Wind Project Halted After Lawsuit Threat From Bird Groups

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Strong opposition from two bird conservation groups has successfully halted plans for a wind turbine project at the Camp Perry Air National Guard Station, located near the shores of Lake Erie in Ohio.

The American Bird Conservancy (ABC) and Black Swamp Bird Observatory (BSBO) say they recently sent a letter of intent to sue the Ohio National Guard (ONG), charging that the single turbine would sit in the middle of a major bird migration corridor and that efforts in connection with the project would violate the Endangered Species Act and other federal conservation and environmental laws. In addition, the groups claim they have acquired over 5,000 signatures as part of a petition campaign.

The announcement formalizing the decision to halt the project was made via a letter from Air National Guard Headquarters to the public interest law firm Meyer Glitzenstein & Crystal, which represents ABC and BSBO.


The letter states, "After carefully considering your objections � I have decided to withdraw the FONSI (Finding of No Significant Impact) for the project effective immediately. � Since the FONSI has been withdrawn, the project will not go forward at this time." The letter was dated Jan. 28 and was signed by Colonel Peter A. Sartori, director of installations and mission support.

‘The victory sends a strong message to other wind energy developers in this ecologically sensitive region that conservationists will be closely watching their actions," comments Michael Hutchins, national coordinator of ABC's Bird Smart Wind Energy Campaign, later adding, "While we support wind energy as a sustainable energy source, we insist that turbines be sited where their impacts to birds and other wildlife can be minimized. This project was among the worst we have seen in that regard. We applaud the government's decision to reconsider this project."

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