There is no bald eagle inventory requirement in the TLMP. Because the 1000' Beach and Estuary fringe and Riparian S/G's protects nearly all of bald eagle shoreline, lake and riparian nesting habitat, traditional shoreline bald eagle surveys conducted for entire project areas are not necessary. However, federal law commits the Forest Service to avoid disturbances to nesting bald eagles. The Bald Eagle Interagency Agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) describes disturbances as blasting (within 1/2 mile) and helicopter flights (within 1/4 mile) near active nests during the nesting season from March 1 to August 31.

Surveys to determine the presence of active bald eagle nests are likely necessary in the following circumstances:

1. When blasting within 1/2 mile of the landward extend of the 1000' beach fringe is planned for either existing or proposed rock pits or for road construction;
2. When any reconstruction or new development activity (road construction, rock pit, LTF, etc.) is planned within the 1000' Beach Fringe;
3. When helicopter yarding corridors and other areas of repeated helicopter flights or landing areas would include the coastline and the 1000' Beach Fringe.

If projects involve situations described in 1-3. above, consult with the FWS to further assess the need to conduct bald eagle nesting surveys. As provided for in the MOU, consider local topographic factors that may shield the shoreline and nesting bald eagles from blasting or other management activity and minimize disturbance to eagles. Surveys are not necessary if disturbance occurs outside of the nesting season (August 31 to March 1). Any restrictions placed upon project activity to minimize disturbance to nesting eagles may be removed if the eagle nest(s) becomes inactive after May 31 of the nesting season.