What would become of the planned Bald Eagle Sanctuary if (perish the thought!) the eagles fail to return to nest next year?
An interesting issue that the Bald Eagle Sanctuary steering committee members discussed with Mayor Ortis is the duration of such designation of the land containing the eagle nest. Understandably, the Mayor made it clear that the City had no plans to turn the valuable property over to any third party. Rather, the eagle's nest, roosting trees and its territory would be officially designated and posted as a City sanctuary, but it would be protected under the proposed Bald Eagle Ordinance. There would be no land transfer, and the City would be constrained by the restrictions on development already in force under federal and state laws and guidelines.
What would happen if the eagles fail to return to breed next year? As you all know, a Bald Eagle generally mates for life and keeps returning to the same territory, and usually to the same nest or another within its territory. Brian Mealy pointed out that if the female of the pair dies, the male usually stays in the same territory and promptly attracts a new mate. However, if the female loses its mate, she normally pairs up with a male who then brings her to its existing territory, or selects its own territory.
In the event that the nest is abandoned, and there is no active alternate nest within the sanctuary, the draft ordinance proposes to continue the designation of the sanctuary for five years after abandonment, unless there is another active Bald Eagle nest within two miles of the abandoned nest.
This policy would be consistent with the Florida FWC Bald Eagle Management Plan and Guidelines.
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