How would a wind project affect the environment?
Birds/Bats MPPD recognizes the importance of the island to numerous avian species and began studying the issue at the outset of this project. In November 2008, Dr. Richard Podolsky, a noted ornithologist that has worked on over 50 wind power projects and has spent many years studying raptors on Monhegan, began a year-long series of surveys to assess the risk of a project on Lighthouse Hill. Thus far, results have indicated that the number of birds and diversity of species at the site are low relative to the rest of the island, therefore the risk of collision for all birds appears to be very low. An auditory study for bats will begin in August 2009. Dr. Podolsky and MPPD have also been meeting with state and federal regulators to ensure that the study meets the standards of the permitting agencies.
