[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 39523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-18964]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Availability of Proposed Monitoring Plan for American Peregrine 
Falcons in the United States for Review and Comment

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of document availability.

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SUMMARY: The Endangered Species Act requires that the Service implement 
a system, in cooperation with the States, to monitor effectively for at 
least 5 years, the status of all species that have been recovered and 
no longer need protection of the ESA. The American peregrine falcon 
(Falco peregrinus anatum) was removed from the List on August 25, 1999, 
due to recovery. We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), are 
requesting public comments on the proposed monitoring plan for the 
American peregrine falcon in the United States.

DATES: Comments from all interested parties on the proposed American 
peregrine falcon monitoring plan must be received on or before August 
30, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments and other information concerning the proposed 
American peregrine falcon monitoring plan should be sent to Robert 
Mesta, Sonoran Joint Venture Coordinator, Office of Migratory Birds, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 12661 E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson, Arizona 
85748 (facsimile (520) 258-7238, phone (520) 258-7227). Comments and 
materials received will be available for public inspection, by 
appointment, during normal business hours at the above address. A copy 
of the draft plan is available upon request from Robert Mesta at (520) 
258-7227, or Chief, Division of Consultation, Habitat Conservation 
Plans, Recovery, and State Grants at (703) 358-2061. The draft plan is 
also available through the internet at http://endangered.fws.gov/recovery/docs/peregrine_monitoring.pdf.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background
    Section 4(g)(1) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended 
(16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (ESA), requires that we implement a plan, in 
cooperation with the States, to effectively monitor for not less than 5 
years, the status of all species that have been recovered and delisted. 
In order to meet the ESA's monitoring requirement, and to facilitate 
the efficient collection of data, a sampling method capable of 
assessing the population status of the American peregrine falcon (Falco 
peregrinus anatum) will be implemented.
    The proposed American peregrine falcon monitoring plan was 
developed in cooperation with State resource agencies, recovery team 
members, and interested scientists, and will be carried out in 
collaboration with Federal, State, and private cooperators. The 
proposed American peregrine falcon monitoring plan will start in the 
spring of 2002. Surveys will be conducted every 3 years for a total of 
five surveys. Monitoring will include the collection of information on 
the population trends and nesting success. At the end of each triennial 
monitoring we will review all available information to determine the 
state of the falcon.
    The final delisting rule was published on August 25, 1999 (64 FR 
46542). The final delisting rule also removed designated critical 
habitat for the American peregrine falcon, and the designation of 
endangered due to similarity of appearance for any free-flying 
peregrine falcons within the 48 conterminous United States. Available 
data indicated that this species had recovered following Environmental 
Protection Agency restrictions on organochlorine pesticides in the 
United States and Canada, and also due to implementation of successful 
management activities.

Public Comments Solicited

    We request comments on the proposed American peregrine falcon 
monitoring plan. All comments received by the date specified above will 
be considered prior to approval of this plan.

Authority

    The authority for this action is the Endangered Species Act of 
1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

    Dated: July 13, 2001.
Rowan W. Gould,
Acting Regional Director, Fish and Wildlife Service, Region 1, 
Portland, Oregon.
[FR Doc. 01-18964 Filed 7-30-01; 8:45 am]
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