ANNEX B
to Appeal to European Commission
EISHKEN (THE MUAITHEABHAL WIND FARM PROJECT), ISLE OF LEWIS
In
this instance, another defective model is being used by a windfarm promoter to convince the authorities - with apparent success.
Based on the SNH collision model, and modified in a non-specified way by the consultant, the Eishken ES predicts that
as many as 9 Golden Eagles and 7 White-tailed Eagles may die from colliding with the 399 turbine blades over 25 years.
Listed
below are a few brief comments; more details are in the objection to the project, EISHKEN
a) The collision model is flawed. This has been demonstrated in another objection, here: LEWIS SEE SECTION 1.1
b) Mortality will be
substantially higher than represented for the 2 species of eagles, plus 8 additional protected species present on the site,
(see objection to EISHKEN above).
c) NSA and IBA: the windfarm is to be erected in a National Scenic Area and a designated Important Bird Area
(IBA UK224 - see objection).
d) 10 % of the UK population of White-tailed Eagles:
IBA UK224 is home to 7 White-tailed Eagles. This makes the Eishken estate a stronghold of the species in the UK. As such, it should have been designated "Special Protection
Area" in accordance with EU Bird & Habitats Directives.
e) 11 pairs of Golden Eagles: IBA UK224 is also home to
2.5% of the UK population of Golden Eagles (2.5 times more than the Lewis Peatlands SPA)
f) Other protected birds to
be killed by the 133 wind turbines include: Merlin, Peregrine Falcon, Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Golden Plovers,
Dunlins, Greenshank, Whooper Swan, White-fronted Goose and Barnacle Goose.
f) Obfuscation and pseudo-science is being
used in the environmental statement. The consultant disregards 20 years of established ornithological data and, using his
own 2-year figures instead, he claims that the Eishken eagles are unproductive - whereas the 20-year record indicates the
opposite to be true: the area is a source population.
g) A population sink: contrary to what the promoter wants us
to believe, a windfarm at Eishken will create a black hole that will act as a drain on the eagle population of Scotland. - As resident eagles are killed by the turbines,
other eagles from the Western Isles, other islands of the region, and even the mainland will replace them on their attractive
"prey-enhanced" ranges - and get killed in turn.
Details here: EISHKEN
CONCLUSION:
At Eishken, SNH is being asked to approve - by not objecting - the erection of
133 proven bird-killing machines in a designated Important Bird Area that is essential to the recuperation of the rarest bird
in Scotland and the UK: the endangered White-tailed Eagle.
The death of 16 White-tailed and Golden Eagles has been
predicted by the consultant; and in fact there will be more. Yet it is illegal to kill any of these birds. So why does SNH
not oppose the project? This amounts to negligence, or possibly worse: premeditated
complicity in breaking the law.
Once again, no Scotland-wide cumulative impact study was conducted - either
for the 2 species of eagles, or for the Merlin, Peregrine Falcons, Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Golden Plover,
Dunlin, Greenshank, Whooper Swan, White-fronted Goose and Barnacle Goose. SNH actions in this respect are at the very least
irresponsible.
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