In an earlier post regarding wind turbines along the Lake Erie Shore, Bill
Whan brings up a subject that, unfortunately, still has more questions than
answers. There are many plans being discussed for wind turbines along the
lake shore. But thankfully, there are efforts to study this issue so that
informed decisions can be made.
As one of the country's leading authorities on songbird migration, Black
Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) has been proactive on this issue, and has been
working alongside state and federal wildlife agencies to bridge the
information gaps. BSBO has been part of the Ohio Wind Working Group (OWWG)
from its inception in 2005, and we encourage more NGOs (non-governmental
organizations) to get involved. So often, grassroots efforts are where
progress is finally made in the environmental arena. We encourage you to
visit the OWWG website, specifically the Environmental Action Team page,
found here: http://ohiowind.org/Environmental-Action-Team.cms.aspx Please
note the maps showing areas of wildlife concern in Ohio, the Environmental
Action Team Fact Sheet, and the Pre and Post-Construction Monitoring
Protocols.
BSBO's long-term migration datasets have been instrumental in more than one
commercial venture walking away during preliminary plans for placement in
the western basin. This could be one of the greatest conservation values
that BSBO's research projects provide when all is said and done. Alternative
energy is, of course, a good thing, but it all boils down to location,
location, location.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has developed voluntary guidelines
for commercial operations. Please note the voluntary part! Avian Concern
Zones include areas within 3 miles of the lakeshore. There are considerable
concerns for both birds and bats with commercial grade operations; the ones
mentioned in Conneaut are not of that magnitude. They are not the behemoths
involved in commercial operations which are 400 to 600 feet tall. How these
mid-size turbines affect bird activity and survival is unknown, especially
immediately along the lake. One or two is one thing, but when you're talking
thousands of such structures that is another issue.
Clearly, there remain more questions than answers. That, in part, is why the
Ohio Division of Wildlife's waterbird surveys on the open lake were
undertaken this past fall, to improve knowledge for informed decisions.
This is a complex issue and every birder or nature enthusiast should be
active in educating themselves on all sides of the issue. Aesthetics;
mortality; sub-lethal effects; behavioral effects; "greenness;" habitat
loss; all are out there with varying viewpoints. Unfortunately, when there's
money to be made, all too often wildlife takes it on the chin.
Kim Kaufman
Executive Director
Mark Shieldcastle
Research Director
Julie Shieldcastle
Conservation Director
Black Swamp Bird Observatory
13551 West State Route 2
Oak Harbor, Ohio 43449
419-898-4070
www.bsbobird.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio birds [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Bill
Whan
Sent: Sunday, January 24, 2010 9:24 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [Ohio-birds] Up, up, and Away!
...or so is the title of an article in the Conneaut Courier last
Thursday, announcing the imminent start-up of two wind turbines on the
lakefront, one 160 feet tall to supply power to the sewage plant and
another of 210 feet for a middle school. No doubt many many other
turbines are planned for the Lake Erie shore, and one wonders what their
effect on birds will be...
Bill Whan
Columbus
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Ohio-birds mailing list, a service of the Ohio Ornithological Society.
Our thanks to Miami University for hosting this mailing list.
Additional discussions can be found in our forums, at www.ohiobirds.org/forum/.
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