January 6, 2011
Idaho

Wind farm developer gets OK for quarry

By Journal Staff, Idaho State Journal, www.idahostatejournal.com 5 January 2011

AMERICAN FALLS – The Power County Planning and Zoning Board approved a wind turbine company’s request for a special use permit to build a temporary rock quarry east of American Falls during its regular meeting on Tuesday.

The company, Power County Wind Parks, LLC, wanted a quarry to mine and crush rock to help build roads leading to its wind turbine development, which has already been approved and will be located on agricultural land roughly eight miles southeast of American Falls.

The Board approved the quarry – which will be located off the east fork of Sunbeam Road on private property used mostly for dry land farming and dry grazing – but included several conditions, said Robert Steinlicht, the county’s building administrator. The quarry can only operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the company must minimize dust and erosion at the site.

Power County Wind Parks must also vacate the quarry after 18 months.

The Board also approved the company’s request to modify it’s previously granted special use permit for the wind turbine development to reflect the county’s new decibel level allowance.

The county recently adopted an ordinance amendment that increased the decibel level allowance for wind turbines from 45 dBA to 75 dBA. The company, which plans to install 24 turbines by the end of the year, wanted to take advantage of the change.

Company officials did not want to comment on either of the Board’s decisions on Wednesday.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/01/06/wind-farm-developer-gets-ok-for-quarry/