View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package

OMB Control No: 1018-0148	ICR Reference No: 201711-1018-001
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 201412-1018-003
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: 11/08/2018
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 03/23/2018
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years.

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	11/30/2021	36 Months From Approved	11/30/2018
Responses	160	0	160
Time Burden (Hours)	282,995	0	707,430
Cost Burden (Dollars)	36,870,000	0	7,187,265

Abstract: 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.

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 Coordination Act
   US Code: 16 USC 703-712 Name of Law: Migratory Bird Treaty Act
   EO: EO 13186 Name/Subject of EO: Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory Birds

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:
	82 FR 47021	10/10/2017
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	83 FR 12808	03/23/2018
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Annual Number of Responses	160	160	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	282,995	707,430	-424,435
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	36,870,000	7,187,265	29,682,735

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: Based on feedback during the outreach process, the Service updated the hour burden estimates (question 12), resulting in a decrease of (424,435) annual burden hours. We also updated the non-hour burden estimates based on the outreach process. The result was an increase of $29,682,735 in non-hour cost burden. We itemized the changes to the non-hour burden estimates as shown in tables 15.1 (total increases) and 15.2 (increased cost per IC) of the supporting statement.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $311,602

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

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. 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: Madonna Baucum 202 354-1916 madonna_baucum@nps.gov

View ICR - OIRA Conclusion