Tower crew removing a bald eagle’s nest draws the ire of residents and a federal investigation

In Featured News by Wireless Estimator / January 16, 2023



THE EAGLE HASN’T LANDED in nests on cell towers in South Carolina, according to an eagle biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources; however, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has initiated an investigation since an “Eagle Nest Take” permit was not issued for an American Tower site in Mount Pleasant, SC where a crew removed a nest on Thursday. By Friday, the nest had disappeared and was replaced by new antenna sectors. Photo: Screen shot from ABC 4 News video.

A federal investigation is in the works after residents contacted wildlife officials after they watched a tower crew remove a bald eagle’s nest from a cell tower on Thursday in Mount Pleasant, SC. ... A local wildlife photographer, Cacky Rivers, informed News 2 that she had been in touch with federal and state agencies who reported to the scene.

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s website, removing eagle’s nests is illegal unless a permit is issued.

It is unknown what company was providing sector installs on the American Tower self-supporting tower, and attempts to identify the contractor by Wireless Estimator were unsuccessful.

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) said it was aware of the removal of a “large raptor nest,” and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFW) has initiated an investigation. The agency confirmed that an “Eagle Nest Take” permit was not authorized for the location.

{snip}