[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 188 (Thursday, September 27, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 49395]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-24134]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Proposed Monitoring Plan for American Peregrine Falcons in the 
United States

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), provide 
notice that the public comment period is reopened for the Proposed 
Monitoring Plan (Plan) for American peregrine falcons in the United 
States. We are reopening the comment period for an additional 30 days 
to provide additional time for interested parties to submit written 
comments on the Plan.

DATES: The comment period, which originally closed on August 30, 2001, 
now closes on October 29, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Written 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 proposed Plan is available upon request from 
Robert Mesta at (520) 258-7227, or the Chief, Division of Consultation, 
Habitat Conservation Planning, Recovery, and State Grants at (703) 358-
2061. The proposed 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 system, in 
cooperation with the States, to effectively monitor for not less than 5 
years, the status of all species that have been recovered and removed 
from the List of Endangered and Threatened Species. Following its 
recovery, the American peregrine falcon was removed from the List of 
Endangered and Threatened Species on August 25, 1999. On July 31, 2001, 
the Service published a Notice of availability for the proposed 
monitoring plan that announced a 30-day public comment period (66 FR 
39523). 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 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. Implementation of the Plan will begin in the spring of 
2002. Surveys will be conducted every 3 years for a total of 5 surveys. 
Monitoring will include the collection of information on the population 
trend and nesting success. At the end of each triennial monitoring 
period, we will review all available information to determine the 
status of the American peregrine falcon.
    Pursuant to 50 CFR 424.16(c)(2), the Service may extend or reopen a 
comment period upon finding that there is good cause to do so. Full 
participation of the affected public in the review of the Plan is 
deemed as sufficient cause.

Public Comments Solicited

    The previous comment period on this proposal closed on August 30, 
2001. With the publication of this notice, we reopen the public comment 
period. Written comments may now be submitted until October 29, 2001, 
to the Service office in the ADDRESSES section.

Authority

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

    Dated: September 12, 2001.
David B. Allen,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 01-24134 Filed 9-26-01; 8:45 am]
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