Deerfield Wind Energy Development Special Use Permit EIS

The Deerfield Wind Project Final EIS was completed in December 2011 and the Record of Decision was signed on January 3, 2012. The decision was to implement Alternative 2 that authorizes the issuance of a special use permit to Deerfield Wind, LLC to construct and operate a 15-turbine commercial wind power facility on National Forest lands. A formal complaint was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont by multiple parties on February 24, 2012 citing multiple issues of concern. Project implementation is pending the outcome of the ongoing litigation.

Location Summary

Green Mountain National Forest, Towns of Readsboro and Searsburg

District: Manchester Ranger District

Project Documents

• Post-Decision

  • Supplemental Information Report - Blade Length Change
    
    • Request for Input - Draft Supplemental Information Report (PDF 178kb)
      Memo dated May 13, 2013 inviting public input to the DRAFT Supplemental Information Report for the review of new information regarding proposed changes to turbine length. Written input should be provided by June 14, 2013.
    • DRAFT Supplemental Information Report - Proposed Turbine Blade Length Change (PDF 378kb)
      DRAFT Supplemental Information Report for the Deerfield Wind Project Final EIS and Record of Decision; Review of New Information Regarding Proposed Changes to Turbine Blade Length dated May 2013.
    • Specialist Reports
      
      • Land Use Specialist Report (PDF 6kb)
        Specialist report documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to land use (Bayer, 2013a).
      • Socioeconomic Specialist Report (PDF 6kb)
        Specialist report documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to socioeconomics (Bayer, 2013b).
      • Soil, Water, Wetlands and Air Specialist Report (PDF 6kb)
        Specialist report documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to soil, water, wetlands and air quality (Burt, 2012).
      • Botany Specialist Report (PDF 6kb)
        Specialist report documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to sensitive plant species and non-native invasive plants (Deller, 2012).
      • Impact Analysis Report - Air Quality (PDF 155kb)
        Impact analysis report prepared by edr Companies documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length increase as it pertains to air quality (edr Companies, 2013a).
      • Impact Analysis Report - Noise (PDF 1136kb)
        Impact analysis report prepared by edr Companies documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to noise (edr Companies, 2013b).
      • Impact Analysis Report - Telecommunications (PDF 1162kb)
        Impact analysis report prepared by edr Companies documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to telecommunications (edr Companies, 2013c).
      • Impact Analysis Report - Shadow Flicker (PDF 1086kb)
        Impact analysis report prepared by edr Companies documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to shadow flicker (edr Companies, 2013d).
      • National Park Service Noise Report (PDF 100kb)
        Report prepared by the National Park Service - Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division documenting their review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to noise (Fristrup and McKenna, 2013).
      • Roads, Infrastructure and Transportation Specialist Report (PDF 6kb)
        Specialist report documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to roads, infrastructure and transportation (Kamb, 2013).
      • Vegetation Resource Specialist Report (PDF 6kb)
        Specialist report documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to the vegetation resource (Klink, 2013).
      • Visual Quality Specialist Report (PDF 54kb)
        Specialist report documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to visual quality (Kokx, 2013).
      • Heritage and Cultural Resources Specialist Report (PDF 40kb)
        Specialist report documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to heritage and cultural resources (Lacy, 2013).
      • Recreation and Wilderness Character Specialist Report (PDF 8kb)
        Specialist report documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to recreation and wilderness character (Reichert, 2013).
      • Fisheries Specialist Report (PDF 6kb)
        Specialist report documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to the fisheries resource (Roy, 2013).
      • Wildlife - Birds and Bats Specialist Report (PDF 103kb)
        Specialist report documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change as it pertains to birds and bats (Sease, 2013a).
      • Wildlife - TES, Black Bears and Other Wildlife Specialist Report (PDF 76kb)
        Specialist report documenting the review of new information regarding the proposed blade length change pertaining to threatened, endangered and sensitive (TES) species, black bears, and other wildlife species (Sease, 2013b).
  • Proposed Turbine Change
    
    • Deerfield Wind, LLC Proposed Turbine Change Memo (PDF 65kb)
      Memo from Deerfield Wind, LLC dated October 8, 2012 requesting change to the turbine configuration approved in the ROD (Habig, 2012).
    • Sound Study (PDF 1095kb)
      Resource Systems Group, Inc. updated noise study dated September 12, 2012 (RSG, 2012).
    • Shadow Flicker Study
      
      • Shadow Flicker Study (PDF 48kb)
        Northeast Wind updated shadow flicker study dated November 2012 (Northeast Wind, 2012).
      • Vegetation Considered Data (PDF 4221kb)
        Vegetation considered data for the Northeast Wind updated shadow flicker study.
      • Vegetation Considered Map (PDF 3101kb)
        Vegetation considered map for the Northeast Wind updated shadow flicker study.
      • No Vegetation Considered Data (PDF 4271kb)
        No vegetation considered data for the Northeast Wind updated shadow flicker study.
      • No Vegetation Considered Map (PDF 2797kb)
        No vegetation considered map for the Northeast Wind updated shadow flicker study.
    • Visual Study
      
      • Visual Study (PDF 37kb)
        Jean Vissering Landscape Architecture updated visual study (Vissering, 2012).
      • Visual Simulation Viewpoint 3 (PDF 2725kb)
        New photo simulation for viewpoint 3.
      • Visual Simulation Viewpoint 4 (PDF 2710kb)
        New photo simulation for viewpoint 4.
      • Visual Simulation Viewpoint 6 (PDF 1575kb)
        New photo simulation for viewpoint 6.
      • Visual Simulation Viewpoint 8 (PDF 1541kb)
        New photo simulation for viewpoint 8.
      • Visual Simulation Viewpoint 9A (PDF 2018kb)
        New photo simulation for viewpoint 9A.
      • Visual Simulation Viewpoint 9B (PDF 2301kb)
        New photo simulation for viewpoint 9B.
      • Visual Simulation Viewpoint 11 (PDF 2508kb)
        New photo simulation for viewpoint 11.
      • Visual Simulation Viewpoint 13 (PDF 1536kb)
        New photo simulation for viewpoint 13.
      • Visual Simulation Viewpoint 14 (PDF 1658kb)
        New photo simulation for viewpoint 14.
      • Visual Simulation Viewpoint 18 (PDF 1934kb)
        New photo simulation for viewpoint 18.
      • Visual Simulation Viewpoint 20 (PDF 2397kb)
        New photo simulation for viewpoint 20.
    • Wildlife Study (PDF 144kb)
      Stantec Consulting updated radar and raptor survey study (Stantec, 2012a).
    • Wildlife Study - Attachment 1 (PDF 369kb)
      Attachment 1 for the Stantec Consulting updated radar and raptor survey study (Stantec, 2012b).
    • Telecommunications Study
      
      • Deerfield Wind Telecommunications Study Update - Executive Summary (PDF 28kb)
        Comsearch updated Deerfield Wind telecommunication study - Executive Summary (Comsearch, 2012a).
      • Television Memo (PDF 26kb)
        Memorandum from Lester Polisky dated December 14, 2012 for off-air digital television reception in the vicinity of wind energy facilities (Polisky, 2012).
      • Duncan Cable Update (PDF 530kb)
        Comsearch updated Duncan cable interference report (Comsearch, 2012e).
      • Land Mobile Report (PDF 1481kb)
        Comsearch updated land mobile report (Comsearch, 2012d).
      • Licensed Microwave Report (PDF 675kb)
        Comsearch updated licensed microwave report (Comsearch, 2012b).
      • Mobile Phone Report (PDF 639kb)
        Comsearch updated mobile phone carrier report (Comsearch, 2012c).
  • Supplemental Information Report - Bat Mortality Estimates
    
    • Supplemental Information Report - Bat Mortality Estimates (PDF 143kb)
      Supplemental Information Report for the Deerfield Wind Project Final EIS and Record of Decision; Review of New Information Regarding Bat Mortality Estimates Caused by White-Nose Syndrome dated June 8, 2012.
  • Appeal Documents
    
    • Appalachian Trail Conservancy Appeal (PDF 122kb)
      Appeal filed by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy dated February 24, 2012.
    • Appalachian Trail Conservancy Appeal Closure Letter (PDF 158kb)
      Appalachain Trail Conservancy Appeal closure letter from the Appeal Deciding Officer dated March 29, 2012.
    • Green Mountain Club Appeal (PDF 113kb)
      Appeal filed by the Green Mountain Club dated February 24, 2012.
    • Green Mountain Club Appeal Closure Letter (PDF 159kb)
      Green Mountain Club Appeal closure letter from the Appeal Deciding Officer dated March 29, 2012,
    • Modified Lighting Mitigation (PDF 71kb)
      Final modified language to the Deerfield Wind Project Record of Decision associated with radar activated lighting technology. This was agreed to by the Green Mountain Club, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and the Forest Service during the informal resolution meeting process.
    • Defenders of Wildlife, The Wilderness Society, Green Berkshires, Inc. Appeal (PDF 643kb)
    • Appeal Exhibit 1 - Letter from the GWNF (PDF 30kb)
    • Appeal Exhibit 2 - Deerfield Readsboro Road Map (PDF 329kb)
    • Appeal Exhibit 3 - Cut and Fill Locations (PDF 48kb)
    • Appeal Exhibit 4 - Email from Matt Schweisberg (PDF 51kb)
    • Appeal Exhibit 5 - KCW Field Inspection Report (PDF 1041kb)
    • Defenders of Wildlife, The Wilderness Society, Green Berkshires, Inc. Appeal Recommendation (PDF 770kb)
      Appeal Reviewing Officer appeal recommendation letter dated April 9, 2012.
    • Defenders of Wildlife, The Wilderness Society, Green Berkshires, Inc. Appeal Decision (PDF 264kb)
      Appeal Deciding Officer appeal decision dated April 9, 2012.
    • Vermonters for a Clean Environment Appeal (PDF 5024kb)
    • Vermonters for a Clean Environment Appeal Recommendation (PDF 668kb)
      Appeal Reviewing Officer appeal recommendation letter dated April 9, 2012.
    • Vermonters for a Clean Environment Appeal Decision (PDF 267kb)
      Appeal Deciding Officer appeal decision dated April 9, 2012.
    • Lindholm Appeal (PDF 357kb)
    • Lindholm Appeal Recommendation (PDF 334kb)
      Appeal Reviewing Officer appeal recommendation letter dated April 9, 2012.
    • Lindholm Appeal Decision (PDF 265kb)
      Appeal Deciding Officer appeal decision dated April 9, 2012.
    • Shea Appeal (PDF 13kb)
    • Shea Appeal Recommendation (PDF 257kb)
      Appeal Reviewing Officer appeal recommendation dated April 9, 2012.
    • Shea Appeal Decision (PDF 265kb)
      Appeal Deciding Officer appeal decision dated April 9, 2012.
    • Town of Wilmington Appeal (PDF 1129kb)
    • Appeal Enclosure - Flood Pictures (PDF 1933kb)
    • Appeal Enclosure - Hydrology Report (PDF 2148kb)
    • Town of Wilmington Appeal Dismissal Letter (PDF 125kb)
      Appeal Deciding Officer appeal dismisal letter dated March 29, 2012.
  • Appeals
    
    • Appeal responses
      
      • Deerfield Wind Energy Development Special Use Permit EIS (PDF 58kb)
      • Deerfield Wind Energy Development Special Use Permit EIS (PDF 86kb)
      • Deerfield Wind Energy Development Special Use Permit EIS (PDF 111kb)
      • Deerfield Wind Energy Development Special Use Permit EIS (PDF 141kb)
      • Deerfield Wind Energy Development Special Use Permit EIS (PDF 143kb)
      • Deerfield Wind Energy Development Special Use Permit EIS (PDF 58kb)
      • Deerfield Wind Energy Development Special Use Permit EIS (PDF 248kb)
      • Deerfield Wind Energy Development Special Use Permit EIS (PDF 59kb)
      • Deerfield Wind Energy Development Special Use Permit EIS (PDF 74kb)

• Decision

  • Deerfield Wind Project Record of Decision (PDF 981kb)
    The Record of Decision (ROD) was signed by Forest Supervisor Colleen Pelles Madrid on January 3, 2012. Alternative 2, Reduced Turbines in the Western Project Site has been selected for implementation. The ROD provides the details of Alternative 2 and the rationale for why it was selected.
  • Decision Legal Notice (PDF 71kb)
    Legal Notice for the Deerfield Wind Project Record of Decision published in the Rutland Herald newspaper of record on January 10, 2012. The Legal Notice provides information for how to submit an administrative appeal for the decision. The 45-day appeal period ended on February 24, 2012.

• Analysis

  • Cover Page (PDF 19090kb)
    Cover Page for the Deerfield Wind Project Final Environmental Impact Statement.
  • Deerfield Wind Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (PDF 2168kb)
    Full text of the Deerfield Wind Project Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) dated December 2011.
  • Appendix A: Design Criteria and Mitigation Measures (PDF 72kb)
  • Appendix B: Noise Primer (PDF 319kb)
  • Appendix C: Visual Simulations by Alternative
    
    • Proposed Action
      
      • Viewpoint 3 - Proposed Action (PDF 1607kb)
      • Viewpoint 4 - Proposed Action (PDF 1630kb)
      • Viewpoint 6 - Proposed Action (PDF 1811kb)
      • Viewpoint 8 - Proposed Action (PDF 1290kb)
      • Viewpoint 9a - Proposed Action (PDF 2066kb)
      • Viewpoint 9b - Proposed Action (PDF 1888kb)
      • Viewpoint 11 - Proposed Action (PDF 2162kb)
      • Viewpoint 13 - Proposed Action (PDF 1916kb)
      • Viewpoint 14 - Proposed Action (PDF 1751kb)
      • Viewpoint 18 - Proposed Action (PDF 1582kb)
      • Viewpoint 20 - Proposed Action (PDF 2026kb)
    • No Action
      
      • Viewpoint 3 - No Action (PDF 1311kb)
      • Viewpoint 4 - No Action (PDF 1451kb)
      • Viewpoint 6 - No Action (PDF 1797kb)
      • Viewpoint 8 - No Action (PDF 1540kb)
      • Viewpoint 9a - No Action (PDF 2213kb)
      • Viewpoint 9b - No Action (PDF 2141kb)
      • Viewpoint 11 - No Action (PDF 1977kb)
      • Viewpoint 13 - No Action (PDF 1402kb)
      • Viewpoint 14 - No Action (PDF 1740kb)
      • Viewpoint 18 - No Action (PDF 1331kb)
      • Viewpoint 20 - No Action (PDF 2087kb)
    • Reduced West
      
      • Viewpoint 3 - Reduced West (PDF 1690kb)
      • Viewpoint 4 - Reduced West (PDF 1029kb)
      • Viewpoint 6 - Reduced West (PDF 1924kb)
      • Viewpoint 8 - Reduced West (PDF 1317kb)
      • Viewpoint 9a - Reduced West (PDF 2013kb)
      • Viewpoint 9b - Reduced West (PDF 1889kb)
      • Viewpoint 11 - Reduced West (PDF 2014kb)
      • Viewpoint 13 - Reduced West (PDF 2093kb)
      • Viewpoint 14 - Reduced West (PDF 1706kb)
      • Viewpoint 18 - Reduced West (PDF 1516kb)
      • Viewpoint 20 - Reduced West (PDF 1981kb)
    • East Only
      
      • Viewpoint 3 - East Only (PDF 1479kb)
      • Viewpoint 4 - East Only (PDF 1929kb)
      • Viewpoint 6 - East Only (PDF 1804kb)
      • Viewpoint 8 - East Only (PDF 1398kb)
      • Viewpoint 9a - East Only (PDF 2009kb)
      • Viewpoint 9b - East Only (PDF 1879kb)
      • Viewpoint 11 - East Only (PDF 2161kb)
      • Viewpoint 13 - East Only (PDF 2010kb)
      • Viewpoint 14 - East Only (PDF 1992kb)
      • Viewpoint 18 - East Only (PDF 1111kb)
      • Viewpoint 20 - East Only (PDF 2050kb)
  • Appendix D: Avian White Paper (PDF 177kb)
  • Appendix E: Bat White Paper (PDF 90kb)
  • Appendix F: Bear Panel Review (PDF 286kb)
  • Appendix G: Vermont Public Service Board Certificate of Public Good (PDF 66kb)
  • Appendix H: Monitoring and Research Plan (PDF 64kb)
  • Appendix I: Analysis of Other National Forest System Sites for Wind Energy Development (PDF 86kb)
  • Appendix J: Response to Public Comments (PDF 940kb)
  • Appendix K: Health Effects White Paper (PDF 71kb)
  • Figure 1-1: Project Vicinity Map (PDF 1337kb)
  • Figure 1-2: Project Area Location (PDF 997kb)
  • Figure 1-3: Project Layout Proposed Action (PDF 635kb)
  • Figure 2-1a: Potential Sites for Wind Resource Development Rochester-Middlebury Ranger District (PDF 1078kb)
  • Figure 2-1b: Potential Sites for Wind Resource Development Manchester Ranger District (PDF 1085kb)
  • Figure 2-2: Project Layout Reducted West (PDF 636kb)
  • Figure 2-3: Project Layout East Only (PDF 626kb)
  • Figure 3.1-1: Management Areas (PDF 601kb)
  • Figure 3.2-1: Soil Classification (PDF 897kb)
  • Figure 3.2-2: Soil Erodibility Classification (PDF 699kb)
  • Figure 3.2-3: Slope Analysis (PDF 1415kb)
  • Figure 3.4-1: Sound Monitoring Locations (PDF 857kb)
  • Figure 3.4-2: Project Related Sound Levels from the Proposed Action (PDF 977kb)
  • Figure 3.4-3: No Action Alternative Sound Levels (PDF 843kb)
  • Figure 3.4-4: Difference Between Project Related Sound Levels from the Proposed Action Alternative (PDF 1007kb)
  • Figure 3.4-5: Project Related Sound Levels from the Reduced West Alternative (PDF 272kb)
  • Figure 3.4-6: Difference Between Project Related Sound Levels from the Reduced West Alternative and the No Action Alternative (PDF 256kb)
  • Figure 3.4-7: Project Related Sound Levels from the East Side Only Alternative (PDF 289kb)
  • Figure 3.4-8: Difference Between Project Related Sound Levels from the East Side Only Alternative and the No Action Alternative (PDF 253kb)
  • Figure 3.5-1: Viewpoints (PDF 1554kb)
  • Figure 3.7-1: Surface Waters (PDF 1122kb)
  • Figure 3.8-1: NWI Mapping (PDF 1130kb)
  • Figure 3.8-2: VSWI Mapping (PDF 1023kb)
  • Figure 3.8-3: Delineated Wetlands Index (PDF 707kb)
  • Figure 3.8-3: Delineated Wetlands Sheets (PDF 2114kb)
  • Figure 3.9-1: Forest Cover Types (PDF 1927kb)
  • Figure 3.10-1a: Point Count Locations for the Eastern Project Area (PDF 2194kb)
  • Figure 3.10-1b: Point Count Locations for the Western Project Area (PDF 2113kb)
  • Figure 3.10-2: Raptor Survey Locations and Flight Paths - 2004 (PDF 1093kb)
  • Figure 3.10-3: Raptor Survey Locations and Flight Paths - 2005 (PDF 1015kb)
  • Figure 3.10-4: Radoar Station and Detection Rangers - 2004 (PDF 1196kb)
  • Figure 3.10-5: Radar Station and Detection Rangers - 2005 (PDF 1068kb)
  • Figure 3.10-6: Radar Station and Detection Range - 2005 (PDF 1086kb)
  • Figure 3.10-7: Radar Station and Detection Range - 2006 (PDF 848kb)
  • Figure 3.11-1a: Acoustic Bat Detector Locations (PDF 906kb)
  • Figure 3.11-1b: Acoustic Bat Detector Locations (PDF 905kb)
  • Figure 3.12-1: Areas of Concentrated Bear Scar Red Beech (PDF 552kb)
  • Figure 3.13-1: Affected Environment for Recreation Resources (PDF 1368kb)
  • Figure 3.13-2: Recreational Opportunity Spectrum (PDF 589kb)
  • Figure 3.15-1: Roadway Modification (PDF 438kb)
  • Figure 3.15-2: Roadway Modification (PDF 1569kb)
  • Figure 3.15-3: Roadway Modification (PDF 1190kb)