Bald Eagle Management in Wisconsin: Changes with Federal Delisting

Success Story

With the delisting of the Bald Eagle from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in 2007, this majestic bird became a symbol for an environmental victory in Wisconsin.

"The people of Wisconsin can again feel pride in their state’s leadership in the recovery of endangered species" stated Signe Holtz, the former director of the Endangered Resource Program at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. "Today, the recovery story is about the Bald Eagle, and prior to this was the removal of the gray wolf from the threatened list. These efforts don’t go un-noticed and as I work and communicate with my colleagues in other states, they consistently remark on the success we’ve had in bringing species back from the edge of extinction".

Today Wisconsin is home to 1,150 nesting pairs or 12% of the 9700 pairs estimated to be breeding in the lower 48 states. In fact, since 1975, Wisconsin has sent 215 eaglets to 10 other states to help increase the national eagle population. Wisconsin eagles have been released near the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. and in a Hudson River valley park in New York City.

There were many reasons why the Bald Eagle declined in numbers in Wisconsin, and problems causing the loss of eagles in our state mirrored those seen across the country. The pesticide DDT, found to be the main cause of the decline, was first banned by Wisconsin and later by the Federal government in 1972. By then, numbers of eagles in the state had declined to just 82 pairs and in1972, Bald Eagles were placed on the Wisconsin Endangered Species List and on the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Species list in 1973.

In 1986, a Department of Natural Resource Bald Eagle Recovery Plan was approved by the state Natural Resources Board, with the objective of increasing the self-sustaining population of Bald Eagles in Wisconsin to 360 breeding pairs by the year 2000. The recovery goal was exceeded in 1991, when 414 active pairs were located.

Bald Eagle recovery efforts in Wisconsin have been funded through programs such as the Adopt and Eagle Nest Program under which people, clubs or schools can adopt an eagle nest in Wisconsin. Other efforts to protect endangered, threatened and non-game species are funded through the state Endangered Resources Fund. People can also contribute through the Endangered Resource Check Off on state income tax forms, by direct donations to a project or through the purchase of Endangered Resources license plates.

New Rules for Management

With de-listing, eagles will be managed as a protected wild animal (NR 10.02) and federally under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Eagle Act prohibits anyone from "taking" bald eagles. Among other actions, "take" includes disturbance of bald eagles.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service has prepared the National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines ([exit DNR) to help people avoid violating the Eagle Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. These guidelines and the DNR’s own Bald Eagle management guidelines provide nonbinding guidance on how to avoid disturbing Bald Eagles.

In addition, the US Fish and Wildlife Service provides "Guidelines to Avoid Disturbing Bald Eagles" (link below)- a step-by-step web guide to help determine whether new or intermittent activities may disturb nesting bald eagles. The guide is specific to eagles in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

Guidelines to Avoid Distrubing Bald Eagles: Bald Eagle Management Guidelines and Conservation Meaures (exit DNR)

More Resources

• Final Rule Defining Disturb (exit DNR)
• Final Rule for Delisting [PDF 295Kb]
• DRAFT Post-Delisting Monitoring Plan (exit DNR)