Abstract
The Skookumchuck Wind Energy Project, LLC (Applicant), a wholly owned subsidiary of Renewable Energy Systems, Ltd., has determined that operations and maintenance activities associated with the Skookumchuck Wind Energy Project (Project) have the potential to result in take of marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus), listed as federally threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, and bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA)—collectively, the Covered Species—and is seeking an incidental take permit (ITP) pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA, as amended (16 United States Code [USC] 1531 et seq., 1539) for take of the Covered Species that could result from Project operations and maintenance activities. Doing so would also confer take authorization as required under the BGEPA (16 USC 668–668c, 50 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 22.261 ) without the need for a separate bald and golden eagle permit.
This Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been prepared for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) by Anchor QEA, LLC, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 USC 4321 et seq.) to evaluate the effects of the Service’s Proposed Action to issue the ITP for Project operation and maintenance (O&M) activities, limited to wind turbine generator (WTG) operation, maintenance, and site management. Key issues include the assessment of the potential for impacts associated with the different alternatives and the corresponding need to implement conservation strategies to offset these impacts on the Covered Species.