The Plumas National Forest reports that, although Wyandotte Campground was scheduled to open for the season June 13, a closure order is in effect over part of the popular Little Grass Valley Reservoir Recreation Area site to protect a pair of nesting bald eagles.
The forest closure order is in place until July 15, when eaglets are generally fully fledged, said PNF. It covers campsites 1 through 17 on the peninsula. Pancake Beach and the remainder of the campground are still open.
Forest closure orders for the nest area are necessary when eaglets aren’t fledged before Wyandotte Campground opens for the season, said PNF, allowing area residents and visitors to enjoy the area without affecting the bald eagles.
“The eagles did not nest last year, so we were happy to find the eagles nesting this year with two eaglets this spring,” said Feather River Ranger District Biologist Jacqueline Phipps. “A closure order is normally in place to help minimize disturbances when the eagles are nesting.”
Biologists from the Feather River Ranger District and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are closely monitoring the nesting pair of adult bald eagles and their two eaglets. “While people may be curious about them, it is critical for the next 40 days to give these eagles the space and peace they need to successfully fledge both eaglets,” Phipps said.
In addition to the forest closure order, the bald eagles are also protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act enacted in 1940. The act prohibits anyone without a permit from the Secretary of Interior from interfering with, disturbing, harming or killing bald and golden eagles. This includes activities that disrupt normal breeding, feeding or sheltering habits and cause injury, death or nest abandonment.
A violation of the act can result in a fine of $100,000 for an individual or $200,000 for an organization, imprisonment for one year or both, for a first offense. Penalties increase substantially for additional offenses, and a second violation of the act is a felony.
“We want to thank everyone for their understanding, patience and compliance helping us protect the Little Grass Valley bald eagles,” said Feather River District Ranger Loren Everest. “Feather River Ranger District employees are hopeful for both eaglets to fledge and we look forward to sharing more information at the campground once it is open for the summer season.”
The forest order is formally referenced as Closure Order No. 05-11-03-25-01. Violations of the prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, imprisonment for not more than six months or both.
More information on the Plumas National Forest is available at www.fs.usda.gov/plumas or www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas.