2012-13 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations Published September 11, 2012
Final rule: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-09-11/pdf/2012-22099.pdf
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has opened one new refuge to hunting and expanded hunting opportunities at 16 national wildlife refuges in 14 states, under the final rule published September 11, 2012 in the Federal Register. The rule provides added public hunting opportunities in fulfillment of the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997.
2011-2012 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations published September 9, 2011
Final Rule: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-09-09/pdf/2011-22752.pdf
2010-2011 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations Published January 21, 2011
Final Rule: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2011/pdf/2011-225.pdf
2009-2010 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations Published April 12, 2010
Final Rule: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-8307.pdf
2008-2009 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations – Modifications
On September 3, 2009, the Federal Register published the 2008-09 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing — Modifications final rule.
Final Rule: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-21027.pdf
2008-09 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations – Additions
On August 28, 2008, we published a final regulation for refuge-specific hunting and sport fishing. This rule (proposed on June 11, 2008) contained one new refuge hunting opening (Hamden Slough NWR in MN) and increases in activities at six other refuges (Agassiz in MN, Blackwater in MD, Whittlesey Creek in WI, and Bayou Cocodrie, Tensas River, and Upper Ouachita all in LA). These changes were first proposed during the 2006-07 season (when we published the proposed rule on July 24, 2006) but subsequently withdrawn from the final rule described in the next section below. This rule was effective on the publication date (August 28, 2008). You may view the final rule at the following links:
Final rule: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-20022.pdf
2008-09 Refuge-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations
On June 11, 2008, we published another final regulation for refuge-specific hunting and sport fishing. This rule, delayed since the 2006-07 season (when we published the proposed rule on July 24, 2006) due to ongoing litigation, contains one refuge fishing opening (Cape May NWR in NJ) corrects administrative errors, makes other minor modifications to existing regulations in 50 CFR part 32 and updates the list of refuges in part 32 to include the addition of existing Wetland Management Districts. This rule was effective July 11, 2008.
Final rule: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-12188.pdf
EA Example
Example of a revised environmental analysis (EA) incorporating a cumulative impact analysis (CIA) for hunting: Ninigret NWR in Rhode Island.
Many other examples of revised EAs incorporating CIAs can be found on Regional Refuge homepages.
For background and further information, here are links to both
the January 19, 2007 memo from Ken Stansell (82 KB PDF) to Regional Chiefs providing guidance on the CIA process, along with March 8, 2007 supplementary guidance (17 KB PDF).
E-mail your comments to refugeSytemPolicyComments@fws.gov.
