CONCORD - A proposed $275 million wind park in Coos Country has meet the statutory criteria to go forward.

The Site Evaluation Committee yesterday agreed the project proposed by Granite Reliable Power LLC did not adversely affect the natural environment, water and air quality or public health and safety, but will decide what conditions will be placed on the project at a later date.

"This is a crucial step to having the project built," said project manager Pip Decker after the meeting. "There has been a lot of time and effort put into this project, and we're encouraged by the ruling."

Once the project receives final approval, construction could begin this fall, he said.

The park includes 33, 410-foot turbine towers. About 12 miles of new gravel roads would be built in an environmentally sensitive area. When operational, the park would produce enough electricity for about 40,000 homes.

The project is expected to create six new direct jobs after its operational -- about 200 during construction -- and generate $4.3 million annually for Coos County's economy, according to a UNH study.

The evaluation committee also voted yesterday to give itself another month to make a final determination on the project. The deadline is now June 30.

Yesterday, the committee re-opened public hearings to take testimony on an accident at a company-owned wind farm in upstate New York and on an agreement with the state Fish and Game Department to mitigate the harm caused by the project.

Testimony indicated the turbine in New York that broke was not like those proposed for the North Country project, and committee members dropped the issue.

Under the mitigation plan, the company will buy 1,735 acres of adjacent high-elevation lands and wetlands and give it to the state, and provide $750,000 for additional conservation acquisitions.

Previously concern had been raised because the project would adversely affect the habitat for several endangered species, including the Bicknell thrush, the three-toed woodpecker and the pine marten.

Yesterday, Lisa Linowes of the Industrial Wind Action Group questioned Fish and Game officials about the plan and said it falls "woefully short" of "regaining what would be lost."

Linowes said state environmental officials have done "a lot of hand-waving and pushing to the future any post-construction studies," of how the project affects wildlife.

After the hearing, she said the state has little experience with wind projects of the size being proposed. The state's focus is on developing renewable energy, not on what the impact may be, she said.

Fish and Game biologists Steven Weber and William Staats defended the agreement at the hearing, saying it would help ensure birds and mammals living along the ridge where the wind park would be could find similar habitat nearby.

Evan Mulholland of the Attorney General's Office said Fish and Game was involved to evaluate the project's impact.

"With the conclusion of the mitigation agreement, the department has determined there would not be an unreasonable impact," he said.

The committee had previously approved five of the eight criteria for issuing a certificate for an energy-producing project. Yesterday, committee members voted unanimously on the final three criteria: no unreasonable impact on the environment, public health and safety, and air and water quality.

Previously the committee decided the project is financially viable, can be properly managed through construction and operation, and does not unduly affect historic sites or views. Members also said the project meets the state's energy policies and goals for renewable power.

The project is proposed for the unincorporated places of Dixville, Erving's Location, Millsfield and Odell on land known as the Phillips Brook and Dixville Peak areas.