The Federal Aviation Administration recently informed Buckeye Wind, LLC. that its study found 38 of the 70 proposed turbine building sites in Champaign County exceed obstruction standards and could be a hazard to air navigation near Grimes Field.

FAA guidelines generally restrict objects taller than 200 feet within five nautical miles, approximately 5.75 standard miles, of an airport that size.

The study was required as part of the proposal submitted to the Ohio Power Siting Board, which has scheduled hearings for the end of October on whether to accept the application. The proposal is the first to go before the board for a wind-powered electric generation facility.

Michael Speerschneider, spokesman for Everpower Wind Holdings which owns Buckeye, said that there are generally three options after such findings: disputing them, asking the FAA to perform additional analyses or remedying any potential adverse affects.

However, he declined to specify which route the company is taking.

"We are taking the appropriate actions in response t the initial FAA determinations," he said Thursday. "We are confident that adequate remedies are available.

The turbine models currently being considered by Buckeye are approximately 490 feet tall. The notices say a favorable determination might be possible if the structures are reduced to under 200 feet tall.

The largest group of questioned turbines are located along North Dugan Road, two to five miles east of Grimes Field. Weller Airport, a smaller airfield three miles southeast of Urbana, would also be affected.

A public hearing on the application as a whole is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at Triad High School.