New wind power project questioned

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

A Hussar resident is seeking more information on the environmental impacts of the Wheatland Wind Project, due for development permit approvals this spring.
Ralph Seeley voiced concerns that have been mentioned by other residents attending the various open houses for the project. Additionally, Seeley pointed out an important exclusion in the company’s environmental study.
“The problem is that the [duck count] survey took place mid-May to mid-October, completely missing the early spring and late fall migratory patterns for waterfowl,” he noted. “In these times, our area can see whole sections of land covered with snow geese. Sieu Lake and surrounding ponds are filled with Canadian geese, snow geese, ducks and many other species heading north or south on their migrations. If you are a farmer or a hunter, or just have your feet on the ground, you know that unlike midseason pond ducks or geese that fly at lower levels between ponds, migratory birds fly at much higher elevations and it is a magnificent sight to behold as they pass by.”
The Seeley family is a generational farm family in the area since the early 1900s. Seeley said farmers living in the area may see things that perhaps might be missed by those coming into the county for industrial or commercial reasons.
In 2013, Environment Canada stated that each wind turbine kills an average of eight birds per year, and a 2016 study estimated about 14 bats per year per turbine are killed, both influencing the natural food chain balances.
Seeley said the Wheatland Wind Project is on a migratory flyway and he wondered if there is any wisdom approving a development for an industrial activity in migratory zones. He asked council to take time to investigate the environmental impacts further.
“After all, we have seen projects, even county projects, shut down while environmental studies are done on things, like the protection of snails,” said Seeley. “The Town of High River flooded while we waited for a study on the tadpoles under the CPR bridges, and countless studies and delays to approve any oil and gas projects. Now Greengate expects speedy approval of their project with only an incomplete environmental study in hand.”
While wind energy is marketed as a green initiative, many people consider costs associated with the manufacture and installation of the materials used in the 400-foot towers decreases the green value.
Seeley would like to see more information on road impacts and land disturbance, and whether the facility will decrease property values and increase utility costs in the area. He said the project would affect agriculture, as the towers eliminate the use of aerial services for crop and pest control.
The project boundaries take in 14,000 acres of agricultural land, with one to two acres designated per turbine.