Description
Golden eagles are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, and by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act in the U.S. Additionally the State of Oregon has designated golden eagles as protected non-game wildlife. Range-wide information for the golden eagle suggests that modest population declines have been experienced over 80% of its range in the lower 48 states. The potential increase in renewable energy development in Oregon includes proposed development in areas occupied by breeding golden eagles. Without information on what values constitute a stable or increasing breeding population of golden eagles, there is no quantifiable threshold for determining allowable take, including disturbance, under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. This poses a unique challenge for applicants, the public, and regulatory agencies, involved in evaluating and permitting resource development proposals. The Oregon Eagle Foundation (OEF) has been working to promote golden eagle conservation efforts through locating nesting sites and monitoring populations. Cooperation with other national and regional golden eagle projects, coordination with neighboring states monitoring or conducting other research on the species, and cooperation with private consultants conducting continuing or new project related research has been a priority of OEFâ¿¿s studies. OEF's monitoring has been conducted by a network of volunteers with funding provided by private individuals, private industry and organizations, energy industry cooperators, energy industry consultants, conservation groups, and State and Federal agencies. OEF has completed their five year commitment to statewide golden eagle nest inventory, survey, and monitoring but believes that ten years of monitoring is required to determine baseline and trend information on size, distribution and productivity of populations. This information will assist land managers, from multiple jurisdictions, to put sound land management practices in place in order to ensure the survival of golden eagles. The BLM has supported this study for the past 5 years and anticipates continuing to assist with OEFâ¿¿s work. The objective of this program is to continue golden eagle population monitoring including determining the size, distribution and productivity of golden eagles throughout Oregon in the effort to provide a baseline and trend information on size, distribution, and productivity of golden eagles throughout Oregon.