NACS-J Demands Cancellation of Hokkaido Atsuta Wind Power Project Over Extreme Bird Strike Risks
The Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J) has submitted an opinion letter opposing a wind farm project in Ishikari, Hokkaido, citing unprecedented risks to endangered eagles and conflicts with local environmental zoning.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 19:00
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## NACS-J Submits Opinion Demanding Cancellation of (Tentative) Hokkaido Atsuta Wind Power Project
● The Nature Conservation Society of Japan has submitted an opinion on the Environmental Impact Statement for the '(Tentative) Hokkaido Atsuta Wind Power Project.'
● This project carries a significantly high bird strike risk for white-tailed eagles, the highest among all past wind power projects, potentially leading to irreversible natural destruction.
● The proposed site is located in an area designated as a 'Conservation Priority Zone' under Ishikari City's Wind Power Zoning Plan.
● While the operator claims the project promotes 'Nature Positive,' NACS-J argues it is 'greenwashing' and strongly demands a fundamental review, including project cancellation.
NACS-J (President: Toshiyuki Tsuchiya) submitted an opinion regarding the environmental impact assessment for the project operated by Tokyu Land Corporation (approx. 64,500 kW, ~15 turbines). The association calls for a complete re-evaluation, including the possibility of cancellation, due to potential catastrophic impacts on white-tailed eagles and other endangered raptors.
### Key Points of the Opinion
1. **Unprecedented Risk to White-tailed Eagles**
In the project area, numerous endangered raptors like white-tailed eagles (Vulnerable) and honey buzzards (Near Threatened) have been confirmed. The assessment documents show a collision probability for white-tailed eagles that is 10 to 24 times higher than standard risk criteria. This exceeds the predicted risk of the 'Hamari Wind Farm' (Horonobe, Hokkaido), which has been forced to stop daytime operations since January 2026 due to mass bird strikes.
2. **Inconsistency with Ishikari City's Zoning Plan**
The planned site falls under the 'Conservation Priority Area' defined by Ishikari City. Ignoring this local zoning in favor of the developer's own skewed evaluations is considered an arbitrary act that disregards regional intentions.
3. **Greenwashing Allegations**
The developer claims the project contributes to 'Nature Positive' and '30by30' goals. However, ignoring the fatal impact on raptors while planning tree planting on former pastures deviates from the IUCN 'Mitigation Hierarchy.' True promotion of Nature Positive would require canceling this plan and re-selecting a low-impact site.
### About NACS-J
Founded in 1951, NACS-J is one of Japan's most historic nature conservation organizations. It has worked to protect Oze, Yakushima, Ogasawara, and Shirakami-Sanchi, aiming for a society where people and nature coexist beautifully.
● The Nature Conservation Society of Japan has submitted an opinion on the Environmental Impact Statement for the '(Tentative) Hokkaido Atsuta Wind Power Project.'
● This project carries a significantly high bird strike risk for white-tailed eagles, the highest among all past wind power projects, potentially leading to irreversible natural destruction.
● The proposed site is located in an area designated as a 'Conservation Priority Zone' under Ishikari City's Wind Power Zoning Plan.
● While the operator claims the project promotes 'Nature Positive,' NACS-J argues it is 'greenwashing' and strongly demands a fundamental review, including project cancellation.
NACS-J (President: Toshiyuki Tsuchiya) submitted an opinion regarding the environmental impact assessment for the project operated by Tokyu Land Corporation (approx. 64,500 kW, ~15 turbines). The association calls for a complete re-evaluation, including the possibility of cancellation, due to potential catastrophic impacts on white-tailed eagles and other endangered raptors.
### Key Points of the Opinion
1. **Unprecedented Risk to White-tailed Eagles**
In the project area, numerous endangered raptors like white-tailed eagles (Vulnerable) and honey buzzards (Near Threatened) have been confirmed. The assessment documents show a collision probability for white-tailed eagles that is 10 to 24 times higher than standard risk criteria. This exceeds the predicted risk of the 'Hamari Wind Farm' (Horonobe, Hokkaido), which has been forced to stop daytime operations since January 2026 due to mass bird strikes.
2. **Inconsistency with Ishikari City's Zoning Plan**
The planned site falls under the 'Conservation Priority Area' defined by Ishikari City. Ignoring this local zoning in favor of the developer's own skewed evaluations is considered an arbitrary act that disregards regional intentions.
3. **Greenwashing Allegations**
The developer claims the project contributes to 'Nature Positive' and '30by30' goals. However, ignoring the fatal impact on raptors while planning tree planting on former pastures deviates from the IUCN 'Mitigation Hierarchy.' True promotion of Nature Positive would require canceling this plan and re-selecting a low-impact site.
### About NACS-J
Founded in 1951, NACS-J is one of Japan's most historic nature conservation organizations. It has worked to protect Oze, Yakushima, Ogasawara, and Shirakami-Sanchi, aiming for a society where people and nature coexist beautifully.