Wind turbines have the potential to impact birds and bats, and when located in tidal waters may also impact marine organisms such as marine mammals and sea turtles. Wind turbines when sited on land and in tidal waters will have different impacts. To assess these impacts the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has developed habitat evaluation, impact assessment, and pre- and post- construction monitoring requirements specific to the location of the wind turbine, on land or in tidal

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... waters. The results will be used by the NJDEP to evaluate the impacts of wind turbines, determine the extent to which operations are causing direct mortality to birds and bats, and the effects of construction and operation on marine organisms. This data will help inform future policies for the siting and operation of wind turbines in the coastal region. On September 8, 2009, the Department proposed amendments to the Coastal Permit Program and Coastal Zone Management rules to address the development and permitting of wind turbines in the coastal zone. The proposed amendments refer to this technical manual.