I'll jump in with brief comments - I also support solar instead of fossil
fuels, but I think it's better to install solar systems on roofs of bldgs than
take up footprint on raw land for giant solar "farms." At my place, we're
about to have solar installers come give estimates on solar system. I like to
think that each of us can have a positive impact by doing what we can to reduce
fossil fuel use. Finally, it sucks to think that we have to negatively nature
- like cranes et al - to try to set things up better for us humans. But being
it is humans who "own" the land in question, not much us other humans can do
about it.
And I totally agree with the points Mary "Crane Woman" Yandell said in her
comments.
Happy New Year, everyone!
Ceci & friends at
The Far Side Farm
On Sunday, January 2, 2022, 01:37:00 PM EST, Mary Yandell
<mtwyandell@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
It isn't so much that birds will die if the solar project proceeds, but that
habitat (in this case farm fields) used during migration as a major staging
area in the state will no longer be there. The staging area affords the cranes
crucial habitat for foraging on waste corn/soybeans, etc. in surrounding
agricultural fields during the day, and seasonal transient lakes with shallow
water for roosting at night. Both are important stepping stones during
migration.
The Rhudes Creek Solar Project plans include 900-1,000 acres in the Cecilia
area. There are also 4-5 other solar projects under consideration for the same
area. 15' solar panels on acres and acres of land with accompanying buildings
and power lines is not welcoming to any wildlife. All the projects are situated
in the fall and spring migratory paths for the cranes in central Kentucky.
The Eastern Population of Sandhill Cranes in all likelihood would not be
negatively impacted by the project as their breeding grounds are well north of
us. However, during migration the cranes could choose to overfly Kentucky to
find roosting/foraging habitat in Indiana and Tennessee. Sometimes seen with
the Sandhills at Cecilia are cranes from the Eastern Migratory population of
Whooping Cranes, a reintroduced "experimental" population – unlike the
Federally Endangered Aransas-Wood Buffalo "wild" population that migrates
between breeding grounds in Canada and wintering areas in Aransas TX area.
Personally, it would be a shame to miss the opportunity to view both eastern
populations of amazing cranes so near home.
I am certainly not against solar power but the fact that with each "green"
project valuable habitat is lost just adds to the long-term rapid decline of
species. Some balance needs to be struck.
Mary YandellLouisville
Mary W. YandellKentucky Coalition for Sandhill
Craneshttp://kyc4sandhillcranes.com/
Eastern Crane Bulletin, Editor
https://kyc4sandhillcranes.com/eastern-crane-bulletin/
On Sun, Jan 2, 2022 at 12:30 PM B Jenkins <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Here is one article that states the biggest causes of threats to birds today:
https://abcbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Threats-to-Birds.pdf
So, if we take this to heart, habitat loss (our big green lawns and planting
non-natives like the burning bush), climate change (heating our homes and
driving cars with fossil fuels), pesticides and poisons (weed killers like
round up and our lead fishing weights and lead shot), collision with windows
(in our homes and offices and places where we shop) are killing the birds we
love. One big danger, not mentioned in this article, is cats. Every time we let
Fluffy out for a walk or to pee, they are probably killing birds. Feed stray
cats? You are supporting bird killers.
I say all this to say that we endanger birds ourselves every day. How many of
us are willing to live in a smaller home or to drive less or let our lawns get
smaller and have more weeds? I’m sure that some birds will die if the solar
farm is approved. As was mentioned before, is it a risk we are willing to take
to offset other ways that birds are dying? What else can we do?
Education is key. Not just for us, but for our non-birding friends and family.
What can we do today to help one more bird survive?
Just my thoughts, of course. Not trying to start an argument.
Bee JenkinsSW Louisville
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
On Saturday, January 1, 2022, 9:01 PM, Hanah Carter <h.mcarter@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
Can I ask (in non-confrontational and genuine curiosity way) for more detailed
information on the reasoning for the protest. I definitely understand the
debate and how and why the solar farms are dangerous for bird populations and
take up habitat in general, but I also have read the bird deaths are so much
less compared to deaths related to fossil fuel energy plants and general
climate change. I am wondering if it may be worth it to change the tides of
climate change in the long run and feel torn between the two.
Perhaps in this case specifically, due to location, it would be better to have
them elsewhere or not at all. I don’t know a lot about it.
I feel though, that as climate change worsens and solutions are proposed, there
are a lot of challenges like this. It’s hard to discern which is the middle
ground and what are the solutions to back, what compromises might need to be
made. It seems doubtful there is a perfect solution.
Does anyone have any better informed or just general thoughts on this?
Thanks,Hanah Louisville, KY
Get Outlook for iOSFrom: birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<birdky-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> on behalf of Jennifer Snyder
<jjamarsnyder@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 1, 2022 4:35:55 PM
To: Bird KY <birdky@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [birdky] Hardin County Solar Project
I received this email from Sandra Hoh who is with a group of people opposing
the solar fields in Cecilia and surrounding areas. If you can help please
email her attheirislady@xxxxxxxxxxx
JSnyder
Hardin County ____________________________________________
Happy New Year. I sure hope 2022 is better than the last two.
This Thursday at 5:00, the decision to allow the solar plant goes before the
Board of Adjustments. This will be held at 150 N. Providing Way, ( the new
government building). This is a very important meeting. This will decide the
future for Hardin Co. If this one fails it will be harder for the other 5
solar companies to get passed. If you or any of your friends oppose this
intrusion on the migration path of several bird species, please show up for
this meeting. The more people in the room that opposes this proposal may help
them make the right decision.
Sandra Hoh
