The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received an eagle nest removal application from the Pacific Gas and Electric Company under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The Service prepared an Environmental Assessment to assess the impacts of nest removal, which resulted in a Finding of No Significant Impact.
The nest requested to be removed is in a dying tree on private property near an existing above-ground electric distribution line servicing a single customer north of the Van Arsdale Reservoir in Mendocino County, California. The pair of bald eagles using the nest in question have an alternate nest they can use in a nearby tree.
PG&E’s removal of the tree (proposed for January 2023 to avoid the eagle breeding season) would eliminate the fire ignition threat posed by the tree and address an existing safety emergency, ensuring health and safety for the public and the nesting eagles.
The Service has determined that a categorical exclusion applies to most one-time bald eagle disturbance permits, and bald eagle nest take permits. Due to public interest over this potential nest removal, the Service prepared an Environmental Assessment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act to assess impacts of the proposed action and issuance of an eagle nest take permit. The analysis detailed in the Environmental Assessment resulted in selection of the proposed action and a Finding of No Significant Impact. Please find the documents below.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information about our work and the people who make it happen, visit https://www.fws.gov/cno/or connect with us via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.
Questions:
If you have questions, you may contact:
Contact:
Heather Beeler, Eagle Permit Coordinator
Migratory Bird Program
Pacific Southwest Region
fw8_eaglepermits@fws.gov
Publication date
Program
Species
FWS Focus
FWS and DOI Region(s)