Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Final Rule To Remove the American Peregrine Falcon From the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, and To Remove the Similarity of Appearance Provision for Free-Flying Peregrines in the Conterminous United States

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), have determined that the American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) is no longer an endangered or threatened species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). This determination is based on available data indicating that this subspecies has recovered following restrictions on organochlorine pesticides in the United States and Canada, and following the implementation of successful management activities. This action will remove the American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum) throughout its range as an endangered species from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife, thereby removing all protections provided by the Act. It also will remove the designation of ``endangered due to similarity of appearance'' for any free-flying peregrine falcons within the 48 conterminous United States. It will not affect protection provided to this species by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), or state laws and regulations, nor will it affect the endangered listing status of the Eurasian peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus peregrinus) under the Act.