Agency Plans to Change|Eagle Permitting

WASHINGTON (CN) - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to change permit regulations for non-purposeful harm to golden eagles and bald eagles.

The USFWS proposes to extend the maximum term for programmatic permits to 30 years. The permits must incorporate conditions specifying additional measures that may be necessary to ensure the preservation of eagles, should monitoring data indicate the need for the measures.

The USFWS states that this change is to facilitate the responsible development of renewable energy and other projects designed to operate for many decades, while continuing to protect eagles consistent with statutory mandates.

For a permit valid for 5 years or more, the USFWS proposes to charge an application processing fee sufficient to offset the estimated costs associated with working with the applicants to develop site plans and conservation measures, and prepare applications, and for the USFWS to review applications.

For any project that is deemed likely to take eagles, the agency also proposes to collect an additional administration fee when a permit is granted.

Comments are requested by May 14, 2012.

The USFWS also seeks input on possible revisions that would create a more efficient permit process while continuing to adequately protect eagles.

Click the document icon for this regulation and others.

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