Review deems wind farms 'catastrophic' to birds

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.themonitor.com/news/wind_7783___article.html/edm_birds.html

Review deems wind farms 'catastrophic' to birds

Melissa McEver
January 2, 2008 - 7:49PM

Wind turbines on the southern Texas Gulf Coast, and in Kenedy County in particular, could have a “catastrophic” impact on migrating and local birds, according to a new environmental review commissioned by the Coastal Habitat Alliance.

Wind farm developers, however, maintain that the proposed wind projects on Kenedy Ranch will have minimal effects on birds.

The alliance, a group of 11 organizations that oppose the construction of two wind farms on 20,000 acres of Kenedy Ranch, commissioned Colorado-based EDM International to study the two proposed sites and critique the wind-energy companies’ own studies.

EDM used U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines in evaluating the sites and concluded their placement was problematic, the report says.

...

[Speck Tater]

1. I've noticed that automobile traffic on country roads...

...can be catastrophic to migrating possums. Guess we'd all better give up our cars.

[kansasblue]

2. I willing to learn more but I always wonder if the oil companies

are behind these reports.

How are the birds liking Climate change, pollution, and oil refineries?

[tridim]

3. I'm wishy-washy on this topic because I love animals..

But I think that the benefits of alternative energy far outweigh the drawbacks. Migrating birds have 1000 mile maps etched into their tiny brains, I'm guessing they'll figure out how to avoid the danger of a few wind farms.

[frylock]

4. how fast are these things spinning that birds are being chopped up?

we have them here in socal, and I've driven through the farms along I60. I don't see how they can be a danger at the speeds they spin.

[jpak]

7. Mass quantities of birds enter the US on the South Texas Coast during spring migration

The passage of cold fronts off the coast results in "fallouts" of high flying passerines - millions of birds descend and land on the immediate coast (or just inland).

They are pretty spectacular events - birds literally "fall" from the sky and land everywhere.

Offshore wind farms might not pose a danger but the risk is higher for the ones planned for the Kennedy Ranch.

Of course they could shut down the turbines under certain weather conditions and at night during peak migration....

[frylock]

8. thanks for the info

:thumbsup:

[malakai2]

9. Where is this site?

Particularly in relation to Aransas National Wildlife Refuge?

[jpak]

12. South of Corpus Christi near Kingsville

n/t

[eppur_se_muova]

10. Thanks for the info. I know newer wind turbines are safer but location is everything. nt

[Ryano42]

5. Figure out a way to scare them away...like

the "eyes" on airliner jet intakes. Just need an elegant solution.

Imagine all the birds killed by a reactor in meltdown...

[MADem]

6. Gee, ya gotta wonder if there's a way to put whistles or bells up on those things during

migratory season. I love the "COULD have" aspect of this report. I "could have" a billion dollars if I had a rich uncle...!!

Are these EDM guys the NEW ENRON, or what?

EDM has become a leader in the electric utility, construction and forest products industries by merging excellence in engineering and science with a genuine concern for our clients' needs.

Since EDM's incorporation in 1982, the key to the success of our consulting, research and development services has been our team of dedicated professionals and support staff chosen for their unique yet complementary abilities.

In working with EDM, you will find an emphasis on personal service and satisfaction -- accomplished by working closely with our clients to jointly achieve project goals.

EDM is an employee-owned corporation and you will find the pride of ownership reflected in the level of effort we direct into every project. We are proud of the leadership role EDM has earned in our industry. We accept the responsibility that accompanies such a role. EDM is committed to producing results that are expected of industry leaders.

Reliability and innovation are our benchmarks.

We stress these qualities in our services and products. Reliability and innovation will be what help you grow and prosper in the years to come; reliability and innovation are what set us apart.

http://www.edmlink.com/AboutUs.htm

Anyone here know anything about these guys?

[Dead_Parrot]

11. Hmmm

I may be way off the mark here, but does any fancy looking at this group? I recall a bunch of gulf coasters protesting wind-farms because it might spoil thier development plans and fishing charters. I can't help wondering if it's the same guys, but I don't have time to dig properly...

[malakai2]

13. I doubt it's related

From the article quoted in the OP:

"EDM used U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines in evaluating the sites and concluded their placement was problematic, the report says."

USFWS promulgates these guidelines to help simplify the consultation processes pursuant to ESA, MBTA, BGEPA, and so forth. The various industry sectors (companies maintaining transmission lines for example) also issue their own best practices guidelines, in part to simplify the USFWS consultations. Companies tend to prefer complying with these guidelines from the start, as a means of limiting costs inherent to changing project plans while underway or paying fines for illegal take of T&E wildlife. Even if EDM is using the USFWS guidelines to mask a motive for opposing the development, there is still the issue of the USFWS guidelines making the placement problematic. Ultimately, USFWS will need to rule on that, but potential impacts on migratory birds and whooping cranes could stop the project or substantially alter it.