Abstract
The Biglow Canyon Wind Farm is located in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion approximately 140 miles east of Portland, Oregon. The project area is generally bordered by the John Day River corridor to the east and the Columbia River gorge to the north. Biglow Canyon consists of three individual phases (I, II, and III). Phase II contains 65 2.3-megawatt (MW) Siemens wind turbines with a nameplate capacity of 150 MW. The Site Certificate issued by the State of Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council for the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm requires the certificate holder, Portland General Electric, to conduct a two-year Fatality Monitoring Program to determine whether operation of the facility causes significant fatalities of birds and bats and to determine whether the facility results in a loss of habitat quality.
This report summarizes the results for the first year (Year 1) of post-construction monitoring at Phase II of the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm. The study period for Year 1 post-construction monitoring was September 10, 2009 through September 12, 2010. In accordance with the protocols outlined in the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm: Wildlife Monitoring and Mitigation Plan, Year 1 monitoring included searches for bird and bat carcasses at turbines (Fatality Monitoring Program) and fixed-point avian use surveys (Avian Use and Behavior Study). Monitoring was conducted in accordance with protocols developed in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). This report presents the results of bird and bat fatality searches and fixed-point avian use surveys, as well as a summary of incidental wildlife observations.