Conservation board urges large wildlife buffers in Des Moines County wind siting rules

Members of the Des Moines County Conservation Board presented a memo urging larger, science‑based buffers for wind‑energy projects designed to protect federal and state listed species and sensitive habitats.

A conservation representative (S8) told the board its recommendations draw on US Fish & Wildlife Service guidance, Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommendations and peer‑reviewed studies of raptors and bats. The conservation board recommended, among other items, a 5‑mile buffer from the Mississippi River corridor for active bald eagle nests (citing USFWS landscape guidance), a 3‑mile buffer for properties with documented endangered bat species and a quarter‑mile buffer for forested riparian corridors based on Iowa DNR guidance. "Our recommendation is 5 miles," S8 said when discussing active bald eagle nests in the Mississippi River corridor.

Conservation‑board members acknowledged the memo was distributed to supervisors the morning of the meeting; several board members apologized for the late submission and asked the supervisors to consider the recommendations in finalizing the wildlife and setback sections. "As a board member, I accept responsibility for the late submission of these facts," said Terry Davis (S15), a conservation‑board member.

Board members acknowledged the science but expressed frustration that the memo arrived late. Staff and supervisors agreed to circulate the conservation‑board maps and applicable USFWS/DNR guidance to all supervisors before the next revision of the ordinance language.

What happens next: staff will circulate the conservation maps and guidance; the board will revisit setback distances and wildlife protections when supervisors have had time to review the conservation‑board recommendations.