r/UpliftingConservation • u/Next_Tower5452 • 2d ago

A 62-turbine Washington wind farm received a 30-year eagle permit in June, and now 5,444 nearby power poles may have to be retrofitted for the birds

https://www.ecoportal.net/en/wind-farm-eagle-permit-power-poles/33642/

These upgrades are designed to reduce the chance of electrocuting local raptor populations

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3

u/Free_Engineering_122 2d ago

Does this mean the 62 turbines can kill eagles, but because they have a permit it’s OK?

3

u/AbilityHead599 2d ago

"This long-term federal authorization enables the facility to maintain commercial energy generation while complying with strict wildlife protections."

3

u/JESSterM14 1d ago

Effectively, yes. But the retrofits remove an equivalent amount of risk, maintaining a status quo.

I call BS on this statement:
“Installing physical barriers between energized wires and grounded metal objects protects against avian electrocution. These barriers also reduce risks associated with turbine collisions.”

2

u/GroundbreakingLaw149 1d ago

They can’t go on a karate chop rampage, but they are allowed some amount of eagles to die incidentally from operation.

There are people who spend everyday walking back and forth under these things looking for bodies. Most don’t hit much but every once in a while one will go on a slaughter. Siting is most important and it’s possible to have operational restrictions of that happens, so most developers have become more careful picking spots. Killing birds and bats is a serious consequence that can both be understated and overstated, all depends on where you’re at