Bald Eagle Protection on the Hanford Site
Buffer restrictions for eagle
nesting and roosting areas
on Hanford are in effect
Nov. 15 - March 17
(Restriction Map)
The bald eagle is a protected species occurring on the Hanford Site. Although the bald eagle was removed from the list of species protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act (50 CFR Part 17), eagles on Hanford are still protected under the Federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Washington State Bald Eagle Protection Act. The Bald Eagle Site Management Plan for the Hanford Site (DOE/RL-94-150 Rev.1, 2009) and the Hanford Site Biological Resources Management Plan (DOE/RL-96-32) continue to guide activities on the Hanford Site. Compliance with applicable laws and the protective measures described in the site management plans is mandatory for all contractor activities onsite.
Access around communal roosting and nesting sites is restricted along the Columbia River shoreline from November 15 through March 15 each year. A secondary or conditioned zone was established in 2009 to protect eagle perches, roosts, and alternative nest sites. At this time, access into the conditioned zone is not restricted (that is, the boat launch at White Bluffs will remain open); however, projects having the potential to impact resources within this zone are subject to an ecological review. The two restriction zones established in 2007 near the Hanford Townsite (HTS) remain active. As a result, the northern entrance of the HTS is open only between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. DOE is responsible for the protection of these eagles and their habitats where they overlap with the Hanford Site. Compliance with these protective measures as defined in the Bald Eagle Management Plan for the Hanford Site, South-Central Washington (DOE/RL-94-150, Rev 1, see above paragraph) is required
The DOE contact for information regarding the protection of bald eagles is Dana Ward, at 372-1261. Contractor personnel who require project-related entrance into restricted areas should contact Mike Sackschewsky at 371-7187 or Robin Durham at 539-3454. Projects under Washington Closure Hanford control should contact Cole Lindsey at 386-3963.
Wintering bald eagle populations along the Hanford Reach were monitored from 1961 through 2008; results from those surveys can be found at: Bald Eagle Surveys