FReepmail me to be added or removed to the ECO-PING list!
Posted on 11/01/2005 4:56:10 PM PST by proud_yank
A study of the potential impact of wind turbines on birds in eastern P.E.I. won't be completed before construction begins, leading to criticisms that the province is paying mere lip service to conservationism.
The province has ordered for 10 Vestas wind turbines worth $55 million for a wind farm in eastern P.E.I.
It has commissioned an environmental assessment by Becky Whittam of Bird Studies Canada, a not-for-profit conservation organization based in Sackville, N.B.
However, Whittam has warned that her study would cover an entire year, including migrations and breeding seasons.
Her final report won't be ready until August 2006 – months after construction of the wind farm is tentatively scheduled to start.
"This is already, as far as I can see, a fait accompli," said Dan Kennedy, an avid bird watcher.
"Government isn't waiting for a study. They've decided this is what they want to do."
But the government of Premier Pat Binns has rejected the criticism, saying it will be receiving regular updates as the bird study progresses and expects most research to be completed by the time the bulk of construction begins.
Many birders in the province have expressed concerns about the project.
Kennedy said the area around East Point – near a likely site for the wind farm – is a favourite spot for birds, especially during spring and fall migrations.
"We saw 1,200 cliff swallows there last year, in one flock and they're all wheeling above the area we're talking about," he said. "...Four thousand robins at one point."
East Point is protected because by land-use rules, but Kennedy said he believeds the turbines will be close to area where the birds stop to rest.
He predicted the turbines would harm the birds, saying some U.S. wind farms had reported deaths among rare species such as eagles.
Whittam said wind farms were no longer built in the same way as those cited by Kennedy – but echoed his wish that construction be entirely delayed until she completes the assessment.
"If a proper study were done, the results in, given proper consideration and then sites chosen, I'd shut up," he said. "But that's not what's happening.
The province hopes the wind farm will be operational by the fall of 2006. The 30-megawatt wind farm is part of its strategy to get 15 per cent of the province's electrical energy from renewable sources by 2010."
I have heard that wind turbines can have an impact on migratory birds (I'm a duck hunter), anyone have any insight on this?
Also, After the screams of the environmentalists about the oil supply after Katrina (Bush's fault) and why we weren't prepared for it, etc. I really get a laugh listening to them get all wet over 'wind farms'. I highly doubt that these could withstand a tornado, not to mention a hurricane! Great plan guys.
for your ping lists
I'm told they kill lots of seabirds in Europe. I'm not sure exactly how, but probably because they move so suddenly into motion. Also, they are really quite noisy.
FReepmail me to be added or removed to the ECO-PING list!
You want a really good laugh? Suggest siting a nuclear plant there instead. :=)
The left is not two-faced. I actually think it's more like 2,000 faced.
As I understand from other postings on this forum, older wind towers were built similar to those for electrical lines, offering predatory birds numerous perches from which they would then fly into the turbine blades. The newer ones eliminate this problem.
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