October 12, 2006
New York, Opinions

Jordanville DEIS inadequate

Upon release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Jordanville Wind Power Project in early June 2006, Otsego 2000 contracted with a number of experts to comment on the project DEIS.

The studies completed as part of this review _ culminating in the document “Legal, Visual, Cultural Landscape & Noise Reports for Otsego 2000 and Advocates for Stark to the Town of Warren Town Board” _ are now available online.

We have a number of concerns about the inadequacy of the DEIS. Working with our experts, we have concluded that the DEIS fails to fully outline the project’s environmental impacts. Without full disclosure of environmental impacts, it is impossible to determine appropriate mitigation for the project.

We feel the “hard look” test required under the State Environmental Quality Review Act has not been met in the DEIS. We have urged the Town of Warren, as lead agency for the SEQRA review, to address the lack of information in the DEIS and make the applicant, Community Energy, revise and resubmit the DEIS for public comment.

Among the DEIS-related reports now posted on our website are:

* viewshed analysis and visibility study by Stone Environmental, Inc. (Vermont, David Healy), including three viewshed datalayer maps and other related visuals.

* photosimulations of the proposed wind project, prepared by Xtra-Spatial Productions, LLC (Saratoga Springs, James A. Zack).

* review of the visual impact assessment and cultural resources survey, completed by Heritage Landscapes (Vermont and Connecticut, Patricia M. O’Donnell).

* noise impact preliminary review by Erwin, Lobo, Bielinski PLLC (New York City and New Rochelle, Ronald Bielinski).

* An assessment of potential impacts to local water resources and watersheds prepared by Pressly & Associates, Inc. is included on the website, as are links to the DEIS itself, along with supporting figures and appendices.

Our website also now provides a number of links to position statements and/or websites of other organizations equally concerned about the Jordanville Wind Power Project and the DEIS, including Advocates for Stark, the Delaware-Otsego Audubon Society, and Advocates for Springfield.

In addition to press releases and statements issued by Otsego 2000, related news stories in the local media can be accessed online as well.

Information continues to be updated and added to our website, which will soon include details on the Reunion Power wind project currently proposed for East Hill in Cherry Valley.

Those interested in learning more are encouraged to check the progress periodically at www.otsego2000.org.

Martha H. Frey

Executive Director

Otsego 2000

Cooperstown

coopercrier.com


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2006/10/12/jordanville-deis-inadequate/