UPDATE ON SEQR PROCESS FOR GLOBAL AS OF DECEMBER 25, 2003

NYSERDA (New York State Energy Research and Development Authority) is the lead agent for the SEQR review which Global Winds Harvest must undergo if it is to receive a 4.5 million dollar grant. NYSERDA has made a positive declaration which means that Global must now prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), addressing concerns which have been outlined by NYSERDA. If NYSERDA determines that the environmental impact of wind turbines would be too great, then they can deny the grant. Global could still go ahead with the project, but would be lacking the 4.5 million dollars.

It is important that land owners contact NYSERDA with information that you have regarding potential impact on land. For example, if you have a shallow well and are worried about disturbance to the underground water streams, then let NYSERDA know. Peter Keane is the contact at NYSERDA. Below his address I have tried to quote and condense from the Positive Declaration that lists the reasons for an EIS.

Please note that the positive declaration addresses noise and the need for each and every turbine to be studied individually with respect to setbacks. Please make sure to remind NYSERDA that the town absolutely refuses to do anything about setbacks, so if setbacks are important then NYSERDA must deal with this before giving Global any money.

Please note also that many of the concerns stated by NYSERDA cannot be fully addressed until there is a “final configuration of turbines.” In other words, at this point is not public knowledge exactly where the turbines will be located. If NYSERDA approves the 4.5 million dollar grant before there is a final configuration, then it is giving its blessing to a project whose magnitude is unknown. Please remind them of that.

Write to:

Peter R. Keane

Assistant Counsel

NYSERDA

17 Columbia Circle

Albany, New York 12203-6399

In the following paragraphs the Applicant means Global.

According to the information received from NYSERDA, the EIS is concerned with “erosion and sedimentation impacts during construction. There is a possibility of bedrock and groundwater within 5 feet of the surface. Until a final project layout plan is presented, it is unclear to what degree blasting of bedrock may be required or what actions Applicant would take to mitigate potential impacts. Based on the information provided by Applicant to date, the likelihood of the impact is difficult to determine, but could be significant.”

“The matter of potential wetland disturbance is considered important and requires further consideration by Applicant.

“There is also a potential for disturbance to groundwater, surface water drainage patterns and wells that could result from disturbance associated with turbine foundations and balance of plant infrastructure such as roads, buried conduit/electrical interconnection. Storm water runoff will need to be accounted for under a SPDES General Permit.”

“..the potential for significant avian mortality occurring at the project area, while unlikely cannot be dismissed. Turbine lighting, if not minimized to the maximum extent practicable or if designed without consideration of the effect of lighting on avian navigation could increase the risk of avian interaction/collisions.”

“Tower/rotor static and dynamic dimensions alone will present an obvious visual contrast to the natural landscape in the project area and from points some distance from the project area. Turbine tower lighting is expected to be required pursuant to FAA regulations. The visibility of the turbine(s) is an important consideration for local residents.”

The EIS is also concerned with impact on local roads during construction. In the positive declaration it mentions noise, saying “the potential for noise impacts is difficult to determine pending a final turbine configuration. Importantly it says that “setbacks from property lines and/or residences, upwind/downwind configurations and the potential dampening effects of surrounding vegetation must be analyzed with regard to EACH turbine.”

The positive declaration mentions the possibility of ice shedding from blades, structural failure or turbine collapse and snowmobile collisions with turbine towers and transformer structures. It also says there “may be a need for new fire and rescue procedures/services related to the tower rescues and fire suppression, but the impacts are expected to be small.”

Copies of your letters could go to

Clerk at SCIDA (Steuben County Research and Development Association)

POB 393

Bath New York 14810