Bald Eagles 1, Chicago Police Gun Range 0

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 13, 2012 3:20PM

Bald Eagle in Antioch, Ill. (photo by Chicagoist Flickr Pool user bullsfan)

It's back to the drawing board for the Chicago Police Department's plans to build an outdoor firing range on the Southeast side, thanks to a pair of bald eagles who decided to call the proposed site home.

The Police Department announced yesterday they're scrapping plans for the gun range after local bird watchers discovered a massive nest along the Calumet River—the first eagles nest in the city limits since the 1880s.

Bald eagles have been taken off the endangered species list, but they're still protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. The Police Department could have moved forward with their plans, but they would have been required under law to obtain a special permit they ultimately decided wasn't worth the hassle. Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office supported the range after a city study concluded the noise from it would be imperceptible. But that was also before the nest was discovered.

The Chicago Audubon Society Carolyn Marsh told the Tribune, "I still can't get over the fact that eagles nested there, of all places. People finally woke up about why this area is so important."