Feds propose allowing wind-farm developer to kill golden eagles

[Shadow]

The federal government is proposing to grant a first-of-its-kind permit that would allow the developer of a central Oregon wind-power project to legally kill golden eagles, a regulatory move being closely watched by conservationists.
The Interior Department’s Fish and Wildlife Service on Tuesday released a draft environmental assessment that would allow West Butte Wind Power LLC to kill as many as three protected golden eagles over five years if the company fulfills its conservation commitments.
It’s the first eagle “take permit” application to be received and acted on by U.S. Fish and Wildlife under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. (“Take” means to kill, harass or disturb the birds, their nests or their eggs.)

The legislation, enacted in 1940, prohibits anyone from killing or disturbing any bald or golden eagles without a permit from the Interior Department.
Regulations adopted in 2009 enabled the agency to authorize, for the first time, the “take” of eagles for activities that are otherwise lawful but that result in either disturbance or death. In this case "taking" would be the killing of eagles hit by the wind turbines' huge blades.
Public comments on the draft environmental assessment of the Wind Butte project will be accepted until Feb. 2.

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...-golden-eagles

[ConHog]

What's the purpose? I don't get it, what do they gain by being able to kill 3 birds?

Oh, but loggers can't cut down any trees in a 10,000 acre forest in Oregon because one Speckled Penis Horn Owl was found there ? Sheesh.

[Shadow]

It's all agenda driven. They will grant this because it is for "green energy"...which they have a stake in pushing forward. While In NM you are not allowed to drill for oil because it allegedly endangers the sand dune lizzard....they also have a stake in this...a stake against progress in the oil industry.