The USFWS determines either the number of eagle credits or number of pole retrofits an applicant of an incidental eagle take permit is required to complete as an offset. The Eagle ILF Program can also provide mitigation as a net benefit to meet permit conditions.

Currently the Eagle ILF Program defines 1 mitigation credit = a power pole retrofit providing 30 years of avoided loss. Eagle credit requirements on a permit can be converted by our staff to a number of power pole retrofits. Costs for each credit are based on the full-cost accounting to retrofit an individual pole and maintain retrofits for a minimum of 30 years.