I just finished reading Dan Boone's excellent comments on wind turbine
impacts to wildlife, comments based on his broad scientific knowledge in
the field of ornithology. I am glad that people on this website are
talking openly and honestly about the avian and bat impacts that may
occur if these turbines are constructed in Highland County. Of course,
the main focus of this site is to report birds. It is informative and
interesting to hear about bird sightings from all over Virginia. But I
have always felt that, as birders, we have a responsibility to protect
and preserve the habitat of the creatures we so ardently and
enthusiastically observe. Highland County is a "mecca" for many birders
in Virginia. Many local birding clubs take special yearly trips here to
observe unique species found only in this region. I was part of a
birding club that visited this county at least twice during the year,
and I have fond memories of special birding moments. I wish to share
some observations that I have made since moving and living in Highland
County full-time. Some of these observations I share with my husband,Tom
Brody, who has lived at this location for thirty years. Our property is
adjacent to and directly in line of sight of the proposed turbine site.
Our driveway, Rte. 601, will be lined with these huge turbines,
according to the preliminary siting maps. Although our observations are
not scientifically documented, they are based on regular day-to-day
observations and familiarility with the place. In reference to the bird
kill on a foggy night in May, 2003, at the WV windplant, I can testify
to the fact that fog is a very common summer/fall phenomenon on these
ridgetops. There have been occasions when the fog is so dense, you
can't be sure that you are still on the road! And this condition exists
along all of the ridgetops off Rt. 250. Last summer, when there were no
lines painted on the newly surfaced Rt. 250, there were countless nights
when driving was hazardous and nearly impossible due to foggy
conditions. Similar conditions exist in the winter, in so-called "white
out" conditions, created either by blowing snow or hoar frost. Although
birds aren't migrating at this time of year, there are still species
that hunt and feed on these ridges- golden eagles, barred and great
horned owls, rough- legged hawk, ruffed grouse and, of course, the
Northern Flying Squirrel, a federally endangered species, to mention a
few. We have been doing lots of tracking in the snow, and there is an
abundance of small mammal prey species on our ridgetop. And of course,
abundant prey is what draws the raptors to these ridges. So we need to
look at the importance of these ridges at all times of the year, whether
for migrating species or for resident and/or transient species. Another
weather observation that we have made is that very often the winds up
here on Allegheny Mountain blow VERY hard. In a recent article entitled
"Capturing the power of wind" dated Dec. 21, 2003 in the Roanoke Times,
the local landowner who is trying to build this windfarm reported that
he has clocked winds of 112 mph on the ridges for this proposed wind
project.. This speed far surpasses the capabilities and wind range of
the turbines built for capturing the power of the wind. They operate
only within a certain range of wind speeds, and I believe that if the
speed of the wind surpasses approximately 50 mph, these turbines have to
be shut down and cannot function.And when the machines aren't turning,
then we rely on back-up power from coal-processed plants, perhaps at
rates even costlier because the power of wind is intermittent and
unreliable. So perhaps the winds are just TOO strong along Highland
Counties ridgelines! Another weather phenomenon we encounter up here is
ice build-up and snow drifting. What happens when the huge blades on the
turbines cover with ice when they are inoperable (either due to no wind
or too much wind)? When the machines are booted up again, will the
accumulated ice fling off the blades at tremendous speed? Who will be
responsible and liable for damages and injuries that could occur? This
has been documented to happen in other countries that use windpower.
From past experience, I know that the road (601) regularly is blocked
by huge snow drifts. What happens when these turbines need servicing
and repair? If, in the future, this location proves unsuitable or not
economically viable for the wind-energy companies, either due to
unserviceable conditions or too-high and widely-fluctuating winds (or
loss of wind tax credits from the government), who is then responsible
for their de-construction and removal, AND for the removal of the huge
concrete pads on which these turbine sit? Or will they sit abandoned as
a ugly reminder of a project that was not well studied or planned in
advance? Is the destruction of these biologically-significant and and
unique ridgelines and the associated impacts to habitat and wldlife,
worth the relatively small gain in electricity? Will this source of
power actually replace any coal-fired plants, or will it simply be used
to allow for the ever-increasing rate of consumption that Americans seem
to feel is their right to expect (3.1% annual yearly increase in
Virginia alone)? Perhaps some simple conservation measures could offset
the need for producing more and more power, at least until this
relatively new form of energy production is properly studied and
suitably sited for our state and the entire eastcoast Appalachian
region. Patti Reum
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