Babbitt Says Falcons Not Endangered
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NEW YORK — Standing atop a skyscraper that’s home to two peregrine falcons, Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt unveiled a plan Friday to remove the birds from the endangered species list.
Babbitt said the step would be taken because the American peregrine falcon has made a “tremendous comeback” in the 25 years it has been on the list.
However, some environmentalists say he acted too quickly.
Stephen Hoffman, president of Hawkwatch International in Salt Lake City, said the species still seems to have trouble multiplying in several Western states and reproduction overall has leveled off.
Babbitt wants the falcon off the list to show that environmental laws work well, Hoffman said.
Babbitt made his announcement on the roof of the 50-story Bank of New York building, where falcons have nested since 1985.
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