ID :
16285
Mon, 08/18/2008 - 22:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/16285
The shortlink copeid
Locals seek change in plans for wind power plant to save wild birds
TOKYO, Aug. 18 Kyodo - Local officials and a bird conservation group requested Monday that an electric power company and the government alter plans to build a wind power plant in Fukui Prefecture in order to prevent birds being killed.
Officials of the Kaga municipal government in Ishikawa Prefecture and of the Wild Bird Society of Japan visited Electric Power Development Co., the plant's builder, and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy in Tokyo to pleadtheir case.
They argue that as many as 1,000 white-fronted geese could get caught up in the windmills each winter should the plant be built at the currently planned site, which is roughly midway between a wetland in Kaga listed under an internationalconservation treaty and a feeding site.
''From the standpoint of protecting the geese, we can't ignore the negativeimpact that could occur,'' said an official of the bird society.
White-fronted geese are designated as a protected species in Japan.
Kaga Mayor Jin Osaka said at a news conference, ''We approve of wind power generation if it doesn't affect wild birds. We hope they implement it in an area that doesn't affect the precious ecosystem.'' Electric Power Development, known commonly as J-Power, plans to build the windpower plant in Awara, Fukui.
The Katano duck pond, a designated wetland under the Ramsar Convention, lies about 10 kilometers from the plant's planned site. The pond provides refuge to about 3,000 white-fronted geese and about 600 bean geese at peak times inwinter.
Officials of the Kaga municipal government in Ishikawa Prefecture and of the Wild Bird Society of Japan visited Electric Power Development Co., the plant's builder, and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy in Tokyo to pleadtheir case.
They argue that as many as 1,000 white-fronted geese could get caught up in the windmills each winter should the plant be built at the currently planned site, which is roughly midway between a wetland in Kaga listed under an internationalconservation treaty and a feeding site.
''From the standpoint of protecting the geese, we can't ignore the negativeimpact that could occur,'' said an official of the bird society.
White-fronted geese are designated as a protected species in Japan.
Kaga Mayor Jin Osaka said at a news conference, ''We approve of wind power generation if it doesn't affect wild birds. We hope they implement it in an area that doesn't affect the precious ecosystem.'' Electric Power Development, known commonly as J-Power, plans to build the windpower plant in Awara, Fukui.
The Katano duck pond, a designated wetland under the Ramsar Convention, lies about 10 kilometers from the plant's planned site. The pond provides refuge to about 3,000 white-fronted geese and about 600 bean geese at peak times inwinter.
