To the editor,
Shear Wind Inc. has finally made a public announcement about the true size of their Glen Dhu wind power plant. Phase 1 and 2 combined would see as many as 100 turbines spread over 10,000 acres. However, the cumulative impacts of both phases were never considered by the Department of Environment despite the fact that government reviewers pointed out this requirement.
Shear Wind’s own Vascular Plant Study revealed that five wind turbines in phase 1 were located entirely within old growth forest of heritage value and should be relocated, yet the Department of Environment never required it.
Shear Wind’s Avian Study pointed out that bald eagles are “of particular concern” and that “serious consideration should be given to setting back wind turbines from steeply inclined ridges where updrafts are most conducive for soaring….” Instead, Shear Wind moved the turbines from the highlands to the scarp face and with the Department of Environment’s approval of this project they have essentially granted Shear Wind a permit to violate both provincial and federal law, allowing them to kill and injure bald eagles.
Shear Wind’s bat study was conducted eight kilometres south of the project site with Anabat II detectors deployed at ground level. Two detectors were deployed for one week, with one detector vandalized the day it was deployed. No real mortality predictions could be made for this project from this study, yet the Department of Environment never required a new bat study.
Lord David Howell, former Secretary of State for Energy in Margaret Thatcher’s government, stated, “Extensive wind farm developments will be seen in due course to have taken public opinion for a colossal ride.” It would appear that the Department of Environment, in turning a blind eye to their own responsibilities under the Nova Scotia Environment Act and the Species at Risk Act, are taking Nova Scotian’s on that colossal ride.
Susan Overmyer, Media Relations
Eco Awareness Society
Bailey’s Brook