Arkwright Board Discusses Wind Farm

ARKWRIGHT - Significant changes to the proposed New Grange Wind Farm's transmission line location plans require a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Study be prepared.

The Arkwright Town Board learned Monday about the supplemental report from Robert Adams, a consulting engineer with Conestoga-Rovers, the company reviewing the DEIS filed by Horizon Wind Energy for the town.

''Based on this review, New Grange has indicated additional information will be developed to augment studies as required, based on comments received from various involved New York state agencies,'' Adams said. ''These agencies include Department of Environmental Conservation, Department of Public Service and Department of Agriculture and Markets.''

Tom Stebbins, Horizon Energy project manager, said the two main issues the supplemental DEIS will focus on are changes to the path the electric transmission lines will follow and the wetlands impact on the roadways needed to reach the turbine locations.

New Grange has provided preliminary responses to the questions and comments raised by individuals who attended a public hearing on the DEIS and written comments and questions filed on the document, Adams said.

''There is more information needed and I believe the wetland impact could be greater than originally anticipated,'' he said.

Fredric Norton, Arkwright town supervisor, agreed about the need for additional information.

''The public needs to know we are going to extreme means to protect the town,'' he said.

The town board then approved the preparation of a supplemental DEIS.

When the document is completed, it will be presented to the Town Board for acceptance. Once the report is accepted, there will be a 30-day period, during which more public comment will be sought. When asked if another public hearing would be conducted, Adams said it isn't necessary.

''The supplemental report will be available for public review and written comments will be accepted within the 30-day period,'' he said.

Stebbins said he hopes to have the supplemental DEIS report completed by October. Norton said the decision on holding another public hearing on the supplemental DEIS has yet to be made.

''We received a number of very well-written comments on the DEIS and a second public hearing would come down to a matter of control because the comments must be limited to the supplemental DEIS, since the material contained in the original DEIS has already been covered and cannot be part of the supplemental discussion,'' Norton said.