SUPPLEMENT TO THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Transcription

1 SUPPLEMENT TO THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE Town of Martinsburg, Lewis County, New York Lead Agency: Applicant: Prepared By: Town of Martinsburg Planning Board P.O. Box 8 Martinsburg, New York Contact: Mr. Michael Colwell, Chairman Atlantic Wind, LLC c/o Iberdrola Renewables 7557 S. State St. Suite 201 Lowville, New York Contact: Jenny Burke, Project Developer Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Planning, Environmental Services, Engineering and Surveying, P.C. (EDR) 217 Montgomery Street, Suite 1000 Syracuse, New York Contact: Diane Enders, Project Manager Online Access: Date Accepted by Lead Agency: January 7, 2009 Public Comment Period: January 7, 2009 through February 24, 2009 Public Hearing: February 5, 2009 at 4:00 P.M. at the Town of Martinsburg Town Hall

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS COMMONLY USED ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS...vii FIRMS INVOLVED IN PREPARATION OF THE EIS...ix 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION Summary of Project Changes and new information Description of proposed action Project Purpose, Need, and Benefit Project Cost and Funding Project Lease/Easement Terms and Conditions GENERAL PROJECT LOCATION PROJECT LAYOUT AND COMPONENTS Project Siting Criteria Wind Turbines Electrical System Access Roads Wind Measurement Tower Staging Area Operations and Maintenance Facility PROJECT CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE DECOMMISSIONING AND CLOSURE PLANS REQUIRED APPROVALS AND APPLICABLE REGULATORY PROGRAMS PUBLIC AND AGENCY INVOLVEMENT SEQRA Process Agency and Public Review EXISTING CONDITIONS, POTENTIAL IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES GEOLOGY, SOILS, AND TOPOGRAPHY EXISTING CONDITIONS Potential Impacts Proposed Mitigation WATER RESOURCES Existing Conditions Potential Impacts Proposed Mitigation BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES Existing Conditions Potential Impacts Proposed Mitigation AIR QUALITY AND CLIMATE Existing Conditions Potential Impacts Proposed Mitigation AESTHETIC/VISUAL RESOURCES Existing Conditions Potential Impacts Mitigation HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESOURCES Existing Conditions Potential Impacts Proposed Mitigation SOUND ii

3 3.7.1 Existing Conditions Potential Impacts Proposed Mitigation TRANSPORTATION Existing Conditions Potential Impacts Proposed Mitigation SOCIOECONOMICS Existing Conditions Potential Impacts Mitigation PUBLIC SAFETY Background Information Potential Impacts Proposed Mitigation COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES Existing Conditions Potential Impacts Proposed Mitigation COMMUNICATION FACILITIES Existing Conditions Potential Impacts Proposed Mitigation LAND USE AND ZONING Existing Conditions Potential Impacts Proposed Mitigation UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS General Avoidance and Mitigation Measures Specific Potential impacts and Mitigation Measures Environmental Compliance and Monitoring Program ALTERNATIVEs ANALYSIS SEQRA Alternatives Analysis Requirements ALTERNATIVE PROJECT AREA/Project sites ALTERNATIVE PROJECT DESIGN/LAYOUT Alternate Turbine Layouts Alternate Interconnection Routes AlternativeS that Avoid Significant Impacts ALTERNATIVE PROJECT SIZE ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES ALTERNATIVE CONSTRUCTION PHASING NO ACTION IRREVERSIBLE AND IRRETRIEVABLE COMMITMENT OF RESOURCES GROWTH INDUCING IMPACTS CUMULATIVE IMPACTS Existing and Approved Projects Proposed or future projects EFFECTS ON USE AND CONSERVATION OF ENERGY RESOURCES LITERATURE CITED iii

4 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Comparison of Approximate Area of Soil Disturbance during Construction Table 2. Streams Within the Project Area Table 3. State Regulated Wetlands Within the Project Area Table 4. Documented State-listed Species in the Vicinity of the Project Site Table 5. Impacts to Vegetative Communities Table 6. Real Property Tax Levy Per Taxing Jurisdiction Table 7. Assessed Value of Property in the Town by Land Use Classification, Table Municipal Budgets (Town and County) Table School District Budgets Table 10. Impact Assumptions and Calculations for Alternative Table 11. Alternate Interconnection Route Impact Analysis iv

5 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1. Figure 2. Figure 3. Figure 4. Figure 5. Figure 6. Figure 7. Figure 8. Figure 9. Figure 10. Figure 11. Figure 12. Figure 13. Figure 14. Figure 15. Figure 16. Regional Project Location Site Location Proposed Project Layout Turbine Layout Comparison Existing Generating Site Development Proposed Generating Site Road Improvements Surface Waters NYSDEC Mapped Wetlands Delineated Wetlands Vegetative Communities Preliminary Construction Routing Visually Sensitive Resources Zoning and District Boundaries Agricultural Districts Generating Site Alternatives Interconnection Alternatives v

6 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A Appendix B Appendix C Appendix D Appendix E Appendix F Appendix G Appendix H Appendix I Appendix J Appendix K Appendix L Appendix M Appendix N Appendix O Appendix P Component Specifications and Construction Information Agency Correspondence Culvert Inventory Preliminary Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Preliminary Subsurface Investigation and Geotechnical Evaluation Wetland Delineation Report (Revised) Summary of Wetland, Stream and Adjacent Area Impacts Vegetation and Wildlife Lists with Scientific Nomenclature (Updated) Breeding Bird Study II Bat Acoustic Monitoring Study; Spring 2008 Field Report Invasive Species Control Plan Supplemental Visual Impact Assessment Phase 1B Archaeological Survey Interim Report Noise Model Update Route Evaluation Study (updated) Licensed Microwave Search and Worst Case Fresnel Zone (update) vi

7 COMMONLY USED ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS amsl BBA BBS Corps cy dba DEIS EAF EDR FAA FEIS GIS HDPE kv kw lf MW NYISO NRCS NRHP NWI NYCRR NYS NYSA&M NYSDEC NYSDOT NYSERDA NYSDPS NWCC OPRHP O&M POI above mean sea level Breeding Bird Atlas (New York State) Breeding Bird Survey U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cubic yard decibels, A-rated Draft Environmental Impact Statement Environmental Assessment Form Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Planning, Environmental Services, Engineering and Surveying, P.C. (EDR) Federal Aviation Administration Final Environmental Impact Statement geographic information system High Density Polyethylene kilovolt kilowatt linear foot/linear feet megawatts New York Independent Service Operator Natural Resources Conservation Service National Register of Historic Places National Wetlands Inventory Official Compilation of Codes, Rules, and Regulations of the State of New York New York State New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets New York State Department of Environmental Conservation New York State Department of Transportation New York State Energy Research and Development Authority New York State Department of Public Service National Water and Climate Centers Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (New York State) Operations and Maintenance Point of Interconnection vii

8 PSC PILOT SEQRA SHPO SDEIS sf SPDES SWPPP USDA USFWS USGS Public Service Commission payment in lieu of tax State Environmental Quality Review Act State Historic Preservation Office (New York) Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement square foot/square feet State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan U.S. Department of Agriculture U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Geological Survey viii

9 FIRMS INVOLVED IN PREPARATION OF THE EIS EDR 217 Montgomery Street, Suite 1000 Syracuse, NY Iberdrola Renewables 7557 S. State St., Suite 201 Lowville, NY Diane M. Enders (315) ABR P.O. Box 249 Forest Grove, OR Todd Mabee (503) Atlantic Testing 6431 U.S. Highway 11 Canton, NY Jenny Burke (315) Young, Sommer & Associates Executive Woods 5 Palisades Drive Albany, NY Douglas H. Ward, Esq. (518) Creighton Manning Engineering, LLP 17 Computer Drive West Albany, NY Christian Roderick (315) Comsearch Janelia Farms Blvd. Ashburn, VA Mark Sargent, P.E. (518) Curry & Kerlinger, LLC P.O. Box 453 Cap May Point, NJ Les Polisky (703) Hessler Associates, Inc Clifton Manor Place Suite B Haymarket, VA Paul Kerlinger, Ph.D. (609) John Milner Associates, Inc., 1 Croton Point Avenue Croton-on-Hudson, NY David Hessler (703) Patrick J. Heaton, RPA (914) ix

10 1.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY As described in the DEIS, Atlantic Wind, LLC a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of Iberdrola Renewables (formerly PPM Energy), is proposing to develop a 39 turbine wind-powered generating facility in the Town of Martinsburg, Lewis County. Subsequent to the publication of the DEIS, wind measurement data retrieved from on-site meteorological towers supports the requirement to relocate certain turbines in the layout. This has expanded the Project site and the area of land/landowners involved in the Project. Additionally, the Project has undergone preliminary engineering on the generating site and further development of the proposed electrical interconnection route. Supplemental project information is provided with respect to all project components as a result of further preliminary engineering availability. This Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement provides a detailed description of the Project changes since the publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on February 7, This Supplement specifically details changes to the Project description, impacts, benefits, and proposed mitigation as a result of spacing the turbines farther apart and modifying the electrical interconnection route. It provides a summary of all studies or information that was prepared in support of the supplemented analysis including updates to the sound assessment, visual impact analysis, wetland and stream surveys, ecological and wildlife surveys, and cultural resources surveys. It also appends newly created support studies in light of project development or project changes including a preliminary stormwater pollution prevention plan. In accordance with requirements of the SEQRA process, potential impacts arising from the proposed action and specifically as compared to the analysis provided in the DEIS, were evaluated with respect to an array of environmental and cultural resources. This Supplement provides an expanded discussion of unavoidable adverse environmental impacts and benefits and alternatives analysis discussion. The alternatives analysis concludes that the currently proposed Project is the preferred alternative, because it provides the best balance between proposed impacts and project benefits. 1

11 2.0 INTRODUCTION This document is a Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), which was prepared for a proposed action known as the (the Project). The DEIS was prepared by Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture, Planning, Environmental Services, Engineering and Surveying, P.C. (EDR) and other technical consultants on behalf of Atlantic Wind, LLC, a wholly owned for-profit subsidiary of Iberdrola Renewables (formerly PPM Energy), (Atlantic Wind/Project sponsor). This Supplement to the DEIS (hereafter referred to as the SDEIS) addresses all Project changes and includes studies that were completed after the DEIS was released for public review and comment. The SDEIS is a supplement to the original DEIS, and in general does not reiterate information from the original DEIS that remains accurate and unchanged. In addition, the SDEIS is not a comprehensive response to public/agency comments; a comprehensive responsiveness summary will be included in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the, anticipated to be prepared in early Spring SUMMARY OF PROJECT CHANGES AND NEW INFORMATION Subsequent to the publication of the DEIS, wind measurement data retrieved from the four on-site temporary meteorological towers supports the requirement to relocate certain turbines in the layout. From this data collection, it was determined that southeasterly winds were more prominent than initially observed. This finding necessitated modifications to the array design to minimize the power loss due to increased wake effect and turbulence, as well as turbulence induced component wear. Therefore, the Project sponsor approached surrounding landowners regarding interest in Project participation and this effort resulted in the presently defined wind turbine configuration. In addition, preliminary electrical and civil engineering design have been conducted for the Project, allowing for the clarification of additional details pertaining to the electrical interconnection route, operations and maintenance building, wind measurement tower (meteorological or met tower), and staging area. The following presents a summary of the overall changes that have occurred, or new information that has been developed, since the publication of the DEIS: Although the number of proposed turbines is unchanged, the generating site portion of the Project is now proposed to be located on 5280 acres of land covering 44 parcels. There was previously one landowner participating in hosting wind turbines. However, with the expanded Project site, there are now 8 landowner agreements that provide lease options to host wind turbines. The Project site is illustrated in Figure 2. 2

12 The revised Project will also involve the construction of 5 miles of new gravel access roads, and installation of approximately 13 miles of buried electrical collection lines, compared to the previously proposed construction of 4 miles of new gravel access roads and installation of 12 miles of buried electrical collection lines. At the time the DEIS was written, land easements for the electrical interconnection route were not final and therefore a final route could not be fully described and depicted. Preliminary electrical engineering of the route is now completed. The electrical collection route will be approximately 8.5 miles in length, consisting of 5 miles of buried circuits, and 3.5 miles of overhead circuits mounted on 61 single wooden poles. Figure 3, sheet 2 illustrates the location of the electrical route. The electrical interconnection route is further described in Section 2.5.3, pages At the time the DEIS was written, the location of the permanent met tower was anticipated to be located in the southwest corner of the generating site. However, the permanent met tower has been relocated to the northwest corner of the generating site, in proximity to the proposed location of Turbine 1, as depicted in Figure 3, Sheet 1. The DEIS evaluated one five-acre staging area (temporary area used for the stockpiling of materials and construction personnel offices) to be located adjacent to Carey Road. Preliminary engineering and construction planning efforts dictate the need for a larger 10- acre staging area. The revised staging area will be located between Turbines 8 and 9, straddling an existing unpaved forest road, as depicted in Figure 3, Sheet 1. The location of the Operations and Maintenance Facility (O&M building) was unknown at the time the DEIS was made public. The Project sponsor now proposes to site the O&M building on leased private land located approximately one-quarter mile east of the intersection of Centerville and Flat Rock Roads, as depicted in Figure 3, Sheet 2. The main construction entrance to the generating site has been relocated from Carey Road to Flat Rock Road, as depicted in Figure 3, Sheet DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED ACTION As described in the DEIS, Atlantic Wind, LLC, is proposing to develop a 39 turbine wind-powered generating facility in the Town of Martinsburg, Lewis County (see Figures 1, 2 and 3). Wind turbines will be spaced farther apart than originally proposed in the DEIS, because analysis of the original turbine layout indicated turbulence effects due to turbine proximity. Atlantic Wind has redesigned and modified the Project to increase separation between the turbines, thereby reducing wake (energy) losses and enhancing the capture of wind energy. Figure 4 provides a comparison of previous and currently proposed turbine configurations. As presently envisioned, the Project will use 3

13 the Gamesa Eolica G90 wind turbine (or equivalent), each with a rated capacity of 2.0 megawatts (MW), resulting in a generating capacity of approximately 78 MW for the overall Project. Each turbine will include a three-bladed upwind rotor with a diameter of 90-meters (295-feet), mounted on a 100-meter (328-foot) tubular steel tower. As described in the DEIS, the Project site has a history of logging activity and is significantly bisected by a system of extensive forest logging roads as depicted in Figure 5. Taking advantage of the existing road system, the revised Project will also involve the upgrade of 10 miles of existing unpaved forest roads, plus portions of two limited maintenance seasonal public roads (French and Flat Rock Roads), construction of 5 miles of new gravel access roads, installation of approximately 13 miles of buried electrical collection lines, and one permanent free standing 100 meter tall meteorological tower. To deliver power to the New York State power grid, the Project sponsor proposes to construct a 34.5 kilovolt (kv) electrical interconnection line and substation/point of interconnection facility located adjacent to the National Grid Taylorville-Boonville 115 kv transmission line near Lee Road, in the Town of Martinsburg. The interconnection route will be comprised of approximately 5 miles of buried electrical line and 3.5 miles of overhead line mounted on 61 wooden pole structures. Project operations and maintenance personnel will service the operating Project from an O&M facility. The O&M facility will include a one-story structure, approximately 4,000 square feet in size, plus associated facilities (including employee parking). The structure would be located approximately one-quarter mile east of the intersection of Centerville and Flat Rock Roads on approximately five acres of leased private land. As indicated in the DEIS, the Project is planned to be constructed starting spring of 2009 and finishing in November PROJECT PURPOSE, NEED, AND BENEFIT The purpose, need and benefit of the Project is as described in the DEIS, Section 2.2, page 18. In addition to meeting state and federal energy policy goals, the purpose of the proposed Project is to create an economically viable wind-powered electrical-generating facility that will provide a significant source of renewable energy to the New York power grid. Total net generation delivered to National Grid s existing 115 kv line is expected to be approximately 204 gigawatt hours (GWh), or 4

14 enough electricity to meet the average annual consumption of approximately 40,000 average NYS households. 2.4 PROJECT COST AND FUNDING The development and construction costs for the Project have not changed since the publication of the DEIS, and are therefore accurately described in Section 2.3 of the DEIS, page 21. The approximately $200 million cost of developing, permitting and constructing the Project will be provided by the Project sponsor. The will also be funded as a commercial, for-profit enterprise with the approximately $200 million capital cost to be provided by its Sponsor, which may also elect to finance this expenditure through commercial debt and/or other private investors. Iberdrola Renewables intends to own and operate the Project, through a wholly owned subsidiary, Atlantic Wind LLC, a standalone special purpose entity (an ownership structure that is typical for the independent or non-utility industry). The electrical output will likely be sold in the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) wholesale power market or to other power buyers under bilateral power purchase agreements; and the green tags or renewable energy credits will likely be sold separately either to NYSERDA, under the RPS program, or to other buyers of clean power Project Lease/Easement Terms and Conditions As described in the DEIS, Section 2.3.1, page 22, the Project sponsor will enter into agreements with all landowners who consent to Project components occupying their land. The agreements apply to all project components including turbines, access roads, buried and overhead electrical lines, the substation, the meteorological tower, and the O&M facility. 2.5 GENERAL PROJECT LOCATION The revised Project is located on approximately 7,610 acres of leased private land in the Town of Martinsburg, in central Lewis County. The proposed location for wind turbines, access roads, electrical collection lines, and the meteorological tower, is located on approximately 5,280 acres of leased private land, comprised of 44 parcels, in the far southwestern portion of the Town of Martinsburg (the generating site). The generating site is located approximately 4.7 miles south of State Highway 177, approximately 5.7 miles west of the Hamlet of West Martinsburg, and 6 miles southwest of the Village of Lowville. Specifically, the generating site is bordered to the east roughly by Carey Road, to the west by the Montague town line, to the north of Flat Rock Road one half mile, and to the south by the West Turin town line (See Figure 2). 5

15 Power generated by the Project will be delivered via a 34.5 kv electrical interconnection line to the substation following land under private easement. Figure 3, Sheet 2 illustrates the alignment route of the proposed electrical interconnection. In addition to occupying a 75-foot wide easement through private land, the electrical interconnection line will be substantially installed within and immediately adjacent to Centerville Road, Leonards Lane, and French Road (approximately 2.5 miles). The electrical interconnection line will traverse approximately 23 parcels over 8.5 miles, of which approximately 5 miles will be buried and approximately 3.5 miles will be mounted on 61 wood pole structures (electrical interconnection site). 2.6 PROJECT LAYOUT AND COMPONENTS Project Siting Criteria The proposed location and spacing of the wind turbines and support facilities was determined based on a wind resource assessment, turbine specifications, local zoning, distances to permanent residences, roads and lot lines, avoidance of wetlands and waterbodies, and other nuisance and cultural factors. A description of the factors affecting the facility layout are described in the DEIS on pages Applying these factors, a proposed facility layout was prepared by the Project sponsor. The proposed location of all project components is illustrated in Figure 3. These components are described in Section 2.5 of the DEIS, pages in terms of wind turbines, electrical collection/interconnection system, access roads, meteorological towers, and operations and maintenance building. Any updates or changes to the component descriptions since the publication of the DEIS are described below Wind Turbines No change to the wind turbine model described in the DEIS is proposed. The wind turbines currently anticipated to be used for this Project are the Gamesa G90 mounted on a 100 meter tower and manufactured by Gamesa Eolica. Additional information regarding these turbines is included in Section of the DEIS, and also in the manufacturer s brochure in Appendix A of the DEIS Electrical System The proposed electrical system for the project is described in the DEIS in Section Additional information is available regarding the electrical interconnection and collection lines, as preliminary electrical engineering has now been completed for the Project. As stated in the DEIS, the proposed Project is anticipated to have an electrical system that consists of the following parts: 1) a system of buried 34.5 kv shielded and insulated cables that will collect power from each wind turbine (electrical 6

16 collection lines), 2) a point of interconnection (POI)/collection substation located off of Lee Road that transfers the power to the existing 115 kv National Grid Taylorville-Boonville transmission line and regional power grid, and 3) a 34.5 kv electric interconnection line that connects the wind turbine generators to the substation (partially buried, partially mounted on wood poles). Additional information pertaining to these components of the electrical collection system is described below, and are supplemented by details/typicals contained within Appendix A of this SDEIS. Buried electrical collection lines that connect each wind turbine will be installed within the anticipated footprint of disturbance of Project access roads and the system of existing project area roads to be upgraded. Off of the generating site, buried electrical lines will continue eastward for approximately 6 miles, extensively along existing town roads, at which point the underground power lines will become overhead. This overhead line will terminate at the 115 kv substation and interconnection point. The overhead line will consist of approximately 61, 60-foot tall wood single mono-poles with spans averaging 300 feet in length. The right-of-way easement is 75-feet wide. A preliminary substation layout is provided in Appendix A Access Roads As described in the DEIS, the Project will require the construction of new or improved access roads to provide access to the proposed turbines, met tower and POI station/collection substation sites. The proposed location of Project access roads is shown in Figure 3. The total length of access road required to service all proposed wind turbine locations is approximately 16 miles. Of this distance, approximately 11 miles involves existing forest roads and farm lanes which require varying amounts of improvement for use during construction and operation. The balance of the distance, or 5 miles, will require the construction of new access roads. Improvements to existing roads will include work such as the upgrade and replacement of 16 culverts, regrading as necessary to establish desired slopes and widths, soil stabilization and buildup of a structural roadbed, and gravel surfacing. Access roads will be gravel surfaced and typically are 38 feet wide (rather than the 34 feet described in the DEIS) to accommodate crane travel. In the DEIS, it was anticipated that following construction, roads widths would be restored for use as permanent access roads. However, it is now anticipated that roads will only be restored to a 16 foot width at selected locations as illustrated in Figure 6. 7

17 Temporary access will be required to construct the overhead and underground sections of the 34.5 kv electrical interconnection line between the POI/collection station and the generating site. Clearing and minor grading will only be done to the extent necessary for access by off-road type construction vehicles. Any such soil disturbance in agricultural fields or wetlands will be restored following construction. See Appendix A for typical access road specifications and Appendix C for the inventory of culvert conditions on site Wind Measurement Tower In the DEIS, one 100-meter (328-foot) tall wind measurement tower (meteorological tower) was described and anticipated to be located in the southwest corner of the generating site portion of the Project site adjacent to an existing forest road. The meteorological tower has been relocated to the northwest corner of the generating site adjacent to Turbine 1, as depicted in Figure 3. An illustration of an equivalent style of meteorological tower is provided in Appendix A. However he depicted lattice style structure is of a shorter overall height Staging Area It was anticipated, in the DEIS, that one five-acre staging area would be necessary for the turbine facilities to accommodate construction trailers, storage containers, large project components, and parking for construction workers. This staging area was proposed near the entrance to the generating site project parcels, located off of Carey Road. The construction entrance to the generating site has been changed to a location off of Flat Rock Road between Turbines 2 and 3, and therefore the staging area has been relocated to an interior generating site location adjacent to Turbine 8, as depicted in Figure 3. The staging area has also been increased in size to ten acres. The O&M Facility will provide additional construction office, material storage, and staging areas during construction Operations and Maintenance Facility As described in the DEIS, an operations and maintenance facility (O&M) will provide office space and maintenance facilities for the on-going operation and maintenance activities of the Project. The building will house the Project s supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system which will be linked by fiber optic cables to each of the turbines and the electrical substation. This allows an operator to control critical functions and monitor the overall performance of each turbine and the combined operation of the entire project. 8

18 A storage yard adjacent to the O&M building will house equipment and materials necessary to service the Project. Since the DEIS, the proposed location of the O&M facility has been planned for a private parcel of land located approximately one-quarter mile east of the intersection of Centerville and Flat Rock Road as depicted in Figure 3. As mentioned in the DEIS, the O&M building will be an approximately 4,000 square foot single story building. A typical O&M facility utilized by the Project sponsor is depicted in Appendix A. 2.7 PROJECT CONSTRUCTION The basic description of Project construction, including pre-construction activities, has not changed, and is as described in Section 2.6 of the DEIS, pages Preliminary project engineering has resulted in the development of additional information pertaining to construction routing, public roadway improvements, access road upgrade details, stormwater management and sedimentation and erosion control plans, as described below. As described in the DEIS, the Project will implement an approved Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) to manage stormwater and to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation during construction. A Preliminary SWPPP has been developed for the Project and is described in Section 3.1 and 3.2 of this SDEIS and is provided in Appendix D. Preliminary engineering has been completed since the publication of the DEIS and a typical turbine construction plan is provided in Appendix A. As illustrated, it is now assumed that a 150-foot radius will be cleared in order to lay the assembled rotor on the ground prior to mounting on the assembled tower sections. Buried electrical collection lines that connect tower to tower will be sited immediately adjacent to or within the footprint of disturbance for proposed access roads, therefore there will be no additional clearing associated with electrical collection lines on the generating site. For the electrical interconnection line, circuits will be installed between the generating site and the proposed point of interconnection site. The buried portion of this line will involve placing four buried circuits to a depth of inches, with seven foot spacing between each circuit, resulting in a total width of 25 feet, including trenches. Approximately 2.5 miles of the underground circuits will be installed in and along existing town roads. 9

19 Overhead portions of the electrical interconnection line will generally be constructed from one end to the other, without skipping any pole. Poles will be placed into augured holes (auger diameter is approx. 24 ). Holes are augured with a vehicle mounted boom and hydraulic head. To the largest extent possible, each pole s hardware and appurtenances will be assembled and mounted to the pole while the pole is laying upon the ground, before each pole is set into an augured hole. Once all structures have been set, wire stringing operations will begin and all new conductors will be pulled into place in sections. The length of sections will be largely dependent upon site conditions and length of wire on each reel. Turbine foundations are anticipated to utilize a spread type footing design. Minor changes to the dimensions of the foundation described in the DEIS have been made. This foundation is now planned to be approximately 9 feet deep, approximately 70 feet in diameter, and requires approximately 650 cubic yards (cy) of concrete. Once the foundation concrete is sufficiently cured, the excavation area around and over it is backfilled with the excavated onsite material. The top of the foundation is a nominal 18-foot diameter pedestal that typically extends 6 to 8 inches above grade. An area approximately 100 X 115 feet will be developed as a permanent gravel crane pad. Oversized and overweight vehicles will utilize local roadways to bring turbine components to the Project site. The site will be accessed via a new Project access road that will intersect with Flat Rock Road. Small portions of Flat Rock Road will be widened to 16 feet. Public roadway intersections along the construction and delivery routes may also require spot radii improvements to accommodate the turning radius of over-length delivery vehicles (see Section 3.8 for more detail). As a summary, project components and their construction will result in disturbance to soil and vegetation and result in land displacement or conversion. Assumptions used for the purposes of the SEQRA evaluation were outlined in Table 1 of the DEIS. Because preliminary project engineering has been completed, individual sections of the SDEIS contain revised impact assessments based upon the completed preliminary engineering, rather than a set of standard assumptions outlined in the DEIS. 10

20 2.8 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE Project operations and maintenance activities are as described in the DEIS, Section 2.7, page 37. Project specific maintenance activities will be as required by the wind turbine manufacturer, currently anticipated to be Gamesa. 2.9 DECOMMISSIONING AND CLOSURE PLANS The specific attributes of the Decommissioning Plan are described in Section 2.8, page 38 of the DEIS. No changes to the plan provisions have been proposed by the Applicant, or requested by the Town since the publication of the DEIS REQUIRED APPROVALS AND APPLICABLE REGULATORY PROGRAMS As described in the DEIS, Section 2.9, page 41, the implementation of the Project will require certain permits and/or approvals from local, state, and federal agencies. The permits and approvals that are expected to be required are listed in Table 2 of the DEIS PUBLIC AND AGENCY INVOLVEMENT Public and agency coordination relative to the Project is as described in the DEIS, Section 2.10, page 42. Atlantic Wind has continued to work directly with the host community (Town of Martinsburg) to design a project that will maximize benefits and reduce project impacts to the maximum extent practicable. In addition, the Project sponsor has also continued to coordinate with state, federal and local agencies to coordinate on development and permitting aspects of the Project SEQRA Process Pursuant to SEQRA, on November 16, 2007, Atlantic Wind submitted a Full Environmental Assessment Form (EAF) to the Town of Martinsburg, addressing the proposed wind power project. The submittal of the site plan review application initiated the SEQRA process for the subject action. On December 5, 2007, a solicitation of Lead Agency status was forwarded to involved SEQRA agencies by the Martinsburg Planning Board, along with a copy of the EAF document. No agency objected to the Town Board's assuming the role of Lead Agency. On January 10, 2008, the Town of Martinsburg Planning Board, as Lead Agency, issued a Positive Declaration, requiring the preparation of the DEIS. The DEIS was accepted as complete and released to the public on February 7, The Lead Agency held a public comment period between February 7 and April 7, 11

21 2008, during which time written public comments were accepted. A public hearing was conducted by the Lead Agency, on March 6, 2008 at the Martinsburg Town Hall. As a result of substantive project change, this Supplement to the DEIS was prepared and alters the description of the subsequent or next steps in the SEQRA process as described in the DEIS, Section , page 42. The following are the revised next steps in the SEQRA process for the : SDEIS accepted by Lead Agency. Public hearing and Comment Period on the SDEIS. Prepare a Final EIS, including response to comments on the DEIS and SDEIS. FEIS accepted by Lead Agency. File notice of completion of FEIS. Distribute FEIS and a copy of the public notice to the agencies listed in Table 3 of the DEIS. Minimum 10-day public consideration period. Lead Agency issues Findings Statement, completing the SEQRA process. Involved agencies issue Findings Statements Agency and Public Review As described in the DEIS, Section , page 43, opportunities for detailed agency and public review will continue to be provided throughout the SEQRA process, as well as in conjunction with the review of applications for the other permits and approvals needed for the Project. With respect to the SEQRA process, the DEIS will be available for public review and agency comment as outlined above. In addition to a public comment period (during which time written comments will be accepted), a duly noticed public hearing concerning the DEIS will be organized and held, in accordance with SEQRA requirements. 12

22 3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS, POTENTIAL IMPACTS, AND MITIGATION MEASURES 3.1 GEOLOGY, SOILS, AND TOPOGRAPHY EXISTING CONDITIONS Topography The topography of the Project area is as described in the DEIS with the exception of a small change in on-site elevations. Elevations within the revised Project area range from approximately 1860 to 2020 feet above mean sea level (amsl) within the generating site and approximately 1120 to 2000 amsl along the electrical interconnect site Geology Since the DEIS was released for public review, Atlantic Testing Laboratories (ATL) performed a preliminary subsurface investigation and geotechnical evaluation for the Project to ascertain the general subsurface soil and groundwater conditions at select locations and, based on these findings, provided preliminary recommendations regarding foundation design and construction. The full report is provided in Appendix E. The preliminary subsurface investigation consisted of the excavation of shallow test pits at seven of the proposed wind turbine locations (Turbines 2, 10, 12, 18, 21, 29, and 33), one location along the proposed buried interconnection route, and three test pits at the proposed substation locations. Weathered rock or bedrock was not encountered within the test pit excavations and exposed bedrock was not noted around the test pit areas. Since bedrock was not encountered during the test pit excavations, an evaluation of the potential for karst formations could not be made. A site walkover did not reveal the presence of any visual sinkholes or other surface depressions that may be indicative of underlying karst formations. Additionally, karst formations were not encountered during the site investigations or during construction of the nearby Maple Ridge Wind Power Project located approximately 1 to 2 miles northeast of the proposed Project. Prior to finalizing foundation design, further geotechnical evaluation of the Project area will be performed to confirm soil and rock conditions at a greater depth. Borings will be made at foundation locations to evaluate the type, depth, strength and condition of the underlying soil and rock layers. If warranted, further analyses using other geophysical techniques could be performed. 13

23 Soils The subsurface soil conditions observed at the turbine foundation test pits generally consisted of a surficial 10 to 12 inch layer of topsoil and forest cover underlain by silt and sand with varying portions of gravel and cobbles that extended to depths ranging from 1.8 to 3 feet below the surface. The silt and sand was underlain by sand and gravel, with consistency of medium compact to very compact, that extended to test pit termination depths (7.5 to 9 feet). Cobbles and boulders were observed throughout the depths of the test pit excavations and at the surface across the Project area. The following findings are based on the turbine foundation test pits: Soils subject to swelling or shrinking were not encountered in the turbine test pits. The natural moisture content of the soils encountered is generally greater than the optimum moisture content determined from laboratory compaction tests. Based on the test results and ATL s experience with these soil types, significant moisture conditioning of the on-site soil is not anticipated for use as foundation backfill. Based on the fines content, the site soils are considered moisture sensitive and frost susceptible, and may become unstable when exposed to repetitive construction traffic and excessive moisture. Subsurface conditions within the substation test pits consisted of a surficial 6-inch layer of topsoil underlain by clayey silt with varying portions of sand and gravel that extended to depths ranging from 0.5 to 7 feet below the surface. The clayey silt was underlain by sand with varying portions of silt and gravel that extended to test pit termination depths (8 to 9.5 feet). The following findings are based on the substation test pits: Soils encountered in the substation test pits are not subject to swelling or shrinking. The clayey silt is unsuitable for use as fill within the substation footprint. Based on the fines content, the site soils are considered moisture sensitive and frost susceptible, and will become unstable when exposed to repetitive construction traffic. 14

24 3.1.2 Potential Impacts Construction As described in the DEIS, Section 3.1.2, Project components have been sited to avoid or minimize impacts to topography, geology, and soils to the extent practical by taking advantage of previously disturbed areas on site, by minimizing the area of grading required, and by siting turbines on appropriate site features. ATL concluded that the subsurface conditions appear suitable for support of the turbine and substation foundations on shallow foundations systems. To provide adequate frost protection, shallow foundations should be founded a minimum of 5 feet below final exterior grade. Excavations for foundations may encounter cobbles, boulders, weathered bedrock, sound bedrock, and ground or surface water during the wetter periods of the year. A technical discussion of site suitability/construction considerations is presented in section 9.0 of Appendix E. As a result of the Project revisions that have occurred, the anticipated acreage of soil disturbance has changed slightly. As indicated in the DEIS, the primary impact to the physical features of the Project site will be the disturbance of soils during installation of foundations, underground and overhead 34.5 kv electric lines, the improvements to existing forest roads, and construction of new access roads. Based upon preliminary engineering design conducted to date, these activities will disturb approximately 153 acres of ground. A temporary staging area will disturb approximately ten acres of soil, while construction of the O&M building, and substation will disturb approximately 10 acres of soil. The construction of the interconnection route will disturb approximately 22 acres of soil. Soil disturbance from all anticipated construction activities will total approximately 195 acres. Of this total, approximately 51 acres was previously disturbed/developed, and only approximately 81 acres will be converted to newly built facilities (access roads and structures), while the remaining will be restored and stabilized following completion of construction. Other impacts to geology, soils, and topography associated with Project construction are as described in DEIS Section Table 1 provides a comparison between the estimated acreages of soil disturbance to occur during construction for the layout evaluated in the DEIS, and the layout evaluated in this SDEIS. 15

25 Table 1. Comparison of Approximate Area of Soil Disturbance during Construction Component Wind Turbines and Workspaces, Access Roads, Buried Electrical Lines & Met Tower O&M Building and associated site Total Area Disturbed (DEIS) (Acres) Total Area Disturbed (SDEIS) (Acres) Area Restored (DEIS) (Acres) Area Restored (SDEIS) (Acres) Permanent Soil Disturbance (DEIS) (Acres) Permanent Soil Disturbance (SDEIS) (Acres) Staging Areas Buried Electrical Interconnects Overhead Electrical Lines and Poles Collection Substation/POI Switchyard Total Soil Disturbance <1 < Operation Of the 81 acres of permanent soil disturbance (conversion to built facilities), approximately 35 acres is previously disturbed/developed land. Therefore, the Project will result in permanent conversion of approximately 46 acres of previously undisturbed/undeveloped land into built facilities, an increase from the 27 acres described in the DEIS (0.2-acre of crane pad and foundation at each tower site, maximum 38-foot-wide permanent access roads, a 1-acre collection station, a 1.5-acre interconnection substation, a 5-acre O&M facility, and a 0.1-acre met tower). Beyond occasional soil disturbance associated with project maintenance and repair, impacts of the operation of this project on physiology, geography, and soils are expected to be minimal Proposed Mitigation Proposed mitigation measures to reduce construction related impacts to site soils and topography are outlined in the DEIS. Further, mitigation measures to protect and restore agricultural soils at the electrical interconnection site, are described in Section of the DEIS. All construction and restoration activities in active agricultural lands will be conducted in accordance with the Guidelines for Agricultural Mitigation for Wind Power Projects, dated January 2008 and prepared by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSA&M). 16

26 In order to further characterize subsurface conditions and minimize construction impacts, supplemental subsurface investigation activities consisting of soil borings and rock coring at each of the proposed turbine and substation locations, seismic testing, and additional laboratory testing of recovered soil and rock samples will be conducted to evaluate soil and rock parameters, and groundwater conditions for final foundation design. Creighton Manning Engineering (CME) has prepared a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) for the proposed Project (Appendix D). The SWPPP is described in detail in Section 3.1 Water Resources, however the mitigation measures therein regarding erosion and sedimentation control are also applicable as soil protection measures. Temporary erosion control practices designed to minimize soil loss and prevent water pollution of streams and adjacent properties during construction activities include: Silt fence/straw bale dike Stabilized construction entrance Temporary access waterway crossing tree/vegetation protection barrier Temporary stream diversion Sediment trap Culvert inlet protection Check dams Dust control Permanent ground cover is essential for providing continued protection against soil loss and water pollution after construction. The permanent erosion and sediment control practices include: Seeding and mulching Erosion control matting Riprap outlet protection All of the features/elements associated with temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control for this project are in accordance with the New York Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control. A qualified professional will conduct an assessment of the site prior to the commencement of the construction and certify in an inspection report that the appropriate erosion and sediment controls have been adequately installed or implemented to ensure overall 17

27 preparedness of the site for the commencement of construction. Following the commencement of construction, site inspections will be conducted by the qualified professional at least every 7 calendar days and within 24 hours of the end of a storm event of 0.5 inches or greater. 3.2 WATER RESOURCES The existing conditions and potential impacts and mitigation of local surface water, wetlands and groundwater resources within the Project area are discussed in Section 3.2 of the DEIS. This section presents any additional information prepared since the release of the DEIS, and provides updated assumptions based upon the revised Project Existing Conditions Surface Waters Since releasing the DEIS, additional data has been collected pertaining to surface waters across all participating parcels within the revised Project area, along public roadways that may be used by construction vehicles/equipment, and along the electrical interconnect route. The description of mapped surface waters and watersheds are as described in the DEIS, Section 3.2.1, page 54. See Figure 7 for existing surface waters within the revised Project area. As described in the DEIS, under Article 15 of the Environmental Conservation Law (Protection of Waters), the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has regulatory jurisdiction over any activity that disturbs the bed or banks of protected streams. In addition, small lakes and ponds with a surface area of 10 acres or less, located within the course of a stream, are considered to be part of a stream and are subject to regulation under the stream protection category of Article 15. Based on available NYSDEC stream classification mapping, there are 12 protected streams and tributaries within the Project Area, including Atwater Creek, Edick Creek, North Branch of Fish Creek and Roaring Brook (Table 2). There are no streams regulated by Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (navigable waters) within the Project area. Table 2. Streams Within the Project Area Name Class Status Atwater Creek C Unprotected Atwater Creek AA Protected Edick Creek C(T) Protected North Branch of Fish Creek C(T) Protected Roaring Brook C Unprotected Roaring Brook C(T) Protected 18