Barton County officials announced Monday that a national conservation organization will hold meetings here this week to discuss threats to one of the more endangered species of birds in this part of the world.
It was announced by the Barton County Commission Monday that the meetings are being held by the United State Department of the Interior, US Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday to discuss the Great Plains Wind Energy Habitat Conservation Plan, designed to address threats to the whooping crane.
The meetings are planned for 2-4 p.m., for an agency meeting, and 6-9 p.m., for the public meeting, both in the South Heritage Room of the Highland Hotel, 3017 10th.
The meetings will address the conservation plan that was “developed by the Wind Energy Whooping Crane Action Group, a group of wind energy industry companies, will provide a consistent, systematic and predictable approach for wind energy development while ensuring the conservation of certain species,” according to information from the county commission.
According to the Whooping Crane Conservation Association, there are serious threats to the rare birds.
According to the organization’s Internet page: “The development of wind farms is occurring at a rapid pace in the Central Flyway with many of the best wind sites located in the whooping crane migration corridor.
“Wind farms have the potential to directly kill whooping cranes from the turbines themselves or associated power line development.”