Colorado Wildlife Federation The US Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a public comment period for its review of how permits are issued for “non-purposeful take” (wounding, mortality, etc.) of bald and golden eagles. Under its current regs, the Service may issue programmatic permits authorizing “lethal take that is incidental to an otherwise lawful activity, such as mortalities caused by collisions with rotating wind turbines.” Last December the Service finalized its rule that extended the maximum permit period for nonpurposeful take from 5 years to 30 years.
Its explanation for such increase from 5 to 30 years was: “This change is intended to facilitate the responsible development of projects that will be in operation for may decades and bring them into compliance with statutory mandates protecting eagles. The longer term permits will incorporate conditions that provide for adaptive management….”
The Fish and Wildlife Service will host 5 public meetings on their proposal and will take public comment at that time. The Denver meeting will be held on Thursday, July 31 from 5:00-8:00 pm at the Holiday Inn Denver Airport 6900 Tower Road.
In addition, please submit written comment to the Fish and Wildlife Service by September 22 (end of the public comment period).
Here is the link to our Take Action request.