Originally published June 2, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified June 2, 2007 at 2:02 AM
Fish and Wildlife defines "disturbing" a bald eagle
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday officially defined what it means to "disturb" a bald eagle, trying to settle a semantic debate...
The Washington Post
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Friday officially defined what it means to "disturb" a bald eagle, trying to settle a semantic debate that helped to delay the bird's removal from the list of threatened and endangered species.
A 1940 law, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, lists all the things people cannot do to the national symbol. Among other things — shooting, trapping, pursuing, poisoning — the act prohibits "disturbing" the birds.
The law could become important again if the eagles lose their protection under the Endangered Species Act. From 417 breeding pairs in 1963, the population has grown to 9,800 birds, thanks to conservation measures that included banning the eggshell-thinning pesticide DDT.
Environmentalists and the Fish and Wildlife Service have been arguing over how the old law, and especially its use of "disturbing," should be interpreted. The agency originally considered definitions that would limit "disturbing" to actions that caused injury, death or abandonment of a nest. Environmentalists wanted something broader.
Friday, the agency released a definition that took 34 pages to explain and seemed to please its critics. Officials said "disturb" would be taken to mean any action that caused injury or interfered with breeding or raising chicks and any action that seemed likely to cause those things.
"That's a much more protective standard" because it can be used to stop disruptive actions before birds are harmed, said Tim Male, senior ecologist for Environmental Defense.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is under a court order to make a decision by June 29.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
A Bing deal for Microsoft, News Corp.?
Amazon, Wal-Mart escalate Web price war
6.8-magnitude quake rattles Tonga
8 charged in probe of terrorism-recruiting network in U.S.
Hate crimes against gays, religious groups up, FBI says

New Beginnings Christian Fellowship
Coming in this Sunday's Pacific Northwest Magazine: Pastor Braxton's mission is to preach a message that appeals to everyone.
shopping
events for Tuesday, Nov. 24
- Asher Anson Black Friday and December Sales
- Holiday Sale at Pink Ginger
- Clementine's December Daily Sale
- Shenui.com Holiday Sale
editors' picks
- Local jewelry designers
- Maternity shopping
- Vintage, consignment and used clothing
- Independent bookstores
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Jerry Brewer | Jerry Brewer: Seahawks can't lean on the Hutch Crutch now
- Woman stabbed by stranger in North Seattle
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- UW, WSU once again meet to see who's worse
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Husky Football Blog | Ranking the Pac
- Vikings easily beat the Seahawks
- Tugboat sinks at Seattle waterfront pier
- Illegal workers quietly let go
435 - Bellevue residents blast new bikini espresso stand
239 - Jose Lopez appears to be on his way out
179 - Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
179 - Next Seahawks GM should be Mike Holmgren
135 - Washington State coach Paul Wulff says he's excited about Cougars' future
133 - Some fans at Fort Bragg see themselves in Sarah Palin
75 - Hate crimes against gays, religious groups up, FBI says
68 - Monday practice report
53 - Civil-rights suit against officer, city settled for $87,500
50
- Sprouts, raw fish on attorney's 'do not eat' list
- Tattoos at Mill Creek church pierce skin, soul
- Food-safety lawyer's wish: Put me out of business
- Illegal workers quietly let go
- Architects, chefs find 'kid' within to build Gingerbread Village
- Nicole Brodeur | Homeless woman bent on giving
- Portland cafe's specialty: medical-marijuana tokes
- Hutch gets $10M from Bezos family for immunotherapy research
- Big demand, grim outlook for state Basic Health Plan
- Rediscovering Moab, 'the most beautiful place on Earth'

