Endangered Species May Derail Windfarm

PressHerald:

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife recently expressed concerns about the planned wind farm's impact on certain species in comments prepared for the state agency reviewing the developer's request for construction permits.

The habitats of lemmings, mayflies, spring salamanders, bats and birds would be put at considerable risk, according to the report to the Land Use Regulation Commission. The lemming and mayfly are on the state's endangered list. The salamander and eight species of bats in the plantation are all on a state "special concern" list.

The comments surprised developers, who have been working with the wildlife department for the last four years in their effort to install 39 wind turbines on ridges in the tiny community.