Purpose: The Kluane First Nation is planning to install three wind turbines to produce electric power for the community. The elders of the community have expressed concern that the Burwash wind turbine site is within a known major bird migration corridor both spring and fall. A large percentage of the world population of trumpeter swans passes the site. As well a large assemblage of vulnerable birds of prey including the much localized race of buteo hawk, the Harlan’s hawk, potentially use that route. A small amount of migration watch survey has been conducted in the past. It shows a sizeable movement of birds along the shoreline of Kluane Lake. The potential for bird deaths by collision is real. Even though its effect at the population level may possibly be negligible, its perceived effect could be devastating to the project. It is going to be necessary to plan this project very much as an experiment: (If the chosen site proves unfavorable, moving probably should be planned.)” – p.2.
