[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 179 (Thursday, September 16, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 56555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23137]



[[Page 56555]]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

[Docket No. FWS-R9-MB-2010-0060; 91200-1231-9BPP]


Migratory Birds; Take of Migrant Peregrine Falcons for Use in 
Falconry

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In December 2008, we completed an Environmental Assessment 
(EA) on take of peregrine falcons for use in falconry. This notice is 
to inform the public of the allocation of take of migrant peregrine 
falcons in 2010 agreed on by the States.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. George Allen, Division of 
Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at 703-358-
1825.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Our authority to govern take of raptors is 
derived from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712), which 
prohibits any person from taking, possessing, purchasing, bartering, 
selling, or offering to purchase, barter, or sell, among other things, 
raptors (birds of prey) listed in 50 CFR 10.13 unless the activities 
are allowed under Federal regulations. Take and possession of raptors 
for use in falconry is governed by regulations at 50 CFR 21.29.
    We completed an EA on take of migrant peregrine falcons in 2008 (73 
FR 74508; December 8, 2008). Our preferred alternative allows a take of 
36 fall first-year (passage) migrant peregrine falcons from 20 
September through 20 October, from anywhere in the United States east 
of 100 degrees W longitude. Allocation of the 36 passage peregrine 
falcons to be taken from the United States east of 100 degrees W 
longitude was agreed upon by the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 
Flyways. We expect the allowed take of the passage peregrines in 2010 
to be as follows:

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                                                                Allowed
                            State                                 take
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                             Atlantic Flyway
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Maine........................................................          2
Maryland.....................................................          2
Virginia.....................................................          1
North Carolina...............................................          2
South Carolina...............................................          1
Georgia......................................................          2
Florida......................................................          2
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                           Mississippi Flyway
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Minnesota....................................................          1
Arkansas.....................................................          3
Mississippi..................................................          8
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                             Central Flyway
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Oklahoma.....................................................          1
Texas........................................................         11
    Total....................................................         36
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    Interested individuals will need to contact each State that will 
allow take of passage peregrine falcons to learn whether the State will 
allow take by a resident of another State.
    We expect the Flyways to review the allocation of the take of 
passage peregrines each year. We will continue to work with them on the 
issue, and may publish notices about it in the future. As noted in the 
Final EA on take of migrant peregrines, we will review population and 
harvest data for Canada, the United States, and Mexico every 5 years, 
or at the request of the Flyway Councils, to reassess the allowable 
harvest limits. We will publish a notice in the Federal Register if we 
determine that the take of passage peregrine falcons should be changed.

    Dated: August 27, 2010.
Wendi Weber,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 2010-23137 Filed 9-15-10; 8:45 am]
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