DNR News Release Header Image [ [link removed] ]




*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:* Jan. 29, 2026
*Contact: *Stacy Rowe, DNR Conservation Biologist
[email protected] or 608-228-9796

Update On Incidental Take Notice For Wind Energy And Cave Bats

 

*
MADISON, Wis.* – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to update a broad incidental take permit/authorization for the incidental taking of rare cave bats, which may occur as a result of wind turbines throughout Wisconsin. Incidental take refers to the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that does not put the species' overall population at risk. 

The proposed Broad Incidental Take Permit/Authorization for Wind Energy and Cave Bats recognizes the importance of wind energy in Wisconsin but also acknowledges the detrimental impact wind turbines may have on the state’s cave bats (tricolored bat, northern long-eared bat, little brown bat and big brown bat). This broad incidental take permit/authorization updates conservation measures for wind energy that are shown to be an effective strategy in minimizing impacts on cave bats. This permit/authorization was previously issued on April 21, 2025; however, some updates have been made regarding temperature restrictions when not within a Bat Priority Area (BPA), the addition of a third curtailment option when not within a BPA and an extension of the annual report deadline.

The disturbance caused by wind turbines may still result in some mortality; however, take will be minimized by following conservation measures. The DNR concludes that the proposed project will minimize impacts to the species by adhering to conservation measures; is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence or appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival and/or recovery of the state population of the species or the whole plant-animal community of which they are a part and the habitat that is critical to their existense; and has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the action. Monitoring will be in place to ensure that any bat mortality is documented, and the information gleaned from this will be used to further refine this approach, if needed.

Upon approval, updates to the conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on cave bat species will be incorporated into the current Broad Incidental Take Permit/Authorization. Copies of the jeopardy assessment and background information on the cave bats are available by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage [ [link removed] ] or upon request from DNR conservation biologist Stacy Rowe at [email protected] or 608-228-9796.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding these updates and project-related impacts to cave bats by Feb. 28, 2026, to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
c/o Stacy Rowe, DNR Conservation Biologist
[email protected] or 608-228-9796







________________________________________________________________________

[ [link removed] ]

[ [link removed] ]

[ [link removed] ]    [ [link removed] ]     [ [link removed] ]  [ [link removed] ]

[ [link removed] ] Update your subscriptions, modify your password or email address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page [ [link removed] ]. You will need to use your email address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please visit subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com [ [link removed] ].


________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources · 101 S. Webster Street · Madison, WI 53707-7921 · 608-266-2621 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]
body .abe-column-block { min-height: 5px; } table.gd_combo_table img {margin-left:10px; margin-right:10px;} table.gd_combo_table div.govd_image_display img, table.gd_combo_table td.gd_combo_image_cell img {margin-left:0px; margin-right:0px;} table.govd_hr {min-width: 100%;} p, li, h1, h2, h3 { overflow-wrap: normal; word-wrap: normal; word-break: keep-all; -moz-hyphens: none; -ms-hyphens: none; -webkit-hyphens: none; hyphens: none; mso-hyphenate: none; }