The Deerfield Wind Energy facility is the first wind plant to be proposed for US National Forest lands. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement released by the US Forest Service can be accessed by clicking on the link(s) below. Comments will be accepted through until the end of November 2008.

Proposed Action Location:  

Towns of Searsburg and Readsboro
Manchester Ranger District
Green Mountain National Forest

Lead Agency:    

USDA-Forest Service
Green Mountain National Forest

Responsible Official:   

Meg Mitchell, Forest Supervisor
Green Mountain National Forest
231 North Main Street
Rutland, Vermont 05701

For Further Information:  

Bob Bayer, Project Coordinator
Manchester Ranger District
2538 Depot Street
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255
(802) 362-2307 ext. 218

Abstract: The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) documents analysis of the Deerfield Wind Project, proposed in the Towns of Searsburg and Readsboro, Bennington County, Vermont. The Proponent, Deerfield Wind LLC, has applied for a land use authorization to construct and operate a 17 turbine 34 to 35.7 Megawatt commercial wind energy facility on up to 80 acres of National Forest System land on the Manchester Ranger District of the Green Mountain National Forest. The Project is proposed on two ridges located east and west of Route 8. This DEIS has been prepared pursuant to Section 102 (2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (1969 as amended). The DEIS documents a detailed analysis of the environmental impacts of four alternatives for development of a wind facility on this site. The four alternatives have been evaluated in terms of direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts on natural, physical, and socio-economic resources. The alternatives include: A) Proposed Action consisting of 17 turbines as submitted by the Proponent; B) Alternative 1, No Action; C) Alternative 2, reduction in turbines on the ridge west of Route 8 from ten to seven (for a total of 14 turbines); and D) Alternative 3, only includes turbines on the ridge east of Route 8 (for a total of seven turbines). This document meets NEPA requirements to analyze a reasonable range of alternatives and disclose potential physical, biological, and human effects related to the proposed Project. This document also presents the purpose of and need for the Proposed Action, identifies significant and other issues raised during the scoping process, describes the affected environment, and identifies potential design criteria to avoid or reduce impacts.

Reviewers should provide the Forest Service with their comments during the review period of the DEIS. This will enable the Forest Service to analyze and respond to the comments at one time and to use the information acquired in the preparation of the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision, thus avoiding undue delay in the decision-making process. Comments on the DEIS should be specific and should address the adequacy of the document and the merits of the alternatives discussed (40 CFR 1503.3). Comments will be accepted for a minimum of 45 days following publication of the Notice of Availability of this DEIS in the Federal Register.

The DEIS is currently available on the Green Mountain National Forest website at:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/greenmountain/htm/greenmountain/links/projects/deerfield_wind.htm

The Forest Service will be receiving comments through the end of November. The Forest will hold an open house during the comment period to share and gather information and comments.

Comments can be sent to:
Deerfield Wind Project - Robert Bayer
2538 Depot St
Manchester Center VT 05255
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Web link: http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/greenmountain/htm/...