The MOE recently decided to proceed with certain changes to Birds and Bird Habitats: Guidelines for Wind Power Projects (2010) (Guidelines). The main amendments incorporated into the Guidelines are as follows:

  • The threshold for bird mortality has been lowered to 14 birds/ turbine/ year (from 18 birds). As a result, a mortality rate that exceeds the mortality threshold at a facility will trigger additional monitoring and mitigation obligations;
  • Additional information has been provided on important bird areas, including their importance and their link to significant wildlife habitats;
  • Monitoring methods for evaluating wildlife habitats and post-construction mortality monitoring have been revised to reflect public/industry comments and scientific recommendations;
  • Data submission procedures related to the Wind Energy Bird and Bat Monitoring Database have been detailed; and
  • Ecological effectiveness monitoring plan information requirements have been updated to reflect the January 2011 amendments to O. Reg. 359/09.

For further information, please see the amendments to the Guidelines.