Subject: [Tweeters] Wind farms in Eastern OR
Date: Jan 6 11:49:23 2012
From: jbroadus at seanet.com - jbroadus at seanet.com


Perhaps as an incidental to the recent posts about the Golden eagle take permit in eastern OR, I thought
some of you may have at least some interest in the permitting status of the Steens Mtn. wind farm proposal.
Very recently BLM issued an approval for a right of way from the Echanis project to run a power line north to
an intertie near Crane.

During may last couple of years of bird surveys at Malheur NWR, one of the projects has been to do weekly
surveys on portions of the refuge surrounding one of the proposed powerline routes, which was to cross the
Blitzen at a narrow part of the refuge. The route as finally approved is one that does not cross the refuge.
The powerline approval was essential for any Steens Mtn. wind project to proceed. I do not have good
information about any other issues which may affect these projects.

There are several news releases (including maps) voicing all levels of opinions about this project, which you
can easily find by "Googling" "Echanis wind farm." or "Steens Mtn. wind project." Rather than suggesting
any particular links, if you want to pursue a detailed reading (including predicted eagle fatalities, effects on
sage grouse, etc.; reasons for choosing the powerline route that avoids the refuge, monitoring
requirements, and so forth) and have a lot of spare time, you might go to the actual federal report of
decision:

http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/burns/plans/steen_trans/rod.php

Jerry Broadus
PLS 17660