March Tundra Swans

Taken on March 12 2008, North of Rondeau Bay, Southwestern Ontario, Canada.
AIM Power Gen a wind turbine contracting company is proposing to erect turbines in a migration path, without an environmental assessment.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Wind
• Turbines
• Blenheim
• Erieau
• Rondeau
• Tundra
• Swans

[lindaharris26]

so ken- how did the public meeting in blenheim go? was it a forum for dicussion? or did it degenerate into flaming and insults? i hope things went well for you. i truly believe that if we HAVE to have electricity- this IS the way to go. be happy that you do not get up each morning, to be greeted by the yellow haze, from the stacks at nanticoke- as i do. take care- russ

[RondeauWatershed]

First of all, I totally agree that we need to have sustainable power sources with a smaller ecological footprint than were used to. I see wind power as one of many possible alternatives, the most important being efficiency, then conservation.

As for the Blenheim meeting, I didn't go, nor will i attend the Ridgetown meeting. I'm following the path of requesting site specific environmental assessments with the goal of sober second thought. Peace to you Russ-ken

[mama146]

Keep in mind the cumulative effect of what's planned in Essex County and Chatham Kent.

The entire north shore of Lake Erie is targeted right from Holiday Beach all the way up past Erieau. This is not just a few turbines - we're talking hundreds, perhaps thousands. The MOE does not take cumulative effects into account.

The "experts" doing the "studies" make most of their living off the wind industry (and act more as promoters than independent consultants). Why should they be trusted?

[RondeauWatershed]

I'm hoping that folks at the MOE will take the time to read Environment Canada's, "Science and the Environment Bulletin", Feb.2001

"A Cumulative Effects Management Framework can help to establish and maintain baseline information for an entire region, and identify important ecosystems and natural resources. This information can then be used to assess and manage the potential impacts of all present and future developments in the area."

It's on the ec website

[lindaharris26]

ok ken. btw. my name is russ.i am originally from blenheim, so i know the area well.we have been through the environmental assessment hoops down here. money was spent. public meetings were held.ill informed people opposed under the bellief that the birds would be killed by the blades of the turbines! to get another assessment would be redundant, and a waste of money.if you need one- borrow ours. your case is as ours was. same lake- same birds- same scenario.ultimately- the same arguments. thanx

[RondeauWatershed]

Hello Russ

Just so you know, I have already submitted an elevation request to the MOE for Gengrowth's Bisnett Line proposal based on the stated concerns of the consultant. I intend to submit another for AIM's proposal within the Rondeau IBA, based on the lack of a pre-construction baseline that could be used to control for displacement measurements. To simply transpose

one assessment for another is to attempt to make a case for a Class EA. Do you really believe this to be wise?

[kokopelli314]

This was posted by me a couple of years ago. Figured I'd just link to my alter-ego youtube instead of re-uploading.

k

[mama146]

Russ, Would you please show me one coal plant on the planet that has ever been displaced by wind power? It is smoke and mirrors, my friend. The more wind power you have, the more fossil fuel plants you need for back up. Germany for instance, the largest investor of wind power on earth..they just announced they much build 26 more coal plants. Look beyond the green hype and see this for what it is. It is not wind vs coal. Not one single coal plant will ever close because of wind.

[Dickrickulous]

The big issue for waterfowl with wind turbines is avoidance. The presence of turbines in an area will keep the birds away from needed resting and forage areas.One of the reasons you are having fewer problems is due to Bird Studies Canada meeting with the wind developer and getting them to move some of the more troublesome turbine locations near Long Point. Ask them about it it is a local call for you.

This is what is needed around Rondeau.

[RondeauWatershed]

Very timely that you should mention this, I was in Norfolk yesterday photographing fluid spills on turbines. Driving along the coastline, i noted that swans avoided all of their regular stop offs.

Linda, could you please make a clear connection between asking for an environmental assessment, which is what i'm asking for and your "killing fields" comment.

thank you

ken