[OHIOBWG] Midwest Wind Multi-Species HCP - Notice of Intent to Prepare Draft EIS
Titchenell, Marne
titchenell.4 at osu.edu
Wed Jun 17 17:14:34 EDT 2015
Dear Ohio Bat Working Group Member,
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is opening a public scoping period for preparation of a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) that will evaluate the proposed Midwest Wind Energy Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan (multi-species HCP). Specifically, the EIS will evaluate several alternatives relating to our issuance of Endangered Species Act (ESA) incidental take permits under the multi-species HCP. The EIS will also evaluate impacts from issuing a programmatic permit under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act for incidental take of bald eagles that may result from operation of wind energy facilities covered under the multi-species HCP. Scoping offers the public and other agencies an opportunity to participate in development of the EIS and assists the Service in identifying issues and concerns. Scoping begins with publication in the Federal Register of the Notice of Intent on June 12, 2015, which opens a public comment period that ends August 11, 2015.
The draft multi-species HCP addresses incidental take of eight species that may be injured or killed at wind turbine facilities. Habitat conservation plans are agreements between a landowner or non-federal company or group and the Service, allowing permit applicants to undertake otherwise lawful activities on their property that may result in the incidental death, injury or harassment of covered species; the applicant agrees to conservation measures designed to minimize and mitigate the impact of those actions. In addition to measures to avoid, minimize and mitigation all potential incidental take of covered species, the multi-species HCP includes measures for long-term conservation of covered species. An HCP is required under the Endangered Species Act for anyone to apply for an incidental take permit.
The incidental take permits that we would issue under the multi-Species HCP would authorize take that could result from existing and future wind energy development and operations in parts of eight states in the Service’s Midwest Region (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin). Species included in the multi-species HCP (i.e., covered species) are six federally listed species: Indiana bat, northern long-eared bat, Kirtland’s warbler, piping plover (Great Lakes population and northern Great Plains population), and interior least tern; and two unlisted species - little brown bat and the bald eagle. The bald eagle is protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act.
Partners with the Service in the effort to prepare the multi-species HCP include the conservation agencies for seven of the eight states, The Conservation Fund, and the American Wind Energy Association. The American Wind Energy Association is representing a consortium of wind energy companies. The planning partners intend to request a 45-year permit term covering these species.
The primary purpose of scoping is to provide an opportunity for the public and other agencies to assist in developing the EIS by identifying important issues and alternatives related to the multi-species HCP and the Service’s proposed action (issuance of incidental take permits under the multi-species HCP and a programmatic eagle permit under the Eagle Act). We are requesting data, comments, new information, or suggestions. Specifically, we are seeking comments on:
• Biological information and relevant data concerning covered species;
• Additional information concerning the range, distribution, population size, and population trends of covered species;
• Direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts that implementation of the proposed covered activities could have on endangered, threatened, and other covered species, and their communities or habitats;
• Other possible alternatives to the proposed action that the Service should consider;
• Other current or planned activities in the subject area and their possible impacts on covered species;
• The presence of archaeological sites, buildings and structures, historic events, sacred and traditional areas, and other historic preservation concerns, which are required to be considered in project planning by the National Historic Preservation Act; and
• Identification of any other environmental issues that should be considered with regard to the proposed multi-species HCP and permit action.
You may submit your comments and materials by any of the following methods:
U.S. Mail:
Regional Director, Attn: Rick Amidon
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services
5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 990
Bloomington, MN 55437-1458
Electronically: Visit the Federal eRulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov<http://www.regulations.gov>. In the search box enter (Docket Number FWS-R3-ES-2015-0033). This docket number will not be accessible until Friday, June 12.
More information about the draft EIS for the proposed Midwest Wind Multi-Species HCP can be found at http://midwestwindenergyhcpeis.org. We will also be holding public information meetings in all of the eight states of the project area. The meetings will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. local time at the following locations:
* July 13 – Minneapolis, Minnesota. Elliot Recreation Center, 1000 E. 14th St. 55404
* July 14 – Madison, Wisconsin. Warner Park Community Recreation Center, 1625 Northport Drive, 53704
* July 15 – Ames, Iowa. Iowa State Memorial Union, Campanile Room, 2229 Lincoln Way, 50011
* July 16 – Columbia, Missouri. Battle High School Commons, 7575 E. St. Charles Road, 65202
* July 20 – Lansing, Michigan. Letts Community Center Gymnasium, 1220 W. Kalamazoo Street 48915
* July 21 – Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Downtown High School Commons,364 South 4th Street 43215
* July 22 - Indianapolis, Indiana. World Sports Park Ballroom, 1313 South Post Road, 46239
* July 23 - Bloomington, Illinois. Illinois Wesleyan University, Memorial Center, Young Main Lounge, 104 E. University Avenue, 61701
We will also host an online public meeting on Thursday, July 28, 2015 at 1:00 pm (CST). For more information on this meeting, go to www.midwestwindenergyhcpeis.org<http://www.midwestwindenergyhcpeis.org>.
Additional opportunities for public comment during development of the EIS will be provided when the draft is released for public review and comment, which is anticipated for spring of 2016.
If you have any questions, please contact Rick Amidon (Phone: 612-713-5164 – Email: rick_amidon at fws.gov<mailto:rick_amidon at fws.gov>).
Thank you,
--
Kim Mitchell
Ecological Services
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
5600 American Blvd. East, Suite 990
Bloomington, MN 55437
612-713-5337
Kim_Mitchell at fws.gov<mailto:Kim_Mitchell at fws.gov>
www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered<http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered>
**My work schedule is Mon. to Thursday 7:30 to 4:00 (Central)**
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