Socioeconomic Importance 



The bald eagle has great aesthetic appeal to many people. The high level of 

 interest in Maine eagles is evident from large-scale public participation in 

 recent eagle count surveys. Citizens reported more than 5000 eagle sightings 

 during a two-year period. Increasing demand is also reflected by the extent 

 of press coverage of issues related to Maine eagles, public requests for slide 

 shows and lecture programs, and a mailing list exceeding 1000 names for 

 receipt of annual newsletters describing the status of Maine eagles. The 

 recent designation of Maine's bald eagles as an endangered species should 

 stimulate public interest further. 



Bald eagles have been revered traditionally as the national symbol 

 representing greatness, strength, and our natural resources. They also have 

 an important biological role in removing weak, diseased, or otherwise less-fit 

 individuals from prey populations. Furthermore, bald eagle populations serve 

 as a sensitive indicator of environmental quality because of their 

 susceptibility to chemical contaminants and other human alterations of natural 

 systems . 



Management 



Protection . The Federal Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 made illegal 

 the taking, possessing, selling, purchasing, bartering, transporting, 

 exporting, importing, or shooting of any bald eagle, or parts thereof. In 

 1972 Congress established maximum penalties for shooting bald eagles as a 

 $5000 fine and/or 1-year imprisonment. Convicted second offenders were 

 penalized up to $10,000 and/or 2 years in prison. A further stipulation 

 offered one-half of the fine to the person providing information leading to a 

 conviction. 



The southern bald eagle was listed officially as an endangered species in the 

 Federal Register on 11 March 1967. The endangered status was extended to 

 northern bald eagles in all but five of the 48 contiguous states on 14 

 February 1978. The latter designation included Maine, but excluded Michigan, 

 Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington, where eagles are listed as 

 threatened. 



The Endangered Species Act of 1973 thus provides further protection to Maine's 

 bald eagles. Section 7 of the Act states: 



The Secretary shall review other programs 

 administered by him and utilize such programs in 

 furtherance of the purposes of this Act. All 

 other Federal departments and agencies shall, in 

 consultation with and with the assistance of the 

 Secretary, utilize their authorities in 

 furtherance of the purposes of this Act by 

 carrying out programs for the conservation of 

 endangered species and threatened species listed 

 pursuant to section 4 of this Act and by taking 

 such action necessary to insure that actions 



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