Proposed wind turbine project on Campobello Island
The turbine in question for Campobello island will be installed in a location from where eagles and ospreys will have a commanding view of their hunting grounds.
Guest Column Mark Duchamp, Bio and Archives--September 19, 2012
Global Warming-Energy-Environment | Comments | Reader Friendly | Subscribe | Email Us
Hon. Minister, Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately, many eagles and ospreys will die as a result of your refusal to protect their breeding grounds. It should be easy to understand that a wind turbine of the type that has killed thousands of eagles and millions of birds worldwide, does not belong in an Important Bird Area on the Atlantic Flyway. Not only this, but the small island where it will be located, Campobello, harbors the Roosevelt Campobello International Park, the Herring Cove Provincial Park, and is a breeding area for various pairs of bald eagles and ospreys. These birds normally forage on shores, and are known to be attracted to wind turbines where they can rest and stalk their prey, even when the turbine is moving. This video may convince you that birds are not deterred by the movement of inanimate objects:
It so happens that the turbine in question for Campobello island will be installed in a location from where eagles and ospreys will have a commanding view of their hunting grounds. They will be attracted to the nacelle of the turbine as a perching site, and they will be killed, as happens regularly at windfarms sited in eagle territories. Biologist Dr. Shawn Smallwwod, an expert in these matters, estimates that the turbines at Altamont Pass, California, have killed 2,300 eagles to date: I am surprised that the New Brunswick Minister of the Environment would find so little interest in protecting the lives of eagles and ospreys in his Province. The amount of electricity to be produced by the 750 kW wind turbine is derisory, in comparison to the damage it will cause to the migrating and breeding birds for which this island is so important. But where there is easy money to be made, thanks to over-generous government subsidies, the environment can be sacrificed. Is that your government's philosophy? It certainly looks like it. Sincerely Mark Duchamp Chairman, World Council for Nature [url=http://www.wcfn.org]http://www.wcfn.org[/url]On Tue, Jul 31, 2012 at 8:41 PM, Fitch, Bruce (Hon.) (ELG/EGL) (Efficiency NB)
Mr. Duchamp: Thank you for your letter of June 25, 2012 concerning a proposed wind turbine project on Campobello Island, New Brunswick. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) trigger has not been identified for the proposed turbine project. Staff from the Department of the Environment and Local Government (DELG) will ensure that the proponent is aware that if the turbine location is not sited appropriately that an EIA trigger would apply, but to date, the Department’s understanding is that the project will not produce greater than 3 MW of energy; the project will not affect a regulated wetland, two hectares or greater in size; and that the project will not significantly affect an endangered species. Therefore, an EIA registration and review is not required for the proposed single turbine project, and the local planning authority with the responsibility for project approval would be the local government, the Rural Community of Campobello Island. Much of the information in your letter refers to large windfarm developments that if not appropriately sited and managed, can result in significant environmental effects. Our understanding is that the proposal involves a single wind turbine with a generating capacity of 750KW. Further, my office has received correspondence from the Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission (letter dated July 5, 2012) indicating that, by consensus this is a community matter and the Commission will take no formal position on the issue. We encourage you to work with the local planning authority, the Mayor and Council of the Rural Community of Campobello Island to ensure they are aware of your concerns. Specific questions related to migratory birds or species at risk should be directed to the NB Department of Natural Resources and/or Environment Canada as they are the agencies responsible for the administration of legislation related to the protection of these important biological components of the environment. DELG staff consulted with the appropriate agencies and based on available information no issues have been identified with respect to species at risk at this location. If you have any additional questions regarding the EIA review process in New Brunswick, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. David Maguire at (506) 444-5382, or by e-mail to David.Maguire@gnb.ca. Sincerely, Minister Bruce Fitch Environment and Local Government
View Comments
Guest Column——Bio and Archives
Items of notes and interest from the web.