Department of the Interior January 2, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), intend to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) to address the potential impacts of the issuance of a programmatic eagle take permit (permit) pursuant to the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA). The permit would authorize the taking of bald eagles associated with the construction and operation of the proposed Great Bay Wind Energy Project (Project) and implementation of an associated eagle conservation plan (ECP). The issuance of an eagle take permit is a Federal action subject to analysis under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). We provide this notice to announce the initiation of a public scoping period during which we invite other agencies and the public to submit written comments that provide suggestions and information on the scope of issues and alternatives to be addressed in the EA. We also announce that we will hold a public meeting where oral and written comments will also be accepted.