Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Disclosure of Conflict of Interest: Sidney Gauthreaux

In accordance with Section 15 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the "Academy shall make its best efforts to ensure that no individual appointed to serve on [a] committee has a conflict of interest that is relevant to the functions to be performed, unless such conflict is promptly and publicly disclosed and the Academy determines that the conflict is unavoidable." A conflict of interest refers to an interest, ordinarily financial, of an individual that could be directly affected by the work of the committee. As specified in the Academy's policy and procedures (http://www.nationalacademies.org/coi/index.html), an objective determination is made for each provisionally appointed committee member whether or not a conflict of interest exists given the facts of the individual's financial and other interests and the task being undertaken by the committee. A determination of a conflict of interest for an individual is not an assessment of that individual's actual behavior or character or ability to act objectively despite the conflicting interest.
We have concluded that for this committee to accomplish the tasks for which it was established its membership must include among others, at least one person who is currently engaged in performing practical studies of bird migration, orientation, and navigation, especially through the use of radar.

To meet the need for this expertise and experience, Dr. Sidney Gauthreaux is proposed for appointment to the committee even though we have concluded that he has a conflict of interest because he is a part-time employee of Geo-Marine, Inc. (GMI), a consulting firm that operates in the specialized field of analysis, management, and detection of bird and wildlife hazards to aircraft and in support of industrial and commercial projects including communication towers, mines, utility lines, and wind turbines. In particular, GMI is working on a proposed wind-energy installation in Long Island Sound.
As his biographical summary makes clear, Dr. Gauthreaux is a nationally recognized expert on “radar ornithology” and other aspects of bird migration and navigation. This familiarity with the very specialized use of radar to study birds is critical for the committee in meeting its task. We believe that Dr. Gauthreaux can serve effectively as a member of the committee and that the committee can produce an objective report, taking into account the composition of the committee, the work to be performed, and the procedures to be followed in completing the work.

After an extensive search, we have been unable to find another individual with the equivalent combination of current practical experience and expertise as Dr. Gauthreaux who does not have a similar conflict of interest. Therefore, we have concluded that this potential conflict is unavoidable.


Disclosure of Conflict of Interest: Dale Strickland

In accordance with Section 15 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the "Academy shall make its best efforts to ensure that no individual appointed to serve on [a] committee has a conflict of interest that is relevant to the functions to be performed, unless such conflict is promptly and publicly disclosed and the Academy determines that the conflict is unavoidable." A conflict of interest refers to an interest, ordinarily financial, of an individual that could be directly affected by the work of the committee. As specified in the Academy's policy and procedures (http://www.nationalacademies.org/coi/index.html), an objective determination is made for each provisionally appointed committee member whether or not a conflict of interest exists given the facts of the individual's financial and other interests and the task being undertaken by the committee. A determination of a conflict of interest for an individual is not an assessment of that individual's actual behavior or character or ability to act objectively despite the conflicting interest.
We have concluded that for this committee to accomplish the tasks for which it was established its membership must include among others, at least one person who is currently engaged in performing practical studies of the effects of wind-energy installations on birds, including both pre-implementation studies of proposed installations and post-implementation studies of operating installations.

To meet the need for this expertise and experience, Dr. Dale Strickland is proposed for appointment to the committee even though we have concluded that he has a conflict of interest because he is a principal of WEST, Inc, a consulting firm that performs pre- and post-installation studies of the effects of wind-energy installations on birds and other wildlife species and provides scientific information and review in support of permit applications for current clients whose financial interests could be affected by regulations concerning the siting of wind-energy installations.

As his biographical summary makes clear, Dr. Strickland is a nationally recognized expert on sampling, and pre- and post-installation studies of impacts of wind-energy installations on birds and other wildlife. He has extensive experience in performing practical studies and providing advice to both industry and governments regarding the effects of wind-energy installations on wildlife, including birds. He has provided peer-review services to federal and state agencies related to wind energy and wildlife. This familiarity with the practical aspects of environmental impacts of wind-energy installations is critical for the committee in meeting its task. We believe that Dr. Strickland can serve effectively as a member of the committee and that the committee can produce an objective report, taking into account the composition of the committee, the work to be performed, and the procedures to be followed in completing the work.

After an extensive search, we have been unable to find another individual with the equivalent combination of current practical experience and expertise as Dr. Strickland who does not have a similar conflict of interest. Therefore, we have concluded that this potential conflict is unavoidable.


Disclosure of Conflict of Interest: Jean Vissering

In accordance with Section 15 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the "Academy shall make its best efforts to ensure that no individual appointed to serve on [a] committee has a conflict of interest that is relevant to the functions to be performed, unless such conflict is promptly and publicly disclosed and the Academy determines that the conflict is unavoidable." A conflict of interest refers to an interest, ordinarily financial, of an individual that could be directly affected by the work of the committee. As specified in the Academy's policy and procedures (http://www.nationalacademies.org/coi/index.html), an objective determination is made for each provisionally appointed committee member whether or not a conflict of interest exists given the facts of the individual's financial and other interests and the task being undertaken by the committee. A determination of a conflict of interest for an individual is not an assessment of that individual's actual behavior or character or ability to act objectively despite the conflicting interest.

We have concluded that for this committee to accomplish the tasks for which it was established its membership must include among others, at least one person who is currently engaged in performing practical studies of the aesthetic impacts of wind-energy installations, especially visual impacts.

To meet the need for this expertise and experience, Ms. Jean Vissering is proposed for appointment to the committee even though we have concluded that she has a conflict of interest because she consults as Jean Vissering Landscape Architecture, and as such Ms. Vissering works with wind energy developers and property owners (as well as local governments) on a consulting basis in assessing the impacts of wind energy projects in Vermont and advising on how to reduce those impacts.

As her biographical summary makes clear, Ms. Vissering a nationally recognized expert in scenic resource evaluation and aesthetic impact assessment, much of her experience and expertise having been developed in relation to wind-energy projects. This familiarity with the practical aspects of assessing environmental impacts of wind-energy installations is critical for the committee in meeting its task. We believe that Ms. Vissering can serve effectively as a member of the committee and that the committee can produce an objective report, taking into account the composition of the committee, the work to be performed, and the procedures to be followed in completing the work.

After an extensive search, we have been unable to find another individual with the equivalent combination of current practical experience and expertise as Ms. Vissering who does not have a similar conflict of interest. Therefore, we have concluded that this potential conflict is unavoidable.

Committee Membership Roster Comments