Raptor Electrocution/Collision Workshops

The Rural Utilities Service (then REA) participated in a number of raptor electrocution/collision workshops in the late 1980's. These workshops, which were sponsored by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), were held in Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Texas, and South Dakota. In addition, REA held environmental workshops in Nebraska (2), Kansas (3), New Mexico (2), Arizona (1), Colorado (1), Texas (4), Montana (1), Utah (1), and Oregon (2). Raptor electrocution prevention was discussed at each of these environmental workshops. Due to recent developments with the raptor electrocution concerns, including the legal decision involving Moon Lake Electric Cooperative, a number of recent raptor electrocution/collision workshops were held. A summary of these workshops follows:

RAPTOR PROTECTION ON POWER LINES: THE STATE OF THE ART IN ARIZONA. Phoenix, Arizona. April 30, 1999.

  • The workshop was sponsored by the Arizona Public Service Company (APS), the Salt River Project, the Western Area Power Administration (Western) and the USFWS.
  • The purpose of the workshop was to discuss the problem of raptor electrocution and bird collisions in the state of Arizona.
  • Approximately 150 people representing Federal and State agencies, utilities, consultants, conservation groups, suppliers, wildlife rehabilators, and interested individuals attended the workshop.
  • There was a discussion of enforcement laws, both Federal and State. Reporting forms and methods were discussed. Wildlife rehabiltators indicated a willingness to help in the identification and collection of birds.
  • High risk factors such as large species, immature birds, wet weather conditions, social behavior, lack of alternative roosts and nesting problems were discussed. Low risk factors included small birds and forested areas.
  • Electrocution problems were usually found on 69 kV and lower voltage lines.
  • Radio and television interference, compact line designs and new construction designs were considered in developing new mitigation. APS has developed a new pole top perch for Harris hawks.
  • Existing mitigation measures, such as pole top caps, perch guards, insulating wraps, alternative designs and pole top pins, and their effectiveness were discussed
  • The development of an information management system including standardizing reporting forms and methods and identifying utility structures and their locations were discussed.

RAPTOR ELECTROCUTION PREVENTION WORKSHOP. Denver, Colorado. November 17-19, 1999.

  • The workshop was sponsored by the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) and Western.
  • Approximately 55 people representing Federal and State agencies, consultants, rural electric cooperatives (CO, NE, NM) and suppliers attended the workshop.
  • The purpose of the workshop was to discuss raptor electrocution prevention policies and measures, bird collisions, and nest removal policies and permits for cooperatives in Colorado.
  • The video "Raptors At Risk" was discussed. Also, other reports/videos on raptor electrocution were identified.
  • The USFWS discussed raptor protection laws and voluntary compliance procedures for states in USFWS' Region 6.
  • Some of the actions that hamper efforts to obtain a realistic identification of the extent of the electrocution problem include carcass removal by scavengers, the feather trade (killing birds illegally and selling the feathers), the general lack of reporting dead birds, and the lack of standardized reporting procedures.
  • The different types of permits (salvage and depredation) were discussed and possible procedures/problems were identified.
  • Steel distribution poles and raptor protection measures were discussed
  • Data collection procedures and raptor reporting forms for Colorado were discussed. RUS and USFWS are working on a reporting form.
  • Two cooperatives presented their raptor protection policies that were approved by their respective boards as standard operating policies. The USFWS also talked about the development of either a nationwide or statewide memorandum of agreement for raptor electrocution prevention.

AVIAN INTERACTION WITH UTILITY STRUCTURES. Charleston, South Carolina. December 2-3, 1999.

  • The workshop was sponsored by the Electric Power Research Institute.
  • The purpose of the workshop was to evaluate the state of the science with regards to bird collisions, causes and prevention measures of bird electrocutions, impacts of bird activities on power delivery, methods to assess the extent of avian interactions/mitigation effectiveness and to identify research priorities for electric utilities.
  • Approximately 100 people representing Federal government agencies, utilities, consultants, suppliers, educational institutions, conservation organizations attended the workshop.
  • Twenty-five formal presentations were made covering a wide variety of topics dealing with avian interactions with utility structures.
  • Results of the workshop will be available on EPRI’s website (http://www.epri.com) under the environmental section or contact rcarlton@epri.com.

RAPTOR ELECTROCUTION AND COLLISION PREVENTION WORKSHOP. Seward, Alaska. April 13-14, 2000.

  • This workshop was sponsored by EDM, International, Inc., in cooperation with the Alaska Rural Electric Cooperative Association, Darden & LaRue, Kaddas Enterprises, RUS, Southern Engineering, USFWS, University of Montana, and Western.
  • The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the problem of raptor electrocutions/collisions in the state of Alaska and develop preventive measures to minimize the problem. In the previous year, a number of bald eagles had been electrocuted and the USFWS is currently investigating the situation.
  • Approximately 100 people representing Federal and State agencies, utilities, consultants, suppliers and educational institutions attended the workshop.
  • Topics included types of raptors and electrocution factors, preventive measures, case studies, reporting forms, RUS raptor guidelines, laws and permit requirements, use of steel distribution pole, collision problems, and electrocution problems associated with the canning industry.
  • Reporting forms and procedures were identified and are currently being developed for utilities in the state of Alaska
  • At all these workshops, the USFWS reported that it is serious about enforcement of raptor/bird protection laws; however, it is willing to work with utilities to aleviate the problem. Only three species of birds (starlings, sparrows and pigeons) are not protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Standard reporting forms and methods need to be developed. RUS is currently working with the USFWS and other groups to develop reporting forms that can be used by rural cooperatives and other utilities. Utilities need to be proactive in their approach to the raptor electrocution/collision problem.

If you would like more information or have any questions, please call Dennis Rankin, Environmental Protection Specialist, Engineering and Environmental Staff at (202) 720-1953 or E-mail: drankin@rus.usda.gov.