Category Archives: harm to wildlife

Environment, Green Energy, harm to wildlife

Wind Turbines Killing thousands of birds and bats

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By John Miner, The London Free Press

Wind turbines are killing bats, including ones on the endangered species list, at nearly double the rate set as acceptable by the Ontario government, the latest monitoring report indicates.bat-killed-by-wind-turbine-blades

Bats are being killed in Ontario at the rate of 18.5 per turbine, resulting in an estimated 42,656 bat fatalities in Ontario between May 1 and October 31, 2015, according to the report released by Bird Studies Canada, a bird conservation organization.

Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources has set 10 bat deaths per turbine as the threshold at which the mortalities are considered significant and warrant action.

The bats being killed by turbines in Ontario include the little brown bat, tri-coloured bat, eastern small footed bat, and northern long-eared bat, all on the endangered species list.

The Birds Studies Canada report draws its information from a database that is a joint initiative of the Canadian Wind Energy Association, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Bird Studies Canada.

Brock Fenton, an expert in the behaviour and ecology of bats and professor in Western University’s department of biology, said the bat deaths are a concern.

Bat populations across North America have been plunging with the emergence of a fungal disease called white nose syndrome.

Birds are taking less of a hit from wind turbines, according to the report, with an estimated 14,144 non-raptors killed by wind turbines and 462 raptor fatalities between May 1 and October 31 in 2015.

The report noted that some wind farms have moved to reduce bat mortalities by cutting their turbine speeds from dawn to dusk in the late summer and early fall.

A spokesperson for the Canadian Wind Energy Association said the association is concerned about reports that are based on limited data that have the effect of boosting estimates.

In response, CanWea is developing its own system that will be released this fall that is designed to improve existing and proposed bat regulations, said Brandy Giannetta, CanWea’s Ontario regional director.

“It aims to achieve this in part by enhancing knowledge of the existing data in order to drive science-based policy decisions and also by providing avoidance, minimization, and mitigation options that we hope operators and regulators alike will find useful in conservation efforts,” Giannetta said in an email.

Wind Concerns Ontario, a coalition of provincial groups opposed to wind farm development, said it is concerned that birds and, significantly, bats are being killed in numbers that were not forecast by either the Ontario government or the wind power developers.

“The population of the Little Brown Bat in particular is now at 5-10 per cent of its historical levels, so, as the Environmental Review Tribunal stated in the White Pines decision in Prince Edward County, even a few deaths will have a serious impact on the species as a whole. And we know for a certainty that bats are killed by wind turbines,” Jane Wilson, president of Wind Concerns Ontario, said.

It is critical to understand that wind power projects shouldn’t be approved without a full and objective assessment of all factors in any given location. The government’s push for wind power has to be balanced with the continuing need to protect the natural environment, Wilson said….

READ MORE:  http://www.lfpress.com/2016/07/20/wind-turbines-killing-tens-of-thousands-of-bats-including-many-on-the-endangered-species-list

Environment, harm to wildlife, legal challenges, Uncategorized

Do No Harm

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Fotolia_Blandings-Turtle_S-e1466534508444Risk of Harm to Blanding’s Turtles from a Wind project

“This is the first time that the Tribunal has exercised its remedial powers in relation to the successful appeal of an REA on the grounds that it would cause serious and irreversible harm to the environment.”

On June 6, 2016, the Environmental Review Tribunal (Tribunal) issued a ruling revoking the renewable energy approval (REA) granted by the Director of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) to Ostrander Point GP (Ostrander) for the installation of nine wind turbine generators and supporting facilities, including new access roads and upgrades to existing roads, on the south shore of Prince Edward County.

Appeal of the Ostrander REA

The Director’s decision to grant the Ostrander REA was appealed to the Tribunal by the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists (PECFN) in 2013 on the grounds that engaging in the wind turbine project under the REA would cause serious and irreversible harm to plant life, animal or the natural environment.[1] In its July 3, 2013 decision, the Tribunal found that PECFN had met this “environmental harm test” and revoked the Ostrander REA. Specifically, the Tribunal found that the installation of access roads and improvement of existing roads for the construction, maintenance and monitoring of the wind turbines would pose serious and irreversible harm to the Blanding’s turtle, a species listed in Ontario as “threatened,” through increased vehicle traffic, poachers and predators.

READ MORE:  http://www.energyinsider.ca/index.php/ert-upholds-revocation-of-wind-farms-renewable-energy-approval-risk-of-harm-to-blandings-turtle/#page=1

Animals and turbines, Environment, harm to wildlife

Along Lake Erie

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A Passionate Voice to Protect Birds

American-Goldfinches_Gerald-Marella_SS

LS: Why is the Great Lakes region so critical to birds?

KK: All three of the major migratory routes birds follow during spring migration intersect over northwest Ohio. When the birds get here, they confront the daunting expanse of Lake Erie. When you’re a songbird that weighs less than an ounce—and you don’t swim!—you need to rest and refuel before these long crossings. With so much lakefront habitat sacrificed to development, large concentrations of migratory birds gather in these remaining patches of wooded habitat to fuel up before crossing the lake.

………

Wind energy is an intense issue for us right now. With the need for alternative energy on nearly everyone’s mind, there seems to be a mad rush to install as many turbines as quickly as possible. The wind industry doesn’t understand the complexities of bird behavior, yet it’s making decisions about whether turbines will impact birds.

The Observatory has more than 30 years of data documenting the volume of birds that pass through this region during spring and fall migration. The entire Western Basin of Lake Erie has been designated as a Globally Important Bird Area. We’ve brought tremendous economic development to the region through our efforts to market the sensational birding here, and a whole host of environmental agencies and organizations are on record stating that this area is not suitable for wind energy development. Yet we still can’t keep turbines out. We need industry regulations—fighting these projects one at a time isn’t enough.

American Bird Conservancy.

READ MORE: https://abcbirds.org/passionate_voice_to_protect_birds/

Animals and turbines, Environment, harm to wildlife, Uncategorized

Rare Blanding’s Turtle Scores Win against Wind

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“Yippee! Hooray!” said Cheryl Anderson, a member and past president of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists. “It’s been a long haul.”

blandings-turtle-wind-turbine_jpg_size_custom_crop_1086x724

By Jim Coyle News, Insight
Tues., June 7, 2016

The Blanding’s turtle, a sunny little reptile already prone to smiling, must be beaming this week like somebody who’d won a lottery the same day they were awarded the Nobel Prize.

For the third time in the past three years, a legal decision was handed down in favour of the endangered species, and against a proposed wind turbine development in Prince Edward County, east of Toronto, that threatened to cause the turtle “serious and irreversible harm.”

READ MORE:  https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/06/07/blandings-turtle-protected-as-turbine-approval-revoked.html

 

Environment, fighting big wind., harm to wildlife

Tragic Support for Destruction of the Oak Ridges Moriane

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WPD Wild Turkey Road

WpdCanada at work on Wild Turkey Rd in the Oak Ridges Moraine.

Re: Letter to the Editor: Landowner has ‘no complaints’ about work being done by wind company in Manvers Twp.

Industrialization of the natural environment is never good or beneficial, despite Mr. McKim’s protestations to the opposite.

No person truly interested in preserving our natural heritage now and for future generations would support such carnage. Mr. McKim is supporting the start of the plan to clear a one-kilometre stretch along the unopened road allowance known as Wild Turkey Road people used to use as a nature trail.

The trees being cut down are 70 to 90 years in age.

The  wind energy developer has also been granted permission to clear a six-metre wide swath of trees along an additional 1.75 km stretch of another unopened pioneer trail called Gray Road to accommodate the larger than normal requisite hydro poles. Some of those trees along this trail are more than 100 years old. The trees and ground vegetation to be razed not only provide a wildlife movement corridor but also provide habitat for wildlife that use the large pond found bordering this trail and neighbouring wetland.
In addition, the developer will also clear .4 hectares or approximately one acre of a designated significant woodland that supports another wetland.
All this for one five-wind-turbine project, that, if running at full capacity, which only happens 25 to 30 per cent of the time, might provide energy equivalent to the needs of 2,500 homes.

Mr. McKim’s assertion of having no complaints over this destruction and keen support for industrial energy projects on the unique Oak Ridges Moraine has opened the floodgates to large scale destruction of this unique landform.
What a sad legacy.

Jane Zednik

READ AT: http://www.mykawartha.com/opinion-story/6545843-tragic-that-landowner-supports-destruction-of-the-oak-ridges-moraine/

Animals and turbines, Appeal NRWC Wind Project, Destruction from turbines, Environment, ERT Appeal, Fighting the NRWC Wind Project, Green Energy, harm to wildlife

Loretta Sheild’s Testimony at the NRWC Environmental Appeal – Wainfleet

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MAWT Inc. would like to thank Loretta for all the hard work she has put into this fight.  She truly is an advocate and a voice for the natural beauty, ecosystems and wildlife of West Lincoln and area that is being threatened by the NRWC Project.  She has most definitely done her homework and if there was anyone in that room today that was an “expert” on the topic it was her, regardless of what the proponents lawyers say.  🙂  

Hi everyone,

I testified at the ERT today in Wainfleet.  My presentation is attached if you are interested in the details.  There are 4 sub issues.  These include concerns for migratory butterfly stopover areas, encroachment on provincially significant wetlands, inadequate mitigation measures for woodlands and red mulberry.  There are so many other issues. For example, there is no evidence to show that winter raptor transects were conducted within the interior of the woodlands.  62 permits are required by the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.  These are still pending.   There are 20 industrial wind turbines proposed in Blanding’s turtle habitat in Lowbanks, all on private property.  There are many properties within this habitat where ‘alternative investigations – ie roadside surveys” were allowed.  The MNR is allowing this to proceed. If anyone would like more information, please feel free to contact me.

I want to thank you all for helping me learn about the many birds and raptors during the past few years.  If there is a silver lining here, it is the wonderful people I have met, and the greater appreciation I have for the beautiful world we live in.
Have a wonderful week everyone!
Loretta Shield’s
Animals and turbines, Destruction from turbines, fighting big wind., harm to wildlife, Ontario Wind

Barn owl halts turbine project | Simcoe Reformer

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barn owl

By Daniel R. Pearce

The barn owl has done what no anti-wind turbine protester in Port Ryerse has been able to do to date: halt construction of a green energy project in their village.

A woman walking her dog this summer spotted one of the birds — they are on the endangered species list in Ontario — flying into a barn.

An investigation ensued, photographs of the owl perched on a woodpile were taken, and the sighting was confirmed. The evidence was then presented to an environmental review tribunal hearing, which last week slapped a five-month moratorium on the project.

Boralex, the company that wants to construct a four-turbine 10-megawatt wind farm next to Lake Erie, must now apply to the Ontario government for what’s known as an “overall benefit permit” if it wants to continue with the project.

It must submit an amended plan showing how the wind farm will avoid having a negative impact on the owls and that it has explored alternative sites. It must also show it will do something to help the birds, such as creating new habitat.

The tribunal hearing has been adjourned until March 31.

The Port Ryerse case is the first time a project in Ontario has been ordered back to the drawing board due to the presence of barn owls.

As a result, “there are a number of unknowns right now that will take some work and some time to bring to a conclusion,” Sylvia Davis, legal counsel for the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, wrote in an email to the parties to the hearing.

The barn owl is so rare there have only been four confirmed nesting sites in the province in the past decade and maybe a dozen or more confirmed sightings, said Bernie Solymar, a member of the Ontario Barn Owl Recovery Team who happens to live in Port Ryerse.

Read rest of article here.

And this related article as well.                                                          Barn owl killed by wind turbine-they said such a thing could not happen.

Animals and turbines, harm to wildlife

‘Windfarm cover-up over golden eagle deaths’ – claim campaigners

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Environmentalists and anti-windfarm campaigners suspect a cover-up over the number of golden eagles killed by wind turbines.

golden-eagle-660x496They believe a decision to put back a census of bird numbers by two years is an attempt to hide the facts from the public.

Scottish Natural Heritage said there was nothing sinister about the move, and there were practical and official reasons for extending the 10-year gap between censuses from 2003 to 2015.

Scotland Against Spin chairman, Graham Lang, said: “If the news is bad, bury it – which is why the census will not report until next year.”

Anti-windfarm campaigner Lyndsey Ward, from Kiltarlity, said protecting the population of the iconic golden eagles must be of “paramount importance”.

“Perhaps officials don’t want to know, or the public to know, what is really happening to the eagle population in Scotland so they can allow this turbine tsunami to continue unabated,” she said.

The RSPB said that while the population of golden eagles had been “static” for years, the cause was not windfarms but “ongoing illegal persecution”.

A Scottish Natural Heritage spokeswoman said that under a periodic review of the rolling programme of species surveys carried out by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee it was decided to move to a 12-year cycle.

This was partly to make sure that the rolling programme was affordable and to fit in with EU Bird Directive requirements for six and 12-year monitoring.

The spokeswoman added interim data suggested no decline in eagle numbers meant the census could be moved to a 12-year cycle, unlike hen harriers and capercaillie which were prioritised on a six-year cycle.

The claim of a cover-up followed last week’s revelation that wind turbines have killed more birds of prey this year than poisoning and shooting combined.

Mark Duchamp, chairman of the World Council for Nature and president of Save the Eagles International, said there was no reason to delay the survey into golden eagle numbers.

“The reason in my opinion, they have something to hide,” he said.

“They don’t want to show the population of golden eagles in Scotland has fallen quite substantially since the windfarms were built.”

Anti-windfarm campaigners shared the concerns of Spain-based Mr Duchamp.

The Press and Journal, By Tim Pauling, Nov 3 2014

Animals and turbines, Aviation, Environment, ERT Appeal, fighting big wind., harm to wildlife

Green energy vs. the protection of endangered species.

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Appellants from Port Ryerse opposing the Boralex project

Because of the barn owls the MOE has asked for an additional adjournment of 5 months until March 31st 2015. 

However, Boralex has requested an” Overall benefit permit”  for the Owl predicament.

  • This means they have requested to be able to disturb the owls nesting habitat 
  • They can also get a permit if killing the birds will improve the economy of Ontario.

THIS will be THE FIRST ever benefit permit in Ontario given ( or not) for barn owls . Please read :

Dear Ms. Pietrzyk and counsel

In preparation for tomorrow’s teleconference, MOECC has been in communication with MNRF and proponent’s counsel regarding the ongoing process under the Endangered Species Act.

We understand from MNRF that staff at MNRF have reviewed the information submitted by the proponent on the recent confirmed siting of a Barn Owl. MNRF Aylmer District staff have advised the proponent that:

  1. Based on the information provided, MNRF can confirm that the proponent will require an overall benefit permit under section 10 (habitat) and section 9 (harm or harass a species) under the Endangered Species Act; and
  2. The proponent will now be required to move forward on submitting an Avoidance Alternatives Form and an application for the Overall Benefit Permit.

MNRF has also informed MOECC that this will be the first Barn Owl Overall Benefit permit developed in the Province and there are a number of unknowns right now that will take some work and some time to bring to conclusion – including some identification work through the Royal Ontario Museum.

In light of MNRF’s position on the ESA permit, the Director requests a further 5 month adjournment, with the caveat that:

(a) the Director agrees to immediately inform the Tribunal and other parties if the permit is issued prior to the end of the five month period; and
(b) a teleconference is arranged 4 ½ months into the adjournment to provide the Tribunal and other parties with an update (should the permit still not be issued at that point).
Please read the benefit permit requirements at:  http://www.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/endangered-species-act-overall-benefit-permits

Because the owl is also protected at the Federal level a letters should go to the ministers at both Federal and Provincial levels.   This is a significant permit being developed, please write your own letters to:

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq
Minister of the Environment

Minister@ec.gc.ca 

Points would be:

  • the first sighting in 5 years.
  • benefit will not be to the owls nor to Ontario
  • this a federally protected species so therefore the Federal Minister needs to get involved.
  • describe the small land area and how the owls feel safe here.
  • any construction activity will  destroy not only where they are nesting but also the roadside ditches where they are finding their food.
  • how it is in close proximity to a conservation area which gives protection.
  • the proponents own staff and the Provincial MNRF concurred eagles would not nest here and two months later we had eagles nesting.
  • they didn’t get that right- how can we trust them to get this very significant permit – the first one ever to be asked for 
  • ask that the Federal minister over see this permit development.

Please come out to this presentation:

 

CaptureA Special Presentation
AT RISK IN PT. RYERSE!

Learn how to identify species-at-risk
and how you can help protect them.

 

 

Speakers:
James Cowan, Canadian Raptor Conservancy and
Bernie Solymár, EarthTramper Consulting Inc.

Pt. Ryerse Memorial Church
Thursday, November 6th
at 7 P.M.
Meet a live Barn Owl and Bald Eagle!

A small donation will help defray the cost of the room rental.

Printable PDF: A Special Presentation AT RISK IN PT. RYERSE! FLYER

Animals and turbines, Corruption, Destruction from turbines, Direct Effects, Environment, Government corruption, harm to wildlife, Health effects from wind turbines, Noise, Turbines and Tourism, Turbines run on Subsidies

“Absolute Corruption”

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ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCHER: WIND INDUSTRY RIDDLED WITH ‘ABSOLUTE CORRUPTION’

Written by James Delingpole, breitbart.com

A Mexican ecologist has blown the whistle on the corruption, lies and incompetence of the wind industry – and on the massive environmental damage it causes in the name of saving the planet. wind turbines

Patricia Mora, a research professor in coastal ecology and fisheries science at the National Institute of Technology in Mexico, has been studying the impact of wind turbines in the Tehuantepec Isthmus in southern Mexico, an environmentally sensitive region which has the highest concentration of wind farms in Latin America.

When a project is installed, the first step is to “dismantle” the area, a process through which all surrounding vegetation is eliminated. This means the destruction of plants and sessilities – organisms that do not have stems or supporting mechanisms – and the slow displacement over time of reptiles, mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, arachnids, fungi, etc. Generally we perceive the macro scale only, that is to say, the large animals, without considering the small and even microscopic organisms…

….After the construction is finalized, the indirect impact continues in the sense that ecosystems are altered and fragmented. As a result, there is a larger probability of their disappearance, due to changes in the climate and the use of soil.

The turbines, she says in an interview with Truthout, have had a disastrous effect on local flora and fauna.          Read more.