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News Release

Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement Available for Wind Energy Projects in the Upper Great Plains

For Immediate Release

April 22, 2015

Photo Credit: Krista Lundgren/USFWS

LAKEWOOD, Colo.  — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and Western Area Power Administration have published a final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS), which evaluates the environmental impacts of wind energy development in the Upper Great Plains states of Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The final PEIS, when coupled with project-specific environmental assessments, is designed to standardize the environmental review process while ensuring protection for wildlife and other natural resources in the Upper Great Plains.

“The Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement allows proposed wind farms to address environmental concerns in a consistent, thorough, and transparent manner,” said Noreen Walsh, Regional Director of the Service’s Mountain-Prairie Region. “This effort protects the region’s wildlife resources while simultaneously supporting the president's 'all of the above' energy strategy.”

After the notice of availability for the final PEIS is published in the Federal Register, senior agency officials will review the PEIS for the next 30 days before making a final Record of Decision. The final PEIS can be viewed here: http://www.wapa.gov/ugp/Environment/WindEnergyPEIS/WindEnergyPEIS.htm.

• PEIS, Volume 1, April 2015 (54.8mb pdf)
• PEIS, Volume 2, April 2015 (33.4mb pdf)

More information: http://plainswindeis.anl.gov/

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service.

For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/. Connect with our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/USFWSMountainPrairie,  follow our tweets at http://twitter.com/USFWSMtnPrairie, watch our YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/usfws and download photos from our Flickr page at http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsmtnprairie/

– FWS –