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Serving Lincoln County for more than a century!
Wind, solar facility provisions included
DAVENPORT — The Lincoln County Planning Dept. is in the process of updating Title 17 of the county code to include provisions for alternative energy facility siting, like wind and solar projects. Such language is not presently included in the code.
The update comes during controversial wind turbine projects being developed utilizing mostly private, leased land in the Davenport, Reardan and Harrington areas by multiple alternative energy companies.
A new chapter, 17.14, would address commercial wind energy facility standards. According to the draft, turbines greater than 120 feet in height are considered commercial wind energy facilities and are subject to chapter requirements.
Facilities generating 25 or fewer kilowatts and turbines 120 feet in height are less are permitted outright and aren’t subject to the additional requirements if total electrical generation doesn’t exceed 100 kilowatts.
If adopted, the ordinance would require the following items:
• Applicants must comply with county requirements, like critical areas ordinances, environmental review regulations and building code requirements.
• At least one informal community meeting within Lincoln County is encouraged to inform the public about proposed facilities.
• Conditional use, county road use and right-of-way permits must be obtained.
• Upon receiving an application, the County Planner will distribute the plans for review to the County Engineer, Public Works Director, Environmental Health Officer and Building Inspector. A public hearing will be held before the Hearing Examiner.
• An expanded State Environmental Policy Act checklist will be submitted to the Planning Dept. The list must include site-specific studies for impacts to habitat, wildlife and cultural resources.
• Setbacks from existing residences must be at least 1,650 feet or four times the total extended height of the tower, whichever is greater.
• A minimum distance of one times the height of the turbine plus 100 feet away from the property line of any nonparticipating land owner is required.
• Setbacks from the rights-of-way of all county roads are the total extended height of the tower plus 100 feet from the closest blade tip of the tower.
• The project must comply with applicable state noise standards.
• At applicant’s expense, the County Engineer will document road conditions before and after construction. The applicant is responsible for the repair of damage to public roads.
• A construction-phase traffic management plan must be provided.
• A water truck must remain onsite during construction for dust suppression.
• Ongoing environmental monitoring must occur during construction.
• Overhead electrical transmission and collector lines should be constructed consistently with existing Avian Power Line Interaction Committee recommendations.
• Applicants must conduct project pre-assessment studies consistent with Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Wind Power guidelines.
• Meteorological towers must use bird flight deflectors. Onsite raptor nests must be assessed and monitored to avoid being disturbed. One full season of avian use surveys is recommended.
• Applicants must remove all carcasses of livestock and big game that may attract foraging raptors.
• Applicants must monitor bird and bat fatality rates for at least one year following the project.
• Stormwater drainage systems must be implemented to ensure minimal erosion.
• Lighting fixtures must be directed away from adjacent properties to the maximum extent possible.
• A decommissioning plan must be presented to the county.
• Chemical fire suppression materials must be held onsite to allow fire response.
A full copy of the proposed ordinance update is available through the Planning Dept.
Public comments can be made on the proposed update by 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27. Additionally, a public hearing will be held before the county Planning Commission at 5 p.m. at the County Fairgrounds Thursday, March 28.
Planning Commission Chair Sue Lani Madsen said the ordinance language is nearly a carbon copy of present language used in Whitman County, where wind turbine projects are ongoing. Once an ordinance is adopted by the Commission, it would go to the County Commissioners for final approval.
Drew Lawson is the editor of the Davenport Times. He is a graduate of Eastern Washington University.
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