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Home My WebLink AboutF & G Commission Notice - Nongame Animals General Provisions Commissioners STATE OF CALIFORNIA Valerie Termini,Executive Director Eric Sklar,President Edmund G.Brown Jr.,Governor 1416 Ninth Street, Room 1320 Saint Helena Sacramento,CA 95814 Jacque Hostler-Carmesin,Vice President (916)653-4899 McKinleyville Fish and Game Commission www•fgc.ca.gov Anthony C.Williams,Member BUTTE CQUN,rY Huntington BeachADMINISTkA1,10N Russell E.Burns,Member JUL C i�s Napa 4i!so4dl Peter S.Silva,Member L33. Chula Vista OROVILLE,CALIFORNIA Wildlife Heritage and Conservation Since 1870 July 18, 2016 TO ALL INTERESTED AND AFFECTED PARTIES: This is to provide you with a copy of the notice of proposed regulatory action to amend Section 472, Title 14, California Code of Regulations, relating to Nongame Animals General Provisions, which will be published in the California Regulatory Notice Register on July 15, 2016. Please note the dates of the public hearings related to this matter and associated deadlines for receipt of written comments. Additional information and all associated documents may be found on the Fish and Game Commission website at www.f,qc.ca.gov. Karen Fothergill, Department of Fish and Wildlife, phone 916-716-1461, has been designated to respond to questions on the substance of the proposed regulations. Sincerely, 4", Caren Woodson Associate Governmental Program Analyst Attachment TITLE 14. Fish and Game Commission Notice of Proposed Changes in Regulations NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Fish and Game Commission (Commission), pursuant to the authority vested by Sections 3800 and 4150 of the Fish and Game Code and to implement, interpret or make specific Sections 3800 and 4150 of said Code, proposes to amend Section 472, Title 14, California Code of Regulations, relating nongame animals general provisions. Informative Digest/Policy Digest/PolicyStatement Overview The status of domestic pigeons is uncertain under existing law. Fish and Game Code (FGC) Section 3680 implies that the shooting or taking of domestic pigeons is lawful. However, since their status (e.g. as the feral progeny of domestic birds) in the Code is unclear, the actual conditions under which they can be shot or taken is also unclear. FGC Section 3800 makes it unlawful to take nongame birds except as authorized by code or regulation. Increasing populations of nonnative species have developed in many areas of California to the detriment of our native wildlife. Nonnative deer species compete with native species for the limited resources, forage, and habitat necessary for survival. They may also transmit diseases or parasites for which native species have no natural immunity or defenses. Current regulation permits the take of nonnative deer during the general deer season in the deer zone where they are found. PROPOSED REGULATION In order to clarify the status of domestic pigeons, the proposed amendment to subsection 472(a) specifies domestic pigeons are a nongame species which may be taken at any time and in any number except as specified. In order to extend hunting opportunity and reduce populations of nonnative deer species, the proposed amendments to subsection 472(b) are necessary: • (b) Extend the season for nonnative deer, of either sex, to include the deer, elk, and antelope seasons on any properties enrolled in Private Lands Management Programs authorized for hunting, and add that there is no bag or possession limit for nonnative species. • (b)(1) Clarify that the possession of a valid hunting license is required for taking nonnative species; however, no tag, stamp, or additional endorsement of any kind is required. • (b)(2) Clarify that it is unlawful to needlessly waste the edible flesh of nonnative deer. BENEFITS OF THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS The Commission anticipates benefits to the health and welfare of California residents. Establishing specific regulations regarding the take of nonnative deer species will create new hunting opportunities and help reduce negative impacts on native species populations and habitats by reducing populations of competing nonnative species. The Commission anticipates benefits to the State's environment in the sustainable management of natural resources. The regulation will clarify the conditions for take of domestic pigeons to provide consistency in application on a statewide basis and create new hunting opportunities for nonnative deer. Hunting provides opportunities for multi- generational family activities and promotes respect for the continued existence of California's natural resources by the future stewards of the State's resources. The Commission does not anticipate non-monetary benefits to the protection of public health and safety, worker safety, the prevention of discrimination, the promotion of fairness or social equity, and the increase in openness and transparency in business and government. EVALUATION OF INCOMPATIBILITY WITH EXISTING REGULATIONS: Section 20, Article IV, of the State Constitution specifies that the Legislature may delegate to the Fish and Game Commission such powers relating to the protection and propagation of fish and game as the Legislature sees fit. The Legislature has delegated to the Commission the power to regulate the take of nongame birds and mammals (Sections 3800 and 4150, Fish and Game Code). No other State agency has the authority to promulgate nongame hunting regulations. The Commission has searched the California Code of Regulations and has found the proposed changes pertaining to the general provisions of the nongame section consistent with the provisions of Title 14; therefore, the Commission has determined that the proposed amendments are neither inconsistent nor incompatible with existing State regulations. NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that any person interested may present statements, oralIX or in writing, relevant to this action at a hearing to be held at the Red Lion Inn, 1929 4t Street, Eureka, California, on Wednesday, October 20, 2016, at 8:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard. It is requested, but not required, that written comments be submitted on or before October 6, 2016, at the address given below, or by email to FGCQfac.ca.gov. Written comments mailed, or emailed to the Commission office, must be received before 5:00 p.m. on October 14, 2016. All comments must be received no later than October 20, 2016, at the hearing in Eureka, California. If you would like copies of any modifications to this proposal, please include your name and mailing address. 2 The regulations as proposed in strikeout-underline format, as well as an initial statement of reasons, including environmental considerations and all information upon which the proposal is based (rulemaking file), are on file and available for public review from the agency representative, Valerie Termini, Executive Director, Fish and Game Commission, 1416 Ninth Street, Box 944209, Sacramento, California 94244-2090, phone (916) 653-4899. Please direct requests for the above mentioned documents and inquiries concerning the regulatory process to Valerie Termini or Caren Woodson at the preceding address or phone number. Karen Fothergill, Department of Fish and Wildlife, phone (996) 716-1461 or email Karen.Fothergill@wildlife.ca.gov, has been designated to respond to questions on the substance of the proposed regulations. Copies of the Initial Statement of Reasons, the regulatory language, the Notice, and other rulemaking documents, may be obtained from either the address above or on the Commission's website at http://www.fgc.ca.gov. Availability of Modified Text If the regulations adopted by the Commission differ from but are sufficiently related to the action proposed, they will be available to the public for at least 15 days prior to the date of adoption. Any person interested may obtain a copy of said regulations prior to the date of adoption by contacting the agency representative named herein. If the regulatory proposal is adopted, the final statement of reasons may be obtained from the address above when it has been received from the agency program staff. Impact of Regulatory Action/Results of the Economic Impact Assessment The potential for significant statewide adverse economic impacts that might result from the proposed regulatory action has been assessed, and the following initial determinations relative to the required statutory categories have been made: (a) Significant Statewide Adverse Economic Impact Directly Affecting Business, Including the Ability of California Businesses to Compete with Businesses in Other States: The proposed action will not have a significant statewide adverse economic impact directly affecting business, including the ability of California businesses to compete with businesses in other states. The proposed regulations are unlikely to increase or decrease current levels of hunting effort in California. (b) Impact on the Creation or Elimination of Jobs Within the State, the Creation of New Businesses or the Elimination of Existing Businesses, or the Expansion of Businesses in California; Benefits of the Regulation to the Health and Welfare of California Residents, Worker Safety, and the State's Environment: 3 The Commission anticipates benefits to the health and welfare of California residents. Establishing specific regulations regarding the take of nonnative deer species will create new hunting opportunities and help reduce negative impacts on native species populations and habitats by reducing populations of competing nonnative species. The Commission anticipates benefits to the State's environment in the sustainable management of natural resources. The regulation will clarify the conditions for take of domestic pigeons to provide consistency in application on a statewide basis and create new hunting opportunities for nonnative deer. Hunting provides opportunities for multi-generational family activities and promotes respect for the continued existence of California's natural resources by the future stewards of the State's resources. The Commission does not anticipate any impacts on the creation or elimination of jobs, the creation of new business, the elimination of businesses, or the expansion of businesses in California. The Commission does not anticipate any benefit to worker safety. (c) Cost Impacts on a Representative Private Person or Business: The Commission is not aware of any cost impacts that a representative private person or business would necessarily incur in reasonable compliance with the proposed action. (d) Costs or Savings to State Agencies or Costs/Savings in Federal Funding to the State: None. (e) Nondiscretionary Costs/Savings to Local Agencies: None. (f) Programs Mandated on Local Agencies or School Districts: None. (g) Costs Imposed on any Local Agency or School District that is Required to be Reimbursed Under Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4, Government Code: None. (h) Effect on Housing Costs: None. Effect on Small Business It has been determined that the adoption of these regulations will not affect small business. The Commission has drafted the regulations in Plain English pursuant to Government Code Sections 11342.580 and 11346.2(a)(1). 4 Consideration of Alternatives The Commission must determine that no reasonable alternative considered by the Commission, or that has otherwise been identified and brought to the attention of the Commission, would be more effective in carrying out the purpose for which the action is proposed, would be as effective and less burdensome to affected private persons than the proposed action, or would be more cost effective to affected private persons and equally effective in implementing the statutory policy or other provision of law. FISH AND GAME COMMISSION Valerie Termini Dated:July 5, 2016 Executive Director 5