ETWP; Proposed Rule To Remove the Peregrine Falcon in North America From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) proposes to remove the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) in North America from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife. The Service proposes this action because the available data indicate that this species has recovered following restrictions on organochlorine pesticides in the United States and Canada and following implementation of successful management activities. Currently, a minimum of 1,388 American peregrine falcon pairs are found in Alaska, Canada, and the Western United States, and a minimum of 205 peregrine falcon pairs are found in the Eastern and Midwestern United States. Overall productivity goals in four American peregrine falcon recovery plans were met or exceeded, and most recovery goals for the eastern peregrine falcon population have been met. The proposed action, if finalized, would remove the American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) as an endangered species from the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and would remove the designation of endangered due to similarity of appearance for any free-flying peregrine falcons within the 48 conterminous States. It would remove all Endangered Species Act protections from all subspecies and populations of North American Falco peregrinus. It would not affect protection provided to this species by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). It would not affect the endangered listing status of the Eurasian peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinus) under the Endangered Species Act. This proposed rule includes a proposed 5-year post-delisting monitoring plan as required for species that are delisted due to recovery. Monitoring will include population trends, productivity, and contaminant exposure. This proposed rule also provides notice that the collection of information from the public expected to be associated with the monitoring has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for approval under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.