June 23, 2011
Minnesota

Bird's the word in objection raised over AWA Goodhue wind project

By Brett Boese, The Post-Bulletin, www.postbulletin.com 22 June 2011

RED WING – Two state lawmakers say the AWA Goodhue wind project used outdated information in studying raptor activity in an area being sought for a 50-turbine, 78-megawatt wind farm.

Rep. Tim Kelly, R-Red Wing, and Rep. Steve Drazkowski, R-Mazeppa, sent a letter earlier this month to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission saying that Westwood Professional Services, an Eden Prairie-based company hired by the project developers, used outdated information when conducting its avian study of the 32,000-acre project footprint. Specifically, the letter calls for a comprehensive avian study to be conducted, which includes a fall and winter survey.

Activities that disturb roosting or foraging are prohibited by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Bald eagles are known to forage up to two miles from their roost, which means up to nine turbines may be impacted. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have raised similar concerns relating to the controversial 50-turbine, 78-megawatt wind project.

Read in Wednesday’s print edition how an avian study could delay the wind project.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/06/23/birds-the-word-in-objection-raised-over-awa-goodhue-wind-project/