How do Wind Turbines Affect the Birds and Bears?

The Searsburg wind plant is located in a bear corridor, between two bear habitats. In order to protect the bear, we minimize clearing near the turbines and road, we do not allow any food or beverage other than water on the mountain, and we do not bring the public on tours during the fall mating season or in the spring, when the cubs are first born. Research indicates that the bears are as active now as they were before construction. Working with biologists from the state Fish and Wildlife Department, methods to mitigate any potential disturbance to bear movement were developed and incorporated into the design and operating plans for the wind facility. Clearing was kept to minimum and vegetation is being allowed to grow back wherever possible. Human presence on the site is being restricted during times of the year when bear movement between habitats is especially important. Operating and maintenance schedules and site visitation practices are designed to minimize human activity during these critical periods. Bear use of the corridors is the heaviest in the spring and fall months in a region in the center of the project. Therefore, scheduling the most intensive maintenance for mid-summer and restricting human site visitation activity to the northern-most portions of the project area complement the goal of reducing effects of black bear populations.