Biological Opinion-Habitat Conservation Plan-High Prairie Wind Energy Center

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services Program (ES) proposes to issue an

incidental take permit (ITP) under §10(a)(1)(B) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for

incidental take resulting from implementing the Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) for High

Prairie Wind Energy Center (Project or Facility). The HCP was submitted by the Ameren

Missouri (the Applicant, previously TG High Prairie, LLC) as part of their ITP application. This

document transmits our biological opinion and conference opinion (Opinion) based on our

review of the subject action and its effects to the Covered Species, including the Indiana bat

(Myotis sodalis), northern long-eared bat (M. septentrionalis), and little brown bat (M.

lucifugus). This action occurs at the edge of the range of the endangered gray bat (M.

grisescens); however, there will be no effect to gray bats. No gray bats were found during

extensive surveys, and the HCP includes a changed circumstance to address gray bats should any

be found in the future. We are issuing this Opinion in accordance with section 7 of the

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).