LOCATION/TYPE

NEWS HOME

[ exact phrase in "" • results by date ]

[ Google-powered • results by relevance ]



Archive
RSS

Add NWW headlines to your site (click here)

Get weekly updates

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Paypal

Donate via Stripe

Selected Documents

All Documents

Research Links

Alerts

Press Releases

FAQs

Campaign Material

Photos & Graphics

Videos

Allied Groups

Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005.

News Watch Home

Flawed report on raptors 

Credit:  rutlandherald.com, Feb. 2 ~~

A reading of Green Mountain Power’s report on risks to raptors from their proposed Lowell project makes me wonder why no one in a position of authority is questioning the study’s negligent methodology or erroneous claims.

Vermont hawk-watchers know that the bulk of raptor migration happens along ridges in the fall and that migration lasts for weeks. It seems rather disingenuous, therefore, to conduct a 10-day raptor survey of the Lowell Range in April and May and submit the results as credible evidence, as GMP’s hired expert did. How is this acceptable?

To fill in the gaps, GMP’s expert pulled in Christmas Bird Count data and Breeding Bird Survey data. Using CBC and BBS data adds pages to the study but no substance. The expert also referenced Hawk Migration of North America data in ways HMANA itself cautions against.

I am dismayed at how irrelevant data and subjective interpretations are masquerading as science in GMP’s proposal. Scientifically based protocols for determining risks posed to raptors by industrial wind facilities have been established, and, it appears, are currently not being used in Vermont.

There are about 10 wind projects in some stage of planning or development around the state, most of them on forested ridges. Any errors calculating risk to migrating raptors has the potential to be magnified for years. It is important to get it right now, in the beginning.

The PSB must require the best possible data from petitioners. GMP has fallen short.

HEIDI RICH
Lowell

Source:  rutlandherald.com, Feb. 2

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Funding
   Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)
Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI TG TG Share


News Watch Home

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook

Wind Watch on Linked In Wind Watch on Mastodon