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

Mid-continent light goose populations (lesser snow and Ross' goose combined) has nearly quadrupled within the last 30 years, and have become seriously injurious to their habitat and habitat important to other migratory birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or ``we'') believes that these populations exceed the long-term carrying capacity of their breeding habitats and must be reduced. This rule adds a new subpart to 50 CFR part 21 for the management of overabundant Mid-continent light goose populations, and establishes a conservation order to increase take of such populations under the authority of this subpart.