Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wildlife Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bill to study eagle predation on loon chicks prompts split between local lake residents and conservation groups
Summary
Senate File 540 would direct a study of bald eagle predation on common loon chicks; the DNR said a one-year study would likely be limited to a literature review, Audubon opposed new field study as unnecessary, and the DNR gave a preliminary fiscal estimate of about $250,000–$300,000 for a more robust study.
Senator (name on record) introduced Senate File 540, proposing a study of bald eagle predation on common loon chicks after constituents reported sightings of eagles taking chicks on Minnesota lakes. Proponents said existing studies are dated or geographically dissimilar and argued Minnesota-specific data is needed; opponents urged focusing on human-caused loon mortality and questioned the study’s value.
Senator (presenter) told the committee that the study stemmed from lake-association reports of eagles preying on loon chicks and noted the most directly comparable published study was completed in 2006 and published in 2023. “We need to figure out if that's happening,” he said, arguing Minnesota’s roughly 12,000 lakes create a different context from smaller-state studies.
The Department of Natural Resources advised that, as drafted, a one-year study likely would be limited to a literature review; staff said a longer-term field study would be needed for robust, Minnesota-specific findings. John Waters, government-relations supervisor for DNR, asked for more time and said the department would work with the sponsor on study scope and a fiscal note. DNR later provided an estimated cost range of roughly $250,000–$300,000 for a 1.5–2 year study involving data compilation, statistical analysis and a literature review.
Dale Gentry, director of conservation for Audubon Upper Mississippi River, testified in opposition and summarized existing research showing most documented loon deaths are human-caused (lead tackle ingestion, boat strikes, entanglement and poaching). He said prior research indicates eagle predation on chicks is opportunistic and that loons that hatched inside eagle territories did not have lower survival than those outside eagle territories.
The committee asked questions about study scope, costs and opportunities to pursue funding through other channels such as the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The chairman directed staff to request a fiscal note and the committee laid Senate File 540 over for possible inclusion in the environment bill.
