Financial Assistance: Wildlife Restoration, Sport Fish Restoration, Hunter Education and Safety

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, are issuing final regulations governing the Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration financial assistance programs that include the Enhanced Hunter Education and Safety program and the Basic Hunter Education and Safety, Recreational Boating Access, Aquatic Resource Education, and Outreach and Communications subprograms. This final rule reflects targeted changes to the existing rule and is not a complete update. We proposed changes December 15, 2017, based on changes to law, regulation, policy, and practice since the last rulemaking in 2011. This final rule adds and updates definitions and eligible activities under these programs; simplifies requirements for license certification, especially for multiyear licenses; updates authorities; and clarifies how a grantee may use program income under an award. We reviewed all comments received during the comment period and made changes where necessary based on concerns and recommendations. We do not include all proposed changes in the final rule and will continue to work with partners to address those items in future policy or rulemaking.