Re: [Fwd: RFI: Corpus towerkills]
Ellen Paul (epaul@dclink.com)
Mon, 13 Apr 1998 12:09:33 -0700
mdosprey@ARI.Net wrote:
>
> Skyscrapers with mirrored glass (totally covered by mirrored glass) must cause
> more damage than cellular or radio towers. Does anyone have any opinion on the
> possible methods for encouraging developers to stop building these glass towers?
> Are there any regulations or laws which developers might have to follow, that
> they are not, where endangered or protected species might be flying through?
>
> Chris Taylor
Daniel Klem of Muhlenberg College has written extensively on this
issue. Some sources are:
1. The March/April 1992 issue of Bird Watcher's Digest (Vol. 14, no. 4)
2. Wildlife Conservation in Metropolitan Environments, National
Institute for Urban Wildlife symposium, 1991. The NIUW is at 10921
Trotting Ridge Way, Columbia, Md 21044.
3. Wilson Bulletin vol. 101, no. 4, 1989, pp. 606-620
4. Journal of Field ORnithology, 61 (1), pp. 115-119 and pp. 120-128
5. Proceedings of the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences, 55: 90-92
(1981).
There was also an article in BioScience Vol. 26, no. 6 (1974!) by
Richard Banks.
I'm sorry I don't have time to summarize these papers and articles, but
yes, there are some design methods that can reduce bird collisions into
glass. At the moment, I don't believe that there are any regulations or
laws in the US, or the states, or municipalities on this issue. Given
the present state of mind of the U.S. Congress, introducing federal
legislation on this topic probably isn't the most likely effort for
producing results. Working with architects and architect societies is
probably a good idea. One would think that the Migratory Bird Treaty
Act and the Endangered Species Act could apply, but there was a recent
federal appellate decision ruling that the MBTA couldn't be extended to
situations it wasn't intended to cover at the time it was written (the
ruling had to do with the Forest Service, so it isn't entirely on point,
but I think it would be likely that the reasoning would be applied to
this situation, should it ever come before a court). And, again, this
probably isn't the best Congress to ask for an extension of any
conservation or environmental law.
Ellen
--
Ellen Paul Chevy Chase, Maryland Mailto:epaul@dclink.com