Wind Farms versus Eagles

[Keystone]

Quote from: tailwags on January 27, 2012, 09:24:16 PM
http://www.startribune.com/local/137803668.html

WIND FARM WILL SEEK PERMIT TO LEGALLY KILL EAGLES

This may have been posted last weekend.  I was out of town.


tailwags, thanks for posting this but I thought Pickens had retreated from this wind farm.  This is a no-win for the people and the raptors.  I don't know why he just doesn't go the pannhandle of Texas and build it where there are no known eagle nests?  I know this because there are no big trees out there.  That would make the most sense.  I do hope they are denied the permits.  Once they bend the rules just a little the skies the limit.  The greater good doesn't benefit only big business.   
 
 
 

[Mteresa1]

I can not believe that the government will allow this permit!!!!....
What can we do to see that this doesn't pass?. someone please let me know.
Unfortunately money dominates the world and the government officials depend on these money moguls for their campaigns. It's very sad!!!

[tailwags]

I can not believe that the government will allow this permit!!!!....
What can we do to see that this doesn't pass?. someone please let me know.
Unfortunately money dominates the world and the government officials depend on these money moguls for their campaigns. It's very sad!!!

I wrote the federal fish and wildlife agency;  the bureau of the interior and the agency that oversees wind energy nationally urging them to oppose the permit. I expressed my outrage that a permit would be issued.  No responses yet.

[williwaw]

Reply to my letter to Oregon Governor Kitzhaber:



Thank you for contacting me regarding your concern about federal approval of the West Butte Wind Power LLC project and the permit to kill as many as three protected golden eagles over five years. I appreciate hearing from you.

 

The West Butte Wind Project is being permitted through Crook County. You are correct in stating that concerns over golden eagle impacts have been raised. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) undertook a national review of potential energy project impacts on both bald and golden eagles and recently issued guidance on balancing eagle protection with creation of jobs and the production of clean renewable energy.

 

After that guidance was completed the USFWS issued a permit to the West Butte Project for eagle take, provided certain mitigation requirements were met. Keep in mind, however, no one knows for sure if any eagles will in fact be killed by the project.

 

While Crook County has jurisdiction over the permitting of this project, and the federal government has signed off on the environmental assessment, the state has taken an active interest in this project. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) continues to provide comments that are designed to minimize impacts and maintain healthy wildlife populations. According to ODFW, the agency believes that the mitigation requirements that have been placed on the West Butte Project by Crook County meet this important goal.

 

I understand your concern and will keep your views in mind as I monitor the progress of this project.

 

Thank you again for contacting me.  I will keep your comments in mind as I continue to work with the Legislature on the challenges and opportunities facing Oregon. Please visit my webpage to sign up for the most up-to-date information from my office or follow me at Facebook.

 

Sincerely,


 

 

John A. Kitzhaber, M.D.

Governor

[AliceWitt]

Thanks for trying, willi, but as I read that letter I almost knew the next words because they were verbatum from the news paper materials I have read. Is this called passing the buck?

[cosbyboy1]

Not likely that we are going to get rid of a clean energy industry.   How about devoting some of this anger and energy toward getting lead out of ammunition that is used for RECREATIONAL purposes.    No benefit from lead ammo enures to anyone except the manufacturers of the stuff.

Before this next nesting season ends in June/July and before hunting season begins next September or so, we need to have made some headway in this battle to Get The Lead Out.    Or we are going to see more eagles die the slow, hideous death of lead poisoning.   One reason for them flying into utility wires and turbine blades is lead poisoning which impairs their vision and balance.

Many of us, including Misdeed and jfrancl,  have been working hard on this project for a while now and I have not seen this much excitement yet devoted to GTLO.   There are so many horrible ways for eagles to die.   Why can't we start with the most obvious man-made stupid cause and get rid of it.    The Iowa legislature just kicked our butts because of technicalities and egos and carry over grudges.   The merits of banning lead ammo in Iowa were never really discussed in this recent session, yet the NRA, gun lobbyists, Republicans and orange-hatted cavemen were able to take over the vote in a carnival atmosphere.

Concurrently, let's lobby for the manufacture of deflector devices on wind turbine blades so that avian migration doesn't become a casualty of the clean energy this country so desperately needs.  My understanding is that the older turbines are the problem as they rotate much faster.   Whatever, they are necessary for clean energy development.   Lead ammo has no intrinsic value except to the folks who are too selfish and careless to care until we have a problem with soil and water contamination.  Then they will perk up.

We don't need lead ammo.   We do need clean energy.   And I personally need all the eagles I can get!

See the GTLO thread in this forum.   

[Braveheart]

With all due respect Cosby you are off topic here. Please move on

[cosbyboy1]

Braveheart, thanks for the advice.   I think I will.

[Braveheart]

Energy in America: Dead Birds Unintended Consequence of Wind Power Development


http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/08/16/energy-in-america-dead-birds-unintended-consequence-wind-power-development/
Caution Grahic

The simple solution would be to mandate shrouds be built around them at owners expense. Problem solved. No take licenses would be needed.

[julie]

If we could ge a mandate thru Congress for the new wind stalk wind energy source then the older and less efficient ones could be replaced amd eventually no birds would die

[Faith]

Braveheart, I have to respectfully disagree that Cosbyboy was off topic.  She made valid comments and referenced wind turbines several times in her posting.

[Braveheart]

Energy in America: Dead Birds Unintended Consequence of Wind Power Development


http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2011/08/16/energy-in-america-dead-birds-unintended-consequence-wind-power-development/
Caution Grahic

The simple solution would be to mandate shrouds be built around them at owners expense. Problem solved. No take licenses would be needed.

If you want to sneak metals into this topic, look what Aircraft Grade Aluminum does to Raptors and other birds.

[julie]

Ok you all take deep breaths and think about every ones position on all of this.

[julie]

Ok here we go the American Bird Conservancy has a petition out ( see link below)

American Bird Conservancy needs your help to protect millions of birds from the negative impacts of wind energy!

ABC has petitioned the U.S. Department of the Interior by developing regulations that will safeguard wildlife and reward responsible wind energy development. The more than 100-page petition for rulemaking, prepared by ABC and the Washington, D.C.-based public interest law firm of Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal, calls for establishing a mandatory permitting system for the operation of wind energy projects and mitigation of their impacts on migratory birds.

Now we are asking the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to open a public comment period on our petition, as the first step in creating rules to protect birds. Please send your comment!


Can't click the link?  Copy and paste this address into your browser:
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5400/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9510

[Braveheart]

Sign the petition
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5400/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=9510