SEARSBURG- The US Forest Service is one step closer to issuing a decision on the Deerfield Wind Project. The Manchester Ranger District of the Green Mountain National Forest has reviewed the Public Service Board’s approval and the public comments it received regarding last year’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement. Now the forest service is ready to release a supplemental report on their latest findings. But despite the new information, some state officials are urging the forest service take extra precautions before they make a final decision. They are urging that the forest service ensure the wind project is environmentally sound before it proceeds.

Last fall, the US Forest Service released a draft environmental impact statement on the Deerfield Wind Project. In the DEIS, the forest service stated that the project was consistent with the Green Mountain National Forest forest plan, in line with national standards for developing renewable energy sources, and has a true capability for producing wind energy. The Deerfield Wind Project, owned by Iberdrola Renewables, of Portland, OR and Valencia, Spain, consists of 15 wind turbines and will generate up to 30 MW of electricity. If approved, the turbines will be situated on 80 acres of Green Mountain National Forest land in Searsburg and Readsboro.

The forest service sought feedback from the public and received 62 individual comments. The comments included questions and concerns about a number of topics. They include purpose and need; range of alternatives; lack of information regarding the state review process; wildlife species analysis; suggestions for improving visual and noise analysis; and requests to improve the forest service’s disclosure of potential monitoring, mitigation, and adaptive management strategies.

The forest service went ahead with a supplemental report because the original DEIS did not take into account the PSB’s decision or the 62 individual comments from the public. In a written notice to the public, former US Forest Service supervisor Meg Mitchell said the supplemental draft environmental impact statement “will include revision and clarification of many sections of the DEIS including purpose and need, range of alternatives, and many of the environmental effects sections.”

The Agency of Natural Resources has worked with the forest service to include additional information in the supplemental DEIS. Wildlife biologist Forrest Hammond said there were several problems that need to be addressed before they issue a final report. Hammond said the PSB did not adequately address the bat population in their final decision. The ANR wanted to respond. “Bat mortality may be high unless additional operational adjustments are on site. We want that recognized in the permit,” said Hammond. “Bats are seriously threatened in the country right now. If windmill concerns are not addressed appropriately, it could make things worse for bat populations.”

Hammond said the PSB also did not recognize the indirect impacts windmills may have on bear habitat. He cited approximately 1,000 bear-scarred beech trees on the western side of the ridge where many wind turbines will be situated. The ANR believes that area should be off limits and they propose that development only occur on the eastern ridge, where the impact would be far less. “That was not fully recognized by the PSB and a mitigation plan has not yet been put forward. We’ll be working with the forest service on that in the supplemental DEIS,” said Hammond.

Bob Bayer, US Forest Service project manager, said he expects analysis and preparation of the supplemental DEIS to take up to three months. The target date for release is late March/early April 2010. The forest service estimates the final DEIS will be completed next summer. “It depends on the number of comments we get,” said Bayer. “Hopefully, by August of next year we’ll have the final report.”

For more information or to receive a copy of the supplemental draft environmental impact statement call (802) 747-6700.