whether propagation is authorized by the State in which the propagation will occur, and if authorized, whether the applicant has any required State propagation permit. (3) Whether the applicant is at least 18 years old with a minimum of 2 years experience handling raptors, and if the applicant requests authority to propagate endangered or threatened species, whether the applicant is at least 23 years old with a minimum of 7 years experience handling raptors. (4) If the applicant requests authority to take raptors or raptor eggs from the wild: (i) Whether issuance of the permit would have a significant effect on any wild population of raptors; (ii) Whether suitable captive stock is available; and (iii) Whether wild stock is needed to enhance the genetic variability of captive stock. (d) Additional permit conditions. In addition to the general conditions found in part 13 of this chapter, raptor propagation permits are subject to the following additional conditions: (1) Facilities. Any tethered raptor possessed under this permit must be maintained in accordance with the Federal falconry standards for “facilities and equipment” described in §21.29(g), unless a specific exception in writing is obtained. For untethered raptors, the breeding facilities must be soundly constructed and entirely enclosed with wood, wire netting, or other suitable material which provides a safe, health, environment. The design of such facilities and ancillary equipment must: (i) Minimize the risk of injury by providing protection from predators, disturbances that would likely cause harm, extreme weather conditions, and collision with interior or perimeter construction materials and equipment such as support poles, windows, wire netting, perches, or lights; (ii) Enhance sanitation by providing a well-drained floor, fresh air ventilation, source of light, fresh water for bathing and drinking, access for cleaning, and interior construction materials suitable for thorough cleaning or disinfection; and (iii) Enhance the welfare and breeding success of the raptors by providing suitable perches, nesting and feeding sites, and observation ports or inspection windows during times when disturbance is felt to be undesirable. (2) Incubation of eggs. Each permittee must notify the Director in writing within 5 days from the day the first egg is laid by any raptor held under a raptor propagation permit, but notice is not required more often than once every 60 days. (3) Marking requirement. Unless otherwise specifically exempted, every raptor possessed for propagation, including all progeny produced pursuant to the permitted activity, must be banded in accordance with the following provisions: (i) Except for captive-bred raptors lawfully marked with a seamless, numbered band provided by the Service, any raptor possessed for propagation purposes shall be banded with a permanent, non-reusable, numbered band issued by the Service. (ii) Unless specifically exempted by the conditions of the raptor propagation permit, each captive-bred raptor produced under authority of a raptor propagation permit shall be banded within two (2) weeks of hatching with a numbered, seamless band provided by the Service, placed on the raptor's leg (metatarsus). In marking captive-bred raptors, permittees: (A) Shall use a band with an opening (inside diameter) which is small enough to prevent its removal when the raptor is fully grown without causing serious injury to the raptor or damaging the bands integrity or one-piece construction; (B) May band a raptor with more than one size band when the potential diameter of the raptor's leg at maturity cannot be determined at the time of banding; (C) Shall remove all but one band from any raptor with more than one band before the raptor is five (5) weeks of age and return all bands removed to the issuing office. (iii) No raptor taken from the wild, produced from an egg taken from the wild, or produced from an egg from any source other than bred in captivity under authority of a raptor propagation permit may be banded with a numbered seamless band issued by the Service. (iv) No permittee under this section may band any raptor with any band issued or authorized by the Service unless that raptor is lawfully possessed by the permittee. (4) Taking Raptors or Raptor Eggs from the Wild. Any permit authorizing the permittee to take raptors or raptor eggs from the wild for propagation purposes is subject to the following additional restrictions: (i) The State or foreign country in which the raptors or raptor eggs are taken must authorize the permittee in writing to take raptors or raptor eggs from the wild for propagation purposes; (ii) No raptor listed in §17.11 of this chapter as “endangered” or “threatened” may be taken from the wild without first obtaining the proper permit under part 17 of this chapter; and (iii) No raptor or raptor egg may be taken from the wild except in accordance with State law. (5) Transfer, purchase, sale, or barter of raptors, raptor eggs, or raptor semen. (i) A permittee may transfer any lawfully possessed raptor, raptor egg, or raptor semen to another permittee or transfer any raptor to a falconer who holds a valid State falconry permit if no money or other consideration is involved. (ii) A permittee may transfer, purchase, sell, or barter any raptor which is banded with a numbered seamless marker provided or authorized by the Service, subject to the following conditions: (A) When the permittee purchases from, sells to, or barters with any person in the U.S., that person must be authorized under this part to purchase, sell, or barter captive-bred raptors; (B) When the permittee purchases from or barters with any person in a foreign country, that person must be authorized by the competent wildlife management authority of the foreign country in which the transaction occurs to sell or barter captive-bred raptors; and (C) When the permittee transfers to, sells to or barters with any person in a foreign country, that person must be authorized to possess, purchase or barter captive-bred raptors by the competent wildlife management authority of his/her country of residence or domicile and the same wildlife management authority must certify in writing that the recipient is an experienced falconer or raptor propagator who is required to maintain any raptors in his/her possession under conditions that are comparable to the conditions under which a permittee must maintain raptors under §21.29 or §21.30. No certification is required if the competent wildlife management authority itself is the recipient of captive-bred raptors for conservation purposes. (iii) No raptor may be traded, transferred, purchased, sold, or bartered until it is two weeks old and only after it is properly banded with a nonreuseable marker provided or authorized by the Service, unless it is transferred, sold, or bartered to a State or Federal wildlife management agency for conservation purposes. (iv) A permittee may purchase, sell, or barter semen collected from any captive-bred raptor. (v) A permittee may not purchase, sell or barter any raptor eggs, any raptors taken from the wild, any raptor semen collected from the wild, or any raptors hatched from eggs taken from the wild. (6) Use of Service form 3–186A. No permittee may take, purchase, receive, or otherwise acquire, sell, trade, barter, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any raptor unless such permittee submits a form 3–186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report), completed in accordance with the instructions on the form, to the issuing office within five (5) calendar days of any such transfer. Provided, that a permittee does not have to submit a form 3–186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report) to report the acquisition raptors hatched from eggs produced as a result of the permittee's propagation activities as long as these raptors remain in the possession of the permittee. (7) Documentation of lawful possession. No raptor may be possessed under authority of a raptor propagation permit unless the permittee has a properly completed form 3–186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report) for each bird possessed, except as provided in paragraph (d)(5) of this section. (8) Temporary possession. A raptor possessed under authority of a raptor propagation permit may be temporarily held by a person other than the permittee only if that person is otherwise authorized to possess raptors, and only if the raptor is accompanied at all times by the properly completed form 3–186A (Migratory Bird Acquisition/Disposition Report) designating the permittee as the possessor of record and by a signed, dated statement from the permittee authorizing the temporary possession. (9) Sale, purchase, barter. A permittee may not sell, purchase, barter, or offer to sell, purchase, or barter any raptor unless the raptor is marked on the metatarsus by a seamless, numbered band supplied by the Service. (10) Transfer to another. A permittee may not receive or otherwise acquire from, may not transfer or otherwise dispose of to, and may not loan to or temporarily place with another person any raptor unless that person is authorized to acquire, possess, and dispose of such raptors under a valid permit issued pursuant to this part and part 13 or as permitted by regulations in this part. (11) Use in falconry. A permittee may use a raptor possessed for propagation in the sport of falconry only if such use is designated in both the propagation permit and the permittee's falconry permit. (12) Interspecific hybridization. Hybridization between species (interspecific hybridization) is authorized only if each raptor produced by interspecific hybridization is either imprinted on humans (hand-raised in isolation from the sight of other raptors from two weeks of age until it is fully feathered) or surgically sterilized. (13) Possession of dead raptors, non-viable eggs, nests, and feathers. (i) Upon the death of any raptor held under permit, a permittee must remove the marker and immediately return it to the Director. The carcass must be destroyed immediately, unless the permittee requests authorization from the Director to retain possession of it. A permittee who has obtained written authorization from the Director to retain possession of the carcass may transfer it to any other person authorized by the Service to possess it, provided no money or other consideration is involved. (ii) A permittee may possess addled or blown eggs, nests, and feathers from raptors held under permit and may transfer any of these items to any other person authorized by the Service to possess them provided no money or other consideration is involved. (14) Intentional release to the wild. (i) A permittee must obtain written authorization from the Director and the Director of the wildlife conservation department of the State in which release to the wild is proposed before intentionally releasing any raptor to the wild. The raptor marker must be removed from each bird and immediately returned to the Director. A Federal bird band must be attached to each raptor by a person designated by the Director before its release. (ii) No raptor produced by interspecific hybridization may be intentionally released to the wild. (15) Recordkeeping. A permittee must maintain complete and accurate records of all operations, to include the following: (i) Acquisition of raptors, eggs, or semen from sources other than production. (A) Description of stock: (1) Species, sex, age of each (if applicable), (2) Genotype-natal area (geographical breeding site or area that captive stock represents, e.g., Colville River, Alaska; unknown; migrant taken in Maryland, etc.), and (3) Marker number (if applicable). (B) Type of stock (including number or amount): (1) Semen, (2) Egg, or (3) Bird. (C) How acquired: (1) Purchase, barter, or transfer (include the purchase price or a description of any other consideration involved), or (2) Taken from the wild. (D) Date acquired: month, day, and year. (E) From whom or where stock acquired: (1) Name, address, and permit number of seller, barterer, or transferor; or (2) Location where stock taken from the wild. (ii) Disposition of raptors, eggs, or semen. (A) Description of stock: (1) Species, sex, age of each (if applicable), (2) Genotype-natal area (geographical breeding site or area that captive stock represents, e.g., Colville River, Alaska; unknown; migrant taken in Maryland, etc.), and (3) Marker number (if applicable). (B) Type of stock (including number or amount): (1) Semen, (2) Egg, or (3) Bird. (C) Manner of disposition: (1) Sale, barter, or transfer (include the sale price or a description of any other consideration involved), (2) Live loss, (3) Intentional release to the wild, or (4) Death. (D) Date of disposition: month, day, and year. (E) To whom or where stock disposed: (1) Name, address, and permit number of purchaser, barterer, or transferee, or (2) Description and location of other disposition. (iii) Production and pedigree record. (A) Mother and father(s): (1) Species, (2) Genotype-natal area, and (3) Marker number. (B) Insemination: (1) Natural, (2) Artificial, or (3) Combined. (C) Eggs laid: (1) Total, (2) First date, and (3) Last date. (D) Eggs hatched: (1) Total, (2) First date, and (3) Last date. (E) Young raised to 2 weeks of age: (1) Total produced, and (2) Marker number and date marked for each raptor. (16) Annual report. A permittee must submit an annual report by January 31 of each year for the preceding year to the Director. The report must include the following information for each species possessed by the permittee: (i) Number of raptors possessed as of December 31 (including the species, marker number, sex, and age of each raptor). (ii) Number of females laying eggs. (iii) Number of eggs laid. (iv) Number of eggs hatched. (v) Number of young raised to 2 weeks of age. (vi) Number of raptors purchased, sold, bartered, received, or transferred (including the species, marker number, sex, and age of each raptor) the date of the transaction, and the name, address and permit number of each purchaser, seller, barterer, transferor, or transferee. (e) Term of permit. A raptor propagation permit issued or renewed under this part expires on the date designated on the face of the permit unless amended or revoked, but the term of the permit shall not exceed three (3) years from the date of issuance or renewal. [48 FR 31608, July 8, 1983, as amended at 49 FR 9736, Mar. 15, 1984; 54 FR 38154, Sept. 14, 1989; 63 FR 52637, Oct. 1, 1998] (a) What is the permit requirement? Except as provided in §21.12, a rehabilitation permit is required to take, temporarily possess, or transport any migratory bird for rehabilitation purposes. However, any person who finds a sick, injured, or orphaned migratory bird may, without a permit, take possession of the bird in order to immediately transport it to a permitted rehabilitator. (b) What are the general permit provisions? (1) The permit authorizes you to: (i) Take from the wild or receive from another person sick, injured, or orphaned migratory birds and to possess them and provide rehabilitative care for them for up to 180 days; (ii) Transport such birds to a suitable habitat for release, to another permitted rehabilitator's facilities, or to a veterinarian; (iii) Transfer, release, or euthanize such birds; (iv) Transfer or otherwise dispose of dead specimens; and (v) Receive, stabilize, and transfer within 48 hours types of migratory bird species not authorized by your permit, in cases of emergency. If a rehabilitator authorized to care for the bird is not available within that timeframe, you must contact the issuing office for authorization to retain the bird until it can be transferred. (2) The permit does not authorize the use of migratory birds for educational purposes. (c) How do I apply for a migratory bird rehabilitation permit? You must apply to the appropriate Regional Director—Attention Migratory Bird Permit Office. You can find addresses for the appropriate Regional Directors in §2.2 of subchapter A of this chapter. Your application package must consist of the following: (1) A completed application (Form 3–200–10b); (2) A copy of your State rehabilitation permit, license, or other authorization, if one is required in your State; and (3) A check or money order made payable to the “U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service” in the amount of the application fee for permits issued under this section listed in §13.11 of this chapter. (d) What criteria will the Service consider before issuing a permit? (1) Upon receiving an application completed in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section, the Regional Director will decide whether to issue you a permit based on the general criteria of §13.21 of this chapter and whether you meet the following requirements: (i) You must be at least 18 years of age with at least 100 hours of hands-on experience, gained over the course of at least 1 whole year, rehabilitating the types of migratory birds you intend to rehabilitate (e.g., waterbirds, raptors), or comparable experience. Up to 20 hours of the 100-hour time requirement may be fulfilled by participation in migratory bird rehabilitation seminars and courses. (ii) Your facilities must be adequate to properly care for the type(s) of migratory bird species you intend to rehabilitate, or you must have a working relationship with a person or organization with such facilities. (iii) You must have an agreement with a licensed veterinarian to provide medical care for the birds you intend to rehabilitate, unless you are a licensed veterinarian. (iv) You must have a State permit, license, or other authorization to rehabilitate migratory birds if such authorization required by your State. (2) In issuing a permit, the Regional Director may place restrictions on the types of migratory bird species you are authorized to rehabilitate, based on your experience and facilities as well as on the specific physical requirements and behavioral traits of particular species. (e) What are the standard conditions for this permit? In addition to the general permit conditions set forth in part 13 of this chapter, rehabilitation permits are subject to the following conditions: (1) Facilities. You must conduct the activities authorized by this permit in appropriate facilities that are approved and identified on the face of your permit. In evaluating whether caging dimensions are adequate, the Service will use as a guideline the standards developed by the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association and the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (Minimum Standards for Wildlife Rehabilitation, 2000).1 1 Copies may be obtained by contacting either the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association: 14 North 7th Avenue, St. Cloud MN 56303–4766, http://www.nwawildlife.org/default.asp; or the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council: 829 Bancroft Way, Berkeley, CA 94710, http://www.iwrc-online.org. (i) Rehabilitation facilities for migratory birds must be secure and provide protection from predators, domestic animals, undue human disturbance, sun, wind, and inclement weather. (ii) Caging must be made of a material that will not entangle or cause injury to the type of birds that will be housed within. (iii) Enclosures must be kept clean, well-ventilated, and hygienic. (iv) Birds must not be overcrowded, and must be provided enough perches, if applicable. (v) Birds must be housed only with compatible migratory bird species. (vi) Birds may not be displayed to the public unless you use video equipment, barriers, or other methods to reduce noise and exposure to humans to levels the birds would normally encounter in their habitat. You may not use any equipment for this purpose that causes stress or harm, or impedes the rehabilitation of any bird. (2) Dietary requirements. You must provide the birds in your care with a diet that is appropriate and nutritionally approximates the natural diet consumed by the species in the wild, with consideration for the age and health of the individual bird. (3) Subpermittees. Except as provided by paragraph (f)(2)(ii) of this section, anyone who will be performing activities that require permit authorization under paragraph (b)(1) of this section when you or a subpermittee are not present, including any individual who transports birds to or from your facility on a regular basis, must either possess his or her own Federal rehabilitation permit, or be authorized as your subpermittee by being named in writing to your issuing Migratory Bird Permit Office. Subpermittees must be at least 18 years of age and possess sufficient experience to tend the species in their care. Subpermittees authorized to care for migratory birds at a site other than your facility must have facilities adequate to house the species in their care, based on the criteria of paragraph (e)(1) of this section. All such facilities must be approved by the issuing office. As the primary permittee, you are legally responsible for ensuring that your subpermittees, staff, and volunteers adhere to the terms of your permit when conducting migratory bird rehabilitation activities. (4) Disposition of birds under your care. (i) You must take every precaution to avoid imprinting or habituating birds in your care to humans. If a bird becomes imprinted to humans while under your care, you will be required to transfer the bird as directed by the issuing office. (ii) You may not retain migratory birds longer than 180 days without additional authorization from your Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office. You must release all recuperated birds to suitable habitat as soon as seasonal conditions allow, following recovery of the bird. If the appropriate season for release is outside the 180-day timeframe, you must seek authorization from the Service to hold the bird until the appropriate season. Before releasing a threatened or endangered migratory bird, you must coordinate with your issuing Migratory Bird Permit Office. (iii) You must euthanize any bird that cannot feed itself, perch upright, or ambulate without inflicting additional injuries to itself where medical and/or rehabilitative care will not reverse such conditions. You must euthanize any bird that is completely blind, and any bird that has sustained injuries that would require amputation of a leg, a foot, or a wing at the elbow or above (humero-ulnar joint) rather than performing such surgery, unless: (A) A licensed veterinarian submits a written recommendation that the bird should be kept alive, including an analysis of why the bird is not expected to experience the injuries and/or ailments that typically occur in birds with these injuries and a commitment (from the veterinarian) to provide medical care for the bird for the duration of its life, including complete examinations at least once a year; (B) A placement is available for the bird with a person or facility authorized to possess it, where it will receive the veterinary care described in paragraph (e)(4)(iii)(A) of this section; and (C) The issuing office specifically authorizes continued possession, medical treatment, and rehabilitative care of the bird. (iv) You must obtain authorization from your issuing Migratory Bird Permit Office before euthanizing endangered and threatened migratory bird species. In rare cases, the Service may designate a disposition other than euthanasia for those birds. If Service personnel are not available, you may euthanize endangered and threatened migratory birds without Service authorization when prompt euthanasia is warranted by humane consideration for the welfare of the bird. (v) You may place nonreleasable live birds that are suitable for use in educational programs, foster parenting, research projects, or other permitted activities with persons permitted or otherwise authorized to possess such birds, with prior approval from your issuing Migratory Bird Permit Office. (vi)(A) You may donate dead birds and parts thereof, except threatened and endangered species, and bald and golden eagles, to persons authorized by permit to possess migratory bird specimens or exempted from permit requirements under §21.12. (B) You must obtain approval from your issuing office before disposing of or transferring any live or dead endangered or threatened migratory bird specimen, parts, or feathers. (C) You must send all dead bald and golden eagles, and their parts and feathers to: National Eagle Repository, Building 128, Rocky Mountain Arsenal, Commerce City, CO 80022. If your State requires you to notify State wildlife officers of a dead bald or golden eagle before sending the eagle to the Repository you must comply with State regulations. States may assume temporary possession of the carcasses for purposes of necropsy. (D) Unless specifically required to do otherwise by the Service, you must promptly destroy all other dead specimens by such means as are necessary to prevent any exposure of the specimens to animals in the wild. (vii) With authorization from your issuing Migratory Bird Permit Office, you may hold a nonreleasable bird longer than 180 days for the purpose of fostering juveniles during their rehabilitation. You may also use birds you possess under an educational permit to foster juveniles. (viii) You may possess a reasonable number of feathers for imping purposes, based on the numbers and species of birds for which you regularly provide care. (ix) You may draw blood and take other medical samples for purposes of the diagnosis and recovery of birds under your care, or for transfer to authorized facilities conducting research pertaining to a contagious disease or other public health hazard. (x) You may conduct necropsies on dead specimens in your possession, except that you must obtain approval from your Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office before conducting necropsies on threatened or endangered species. (xi) This permit does not confer ownership of any migratory bird. All birds held under this permit remain under the stewardship of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (5) Notification to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (i) You must notify your issuing Migratory Bird Permit Office within 24 hours of acquiring a threatened or endangered migratory bird species, or bald or golden eagle, whether live or dead. You may be required to transfer these birds to another facility designated by the Service. (ii) You must immediately notify the local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Law Enforcement Office if you have reason to believe a bird has been poisoned, electrocuted, shot, or otherwise subjected to criminal activity. Contact information for your local Service Law Enforcement office is listed on your permit, or you can obtain it on the Internet at http://offices.fws.gov. (iii) If the sickness, injury, or death of any bird is due or likely due to avian virus, or other contagious disease or public health hazard, you must notify and comply with the instructions given by the State or local authority that is responsible for tracking the suspected disease or hazard in your location, if that agency is currently collecting such information from the public. (6) You must maintain a working relationship with a licensed veterinarian. If your working relationship with your original cooperating veterinarian is dissolved, you must establish an agreement within 30 days with another licensed veterinarian to provide medical services to the birds in your care, and furnish a copy of this agreement to the issuing office. (7) Recordkeeping. You must maintain complete and accurate records of all migratory birds that you receive, including for each bird the date received, type of injury or illness, disposition, and date of disposition. You must retain these records for 5 years following the end of the calendar year covered by the records. (8) Annual report. You must submit an annual report that includes the information required by paragraph (e)(7) for the preceding calendar year to your issuing Migratory Bird Permit Office by the date required on your permit. You may complete Service Form 3–202–4, or submit your annual report from a database you maintain, provided your report contains all, and only, the information required by Form 3–202–4. (9) At the discretion of the Regional Director, we may stipulate on the face of your permit additional conditions compatible with the permit conditions set forth in this section, to place limits on numbers and/or types of birds you may possess under your permit, to stipulate authorized location(s) for your rehabilitation activities, or otherwise specify permitted activities, based on your experience and facilities. (f) How does this permit apply to oil and hazardous waste spills? Prior to entering the location of an oil or hazardous material spill, you must obtain authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Field Response Coordinator or other designated Service representative and obtain permission from the On-Scene Coordinator. All activities within the location of the spill are subject to the authority of the On-Scene Coordinator. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for the disposition of all migratory birds, dead or alive. (1) Permit provisions in oil or hazardous material spills. (i) In addition to the rehabilitation permit provisions set forth in paragraph (b) of this section, when under the authority of the designated U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service representative this permit further authorizes you to temporarily possess healthy, unaffected birds for the purpose of removing them from imminent danger. (ii) This permit does not authorize salvage of dead migratory birds. When dead migratory birds are discovered, a Service law enforcement officer must be notified immediately in order to coordinate the handling and collection of evidence. Contact information for your local Service Law Enforcement office is listed on your permit and on the Internet at http://offices.fws.gov. The designated Service representative will have direct control and responsibility over all live migratory birds, and will coordinate the collection, storage, and handling of any dead migratory birds with the Service's Division of Law Enforcement. (iii) You must notify your issuing Migratory Bird Permit Office of any migratory birds in your possession within 24 hours of removing such birds from the area. (2) Conditions specific to oil and hazardous waste spills—(i) Facilities. Facilities used at the scene of oil or hazardous waste spills may be temporary and/or mobile, and may provide less space and protection from noise and disturbance than facilities authorized under paragraph (e)(1) of this section. Such facilities should conform as closely as possible with the facility specifications contained in the Service policy titled Best Practices for Migratory Bird Care During Oil Spill Response.2 2 You can obtain copies of this document by writing to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Environmental Quality, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, MS 322, Arlington, VA, 22203. (ii) Subpermittees. In cases of oil and hazardous waste spills, persons who assist with cleaning or treating migratory birds at the on-scene facility will not be required to have a rehabilitation permit or be a subpermittee; however, volunteers must be trained in rescue protocol for migratory birds affected by oil and hazardous waste spills. A permit (or subpermittee designation) is required to perform extended rehabilitation of such birds, after initial cleaning and treating, at a subsequent location. (g) Will I also need a permit from the State in which I live? If your State requires a license, permit, or other authorization to rehabilitate migratory birds, your Federal migratory bird rehabilitation permit will not be valid if you do not also possess and adhere to the terms of the required State authorization, in addition to the Federal permit. Nothing in this section prevents a State from making and enforcing laws or regulations consistent with this section that are more restrictive or give further protection to migratory birds. (h) How long is a migratory bird rehabilitation permit valid? Your rehabilitation permit will expire on the date designated on the face of the permit unless amended or revoked. No rehabilitation permit will have a term exceeding 5 years. (i) Will I need to apply for a new permit under this section if I already have a special purpose permit to rehabilitate migratory birds, issued under §21.27 (Special purpose permits)? (1) If you had a valid Special Purpose—Migratory Bird Rehabilitation Permit issued under §21.27 on November 26, 2003, your permit will remain valid until the expiration date listed on its face. If you renew your permit, it will be issued under this section. (2) If your original permit authorization predates permit application procedures requiring submission of photographs and diagrams for approval of your facilities, and your facilities have never been approved by the migratory bird permit office on the basis of such photographs and diagrams, you must submit photographs and diagrams of your facilities as part of your renewal application. If those facilities do not meet the criteria set forth under this section, your permit may be renewed for only 1 year. We will re-evaluate your facilities when you seek renewal in a year. If you have made the improvements necessary to bring your facilities into compliance with paragraph (e)(1) of this section, and the other criteria within this section for permit issuance are met, your permit may be renewed for up to the full 5-year tenure. (3) If your facilities have already been approved on the basis of photographs and diagrams, and authorized under a valid §21.27 special purpose permit, then they are preapproved to be authorized under your new permit issued under this section, unless those facilities have materially diminished in size or quality from what was authorized when you last renewed your permit, or unless you wish to expand the authorizations granted by your permit (e.g., the number or types of birds you rehabilitate). Regulations governing permit renewal are set forth in §13.22 of this chapter. [68 FR 61137, Oct. 27, 2003]
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45986, Aug. 10, 2006. (a) Permit requirement. Except as provided in §§21.42 through 21.46, a depredation permit is required before any person may take, possess, or transport migratory birds for depredation control purposes. No permit is required merely to scare or herd depredating migratory birds other than endangered or threatened species or bald or golden eagles. (b) Application procedures. Submit application for depredation permits to the appropriate Regional Director (Attention: Migratory bird permit office). You can find addresses for the Regional Directors in 50 CFR 2.2. Each application must contain the general information and certification required in §13.12(a) of this subchapter, and the following additional information: (1) A description of the area where depredations are occurring; (2) The nature of the crops or other interests being injured; (3) The extent of such injury; and (4) The particular species of migratory birds committing the injury. (c) Additional permit conditions. Inaddition to the general conditions set forth in part 13 of this subchapter B, depredation permits shall be subject to requires, in this section: (1) Permittees may not kill migratory birds unless specifically authorized on the permit. (2) Unless otherwise specifically authorized, when permittees are authorized to kill migratory birds they may do so only with a shotgun not larger than No. 10 gauge fired from the shoulder, and only on or over the threatened area or area described on the permit. (3) Permittees may not use blinds, pits, or other means of concealment, decoys, duck calls, or other devices to lure or entice birds within gun range. (4) All migratory birds killed shall be retrieved by the permittee and turned over to a Bureau representative or his designee for disposition to charitable or other worthy institutions for use as food, or otherwise disposed of as provided by law. (5) Only persons named on the permit are authorized to act as agents of the permittee under authority of the permit. (d) Tenure of permits. The tenure of depredation permits shall be limited to the dates which appear on its face, but in no case shall be longer than one year. [39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 42 FR 17122, Mar. 31, 1977; 63 FR 52637, Oct. 1, 1998] Upon the receipt of evidence clearly showing that migratory game birds have accumulated in such numbers in a particular area as to cause or about to cause serious damage to agricultural, horticultural, and fish cultural interests, the Director is authorized to issue by publication in the (a) That such birds may only be killed by shooting with a shotgun not larger than No. 10 gauge fired from the shoulder, and only on or over the threatened area or areas; (b) That shooting shall be limited to such time as may be fixed by the Director on the basis of all circumstances involved. If prior to termination of the period fixed for such shooting, the Director receives information that there no longer exists a serious threat to the area or areas involved, he shall without delay cause to be published in the (c) That such migratory birds as are killed under the provisions of any depredation order may be used for food or donated to public museums or public scientific and educational institutions for exhibition, scientific, or educational purposes, but shall not be sold, offered for sale, bartered, or shipped for purpose of sale or barter, or be wantonly wasted or destroyed: Provided, That any migratory game birds which cannot be so utilized shall be disposed of as prescribed by the Director; (d) That any order issued pursuant to this section shall not authorize the killing of the designated species of depredating birds contrary to any State laws or regulations. The order shall specify that it is issued as an emergency measure designed to relieve depredations only and shall not be construed as opening, reopening, or extending any open hunting season contrary to any regulations promulgated pursuant to section 3 of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. A Federal permit shall not be required to control yellow-headed red-winged, rusty, and Brewer's blackbirds, cowbirds, all grackles, crows, and magpies, when found committing or about to commit depredations upon ornamental or shade trees, agricultural crops, livestock, or wildlife, or when concentrated in such numbers and manner as to constitute a health hazard or other nuisance: Provided: (a) That none of the birds killed pursuant to this section, nor their plumage, shall be sold or offered for sale, but may be possessed, transported, and otherwise disposed of or utilized. (b) That any person exercising any of the privileges granted by this section shall permit at all reasonable times including during actual operations, any Federal or State game or deputy game agent, warden, protector, or other game law enforcement officer free and unrestricted access over the premises on which such operations have been or are being conducted; and shall furnish promptly to such officer whatever information he may require, concerning said operations. (c) That nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the killing of such birds contrary to any State laws or regulations; and that none of the privileges granted under this section shall be exercised unless the person possesses whatever permit as may be required for such activities by the State concerned. [39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 54 FR 47525, Nov. 15, 1989] In any county in California in which horned larks, golden-crowned, white-crowned and other crowned sparrows, and house finches are, under extraordinary conditions, seriously injurious to agricultural or other interests, the Commissioner of Agriculture may, without a permit, kill or cause to be killed under his/her general supervision such of the above migratory birds as may be necessary to safeguard any agricultural or horticultural crop in the county: Provided: (a) That such migratory birds shall be killed only when necessary to protect agricultural or horticultural crops from depredation; that none of the above migratory birds killed, or the parts thereof, or the plumage of such birds, shall be sold or removed from the area where killed; but that all such dead migratory birds shall be buried or otherwise destroyed within this area, except that any specimens needed for scientific purposes, as determined by the State or the Director shall not be destroyed. (b) That any Commissioner of Agriculture exercising the privileges granted by this section shall keep records of the persons authorized by the Commissioner to kill such migratory birds, and the estimated number of such birds killed pursuant to the exercise of his authority, and the Commissioner shall submit a report thereof to the Director on or before December 31 of each year or whenever the Director so requests. [39 FR 1178, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 54 FR 47525, Nov. 15, 1989; 55 FR 17352, Apr. 24, 1990] Landowners, sharecroppers, tenants, or their employees or agents, actually engaged in the production of rice in Louisiana, may, without a permit, shoot purple gallinules (Ionornis martinica) when found committing or about to commit serious depredations to growing rice crops on the premises owned or occupied by such persons: Provided: (a) That purple gallinules may only be killed pursuant to this section between May 1 and August 15 in any year. (b) That purple gallinules killed pursuant to this section shall not be transported or sold or offered for sale except that, such transportation within the area, as may be necessary to bury or otherwise destroy the carcasses of such birds is permitted: Provided, That the Director or the State agricultural department, college, or other public institution may requisition such purple gallinules killed as may be needed for scientific investigations: Provided further, That any purple gallinules killed under authority of this section may also be donated to charitable institutions for food purposes. (c) That any person exercising any of the privileges granted by this section shall permit at all reasonable times, including during actual operations, any Federal or State game or deputy game agent, warden, protector, or other game law enforcement officer free and unrestricted access over the premises on which such operations have been or are being conducted; and shall furnish promptly to such officer whatever information he may require, concerning said operations. (d) That nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the killing of such migratory birds contrary to any State laws or regulations; and that none of the privileges granted under this section shall be exercised unless the person possesses whatever permit as may be required for such activities by the State of Louisiana. (e) That any person authorized by this section to exercise the privileges granted therein shall maintain records of the number of birds killed on the premises and shall submit a report thereof, on or before December 31 of each year, to the Director. Landowners, sharecroppers, tenants, or their employees or agents actually engaged in the production of nut crops in Washington and Oregon may, without a permit, take scrub jays (Aphelocoma coerulescens) and Steller's jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) when found committing or about to commit serious depredations to nut crops on the premises owned or occupied by such persons: Provided: (a) That scrub jays and Steller's jays may only be taken pursuant to this section between August 1 and December 1 in any year, in the Washington counties of Clark, Cowlitz, and Lewis; and the Oregon counties of Benton, Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill. (b) That scrub jays and Steller's jays taken pursuant to this section shall not be transported or sold or offered for sale except that, such transportation within the area, as may be necessary to bury or otherwise destroy the carcasses of such birds is permitted: Provided, That the Director of the State agricultural department, college, or other public institution may requisition such scrub jays and Steller's jays killed as may be needed for scientific investigations. (c) That such birds may be taken only by trapping or shooting and on areas where serious depredations are being or are about to be committed. (d) That any person exercising any of the privileges granted by this section shall permit at all reasonable times, including during actual operations, any Federal or State game or deputy game agent, warden, protector, or other law enforcement officer free and unrestricted access over the premises on which such operations have been or are being conducted; and shall furnish promptly to such officer whatever information he may require, concerning said operations. (e) That nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the killing of such migratory birds contrary to any State laws or regulations; and that none of the privileges granted under this section shall be exercised unless the person possesses whatever permit as may be required for such activities by the States of Washington and Oregon. (f) That any person authorized by this section to exercise the privileges granted therein shall maintain records of the number of birds killed on the premises and shall submit a report thereof, on or before December 31 of each year, to the appropriate Special Agent in Charge (see §10.22 of this subchapter). [39 FR 31326, Aug. 28, 1974] (a) What is the purpose of this depredation order? The purpose of this depredation order is to help reduce depredation of aquacultural stock by double-crested cormorants at private fish farms and State and Federal fish hatcheries. (b) In what areas can this depredation order be implemented? This depredation order applies to commercial freshwater aquaculture facilities and to State and Federal fish hatcheries in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. (c) What does this depredation order allow and who can participate? (1) This depredation order authorizes landowners, operators, and tenants (or their employees or agents) actually engaged in the commercial, Federal, or State production of freshwater aquaculture stocks to take, without a Federal permit, double-crested cormorants when they are found committing or about to commit depredations to aquaculture stocks. This authority is applicable only during daylight hours and only within the boundaries of freshwater commercial aquaculture facilities or State and Federal hatcheries. (2) This depredation order authorizes employees of the Wildlife Services program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to take double-crested cormorants, with appropriate landowner permission, at roost sites in the vicinity of aquaculture facilities, at any time, day or night, during the months of October, November, December, January, February, March, and April. (3) Authorized employees of the Wildlife Services program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service may designate agents to carry out control, provided these individuals act under the conditions of the order. (d) What are the terms and conditions of this order? (1) Persons operating under paragraph (c)(1) of this section may only do so in conjunction with an established nonlethal harassment program as certified by officials of the Wildlife Services program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Wildlife Services directive 2.330 outlines this certification process. (2) Double-crested cormorants may be taken only by shooting with firearms, including rifles. Persons using shotguns are required to use nontoxic shot as listed in 50 CFR 20.21(j). (3) Persons operating under this depredation order may use decoys, taped calls, or other devices to lure within gun range birds committing or about to commit depredations. (4) Persons operating under this depredation order must obtain appropriate landowner permission before implementing activities authorized by the order. (5) Double-crested cormorants may not be killed contrary to the laws or regulations of any State, and none of the privileges of this section may be exercised unless the person possesses the appropriate State or other permits, if required. (6) Persons operating under this depredation order must properly dispose of double-crested cormorants killed in control efforts: (i) Individuals may donate birds killed under authority of this order to museums or other such scientific and educational institutions for the purposes of scientific or educational exhibition; (ii) Individuals may also bury or incinerate birds taken; and (iii) Individuals may not allow birds taken under this order, or their plumage, to be sold, offered for sale, bartered, or shipped for purpose of sale or barter. (7) Nothing in this depredation order authorizes the take of any migratory bird species other than double-crested cormorants. Two look-alike species co-occur with double-crested cormorants in the southeastern States: the anhinga, which occurs across the southeastern United States, and the neotropic cormorant, which is found in varying numbers in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Both species can be mistaken for double-crested cormorants, but take of these two species is not authorized under this depredation order. Persons operating under this order must immediately report the take of a migratory bird species other than double-crested cormorants to the appropriate Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office. (8) Nothing in this depredation order authorizes the take of any species protected by the Endangered Species Act. Persons operating under this order must immediately report the take of species protected under the Endangered Species Act to the Service. (i) To protect wood storks and bald eagles, the following conservation measures must be observed within any geographic area where Endangered Species Act protection applies to these species: All control activities are allowed if the activities occur more than 1,500 feet from active wood stork nesting colonies, more than 1,000 feet from active wood stork roost sites, and more than 750 feet from feeding wood storks, and if they occur more than 750 feet from active bald eagle nests. (ii) At their discretion, landowners, operators, and tenants may contact the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office to request modification of the measures listed in paragraph (d)(8)(i) of this section. Such modification can occur only if the Regional Director determines, on the basis of coordination between the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office and the Endangered Species Field Office, that wood storks and bald eagles will not be adversely affected. (iii) If adverse effects are anticipated from the control activities in a geographical area where Endangered Species Act protection applies to wood storks or bald eagles, either during the intra-Service coordination discussions described above or at any other time, the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office will initiate consultation with the Endangered Species Field Offices. (9) Persons operating under this depredation order must: (i) Keep a log recording the date, number, and location of all birds killed each year under this authorization; (ii) Maintain this log for a period of 3 years (and maintain records for 3 previous years of takings at all times thereafter); and (iii) Each year, provide the previous year's log to the appropriate Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office. Regional Office addresses are found in §2.2 of subchapter A of this chapter. (10) We reserve the right to suspend or revoke the authority of any Agency or individual granted by this order if we find that the specified purpose, terms, and conditions have not been adhered to by that Agency or individual or if the long-term sustainability of double-crested cormorant populations is threatened by that Agency's or individual's action(s). The criteria and procedures for suspension, revocation, reconsideration, and appeal are outlined in §§13.27 through 13.29 of this subchapter. For the purposes of this section, “issuing officer” means the Regional Director and “permit” means the authority to act under this depredation order. For purposes of §13.29(e), appeals shall be made to the Director. (e) Does this section contain information collection requirements? Yes, the information collection requirements in this section are approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control number 1018–0121. Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. (f) When does this depredation order expire? This depredation order will automatically expire on April 30, 2009, unless revoked or extended prior to that date. [68 FR 58034, Oct. 8, 2003] (a) What is the purpose of this depredation order? The purpose of this depredation order is to reduce the occurrence and/or minimize the risk of adverse impacts to public resources (fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats) caused by double-crested cormorants. (b) In what areas can this depredation order be implemented? This depredation order applies to all lands and freshwaters in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. (c) What does this depredation order allow and who can participate? (1) This depredation order authorizes State fish and wildlife agencies, Federally recognized Tribes, and State Directors of the Wildlife Services program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (collectively termed “Agencies”) to prevent depredations on the public resources of fish (including hatchery stock at Federal, State, and Tribal facilities), wildlife, plants, and their habitats by taking without a permit double-crested cormorants found committing or about to commit, such depredations. (2) Agencies may designate agents to carry out control, provided those individuals act under the conditions of the order. (3) Federally recognized Tribes and their agents may carry out control only on reservation lands or ceded lands within their jurisdiction. (d) What are the terms and conditions of this order? (1) Persons operating under this order should first utilize nonlethal control methods such as harassment and exclusion devices when these are considered effective and practicable and not harmful to other nesting birds by the responsible Agency. (2) Double-crested cormorants may be taken only by means of egg oiling, egg and nest destruction, cervical dislocation, firearms, and CO2 asphyxiation. Persons using shotguns must use nontoxic shot, as listed in 50 CFR 20.21(j). Persons using egg oiling must use 100 percent corn oil, a substance exempted from regulation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. (3) Persons operating under this depredation order may use decoys, taped calls, or other devices to lure within gun range birds committing or about to commit depredation of public resources. (4) Persons operating under this depredation order must obtain appropriate landowner permission before implementing activities authorized by the order. (5) Persons operating under this depredation order may not take double-crested cormorants contrary to the laws or regulations of any State, and none of the privileges of this section may be exercised unless the person possesses the appropriate State or other permits, if required. (6) Persons operating under this depredation order must properly dispose of double-crested cormorants killed in control efforts: (i) Individuals may donate birds killed under authority of this order to museums or other such scientific and educational institutions for the purposes of scientific or educational exhibition; (ii) Individuals may also bury or incinerate birds taken; and (iii) Individuals may not allow birds taken under this order, or their plumage, to be sold, offered for sale, bartered, or shipped for purpose of sale or barter. (7) Nothing in this depredation order authorizes the take of any migratory bird species other than double-crested cormorants. Two look-alike species co-occur with double-crested cormorants in the southeastern States: the anhinga, which occurs across the southeastern United States, and the neotropic cormorant, which is found in varying numbers in Texas, Louisiana, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Both species can be mistaken for double-crested cormorants, but take of these two species is not authorized under this depredation order. Persons operating under this order must immediately report the take of a migratory bird species other than double-crested cormorants to the appropriate Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office. (8) Nothing in this depredation order authorizes the take of any species protected by the Endangered Species Act. Persons operating under this order must immediately report the take of species protected under the Endangered Species Act to the Service. (i) To protect piping plovers, interior least terns, wood storks, and bald eagles, the following conservation measures must be observed within any geographic area where Endangered Species Act protection applies to these species: (A) The discharge/use of firearms to kill or harass double-crested cormorants or use of other harassment methods are allowed if the control activities occur more than 1,000 feet from active piping plover or interior least tern nests or colonies; occur more than 1,500 feet from active wood stork nesting colonies, more than 1,000 feet from active wood stork roost sites, and more than 750 feet from feeding wood storks; or occur more than 750 feet from active bald eagle nests; (B) Other control activities such as egg oiling, cervical dislocation, CO2 asphyxiation, egg destruction, or nest destruction are allowed if these activities occur more than 500 feet from active piping plover or interior least tern nests or colonies; occur more than 1,500 feet from active wood stork nesting colonies, more than 1,000 feet from active wood stork roost sites, and more than 750 feet from feeding wood storks; or occur more than 750 feet from active bald eagle nests; (C) To ensure adequate protection of piping plovers, any Agency or its agents who plan to implement control activities that may affect areas designated as piping plover critical habitat in the Great Lakes Region are to obtain prior approval from the appropriate Regional Director. Requests for approval of activities in these areas must be submitted to the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office. The Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office will then coordinate with the Endangered Species Field Office staff to assess whether the measures in paragraph (d)(8)(i)(B) of this section are adequate. (ii) At their discretion, Agencies or their agents may contact the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office to request modification of the above measures. Such modification can occur only if the Regional Director determines, on the basis of coordination between the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office and the Endangered Species Field Office, that the species listed in paragraph (d)(8)(i) of this section will not be adversely affected. (iii) If adverse effects are anticipated from the control activities in a geographical area where Endangered Species Act protection applies to any of the four species listed in paragraph (d)(8)(i) of this section, either during the intra-Service coordination discussions described in paragraph (d)(8)(i)(C) of this section or at any other time, the Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office will initiate consultation with the Endangered Species Field Offices. (9) Responsible Agencies must, before they initiate any control activities in a given year, provide a one-time written notice to the appropriate Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office indicating that they intend to act under this order. (i) Additionally, if any Agency plans a single control action that would individually, or a succession of such actions that would cumulatively, kill more than 10 percent of the double-crested cormorants in a breeding colony, it must first provide written notification to the appropriate Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office. This letter must be received no later than 30 days in advance of the activity and must provide: (A) The location (indicating specific colonies, if applicable) of the proposed control activity; (B) A description of the proposed control activity, specifying what public resources are being impacted, how many birds are likely to be taken and what approximate percentage they are of total DCCOs present, and which species of other birds are present; and (C) Contact information for the person in charge of the control action. (ii) The Regional Director may prevent any such activity by notifying the agency in writing if the Regional Director deems the activity a threat to the long-term sustainability of double-crested cormorants or any other migratory bird species. (10) Persons operating under this order must keep records of all activities, including those of designated agents, carried out under this order. On an annual basis, Agencies must provide the Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office with a report detailing activities conducted under the authority of this order, including: (i) By date and location, a summary of the number of double-crested cormorants killed and/or number of nests in which eggs were oiled; (ii) A statement of efforts being made to minimize incidental take of nontarget species and a report of the number and species of migratory birds involved in such take, if any; (iii) A description of the impacts or anticipated impacts to public resources by double-crested cormorants and a statement of the management objectives for the area in question; (iv) A description of the evidence supporting the conclusion that double-crested cormorants are causing or will cause these impacts; (v) A discussion of other limiting factors affecting the resource (e.g., biological, environmental, and socioeconomic); and (vi) A discussion of how control efforts are expected to, or actually did, alleviate resource impacts. (11) Agencies must provide annual reports to the appropriate Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office, as described in paragraph (d)(10) of this section, by December 31 for the reporting period October 1 of the previous year to September 30 of the same year. For example, reports for the period October 1, 2003, to September 30, 2004, would be due on or before December 31, 2004. The Service will regularly review Agency reports and will periodically assess the overall impact of this program to ensure compatibility with the long-term conservation of double-crested cormorants and other resources. (12) In some situations, Agencies may deem it necessary to reduce or eliminate local breeding populations of double-crested cormorants to reduce the occurrence of resource impacts. (i) For such actions, Agencies must: (A) Comply with paragraph (d)(9) of this section; (B) Carefully plan activities to avoid disturbance of nontarget species; (C) Evaluate effects of management activities on cormorants at the control site; (D) Evaluate, by means of collecting data or using best available information, effects of management activities on the public resources being protected and on nontarget species; and (E) Include this information in the report described in paragraph (d)(10) of this section. (ii) Agencies may coordinate with the appropriate Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office in the preparation of this information to attain technical or other assistance. (13) We reserve the right to suspend or revoke the authority of any Agency, Tribe, or State Director granted by this order if we find that the specified purpose, terms, and conditions have not been adhered to or if the long-term sustainability of double-crested cormorant populations is threatened by the action(s) of that Agency, Tribe, or State Director. The criteria and procedures for suspension, revocation, reconsideration, and appeal are outlined in §§13.27 through 13.29 of this subchapter. For the purposes of this section, “issuing officer” means the Regional Director and “permit” means the authority to act under this depredation order. For purposes of §13.29(e), appeals shall be made to the Director. (e) Does this section contain information collection requirements? Yes, the information collection requirements in this section are approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under OMB control number 1018–0121. Federal agencies may not conduct or sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. (f) When does this depredation order expire? This depredation order will automatically expire on April 30, 2009, unless revoked or extended prior to that date. [68 FR 58035, Oct. 8, 2003]
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45986, Aug. 10, 2006.
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45988, Aug. 10, 2006.
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45989, Aug. 10, 2006.
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45990, Aug. 10, 2006. (a) Which waterfowl species are covered by this order? This conservation order addresses management of lesser snow (Anser c. caerulescens) and Ross' (Anser rossii) geese that breed, migrate, and winter in the mid-continent portion of North America, primarily in the Central and Mississippi Flyways (mid-continent light geese). (b) In what areas can the conservation order be implemented? (1) The following States, or portions of States, that are contained within the boundaries of the Central and Mississippi Flyways: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. (2) Tribal lands within the geographic boundaries in paragraph (b)(1) of this section. (3) The following areas within the boundaries in paragraph (b)(1) of this section are closed to the conservation order after 10 March of each year: Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge (CO); Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge (NM); the area within 5 miles of the Platte River from Lexington, Nebraska to Grand Island, Nebraska; the following area in and around Aransas National Wildlife Refuge; those portions of Refugio, Calhoun, and Aransas counties that lie inside a line extending from 5 nautical miles offshore to and including Pelican Island, thence to Port O'Conner, thence northwest along State Highway 185 and southwest along State Highway 35 to Aransas Pass, thence southeast along State Highway 361 to Port Aransas, thence east along the Corpus Christi Channel, thence southeast along the Aransas Channel, extending to 5 nautical miles offshore; except that it is lawful to take mid-continent light geese after 10 March of each year within the Guadalupe WMA. If at any time we receive evidence that a need to close the areas in this paragraph (b)(3) no longer exists, we will publish a proposal to remove the closures in the (c) What is required in order for State/Tribal governments to participate in the conservation order? Any State or Tribal government responsible for the management of wildlife and migratory birds may, without permit, kill or cause to be killed under its general supervision, mid-continent light geese under the following conditions: (1) Activities conducted under this section may not affect endangered or threatened species as designated under the Endangered Species Act. (2) Control activities must be conducted clearly as such and are intended to relieve pressures on migratory birds and habitat essential to migratory bird populations only and are not to be construed as opening, re-opening, or extending any open hunting season contrary to any regulations promulgated under section 3 of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. (3) Control activities may be conducted only when all waterfowl and crane hunting seasons, excluding falconry, are closed. (4) Control measures employed through this section may be implemented only between the hours of one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. (5) Nothing in this section may limit or initiate management actions on Federal land without concurrence of the Federal Agency with jurisdiction. (6) States and Tribes must designate participants who must operate under the conditions of this section. (7) States and Tribes must inform participants of the requirements/conditions of this section that apply. (8) States and Tribes must keep records of activities carried out under the authority of this section, including the number of mid-continent light geese taken under this section, the methods by which they were taken, and the dates they were taken. The States and Tribes must submit an annual report summarizing activities conducted under this section on or before August 30 of each year, to the Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ms 634—ARLSQ, 1849 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20240. (d) What is required in order for individuals to participate in the conservation order? Individual participants in State or tribal programs covered by this section are required to comply with the following requirements: (1) Nothing in this section authorizes the take of mid-continent light geese contrary to any State or Tribal laws or regulations; and none of the privileges granted under this section may be exercised unless persons acting under the authority of the conservation order possesses whatever permit or other authorization(s) required for such activities by the State or Tribal government concerned. (2) Participants who take mid-continent light geese under this section may not sell or offer for sale those birds nor their plumage, but may possess, transport, and otherwise properly use them. (3) Participants acting under the authority of this section must permit at all reasonable times, including during actual operations, any Federal or State game or deputy game agent, warden, protector, or other game law enforcement officer free and unrestricted access over the premises on which such operations have been or are being conducted, and must promptly furnish whatever information an officer requires concerning the operation. (4) Participants acting under the authority of this section may take mid-continent light geese by any method except those prohibited as follows: (i) With a trap, snare, net, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than 10 gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machine gun, fish hook, poison, drug, explosive, or stupefying substance; (ii) From or by means, aid, or use of a sinkbox or any other type of low floating device, having a depression affording the person a means of concealment beneath the surface of the water; (iii) From or by means, aid, or use of any motor vehicle, motor-driven land conveyance, or aircraft of any kind, except that paraplegics and persons missing one or both legs may take from any stationary motor vehicle or stationary motor-driven land conveyance; (iv) From or by means of any motorboat or other craft having a motor attached, or any sailboat, unless the motor has been completely shut off and the sails furled, and its progress therefrom has ceased. A craft under power may be used only to retrieve dead or crippled birds; however, the craft may not be used under power to shoot any crippled birds; (v) By the use or aid of live birds as decoys; although not limited to, it shall be a violation of this paragraph for any person to take mid-continent light geese on an area where tame or captive live geese are present unless such birds are and have been for a period of 10 consecutive days before the taking, confined within an enclosure that substantially reduces the audibility of their calls and totally conceals the birds from the sight of mid-continent light geese; (vi) By means or aid of any motor-driven land, water, or air conveyance, or any sailboat used for the purpose of or resulting in the concentrating, driving, rallying, or stirring up of mid-continent light geese; (vii) By the aid of baiting, or on or over any baited area. As used in this paragraph, “baiting” means the placing, exposing, depositing, distributing, or scattering of shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, salt, or other feed so as to constitute for such birds a lure, attraction or enticement to, on, or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them; and “baited area” means any area where shelled, shucked, or unshucked corn, wheat or other grain, salt, or other feed capable of luring, attracting, or enticing such birds is directly or indirectly placed, exposed, deposited, distributed, or scattered; and such area shall remain a baited area for 10 days following complete removal of all such corn, wheat or other grain, salt, or other feed. However, nothing in this paragraph prohibits the taking of mid-continent light geese on or over standing crops, flooded standing crops (including aquatics), flooded harvested croplands, grain crops properly shucked on the field where grown, or grains found scattered solely as the result of normal agricultural planting or harvesting; or (viii) Participants may not possess shot (either in shotshells or as loose shot for muzzleloading) other than steel shot, or bismuth-tin, or other shots that are authorized in 50 CFR 20.21(j). Season limitations in that section do not apply to participants acting under this order. (e) Under what conditions would the conservation order be revoked? The Service will annually assess the overall impact and effectiveness of the conservation order to ensure compatibility with long-term conservation of this resource. If at any time we receive that clearly demonstrates a serious threat of injury to the area or areas involved no longer exists, we will initiate action to revoke the conservation order. (f) Will information concerning the conservation order be collected? The information collection requirements of the conservation order have been approved by OMB and assigned clearance number 1018–0103. Agencies may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. The recordkeeping and reporting requirements imposed under regulations established in this subpart E will be utilized to administer this program, particularly in the assessment of impacts alternative regulatory strategies may have on mid-continent light geese and other migratory bird populations. The information collected will be required to authorize State and Tribal governments responsible for migratory bird management to take mid-continent light geese within the guidelines provided by the Service. [66 FR 32265, June 14, 2001]
Link to an amendment published at 71 FR 45992, Aug. 10, 2006.
Title 50: Wildlife and Fisheries
PART 21—MIGRATORY BIRD PERMITS
Section Contents
§ 21.1 Purpose of regulations.
§ 21.2 Scope of regulations.
§ 21.3 Definitions.
§ 21.4 Information collection requirements.
§ 21.11 General permit requirements.
§ 21.12 General exceptions to permit requirements.
§ 21.13 Permit exceptions for captive-reared mallard ducks.
§ 21.14 Permit exceptions for captive-reared migratory waterfowl other than mallard ducks.
§ 21.21 Import and export permits.
§ 21.22 Banding or marking permits.
§ 21.23 Scientific collecting permits.
§ 21.24 Taxidermist permits.
§ 21.25 Waterfowl sale and disposal permits.
§ 21.26 Special Canada goose permit.
§ 21.27 Special purpose permits.
§ 21.28 Falconry permits.
§ 21.29 Federal falconry standards.
§ 21.30 Raptor propagation permits.
§ 21.31 Rehabilitation permits.
§ 21.41 Depredation permits.
§ 21.42 Authority to issue depredating orders to permit the killing of migratory game birds.
§ 21.43 Depredation order for blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows and magpies.
§ 21.44 Depredation order for designated species of depredating birds in California.
§ 21.45 Depredation order for depredating purple gallinules in Louisiana.
§ 21.46 Depredation order for depredating scrub jays and Steller's jays in Washington and Oregon.
§ 21.47 Depredation order for double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities.
§ 21.48 Depredation order for double-crested cormorants to protect public resources.
§ 21.49 xxx
§ 21.50 xxx
§ 21.51 xxx
§ 21.52 xxx
§ 21.60 Conservation order for mid-continent light geese.
§ 21.61 xxx
Subpart A—Introduction
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§ 21.1 Purpose of regulations.
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§ 21.2 Scope of regulations.
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§ 21.3 Definitions.
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§ 21.4 Information collection requirements.
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Subpart B—General Requirements and Exceptions
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§ 21.11 General permit requirements.
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§ 21.12 General exceptions to permit requirements.
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§ 21.13 Permit exceptions for captive-reared mallard ducks.
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§ 21.14 Permit exceptions for captive-reared migratory waterfowl other than mallard ducks.
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Subpart C—Specific Permit Provisions
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§ 21.21 Import and export permits.
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§ 21.22 Banding or marking permits.
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§ 21.23 Scientific collecting permits.
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§ 21.24 Taxidermist permits.
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§ 21.25 Waterfowl sale and disposal permits.
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§ 21.26 Special Canada goose permit.
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§ 21.27 Special purpose permits.
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§ 21.28 Falconry permits.
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§ 21.29 Federal falconry standards.
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§ 21.30 Raptor propagation permits.
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§ 21.31 Rehabilitation permits.
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Subpart D—Control of Depredating Birds
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§ 21.41 Depredation permits.
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§ 21.42 Authority to issue depredating orders to permit the killing of migratory game birds.
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§ 21.43 Depredation order for blackbirds, cowbirds, grackles, crows and magpies.
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§ 21.44 Depredation order for designated species of depredating birds in California.
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§ 21.45 Depredation order for depredating purple gallinules in Louisiana.
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§ 21.46 Depredation order for depredating scrub jays and Steller's jays in Washington and Oregon.
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§ 21.47 Depredation order for double-crested cormorants at aquaculture facilities.
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§ 21.48 Depredation order for double-crested cormorants to protect public resources.
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§ 21.49 xxx
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§ 21.50 xxx
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§ 21.51 xxx
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§ 21.52 xxx
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Subpart E—Control of Overabundant Migratory Bird Populations
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§ 21.60 Conservation order for mid-continent light geese.
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§ 21.61 xxx
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