Take Action — Conservation Northwest

Wind Power Development Threatens Murrelet Stronghold

Controversial project strikes at the heart of murrelet recovery in Washington

Marbled murrelets nest in craggy older trees near the coast

A new wind power facility proposed in southwest Washington near Long Beach could kill significant numbers of marbled murrelets, a rare seabird that nests in older forests along the Pacific Coast.

The facility would be located directly adjacent to the highest concentration of murrelet nests in Washington State. Scientists predict more than 2,600 murrelets could be killed by the wind turbines over a 30 year period. There are about 4,700 murrelets in Washington, and their populations are declining due to extensive loss of old-growth forests and unpredictable marine conditions. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out that this proposal is just plain bad for Washington's rare wildlife.

While we generally support renewable energy, like wind and solar power, the location of the proposed facility could not be worse and this power plant should not be built. Thanks for sending a letter below, urging the Grays Harbor PUD to withdraw the wind project and protect nesting marbled murrelets. Comments are due December 3.

Or contact the PUD directly: Liz Anderson, Grays Harbor PUD, P.O. Box 480, Aberdeen, WA 98520; email: landerson@ghpud.org. Subject line: Radar Ridge Wind Energy Project.

Read an independent science panel review

March 18, 2010

Subject:

Dear Ms. Anderson,

I write to express opposition to the proposed wind energy facility at Radar Ridge. The impacts to marbled murrelets, a rare and endangered seabird that nests in older forest habitat along the coast, are too great. The project should be withdrawn or rejected.

If an environmental review of this project is conducted, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should be prepared. The project likely will have significant impacts on murrelets and could jeopardize the species in Washington. Scientists predict more than 2,600 murrelets could be killed by the wind turbines over a 30 year period. There are about 4,700 murrelets in Washington, and their populations are declining due to extensive loss of old-growth forests and unpredictable marine conditions. This power project could be the final blow.

Murrelet scientists have identified and documented likely impacts, (e.g., see the July 2009 "Independent Science Panel Review of Potential Impacts to Marbled Murrelets Relating to the Radar Ridge Wind Resource Area"), but project proponents say otherwise. An EIS should be prepared to disclose and assess this controversial and significant difference in views.

While murrelet scientists have made their best predictions, actual mortality could be much higher.  Unlike migratory birds that periodically pass by wind turbines, murrelets can make up to 5 trips daily to feeding grounds during nesting season, increasing their likelihood of turbine collision. A greater number of collisions could also result from coastal fog which limits visibility and restricts avoidance behavior. Since there have been no studies of murrelet mortality associated with wind power projects, an EIS is needed to take a hard look at potential and significant impacts.

Due to extensive industrial logging, there is a considerable shortage of old forest habitat suitable for marbled murrelet nesting in southwest Washington. Their remaining habitat is highly fragmented. Murrelet scientists have determined that the "Nemah Marbled Murrelet Habitat Area" has the highest concentration of productive murrelet nests in the state. This site is critical to the recovery and restoration of murrelet populations. An EIS should be prepared to determine the cumulative impacts of losing this key habitat linkage between murrelet populations on the Olympic peninsula and those in the Oregon Coast Range.

There has been a continued loss of marbled murrelet habitat in the state and murrelet populations continue to decline. Given the high risk that this proposed project poses to murrelets in the Nemah, and potential impacts to the regional murrelet population, I believe the Radar Ridge proposal will likely significantly harm and potentially jeopardize our murrelet populations. It should be withdrawn or denied, but if additional environmental review is conducted, an EIS should be prepared.

Sincerely,

We will add your signature from the information you provide.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Street*

Street 2

City*

State/Province*

Zip/Postal Code*

Send an Email

Sections

Personal tools

Wind Power Development Threatens Murrelet Stronghold

Conservation Northwest

Personal tools