The Land-based Wind Energy Voluntary Avoidance Technical Assistance for the Northern Long-eared Bat documents (NLEB Wind Technical Assistance) will allow wind energy companies to operate in a manner where take is not reasonably certain to occur for the northern long-eared bat. The NLEB Wind Technical Assistance, along with associated supporting documents, includes curtailment strategies (i.e., reduction in electricity generation) at lower wind speeds. In the event that the proposed endangered tricolored bat is listed, the Service has also developed the “Land-based Wind Energy Voluntary Avoidance Technical Assistance for the Tricolored Bat” (TCB Wind Technical Assistance). The NLEB Wind Technical Assistance includes species-specific recommendations and is different than the TCB Wind Technical Assistance due to differences in risk.

Note: This technical assistance only covers avoidance recommendations for wind operations and not the potential impacts that may occur during construction or decommissioning.