Wind farms harm Wyoming birds
Casper Star-Tribune | trib.com
On the subject of wind farms, the objective is to prevent or reduce global warming. This is accomplished by wind electric energy taking the place of electricity produced by coal fired power plants. To reach this objective, wind farms will bring our existing wildlife populations to the verge of extinction.
A quick review of the environmental impact study (EIS) for the huge wind farms to be built south of Rawlins (Choke Cherry and Sierra Madre): Alternative number 4 is preferred in the EIS. Looking at only resource items concerning vision and wildlife there are some interesting conclusions. Initially visual resources did not conform with the Rawlins 2008 Resource Management Plan (RMP). To allow the project to go forward the writers of the EIS amended the RMP. This will allow the many acres of towers to be built.
Usually in the EIS process the project under consideration is requested to conform. Concerning wildlife, there will be 488 acres of roads that will have an effect on mule deer and antelope. Nothing is said concerning the impact on wildlife of the wind towers operating day and night. Annual raptor mortality (eagles and hawks) is estimated at 179. For all birds the annual mortality rate is estimated at 4,612. After a few years will there be any critters left?
After reading the EIS on this project I feel uncomfortable for the fate of Wyoming’s wildlife and its landscape. In my younger days wind mills on the range were a welcome sight. These wind mills are huge industrial machines changing the prairie forever.
FRED EISERMAN, Casper
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2013/11/04/wind-farms-harm-wyoming-birds/