Abstract
The Biglow Canyon Wind Farm is located in the Columbia Plateau Ecoregion, approximately five miles (eight kilometers) northeast of Wasco, Oregon. Biglow Canyon consists of three individual phases (I, II, and III). Phase III contains 76 Siemens 2.3-megawatt (MW) wind turbines with a nameplate capacity of 150 MW. The Site Certificate issued by the State of Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) for the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm requires the certificate holder, Portland General Electric (PGE), to conduct a 2-year Fatality Monitoring Program to determine bird and bat fatality rates and habitat effects.
This report summarizes the results for the first year (Year 1) of post-construction monitoring at Biglow Canyon Phase III, which was conducted between September 13, 2010 and September 9, 2011. Year 1 monitoring included searches for bird and bat carcasses at turbines (Fatality Monitoring Program) and fixed-point avian use surveys (Avian Use and Behavior Study) in accordance with the protocols outlined in the Biglow Canyon Wind Farm: Wildlife Monitoring and Mitigation Plan. This report summarizes the results of bird and bat fatality searches, fixed-point avian use surveys, and incidental wildlife observations, and presents annual adjusted Year 1 bird and bat fatality rates.