Leading Efforts to Protect the Flint Hills
Part One of Two
Originally printed in our Fall - Winter 2004 Newsletter Prairie Wings
by Ron Klataske, Executive Director, Audubon of Kansas

Prior to the spring of 2002 few people were aware that the Flint Hills were being targeted by more than a dozen developers who hoped to transform major portions of the Flint Hills and America’s last tallgrass prairie landscapes into sprawling industrial scale windpower complexes with gigantic turbines, construction roads, trenches and aircraft warning lights. Audubon of Kansas launched an effort to gather as much information as possible regarding the expected impact on Prairie-chickens and other grassland and migratory birds, inform our members and the public. From the beginning our guiding light has been to work in partnership with others who share a commitment to protect and conserve prairie resources.

“Prairie resources” as we view them are not just stand alone natural and ecological resources. The presence of tallgrass prairie flora and fauna depend upon both natural design and rangeland management in this working landscape. Prairie landscapes are also important as cultural and pastoral elements of our Kansas countryside. Historical and contemporary features alike contribute to the cultural fabric of this landscape. Prairie landscapes are the essence of traditional ranching and a modern way of life. Prairie landscapes are more than scenic--they provide year round inspiration for residents who choose to live here, not only the families with a land-based legacy but others as well who are attracted to these hills. The Flint Hills provides a treasure for rural communities within a region that is striving to develop experiential tourism and recreational opportunities. The Flint Hills region encompasses prairie landscapes that promise to become the natural “signature landscape” of Kansas.

Although midwesterners are traditionally reluctant to step forward to declare their allegiance to preservation, this issue is changing private and public discourse in many rural areas. Residents are increasingly willing to attend meetings and join with others to defend the natural environment and pastoral settings that surround their ranches, farms, homes and communities. In that respect the current controversies over industrial windpower development of the Flint Hills may, in the end, prove to be a blessing in disguise for prairie preservation in the state of Kansas.

This love for the land and “sense of place” has been the catalyst that has motivated people from all walks of life to step forward and add their voices and influence to the increasing quest by many of us to protect the Flint Hills--and other prairie landscapes throughout Kansas. One of the most rewarding elements of involvement in this issue is the opportunity for ranchers and rural home owners, small town business leaders and corporate CEOs, wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts, attorneys and educators, medical professionals and financial managers, to all work together in collaboration and/or independently in complementary ways to achieve a common goal. As in nature, and communities, there is strength in diversity.

In the spring of 2002, Audubon of Kansas took the initiative and our concerns were featured in a front page article on the front page of the Sunday June 23, 2002 edition of the Wichita Eagle. Coverage of Audubon of Kansas’ advocacy for protection of the Flint Hills, and that of other partners in this struggle, has continued in many other newspapers and forums--including a recent Wall Street Journal article on October 14.

We developed a comprehensive position paper on the subject (see “wwwAudubonofKansas.org”) to share with all parties and presented it to the second Kansas windpower promotional conference that fall. We have widely distributed that along with a poster featuring the scenic splendor of the Flint Hills with text applauding landowners who practice management practices that preserve many elements of prairie. In July 2002 we detailed the threat in our annual direct mail appeal letter to Audubon members throughout the state. Here are the two opening paragraphs:

Tens of thousands of acres of the last spectacular prairie landscapes in Kansas--and the natural integrity of prairie ecosystems--are threatened by a potential tsunami of industrial scale wind turbine complexes that will tower with blades 350 to 560 feet high. Developers are looking to exploit some of Kansas’ most cherished landscapes--first and foremost the pristine and scenic prairies of the Flint Hills.

One advocate has suggested that very large-scale developments (hundreds of gigawatts of output) could be located in this part of the country because “environmental, aesthetic, and economic considerations...” are not important factors in the Great Plains. Aububon of Kansas intends to counter that misconception in every possible venue, while making the case for protecting important ecological, cultural and aesthetic resources. We need your help.

We have certainly lived up to that promise. The Flint Hills and “prairie cause” has consistently received 40 hours out of our 60 hour work weeks during the past 30 months, and several members of the AOK board of trustees have volunteered countless hours and numerous days to county planning meetings and/or the Wind & Prairie Task Force established by Governor Sebelius.

Virtually everyone interested in wildlife conservation and prairie preservation who has been in contact with Audubon of Kansas has indicated support for our approach and collective dedication. Although Audubon of Kansas has been and will continue to be an important pillar in the structure of this campaign, the awesome breadth and depth of leadership from other rural residents and ranchers, and organizations new and established, has made the prospect of successes after success a reality for Kansas.

First, landowners and community leaders in Butler and Chase counties formed the foundation to establish Protect the Flint Hills and it soon expanded to include a tireless group of folks working as an ever expanding network during the past two years. And, in September of last year another complementary and influential group took form in Topeka and Wabaunsee County and immediately expanded to include “Tallgrass Ranchers--landowners, families and friends” throughout the Flint Hills. Audubon leaders have been honored to be a part of both organizations from the beginning.

Staff of The Nature Conservancy have contributed substantial expertise and commitment to the campaign to save the Flint Hills, and the Wildlife Management Institute and Kansas Wildlife Federation joined the team.

As landowners and friends shared information, it soon became clear that the gathering threat was greater than most imagined. Some developers were contacting landowners for leases and working at as many as eight or ten sites, and they envisioned projects that would each consume 6,000 to 10,000 acres for construction of 70 to 170 turbines. Nearly two dozen “sites” have been in various stages of promotion by developers. They are all in competition and the promotional frenzy reminds one of the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889.

Although it is recognized that the existing transmission system cannot accommodate this many projects, promoters hope to be early in line or ready to demand expansion of the grid. The rush for land leases has been motivated by corporations looking to cash in on federal tax credits. Prospecting developers get leases and contracts ready to go and then hope to collect as much as 15 million dollars profit just to transfer ownership. The prospect of ongoing profits from massive federal subsidizes, and the exemption from Kansas property taxes, has driven developers to hire a stable of lobbyists in Topeka, and “invest” in organizations and elected officials at both the state and county levels who can add to their influence.

Although we all favor “renewable energy” in sustainable forms and with appropriate siting, astronomical profits from tax credits are virtually the only thing driving industrial windpower development. Far more would be accomplished to benefit people at every level and life on this planet if tax credits of this magnitude were directed by Congress to energy conservation and efficiency. The stakes are high for Flint Hills prairies and other unique landscapes throughout the country.

Continue to Part Two