Posted on fb:
BREAKING NEWS: NORFOLK NESTS TO BE MOVED TOMORROW
Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Alliance
Very sad news for Dad and #3 and all of us who love our eagles and our Garden. Shame on our City!
Good Afternoon,
This morning the Norfolk Botanical Garden board held an emergency meeting and voted to support the recommendation to remove the nests. I have attached their motions to this email. The City is in possession of the state and federal permits. After discussions with USDA representatives who state removing the nest as early as possible gives the eagles a chance to find another location and reviewing the Garden’s schedule, we determined the best time to remove the nests is tomorrow morning Thursday, October 4th.
According to the tree service, climbers will remove the nests by hand and drop branches to the ground. Under federal law, a USDA representative will supervise the removal process. In the interest of public safety, the garden will close for no more than two hours during this process.
Moving forward, USDA representatives will monitor and report any eagle activity at the Garden and conduct appropriate dispersal techniques.
Since 2011, representatives from the USDA, Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries, the Norfolk Botanical Garden, the FAA and the Norfolk International Airport met about the eagle activity at the airport, nest proximity to the airport, strike history and eagles in Virginia. In June, the City of Norfolk brought these groups around a table to further examine the issue and discuss the recommendation from USDA Wildlife Services to remove the nests following the completion of the Wildlife Hazard Assessment which showed a “significant risk” to public safety. The FAA also sent a letter supporting the USDA’s position in July. Shortly thereafter, the Airport, City and Garden agreed to support the recommendation and remove the nests.
The City of Norfolk, as landowner, moved forward to obtain the necessary state and federal permits in August.
While we all have enjoyed the eagle’s presence in the Garden, encouraging the birds to relocate ultimately ensures the safety of the public, property and the eagles.
Please feel free to call me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Lori Crouch
Public Relations Manager
City of Norfolk
810 Union Street, Suite 1101
Norfolk, Va. 23510
office (757) 664-4067
cell (757) 646-5381
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/NorfolkVATwitter:
www.twitter.com/CityofNorfolkVA
Show Posts
, Jeanne! Hope your day was great!
