Wyoming Wind Farm Seeks Eagle Exemption

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will seek public comments on whether to allow what could be the biggest wind farm in the U.S. to kill a limited number of bald and golden eagles without breaking the law.

The Chokecherry-Sierra Madre wind project south of Rawlins will have as many as 1,000 turbines and power nearly 1 million homes.

One eagle take permit would apply during initial construction, set to begin in 2019. The other would cover the first 500 turbines for five years.

Fish and Wildlife estimates those turbines would kill 10-14 golden eagles and 1-2 bald eagles each year. The estimate could change and will determine how many eagles could be killed under the permits.

Fish and Wildlife will take public comment on the permits until late June.