Spring, 2015.docVIP

Spring, 2005 Mr. James Sherron Executive Director Steuben County Industrial Development Agency P.O. Box 393 Bath, NY 14810-0393 Dear Mr. Sherron: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) has reviewed the Draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Ecogen, LLC Prattsburgh Wind Project in the Town of Prattsburgh, Steuben County, and the Town of Italy, Yates County, New York. The Steuben County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), as lead agency in the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) process, is considering potential impacts from construction of 53 wind energy turbines which would generate approximately 79 megawatts of power. Turbine structures are anticipated to be approximately 389 feet tall from the ground to the highest blade tip. Structures such as a substation, 4.8 miles of buried cable, an unspecified amount of overhead transmission lines, and 3.4 miles of access roads must also be built in the 33,000acre project area. This project is situated at the southern end of the Finger Lakes, near the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) Hi Tor Wildlife Management Area, the Hi Tor Bird Conservation Area, and generally along a north-south oriented ridge. Our review and comments are being provided under the SEQRA process. We may provide future comments pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (40 Stat. 755; 16 U.S.C. 703-712) (MBTA), the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (87?Stat. 884, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16 U.S.C. 668668d), or the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (48 Stat. 401, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), as applicable. The Service previously provided general comments to the project sponsor in letters dated December 29, 2004, and May 6, 2004. It should be noted that as of June?16,?2005, data from a spring 2005 avian radar study were not available, therefore, we expect to provide additional comments on this project.