Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** New permitting program tries to address wind energy eagle deaths
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Friday, September 30, 2022
Golden Eagle on Seedskadee NWR, USFS/Flickr (http://)
The Biden administration is proposing a new permitting program (http://) to address the issue of wind turbines killing bald and golden eagles, without slowing down the construction of new wind energy projects. Bald eagle numbers have quadrupled since 2009 to about 350,000 birds ([link removed]) , but there are only about about 40,000 golden eagles left. ([link removed])
The proposal, which comes after several major utilities have been federally prosecuted in recent years for killing large numbers of eagles without permits, calls for new permits tailored to wind-energy projects and power line networks. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams said the new program ([link removed]) would provide "multiple pathways to obtain a permit" while also helping conserve eagles.
Federal officials have declined to say ([link removed]) how many eagles are killed illegally by wind farms each year. Last year, companies were permitted to "take" 170 golden eagles—meaning that many birds could be killed by turbines or lost through impacts on nests or habitat, according to permitting data obtained by The Associated Press ([link removed]) . Companies are responsible for offsetting each death by ensuring at least one eagle is saved somewhere else.
** New podcast episode on permitting reform
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University of Utah law professor Jamie Pleune joins Kate and Aaron on the Landscape ([link removed]) to talk about the National Environmental Policy Act and energy infrastructure permitting reform. Pleune and her colleagues analyzed over 40,000 Forest Service NEPA decisions to determine the average time it takes to complete environmental reviews, as well as what causes the majority of delays in permitting. She says that striving for efficient NEPA decisions is a good goal—but setting arbitrary deadlines for major projects may not be the best way to achieve it.
Quick hits
** Conservation group teams up with BLM on fencing issues on Oregon public lands
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Oregon Public Broadcasting ([link removed])
** Feds launch web tool for assessing climate hazards
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Boise State Public Radio ([link removed])
** Proposal would permit eagle deaths as renewables expand
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Associated Press ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
** Federal legislation aims to improve FEMA response to wildfires
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Source NM ([link removed])
** Will the Supreme Court gut the Clean Water Act?
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High Country News ([link removed])
** The U.S. has a new diplomat—for biodiversity
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Washington Post ([link removed])
** New bird flu strain threatens North American wildlife
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High Country News ([link removed])
** Lawmakers, activists prepare for round two of permitting fight
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The Hill ([link removed]) | E&E News ([link removed])
Quote of the day
” There's a direct connection between biodiversity loss and instability in a lot of parts of the world... It's not just about nature for nature’s sake. I think it is about people.”
—Monica Medina ([link removed]) , special envoy for biodiversity and water resources at the State Department
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
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The majestic South Fork of the Snake River flows 66 miles across southeastern Idaho through high mountain valleys, rugged canyons and broad flood plains. In autumn, the landscape turns the cottonwood gallery forest ablaze in yellows! Photo by Jessica Gottlieb / @BLMNational ([link removed])
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