Or. Admin. R. 629-665-0230

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 6, June 1, 2024

Section 629-665-0230 - Bald Eagle Roosting Sites; Key Components; Protection Requirements; and Exceptions

(1) For bald eagle roosting sites, the resource site is the active roost trees, probable roost trees as identified by the State Forester, and all identified key components:

(a) An active roosting site is one that has been used within the past 5 years for roosting by bald eagles. No protection is required for an abandoned bald eagle roosting site.

(b) The key components associated with a bald eagle roosting site are staging trees, probable roost trees as identified by the State Forester, and a forested buffer around the roost trees. Factors to consider when identifying key components:

(A) Actual observation data when available.

(B) Roost sites frequently occur in mature forests. Roost trees are often significantly larger than the rest of the stand.

(C) Staging trees are often large, dead-top or dominant trees or snags where one or more eagles can perch and have direct access to the roosting site.

(D) The surrounding forested buffer must be adequate to maintain a suitable microclimate around the roost trees.

(E) Areas of high winds may require that additional trees be retained to protect the active roost tree(s) and identified key components from damage.

(2) The operator shall provide the following protection measures when operating within or near a bald eagle roosting site:

(a) During and after forest operations, the resource site shall be retained and protected from damage. The operation shall be designed to protect the trees from windthrow.

(b) Retain the active roost tree(s).

(c) Retain a forested buffer not less than 300 feet around the outermost active roost trees as a key component that includes probable roost trees.

(d) Retain staging trees.

(e) During the critical period of use, operations shall be designed and conducted to not disturb bald eagles using the resource site:

(A) Except as provided in paragraph (B) of this subsection, during the critical period of use, operations shall not be permitted within one-quarter (1/4) mile of the active roost trees. If the eagles have line-of-sight vision from these trees to the operation, the distance is one-half (1/2) mile.

(B) If the State Forester determines through review of the written plan that the operations will not cause the birds to flush from trees identified in paragraph (A) of this subsection, then there is no conflict and the distance restrictions in paragraph (A) of this subsection may be modified.

(C) The critical period of use for bald eagle roosting sites in the Klamath Basin is October 31 through March 31. In other areas of Oregon the critical period of use is November 15 through March 15. The specific critical period of use for individual roosting resource sites may be modified in writing by the State Forester depending upon the actual dates that bald eagles are present at the resource site and are susceptible to disturbance.

(3) Structural or temporal exceptions for the resource site are allowed if the operator is in compliance with, and has on file with the State Forester, an applicable incidental take permit issued by federal authorities under the Endangered Species Act.

Or. Admin. R. 629-665-0230

FB 7-1991, f. & cert. ef. 10-30-91; FB 9-1996, f. 12-2-96, cert. ef. 1-1-97, Renumbered from 629-024-0812; DOF 6-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 8-2-05 thru 1-27-06; DOF 8-2005, f. 12-13-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOF 2-2013, f. 7-11-13, cert. ef. 9-1-13

Stat. Auth.: ORS 527.710

Stats. Implemented: ORS 527.715