(Fwd) Comment Period Extended for Peregrine Falcon Proposal

Norm Saunders (osprey@ARI.Net)
Tue, 1 Dec 1998 18:46:22 -0500


December 1, 1998                      Cindy Hoffman 202/208-3008


 Comment Period Extended for Proposal to  Remove the Peregrine
                            Falcon 
                From the Endangered Species List

 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which in August proposed to remove
 the 
recovering peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) from the list of endangered
and threatened species, is extending the deadline for public comment on
the proposal.  The final deadline for written comments on the proposal is
now January 23, 1999.  The extension will allow for an additional 60 days
for the Service to gather the best scientific and commercial data
available to make a final determination on the status of the peregrine
falcon.  Public hearings on the issue will be held in Madison, Wisconsin
and Concord, New Hampshire. 

After reviewing any additional scientific data collected during the
comment period, the Service will make a final determination on the status
of the peregrine falcon.  If the species is removed from the Endangered
Species List, the Service will continue to monitor the species for at
least five years, tracking population trends, productivity, contaminant
exposure, and take for falconry purposes.  The species will continue to be
protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA).

The population of the peregrine falcon has increased from a low of  324
breeding pairs in 1975 to 1593 breeding pairs in the United States and
Canada in 1997.  Biologists credit the banning of the pesticide DDT in
1972, protections provided by the Endangered Species Act and
reintroduction efforts by the Service, states and private raptor experts
for the bird's recovery.

Written comments should be sent to Diane Noda, Field Supervisor, U.S. 
Fish
and Wildlife Service, Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office, 2493 Portola Road,
Suite B, Ventura, California 93003.  Comments and materials received will
be available for public inspection, by appointment, during normal business
hours at the above Service address.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency
responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife
and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The
Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System
comprised of more than 500 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small
wetlands, and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national
fish hatcheries 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. 

                             -FWS-

===============
Norm Saunders
Colesville, MD
osprey@ari.net