[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 54 (Friday, March 19, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13065-13066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6170]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
2004 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (Federal Duck
Stamp) Contest
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service announces the dates and
locations of the 2004 Federal Duck Stamp contest; the public is invited
to enter and to attend.
DATES: 1. The official date to begin submission of entries to the 2004
contest is June 1, 2004. All entries must be postmarked no later than
midnight, Monday, August 16, 2004.
2. The public may first view the 2004 Federal Duck Stamp Contest
entries on Monday, October 4, 2004.
3. Judging will be held on Tuesday, October 5, 2004.
ADDRESSES: Requests for complete copies of the contest rules,
reproduction rights agreement, and display and participation agreement
may be requested by calling 1-703-358-2000, or requests may be
addressed to: Federal Duck Stamp Contest, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, Department of the Interior, 4401 North Fairfax Drive, Mail
Stop MBSP-4070, Arlington, VA 22203-1622. You may also download the
information from the Federal Duck Stamp Web site at http://duckstamps.fws.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Chris Tollefson,Chief, Federal
Duck Stamp Office (703) 358-2000, E-mail[email protected] or
fax: (703) 358-2009.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On March 16, 1934, Congress passed and President Franklin Roosevelt
signed the Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp Act. Popularly known as the
Duck Stamp Act, it required all waterfowl hunters 16 years or older to
buy a stamp annually. The revenue generated was originally earmarked
for the Department of Agriculture, but 5 years later was transferred to
the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
to buy or lease waterfowl sanctuaries.
In the years since its enactment, the Federal Duck Stamp Program
has become one of the most popular and successful conservation programs
ever initiated. Today, some 1.6 million stamps are sold each year, and
as of 2002, FederalDuck Stamps have generated more than $600 million
for
[[Page 13066]]
the preservation of more than 5 million acres of waterfowl habitat in
the United States. Numerous other birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and
amphibians have similarly prospered because of habitat protection made
possible by the program. An estimated one-third of the Nation's
endangered and threatened species find food or shelter in refuges
preserved by Duck Stamp funds. Moreover, the protected wetlands help
dissipate storms, purify water supplies, store flood water, and nourish
fish hatchlings important for sport and commercial fisherman.
The Contest
The first Federal Duck Stamp was designed at President Franklin
Roosevelt's request by Jay N. ``Ding'' Darling, a nationally known
political cartoonist for the Des Moines Register and a noted hunter and
wildlife conservationist. In subsequent years, noted wildlife artists
were asked to submit designs. The first contest was opened in 1949 to
any U.S. artist who wished to enter, and 65 artists submitted a total
of 88 design entries in the only art competition of its kind sponsored
by the U.S. Government. To select each year's design, a panel of noted
art, waterfowl, and philatelic authorities are appointed by the
Secretary of the Interior. Winners receive no compensation for the
work, except a pane of their stamps, but winners may sell prints of
their designs, which are sought by hunters, conservationists, and art
collectors.
The public may view the 2004 Federal Duck Stamp entries on Monday,
October 4, 2004, in the Department of the Interior Auditorium (``C''
Street entrance), 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC. This year's
judging will be held Tuesday, October 5, 2004.
Eligible Species
Species eligible for the 2004 contest include American wigeon, wood
duck, gadwall, ring-necked duck, and hooded merganser. Entries
featuring a species other than the above listed species will be
disqualified.
Dated: February 9, 2004.
Steve Williams,
Director.
[FR Doc. 04-6170 Filed 3-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-U