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Wind energy and species protection in Germany and the U.S. M.Sc. Victoria Gartman IAIA 2015
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Transcript of Wind energy and species protection in Germany and the U.S. M.Sc. Victoria Gartman IAIA 2015
Wind energy and species protection in Germany and the U.S.
M.Sc. Victoria GartmanIAIA 2015
http://www.evwind.es/
Outline
• Introduction▫Why is this good to know?▫Policies & wind and the concerns
• Materials & Methods▫Steps taken!▫Study Area – Case studies
• Results▫Comparative analysis
Case studies Laws, regulations
• Future research – How does this impact YOU?
2
Intro – Why is this good to know? • 3 main questions
▫Mitigation hierarchy differences?▫Policy comparison (state, national,
international)?▫Trans-Atlantic measures?
• State of research• Elements of Focus
▫Regulatory measures ▫Wind facility logistics ▫Species of concern ▫Avoidance and minimization measures ▫U.S. Wind facilities & Germany windparks
3
Intro – Policy & Wind in U.S. & Germany
4
The U.S.
• Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918)
• Bald & Gold Eagle Protection Act (1940)
• National Environmental Policy Act (1969/70)• EA, EIS, FONSI
• Endangered Species Act (1973)▫ Section 7, 9, 10▫ Habitat Conservation Plan
(HCP), Biological Opinion (BO) ≈ Incidental Take Permits (ITP)
Federal & NGO guidelines
Germany (EU)
• EU’s EIA Directive (amend. 2009)
• EU Habitats Directive (1992)▫ Annexes II, IV▫ Article 12: FCS, CEF measures
• EU Birds Directive (1979 amend. 2009)▫ Natura 2000
• Germany EIA Act (UVPG) (1990)
• BNatSchG (1976 revised 2009) • §15, 31-36, 44-45▫ Artenschutzprüfung (ASP)
German State guidelines
Guidelines for WEBLM, USFWS, USFS, NGOsGerman state guidelines
Species ProtectionEU’s Annex II, IVGermany’s BNatSchGUnited States’ ESA
ITP
Instruments & MeasuresHabitat Conservation Plans (HCP)
Biological Opinion = ITPArtenschutzprüfung (ASP) (endangered species impact assessment)
Review of area/regionContinued Ecological Functionality (CEF)
Measures to offset impacts within ASP
Avoidance and MinimizationWithin HCP and ASP
Materials & Methods –Steps taken!• Explanatory and
Comparative Case Study Analysis (Yin 2009)▫ Explanation Building▫ Multiple-cases study▫ Comparative Analysis
• Criteria and Conditions▫ Literature Research▫ Onshore wind facilities▫ Federally and
internationally endangered species of birds, mammals, insects
5Eurasian Kestrel. Photo by: Austin Teague
Materials & Methods –Study Area/Cases
6
Wind Facility
Alta East Wind Energy Project (CA)
Beech Ridge Wind Energy Project (WV)
Buckeye Wind Power Project (OH)
Chokecherry & Sierra Madre Wind Energy Project (WY)
Kaheawa Pastures Wind Energy Generation Facility (HI)
Monarch Warren County Wind Turbine Project (IL)
Ocotillo Express Wind Project (CA)
Searchlight Wind Energy Project (NV)
Tule Wind Project (CA)
Windpark Locations
Himmelsleiter (Aachen, NRW)
Bergkamp (Rosendahl, NRW)
Holtwicker Mark (Rosendahl, NRW)
Midlich (Rosendahl, NRW)
Kapfenburg (Aalen, Bayern)
Pilsach W2, W3 (Bayern)
Riepsdorf (SH)
Unkel (Neuwied, NRW)
Weßling (Starnberg, Bayern)
Results
7
U.S. Wind facilities Approximate capacity & area Legal Take at WF
1,153 wind turbines at
nine facilities
Maximum 3,025.2 MW,
284,677 acres (115,204 ha)
6 bird species, 3 bat species, 1 mammal
species 1 reptile species, 1 insect
species
Germany windparks Approximate capacity & area
Identified at WP locations
Up to 42 wind turbines (no definite
number) at nine locations
Unknown in capacities, unknown
in land area
79 bird species, 16 bat species, 2
mammal species, 5 amphibian & reptile
species, 1 insect species
Measures The U.S. Germany
Micro-Siting (land optimizatio
n)
Roosting areas, hibernacula, linear, small grouping of WT
Breeding/ foraging areas, nesting, FFH, agricultural fields,
singular
Wind Turbine Logistics
Number of WT, monopoles, lighting measures
Replacement of old WT, few turbines,
monopoles, painting, gaps
Construction
Seasonal, speed limits, WEAP, cables
Seasonal, tree checking, existing roads, cables
SurveyingPre- & Post- Monitoring, Biological Monitors (Biologists), “Response
Team”
Pre-construction, monitoring, turn-off
periods
Attractiveness
Carcass removal, limiting on-site vegetation, native vegetation, dust
abatement
Food management for raptors, Luderplätzen
Additional Measures
Plans, Programs: Condor Monitoring & Avoidance Plan,
Eagle Conservation Plan, Bighorn Sheep Monitoring Program, Avian
& Bat Protection Plan
Vegetation: Seasonal mowing, hedges, “food-
poor” area, re-vegetation, re-
cultivation, fallow lands
Results, Discussion▫Strong federal (and international) laws
pertaining to species protection ▫Little regulation for wind facilities
Guidelines, land development plans
▫Cases Detail, documentation
▫Illegal/legal take U.S. Incidental Take Permit Germany / EU CEF measures
▫Availability Land – energy distribution Public information
8
U.S. Compensation Germany CEF
Beech Ridge: Complete an offsite conservation project within 1st two years of receiving ITP
Kaheawa: Construct a release facility, $200,000 hoary bat research
Ocotillo: $200,000 Bighorn sheep research, $500,000 Carrizo Marsh restoration
Himmelsleiter: Bat boxesHoltwicker Mark: Veg. strips, fallow lands Midlich: Veg. strips, fallow landsKapfenburg: Bird boxes (Baumfalken) Pilsach W2, W3: Bat boxes, fallow lands outside windparkRiepsdorf: Expand reed vegetationUnkel: Reforest. of damaged envir. Aid for GelbbauchunkeWeßling: Bat boxes Recreational areas
Future research- How does this impact YOU?
▫ Are current measures working? Large collaboration, data
collection over time▫ What measures can be
trans-Atlantic? Small-scale approach v.
regulatory national approach
Continued tax-breaks, subsidies, incentives
▫ Can private lands be comparable? Would they even be
comparable at all?
▫ Would conclusions be different if Germany made similar information more available? Public information,
development process
9
▫ Recommendations “Development by Design” Strategies to optimize low-
impact development▫ Current Research
Transdisciplinarity Optimize ways to implement
science into practice
10
Thank you for your attention!