[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 22, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9143-9144]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-2428]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service


Migratory Bird Permits; Allowed Take of Nestling American 
Peregrine Falcons

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) have updated 
information on nesting of American peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus 
anatum) in the western United States and have determined the allowed 
take of nestlings in 12 western States in 2006.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian Millsap, Chief, Division of 
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 703-358-
1714, or Dr. George T. Allen, Wildlife Biologist, 703-358-1825.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2004, we completed a Final Revised 
Environmental Assessment (FEA) considering the take of nestling 
American peregrine falcons in 12 States in the western United States. 
Since completion of the FEA, we have consulted with the States in which 
take of nestlings is allowed, and have considered recent information on 
the numbers of nesting American peregrine falcon populations and 
production of young American peregrine falcons in those states, as 
outlined in the ``Management of Falconry Take'' section of the FEA. 
Having considered the most recent data available to us, we have updated 
the population information from the FEA. For states with no new 
statewide survey data, we assumed no population growth since the last 
survey.
    The allowed take in 2004 was approximately 4.8 percent of the total 
estimated production of young; actual harvest, however, was 
approximately 0.5 percent of the estimated production. The allowed take 
in 2005 was 4.1 percent of the estimated production of young, but the 
actual harvest was only 0.6 percent of the estimated production. The 
allowed take of nestling American peregrine falcons in the western U.S. 
in 2006 is shown in the last column of the data summary. Because the 
number of nestlings allowed to be taken in each state is rounded down 
to the next lowest whole number, the allowed take will be approximately 
4.4 percent of the total estimated production of young for 2006.

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                                                                                              Recent
                                                           Nesting pairs   Minimum 2005    productivity    2005 allowed     2005 actual    2006 allowed
                          State                             reported in    nesting pairs    (young per         take            take            take
                                                              the FEA                      nesting pair)
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Alaska..................................................             930             930            0.95              44               1              44
Arizona.................................................             167             167            1.02               8               2               8
California..............................................             167             167            1.52              11               0              11
Colorado................................................              87              87            1.71               7               0               7
Idaho...................................................              24              26            1.47               1               0               1
Montana.................................................              41              54            1.89               4               0               4
Nevada..................................................               9              24           (\1\)               0               0               0
New Mexico..............................................              37              37            1.47               2               0               2
Oregon..................................................              70              76            1.70               6               0               6
Utah....................................................             164             164            1.55              12               5              12

[[Page 9144]]

 
Washington..............................................              46           * 104            1.47               3               3             * 8
Wyoming.................................................              58              65            1.79               5               3               5
 
    Total...............................................           1,800           1,826              NA             103              14             108
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* Based on calculations of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, as allowed under the FEA.
\1\ Insufficient Data.

    The states may regulate details of take, consistent with the 
federal falconry regulations found at 50 CFR 21.28 and 21.29. For 
example, the state may decide whether to allow take of nestlings, 
numbers of individuals of each sex that may be taken, timing and 
location of take of nestlings, restrictions on aerie access, and 
allocation of take among interested falconers.

    Dated: February 1, 2006.
Matt Hogan,
Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.
[FR Doc. E6-2428 Filed 2-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P