HOUNSFIELD WIND FARM: FLORA AND FAUNA

NORTH POND
Brownville
Lyme
Reputed Owner:
Galloo Island Corp.
PROJECT AREA
Hounsfield
Henderson
Reputed Owner:
Galloo Island Corp.
Watertown
Adams
JEFFERSON COUNTY
LA K E O N TA R IO
Reputed Owner:
U S Of America
Lorraine
Ellisburg
Staging
Area
Gill Harbor
Boylston
REGIONAL VIEW
Sandy Creek
LAKE ONTARIO
Reputed Owner:
New York State DEC
Reputed Owner:
Galloo Island Corp
O&M Building,
Maintenance & Housing
ACP-NY F:\PROJECT\507NY021\GIS\mxd\080429_PropSitePlan.mxd Date: 4/29/2008 5:57:29 PM Name: 5mcmand
Staging
Area
Staging
Area
Substation
Helicopter Hanger
Concrete Batch Plant
Helicopter Pad
L I T T L E
I S L A N D
Pier and Staging Area
Reputed Owner:
Dibnah, Cara C.
Reputed Owner:
New York State DEC
G A L L O O
Represents a potential WTG location
if granted permission from New York State.
0
1,250
2,500
5,000
Feet
Legend
Wind Turbine Generators (WTG)
PROPOSED SITE PLAN
Maximum Laydown Area of WTG
Access Roads
Town of Hounsfield Parcel Boundaries
Preliminary Wetlands Boundary Survey (Oct. 2007)
American Consulting
Professionals of
New York, PLLC
HOUNSFIELD WIND FARM
FIGURE 1
HOUNSFIELD WIND FARM:
FLORA AND FAUNA
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT SUMMARY
SUSAN C COOK-PATTON
CLIENT
Fall 2010
November 27, 2010
Wind farm impacts on flora and fauna
Project description
Timeline
The second largest wind turbine facility in
New York has been proposed for Galloo Island,
NY. Galloo Island is a 1,966 acre, uninhabited
island situated in the eastern portion of Lake
Ontario, about six miles offshore of Henderson,
NY. With 84 wind generators, the facility will be
able to produce 252 megawatts of power at peak
capacity, which could power more than 90,000
homes.
The project involves the construction of
multiple temporary and permanent structures. The
permanent structures include (but are not limited
to) [1] staff housing, which will require power,
sewage and water services, [2] infrastructure for
collecting and transmitting power, [3] sediment
basins for erosion and storm control, [4] an 80meter tall meterological tower, and [5] a helicopter
pad. In sum, 158.66 acres (or 8.07%) of the island
will be permanently developed. A map of the
proposed development is included on the cover
page of this document.
Advocates for the project emphasize that
the new wind farm will promote energy security by
decreasing New York’s reliance on foreign fossil
fuels, support New York’s “green” economy,
reduce pollution emissions, and create jobs. In
addition, wind energy will diversify New York’s
energy sources, which should reduce price
volatility due to weather conditions, economic
events, or disruptions in supply.
2007
December – Town of Hounsfield Planning
Board decides that the project was a Type I
action under SEQRA
2008
May – Public scoping period begins
September – Final written scope issued by the
NYS DEC
2009
February – DEIS published for public review
May – Public comment period ended
December – Final EIS accepted
2010
Fall – Construction began
2012
Fall – Anticipated completion date
Organization
The NYS Department of Environmental
Conservation is the lead agency and the Upstate
NY Power Corp sponsors the proposed wind farm
project. Other agencies involved in the process
include the Town of Hounsfield Planning Board,
the Department of Public Service, the State Office
of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the
New York State Department of State, and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
Environment
The Project site contains various
vegetative cover types including deciduous and
mixed forests, wooded and non-wooded wetlands,
open fields, scrub-shrub areas, developed areas,
agricultural areas and vegetation associated with
rocky areas and cliffs. The is comprised of large
and small mammals, birds, amphibians and
reptiles. Galloo Island has a long history of
disturbance and has been farmed, clear cut for
cedar, and managed for deer. In addition, it is
being invaded by pale swallow-wort (Cynanchum
rossicum), an invasive plant species that forms
dense mats and outcompete native species that
are more valuable to wildlife species.
The broader geographic region (eastern
Lake Ontario) has important Bird Conservation
Areas, Audubon Important Bird Areas and various
Wildlife Management Areas. Little Galloo Island
(another island in the vicinity) is a particularly
valuable wildlife refuge and is a state Bird
Conservation Area. However, the wind farm is not
expected to impact Little Galloo Island.
Birds
Multiple bird surveys were conducted
during 2007-2009 at different times of the year and
using many data collection methods. Many avian
species were observed, ranging from large raptors
(e.g., Red-tailed Hawks, Rough-legged Hawks,
Snowy Owls, Bald Eagles) to water fowl (e.g.,
Mallards, Goldeneye, Long-tailed Duck) to sea
birds (e.g., Double-crested Cormorants, Caspian
Terns) to grassland-nesting birds (Upland
Sandpiper). Several NYS-listed species were
observed, including the Pied-billed Grebe
(Threatened), the Northern Harrier (Threatened),
the Common Loon (Special Concern), the
American Bittern (Special Concern) and the
Cooper’s Hawk (Special Concern). Impacts to
breeding grounds of Upland Sandpipers
(Threatened) are of most concern. While some
roads were moved to minimize impacts, the wind
farm will still affect about 72 acres of open land,
similar to the habitat in which the Upland
Sandpiper nests. The EIS acknowledges that not
enough is known about this species behavior to
mitigate properly for the potential destruction of
Sandpiper nesting habitat. Thus “if postconstruction impacts are identified, DEC reserves
the right to require adaptive management
strategies to avoid or minimize such impacts.”
Bird mortality due to collision with wind
farm structures is expected to vary by species.
Minimal impacts are expected for waterfowl (i.e.,
ducks). Ring-billed Gulls, Double-crested
Cormorants and Caspian Terns are at a greater
risk as they make foraging flights over Galloo
Island. Raptors, like the threatened Bald Eagle
may experience some collisions in the winter when
they forage on the island for small mammals. The
EIS notes, however, that there has been only one
unconfirmed case of a Bald Eagle experiencing
collision mortality at a wind project in the northeast
and that there is no data about how Bald Eagles
avoid (or do not avoid) wind. One suggestion was
made in the DEIS to introduced foxes and coyotes
to the island to reduce the vole population, which
would in turn reduce the presence of raptors on
the island who hunt for voles in the winter. This
plan was ultimately dropped in the FEIS.
Small songbirds repeatedly fly back and
forth across the island, particularly in the morning,
and are thus at higher risk because they move so
frequently. The US Fish and Wildlife Service
suggested that the turbines be moved to locations
where birds are less likely to travel. In reply, the
EIS notes that the USFWS “does not indicate
which specific areas on the island are “important”
for wildlife” and that “each habitat located on the
island provides some value to various wildlife
species.” The avian risk analysis concluded that
the risk of shorebird collision with turbines was
higher on Galloo Island than other islands, but
lower than other mainland coastal sites. The EIS
concludes that bird collisions are expected to be
minimal.
Mitigation impacts for birds include using
single poles for the wind turbines and
meteorological tower to reduce the potential
vertical area of collision, painting the turbines so
that they are more visible to birds, and using a
lighting scheme that reduces the attraction of birds
– though all vertical structures must have lighting
that meets FAA’s regulations.
Fishes.
Permanent impacts to aquatic life are not
expected, though some impact may occur during
the construction of in-water structures. To
minimize potentially adverse environmental
impacts, several best practices were adopted.
Blasting will occur during the day and during
periods of noisy construction when fish are scared
from the site. Charges will be staggered to give fish
time to swim away. A turbidity barrier will be in
place to minimize clouding of the water. Finally, a
water intake structure, which is used to collect
freshwater for drinking and fire prevention, will not
exceed 0.5 ft/second in velocity to prevent trapping
aquatic organisms at the intake head.
Mammals.
Mammals on Galloo Island include eastern
chipmunk, eastern gray squirrel, red squirrel,
American beaver, deer mouse, meadow vole,
common muskrat, coyote, raccoon and white-tailed
deer, none of which are federally or state listed
threatened or endangered species. Most of these
mammals are mobile and can readily avoid an area
that is disturbed by construction activities. Some
small rodents may be impacted during
November 27, 2010
construction, but because they are abundant and reproduce quickly no mitigation measures were taken.
Deer are one of the few mammals discussed specifically in the EIS. They were introduced to the island and
the public was concerned that deer populations would exceed the carrying capacity of the island if hunters from the
community did not cull the herd. The Upstate NY Power Corp stated that their staff would hunt if necessary to reduce
the deer population.
Risk analyses for bats were also conducted and concluded that small risks were expected, particularly
because construction will halt in the winter when the lake is frozen and thus no disruption to bat hibernation is
expected. As a result of the public comments, one facility (the electricity collecting substation) was moved from
forested land to agricultural land. This move preserved almost 13 acres of forest, which will further reduce the impacts
of the construction on bats. Post-construction monitoring of bat populations will occur to decide if additional mitigation
measures are needed.
Flora.
Two state threatened plant species occur on the island: rock cress and troublesome sedge. Rock cress was
found in the cliff areas of the island in areas that will not be developed. Troublesome sedge grows prolifically on the
island in multiple habitat types. Small skullcap, a species on the New York Natural Heritage Program Watch List, was
found within an open field on the island. Finally, suitable habitat for the Autumnal Water-starwort (state-endangered)
exists in the north pond and Gill Harbor, but no Autumnal Water-starwort was found. Only the Troublesome sedge will
be impacted by the construction of the wind farm. However, it is so abundant on the island that no mitigation
measures were proposed, because the population would not be significantly impacted by the construction.
Concern was raised about the spread of an invasive plant species on Galloo Island. The invader, pale
swallow-wort, is currently found on only some parts of the island. The Upstate NY Power Corp. agreed to adopt
various control measures, including spraying patches of pale swallow-wort with (limited) pesticides to kill the invader.
They will also wash trucks and gear before they are moved around to prevent the dissemination of seeds to currently
uninfested areas. However, the EIS states that this invader is likely to spread via wind and thus does not hold Upstate
NY Power Corp responsible if the entire island does become invaded.
Amphibians and Reptiles
Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) is a threatened species in New York and is being considered for
protection under the Federal Endangered Species Act. Suitable nesting habitat was found on Galloo Island, but no
Blanding’s Turtles. The writers of the EIS decided that no mitigation was necessary because the rare turtles were not
currently using the island.
The DEIS identified six species of amphibians (american toad, red-backed salamander, northern leopard
Company
Name
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frogs, and pickerel frogs) and five species of reptiles (snapping turtle, northern map turtle,
painted turtle,
northern
November 27, 2010
watersnake, and the common gartersnake) that inhabit the island. The FEIS acknowledges that amphibians and
reptiles may be killed and displaced during construction, but offer no mitigation plans because none of the
amphibians or reptiles is considered rare or endangered.
Alternatives
The “No Action” alternative was considered not viable because the island is “underutilized” as a seasonal
residence, forests, and agricultural lands. The socioeconomic benefits and environmental gains from developing
a renewable energy source were considered too important to not proceed with the project.
The “Maximum Turbine Build-out” was considered unrealistic because blanketing the entire island with wind
turbines would destroy too much wetland area.
The “Fewer Turbines” alternative was rejected because the net decrease in capacity outweighed the slight
decrease in permanent impacts to wooded areas.
The “No Impact from Project” alternative was rejected because it was not feasible to construct the project without
some impact to wetlands and forests.
The “Lower Turbine Height” alternative to reduce visual impacts and bird collisions was not viable, because it
increased the disturbance that each turbine caused.
References
Tomasik, S. (2009) Final Environmental Impact Statement :
Hounsfield Wind Farm. NYS DEC.
Tomasik, S. (2009) Draft Environmental Impact Statement :
Hounsfield Wind Farm. NYS DEC.
Gibas, K. “Concerns over proposed Hounsfield Wind Farm on
Galloo Island.” http://centralny.ynn.com. May 19, 2009.
“Upland Sandpiper Fact Sheet.” NYS DEC.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/59582.html
“Northern Harrier Fact Sheet.” NYS DEC.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/7090.html