Senior Scientist Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute
Presentation Description: In October 2021, US Fish and Wildlife Service published a notice of intent explore the possibility of authorizing incidental take under a Migratory Bird Permit and is considering developing individual, general-permit-authorization regulations for offshore wind power generation facilities. Wind power developers onshore have experience working with USFWS to develop regulatory requirements for birds and bats under the Endangered Species Act and Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, all of which include mortality reporting requirements, often fulfilled via carcass detection surveys. A survey method for measuring take is impractical in the offshore environment. The high cost of conducting such surveys, even onshore, has driven the development of technological solutions to monitor bird and bat take remotely. We review the state of the science on systems developed to estimate take, including strike detection technologies and image/video monitoring systems. We provide the organizations responsible for each system and describe where each system is along the testing and verification process. We also discuss considerations necessary to advance systems and deploy them at offshore wind facilities, based on lessons learned onshore. Results will inform developers of potential solutions for monitoring birds and bat take at offshore wind power facilities, in line with current recommendations from the wildlife science community and in preparation for potential new regulatory requirements.
Learning Objectives:
Results will inform developers of potential solutions for monitoring birds and bat take at offshore wind power facilities, in line with current recommendations from the wildlife science community and in preparation for potential new regulatory requirements.
