Abstract
Invenergy LLC (Invenergy) is proposing to develop a wind-energy facility in Livingston County, Illinois. Invenergy requested Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. (WEST) develop and implement a standardized protocol for baseline studies of bat use in the Pleasant Ridge Wind Resource Area (PRWRA) for the purpose of estimating the impacts of the wind-energy facility on bats. The protocol for this baseline study is similar to protocols used at other wind-energy facilities in the US and involves passive acoustic sampling using AnabatTM ultrasonic SD1 bat detectors.
Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc. initiated surveys in July 2009 designed to assess bat use within the proposed Pleasant Ridge Wind Resource Area in Livingston County, Illinois. Acoustic surveys for bats using AnabatTM SD1 ultrasonic detectors were conducted at five stations using six Anabats from July 15 to October 21, 2009. One station was placed in an area expected to receive high bat activity to be used as reference site. The remaining five stations were located at met towers, or non-reference areas. Detectors were placed below two met towers for the entire study. One paired set of detectors (raised and ground) and one raised unit was rotated between the remaining three met towers each week, so that monitoring occurred at five of the six stations each survey week.
The final report describes the results of Anabat surveys during the 2009 study season within the proposed PRWRA. In addition to site-specific data, this report presents existing information and results of bat monitoring studies conducted at other wind-energy facilities. Where possible, comparisons with regional and local studies were made.