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Oregon-based PPM Energy and Texas-based Horizon Wind Energy have released the first in a series of reports analyzing post-construction avian and bat mortality at their Maple Ridge Wind Farm, located 75 miles northeast of Syracuse, New York.
"On top of this extensive monitoring, the Maple Ridge Wind Farm is working with the Bat Wind Energy Cooperative and researchers from Bat Conservation International to see if we can field test experimental bat deterrent devices at Maple Ridge during the summer of 2007."
-- Andy Linehan, PPM Energy, director of wind permitting
The "Annual Report for the Maple Ridge Wind Power Project, Post-construction Bird and Bat Fatality Study—2006" concluded that bird and bat fatalities found at the 231-megawatt wind farm were within the range of fatalities found during late summer and fall migration at turbines in the United States.
The wind farm itself consists of 195 wind turbines and three permanent meteorology towers on the Tug Hill Plateau of Lewis County, just west of Lowville, New York. During this first year of what will be an ongoing four-year study, carcass surveys were conducted at 50 out of 120 operational turbine sites.
Because the project itself was not operational until mid-2006, the report did not cover portions of the spring bird migration, and thus definitive estimates of bird mortality are not yet available. A total of 125 avian incidents were recorded by searchers during standardized surveys, representing 30 species.
However, the bird carcasses that were found during the study included no species listed in state or federal endangered species lists, and only one raptor—an American kestrel.
The study also found that "as with most turbine facilities across the United States, the number of fatalities of night migrants was fairly low at the Maple Ridge facility...the numbers were especially small in comparison with fatality rates of these birds at tall, guyed communication towers in the Midwestern and eastern United States, where fatalities sometimes involve hundreds or even thousands of birds in a single night or migration season."
"The information we collect at Maple Ridge will be used to help make wind farms in New York State and across the country safer for birds and bats and help us better assess sites for new wind projects," said Horizon Wind Energy development director Patrick Doyle.
For bats, the June to November study covered an estimate 90 percent of the period during which bats are at risk and resulted in an estimated 9.2 to 14.9 bats per megawatt per season. Although higher than predicted in pre-project studies this rate is—according to the study—lower than rates reported from Appalachian Ridges.
Remains of 326 bats were found by searchers during standardized surveys. The mix of species identified included a similar mix of species found during other wind project mortality surveys, with the largest number of incidents among hoary bats, with smaller numbers of silver-haired, little brown, red and other relatively common bat species. No bat species listed in state or federal endangered species lists were found.
In addition, the Maple Ridge Wind Farm is working closely with the New York State Energy Research and Development, Authority (NYSERDA) to facilitate NYSERDA-funded advanced radar analysis of bird and bat migration at Maple Ridge, planned for the migrations seasons of 2007 and 2008.
"On top of this extensive monitoring, the Maple Ridge Wind Farm is working with the Bat Wind Energy Cooperative and researchers from Bat Conservation International to see if we can field test experimental bat deterrent devices at Maple Ridge during the summer of 2007," said Andy Linehan, PPM Energy's director of wind permitting.
The 2006 study protocol was as follows:
• 50 turbines and two meteorological towers were included in the survey. (Ten turbines and one meteorological tower were checked daily, 10 turbines and one meteorological tower were checked every third day and 30 turbines are checked weekly.)
• Turbines were selected randomly, but included all representative habitat types for the project.
• Grass and other vegetation beneath the turbines were cut or cleared regularly to make it easy for searchers to find dead bats. Searcher efficiency and scavenging rate studies were also performed.
• Any carcasses found were collected and frozen for identification by experts. Bat carcasses were subject to genetic testing for species identification, radioisotope testing for determining areas of origin and mercury testing to determine bioaccumulation of pollution from fossil-burning power plants.
In addition to the post-construction studies, Maple Ridge conducted a summer bat study, a fall migration radar and night vision study, Phase I Avian Risk Assessment, and a Breeding Bird Survey before the project was approved for construction.
A multi-agency public/private team conducted the first year of a four-year study using methodology defined by the Project Technical Advisory Committee, which is comprised of the following membership: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, New York State Audubon Society, Curry and Kerlinger (responsible for implementing the design and execution of the study), Environmental Design & Research (responsible for environmental studies to support permitting for Maple Ridge Wind Farm), PPM Energy and Horizon Wind Energy. Dr. James Gibbs of State University of New York Environmental Science and Forestry was the consultant for statistical review.
This study is very disappointing. Many of us boaters were hoping the future 5 MW offshore towers would become giant Sea Gull chopping machines.
Now we are left with a spoiled view of the ocean by the wind mills and excessive Sea Gulls.
To coin a phrase, "much ado about nothing". I would venture to say that this is a very minimal amount of mortalities compared to the overall loss during migration.
If there are supposedly more involved with stationary towers, etc., I would expect a much larger number in forested areas with large trees. I wonder how many would have flown into the large trees in virgin forests in the good old days before we cut them down and "saved" the species ?
To coin a phrase, "much ado about nothing". I would venture to say that this is a very minimal amount of mortalities compared to the overall loss during migration.
If there are supposedly more involved with stationary towers, etc., I would expect a much larger number in forested areas with large trees. I wonder how many would have flown into the large trees in virgin forests in the good old days before we cut them down and "saved" the species ?
"as with most turbine facilities across the United States, the number of fatalities of night migrants was fairly low at the Maple Ridge facility...the numbers were especially small in comparison with fatality rates of these birds at tall, guyed communication towers in the Midwestern and eastern United States, where fatalities sometimes involve hundreds or even thousands of birds in a single night or migration season."
I think that this study, though labor intensive and complex (testing for radioisotopes, mercury, etc.) should help justify the safety of wind turbines for our avian friends. I always honk if I see a bird or other creature on the road but by the evidence of road kill, I know that not all drivers are successful.
adrianakau2aol.com
(Assumption # 1, continued) Because wind farms will make increasing economic and environmental sense (i.e. reduction in acid rain from coal and oil-burning plants, reduction in the nuclear waste dispoal dilemmas, etc.), more wind farms WILL be coming...they are an excellent alternative to traditional power generation...and instead of complaining they're killing birds, we should solidly get behind their development -- and QUICKLY. (Assumption #2) Any rotating object placed 300 feet or so in the air, but anchored close to the ground where bird populations exist, probably have the potential to impact and kill birds and bats... (continued below)
I recall an article/paper I read relating to such avian fatalities, and it had indicated that 'stationary buildings' such as skyscrapers, office buildings, and other structures' were also a notable source for impact deaths for birds. I wonder how many studies have been done to address the concerns for thees structures.
You know... sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug.
Thomas,
Out of curiosity, how would you characterize the Cape Wind project- well sited or poorly sited?
Maine's CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION just pontificated that in the environmental political pecking order; Global Warming is more important than loss of habitat, scenic views, and bird/insect life.
This enabled them to back a controversial wind project yesterday.
...as the World turns, even hard core environmentalists see the coming daylight!
I agree with Joe's comment above. The reality is that wind farms are not benign. Their development can consume alot of land, they can be noisy if not maintained or sited properly, they can interfere with communication systems, they do kill some birds and bats, and they can be visually intrusive. However - these impacts can be avoided if the companies spend enough time (and money) by properly deisning and siting the windfarm. I also think some of the onus should fall on the Towns where developers are proposing their projects. The towns must be involved in the process - there is a lot of money involved, and the economic spin-off's can be enormous. I am a massive proponent of well sited wind farms, but a staunch opponent of poorly sited wind farms. All that being said - what is the alternative? We still need power people. It is up to us to decide how that power is produced (and delivered)...do you want coal, nuclear, gerbils on wheels, or an integrated approach of clean energy - begining with solar panels on your homes?? I personally would take the latter.
Tom
We have worked on numerous wind farm projects in New York, and the numbers all show that bird/bat fatalities, for even the higher mortality rate wind farms are still lower than other sources of harm to these species (cats, buildings, cars, high tension wires etc.), in some cases by factors of up to 100 or even 1000.
When asked by the naysayers to wind farms as to why even one avian fatality is acceptable, we respond by asking for their suggestive alternative....that tends to result in silence as their response...
You're funny.
As before, this is a welcome study to increase our understanding of avian and bat interactions with wind turbines. As before, however, although it does give us more comfort that turbines in the right place should not pose a problem for bird/bat populations, it does not show that turbines are not ever a problem. As several studies have shown, if put in the wrong locations, turbines can have a significant mortality impact on sensitive and rare species.
I don't find it helpful when people assert that environmental impacts of turbines are not an issue and that we should just move on - like any development, turbines can have an environmental impact, and should be assessed accordingly. Sensitive areas should be avoided - after all, there are innumerable areas they can be placed that won't put them in conflict with sensitive nature conservation interests.
So, hats off to this company for getting a decent post-construction monitoring study in place, and let's hope they get it published - but let's not get carried away.
The fact that the story leaves out the conclusion is obvious industry spin. The draft report concluded up to 6,000 birds and bats killed at that facility but that too has been omitted. Here is the draft report. See page 50.
Bats don't have to be smart, they have incredible senses. Has anyone ever seen the video, where researchers blindfolded a bat and released it through a jail type cell, with vertical bars that were barely wide enough to physically push the bat through the gap with its' wings folded in?
The blindfolded bat flies up to the bars and folds its wings (which extended were many times the width of the bars) and it did a forward mid-air somersault through the bars like it was nothing. Don't believe the hype
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