Bald Eagles Near New Hancock County Data Center Raise Questions About Wildlife Protections
By Lane Tongate
As plans for a massive data center moved forward in Hawesville, conversations across Hancock County have been focused on what the project could mean for local families, schools, and the future of the community. But for some residents, another question quickly surfaced: What happens to the bald eagles that nest nearby?
To further investigate this question, I interviewed Michael Patton, a non‑game avian biologist with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR). He explained what is currently understood about how large data centers might affect raptors such as bald eagles, and what federal protections apply to those birds.
“My job is to monitor, research, and implement management for Kentucky songbirds, raptors, and larks,” Michael explained, noting he has worked for the department for over six years.
A New Use for a Familiar Site
The new data center is being developed on the site of the former aluminum smelter in Hawesville, once known for producing high purity aluminum. When the smelter shut down, approximately 600 lost their jobs, a staggering loss for a county the size of Hancock. The property has now been purchased privately as a prime location for what is expected to be one of the largest data centers in the United States.
As construction plans move forward, questions are spreading on social media about the impact on nearby bald eagles and other wildlife.
Known Eagle Nests in Hancock County
Michael confirmed that KDFWR has documented four bald eagle nests in Hancock County.
“We do surveys every three years,” he said. “Hancock County is lumped in with our central Kentucky survey area. The last time I flew that survey in central Kentucky, there was one active bald eagle nest in 2024 in your county.”
Because of confidentiality rules, he could not provide the exact nest location. Local residents have observed a bald eagle within about a mile of the data center site.
What the Law Says About Disturbing Eagle Nests
While there are no laws yet that are specific to data centers and wildlife, bald eagles receive special protection under existing federal statutes.
Michael pointed to a key federal guideline: a 2007 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) document that sets out management recommendations for minimizing disturbance to bald eagle nests under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
“Most activities related to construction or anything like that has to be outside of 660 feet from a bald eagle nest,” he said. “If it’s going to be a larger-scale disturbance—like blasting—that buffer can extend up to about a mile.”
These guidelines are designed to prevent “take.” A legal term that includes causing a nest to fail by disturbing the adult eagles so much that they abandon their eggs or chicks.
Michael emphasized that while there are no “data center laws”, eagle protections still apply to any large facility, including this project.
“There are regulations and laws out there, like the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, that do protect these birds from potential disturbance from these facilities. It’s not a way to stop them from being built, but it is a consideration.”
Noise, Light, and Vibration: What We Don’t Yet Know
Residents have also raised concerns about less visible impacts of the data center, including low-frequency noise, vibration, and light pollution.
The company has reportedly indicated that noise from the facility will remain under 30 hertz, a frequency that humans cannot hear. As far as research shows, eagles also cannot hear this frequency.
Scientists Say Years of Data Needed
Researchers and wildlife observers in Kentucky say it could take years of data collection before the full environmental impact of certain animal populations can be understood.
At present, the environmental consequences remain uncertain. While some countries have conducted long-term studies on similar species, experts caution against drawing direct conclusions from that data. Differences in geography, climate, land use, and regulatory frameworks mean that foreign findings may not directly apply to Kentucky.
“We can look abroad for guidance, but there are enough differences that the data really has to be interpreted with care,” one researcher noted.
Attention has also turned to the role of state regulators. The KDFWR currently maintains relatively strict rules concerning eagle habitats and activity. According to some experts, those regulations may be slightly more conservative than what is ultimately necessary. Though they emphasize that caution is understandable in the absence of long-term local data.
Data Center in the Clear
Since the data center is staying within the property that was already constructed by Century Aluminum, there’s no current threat to the nesting eagles, if there are any. Current laws are more for new construction sites that will be knocking trees down.
“Right now, Kentucky’s regulations are on the tighter side,” the researcher said. “That may be more protective than strictly required, especially because eagles appear to be quite adaptable.”
If you have confirmed an active bald eagle nest on your property in Kentucky, the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources is the official agency to contact.
Only report confirmed active nests to KDFWR at [email protected]. Do not report sightings of a healthy individual bald eagle. They are now common statewide and no longer require reporting.
A view of a bald eagle nest from the helicopter during an annual nesting survey.
Photo by: Ray Stainfield
