Wildlife habitat models and land management plans: Lessons from the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in Tongass National Forest

We discuss several problems with the treatment of bald bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) In land-management plans for Tongass National Forest, Alaska, and use these to illustrate potential problems with the handling of wildlife issues on other public lands. Among these problems are the misapplication of criteria derived from populations with differing ecology, and the inappropriate use of habitat models in the planning process.