In the path of migratory birds
Toronto Star | October 06, 2012 | www.thestar.com
Re: Protect wildlife from wind turbines, Opinion, Oct. 2
Gord Miller echoes the advice that the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs gives to farmers. On its website the ministry advises farmers to “Make sure turbines are sited away from migratory bird corridors.”
It is obvious that the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of the Environment do not respect the advice of either Ontario’s environmental commissioner or the agriculture ministry. MNR and MOE are both actively considering two large wind energy projects in an internationally recognized important bird area in Prince Edward County that is more heavily travelled by migratory birds than Point Pelee. One of these projects is on Crown land owned by MNR, where the developer has sought permission to “kill, harm and harass” endangered species.
Jim McPherson, Milford
It has long been known that wind turbines pose a hazard to birds and bats. The Environmental Impact Assessment, a key document in the approval process for an energy generation project, is supposed to identify and report any adverse environmental effects. In the event that a potential hazard has been identified and communicated, the provincial regulator must assure that adequate protections are put in place. This might even mean denial of an operating permit. The mechanisms affording protection are in place. Rather than proposing “new” safeguards, Gord Miller, Ontario’s environmental commissioner, should demand that the regulatory tools currently in place be applied.
Werner Richarz, Thornhill
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/10/06/in-the-path-of-migratory-birds/