Residents expressed concerns about potential problems that could be caused by a proposed commercial wind farm.

The concerns raised during Tuesday's Otter Tail County Board meeting were a noise level that could impact residents' health, safety, a negative economic impact for land owners and an inability to spray crops.

Prairie Wind Energy LLC is proposing a 40-turbine project to be located in Parkers Prairie, Elmo, Effington and Folden Townships, according to a June letter written by Prairie Wind Energy President Terry Carlson. Each turbine would be rated at 2.5 megawatts each, for a total of 100 megawatts of wind-generated electricity, according to the letter. The turbines would be built about 3,000 feet apart. The project would be operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, according to the letter.

Prairie Wind Energy staff was not present atTuesday's meeting. Carlson didn't return phone calls to The Daily Journal following the meeting.

The Otter Tail County Board unanimously approved in June a resolution that supported the concept of the project.

The turbines would be located on land leased from property owners, one of which is Fred Liljegren of Parkers Prairie Township.

Liljegren said he hasn't signed the documents yet to allow the turbine to be built on his property.

He asked the commissioners to review the issues before the wind farm is constructed instead of afterwards. He concluded that he wasn't against wind power, but he is requesting the county use discretion and conduct more research about the project.

"That prairie is a beautiful place. We don't want to mess it up because we can't see the negative impacts," Liljegren said of Parkers Prairie.

Liljegren is concerned that the noise generated by the wind turbines would affect residents' health. He noted that one study likened the noise to "a train that never gets there." The noise is also louder in enclosed spaces, he said.

Liljegren also added that laws regulating wind farms are lagging in Minnesota. He is concerned about the regulations coming from the federal government, or "being pushed from the top."

Liljegren also said he was concerned about the safety aspects of a wind turbine, noting that a blade can fly a half-mile away if it breaks off, although it doesn't often happen.

"But if it happens on your head, it doesn't matter how many times it happens," Liljegren said.

Also ice can fly off the blade and land up to a quarter-mile away, he added.

Rodney Peterson is also a concerned resident who has wind turbines proposed for his property. He said that while it's a "neat, intriguing" project, he's concerned about the economic impact it would have for him.

Ken Peterson, who completes the aerial spraying for Rodney, noted that the wind farm should be located on property that isn't prime agricultural land.

Ken requested that Prairie Wind Energy consider moving the turbines to the west, where there's a wooded ridge and not agricultural land.

To be able to spray his crops located between the proposed wind turbine sites would be "suicidal," Rodney said.

Ken echoed that sentiment, saying, "It would be suicide to go in there to spray."

He stated he would have to be constantly remembering where they are located and be cautious while flying around the moving parts. He noted following the meeting that turbines can blend in with the crops or horizon when seen in the air.

Meanwhile, Liljegren noted that many residents in the Parkers Prairie area aren't aware of the wind farm and its issues. He learned of the project when the company approached him about leasing his land for a turbine, he said.

Commissioner Doug Huebsch questioned whether the township boards would have the final approval on the project since the county doesn't have an ordinance regulating commercial wind farms.

Commissioner Roger Froemming, whose residence is located close to the proposed wind farm, replied that the townships wouldn't have a final say because they don't have a zoning ordinance.

Land and Resource Director Bill Kalar noted that townships would have jurisdiction if they have zoning ordinances.

The county is currently in the process of reviewing its criteria for wind turbines. However, discussion has been focused on single residential turbines built by the property owner. The wind turbine rules are in the county's shoreland ordinance, according to Kalar. All turbines located outside of shoreland areas aren't regulated by the county, he noted