Sacramento, Calif. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received an eagle nest removal application from the Pacific Gas and Electric Company under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The Service prepared an Environmental Assessment to assess the impacts of nest removal, which resulted in a Finding of No Significant Impact. The Service is seeking public comment on the assessment and finding for two weeks beginning on December 14. A public information meeting will be held on December 20.
The nest proposed for removal is in a dying tree on private property near an existing above-ground electric distribution line servicing a single customer north of the Van Arsdale Reservoir in Mendocino County, California. The pair of bald eagles using the nest in question have an alternate nest they can use in a nearby tree.
PG&E’s removal of the tree (proposed for January 2022 to avoid breeding season) would eliminate the fire ignition threat posed by the tree and address an existing safety emergency, ensuring health and safety for the public and the nesting eagles.
The Service has determined that a categorical exclusion applies to most one-time bald eagle disturbance permits and bald eagle nest take permits. Due to public interest over this potential nest removal, the Service prepared an Environmental Assessment pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act to assess impacts of the proposed action and issuance of an eagle nest take permit. The analysis detailed in the Environmental Assessment resulted in selection of the proposed action and a Finding of No Significant Impact. Please find the documents here: FWS Pacific Southwest Region NEPA documents for eagle permits.
We are accepting public comment for two weeks, from December 14 to December 27, 2022. Please submit written comments to fw8_eaglepermits@fws.gov.
The public is invited to attend a virtual public information meeting and Q&A opportunity on Zoom on Tuesday, December 20, 2022, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Please use the link below to register and participate.
Zoom meeting registration:
Tuesday, December 20, 2022, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Zoom Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__ECIInVwTBiLhjxZnk8Y0g
Dial-in Number (Toll Free): 877-853-5247
Webinar ID: 827 2290 9155
Passcode: 035089
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