CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – A rare hawk is making a comeback in New Hampshire.

Osprey were nearly wiped out by the pesticide DDT. In 1981, only two breeding pairs remained. Now thanks to statewide efforts, the ospreys are thriving. Sixty of the birds are now making nests and hunting fish in the Granite State.

Groups involved in what’s known as the Osprey Project have built 15 new nesting platforms in various parts of the state. They’ve taken steps to protect other nests from predators. They’ve also created a Web site for schools. Eventually they hope their efforts will remove the hawks from the state list of threatened species.

Project Osprey is a joint effort by Public Service of New Hampshire, the state Department of Fish and Game and the Audubon Society.

“Generally for ospreys, everything is good right now,” said Ian McLeod, society director of operations.

The project officially closes this year, but the organizations have set up a system to keep restoration efforts going indefinitely. Their goal is to increase the osprey population by 25 more nesting pairs by 2008.

John Kanter, Fish and Game’s nongame and endangered species coordinator, said setting those goals is only part of what is needed.

“We need local support and stewardship of the nests,” he said. “That makes this a much more efficient process.”

That involves land conservation and keeping the nests undisturbed at the right time of year, he said.

Public Service has donated almost $100,000 toward the project, an average of $20,000 per year. Much of the money was used to build new nesting sites, monitoring others and working with landowners to be sure the nests were protected.

The utility lowered power lines in Great Bay in the early 1990s to keep them from a pair of osprey who took up residence on a pole. A few years later a platform was placed on a 10-foot extension, which was added on top of a pole near Lake Winnisquam in Belmont, this time to move the nest away from the line.

“Our poles are the tallest things in the area, often at the water’s edge, right where they want to be,” said Richard Dumore, supervisor of the utility’s environmental operations. “These birds were using our power lines, and like it or not, we were going to have to deal with them. So we thought this may be an opportunity for us to formally enter into an environmental partnership.”

Kanter says the partnership shows what can be done to help a species recover.

“Put money, people and attention toward a species and you get results,” he said.

AP-ES-07-25-04 1135EDT