C-ll 



4. Removal of habitat and nest sites around the bay by farming, 

 real estate development, encroachment of power transmission lines, and 

 lumbering of tidewater forests. 



5. Reproductive rate is below that considered necessary to main- 

 tain the population. A 50% fledgling rate is needed, or at least one 

 fledged young per nest, for stable populations. In the Chesapeake Bay 

 area, however, the fledgling rate is only 5 to 35% (Abbott, 1971). 

 According to Sprunt (1969) and Sprunt et_ al . (1966), nesting success is 

 only 15% here. 



Protective Measures Taken : 



1. Protection by federal law and fine of $500 for killing an eagle. 

 Laws to prohibit shooting. 



2. Removal of bounty for eagles (which Alaska had for years). 



3. Intensive investigations into pesticide and other chemical 

 contamination of eagles and eagle eggs, their biology, distribution, 

 behavior, etc. being carried out by Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, 

 National Audubon Soc, State fish and game departments, etc. Investi- 

 gations into artificial breeding programs. 



4. Censuses are being made annually by Jackson Abbott, Fred 

 Scott, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, and others to locate 

 nest sites around Chesapeake Bay and determine activity, productivity, 

 etc. Usually two airplane flights are made per breeding season. 



5. Continued protection and acquisition of nest sites where not 

 owned by federal or state conservation agencies to avoid destruction 

 or disturbance to nesting eagles. In some cases, as in Maine and 

 Florida, individual agreements are reached with private landowners to 

 protect nest sites and birds. 



6. Continued protection on federal and state refuges. 

 Protective Measures Proposed : 



1. Acquisition of all known nest sites around Chesapeake Bay 

 area as sanctuaries. 



2. Continued research on, and control of, environmental contam- 

 inants, especially pesticides and PCB's which can effect eagle repro- 

 duction. 



3. Increased public education and involvement in saving the 

 species. 



