APPENDIX D: TABLE D-1. BIRD FATALITIES AT MIDWESTERN WIND PROJECTS

Table D-1. Number of fatalities by bird group and species found at Midwestern wind projects.1

Bird group and species Number 2 Bird group and species Number 2 Passerines 185 Passerines cont.

horned lark Eremophila alpestris 17 chipping sparrow

Spizella passerina 1

tree swallow Tachycineta bicolor 15 common grackle

Quiscalus quiscula 1

European starling Sturnus vulgaris 11 eastern meadowlark

Sturnella magna 1

golden-crowned kinglet Regulus satrapa 9 gray catbird

Dumetella carolinensis 1

ruby-crowned kinglet Regulus calendula 8 house sparrow

Passer domesticus 1

barn swallow Hirundo rustica 7 least flycatcher

Empidonax minimus 1

common yellowthroat Geothlypis trichas 7 Lincoln's sparrow

Melospiza lincolnii 1

savannah sparrow Passerculus sandwichensis 6 loggerhead shrike3

Lanius ludovicianus 1

black-and-white warbler Mniotilta varia 5 ovenbird

Seiurus aurocapilla 1

mourning dove Zenaida macroura 5 snow bunting

Plectrophenax nivalis 1

western meadowlark Sturnella neglecta 5 song sparrow

Melospiza melodia 1

magnolia warbler Setophaga magnolia 4 spotted towhee

Pipilo maculatus 1

orange-crowned warbler Oreothlypis celata 4 swamp sparrow

Melospiza georgiana 1

red-eyed vireo Vireo olivaceus 4 unidentified meadowlark

Sturnella sp. 1

brown-headed cowbird Molothrus ater 3 unidentified swallow 1

red-winged blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus 3 yellow-bellied flycatcher

Empidonax flaviventris 1

sedge wren Cistothorus platensis 3 yellow-headed blackbird

Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus 1

unidentified passerine 3 yellow-throated vireo Vireo flavifrons 1

vesper sparrow Pooecetes gramineus 3 Gamebirds 17

American goldfinch Spinus tristis 2 rock pigeon

Columba livia 9

American robin Turdus migratorius 2 ring-necked pheasant

Phasianus colchicus 2

blackpoll warbler Setophaga striata 2 sharp-tailed grouse

Tympanuchus phasianellus 2

cedar waxwing Bombycilla cedrorum 2 wild turkey

Meleagris gallopavo 2

chimney swift Chaetura pelagica 2 gray partridge

Perdix perdix 1

Bird group and species Number 2 Bird group and species Number 2 cliff swallow Petrochelidon pyrrhonota 2 greater prairie-chicken

Tympanuchus cupido 1

dark-eyed junco Junco hyemalis 2 Raptors/owls/vultures 15

dickcissel Spiza americana 2 red-tailed hawk

Buteo jamaicensis 11

eastern kingbird Tyrannus tyrannus 2 American kestrel

Falco sparverius 2

Empidonax flycatcher 2 turkey vulture Cathartes aura 1

grasshopper sparrow3

Ammodramus savannarum 2 short-eared owl Asio flammeus 1

house wren Troglodytes aedon 2 Waterbirds 27

purple martin Progne subis 2 killdeer

Charadrius vociferus 7

Tennessee warbler Oreothlypis peregrina 2 Mallard

Anas platyrhynchos 4

unidentified sparrow 2 American coot Fulica americana 3

warbling vireo Vireo gilvus 2 blue-winged teal

Anas discors 3

yellow warbler Setophaga petechia 2 herring gull

Larus argentatus 2

yellow-bellied sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius 2 pied-billed grebe3

Podilymbus podiceps 2

yellow-rumped warbler Setophaga coronata 2 unidentified waterfowl 2

American redstart Setophaga ruticilla 1 green-winged teal

Anas crecca 1

American tree sparrow Spizella arborea 1 ruddy duck

Oxyura jamaicensis 1

black-billed cuckoo3

Coccyzus erythropthalmus 1 upland sandpiper3

Bartramia longicauda 1

black-throated green warbler Setophaga virens 1 Franklin's gull

Leucophaeus pipixcan 1

blue jay Cyanocitta cristata 1 unidentified bird 26

bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus 1 unidentified large bird 3

brown creeper Certhia americana 1 Total 273

1 Studies include those conducted at Buffalo Ridge, MN 1994-1999; Kewaunee County, WI 1999-2000; Top of Iowa, IA 2003-2004; NPPD Ainsworth, NE 2007; Blue Sky Green Field, WI 2008; Forward Energy Center, WI 2008-2009; Cedar Ridge, WI 2009; and Fowler Ridge, IN 2009. 2 Numbers are actual carcasses detected and were not corrected for searcher efficiency or carcass persistence biases. 3 USFWS Bird of Conservation Concern for Bird Conservation Region 22 (USFWS 2008).

REFERENCES

BHE. 2010. Post-construction bird and bat mortality study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, interim report. BHE Environmental, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. February.

Derby, C., A. Dahl, W. Erickson, K. Bay, and J. Hoban. 2007. Post-construction monitoring report for avian and bat mortality at the NPPD Ainsworth Wind Farm. Western EcoSystems Technology, Inc., Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA.

Grodsky, S. M., and D. Drake. 2011. Assessing bird and bat mortality at the Forward Energy Center. Prepared for Forward Energy LLC. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Gruver, J., M. Sonnenburg, K. Bay, and W. Erickson. 2009. Post‐construction bat and bird fatality study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin July 21, 2008 – October 31, 2008 and March 15, 2009 – June 4, 2009. Western EcoSystems Technology, Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA. 17 January.

Howe, R. W., W. Evans, and A. T. Wolf. 2002. Effects of wind turbines on birds and bats in northeastern Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. 21 November.

Johnson, G. D., W. P. Erickson, M. D. Strickland, M. F. Shepherd, and D. A. Shepherd. 2000. Avian monitoring studies at the Buffalo Ridge, Minnesota Wind Resource Area: results of a 4-year study, final report for Northern States Power Company. Western EcoSystems Technology, Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA.

Johnson, G. D., M. Ritzert, S. Nomani, and K. Bay. 2010. Final report: bird and bat fatality studies Fowler Ridge I Wind-Energy Facility, Benton County, Indiana, April 6 – October 30, 2009. Western EcoSystems Technology, Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA. 12 April 12.

Kerlinger, P., R. Curry, A. Hasch, and J. Guarnaccia. 2007. Migratory bird and bat monitoring study at the Crescent Ridge Wind Power Project, Bureau County, Illinois: September 2005- August 2006. Curry & Kerlinger, LLC, McLean, Virginia, USA. May.

Koford, R., A. Jain, G. Zanner, and A. Hancock. 2004. Avian mortality associated with the Top of Iowa Wind Farm. Progress report: calendar year 2003. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA.

Koford, R., A. Jain, G. Zanner, and A. Hancock. 2005. Avian mortality associated with the Top of Iowa Wind Farm. Progress report: calendar year 2004. Iowa Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, Iowa State University, Ames and Iowa and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Clear Lake, Iowa, USA.

Osborn, R. G., K. F. Higgins, R. E. Usgaard, C. D. Dieter, and R. D. Neiger. 2000. Bird mortality associated with wind turbines at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area, Minnesota. American Midland Naturalist 143: 41-52.

APPENDIX E: BAT FATALITY CALCULATIONS FOR ALTERNATIVES

Hoopeston Wind Project Environmental Assessment Calculations for Bat Mortality Estimates Chapter 4 Table 4-8 Alternative 1 No take of listed bats Unlisted Bats Annual spring / summer mortality 174 bats: Fowler Ridge Wind Farm rate: 3.56 bats per turbine 3.56 x 49 turbines Annual fall mortality 177 bats: Fowler Ridge Wind Farm Rate: 30.17 bats per turbine 30.17 x 49 turbines x 0.12 due to 88% reduction due to feathering all turbines @ 6.9 m/s = 177.40 bats Alternative 2 Indiana bats Annual fall mortality 1.57 Calculation based on average estimated take in Project HCP: 2.8 IBAT per year For 29 turbines: 2.8 IBAT / 49 = 0.0571 IBAT/turbine x 0.50 = 0.0286 due to 50% reduction x 29 turbines = 0.8286 IBAT For 20 turbines: 2.8 IBAT / 49 = 0.0571 IBAT/turbine x 0.65 = 0.0371 due to 35% reduction x 20 turbines = 0.7429 IBAT Total annual mortality: 0.8286 + 0.7429 = 1.57 IBAT per year Northern long-eared bats Annual fall mortality 1.85 Calculation based on average estimated take in Project HCP: 3.3 NLEB per year For 29 turbines: 3.3 NLEB / 49 = 0.0673 NLEB/turbine x 0.50 = 0.0337 due to 50% reduction x 29 turbines = 0.9765 NLEB per year For 20 turbines: 3.3 NLEB / 49 = 0.0673 NLEB/turbine x 0.65 = 0.0437 due to 35% reduction x 20 turbines = 0.8755 NLEB per year Total annual mortality: 0.9765 + 0.8755 = 1.85 NLEB per year Unlisted Bats Annual spring / summer mortality 113 Calculation based on Fowler Ridge mortality rate in spring / summer 3.56 bats/turbine x 0.65 = 2.31 bats/turbine due to 35% reduction x 49 turbines = 113 bats per season Annual fall mortality 830 bats Calculation based on Fowler Ridge mortality rate in fall For 29 turbines: 30.17 bats/turbine x 0.50 = 15.085 bats/turbine due to 50% reduction x 29 turbines = 437.46 bats per season For 20 turbines: 30.17 bats/turbine x 0.65 = 19.61 bats/turbine due to 35% reduction x 20 turbines = 392.21 bats per season Total fall mortality: 437.46 + 392.21 = 830 bats per season Alternative 3 Listed Bats 2 IBATS and 2 NLEB per year, as per the Applicant’s proposed estimate in the HCP Unlisted Bats Annual spring / summer mortality 113 bats Calculation based on Fowler Ridge mortality rate in spring / summer 3.56 bats/turbine x 0.65 = 2.31 bats/turbine due to 35% reduction x 49 turbines = 113 bats per season Annual fall mortality 961 bats Calculation based on Fowler Ridge mortality rate in fall 30.17 bats/turbine x 0.65 = 19.61 bats/turbine due to 35% reduction x 49 turbines = 960.91 bats per season

Chapter 4 Table 4-9 Alternative 2 50% reduction at 29 turbines 35% reduction at 20 turbines Indiana Bats Fall Mortality Based on average estimated take in Project HCP = 2.8 IBAT per year

Fall Rate per Turbine 29 5.0 m/s turbines 2.8 IBAT / 49 = 0.0571 IBAT/turbine x 0.50 = 0.0286 IBAT/turbine x 29 =0.8286 IBAT 20 3.0 m/s turbines 2.8 IBAT / 49 = 0.0571 IBAT/turbine x 0.65 =0.0371 IBAT/turbine x 20 = 0.7429 IBAT 1.57 IBAT

Fall Rate per MW 29 5.0 m/s turbines 2.8 IBAT / 98 = 0.0286 IBAT/MW x 0.50 = 0.0143 IBAT/MW x 58 MW = 0.8286 IBAT 20 3.0 m/s turbines 2.8 IBAT / 98 = 0.0286 IBAT/MW x 0.65 = 0.0186 IBAT/MW x 40 MW = 0.7429 IBAT 1.57 IBAT Life of Project Mortality 1.57 IBAT/year x 30 years = 47.1 IBAT Northern Long-eared Bats Fall Mortality Based on average estimated take in Project HCP = 3.3 Fall Rate per Turbine 29 5.0 m/s turbines 3.3 NLEBs / 49 = 0.0673 NLEB/turbine x 0.50 = 0.0337 NLEB/turbine x 29 =0.9765 NLEB 20 3.0 m/s turbines 3.3 NLEBs / 49 = 0.0673 NLEB/turbine x 0.65 = 0.0438 NLEB/turbine x 20 =0.8755 NLEB 1.85 NLEB

Fall Rate per MW 29 5.0 m/s turbines 3.3 NLEBs / 98 = 0.0337 NLEB/MW x 0.50 = 0.0168 NLEB/MW x 58 =0.9765 20 3.0 m/s turbines 3.3 NLEBs / 98 = 0.0337 NLEB/MW x 0.65 = 0.0219 NLEB/MW x 40 =0.8755 1.85 NLEB

Life of Project Mortality 1.85 NLEB/year x 30 years = 55.6 NLEB Chapter 4 Table 4-10 Alternative 1 Spring / Summer Mortality

Rate per Turbine Per turbine rate derived from Fowler Ridge Wind Farm: 3.56

Rate per MW 3.56 x 49 = 174.44 bats/ 98 MW = 1.78 bats/MW Fall Mortality Rate per Turbine Root per turbine rate derived from Fowler Ridge Wind Farm: 30.17 bats/turbine (control) Rate per MW 30.17 x 49 x 0.12 (88% reduction due to feathering at 6.9 m/s) = 177.40 bats/98 MW = 1.81 bats/MW Annual Mortality 174.44 + 177.40 = 351.84 bats

Life of Project Mortality 351.84 x 30 = ~10,555 bats

Chapter 4 Table 4-10 (cont.) Alternative 2 Spring/Summer Mortality

Rate per Turbine Root per turbine rate derived from FRWF: 3.56

Rate per MW 3.56 x 49 x 0.65 (35% reduction due to feathering at 3.0 m/s) = 113.39 bats/98 MW = 1.16 bats/MW Fall Mortality Rate per Turbine Root per turbine rate derived from Fowler Ridge Wind Farm: 30.17 bats/turbine (control)

Rate per MW 30.17 x 29 x 0.50 (50% reduction due to feathering at 5.0 m/s) = 437.46/58 MW =7.54 bats/MW 30.17 x 20 x 0.65 (35% reduction due to feathering at 3.0 m/s) = 392.21/40 MW = 9.81 bats/MW

Annual Mortality 437.46 + 392.21 + 113.39 = 943.06 bats

Life of Project Mortality 943.06 x 30 = ~28,292 bats

Alternative 3 Spring/Summer Mortality

Rate per Turbine Root per turbine rate derived from FRWF: 3.56

Rate per MW 3.56 x 49 x 0.65 (35% reduction due to feathering at 3.0 m/s) = 113.39 bats/98 MW = 1.16 bats/MW Fall Mortality Rate per Turbine Root per turbine rate derived from Fowler Ridge Wind Farm: 30.17 bats/turbine (control) Rate per MW 30.17 x 49 x 0.65 (35% reduction due to feathering at 3.0 m/s) = 960.91 bats/98 MW = 9.81 bats/MW Annual Mortality 113.39 + 960.91 = 1,074.30 bats

Life of Project Mortality 1,074.3 x 30 = ~32,229 bats

APPENDIX F: TABLE F-1

Appendix F Table F-1. Comparison of bird fatality rates at existing wind farms in Midwestern U.S.

Wind project Habitat type (no. turbines) Dates surveyed

No. turbines searched and

interval

No. birds found during surveys

(no. found incidentally)

Estimated bird mortality per turbine

per year (total fatalities per year)

Reference

Buffalo Ridge, Minnesota (Phase I)

agricultural grassland (73) Apr 1994 - Dec 1995

30-73 turbines weekly and biweekly

7 (1) 0.33-0.66 (36) Osborn et al. (2000)

Buffalo Ridge, Minnesota (Phase I)

agricultural, grassland (73)

Mar 15 - Nov 15, 1996- 1999

21 turbines every 14 days 13 4-year avg. 0.98 (72) Johnson et al. (2002)

Buffalo Ridge, Minnesota (Phase I)

agricultural, grassland (143)

Mar 15 - Nov 15, 1998- 1999

40 turbines every 14 days 20 2-year avg. 2.27 (324) Johnson et al. (2002)

Buffalo Ridge, Minnesota (Phase III)

agricultural, grassland (138) Mar 15 - Nov 15, 1999 30 turbines

every 14 days 20 4.45 (613) Johnson et al. (2002)

Kewaunee County, Wisconsin agricultural (31) Jul 1999 – Sep 2001 not provided 25 1.29 (31) Howe et al. (2002)

Top of Iowa, Iowa agricultural (89) Apr 15, 2003 - Dec 15, 2003

26 turbines every 2-3 days 2 0.44 (39) Koford et al. (2004)

Top of Iowa, Iowa agricultural (89) Mar 24 - Dec 10, 2004 26 turbines every 3-days 5 0.90 (80) Koford et al. (2005)

Blue Sky Green Field, Wisconsin agricultural (88) Jul 21 - Oct 31, 2008

Mar 17 - Jun 6, 2009

30 turbines 10 daily

20 every 4-6 days

40 (3) 11.83 (1,041) Gruver et al. (2009)

Cedar Ridge, Wisconsin agricultural (41) Spring/Fall 2009 20 turbines

every 1-4 days 31 (11) 10.82 (444) BHE (2010)

Crescent Ridge, Illinois agricultural (33)

Sep - Nov 2005 Mar - May 2006

Aug 2006

33 turbines every 5 days 10

Fall: 0.49 (16) Spring 0.47 (16) Combined 0.96

Poulton (2010)

Fowler Ridge Phase I, Indiana agricultural (162) Apr 6 - Oct 30, 2009.

25 turbines weekly and biweekly searches

24(4) 5.26 (852) Johnson et al. (2010)

Forward Energy Center, Wisconsin agriculture (86)

Jul 15 – Nov 15, 2008 Apr 15– May 31, 2009 Jul 15 – Oct 15, 2009 Apr 15- May 31, 2010

29 turbines 11 daily

9 every 3 days 9 every 5 days

20 2-year avg. 3.27 (281) Grodsky and Drake (2011)

References BHE. 2010. Post-construction bird and bat mortality study Cedar Ridge Wind Farm Fond Du Lac County, Wisconsin, interim report. BHE Environmental, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. February.

Grodsky, S. M., and D. Drake. 2011. Assessing bird and bat mortality at the Forward Energy Center. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Gruver, J., M. Sonnenburg, K. Bay, and W. Erickson. 2009. Post‐construction bat and bird fatality study at the Blue Sky Green Field Wind Energy Center, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin July 21, 2008 – October 31, 2008 and March 15, 2009 – June 4, 2009. Western EcoSystems Technology, Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA. 17 January.

Howe, R. W., W. Evans, and A. T. Wolf. 2002. Effects of wind turbines on birds and bats in northeastern Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin, Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA. 21 November.

Johnson, G. D., W. P. Erickson, M. D. Strickland, M. F. Shepherd, D. A. Shepherd, and S. A. Sarappo. 2002. Collision mortality of local and migrant birds at a large-scale wind-power development on Buffalo Ridge, Minnesota. Wildlife Society Bulletin 30: 879-887.

Johnson, G., M. Perlik, W. Erickson, M. Strickland, D. Shepard, and P. Sutherland, Jr. 2003. Bat interactions with wind turbines at the Buffalo Ridge, Minnesota Wind Resource Area: an assessment of bat activity, species composition, and collision mortality. Western EcoSystems Technology, Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA.

Johnson, G. D., M. Ritzert, S. Nomani, and K. Bay. 2010. Final report: bird and bat fatality studies Fowler Ridge I Wind-Energy Facility, Benton County, Indiana, April 6 – October 30, 2009. Western EcoSystems Technology, Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA. 12 April 12.

Koford, R., A. Jain, G. Zanner, and A. Hancock. 2004. Avian mortality associated with the Top of Iowa Wind Farm. Progress report: calendar year 2003. Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA.

Koford, R., A. Jain, G. Zanner, and A. Hancock. 2005. Avian mortality associated with the Top of Iowa Wind Farm. Progress report: calendar year 2004. Iowa Cooperative Fish & Wildlife Research Unit, Iowa State University, Ames, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Clear Lake, Iowa, USA.

Osborn, R. G., K. F. Higgins, R. E. Usgaard, C. D. Dieter, and R. D. Neiger. 2000. Bird mortality associated with wind turbines at the Buffalo Ridge Wind Resource Area, Minnesota. American Midland Naturalist 143: 41-52.

Poulton, V. 2010. Summary of post-construction monitoring at wind projects relevant to Minnesota, identification of data gaps, and recommendations for further research regarding wind-energy development in Minnesota. Western EcoSystems Technology Inc. Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA. 10 December.

APPENDIX G: HOOPESTON WIND ENERGY PROJECT, TECHNICAL ASSITANCE LETTER