[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 234 (Friday, December 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64395-64396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-31892]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR


Fish and Wildlife Service

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Peregrine Fund (J. Peter Jenny; applicant) has applied for 
an amendment to its incidental take permit pursuant to Section 10(a) of 
the Endangered Species Act (Act) issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) on December 16, 1996, under permit number PRT-814839. 
The amendment requests that Jim Wells County, Texas (556,332 acres) be 
added to the 14 county area in Texas where The Peregrine Fund already 
has a permit for incidental take in association with their aplomado 
falcon (Falco femoralis septentrionalis) reintroduction program.

DATES: Written comments on the amendment application should be received 
on or before January 5, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the application may obtain a copy 
by writing to the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
500 Gold Avenue, S.W., P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. In 
addition, the amendment application will be available for public 
inspection by written request, by appointment only, during normal 
business hours (8:00 to 4:30) at the Service's Clear Lake Ecological 
Services Field Office, 17629 El Camino Real, Suite 211, Houston, Texas 
77058. Written comments concerning the application should be submitted 
to the Field Supervisor, Clear Lake Ecological Services Field Office, 
17629 El Camino Real, Suite 211, Houston, Texas 77058. Please refer to 
the amendment to PRT-814839 when submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edith A. Erfling, Clear Lake 
Ecological Services Field Office, 17629 El Camino Real, Suite 211, 
Houston, Texas 77058; (281) 286-8282.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 9 of the Act prohibits the 
``taking'' of endangered species such as the Aplomado falcon. However, 
the Service, under limited circumstances, may issue permits to take 
endangered wildlife species when such taking is incidental to, and not 
the purpose of, otherwise lawful activities. Regulations governing 
permits for endangered species are at 50 CFR 17.22.

APPLICANT: This amendment to permit PRT-814839 would authorize 
incidental take on an additional 556,332 acres of Jim Wells County, 
Texas, again, only on land that is enrolled in the ``safe harbor'' 
program for that purpose.
    To facilitate the reintroduction of the aplomado falcon, The 
Peregrine Fund is currently authorized to take aplomado falcons, 
incidental to lawful land-use activities, on specific lands enrolled in

[[Page 64396]]

The Peregrine Fund's ``Safe Harbor'' program.
Renne Lohoefener,
Acting Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 97-31892 Filed 12-4-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-P