Environmental Fatal Flaw Analysis for the Flat Hill I Wind Resource Area

Abstract

A Confidential Wind Developer (the “Developer”), is planning to develop a windpark in Clay County in Minnesota. The proposed Flat Hill I Wind Resource Area (WRA) is located approximately 12 miles east of the City of Moorhead. The project is in the initial development stage and many details of the project design have not yet been determined.

The proposed Flat Hill I WRA is located on private land in in west-central Minnesota, east of the City of Moorhead in Clay County (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Access to the Flat Hill I WRA is off State Route 9. Numerous farmstead residences occur scattered through the study area. The nearest town to the study area is Glyndon, Minnesota, located approximately five mile southwest of the Flat Hill I WRA. The topography of the study area is level to gently rolling and consists of a large lake plain from Glacial Lake Agassiz. The eastern portion of the Flat Hill I WRA includes Agassiz Beach Ridges topography with noted elevation increases. Elevations range from approximately 910 to 1,117 feet above mean sea level. Much of the study area is undeveloped and consists of agricultural areas. The Flat Hill I WRA borders the Buffalo River State Park, southwest of the intersection of Minnesota Highway 10 and Highway 9 South.

Current plans for the project include the installation of 133, 1.5 MW GE turbines within the WRA. The proposed Flat Hill I windpark will generate a maximum of 200 MW of total power. The Flat Hill I WRA is within an irregularly-shaped area approximately nine miles by six miles, with a two mile by six mile transmission corridor that extends to the south. Infrastructure to be installed in conjunction with proposed turbine arrays includes access roads and underground and overhead electrical lines. Locations for any other structures such as substations, switchyard and an operations and maintenance center have not been identified.

Tetra Tech conducted a desktop study and preliminary field reconnaissance to identify key biological, cultural, and land use issues associated with building and operating the proposed facility. Results of background research and a preliminary field visit are summarized in this report. Additional investigations that may help to address the potential effects of the project are presented for consideration.