May 30, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 252

For more information, contact Karen Bennett, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program Manager, or Christopher Heckscher, Zoologist, 302-739-9912, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Proposed Regulation Protecting Bald Eagles to Be Redrafted
June 4 Public Hearing Postponed, New Date TBA

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife announced today that the June 4 public hearing on the newly proposed Bald Eagle Protection Regulation has been postponed so the Division can incorporate information and recommendations received at a May 28 public workshop. 

 “We received several good suggestions that would strengthen the regulation while providing the flexibility needed to reduce hardships on landowners and developers,” said Wildlife Section Administrator Greg Moore, noting key stakeholders may be invited to participate in the redrafting process. “The Division has routinely sought the counsel of our environmental partners and the citizens of this state in order to develop effective wildlife regulations, and that’s what we hope to accomplish here,” Moore added.

With bald eagles across the country making a tremendous comeback from the brink of extinction, the iconic bird was removed from the federal Endangered Species List last year. However, with the birds still needing protection, the new Delaware regulation was initially proposed to address the fact that the Delaware Code currently protects eagles from disturbance but does not define disturbance.

“The bald eagle is doing well in Delaware, but in order to continue to thrive, it still needs our protection. They are very sensitive to disturbance, which may lead to nest failure or abandonment, so they need a significant buffer around their nesting areas. Our goal is to create a regulation that balances the habitat needs of bald eagles with the needs of their human neighbors as much as possible,” said Karen Bennett, Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program Manager. 

A new date for the public hearing has not been scheduled and will be dependent upon completion of the revised regulation, as the Division will be starting the regulatory process over again. Additional workshops and a new public hearing will be scheduled to give the public the opportunity to review the revised new regulation.

The hearing record will remain open for written comments during the revision period. All comments previously received by the Department will remain part of the hearing record and need not be re-submitted. Citizens may address written comments on the proposed regulation to the Wildlife Section, Division of Fish and Wildlife, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, or email comments to karen.bennett@state.de.us or christopher.heckscher@state.de.us, or to DNREC Hearing Officer Lisa Vest at lisa.vest@state.de.us.