Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, working with the Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee, developed the Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines (Guidelines). These voluntary Guidelines provide a structured, scientific process for addressing wildlife conservation concerns at all stages of land-based wind energy development. They describe a process for wind project developers to use to gather information to identify sites with low risk to wildlife, and to assess, mitigate, and monitor the potential adverse effects of wind energy projects on wildlife and their habitats. They also promote effective communication among wind energy developers and Federal, State, and local conservation agencies and tribes. These Guidelines are intended to: * Promote compliance with relevant wildlife laws and regulations; * Encourage scientifically rigorous survey, monitoring, assessment, and research designs proportionate to the risk to species of concern; * Produce potentially comparable data across the Nation; * Mitigate, including avoid, minimize, and compensate for potential adverse effects on species of concern and their habitats; and, * Improve the ability to predict and resolve effects locally, regionally, and nationally. Although the Guidelines are voluntary, they are designed to minimize impacts to wildlife, including species protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C 703-712), Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668-668d), and Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1531-1544), as well as species not afforded protection under these Acts, but which are potentially significantly impacted by wind energy development (e.g., sage grouse). The Guidelines are also consistent with the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. 661-667e) and Executive Order 13186, "Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds" (January 10, 2001). When used in concert with appropriate regulatory tools, the Guidelines form the best practical approach for conserving species of concern.

The latest form for Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines expires 2021-11-30 and can be found here.

Tier 1 (Desktop Analysis)

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Natural Resources - Conservation, Marine and Land Management