[Federal Register: August 25, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 164)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 46541-46558]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25au99-27]

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 17

RIN 1018-AF04

 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Rule To 
Remove the American Peregrine Falcon From the Federal List of 
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, and To Remove the Similarity of 
Appearance Provision for Free-Flying Peregrines in the Conterminous 
United States

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have 
determined that the American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) 
is no longer an endangered or threatened species pursuant to the 
Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This determination is 
based on available data indicating that this subspecies has recovered 
following restrictions on organochlorine pesticides in the United 
States and Canada, and following the implementation of successful 
management activities. This action will remove the American peregrine 
falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) throughout its range as an endangered 
species from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, 
thereby removing all protections provided by the Act. It also will 
remove the designation of ``endangered due to similarity of 
appearance'' for any free-flying peregrine falcons within the 48 
conterminous United States. It will not affect protection provided to 
this species by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), the Convention on 
International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora 
(CITES), or state laws and regulations, nor will it affect the 
endangered listing status of the Eurasian peregrine falcon (Falco 
peregrinus peregrinus) under the Act.

EFFECTIVE DATE: August 25, 1999.

ADDRESSES: The administrative file for this rule is available for 
inspection, by appointment, during normal business hours at the U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 2493 
Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, California 93003 (telephone (805) 644-
1766/facsimile 805/644-3958).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Mesta at the above address for 
further information on the removal of the peregrine falcon from the 
endangered species list.