Learning by Doing: Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Conducts Post Construction Monitoring at Spion Kop Wind Farm

As wind energy continues to grow within the state of Montana, it is important that agencies, particularly Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MT FWP), understand the wildlife monitoring processes to better advise and assist... [ view full abstract ]

As wind energy continues to grow within the state of Montana, it is important that agencies, particularly Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MT FWP), understand the wildlife monitoring processes to better advise and assist energy personnel with wind projects. To become more knowledgeable, MT FWP is working with NorthWestern Energy to conduct the post construction monitoring (PCM) at Spion Kop Wind Farm, located east of Great Falls, MT, on the southern slopes of the Highwood Mountains. Spion Kop Wind Farm consists of 25 General Electric wind turbines that produce a total of 40 MW and has a project footprint of 3,000 acres on private ranch land. Topography contains mountainous slopes and grassland, prairie is dominant and trees are few, with the exception of conifer forest and some rocky cliffs to the north of the project area. Before construction, several mitigation measures were taken to reduce bird and bat conflict. To assess the success of these measures, MT FWP is monitoring for bird and bat fatalities through formal search protocols. Ten of 25 turbines have been randomly selected and are being searched for carcasses via 160m x 160m plots every seven days April-October. Included in this work are trials for searcher efficiency and carcass persistence. The first field season began in April 2016, data being collected will be analyzed using Manuela Huso’s estimator of wildlife fatality from observed carcasses (Huso, 2011). Fatality results from the first field season will be presented. Other studies of indirect impact are also being conducted for management purposes and interests, including Sharp-tailed Grouse surveys, Eagle use surveys, raptor nest monitoring and bat activity monitoring. These surveys have resulted in the finding of two active Sharp-tailed Grouse leks and one active Golden Eagle nest all within the project area. Results are preliminary and will be presented and discussed after the first field season is completed. The objectives of this project are not only to assess the bird and bat fatalities and impacts of habitat loss as a result of construction and operation, but to work together to make a standard for wind energy monitoring in Montana, implementing any further mitigation measures and research as determined by the outcome of the PCM, and eventually making all findings available to the public for reference.