The hearing in Madison will take place on Thursday, December 3, at the Madison Area Technical College, 3550 Anderson Street, Room 129D. Members of the public may submit comments during the hearing, which will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. An informal session, during which people may ask questions and pick up informational materials, will be held prior to the hearing at 6 p.m.
Those who attend the public hearing may offer oral or written comments. Persons presenting oral comments are encouraged to provide a written copy of their statement. If attendance at the hearing is high, speakers may be asked to limit their comments. There is no limit on written comments. Written comments may also be submitted by mail by the January 23, 1999, deadline. Oral and written comments receive equal consideration by the Service.
The Service proposed to delist the peregrine falcon in late August, citing data indicating the species has recovered following restrictions on harmful pesticides such as DDT as well as protections and recovery programs provided under the Endangered Species Act. Recovery activities undertaken by the Service, states, and other groups include reintroduction of captive-bred falcons, relocation of wild hatchlings, and habitat management and protection. The Service estimates there are more than 1,500 pairs of peregrines in the United States and Canada, and goals for production of young have been met for most populations.
Following the close of the comment period on January 23, 1999, the Service will evaluate the information provided by the public. A final decision on whether to remove the peregrine from the endangered and threatened species list will be made by late August 1999.
For more information on the public hearing in Madison, contact the Services Green Bay Field Office at 920-465-7416. Written comments on the peregrine proposal should be directed to Diane Noda, Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2493 Portola Road, Suite B, Ventura, California 93003.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses more than 530 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. For further information about the programs and activities of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Great Lakes-Big Rivers Region, please visit our home page at: http://midwest.fws.gov
