50 CFR Part 22 Eagle Permits

Title 50 Part 22
e-CFR data is current as of February 10, 2020

Title 50 → Chapter I → Subchapter B → Part 22

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Title 50: Wildlife and Fisheries

PART 22—EAGLE PERMITS
Contents

Subpart A—Introduction
§22.1
§22.2
§22.3
§22.4

What is the purpose of this part?
What activities does this part apply to?
Definitions.
Information collection requirements.

Subpart B—General Requirements
§22.11 What is the relationship to other permit requirements?
§22.12 What activities are illegal?

Subpart C—Eagle Permits
§22.21 What are the requirements concerning scientific and exhibition purpose permits?
§22.22 What are the requirements concerning permits for Indian religious purposes?
§22.23 What are the requirements for permits to take depredating eagles and eagles that pose a risk to
human or eagle health and safety?
§22.24 Permits for falconry purposes.
§22.25 What are the requirements concerning permits to take golden eagle nests?
§22.26 Permits for eagle take that is associated with, but not the purpose of, an activity.
§22.27 Removal of eagle nests.
§22.28 Permits for bald eagle take exempted under the Endangered Species Act.

Subpart D—Depredation Control Orders on Golden Eagles
§22.31 Golden eagle depredations control order on request of Governor of a State.
§22.32 Conditions and limitations on taking under depredation control order.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 668-668d; 703-712; 1531-1544.
Source: 39 FR 1183, Jan. 4, 1974, unless otherwise noted.
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Subpart A—Introduction
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§22.1 What is the purpose of this part?
This part controls the taking, possession, and transportation within the United States of bald eagles (Haliaeetus
leucocephalus) and golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and their parts, nests, and eggs for scientific, educational,
and depredation control purposes; for the religious purposes of American Indian tribes; and to protect other
interests in a particular locality. This part also governs the transportation into or out of the United States of bald
and golden eagle parts for scientific, educational, and Indian religious purposes. The import, export, purchase,
sale, trade, or barter of bald and golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs is prohibited.
[64 FR 50472, Sept. 17, 1999, as amended at 73 FR 29083, May 20, 2008]
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§22.2 What activities does this part apply to?
(a)(1) You can possess or transport within the United States, without a Federal permit:
(i) Any live or dead bald eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs that were lawfully acquired before June 8, 1940; and
(ii) Any live or dead golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs that were lawfully acquired before October 24,
1962.
(2) You may not transport into or out of the United States, import, export, purchase, sell, trade, barter, or offer for
purchase, sale, trade, or barter bald or golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs of these lawfully acquired preact birds. However, you may transport into or out of the United States any lawfully acquired dead bald or golden
eagles, their parts, nests, or dead eagles, if you acquire a permit issued under §22.22 of this part.
(3) No exemption from any statute or regulation will apply to any offspring of these pre-act birds.
(4) You must mark all shipments containing bald or golden eagles, alive or dead, their parts, nests, or eggs as
directed in §14.81 of this subchapter. The markings must contain the name and address of the person the
shipment is going to, the name and address of the person the shipment is coming from, an accurate list of
contents by species, and the number of each species.
(b) The provisions in this part are in addition to, and are not in lieu of, other regulations of this subchapter B which
may require a permit or prescribe additional restrictions or conditions for the importation, exportation, and
interstate transportation of wildlife (see also part 13 of this subchapter).
[39 FR 1183, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 64 FR 50472, Sept. 17, 1999]

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§22.3 Definitions.
In addition to the definitions contained in part 10 of this subchapter, and unless the context otherwise requires, in
this part 22:
Alternate nest means one of potentially several nests within a nesting territory that is not an in-use nest at the
current time. When there is no in-use nest, all nests in the territory are alternate nests.
Communal roost site means an area where eagles gather repeatedly in the course of a season and shelter
overnight and sometimes during the day in the event of inclement weather.
Compatible with the preservation of the bald eagle or the golden eagle means consistent with the goals of
maintaining stable or increasing breeding populations in all eagle management units and the persistence of local
populations throughout the geographic range of each species.
Cumulative effects means the incremental environmental impact or effect of the proposed action, together with
impacts of past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions.
Disturb means to agitate or bother a bald or golden eagle to a degree that causes, or is likely to cause, based on
the best scientific information available, (1) injury to an eagle, (2) a decrease in its productivity, by substantially
interfering with normal breeding, feeding, or sheltering behavior, or (3) nest abandonment, by substantially
interfering with normal breeding, feeding, or sheltering behavior.
Eagle management unit (EMU) means a geographically bounded region within which permitted take is regulated to
meet the management goal of maintaining stable or increasing breeding populations of bald or golden eagles.
Eagle nest means any assemblage of materials built, maintained, or used by bald eagles or golden eagles for the
purpose of reproduction.
Export for the purpose of this part does not include the transportation of any dead bald or golden eagles, or their
parts, nests, or dead eggs out of the United States when accompanied with a valid transportation permit.
Foraging area means an area where eagles regularly feed during one or more seasons.
Import for the purpose of this part does not include the transportation of any dead bald or golden eagles, or their
parts, nests, or dead eggs into the United States when accompanied with a valid transportation permit.
Important eagle-use area means an eagle nest, foraging area, or communal roost site that eagles rely on for
breeding, sheltering, or feeding, and the landscape features surrounding such nest, foraging area, or roost site that
are essential for the continued viability of the site for breeding, feeding, or sheltering eagles.
In-use nest means a bald or golden eagle nest characterized by the presence of one or more eggs, dependent
young, or adult eagles on the nest in the past 10 days during the breeding season.
Indirect effects means effects for which a proposed action is a cause, and which may occur later in time and/or be
physically manifested beyond the initial impacts of the action, but are still reasonably likely to occur.
Local area population (LAP) means the bald or golden eagle population within the area of a human activity or
project bounded by the natal dispersal distance for the respective species. The LAP is estimated using the
average eagle density of the EMU or EMUs where the activity or project is located.
Necessary to ensure public health and safety means required to maintain society's well-being in matters of health
and safety.
Nesting attempt means any activity by golden eagles involving egg laying and incubation as determined by the
presence of an egg attended by an adult, an adult in incubation posture, or other evidence indicating recent use of
a golden eagle nest for incubation of eggs or rearing of young.
Nesting territory means the area that contains one or more eagle nests within the home range of a mated pair of
eagles, regardless of whether such nests were built by the current resident pair.

Person means an individual, corporation, partnership, trust, association, or any other private entity, or any officer,
employee, agent, department, or instrumentality of any State or political subdivision of a State.
Practicable means available and capable of being done after taking into consideration existing technology,
logistics, and cost in light of a mitigation measure's beneficial value to eagles and the activity's overall purpose,
scope, and scale.
Resource development or recovery includes, but is not limited to, mining, timbering, extracting oil, natural gas and
geothermal energy, construction of roads, dams, reservoirs, power plants, power transmission lines, and pipelines,
as well as facilities and access routes essential to these operations, and reclamation following any of these
operations.
Safety emergency means a situation that necessitates immediate action to alleviate a threat of bodily harm to
humans or eagles.
Take means pursue, shoot, shoot at, poison, wound, kill, capture, trap, collect, destroy, molest, or disturb.
Transportation into or out of the United States for the purpose of this part means that the permitted item or items
transported into or out of the United States do not change ownership at any time, they are not transferred from one
person to another in the pursuit of gain or profit, and they are transported into or out of the United States for Indian
religious purposes, or for scientific or exhibition purposes under the conditions and during the time period specified
on a transportation permit for the items.
[39 FR 1183, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 48 FR 57300, Dec. 29, 1983; 64 FR 50472, Sept. 17, 1999; 72 FR
31139, June 5, 2007; 74 FR 46876, Sept. 11, 2009; 81 FR 91550, Dec. 16, 2016]
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§22.4 Information collection requirements.
(a) The Office of Management and Budget approved the information collection requirements contained in this part
22 under 44 U.S.C. 3507 and assigned OMB Control Number 1018-0022. The Service may not conduct or
sponsor, and you are not required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB
control number. We are collecting this information to provide information necessary to evaluate permit applications.
We will use this information to review permit applications and make decisions, according to criteria established in
the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and its regulations, on the issuance, suspension, revocation, or denial of
permits. You must respond to obtain or retain a permit.
(b) Direct comments regarding any aspect of these reporting requirements to the Service's Information Collection
Clearance Officer at the address provided at 50 CFR 2.1(b).
[63 FR 52637, Oct. 1, 1998, as amended at 74 FR 46876, Sept. 11, 2009; 79 FR 43966, July 29, 2014; 81 FR
91550, Dec. 16, 2016]
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Subpart B—General Requirements
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§22.11 What is the relationship to other permit
requirements?
You may not take, possess, or transport any bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) or any golden eagle (Aquila
chrysaetos), or the parts, nests, or eggs of such birds, except as allowed by a valid permit issued under this part,
50 CFR part 13, 50 CFR part 17, and/or 50 CFR part 21 as provided by §21.2, or authorized under a depredation
order issued under subpart D of this part. We will accept a single application for a permit under this part and any
other parts of this subchapter B if it includes all of the information required for an application under each applicable
part.
(a) A permit that covers take of bald eagles or golden eagles under 50 CFR part 17 for purposes of providing
prospective or current ESA authorization constitutes a valid permit issued under this part for any take authorized
under the permit issued under part 17 as long as the permittee is in full compliance with the terms and conditions
of the permit issued under part 17. The provisions of part 17 that originally applied will apply for purposes of the
Eagle Act authorization, except that the criterion for revocation of the permit is that the activity is incompatible with
the preservation of the bald eagle or the golden eagle rather than inconsistent with the criterion set forth in 16
U.S.C. 1539(a)(2)(B)(iv).
(b) You do not need a permit under parts 17 and 21 of this subchapter B for any activity permitted under this part
22 with respect to bald or golden eagles or their parts, nests, or eggs.
(c) A permit under this part only authorizes take, possession, and/or transport under the Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act and does not provide authorization under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act or the Endangered Species
Act for the take, possession, and/or transport of migratory birds or endangered or threatened species other than
bald or golden eagles.
(d) If you are transporting dead bald or golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or dead eggs into or out of the United
States, you will also need a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES) permit under part 23 of this subchapter.
[64 FR 50472, Sept. 17, 1999, as amended at 68 FR 61140, Oct. 27, 2003; 73 FR 29083, May 20, 2008; 81 FR
91550, Dec. 16, 2016]
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§22.12 What activities are illegal?
(a) You may not sell, purchase, barter, trade, import, or export, or offer for sale, purchase, barter, or trade, at any
time or in any manner, any bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), or any golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), or the
parts, nests, or eggs of these birds, and we will not issue a permit to authorize these acts.
(b) You may not transport into or out of the United States any live bald or golden eagle, or any live egg of those
birds, and we will not issue a permit to authorize these acts.
[64 FR 50472, Sept. 17, 1999]
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Subpart C—Eagle Permits

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§22.21 What are the requirements concerning
scientific and exhibition purpose permits?
We may, under the provisions of this section, issue a permit authorizing the taking, possession, transportation
within the United States, or transportation into or out of the United States of lawfully possessed bald eagles or
golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs for the scientific or exhibition purposes of public museums, public
scientific societies, or public zoological parks. We will not issue a permit under this section that authorizes the
transportation into or out of the United States of any live bald or golden eagles, or any live eggs of these birds.
(a) How do I apply if I want a permit for scientific and exhibition purposes? (1) You must submit applications for
permits to take, possess, or transport within the United States lawfully acquired live or dead bald or golden eagles,
or their parts, nests, or live or dead eggs for scientific or exhibition purposes to the appropriate Regional Director—
Attention: Migratory Bird Permit Office. You can find addresses for the Regional Directors in 50 CFR 2.2.
(2) If you want a permit to transport into or out of the United States any lawfully acquired dead bald or golden
eagles or their parts, nests, or dead eggs for scientific or exhibition purposes, you must submit your application to
the Office of Management Authority. Your application must contain all the information necessary for the issuance of
a CITES permit. You must also comply with all the requirements in part 23 of this subchapter before international
travel. Mail should be sent to the Division of Management Authority at the address provided at 50 CFR 2.1(b).
(3) Your application for any permit under this section must also contain the information required under this section,
§13.12(a) of this subchapter, and the following information:
(i) Species of eagle and number of such birds, nests, or eggs proposed to be taken, possessed, or transported;
(ii) Specific locality in which taking is proposed, if any;
(iii) Method taking proposed, if any;
(iv) If not taken, the source of eagles and other circumstances surrounding the proposed acquisition or
transportation;
(v) Name and address of the public museum, public scientific societies, or public zoological park for which they are
intended;
(vi) Complete explanation and justification of request, nature of project or study, number of specimens now at
institution, reason these are inadequate, and other appropriate explanations.
(b) What are the conditions? In addition to the general conditions in part 13 of this subchapter B, permits to take,
possess, transport within the United States, or transport into or out of the United States bald or golden eagles, or
their parts, nests, or eggs for scientific or exhibition purposes, are also subject to the following condition: In
addition to any reporting requirement specifically noted in the permit, you must submit a report of activities
conducted under the permit to the Regional Director—Attention: Migratory Bird Permit Office, within 30 days after
the permit expires.
(c) How do we evaluate your application for a permit? We will conduct an investigation and will only issue a permit
to take, possess, transport within the United States, or transport into or out of the United States bald or golden
eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs for scientific or exhibition purposes when we determine that the taking,
possession, or transportation is compatible with the preservation of the bald eagle and golden eagle. In making
this determination, we will consider, among other criteria, the following:
(1) The direct or indirect effect which issuing such permit would be likely to have upon the wild populations of bald
and golden eagles;
(2) Whether the expertise, facilities, or other resources available to the applicant appear adequate to successfully
accomplish the objectives stated in the application;

(3) Whether the justification of the purpose for which the permit is being requested is adequate to justify the
removal of the eagle from the wild or otherwise change its status; and
(4) Whether the applicant has demonstrated that the permit is being requested for bona fide scientific or exhibition
purposes of public museums, public scientific societies, or public zoological parks.
(d) Tenure of permits. The tenure of permits to take bald or golden eagles for scientific or exhibition purposes shall
be that shown on the face of the permit.
[39 FR 1183, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 63 FR 52638, Oct. 1, 1998; 64 FR 50472, Sept. 17, 1999; 79 FR
43966, July 29, 2014]
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§22.22 What are the requirements concerning
permits for Indian religious purposes?
We will issue a permit only to members of Indian entities recognized and eligible to receive services from the
United States Bureau of Indian Affairs listed under 25 U.S.C. 479a-1 engaged in religious activities who satisfy all
the issuance criteria of this section. We may, under the provisions of this section, issue a permit authorizing the
taking, possession, and transportation within the United States, or transportation into or out of the United States of
lawfully acquired bald eagles or golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs for Indian religious use. We will not
issue a permit under this section that authorizes the transportation into or out of the United States of any live bald
or golden eagles, or any live eggs of these birds.
(a) How do I apply if I want a permit for Indian religious purposes? You must submit applications for permits to
take, possess, transport within the United States, or transport into or out of the United States lawfully acquired bald
or golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or eggs for Indian religious use to the appropriate Regional Director—
Attention: Migratory Bird Permit Office. You can find addresses for the appropriate Regional Directors in 50 CFR
2.2. If you are applying for a permit to transport into or out of the United States, your application must contain all
the information necessary for the issuance of a CITES permit. You must comply with all the requirements in part 23
of this subchapter before international travel. Your application for any permit under this section must also contain
the information required under this section, §13.12(a) of this subchapter, and the following information:
(1) Species and number of eagles or feathers proposed to be taken, or acquired by gift or inheritance.
(2) State and local area where the taking is proposed to be done, or from whom acquired.
(3) Name of tribe with which applicant is associated.
(4) Name of tribal religious ceremony(ies) for which required.
(5) You must attach a certification of enrollment in an Indian tribe that is federally recognized under the Federally
Recognized Tribal List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. 479a-1, 108 Stat. 4791 (1994). The certificate must be signed by the
tribal official who is authorized to certify that an individual is a duly enrolled member of that tribe, and must include
the official title of that certifying official.
(b) What are the permit conditions? In addition to the general conditions in part 13 of this subchapter B, permits to
take, possess, transport within the United States, or transport into or out of the United States bald or golden
eagles, or their parts, nests or eggs for Indian religious use are subject to the following conditions:
(1) Bald or golden eagles or their parts possessed under permits issued pursuant to this section are not
transferable, except such birds or their parts may be handed down from generation to generation or from one
Indian to another in accordance with tribal or religious customs; and
(2) You must submit reports or inventories, including photographs, of eagle feathers or parts on hand as requested
by the issuing office.

(c) How do we evaluate your application for a permit? We will conduct an investigation and will only issue a permit
to take, possess, transport within the United States, or transport into or out of the United States bald or golden
eagles, or their parts, nests or eggs, for Indian religious use when we determine that the taking, possession, or
transportation is compatible with the preservation of the bald and golden eagle. In making a determination, we will
consider, among other criteria, the following:
(1) The direct or indirect effect which issuing such permit would be likely to have upon the wild populations of bald
or golden eagles; and
(2) Whether the applicant is an Indian who is authorized to participate in bona fide tribal religious ceremonies.
(d) How long are the permits valid? We are authorized to amend, suspend, or revoke any permit that is issued
under this section (see §§13.23, 13.27, and 13.28 of this subchapter).
(1) A permit issued to you that authorizes you to take bald or golden eagles will be valid during the period specified
on the face of the permit, but will not be longer than 1 year from the date it is issued.
(2) A permit issued to you that authorizes you to transport and possess bald or golden eagles or their parts, nests,
or eggs within the United States will be valid for your lifetime.
(3) A permit authorizing you to transport dead bald eagles or golden eagles, or their parts, nests, or dead eggs into
or out of the United States can be used for multiple trips to or from the United States, but no trip can be longer
than 180 days. The permit will be valid during the period specified on the face of the permit, not to exceed 3 years
from the date it is issued.
[39 FR 1183, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 63 FR 52638, Oct. 1, 1998; 64 FR 50473, Sept. 17, 1999]
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§22.23 What are the requirements for permits to
take depredating eagles and eagles that pose a risk
to human or eagle health and safety?
(a) How do I apply for a permit? You must submit applications for permits under this section to the appropriate
Regional Director—Attention: Migratory Bird Permit Office. You can find addresses for the appropriate Regional
Directors in 50 CFR 2.2. Your application must contain the information and certification required by §13.12(a) of
this subchapter, and the following additional information:
(1) Species and number of eagles proposed to be taken;
(2) Location and description of property where taking is proposed;
(3) Inclusive dates for which permit is requested;
(4) Method of taking proposed;
(5) Kind and number of livestock or domestic animals owned by applicant, if applicable;
(6) Kind and amount of alleged damage, or description of the risk posed to human health and safety or eagles; and
(7) Name, address, age, and business relationship with applicant of any person the applicant proposes to act for
him as his agent in the taking of such eagles.
(b) What are the permit conditions? In addition to the general conditions set forth in part 13 of this subchapter B,
permits to take bald or golden eagles under this section are subject to the following conditions:
(1) Bald or golden eagles may be taken under permit by firearms, traps, or other suitable means except by poison
or from aircraft;
(2) The taking of eagles under permit may be done only by the permittee or his agents named in the permit;

(3) Any eagle taken under authority of such permit will be promptly turned over to a Service agent or other game
law enforcement officer designated in the permit; and
(4) In addition to any reporting requirement on a permit, you must submit a report of activities conducted under the
permit to the appropriate Regional Director—Attention: Migratory Bird Permit Office within 10 days following
completion of the taking operations or the expiration of the permit, whichever occurs first.
(c) Issuance criteria. The Director will not issue a permit to take bald or golden eagles unless the Director has
determined that such taking is compatible with the preservation of the bald or golden eagle. In making such
determination, the Director will consider the following:
(1) The direct or indirect effect which issuing such permit would be likely to have upon the wild population of bald
or golden eagles;
(2) Whether evidence shows that bald or golden eagles have in fact become seriously injurious to wildlife or to
agriculture or other interests in the particular locality to be covered by the permit and the injury complained of is
substantial, or that bald or golden eagles pose a significant risk to human or eagle health and safety; and
(3) Whether the only way to abate or prevent the damage caused by the bald or golden eagle is to take some or all
of the offending birds.
(d) Tenure of permits. The tenure of any permit to take bald or golden eagles under this section is that shown on
the face of the permit. We will not issue these permits for terms longer than 90 days, except that permits to
authorize disturbance associated with hazing eagles from the vicinity may be valid for up to 5 years. We may
amend, suspend, or revoke permits issued for a period of longer than 90 days if new information indicates that
revised permit conditions are necessary, or that suspension or revocation is necessary, to safeguard local or
regional eagle populations.
[39 FR 1183, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 63 FR 52638, Oct. 1, 1998; 64 FR 50473, Sept. 17, 1999; 74 FR
46876, Sept. 11, 2009]
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§22.24 Permits for falconry purposes.
(a) Use of golden eagles in falconry. If you meet the conditions outlined in §21.29 (c)(3)(iv) of this part, and you
have a permit to possess a golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) from your State, tribe, or territory, we consider your
permit sufficient for the purposes of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d), subject to the
requirement that take of golden eagles for falconry is compatible with the preservation of the golden eagle.
(b) Transfer of golden eagles trapped by government employees to other permittees. If you have the necessary
permit(s) from your State, tribe, or territory, a government employee who has trapped a golden eagle under a
Federal depredation permit or under a depredation control order may transfer the bird to you if he or she cannot
release the eagle in an appropriate location. A golden eagle may only be taken from a livestock or wildlife
depredation area declared by USDA Wildlife Services and permitted under §22.23, or from a livestock depredation
area authorized in accordance with Subpart D, Depredation Control Orders on Golden Eagles.
[73 FR 59477, Oct. 8, 2008, as amended at 75 FR 932, Jan. 7, 2010]
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§22.25 What are the requirements concerning
permits to take golden eagle nests?

The Director may, upon receipt of an application and in accordance with the issuance criteria of this section, issue
a permit authorizing any person to take alternate golden eagle nests during a resource development or recovery
operation if the taking is compatible with the preservation of golden eagles. The information collection
requirements contained within this section have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 44
U.S.C. 3507 and assigned clearance number 1018-0022. This information is being collected to provide information
necessary to evaluate permit applications. This information will be used to review permit applications and make
decisions, according to the criteria established in this section for the issuance or denial of such permits. The
obligation to respond is required to obtain or retain a permit.
(a) How do I apply for a permit to take golden eagle nests? You must submit applications for permits to take golden
eagle nests to the appropriate Regional Director—Attention: Migratory Bird Permit Office. You can find addresses
for the appropriate Regional Directors in 50 CFR 2.2. We will only accept applications if you are engaged in a
resource development or recovery operation, including the planning and permitting stages of an operation. Your
application must contain the general information and certification required by §13.12(a) of this chapter plus the
following additional information:
(1) A description of the resource development or recovery operation in which the applicant is engaged.
(2) The number of golden eagle nests proposed to be taken.
(3) A description of the property on which the taking is proposed, with reference made to its exact geographic
location. An appropriately scaled map or plat must be included which delineates the area of the resource
development or recovery operation and identifies the exact location of each golden eagle nest proposed to be
taken. The map or plat must contain enough detail so that each golden eagle nest proposed to be taken can be
readily located by the Service.
(4) Nest and territory occupancy data. (i) For each golden eagle nest proposed to be taken, the applicant must
identify on an appropriately scaled map or plat the exact location of each golden eagle nest in the nesting territory.
The map or plat must contain enough details so that each golden eagle nest can be readily located by the Service.
(ii) A description of the monitoring that was done to verify that eagles are not attending the nest for breeding
purposes, and any additional available documentation used in identifying which nests within the territory were inuse nests in current and past breeding seasons.
(5) A description of each activity to be performed during the resource development or recovery operation which
involves the taking of a golden eagle nest.
(6) The length of time for which the permit is requested, including the dates on which the proposed resource
development or recovery operation is to begin and end.
(7) A statement indicating the intended disposition of each nest proposed to be taken. Applicants should state
whether they are willing to collect any nest for scientific or educational purposes.
(8) A statement indicating any proposed mitigation measures that are compatible with the resource development
or recovery operation to encourage golden eagles to reoccupy the resource development or recovery site.
Mitigation measures may include reclaiming disturbed land to enhance golden eagle nesting and foraging habitat,
relocating in suitable habitat any inactive golden eagle nest taken, or establishing one or more nest sites. If the
establishment of one or more nest sites is proposed, a description of the materials and methods to be used and
the exact location of each artificial nest site must be included.
(b) Additional permit conditions. In addition to the general conditions set forth in part 13 of this chapter, permits to
take golden eagle nests are subject to the following additional conditions:
(1) Only alternate golden eagle nests may be taken;
(2) The permittee shall submit a report of activities conducted under the permit to the Director within ten (10) days
following the permit's expiration;
(3) The permittee shall notify the Director in writing at least 10 days but not more than 30 days before any golden
eagle nest is taken;
(4) The permittee must comply with any mitigation and monitoring measures determined by the Director to be
practicable and compatible with the resource development or recovery operation; and
(5) Any permit issued before the commencement of a resource development or recovery operation is invalid if the
activity which required a permit is not performed.

(c) Issuance criteria. The Director shall conduct an investigation and not issue a permit to take any golden eagle
nest unless such taking is compatible with the preservation of golden eagles. In making such determination, the
Director shall consider the following:
(1) Whether the applicant can reasonably conduct the resource development or recovery operation in a manner
that avoids taking any golden eagle nest;
(2) The total number of golden eagle nests proposed to be taken;
(3) Whether suitable golden eagle nesting and foraging habitat unaffected by the resource development or
recovery operation is available to accommodate any golden eagles displaced by the resource development or
recovery operation; and
(4) Whether practicable mitigation measures compatible with the resource development or recovery operation are
available to encourage reoccupation by golden eagles of the resource development or recovery site. Mitigation
measures may include, but are not limited to, reclaiming disturbed land to enhance golden eagle nesting and
foraging habitat, relocating in suitable habitat any golden eagle nest taken, or establishing one or more nest sites.
(d) Tenure of permits. The tenure of any permit to take golden eagle nests is 2 years from the date of issuance,
unless a shorter period of time is prescribed on the face of the permit. Permits may be renewed in accordance with
part 13 of this chapter.
[48 FR 57300, Dec. 29, 1983, as amended at 63 FR 52638, Oct. 1, 1998; 64 FR 50474, Sept. 17, 1999; 81 FR
91550, Dec. 16, 2016]
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§22.26 Permits for eagle take that is associated
with, but not the purpose of, an activity.
(a) Purpose and scope. This permit authorizes take of bald eagles and golden eagles where the take is compatible
with the preservation of the bald eagle and the golden eagle; is necessary to protect an interest in a particular
locality; is associated with, but not the purpose of, the activity; and cannot practicably be avoided.
(b) Definitions. In addition to the definitions contained in part 10 of this subchapter, and §22.3, the following
definition applies in this section:
Eagle means a live bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), live golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), a bald eagle
egg, or a golden eagle egg.
(c) Permit conditions. In addition to the conditions set forth in part 13 of this subchapter, which govern permit
renewal, amendment, transfer, suspension, revocation, and other procedures and requirements for all permits
issued by the Service, your authorization is subject to the following additional conditions:
(1) You must comply with all avoidance, minimization, or other mitigation measures specified in the terms of your
permit to mitigate for the detrimental effects on eagles, including indirect and cumulative effects, of the permitted
take.
(i) Compensatory mitigation scaled to project impacts will be required for any permit authorizing take that would
exceed the applicable eagle management unit take limits. Compensatory mitigation for this purpose must ensure
the preservation of the affected eagle species by reducing another ongoing form of mortality by an amount equal
to or greater than the unavoidable mortality, or increasing the eagle population by an equal or greater amount.
(ii) Compensatory mitigation may also be required in the following circumstances:
(A) When cumulative authorized take, including the proposed take, would exceed 5 percent of the local area
population; or
(B) When available data indicate that cumulative unauthorized mortality would exceed 10 percent of the local area
population.

(iii) All required compensatory mitigation must:
(A) Be determined based on application of all practicable avoidance and minimization measures;
(B) Be sited within the same eagle management unit where the permitted take will occur unless the Service has
reliable data showing that the population affected by the take includes individuals that are reasonably likely to use
another eagle management unit during part of their seasonal migration;
(C) Use the best available science in formulating and monitoring the long-term effectiveness of mitigation
measures and use rigorous compliance and effectiveness monitoring and evaluation to make certain that
mitigation measures achieve their intended outcomes, or that necessary changes are implemented to achieve
them;
(D) Be additional and improve upon the baseline conditions of the affected eagle species in a manner that is
demonstrably new and would not have occurred without the compensatory mitigation (voluntary actions taken in
anticipation of meeting compensatory mitigation requirements for an eagle take permit not yet granted may be
credited toward compensatory mitigation requirements);
(E) Be durable and, at a minimum, maintain its intended purpose for as long as impacts of the authorized take
persist; and
(F) Include mechanisms to account for and address uncertainty and risk of failure of a compensatory mitigation
measure.
(iv) Compensatory mitigation may include conservation banking, in-lieu fee programs, and other third-party
mitigation projects or arrangements. Permittee-responsible mitigation may be approved provided the permittee
submits verifiable documentation sufficient to demonstrate that the standards set forth in paragraph (c)(1)(iii) of
this section have been met and the alternative means of compensatory mitigation will offset the permitted take to
the degree that is compatible with the preservation of eagles.
(2) Monitoring. (i) You may be required to monitor impacts to eagles from the permitted activity for up to 3 years
after completion of the activity or as set forth in a separate management plan, as specified on your permit. For
ongoing activities and enduring site features that will likely continue to cause take, periodic monitoring will be
required for as long as the data are needed to assess impacts to eagles.
(ii) The frequency and duration of required monitoring will depend on the form and magnitude of the anticipated
take and the objectives of associated avoidance, minimization, or other mitigation measures, not to exceed what is
reasonable to meet the primary purpose of the monitoring, which is to provide data needed by the Service
regarding the impacts of the activity on eagles for purposes of adaptive management. You must coordinate with
the Service to develop project-specific monitoring protocols. If the Service has officially issued or endorsed,
through rulemaking procedures, monitoring protocols for the activity that will take eagles, you must follow them,
unless the Service waives this requirement. Your permit may require that the monitoring be conducted by qualified,
independent third parties that report directly to the Service.
(3) You must submit an annual report summarizing the information you obtained through monitoring to the Service
every year that your permit is valid and for up to 3 years after completion of the activity or termination of the permit,
as specified in your permit. The Service will make eagle mortality information from annual reports available to the
public.
(4) While the permit is valid and for up to 3 years after it expires, you must allow Service personnel, or other
qualified persons designated by the Service, access to the areas where eagles are likely to be affected, at any
reasonable hour, and with reasonable notice from the Service, for purposes of monitoring eagles at the site(s).
(5) The authorizations granted by permits issued under this section apply only to take that results from activities
conducted in accordance with the description contained in the permit application and the terms of the permit. If the
permitted activity changes after a permit is issued, you must immediately contact the Service to determine whether
a permit amendment is required in order to retain take authorization.
(6) You must contact the Service immediately upon discovery of any unanticipated take.
(7) Additional conditions for permits with durations longer than 5 years—(i) Monitoring. Monitoring to assess
project impacts to eagles and the effectiveness of avoidance and minimization measures must be conducted by
qualified, independent third parties, approved by the Service. Monitors must report directly to the Service and
provide a copy of the reports and materials to the permittee.

(ii) Adaptive management. The permit will specify circumstances under which modifications to avoidance,
minimization, or compensatory mitigation measures or monitoring protocols will be required, which may include,
but are not limited to: Take levels, location of take, and changes in eagle use of the activity area. At a minimum,
the permit must specify actions to be taken if take approaches or reaches the amount authorized and anticipated
within a given time frame. Adaptive management terms in a permit will include review periods of no more than 5
years and may require prompt action(s) upon reaching specified conditions at any time during the review period.
(iii) Permit reviews. At no more than 5 years from the date a permit that exceeds 5 years is issued, and at least
every 5 years thereafter, the permittee will compile, and submit to the Service, eagle fatality data or other pertinent
information that is site-specific for the project, as required by the permit. The Service will review this information,
as well as information provided directly to the Service by independent monitors, to determine whether:
(A) The permittee is in compliance with the terms and conditions of the permit and has implemented all applicable
adaptive management measures specified in the permit; and
(B) Eagle take does not exceed the amount authorized to occur within the period of review.
(iv) Actions to be taken based on the permit review. (A) In consultation with the permittee, the Service will update
fatality predictions, authorized take levels and compensatory mitigation for future years, taking into account the
observed levels of take based on approved protocols for monitoring and estimating total take, and, if applicable,
accounting for changes in operations or permit conditions pursuant to the adaptive management measures
specified in the permit or made pursuant to paragraphs (c)(7)(iv)(B) through (D) of this section.
(B) If authorized take levels for the period of review are exceeded in a manner or to a degree not addressed in the
adaptive management conditions of the permit, based on the observed levels of take using approved protocols for
monitoring and estimating total take, the Service may require additional actions including but not limited to:
(1) Adding, removing, or adjusting avoidance, minimization, or compensatory mitigation measures;
(2) Modifying adaptive management conditions;
(3) Modifying monitoring requirements; and
(4) Suspending or revoking the permit in accordance with part 13 of this subchapter B.
(C) If the observed levels of take, using approved protocols for monitoring and estimating total take, are below the
authorized take levels for the period of review, the Service will proportionately revise the amount of compensatory
mitigation required for the next period of review, including crediting excess compensatory mitigation already
provided by applying it to the next period of review.
(D) Provided the permittee implements all required actions and remains compliant with the terms and conditions of
the permit, no other action is required. However, with consent of the permittee, the Service may make additional
changes to a permit, including appropriate modifications to avoidance and/or minimization measures or monitoring
requirements. If measures are adopted that have been shown to be effective in reducing risk to eagles,
appropriate adjustments will be made in fatality predictions, take estimates, and compensatory mitigation.
(v) Fees. For permits with terms longer than 5 years, an administration fee of $8,000 will be assessed every 5
years for permit review.
(8) The Service may amend, suspend, or revoke a permit issued under this section if new information indicates
that revised permit conditions are necessary, or that suspension or revocation is necessary, to safeguard local or
regional eagle populations. This provision is in addition to the general criteria for amendment, suspension, and
revocation of Federal permits set forth in §§13.23, 13.27, and 13.28 of this chapter.
(9) Notwithstanding the provisions of §13.26 of this chapter, you remain responsible for all outstanding monitoring
requirements and mitigation measures required under the terms of the permit for take that occurs prior to
cancellation, expiration, suspension, or revocation of the permit.
(10) You must promptly notify the Service of any eagle(s) found injured or dead at the activity site, regardless of
whether the injury or death resulted from your activity. The Service will determine the disposition of such eagles.
(11) You are responsible for ensuring that the permitted activity is in compliance with all Federal, Tribal, State, and
local laws and regulations applicable to eagles.
(d) Applying for an eagle take permit. (1) You are advised to coordinate with the Service as early as possible for
advice on whether a permit is needed and for technical assistance in assembling your permit application package.
The Service may provide guidance on developing complete and adequate application materials and will determine

when the application form and materials are ready for submission.
(2) Your application must consist of a completed application Form 3-200-71 and all required attachments. Send
applications to the Regional Director of the Region in which the take would occur—Attention: Migratory Bird Permit
Office. You can find the current addresses for the Regional Directors in §2.2 of subchapter A of this chapter.
(3) Except as set forth in paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this section, an applicant must coordinate with the Service to
develop project-specific monitoring and survey protocols, take probability models, and any other applicable data
quality standards, and include in the application all the data thereby obtained.
(i) If the Service has officially issued or endorsed, through rulemaking procedures, survey, modeling, or other data
quality standards for the activity that will take eagles, you must follow them and include in your application all the
data thereby obtained, unless the Service waives this requirement for your application.
(ii) Applications for eagle incidental take permits for wind facilities must include pre-construction eagle survey
information collected according to the following standards, unless exceptional circumstances apply and survey
requirements can be modified to accommodate those circumstances after consultation with, and written
concurrence by, the Service:
(A) Surveys must consist of point-based recordings of bald eagle and golden eagle flight activity (minutes of flight)
within a three-dimensional cylindrical plot (the sample plot). The radius of the sample plot is 2,625 feet (ft) (800
meters (m)), and the height above ground level must be either 656 ft (200 m) or 82 ft (25 m) above the maximum
blade reach, whichever is greater.
(B) The duration of the survey for each visit to each sample plot must be at least 1 hour.
(C) Sampling must include at least 12 hours per sample plot per year for 2 or more years. Each sample plot must
be sampled at least once per month, and the survey start time for a sampling period must be selected randomly
from daylight hours,1 unless the conditions in paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(F) of this section apply.
1Daylight hours are defined as the hours between sunrise and sunset.
(D) Sampling design must be spatially representative of the project footprint,2 and spatial coverage of sample plots
must include at least 30 percent of the project footprint. Sample plot locations must be determined randomly,
unless the conditions in paragraph (d)(3)(ii)(F) of this section apply.
2The project footprint is the minimum-convex polygon that encompasses the wind-project area inclusive of the
hazardous area around all turbines and any associated utility infrastructure, roads, etc.
(E) The permit application package must contain the following:
(1) Coordinates of each sample point in decimal degrees (specify projection/datum).
(2) The radius and height of each sample plot.
(3) The proportion of each three-dimensional sample plot that was observable from the sample point for each
survey.
(4) Dates, times, and weather conditions for each survey, to include the time surveys at each sample point began
and ended.
(5) Information for each survey on the number of eagles by species observed (both in flight and perched), and the
amount of flight time (minutes) that each was in the sample plot area.
(6) The number of proposed turbines and their specifications, including brand/model, rotor diameter, hub height,
and maximum blade reach (height), or the range of possible options.
(7) Coordinates of the proposed turbine locations in decimal degrees (specify projection/datum), including any
alternate sites.
(F) Stratified-random sampling (a sample design that accounts for variation in eagle abundance by, for example,
habitat, time of day, season) will often provide more robust, efficient sampling. Random sampling with respect to
time of day, month, or project footprint can be waived if stratification is determined to be a preferable sampling
strategy after consultation and approval in advance with the Service.
(iii) Application of the Service-endorsed data quality standards of paragraphs (d)(3)(i) and (ii) of this section may
not be needed if:
(A) The Service has data of sufficient quality to predict the likely risk to eagles;

(B) Expediting the permit process will benefit eagles; or
(C) The Service determines the risk to eagles from the activity is low enough relative to the status of the eagle
population based on:
(1) Physiographic and biological factors of the project site; or
(2) The project design (i.e., use of proven technology, micrositing, etc.).
(e) Evaluation of applications. In determining whether to issue a permit, we will evaluate:
(1) Whether take is likely to occur based on the magnitude and nature of the impacts of the activity.
(2) Whether the take is:
(i) Compatible with the preservation of the bald eagle and the golden eagle, including consideration of indirect
effects and the cumulative effects of other permitted take and other additional factors affecting eagle populations;
(ii) Associated with the permanent loss of an important eagle use area;
(iii) Necessary to protect a legitimate interest in a particular locality; and
(iv) Associated with, but not the purpose of, the activity.
(3) Whether the cumulative authorized take, including the proposed take, would exceed 5 percent of the local area
population.
(4) Any available data indicating that unauthorized take may exceed 10 percent of the local area population.
(5) Whether the applicant has proposed all avoidance and minimization measures to reduce the take to the
maximum degree practicable relative to the magnitude of the impacts to eagles.
(6) Whether the applicant has proposed compensatory mitigation measures that comply with standards set forth
under paragraph (c)(1) of this section to compensate for remaining unavoidable impacts after all appropriate and
practicable avoidance and minimization measures have been applied.
(7) Whether issuing the permit would preclude the Service from authorizing another take necessary to protect an
interest of higher priority, according to the following prioritization order:
(i) Safety emergencies;
(ii) Increased need for traditionally practiced Native American tribal religious use that requires taking eagles from
the wild;
(iii) Non-emergency activities necessary to ensure public health and safety; and
(iv) Other interests.
(8) For projects that are already operational and have taken eagles without a permit, whether such past
unpermitted eagle take has been resolved or is in the process of resolution with the Office of Law Enforcement
through settlement or other appropriate means.
(9) Any additional factors that may be relevant to our decision whether to issue the permit, including, but not
limited to, the cultural significance of a local eagle population.
(f) Required determinations. Before we issue a permit, we must find that:
(1) The direct and indirect effects of the take and required mitigation, together with the cumulative effects of other
permitted take and additional factors affecting the eagle populations within the eagle management unit and the
local area population, are compatible with the preservation of bald eagles and golden eagles.
(2) The taking is necessary to protect an interest in a particular locality.
(3) The taking is associated with, but not the purpose of, the activity.
(4) The applicant has applied all appropriate and practicable avoidance and minimization measures to reduce
impacts to eagles.
(5) The applicant has applied all appropriate and practicable compensatory mitigation measures, when required,
pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section, to compensate for remaining unavoidable impacts after all appropriate
and practicable avoidance and minimization measures have been applied.

(6) Issuance of the permit will not preclude issuance of another permit necessary to protect an interest of higher
priority as set forth in paragraph (e)(7) of this section.
(7) Issuance of the permit will not interfere with an ongoing civil or criminal action concerning unpermitted past
eagle take at the project.
(g) We may deny issuance of a permit if we determine that take is not likely to occur.
(h) Permit duration. The duration of each permit issued under this section will be designated on its face and will be
based on the duration of the proposed activities, the period of time for which take will occur, the level of impacts to
eagles, and the nature and extent of mitigation measures incorporated into the terms and conditions of the permit.
A permit for incidental take will not exceed 30 years.
(i) Applicants for eagle incidental take permits who submit a completed permit application by July 14, 2017 may
elect to apply for coverage under the regulations that were in effect prior to January 17, 2017 provided that the
permit application satisfies the permit application requirements of the regulations in effect prior to January 17,
2017. If the Service issues a permit to such applicants, all of the provisions and conditions of the regulations that
were in effect prior to January 17, 2017 will apply.
[74 FR 46877, Sept. 11, 2009, as amended at 79 FR 73725, Dec. 9, 2013; 81 FR 8004, Feb. 17, 2016; 81 FR
91551, Dec. 16, 2016]
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§22.27 Removal of eagle nests.
(a) Purpose and scope. (1) A permit may be issued under this section to authorize removal or relocation of:
(i) An in-use or alternate nest where necessary to alleviate an existing safety emergency, or to prevent a rapidly
developing safety emergency that is otherwise likely to result in bodily harm to humans or eagles while the nest is
still in use by eagles for breeding purposes;
(ii) An alternate nest when the removal is necessary to ensure public health and safety;
(iii) An alternate nest, or an in-use nest prior to egg-laying, that is built on a human-engineered structure and
creates, or is likely to create, a functional hazard that renders the structure inoperable for its intended use; or
(iv) An alternate nest, provided the take is necessary to protect an interest in a particular locality and the activity
necessitating the take or the mitigation for the take will, with reasonable certainty, provide a net benefit to eagles.
(2) Where practicable and biologically warranted, the permit may require a nest to be relocated, or a substitute
nest provided, in a suitable site within the same territory to provide a viable nesting option for eagles within that
territory, unless such relocation would create a threat to safety. However, we may issue permits to remove nests
that we determine cannot or should not be relocated. The permit may authorize take of eggs or nestlings if
present. The permit may also authorize the take of adult eagles (e.g., disturbance or capture) associated with the
removal or relocation of the nest.
(3) A permit may be issued under this section to cover multiple nest takes over a period of up to 5 years, provided
the permittee complies with comprehensive measures developed in coordination with the Service to minimize the
need to remove nests and specified as conditions of the permit.
(4) This permit does not authorize intentional, lethal take of eagles.
(b) Conditions. (1) The permit does not authorize take of in-use nests except:
(i) For safety emergencies as provided under paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section; or
(ii) Prior to egg-laying if the in-use nest is built on a human-engineered structure and meets the provisions set forth
in paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section.

(2) When an in-use nest must be removed under this permit, any take of nestlings or eggs must be conducted by a
Service-approved, qualified agent. All nestlings and viable eggs must be immediately transported to
foster/recipient nests or a rehabilitation facility permitted to care for eagles, as directed by the Service, unless the
Service waives this requirement.
(3) Possession of the nest for any purpose other than removal or relocation is prohibited without a separate permit
issued under this part authorizing such possession.
(4) You must submit a report consisting of a summary of the activities conducted under the permit to the Service
within 30 days after the permitted take occurs, except that for programmatic permits, you must report each nest
removal within 10 days after the take and submit an annual report by January 31 containing all the information
required in Form 3-202-16 for activities conducted during the preceding calendar year.
(5) You may be required to monitor the area and report whether eagles attempt to build or occupy another nest at
another site in the vicinity for the duration specified in the permit.
(6) You may be required under the terms of the permit to harass eagles from the area following the nest removal
when the Service determines it is necessary to prevent eagles from re-nesting in the vicinity.
(7) You must comply with all avoidance, minimization, or other mitigation measures specified in the terms of your
permit to mitigate for the detrimental effects on eagles, including indirect and cumulative effects, of the permitted
take.
(8) Compensatory mitigation scaled to project impacts will be required for any permit authorizing take that would
exceed the applicable eagle management unit take limits. Compensatory mitigation must conform to the standards
set forth at §22.26(c)(1)(iii). Compensatory mitigation may also be required in the following circumstances:
(i) When cumulative authorized take, including the proposed take, would exceed 5 percent of the local area
population;
(ii) When available data indicate that cumulative unauthorized mortality would exceed 10 percent of the local area
population; or
(iii) If the permitted activity does not provide a net benefit to eagles, you must apply appropriate and practicable
compensatory mitigation measures as specified in your permit to provide a net benefit to eagles scaled to the
effects of the nest removal.
(9) The Service may amend or revoke a programmatic permit issued under this section if new information indicates
that revised permit conditions are necessary, or that suspension or revocation is necessary, to safeguard local or
regional eagle populations.
(10) Notwithstanding the provisions of §13.26 of this subchapter, you remain responsible for all outstanding
monitoring requirements and mitigation measures required under the terms of the permit for take that occurs prior
to cancellation, expiration, suspension, or revocation of the permit.
(11) You are responsible for ensuring that the permitted activity is in compliance with all Federal, Tribal, State, and
local laws and regulations applicable to eagles.
(c) Applying for a permit to take eagle nests. (1) If the take is necessary to address an immediate threat to human
or eagle safety, contact your local U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Migratory Bird Permit Office
(http://www.fws.gov/permits/mbpermits/addresses.html) at the earliest possible opportunity to inform the Service of
the emergency.
(2) Your application must consist of a completed application Form 3-200-72 and all required attachments. Send
applications to the Regional Director of the Region in which the disturbance would occur—Attention: Migratory Bird
Permit Office. You can find the current addresses for the Regional Directors in §2.2 of subchapter A of this chapter.
(d) Evaluation of applications. In determining whether to issue a permit, we will evaluate:
(1) Whether the activity meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section;
(2) The direct and indirect effects of the take and required mitigation, together with the cumulative effects of other
permitted take and additional factors affecting eagle populations;
(3) Whether there is a practicable alternative to nest removal that will protect the interest to be served;
(4) Whether issuing the permit would preclude the Service from authorizing another take necessary to protect an
interest of higher priority, as set forth in paragraph (e)(5) of this section;

(5) For take that is not necessary to alleviate an immediate safety emergency, whether suitable nesting and
foraging habitat is available to accommodate eagles displaced by the nest removal; and
(6) Any additional factors that may be relevant to our decision whether to issue the permit, including, but not
limited to, the cultural significance of a local eagle population.
(e) Required determinations. Before issuing a permit under this section, we must find that:
(1) The direct and indirect effects of the take and required mitigation, together with the cumulative effects of other
permitted take and additional factors affecting eagle populations, are compatible with the preservation of the bald
eagle or the golden eagle.
(2) For alternate nests:
(i) The take is necessary to ensure public health and safety;
(ii) The nest is built on a human-engineered structure and creates, or is likely to create, a functional hazard that
renders the structure inoperable for its intended use; or
(iii) The take is necessary to protect an interest in a particular locality, and the activity necessitating the take or the
mitigation for the take will, with reasonable certainty, provide a net benefit to eagles.
(3) For in-use nests prior to egg-laying, the nest is built on a human-engineered structure and creates, or is likely
to create, a functional hazard that renders the structure inoperable for its intended use.
(4) For in-use nests, the take is necessary to alleviate an existing safety emergency, or to prevent a rapidly
developing safety emergency that is otherwise likely to result in bodily harm to humans or eagles while the nest is
still in use by eagles for breeding purposes.
(5) There is no practicable alternative to nest removal that would protect the interest to be served.
(6) Issuing the permit will not preclude the Service from authorizing another take necessary to protect an interest
of higher priority, according to the following prioritization order:
(i) Safety emergencies;
(ii) Increased need for traditionally practiced Native American tribal religious use that requires taking eagles from
the wild;
(iii) Non-emergency activities necessary to ensure public health and safety;
(iv) Resource development or recovery operations (under §22.25, for golden eagle nests only); and
(v) Other interests.
(f) Tenure of permits. The tenure of any permit to take eagle nests under this section is set forth on the face of the
permit and will not be longer than 5 years.
[74 FR 46877, Sept. 11, 2009, as amended at 81 FR 91553, Dec. 16, 2016]
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§22.28 Permits for bald eagle take exempted
under the Endangered Species Act.
(a) Purpose and scope. This permit authorizes take of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in compliance with
the terms and conditions of a section 7 incidental take statement under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.; 50 CFR 402, Subpart B) issued prior to the effective date of 50 CFR
22.26.

(b) Issuance criteria. Before issuing you a permit under this section, we must find that you are in full compliance
with the terms and conditions contained in the applicable ESA incidental take statement issued prior to the
effective date of 50 CFR 22.26 for take of eagles, based on your certification and any other relevant information
available to us, including, but not limited to, monitoring or progress reports required pursuant to your incidental
take statement. The terms and conditions of the Eagle Act permit under this section, including any modified terms
and conditions, must be compatible with the preservation of the bald eagle.
(c) Permit conditions. (1) You must comply with all terms and conditions of the incidental take statement issued
under section 7 of the ESA, or modified measures specified in the terms of your permit issued under this section.
At permit issuance or at any time during its tenure, the Service may modify the terms and conditions that were
included in your ESA incidental take statement, based on one or more of the following factors:
(i) You requested and received modified measures because some of the requirements for take authorization under
the ESA were not necessary for take authorization under the Eagle Act;
(ii) The amount or extent of incidental take authorized under the take statement is exceeded;
(iii) New information reveals effects of the action that may affect eagles in a manner or to an extent not previously
considered, and requires modification of the terms and conditions to ensure the preservation of the bald eagle or
the golden eagle; or
(iv) The activity will be modified by the permittee in a manner that causes effects to eagles that were not previously
considered and which requires modification of the terms and conditions in the incidental take statement in order to
ensure the preservation of the bald eagle or the golden eagle.
(2) During any period when the eagles covered by your incidental take statement are listed under the ESA, you
must comply with the terms and conditions of both the incidental take statement and the permit issued under this
section.
(d) Permit duration. The permit will be valid until the action that will take eagles, as described in the incidental take
statement or modified to condition the permit issued under this section, is completed, as long as the permittee
complies with the terms and conditions of the permit, including any modified terms and conditions.
(e) Applying for an eagle take permit. (1) Your application must consist of a copy of the applicable section 7
incidental take statement issued pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA), and a signed certification that
you are in full compliance with all terms and conditions of the ESA incidental take statement.
(2) If you request reevaluation of the terms and conditions required under your previously granted ESA incidental
take statement for eagles, you must include a description of the modifications you request, and an explanation for
why you believe the original conditions or measures are not reasonably justified to offset the detrimental impact of
the permitted activity on eagles.
(3) Send completed permit applications to the Regional Director of the Region in which the disturbance would
occur—Attention: Migratory Bird Permit Office. You can find the current addresses for the Regional Directors in
§2.2 of subchapter A of this chapter.
[73 FR 29083, May 20, 2008; 74 FR 46879, Sept. 11, 2009]
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Subpart D—Depredation Control Orders on Golden
Eagles
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§22.31 Golden eagle depredations control order
on request of Governor of a State.
(a) Whenever the Governor of any State requests permission to take golden eagles to seasonally protect
domesticated flocks and herds in such State, the Director shall make an investigation and if he determines that
such taking is necessary to and will seasonally protect domesticated flocks and herds in such States he shall
authorize such taking in whatever part or parts of the State and for such periods as he determines necessary to
protect such interests.
(b) Requests from the Governor of a State to take golden eagles to seasonally protect domesticated flocks and
herds must be submitted in writing to the Director listing the periods of time during which the taking of such birds is
recommended, and including a map of the State indicating the boundaries of the proposed area of taking. Such
requests should include a statement of the facts and the source of such facts that in the Governor's opinion
justifies the request. After a decision by the Director, the Governor will be advised in writing concerning the request
and a notice will be published in the Federal Register.
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§22.32 Conditions and limitations on taking under
depredation control order.
(a) Whenever the taking of golden eagles without a permit is authorized for the seasonal protection of livestock,
such birds may be taken by firearms, traps, or other suitable means except by poison or from aircraft.
(b) Any person exercising any of the privileges granted by this subpart D must permit all reasonable times,
including during actual operations, any Service agent, or other game law enforcement officer free and unrestricted
access over the premises on which such operations have been or are being conducted; and shall furnish promptly
to such officer whatever information he may require concerning such operations.
(c) The authority to take golden eagles under a depredations control order issued pursuant to this subpart D only
authorizes the taking of golden eagles when necessary to seasonally protect domesticated flocks and herds, and
all such birds taken must be reported and turned over to a local Bureau Agent.