BILL WOULD LET POWER COMPANIES EVICT NESTING BIRDS

March 14, 2013 (Sacramento)--A new bill in Sacramento aims to let energy companies remove nests that stand in the way of big projects, even during nesting season.  The measure would allow take permits to be issued, meaning energy companies would face no penalties if they inadvertently kill bird species normally protected, such as red-tailed hawks.

“Any work around these nests could be easily delayed unit late June after the young have left their nests,” wildlife biologist Jim Wiegand told ECM, adding that the measure should be killed.  

ECM investigations have previously led to fines and grounding of helicopters used by SDG&E due to violations of no-fly zones around protected eagle nests. Two massive industrial wind projects are proposed in eagle habitat in McCain Valley and Jewel Valley, where take permits or removal of eagle nests may occur.  

Read full details at the Riverside Press Tribune:

Wildlife: Bill would let power companies evict birds