When federally protected species or habitats may be at risk from human activities, regulators may seek to mitigate potential harm through a tiered approach of first avoiding harm, then reducing harm, and finally, compensating for harm when it cannot be avoided or minimized, to ensure any negative impacts are balanced by ecological benefits. Compensatory mitigation for birds in the U.S. offshore wind context refers to federally required conservation or restoration efforts under the Endangered Species Act that offset unavoidable harm to protected bird species or their habitats. U.S. offshore wind projects may be required to implement compensatory mitigation if federal regulators determine that construction or operation is likely to harm protected birds or damage important habitats. As of 2025, this has been applied to three species in the U.S. Atlantic: Red Knots, Piping Plovers, and Roseate Terns, with a focus on addressing potential collision risk. Compensatory mitigation involves supporting restoration or conservation actions that benefit affected bird populations and habitats in measurable, lasting ways. Specific approaches for birds in relation to U.S. offshore wind are still in development. Examples may include improving or protecting key existing habitats, as well as controlling disease or invasive species at breeding colonies. For more detailed information and scientific citations, please see the full FAQ document linked below.