Migratory Bird Permits; Establishment of a Conservation Order for the Reduction of Mid-Continent Light Goose Populations

The Mid-continent lesser snow goose and Ross' goose population has nearly quadrupled in the last 30 years. The Western Central Flyway lesser snow and Ross' goose population also has quadrupled in the last 23 years. Collectively, these central and eastern arctic and subarctic- nesting light goose populations are referred to as Mid-continent light geese (MCLG) Due to high population growth rates, a decline in adult mortality, and an increase in winter survival, MCLG are now seriously injurious to their habitat and habitat important to other migratory birds which poses a serious threat to the short and long-term health and status of migratory bird populations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or ``we'') believes that MCLG populations exceed long-term sustainable levels for their arctic and subarctic breeding habitats and the populations must be reduced. This proposed rule proposes the addition of a new subpart to 50 CFR part 21 for the management of overabundant MCLG populations. We, in cooperation with State wildlife agencies, are further proposing to implement a population control program by establishing a conservation order for MCLG under the authority of the proposed subpart. This proposed rule will increase the use and availability of additional hunting methods and will authorize take of MCLG outside of the normal open light-goose hunting season. We designed the program to increase MCLG harvest and to provide a biologically sound and cost effective and efficient method for the reduction and management of overabundant MCLG populations.