The University of Notre Dame research facility at St. Patrick’s County park is looking to expand, but they’ve run into problem with the eagles nest that shares their space at the park.
Researchers at the Linked Experimental Ecosystem Facility, or LEEF at St. Pat’s Park use model watersheds to field test experiments in a controlled setting.
Phase one of the project was completed in 2014, now the university is looking to expand, but they have to change their original plans because eagles have been nesting at the park.
Jennifer Tank is the director of the environmental change initiative at Notre Dame.
“The additional watersheds that we had planned for phase two need to be scootched to be out of the 330 foot radius that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife suggests.”
Tanks said they are working with St. Joseph County to lease additional land further from the nest for the watersheds.
The U.S. fish a wildlife service recommends construction around eagles nest happen after eaglets are able to fly. Tank said for that reason they hope to begin construction in July.
