While Oregon City Schools race to erect six wind turbines, the Black Swamp Bird Observatory races to slow the project down.

Both chase laudable goals. The schools seek renewable energy for economic and educational benefits; the BSBO seeks protection of a valuable resource that contributes to the local economy.

More than 50,000 birders from places as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Kenya, Guam and Ecuador visited The Ottawa Wildlife Refuge, Crane Creek, Magee Marsh and Maumee Bay State Park during the first two weeks in May and spent $20 million here.

Kim Kaufman, BSBO director, and Mark Shieldcastle, research director, are calling for a wildlife impact study before the turbines are erected, which could occur as early as spring.

Such a study would be the norm for a commercial wind farm, Shieldcastle said. However, no comprehensive studies have been conducted for mid-size turbines such as those proposed for Oregon schools. Nor have any studies been done for a wind turbine site on the edge of one of the world’s busiest avian highways and a stop-over point before migratory birds cross Lake Erie.

Wind turbines kill birds and bats. There’s no denying that. So too in much greater numbers do utility transmission lines, tall buildings, house windows and cell-phone towers. Some studies at commercial wind sites show a mortality rate of two to four birds per turbine per year, according to Keith Lott, wind energy wildlife biologist for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. On the other hand, The Altamonte Pass Wind Resource Area, a 5,400-wind turbine site constructed in 1982, is responsible for the deaths of 880 to 1,300 birds of prey each year including up to 116 golden eagles, according to the Center for Biological Diversity.

The wind industry has learned a lot since locating a wind farm in an avian flyway like Altamonte Pass. Shieldcastle and Kaufman are not concerned about a commercial wind farm being constructed in proximity to the marshes along the Lake Erie shoreline. Existing regulations concerning wildlife would deter that. However, there are few regulations concerning mid-size turbines, those that generate between 100 to 750 kilowatts. These are the turbines proposed by the Oregon schools and considered by rural residents and small organizations like Camp Sabroske, a private campground located on 112 acres one mile south of Magee Marsh.

Roger Minear, Camp Sabroske trustee, said the camp board considered entering into a lease for a 100-kilowatt turbine that would reduce its annual $10,000 to $15,000 a year electric bill and could eventually generate income for the non-profit camp. The board recently tabled the issue, however, until it could get a better handle on the impact it would have on the resident and migratory bird population.

Shieldcastle and Kaufman see this as the prudent approach. The Lake Erie shoreline is not only one of the country’s busiest avian flyways, it is a stop-over point for birds to rest and gather strength before crossing Lake Erie on their way to Canada. No mortality studies have been conducted for such a stop-over site.

“Let’s do our due diligence,” Shieldcastle said. “We’d like to see more information on this specific spot.”

Kaufman agrees. “We’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg as far as what we can do in terms of economic development. Who would have thought we would use the words birds and economic development in the same sentence but it’s true…Birders who came from all over the world spent $20 million in two weeks in May. That’s a significant impact.”

Dennis Slotnick, environmental science teacher for Oregon schools and a driving force in bringing wind turbines to Clay High School, agrees that data regarding how wind turbines affect bird and bat mortality rates near Northwest Ohio’s sensitive marshes does not exist. He doesn’t dismiss the concerns. But, he thinks Clay High School with its noted ag department is in a good position to conduct a study once the turbines are up.

“If we find how many birds and bats are affected in this ecological area, we’re actually protecting the entire shoreline from here to Cleveland from future development that would be locked into a commercial turbine that would be chewing up animals,” he said.

Slotnick wants to use radar, infrared cameras and ground observation by students to determine in a systematic way the affect of the turbines.

He adds that the turbines could be shut down at night, when most birds migrate and during peak migration. Tests run on the experimental wind turbine currently located at Clay show the best months for wind are January, February and March, while April and May, prime migration months, show inconsistent wind.

The benefit to the schools is not only in cutting its fossil fuel footprint and education but there is a considerable economic value. Dean Sandwisch, director of business affairs, said the turbines are projected to save the school district $10 million over 25 years after factoring lease payments, maintenance costs and selling renewable energy credits. Today’s cost of energy for just Clay High School is between $20,000 to $25,000 a month.

Sandwisch says there are two hurdles before ground can be broken. Oregon City council is expected to vote on a special use permit at its November 22nd meeting and the school board is expected to vote on the lease at its December meeting.

The turbines should be operational this spring.

This wind turbine versus bird debate is one more situation in which community leaders have to balance two competing economic forces. We are fortunate to live near a great natural resource that is both a draw for industry and recreation. Both create jobs and lead to our high quality of life. We need to walk the fine line between these competing interests to assure that one doesn’t destroy the other.

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