Wyandotte Campground Partially Closed to Protect Nesting Bald Eagles

LA PORTE — Yesterday, the Plumas National Forest announced a partial closure of the Wyandotte Campground, located north of La Porte, California, to safeguard a pair of nesting bald eagles. Campsites 1 through 17 on the campground’s peninsula will remain closed until July 15th, when eaglets are typically fully fledged.

“The only people who should be in there right now are Plumas National Forest employees working on getting the campground ready to open, fuel reduction, or monitoring the nesting bald eagles,” said Feather River District Ranger Loren Everest in a press release. “We are finding members of the public going around the gate, making it necessary to get the closure for the nesting bald eagles in place now.”

Feather River Ranger District Biologist Jacqueline Phipps noted that the eagles did not nest in the area last year, so the National Forest welcomed the sight of two eaglets during spring. The closure seeks to limit disturbances, providing the eaglets with optimal conditions to grow and leave the nest successfully.

In addition to the campground restrictions, bald eagles receive protection under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940. The federal law prohibits anyone without a permit from the Secretary of the Interior from interfering with, disturbing, harming, or killing bald and golden eagles. Penalties for breaking the act include fines up to $100,000 and a year in prison for individuals, with harsher consequences for repeat offenses. Separately, violating the Forest Service’s campground closure carries a fine of $5,000 and six months imprisonment.

“We want to thank everyone for their understanding, patience, and compliance helping us protect the Little Grass Valley bald eagles,” said Ranger Everest. “Feather River Ranger District employees are hopeful for both eaglets to fledge, and we look forward to sharing more information at the campground once it is open for the summer season.” The Forest Service is also setting up an information board outside the campground.