Guidelines for Avoiding, Minimizing, and Mitigating Impacts of Wind Energy on Biodiversity in Nebraska

Guidelines for Avoiding, Minimizing, and Mitigating Impacts of Wind Energy on Biodiversity in Nebraska were developed by the Nebraska Wind and Wildlife Working Group.

This newer guidance document combines the previous Guidelines for Wind Energy and Wildlife Resource Management in Nebraska and the Mitigation Guidelines for Wind Energy Development in Nebraska.

These guidelines provide information on ways to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts of wind energy on wildlife and habitats and provide wind energy developers and operators with a better idea of what, if any, mitigation will likely be recommended for permanent impacts based on proposed wind turbine locations of utility-scale wind energy developments.

Not all recommendations will be applicable to all wind energy development projects, which are reviewed and discussed on a project-by-project basis. Site-specific recommendations may be made that are not included in this document.

There are places in the state where no amount of minimization measures or mitigation would appropriately offset impacts to highly sensitive areas and/or species.

Following the guidelines in this document does not replace consultation or coordination at the state or federal level required by these Acts. Therefore, at any given site, additional measures may also be needed above and beyond what is recommended in this document.

The Guidelines include:

  • Biodiversity Concerns
  • Practices to Avoid and Minimize Impacts to Biodiversity
  • Pre- and Post-Construction Guidelines
  • Estimating Fatalities
  • Mitigation Guidelines
  • Research Needs
Nebraska Mitigation Worksheet Example
Guidelines for Avoiding, Minimizing, and Mitigating Impacts of Wind Energy on Biodiversity in Nebraska