Bald eagles removed from state's endangered list

Bald eagles were officially removed from the state's endangered list early this month, culminating the successful state effort to restore the living national symbol that started in 1985.

In recognition of the accomplishment, a rehabbed young eagle was released at Monroe Reservoir, with local media attending.

With the status change in Indiana, the bald eagle is now classified as a "Species of Special Concern" in the state. Bald eagles remain a priority species, meaning that monitoring and management will continue, but to a lesser degree.

"Everyone who has supported the DNR's Nongame Fund through the years can take great pride in this achievement," said Robert E. Carter Jr., DNR director. "The eagle, once a sign of imperiled wildlife, will now be the sign of conservation success.

"Thousands of Hoosiers now have a good chance of seeing one of these majestic birds in the wild in our home state."

Concerned individuals can support similar recoveries by donating to Nongame Fund, 402 W. Washington St., Room W273, Indianapolis, IN 46204, endangeredwildlife.IN.gov.

The once emaciated young bird that was released was spotted by birdwatchers at Monroe Reservoir, April 8, and rescued the same day. The bird was taken to Wild Care, Inc., a private non-profit wildlife rehabilitator in Monroe County. While there, the less than 6-pound refugee blossomed into a nearly 9-pound bird.

An active state bald eagle restoration ran from 1985-89, when 73 young eagles were reintroduced and formed a core population in south-central Indiana. The first successful nests in the state in more than 90 years were documented in 1991. The federal recovery goal for Indiana was to have five nesting pairs of bald eagles in the state by 2000.

That standard was first achieved in 2004, and the population has continued to increase annually. This year, according to DNR nongame bird biologist John Castrale, there are 100 eagle territories in 44 counties, with eggs having been verified in 90 of the nests.

"This is the first time since their reintroduction that bald eagles have achieved 100 pairs in Indiana," Castrale said. "The excellent production of recent years should result in further increases."

The wheels for Indiana's move to de-list the bald eagle started turning with an announcement June 28, 2007, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that it would remove the iconic birds from the federal "threatened" designation of the Endangered Species Act. That action became effective Aug. 8, 2007.

After the USFWS action, the nine-member group of bird experts that advises the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) recommended that Indiana should follow suit. After completion of the DNR administrative rule process, the de-listing became official May 1. As long as the bald eagle remained on the federal threatened list, by state law, the bird had to remain on the state endangered list.

In Indiana and elsewhere, additional eagle habitat is available. During the reintroduction, bald eagles have shown increased adaptability to the Hoosier landscape and its disturbance factors.

Carter said that DNR has successfully worked with the USFWS and Hoosier landowners to make sure breeding pairs have had every chance to succeed.

"More than any other recovered species, the success with bald eagles demonstrates the power of partnerships in conservation," Carter said. "As our national symbol, this is a special bird and landowners have shown great pride and cooperation in having nesting eagles and we expect to continue."

Despite the classification change, bald eagles will still be protected under both the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Guidelines have also been developed to avoid disturbance to nesting eagles.

 "The eagle restoration project has been a gratifying highlight of my career," Castrale said." I hope all cooperating landowners and Nongame Fund supporters have the thrill of seeing an adult bald eagle in flight over one of Indiana's lakes or rivers.

"These majestic birds would not be there without their support."

Shoreline erosion problem fixed at Skinner Lake

A new bio-engineered seawall constructed at Skinner Lake in Noble County should stop waves from eroding a 235-foot section of shoreline on the lake's north side.

Funded by the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), the seawall consists of 110 feet of encapsulated soil, planted with grasses and shrubs protected by rocks and 125 feet of rolled coconut fiber "biologs" embedded with various plants.

JFNew, an environmental consulting firm headquartered in Walkerton, IN, designed and installed the seawall adjacent to the public beach last fall at a cost of $19,000. Final seeding of the site was completed in late April.

Money for the project was the result of a resource-damage settlement from a pesticide spill that killed fish and temporarily closed the lake to public use in 1995.

"We worked closely on this project with the Skinner Lake Home Owners Association," said Jennifer Campbell-Allison, restoration biologist of the DFW's contaminants program. "We expect that this new seawall technology will have a long-lasting impact on the lake.

"The biologs and plantings together should help provide cleaner, clear water."

Without the seawall, sediment would continue to erode into the lake and muddy the water. Once the shrubs are fully established, their roots should stabilize the bank and create an attractive, shaded shoreline.

"The bio-engineered seawall at Skinner Lake is an excellent example of the application of new technology to solve old problems," said Jed Pearson, DFW biologist who oversees fish management at the lake.

"In the past, many lakefront property owners would simply construct concrete or metal bulkhead seawalls to stop shoreline erosion," he said. "Bulkhead seawalls hold the bank in place but they also reflect wave energy back into the lake. The energy tears up the bottom, uproots aquatic plants, and damages fish habitat."

Bio-engineering designs give landowners an option to incorporate natural materials into their seawall that can disperse wave energy and function better than bulkhead seawalls.

For some types of shoreline, such as sensitive wetland areas, state law mandates that only bio-engineered seawalls can be installed. Traditional bulkhead seawalls are only allowed along highly developed areas.

"Lake residents need to know the rules for seawall construction," Pearson said.  "A DNR permit is required for any seawall and its design must meet certain specifications." 

Pearson hopes lake residents will examine the bio-engineered seawall at Skinner Lake to see if a similar design could work for them. 

Comment sought on environmental assessment of state forest management program

The DNR Division of Forestry (DoF) draft environmental assessment of the forest management program on state forests is posted on the DoF Web site for public comment and review over a 60-day period.

The document, titled "Increased Emphasis on Management and Sustainability of Oak-Hickory Communities on the Indiana State Forest System," is at dnr.IN.gov/forestry/6407.htm. Anyone unable to access the document online may request a copy from the State Forester, 402 W. Washington Room W-296, Indianapolis 46204 or by calling 317-232-4105. Review copies also are available at all state forest property offices.

Although an environmental assessment is prescribed in Indiana law for any action that might significantly affect the quality of the human or natural environment, the DoF is exempt from the requirements of this law; however, an environmental assessment was requested by many who reviewed and commented on the DoF's 2008-2013 Strategic Plan. The DoF did the assessment both as a good faith effort and to understand any potential environmental impacts. 

"This assessment is in direct response to the concerned citizens who took the time to comment on our strategic plan," said state forester John Seifert.

The 128-page document describes the timber management program currently underway and proposed for the next 20 years on the 153,000-acre state forest system. The document provides a detailed assessment of the effects of forest management actions on the biological, cultural, social, water quality, economic and other related parts of the environment that depend on forests.

"We reviewed potential effects on more than 130 species of rare or threatened birds, mammals, mussels, invertebrates and plants that live in our forests" Seifert said . "We called on experts in the DNR divisions of Fish and Wildlife, Nature Preserves and Water to help gather the best information available."
 
Indiana's state forests include 13 administrative units scattered across 23 counties, mostly in the southern part of the state.
 
For further information, contact the Division of Forestry at (317) 232-4105.