Avian, bat and habitat cumulative impacts associated with wind energy development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of eastern Washington and Oregon

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The purpose of this report is to estimate cumulative impacts associated with wind energy development projected to occur within the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion (CPE) of eastern Washington and Oregon through 2015. This report updates two previous versions to account for additional bird and bat fatality estimates from several wind energy facilities where monitoring reports recently became available. For the purpose of this analysis, the authors assumed that, for cumulative impacts to occur, there must be a potential for a long-term reduction in the size of a population of birds or bats. When assessing the potential for cumulative impacts, it is necessary to first define the population potentially affected by wind energy development. Because birds and other animals do not recognize geopolitical boundaries, the affected population has been defined as those birds and bats of each species that breed, winter, or migrate through the CPE. As of December 14, 2010, there were 4,059 megawatts (MW) of installed wind energy in Washington and Oregon, most of which is within the CPE. For this analysis, it was assumed that 6,700 MW of wind power would be present in the CPE. The report discusses the analysis area and its projects; the researchers’ methods; results of existing data for raptors, all other birds, and bats for CPE projects; mortality estimates and population consequences for birds by group and for bats; and indirect effects.

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ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology/Multiple Species

Possible citation: Johnson, Gregory D., and Wallace P. Erickson (Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc.). 2011. Avian, bat and habitat cumulative impacts associated with wind energy development in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion of eastern Washington and Oregon. 40 p. Prepared for: Klickitat County Planning Department, Goldendale, WA.
(The document was prepared for: Klickitat County Planning Department, Goldendale, WA. The document was prepared by the authors, who are with Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc., Cheyenne, WY.)