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Why risk harming birds with industrial turbines?
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Southwestern Ontario has been targeted for industrial wind development. Approximately 900 industrial wind turbines have been proposed for this area. The turbines will dominate the landscape of the area.
The turbines will cover 1,350 acres of airspace with blades that move at speeds up to 200 m.p.h.
Wind turbines are not the first to utilize this airspace. Migrating wildlife has had claim to it for countless years, but now faces eviction.
The unique combination of the north shore of Lake Erie and the eastern and southern shores of Lake St. Clair act to funnel migrating wildlife into this 20-kilometre band of land, one of the major migratory pathways and staging areas for North American waterfowl. It is also a major migratory path for raptors and songbirds, as well as Monarch butterflies and bats. This small area of land also encompasses eight important bird areas, seven of which are globally significant. These areas are too important to endanger with turbines.
The cumulative effect of so many turbines in such a critical area, or the poor siting of even a few, could result in the displacement of wildlife and do irreversible harm to their migration. How could “environmentally conscious” wind companies propose developments in these areas? Is electricity ever worth such a risk?
MONICA ELMES
Ridgetown
11 March 2008
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