BRACEVILLE, Ill., March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A pair of bald eagles that has nested on the Braidwood Nuclear Generating Station cooling lake will be protected, thanks to a financial donation from Exelon Nuclear and labor provided by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
The conservation efforts did not delay the opening of the popular fishing and recreation spot, which opened as planned on March 1.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requires the area around the nesting eagles to be cordoned off by at least 330 feet in all directions. In this case, that requirement will mean the installation of a buoy system near the inlet on the lake where the nest is located. Exelon donated the full $20,600 cost of the buoys, which are required to protect the nest while keeping the lake open for anglers.
IDNR has set up a temporary buoy system until the new buoy system arrives. Exelon owns the 2,536-acre lake and leases it to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
"We are thrilled to be able to contribute, in a small way, toward protecting and enhancing the habitat for an important symbol for our country, the bald eagles," said Keith Polson, Braidwood site vice-president. "The bald eagle preservation program is an exciting addition to our other conservation efforts at Braidwood."
Braidwood Generating Station's cooling lake is surrounded by abundant open space where plants and animals can make their homes. In addition, Exelon directly supports The Nature Conservatory, Openlands Project, the Chicago Park District and other environmental groups.
"The fact that bald eagles are nesting in the Braidwood area shows how many gains we have made in conservation efforts for the bald eagle, thanks in large part to efforts like these across the country," said Acting Department of Natural Resources Director Sam Flood. "We are grateful for Exelon's donation that will help protect the natural habitat of our country's most visible symbol."
Outdoor enthusiasts were also pleased that Exelon and IDNR were able to protect the eagles and keep the lake open to the public.
"We're happy that the eagles will be protected, and that Braidwood Lake will remain open for all the fishing tournaments and other events we have planned," said Chuck Lide, a Braidwood resident and president of American Bass Anglers, District 39.
Last year, representatives from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife spotted the two bald eagles in early spring. But after boat traffic began on the lake, the eagles left the area. This February, representatives from the federal agency again spotted eagles again.
Fish and Wildlife officials do not believe there are any eggs yet, as the eagles have not been spending all of the time in the nest, which is being monitored from a safe distance. Once an egg had been laid, eagles always have one parent in the nest at all time.
Because of the use of DDT and other pesticides in the middle of the 20th Century, the numbers of bald eagles dropped from hundreds of thousands in the late 18th Century to fewer than 10,000 nesting pairs by the 1950s. By the 1960s, that figured dropped to fewer than 500 nesting pairs. Today, there are more than 20,000 birds and 5,000 nesting pairs, and the numbers of eagles in Illinois are rising.
While the primary purpose of Braidwood Lake is cooling the plant, Exelon is pleased to offer it as a recreational opportunity for the public. This year, for the fifth consecutive year, Braidwood Generating Station will host Exelon Nuclear's "Fishing for a Cure." Anglers are invited to cast a line for charity in the team bass tournament on Saturday, May 13 at Braidwood Lake.
Tournament proceeds will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation(R) of Illinois. The Foundation grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. For more information about Make-A-Wish of Illinois or to refer a child, please visit http://www.wishes.org/ or contact the foundation at 800.978.WISH.
The tournament will commence from Braidwood Lake's Kankakee Road (South) Ramp. The entry fee is $100 per team with all proceeds, including 100% of all tournament entry fees, going to the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Rules and entry forms are available on the Internet at http://www.exeloncorp.com/programs/fishing .
To receive an entry form by mail or for more information, contact Braidwood Generating Station Communications Manager Neal Miller via e-mail at
Exelon Corporation is one of the nation's largest electric utilities with approximately 5.2 million customers and more than $15 billion in annual revenues. The company has one of the industry's largest portfolios of electricity generation capacity, with a nationwide reach and strong positions in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Exelon distributes electricity to approximately 5.2 million customers in northern Illinois and Pennsylvania and gas to more than 470,000 customers in the Philadelphia area. Exelon is headquartered in Chicago and trades on the NYSE under the ticker EXC.
