Abstract
Wind turbines have the potential to impact birds and bats, and when located in tidal waters may also impact marine organisms such as marine mammals and sea turtles. Wind turbines may have different impacts depending on whether they are sited on land or in the water. To assess these impacts the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (Department) has developed habitat evaluation, impact assessment, and pre-and post- construction monitoring requirements specific to the location of the wind turbine, on land or in tidal waters. The results will be used by the Department to evaluate the impacts of wind turbines, determine the extent to which operations are causing direct mortality to birds and bats, and the effects of construction and operation on marine organisms. This data will help inform future policies for the siting and operation of wind turbines in the coastal region.
The Department will consider alternative methods than those described in this technical manual provided such alternative methods will provide data that is comparable to that afforded by the technical manual. This is necessary to enable the Department to evaluate the impacts of wind turbines constructed along the coast and in tidal waters and compare data from difference wind turbine developments.