Conservationists urge large-scale study of wind energy impacts on Mississippi waterfowl

Ed Penney, director of public policy for Ducks Unlimited in the Southern Region and a waterfowl ecologist, told the Mississippi Senate Energy and Senate Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks committees that more state-specific science is needed to assess how onshore wind development may affect migratory birds and waterfowl in the Lower Mississippi Valley.

Penney said the organization supports private landowner rights to enter voluntary agreements with developers but recommended a “science based and inclusive approach to wind energy development” that emphasizes avoiding, minimizing and offsetting impacts. He noted construction-phase disturbances such as dust and noise and post-construction effects including direct mortality and, more commonly, displacement of waterfowl from habitat.

Why it matters: Waterfowl and other migratory birds are part of a recreational and conservation economy in Mississippi. Penney cited older national figures in testimony—saying hunting, fishing and wildlife watching contribute about $2.75 billion a year to the state and support roughly 60,000 jobs—and said those numbers need updating for current policy decisions.

Penney described published research showing localized declines in breeding densities near some wind facilities and cited a Coastal Texas study that recorded a 70% decline in redhead duck abundance at one site post-construction. He said those findings show the need for a Mississippi-specific, large-scale study and added, “we need more science to look to look at potential impacts in this area.”

Penney urged coordination among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) and stakeholders such as agriculture and conservation groups to design and carry out targeted monitoring. He recommended prioritizing avoidance and minimization first and using established mechanisms—such as habitat investments and partnerships on public and private lands—to offset unavoidable impacts.

Testimony context: Penney spoke during the invited-witness portion of a joint session examining wind energy development. Several committee members pressed for clarification on whether observed declines in other regions were due to construction or ongoing operation; Penney said the Coastal Texas example reflected post-construction, ongoing operation differences in abundance.

Ending note: Penney closed by saying Ducks Unlimited would welcome collaboration with MDWFP and other partners to design a regional study and to develop habitat offset strategies if monitoring indicates adverse impacts.