Raptor electrocution continues to be one of the major wildlife concerns of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), especially in states west of the Mississippi River. However, raptor electrocutions/collisions reporting is increasing in the eastern United States. Raptors (birds of prey) are a group of birds, which includes eagles, falcons, owls, kites, hawks, osprey and vultures. These birds of prey are protected through several laws, which include the Endangered Species Act, the Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Violations of these laws can result in fines and/or imprisonment. Disturbed by the continuing large numbers of raptors, particularly eagles, electrocuted along power lines, the USFWS is continuing to step up enforcement of these laws.
RUS has been receiving requests for guide drawings for raptor electrocution prevention measures/designs for standard RUS distribution structures. In accordance with 7 CFR 1724.52 of the Code of Federal Regulations, borrowers are permitted to use structures designed for raptor protection that are in accordance with Suggested Practices for Raptor Protection on Power Lines -The State of the Art in 1996, [hereafter called the "Suggested Practices", published by the Edison Electric Institute/Raptor Research Foundation. Such structures must be in accordance with the National Electrical Safety Code unless a specific waiver has been granted by the authority having jurisdiction in the area where the structure is located.
Any deviation from the RUS construction standards for the purpose of raptor protection which is not in accordance with Suggested Practices must be approved by RUS prior to construction.
Suggested Practices advocates the following measures to curtail raptor electrocutions on distribution pole top structures:
(B) The use of covered/insulated coverings over bare conductors at structures;
(C) The construction of perches or perch guards; or,
(D) The use of armless construction or undergrounding lines when the above measures are not feasible.
Suggested Practices states that "95 percent of all eagle electrocutions could be eliminated by correcting 2 percent of all the poles". Of particular concern are "preferred poles," which are poles frequently used by eagles as perches for hunting. These poles, more than any others, need to be identified and modified to be made raptor safe.
Standard raptor protection drawings are currently being incorporated in RUS Bulletins 1728F-803 and 1728F-804, "Specifications and Drawings for 24.9/14.4 kV Line Construction," and "Specifications and Drawings for 14.4/12.45 kV Line Construction," respectively, which are now under revision. The recommended drawings to be included in these revised documents are shown on attached Figures 1 through 5. It is noted that the materials used for these modified assemblies are virtually the same as the corresponding standard assemblies. The choice of which modification to employ is an economic decision, based on such factors as ground clearances, age of facilities, and cost of materials and labor.
Installing distribution lines underground for the purpose of raptor protection is an economic decision that must be studied and justified by the borrower. The use of armless construction, which may be more costly and less reliable than RUS’ preferred standard crossarm construction, is discouraged. However, RUS will consider the use of armless construction in certain situations on a case-by-case approval basis.
If you would like more information or have any questions, please contact Dennis Rankin, Environmental Protection Specialist, Engineering and Environmental Staff, at 202-720-1953 or at drankin@rus.usda.gov.