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OMB Control No: 1018-0148	ICR Reference No: 201201-1018-004
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOI/FWS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Emergency	Approval Requested By: 02/06/2012
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 03/23/2012
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 01/25/2012
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	09/30/2012	6 Months From Approved
Responses	400	0	0
Time Burden (Hours)	435,600	0	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	9,240,000	0	0

Abstract: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (we, 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. 668668d), and Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 15311544), 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.

Emergency Justfication: The development of renewable energy is important for the future of the Nation and the health of the environment. The Department of the Interior is committed to facilitating the development of wind energy and other renewable resources while protecting our Nations treasured landscapes and wildlife. Advances in wind energy technologies and increased interest in renewable energy sources have resulted in rapid expansion of the wind energy industry in the United States. If wind energy facilities are designed and constructed in the wrong locations, they can have significant negative impacts to wildlife and their habitats. The Guidelines 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 have undergone significant public review and comment. We believe it is important to make the final Guidelines available immediately to avoid and minimize negative effects on wildlife and their habitats.

Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 16 USC 668-668d Name of Law: Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
   US Code: 16 USC 1531-1544 Name of Law: Endangered Species Act
   US Code: 16 USC 661-667e Name of Law: Fish and Wildlife CoordinationAct
   US Code: 16 USC 703-712 Name of Law: Migratory Bird Treaty Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

Federal Register Notices & Comments
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Change Due to Agency Discretion
Annual Number of Responses	400	400
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	435,600	435,600
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	9,240,000	9,240,000

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: This is a new collection.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $572,365

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Hope Grey 703 358-2482 hope_grey@fws.gov

View ICR - OIRA Conclusion