TX-ESA Services:
Threatened / Endangered Species Surveys
Habitat Ground Truthing, Mapping, and Analysis
Wind Farm Risk Assessments
We are experienced in wind farm pre-construction environmental risk assessment, especially for birds and bats. Our experience includes work on sites with high visibility and significant stakeholder interest. Seven properties in four Texas counties have been completed. One was abandoned as being too environmentally risky. There are 38 properties ongoing in nine Texas counties. Seven properties in five Texas counties and one foreign country are pending. Among the services we provide are:
- Avian/Bat Surveys: Both diurnal and nocturnal. We have experienced field biologists to conduct visual surveys during the day. Nocturnal bird and bat activity can be monitored with radars
(detect-inc.com/wind.html)
and/or infrared cameras. Ultrasonic bat detectors (www.titley.com.au/batdetection.htm)
can also be deployed.
- Habitat Assessment: Including spatial definition and mapping of specific habitat elements, and of the spatial and
temporal movements of birds.
- Mitigation Planning
- Stakeholder and Regulator Consultations
If you are a new developer, or a land owner interested in wind power on your property, you may have questions about how we conduct our risk assessments and what the results may mean for your wind farm:
How is an ecological pre-construction risk assessment conducted?
The major focus of the risk assessment is on birds and bats. We initially identify heavy bird-use areas by surveying the property at different times of the day and at different seasons. We then map those areas using both GPS groundtruthing, aerial photography of the property, and GIS software. We quantify usage by implementing a variety of methodologies, such as point counts and transect counts during daylight hours, and radar/infrared cameras/bat detectors during the night. By combining older methodologies with newer methodologies/technology we compile a data set that not only can be directly compared with data from older projects, but that can improve the accuracy of the assessment and provide a benchmark for post-construction studies. There are few professional consulting teams that have our level of expertise in bird identification and natural history. Click here for a more detailed description of a typical Scope of Work.
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Are migrating raptors (hawks, falcons) a problem?
It depends upon the characteristics of the area. Good wind quality often means few trees. As a general rule, fewer trees mean fewer migrating raptors. Our surveys specifically address this issue. We have on staff one of the foremost authorities on North American raptor migration to make this determination.
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How might wind farms affect gamebirds, especially waterfowl?
Upland gamebirds—turkey, dove, grouse, pheasant and quail—typically fly low to the ground and are unlikely to ever be threatened by a turbine blade. In contrast, ducks and geese routinely fly at rotor heights, often making daily flights between roosting and feeding areas. Their routes, however, mainly depend on historical usage and are generally confined to narrow flight corridors. At other wind farms located in close proximity to waterfowl areas, the birds seem to have high avoidance ability, and are rarely struck. Daily and seasonal bird traffic is one of the most important characteristics we identify and define for establishing optimal and safe turbine siting.
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What about threatened or endangered species?
Determining the status of threatened or endangered species is a prime objective of the area surveys. If threatened or endangered species are discovered, every effort is made to define their range and to determine if breeding occurs. Although the focus is on birds, some properties may support other species that have to be evaluated.
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How do wind farms affect ecotourism, especially migrating song birds?
This is arguably the most important factor affecting wind farms in areas with significant ecotourism. It is a difficult question to answer as little study has been done in the past. We have far more experience than anyone else in studying this question. In addition to daytime visual surveys, we deploy infrared camera and/or radar systems to monitor the night-time avian (and bat) migration flights. Many songbirds migrate at night, and infrared cameras are the only sensor that has 100% detection capability for individual small birds flying in the rotor zone. We also are always prepared to respond on short notice to the occurrence of abnormal weather events by putting multiple observers in the field. Such events can create conditions that are most likely to increase the strike risk of migratory songbirds. By observing the flight patterns during these events we can better predict the strike risk.
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Who has the final say on whether a project is safe enough?
Ultimately, only the developer. As of 2008 in Texas there are no regulations or permits necessary for placing wind turbines on private property. Other states have varying requirements. We provide an estimated risk based upon analysis of the data collected during the surveys. A prudent developer also consults regularly with government agencies, such as U.S. Fish & Wildlife, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (primarily on wetlands issues), and state agencies such as Parks & Wildlife. The developer considers all the inputs, and makes a decision based upon them. We assist the developer in communicating with the government agencies and interested stakeholders.
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Wind Farm Post-Construction Ecological Risk Assessment
Once a wind energy facility is in operation, post-construction studies are conducted to validate the estimated risk from the pre-construction assessment. Traditionally, the most significant aspect of post construction monitoring has been based upon carcass searches. This can be very manpower intensive. We have been working to better incorporate the latest technology into post-construction assessments in order to not only reduce overall costs, but to achieve a more accurate assessment. If problems are discovered, we work hand in hand with the developer and the regulators to design and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
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