Editorial: Fly like an eagle

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006 | 12:31 p.m.

Federal wildlife officials are proposing to remove the bald eagle from the Endangered Species List, and conservationists and wildlife advocates say it shows that the Endangered Species Act works.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, nesting pairs of the nation's avian emblem have grown nationally from 417 reported in 1963 to 7,066. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service publishes its formal recommendation Thursday and will make its final decision after the public comment period ends May 17.

Although the bird's numbers have increased dramatically, wildlife advocates note that the numbers are still low in areas of the West and Southwest. Officials have found only two nesting pairs in Nevada, for example, and four in Utah. This is of special concern, advocates noted, because habitat is disappearing in these regions quickly because of development and growth.

Even if the bald eagle is removed from the Endangered Species List, two other federal laws still would make it to illegal to kill, transport, sell or otherwise harm or damage the birds, their nests or eggs. But the habitat protection provided under the 1973 Endangered Species Act isn't included in those other laws. Bush administration policies to alter restrictions on logging, mining and off-road activities could damage the bird's previously protected nesting and roosting areas.

Still, the eagle's comeback sends a strong message to such critics as Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., and Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., who supported a bill that proposed loosening the Endangered Species Act's habitat restrictions. Pombo called the current law a failure. But the nation's high-flying symbol of freedom shows us otherwise.