The past few months have seen increased discussion of alternative energy sources including wind energy here in the United States. Private investors including oil-man T. Boone Pickens have touted exploitation of the Midwest’s wind potential through high-profile television ads in this time of four-a-gallon gas prices.  With 40,000 new turbines expected to be erected, the Fish and Wildlife Service remains wary, but understands the importance of developing renewable energy, and remains
committed to cooperation to increase the vitality of both interests.  The U.S. Department of the Interior established a Wind Turbine Advisory Committee (WTAC) for the purpose of making recommendations to the Secretary on maintaining wildlife habitat. Whooping cranes typically fly at altitudes of at least 500 feet: So far no whooping cranes have been killed by wind turbines, which are usually about 300 feet high.

The danger comes, however, upon their nightly landing.  According to Tom Stehn, of the FWS, the placement of wind farms could result in huge losses of natural habitat if birds avoid their usual migration routes. Note how the migration route overlaps the wind power map. whooping crane migration map  Another article notes that other species, such as the Prairie Chicken, avoid nesting near tall structures such as turbines.  The corridor reaching from North Dakota down into Texas is recognized as some of the greatest wind potential.  Industry officials from organizations such as the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) are aware of the potential impact on wildlife and aim to minimize it, but emphasize the role in all areas of development of protecting wildlife and not singling wind power, since, according to Nature, one bird is killed for every thirty turbines--a number much less than many other man-made features.   Most environmental groups, the FWS,  and the Secretary of the Interior support renewable energy sources such as wind, but wish to work together to protect the interests of both sides.

Articles on this topic: http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/03/04/wind-farms-cranes.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23389384/

Fact Sheets on Wildlife Impact from the American Wind Energy
Association

http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets.html

 WTAC site—they are meeting this week, so this site may have
updates soon

http://www.fws.gov/habitatconservation/windpower/wind_turbine_advisory_committee.html

FWS on Wind Energy

http://www.fws.gov/habitatconservation/wind.html