Laws Ignored — Wyoming Wind Turbines & Bird Kills

A comprehensive analysis of the impacts of the massive wind development underway in Wyoming. This involves many things, including the growing adverse impact on golden eagles and other wildlife. What can be done to limit bird deaths is part of the assessment.

The assessment is called “Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS)”, looking at “cumulative effects”. Find out more at this Department of the Interior Link.

The PEIS found in the numerous comments already filed in opposition to individual Wyoming wind projects. For example, the Two Rivers Project received over 100 pages of detailed technical comments, many addressing the significant threat to golden eagles. Two Rivers is part of what is called the growing 'wall of wind' in southeastern Wyoming. Find the Two Rivers comments at this link.

The Audubon Society's objections to the project:

Wyoming is home to the largest breeding population of Golden Eagles in the lower 48 states and provides critical habitat for wintering and migrating individuals; the state contains some of the most valuable areas for long-term conservation in the western United States.

They also wrote about the cumulative effects:

“Inadequate protections in a Golden Eagle stronghold experiencing high growth in wind development risks the project area becoming a “population sink” (aka: ecological trap) – an area Golden Eagles are strongly attracted to where they experience high mortality, leading to continued population level declines. When year-round breeding eagles experience mortalities, “Floater” eagles are likely to be the ones that fill territory vacancies, which themselves also face the same fate, and a downward population spiral becomes possible. Several existing wind developments (Dunlap and Ekola Flats) are located adjacent to Phase I-III. The proposed Lucky Star Wind Project would be adjacent to Phase IV, among others.”

While there is federal protection for endangered species, as well as for golden eagles under the Eagle Protection Act, there is little protection for the many other species threatened by deadly wind turbines.

Wyoming Game and Fish operates under a statutory requirement to care for all Wyoming wildlife.

“In 1937, the Wyoming Legislature granted the Commission authority over all wildlife matters and allowed financial independence. Since then, Wyoming Statute 23-1-103 has guided our work in stating, ‘It is the purpose of this act and policy of the state to provide an adequate and flexible system for control, propagation, management, protection and regulation of all Wyoming wildlife. “