Agency acts properly on wind farm guidelines

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is on the right track with its latest draft recommendations to guide wind energy development in protection of wildlife.

To its credit, the agency responded to public comments on an earlier draft by giving developers more flexibility, depending upon the specifics of the proposed wind farm sites. It's important that Game and Fish continue to accept input and be willing to make further adjustments if more valid concerns are raised.

The recommendations are meant to provide "advance disclosure" of possible wildlife concerns for wind developers seeking to build projects in Wyoming. Game and Fish advises the state Industrial Siting Council on permit applications for major projects in the state, including wind farms numbering at least 30 turbines.

The state Game and Fish Commission needs to adopt the guidelines soon, as numerous wind development projects are on the drawing board, and they're expected to increase significantly in coming years. The bevy of companies looking to erect turbines in Wyoming need to have a clear understanding of what the state expects when it comes to protecting wildlife and habitat.

The 70-page document includes guidelines for collecting baseline data before siting turbines, monitoring wildlife during wind farm construction and operation, and mitigating effects on wildlife. It covers bats, birds -- including sage grouse and raptors -- big game, small mammals, amphibians and reptiles.

The wind industry and landowner associations criticized the first draft of the recommendations for being overly rigid. Among the areas of concern was a proposal to avoid putting wind turbines within two miles of streams, reservoirs and forested areas. While Game and Fish noted that wind farms and their accompanying roads can cause erosion that damages riparian areas, which are important to a variety of wildlife, the two-mile buffer could be too broad.

The updated draft simply says development within two miles of such areas, as well as in some other sensitive spots, should be coordinated with Game and Fish to limit effects on wildlife. That language shows the agency is willing to work with wind developers, as long as the companies begin consultation well before they submit permit applications to the Industrial Siting Council.

Some still aren't satisfied with the latest draft. They'll have an opportunity to voice their concerns to the Game and Fish Commission in Casper on April 23, and another public comment period is expected before the commission adopts the recommendations.

We understand the concern that the Game and Fish recommendations -- as applied by the Industrial Siting Council at the state level, and county commissions through county-level regulation -- could dictate what happens on private land. That's always a concern, especially in a state where property rights are given great respect. But Game and Fish has a proven track record of working well with private landowners in managing wildlife.

State lawmakers have determined that major industrial developments, including wind farms, warrant government scrutiny because of potential impacts beyond the land where they're located, be it private, state or federal. That's a sound policy. And because Wyoming's abundant wildlife is treasured by the state's people, it's appropriate that our wildlife management agency have a say in projects that could harm that valuable resource.