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From the County of Humboldt:

The Humboldt Wind Energy Project is being scheduled for a Public Hearing with the Humboldt County Planning Commission.  These hearings are an important opportunity for the public to understand the project and provide comments for the Commission to consider as they decide on whether the project should be approved. The project consists of up to 60 wind turbine generators (WTGs) and associated infrastructure at a site about 20 miles south of Eureka. The WTGs would be located on Monument and Bear River Ridges with a gen-tie line roughly following Shively Ridge to the point of interconnection at the Bridgeville substation. If approved, the project could generate up to 155 MW of power.

A Final Environmental Impact (FEIR) will be available for public review by November 4, 2019.  The FEIR contains the Draft EIR, the comments received on the DEIR, responses to those comments and refinements made since the public review of the DEIR.  The FEIR contains a full description of the project including changes made in response to agency and public comment. 

On Thursday, November 7, the Public Hearing will begin at 4 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Chambers of the Humboldt County Courthouse.  This hearing will include a presentation of the project and the analysis and conclusions presented in the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR). This will include an explanation of project refinements in response to public input.  There will be an opportunity for public comment on the project and FEIR. No action will be taken at this hearing.

The hearing will be continued to Thursday, November 14, at 4 p.m. to allow time for public review of the FEIR. As part of their review, the Planning Commission will consider alternatives identified in the FEIR.  and the Commission may act on the FEIR and project at the conclusion of the public hearing.

Staff is recommending certification of the Environmental Impact Report, adoption of Statements of Overriding Considerations, adoption of findings that the project is consistent with applicable policies and regulations, adoption a mitigation monitoring, and reporting program and approval of the project as revised in the FEIR.

The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the project was released on April 23, 2019, and the associated public comment period closed on June 1.  During the public review period, comments were received from numerous agencies, organizations, and individuals. The FEIR provides responses to the written comments received during the public review period. As a result of the comments received, Humboldt Wind LLC refined the project layout based on the presence of sensitive resources and other factors. Supplemental technical studies conducted in support of the project were used to further refine the project footprint, minimizing potential impacts and increasing the effectiveness of proposed mitigation measures.  An example is the micro siting of the wind turbine generators by the project proponent so as to avoid areas with the highest passage rates for Marbled Murreletts.

The public may view the Final EIR online at this link or at any of the following locations: 

Humboldt County Public Library - Rio Dell Branch           
715 Wildwood Avenue
Rio Dell, CA 95562

Humboldt County Public Library - Ferndale
807 Main Street
Ferndale, CA 95536

Humboldt County Library – Eureka
1313 3rd Street
Eureka, CA 95501

Scotia Community Services District
400 Church Street
Scotia, CA 95565

The Multi- Generational Center
2280 Newburg Road
Fortuna, CA 95540

County of Humboldt
Planning and Building Department
3015 H Street
Eureka, CA 95501

Questions about the Humboldt Wind Project and opportunities to participate in the process may be directed to:  Steve Werner, Supervising Planner, Humboldt County Planning and Building Department, (707) 445-7541.

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