Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
incessant swishing sound from modern rotors and shadow licker caused by
the oscillating blades are not yet fully understood. In the absence of better
understanding, wind development planners should avoid developments in
areas that are inhabited by endangered species.
2.6.4 Offshore Wind Farms and Ecological Concerns
hreats to habitat viability apply to ofshore wind power developments as
well. However, the contention that ecologically sensitive site planning can
avert many ecological problems is true for ofshore wind developments as
well.
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Mitigation measures can be designed to avoid damaging the health of
reefs, marine breeding grounds, and aquatic foraging areas. he marine hab-
itat can be highly resilient. For example, research indicates that although
the noise emitted and the turbidity caused during the process of tower
construction can scare of marine mammals-postconstruction, the marine
mammals tend to return to the area.
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Research also indicates that the base
of wind turbine towers can potentially act as artiicial reefs for benthic
fauna; and as such, can positively contribute to the marine habitat.
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Overall, extant research in regard to ecosystem management of ofshore
wind energy developments generally indicates that informed environmental
planning can avert most threats to the marine habitat. However, as is the case
with onshore developments and animal habitats, more research still needs to
be done on the efect of operational noise and vibrations on aquatic creatures.
2.6.5 The Importance of Environmental Impact Assessments
Ecological threats and appropriate mitigation measures are site-speciic,
because lora and fauna proiles vary. Accordingly, to fully anticipate the
impact of wind power projects on a given ecosystem, environmental impact
assessments (EIAs) should be undertaken. EIAs are detailed assessments of
ecological impacts associated with speciic projects.
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he irst step of an EIA is to establish the baseline. he baseline repre-
sents the state of the ecosystem prior to any development. he next step
is to conlate ecological and engineering principles to predict and evaluate
impacts that will occur at the site preparation, construction and operation
stages. Finally, the EIA typically concludes by recommending mitigation
measures that will minimize the impact of the project on the ecosystem.
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In short, EIAs are site-speciic blueprints for mitigating ecological damage
associated with wind energy projects.
