The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is proposing updates to a broad incidental take permit related to wind energy and rare cave bats across the state.

The permit covers the unintentional, or incidental, taking of endangered and threatened bat species caused by wind turbines, including the tricolored bat, northern long-eared bat, little brown bat, and big brown bat. The DNR says the updated permit balances the importance of wind energy development with the need to reduce impacts on cave bat populations. While some bat mortality may still occur, the DNR concludes the updated conservation measures will minimize impacts and will not jeopardize the long-term survival or recovery of bat populations. If approved, the updated measures will be incorporated into the existing permit. Background information and the jeopardy assessment are available on the DNR’s Incidental Take Public Notices webpage or by contacting DNR conservation biologist Stacy Rowe.