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Seward Highway MP 75-90 #58105 Final Bald Eagle Nest Survey Technical Report March 11, 2008

1.0 Introduction and Background The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is proposing a project to improve sections of the Seward Highway from milepost (MP) 75 near Ingram Creek to MP 90 near Girdwood (Figure 1). The MP 75-90 segment is one of the few remaining segments in the series of planned improvements along the length of the Seward Highway between Potter Marsh in south Anchorage and Ingram Creek. The series of improvements aims to extend the service life of the roadway and increase safety. Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are year round residents in the Upper Turnagain Arm and most commonly found during the spring, summer and fall. Bald eagles nest in cottonwood trees along three major river valleys (Twentymile, Portage and Placer) in the Upper Turnagain Arm. Over one hundred bald eagles have been documented using the Twentymile River during mid-May through June when eulachon (hooligan) are running in this river (USDA 2004). This run of fish likely provides a significant food resource for bald eagles during the nesting season. The bald eagle is protected under the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 as amended (16 U.S.C. §§ 668-68d) and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (16 U.S.C. §§ 703-12). The Bald Eagle Protection Act prohibits anyone from “taking” bald eagles, their eggs, nest, or any part of the birds. The Act defines “taking” as “to pursue, shoot, shoot at, poison, wound, kill, capture, trap, collect, molest, or disturb.” To avoid disturbing nesting bald eagles, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recommends (1) keeping a distance between the activity and the nest (distance buffers), (2) maintaining preferably forested (or natural) areas between the activity and around nest trees (landscape buffers), and (3) avoiding certain activities during the breeding season. The buffer areas serve to minimize visual and auditory impacts associated with human activities near nest sites. Ideally, buffers would be large enough to protect existing nest trees and provide for alternative or replacement nest trees. The USFWS recommends a primary 330-foot buffer zone around eagle nests to provide protection of the juvenile eagles in the nest tree and to buffer the tree from human activities during the nesting season (March through August). A 660-foot buffer is recommended to protect the nest from noise and obstructive activities and to protect nesting habitat. The secondary zone extends from the primary zone to a distance of 660 feet from the nesting tree. When topography or vegetation does not adequately protect the nest from human disturbance, the buffer zone may be increased by ¼ to ½ mile. However, the actual size of the buffer zone could vary depending on the eagle’s tolerance for human disturbance (USFWS 2007). Information regarding the location and status of bald eagle nests in south central Alaska is maintained by the USFWS, Anchorage Field Office. Before conducting the aerial survey, HDR Alaska, Inc. contacted the USFWS to determine if any recent surveys were

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conducted in the project area and if there were any known nests. Joe Connor, USFWS, responded there are two known nests in the vicinity of the project area but no recent surveys had been conducted. The first nest is located north of Girdwood approximately one mile from the highway along Glacier Creek and the second nest is along the Twentymile River (Connor 2006).

2.0 Purpose and Need of Survey The purpose of the bald eagle survey was to document bald eagle nest locations within one mile of the center-line of the existing Seward Highway MP 75-90 project area. The data will be used to fulfill state and federal permitting requirements and help analyze potential impacts of the project on bald eagles and their nest sites.

3.0 Project Area The project area is located at the southern boundary of the Municipality of Anchorage, approximately 30 to 40 miles south of the Anchorage Bowl. The Seward Highway parallels the coastline of Turnagain Arm and crosses Glacier Creek, Kern Creek, Peterson Creek, Twentymile River, Portage Creek, Placer River, Ingram Creek, and several unnamed streams between MP 75 and 90. The project area for the bald eagle nest survey includes the existing Seward Highway alignment up to one mile, from the centerline of the highway, between MP 75 and 90 (Figure 1).

4.0 Methods On April 25, 2007, an aerial survey was conducted to identify bald eagle nest locations near the Seward Highway MP 75-90 project area. The survey started at 10:30 AM and ended at 12:30 PM. Weather during the survey was cloudy with temperatures in the mid 40s (Fahrenheit) with light rain. Winds were approximately five to ten miles per hour (mph). Deciduous trees had not leafed out yet which made it easy to find eagle nests. The survey was flown using a Robinson R44 Raven I helicopter out of Girdwood. Observers were Brent Fenty and Sirena Brownlee, HDR Alaska, Inc. The survey elevation was approximately 150 feet above ground level and at an average speed of 30 - 40 mph. The survey area covered a one mile corridor on both sides of the Seward Highway centerline from MP 75 to 90. The helicopter flew a meandering pattern with emphasis on potential eagle nest trees. For each identified nest, the observers recorded the coordinates of the nest, the tree species where the nest was found, the activity of the nest (active or inactive) and any general comments about the location of the nest. Nests coordinates were collected with a mapping-grade hand-held global positioning system receiver. Incidental observations of large mammals and other wildlife were also recorded during the bald eagle nest survey and are reported in the Spring Migration Technical Report (HDR Alaska 2007).

5.0 Results One bald eagle nest was documented within a one mile corridor of the Seward Highway project area (Figure 1). The nest was located along a small tributary of the Placer River south of Portage Glacier Road. The nest was in a large cottonwood tree. One adult was incubating eggs on the nest and the other adult was perched on a nearby cottonwood tree. This nest is approximately 0.8 miles east of the Seward Highway.

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The previously reported nest along the Twentymile River was confirmed but it was located approximately two miles from the Seward Highway project area which was outside of our survey area limits. A total of 18 bald eagles were observed in the project area during the aerial survey. A group of six bald eagles were observed resting on the mud flats near the mouth of Portage Creek. No other large concentrations were noted during the survey.

6.0 Conclusion One bald eagle nest was found near the proposed Seward Highway MP 75-90 project area. Nesting activity for bald eagles in south central Alaska usually begins in early February. This survey was conducted at the end of April when most eagles would be incubating eggs (USFWS 2007). Bald eagles have been documented nesting along the Placer, Portage, and Twentymile River Valley but the majority of the nests are located further up the valleys away from the Seward Highway (USDA 2004).

7.0 References Connor, J. 2006. Personal communication between Joe Connor, USFWS Biologist, and

Sirena Brownlee, HDR Alaska, Inc. on 7/11/06. HDR Alaska, Inc. 2007. Spring 2007 Migratory Bird Surveys along the Seward Highway,

MP 75-90 Project Area. Anchorage, AK. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 2007. National Bald Eagle Management

Guidelines. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. 2004. Upper Turnagain

Landscape Assessment. USDA. Glacier Ranger District, Chugach National Forest.

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Printing Date: May 7, 2007Projection: Alaska State Plane Zone 4

Datum: NAD 83HDR Alaska

Sources: MOA GIS, USGS, AK DOT, AK DNR, Cook Inlet Keeper

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This map represents a conceptual level of utility, detail, andaccuracy. The information displayed here is for planningpurposes only. Base information shown constitutes data fromvarious federal, state, public, and private souces. These mapsare for review purposes only and are not intended for use insecuring permits, design or for construction purposes.

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