Park Project on eggshells - birds may hold things up

Cliff swallows nesting in the eaves of the only building left standing in the city of South Lake Tahoe's Park Avenue Redevelopment Project have added a twist to the project's plans.

The city, already stretched for time in getting the $350-million project under construction this year, is now working on Mother Nature's schedule when it comes to tearing down the now-defunct theater building on Park Avenue.

The fast and flighty birds, which have settled under the overhanging roof of the vacant building, are federally protected by the Migratory Swallow Treaty Act of 1918. The act makes it illegal to take, transport or possess cliff swallows or their eggs and nests without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Game.

The city is now working with Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care to obtain the proper permit that would allow them to move to move the birds, but because one of the three nests at the redevelopment site is housing two swallow eggs is making the situation even more sensitive, according to Judith Von Klug, the city's redevelopment manager.

"One nest that we were able to look in had two eggs in it and there were two other nests that we didn't look into because the birds were there," she said. "We've arranged with the Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care to take care of them after they've hatched. We won't be starting demolition until after they've hatched."

Cheryl Millham, Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care executive director, said the birds, which migrate to Tahoe from South America, are common in the area. They feed off of mosquitoes and gnats, and build mud nests in sheltered places.

Millham said if the Fish and Game agrees to issue the permit, she'll still have to wait for the eggs to hatch before she can bring the birds to her South Shore facility. It takes about 17 days for a swallow egg to hatch after it's been laid.

About three calls came into the Lake Tahoe Wildlife care last week, alerting the nonprofit organization of the birds' presence at the Park Avenue Project.

The Park Avenue Redevelopment Project calls for the city to acquire and demolish about 34 acres of land along U.S. Highway 50 and Park Avenue to make way for construction of a private development that is scheduled to begin in June.

Von Klug said, at this point, she doesn't believe the swallows will hold up the project.

"We're not ready to demolish (the building the birds are nesting in) until the week of June 12 anyway," she said. "I'm optimistic that it won't slow us down, if it does slow us down it won't be by much."

The city must deliver the construction-ready property to the developers by July 1 in order to meet its portion of the redevelopment contract, and avoid monetary penalties for delaying the building season.