Big Solar threatens existence of rare desert tortoise

HUMAN EVENTS ^ | 05/01/2012 | Audrey Hudson

[neverdem]

The desert tortoise, a threatened species protected by the federal government, is fighting for its existence against the expanding encroachment of Big Solar into its native habitat of the Mojave Desert in California.

The battle between environmental groups and the fledgling green energy industry has prompted a lawsuit against the government to block the multi-billion dollar Calico Solar Power project, which would cover 4,000 acres of the turtle’s vital habitat.

The green groups want the company to relocate from its seven-mile campus to a less sensitive desert area.

This isn’t the first time the turtles have been threatened by the towering solar mirrors. When the $2.2 billion BrightSource Energy solar complex was recently constructed, the company spent $56 million to protect and relocate the reptiles, although at least one was accidently killed when it was run over by a vehicle.

The protection included a 50-mile fence costing $50,000 per mile to keep the relocated tortoises from moving back to their home.

The desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) is the official reptile of California, and the first critter to be highlighted in a Human Events’ periodic feature on the absurd state of the Endangered Species Act and the state of mammals, birds, snails, insects, crustaceans, coral, flowers and plants it protects.

Nearly 1,400 species are on the list as threatened or endangered, while 19 species have since “recovered” and 10 were delisted for “extinction.”

Some question the recovered and extinction numbers. For example, the Maguire Daisy is listed as recovered but was never in danger of extinction and should never have been on the list. The Caribbean monk seal, listed as extinct, has only been seen five miles off the coast of Florida, and that was in 1906.

[boomop1]

Potential road kill photo, dum de dum dum.

[MrB]

This solar endeavor must have been getting to close to actually producing energy.... gotta shut it down.

[Berlin_Freeper]

Give them solar shells.

[GonzoGOP]

The protection included a 50-mile fence costing $50,000 per mile to keep the relocated tortoises from moving back to their home.

Do these guys have any idea how long it would take a tortoise to walk 50 miles? Seriously a good cardboard box would do the job. I can certainly think of a better place for California to put a fence if they wanted to save the ecology.

[hosepipe]

Keep the Solar Panels two feet off the ground and the Turtles will not know this even happened.. and that panels are not bushes..

Turtles are not very smart.. like democrats..

[Iron Munro]

[G Larry]

This has been going on since before 2009 when they first killed the Brightsource Solar farm.

It is further proof the greenies don’t want ANY solutions for the country’s energy needs.

The tortise can easily avoid the area of the solar farms and occasional road kill hasn’t “endangered” any species.
It’s not like a high traffic area.

[SZonian]

Ravens kill more tortoises than all other causes combined.

Yet, the Raven is still on the migratory bird protection list (or whatever it’s called).

[NormsRevenge]

ummmm,, dried roasted toasted desert tortoise.. a little avacado, some olive oil a cracker or sourdough crisp.. ummmmmm

oh sorry,, not a recipe thread, huh. :-}

[pke]

That’s a relief. From the headline I thought we were going to have to destroy the sun in order to save the desert tortoise.

[EQAndyBuzz]

“Give them solar shells.”

Paint their shells white.

[TexasRepublic]

“This hearty soup has a real ‘snappy’ flavor from the cayenne pepper and lemon juice. It’s a treat and good use of turtle meat. With a salad and fresh bread, a steaming bowlful makes a nice meal.

Ingredients:
1 1/3 pounds turtle meat
4 1/2 cups water
2 medium onions
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
5 tablespoons butter or margarine

1/3 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons tomato puree
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup chicken broth
2 hard-cooked eggs, chopped
1/4 cup lemon juice
Chopped fresh parsley

Directions:
In a heavy 4-qt. saucepan, bring turtle meat and water to a boil. Skim off foam. Chop 1 onion and set aside. Quarter the other onion; add to saucepan along with bay leaf, cayenne pepper and salt. Cover and simmer for 2 hours or until the meat is tender. Remove meat with a slotted spoon and cut into 1/2-in. cubes; set aside. Strain broth and set aside. Rinse and dry saucepan; melt butter over medium-high heat. Cook chopped onion until tender. Add flour; cook and stir until bubbly and lightly browned. Whisk in reserved broth; cook and stir until thickened. Reduce heat; stir in tomato puree and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Add chicken broth, eggs, lemon juice and meat. Simmer for 5 minutes or until heated through. Garnish with parsley if desired.

[neverdem]

Thanks for the recipe.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks neverdem.