Bald Eagle Protection on the Hanford Site
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(PDF) (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 (PDF)
( DOE/RL-94-150
) and the Hanford Site Biological Resources Management Plan(PDF) ( 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. Restricted access zones have been reduced in size compared to previous years in response to the change in listing status and now conform to WAC 232-12-292. Two new restriction zones were established near the Hanford Townsite in 2007. Roads leading to these restricted areas are clearly posted in the field at a minimum distance of 400 meters (1/4 mile).
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 Ken Gano at 372-9295.
Current and Historical Population Monitoring
Current monitoring of bald eagles on the Hanford Reach focuses on nesting activities and the identification of primary communal roosting areas. The status of bald eagle populations on the Hanford Reach has been monitored since 1961. From 1961 to 2001, bald eagle populations were surveyed in conjunction with the US Fish and Wildlife Wintering Waterfowl Survey. Surveys were conducted on a biweekly basis between October and March from Leslie Groves boat launch in Richland, upriver to Vernita Bridge.
Dates: 1961-2001
When monitoring began in the early 1960s, fewer than 10 bald eagles were observed. Following the
passage of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, the number of eagles generally increased reaching a peak in the
late 1980’s of 55 birds.
Primary reasons for the observed increase were 1) reduced persecution in Alaska, 2) protection of bald eagles at nesting locations, and 3) the nationwide elimination of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) as an agricultural pesticide in 1972. The number of eagles on the Hanford Reach have generally corresponded to changes in the number of returning fall Chinook salmon, a major food source for eagles.