BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Few things scream America like bald eagles and fireworks, but in Brown County, new steps are being taken to make sure the two stay away from each other.
“I’m actually out here quite a lot on a regular basis because I fish on the river and you will see the eagles flying around and feeding,” said Bernie Erickson, a Brown County supervisor.
Erickson, along with another supervisor, proposed a resolution after a resident complained about fireworks being set off too close to an eagles’ nest at the county fairgrounds.
The belief is the nest has been in a tree at the fairgrounds for more than a decade.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, eagles typically nest between January and mid-July.
“Especially during those nesting months, we want everybody to respect the eagles,” said Erickson.
The county is trying to get more use out of the fairgrounds. Celebrate De Pere, an event with fireworks was held there for the first time this year.
When events like that come to the fairgrounds, the county now plans to require a 330-foot buffer between the eagles’ nest and any activities.
If the event has fireworks, they must be set off 660 feet away and not directed towards the nest. Fireworks will also require county and city of De Pere approval.
The buffer distances are based on federal recommendations.
Carmen Murach at the NEW Zoo tells FOX 11 the new guidelines are a good idea. She says eagles typically frequent the same nest year after year, but fireworks might make them think twice.
“A pair of eagles don’t want to give up on the eggs or chicks they’ve put so much time into caring for, so I’d doubt they’d abandon chicks over fireworks, but it could be very stressful.”
Erickson tells FOX 11 he’s hopeful the new guidelines will allow both to coexist, just with the right distance between them.
“We’re having them both in their respective places and that place is 660 feet away from the nest.”
The bald eagle is not on the endangered species list, but it is still protected under a number of laws and regulations.
