A national symbol under threat: New Jersey is failing to protect its bald eagles

Looser protections and development are putting the state’s eagle population at risk

As we mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, we should remember that the Bald Eagle is more than a bird—it is the symbol of our republic, our freedom, and our resilience. At a time when democracy itself is under attack, so too is the symbol of our nation. If we speak out against attacks on democracy, we must also speak out for the protection of the bald eagle.

We are witnessing one of the most shameful failures in wildlife protection in New Jersey history. The decision by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) to remove the bald eagle from the state’s endangered species list weakened protections at the very moment they were needed most. We said it would open up thousands of environmentally sensitive lands for development and lower the bald eagle population. Now the consequences are becoming clear: the bald eagle population is declining. Worse, developers are building on bald eagle nests and critical habitat.

Fly eagles fly — fewer now

In just two years, New Jersey has seen a 13% drop in breeding pairs and a 12% decline in eaglets. Nest productivity is falling, with the failure rate rising to 29% in 2025, well above the 10-year average of 20%. Offspring numbers have dropped sharply, from 309 in 2023 to 271 in 2025. These are not just statistics—they are warning signs of a population under serious stress.             

New Jersey had 56 eagle deaths, up from 41 just two years earlier. We still have a relatively small population, with only 251 potential breeding pairs in a densely developed state of 5.5 million acres. Without strong protections, that population can quickly decline again.

To make matters worse, the NJDEP, when it comes to protecting wildlife, violated the public trust. The Murphy administration authorized the removal of a bald eagle nest so a developer in Allenhurst could move forward with a new project. Never before in our state’s history has New Jersey taken such an action. Governor Murphy sided with developers over bald eagles.

In a Trumpian twist, the NJDEP claimed the nest was “technically an osprey nest,” so removing it was permissible. But statements and photos for months showed bald eagles living there. It is well documented that bald eagles frequently take over osprey nests, sometimes seasonally, sometimes permanently. This is a common and natural occurrence in New Jersey, and the NJDEP knows it.

Now we know why the NJDEP moved the nest, and why Trump’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed off on it: special interests and developers’ pressure.

The site involved is the former Jersey Central Power & Light property near Main Street on the waterfront in Allenhurst. The project, often referred to as the “Power Station” redevelopment, includes multiple construction phases totaling 114 units. The first phase includes 28 luxury townhouses on the east side of the property, where the nest and radio tower once stood. Another phase includes 62 market-rate units in a mixed-use building on the west side of Main Street.

This was about prioritizing developers. Murphy’s administration and the NJDEP sided with builders over the protection of a national symbol. The permit process itself has been questioned, with the state claiming the nest was inactive, a narrative many believe was designed to clear the way for development. The fact that the nest and tower were removed in the dark of night only adds to the appearance of secrecy and bad faith.

A dangerous gamble

When the Murphy administration delisted the bald eagle, I warned that this would happen. I said then: Murphy declares open season on eagles—this is a gift to big developers. By removing endangered status, the state eliminated critical protections for nesting areas and habitat, opening the door to massive development for thousands of waterfront lands. This disgraceful policy will destroy some of the most sensitive and valuable landscapes in New Jersey, especially along rivers, bays, lakes, and coastal areas.

The NJDEP justified its decision by claiming the species had “recovered.” But that logic is deeply flawed. Because we have more eagles, they argue, we can now afford fewer protections, even if it leads to fewer eagles. That is not conservation. It is a reckless gamble. What aggravates me more is the deafening silence by environmental groups. Some even brought the NJDEP rationalization.

Habitat loss and poisoning

Habitat loss remains the greatest threat. As development pressures intensify, nesting areas are being destroyed or disturbed. At the same time, other dangers are compounding the problem. Lead poisoning from ammunition continues to kill raptors that feed on contaminated carcasses. Rodenticides are another silent killer, poisoning eagles that prey on affected rodents. Power lines are a major threat, and now avian flu poses an additional and growing risk.

Protecting bald eagles has never been just about one species. Their habitat overlaps with critical ecosystems that support many other threatened species. When we protect eagle nesting areas, we also preserve forests, wetlands, and open space that benefit wildlife and communities alike.

It is no coincidence that the New Jersey Builders Association strongly supported the delisting. Removing protections opens thousands of acres—especially prime waterfront property—to high-density development. Instead of preserving these lands, we risk losing open space, increasing pollution, worsening flooding, and limiting public access to natural resources.

We have seen firsthand how eagle protections have helped safeguard communities. On Petty’s Island, the presence of bald eagle nests helped stop a massive development project and preserve the land as a natural area for residents to enjoy. In Bordentown, an eagle nest prevented construction of a power plant that would have brought major air pollution to the community. These examples show why protections matter—not just for wildlife, but for people.

A Symbol of Broken Promises

The majestic bald eagle has long symbolized strength and resilience. In New Jersey, it is now becoming a symbol of broken promises and failed environmental policy. If we continue weakening protections, ignoring science, and prioritizing development, the only Eagles left in New Jersey may be the ones playing football.

New Jersey is the crossroads of the American Revolution, and now bald eagles are in the developers’ crosshairs. The bald eagle is currently listed only as a “species of special concern.” The NJDEP should be concerned that these protections are inadequate. The species should be relisted as endangered before conditions worsen. Governor Sherrill should ban lead shot, expand protections to foraging areas, and limit the use of rodenticides. Waiting will only make recovery harder and more expensive.

On the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we must stand up and fight to protect that symbol of freedom—the bald eagle.

New Jersey’s wildlife, and its people, deserve far better.