Coalición Pro Bosque Seco Ventanas Verraco

16 Feb 2010

An important conservation victory has been secured in Puerto Rico against an industrial developer wishing to build a windfarm in one of the country's IBA (Important Bird Areas).

From the Birdlife International press release:

The Puerto Rican Ornithological Society, Inc. (SOPI, BirdLife in Puerto Rico) and other organizations have applauded the decision made by the Planning Board of Puerto Rico to reject and suspend the siting permit for an industrial windfarm development in South Kars Important Bird Area ( IBA). At the same time, the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed development is being legally disputed. At the same time, the Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed development is being legally disputed.

The windfarm was proposed for construction on forested land that is both ecologically fragile and exceptionally important for biodiversity. The windfarm was proposed for construction on forested land that is both ecologically fragile and exceptionally important for biodiversity. This karst limestone area has been designated by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources as a 'High Conservation Priority' and borders the Guánica Biosphere Reserve. This limestone karst area has been designated by the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources as a 'High Conservation Priority' and borders the Guanica Biosphere Reserve.

The forests and shrubland in this IBA are home to 19 (of the 23) restricted-range species found on Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, including the largest known population (c.20% of the total) of the Critically Endangered Puerto Rican Nightjar Caprimulgus noctitherus . The forests and shrubland in this IBA are home to 19 (of the 23) restricted-range species found on Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, including the largest known population (C.20% of the total) of the Critically Endangered Puerto Rican Nightjar Caprimulgus noctitherus. The IBA also supports a regionally significant breeding population of Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii . The IBA also supports a regionally significant breeding population of Roseate Tern Roseate Tern. Small numbers of Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis nest on Don Luis Cay—one of the few nesting locations for the species in Puerto Rico. Small numbers of Brown Pelican Pelecanus occidentalis nest on Don Luis Cay-one of the few nesting locations for the species in Puerto Rico.

http://neotropical.birds.cornell.edu/portal/neotropicalnews?p_p_id=101_INSTANCE_Mucs&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-4&p_p_col_count=2&_101_INSTANCE_Mucs_struts_action=%2Ftagged_content%2Fview_content&_101_INSTANCE_Mucs_redirect=%2Fportal%2Fweb%2Fneotropical%2Fhome&_101_INSTANCE_Mucs_assetId=719779