Halt wind farms until uniform studies are done

Nancy Childs, et al., North Adams Transcript, March 15, 2004

______________________________________________________

To the Transcript editor:

We, the undersigned naturalists, ecologists, botanists, ornithologists and zoologists of Western Massachusetts urge the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program and the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs to delay construction or institute a moratorium of large commercial wind power projects until statewide regulations for siting, regional planning and wildlife studies can be implemented, so that all projects are under the same requirements, and will ensure that every project is sited responsibly with the least impact on the environment.

We are in favor of renewable energy resources, but feel they should be implemented in a reasonable and well-thought out manner. Energy conservation must go hand in hand.

We understand that the Massachusetts Senate has voted to direct State environmental agencies "...to develop appropriate planning and regulatory mechanisms for wind farm sitings and design." This should happen before four large wind power projects are built in Western Massachusetts, all in Northern Berkshire, within 5 to 10 miles of each other. Thorough preconstruction wildlife studies of migrating birds and bats have not been carried out. Each project is different and will affect wildlife in different ways. And it is only fair that all projects be under the same regulations, not subject to the variations in laws of each town.

Before these laws can be enacted, we suggest that a full environmental impact review be required of each project, and that wildlife studies be carried out according to suggestions made by Mass Audubon in its letter of Dec. 16 to EOEA and by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Mass Audubon has also called for "a planning program or criteria for siting of windfarms."

Wind turbines necessarily will be sited at the highest elevations. These areas are also the least common habitats in the state, have many of the state's rarest animals and plants, and are vulnerable to destruction. Western Massachusetts hosts most of these high elevations. Care must be exercised in the siting of these projects.

Nancy Childs, botanist

Thomas G. Smith

Joseph Strauch Jr., botanist

Ed Stockman, professional wetland scientist

Charles B. Quinlan, botanist, ornithologist

Jose M. Garcia, professional ecologist

Thomas T. Tyning, assistant professor, environmental science

David P. St. James

Kate Ryan, president, Hoffmann Bird Club

Gary A. Soucie, naturalist

Marina N. Brodskaya

Pamela B. Weatherbee, botanist