Wildlife News For Immediate Release
July 5, 2007
A service of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
News Contacts: Micah Holmes or Kristen Gillman (405) 521-3856
Web site: www.wildlifedepartment.com

Bald eagles fly off the threatened list
State water discussions continue statewide
Outdoor Calendar

Bald eagles fly off the threatened list

The national symbol is flying strong once again. The bald eagle has been removed from the U.S. Endangered and Threatened Species List.
The announcement came June 28 from Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne.

"Today I am proud to announce: the eagle has returned," Kempthorne said. "In 1963, the lower 48 states were home to barely 400 nesting pairs of bald eagles. Today, after decades of conservation effort, they are home to some 10,000 nesting pairs, a 25-fold increase in the last 40 years. Based on its dramatic recovery, it is my honor to announce the Department of the Interior's decision to remove the American bald eagle from the Endangered Species List."

In 1995, the bald eagle was nationally upgraded from endangered to threatened in all of the lower 48 states. At that time, there were around 4,450 breeding pairs. Today, bald eagle pairs in the continental U.S. number 9,789.

"Oklahoma has over 100 bald eagles that live here year-round, including 49 known breeding pairs," said Lesley McNeff, wildlife diversity information specialist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "During the winter, Oklahoma is host to anywhere from 700 to 1,500 eagles statewide. The numbers peak in January and February with the highest concentration of birds located at lakes. Popular viewing sites include Kaw, Texhoma, Tenkiller, Ft. Gibson, Grand, Canton, Great Salt Plains and Tishomingo."

McNeff said that between 1985 and 1990, the Department's Wildlife Diversity Program assisted the George M. Sutton Avian Research Center with the release of 90 eaglets in eastern Oklahoma, including 59 birds in 1990 alone.

Biologists transported eggs from Florida bald eagle nests to the Sutton Center in Bartlesville. About nine weeks after hatching, the young eagles were placed in hacking towers and eventually released into the wild with hopes that they would return as adults and raise their young in the state.

Since those efforts, bald eagle populations in Oklahoma increase each year. While no nesting eagles existed in the state in 1990, Oklahoma currently has 49 nesting pairs.

The Wildlife Department's Wildlife Diversity Program coordinates eagle watches every year. These eagle watches take place every winter at 17 sites around the state and have been taking place for more than 15 years.

Although bald eagles have been removed from the Threatened and Endangered Species List, they are still protected by both federal and state laws. These statutes include the Lacey Act, the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. All three of these acts generally state that the U.S. prohibits the pursuance, harming, harassing, purchasing, taking, killing, possession, transportation, and importation of migratory birds, their eggs, parts, and nests, unless allowed by permit.

"This is a major conservation milestone for everyone who loves the outdoors," said McNeff.

For more information about the removal of bald eagles from the National Endangered and Threatened List, or to see opportunities for eagle viewing events in Oklahoma, log on to www.wildlifedepartment.com.

State water discussions continue statewide

The chance to voice an opinion on Oklahoma's upcoming 50-year water plan has been presented at public meetings across the state since April, and opportunities to do so will continue throughout the rest of the year.

Approximately 40 meetings are being held across Oklahoma throughout the year.

"Oklahoma's future depends in large part on the availability of clean water, said Mike Langston, assistant director of the Water Research Institute. "Our government leaders need to know the concerns Oklahomans have about the state's water resources."

Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation are encouraging the sportsmen who feel strongly about fish and wildlife to offer their opinions at the meetings.

"Water is such an important resources that affects the people of Oklahoma as well as the wildlife," said Nels Rodefeld, information and education chief for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "These meetings are a great way for sportsmen to get involved in the state's water plan, and they ensure that concerns about wildlife will be heard."

The Oklahoma Legislature mandates that the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) develop and periodically update a comprehensive water plan. The OWRB, in conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers and other organizations, is also conducting technical studies of projected water demands and water supply infrastructure needs.

The Water Research Institute (WRI), located at Oklahoma State University but serving all of Oklahoma, is assisting the board with the planning process. The institute focuses on two major thrusts: citizen input and research to investigate identified issues and concerns.

"As a state, we're facing difficult decisions on a variety of water-related issues that will affect us, our kids, and their kids," Langston said.
"We strongly encourage all citizens to attend at least one meeting in their area, this is their opportunity to set the agenda for the water plan."

Though the ultimate responsibility for writing the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan lies with the OWRB, Langston said the WRI promises that every issue raised, concern expressed question asked and suggestion offered will be faithfully communicated to the OWRB.

Anyone seeking additional information about the upcoming Local Input Meetings should contact Jeri Fleming by e-mail at waterplan@okstate.edu or by phone at (405) 744-9994.

The following is a schedule of input meetings for the rest of June and the month of July. All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. To see a complete list of meeting locations or for more information on the planning process, log on to okwaterplan.info.

July 12: Oklahoma City (Oklahoma Co.) - Oklahoma County Extension Office Auditorium
July 17: Sulphur (Murray Co.) - Murray County Expo Center Hilliard Hall
July 19: Norman (Cleveland Co.) - Cleveland County Fairgrounds North Classroom
July 24: Chandler (Lincoln Co.) - Lincoln County Fairgrounds Agri-Civic Center
July 30: Stillwater (Payne Co.) - Payne County Expo Center Community Building
July 31: Ardmore (Carter Co.) - Ardmore Convention Center Salon D and E

OUTDOOR CALENDAR - JULY

9: The Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation headquarters (auditorium) located at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln, Oklahoma City.

14: Under Cover of Darkness Tour at the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. This bus tour and short walk will depart from the headquarters at 8 p.m. For more information contact the Refuge at (580) 429-3222.

14: Aquatic Resources Education Clinic at Metro Tech Springlake. To register contact Bob Martin with OKC Parks and Recreation at (405) 755-4014.

14: Bowhunter Education class at the Oklahoma City Gun Club, Oklahoma City. The class runs from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information contact Jerry Stover at (405) 373-3661.

16: Centennial Bison Tour at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. This bus tour departs the headquarters at 5:30 p.m. Reservation are required and $5 per person will be collected at the beginning of the tour. For more information or to make reservations contact the Refuge Headquarters at (580) 429-3222.

16 & 17 & 19: Hunter Education: Bass Pro Shop (101 Bass Pro Dr.), Broken Arrow; 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.; (918) 355-7600, ask for promotion manager.

18 & 19: Hunter Education: Francis Tuttle 1400A (12777 N Rockwell), OKC; 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; (405) 521-4636.

21: Under Cover of Darkness Tour at the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge. This bus tour and short walk will depart from the headquarters at 8 p.m. For more information contact the Refuge at (580) 429-3222.

21: Aquatic Resources Education Clinic: Dolese Youth Park Pond, OKC Parks and Rec. To register contact Bob Martin at (405) 755-4014.

21 & 22: Backwoods Bowhunters 3-D Archery Shoots (located seven and a half miles west of Hwy 4 on Britton Rd. between Yukon and El Reno). Shoot start at 8 a.m. Books close at 2 p.m. Scores in by 4 p.m. Cost is $10. Contact Johnny Pappan at (405) 350-1551 or Pat Finnigan (405) 262- 7559 or e-mail jnlpappan@sbcglobal.net

28: Aquatic Resources Education Clinic at Crystal Lake. To register contact OKC Parks and Rec Bob Martin at (405) 755-4014.

For a complete listing of upcoming outdoor activities and events, go to wildlifedepartment.com and check out the Outdoor Calendar.