Evaluating the effects of issuing an incidental take permit for a company’s entire wind fleet.
In order to manage risk to bats and eagles during wind farm operation, MidAmerican Energy Company (MEC) prepared a habitat conservation plan (HCP) for its existing wind fleet in Iowa that covered the federally listed Indiana bat and northern long-eared bat, the non-listed little brown bat and tri-colored bat, and the bald eagle. The HCP was prepared in support of an application for an Endangered Species Act Incidental Take Permit (ITP).
Our team was selected and served as a third-party contractor, working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) evaluating the impact of issuance of an ITP for MEC’s 22 existing wind facilities. The EIS was finalized and the ITP issued in November 2019.
In addition to providing MEC with National Environmental Policy Act support, we provide a host of pre-construction surveys and assessments in support of MEC wind and solar projects, including avian use surveys, bat acoustic surveys, wetland delineations, cultural resources assessments and surveys, Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, and noise and shadow assessments.
At a Glance
- Offices
Stacey Parks, Senior Scientist, Environmental Services
I apply the knowledge that I have learned from highly skilled scientists to benefit both my clients’ needs and the natural environment.
Terry VanDeWalle, Senior Ecologist
Working in the natural resources field is rewarding. In the words of naturalist William Beebe, it is better to be a naturalist than a king.
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