Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Establishment of a Nonessential Experimental Population of Northern Aplomado Falcons in New Mexico and Arizona

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), plan to reintroduce northern aplomado falcons (Falco femoralis septentrionalis) (falcon) into their historical habitat in southern New Mexico for the purpose of establishing a viable resident population in New Mexico and Arizona. The falcon is being re-established under section 10(j) of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act), and would be classified as a nonessential experimental population (NEP). The geographic boundary of the NEP includes all of New Mexico and Arizona. This 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 final 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. Birds can only be released when they are a few weeks old, and this condition only occurs in the spring and summer of each year. In order to accomplish a release in 2006, we must expedite on-the-ground implementation.