1. ESA Listing Proposal for a Distinct Population Segment of Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) East of the Mississippi Contributing Authors: Amanda Werrell, Courtney Devoid, Forrest Carroll, and Riley Ebel Image from: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Golden+Eagle&FORM=HDRSC 2#view=detail&id=A9C4D36D78D3619AEED91180E4ED20100F30BA2 1&selectedIndex=52

2. Topics to be Covered ● Current policy ● Threats ● Inadequacies of current policy ● Qualification for Distinct Population Segment (DPS) o Distinctness o Significance

3. Current Policy ● Prohibition of “Take” o Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act o Migratory Bird Treaty Act ● Other Federal Laws o Lacey Act o Migratory Bird Conservation Act o Pesticide Control Act o Rural Electrification Act

4. Threats ● Main Threats o Lead and other environmental contaminants o Habitat loss and degradation ● Other Threats o Incidental trapping mortality o Collision o Electrocution o Increased alternative energy infrastructure o Disease

5. Inadequacies of Current Policy ● Critical habitat identification and protection o Historic breeding grounds o Migration corridors o Wintering grounds ● Regulation of environmental contaminants

6. Canadian Policy ●Goals ○ Reduce threats to breeding population ○ Identify and protect occupied habitat ○ Increase knowledge of biology ○ Increase public awareness ●Protection of breeding grounds, migratory pathways, and wintering grounds

7. Qualification for Distinct Population Segment ● Distinctness ● Significance ● Conservation Status

8. Distinctness ● “Markedly separated from other populations” o Geographically distinct o Diet and foraging habits ● “International governmental boundaries” o Canadian breeding grounds o Policy differences

9. Significance ● Unique or unusual ecological setting o Aquatic ecosystems ● Gap in range of taxon o Isolated eastern range ● Differs in genetic characteristics o Reintroduction attempts ● Significance beyond DPS o Ecological o Cultural

10. Conclusions ● Determination of conservation status ● Critical habitat designation o Historic breeding grounds o Migration corridors o Wintering grounds ● Recovery plan o Environmental contaminants o Historic range

11. image from: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Golden+Eagle&FORM=HDRSC2#view=detail&id=C4D952F331DDE939F3DA2AA 65525D3214979DC2C&selectedIndex=59 Questions?