Spatial Mapping and Attribution of Wyoming Wind Turbines

ABSTRACT: The Wyoming wind turbine data set was developed for the project 'Seasonal predictive habitat models for Greater Sage-grouse in Wyoming'. This project is aimed at developing spatially-explicit seasonal distribution models for Sage-Grouse in Wyoming, which will provide resource managers tools for conservation planning. These specific data are being used for assessing the impact of disturbance resulting from wind energy development within Wyoming on sage-grouse populations. Additionally, this data will also support the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI). WLCI is a long-term, science-based, collaborative effort to ensure that the Southwest Wyoming's wildlife and its habitats are sustained over time with increased land-use pressures. Additional information about WLCI can be found at www.wlci.gov or in the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative Science Workshop Proceedings (U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Report 2008-5073 found on-line at http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2008/5073/). These data represent locations of wind turbines found within Wyoming as of 08/01/2009. The attributes are estimates based on what information could be found via American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and miscellaneous on-line reports. Caution should be used when using the data attributes. The locations are derived from NAIP August 2009 true color imagery and have a positional accuracy of approximately +/-5 meters. Because some wind turbines were under construction, under construction wind turbine locations will likely be less accurate, and therefore caution is required while using these data.