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Appendix B Restore Bald Eagles to the Channel Islands
[B-1](#tier-2-evaluation-of-restoring-bald-eagles-to-the-channel-islands)

B.1 Goals and Nexus to Injury [B-1](#goals-and-nexus-to-injury)

B.2 Background [B-1](#background)

B.2.1 Historical Presence of Bald Eagles on the Channel Islands
[B-2](#historical-presence-of-bald-eagles-on-the-channel-islands)

B.2.2 Ecological Role of Bald Eagles on the Channel Islands
[B-3](#ecological-role-of-bald-eagles-on-the-channel-islands)

B.2.3 Santa Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program
[B-3](#santa-catalina-island-bald-eagle-program)

B.2.4 Northern Channel Islands Bald Eagle Feasibility Study
[B-11](#northern-channel-islands-bald-eagle-feasibility-study)

B.3 Complete the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study Before Deciding on
Further Restoration Actions
[B-12](#complete-the-nci-bald-eagle-feasibility-study-before-deciding-on-further-restoration-actions)

B.3.1 Project Description and Methods
[B-12](#project-description-and-methods)

B.3.2 Environmental Benefits and Impacts
[B-14](#environmental-benefits-and-impacts)

B.3.3 Likelihood of Success/Feasibility
[B-17](#likelihood-of-successfeasibility)

B.3.4 Performance Criteria and Monitoring
[B-17](#performance-criteria-and-monitoring)

B.3.5 Evaluation [B-17](#evaluation)

B.3.6 Budget [B-18](#budget)

B.4 Complete the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study; Regardless of its
Outcome, Continue Funding Santa Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program
[B-18](#complete-the-nci-bald-eagle-feasibility-study-regardless-of-its-outcome-continue-funding-santa-catalina-island-bald-eagle-program)

B.4.1 Project Description and Methods
[B-18](#project-description-and-methods-1)

B.4.2 Environmental Benefits and Impacts
[B-19](#environmental-benefits-and-impacts-1)

B.4.3 Likelihood of Success/Feasibility
[B-20](#likelihood-of-successfeasibility-1)

B.4.4 Performance Criteria and Monitoring
[B-21](#performance-criteria-and-monitoring-1)

B.4.5 Evaluation [B-21](#evaluation-1)

B.4.6 Budget [B-21](#budget-1)

Figures

B-1. Levels of DDE in Santa Catalina bald eagle failed-to-hatch eggs
from 1989--2004.

B-2. Levels of PCBs in Santa Catalina bald eagle failed-to-hatch eggs
from 1989--2004.

Appendix B

Restore Bald Eagles to the Channel Islands

# Tier 2 Evaluation of Restoring Bald Eagles to the Channel Islands

Bald eagle restoration throughout the Channel Islands presents a special
situation because bald eagles introduced to and currently nesting on
Santa Catalina Island continue to exhibit reproductive injuries caused
by ongoing exposures to DDTs and PCBs. Also, bald eagles historically
inhabited most of the Channel Islands, and we do not yet know if they
would have greater success reproducing on islands other than Santa
Catalina Island (none of the Catalina Island bald eagles has dispersed
to and established territories on any of the other Channel Islands).
Thus, selecting restoration actions requires consideration of
interrelated factors and depends ultimately on the outcome of the
ongoing Feasibility Study for Reestablishment of Bald Eagles on the
Northern Channel Islands (NCI), California (MSRP 2002). (This ongoing
study is referred to as the "NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study"
throughout this appendix.) Sections B.3 and B.4 describe and evaluate
the two contrasting options for bald eagle restoration that this plan
addresses.

## Goals and Nexus to Injury

The bald eagle is a priority resource for restoration that continues to
demonstrate injury from the contaminants of the Montrose case. The
overall goal for this resource is for the Natural Resource Trustees for
the Montrose case (Trustees) to restore self-sustaining bald eagles to
the Channel Islands. Bald eagles historically nested throughout the
Channel Islands prior to releases of DDTs and PCBs, but by the early
1960s had disappeared from the area (Kiff 1980). In 1980, a multiagency
program reintroduced the birds to Santa Catalina Island but their
breeding continues to be impaired by these contaminants. Due to the
continued presence of DDTs and PCBs in their environment, it is not yet
known to what extent the bald eagle restoration goal is attainable in
the near term.

## Background

Bald eagles were a resident breeding species on all of the California
Channel Islands from before the turn of the century until at least the
1930s (Willett 1933, Kiff 1980). Ornithologists and egg collectors
reported bald eagles to be common on the Northern Channel Islands
between the late 1800s through the 1930s. From the 1800s to 1950, bald
eagle nesting areas were reported from a minimum of 35 different
locations on the islands, making the Channel Islands a stronghold for
this species in Southern California (Kiff 2000). However, due to the
lack of systematic surveys, this number is likely an underestimate (Kiff
2000). The last confirmed nesting of an eagle on the Channel Islands was
in 1949 on Anacapa Island (Kiff 1980).

Little published information is available regarding the status of bald
eagles on the Channel Islands after the 1940s, but a few adult birds
continued to be observed on some of the islands into the late 1950s and
1960s. Santa Catalina Island residents remember seeing eagles up until
the mid to late 1950s (Kiff 1980, Garcelon 1988). By the early 1960s,
bald eagles had disappeared from all of the Channel Islands (Kiff 1980).
The timing of the decline of bald eagles on the Channel Islands
coincided closely with the extirpation of peregrine falcons and bald
eagles from other portions of their North American range as a result of
the eggshell thinning effects of DDE (Kiff 2000, Garcelon 1988). The
reduction of bald eagle populations in many areas of the country has
been correlated with high levels of organochlorine compounds and
specifically with DDTs (Stickel et al. 1966, Krantz et al. 1970). Other
factors contributing to the decline of bald eagles on the Channel
Islands and Southern California included historical persecution by
humans (egg collecting and shooting) and limited nesting opportunities
on the mainland of Southern California due to development and recreation
(Kiff 1980).

Raptor species, such as bald eagles and peregrine falcons, are
particularly susceptible to these contaminants because they are
high-trophic-level predators. Because DDTs and PCBs are slow to break
down and are strongly attracted to fats, they bioaccumulate and become
more concentrated in animals at higher levels in the food web. When
feeding on food contaminated with DDE (a metabolite of DDT) and PCBs,
animals at the top of the food web, like bald eagles and peregrine
falcons, can accumulate harmful concentrations of these chemicals. DDE
has been demonstrated to cause eggshell thinning and subsequent
reproductive failure in many species of birds feeding in the marine
ecosystem (Hickey and Anderson 1968, Risebrough et al. 1971, Gress et
al. 1973). DDE in the diet of bald eagles has negatively affected the
ability of the eagles to produce young (Wiemeyer et al. 1993). The
continuing influence of this contaminant also accounted for the
inability of bald eagles to recolonize the islands after other sources
of mortality had ceased (Kiff 2000).

Bald eagles are currently listed as threatened under the Endangered
Species Act, but have been proposed for delisting due to substantial
recovery of the species on the mainland. In its Pacific Bald Eagle
Recovery Plan, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) set recovery
goals for bald eagles for specific zones in California. The Recovery
Plan indicates that the most suitable habitat in Southern California is
on the Channel Islands, especially Santa Cruz and Santa Catalina Islands
(Jurek 2000, USFWS 1986). As outlined in the Recovery Plan, the recovery
population goal is the minimum nucleus of nesting pairs that, if
self-sustaining over the long term, will be capable of maintaining the
genetic variability in the breeding population (USFWS 1986). This
population goal is 6 nesting pairs for the Channel Islands zone and a
minimum of 16 territories needed to provide secure habitat for the
recovered population. Although Santa Catalina Island currently has 5
breeding pairs, they continue to suffer reproductive problems and are
not considered self-sustaining (see Section B.2.3).

### Historical Presence of Bald Eagles on the Channel Islands

In a survey of historical records, Kiff (2000) showed the following
maximum numbers of nesting bald eagles reported per island in a single
year: Anacapa (3); San Miguel (3); Santa Cruz (5); Santa Rosa (3); Santa
Barbara (1); Santa Catalina (4); San Clemente (3); and San Nicolas (1).
Between 1875 and 1960, active eagle nests were reported from a minimum
of 35 different sites on the Channel Islands.

Santa Cruz Island regularly supported a minimum of at least five pairs
of bald eagles, which nested in niches and potholes on the sea cliffs
(Kiff 1980). Known nesting areas on Santa Cruz Island included Pelican
Bay, San Pedro Point, Blue Banks, Valley Anchorage, Chinese Harbor,
Potato Harbor, and Middle Grounds. Anacapa Island had as many as three
nesting pairs in some years. However, since collectors or ornithologists
did not visit large portions of the Northern Channel Islands very often,
if at all, the estimates of nesting pairs are likely an underestimate
(Kiff 2000).

Grinnell (1897) visited San Clemente Island in 1897 and stated, "The
Bald Eagle was seen rather commonly along the shores of the island." The
lack of ornithologist visits to the island after 1939 makes it
impossible to speculate on the date of the bald eagle extirpation from
the island. Few ornithologists visited San Nicolas Island historically,
so the size of the eagle population is poorly known. However, there is
no question that the species was formerly resident there (Kiff 2000).
Finally, numerous ornithologists reported bald eagles to be common on
Santa Catalina Island and present on Santa Barbara Island starting in
the 1870s (Kiff 2000).

### Ecological Role of Bald Eagles on the Channel Islands

Bald eagles historically played a role in the ecology of the Channel
Islands by serving as both a top carnivore and a scavenger. Bald eagles
prey primarily on fish taken live from the ocean; however, they also
feed on seabirds and the carcasses of animals that wash up on shore.

No other species plays the same ecological role as the bald eagle. In
the absence of bald eagles on the Northern Channel Islands, golden
eagles (not native to the Northern Channel Islands) have become
established. Nesting adult bald eagles defend territories and would
likely have excluded golden eagles from becoming established on the
Northern Channel Islands (USFWS 2004). The golden eagle, a terrestrial
predator, has had tremendous negative impacts on native island foxes in
the Northern Channel Islands, a species that does not have evolutionary
adaptations to avoid predation (Coonan 2001, Roemer 1999).

In addition to their role in the balance of natural systems, bald eagles
were revered by Native American cultures historically occupying the
Channel Islands and are still admired and valued by people for whom the
bald eagle is both a striking bird and our American symbol.

### Santa Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program

In 1980, the USFWS and the Institute for Wildlife Studies, with the
cooperation of the California Department of Fish and Game and the
Catalina Island Conservancy, initiated a program to reintroduce bald
eagles to Santa Catalina Island. Between 1980 and 1986, 33 eagles from
wild nests were raised on three different artificial nest or hacking
platforms on Santa Catalina Island (Garcelon 1988). The birds were
released once they were able to fly (at around 12 weeks of age). Some of
these birds matured and formed breeding pairs on the island. In 1987,
the first bald eagle eggs were laid but soon broke. Subsequent
contaminant analysis of egg remains revealed DDE levels sufficient to
cause complete reproductive failure (Garcelon et al. 1989). From 1991 to
1993, the Institute for Wildlife Studies studied food habits of the
released eagles and documented high levels of DDE in the tissues of
certain prey items commonly consumed by these eagles (Garcelon 1997,
Garcelon et al. 1997a, 1997b).

Since 1989, the reintroduced population has been maintained through
manipulations of eggs and chicks at each nest site, and through hacking
of additional birds. In the egg manipulation process, structurally
deficient eggs laid by the birds affected by DDE are replaced with
artificial eggs. The adult eagles continue to incubate the artificial
eggs, while the real eggs are removed and artificially incubated at the
Avian Conservation Center (ACC) at the San Francisco Zoo. Chicks that
hatch from these removed eggs, or those produced by captive adults at
the ACC or by wild birds, are then fostered back into the nests. In
2005, the Trustees funded the establishment of an incubation facility on
Santa Catalina Island so that eggs and chicks would not need to be
transported to and from the ACC at the San Francisco Zoo.

From 1980 to 2004, a total of 80 eggs were removed from nests on Santa
Catalina Island, 14 of which hatched (Sharpe et al. 2004). A total of 47
chicks and 3 eggs (of which 2 hatched) were fostered into nests (Sharpe
et al. 2004), and adult bald eagles successfully reared 40 of these 49
chicks. During this time, an additional 21 birds were also hacked onto
the island (Sharpe et al. 2004). Because of the high DDE concentrations
in the eggs, this active program of manipulation and augmentation is
necessary to maintain bald eagles on Santa Catalina Island at this time.

#### Bald Eagle Territories on Santa Catalina Island

Nesting bald eagles have established five territories on Santa Catalina
Island since 1984 (see Figure 3.4-3 in Section 3). A brief description
of each territory is provided below.

-   The West End territory was established in 1991 and is located 0.5
    kilometers (km) (0.3 miles) from the northwestern end of the island
    on a rock pinnacle approximately 75 meters (246 feet) above the
    water. The territory was initially occupied by a 10-year-old male
    and a 5-year old female, but a second female has assisted in
    breeding activities since 1992 (Sharpe et al. 2004). The nest has
    been used since 1991.

-   The Pinnacle Rock territory is located 4.3 km (2.7 miles) southwest
    of the city of Avalon. It was initially occupied in 1990 and the
    original pair, a 5-year old female and a 4-year old male, have
    continuously nested there since 1990 (Sharpe et al. 2004).

-   The Twin Rocks territory is located 5 km (3 miles) northwest of
    Avalon. The territory was first occupied in 1984 and contained
    active nests in 1985, 1987, and 1989. A new 4-year-old male joined
    the female of the original pair in 1995. The first eggs of the new
    pair were laid in 1997, but were abandoned after the egg switch. In
    1998, the original female was replaced by a 12-year old female and
    this pair has nested in the territory every year to the present
    (Sharpe et al. 2004).

-   The Seal Rocks territory is located 4.5 km (2.8 miles) southeast of
    the city of Avalon. The original pair of this territory first nested
    in 1988. The female died on May 5, 1993, from DDE contaminant
    poisoning (Garcelon and Thomas 1997). In 1995, another adult female
    laid two infertile eggs. A new female and male began occupying the
    territory in 1997. In 1999, the pair laid one egg, but the nest was
    destroyed during a storm. The pair did not attempt to nest in 2000,
    but successfully fledged fostered chicks from 2001 to 2004 (Sharpe
    et al. 2004).

-   The Two Harbors territory is located 2 km (1.2 miles) southwest of
    the town of Two Harbors. This territory was first active in 2003,
    and was occupied by a pair of 5-year old birds. The male of this
    territory is an ACC-produced eagle that was fostered into the West
    End territory in 1998. The female hatched from an egg laid in the
    West End territory in 1998 and fostered into the Pinnacle Rock nest
    (Sharpe 2003).

#### Summary of Contaminant Data 

Organochlorine contaminants, especially DDE, have been related to
deleterious effects on bald eagle reproduction (Krantz et. al 1970,
Grier 1982, Wiemeyer et al. 1984, 1993). Wiemeyer et al. (1993) reported
that less than 3.6 micrograms per gram (µg/g) of DDE (wet weight) was
found in eagle eggs where normal reproduction was occurring (mean 5-year
production [\>]{.underline}1.0 fledgling per nest). When DDE levels in
bald eagle eggs exceed 3.6 µg/g (wet weight), declines in productivity
are expected (productivity was almost halved), with considerable
reduction in productivity expected when eggs exceed 6.3 µg/g (wet
weight) (mean 5-year production [\<]{.underline}0.27 fledgling per nest)
(Wiemeyer et al. 1993).

In addition to DDE, other contaminants have been associated with reduced
nest success (Wiemeyer et al. 1993, Nisbet 1989). Of particular concern
are PCBs, which co-occur with DDTs in eagle eggs (Wiemeyer et al. 1993)
and have adverse effects that translate into reduced number of
fledglings produced per nest. The adverse effects associated with PCB
exposure include embryo and chick mortality, edema, growth retardation,
and deformities (Peakall 1994). Normal reproduction has been associated
with eagle eggs containing less than 4.0 µg/g PCBs (Wiemeyer et al.
1984). In the analysis by Wiemeyer et al. (1993) of data on eagle eggs
containing both DDTs and PCBs, less than 3.0 µg/g total PCBs (wet
weight) was measured in eggs where mean 5-year productivity approached
1.0 fledgling per nest. Productivity was substantially reduced (0.61
fledgling per nest) in nests where eggs had more than 5.6 µg/g total
PCBs (wet weight) (Wiemeyer et al. 1993).

Sprunt et al. (1973) reported that a minimum of 0.7 chicks per active
nest is considered necessary to prevent a bald eagle population from
declining. Kubiak and Best (1991) reported that 1.0 chick per nest is
expected from a healthy eagle population. Similarly, the USFWS Pacific
Bald Eagle Recovery Plan identifies the goal of 1.0 fledged young per
pair with an average success rate per occupied site of not less than 65
percent over a 5-year period (USFWS 1986).

##### Contaminant Levels in Bald Eagle Eggs

Bald eagle eggs collected from Santa Catalina Island that failed to
hatch have been monitored for DDE and PCB levels from 1989--2004
(Figures B-1 and B-2). Eagle eggs collected from the Pinnacle Rock and
West End nests continue to show the highest DDE concentrations among the
five different territories on the island. Unlike the other territories
on the island, these nests have been occupied by the original female of
that territory throughout the study period. Because these nests have
been occupied by the same female over a period of 13 to14 years,
continuous, long-term information on DDE concentrations in the eggs can
be used to measure changes in contamination over time.

The concentrations of DDE in eggs from all five territories, and PCBs in
eggs from three territories exceed thresholds (\<3.6 µg/g and \<3 µg/g,
respectively) associated with reduced productivity (\<1.0
fledgling/nest). In addition, no significant change (e.g., no reduction)
in the DDE levels has occurred in these territories over time. For
example the DDE concentrations in eggs show no temporal change over the
past 4 years (i.e., 2001--2004, regression analysis, *p*\>0.05) with
most nests showing no trend (*p*\>0.2). The concentration of DDE in one
nest (Seal Rocks) did show an indication of a trend that could be
considered borderline (*p*=0.054). However, regressions on data from two
nests monitored since 1989 (Pinnacle Rock and West End) show no
significant long-term change in DDE levels as well (*p* \> 0.4,
*df~residuals~* \> 10) and do not support the inference that changes in
DDE concentrations observed in eggs from the Seal Rocks territory
reflect a long-term linear change that might be projected into the
future.

A change in the female of a territory can affect the contaminant levels
in eggs (e.g., the Seal Rocks and Twin Rocks territories, Figures B-1
and B-2). This effect may result from female prey preference, foraging
style, and age. Although concentrations in recent eggs from the Seal
Rocks territory are significantly lower than in eggs from 1990 and 1992
(when the same nest was occupied by a different pair of eagles),
concentrations continue to exceed the adverse effect threshold for DDE
(3.6 µg/g). The presence of a new female in the Twin Rocks Territory
since 1998 has resulted in egg concentrations that still exceed the
effect threshold for DDE. Despite the lower DDE levels in these eggs,
the detrimental effects of eggshell thinning continue today, as
evidenced by a broken egg found in the Twin Rocks nest in 2003.

The Two Harbors territory was established in 2003 by two 5-year-old
birds, but concentrations in the single sample from 2003 already
exceeded the threshold concentration for DDE and PCBs necessary for
healthy eagle reproduction (Figures B-1 and B-2), and are similar to
those found in the eggs of long-term resident eagles (e.g., at West End
and Pinnacle Rock).

Given that DDE and PCB levels in eggs are not declining and currently
exceed thresholds associated with reduced productivity (\<1.0
fledgling/nest), it is unlikely that eagles will be able to be
self-sustaining on Santa Catalina Island in the foreseeable future.

##### Limited Hatching Success Despite Artificial Incubation

The first bald eagle nesting attempts failed on Santa Catalina Island
due to eggs breaking in the nest. To remove the risk of adults crushing
the eggs during incubation and to reduce the effect of environmental
factors such as water loss, bald eagle eggs have been collected since
1989 and placed in an artificial incubation facility. Between 1989 and
2004, 80 eggs have been collected and transported primarily to the San
Francisco Zoo. Without such intervention, successful reproduction is
highly unlikely, as documented by the continued breaking of eggs that
are left in the nests. For example, in 2000 an egg broke in each of the
three active nests (Pinnacle Rock, West End, and Twin Rocks), and in
2003 an egg broke in the Twin Rocks territory. Despite the efforts to
hatch these eggs in a controlled environment, only 14 of the 80 eggs (18
percent) have hatched to date. Low hatching success may be the result of
embryo mortality often attributed to PCBs and/or eggshell thinning
generally associated with DDTs. The low hatching rate confirms the
continued effect of DDTs and PCBs despite measures to reduce the effects
of eggshell thinning by placing the eggs in an optimal, controlled
environment.

##### Conclusion

The available egg data and limited hatching success even with artificial
incubation indicate that overall concentrations of DDE and total PCBs in
failed-to-hatch eggs from all territories continue to exceed thresholds
for adverse effects (reduced nest success). Based on the current levels
of DDE and PCBs in eggs and the lack of any significant trends in
reduction of DDE levels in eggs, Santa Catalina Island bald eagles are
not likely to reach a state of self-sustainability in the foreseeable
future.

#### Costs of the Santa Catalina Bald Eagle Program

From 2002--2005, the average annual cost of supporting the Santa
Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program (including monitoring, retrieval of
eggs from nests, artificial incubation of eggs, failed-

![](media/image1.jpeg){width="5.527777777777778in"
height="7.695138888888889in"}

Figure B-1. Levels of DDE in Santa Catalina bald eagle failed-to-hatch
eggs from\
1989--2004.

Each panel includes data from one of the five bald eagle territories on
Santa Catalina Island. Threshold DDE contamination levels are indicated
for each panel as labeled in the Two Harbors panel. Line breaks within a
panel indicate a change in females within a territory. For the West End
Territory(\*), a second female joined the original pair in 1992 and has
assisted in incubation of eggs, but has not produced any eggs used in
this analysis.

Figure B-1 \[BACK\]

![](media/image2.jpeg){width="5.615972222222222in"
height="7.767361111111111in"}

Figure B-2. Levels of PCBs in Santa Catalina bald eagle failed-to-hatch
eggs from\
1989--2004.

Each panel includes data from one of the five bald eagle territories on
Santa Catalina Island. Threshold PCB contamination levels are indicated
for each panel as labeled in the Two Harbors panel. Line breaks within a
panel indicate a change in females within a territory. For the West End
Territory(\*), a second female joined the original pair in 1992 and has
assisted in incubation of eggs, but has not produced any eggs used in
this analysis.

Figure B-2 \[BACK\]

to-hatch egg contaminant analysis, fostering healthy chicks into nests,
and agency support) was approximately \$270,000. In recent years, the
Trustees have assumed full funding of the Santa Catalina Island Bald
Eagle Program to ensure that the option of maintaining a population of
bald eagles on Santa Catalina Island could receive consideration within
this Restoration Plan.

### Northern Channel Islands Bald Eagle Feasibility Study 

Since bald eagles have not recolonized other Channel Islands, in 2002
the Trustees initiated the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study to determine
whether bald eagles reintroduced to the Northern Channel Islands (and
thus farther from the main source of contamination) would have
sufficiently low exposures that they can successfully breed and produce
young.

From 2002 to 2004, 34 bald eagle juveniles were released on Santa Cruz
Island (12 birds in 2002, 10 in 2003, and 12 in 2004). These birds were
either hatched from eggs from the captive breeding population at the San
Francisco Zoo or were juveniles collected from the wild in Alaska. Of
these 34 birds, 19 birds are known to have survived to date and have
been observed or recorded recently on the Northern Channel Islands
(Dooley, pers. comm., 2005). These birds have been documented moving
among Santa Cruz, San Miguel, Santa Rosa, and Anacapa Islands. An
additional 7 birds may have survived; however, no recent satellite
tracking data (due to transmitters falling off or no longer working) or
recent sightings confirm this statement (Dooley, pers. comm., 2005). Of
these 7 birds, 3 were last recorded on the mainland and the other 4 were
last reported on Anacapa or Santa Rosa Islands. The remaining 8 of the
34 eagles that were released are known or are suspected to have died as
follows: five eagles drowned trying to cross the Santa Barbara Channel
to the mainland, one was hit by a car in Salt Lake City, Utah, one died
after getting stuck in a tree on Santa Rosa Island, and one is assumed
dead although the cause of death is unknown (Dooley, pers. comm., 2005).

Since the NCI Feasibility Study began, eagles have crossed to the
mainland, ranging as far as Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Eagles
have also been documented from Oregon, Northern California, and Utah.
The presence of the bald eagles on the Northern Channel Islands has
attracted bald eagles from nearby Santa Catalina Island. A minimum of
two eagles from Santa Catalina Island have been documented spending time
on Santa Cruz Island (Dooley, pers. comm., 2005).

In August 2004, biologists recaptured three eagles released in 2003 to
collect blood and feather samples, which will be analyzed to determine
current contaminant levels in the birds. When the bald eagles on the
Northern Channel Islands begin to reproduce, biologists will monitor
their nests to determine if the eagles are capable of hatching eggs in
the wild. Because it takes as many as five to seven years for bald
eagles to reach reproductive age, the Trustees anticipate having initial
results of the first breeding attempts available around 2008.

Monitoring is an important component of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility
Study. Appendix A of the Feasibility Study for Reestablishment of Bald
Eagles on the Northern Channel Islands (MSRP 2002) outlined the central
components of the monitoring program, including obtaining bald eagle
blood samples and prey items for DDT and PCB analysis, tracking movement
of the birds with satellite telemetry, and performing stable isotope
analysis on prey resources (MSRP 2002). Once the birds begin breeding,
biologists will monitor nests to determine reproductive success. Nest
monitoring will likely continue for several years after the first
breeding attempts to obtain data from multiple pairs over several years
and to account for unsuccessful breeding attempts that are typical of
first-time breeders. Specific details of the nest monitoring will be
developed as part of the overall ongoing monitoring program. This
monitoring program is evaluated on a yearly basis in consultation with
experts, and is modified as needed.

For the study period from 2002--2005, a total of approximately \$2.3
million was budgeted for the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study. This cost
covers all aspects, including obtaining, caring for, and releasing bald
eagle juveniles, fieldwork, monitoring, contaminant analysis, and agency
support. The Trustees anticipate allocating an additional \$1 million
over the next several years in support of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility
Study. Costs would likely decrease after 2006 as the released birds
mature and emphasis shifts to nest monitoring and contaminant analysis
(rather than the release of additional birds). Therefore, the total
estimated cost of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study is \$3.3 million.

Two possible courses of action for bald eagle restoration are described
and evaluated in the following sections.

## Complete the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study Before Deciding on Further Restoration Actions 

### Project Description and Methods

This action is the Trustees' selected action for bald eagle restoration.
The Trustees will defer making longer-term decisions on bald eagle
restoration until the results of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study
are known (in or around 2008). Also, the Trustees will discontinue
funding for the Santa Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program during the
interim period until the results of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study
are known. When these study results are known the Trustees will
re-evaluate all potential options for bald eagle restoration, including
measures that may be taken even if bald eagles are not able to reproduce
on their own anywhere in the Channel Islands. The Trustees will release
a subsequent National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)/California
Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) document for public review and input
once the results of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study are known. The
remaining bald eagle restoration funds could then be used on any of the
Channel Islands. This action conserves limited restoration funds until
sufficient information is available to evaluate the ability of the
different Channel Island environments to support bald eagles.

This action is modified from the one proposed in the draft Restoration
Plan and programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/
Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which was released for public comment
in April 2005. The modification is a result of the Trustees'
consideration of the public comments received. In the draft Restoration
Plan and programmatic EIS/EIR, the Trustees had proposed that the
restoration of bald eagles proceed only if it was ultimately found that
they are able to reproduce on their own in the Northern Channel Islands.
If the results of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study indicated that
there were no territories in the Channel Islands where bald eagles could
reproduce unaided, the preferred course of action proposed in the draft
Restoration Plan called for bald eagle restoration efforts to cease, and
the remaining funds to be either set aside or used for seabird
restoration.

The Trustees received diverse and opposing public comments on the
advisability of bald eagle restoration given the continued observation
of contaminant effects on Santa Catalina Island. Predominantly, however,
public comments expressed the desire to maintain the presence of bald
eagles on the Channel Islands. After considering public comments, along
with the evaluation criteria for this plan (particularly the preferences
that actions have long-term benefits and minimal ongoing operation and
maintenance requirements), the Trustees modified the preferred action
for bald eagles to provide for a re-examination of all options once the
results of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study are known, rather than
predetermining subsequent actions. The re-examination will be conducted
with opportunity for public review and comment in a subsequent document.

The results of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study are expected to be
known in or around 2008. If it is found at that time that the birds
released on Santa Cruz Island are able to fledge chicks without human
intervention, the Trustees may continue releasing and monitoring bald
eagles on Santa Cruz Island. The Trustees anticipate that if eagles can
successfully reproduce on the Northern Channel Islands, then eagles will
eventually repopulate the rest of the Channel Islands, including Santa
Catalina Island. The general methods for additional hacking and
monitoring would be the same as those outlined in the Feasibility Study
for Reestablishment of Bald Eagles on the Northern Channel Islands (MSRP
2002).

In light of the continuing high levels of contamination in bald eagles
on Santa Catalina Island, continued funding of the Santa Catalina Island
Bald Eagle Program over the near term is unlikely to achieve of the goal
of the long-term restoration of bald eagles to the Channel Islands.
Thus, during the interim period until the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility
Study is completed, the Trustees have chosen to focus restoration
efforts on the Northern Channel Islands, which continue to hold the
potential for long-term restoration, and discontinue funding of the
Santa Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program.

Even without continued Trustee funding for the current Santa Catalina
Island Bald Eagle Program, it is highly likely that bald eagles will
remain on Santa Catalina Island for several years despite their
inability to hatch offspring naturally. Bald eagles in the wild
typically live for 25 to 30 years, and Santa Catalina Island currently
supports 15 to 20 birds of a wide range of ages. Currently, five active
bald eagle nesting territories exist on the island, and the Institute
for Wildlife Studies reports that two birds are currently establishing a
new territory near Avalon. Even assuming the Santa Catalina Island bald
eagles fail to hatch new chicks in the coming years, bald eagle experts
do not expect that they will immediately break their pair bonds and
abandon their Santa Catalina Island territories. Rather, it is likely
that bald eagles will remain on Santa Catalina Island, with their
numbers diminishing gradually over a period of as many as 10 years or
longer as some of the birds die and are not replaced by others and as
certain bald eagle pairs break their pair bonds and leave after several
years of failing to produce chicks.

Thus, the Trustees anticipate that bald eagles will still inhabit
several of the Channel Islands, including Santa Catalina Island, when
the results of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study are known (in or
around 2008). If the results of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study
indicate that bald eagles throughout the Channel Islands still
experience reproductive impairment due to the persistence of DDTs and
PCBs in their diets, the Trustees would explore various options for
further bald eagle restoration on one or more of the Channel Islands,
including Santa Catalina Island. Some options may not be as costly as
the current egg manipulation and chick fostering work being conducted on
Santa Catalina Island. For example, the Trustees could fund a monitoring
and hacking program to maintain a non-breeding bald eagle presence on
the Channel Islands (and thus maintain their human use and ecological
services) for as long as funds remain available or until contaminant
levels decline to a level that would support naturally reproducing
eagles.

The Trustees will release a subsequent NEPA/CEQA document for public
review and input once the results of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility
Study are known. The document will be released between 2008 and 2010 and
will outline the next steps for bald eagle restoration on the Channel
Islands.

### Environmental Benefits and Impacts

#### Biological

##### Benefits

Bald eagles historically played an important role in the ecology of the
Channel Islands, and the bald eagle fills a distinct niche there.
Reintroducing bald eagles to the Channel Islands will restore this part
of the ecosystem, which has been missing since their extirpation.

The presence of the bald eagle on some of the Channel Islands likely
provides benefits to the endangered island fox. Predation of island
foxes by golden eagles has resulted in precipitous declines in island
fox populations on the Northern Channel Islands (Coonan et al. 1998,
USFWS 2004). The presence of territorial bald eagles on the Northern
Channel Islands would likely benefit the island fox if they deter golden
eagles from inhabiting the islands.

##### Impacts

Individual bald eagles will be impacted by the restoration efforts.
During the first 3 years of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study, 8 of
the 34 released birds (approximately 24 percent) are known to have died
from various causes (see Section B.2.4). The majority of these deaths (5
of 8, or 63 percent) were recently fledged eagles crossing the Santa
Barbara Channel. This source of mortality was also reported by Sharpe
and Garcelon (2000) when a bald eagle fledgling died while trying to fly
to the mainland from Santa Catalina Island. Overall, the survival rate
of eagles released on the Northern Channel Islands appears to be within
the normal range of eagle survival in the wild and for a reintroduction
program. The loss of several individuals is not considered significant
in light of the overall recovery of the bald eagle in the United States
and the efforts to restore this species to the Channel Islands.

This action suspends the Trustees' annual contribution of funds for the
Santa Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program at least until the completion
of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study, when subsequent decisions on
restoring bald eagles to the Channel Islands will be made. Human
intervention of one form or another is necessary to maintain a bald
eagle presence on Santa Catalina Island, as these birds cannot reproduce
on their own. If no other sources of funding are identified to support a
program that maintains bald eagles on Santa Catalina Island and this
intervention ceases, eventually the bald eagles currently inhabiting the
island will die or disperse to other locations, and they may not be
replaced by others.

As stated previously, even without continued Trustee funding for the
current Santa Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program, it is highly likely
that bald eagles will remain on the island for several years despite
their inability to hatch offspring naturally. Bald eagles in the wild
typically live for 25 to 30 years, and Santa Catalina Island currently
supports 15 to 20 birds of a wide range of ages. Currently, five active
bald eagle nesting territories exist on the island, and the Institute
for Wildlife Studies reports that two birds are currently establishing a
new territory near Avalon. Even assuming that the Santa Catalina Island
bald eagles fail to hatch new chicks in the coming years, bald eagle
experts do not expect that they would immediately break their pair bonds
and abandon their Santa Catalina Island territories. Rather, it is
likely that the bald eagles would remain on Santa Catalina Island, with
their numbers diminishing gradually over a period of as many as 10 years
or longer as some of the birds die and are not replaced by others and as
certain bald eagle pairs break their pair bonds and leave after failing
to produce chicks for several years.

Thus, it is highly likely that bald eagles will continue to inhabit
Santa Catalina Island during the limited period this action addresses
(i.e., until the subsequent bald eagle restoration decision-making after
the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study is completed, in or around 2008).
At that time the Trustees will consider all options available for
continuing efforts at restoring bald eagles to the Channel Islands.

It should be noted that the Trustees do not have ultimate responsibility
for the continuation of the Santa Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program.
This program is permitted (and was originally planned and funded) by the
endangered species offices of the California Department of Fish and Game
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The potential impact of eagles on the avian populations, particularly
seabird populations, of the Northern Channel Islands was analyzed in
depth as part of the Feasibility Study for Reestablishment of Bald
Eagles to the Northern Channel Islands (MSRP 2002). Because bald eagles
have had a long historical presence on the Channel Islands before their
extirpation and presumably coexisted with the seabird populations there,
restoration of bald eagles is not expected to have a significant impact
on the populations of these birds. The avian species known to be in the
diet of eagles on Santa Catalina Island occur in greater numbers on the
Northern Channel Islands. However, an increase in the availability of
these birds would not necessarily result in a proportional increase in
the eagle's diet because it is energetically expensive for eagles to
pursue and capture live birds (Sharpe and Garcelon 1999a), and pursuits
of birds are usually unsuccessful (Bayer 1987, Ofelt 1975, Parrish
1995). Based on these factors, it is estimated that the overall bird
component of the eagle's diet would remain close to the 9 percent
observed on Santa Catalina Island, though the species composition would
likely differ among the islands (Sharpe and Garcelon 1999a).

Monitoring results from the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study in 2002 and
2003 show that released bald eagles foraged primarily on pig carcasses
provided by field biologists (Sharpe et al. 2004). Eagles were also
observed feeding on marine mammal carcasses on Santa Cruz Island and on
mule deer and elk carcasses or gut piles on Santa Rosa Island. In
addition, a recreational fisherman reported seeing an eagle catch fish
off of Santa Cruz Island (Sharpe et al. 2004). Telemetry data have
recorded little use of Anacapa Island by bald eagles during the seabird
breeding season. Therefore, it is unlikely that released eagles have had
a measurable impact on seabird populations on that island (Sharpe et al.
2004).

####  Physical

##### Benefits

This action will have no known benefits to the physical environment.

##### Impacts

This action will have no known impacts to the physical environment.

#### Human Use

##### Benefits

The presence of bald eagles provides both aesthetic and recreational
benefits to visitors of Santa Catalina Island and the Northern Channel
Islands. The presence of the bald eagle also provides human non-use or
intrinsic value in that the bald eagle is a symbolically important
species in the United States. In addition, bald eagles play an important
role in the cultural history of the Channel Islands.

##### Impacts

This action suspends the Trustee's annual contribution of funds for the
Santa Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program at least until the completion
of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study, when subsequent decisions on
restoring bald eagles to the Channel Islands will be made. Human
intervention of one form or another is necessary to maintain a bald
eagle presence on Santa Catalina Island, as these birds cannot reproduce
on their own. If no other sources of funding are identified to support
the program that maintains bald eagles on Santa Catalina Island and this
intervention ceases, eventually the bald eagles currently inhabiting the
island will die or disperse to other locations and may not be replaced
by others. This absence of bald eagles would represent a loss of the
human use and non-use services that bald eagles currently provide on
Santa Catalina Island.

As stated previously, even without continued Trustee funding for the
current Santa Catalina Island bald eagle intervention, it is highly
likely that bald eagles will remain on the island for several years
despite their inability to hatch offspring naturally. Bald eagles in the
wild typically live for 25 to 30 years, and Santa Catalina Island
currently supports 15 to 20 birds of a wide range of ages. Currently,
five active bald eagle nesting territories exist on the island, and the
Institute for Wildlife Studies reports that two birds are currently
establishing a new territory near Avalon. Even assuming that the Santa
Catalina Island bald eagles fail to hatch new chicks in the coming
years, bald eagle experts do not expect that they will immediately break
their pair bonds and abandon their Santa Catalina Island territories.
Rather, it is likely that bald eagles will remain on Santa Catalina
Island, with their numbers diminishing gradually over a period of as
many as 10 years or longer as some of the birds die and are not replaced
by others and as certain bald eagle pairs break their pair bonds and
leave after several years of failing to produce chicks.

Thus, it is highly likely that bald eagles will continue to inhabit
Santa Catalina Island during the limited period that this action
addresses (i.e., until the subsequent bald eagle restoration
decision-making after the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study is completed,
in or around 2008). At that time the Trustees will consider all options
available for continuing efforts at restoring bald eagles to the Channel
Islands.

It should be noted that the Trustees do not have ultimate responsibility
for the continuation of the Santa Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program.
This program is permitted (and was originally planned and funded) by the
endangered species offices of the California Department of Fish and Game
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Thus, the Trustees' decision to
suspend funding does not constitute an action that would in and of
itself either directly or indirectly cause the disappearance of bald
eagles from Santa Catalina Island and the loss of the human services
they provide.

### Likelihood of Success/Feasibility

This action addresses the interim period until the completion of the NCI
Bald Eagle Feasibility Study. This study is being performed using
proven, conventional methods to place bald eagles on Santa Cruz Island
and monitor them until they attain reproductive age and are laying eggs.
The purpose of the study is to determine whether they can reproduce
unaided. The implementation of the study and the determination of its
outcome are considered highly feasible. The outcome itself (i.e.,
whether or not the bald eagles nesting in the Northern Channel Islands
are likely to experience the eggshell thinning injuries that impair
reproduction by birds nesting on Santa Catalina Island) is uncertain.

The likelihood of success for bald eagle restoration efforts on the
Channel Islands remains uncertain at present due to the continued
presence of contamination and the uncertainty of the outcome of the NCI
Bald Eagle Feasibility Study. However, this action only addresses the
interim period until the study is completed; subsequent bald eagle
restoration decision-making and documentation will address the
likelihood of success and the feasibility of the various actions to be
considered at that point.

### Performance Criteria and Monitoring

Monitoring for this action will include the concepts outlined in the
monitoring plan developed for the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study (MSRP
2002). These concepts will be adapted accordingly. The specific
performance criteria for successful reproduction (e.g., productivity) of
the Northern Channel Islands birds will be defined by the Trustees, in
consultation with experts, prior to 2007.

### Evaluation

The Trustees have evaluated this action against the screening and
evaluation criteria developed to select restoration actions and have
concluded that this action is consistent with these selection factors.
The initial results of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study will likely
not become available until 2008, when the birds reach maturity and begin
breeding. If the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study shows evidence of
successful reproduction in bald eagles in the Northern Channel Islands,
the Trustees may proceed with hacking additional eagles onto the
Northern Channel Islands. If the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study shows
evidence of serious reproductive impairment, the Trustees may consider
any number of options, including actions that maintain a bald eagle
presence on one or more islands despite reproductive impairment.
However, the determination of subsequent actions is beyond the scope of
this analysis.

The Trustees have determined that this type and scale of interim
restoration effort has the potential to provide long-term benefits to
bald eagles in a way that doesn't require continuous operation and
maintenance because the action places bald eagles into Channel Island
territories where they may be able to reproduce unaided. This action may
eventually facilitate the recovery of this species on all of the Channel
Islands. For these reasons, the Trustees have chosen this action as the
favored strategy for bald eagle restoration on the Channel Islands.

### Budget

A total of \$6.2 million will be allocated for bald eagle restoration on
the Channel Islands. This allocation will cover the costs of the Santa
Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program through 2005 (approximately \$1.2
million spent since 2001) and the ongoing NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility
Study (approximately \$3.3 million). These expenditures will leave a
balance of approximately \$1--2 million. The Trustees will defer the
decision on how to use these remaining funds until the results of the
NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study are known. At that time, the Trustees
will consider a range of restoration options and decide on the best
course of action. The remaining funds could be used on any of the
Channel Islands.

## complete the nci bald eagle feasibility study; regardless of its outcome, continue funding santa catalina island bald eagle program

### Project Description and Methods

This action provides funding for bald eagle restoration on the Channel
Islands regardless of the outcome of the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility
Study. Under this action, which is not an interim but a longer-term
action, efforts to restore bald eagles to the Channel Islands focus on
the continuous maintenance of the Santa Catalina Island Bald Eagle
Program for as many years as funds are available, with the hope that
eventually the Santa Catalina Island birds' exposures will decline to a
level that allows them to reproduce on their own. Maintenance of the
bald eagles on Santa Catalina Island is favored over the Northern
Channel Islands due to the existing infrastructure and the ongoing
program on Santa Catalina Island. Under this action, financial support
of the Santa Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program would continue after
2005. The NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study would also continue until the
results are known.

Summary of Program Activities on Santa Catalina Island

Currently, the reintroduced bald eagle population on Santa Catalina
Island is maintained through manipulations of eggs and chicks at each
nest site. Observation of adult eagles begins in January every year to
determine the location of breeding pairs and their respective nest
sites. Nest sites are located by observing areas of increased use by
adults and searching previously used nesting areas. When nest sites are
confirmed, observation blinds are set up to observe nests. From the
blinds, data are collected on the chronology of nesting, behavior during
incubation, nestling and adult behavior during brood rearing, the taxa
of prey delivered to the nest, and the rates of prey delivery. At the
West End and Seal Rocks nests, video cameras would be set up prior to
the breeding season to allow for close observations of nesting
activities.

All eggs laid by nesting pairs are replaced with artificial eggs within
1 to 4 days of the date that eagles are confirmed to be incubating. The
adult eagles continue to incubate the artificial eggs, while the real
eggs are removed and artificially incubated. In the past, eggs have been
transferred from Santa Catalina Island to the San Francisco Zoo. In
2005, the Trustees funded the transport and establishment of artificial
incubation equipment at a facility on Santa Catalina Island. Chicks that
hatch from the eggs removed from nests on Santa Catalina Island, or
those produced by captive adults at the ACC or by wild birds, are then
fostered back into the nests after the adults have incubated the
artificial eggs for approximately 30 days. Failed-to-hatch eggs are
saved for contaminant analysis. Project staff return to the nests when
the chicks are 8 weeks of age to equip them with USFWS and colored leg
bands, wing markers, and a back-pack style radio transmitter. At this
time, a blood sample is also collected for contaminant analyses and
morphological measurements are made to determine sex. Radiotelemetry is
used to locate and visually observe the behavior of fledged eagles. Each
fledged bird is located every 1 to 3 days during its first month of
flight. Observers record each bird's locations, behavior, and
interactions with other eagles.

In addition to egg manipulation, this action examines other potential
management options to reduce contaminant exposure to bald eagles on
Santa Catalina Island. These options may include experimenting with
supplemental feeding of contaminant-free prey, treating the eggs in the
nest to potentially allow the birds to hatch the chicks on their own,
and reducing the number of nests actively manipulated to focus on those
nests with less contaminated eggs.

### Environmental Benefits and Impacts

#### Biological

##### Benefits

Bald eagles historically played an important role in the ecology of the
Channel Islands, and the bald eagle fills a distinct niche there. The
presence of the bald eagle provides benefits to the Channel Island
ecosystem, as no other species fills the same ecological role.

##### Impacts

Bald eagles prey on avian species, particularly medium- to large-sized
seabirds, such as gulls *(Larus* sp.) and loons. Data collected on eagle
food habits on Santa Catalina Island show that they may occasionally
take smaller bird species, either alive or as carrion (Garcelon 1997).
Bald eagles prey primarily on fish and carrion and are, therefore,
unlikely to have any major impact on other wildlife living on or around
the Channel Islands. Birds have been reported to make up only 9 percent
of an eagle's diet on Santa Catalina Island (Garcelon et al. 1997b).
Based on this information, the Trustees do not expect a significant
impact to seabirds from eagles. Seabird populations on Santa Catalina
Island have not shown, to our knowledge, any measurable impact from the
eagles already breeding on that island.

#### Physical

##### Benefits

This action would have no known benefits to the physical environment.

##### Impacts

This action would have no known impacts to the physical environment.

#### Human Use

##### Benefits

Santa Catalina Island is a popular tourist destination, and the presence
of bald eagles provides both aesthetic and recreational benefits to both
residents and visitors on the island. The presence of the bald eagle
also provides human non-use or intrinsic value in that the bald eagle is
a symbolically important species in the United States. Bald eagles also
play an important role in the cultural history of the Channel Islands.

##### Impacts

This action would have no known impacts to cultural resources,
recreation, aesthetics, or transportation.

### Likelihood of Success/Feasibility

The growing number of bald eagle territories on Santa Catalina Island
demonstrates that it is possible to actively maintain breeding bald
eagles that successfully fledge young fostered into their nests despite
ongoing exposure to contamination. However, the ultimate success of this
action would be attained when eagles are able to breed on Santa Catalina
Island without human assistance. The goal of the continued manipulation
efforts outlined in this action is to enable the eagle pairs on the
island to continue to fledge young and maintain pair bonds so that
eagles would be present on the island when contamination levels are low
enough to allow for successful reproduction without human intervention.

At this time, the likelihood of the ultimate success for this action is
low. Based on the current levels of DDE and PCBs in their eggs and the
lack of any significant trends in DDE levels in eggs (see Section
B.2.3), Santa Catalina Island bald eagles are not likely to reach a
state of self-sustainability in the foreseeable future. As outlined in
Section 4.2, the Trustees, for the purpose of developing this
Restoration Plan, have made several assumptions regarding future DDT and
PCB distribution and exposure. These assumptions include the prediction
that a substantial reduction of DDT and PCB contamination in the food
web will take more than a decade after any sediment remediation.
However, the feasibility and extent of such remediation remain unknown;
therefore, the amount of time that contamination will remain in the food
web could be much longer. In addition, the Trustees assume that elevated
concentrations of DDTs and PCBs in some marine mammals, bald eagles,
peregrine falcons, and seabirds will persist longer than a decade due to
the longer life span of these animals and their foraging preferences,
and that impacts from these contaminants would continue into the
foreseeable future even if the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
undertakes a sediment source control effort.

### Performance Criteria and Monitoring

As described in Section B.4.1, bald eagle adults and chicks would be
closely monitored throughout the breeding season. Monitoring would
continue using current protocols, and failed-to-hatch eggs would
continue to undergo contaminant analysis. If funding of this program
were to continue for the long term, the Trustees would evaluate the
different components of the monitoring program and look for ways to
maximize cost-effectiveness. For example, analysis of failed-to-hatch
eggs may not need to be analyzed every year but rather at a set
interval.

### Evaluation

The Trustees have evaluated this action against the screening and
evaluation criteria developed to select restoration actions and have
concluded that it is consistent with these selection factors. However,
this action is not considered to rank as high as the selected bald eagle
restoration action. This action would provide benefits to injured bald
eagles on Santa Catalina Island for as long as the intervention program
continues. However, it is uncertain whether the program could operate
until such a time that bald eagles will be able to reproduce unaided.
The Trustees have determined that these benefits are outweighed by the
size of the investment required to obtain the benefits, which would
foreclose pursuit of other restoration actions that have a greater
potential for long-term benefits and low ongoing operation and
maintenance requirements. The Trustees assume that elevated
concentrations of DDTs and PCBs are expected to persist in the
environment and that these impacts will continue to impair successful
reproduction into the foreseeable future even if the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency undertakes a sediment source control effort. For these
reasons, the Trustees have not chosen this course of action (i.e.,
maintaining bald eagles on Santa Catalina Island for the long term) as a
preferred restoration action.

### Budget

Under this action, the Trustees propose to allocate a total of \$10
million for bald eagle restoration on the Channel Islands. Approximately
\$4 million would be utilized through the end of the NCI Bald Eagle
Feasibility Study (supporting both the NCI Bald Eagle Feasibility Study
and the Santa Catalina Island Bald Eagle Program), leaving approximately
\$6 million to place into a long-term endowment or other financial
mechanism to support the continuation of the Santa Catalina Island Bald
Eagle Program for as long as possible or until such time that the birds
are able to reproduce successfully on their own. A total of \$6 million
would fund approximately 22 years of restoration efforts on Santa
Catalina Island if the average annual cost remains at approximately
\$270,000. This amount does not include any interest that would be
generated.