Manassas filmmaker keeps lens focused on city’s eagles nesting near development site

A pair of bald eagles have nested in Manassas for years. 

Now, a documentary about the birds seeks to draw attention to the birds and the possible threat to their habitat as new houses and a hotel are going up on the city’s last piece of developable land: the Landing at Cannon Branch at Godwin Drive and Gateway Boulevard.

According to filmmaker Victor Rook, the eagles were first threatened in 2015 when a utility trench was built 300 feet away from their nest.

• The following year, two mixed-use warehouses were built in the field next to their nest. 
• “The eagles must now attempt to raise young while 18-wheelers zigzag around the back of the buildings just feet from the nest tree,” Rook wrote.

His film, “Who’s Protecting Our National Bird?” details the continued disturbance of the eagles’ feeding grounds, which is a pond a half-mile away from where the Landing at Cannon Branch is being built.

Manassas officials previously addressed these concerns in a press release about the eagles in 2016.

• “It was first released in July 2016 when construction began for the below-referenced property (which is near but not included within The Landing at Cannon Branch),” said Nicole Smith, Economic Development Coordinator for the city of Manassas. “Since then, the Eagles have continued to thrive and we’ve not been made aware of any issues related to their welfare,” Smith said.  

City officials provided me this statement:

There have been some questions regarding the work being done at 10659 and 10689 Gateway Drive adjacent to the City’s Cannon Branch Park near the eagle’s nest.  This property is owned by Southpoint Business Center, LLC.

The property owners have received approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services within the Department of the Interior to proceed with construction.  The Department of Fish and Wildlife Services has indicated that there is a window o

f opportunity between now and December 1 where building construction is permitted.  They further indicated that interior construction and minor outside construction can continue after December 1 without disturbing the nesting eagles.

The City of Manassas is very aware of the eagles nest located on City of Manassas parkland.  Where the nest is located is not part of the parcels under construction. City staff works closely with federal and state agencies to ensure the City follows all government policies and procedures; however, it is the responsibility of Fish and Wildlife to enforce federal guidelines relating to nesting eagles.  The property owner is aware of and working within all federal, state and local guidelines and permits.

Located on a large storm retention pond on Cannon Branch, just off Prince William Parkway, it is the city’s only “waterfront” property.

The Bald Eagle was removed from the list of Threatened and Endangered Species on August 9, 2007, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and they are now flourishing. 

• However, some protections still remain. 
• According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website, “Bald eagles are protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Permits are available for some activities and actions that involve or impact bald and golden eagles.”

Apparently, that’s not enough for some bald-eagle lovers.

Rook’s press release points out that after being removed from the endangered list, construction buffers that previously existed have been downgraded to guidelines. Rook’ also claims that no Eagle Take Permit was issued during the constriction process, despite a federal requirement to get one.

• Rook explained his motivations for making the film.
• “I had never seen a bald eagle in the wild until I was 51. That’s over half a century. Though eagles are making a comeback, they still face challenges with habitat loss…” Rook states.

Buchanan Partners, who is developing the Landing at Cannon Branch, did not respond to multiple requests for comment.