[BCNnet] Wind energy project near Horicon Marsh in Wisconsin

[BFisher928 at aol.com]

The piece pasted below was posted to wisbirdn, the Wisconsin birders 
listserv. In view of the discussion at yesterday's quarterly BCN meeting about wind 
energy generation, the American Bird Conservancy policy, etc., I thought 
BCNnetters and representatives to the BCN coalition would be interested in what's 
happening at Horicon

Regards
Bob Fisher

In a very interesting development in the news, the Public Service Commision
has accepted the plan for the 133-turbine Forward Energy 
wind installation near Brownsville. It looks like a fairly-reasonable
compromise was reached, with the PSC deciding that no turbines may be
located within 2 miles of Horicon NWR. 

>From the article in the Business Journal: (see
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2005/07/04/daily29.html?j
st=b_ln_hl  ): 

"Under the decision, the PSC stipulates that none of the turbines must be
within two miles of the Horicon Marsh to protect the wildlife.

On average, turbines will be 4 miles to 4.5 miles away from the marsh, the
agency said. In addition, the PSC requires Forward Energy to vigorously
pursue post construction studies to learn more about impacts on birds and
bats in the area. 

'The Horicon Marsh is a national treasure,' PSC chairman Dan Ebert said in
a statement. 'The possible impacts on birds due to the wind project's
proximity to the Horicon Marsh required a larger buffer zone between the
wind turbines and the marsh, as proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and Department of Natural Resources.' "

The USFWS and WDNR had suggested a greater "setback" distance, but at least 
this acts on that concern. Some may be still dissatistfied with this
distance - you can decide for yourself.

William P. Mueller
Issues Committee Chair, Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI)
Conservation Chair, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology (WSO)
1242 S. 45 St.
Milwaukee, WI 53214
(414) 643-7279
E-mail: iltlawas at earthlink.net

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