Town mulls protection of bald eagle nesting site

HAMPDEN – Town councilors were informed on Tuesday night of a proposal to expand a protected bald eagle nesting area along the Penobscot River, according to Town Manager Susan Lessard.

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has proposed designating an area with a quarter-mile radius near the Hampden-Winterport town line as an “essential habitat,” which would mean any activity or development planned for the site must meet state criteria.

The proposed expansion is located near Bartlett Cove in Orrington, which is an existing protected nesting site.

“When we find a new eagle nest that’s used by birds, we draw a quarter-mile circle around it,” said Charlie Todd, a wildlife biologist with DIF&W. “The Hampden circle is a new nest for a traditional pair of eagles that have lived in a nest on the Orrington side.”

About half of the proposed area is on town land along Route 1A, and the rest is over the river. It includes parcels owned by 18 residents, Todd said.

Councilors were not required to take any action on the item and were informed that written comments on the proposal may be submitted to the DIF&W through Jan. 28, Lessard said.

Comments can be sent to Andrea Erskine, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 41 State House Station, Augusta 04333-0041, by e-mail to andrea.erskine@maine.gov, or by fax to 287-6395.

In other business on Tuesday, the council heard from two families on the Fowler Road who want the town to pave the gravel road. After a recent thaw, the road became difficult to travel, Lessard said.

“It kind of turned to soup,” she said.

Paving gravel roads was put off last year in anticipation of the Palesky tax cap, but the issue will be back on the agenda for budget discussions this year, the town manager said.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the council:

. Expressed a desire to talk to town public safety officials about a state planning grant to regionalize fire services.

. Accepted an application for a position on the conservation committee.

. Reviewed a request for a utility easement to cross town land in the Coolbrook Acres Subdivision off Coldbrook Road.