Chapter 5 Threats
there is concern for indirect impacts, such as displacement of sensitive species. Studies to date indicate displacement of some species, but the long-term population impacts are unknown (Allison et al. 2019) . Impacts occur from construction and operation of the facilities, which vary by region and site, and may have greater effects on species other than birds and bats. These include habitat fragmentation, displacement, sedimentation and erosion from land disturbance, water quality degradation, shadowing, noise, and vibration. However, it is generally recognized that there are insufficient scientific data available about the post-construction effects of wind power facilities on all forms of wildlife ( ABC 2015). Recent studies have evaluated the effect of wind farms on soil moisture and changes that can impact ecosystem functions of nutrient and energy cycling (Wang et al. 2023) . Results from Wang et al. (2023) show wind farms have impacts to soil moisture within the upwind and downwind directions from the facilities, most significantly downwind. The USFWS (2012) issued voluntary guidelines for wind turbines to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife and their habitats. The recommendations call for a tiered approach that evaluates proposed wind turbine sites; characterizes potential risks; uses field studies to identify onsite wildlife and habitats and predict impacts; and conducts post-construction studies that include mortality assessments and mitigation studies. In North Carolina, utilities are not required to comply with these voluntary guidelines nor are there any requirements from the NC Utilities Commission for the evaluation or mitigation of impacts to wildlife. 5.5.9 SGCN Priority Species The Taxa Team evaluation considered the level of threat energy production and mining activities represent to SGCN priority species. Lists of the SGCN and other priority species this threat is expected to have a very high or high impact on can be found in Appendix 5, Table 5.5-1 Species at Risk of Impacts from Energy Production and Mining.
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2025 NC Wildlife Action Plan
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