A statement released Tuesday afternoon changed the wording of restrictions in a federal permit to remove an eagle's nest in Auburn.
The National Fish and Wildlife Service (NFWS) issued a permit to developer Hughston Homes on October 30 to cut a tree cradling an eagle's nest on 75 acres that Hughston had bought to build 46 homes northeast of downtown Auburn near the Tivoli subdivision.
By Friday, concerned residents and Auburn city officials had asked Hughston Homes for a meeting to discuss a possible accommodation that could have saved the nest while continuing the development. The meeting had been set for Monday.
Friday night or early Saturday morning, under cover of darkness, workers cut down the tree and scattered the nest.
Saturday morning, nearby residents and a news reporter observed the downed tree and the desecrated nest. Two eagles were observed and videoed flying over the area of the downed tree, apparently looking for their nest.
NFWS released a statement last week stating that the permit was restricted as follows: "We do not allow the nest to be taken if there are adult eagles, eggs or young birds present."
Residents reported seeing activity at the nest before and after the tree was cut down, referring to the two adult eagles.
The language in the statement issued Tuesday afternoon re-worded the restrictions. It read: "The permit states that a nest cannot be removed if viable eggs or young are present. The permittee (Hughston Homes) was responsible for confirming that nest was empty of eggs or young before taking it down."
Under the newer wording, sightings of adult eagles actively using the nest would not restrict the permit.
The issue of the destruction of the eagle's nest came up Tuesday night at the Auburn City Council meeting. No action was taken. Both City Manager Meghan Crouch and City Attorney Paul Clark explained that the city does not have authority over the matter and referred concerned citizens back to the NFWS.
The development is by a private company on private property they purchased inside the city limits of Auburn.
Read the NFWS statement released Tuesday with the updated permit language below:
Jim' Zig' Zeigler writes about Alabama's people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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