A Survey of Birds and Bats at a Proposed Wind Energy Site, Bear River Ridge, Humboldt County, California

Report

Title: A Survey of Birds and Bats at a Proposed Wind Energy Site, Bear River Ridge, Humboldt County, California

Author:

McAllister, S.; Fix, D.

Publication Date:

February 25, 2008

Pages:

Sponsoring Organization:

Shell Energy

Technology:

Wind Energy, Land-Based Wind

Receptor:

Bats, Birds

Language:

English

Document Access

Attachment:

Access File

Citation

McAllister, S.; Fix, D. (2008). A Survey of Birds and Bats at a Proposed Wind Energy Site, Bear River Ridge, Humboldt County, California. Report for Shell Energy.

TY - RPRT
TI - A Survey of Birds and Bats at a Proposed Wind Energy Site, Bear River Ridge, Humboldt County, California
AU - McAllister, S
AU - Fix, D
AB - Shell Wind Energy, Inc. (SWE) is the proponent of a wind energy project at Bear River Ridge, Humboldt County, California. The project proposed by SWE would involve the installation and operation of approximately 25-35 two-megawatt wind turbines placed along Bear River Ridge, over a 6-mile stretch, for the purpose of generating wind power. A key element in pre-development studies for a wind energy project risk assessment involves collection of baseline information about avian and bat use in the project area. Shell Wind Energy has committed to this level of study through contracts with local experts and consultation with government agencies. Mad River Biologists (MRB) was contracted by Oscar Larson Associates on behalf of Shell Wind Energy Inc. in summer 2004, during the pre-planning stage of what is now known publicly to be a proposed wind energy project. Initially, however, no specifications regarding a wind energy facility were included in the original contract scope of work. Rather, the focus was on the potential impacts to wildlife from meteorological towers (“met towers”) and their associated guy wires, which would be constructed by SWE in early 2005 in order to monitor wind and guide in determining the feasibility of a wind energy project. Initially, the scope was limited to a general inventory of raptors and other birds during a single fall migration period (fall 2004). Gradually, several additional phases were added to the scope of work, including a survey for bats, mortality monitoring at met towers, and additional bird surveys that would ultimately span all seasons. Following the first fall migration surveys, a first interim report was submitted. The next phase captured the spring migration and summer of 2005, and included the first bat surveys and met-tower mortality monitoring. The second fall migration period (2005) was followed by a second interim report; then, a second spring/summer (2006) survey was completed; and, finally, a winter survey period (2006/2007) was added. This final report combines the results from all of the phases mentioned above. Additionally, in 2007 Mad River Biologists conducted a raptor nest survey during the nesting season, a wetland investigation and a rare plant survey; the results of those studies are reported separately.
DA - 2008/02//
PY - 2008
SP - 37
LA - English
KW - Wind Energy
KW - Land-Based Wind
KW - Bats
KW - Birds
ER -

Export Citation to RIS

Abstract

Shell Wind Energy, Inc. (SWE) is the proponent of a wind energy project at Bear River Ridge, Humboldt County, California. The project proposed by SWE would involve the installation and operation of approximately 25-35 two-megawatt wind turbines placed along Bear River Ridge, over a 6-mile stretch, for the purpose of generating wind power.

A key element in pre-development studies for a wind energy project risk assessment involves collection of baseline information about avian and bat use in the project area. Shell Wind Energy has committed to this level of study through contracts with local experts and consultation with government agencies.

Mad River Biologists (MRB) was contracted by Oscar Larson Associates on behalf of Shell Wind Energy Inc. in summer 2004, during the pre-planning stage of what is now known publicly to be a proposed wind energy project. Initially, however, no specifications regarding a wind energy facility were included in the original contract scope of work. Rather, the focus was on the potential impacts to wildlife from meteorological towers (“met towers”) and their associated guy wires, which would be constructed by SWE in early 2005 in order to monitor wind and guide in determining the feasibility of a wind energy project. Initially, the scope was limited to a general inventory of raptors and other birds during a single fall migration period (fall 2004). Gradually, several additional phases were added to the scope of work, including a survey for bats, mortality monitoring at met towers, and additional bird surveys that would ultimately span all seasons.

Following the first fall migration surveys, a first interim report was submitted. The next phase captured the spring migration and summer of 2005, and included the first bat surveys and met-tower mortality monitoring. The second fall migration period (2005) was followed by a second interim report; then, a second spring/summer (2006) survey was completed; and, finally, a winter survey period (2006/2007) was added. This final report combines the results from all of the phases mentioned above.

Additionally, in 2007 Mad River Biologists conducted a raptor nest survey during the nesting season, a wetland investigation and a rare plant survey; the results of those studies are reported separately.