Feds: MN Wind Farm Can Seek Permit to Kill Eagles

Posted at: 01/17/2013 10:51 AM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Federal officials have decided to let a proposed southeastern Minnesota wind farm pursue a permit that would allow it to kill or injure eagles.
 
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service says the worst-case scenario is that the 48-turbine project would kill eight to 15 eagles a year, a number that would not harm the local population.
 
In a letter to state regulators, the federal agency says that estimate does not include possible strategies to reduce the number of eagles killed and, that if a permit is eventually granted, the goal would be a much lower figure.
 
The proposed New Era Wind Farm near Red Wing still faces several regulatory hurdles.
 
The company has said it estimates a kill of one eagle per year.
 
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