Commissioners approve Niyol Wind Farm development agreements | Logan and Morgan County law enforcement creating response team | By Callie Jones | Sterling Journal-Advocate | January 19, 2021 | www.journal-advocate.com
Logan and Morgan County law enforcement are joining together to create one special response team.
During a business meeting Tuesday, the Logan County Commissioners approved an intergovernmental agreement between Logan County and the Cities of Brush, Fort Morgan, Sterling and Morgan County to establish a Special Tactics and Response Team (STAR).
“Instead of everyone having their own, like they’ve had in the past, they’re actually all collaborating together and there will be one big unit that will be able to go help all the cities, the City of Sterling, Brush, Fort Morgan, which is a much better deal, they can get a lot more people and the highest caliber,” explained Logan County Emergency Manger Jerry Casebolt.
The elite tactical group will be able to respond to high-risk situations.
In other business, the commissioners approved several items related to NextEra Energy’s Niyol Wind Farm project, including development agreements between the county and Niyol for constructing the wind energy project and the energy transmission line tied to the project, as well as a master road use agreement for the company’s regulated use of affected county roads.
Niyol Project Manager Jennifer Herron gave information about the sound reports the company will provide to the county to ensure noise decibel levels created by the turbines are 50 decibels or less, as well as the process for decommissioning. The goal is to keep the turbines for 30 to 60 years.
She also advised that anyone with issues or concerns related to the project can call the complaint line they have set up at 303-304-0744. Niyol will respond to calls within 24 to 48 hours.
“Our goal is to work with landowners the best we can,” Herron said. “If we don’t do the right thing we can’t come back.”
Herron told the commissioners the company plans to break ground on the transmission line on Feb. 1, with the poles arriving Feb. 21, and the wind turbines are scheduled to be delivered by late June or the first week of July. The project must be completed by Dec. 31, 2021, but their goal is to have it finished by Oct. 31.
Later in the meeting, the commissioners also approved the following items:
The 2021 Annual Operating Plan pursuant to the Agreement for Cooperative Wildfire Protection in Logan County.
An agreement between the county and Willard Telephone Company and the issuance of a right of way permit for use of the county’s right of way across County Road 3 for a fiber optic drop; and
A letter of agreement between the county and Lauer Szabo and Associates, PC for the audit of the financial statements for the year ended Dec. 31, 2020.
The county is currently accepting volunteers to serve on the following advisory boards: Planning Commission, Lodging Tax Board and Logan County Shooting Sports Board. Any Logan County resident interested in serving on one of these advisory boards should complete an application available at the Commissioners Office or on the county website, www.logancounty.colorado.gov. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 29.
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2021/01/20/logan-morgan-county-law-enforcement-creating-special-tactics-and-response-team/