The Albany County Conservancy (ACC), a local grassroots coalition dedicated to protecting habitat, history, and wildlife in southeastern Wyoming, has taken a bold step to ensure transparency and accountability in the protection of eagles. On May 8th, the ACC filed an appeal with the U.S. Department of the Interior, challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (FWS) response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.
The ACC’s FOIA request sought access to critical data on the impact of four industrial wind sites in Carbon County on bald and golden eagle populations. However, the FWS provided only 256 pages of the 1,156 pages that fit the request, citing Exemption 4, which protects “trade secrets and commercial or financial information.” This limited disclosure raised concerns among the ACC about transparency.
“Information on such a publicly protected species as eagles should not be withheld from the American public,” stated Anne Brande, founder and Executive Director of the Albany County Conservancy. Brande emphasized the importance of making data about the health of local eagle populations available to the public.
The ACC’s commitment to eagle conservation is supported by Mike Lockhart, a co-petitioner in the Rail Tie Wind lawsuit and a retired U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist. Lockhart has spent decades tracking golden eagles across Wyoming and Colorado and has documented the impact of wind turbines on eagle populations. His research reveals that wind turbines are responsible for 43.5% of human-caused eagle deaths in Wyoming, a statistic that has fueled the ACC’s determination to seek full transparency.
“Renewable energy facilities aren’t green if they are poorly sited such that they kill and degrade critically important habitats for protected and declining wildlife,” Brande noted. “The biodiversity crisis is as dire as the climate crisis.”
For the Albany County community, the ACC’s efforts represent more than just an environmental advocacy mission—they are about preserving the natural beauty and wildlife that make this region special. With its appeal, the ACC is championing the right of local residents to know how their natural environment is being impacted.
Residents who want to learn more about the Albany County Conservancy’s work can visit their website at www.albanycountyconservancy.org.