Black Swamp Bird Observatory Speaks Out Against
Wind Turbines in Migratory Bird Stopover Habitat
 

The Issue

Wind turbines are creeping their way into the Lake Erie Marsh Region from the east and west. They are being proposed for schools, small businesses, and private residences. These are not the massive, commercial turbines, but “smaller” units, seemingly innocuous by comparison. But there are some facts that everyone should know. These so called “midsized” turbines can exceed 300 feet.
Currently no federal or state laws or regulations exist to guide where wind energy projects – of any size - can be installed in relation to bird and wildlife sensitive areas.  In other words, wildlife agencies like the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) are currently not required to review most wind energy projects on behalf of the public – that is, not until there is a problem. 


Why is this a problem?

The Lake Erie Marsh Region is recognized as globally important for migratory birds and is home to a large number of breeding Bald Eagles. Huge numbers of migratory songbirds, shorebirds, and waterfowl stop here to feed and rest every spring and fall during their long-distance migrations. Visiting birders travel to this region of northwest Ohio to observe and enjoy this spectacle, bringing millions of dollars to these Lakeshore communities (often promoted as “Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands”).

ODNR'S AVIAN CONCERN ZONE MAP

Yes. However, most of these studies have been conducted in areas where birds are in active migration, flying at heights above the reach of the turbines. Stopover habitat changes the entire equation because birds are dropping in and taking off in these areas. In other words, if a commercial jetliner’s cruising altitude is 30,000 feet, you still wouldn’t put wind turbines at the end of the runway. Moreover, the birds are generally arriving and departing during predawn or dusk, when visibility is poor and obstacles present the greatest threat.


BSBO Supports Responsible, Renewable Energy

1) Outreach and Education
Members of the BSBO staff have been speaking out about this issue to anyone who will listen.  We have given presentations for city council members, zoning boards, chambers of commerce, school boards, county commissioners, mayors, private citizens, and the press. We are hosting meetings and reaching out to representatives from organizations and agencies such as: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Bowling Green State University, University of Toledo, The Ohio State University, The Nature Conservancy, Pelee Island Observatory, Black Swamp Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Winous Point Marsh Conservancy, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Ohio Division of Wildlife and Ohio State Parks), Ohio Ornithological Society and Old Bird Inc.  And, in an effort to provide perspectives from both sides of the issue, we have also encouraged representatives from several wind energy companies to attend.  In addition to presentations and meetings, we are writing, calling, emailing, Facebooking, Twittering, and blogging about the issue in an all-out effort to reach as many people as we can--before it’s too late.

2) Seeking a Moratorium
With full support of the BSBO Board of Directors and the support of many other organizations, agencies, businesses and private citizens, BSBO is encouraging others to join us in our call for a three-year moratorium on any additional wind turbines along the Lake Erie Coast in Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Erie Counties until adequate research during three consecutive years – to account for annual and seasonal variations - can be conducted on the potential impacts on birds and bats.  

3) BSBO Commented on U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Draft Wind Energy Guidelines – throughout the process
In February 2011, the United Stated Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released draft guidelines designed to provide information needed to make the best possible decisions in the review and selection of sites for wind energy facilities to avoid and minimize negative impacts to wildlife and their habitats.  The documents were part of the Department of the Interior's ongoing efforts to improve siting and permitting of renewable energy projects.   

Once finalized, the Wind Energy Guidelines are expected to include some guidance for small scale and individual turbines because as a USFWS official remarked during a December 2011 U.S. Department of Energy seminar, even one turbine in the wrong place – for instance, next to or in the vicinity of an eagle nest – could be a devastating problem – for the birds, and for the developer. 

The BSBO staff, aided by a generous donation of services by volunteer legal advisor Mark Skolnicki, wrote and submitted several sets of detailed comments to USFWS at various stages of their process to finalize voluntary guidelines for wind energy development in this country.  These detailed comments, while not for the faint of heart, show BSBO’s commitment to bird conservation and we encourage everyone to read them.  A debt of gratitude is owed to Mark Skolnicki for his expert leadership in drafting our comments.   

For more background information on the Wind Energy Guidelines, and to read any of the six (6) sets of detailed Comments that BSBO submitted  to USFWS, as well as a summary of BSBO’s Main Points, click HERE.

If you have any questions, please email us at staff@bsbo.org or call 419 898-4070. 

4) BSBO and Research Partners Implementing a Project to Assess Impacts of Wind Power Development on Migratory Birds and Bats Near Lake Erie
In addition to meeting with many community and government leaders, and giving as many educational presentations as we can on the issue to any group that will listen, we're also spearheading a major research project to answer some remaining questions about just how far back from the Lakeshore wind turbines need to be to avoid killing or injuring birds and bats and minimize destroying their habitats.  BSBO and our research partners are working to put all segments of a broad study concept together in 2012 to address stopover ascent/decent, migration volume, and interpretation of banding and point counts, which will all help to identify potential risks of wind power development to migratory birds and bats. The primary objectives are to move forward a comprehensive research project utilizing multiple methodologies to:  

(1) improve understanding of bird migration along the Lake Erie coast;

(2) set a framework for expansion throughout the Great Lakes;

(3) assess risk to migratory birds from wind power operations; and

(4) provide valuable information for decision makers regarding placement of wind turbines in stopover habitats.  

Accomplishment of these objectives has major implications for the Western Lake Erie Basin but can also set the standard for wind development throughout the Great Lakes region. Our coordinated project could provide the groundwork to rapidly expand the ability of the wildlife agencies, mandated to protect migratory birds and bats, to make informed decisions on the proper placement of wind turbines as well as on habitat prioritization for both protection and enhancement. 

An article published by The Press of Oregon, Ohio provides more information about the latest meeting BSBO hosted to discuss this project. Click HERE to read the article. 

5) BSBO Commented on First-ever Eagle “Take” Permit Application for Wind Project
In January 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) released a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) of a request for a permit that would allow for the "take" of Golden Eagles at a proposed wind project in central Oregon.  "Take" means to kill, harass or disturb the birds, their nests or their eggs.  Under regulations adopted in 2009, USFWS may authorize “take” of eagles during activities that are otherwise lawful but that result in either disturbance or mortality.   

To read more about this proposed eagle take permit click HERE. 

In February 2012 BSBO submitted comments to the Service on their Draft Environmental Assessment to Permit Take as Provided Under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) for the West Butte Wind Project in Oregon.  BSBO submitted comments for two main reasons:  

• The permit would be the first programmatic permit issued under the Service’s BGEPA permitting regulations (at 50 CFR 22.26 ) – if commercial wind energy projects are planned in our region, within 10 miles of have important eagle-use areas, developers and the Service would (in theory) follow this process for determining whether to issue a permit to authorize incidental take of eagles during the operation of wind energy systems.

·       Because we are fortunate to have Mark Shieldcastle on staff – a wildlife biologist with over 25 years experience directing the recovery plan for Bald Eagles in the state of Ohio (who continues to work relentlessly to advance bird conservation) – we wanted to offer some advice, based in part on many of the lessons learned from managing regional eagle populations. 

To see a copy of the Comments BSBO submitted to USFWS click HERE.


What’s Next?  

In late November 2011, during a conference call of the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative Wildlife Workgroup, it was reported that USFWS anticipated being able to publish its Wind Energy Guidelines in “early 2012.”  It remains to be seen whether “early 2012” means March or April, or possibly as late as June.  If USFWS were to publish the final Wind Energy Guidelines at the same time as the final Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance – because the two documents are meant to be compatible – the federal inter-agency review process for the Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance may push the publication date for both documents closer to a June 2012 date.  

In the meantime, guidelines for the Great Lakes region are available!  Black Swamp Bird Observatory applauds The Nature Conservancy for its achievement of producing a scientifically sound blue print for pursuing renewable energy production in the Great Lakes region while conserving wildlife and their habitats.   

Because not enough is known yet about the typical angle of descent of birds that stop to rest and feed along our shores during migration, BSBO had been encouraging individuals, businesses, and governments join us in our call for a 3 year moratorium on turbine placement within 3 miles of Lake Erie in Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Erie Counties until adequate radar studies can be conducted on the potential impacts on birds and bats in our globally significant area.  Our suggestion for a 3 mile buffer had been based on Ohio’s delineated “Avian Concern Zones.” 

Scientific research and analysis by The Nature Conservancy in Ohio and Michigan supports a recommendation against commercial wind energy development within 5 miles of Great Lakes shorelines until adequate radar studies and surveys can be conducted in the coming years. 

The common scientific rationale for both sets of guidance is the fact that many of most critical stopover habitats and designated Important Bird Areas (IBAs) are along the shorelines of the Great Lakes, which support large numbers of migratory birds.   

Among other things, the Great Lakes Guidelines provide a list of “Sites That May Be Suitable for Siting of Wind Turbines.”  Suitable areas for wind energy development may include:   

·         Tilled agricultural lands distant (≥ 5 mi) from the Great Lakes waters with no known or suspected species migration stopover sites.

·         Industrial lands, especially those distant (> 5 mi) from the Great Lakes waters.

·         Brownfields, abandoned or underused industrial and commercial facilities and land available for re-use, especially those distant (> 5 mi) from the Great Lakes waters where birds are less likely to be concentrated.  

Teaming research with education to promote bird conservation 
Please be assured that BSBO will be watching future wind energy developments in our region, “like a hawk.”  But, we welcome your help!  

What YOU can do about it:

1) Write letters of support (Click HERE for a sample letter):

  • 9th Congressional District, Ohio
    U.S. Representative Marcy Kaptur
    1 Maritime Plaza, Fl. 6
    Toledo, Ohio 43604

  • 80th District, Ohio State Representative Dennis E. Murray Junior
    77 High Street, Fl. 10
    Columbus, Ohio 43215-6111

For a complete list of Ohio’s Government Officials, visit: http://ohio.gov/government/

2) Make a financial contribution to help support BSBO's efforts:  

To Learn More

1) Read a synopsis of our November 29, 2010 meeting HERE. 

2) Read a summary of our February 2012 meeting HERE.

3) For more information about wind power and wildlife – including online resources and news articles click HERE.