Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Removal of Arctic Peregrine Falcon From the List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife

Résumé

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) determines that arctic peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus tundrius) are no longer a threatened species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. This determination is based upon evidence that arctic peregrine falcon populations have recovered due to a reduction in organochlorine pesticides in the environment. Section 4(g) of the Act requires the Service to monitor recovered species for at least 5 years following delisting. This rule includes the Service's post-delisting monitoring plan for arctic peregrine falcons. Removal of the arctic peregrine falcon as a threatened species under the Act will not affect the protection provided under the similarity of appearance provision of the Act listing all Falco peregrinus found in the wild in the conterminous 48 States as endangered; nor will it affect the protection provided to this species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.