<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><HTML><FONT SIZE=2 PTSIZE=10 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">The piece pasted below was posted to wisbirdn, the Wisconsin birders listserv. In view of the discussion at yesterday's quarterly BCN meeting about wind energy generation, the American Bird Conservancy policy, etc., I thought BCNnetters and representatives to the BCN coalition would be interested in what's happening at Horicon<BR>
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Regards<BR>
Bob Fisher<BR>
<BR>
In a very interesting development in the news, the Public Service Commision<BR>
has accepted the plan for the 133-turbine Forward Energy <BR>
wind installation near Brownsville. It looks like a fairly-reasonable<BR>
compromise was reached, with the PSC deciding that no turbines may be<BR>
located within 2 miles of Horicon NWR. <BR>
<BR>
>From the article in the Business Journal: (see<BR>
http://milwaukee.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2005/07/04/daily29.html?j<BR>
st=b_ln_hl ): <BR>
<BR>
"Under the decision, the PSC stipulates that none of the turbines must be<BR>
within two miles of the Horicon Marsh to protect the wildlife.<BR>
<BR>
On average, turbines will be 4 miles to 4.5 miles away from the marsh, the<BR>
agency said. In addition, the PSC requires Forward Energy to vigorously<BR>
pursue post construction studies to learn more about impacts on birds and<BR>
bats in the area. <BR>
<BR>
'The Horicon Marsh is a national treasure,' PSC chairman Dan Ebert said in<BR>
a statement. 'The possible impacts on birds due to the wind project's<BR>
proximity to the Horicon Marsh required a larger buffer zone between the<BR>
wind turbines and the marsh, as proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife<BR>
Service and Department of Natural Resources.' "<BR>
<BR>
The USFWS and WDNR had suggested a greater "setback" distance, but at least this acts on that concern. Some may be still dissatistfied with this<BR>
distance - you can decide for yourself.<BR>
<BR>
William P. Mueller<BR>
Issues Committee Chair, Wisconsin Bird Conservation Initiative (WBCI)<BR>
Conservation Chair, Wisconsin Society for Ornithology (WSO)<BR>
1242 S. 45 St.<BR>
Milwaukee, WI 53214<BR>
(414) 643-7279<BR>
E-mail: iltlawas@earthlink.net<BR>
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