Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA) and five other conservation groups released a report titled "Oregon’s High Desert Wind Energy: Opportunities and Strategies for Responsible Development."  The report uses Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis to outline where and how large-scale wind power generation could be approached in Oregon’s high desert while still conserving sensitive wildlife habitats and important natural landscapes. Click here for the full report.

The report was created through the mapping and analysis of the areas identified by the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory as having the best wind power potential.  This data is compared with sensitive natural resources such as Greater sage-grouse breeding areas.  The report includes a narrative outlining the nature of the potential conflicts with wind energy development as well as Best Practices and guidelines to minimize impacts.

ONDA’s hope is that the report will be used by the wind industry, local and state planners, and the public to help site future wind projects responsibly. ONDA drew heavily on studies that have been conducted across the nation regarding the impacts of wind energy and potentially-impacted sensitive wildlife (e.g. sage grouse, raptors, and bats) in formulating its recommendations.

In addition to ONDA, the report is endorsed by Audubon Society of Portland, Defenders of Wildlife, Hells Canyon Preservation Council, Oregon Chapter Sierra Club, and WildEarth Guardians.

Please read ONDA's full wind energy report, "Strategy for Wind Energy Development in Oregon's High Desert" HERE.

The potential for an increase in industrial wind development permit applications in eastern Oregon is great. There have already been applications submitted to develop wind energy on Steens Mountain. It is important to be aware of the potential impact of industrial scale wind energy on the Steens Mountain ecosystem and viewshed. 

See also ONDA's comments to BLM concerning the North Steens transmission line proposal.

To help citizens better understand the potential visual impact of an industrial wind development on Steens Mountain ONDA created a visual analysis of using Google Earth.

Click here to download Steens Wind Visual Analysis Layer

Click here to download instructions on how to use the file.

Don't want to download Google Earth?  You can click here for images from selected locations on Steens Mountain.