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Wildlife biologist warns Milam Bottoms development would harm eagles, endangered species
Summary
A wildlife biologist told the Rock Island council that proposed TIF‑supported development at Milam Bottoms threatens a major bald eagle night roost and multiple state and federal threatened or endangered species; the remarks included claims about the developer-funded survey and recent species sightings.
A wildlife biologist told the Rock Island City Council during public comment that proposed development tied to a tax‑increment financing (TIF) proposal and supporting commercial uses would harm Milam Bottoms’ wildlife, including a large wintering bald eagle roost and several state and federally listed species.
Kelly McCam, identified in the record as a wildlife biologist, told the council, "Milam Bottoms is quite simply the most biologically rich and important wildlife habitat remaining in the Quad City area." McCam said the site hosts what she described as the largest communal night roost for bald eagles documented in the Lower 48 states and warned that disturbances from the proposed development would reduce eagle wintering and survival in the region.
McCam criticized a developer‑funded ecological study by Terracon, saying it surveyed for only 23 days and in only two wetlands and therefore understates wildlife presence. She told the council she recently observed two state‑endangered Blanding’s turtles near the proposed development site and reported observations this year of a black‑crowned night heron and a federally endangered whooping crane.
She also said she has faced harassment and legal threats while documenting species at the site and quoted an online reply she attributed to developer Matt Stern: "you can pay for your needed results. Step up, bro. Get some skin on the game, and you can fix some results." McCam said that statement, if accurate, would undermine confidence in the Terracon study.
McCam’s comments were made during the council’s public‑comment period; the council did not take formal action on the matters she raised during the meeting. The council’s subsequent agenda items included separate votes on redevelopment and zoning measures for other parts of the city.
