CAPE BOARD OKS REVISIONS TO WIND FARM IMPACT REPORT

March 26, 2009
CAPE BOARD OKS REVISIONS TO WIND FARM IMPACT REPORT
Author: NANCY MADSEN
TIMES STAFF WRITER
Edition: Both
Section: Jefferson
Page: B1
Dateline: CAPE VINCENT
The town's Planning Board accepted the additions and revisions to the draft environmental impact statement for St. Lawrence Wind Farm.
Its action at a special meeting Wednesday night begins a second round of public review and comment on the potential environmental effects of the wind project. The board voted 4-0; member Karen Bourcy recused herself because she has relatives who signed leases with Acciona, developer of St. Lawrence Wind Farm.
Attorney Todd M. Mathes, of Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, Albany, said the Planning Board required the developer to elaborate on 11 areas. Acciona has been working on fleshing out the draft environmental impact statement since June 28, 2007, when the Planning Board asked for more information.
In recent weeks, town consultants Bernier, Carr & Associates, Watertown, and Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Sudbury, Mass., sent comments on the presentation of the noise analysis that were addressed.
The public comment period will last about two months and is the next step in the environmental review process.
"It works in these cases when we have a large, controversial project," Mr. Mathes said. "It's aimed at an appropriate and reasonable discussion of the environmental impacts of the project."
He said it's just the beginning of understanding what's necessary for site plan and design review.
Mr. Mathes said the town's engineers have a better understanding of the project and will be able to address technical issues as the process progresses.
The Planning Board is considering the wind farm a utility under town law. On Friday, a state appellate court sided with a lower court ruling that the classification was correct.
"We have very little freedom of movement on one side or the other," Planning Board Chairman Richard J. Edsall said. "We don't have a town zoning law specifically for turbines and now they're allowed under utilities."
The board agreed to hold a public hearing on the supplemental draft environmental impact statement from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 16, with the location to be determined. Acciona staff will be at the site by 8:30 a.m. to answer questions.
The board laid out the ground rules for the hearing. Members of the public will be allowed four minutes, but cannot yield time to other members of the public. If time allows, a person may make additional comments.
The board will accept mailed comments only through Supervisor Thomas K. Rienbeck until May 30.
The supplemental draft environmental impact statement will be available Monday at several locations: the Town Clerk's office, Village Clerk's office, Lyme Town Clerk's office, Cape Vincent Library and Lyme Library. It also will be available Monday on the developer's Web site.
Memo:
ON THE NET
St. Lawrence Wind Farm Supplemental DEIS: www.stlawrencewind.com