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| THE CONSERVATION COLUMN Some Updates By Bill Hering Last year the Department of the Interior released “The State of the Birds 2009”. This report, based on data gathered from many sources, including the Audubon Christmas Bird Count, revealed that nearly a third of the nation's 800 bird species are endangered, threatened or in significant decline. On March 11th of this year a second report was released. “The State of the Birds: 2010 Report on Climate Change” underscores the role climate change has played in this decline. The report, a collaboration of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and some of the nation’s leading conservation organizations (including the Klamath Bird Observatory), shows that climate changes will have an increasingly disruptive effect on birds. Although the report shows that birds in every aquatic and terrestrial habitat type are being affected by climate change, ocean birds are among the most vulnerable species. They don’t raise many young each year, they face challenges from a rapidly changing marine ecosystem, and they nest on islands that may be flooded as sea levels rise. Birds in coastal, arctic/alpine, and grassland habitats, as well as those on Caribbean and other Pacific islands show intermediate levels of vulnerability. Most birds in arid lands, wetlands, and forests show relatively low vulnerability to climate change. You can review the full report at www.stateofthebirds.org. |
| Something to ponder: "The last word of ignorance is the man who says of an animal or plant: 'What good is it?' If the land mechanism as a whole is good, then every part is good, whether we understand it or not. If the biota, in the course of aeons, has built something we like, but do not understand, then who but a fool would discard seemingly useless parts? To keep every cog and wheel is the first precaution of intelligent tinkering." Aldo Leopold, The Sand County Almanac |
| Rogue Valley Audubon Society PO Box 8597 Medford, OR 97501 roguevalleyaudubon.org) |
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individuals can have a demonstrable positive impact on birds in the U.S. Specifically, the report
indicates that the way lands are managed can mitigate climate change and help birds adapt to
changing conditions. For example, conserving carbon-rich forests and wetlands, and creating
incentives to avoid deforestation can reduce emissions and provide invaluable wildlife habitat.
Of particular interest to Oregonians is the call to continue to develop renewable energy
resources but to pay closer attention to how these facilities are sited to minimize the impacts of
habitat loss and fragmentation. Here’s an update on efforts to protect our oceans and on
attempts to install wind power facilities.
Oregon's Offshore Oil Drilling Ban Extended. By a 22-8 vote, the Oregon Senate approved
House Bill 3613, which revived and extended the state ban on offshore oil drilling for another 10
years. When Governor Kulongoski signed it into law on March 3, 2010 the moratorium that
expired in January of 2010 was reinstated. This moratorium precludes drilling in the three-mile
wide swath of state owned waters along the Oregon coast. The Governor signed HB 3613 into
law to ensure coastal protection. The enactment of this policy is an example of common sense
policy that ensures a more sustainably managed nearshore. Before the 10 year mark is reached,
we hope to see a permanent ban. Many RVAS members were active in making their Senators and
Representatives aware of the need for this environmental protection. Thank you! The State of
Oregon has established website to make information on ocean-related topics accessible. Please
take time to visit www.oregonocean.info.
Increasing Interest in Wind Power. Wind power is often cited as an economically competitive
form of renewable energy. As climate change increases our awareness of the need for clean
alternative energy sources, there will be an increase in proposals for wind power facilities. As
developers seek to take advantage of the state mandates for clean air, the pressure to install
wind sites can only increase. The National Audubon Society has indicated it strongly supports
properly-sited wind power facilities that are planned, sited and operated to minimize negative
impacts on bird and wildlife populations. Their policy states:
“While Audubon strongly supports wind power and recognizes it will not be without some
impact, production and transmission facilities must be planned, sited and operated in concert
with other actions needed to minimize and mitigate their impacts on birds and other wildlife
populations. Several federal and state laws require this and the long-term sustainability of the
wind industry depends on it. Wind power facilities impact birds from direct collisions with
turbines and related facilities, such as power lines. Wind power facilities can also degrade or
destroy habitat, cause disturbance and displacement, and disrupt important ecological links.
These impacts can be avoided or significantly reduced, however, with proper siting, operation
and mitigation.
Audubon supports the adoption of federal and state guidelines on the study, siting, operation
and mitigation of wind power. Guidelines should provide developers, permitting agencies and
conservation groups with the legal, technical and practical steps needed to minimize impacts on
birds and other wildlife. Audubon also encourages wind developers and permitting agencies to
consult with wildlife experts, including Audubon staff and local chapters, to help inform study
and siting decisions.”
Although we haven’t heard much about proposed wind power facilities in the Rogue Valley,
Eastern Oregon sites have already been targeted for wind power facilities. The Oregon Natural
Desert Association (ONDA) has stated they will fight the majority of the wind power sites
proposed in Harney County, especially those in the Steens Mountain area. Portland Audubon
has joined in the challenge to the Harney County proposed sites. Be alert; we will hear much
more about the proposals for use of wind power. RVAS and Oregon Audubon will continue to
monitor developments.
(Home)
indicates that the way lands are managed can mitigate climate change and help birds adapt to
changing conditions. For example, conserving carbon-rich forests and wetlands, and creating
incentives to avoid deforestation can reduce emissions and provide invaluable wildlife habitat.
Of particular interest to Oregonians is the call to continue to develop renewable energy
resources but to pay closer attention to how these facilities are sited to minimize the impacts of
habitat loss and fragmentation. Here’s an update on efforts to protect our oceans and on
attempts to install wind power facilities.
Oregon's Offshore Oil Drilling Ban Extended. By a 22-8 vote, the Oregon Senate approved
House Bill 3613, which revived and extended the state ban on offshore oil drilling for another 10
years. When Governor Kulongoski signed it into law on March 3, 2010 the moratorium that
expired in January of 2010 was reinstated. This moratorium precludes drilling in the three-mile
wide swath of state owned waters along the Oregon coast. The Governor signed HB 3613 into
law to ensure coastal protection. The enactment of this policy is an example of common sense
policy that ensures a more sustainably managed nearshore. Before the 10 year mark is reached,
we hope to see a permanent ban. Many RVAS members were active in making their Senators and
Representatives aware of the need for this environmental protection. Thank you! The State of
Oregon has established website to make information on ocean-related topics accessible. Please
take time to visit www.oregonocean.info.
Increasing Interest in Wind Power. Wind power is often cited as an economically competitive
form of renewable energy. As climate change increases our awareness of the need for clean
alternative energy sources, there will be an increase in proposals for wind power facilities. As
developers seek to take advantage of the state mandates for clean air, the pressure to install
wind sites can only increase. The National Audubon Society has indicated it strongly supports
properly-sited wind power facilities that are planned, sited and operated to minimize negative
impacts on bird and wildlife populations. Their policy states:
“While Audubon strongly supports wind power and recognizes it will not be without some
impact, production and transmission facilities must be planned, sited and operated in concert
with other actions needed to minimize and mitigate their impacts on birds and other wildlife
populations. Several federal and state laws require this and the long-term sustainability of the
wind industry depends on it. Wind power facilities impact birds from direct collisions with
turbines and related facilities, such as power lines. Wind power facilities can also degrade or
destroy habitat, cause disturbance and displacement, and disrupt important ecological links.
These impacts can be avoided or significantly reduced, however, with proper siting, operation
and mitigation.
Audubon supports the adoption of federal and state guidelines on the study, siting, operation
and mitigation of wind power. Guidelines should provide developers, permitting agencies and
conservation groups with the legal, technical and practical steps needed to minimize impacts on
birds and other wildlife. Audubon also encourages wind developers and permitting agencies to
consult with wildlife experts, including Audubon staff and local chapters, to help inform study
and siting decisions.”
Although we haven’t heard much about proposed wind power facilities in the Rogue Valley,
Eastern Oregon sites have already been targeted for wind power facilities. The Oregon Natural
Desert Association (ONDA) has stated they will fight the majority of the wind power sites
proposed in Harney County, especially those in the Steens Mountain area. Portland Audubon
has joined in the challenge to the Harney County proposed sites. Be alert; we will hear much
more about the proposals for use of wind power. RVAS and Oregon Audubon will continue to
monitor developments.
(Home)