Chapter 3 - Natural Resources - Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

MCB Camp Pendleton, California
1999, the USFWS proposed to remove the bald eagle from the list of endangered and
threatened species (USFWS 1999b). On 12 December 2006, the USFWS proposed another
rule in the anticipation that the bald eagle would be delisted. The purpose of the proposed
rule was to define the term “disturb” in a manner consistent with the existing Bald and
Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) and provide a standard to guide bald eagle
management following delisting (2006c). On 5 June 2007, the USFWS published a notice
of availability for the final National Bald Eagle Management Guidelines, a notice of
availability for the final environmental assessment on the definition of “disturb,” and a
proposed rule for a new permit that would authorize limited take under BGEPA, and to
grandfather existing Act authorizations. However, on 8 February 2007, the USFWS
announced that it had reached a court-approved agreement allowing the agency to make a
final determination on the eagle’s status no later than 29 June 2007. The population of bald
eagles in the United States has increased from a low of 487 breeding pairs in 1963 to an
estimated 9,789 breeding pairs today. The bald eagle was officially delisted (removed)
from the ESA Threatened and Endangered Species List, effective 8 August 2007.
California Status
Although the bald eagle was removed from the federal Endangered species list, as of 2009,
it remains Endangered on the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) list, Sensitive on
the California Department of Fire list, and Fully Protected according to the California
Department of Fish and Game (CDFG 2007 & 2009o).
Regional Status
The bald eagle is a covered species in the following southern California NCCP documents:
• Cal. Dept. of Corrections Statewide Electrified Fence Project.
• Lake Mathews.
• MSCP, City of Chula Vista Subarea Plan.
• MSCP, City of La Mesa Subarea Plan.
• MSCP, City of Poway Subarea Plan.
• MSCP, City of San Diego Subarea Plan.
• MSCP, County of San Diego Subarea Plan.
• Western Riverside MSHCP (One permit w/ 22 permittees).
• SDG&E.
The bald eagle is also a covered species in the North American Landbird Conservation Plan
(Rich et al. 2004).
MCBCP Status
While DoD lands are managed primarily for military readiness, they have historically made
significant, positive contributions to eagle conservation. Eagles have also adapted to many
of the military activities on these lands (USFWS 2007a). The bald eagle is known to transit
through the Base and occasionally nest near the Base. Any nesting sites or occurrences that
are observed on Base are addressed on a case-by-case basis with avoidance and
minimization measures implemented as necessary and in consultation with the USFWS.
Programmatic instructions and habitat enhancement measures outlined in the Estuarine and
Beach Ecosystem Conservation Plan (Appendix B) and Riparian Ecosystem Conservation
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