The final scope of the Westfield-Ripley wind project will include 83 wind turbines: 47 in Westfield and 36 in Ripley.

"Babcock & Brown has proposed to construct and operate a commercial wind power project with an installed capacity of approximately 125 megawatts in the towns of Ripley and Westfield," said Peter Gross of Babcock and Brown. "The project would include construction of approximately 11 miles of project access roads in Westfield and approximately 9 miles of project access roads in Ripley along corridors no more than 60 feet in width. These roads would allow vehicles to access each wind turbine generator site during construction of the wind farm. After construction, the same corridors would be reduced to no more than 36 feet in width to allow access for operation and maintenance."

The project also calls for:

Construction of an electrical collection system (ECS), predominantly along Project access roads, that would interconnect each WTG to a Project substation. The ECS would consist of buried lines, but would utilize overhead lines where burial is impractical.

Construction of a substation with one or more transformers that would increase the voltage of the electricity generated by the Wind Farm to the National Grid 230 kilovolt transmission line located within the Project area in the Town of Ripley.

Construction of an operation and maintenance building that would contain management offices for Wind Farm personnel and equipment required to maintain and operate the Wind Farm.

A temporary construction lay down area where equipment and materials would be located during the construction of the Wind Farm.

"Each turbine would consist of an enclosed monopole support tower, a nacelle at the top of each tower containing the electrical generating equipment, and a three-bladed rotor attached to the nacelle," said Gross. "The specific turbine model for the Wind Farm has not been selected; however, the capacity of each WTG is anticipated to be between 1.5 and 2.5 megawatts. A total of 83 turbines, each with a capacity of 1.5 megawatts, would be required in order for the Wind Farm to attain a total capacity of approximately 125 megawatts."

If a larger turbine model were selected, the number of turbines required would be reduced, possibly altering the total length of the access roads and ECS. The diameter of the rotor/blade assembly would not exceed 335 feet, and the height of the turbine, including the rotor extending to its highest point, would not exceed 445 feet. A more precise estimate of the diameter and height will depend on the specifications of the model ultimately selected.

"To the extent that Project layout or components change prior to the completion of the State Environmental Quality Review (SEQR) process, the towns reserve the right to require revised and/or supplemental analyses, and if necessary, a supplemental environmental report, to assess the environmental impacts associated with the Ripley-Westfield Wind Farm," said Westfield Town Supervisor Martha Bills.

The next immediate step for Babcock and Brown is the preparation of the environmental impact study, which must be filed with SEQR and accepted as complete by both towns. There will be a public hearing and a minimum of a 30-day period for public comment.

Several oral and written comments/suggestions were submitted during the public review period of the Draft Scoping Document that were not incorporated directly into the final scoping document because they were determined to be not relevant, outside the scope of the DEIS or not reasonable in light of applicable standards or requirements.

Some of these issues include the following, as responded to by Babcock and Brown:

Three years of pre-construction avian studies utilizing multiple marine radar units is not required.

"Such level of study is not required by the NYSDEC draft guidelines for avian studies, and is not the standard that has been applied at other wind power projects in New York or other states," said Gross. "One year of pre-construction data, along with the results of studies conducted for the former Chautauqua Wind Power Project, and data available from the Ripley Hawk Watch and other sources, should allow for an accurate description of avian resources and potential Project impacts."

Balloon testing at every turbine site for visual analysis is not reasonable. However, the sponsor will be required to conduct balloon tests at up to four selected sites considered to be of greatest value in illustrating turbine height and visibility in order to characterize viewshed impacts.

Regarding adverse impacts on property values, no site-specific appraisal of property values will be required at this time.

"The study will provide a literature search and evaluation of pertinent studies and other information currently available on this topic," said Gross. "If the analysis of the documentation demonstrates a need for a more in depth review of the issues, then the lead agencies may require additional study or analysis at that time, as appropriate."

Although turbine-specific analyses will be included in the study (e.g., noise, shadow flicker, etc.), it will address the overall impacts of the Project. Site-specific concerns will be addressed, as necessary, during the towns' Special Use Permitting processes.

Babcock and Brown is currently waiting for appropriate weather to conduct the balloon testing required.

Wind farm facts

• The scope of the Westfield-Ripley Wind Farm:
• 83 wind turbines: 47 in Westfield, 36 in Ripley
• Turbines approximately 445 feet high, blade 335 feet in diameter
• 20 miles of access roads
• Construction of an underground electrical collection system