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grant is that instead of four levels of lights, the proposed tower now only needs two <br /> levels. Thanks, Dave <br /> Jim Lutes(c�fws.gov <br /> 11:57 AM <br /> to debeske, me <br /> Just as a point of clarifiation. The question addressed below was simply whether the Service would <br /> rather see a single taller, normally lit, and guyed tower over several smaller, normallly lit, and guyed <br /> towers. The short answer is it is the overall preference of the Service that short, unlit, and unguyed <br /> towers be developed wherever possible as outlined in the Service Guidelines. <br /> In situations where this is not pursued then it is the preference of the Service that the developer <br /> implement whatever possible actions are available to avoid negative interactions between migratory <br /> songbirds and communication towers. One significant action, as stated in the Service Guidelines, is to <br /> change the tower lighting configuration so as to eliminate the use of steady burning L-810 lights. <br /> Studies have indicated that this single action can reduce migratory bird mortality at communication <br /> towers by as much as 70% even at towers with guy wires (I can provide this research if need be) . <br /> The reason is simple. Steady burning lights attract birds under low visability conditions (i.e <br /> fog/clouds/rain). Not wanting to leave the safety of the light the birds flight patterns are then <br /> constrained within the halo of light. As the birds circle around the tower they often collide with the guy <br /> wires (as opposed to colliding directly with the tower itself). It is my understanding that Mr. Magnum <br /> has taken the necessary steps to petition FCC, and has received approval from FCC, to change the <br /> lighting configuration of the proposed tower so as to reduce the number of lights from 8 to 4 and do <br /> away with the stready burning L-810 in favor of flashing red LED lights. Based on the information <br /> above the voluntary actions of Mr. Magnum to address the attractant (steady burning L-810 lights) is <br /> a significant step forward in reducing the risk of migratory bird mortality at the proposed <br /> communication tower. <br /> Jim Lutes/R3/FWS/DOI <br /> 10/25/2012 09:41 AM Tomagcom @chorus.net, debeskeAwisc.edu <br /> 2 <br />