Wind farm would interfere with moose habitat and population
Moose conservationists believe the proposed Eigg Mountain Wind Farm in Antigonish County is the worst possible place.
According to the website for the project it would be near Connors Mountain Road and is expected to have 22 turbines to generate up to 8 MW of power each, along with two to three towers. The company behind the project, Renewable Energy Systems (RES) has submitted for an environmental assessment (EA).
However, the president of the Moose Conservation Association of Nova Scotia objects to the EA. He told our newsroom wind turbines create flickering as well as light and noise issues that could drive moose to leave their ideal habitation, putting survival at risk.
“We’ve identified the area around Eigg Mountain as being the highest concentration of moose in this particular part of the province in those highland areas. So, it’s because you have the wetlands, because they’re so important to the moose. It’s vital that we protect this area,” he expressed.
Muir said wetlands and old growth forest areas need to be protected as they are primarily food sources for moose.
“From the Moose Conservation Association’s perspective, this particular area is so ultra sensitive to a project like this. Standing alone, it’s probably the worst place in the province to put one of these things,” he concluded.
He explained the government has a legislative requirement of a recovery plan for the mainland moose to sustain population, and if this development is allowed to go forward it will end the project.
RES is actively looking for public input on the design with a goal to have construction to start in 2027 and be operational in 2028.
“A lot of people welcome wind energy developments and we’re not anti-development. It’s just that a lot of these are being placed in areas at high elevations where there’s the only places where moose are left in the province, and this of all those areas,” he clarified.
Muir said the province should strongly consider adding Eigg Mountain to the wilderness area that already exists there.