3-200-91: Eagle Disturbance Take (General Permit)
Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, 50 CFR 22.280
What is this Permit For?
This General Permit authorizes the take of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) by disturbance. Where disturb means to agitate or bother a bald eagle to a degree that causes, or is likely to cause, based on the best scientific information available, (1) injury to an eagle, (2) a decrease in its productivity, by substantially interfering with normal breeding, feeding, or sheltering behavior, or (3) nest abandonment, by substantially interfering with normal breeding, feeding, or sheltering behavior.
General permits are available for the disturbance of bald eagles when the disturbance will be a result of one or more of the following activities: building construction, linear infrastructure construction and maintenance, alteration of shorelines and water bodies, alteration of vegetation, motorized recreation, nonmotorized recreation, aircraft operation, prescribed burn prescribed burn
A prescribed burn is the controlled use of fire to restore wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire risk, or achieve other habitat management goals. We have been using prescribed burn techniques to improve species habitat since the 1930s.
Learn more about prescribed burn operations, and loud intermittent noises. General permits cover conducting the activity, as well as pre-construction work, including geotechnical work. Prescribed burning includes the footprint of the burn as well as where biproducts of the burn will be present, such as smoke, ash, or embers.
General permits are not available for nest disturbance within the reservation boundaries of federally recognized Tribes. This restriction does not apply when the Tribal government is the applicant for the permit on their own reservation land.
PLEASE READ: Application FAQs and Instructions
Permit Details:
Application Fees (non-refundable):
General Permit (Maximum of 1 year): $100
Duration: Up to 1 year
Application review time: Available to print as soon as application and payment are complete.
Application: Form 3-200-91
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
Instructions: Application Form Instructions
Annual Report Form: Form 3–202–15
Regulations: 50 CFR 22.280
Helpful tips in completing your application:
Common Questions | Answers |
Under what circumstances can eagle disturbance be authorized under this type of permit? | Permits are available for disturbance of nesting bald eagles or golden eagles under certain circumstances. General permits are available for the disturbance of bald eagles when the disturbance will be a result of one or more of the following activities: building construction, linear infrastructure construction and maintenance, alteration of shorelines and water bodies, alteration of vegetation, motorized recreation, nonmotorized recreation, aircraft operation, prescribed burn operations, and loud intermittent noises. Specific permits are available for disturbance to bald eagles from activities that are not eligible for general permits and any activity that may result in disturbance to golden eagles. |
What kind of avoidance, minimization, and monitoring measures will be required? | Regulations and permit conditions specify required avoidance, minimization, and monitoring measures. Standard conditions for general disturbance permits are available for viewing on the Service’s website. Specific permit conditions may include requirements to implement measures to avoid and minimize nest disturbance, avoid activities that may negatively affect the nesting substrate, and/or monitor in-use nests sufficiently to determine whether nestlings have fledged from the nest. |
Does hazing of eagles require a disturbance permit? | No. Hazing—the use of nonlethal methods to disperse eagles away from a site—does not constitute eagle disturbance unless it is adjacent to an in-use nest and disrupts eagle breeding activity. The intent of hazing is to purposefully deter eagle depredation (e.g., substantial injury to wildlife or agriculture) or reduce threats to human or eagle health and safety by temporarily displacing individual eagles from a location. We currently recommend nest buffers of 660 feet for bald eagles and 1 mile for golden eagles. Hazing within those buffers may require an eagle depredation permit. Please reach out to USDA-Wildlife Services to begin the process of obtaining such a permit. |
Is there a reporting requirement? | All permittees must submit an annual report using the Service Form 3-202-15. The report must include nest status and, if occupied, nest fate (e.g., fledged young or failed to fledge young). Your annual report is due within 30 days of the expiration of your permit or prior to requesting renewal of your permit, whichever is first. An annual report is required, even if no eagle activity was observed or no activities were conducted. |