AGENDA

WASHINGTON COUNTY PLANNING BOARD

&

ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS

WIND SUBCOMMITTEE MEETING

Thursday

March 18, 2010

2:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Washington County Operations and Maintenance Center

Conference Room

2615 Brink Drive

Fayetteville, Arkansas, 72701

 

 

  1. Roll Call

The members of the Wind Subcommittee are: Bob Daugherty (Chair), Cheryl West, and Jim Gallagher.  However all Board Members and any members of the public are welcome to attend.  The press will be notified of all meeting times and dates. These subcommittee meetings will be conducted like any other public meeting.

 

  1. Approval of the agenda (there have been changes made since the agenda was sent out)

 

  1. New Business

 

a.       Discussion of potential bat, bird, and other environmental topics in Washington County with regards to commercial wind farm development. 

 

Special guest speakers: 

 

·         Jenny Ahlen-Renewable Energy Programs Coordinator/ Energy Policy Analyst, Arkansas Energy Office, Arkansas Economic Development Commission

a.       Ms. Ahlen will give a synopsis of her/Arkansas Energy Office involvement with commercial wind in Arkansas

 

    Birds

 

·         Karen Rowe- Bird Conservation Program Coordinator, Wildlife Management Division, Hampton Waterfowl Research Center

a.       What is a migratory bird

b.       What bird species are not protected

c.       General explanation of bird migration (see map handout)

d.       Arkansas Game and Fish’s monitoring of Bald Eagle nests

e.       Other bird-related information

f.        Q&A

 

·         Erin Leone- Endangered Species Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service

a.       Legal aspects of the Migratory Bird Treaty act

b.       US Fish and Wildlife’s role in regulating wind towers as it applies to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Act.

c.       Other bird-related information

d.      Q &A

 

Bats

 

·         David Kampwerth- Karst Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service

a.       General information on bats, their habits, habitat, yearly migrations, etc.

b.       What are the endangered species of bats found in Washington County

c.       How commercial wind towers may effect bats

d.       How bats are protected on the State and Federal levels

e.       Other bat-related information

f.        Q &A

 

  1. General Q &A session

 

  1. Other Business
    1. Next Wind Meeting:  April 8- 2:00- 5:00 pm.  Guest Speakers will include:  AEP/SWEPCO, Ozarks Electric, AECC

 

  1. Adjourn