Fish and Wildlife Service tests new program for eagles

Defenders of Wildlife says only time will determine effectiveness

WASHINGTON (December 6, 2013) – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) said today it would allow industries to apply for and receive 30-year permits for the unintentional killing or wounding — or “incidental take” — of bald and golden eagles. Primary beneficiaries of this rule would be large renewable energy, utility and infrastructure developers.

Statement by Jamie Rappaport Clark, Former president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife:

“Defenders supports carefully crafted permitting as a way to enforce conservation objectives and monitor impacts on bald and golden eagles. While the Fish and Wildlife Service has worked hard to create a more transparent and consistent permitting program, the devil is in the details and relying heavily on adaptive management is risky.

“The opportunity for long-term permits is clearly a win for developers, but only time will tell if it will also be a sustainable win for eagles. Without fully knowing what the long-term biological consequences will be for bald and golden eagles, the agency must proceed cautiously, closely monitor progress and ensure strict compliance.”

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Contact: Courtney Sexton, (202)-772-0523, csexton@defenders.org

Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org and follow us on Twitter @DefendersNews.