News from the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department
February 23, 2005
Phone: (603) 271-3211
Email: info@wildlife.state.nh.us
For information and online licenses, visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us

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CONTACT:
Michael Amaral, USFWS: 603/223-2541 
Jane Vachon, NHF&G: 603/271-3211 
Julie Klett, N.H. Audubon: 603/224-9909
February 23, 2005 


NEW FUND ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT MERRIMACK RIVER BALD EAGLE HABITAT 

CONCORD, N.H. -- A new fund to help conserve bald eagle habitat along 
the Merrimack River is being established through a joint effort 
involving the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the New Hampshire Fish and Game 
Department, New Hampshire Audubon and the office of Senator John Sununu. 
Parties with land development projects that include the river's 
shoreline may be eligible to contribute to the fund as a final step in 
satisfying environmental requirements for development.

The Bald Eagle Habitat Conservation Fund is part of an agreement 
between P.D. Associates and LaMontagne Builders, the federal Fish & Wildlife 
Service and N.H. Fish and Game regarding construction of condominiums 
on land near the Merrimack River in Manchester used as wintering habitat 
by bald eagles. Bald eagles are protected under the federal Endangered 
Species Act and state law. Under the agreement, the residential units 
will be built, but the developers have agreed -- in addition to donating 
to the conservation fund -- to on-site measures to minimize the impact 
on eagles. 

"Senator John Sununu's office was instrumental in bringing together 
development and conservation interests to reach this resolution," said 
Michael Bartlett, Supervisor of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's New 
England Field Office. "As a rule, we strive to protect bald eagle habitat 
wherever it occurs. At the same time, we work to accommodate 
development whenever possible. Because the parcels proposed for these recent 
developments were so small, however, the usual measures we take to 
accommodate both eagle habitat and development simply were not practical, so we 
devised a more novel solution."

"This is a perfect example of how government, conservation, and 
business partners can work together to find creative, mutually beneficial 
solutions to the problem of habitat loss and degradation in the state," 
said David Houghton, President of New Hampshire Audubon. "We recognize 
that people want to live and work near the Merrimack River because of its 
abundant wildlife and its natural beauty. So it makes good ecological 
and economic sense to conserve this critical habitat."

New Hampshire's portion of the Merrimack River from Franklin south to 
Nashua provides essential wintering habitat for a large number of 
American bald eagles. Ideal eagle habitat offers patches of forest near open 
water, so they can perch, rest, seek shelter at night and have access 
to fish and ducks for food. This month, N.H. Audubon staff and 
volunteers confirmed at least 23 bald eagles wintering along the Merrimack in 
Manchester and surrounding towns. In January, they counted at least 55 
bald eagles wintering statewide. The state also hosts eight known nesting 
territories during the summer. 

As the water quality of the Merrimack River improves, its appeal 
increases for both wildlife and people. Development along the banks of the 
Merrimack River is now encroaching on some of the riparian forest 
habitats used by the state's wintering bald eagles. This is not always a good 
mix, as eagles need space, and people, particularly pedestrians at 
close range, can cause the birds to leave their feeding and resting areas.

"Conflicts are bound to occur when you are protecting rare species in a 
fast-growing state like ours," said Lee Perry, Executive Director of 
the N.H. Fish and Game Department. "The best way to prevent future 
conflicts is to keep common species common, which is why we're working with 
partners in the conservation community to create a Comprehensive 
Wildlife Conservation Plan for New Hampshire. This will give us a strategic 
blueprint to guide efforts to maintain and, when necessary, restore 
wildlife populations and the habitats upon which they depend."

The Bald Eagle Habitat Conservation Fund established today will be used 
to help to conserve some of these special places. The fund will be 
administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, a 
Congressionally authorized, nongovernmental grant agency, in cooperation with the 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). N.H. Fish and Game and N.H. 
Audubon will work closely with USFWS to identify conservation needs and 
decide how the fund can best be used to protect bald eagle habitat. Funds 
could be used, for example, to acquire conservation easements or assist 
landowners in managing their riverfront forest to promote continued use 
by eagles. 

New Hampshire Audubon is an independent, statewide membership 
organization dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and habitat throughout 
the state through research, land protection, environmental policy and 
environmental education. Visit http://www.nhaudubon.org

The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department works to conserve, manage 
and protect the state's fish and wildlife and their habitats. Its Nongame 
and Endangered Wildlife Program, established in 1988, is the steward 
for over 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Visit 
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service works with others to conserve, protect 
and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the 
continuing benefit of the American people. Visit http://www.fws.gov.

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Copyright 2004 New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, 11 Hazen Drive, 
Concord, NH 03301.  Comments or questions concerning this list should 
be directed to lpoinier@wildlife.state.nh.us.