Coeur d'Alene BLM
| Contacts: | Suzanne Endsley, 208-769-5004 | |||
| Carrie Hugo, 208-769-5048 |
Eagle Watch Week Begins December 26
COEUR D’ALENE, ID – The very popular and highly anticipated “Eagle Watch Week” begins on Wednesday, December 26 along the eastern shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene. Through December 30, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Idaho Department of Fish and Game (IDFG) staff two interpretive sites offering prime eagle viewing – one at BLM’s Mineral Ridge boat launch and the other at BLM’s Mineral Ridge trailhead. Both are located along highway 97, approximately 8 miles east of Coeur d’Alene.
Spectators are asked to be extra cautious when parking and walking to the sites along highway 97. Vehicle travel is not restricted and pedestrians should be respectful of drivers by not walking in the main travel way or using the shoulder to scout for eagles.
In rare cases, severe weather does not permit setting up equipment or staffing the viewing sites; therefore, the BLM has set up an “Eagle Watch Hotline” from December 26 through 30. An updated status will be available by calling (208) 769-5048 after 9 a.m. each day. Should the event be cancelled for the day, the BLM will also post a message on the Coeur d’Alene Field Office webpage.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, recreational and other activities on BLM-managed land contributed more than $130 billion to the U.S. economy and supported more than 600,000 American jobs. The Bureau is also one of a handful of agencies that collects more revenue than it spends. In FY 2012, nearly $5.7 billion will be generated on lands managed by the BLM, which operates on a $1.1 billion budget. The BLM's multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.