Regarding migratory birds protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 (16 U.S.C. 703-712) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 (16 U.S.C. 668-668d), we recommend that the Project implement measures found in our Bird-Friendly Communication Tower Toolkit (https://www.fws.gov/library/collections/bird-friendly-communication-tower-toolkit) and that the communication towers include as many of the Recommended Best Practices for Communication Tower Design, Siting, Construction, and Operation (https://www.fws.gov/media/recommended-best-practices-communication-tower-design-siting-construction-operation) as possible. Further, because the proposed MET towers will be guyed, we recommend that you include markers on the wires (see https://www.fws.gov/story/avoidance-and-minimization-measures-power-lines for more information).
If the proposed communication towers will be lit, there is a win-win opportunity for both telecommunication tower owners and birds, and it is as simple as switching to flashing lights on towers. By eliminating non-flashing lights on towers, we can reduce migratory bird collisions by as much as 70 percent while simultaneously reducing energy costs for tower owners. The Federal Aviation Administration now supports extinguishing side-marker (L-810) lights on towers taller than 350 feet above ground level and reprogramming non-flashing side-markers on towers 150-350 feet above ground level. Towers can save maintenance and energy costs by not using L-810 lights on towers taller than 350 feet above ground level and by using programmable LED lighting systems on towers 150-350 feet above ground level.
