Biologists study turbines' effect on grouse

In the high-stakes game of preserving sage grouse, biologists say they're still figuring out how the birds will react to the influx of wind turbines rising up from the wide-open sagebrush plains where the birds evolved. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 15 months ago commenced a review of whether sage grouse should be protected under the Endangered Species Act. In Wyoming, home to more than half the bird's population, Gov. Dave Freudenthal's administration has worked to try to ensure protection of sage grouse habitat. His goal is to avert federal listing, which could have a stultifying affect on the state's lucrative oil-and-gas industry and other economic development. Growing interest in Wyoming wind development has raised a new set of questions about protecting the ground-dwelling, chicken-like birds. "Most of our traditional industries have been willing to forego new activities in (prime sage grouse habitat) until either populations are re-established elsewhere or technology advances to the point that industrial development and sage grouse are seen as wholly compatible," Freudenthal said last week. "I cannot speak with the same certainty with regard to wind development." Biologists say very little research has been done on how wind turbines affect sage grouse. But they say the birds are likely affected by turbines' height, movement and noise, as well as by habitat disruption associated with building a wind farm...Casper Star-Tribune