DEC releases Galloo findings

The conclusion of the state environmental quality review process has led developers to cut two turbines from the plan for Galloo Island Wind Farm.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation, which has been the lead agency on the review, released its findings Wednesday. Those findings included the elimination of two turbines to preserve habitat for the upland sandpiper, a state-listed threatened species.

That process leaves the project with 82 turbines and a nameplate capacity of 246 megawatts.

"In DEC's judgment, as set out earlier in these findings, avian impacts have been mitigated or avoided to the maximum extent practicable," wrote Jack A. Nasca, chief of energy projects and management. "The same applies to impacts to other coastal resources such as scenic qualities."

The findings pave the way for DEC to make a determination on eight permit approvals, some in conjunction with other agencies.

DEC concluded that the greatest possible effects of the wind farm are the change in the view from the mainland and the possibility of bird and bat deaths.

The department determined that the layout would result in a loss of habitat that supports state-listed threatened or endangered grassland bird species, particularly the short-eared owl, Northern harrier and upland sandpiper.

In addition to the two turbines that are removed from the plan, four other turbines are next to the grassland area. To mitigate the loss of 58 acres of that habitat, the developer will purchase 250 acres of suitable habitat on the mainland to replace it.

As part of the requirements of the state incidental take permit, DEC placed restrictions on construction activities, required the developer to mow every three years after nesting season and called for a control program for pale swallowwort which already has been submitted. If state-listed threatened or endangered species are killed, DEC may require additional studies and operational controls, including turbine shutdown.

About two-tenths of an acre of forest wetlands and 1.8 acres of land adjacent to DEC-regulated wetlands will be filled permanently. To make up for that harm, the developer will create a half-acre of wetland and 3.65 acres of protected forestland on an adjacent area.

Though the project is at least 5.6 miles from the mainland, the department noted the project is visible from a wide swath of shore and many historically and culturally sensitive locations.

DEC concurred with the state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on several possibilities for mitigating those changed viewsheds. They include funding improved access and interpretation at Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site, renovation of Pickering Beach Museum and Stone Hospital at Madison Barracks in Sackets Harbor, additional amenities and signs at Robert G. Wehle State Park in Henderson and upgraded signs at Westcott Beach State Park's scenic overlook on Route 3.

The environmental review process began in April 2008, when DEC wrested lead agency status from the town of Hounsfield Planning Board. After the developer Upstate NY Power Corp. released a draft environmental impact statement, DEC required additional bird and bat studies.

The developer submitted the final environmental impact statement Dec. 23. The town of Hounsfield Planning Board conditionally approved the site plan for the project Jan. 6.