WESTCOAST NEWS
Baby bald eagles lead to call for construction moratorium

Richard Chu
Vancouver Sun

Monday, June 20, 2005

LIONS BAY - Conservationists concerned for the welfare of baby bald eagles in a nest beside a construction site to widen the Sea-to-Sky Highway have confirmed their existence, and want construction in the area halted until it's confirmed the baby eagles have left the nest.

The North Shore Nest Environmental Stewards Team (NEST) say photos taken of the nest June 4 confirm the presence of at least two baby eagles, according to a news release. The group of concerned residents is asking the Ministry of Transportation to stick to nest protection guidelines and avoid blasting within 1000 metres of the nest and avoid land clearing within 500 metres of the nest.

Highway project officials had said they would stop construction until the end of June.

Jim Cuthbert of NEST said further observation was needed to confirm the condition of the baby eagles. He said he was concerned because after observing the nest over the weekend, he had not seen the baby eagles, which was unusual. "We may not have the happy ending we were hoping for."