USFWS PERMITS - NEWS AND UPDATES

- Consolidation of Migratory Bird Permitting Offices
- Leaving a Lasting Legacy - a vision document for the USFWS permitting programs
- Online permit applications and reporting systems
- USFWS permits website

USFWS MIGRATORY BIRD PERMIT PROGRAM TO BE CONSOLIDATED (updated January 2005)

In June 2004, the USFWS announced that by the end of 2004, it would merge the migratory bird regional permitting programs (all permits, not just scientific research permits) into one central permitting office, probably not located in the DC area, although the policy functions would probably remain at the national office of the Division of Migratory Bird Management.  All other permit funtions - issuance, reporting, etc - would be handled by the one central office. In addition to promoting efficiency, this system will also help to eliminate persistent interregional variation.

The migratory birds permits office functions would be more web-based. The emphasis would be on biologically-based decisions.

The Ornithological Council will be making suggestions for ways to further improve the migratory birds permitting system, and welcomes comments from ornithologists that we will pass along to the USFWS.

UPDATE JANUARY 2005: The consolidation is still under consideration. It seems that the original decision was in part a function of the effort to resolve the very substantial budget deficits of the Division of Migratory Bird Management and in part a function of the recognized need to eliminate the interregional variation in the application of permit regulations. Since the FY2005 appropriations partly resolved the budget deficit with regard to the permitting offices, the DMBM had the time to more carefully evaluate the cost of the planned consolidation. A report has been prepared for USFWS Director Steve Williams and the question of consolidation will be decided in February. If the consolidation does not occur, the DMBM intends to pursue ways to reduce or eliminate the inconsistent application of permit regulations. Among other things, they are considering some level of national oversight or appeal to the national level (currently, the appeals process stops at the regional level). The OC has been urging the DMBM to exercise oversight at the national level for some time.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service making progress on web-based permit applications and reporting systems for migratory bird permits (updated January 2005)


The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service had hoped to have its migratory bird permit application system online by 1 October 2004, including capability for online, secure fee payments.

This change should make permit applications faster for the applicant while facilitating better use of the Service-wide Permits Information Tracking System (SPITS). The information maintained by the Service in this database is needed for making decisions on renewal applications and new permit applications.

The Service is working to develop an electronic signature system, which will allow the entire application process to be handled on-line. While it may not be possible to apply for multiple permits with one application, it may be possible to pay all the permit fees at once.

The Ornithological Council has asked the USFWS to try to make the system available for banding permits, and they agreed to look into this.

Making online reporting systems available will be more difficult, again due to the many kinds of data that are reported under the different permit programs, but the USFWS plans to work on online reporting after it completes the online application system. It could be a year or more before online reporting is available.

Unfortunately, as of January 2005, the system was not complete, and there is no target date for completion at this time.

USFWS publishes vision document for permits program (October 2002)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has published a statement outlining its permitting philosophy and objectives. The statement, entitled "Leaving a Lasting Legacy" can be found on the USFWS website at http://library.fws.gov/IA_Pubs/permits_legacy02.pdf. This document states that the mission of the permitting system is to promote long‑term conservation of  animals, plants, and their habitats, and encourage joint stewardship with others.  In furtherance of this mission, the USFWS outlined thirteen specific action items intended to reform its permits policies and procedures.

The development of this vision statement resulted in large part from the efforts of three organizations ‑ the Ornithological Council, the Peregrine Fund, and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association ‑ to encourage the USFWS to improve the permitting system to remove impediments to research and conservation programs that require permits. There are barriers to full realization of the objectives in this vision document, such as a lack of funding to increase staffing levels in the Washington, D.C. and regional offices of the USFWS. Staffing increases are needed to complete pending regulatory reforms, process applications in a timely manner, and ensure the prompt and complete entry of data into the USFWS Service‑wide Permit Information Tracking System (SPITS). Additional funding is needed to develop a web‑based permit application process. The OC and other organizations are working diligently to remove these barriers.


USFWS launches permits website

(May 2003): The Ornithological Council congratulates the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on its newly-launched permits website: http://permits.fws.gov. This new site includes: an overview of all permits issued by the USFWS; a step-by-step guide to decide whether a permit is even needed, and if  so, how to apply; FAQs - an alphabetical index to answers to common questions about permits; application forms; import/export information; Federal Register notices pertaining to permits; permit laws, treaties, and regulations; species lists that pertain to various permits; contacts for permit offices; the permits vision document "Leaving a Lasting Legacy." You can complete forms online, but forms must still be printed and mailed. The USFWS is working on ways to enable on-line filing of permit applications and reports.


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