Deadline Today for Input on Windfarm Impacts

Today is the deadline for public comments on a draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement on four Hawaiʻi wind projects.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking comment on the potential direct, indirect and cumulative effects of wind farm operations and maintenance activities on three endangered species.

Maui Windfarms included in the document are the Auwahi Wind and Kaheawa Wind Power II projects. Other windfarms addressed in the PEIS are Pakini Nui Wind Farm on the Island of Hawaiʻi and the Kawailoa Wind Power project on Oʻahu.

Each has applied to the Service for an incidental take permit or permit amendment under the Endangered Species Act. The proposed permit and permit amendments would address take of the endangered ʻōpeʻapeʻa (Hawaiian hoary bat), nēnē (Hawaiian goose) and ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel).

Windmills above Kaheawa on Maui. File photo by Wendy Osher.

Habitat Conservation Plans are voluntary agreements between the Service and a landowner, private company or non-federal agency that ensure harmful effects to threatened and endangered species are minimized or offset. The Service regularly engages conservation partners, the public, landowners, government agencies and other stakeholders in our ongoing effort to identify innovative strategies for conserving and recovering species while supporting important economic and energy initiatives.

The Service will consider all written or verbal comments on the draft PEIS and the draft and amended HCPs that are received or postmarked by June 10. All comments and materials received become part of the public record associated with this action. Before including an address, phone number or other personal identifying information in comments, the public should be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—might be made publicly available at any time.

More information, including the draft PEIS, amended HCPs and mitigation plans, can be found at http://www.fws.gov/pacificislands/