Developer asked to mitigate environmental issues

June 21, 2012 — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has yet to approve Invenergy’s Horse Lake Wind Farm project, and has asked the developer to mitigate several environmental concerns.

Ken Collum, field manager for the BLM’s Eagle Lake office, said the agency sent Invenergy a letter in May requesting a development alternative that is completely outside of Sage-Grouse habitat.

Moving the project to the north and the east would eliminate some habitat areas.

The Sage-Grouse may be listed as threatened or endangered species in 2015, so BLM asked Invenergy to develop an alternative.

Collum said the BLM also has asked the developer to do additional studies on the impact the project will have on golden and bald eagles “to determine the use and extent of their range within the project area.”

He said that study is expected to take another season or a year to complete.

“The notice of intent to begin the environmental impact statement is prepared,” Collum said, “but it will not be issued or signed until these additional studies are complete.”

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0#1Uncle June Bug2012-06-22 06:02

The real issue here is the recent and pending changes in Sage Grouse protection status that will prevent any future wind farms in Lassen County. BLM is also asking for impact studies they should be doing.
Moving the wind farms east puts them in Nevada.

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+1#2Wiegand2012-06-22 11:32

The BLM should never ask the developer to do any additional studies on the impact the project will have on golden and bald eagles. The reason is because the industry uses shill biologists to write up what ever they want written.

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+1#3Wiegand2012-06-22 11:32

Being a wildlife biologist I can say the wind industry has no more credibility than Jerry Sandusky. The wind industry has been at their slimy game of hiding their carnage since 1984. If bodies are hidden they can label themselves "Green" to the ignorant.

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+1#4Wiegand2012-06-22 11:35

Today the wind industry is the number one killer of Golden Eagles in California. The mitigation and permit processes is nothing but cesspool of corruption. If you want impacts you only need to look at Altamont Pass where populations of Golden Eagles have dropped more than 50% since 2005.

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+1#5Wiegand2012-06-22 11:36

Folks in Lassen County had better wake up and get organized, otherwise a permanent bird killing blight is coming your way. For more about the wind industry's 28 year mortality Cover up, search the internet and read THE 28 YEAR WIND INDUSTRY COVER-UP Parts 1 and 2.

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+4#6George II2012-06-23 09:12

Mr. Weigand should attend the LMUD meeting on Tuesday @5:30. LMUD has been working with Invenergy (wind turbines) for years. LMUD wants the ratepayers to pay for a feasibility study. You are right on point asking the fox to watch the hen house. Wind turbine leases can be up to $100,000 for landowner

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+1#7Wiegand2012-06-23 10:43

Land owners have been part of the wind turbine mortality cover-up. They have been known to interfere with studies and pick up carcasses. There is also another problem here, Why should the landowners prosper financially from the killing of the public's protected species.

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+1#8Wiegand2012-06-23 10:45

Land owners must also must sign leases with gag orders so if they did wish to speak out they would held held accountable. The irony is that the wind developers always get a free pass for killing protected species with the lethal propeller style wind turbine.

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+1#9Wiegand2012-06-23 10:52

Readers should check out my article on the Whooping Cranes. The population that had been growing in numbers for decades is in huge trouble from this industry. Their days of flying free are numbered, just like the Condor. "Breaking News Central Flyway Whooping Crane Population is in Big Trouble"

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+1#10Wiegand2012-06-23 11:02

It never ends with one development. Once you open the door, your landscape will transform into an industrial wasteland as more and more projects are built. See how many Met Tower permits have been handed out in the last 20 years. They will not tell you so look, dozens of projects are planned.

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