The Green Mountain National Forest (GMNF) recently released for public comment its Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the proposed Deerfield Wind Project in the towns of Searsburg and Readsboro.
The GMNF is evaluating several alternatives in detail, including the original proposal for a 17-turbine project. Two other action alternatives are also being considered. They include development of a seven-turbine project on the ridge east of Route 8, and development of a 15-turbine project that matches the Vermont Public Service Board-approved configuration.
The U.S. Forest Service can also take “no action” should it decide not to approve the project. The Forest Service must now conclude its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review and decide whether or not to allow the project to be built on the Green Mountain National Forest.
GMNF officials released the SDEIS and began taking “formal” public comment on Dec. 27. The NEPA process requires that the Forest Service allow the public at least 45 days to review and comment on the proposed alternatives. Initially, the Forest Service had intended to close the public comment period after 54 days on Friday, Feb. 18, allowing extra time for the holidays.
Due to limited functionality of the Forest Service's web site throughout the past week, Colleen Madrid, Forest Supervisor for the GMNF, has decided to extend the public comment period for two additional weeks, which now will end on Friday, March 4.
In another effort to make sure that the public has had ample opportunity to review and comment on the project, the Forest Service has created another web link for viewing project information at bit.ly/fYQ7Hz.
It also can be found at bit.ly/ficn96.