OAR 629-665-0130: Bald Eagle Nesting Sites; Key Components; Protection Requirements; Exceptions

(1) For bald eagle nesting sites, the resource site is the active nest tree and, if present, all identified key components: (a) An active nest tree is one that has been used by eagles within the past five (5) nesting seasons. No protection is required for abandoned resource sites. (b) An active nest tree may fall down or may become structurally incapable of supporting a bald eagle nest site. When this happens the nest resource site shall be considered active and shall be protected only if the site contains suitable replacement nesting trees. (c) The key components associated with a bald eagle nesting site are perching and fledging trees, replacement nest trees, and a forested buffer around the nest tree. Factors to consider when identifying key components: (A) Actual observation data when available. (B) Perching and fledging trees should be tall enough to provide maximum visibility of the surrounding area. Perching and fledging trees are often snags or decadent live trees with exposed, strong, lateral branches high in the crown. (C) Replacement nest trees should provide maximum visibility of the surrounding terrain, and be large enough to support a bald eagle nest. Bald eagles prefer to nest in large, tall trees that are alive, with large limbs, broken tops, or irregular growth patterns with open structure. (D) Areas of high winds may require that additional trees be retained to protect the active nest tree(s) and identified key components from damage. (2) The operator shall provide the following protection measures when operating within or near a bald eagle nesting site: (a) During and after forest operations, the resource site shall be protected from damage. The operation shall be designed to protect the trees from windthrow; (b) Retain the active nest tree. (c) Retain a forested buffer not less than 330 feet around the active nest tree as a key component that includes perching, fledging, and replacement tree(s). (d) During the critical period of use, operations shall be designed and conducted to not disturb bald eagles using the resource site: (A) Except as provided in paragraph (B) of this subsection, during the critical period of use, operations shall not be permitted within six hundred and sixty (660) feet, and use of aircraft within one thousand (1,000) feet. (B) If the State Forester determines through review of the written plan that the operations will not cause the birds to flush from the trees identified in paragraph (A) of this section, then there is no conflict and the distance restrictions in paragraph (A) of this section may be modified. (C) The critical period of use is January 1 through August 31. The specific critical period of use for individual nesting resource sites may be modified in writing by the State Forester depending upon the actual dates that bald eagles are present at the resource site and are susceptible to disturbance. (3) Structural or temporal exceptions for the resource site are allowed if the operator is in compliance with, and has on file with the State Forester, an applicable incidental take permit issued by federal authorities under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. (4) (For information only) Federal law prohibits a person from taking bald eagles. Compliance with subsections (1) and (2) of this law is not in lieu of compliance with any federal requirements related to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.