2.1 Purpose. This chapter describes the responsibilities, composition, and functions of the Migratory Bird Regulations Committee of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service Regulations Committee).
2.2 Responsibility. The Service Regulations Committee is responsible for making recommendations to the Director on the basic and annual regulations contained in Title 50 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 20, which govern the sport hunting of migratory game birds.
2.3 Composition. The Assistant Director - Federal Trust Species is the Chairman, and the Regional Directors, Regions 1 through 12, rotate into the four remaining member positions with one new member each year. The Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, serves as the executive secretary, in a non-voting status.
2.4 Functions. The Service Regulations Committee will review information provided to it each year on regulatory issues and submit recommendations to the Director. In this regard, the Committee receives guidance from the Division of Migratory Bird Management, the Office of Law Enforcement, and from the Regional Migratory Bird Coordinators. In addition, Flyway Consultants, from the four Flyway Councils, may provide technical data and certain advice as limited by memoranda of understanding.
A. In January, the Committee meets with other Service personnel to develop preliminary proposals for annual regulations and to consider any amendments to basic regulations.
B. In June, the Committee meets again for the early-season regulations process. At that time, the group considers the status of the resource and weighs recommendations from the Flyway Councils and the Service's Headquarters and Regional staffs prior to forwarding its recommendations to the Director.
C. In July, for the late-season regulations process, the Committee takes an active part in the Waterfowl Status Meeting and, with the assistance of the Office of Migratory Bird Management, develops guidelines for the Flyway Councils to follow in preparing their council recommendations.
D. In August, the Committee meets again to consider the status of waterfowl and waterfowl habitat, to weigh recommendations from the Flyway Councils and the Service, and to forward its own recommendations to the Director.