SHEFFIELD — The owner of a commercial wind project in Vermont has been issued a special permit allowing for possible fatalities of bats, some of which are endangered species in the state.

The permit was sought by First Wind, which has a 16-turbine wind development project in Sheffield.

The Caledonian-Record reported that the permit issued by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources allows for fatalities for a maximum of four little brown bats, one Northern Long-Eared Bat, one Tri-Colored Bat and on Eastern Small-Footed Bat.

The permit issued requires the company to limit the operation of its turbines during the times of year when bats are most likely to be injured.

The company had been issued another permit earlier this year to monitor migratory bird mortality.