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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFish and Game Notice 01.24.14 - Mammal Hunting RegulationsCommissioners Michael Sutton, President Monterey Richard Rogers, Vice President Santa Barham Jim Kellogg, Member Discovery Bay Jack Baylis, Member Los Angeles Jacque Hostler-Carmesin, Member McKinleyville January 24, 2014 STATE OF CALIFORNIA Edmund G. Brown Jr., Governor Fish and Game Commission Sonke Mastrup, Executive Director 1416 Ninth Street, Room 1320 Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 653-4699 (916) 653-5040 Fax vwow.fgc.ca.gov BOARD OFSUpERyIgORS JAN 2 8.2014 oROViuE, c~ This is to provide you with a copy of the notice of proposed regulatory action relative to Amending Sections 360, 361, 362, 363 and 364, Title 14, California Code of Regulations, relating to Mammal Hunting Regulations for the 2014-2015 season, which are published in the California Regulatory Notice Register on January 24, 2014. 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.fac.ca.gov. Mr. Craig Stowers, Department of Fish and Wildlife, phone (916) 445-3553, has been designated to respond to questions on the substance of the proposed Jon D. Sn Associate Attachment Program Analyst ~~~~ fi~~ ~/~~ ~~~ En ~cz~~ ~~~ ~ ~ f , 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 200, 202, 203, 215, 219, 220, 331, 332, 460, 1050, 1572, 3452, 3453, 4302, 4334, 4902 and 10502; reference sections 200, 201, 202, 203, 203.1, 207, 210, 215, 219, 220, 331, 332, 458, 459, 460, 713, 1050, 1570, 1571, 1572, 1575, 2005, 3452, 3453, 3950,-3951, 4302, 4334, 4902, 10500 and 10502, Fish and Game Code; proposes to Amend Sections 360, 361, 362, 363 and 364, Title 14, California Code of Regulations (CCR), relating to Mammal Hunting Regulations for the 2014-2015 season. Informative Diuest/Policv Statement Overview Subsection 31i0(a) Existing regulations provide for the number of license tags available for the A, B, C, and D Zones. This regulatory proposal changes the number of tags for all existing zones to a series of ranges presented in the table below. These ranges are necessary, as the final number of tags cannot be determined until spring herd data are collected in March/April. Because severe winter conditions can have an adverse effect on herd recruitment and over-winter adult survival, final tag quotas may fall below the proposed range into the "Low Kill" altemative identified in the 2007 Environmental Document Regarding Deer Hunting. Deer: § 360(a) A, B, C, and D Zone Hunts Tag Allocations Zone Current Pro osed A 65,000 30,000-65,000 B 35,000 35,000-65,000 C 8,150 5,000-15,000 D3-5 33,000 30,000-40,000 D-6 10,000 6,000-16,000 D-7 9,000 4,000-10,000 D-8 8,000 5,000-10,000 D-9 2,000 1,000-2,500 D-10 700 400-800 D-11 5,500 2,500-6,000 D-12 950 100-1,500 D-13 4,000 2,000-5,000 D-14 3,000 2,000-3,500 D-15 1,500 500-2,000 D-16 3,000 1,000-3,500 D-17 500 100-800 D-19 1,500 500-2,000 A minor editorial correction to highway nomenclature was also made. Subsection 3601b) Existing regulations provide for the number of hunting tags for the X zones. The proposal changes the number of tags for all existing zones to a series of ranges presented in the table below. These ranges are necessary, as the final number of tags cannot be determined until spring herd data are collected in March/April. Because severe winter conditions can have an adverse effect on herd recruitment and over-winter adult survival, final tag quotas may fall below the proposed range into the "Low Kill" alternative identified in the 2007 Environmental Document Regarding Deer Hunting. 2 Deer: § 360(b) X-Zone Hunts Tag Allocations Zone Current Pro osed X-1 935 900-8,000 X-2 180 50-500 X-3a 295 100-1,200 X-3b 835 200-3,000 X-4 395 100-1,200 X-5a 75 25-200 X-5b 55 50-500 X-8a 320 100-1,200 X-8b 310 100-1,200 X-7a 220 50-500 X-7b 130 25-200 X-8 220 100-750 X-9a 650 100-1,200 X-9b 325 100-600 X-9c 325 100-600 X-10 400 100-600 X-12 680 100-1,200 Subsection 360(c) Existing regulations provide for the number of hunting tags in the Additional Hunts. The proposal changes the number of tags for all existing hunts to a series of ranges as indicated in the table below: The proposal provides a range of tag numbers for each hunt from which a final number will be determined, based on the post-winter status of each deer herd. These ranges are necessary, as the final number of tags cannot be determined until spring herd data are collected in March/April. Due to this, the final recommended quotas may fall below the current proposed range into the "Low Kill" alternative identified in the 2007 Environmental Document Regarding Deer Hunting. Existing regulations for Additional Hunts G-8 (Fort Hunter Liggett Antlerless Deer Hunt) and J- 10 (Fort Hunter Liggett Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt) provide for hunting to begin on October 5 and continue for two (2) consecutive days and reopen on October 12 and continue for three (3) consecutive days in order to accommodate for Base operations and other hunt opportunities. The proposal would modify the season to account for the annual calendar shift by changing the season opening dates to October 4 and October 11 (for 2 and 3 consecutive days) respectively, in order to accommodate for Base operations. Deer: § 360(c) Additional Hunts Ta Allocations Hunt Number and Title Current Pro osed G-1 Late Season Buck Hunt for Zone C-4 2,710 500-5,000 G-3 Goodale Buck Hunt 35 5-50 G-6 Kern River Deer Herd Buck Hunt 50 25-100 G-7 Beale Either-Sex Deer Hunt 20 Milita 20 Milita 20 Tags Total* 20 Tags Total* (10 G-8 (Fort Hunter Liggett Antlerless Deer Hunt) (10 Military and Military and 10 10 Public Public 0-30 Tags Total* (Military and G-9 (Camp Roberts Antlerless Deer Hunt) 0 Public splits 15/15 G-10 Cam Pendleton Either-Sex Deer Hunt 400 Milita 400 Milita Deer: § 360(c) Additional Hunts Ta Allocations Hunt Number and Title Current Pro osed G-11 (Vandenberg Either-Sex Deer Hunt) 500 Military*, DOD and as Authorized by the Installation Commander** 500 Military*, DOD and as Authorized by the Installation Commander** G-12 Gra Lod a Shot un Either-Sex Deer Hunt 30 10-50 G-13 San Die o Antlerless Deer Hunt 300 50-300 G-19 (Sutter-Yuba Wildlife Areas Either-Sex Deer Hunt 25 10-50 G-21 Ventana Wilderness Buck Hunt 25 25-100 G-37 Anderson Flat Buck Hunt 25 25-50 G-38 X-10 Late Season Buck Hunt 300 50-300 G-39 Round Valle Late Season Buck Hunt 5 5-150 M-3 Do le Muzzleloadin Rifle Buck Hunt 20 10-75 M-4 Horse Lake Muzzleloadin Rifle Buck Hunt 10 5-50 M-5 East Lassen Muzzleloadin Rifle Buck Hunt 5 5-50 M-6 (San Diego Muzzleloading Rifle Either-Sex Deer Hunt 80 25-100 M-7 (Ventura Muzzleloading Rifle Either-Sex Deer Hunt 150 50-150 M-8 Bass Hill Muzzleloadin Rifle Buck Hunt 20 5-50 M-9 Devil's Garden Muzzleloadin Rifle Buck Hunt 15 5-100 M-11 (Northwestern California Muzzleloading Rifle Buck Hunt 20 20-200 MA-1 (San Luis Obispo Muzzleloading Rifle/Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunt 150 20-150 MA-3 (Santa Barbara Muzzleloading Rifle/Archery Buck Hunt 150 20-150 J-1 Lake Sonoma A rentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt 25 10-25 J-3 Tehama Wildlife Area A rentice Buck Hunt 15 15-30 J-4 Shasta-Trinit A rentice Buck Hunt 15 15-50 J-7 Carson River A rentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt 15 10-50 J-8 (Daugherty Hill Wildlife Area Apprentice Either- Sex Deer Hunt 15 10-20 J-9 (Little Dry Creek Apprentice Shotgun Either-Sex Deer Hunt 5 5-10 J-10 (Fort Hunter Liggett Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt) 85 Tags Total* (20 Military and 65 Public) 85 Tags Total* (20 Military and 65 Public) J-11 (San Bernardino Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt 40 10-50 J-12 Round Valle A rentice Buck Hunt 10 10-20 J-13 Los An eles A rentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt 40 25-100 J-14 Riverside A rentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt 30 15-75 J-15 Anderson Flat A rentice Buck Hunt 10 5-30 J-16 (Bucks Mountain-Nevada City Apprentice Either- Sex Deer Hunt 75 10-75 J-17 Blue Can on A rentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt 25 5-25 J-18 (Pacific-Grizzly Flat Apprentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt 75 10-75 J-19 Zone X-7a A rentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt 25 10-40 J-20 Zone X-7b A rentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt 20 5-20 J-21 East Tehama A rentice Either-Sex Deer Hunt 50 20-80 4 * Specific numbers of tags are provided for military hunts through a system which restricts hunter access to desired levels and ensures biologically conservative hunting programs. ** DOD =Department of Defense and eligible personnel as authorized by the Installation Commander. (Subsection 360(d) remains unchanpedl Section 361 Existing regulations provide for the number of hunting tags for existing area-specific archery hunts. The proposal changes the number of tags for existing hunts to a series of ranges presented in the table below. These ranges are necessary; as the final numberof tags cannot be determined until spring herd data are collected in March/April. Because severe winter conditions can have an adverse effect on herd recruitment and over-winter adult survival, final tag quotas may fall below the proposed range into the "Low Kill" alternative identified in the 2007 Environmental Document Regarding Deer Hunting. Minor editorial changes are necessary to provide consistency in subsection numbering, spelling, grammar, and clarification. Archery Deer Hunting: § 361 Ta Allocations Hunt Number and Title Current Pro osed A-1 C Zones Arche Onl Hunt 1,945 150-3,000 A-3 Zone X-1 Arche Hunt 135 50-1,000 A-4 Zone X-2 Arche Hunt 10 5-100 A-5 Zone X-3a Arche Hunt 25 10-300 A-6 Zone X-3b Arche Hunt 90 25-400 A-7 Zone X-4 Arche Hunt 110 25-400 A-8 Zone X-5a Arche Hunt 15 15-100 A-9 Zone X-5b Arche Hunt 5 5-100 A-11 Zone X-6a Arche Hunt 50 10-200 A-12 Zone X-6b Arche Hunt 100 10-200 A-13 Zone X-7a Arche Hunt 45 10-200 A-14 Zone X-7b Arche Hunt 25 5-100 A-15 Zone X-8 Arche Hunt 40 5-100 A-16 Zone X-9a Arche Hunt 140 50-500 A-17 Zone X-9b Arche Hunt 300 50-500 A-18 Zone X-9c Arche Hunt 350 50-500 A-19 Zone X-10 Arche Hunt 100 25-200 A-20 Zone X-12 Arche Hunt 100 50-500 A-21 Anderson Flat Arche Buck Hunt 25 25-100 A-22 San Die o Arche Either-Sex Deer Hunt 1,000 200-1,500 A-24 Montere Arche Either-Sex Deer Hunt 100 25-200 A-25 Lake Sonoma Arche Either-Sex Deer Hunt 35 20-75 A-26 Bass Hill Arche Buck Hunt 30 10-100 A-27 Devil's Garden Arche Buck Hunt 5 5-75 A-30 Covelo Arche Buck Hunt 40 20-100 A-31 Los An eles Arche Either-Sex Deer Hunt 1,000 200-1,500 A-32 (VenturalLos Angeles Archery Late Season Either-Sex Deer Hunt 250 50-300 A-33 (Fort Hunter Liggett Late Season Archery Either- Sex Deer Hunt) 50 Tags Total* (25 Military and 25 Public 50 Tags Total* (25 Military and 25 Public) Specific numbers of tags are provided for military hunts through a system which restricts hunter access to desired levels and ensures biologically conservative hunting programs. Section 362 The existing regulation provides for limited hunting of 23 Nelson bighorn rams in specified areas of the State. The proposed change is intended to adjust the number of tags based on Department's annual estimate of the population in the management unit. The number of tags allocated for each of the nine hunt zones is based on the results of the Department's 2013 estimate of the bighorn sheep population in each zone. Tags are proposed to ensure the take of no more than 15 percent of the mature rams estimated in each zone. Final tag quota determinations will be completed by February of 2014 pending completion of analyses. The following proposed number of tags was determined using the procedure described in Fish and Game Code Section 4902: HUNT-2rUNE Current Tag ' I111acation : Proposed Tag A(locatiom Zone 1 -Marble/Clipper Mountains 4 0-4 Zone 2 -Kelso Peak/Old Dad Mountains 3 0-4 Zone 3 - Clark/Kingston Mountain Ranges 2 0-2 Zone 4 - Orocopia Mountains 1 0-2 Zone 5 -San Gorgonio Wilderness 1 0-3 Zone 6 -Sheep Hole Mountains 1 0-2 Zone 7 -White Mountains 3 0-5 Zone 8 - South Bristol Mountains 2 0-3 Zone 9 -Cady Mountains 3 0-4 Open Zone Fund-raising Tag 1 0-1 Marble/Clipper/South Bristol Mountains Fund-raising Tag 1 0-1 Kelso Peak/Old Dad Mountains Fund-raising Tag 1 0-1 TOTAL 23 0-32 Section 363 Existing regulations provide for the number of pronghorn antelope hunting tags for each hunt zone. This proposed regulatory action would provide for tag allocation ranges for most hunt zones pending final tag quota determinations based on winter survey results that should be completed by March of 2014. The final tag quotas will provide for a biologically appropriate harvest of bucks and does in specific populations, while allowing for adequate hunting opportunities. The proposed 2014 tag allocation ranges for the hunt zones are as set forth below. 6 2014 Pronghorn Antelope Ta Allocation Ran es Hunt Area Archery-Only Season General Season Period 1 Period 2 Buck Doe Buck Doe Buck Doe Zone 1 -Mount Dome 0-10 0-3 0-60 0-20 0 0 Zone 2 -Clear Lake 0-10 0-3 0-80 0-25 0 0 Zone 3- Likel Tables 0-20 0-7 0-150 0-50 0-130 0-50 Zone 4-Lassen 0-20 0-7 0-150 0-50 0-150 0-50 Zone 5- Bi Valle 0-15 0-5 0-150 0-50 0 0 Zone 6 -Sur rise Valle 0-10 0 0-25 0-7 0 0 Likel Tables A rentice Hunt N/A 0-5 Either-Sex 0 Lassen A rentice Hunt N/A 0-15 Either-Sex 0 Bi Valle A rentice Hunt N/A -0-15 Either-Sex 0 Sur rise Valle A rentice Hunt N/A 0-4 Either-Sex 0 Fund-Raisin Hunt N/A 0-10 Buck Section 364 Existing regulations specify elk license tag quotas for each hunt. In order to maintain hunting quality in accordance with elk herd management goals and objectives, it is periodically necessary to adjust quotas in response to dynamic environmental and biological conditions. This proposed amendment modifies elk tag numbers to ranges of tags to adjust for fluctuations in population numbers. Final tag allocations will be made in accordance with elk management goals and objectives based on the results of surrey data collected in January -March 2014. Periodic quota changes are necessary to maintain hunting quality in accordance with management goals and objectives. The proposed quota ranges of elk tags for 2014 are as follows: 2014 Pro osed Elk Ta Allocation Hunt Name and T pe Bull Antlerless Either-Sex Spike General Roosevelt Elk Hunts Siski ou 0-30 0-30 Bi La oon 0-10 0-10 Northwestern California 0-30 Klamath 0-20 0-20 Del Norte 0-15 0-20 Marble Mountains 0-70 0-30 General Roc Mountain Elk Hunts Northeastern California 0-30 0-10 General RooseveltITule Elk Hunts Mendocino 0-4 0-4 Generat Tule Elk Hunts Cache Creek 0-4 0-4 La Panza Period 1 0-12 0-10 La Panza Period 2 0-12 0-12 Bisho Period 3 0-10 0-30 2074 Pro osed Elk Ta Allocation Hunt Name and T e Bull Antlerless Either-Sex S ike Bisho Period 4 0-10 0-30 Bisho Period 5 0-10 0-30 Inde endence Period 2 0-10 0-30 Inde endence Period 3 0-10 0-30 Inde endence Period 4 0-10 0-30 Inde endence Period 5 0-10 0-30 Lone Pine Period 2 0-10 0-30 Lone Pine Period 3 0-10 0-30 Lone Pine Pericd 4 0-10 0-30 Lone Pine Period 5 0-10 0-30 Tinemaha Period 2 0-10 0-30 Tinemaha Period 3 0-10 0-30 Tinemaha Period 4 0-10 0-30 Tinemaha Period 5 0-10 0-30 West Tinemaha Period 1 0-10 0-30 West Tinemaha Period 2 0-10 0-30 West Tinemaha Period 3 0-10 0-30 West Tinemaha Period 4 0-10 0-30 West Tinemaha Period 5 0-10 0-30 Tinemaha Mountain Period 1 0-8 Tinemaha Mountain Period 2 0-8 Tinemaha Mountain Period 3 0-8 Tinemaha Mountain Period 4 0-8 Tinemaha Mountain Period 5 0-8 Whitne Period 2 0-4 0-10 Whitne Period 3 0-4 0-10 Whitne Period 4 0-4 0-10 Whitne Period 5 0-4 0-10 Grizzl Island Period 1 0-3 0-12 0-6 Grizzl Island Period 2 0-3 0-12 0-6 Grizzl Island Period 3 0-3 0-12 0-6 Grizzl Island Period 4 0-2 0-12 0-6 Grizzl Island Period 5 0-2 0-12 0-6 Fort Hunter Li ett Period 1 0-16 Fort Hunter Li ett Period 2 0-14 Fort Hunter Li ett Period 3 0-14 East Park Reservoir 0-4 0-8 San Luis Reservoir 0-10 0-10 0-10 Bear Valle 0-4 0-2 Lake Pillsbur 0-4 0-4 Santa Clara 0-4 Alameda 0-4 A prentice Hunts Marble Mountains 0-4 Northeastern CA 0-4 Cache Creek 0-2 La Panza Period 1 0-2 0-2 Bisho Period 2 0-10 0-30 Grizzl Island Period 1 0-2 0-2 Grizzl Island Period 2 0-2 2014 Pro osed Elk Ta Allocation Hunt Name and T e Bull Antlerless Either-Sex S ike Fort Hunter Li ett Period 1 0-4 Fort Hunter Li ett Period 2 0-4 Fort Hunter Li ett Period 3 0-2 Arche Onl Hunts Northeastern California Arche Onl 0-20 Owens Valle Multi le Zone Arche Onl 0-10 0-10 Lone Pine Arche Onl Period 1 0-10 0-30 Tinemaha Arche Onl Period 1 0-10 0-30 Whitne Arche Onl Period 1 0-10 0-30 Fort Hunter Li ett Arche Onl 0-10 0-6 Muzzleloader Onl Hunts Bisho Muzzleloader Onl Period 1 0-10 0-30 Inde endence Muzzleloader Onl Period 1 0-10 0-10 Fort Hunter Li ett Muzzleloader Onl 0-6 Muzzleloader/Arche Onl Hunts Marble Mountains Muzzleloader/Arche Onl 0-10 Fund Raisin Ta s Multi-zone 1 Grizzl Island 1 Owens Valle 1 Milita Onl Elk Ta s Fort Hunter Li ett Milita Earl Season 0-2 0-2 Fort Hunter Li ett Milita Period 1 0-16 Fort Hunter Li ett Militar Period 2 0-14 Fort Hunter Li ett Milita Period 3 0-14 Fort Hunter Li ett Milita A rentice Period 1 0-4 Fort Hunter Li ett Milita A rentice Period 2 0-4 Fort Hunter Li ett Milita A rentice Period 3 0-2 Fort Hunter Li ett Milita Arche Onl 0-10 0-6 Fort Hunter Li ett Milita Muzzleloader Onl 0-6 Benefits of the Regulation Hunting provides outdoor recreational opportunities for not only the hunters, but for family and friends who are non-hunting members of the group, and are able to participate in hiking, fishing and other outdoor activities. It is the policy of this state to encourage the conservation, maintenance, and utilization of the living resources of the state's wildlife under the jurisdiction and ihfluence of the state for the benefit of all the citizens of the state and to promote the development of local California hunting in harmony with federal law respecting the conservation of the living resources of the state. The objectives of this policy include, but are not limited to, the maintenance of sufficient populations of all species to ensure their continued existence and the maintenance of a sufficient resource to support a reasonable sport use, taking into consideration the necessity of regulating individual tag quotas to the quantity that is sufficient to provide satisfying hunting opportunities. Adoption of scientifically-based seasons, zones, and tag quotas provides for the maintenance of sufficient populations of big-game species to ensure their continued existence. Adoption of scientifically-based seasons, zones and tag quotas provides for the maintenance of sufficient populations of big game to ensure their continued existence and future sport hunting opportunities. Under a normal season state big game hunters contribute about $202,390,334 in direct revenues to the State's business sector. This is based on California Department of Fish and Wildlife data and the US Fish and Wildlife Service's 2011 national survey data on fishing, hunting, and wildlife associated recreation for California. Adding the indirect and induced effects of this initial revenue contribution and the total benefit to California's economy is estimated to be $263,702,757 per year. This is equivalent to about $51,947,191 in total wage earnings to Californians, or as many as 1,170 jobs in the state. Consistency and Compatibility with Existing State Regulations After conducting a review for any related regulations, the agency has determined that these are the only regulations dealing with public use of California Department of Fish and Wildlife Lands. Therefore, the proposed regulations in this rulemaking action are neither inconsistent nor incompatible with existing state regulations. The primary purpose of the proposed regulations is an annual review of tag quotas in existing regulations. NOTICE IS GIVEN that any person interested may present statements, orally or in writing, relevant to this action at a hearing to be held in the Resources Building Auditorium, 1416 Ninth Street, Sacramento, California, on Wednesday, February 5, 2014, at 8:00 a.m., or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard. NOTICE IS ALSO GIVEN that any person interested may present statements, orally or in writing, relevant to this action at a hearing to be at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 450 E. Harbor Blvd. Ventura Beach, California, on Wednesday, April 16, 2014, 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 April 4, 2014 at the address given below, or by fax at (916) 653-5040, or by a-mail to FGCt7a.fgc.ca.gov. Written comments mailed, faxed or e-mailed to the Commission office, must be received before 5:00 p.m. on April 11, 2014. All comments must be received no later than April 16, 2014 at the hearing in Ventura. If you would like copies of any modifications to this proposal, please include your name and mailing address. 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, Sonke Mastrup, 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 Sonke Mastrup or Jon Snellstrom at the preceding address or phone number. Craig Stowers, Wildlife Branch, phone (916) 445-3553, has been designated to respond to questions on the substance of the proposed regulations Copies of the Initial Statement of Reasons, including the regulatory language, may be obtained from the address above. Notice of the proposed action shall be posted on the Fish and Game Commission 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. Circumstances beyond the control of the Commission (e.g., timing of Federal regulation 10 adoption, timing of resource data collection, timelines do not allow, etc.) or changes made to be responsive to public recommendation and comments during the regulatory process may preclude full compliance with the 15-day comment period, and the Commission will exercise its powers under Section 202 of the Fish and Game Code. Regulations adopted pursuant to this section are not subject to the time periods for adoption, amendment or repeal of regulations prescribed in Sections 11343.4, 11346.4 and 11346.8 of the Government Code. 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, thefiinal statement of reasons may be obtained from the address above when it has been received from the agency program staff. Impact of Renulatorv Action/Results of the Economic Impact Analysis The potential for significant statewide adverse economic impacts that might result from the proposed regulatory action has been assessed, and following initial determinations relative to the required statutory categories have been made. (a) Significant Statewide Adverse Economic Impact Directly Affecting Businesses, 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 action adjusts tag quotas for existing hunts. Given the number of tags available and the area over which they are distributed, these proposals are economically neutral to business. (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: Sections 360, 361 and 364 None. The proposed action will not have significant impacts on jobs or business within California. The proposed action adjusts tag quotas for existing hunts based on herd performance criteria. Given the number of tags historically available, the minimal adjustments in tag numbers that are anticipated for the 2014 hunting season, and the area over which they are distributed (entire State of California), these proposals are economically neutral to jobs or business within California. Sections 362 and 363 None. It is unlikely that the proposed regulation will result in the creation or elimination of jobs within the state, cause the creation of new businesses or the elimination of existing businesses or result in the expansion of businesses in California because the overall number of tags issued is small and the resulting hunting effort is spread over a large geographic area. (c) Cost Impacts on Private Persons: 11 The Commission is not aware of any cost impacts that a representative private person 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) Other 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: None (h) Effect on Housing Costs: None Effect on Small Business It has been determined that the adoption of these regulations may affect small business. The Commission has drafted the regulations in Plain English pursuant to Government Code sections 11342.580 and 11346.2(a)(1). 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 Sonke Mastrup Dated: January 7, 2014 Executive Director 12