View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package

OMB Control No: 1018-0148	ICR Reference No: 201412-1018-003
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201208-1018-001
Agency/Subagency: DOI/FWS	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 03/03/2015
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 12/30/2014
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	03/31/2018	36 Months From Approved	03/31/2015
Responses	160	0	400
Time Burden (Hours)	707,430	0	435,600
Cost Burden (Dollars)	7,187,265	0	9,240,000

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.

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
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	79 FR 38055	07/03/2014
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	79 FR 78465	12/30/2014
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Annual Number of Responses	160	400	0	-240
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	707,430	435,600	0	271,830
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	7,187,265	9,240,000	9	-2,052,744

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

Burden Increase Due to:

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

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: We are reporting 160 annual responses, 707,430 annual burden hours, and $7,187,265 in nonhour burden costs. This is a net decrease adjustment of 240 responses, a net increase of 271,830 annual burden hours, and a net decrease of $2,052,744 in nonhour burden costs. We based these adjustments on our experience in administering this collection and comments received from our survey and 60-day notice.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $278,500

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