Draft Environmental Assessment For the Issuance of an Incidental Eagle Take Permit for High Plains and McFadden Ridge I Wind Energy Project Wind Energy Projects

This Environmental Assessment (EA) is prepared to analyze the environmental consequences of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) issuing an incidental eagle take permit (IETP) for the take of bald (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and golden (Aquila chrysaetos) eagles associated with the existing and operating High Plains and McFadden Ridge I Wind Energy Projects (collectively “Project”), pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] §§ 4321–4347). NEPA’s supporting regulations are at 40 C.F.R. Part 1500; see also 46 C.F.R. Part 46. It is a discretionary Federal action for the Service to issue an IETP under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (Eagle Act), (16 U.S.C. §§ 668–668d; see also 50 C.F.R. § 22.26). This Federal action is therefore subject to NEPA. This EA assists the Service in ensuring compliance with NEPA, and in making a determination as to whether any “significant” impacts could result from the analyzed actions that would require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This EA evaluates the effects of alternatives for our decision whether to issue an IETP.