OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife (WDFW) is seeking public comments on a proposal to change the state's
protection listing for bald eagles to a "sensitive" species.
Currently listed by the state as "threatened," the
proposed change in listing status reflects a rebound in Washington's eagle
numbers in recent years. Bald eagles were removed from national endangered
species lists last August.
Under the sensitive species designation, land use
activities in bald eagle nesting areas would still require eagle
habitat-management plans.
Written comments on the listing proposal are due by
Dec. 4, and should be submitted by email to wildthing@dfw.wa.gov or mailed to:
Endangered Species Section Manager, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife,
600 Capitol Way N., Olympia, WA 98501-1091. Verbal comments may be made at the
Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission's Dec. 8 meeting in Port Angeles.
In addition, written comments may be made by Nov. 19
on the proposal's Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) under the State
Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). SEPA comments should be mailed to Teresa
Eturaspe, SEPA Coordinator, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600
Capitol Way N., Olympia WA 98501-1091, or emailed to habitatsepa@dfw.wa.gov
Bald eagle numbers have increased dramatically since
use of the pesticide DDT was banned nationally in 1972 and laws were enacted to
protect nest and roost sites. The state's bald eagle population climbed from
barely more than 100 nesting pairs in 1980 to 840 pairs by 2005.
A status report on the bald eagle is available on
WDFW's website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/diversty/soc/concern.htm
(see "status reports"), and may be viewed in print form at WDFW's Olympia
headquarters and regional offices. To obtain a copy of the status report or the
SEPA Declaration of Non-Significance, call (360) 902-2515; or email wildthing@dfw.wa.gov .
In 1984, the Washington Legislature passed laws
requiring bald eagle habitat plans for forest practices and other land-use
actions that could impact bald eagle nests and roosts. The state's bald eagle
protection rule (WAC 232-12-292) requires a habitat-management plan for
activities on state and private lands that could disturb eagle nests and roosts.
More than 2,900 management plans have been signed by Washington landowners since
1986.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the bald
eagle from the federal list of threatened and endangered species last August.
Bald eagles and their nests are still protected by the federal Bald and Golden
Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Bald and Golden
Eagle Protection Act also prohibits disturbing eagles.
This message has been sent to the
WDFW All Information mailing list. Visit the WDFW News Release Archive at:
http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/
