Wildlife & Avian Assessment for Power Lines

Since 1982, the environmental consulting and research team has worked with utility companies and regulatory agencies to identify and solve wildlife and avian-related issues, both nationally and internationally. 

Technical specialties include:

• Avian Electrocution Studies and Risk Analysis
• Avian Collision Studies and Risk Analysis
• Avian Protection Plans
• Transmission Line Bird Streamer and Contamination Outage Studies
• Substation Outage Investigations
• Animal-Caused Outage Studies
• Nest Management
• Migratory Bird Treaty Act Permitting
• Litigation Support
• Utility Product Testing
• Training and Workshops

An integral part of this process is identifying problem areas, specifying applicable retrofits for existing facilities, and developing effective approaches for new construction.  Retrofitting recommendations are combined with a review of existing utility design standards to ensure new electrical facilities are constructed to bird-friendly standards.

EDM actively partners with utility manufacturers to test new products to reduce animal electrocutions and bird collisions.  EDM has the capability to safely test products with live animals in a controlled setting. 

Scientific research is a critical part of EDM’s wide range of capabilities.  EDM has helped develop the Bird Strike Indicator (BSI) to remotely detect and report collisions.  This technology is licensed to EDM for use on overhead lines or guy wires.  Other current research projects include developing a repellent for woodpecker damage control, commercializing a spray-on insulation to mitigate animal contacts with power lines, testing a sonic dissuader to deter woodpeckers from dangerous utility poles, and testing the feasibility of a remote bird and bat collision sensor for wind turbines.

EDM often incorporates and combines biological and engineering capabilities.  For example, EDM engineers recently evaluated bird collision marking devices, tested and recommended by the Environmental Services Group, for their possible electrical interference on high voltage power lines.

EDM’s role is often that of educator through serving as host or participant in workshops on animal interactions with electric utility infrastructure.  Educational projects include the development of an interactive web site on raptor electrocutions for the California Energy Commission, http://bems.edmlink.com, and a product encyclopedia of mitigating products for the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).  EDM co-produced the award winning video/DVD “Raptors at Risk,” as well as a photographic field guide for identifying raptor remains.  To purchase these publications and view a list of the Environmental Services Group publications, please contact us at the number below or via email.

Click here to order a copy of the "Raptors at Risk" video.

In order to address avian fatalities, many utilities now check equipment for potential areas that may pose hazards for birds.  A common method is to look under power lines for dead birds.  Identifying species for these fatalities is important for a number of reasons.  When decomposed carcasses, bone pieces, feathers or pellets are found under electrical structures, it can be difficult to identify the species.  This guide provides a resource for identifying partial remains of selected avian species. In partnership with PIER, EDM has developed and made available a photographic guide to identifying the remains of selected species of raptors.  To order, please click here.

EDM International, Inc. 4001 Automation Way Fort Collins, CO 80525 T: 970.204.4001 F: 970.204.4007