Wind Farm Submits Study On Endangered Species Impacts
North Shore windmills expect to kill more endangered bats and birds than originally expected.
Hawaii鈥檚 largest windfarm has submitted a addressing its recognition that the project will kill more endangered speciesthan originally anticipated. And .
The Kawailoa Wind Project on Oahu鈥檚 North Shore had previously expected it would have an impact on endangered Hawaiian hoary bats that live in the area and had discussed the impacts in an initial environmental impact statement. But now the 69-megawatt wind farm located near Haleiwa expects it may kill about 200 more bats than originally 聽聽expected, and also could accidently kill about two dozen endangered Hawaiian petrels.
The wind farm, which consists of 30 wind turbines nearly 500 feet tall, produces up to 69 megawatts of electricity, power that is sold to Hawaiian Electric Co. The project plans to mitigate the impact to the creatures through measures like restoring bat habitat and contributing $2.8 million to acquire and protect the Helemano Wilderness Area through a partnership with the Trust for Public Land.
