[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 54 (Monday, March 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 14999]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-6803]


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

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Notice of Availability

SUMMARY: The Peregrine Fund (J. Peter Jenny; applicant) has requested 
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 42 additional counties, including Andrews, 
Brewster, Cochran, Crane, Crockett, Culberson, Dawson, Dimmit, Duval, 
Ector, Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Gaines, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, 
Kinney, La Salle, Loving, Martin, Maverick, McMullen, Medina, Midland, 
Pecos, Presidio, Real, Reeves, Starr, Sutton, Terrel, Terry, Upton, 
Uvalde, Val Verde, Ward, Webb, Yoakum, Winkler, Zapata and Zavala 
Counties be added to the 15 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 should be received on or 
before April 19, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to review the amendment 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 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.
    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 
The Peregrine Fund's ``Safe Harbor'' program. To date, eight landowners 
have enrolled a total of 1.26 million acres in The Peregrine Fund's 
``Safe Harbor'' program. A total of 466 captive-bred aplomado falcons 
have been released. At least 19 pairs have become established and have 
successfully fledged at least 19 young. As aplomado falcon pairs become 
established they fiercely defend their territory and behave 
aggressively towards other falcons. This behavior, while normal, 
effectively reduces areas available for future releases. Therefore, 
additional habitat is needed to achieve the goal of a self-sustaining 
population of aplomado falcons.

APPLICANT: This amendment to permit PRT--814839 would authorize 
incidental take on an additional 48,994,295 acres, 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 The Peregrine 
Fund's ``safe harbor'' program.

Geoffrey L. Haskett,
Regional Director, Region 2, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
[FR Doc. 00-6803 Filed 3-17-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-55-U