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OMB Control No: 1018-0148	ICR Reference No: 202105-1018-005
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 201711-1018-001
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	Date Submitted to OIRA: 07/07/2021

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	12/31/2025
Responses	1,288	160
Time Burden (Hours)	712,429	282,995
Cost Burden (Dollars)	73,697,500	36,870,000

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:
	85 FR 83607	12/22/2020
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	86 FR 35821	07/07/2021
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Annual Number of Responses	1,288	160	1,128
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	712,429	282,995	429,434
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	73,697,500	36,870,000	36,827,500

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 the burden estimate changes explained in questions 8 and 12, we are reporting an annual burden increase of 1,128 responses, 429,434 burden hours, and $73,695,500 cost burden.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $1,534,949

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? No

Agency Contact: Madonna Baucum 202 354-1916 madonna_baucum@nps.gov

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