Offshore Wind Farms: Are Whales Paying the Price?

The Boom of Offshore Wind Projects

Offshore wind projects are on the rise, but at what cost to marine life? A group called Save Long Beach Island (Save LBI) believes these projects are causing more harm to whales and dolphins than anyone realizes. They argue that the loud noises from building and operating wind farms can disrupt these animals' hearing and alter their behavior.

Save LBI's Concerns

Save LBI has been vocal about this issue for years, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the agency responsible for protecting marine life, hasn't taken their concerns seriously. Frustrated by the lack of action, Save LBI decided to take matters into their own hands.

They petitioned the government to revise how harm to marine mammals is calculated. Additionally, they submitted their own comments on a NOAA plan to monitor the impacts of wind farms.

The Core Issue

Save LBI's primary concern is that NOAA is underestimating the harm. They claim that the noise from wind farms is louder and travels farther than NOAA's calculations suggest. This could mean that more whales and dolphins are being affected than previously thought. To support their claims, Save LBI conducted their own calculations.

Call for Action

Save LBI is urging NOAA to establish a special monitoring program to verify their concerns. This program should measure noise levels from wind farms and assess their impact on marine mammals. If Save LBI's findings are accurate, NOAA should adjust how they calculate the harm to these animals.

A Plea for Attention

Bob Stern, the president of Save LBI, asserts that the numbers NOAA uses are flawed. He emphasizes that even small errors in these calculations can lead to significant differences in the harm inflicted on whales. Stern hopes that NOAA will take their concerns seriously and take appropriate action.