More on eagles…

660 feet is not two miles!

You all remember the “eagle” issues that sent the CapX Brookings line back to the ALJ…

PUC Order Remanding Brookings to OAH July 27, 2010

And then there’s the eagle issues in the Hampton-LaCrosse docket, evidenced on p. 96 of USDA RUS’ DEIS:

And you remember USFWS comment, p. 8, about eagles and utility infrastructure:

USFWS Comment on WI PSC DEIS

So today I  get this article in the mail (who needs a paper, just read the inbox, eh?):

Helicopters, implosives to be used in utility work along Hwy 2

So do tell, USFWS says no utility infrastructure within 2 miles of important Eagle Use Areas, and here, the Grand Rapids paper reports that:

Because there are a number of eagle nests within 660 feet of the line, Kuismi said construction will cease in those areas between February and April when eagles are typically nesting. The utilities have also been working with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to install bird diverters where the line passes known flight paths.

660 feet???   (1 mile x 2 = 10,560) -660= 990 feet shy of 2 miles.

Do explain why the guidelines are different in one place from another, and why it matters in one place and not another???