Public Comment Period Now Open Through Jan. 15

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is extending the public notice period for the proposed Broad Incidental Take Permit/Authorization for Wind Energy and Cave Bats.

The new deadline for public comment is Jan. 15, 2025, to provide additional time for the public to provide input.

The DNR proposes to issue a Broad Incidental Take Permit/Authorization for the incidental taking of rare cave bats, which may occur as a result of wind turbines throughout Wisconsin. Incidental take refers to the unintentional loss of individual endangered or threatened animals or plants that does not put the species’ overall population at risk.

The proposed Broad Incidental Take Permit/Authorization for Wind Energy and Cave Bats recognizes the importance of wind energy in Wisconsin but also acknowledges the detrimental impact wind turbines may have on the state’s cave bats (tricolored bat, northern long-eared bat, little brown bat, big brown bat).

This broad Incidental Take Permit/Authorization creates conservation measures for wind energy that are shown to be an effective strategy in minimizing impacts on cave bats. As part of these updates, an existing cave bat Broad Incidental Take Permit/Authorization will also be updated to refer to the new wind energy document and to adjust to the cave bat maternity period.

The disturbance caused by wind turbines may still result in some mortality; however, take will be minimized by following conservation measures. The DNR concludes that the proposed project will minimize impacts on the species by adhering to conservation measures; is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence or appreciably reduce the likelihood of the survival and/or recovery of the state population of the species or the whole plant-animal community of which they are a part and the habitat that is critical to their existence; and has benefit to the public health, safety or welfare that justifies the action.

Conservation measures to minimize the adverse effect on cave bat species will be incorporated into the proposed Broad Incidental Take Permit/Authorization. Copies of the jeopardy assessment and background information on the cave bats are available by visiting the DNR Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or upon request from DNR conservation biologist Stacy Rowe at [email protected] or 608-228-9796.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments regarding project-related impacts to cave bats by Jan. 15, 2025 to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
C/O Stacy Rowe, DNR Conservation Biologist
2514 Morse St.
Janesville, WI 53545
[email protected] or 608-228-9796