A public meeting has been scheduled as citizens continue to seek answers and action following the destruction of an eagles' nest in Auburn.
Auburn District 3 City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro-Tem Beth Witten is scheduling an open meeting on Tuesday, November 26 at 6 p.m. at the Buston Training Center.
The guest speaker is Andrew Hopkins, raptor administrator at Auburn University’s Raptor Center.
All citizens are welcome to attend, not just those in District 3.
Any questions to be addressed at the meeting must be emailed to bwitten@auburnalabama.org.
The Raptor Center is part of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine. It admits injured, orphaned and ill raptor patients, including eagles. It also trains the eagles to perform pregame stadium flights that raise awareness of raptor conservation and has built one of the most recognized traditions in college sports.
The controversy arose when a tree cradling an eagles' nest was cut, and the nest scattered overnight last week. The tree and nest were on land that had been bought by Hughston Homes (HH) of Georgia. The development is to build 46 houses on 75 acres.
HH had been granted a permit to remove the nest by the National Fish and Wildlife Service (NFWS). The NFWS permit apparently prevented the nest removal if the nest was “active.” There have been two different explanations by NFWS of what the restrictions are. One explanation said that the presence of adult eagles, eggs or young eagles would prevent removal. The other explanation included only eggs and young eagles as the preventives. The difference is vital because citizens have observed and videoed two adult eagles using the nest right before and after the tree cutting, apparently looking for their nest.
Locals say the two eagles and nest have been there since 2017.
Dozens of questions from citizens have been raised in this week's Auburn City Council meeting and on the new Facebook group "For the Love of Jim and Pam. At this point, there are far more questions than answers.
The remaining questions include:
What were the restrictions in the permit to remove the nest?
Can the City of Auburn take action by building permits, timbering permits or other city regulations?
Did those who cut the tree and destroyed the nest violate any laws or regulations – federal, state or city?
Are the two eagles building a new nest? If so, where is it? What happens if it is also on land of the HH development?
Would a new permit be necessary to remove a new nest?
How did HH determine that there were no eggs in the nest?
Did HH proceed to quickly have the tree cut before mating season?
Why was the tree cut after a meeting to discuss a compromise had apparently been set?
Is it true that NFWS restrictions allow the permit holder (HH) to itself be the monitor of whether the nest is active? Is there any oversight?
Are the officials of HH and those who cut the tree and scattered the nest Georgia Bulldog fans?
On Monday, after learning that the tree and nest had been destroyed, Witten posted the following on her Facebook page:
I am devastated, angry, disappointed and grateful. Devastated that Hughston Homes' representative Tyler Findley intentionally deceived me into thinking the city would have an opportunity to discuss options to save the nest in question. He and I had a phone conversation at 4:23 pm Friday, November 15. I specifically asked if the eagles’ nest would be untouched until we could hold our Zoom call Monday am. He ensured me of such. Then I learn today that he was present while the nest was taken down (which took place after our call). Angry that a so-called professional would act with such disregard for a community they want to do business. Angry that the opportunity was not allowed to be vetted. Disappointed in humanity. Grateful for a community that is passionate about a bonded pair of bald eagles named Jim and Pam.
I have spent these last few days working with Mayor Anders, the City Manager and others to come to a successful outcome for the eagles’ nest. I was not successful. I apologize that my efforts were smashed albeit due to the result of the actions of integrity-less individuals who operate Hughston Homes.
To the residents of Ward 3 and really the whole Auburn family, please know this has been gut-wrenching. And I support fully the request of the City Manager to have city attorneys request a full investigation by Fish and Wildlife.
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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