Fish and Wildlife Service February 9, 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to reintroduce northern aplomado falcons (Falco femoralis septentrionalis) (falcon) into their historic habitat in southern New Mexico and Arizona with the purpose of establishing a viable resident population. If this proposed rule is finalized, we may release captive-raised falcons as early as the summer of 2005 and release up to 150 additional falcons annually in the summer and/or fall for 10 or more years thereafter until a self-sustaining population is established. We propose to designate this reintroduced population as a nonessential experimental population (NEP) according to section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (Act), as amended. The geographic boundary of the proposed NEP includes all of New Mexico and Arizona. A draft environmental assessment (EA) has been prepared on this proposed action and is available for comment (see ADDRESSES section below). This proposed action is part of a series of reintroductions and other recovery actions that the Service, Federal and State agencies, and other partners are conducting throughout the species' historical range. This proposed rule provides a plan for establishing the NEP and provides for limited allowable legal taking of the northern aplomado falcon within the defined NEP area.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (we or us) proposes changes in the regulations governing the practice of falconry in the United States. We propose reorganization of the current regulations. We have added or changed some provisions in the current regulations. The changes are intended to make it easier to understand the requirements for the practice of falconry, including take of birds from the wild, and the procedures for obtaining a falconry permit. We also propose changes to simplify or clarify those regulations, or to change them as necessary to accompany the changes in the falconry regulations. This rule also adds a provision to approve falconry regulations adopted or established by Indian Tribes.