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Home My WebLink AboutAppendix_L_-_Agency_Correspondence.pdf United States Department of the Interior FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE New York Field Office Long Island Field Office 3817 Luker Road, Cortland, NY 13045 3 Old Barto Rd., Brookhaven, NY 11719 Phone: (607) 753-9334 Phone: (631) 776-1401 Fax: (607) 753-9699 Fax: (631) 776-1405 Endangered Species Act List Request Response Cover Sheet This cover sheet is provided in response to a search of our website* for information regarding the potential presence of species under jurisdiction of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) within a proposed project area. Attached is a copy of the New York State County List of Threatened, Endangered, and Candidate Species for the appropriate county(ies). The database that we use to respond to list requests was developed primarily to assist Federal agencies that are consulting with us under Section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (87 Stat. 884, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.). Our lists include all Federally-listed, proposed, and candidate species known to occur, as well as those likely to occur, in specific counties. The attached information is designed to assist project sponsors or applicants through the process of determining whether a Federally-listed, proposed, or candidate species and/or “critical habitat” may occur within their proposed project area and when it is appropriate to contact our offices for additional coordination or consultation. You may be aware that our offices have provided much of this information in the past in project-specific letters. However, due to increasing project review workloads and decreasing staff, we are now providing as much information as possible through our website. We encourage anyone requesting species list information to print out all materials used in any analyses of effects on listed, proposed, or candidate species. The Service routinely updates this database as species are proposed, listed, and delisted, or as we obtain new biological information or specific presence/absence information for listed species. If project proponents coordinate with the Service to address proposed and candidate species in early stages of planning, this should not be a problem if these species are eventually listed. However, we recommend that both project proponents and reviewing agencies retrieve from our online database an updated list every 90 days to append to this document to ensure that listed species presence/absence information for the proposed project is current. Reminder: Section 9 of the ESA prohibits unauthorized taking** of listed species and applies to Federal and non-Federal activities. For projects not authorized, funded, or carried out by a Federal agency, consultation with the Service pursuant to Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA is not required. However, no person is authorized to “take**” any listed species without appropriate authorizations from the Service. Therefore, we provide technical assistance to individuals and agencies to assist with project planning to avoid the potential for “take**,” or when appropriate, to provide assistance with their application for an incidental take permit pursuant to Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA. Additionally, endangered species and their habitats are protected by Section 7(a)(2) of the ESA, which requires Federal agencies, in consultation with the Service, to ensure that any action it authorizes, funds, or carries out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of listed species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of critical habitat. An assessment of the potential direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts is required for all Federal actions that may affect listed species. For instance, work in certain waters of the United States, including wetlands and streams, may require a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps). If a permit is required, in reviewing the application pursuant to the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended;16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), the Service may concur, with or without recommending additional permit conditions, or recommend denial of the permit depending upon potential adverse impacts on fish and wildlife resources associated with project construction or implementation. The need for a Corps permit may be determined by contacting the appropriate Corps office(s).* For additional information on fish and wildlife resources or State-listed species, we suggest contacting the appropriate New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regional office(s) and the New York Natural Heritage Program Information Services.* Since wetlands, ponds, streams, or open or sheltered coastal waters may be present in the project area, it may be helpful to utilize the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps as an initial screening tool. However, they may or may not be available for the project area. Please note that while the NWI maps are reasonably accurate, they should not be used in lieu of field surveys for determining the presence of wetlands or delineating wetland boundaries for Federal regulatory purposes. Online information on the NWI program and digital data can be downloaded from Wetlands Mapper, http://wetlands.fws.gov/mapper_tool.htm. Project construction or implementation should not commence until all requirements of the ESA have been fulfilled. After reviewing our website and following the steps outlined, we encourage both project proponents and reviewing agencies to contact our office to determine whether an accurate determination of species impacts has been made. If there are any questions about our county lists or agency or project proponent responsibilities under the ESA, please contact the New York or Long Island Field Office Endangered Species Program at the numbers listed above. Attachment (county list of species) *Additional information referred to above may be found on our website at: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/nyfo/es/section7.htm ** Under the Act and regulations, it is illegal for any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to take (includes harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect; or to attempt any of these), import or export, ship in interstate or foreign commerce in the course of commercial activity, or sell or offer for sale in interstate or foreign commerce any endangered fish or wildlife species and most threatened fish and wildlife species. It is also illegal to possess, sell, deliver, carry, transport, or ship any such wildlife that has been taken illegally. “Harm” includes any act which actually kills or injures fish or wildlife, and case law has clarified that such acts may include significant habitat modification or degradation that significantly impairs essential behavioral patterns of fish or wildlife. Tompkins County Federally Listed Endangered and Threatened Species and Candidate Species This list represents the best available information regarding known or likely County occurrences of Federally- listed and candidate species and is subject to change as new information becomes available. Common Name Bog turtle (Historic) Scientific Name Clemmys [=Glyptemys] muhlenbergii Status T Status Codes: E=Endangered, T=Threatened, P=Proposed, C=Candidate, D=Delisted. Information current as of: 5/16/112 http://www.fws.gov/northeast/nyfo/es/CountyLists/TompkinsDec2006.htm 5/16/2012 12:04 PM 1 of 1 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Natural Resources of Concern 01/25/2013 Information, Planning, and Conservation System (IPAC)Page 1 of 2 Version 1.4 This resource list is to be used for planning purposes only — it is not an ofﬁcial species list. Endangered Species Act species list information for your project is available online and listed below for the following FWS Field Ofﬁces: NEW YORK ECOLOGICAL SERVICES FIELD OFFICE 3817 LUKER ROAD CORTLAND, NY 13045 (607) 753-9334 http://www.fws.gov/northeast/nyfo/es/section7.htm Project Name: Black Oak Project Counties: Tompkins, NY Project Type: Power Generation Endangered Species Act Species List (USFWS Endangered Species Program). There are a total of 1 threatened, endangered, or candidate species, and/or designated critical habitat on your species list. Species on this list are the species that may be affected by your project and could include species that exist in another geographic area. For example, certain ﬁshes may appear on the species list because a project could cause downstream effects on the species. Please contact the designated FWS ofﬁce if you have questions. Species that may be affected by your project: Reptiles Status Species Proﬁle Contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Natural Resources of Concern 01/25/2013 Information, Planning, and Conservation System (IPAC)Page 2 of 2 Version 1.4 bog turtle (Clemmys (Glyptemys) muhlenbergii) Population: northern Threatened species info New York Ecological Services Field Ofﬁce FWS National Wildlife Refuges (USFWS National Wildlife Refuges Program). There are no refuges found within the vicinity of your project. FWS Migratory Birds (USFWS Migratory Bird Program). Most species of birds, including eagles and other raptors, are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703). Bald eagles and golden eagles receive additional protection under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668). The Service's Birds of Conservation Concern (2008) report identiﬁes species, subspecies, and populations of all migratory nongame birds that, without additional conservation actions, are likely to become listed under the Endangered Species Act as amended (16 U.S.C 1531 et seq.). NWI Wetlands (USFWS National Wetlands Inventory). The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency that provides information on the extent and status of wetlands in the U.S., via the National Wetlands Inventory Program (NWI). In addition to impacts to wetlands within your immediate project area, wetlands outside of your project area may need to be considered in any evaluation of project impacts, due to the hydrologic nature of wetlands (for example, project activities may affect local hydrology within, and outside of, your immediate project area). It may be helpful to refer to the USFWS National Wetland Inventory website. The designated FWS ofﬁce can also assist you. Impacts to wetlands and other aquatic habitats from your project may be subject to regulation under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, or other State/Federal Statutes. Project Proponents should discuss the relationship of these requirements to their project with the Regulatory Program of the appropriate U.S. Army Corps of Engineers District. From:Enfield Energy To:Jim Pippin Subject:Fwd: Black Oak Wind Farm - pre-construction avian studies Date:Tuesday, September 13, 2011 2:33:42 PM Attachments:2011-0606 MWELLS RE BIRD STUDIES.docx ---------- Forwarded message ----------From: Stephen Tomasik <smtomasi@gw.dec.state.ny.us >Date: Mon, Jul 11, 2011 at 3:49 PMSubject: Black Oak Wind Farm - pre-construction avian studiesTo: enfieldenergy@gmail.com Cc: Brianna Gary <bmgary@gw.dec.state.ny.us > Marguerite: DEC has reviewed the Proposed Work Plan for Bird and BatPreconstruction Studies for the Black Oak Wind Farm – Town of Enfield,Schuyler County, NY, March 2011, prepared by Old Bird, Inc., and finds it acceptable. Please provide a copy of the study report to DEC when it is available. Thank you. Stephen TomasikProject ManagerMajor Projects Management SectionDivision of Environmental PermitsNYS Department of Environmental Conservation625 Broadway - 4th FloorAlbany, New York 12233-1750 PH: (518) 486-9955 FAX: (518) 402-9168smtomasi@gw.dec.state.ny.us -- *********************************Marguerite Wells, Project ManagerEnfield Energy LLC www.enfieldenergy.com 607-256-2482 New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Historic Preservation Field Services Bureau Peebles Island Resource Center, PO Box 189, Waterford, NY 12188-0189 (Mail) Delaware Avenue, Cohoes 12047 (Delivery) (518) 237-8643 PROJECT REVIEW COVER FORM Please complete this form and attach it to the top of any and all information submitted to this office for review. Accurate and complete forms will assist this office in the timely processing and response to your request. This information relates to a previously submitted project. PROJECT NUMBER ____PR________ COUNTY ________________________ 2. This is a new project. Project Name __________________________________________________________________________ Location ______________________________________________________________________________ You MUST include street number, street name and/or County, State or Interstate route number if applicable City/Town/Village _______________________________________________________________________ List the correct municipality in which your project is being undertaken. If in a hamlet you must also provide the name of the town. County ________________________________________________________________________________ If your undertaking* covers multiple communities/counties please attach a list defining all municipalities/counties included. TYPE OF REVIEW REQUIRED/REQUESTED (Please answer both questions) A. Does this action involve a permit approval or funding, now or ultimately from any other governmental agency? No Yes If Yes, list agency name(s) and permit(s)/approval(s) Agency involved Type of permit/approval State Federal _________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Yes No Yes No Yes No If you have checked this box you will need to complete ALL of the following information. If you have checked this box and noted the previous Project Review (PR) number assigned by this office you do not need to continue unless any of the required information below has changed. Rev. 5-05 B. Have you consulted the NYSHPO web site at **http://nysparks.state.ny.us to determine the preliminary presence or absence of previously identified cultural resources within or adjacent to the project area? If yes: Was the project site wholly or partially included within an identified archeologically sensitive area? Does the project site involve or is it substantially contiguous to a property listed or recommended for listing in the NY State or National Registers of Historic Places? CONTACT PERSON FOR PROJECT Name ______________________________________ Title ____________________________________________ Firm/Agency __________________________________________________________________________________ Address ________________________________________ City _______________ STATE ______ Zip ________ Phone (_____)_________________ Fax (______)____________________ E-Mail _________________________ **http://nysparks.state.ny.us then select HISTORIC PRESERVATION then select On Line Resources The Historic Preservation Review Process in New York State In order to insure that historic preservation is carefully considered in publicly-funded or permitted undertakings*, there are laws at each level of government that require projects to be reviewed for their potential impact/effect on historic properties. At the federal level, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA) directs the review of federally funded, licensed or permitted projects. At the state level, Section 14.09 of the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law of 1980 performs a comparable function. Local environmental review for municipalities is carried out under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) of 1978. regulations on line at: http://nysparks.state.ny.us then select HISTORIC PRESERVATION then select Environmental Review Project review is conducted in two stages. First, the Field Services Bureau assesses affected properties to determine whether or not they are listed or eligible for listing in the New York State or National Registers of Historic Places. If so, it is deemed "historic" and worthy of protection and the second stage of review is undertaken. The project is reviewed to evaluate its impact on the properties significant materials and character. Where adverse effects are identified, alternatives are explored to avoid, or reduce project impacts; where this is unsuccessful, mitigation measures are developed and formal agreement documents are prepared stipulating these measures. ALL PROJECTS SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW SHOULD INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING MATERIAL(S). Project Description Attach a full description of the nature and extent of the work to be undertaken as part of this project. Relevant portions of the project applications or environmental statements may be submitted. Maps Locating Project Include a map locating the project in the community. The map must clearly show street and road names surrounding the project area as well as the location of all portions of the project. Appropriate maps include tax maps, Sanborn Insurance maps, and/or USGS quadrangle maps. Photographs Photographs may be black and white prints, color prints, or color laser/photo copies; standard (black and white) photocopies are NOT acceptable. -If the project involves rehabilitation, include photographs of the building(s) involved. Label each exterior view to a site map and label all interior views. -If the project involves new construction, include photographs of the surrounding area looking out from the project site. Include photographs of any buildings (more than 50 years old) that are located on the project property or on adjoining property. NOTE: Projects submissions will not be accepted via facsimile or e-mail. *Undertaking is defined as an agency’s purchase, lease or sale of a property, assistance through grants, loans or guarantees, issuing of licenses, permits or approvals, and work performed pursuant to delegation or mandate. Black Oak Wind Farm: Project Location and Description Black Oak Wind Farm, LLC (hereinafter referred to as the Project Sponsor) is proposing to develop a wind- powered generating facility in the Town of Enfield, Tompkins County (Figure 1). The Project site is located approximately seven miles west-southwest of the City of Ithaca, four miles northwest of the hamlet of Newfield, and six miles northeast of the Village of Odessa (as measured to the nearest turbine). The Project site includes approximately 1,100 acres of private land (owned by six individual landowners) in an area roughly bounded by Cayutaville Road to the south, the Schuyler County line to the west, Weatherby Road to the north, and Connecticut Hill Road to the east (Figure 2). The proposed Project site is located on rolling, elevated plateaus that are dissected by tributaries (and their associated ravines) to Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake, and the Susquehanna River. Elevations in the Project site range from approximately 1,450 to 1,960 feet above mean sea level (amsl). Slopes within the Project site range from 0 to 20 percent. The Project will consist of seven 1.8 megawatt (MW) wind turbines for a total generating capacity of 12.6 MW. As presently envisioned, the wind turbines proposed for this Project are the REpower MM100 1.8 MW turbines manufactured by REpower Systems SE. Because the Project is not scheduled to be built until late 2013, issues such as availability and cost could dictate use of an alternate turbine. However, any turbine ultimately selected will be roughly equivalent in terms of its dimensions, appearance, and electrical output. Each wind turbine consists of three major components; the tower, the nacelle, and the rotor. The height of the tower, or “hub height” (height from foundation to top of tower) will be approximately 80 meters (262.5 feet). The nacelle sits atop the tower, and the rotor hub is mounted to the front of the nacelle. The three- bladed rotor has a diameter of 100 meters (328 feet). The total turbine height (i.e., height at the highest blade tip position) will be approximately 130 meters, or 426.5 feet. In addition, the Project will include approximately 2.5 miles of access roads, 4.2 miles of 34.5 kV underground electrical interconnect, a substation, a meteorological tower and two construction staging areas (Figure 3). All Project facilities are to be located in Tompkins County. Pro ject Lo cation UV434 UV88 UV417 UV367 UV49 UV221 UV287 UV21 UV38A UV11A UV5 UV318 UV427 UV34B UV352 UV223 UV328 UV392 UV173 UV281 UV858 UV245 UV706 UV4014 UV415 UV467 UV41A UV549 UV96B UV226 UV80 UV17C UV414 UV13 UV224 UV54A UV50 UV96A UV41 UV79 UV54 UV187 UV17 UV38UV14 UV14A UV89 UV31 UV34 UV96 UV90 £¤15 £¤220£¤6 £¤20 £¤11 §¨¦690 §¨¦86 §¨¦48 1 §¨¦81 §¨¦90 Cortland Canandaigua Geneva Corning Auburn Elmira Ithaca Syracuse BRADFORDCOUNTY SUSQUE HANNACOUNTY TIOGACOUNTY BROOMECOUNTY CAYUGACOUNTY CHEMUN GCOUNTY CORTLANDCOUNTY ONONDAGACOUNTY ONTARIOCOUNTY SCHUYL ERCOUNTY SENECACOUNTY STEUBE NCOUNTY TIOGACOUNTY TOMPKINSCOUNTY WAYNECOUNTY YATE SCOUNTY NEW YORKPENNSYLVANIA www.edrcom panies.com µ Black Oak Wind FarmTown of Enfield - Tompkins County, New York Figure 1: R egional Project Location Notes: Basem ap: ESRI StreetMap N orth Am erica, 2008 0 5 102.5 Miles February 2013 www.edrcom panies.com µ Black Oak Wind FarmTown of Enfield, Tompkins County Figure 2: Proj ect Site Topography Notes: Basem ap: U SGS Mecklenburg and Alpine 1:24,000 Scale Topogr aphic Quadrangles 0 1,000 2,00 0500Fe et February 2013 Project Site H a rv e y H i ll R d Leonard RdRothermich RdC u lv e r R d Saxton Hill Rd R ums e y Hi ll R dChapman RdCR 6S County Line RdWe a th e rb y R d G r i f f i n R dBlack Oak RdTower RdCayutaville Rd C R 1 3 6 www.edrcom panies.com µ Black Oak Wind FarmTown of Enfield, Tompkins County Figure 3: Propos ed Project Layout Notes: Basem ap: N YS 2-Foot R esoultion Orthoimagery 0 1,000 2,00 0500Fe et February 2013 Public Roads &=!Turbines #*Met Tower Acc ess Road Buried Interconnect Staging Area Project Site Sheet 1 of 7 www.edrcompanies.com Black Oak Wind Farm Town of Enfield - Tompkins County, New York Appendix A: Photo Log February 2013 Photo 01 Cayutaville Road, view to the west. Photo 02 Connecticut Hill Road, view to the north. Sheet 2 of 7 www.edrcompanies.com Black Oak Wind Farm Town of Enfield - Tompkins County, New York Appendix A: Photo Log February 2013 Photo 03 Farm and proposed turbine site, Black Oak Road, view to the south. Photo 04 Farm pond near proposed turbine site, view to the south. Sheet 3 of 7 www.edrcompanies.com Black Oak Wind Farm Town of Enfield - Tompkins County, New York Appendix A: Photo Log February 2013 Photo 05 Barn, Connecticut Hill Road, view to the east. Photo 06 Greek Revival-style house, Black Oak Road, view to the southwest. Sheet 4 of 7 www.edrcompanies.com Black Oak Wind Farm Town of Enfield - Tompkins County, New York Appendix A: Photo Log February 2013 Photo 07 Teeter Farm, Gray Road, view to the west-southwest. Photo 08 Hamlet of Enfield, Enfield Main Road, view to the north. Sheet 5 of 7 www.edrcompanies.com Black Oak Wind Farm Town of Enfield - Tompkins County, New York Appendix A: Photo Log February 2013 Photo 09 Hamlet of Enfield, Enfield Center Road West, view to the east. Photo 10 Hamlet of Cayutaville, County Route 6, view to the south. Sheet 6 of 7 www.edrcompanies.com Black Oak Wind Farm Town of Enfield - Tompkins County, New York Appendix A: Photo Log February 2013 Photo 11 Enfield Falls Mill, view to the south. Photo 12 Enfield Falls Miller’s House, view to the southeast. Sheet 7 of 7 www.edrcompanies.com Black Oak Wind Farm Town of Enfield - Tompkins County, New York Appendix A: Photo Log February 2013 Photo 13 Hamlet of Newfield, view to the west. Photo 14 Newfield Covered Bridge, view to the north. OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 3400 DEFENSE PENTAGON WASHINGTON, DC 20301·3400 ACQUISITION, TECHNOLOGY AND LOGISTICS Melissa McCarthy 217 Montgomery Street, Suite 1000 Syracuse , NY 13202 Dear Melissa McCarthy : March 29 , 2013 As requested , the Department of Defense (DoD) Siting Clearinghouse coordinated within DoD an informal review of your company 's proposed project. The results of our informal review indicated that this 7 wind turbine Black Oak Wind Project, located in the town of Enfield, New York as proposed , will have minimal impact on training and operations conducted in this area. We ask you to continue with us as you move forward in planning for this project. Tour cooperation will help us preserve our military 's operational , training and testing capabilities. Please note that this informal review by the DoD Siting Clearinghouse does not constitute an action under 49 United States Code section 44718 and that neither the DoD nor the Secretary of Transportation are bound by the conclusion arrived at under this informal review. Please call me at 703-571-9057 with any questions. u a e Johns , USAF Milit ssistant t xecutive Director DoD Siting Clearinghouse RE: Black Oak Wind Farm Lan.Norris@faa.gov Sent:Monday, March 11, 2013 12:03 PM To:Melissa McCarthy Melissa, I have reviewed the cases below and there are no Army radar facilities that are impacted from this proposal. I cannot speak for the other services. Lan, Lan M. Norris, MSG DAR Senior NCO FAA, Eastern Service Area 1701 Columbia Ave. College Park, GA 30337 (404) 305-6918 lan.norris@faa.gov Melissa McCarthy <MMcCarthy@edrcompanies.com> 03/08/2013 11:41 AM To Lan Norris/ASO/FAA@FAA cc Subject RE: Black Oak Wind Farm Hello Lan, Thank you for the information and your help. The case numbers for this project are 2011-WTE-19414-OE 2011-WTE-19415-OE 2011-WTE-19416-OE 2011-WTE-19417-OE 2011-WTE-19418-OE 2011-WTE-19419-OE 2011-WTE-19420-OE 2011-WTE-19421-OE 2011-WTE-19422-OE 2011-WTE-19423-OE 2011-WTE-19424-OE 2011-WTE-19425-OE The project is now only 7 turbines, but it is located in the same area as the 12 turb ine coordinates that were RE: Black Oak Wind Farm https://owa.edrcompanies.com/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAA... 1 of 3 3/13/2013 8:01 PM submitted. The client will update the turbine coordinates through the FAA OE/AAA pro cess as the NY environmental review process (SEQRA) progresses. Thanks again! Melissa McCarthy From: Lan.Norris@faa.gov [Lan.Norris@faa.gov] Sent: Tuesday, March 05, 2013 11:50 AM To: Melissa McCarthy Subject: Re: Black Oak Wind Farm Hello Melissa, The FAA does evaluate the wind turbines for effects on both civil and military radar. If available, could you please send me the 7 case numbers for the project? As the Army representatives for the FAA Eastern Service Area, we review oe/aaa cases and NY falls within our area of responsibility. Thank you. Lan, Lan M. Norris, MSG DAR Senior NCO FAA, Eastern Service Area 1701 Columbia Ave. College Park, GA 30337 (404) 305-6918 lan.norris@faa.gov Melissa McCarthy <MMcCarthy@edrcompanies.com> 03/04/2013 04:38 PM To Lan Norris/ASO/FAA@FAA cc Jim Pippin <JPippin@edrcompanies.com> Subject Black Oak Wind Farm Hello Mr. Norris, My name is Melissa McCarthy. I work for edr companies, an environmental consulting company in Syracuse, NY. We are currently working on a proposed wind power project, Black Oak Wind Farm, in the Town of Enfield, Tompkins County, NY. The communications consultant, Comsearch, used the DoD radar screening t ool to conduct a DoD military systems screening. The map (see attached Figure A1 taken from Comsearch report) show s that there are no military facilities in the area and the screening tool stated no issues with military systems are anticipated with the planned location of the Black Oak Wind Farm project. Therefore, no impacts to military syste ms are anticipated from this proposed project. COMSEARCH recommended we contact the individual military environme ntal coordinators for our RE: Black Oak Wind Farm https://owa.edrcompanies.com/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAA... 2 of 3 3/13/2013 8:01 PM area for documented confirmation of this finding. I was given your e-mail as a poten tial contact who could help me with obtaining the documented confirmation. I want to point out that we are looking specifically at potential project interferenc e to military radar systems. We submitted our project for the OE/FAA review and all turbines were classified as "No H azard". Does this review also look at potential interference to military radar systems? Maps of the Regional Project Location and Project Layout are attached. In addition,the project description followed by coordinates for the proposed turbines are provided below. The Black Oak Wind Farm is proposed to be located in the Town of Enfield, Tompkins Co unty, New York. The Project Site is located approximately 7 miles west of the City of Ithaca, 4 miles northwest o f the Newfield Hamlet, and 6.4 miles northeast of the Village of Odessa (as measured to the nearest turbine). The P roject will consist of seven turbines. The wind turbines proposed for this Project are the REpower MM100 1.8 mega watt (MW) turbines manufactured by REpower Systems SE. The height of the tower, or “hub height” (height from foundation to top of tower) will be approximately 80 meters (262.5 feet). The three-bladed rotor has a di ameter of 100 meters (328 feet). The total turbine height (i.e., height at the highest blade tip position) wil l be approximately 130 meters, or 426.5 feet. Turbine Coordinates: Turbine Latitude Longitude 1 -76.6626 42.41242 2 -76.6718 42.40832 3 -76.6586 42.41021 4 -76.6793 42.40222 5 -76.6628 42.40236 6 -76.6584 42.39995 7 -76.6731 42.39604 Please let us know if you anticipate any impacts to military radar systems from the p roject. Also, please let me know if you require any additional information. We look forward to receiving your input o n this project. Thank you for your help. Melissa McCarthy 845-932-8639 edr Companies 217 Montgomery Street, Suite 1000, Syracuse, New York 13202 www.edrcompanies.com edr is a certified WBE/DBE/SBE[attachment "Black Oak Wind Farm Regional Project Locat ion.pdf" deleted by Lan Norris/ASO/FAA] [attachment "Black Oak Wind Farm Proposed Project Layout.pdf" deleted by Lan Norris/ASO/FAA] [attachment "Figure A1 DoD Military Screening.pdf" deleted by Lan Norris/ASO/FAA] RE: Black Oak Wind Farm https://owa.edrcompanies.com/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&id=RgAA... 3 of 3 3/13/2013 8:01 PM From:Goodwin, James USNCIV NAVAIR PMA299 B2272 R154 To:Jim Pippin Subject:Summary of Our Navy Spectrum Issue Discusssion Date:Wednesday, April 18, 2012 2:57:03 PM Mr. Pippin, Based on our recent phone discussion, and also a previous discussion with some of the RF Engineers at LM Owego, I don't anticipate any problem with our specific Navy radar/IFF testing operations at our Contractor facility in Owego, due to interference from your potential windmill farm location (i.e. Black Oak Wind Farm, located in Tompkins County, New York). This email is in response to your request for an email summarizing our discussion. I will be happy to coordinate further with you if any related issues arise as your project progresses. Good luck with your project, and thanks for contacting us to coordinate and resolve this issue. v/r, -Bob Goodwin NAVAIRSYSCOM Black Oak Wind Project – Impact Analysis No Action Requested Binghamton WSR-88D Impact Analysis Overview None of the turbines in the Black Oak Wind Farm Project area in Tompkins County, NY would be in the Binghamton, NY WSR-88D radar line-of-sight (RLOS). The wind project, as currently sited, would have no impacts on the Binghamton, NY WSR-88D. No mitigation or other actions are requested. Figure 1: Binghamton, NY radar map showing proposed wind farm area (blue box). The 3 km radius red area is the No Build Zone, the orange RLOS area is the Mitigation Zone, the yellow RLOS area is the Consultation Zone, and the Olive Green RLOS area is the Notification Zone. Black Oak Wind Farm Impact Analysis The proposed project would install 7 turbines (130-meters tall) in an area about 60 km west-northwest of the Binghamton, NY WSR-88D. None of the turbines, as currently sited, would protrude into the radar beam at any elevation scanning angle under standard atmospheric conditions. This means the wind turbines would not be continuously visible in the Binghamton, NY WSR-88D radar data. Figure 2: Close up of Black Oak Wind Farm turbines relative to Notification Zone of the Binghamton, NY WSR-88D RLOS (Olive-Green shaded area). Black-shaded areas would indicate impacted WSR-88D range gates. There are no impacts, as currently sited. Mitigation Strategies to Consider None. Report date: 14 March 2013 This report supersedes all previous reports For more information, please visit the Radar Operations Center Wind Farm Interaction Web Page at http://www.roc.noaa.gov/WSR88D/WindFarm/WindFarm_Index_GreatFalls.aspx?wid=* 1 Sara Stebbins From:Annabell Lutomske <ALUTOMSK@gstboces.org> Sent:Thursday, May 30, 2013 8:23 AM To:Sara Stebbins Subject:RE: Bus Route Information Near Black Oak Road Yes it is Bus 35 regular run. This route will remain as is for the 2013‐2014 school year. Bus 35 route serves children from prek ‐12th. At this time there is no special ed or late run for next school year. Of course this could change during the summer Annabell Lutomske Director of Transportation 594-3341 Ext 3978 From: Sara Stebbins [mailto:SStebbins@edrcompanies.com] Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2013 8:16 AM To: Annabell Lutomske Subject: Bus Route Information Near Black Oak Road Ms. Lutomske, I am helping prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed project in the Town of Enfield, on both sides of Black Oak Road between Harvey Hill Road and Cayutaville Road. We have included a statement indicating that the Project Sponsor will be required to coordinate with school district personnel prior to initiating construction activities to determine if the proposed delivery or construction routes pose any safety risks. If necessary, mitigation measures will be determined through consultation with school district personnel, and will address school bus and construction activity schedules, appropriate safety measures such as regularly scheduled communication between the Project Sponsor and/or contractor and school district personnel, avoidance scheduling, and alerts. However, the Town of Enfield Town Board (as the SEQRA Lead Agency) would like to include more information, specifically on the number of bus routes that go through the site and approximate times of day. It is expected that delivery vehicles would access the site by traveling south on Black Oak Road from State Route 79. Approximately 0.5 mile of Connecticut Hill Road/Rumsey Hill Road immediately east of the intersection with Black Oak Road would also be utilized. The intersection of Cayutaville and Black Oak Roads is expected to be the southern limit of construction traffic; most vehicles would not travel south of the Griffin Road intersection. On the school district website, I found bus route information (http://transportation.omschools.org/modules/groups/homepagefiles/gwp/2367440/3017065/File/Bus%20Routes.pdf? sessionid=7b91716a63b4a1e6533e7c72026c3b3a) indicating that Route 35 travels through the vicinity of the project area twice daily, in the morning and afternoon. Is it expected that this route will to continue to be used in the foreseeable future? Does Route H serve children of all ages – elementary, middle school, high school – on the same morning and afternoon runs? Would other buses travel through the area, such as a late bus, or a bus serving special needs children? Any information/confirmation you can provide would be greatly appreciated. This information would NOT replace the formal consultation that would occur later in the process, but would simply help the Town Board understand the extent of potential impacts. We do not need specific route numbers or number of children served, just the approximate number of buses that would travel through the area daily. 2 Thank you so much! Sara Stebbins Sr. Ecological Resource Specialist Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture and Engineering, P.C. (edr) 217 Montgomery Street, Suite 1000, Syracuse, New York 13202 P. 315.471.0688 :: F. 315.471.1061 :: www.edrcompanies.com edr is a certified Woman Owned Business. Ask us about our federal and state certifications. 1 Sara Stebbins From:Charles Brockner <Cbrockner@newfieldschools.org> Sent:Thursday, May 30, 2013 9:03 AM To:Sara Stebbins Subject:Black oak rd Enfield NY Ms. Stebbins Good morning I’m the transportation supervisor for Newfield central schools . We have only one bus that utilizes Black oak rd, it traverses Black oak at approximately 7:10am and again at 3:40pm its route is as follows. West on Cayutaville rd from Trumbulls corners rd north on Black oak rd to Griffin rd turn around at griffin rd south on Black oak rd east on Cayutaville rd to Millard hill rd. Thank you for taking us into consideration. Chuck Brockner, Transportation Supervisor Newfield Central School 247 Main St. Newfield, NY 14867 607 564 9955 ext 4141 cbrockner@newfieldschools.org 1 Sara Stebbins From:Michael Babcock <mbabcock@tburg.k12.ny.us> Sent:Thursday, May 30, 2013 8:32 AM To:Sara Stebbins Subject:RE: Bus Route Information Near Black Oak Road We have 5 bus routes that utilize RT 79 between Mecklenburg and Enfield for morning and afternoon runs and one bus run for morning an afternoon that utilized Black Oak Rd. from 79 south to Enfield Center Rd. These routes are only during the academic year (9/1 ‐6/30). During summer months I have one Special needs Run that travels 79 only. Other districts impacted would be Ithaca and possibly Newfield. Let me know if you need more info. Mike Babcock From: Sara Stebbins [mailto:SStebbins@edrcompanies.com] Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2013 8:24 AM To: Michael Babcock Subject: Bus Route Information Near Black Oak Road Mr. Babcock, I am helping prepare a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for a proposed project in the Town of Enfield, on both sides of Black Oak Road between Harvey Hill Road and Cayutaville Road. This is approximately 1.5 miles south of the boundary of the Trumansburg Central School District, but delivery vehicles would be passing through your district. We have included a statement in the DEIS indicating that the Project Sponsor will be required to coordinate with school district personnel prior to initiating construction activities to determine if the proposed delivery or construction routes pose any safety risks. If necessary, mitigation measures will be determined through consultation with school district personnel, and will address school bus and construction activity schedules, appropriate safety measures such as regularly scheduled communication between the Project Sponsor and/or contractor and school district personnel, avoidance scheduling, and alerts. However, the Town of Enfield Town Board (as the SEQRA Lead Agency) would like to include more information, specifically on the number of bus routes that go through the site and approximate times of day. It is expected that delivery vehicles would access the site by traveling south on Black Oak Road from State Route 79. Approximately 0.5 mile of Connecticut Hill Road/Rumsey Hill Road immediately east of the intersection with Black Oak Road would also be utilized. The intersection of Cayutaville and Black Oak Roads is expected to be the southern limit of construction traffic; most vehicles would not travel south of the Griffin Road intersection. Any information you can provide would be greatly appreciated. This information would NOT replace the formal consultation that would occur later in the process, but would simply help the Town Board understand the extent of potential impacts. We do not need specific route numbers or number of children served, just the approximate number of buses that would travel through the area daily. Thank you so much! Sara Stebbins Sr. Ecological Resource Specialist Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture and Engineering, P.C. (edr) 2 217 Montgomery Street, Suite 1000, Syracuse, New York 13202 P. 315.471.0688 :: F. 315.471.1061 :: www.edrcompanies.com edr is a certified Woman Owned Business. Ask us about our federal and state certifications. 1 Sara Stebbins From:Rob Boynton <RBoynton@icsd.k12.ny.us> Sent:Thursday, May 30, 2013 10:58 AM To:Sara Stebbins Subject:RE: Bus Routes near Black Oak Road Hi There should be a total of 3 buses in the am and 3 buses in the pm, that use that area. From: Sara Stebbins [mailto:SStebbins@edrcompanies.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2013 2:44 PM To: Rob Boynton Subject: Bus Routes near Black Oak Road Hello Mr. Boynton, I am helping prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed project in the Town of Enfield. We have included a statement indicating that the Project Sponsor will be required to coordinate with school district personnel “prior to initiating construction activities to determine if the proposed delivery or construction routes pose any safety risks. If necessary, mitigation measures will be determined through consultation with school district personnel, and will address school bus and construction activity schedules, appropriate safety measures such as regularly scheduled communication between the Project Sponsor and/or contractor and school district personnel, avoidance scheduling, and alerts.” However, the Town of Enfield Lead Agency would like to include more information, specifically on the number of bus routes that go through the site and approximate times of day. It is expected that delivery vehicles would access the site by traveling south on Black Oak Road from State Route 79. Approximately 0.5 mile of Connecticut Hill Road immediately east of the intersection with Black Oak Road would also be utilized. The intersection of Cayutaville and Black Oak Roads is expected to be the southern limit of construction traffic; most vehicles would not travel south of the Griffin Road intersection. Is it possible to obtain information about the number of bus routes that travel through this area? This information would not replace the formal consultation that would occur later in the process, but would simply help the Town Board understand the extent of potential impacts. We do not need specific route numbers or number of children served, just the approximate number of buses that would travel through the area daily. I appreciate your help with this matter. Sara Stebbins Sr. Ecological Resource Specialist Environmental Design & Research, Landscape Architecture and Engineering, P.C. (edr) 217 Montgomery Street, Suite 1000, Syracuse, New York 13202 P. 315.471.0688 :: F. 315.471.1061 :: www.edrcompanies.com edr is a certified Woman Owned Business. Ask us about our federal and state certifications.