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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBlackOakWind_HMMH_VIA_March-31-2014 (1).pdfHARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. 77 South Bedford Street Burlington, MA 01803 T 781.229.0707 F 781.229.7939 W www.hmmh.com TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM To:Ms. Marguerite Wells, Black Oak Wind, LLC From:Phil DeVita, HMMH Cc:Benjamin Brazell, EDR Date:March 31, 2014 Subject:Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project Reference:HMMH Project No. 306590.002 1. INTRODUCTION This technical memorandum summarizes the results of the revised visual impact assessment (VIA) conducted for Black Oak Wind, LLC (“the developer”) by Harris Miller Miller & Hanson Inc. (HMMH). The visual impact assessment was revised from the original analysis dated April 2013 to account for the proposed new turbine specifications being evaluated by the developer. The original turbine design in the April 2013 analysis consisted of seven REpower 100 turbines with a hub height of 80 meters above ground level (agl) and a rotor diameter of 100 meters. The developer is proposing to evaluate seven GE 1.7-100 turbines with a hub height of 96 meters agl and a similar rotor diameter of 100 meters. The analysis evaluated the potential visual impact from the seven GE turbines located on land owned and/or leased by Black Oak Wind Farm, LLC. A site map showing the proposed turbine locations is presented in Figure 1 and remains unchanged from the April 2013 analysis. The primary purpose of the VIA is to identify and describe potential visual impacts from the Project within the study area along with proposed measures to mitigate impacts to the aesthetic resources. The VIA was conducted using industry standard methodologies consistent with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) existing visual policy “Assessing and Mitigating Visual Impacts” (NYSDEC 2000). This technical memorandum summarizes the revised VIA results for the GE turbine design specifications including revised photosimulations, which superimpose the turbines onto a photograph at six of the twelve original viewer locations and one additional nearby resident viewer location prepared to address a comment on the DEIS. 2. METHODOLOGY The methodology employed is the same used for the April 2013 VIA. See Section 2 of the April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment for details. ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ#* T o m p k i n s C o u n t yTompkins C o u n t y S c h u y l e r C o u n t ySchuyler C o u n t y Cayutavil le R d H a r v e y H i l l R d Tower RdChapman RdG r i f f i n R dBlack Oak RdC u l v e r R d We a t he r by R dCounty Line RdSaxton Hill Rd Ru mse y Hil l Rd 7 6 54 3 2 1 ©0 2,000 4,000 Ft Black Oak Wind Farm, LLCEnfield, New YorkPath: G:\Projects\306XXX\306590_Black_Oak_Wind\GIS\306590_Black_Oak_Figure1_Turbine_Location.mxdÂProposed Wind Turbines Figure 1Turbine Locations Met Tower Location#* HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page 3 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION The Project is evaluating visual impacts from seven GE 1.7-100 turbines as an alternative to the original seven REpower turbines. The GE turbines will consist of a hub height of 96 meters above the ground and a rotor diameter of 100 meters. Figure 3 presents a computer image of the proposed GE turbine with dimensions. The steel tubular tower will support the nacelle and blades and will be a conical carbon steel tube barrel comprised of four sections with a wider base and gradual tapering in width at the hub height. The towers will still sit on a concrete foundation mostly below the ground; however, there will be a small area that will be slightly exposed above ground level. An example of the GE 1.7-100 wind turbine is presented in Revised Figure 4. There are no other changes from the original April 2013 analysis in Section 3. 4. EXISTING VISUAL CHARACTER There are no changes from the original assessment. See Section 4 of the April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment for details. 5. VISUAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY 5.1 Viewshed Analysis The viewshed analysis was revised to assess the visual impact of the GE 1.7-100 wind turbines by identifying locations where portions of one or more turbines could be visible during the daytime conditions and where the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lights could be visible during nighttime conditions. Viewshed maps were created using industry standard methodologies and software with descriptive information specific to the project turbines, digital elevation model (DEM), and land cover data. The analysis was updated for the GE 1.7-100 turbine assuming a hub height of 96 meters agl. 5.1.1 Viewshed Methodology The viewshed maps were updated for the GE 1.7-100 turbine design. Viewshed maps are used to identify whether the turbines or lighting could be visible during the daytime or nighttime from a given location. Line-of-sight calculations were revised from each point in the geographic area assuming turbine specifications of 96 meter hub height and a 100 meter rotor diameter. Consistent with the original analysis, the turbine blade was conservatively assumed to be stopped in the straight-up position, giving an effective height of the turbine to the blade tip of 146 meters agl compared to the original assessment of 130 meters agl. Figure 6 presents the results of the revised daytime viewshed analysis. The revised viewshed map shows the areas where one or more of the turbines could be visible during daytime conditions. The map denotes different colors for the number of turbines that might be visible from any given location from one turbine up to seven turbines. Some of the turbines may still be visible beyond five miles from the site; however, distance and natural conditions will significantly mitigate the visual impact at these locations as one moves further away from the Project. There are no other changes from Section 5.1.1 of the original April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment. 5.1.2 Nighttime Visibility The viewshed analysis was revised to assess potential visibility of the FAA turbine lights during nighttime conditions. The viewshed analysis was conducted using the same methodology as described in the original Section 5.1.1 and a hub height of 96 meters was used for the nighttime HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page 4 visibility which is the approximate height of the FAA lighting on the GE nacelle. Figure 7 presents the results of the revised nighttime viewshed analysis. Similar to the daytime analysis, the nighttime viewshed map shows the areas where one or more of the turbine lights could be visible during nighttime conditions. The map denotes different colors for the number of turbine lights that might be visible from any given location from one turbine up to seven turbines. Figure 3 Computer Model of Proposed GE 1.7-100 Turbine HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page 5 Figure 4 Example of a GE 1.7-100 Turbine Source: (http://www.ge-energy.com/products_and_services/products/wind_turbines/ge_1.6_100_1.7_100_wind_turbine.jsp) ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 5 M ile B u fferFinger Lakes TrailFinger Lakes Trail Finger Lak es Trail Finger Lakes TrailT o m p k i n sTompkinsCountyCounty S c h u y l e rSchuylerCountyCounty UV79 UV228 UV227 UV327 UV224 UV96 UV13 UV228 Robert TremanState Park Finger Lakes National Forest NewfieldHamlet Odessa NorthwestIthaca Connecticut HillWildlife Management Area NewfieldState Forest Texas HollowState Forest Alpine Enfield Newfield Perry City Mecklenburg Cayutaville Krum Corner Smith Valley Reynoldsville Butternut Park Christian Hill Whipple Corner Duboise Corner Kennedy Corner Kellogg Corners Millers Corners Cloverland Park Van Dorn Corner Meadowbrook ParkTrumbull Corners Spaulding Corner Bostwick Corners Applegate Corner Black Oaks Corners Black Oak Wind Farm, LLCEnfield, New YorkPath: G:\Projects\306XXX\306590_Black_Oak_Wind\GIS\306590_Black_Oak_Figure6_Visibility.mxdFigure 6Daytime Viewshed Analysis Results Number of Visible Turbines 7654321 Wildlife Management Area National/State Park or Forest Village/Hamlet TrailRoads ©0 1 2 3 Miles Proposed Wind Turbines  HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page 7 5.1.3 Viewshed Analysis Verification There were no changes from the original assessment. See Section 5.1.3 of the April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment for details. 5.1.4 Daytime Viewshed Results The revised viewshed results presented in Figure 6 show the locations within the five-mile radius where each of the seven GE turbines could be visible during daytime conditions. Table 1 was revised and presents the viewshed coverage summary in acres and percentage of study area by number of turbines where the Project is visible for both the GE and REpower turbines. The revised results show that the turbines will likely not be visible from approximately 84% of the area due to existing topography and vegetation. The remaining 16% of the area could theoretically see any combination of the 7 turbines, with one turbine visible for approximately 1.9% of the area, two to six turbines potentially visible from 7.7% of the area and seven turbines potentially visible from approximately 6.5% of the area. Consistent with the previous assessment, the turbines would be most visible in areas north of the Project site where the landscape is flatter and more open due to agricultural and residential land uses providing for less impeded views of the turbines. Similarly, the turbines would most likely not be visible over a large area south of the Project site due to lower terrain and forest cover which will tend to screen (or block) the turbines from the viewer. The revised results still show the highest concentration for multiple turbine views within the immediate vicinity of the Project site around the Black Oak Road, Wheatherby Road, Rumsey Hill Road and Harvey Hill Road. The next closest area with potential multiple turbine view locations is west and north of the turbines in an area from Cayutaville to the south up to Mecklenburg to the north. The area north of Route 79 still shows the potential for concentrated areas with multiple views of the turbines. There remains other scattered less concentrated areas around the study area where turbines could be visible mostly at hilltops and open fields where there are limited obstructions blocking the view of the distant horizon Table 1 Revised Daytime Viewshed Coverage Summary within Five Miles of the Project Site Number of Turbines Visible Acres GE1.7-100 Acres REpower GE 1.7-100 Percentage of Study Area REpower Percentage of Study Area 0 (No Turbines) 51,772 52,250 84.0% 84.7% 1 Turbine 1,170 1,235 1.9%2.0% 2 Turbines 1,001 1,007 1.6% 1.6% 3 Turbines 864 882 1.4%1.4% 4 Turbines 1,040 1,096 1.7% 1.8% 5 Turbines 917 825 1.5%1.3% 6 Turbines 910 888 1.5% 1.4% 7 Turbines 3,979 3,471 6.5%5.6% Consistent with the previous assessment, the revised viewshed analysis shows that the turbines should not be visible from the Enfield Town Center or the immediate center of Newfield Hamlet. Field observations conducted in association the original assessment indicated numerous large mature trees in these areas along with one and two storied structures which will block views in the direction of the Project site and this condition will remain true for the new turbines as well. In addition, the Newfield Hamlet is located approximately 4 to 5 miles to the southeast of the Project where the terrain gradually drops and forest cover increases as one moves south which will tend to block the turbines from view at these locations. The analysis did show that turbine views are still possible outside of HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page 8 these town centers, in areas of elevated terrain and less tree cover which allows for the potential of unimpeded views of the horizon. 5.1.5 Nightime FAA Lighting Viewshed Results The Revised viewshed results presented in Figure 7 show the locations within the five-mile radius where each of the seven turbine FAA lights could be visible during nighttime conditions. Table 2 presents the revised viewshed coverage summary in acres and percentage of study area by number of turbines where the Project lighting is visible for both the GE and REpower turbines. The revised results show that the turbine lights will likely not be visible from approximately 86.6% of the area due to existing topography and vegetation. The remaining 13.4% of the area could theoretically still see any combination of the seven turbine lights, with one turbine light visible for 2.3% of the area, two to six turbine lights potentially visible from 7.2% of the area and seven turbine lights potentially visible from 3.8% of the area. Similar to the daytime VIA analysis, the turbine lights could be most visible in areas north of the Project site where the landscape is flatter and more open due to agricultural and residential land uses providing for less impeded views of the turbines. The turbine lights will still most likely not be visible over a large area south of the Project site due to lower terrain and forest cover which will tend to screen (or block) the turbines from the viewer. Table 2 Revised Nightime FAA Lighting Viewshed Coverage Summary within Five Miles of the Project Site Number of Turbine Lights Visible Acres GE 1.7-100 Acres REpower GE 1.7-100 Percentage of Study Area REpower Percentage of Study Area 0 (No Turbines) 53,362 (53,912) 53,912 86.6% 87.4% 1 Turbine 1,435 (1,557)1,557 2.3%2.5% 2 Turbines 1,003 (1,045) 1,045 1.6% 1.7% 3 Turbines 946 (1,022)1,022 1.5%1.7% 4 Turbines 1003 (940) 940 1.6% 1.5% 5 Turbines 745 (664)664 1.2%1.1% 6 Turbines 809 (987) 987 1.3% 1.6% 7 Turbines 2,348 (1,527)1,527 3.8%2.5% Similar to the daytime VIA results, the revised nighttime viewshed analysis still shows that the turbine lights should not be visible from Enfield Town Center or the immediate center of Newfield Hamlet. The revised analysis did show that views of the turbine lights are still possible outside of these town centers, in areas of elevated terrain and less tree cover which allows for the potential of unimpeded views of the horizon. 5.2 Landscape Similarity Zones There are no changes from the original assessment. See Section 5.2 of the April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment for details. 5.3 Viewer User Groups There are no changes from the original assessment. See Section 5.1.7 of the April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment for details. ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " 5 M ile B u fferFinger Lakes TrailFinger Lakes Trail Finger Lak es Trail Finger Lakes TrailT o m p k i n sTompkinsCountyCounty S c h u y l e rSchuylerCountyCounty UV79 UV228 UV227 UV327 UV224 UV96 UV13 UV228 Robert TremanState Park Finger Lakes National Forest NewfieldHamlet Odessa NorthwestIthaca Connecticut HillWildlife Management Area NewfieldState Forest Texas HollowState Forest Alpine Enfield Newfield Perry City Mecklenburg Cayutaville Krum Corner Smith Valley Reynoldsville Butternut Park Christian Hill Whipple Corner Duboise Corner Kennedy Corner Kellogg Corners Millers Corners Cloverland Park Van Dorn Corner Meadowbrook ParkTrumbull Corners Spaulding Corner Bostwick Corners Applegate Corner Black Oaks Corners Black Oak Wind Farm, LLCEnfield, New YorkPath: G:\Projects\306XXX\306590_Black_Oak_Wind\GIS\306590_Black_Oak_Figure7_FAA_Visibility.mxdFigure 7Nightime FAA Lighting Viewshed Analysis Results Wildlife Management Area National/State Park or Forest Village/Hamlet TrailRoads ©0 1 2 3 Miles Proposed Wind Turbines ÂNumber of Visible FAA Lights 7654321 HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page 10 5.4 Distance Zones There are no changes from the original assessment. See Section 5.4 of the April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment for details. 5.5 Inventory of Visually Sensitive Resources There are no changes from the original assessment. See Section 5.5 of the April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment for details. 5.6 Visibility Evaluation of Inventoried Resources There are no changes from the original assessment. See Section 5.6 of the April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment for details. 5.6.1 Field Verification There are no changes from the original assessment. See Section 5.6.1 of the April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment for details. 5.6.2 Line of Sight Figure 9 presents the results of the revised line-of-site analysis from each of the identified visual resources for the GE turbine design. The line-of-sight analysis includes the cross-section view from the visual resource toward each turbine taking account topography and vegetation. Consistent with the original VIA analysis, the cross sections were derived using terrain from the USGS DEM topography data and NLCD land cover data. 5.6.3 Conclusions As shown in the revised VIA results, the turbines will still not be visible from 84 percent (compared to 85 percent for the REpower turbine design) of the area during the daytime within five miles of the Project due to existing structures, topography or forested areas blocking the Project from a majority of viewing locations within the area. The remaining 16% of the area could theoretically see a combination of the seven turbines, with one turbine visible for 1.9% of the area, two to six turbines potentially visible from 7.7% of the area and seven turbines potentially visible from 6.5 % of the area. In addition, Table 3 presents the revised VIA which shows that 43 of the 76 resource locations are expected to have no turbines visible from the Project due to topographical and vegetative screening. Only one of the NYSDEC defined aesthetic resources of statewide significance, Resource 54 Finger Lakes Trail at Connecticut Hill Road, is expected to have a view of the GE turbine design based on the revised VIA results and field verification. Cayuga Lake was not included in the inventoried resources since it is located beyond the five mile study area. However, an extension of the VIA analysis showed that the turbines would not be visible from the southern side of the lake. The revised VIA results show that it is possible the proposed GE turbines design could be visible at three new inventoried resources that were not visible with the REpower design. The three resource locations are: Csiko Sawyer (Resource 10); Hillendale Golf Course (Resource 1); and Laurel Hill Cemetery (Resource 29) aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!( !( !( !( !( !(!( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !(!( !( !( !( !( !( !(!( !( !(!( !( !( !(!(!( !(!(!( !( !( !( !( !(ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ5 M ile B u fferNewfieldCovered Bridge Enfield Falls Mill and Miller's House Lattin-Crandall Octagon Barn Finger Lakes TrailFinger Lakes Trail Finger Lak es Trail Finger Lakes TrailT o m p k i n sTompkinsCountyCounty S c h u y l e rSchuylerCountyCounty UV79 UV228 UV227 UV327 UV224 UV96 UV13 UV228 Robert TremanState Park Finger Lakes National Forest NewfieldHamlet Odessa NorthwestIthaca Connecticut HillWildlife Management Area NewfieldState Forest Texas HollowState Forest 3 9 1 65 8 4 2 7 66 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 5857 56 5554 5352 51 5047 48 46 45 44 4241 34 33 32 40 30 49 38 39 35 36 37 29 22 26 1413 17 12 24 10 27 23 20 18 11 16 21 25 28 19 15 78 77 76 74 7372 71 69 68 67 75 70 Enfield ES Odessa-Montour JSHS Alpine Enfield Perry City Mecklenburg Cayutaville Krum Corner Smith Valley Reynoldsville Butternut Park Christian Hill Whipple Corner Duboise Corner Kennedy Corner Kellogg CornersCloverland Park Van Dorn Corner Meadowbrook ParkTrumbull Corners Spaulding Corner Bostwick Corners Applegate Corner Black Oak Wind Farm, LLCEnfield, New YorkPath: G:\Projects\306XXX\306590_Black_Oak_Wind\GIS\306590_Black_Oak_Figure9_Receptor_LOS.mxdFigure 9Inventoried Resource Line-of-SightWildlife Management Area National/State Park or Forest Village/Hamlet TrailRoads ©0 1 2 3 Miles !!(National Register of Historic Places Æc Library n School Proposed Wind Turbines Â!(Local Sensitive Areas Line of Sight - Visible Line of Sight - Not VisibleaaPhoto Location HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page 12 These resource locations are located at distances greater than four miles from the Project site where the turbines will tend to blend into the horizon and will not dominate the views. Also, views from these locations toward the Project site will be partially blocked due to vegetation and terrain and any potential views of the turbines should be limited to the top half of the blades. Full turbine views including the steel tubular tower are unlikely from these locations. Table 3 Inventory of Aesthetic Resources Resource Resource Name Inventory Type GE 1.7-100 Turbine Potential Visibility REpower Turbine Potential Visibility 40 Newfield Covered Bridge Statewide Significance No, field verified No, field verified 41 Enfield Falls Mill & Miller’s House Statewide Significance No, field verified No, field verified 42 Robert H. Treman State Park Statewide Significance No, unlikely field verified No, field verified 44 Connecticut Hill Wildlife Management Area Statewide Significance No No 45 Texas Hollow State Forest Statewide Significance No No 46 Finger Lakes Trail Statewide Significance No No 28 Cayuta Lake Campground Local Interest No, unlikely No 25 Lake Grove Park Local Interest No, unlikely No 21 Cool Lea Camp Local Interest No No 16 Pike Creek Campground Local Interest No, unlikely No 7 First Baptist Church Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 11 Agape Bible Church Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 2 Mecklenburg United Methodist Local Interest Yes, Probable partial views, field verified Probable partial views, field verified 18 McIntyre Road Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 20 Trumballs Corner Community Church Local Interest No, unlikely No 23 Newfield United Methodist Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 27 Peoples Baptist Church Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 10 Csiko Sawyer Local Interest Unlikely, but possible No 4 Enfield Elementary Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 8 Enfield Community Christian School Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 24 Newfield Central School Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 5 Alpine Children House Local Interest No,unlikely, field verified No/Unlikely, field verified 12 Bostwick House Bed and Breakfast- East Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 6 A Touch of Country Bed and Breakfast Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 17 The Noble House Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 13 Stevenson Forest Preserve Local Interest No, unlikely No, unlikely 14 Riemen Woods Bivouac Local Interest No, unlikely No, unlikely 1 Hillendale Golf Course Local Interest Yes, Possible, field verified No, field verified 9 McMillan Arts Center Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page 13 Resource Resource Name Inventory Type GE 1.7-100 Turbine Potential Visibility REpower Turbine Potential Visibility 26 Woodlawn Cemetery Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 15 Budd Cemetery Local Interest No No 19 Woodward Cemetery Local Interest No No 22 Sebring Cemetery Local Interest No No 29 Laurel Hill Cemetery Local Interest Possible, field verified No, field verified 3 Finger Lakes Farmstand Cheese Local Interest No No 30 New Residential Development Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 75 Newfield Hamlet Center Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 32 Cayuta Lake Boat Launch Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 33 Carley Road Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 34 Farm Hill Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 35 Williamee Road Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 36 Route 79 Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 37 Christian Hill Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 38 Black Oak Road (near Meteorological Tower)Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 39 Stevenson Trail Local Interest No, unlikely field verified No, field verified 47 Swamp Road Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 48 Rolfe Cemetery Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 49 Cox Road Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 50 Tower Road Trail Crossing Local Interest Possible, field verified Possible, field verified 51 Black Oak Road and Weatherby Road Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 52 Black Oak Corners Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 53 Black Oak Corners North Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 54 Finger Lakes and Connecticut Hill Road Trail Statewide Significance Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 55 Robert Treman State Park Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 56 Bostwick and Applegate Rad Local Interest No, unlikely, field verified No, field verified 57 Harvey Hill and Rothermich Road 1 Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 58 Harvey Hill and Rothermich Road 2 Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 59 Fish and Rothermich Road Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 60 Fish and Black Oak Road Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 61 Fish and County Line Road Local Interest Yes, Possible, field verified Possible, field verified 62 Enfield Center and County Line Road Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 63 Chapman and County Line Road Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 64 Chapman Road Farm Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 65 Connecticut Hill Road Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 66 Hulford Road Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page 14 Resource Resource Name Inventory Type GE 1.7-100 Turbine Potential Visibility REpower Turbine Potential Visibility 67 McIntyre Road West Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 68 Kelsey Road Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 69 Dean and Newton Road Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 70 Texas Hollow State Park North Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 71 Texas Hollow State Park South Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 72 County Route 6 Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 73 Cox Road Local Interest Yes, field verified Yes, field verified 74 Peoples Baptist Church Local Interest No. field verified No. field verified 76 Bostwick House-West Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 77 Enfield Center Road West Local Interest Possible, field verified Possible, field verified 78 Enfield Center Local Interest No, field verified No, field verified 5.7 Photosimulations The photosimulations were conducted consistent with the methodology discussed in Section 5.7 of the April 2013 VIA assessment. 5.7.1 Resource Inventory Based on the revised viewshed analysis, 43 of the 76 resource locations are expected to have no/unlikely turbines visible from the Project due to topographical and vegetative screening and field verification. Of the 12 viewer locations from Table 4 of the original report, six locations were chosen for photosimulation updates to include the GE turbine design. These six viewer locations were chosen to represent a range of views and distances including foreground, near middleground, distant middleground, open views, and good context. One additional residential viewer location (555 Black Oak Road), which was not part of the April 2013 assessment, was added to address a comment on the DEIS. There is one other house (570 Black Oak Road) that is located closer to the turbines; however, due to the numerous trees surrounding this house, views of the turbines from this location will be obstructed. Therefore, 555 Black Oak Road was chosen to address the DEIS comment for views from the nearest residential location. Table 4 lists the six viewer locations chosen for photosimulations from the original assessment and includes one additional viewer location from the nearby residential location at 555 Black Oak Road. These locations are also presented in Revised Figure 10. ÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ" " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " Æc Æc Æc Æc nn nnn n !!( !!( !!( !!(aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa5 M ile B u fferNewfieldCovered Bridge Enfield Falls Mill and Miller's House Lattin-Crandall Octagon Barn Finger Lakes TrailFinger Lakes Trail Finger Lak es Trail Finger Lakes TrailT o m p k i n sTompkinsCountyCounty S c h u y l e rSchuylerCountyCounty UV79 UV228 UV227 UV327 UV224 UV96 UV13 UV228 Robert TremanState Park Finger Lakes National Forest NewfieldHamlet Odessa NorthwestIthaca Connecticut HillWildlife Management Area NewfieldState Forest Texas HollowState Forest 79 64 63 62 57 56 54 35 34 47 49 18 17 48 33 38 Newfield Public Library Enfield ES Newfield MSNewfield ES Odessa-Montour JSHS Alpine Enfield Perry City Mecklenburg Cayutaville Krum Corner Smith Valley Reynoldsville Butternut Park Christian Hill Whipple Corner Duboise Corner Kennedy Corner Kellogg Corners Millers Corners Cloverland Park Van Dorn Corner Meadowbrook ParkTrumbull Corners Spaulding Corner Bostwick Corners Applegate Corner Black Oaks Corners Black Oak Wind Farm, LLCEnfield, New YorkPath: G:\Projects\306XXX\306590_Black_Oak_Wind\GIS\306590_Black_Oak_Figure10_Photo_Simulation_Locations.mxdFigure 10Viewer Locations Chosen for Photosimulation AnalysisNumber of Visible Turbines 7654321 Wildlife Management Area National/State Park or Forest Village/Hamlet TrailRoads ©0 1 2 3 Miles !!(National Register of Historic Places Æc Library n School Proposed Wind Turbines ÂaaReceptor Photograph Location HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page 16 Table 4 Viewer Locations Selected for Photosimulation Viewer Location Viewer Location Name Resource Type View Direction from Turbines Viewer User Groups Landscape Type Distance Zone Distance (miles) 17 The Noble House Local Interest East Local Residents/Tourists & Recreation Rural Agricultural Foreground 0.71 48 Rolfe Cemetery Local Interest Northeast Local Residents Rural Agriculture Background 4.67 34 Farm Hill Local Interest West Local Residents Rural Agricultural Middleground 2.95 35 Williamee Road Local Interest Northwest Local Residents/Through Travelers Rural Agricultural Background 4.49 57 Harvey Hill and Rothermich Road Local Interest Northeast Local Residents Rural Agriculture Foreground 0.92 64 Chapman Road Farm Local Interest West Local Residents Rural Agriculture Foreground 1.12 79 555 Black Oak Road Local Interest/Public Comment East Local Resident Rural Agriculture Foreground 0.31 79 555 Black Oak Road Local Interest/Public Comment Southwest Local Resident Rural Agriculture Foreground 0.24 5.7.2 Characterizing Project Visibility There were no changes from the original assessment. See Section 5.7.2 of the April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment for details. 5.7.3 Photosimulation Results Appendix A contains the existing and proposed conditions photosimulations for six of the 12 original viewer locations as presented in the April 2013 assessment. The results are similar for each viewer location with the GE turbine compared to the REpower turbine. The appendix also includes the additional viewer location at 555 Black Oak Road to address comments on the DEIS. It should be noted that “worst case” photosimulations were previously prepared under clear sky conditions; however, the 555 Black Oak Road photosimulations were prepared under cloudy skies typical of wintertime conditions in the western part of Tompkins County. 5.7.4 Photosimulation Conclusion The analysis was revised to include the GE 1.7-100 turbine which has a slightly higher hub height of 96 m compared to the REpower hub height of 80 m. The rotor diameter between both turbines remains unchanged at 100 m. The Project visual impact for the GE turbines is essentially the same compared to the REpower turbines; therefore, the conclusions remain the same as the April assessment. Specifically, the Project’s visual impact on these viewing locations is: not significant and will not have a detrimental effect on the perceived beauty of a place; and it will not cause a diminishment of the public enjoyment of a statewide significant resource including the Finger Lakes trail. 6. CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS There are no changes from the original assessment. See Section 6 of the April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment for details. HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page 17 7. MITIGATION There are no changes from the original assessment. See Section 7 of the April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment for details. 8. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS The summary and conclusions of Section 8 of the April 2013 VIA analysis for the Black Oak Wind Project are unchanged for the GE turbines except for the following: 1.The daytime VIA results show that the turbines will likely not be visible from approximately 84% of the area due to existing topography, vegetation and/or structures. The remaining 16% of the area could theoretically see a combination of the seven turbines, with one turbine visible for approximately 1.9% of the area, two to six turbines potentially visible from approximately 7.7% of the area and seven turbines potentially visible from approximately 6.5 % of the area. 2.The nighttime FAA lighting VIA results show that the turbine lights will likely not be visible from approximately 86.6% of the area due to existing topography, vegetation and/or structures. The remaining 13.4% of the area could theoretically see a combination of the seven turbines’ FAA lights, with one turbine light visible for approximately 2.3% of the area, two to six turbines potentially visible from 7.2% of the area and seven turbines potentially visible from approximately 3.8 % of the area. This assumes all the turbines are equipped with FAA lighting. It should be noted that the Project may request the FAA consider a revised lighting plan that lights fewer turbines and utilizes low intensity lighting (L-864). If FAA agrees with the revised lighting plan, then the results of the nighttime FAA lighting VIA are conservative and fewer turbine lights would be visible within the five mile study area. 9. REFERENCES There are no changes from the original assessment. See Section 9 of the April 2013 Visual Impact Assessment for details. HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page 18 (This page intentionally left blank) HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-1 APPENDIX A PHOTOSIMULATIONS HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-2 (This page intentionally left blank) HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-3 Figure A1 Photosimulation PS#17 at The Noble House Original Image HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-4 (This page intentionally left blank) HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-5 Figure A2 Photosimulation PS#17 at The Noble House Simulation HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-6 (This page intentionally left blank) HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-7 Figure A3 Photosimulation PS#48 at Rolfe Cemetery Original Image HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-8 (This page intentionally left blank) HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-9 Figure A4 Photosimulation PS#48 at Rolfe Cemetery Simulation HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. 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Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-15 Figure A7 Photosimulation PS#35 at Williamee Road Original Image HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-16 (This page intentionally left blank) HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-17 Figure A8 Photosimulation PS#35 at Williamee Road Simulation HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-18 (This page intentionally left blank) HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-19 Figure A9 Photosimulation PS#57 at Harvey Hill Road and Rothermich Road Original Image HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-20 (This page intentionally left blank) HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-21 Figure A10 Photosimulation PS#57 at Harvey Hill Road and Rothermich Road Simulation HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-22 (This page intentionally left blank) HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-23 Figure A11 Photosimulation PS#64 at Chapman Road Farm Original Image HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-24 (This page intentionally left blank) HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-25 Figure A12 Photosimulation PS#64 at Chapman Road Farm Simulation HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-26 (This page intentionally left blank) HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-27 Figure A13 Photosimulation PS#79 at 555 Black Oak Road Original Image HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-28 (This page intentionally left blank) HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. Revised Visual Impact Assessment for Black Oak Wind Farm Project March 31, 2014 Page A-29 Figure A14 Photosimulation PS#79 at 555 Black Oak Road Simulation HARRIS MILLER MILLER &HANSON INC. 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