A Columbus based investment company has proposed to re-develop Cooper Stadium, a local baseball stadium, into a a motor raceway. Unfortunately, this has brought criticisms and challenges from local community members and groups, who are mainly concerned about potential noise from the proposed raceway.
The site is also near several urban birding sites. Not surprisingly, several organizations and community groups have raised concerns about how noise may impact birds in these urban habitats and have threatened to block re-development efforts.
In a letter to the editor of a local newspaper, called "The Other Paper", the American Avian Conservation Association (AACA) addressed several concerns about potential noise impacts to urban birds. A number of studies have shown that bird species residing in urban habitats have the capability to adapt to loud noises, common in urban habitats, by varying the frequency, volume, and timing of their songs.
Interestingly, this is not the first time noise concerns have been used in an attempt to block construction at the site. When the stadium was initially set to begin construction in 1931 local community groups raised concerns about noise impacts and filed petitions with the Columbus City Council. In spite of these concerns and petitions construction of the stadium proceeded, it opened in 1932, and is regarded today as a local landmark.
The AACA also corrected several omisssions and incorrect statements that had been published in the original story regarding the re-development project, including the fact that other well-known birding sites around the country can also be found near noise-intense development projects including an airport in Philadelphia and the Indianapolis motor raceway in Indiana.
People who support bird conservation should work to advocate for urban re-development as a means of protecting critical bird habitats.
Re-development of land in urban areas is important for reducing the spread of urban sprawl and the continued loss of bird habitats in Ohio. Developed land in Ohio accounts for anywhere from 12.9-14.6% of land use in the state, and developed lands in Ohio have increased 38.5% in just 20 years.
A number of bird species in Ohio may face population declines as a result of urban sprawl and the loss of habitats including grassland species like
Grasshopper Sparrows and Oak-Hickory-Savannah species like Red-headed Woodpeckers.Contact the AACA to join or support our conservation efforts (see e-mail address on the right-hand side of this page).
