Re: [cobirds] Re: Extensive power expansion, anybody watching for impacts on birds
Well said Rick. If we want to get off fossil fuels this is exactly the kind of project we need. We should make sure Xcel does this with as little impact as possible to sensitive prairie lands, but we definitely should not try and have it stopped. The impact of not doing this project will have a much worse impact on the birds we all love. Van Rudd Louisville, CO Sent from my iPhone > On Dec 9, 2021, at 16:40, SeEttaM wrote: > > > Wow, I had to reread what I wrote but I cannot fathom how it was misconstrued > to include recommended that "...we harass the process of bringing in a > greater supply of electricity" and effectively costing taxpayers more > money! Really, this is I what I asked, "..I hope many will take a look and > intervene as needed to try to protect the birds we still have. " > > > While I don't know what to think about that I do disagree with Mr. Reeser's > statement, "Birds are more adaptable than some people give them credit for." > I'm not sure how many Colorado birders are aware of the very real of > extinction of Lesser Prairie Chickens from southeast Colorado which has been > identified as in part due to gas and oil activity: "The lesser > prairie-chicken population, which once numbered in the hundreds of thousands, > has dwindled across its historical range by an estimated 90%, “due largely to > habitat loss and fragmentation,” USFWS said, with oil and gas activity > contributing to the decline". > Some of the issues with gas and oil activity that have caused the decline of > these Lesser Prairie Chickens are similar to what expansion of electric > utility lines would bring. I don't consider the risk of expiration of this > species to be a "small price to pay." > > I certainly hope that more level headed consideration be given to this issue. > I am a strong supporter of accountability and that I believe that utilizing > companies need to be held accountable for their actions that might cause > serious damage to vital bird habitat. And that will only happen when those of > us who are serious about bird conservation intervene (fyi, before I get > misconstrued again that does not imply that this project has to be stopped or > that the company should be harassed.) > > Just an addition piece of info, other interests such as the cultural > advocates are intervening to avoid this project being harmful to their > interests in Eastern Colorado. > > SeEtta Moss > Canon City > > > > > >> On Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 9:09 AM Rick Reeser wrote: >> Cobirders: In response to the post about Xcel expanding their power network, >> I have several responses: >> >> 1. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too. You can’t be a consumer >> of significantly more electricity (in contrast to using fossil fuels for >> cars, furnace, etc.) without supporting the electrical supply chain. The >> electrical supply chain comes with some sacrifices, just like oil drilling >> comes with some negatives. >> >> 2.If we harass the process of bringing in a greater supply of >> electricity, it comes with adding a significant cost to the end product. >> Remember, Xcel has to pass onto us the economic costs of this $2 billion >> project. Do we want it more than that? >> >> 3. Birds are far more adaptable than some people give them credit for. >> It’s like when I fill my feeders. The birds leave for a short time, but >> they will be back where food can be found. Yes, construction is a short-term >> annoyance, but the long-term benefit makes it worth it. And, the actual loss >> of habitat is likely to be quite small. >> >> 4. The addition of more power lines in remote areas that are not known >> for their tourism potential seems like a small sacrifice to pay for getting >> the electricity we need. California has had numerous fires and power >> outages due to demanding too high of electrical consumption before having >> the infrastructure to support it. Some of their fires were started by aging >> electrical systems and their power outages- that were almost daily when I >> was there this past year- were quite disruptive. We need the electrical >> infrastructure to move forward to prevent these types of things from >> happening. >> >> 5. Will these power stations and lines actually kill lots of birds or >> make them move permanently far away. I doubt it. Our cars kill lots of >> birds, but we don’t propose eliminating cars because of that- we drive with >> greater caution instead. >> >> >> >> We need to work with Xcel on this project to minimize the harm to the >> habitat, not work against them. Offering to work with someone is far more >> effective than working against them. >> >> Rick Reeser >> >> Milliken >> >> >>> On Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 11:00:55 AM UTC-7 SeEtta wrote: >>> I just found mapping by Excel of their 'Colorado Power Pathway' of new >>> substations and giant transmission lines that
Re: [cobirds] Re: Extensive power expansion, anybody watching for impacts on birds
I think that the best way to serve the wildlife in our state is to not turn on each other and develop a respectful dialogue in order to better communicate with the utility about your concerns. I have spent many years drafting conservation correspondence in regards to many such undertakings in our region and have found articulation of facts to be far more powerful than commentary fueled by raw emotion. Passion needs to be harnessed in a productive manner. Take the science and use it to your advantage. Birds need our stewardship and sometimes added protections. Birds are very adaptive, but sometimes this requires time. We also need quality energy infrastructure to supply our burgeoning population in CO. The best way to achieve this through extensive monitoring of populations, effective regulations, wise development and a cooperative mindset. Generally, the utilities are required to perform Environmental Impact Statements for new projects and that is where concerned entities and citizens have their opportunity to give their input. That's my two cents. Michael Tincher Rehabilitation and Research Coordinator Rocky Mountain Raptor Program Fort Collins, CO On Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 5:22:09 PM UTC-7 u5b2...@gmail.com wrote: > As a member of The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, plus a volunteer for > them at their Barr Lake State Park banding station, I have just one thing > to say: > > BIRDS ARE *NOT* MORE ADAPTABLE THAN SOME PEOPLE GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR. > > Billions of birds have been lost because they are NOT adapting. > > Susan Rosine > Brighton, Adams County > > On Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 4:40 PM SeEttaM wrote: > >> Wow, I had to reread what I wrote but I cannot fathom how it was >> misconstrued to include recommended that "...we harass the process of >> bringing in a greater supply of electricity" and effectively costing >> taxpayers more money! Really, this is I what I asked, "..I hope many >> will take a look and intervene as needed to try to protect the birds we >> still have. " >> >> >> While I don't know what to think about that I do disagree with Mr. >> Reeser's statement, "Birds are more adaptable than some people give them >> credit for." I'm not sure how many Colorado birders are aware of the very >> real of extinction of Lesser Prairie Chickens from southeast Colorado which >> has been identified as in part due to gas and oil activity: "The lesser >> prairie-chicken population, which once numbered in the hundreds of >> thousands, has dwindled across its historical range by an estimated 90%, >> “due largely to habitat loss and fragmentation,” USFWS said, with oil and >> gas activity contributing to the decline". >> Some of the issues with gas and oil activity that have caused the decline >> of these Lesser Prairie Chickens are similar to what expansion of electric >> utility lines would bring. I don't consider the risk of expiration of this >> species to be a "small price to pay." >> >> I certainly hope that more level headed consideration be given to this >> issue. I am a strong supporter of accountability and that I believe that >> utilizing companies need to be held accountable for their actions that >> might cause serious damage to vital bird habitat. And that will only happen >> when those of us who are serious about bird conservation intervene (fyi, >> before I get misconstrued again that does not imply that this project has >> to be stopped or that the company should be harassed.) >> >> Just an addition piece of info, other interests such as the cultural >> advocates are intervening to avoid this project being harmful to their >> interests in Eastern Colorado. >> >> SeEtta Moss >> Canon City >> >> >> >> >> >> On Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 9:09 AM Rick Reeser wrote: >> >>> Cobirders: In response to the post about Xcel expanding their power >>> network, I have several responses: >>> >>> 1. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too. You can’t be a >>> consumer of significantly more electricity (in contrast to using fossil >>> fuels for cars, furnace, etc.) without supporting the electrical supply >>> chain. The electrical supply chain comes with some sacrifices, just like >>> oil drilling comes with some negatives. >>> >>> 2.If we harass the process of bringing in a greater supply of >>> electricity, it comes with adding a significant cost to the end product. >>> Remember, Xcel has to pass onto us the economic costs of this $2 billion >>> project. Do we want it more than that? >>> >>> 3. Birds are far more adaptable than some people give them credit >>> for. It’s like when I fill my feeders. The birds leave for a short time, >>> but they will be back where food can be found. Yes, construction is a >>> short-term annoyance, but the long-term benefit makes it worth it. And, the >>> actual loss of habitat is likely to be quite small. >>> >>> 4. The addition of more power lines in remote areas that are not
Re: [cobirds] Re: Extensive power expansion, anybody watching for impacts on birds
Hi all I'll just add most of what we have lost in terms of bird populations are anthropogenic (human) in nature primarily habitat loss and degradation. Refresher stories about 3 billion birds lost: - https://abcbirds.org/3-billion-birds/ - https://abcbirds.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Bird-Decline-paper_Science-formatted_final.pdf - https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/bring-birds-back/ - https://www.audubon.org/news/north-america-has-lost-more-1-4-birds-last-50-years-new-study-says Thanks, Gary Lefko, Nunn http://www.friendsofthepawneegrassland.org/ https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/birds-and-more-of-the-pawnee-national-grassland On Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 5:22:09 PM UTC-7 u5b2...@gmail.com wrote: > As a member of The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, plus a volunteer for > them at their Barr Lake State Park banding station, I have just one thing > to say: > > BIRDS ARE *NOT* MORE ADAPTABLE THAN SOME PEOPLE GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR. > > Billions of birds have been lost because they are NOT adapting. > > Susan Rosine > Brighton, Adams County > > On Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 4:40 PM SeEttaM wrote: > >> Wow, I had to reread what I wrote but I cannot fathom how it was >> misconstrued to include recommended that "...we harass the process of >> bringing in a greater supply of electricity" and effectively costing >> taxpayers more money! Really, this is I what I asked, "..I hope many >> will take a look and intervene as needed to try to protect the birds we >> still have. " >> >> >> While I don't know what to think about that I do disagree with Mr. >> Reeser's statement, "Birds are more adaptable than some people give them >> credit for." I'm not sure how many Colorado birders are aware of the very >> real of extinction of Lesser Prairie Chickens from southeast Colorado which >> has been identified as in part due to gas and oil activity: "The lesser >> prairie-chicken population, which once numbered in the hundreds of >> thousands, has dwindled across its historical range by an estimated 90%, >> “due largely to habitat loss and fragmentation,” USFWS said, with oil and >> gas activity contributing to the decline". >> Some of the issues with gas and oil activity that have caused the decline >> of these Lesser Prairie Chickens are similar to what expansion of electric >> utility lines would bring. I don't consider the risk of expiration of this >> species to be a "small price to pay." >> >> I certainly hope that more level headed consideration be given to this >> issue. I am a strong supporter of accountability and that I believe that >> utilizing companies need to be held accountable for their actions that >> might cause serious damage to vital bird habitat. And that will only happen >> when those of us who are serious about bird conservation intervene (fyi, >> before I get misconstrued again that does not imply that this project has >> to be stopped or that the company should be harassed.) >> >> Just an addition piece of info, other interests such as the cultural >> advocates are intervening to avoid this project being harmful to their >> interests in Eastern Colorado. >> >> SeEtta Moss >> Canon City >> >> >> >> >> >> On Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 9:09 AM Rick Reeser wrote: >> >>> Cobirders: In response to the post about Xcel expanding their power >>> network, I have several responses: >>> >>> 1. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too. You can’t be a >>> consumer of significantly more electricity (in contrast to using fossil >>> fuels for cars, furnace, etc.) without supporting the electrical supply >>> chain. The electrical supply chain comes with some sacrifices, just like >>> oil drilling comes with some negatives. >>> >>> 2.If we harass the process of bringing in a greater supply of >>> electricity, it comes with adding a significant cost to the end product. >>> Remember, Xcel has to pass onto us the economic costs of this $2 billion >>> project. Do we want it more than that? >>> >>> 3. Birds are far more adaptable than some people give them credit >>> for. It’s like when I fill my feeders. The birds leave for a short time, >>> but they will be back where food can be found. Yes, construction is a >>> short-term annoyance, but the long-term benefit makes it worth it. And, the >>> actual loss of habitat is likely to be quite small. >>> >>> 4. The addition of more power lines in remote areas that are not >>> known for their tourism potential seems like a small sacrifice to pay for >>> getting the electricity we need. California has had numerous fires and >>> power outages due to demanding too high of electrical consumption before >>> having the infrastructure to support it. Some of their fires were started >>> by aging electrical systems and their power outages- that were almost daily >>> when I was there this past year- were quite disruptive. We need the >>> electrical infrastructure to move forward
Re: [cobirds] Re: Extensive power expansion, anybody watching for impacts on birds
As a member of The Bird Conservancy of the Rockies, plus a volunteer for them at their Barr Lake State Park banding station, I have just one thing to say: BIRDS ARE *NOT* MORE ADAPTABLE THAN SOME PEOPLE GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR. Billions of birds have been lost because they are NOT adapting. Susan Rosine Brighton, Adams County On Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 4:40 PM SeEttaM wrote: > Wow, I had to reread what I wrote but I cannot fathom how it was > misconstrued to include recommended that "...we harass the process of > bringing in a greater supply of electricity" and effectively costing > taxpayers more money! Really, this is I what I asked, "..I hope many > will take a look and intervene as needed to try to protect the birds we > still have. " > > > While I don't know what to think about that I do disagree with Mr. > Reeser's statement, "Birds are more adaptable than some people give them > credit for." I'm not sure how many Colorado birders are aware of the very > real of extinction of Lesser Prairie Chickens from southeast Colorado which > has been identified as in part due to gas and oil activity: "The lesser > prairie-chicken population, which once numbered in the hundreds of > thousands, has dwindled across its historical range by an estimated 90%, > “due largely to habitat loss and fragmentation,” USFWS said, with oil and > gas activity contributing to the decline". > Some of the issues with gas and oil activity that have caused the decline > of these Lesser Prairie Chickens are similar to what expansion of electric > utility lines would bring. I don't consider the risk of expiration of this > species to be a "small price to pay." > > I certainly hope that more level headed consideration be given to this > issue. I am a strong supporter of accountability and that I believe that > utilizing companies need to be held accountable for their actions that > might cause serious damage to vital bird habitat. And that will only happen > when those of us who are serious about bird conservation intervene (fyi, > before I get misconstrued again that does not imply that this project has > to be stopped or that the company should be harassed.) > > Just an addition piece of info, other interests such as the cultural > advocates are intervening to avoid this project being harmful to their > interests in Eastern Colorado. > > SeEtta Moss > Canon City > > > > > > On Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 9:09 AM Rick Reeser wrote: > >> Cobirders: In response to the post about Xcel expanding their power >> network, I have several responses: >> >> 1. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too. You can’t be a >> consumer of significantly more electricity (in contrast to using fossil >> fuels for cars, furnace, etc.) without supporting the electrical supply >> chain. The electrical supply chain comes with some sacrifices, just like >> oil drilling comes with some negatives. >> >> 2.If we harass the process of bringing in a greater supply of >> electricity, it comes with adding a significant cost to the end product. >> Remember, Xcel has to pass onto us the economic costs of this $2 billion >> project. Do we want it more than that? >> >> 3. Birds are far more adaptable than some people give them credit >> for. It’s like when I fill my feeders. The birds leave for a short time, >> but they will be back where food can be found. Yes, construction is a >> short-term annoyance, but the long-term benefit makes it worth it. And, the >> actual loss of habitat is likely to be quite small. >> >> 4. The addition of more power lines in remote areas that are not >> known for their tourism potential seems like a small sacrifice to pay for >> getting the electricity we need. California has had numerous fires and >> power outages due to demanding too high of electrical consumption before >> having the infrastructure to support it. Some of their fires were started >> by aging electrical systems and their power outages- that were almost daily >> when I was there this past year- were quite disruptive. We need the >> electrical infrastructure to move forward to prevent these types of things >> from happening. >> >> 5. Will these power stations and lines actually kill lots of birds >> or make them move permanently far away. I doubt it. Our cars kill lots of >> birds, but we don’t propose eliminating cars because of that- we drive with >> greater caution instead. >> >> >> >> We need to work with Xcel on this project to minimize the harm to the >> habitat, not work against them. Offering to work with someone is far more >> effective than working against them. >> >> Rick Reeser >> >> Milliken >> >> On Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 11:00:55 AM UTC-7 SeEtta wrote: >> >>> I just found mapping by Excel of their 'Colorado Power Pathway' of new >>> substations and giant transmission lines that are proposed to cut through >>> eastern Colorado including in or near some very important bird habitat >>> including Chico Basin. Are any
Re: [cobirds] Re: Extensive power expansion, anybody watching for impacts on birds
Wow, I had to reread what I wrote but I cannot fathom how it was misconstrued to include recommended that "...we harass the process of bringing in a greater supply of electricity" and effectively costing taxpayers more money! Really, this is I what I asked, "..I hope many will take a look and intervene as needed to try to protect the birds we still have. " While I don't know what to think about that I do disagree with Mr. Reeser's statement, "Birds are more adaptable than some people give them credit for." I'm not sure how many Colorado birders are aware of the very real of extinction of Lesser Prairie Chickens from southeast Colorado which has been identified as in part due to gas and oil activity: "The lesser prairie-chicken population, which once numbered in the hundreds of thousands, has dwindled across its historical range by an estimated 90%, “due largely to habitat loss and fragmentation,” USFWS said, with oil and gas activity contributing to the decline". Some of the issues with gas and oil activity that have caused the decline of these Lesser Prairie Chickens are similar to what expansion of electric utility lines would bring. I don't consider the risk of expiration of this species to be a "small price to pay." I certainly hope that more level headed consideration be given to this issue. I am a strong supporter of accountability and that I believe that utilizing companies need to be held accountable for their actions that might cause serious damage to vital bird habitat. And that will only happen when those of us who are serious about bird conservation intervene (fyi, before I get misconstrued again that does not imply that this project has to be stopped or that the company should be harassed.) Just an addition piece of info, other interests such as the cultural advocates are intervening to avoid this project being harmful to their interests in Eastern Colorado. SeEtta Moss Canon City On Thu, Dec 9, 2021, 9:09 AM Rick Reeser wrote: > Cobirders: In response to the post about Xcel expanding their power > network, I have several responses: > > 1. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too. You can’t be a consumer > of significantly more electricity (in contrast to using fossil fuels for > cars, furnace, etc.) without supporting the electrical supply chain. The > electrical supply chain comes with some sacrifices, just like oil drilling > comes with some negatives. > > 2.If we harass the process of bringing in a greater supply of > electricity, it comes with adding a significant cost to the end product. > Remember, Xcel has to pass onto us the economic costs of this $2 billion > project. Do we want it more than that? > > 3. Birds are far more adaptable than some people give them credit > for. It’s like when I fill my feeders. The birds leave for a short time, > but they will be back where food can be found. Yes, construction is a > short-term annoyance, but the long-term benefit makes it worth it. And, the > actual loss of habitat is likely to be quite small. > > 4. The addition of more power lines in remote areas that are not > known for their tourism potential seems like a small sacrifice to pay for > getting the electricity we need. California has had numerous fires and > power outages due to demanding too high of electrical consumption before > having the infrastructure to support it. Some of their fires were started > by aging electrical systems and their power outages- that were almost daily > when I was there this past year- were quite disruptive. We need the > electrical infrastructure to move forward to prevent these types of things > from happening. > > 5. Will these power stations and lines actually kill lots of birds > or make them move permanently far away. I doubt it. Our cars kill lots of > birds, but we don’t propose eliminating cars because of that- we drive with > greater caution instead. > > > > We need to work with Xcel on this project to minimize the harm to the > habitat, not work against them. Offering to work with someone is far more > effective than working against them. > > Rick Reeser > > Milliken > > On Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 11:00:55 AM UTC-7 SeEtta wrote: > >> I just found mapping by Excel of their 'Colorado Power Pathway' of new >> substations and giant transmission lines that are proposed to cut through >> eastern Colorado including in or near some very important bird habitat >> including Chico Basin. Are any conservation groups or birding groups that >> concern themselves with protecting vital bird habitat monitoring this? As >> the conservation chair for Arkansas Valley Audubon Society I am now going >> to try to send comments on their incursions into areas that we service buy >> there is a lot of Eastern Colorado that will is north of our area that will >> be impacted by that this major expansion by Excel. Given all the negative >> impacts on the birds we all love to watch I hope many will take a look
RE: [cobirds] Re: Extensive power expansion, anybody watching for impacts on birds
I agree with the post below, but have a few things to add: * I don’t know if they are, but Xcel should involve a biologist, or habitat conservationist, to help identify how to avoid important bird areas, migration staging areas, sources of water, etc. * I don’t believe added cost should be looked at independently, it should also consider the impacts to birds and other wildlife, and Xcel should do what they can to avoid impacts * Xcel should put bird diverters on the wires, to help minimize collision * Working together is a great idea, if biologists, land conservationists and others are included in the discussions, and Xcel is open to finding slightly different routes * Just FYI, up to a billion birds are killed each year by colliding with windows, but as far as I know, no one has compiled the cumulative impacts on birds and other animals, i.e., from collision with transmission lines, concentrated solar power, wind turbines, cats, cars, pollutants, etc. We should be concerned, and insert ourselves into Xcel’s planning. Just my opinion Brenda Beatty Sedalia, CO From: cobirds@googlegroups.com On Behalf Of Rick Reeser Sent: Thursday, December 9, 2021 9:09 AM To: Colorado Birds Subject: [cobirds] Re: Extensive power expansion, anybody watching for impacts on birds Cobirders: In response to the post about Xcel expanding their power network, I have several responses: 1. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too. You can’t be a consumer of significantly more electricity (in contrast to using fossil fuels for cars, furnace, etc.) without supporting the electrical supply chain. The electrical supply chain comes with some sacrifices, just like oil drilling comes with some negatives. 2.If we harass the process of bringing in a greater supply of electricity, it comes with adding a significant cost to the end product. Remember, Xcel has to pass onto us the economic costs of this $2 billion project. Do we want it more than that? 3. Birds are far more adaptable than some people give them credit for. It’s like when I fill my feeders. The birds leave for a short time, but they will be back where food can be found. Yes, construction is a short-term annoyance, but the long-term benefit makes it worth it. And, the actual loss of habitat is likely to be quite small. 4. The addition of more power lines in remote areas that are not known for their tourism potential seems like a small sacrifice to pay for getting the electricity we need. California has had numerous fires and power outages due to demanding too high of electrical consumption before having the infrastructure to support it. Some of their fires were started by aging electrical systems and their power outages- that were almost daily when I was there this past year- were quite disruptive. We need the electrical infrastructure to move forward to prevent these types of things from happening. 5. Will these power stations and lines actually kill lots of birds or make them move permanently far away. I doubt it. Our cars kill lots of birds, but we don’t propose eliminating cars because of that- we drive with greater caution instead. We need to work with Xcel on this project to minimize the harm to the habitat, not work against them. Offering to work with someone is far more effective than working against them. Rick Reeser Milliken On Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 11:00:55 AM UTC-7 SeEtta wrote: I just found mapping by Excel of their 'Colorado Power Pathway' of new substations and giant transmission lines that are proposed to cut through eastern Colorado including in or near some very important bird habitat including Chico Basin. Are any conservation groups or birding groups that concern themselves with protecting vital bird habitat monitoring this? As the conservation chair for Arkansas Valley Audubon Society I am now going to try to send comments on their incursions into areas that we service buy there is a lot of Eastern Colorado that will is north of our area that will be impacted by that this major expansion by Excel. Given all the negative impacts on the birds we all love to watch I hope many will take a look and intervene as needed to try to protect the birds we still have. Here is the maps and basic info I have found: https://www.coloradospowerpathway.com/project-description/ SeEtta Moss Canon City -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com <mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com> For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Memb
[cobirds] Re: Extensive power expansion, anybody watching for impacts on birds
Cobirders: In response to the post about Xcel expanding their power network, I have several responses: 1. You can’t have your cake and eat it, too. You can’t be a consumer of significantly more electricity (in contrast to using fossil fuels for cars, furnace, etc.) without supporting the electrical supply chain. The electrical supply chain comes with some sacrifices, just like oil drilling comes with some negatives. 2.If we harass the process of bringing in a greater supply of electricity, it comes with adding a significant cost to the end product. Remember, Xcel has to pass onto us the economic costs of this $2 billion project. Do we want it more than that? 3. Birds are far more adaptable than some people give them credit for. It’s like when I fill my feeders. The birds leave for a short time, but they will be back where food can be found. Yes, construction is a short-term annoyance, but the long-term benefit makes it worth it. And, the actual loss of habitat is likely to be quite small. 4. The addition of more power lines in remote areas that are not known for their tourism potential seems like a small sacrifice to pay for getting the electricity we need. California has had numerous fires and power outages due to demanding too high of electrical consumption before having the infrastructure to support it. Some of their fires were started by aging electrical systems and their power outages- that were almost daily when I was there this past year- were quite disruptive. We need the electrical infrastructure to move forward to prevent these types of things from happening. 5. Will these power stations and lines actually kill lots of birds or make them move permanently far away. I doubt it. Our cars kill lots of birds, but we don’t propose eliminating cars because of that- we drive with greater caution instead. We need to work with Xcel on this project to minimize the harm to the habitat, not work against them. Offering to work with someone is far more effective than working against them. Rick Reeser Milliken On Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 11:00:55 AM UTC-7 SeEtta wrote: > I just found mapping by Excel of their 'Colorado Power Pathway' of new > substations and giant transmission lines that are proposed to cut through > eastern Colorado including in or near some very important bird habitat > including Chico Basin. Are any conservation groups or birding groups that > concern themselves with protecting vital bird habitat monitoring this? As > the conservation chair for Arkansas Valley Audubon Society I am now going > to try to send comments on their incursions into areas that we service buy > there is a lot of Eastern Colorado that will is north of our area that will > be impacted by that this major expansion by Excel. Given all the negative > impacts on the birds we all love to watch I hope many will take a look and > intervene as needed to try to protect the birds we still have. Here is > the maps and basic info I have found: > https://www.coloradospowerpathway.com/project-description/ > > SeEtta Moss > Canon City > -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To post to this group, send email to cobirds@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cobirds?hl=en?hl=en * All posts should be signed with the poster's full name and city. Include bird species and location in the subject line when appropriate * Join Colorado Field Ornithologists https://cobirds.org/CFO/Membership/ --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Colorado Birds" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to cobirds+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/cobirds/f5ca2054-ead5-4d22-8e0c-ed6b9aeb0ddbn%40googlegroups.com.
