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HighlandWindFarm,LLC
RevisedCertificateofPublicConvenience
andNecessityApplication
St.CroixCounty,Wisconsin
December16,2011
RevisedFebruary28,2012
PSCDocketNo2535CE100
PSC REF#: 160355
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EXHIBIT 1
Part 2 of 43
2535-CE-100
1/17/2013 (aff)
Highland Wind Farm February 28, 2012
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TableofContents
1.0PROJECTDESCRIPTIONANDOVERVIEW..................................................................................1
1.1GENERALPROJECTLOCATIONANDDESCRIPTION......................................................1
1.1.1ProjectLocation .........................................................................................1
1.1.2ProjectMaps ..............................................................................................1
1.1.3ProjectInformation....................................................................................1
1.2OWNERSHIPANDOPERATINGENTITY........................................................................2
1.3PROJECTNEED/PURPOSE............................................................................................2
1.3.11.3.5NotApplicabletoIndependentPowerProducers........................2
1.3.6EnergyAgreements....................................................................................2
1.4ALTERNATIVES.............................................................................................................2
1.4.1SupplyAlternativesNotApplicabletoIndependentPowerProducers...3
1.4.2ProjectAreaSelection................................................................................3
1.5TURBINESITESELECTION............................................................................................5
1.5.1IndividualFactorsorCharacteristicsUsedtoSelectTurbineSites............5
1.5.2InformationonHowTurbineSiteCharacteristicsandTypeofTurbines
ChosenFactoredIntotheSelectionofFinalTurbineSites..................................7
1.5.3TurbineSetbackDistances.........................................................................7
1.6COST............................................................................................................................9
1.6.11.6.6NotApplicabletoIndependentPowerProducers .........................9
1.7MISOANDPROJECTLIFESPAN ...................................................................................9
1.7.1Misomarket...............................................................................................9
1.7.2EstimateofExpectedProjectLifeSpan ...................................................10
1.7.3FacilityDecommissioning.........................................................................10
1.8REQUIREDPERMITSANDAPPROVALS......................................................................10
1.8.1ApprovalsandPermits.............................................................................10
1.8.2CorrespondencewithPermittingAgenciesverifythatcopiesofallofficial
correspondencewithstate,federal,andlocalgovernmentagencieshavebeen
providedintheapplication................................................................................13
2.0TECHNICALDESCRIPTIONOFTURBINESANDTURBINESITES ...............................................13
2.1ESTIMATEDWINDSPEEDSANDENERGYPRODUCTION...........................................13
2.1.1WindSpeedsandSourceofWindSpeedDataUsedInAnalysis .............13
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2.1.2WindRoses(MonthlyandAnnual) ..........................................................13
2.1.3GrossandNetCapacityFactor.................................................................13
2.1.4EstimatedEnergyProductionofProject..................................................13
2.2TURBINETYPEANDTURBINECHARACTERISTICS......................................................13
2.2.1ManufacturerandModelofTurbinesUnderConsideration...................13
2.2.2TurbineDeliveryDate ..............................................................................14
2.2.3TotalNumberofTurbinesRequiredforProject ......................................14
2.2.4TechnicalCharacteristicsofTurbines ......................................................14
2.2.5TechnicalCharacteristicsofTurbineTowers ...........................................15
2.2.6DrawingsofTurbinesIncludingTurbinePadandTransformer ...............16
2.3CONSTRUCTIONEQUIPMENTANDDELIVERYVEHICLES...........................................17
2.3.1TypesofConstructionEquipmentandDeliveryVehicles ........................17
2.3.2GrossVehicleWeightforAllVehiclesUsingLocalRoads .........................17
2.3.3VehiclesforTurbine,Tower,BladeandCraneDelivery ..........................17
2.3.4CranesTypesandUses ..........................................................................19
2.3.4CraneandCranehardstandinginformation: ............................................20
2.3.5RoadsandInfrastructure .........................................................................20
2.3.6ConstructionTraffic .................................................................................24
2.4OTHERPROJECTFACILITIES.......................................................................................25
2.4.1TurbineSiteFoundation ..........................................................................25
2.4.1TurbineSiteFoundationInformation.......................................................25
2.4.2TurbineSiteConstructionArea................................................................25
2.4.3AccessRoads............................................................................................26
2.4.3Provideanonconfidentialversionoftheaccessroadinformation; .......27
2.4.4CranePaths ..............................................................................................27
2.4.5GeneralConstructionAreas.....................................................................28
2.4.6TransmissionInterconnection .................................................................30
2.4.7CollectorCircuits......................................................................................30
2.4.8ConstructionSiteLighting........................................................................31
2.5SUBSTATION..............................................................................................................32
2.5.1DrawingorDiagramoftheSubstation ....................................................32
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2.5.1Indicatetheactualsizeofthesubstationorsubstationadditioninsquare
feet,thedimensionsoftheproposedsubstationfacilities,andtheorientation
ofthesubstationwithinthepropertyparcel: ...................................................32
2.5.2PlatandTopographicMapsLocationoftheSubstation........................32
2.5.3SizeoftheLandPurchaseRequiredandOrientationofSubstationWithin
theParcel ...........................................................................................................32
2.5.4CurrentLandOwnershipandControlofProperty...................................32
2.5.5RequiredSubstationFacilities..................................................................32
2.5.6NewSubstation........................................................................................33
2.5.7ModificationstoExistingSubstations......................................................33
2.5.7ConstructionProcedures .........................................................................33
2.6OPERATIONSANDMAINTENANCEBUILDING...........................................................34
2.6.1PurposeandUseoftheProposedO&Mbuilding....................................34
2.6.2NumberofFullTimeEmployeesWorkingattheFacility ........................34
2.6.3SizeofPropertyNeeded ..........................................................................34
2.6.4BuildingandBuildingFootprint ...............................................................34
2.6.5LightingandSecurityPlanforO&MProperty .........................................34
2.6.6OtherFacilitiesNeeded ...........................................................................35
3.0DEVELOPMENT,APPROVAL,ENGINEERING,ANDCONSTRUCTIONPROCESSANDSEQUENCE
.........................................................................................................................................35
3.1CONSTRUCTIONSEQUENCE......................................................................................35
3.1.1ConstructionSchedule.............................................................................36
3.1.2StagingandConstructionSequence ........................................................36
3.1.2TheDiscussioninSection3.1.2oftheapplicationappearstoindicatethat
constructionhascommenced.Ifconstructionhasbegun,provideanarrative
describingthelocation,thetypeofconstructionactivitiesandthedatethat
constructioncommenced: .................................................................................38
3.1.3EstimateofTimeRequiredtoCompleteConstructionataTypicalTurbine
Site .....................................................................................................................39
3.2WORKFORCE .............................................................................................................40
3.2.1InformationonWorforceSizeandSkillsRequiredforPlantConstruction
andOperation....................................................................................................40
3.2.1EstimateofExpectedWorkforcefromLocalSources..............................40
4.0PROJECTMAPSANDPHOTOSIMULATIONS ..........................................................................40
4.1GENERALPROJECTMAPS..........................................................................................41
4.1PROVIDEPRINTEDCOPIESOFAPPENDIXL: ..............................................................41
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4.1.1ProjectAreaMaps....................................................................................41
4.1.2TopographicMaps ...................................................................................42
4.1.3NaturalResourcesandLandUse/OwnershipMaps ................................42
4.2COMMUNITYMAPS ..................................................................................................44
4.2.1ZoningMaps.............................................................................................44
4.2.2SensitiveSites ..........................................................................................45
4.3PHOTOSIMULATION.................................................................................................45
5.0NATURALANDCOMMUNITYRESOURCES,DESCRIPTIONANDPOTENTIALIMPACTS...........45
5.1SITEGEOLOGY...........................................................................................................45
5.1.1GeologyoftheProjectArea.....................................................................45
5.1.2GeotechnicalReportonSoilConditions ..................................................46
5.2TOPOGRAPHY............................................................................................................48
5.2.1GeneralTopographyoftheProjectArea.................................................48
5.2.2ExpectedChangestoSiteTopographyDuetoGradingActivities. ..........48
5.3LANDCOVER .............................................................................................................48
5.3.1VegetativeCommunitiesintheProjectArea ..........................................49
5.3.2AcresofLandCoverCategoriesinProjectArea ......................................49
5.3.3LandCoverImpacts..................................................................................50
5.3.3TheCPCNapplicationappearstolimtthedefinitionoftemporary
disturbancetoremovalorgradingofsoils.Vegetationclearingandtree
trimmingadjacenttocraneandotheraccesspaths,laydown(i.e.,staging)
areas,temporaryaccessroutesarealltemporarydisturbanceandshouldbe
considered.Reassessandrecaluclatetheestimatestoincludethefullrangeof
temporarydisturbance......................................................................................53
5.3.1DescribeWhatisReferredtointheCategory"Marshes/Water"(i.e.
WhetheranyRivers,Ponds,Waterways,etc.areIncluded) .............................53
5.4WILDLIFE ...................................................................................................................56
5.4.1ExistingWildlifeResourcesandEstimateExpectedImpactstoPlantand
AnimalHabitatsandPopulations ......................................................................56
5.4.1TheBaldEagleisBrieflyDiscussedinAppendixOandisIdentifiedas
ProtectedundertheFederalBaldandGoldenEagleProtectionAct.Provide
InformationRegardingConsultationwithUSFWS.............................................56
5.4.1PreconstructionBird/BatSurveyPlans,aDetailedDescriptionofthe
SurveyandAcousticMonitoringMethodologiesandDocumentationas
ApprovedbytheWDNRProirtoStartoftheSurvey.........................................56
Pagev
5.4.1Forblanding'sturtleindicateinAppendixOthataferfinalprojectdesign
andpriortoconstructionavoidancemeasureswillbedefinedforareasof
potentiallysuitableoroccupiedhabitatthatmayoverlapwithtemporaryor
permanentdisturbance.Thesemeasureswillbedevelopedbasedon
consultationwithWDNR ...................................................................................56
5.4.2AvianandBatPreConstructionSurveys .................................................58
5.5PUBLICLANDS ...........................................................................................................58
5.5.1ProvideaListingandGISShapefileofStateandFederalProperties,and
CountyParkswithin10MilesoftheProjectArea.............................................58
5.6LOCALZONING..........................................................................................................59
5.6.1CopiesofZoningOrdinances ...................................................................60
5.6.2ZoningChangesNeededfortheProject ..................................................60
5.6.3ZoningChangesRequested......................................................................61
5.7LANDUSEPLANS.......................................................................................................61
5.8ARCHAEOLOGICALANDHISTORICRESOURCES ........................................................61
5.8HISTORICALANDARCHEOLOGICAL...........................................................................61
5.8.1HistoricandArchaeologicalSitesPotentiallyAffected............................61
5.8.2ArchaeologicalSiteLocationsinWhichConstructionWouldOccur .......62
5.8.3ArchaeologicalorHistoricalResources....................................................62
5.9ERREVIEWENDANGERED,THREATENED,ANDSPECIALCONCERNSPECIESAND
COMMUNITIES....................................................................................................63
6.0WATERWAY/WETLANDPERMITTINGACTIVITIES ..................................................................63
6.1WATERWAYPERMITTINGACTIVITY..........................................................................64
6.2WETLANDS ................................................................................................................64
6.3MAPPINGWETLANDSANDWATERWAYCROSSINGS ...............................................64
6.4WATERWAY/WETLANDCONSTRUCTIONMETHODS ................................................65
6.5EROSIONCONTROLANDSTORMWATERMANAGEMENTPLAN..............................66
6.6MATERIALSMANAGEMENTPLAN.............................................................................66
6.6.1HaulRoutes..............................................................................................66
6.6.2StockpileAreas.........................................................................................66
6.6.3EquipmentStagingAreas.........................................................................67
6.6.4FieldScreeningProtocolforContaminantTesting ..................................67
6.6.5EstimatedTypes,ConcentrationsandVolumesofContaminated
Materials............................................................................................................67
6.6.6MethodforDewateringofExcavatedMaterials .....................................67
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6.6.7EstimatedVolumesofInchannelandUplandExcavatedMaterials.......67
6.6.8EstimatedVolumesandLocationofReusedInchannelandUpland
ExcavatedMaterials...........................................................................................68
6.6.9OffsiteDisposalPlansforContaminatedorNoncontaminatedMaterials
...........................................................................................................................68
6.7DEWATERINGPLAN...................................................................................................68
6.7.1Dewatering/DiversionofFlow.................................................................68
6.7.2DownstreamImpactMinimization ..........................................................69
6.7.3AnalysisofPossibleSystemOverloadScenarios .....................................69
6.7.4ImpactsofSystemOverloadonConstructionActivitiesandWaterQuality
...........................................................................................................................70
6.7.5WaterDischargeLocations ......................................................................70
6.7.6DetailsofaBackupSystem.....................................................................70
6.7.7HighFlowPlan..........................................................................................70
6.7.8ContaminatedWater ...............................................................................70
7.0AGRICULTURALIMPACTS.......................................................................................................71
7.1INFORMATIONONONGOINGFARMINGACTIVITIESINCONSTRUCTIONAREAS .....71
7.1.1CurrentCroppingPatterns.......................................................................71
7.1.2LocationofDrainageTileorIrrigationSystems.......................................71
7.1.3FarmlandPreservationAgreements(FPA)forProposedSites ................71
7.1.4ConservationReserveProgram(CRP)LandsInsidetheProjectBoundary
...........................................................................................................................72
7.1.4ProvideaGISShapefileShowingtheLocationsofPropertiesEnrolledin
theCRP...............................................................................................................72
8.0AIRPORTSANDLANDINGSTRIPS ...........................................................................................72
8.1PUBLICAIRPORTS......................................................................................................72
8.2PRIVATEAIRPORTS/GRASSLANDINGSTRIPS............................................................73
8.2.4DescribeanyMitigationMeasuresthatwouldbeusedtoAddressPrivateAirport
orAirstripImpacts ...........................................................................................754
8.3COMMERCIALAVIATION...........................................................................................74
8.4FEDERALAVIATIONADMINISTRATION.....................................................................74
8.4IdentifytheProviderofAirAmbulanceServiceswithintheProjectArea.Also
DescribeanyPlannedMitigationMeasuresthatwouldbeusedtoEnsureSafe
UseofThoseServicesafterConstruction...........................................................74
8.4.1CopiesofAllFAADeterminationsofHazard/NoHazard.........................75
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8.4.2StatusofFAADeterminations..................................................................75
8.4.3ObstructionMarkingandLightingRequiredbyFAA ...............................75
8.5WISCONSINDEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONHIGHSTRUCTUREPERMITS....75
8.5.1TurbineSitesRequiringWisDOTHighStructurePermits ........................75
8.5.2PermitStatusandConditionsforEachTurbineSiteRequiringHigh
StructurePermits...............................................................................................76
9.0EMF ........................................................................................................................................76
9.1ESTIMATEOFMAGNETICPROFILECREATEDBYCOLLECTORCIRCUITS....................76
10.0LINEOFSIGHTANDBROADCASTCOMMUNICATIONS........................................................76
10.1MICROWAVECOMMUNICATIONS..........................................................................76
10.1.2ListthePotentialImpactsandMitigationMeasuresthatwouldbeused
toCorrectMicrowaveComunicationsInterferenceinboththeDesignandPost
constructionPhasesoftheProject....................................................................75
10.3.1DescribeWhethertheProposedDevelopmentisLikelytoInterferewith
anyoftheFollowingDopplerWeatherRadarInstallation................................75
10.2TELEVISIONINTERFERENCE.....................................................................................77
10.3OTHERCOMMUNICATIONSSYSTEMS.....................................................................78
11.0NOISE....................................................................................................................................79
11.1EXISTINGNOISEMEASUREMENTSANDPROJECTEDNOISEIMPACTSFROM
PROJECT ..............................................................................................................80
11.2COPIESOFANYLOCALNOISEORDINANCE.............................................................82
11.3TURBINEMANUFACTURERSDESCRIPTIONOFNOISEATTENUATINGMETHODS...82
11.4DESCRIBEHOWNOISECOMPLAINTSWILLBEHANDLEDAFTERCONSTRUCTIONIS
COMPLETE:..........................................................................................................82
11.5DISCUSSANYMITIGATIONMEASURESTHATWOULDBEUSEDTOADDRESSNOISE
COMPLAINTSDURINGTHEOPERATIONOFTHEPROJECT: ................................83
12.0SHADOWFLICKER.................................................................................................................83
12.1SHADOWFLICKERATATYPICALWINDTURBINESITE............................................83
12.2MITIGATIONAVAILABLETOREDUCESHADOWFLICKER ........................................85
12.3INQUIRIESORCOMPLAINTS....................................................................................86
13.0LOCALGOVERNMENTIMPACTS...........................................................................................86
13.1JOINTDEVELOPMENTANDOTHERAGREEMENTS..................................................86
13.1DESCRIBEWHETHERANYPORTIONSOFTHETOWNOFFORESTWIND
DEVELOPMENTAGREEMENTDATEDAUGUST12,2010WOULDBEHONORED86
13.2PROVIDEDOCUMENTAITONFORANYPUBLICMEETINGSHELDINTHEPROJECT
AREAPRIORTOAUGUST12,2010......................................................................86
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13.2INFRASTRUCTUREANDSERVICEIMPROVEMENTS.................................................88
13.2.1LOCALGOVERNMENTINFRASTRUCTUREREQUIRED.............................88
13.2.2Effectsofproposedprojectoncity/village/townand/orcountybudgets
...........................................................................................................................88
13.2.3EstimateofRevenuetolocalcommunity...............................................88
13.2.4OTHERBENEFITSTOTHECOMMUNITY..................................................89
14.0LANDOWNERSAFFECTEDANDPUBLICOUTREACH.............................................................89
14.1LISTS ........................................................................................................................89
14.1PROVIDEASEPARATEALPHEBETIZEDLIST(NAMESANDADDRESSESINMSEXCEL
FOREACHOFTHEGROUPSDESCRIBEDBELOW.................................................89
14.2PUBLICOUTREACH..................................................................................................91
14.3PLANSANDSCHEDULESFORMAINTAININGCOMMUNICATIONWITHTHEPUBLIC
............................................................................................................................91
14.4LOCALMEDIAINFORMEDABOUTTHEPROJECT ....................................................91
Pageix
ListofTables
TABLE1.51DESIGNSETBACKS.................................................................................................................... 8
TABLE1.81PERMITS,NOTICES,CONSULTATIONSANDAPPROVALS ....................................................... 11
TABLE2.21TURBINEMODELANDNAMEPLATECAPACITY...................................................................... 14
TABLE2.22TECHNICALCHARACTERISTICSOFTURBINETOWERSCONSIDERED ..................................... 15
TABLE2.23TECHNICALCHARACTERISTICSOFTURBINETOWERSCONSIDERED ..................................... 16
TABLE2.31APPROXIMATEGROSSVEHICLEWEIGHT............................................................................... 17
TABLE2.32DELIVERYVEHICLECONFIGURATIONS ................................................................................... 18
TABLE2.33TYPICALCRANECAPACITYANDTECHNICALDATA ................................................................ 20
TABLE5.31VEGETATIVECOMMUNITIESINPROJECTAREA..................................................................... 49
TABLE5.32LANDCOVERINPROJECTAREA ............................................................................................. 50
TABLE5.33LANDCOVERIMPACTSINACRES ........................................................................................... 52
TABLE5.61APPLICABLEZONINGORDINANCES........................................................................................ 60
TABLE13.21TOTALESTIMATEDANNUALPAYMENTSTOAFFECTEDCOUNTYANDTOWNS .................. 89
TABLE14.11CLERKSOFMUNICIPALITIESDIRECTLYAFFECTED ............................................................... 90
Pagex
ListofFigures
FIGURE2.21TURBINEDRAWINGINCLUDINGPADANDTRANSFORMER ................................................ 16
FIGURE2.31STRAIGHTROUTETURBINECOMPONENTCLEARANCEPROFILE......................................... 19
FIGURE2.32INTERSECTIONWITHINSIDETURNINGRADIUSIMPROVEMENT ........................................ 23
FIGURE11.11MEASUREDSOUNDLEVELS(L90,DBA)............................................................................... 81
FIGURE12.11SHADOWHOURSFROMATYPICALTURBINE ..................................................................... 85
Pagexi
ListofAppendices
A ProjectMaps
B ProjectFacilityandEnvironmentMapbook
C TransmissionandInterconnection
D WindResourceandEnergyAssessments
E TurbineandTowerTechnicalData
F ConstructionandEquipmentInformation
G Roads,InfrastructureandTransportation
H O&MBuildingandLaydownYard
I CollectorCircuitsandEMF
J SubstationInformation
K GeneralProjectMaps
L OversizedProjectMaps
M PhotoSimulationStudy
N GeotechnicalReport
O Natural,Wildlife,AvianandEndangeredResources
P LocalOrdinances,ZoningandComprehensivePlans
Q ArcheologicalandHistoricReviews
R WetlandandWaterwayPermitting
S FAADeterminationsandWisDOTPermits
T LocalPermitting
U CommunicationStudies
V SoundStudies
W ShadowStudy
X LocalCommunityAgreementsandCorrespondence
Y PropertyandCommunityLists
Z PublicOutreach

Pagexii
Acronyms
AHI ArchitectureandHistoryInventory
AOI AreaofInterest
APE AreaofPotentialEffect
BMPs BestManagementPractices
CPCN CertificateofPublicConvenienceandNecessity
CRP ConservationReserveProgram
DATCP DepartmentofAgriculture,TradeandConsumerProtection
dBA Aweighteddecibellevel
DFIRMS DigitalFloodInsuranceRateMaps
EEW EEWServices,LLC
ER EndangeredResources
ERIS EnergyResourceInterconnectionService
FAA FederalAviationAdministration
FEMA FederalEmergencyManagementAgency
FIRM FloodInsuranceRateMaps
FPA FarmlandPreservationAgreements
FSA FarmServiceAgency
GIS GeographicInformationSystems
GLARC GreatLakesArchaeologicalResearchCenter
HWF HighlandWindFarm,LLCtheentity
kHz KiloHertz
Met Meteorological
MISO MidwestIndependentSystemOperator
MW Megawatts
NAIP NationalAgricultureImageryProgram
NHI NaturalHeritageInventory
NOAA NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration
NRCS NationalResourcesConservationService
NRIS NetworkResourceInterconnectionService
NTIA NationalTelecommunicationsandInformationAdministration
O&M OperationsandMaintenance

Pagexiii
PFW PartnersforFish&Wildlife
Plan ErosionControlandStormwaterManagementPlan
Project HighlandWindFarm
PSC PublicServiceCommission(ofWisconsin)
REM RemnantPopulationStudy
ROW RightofWays
RPS RenewablePortfolioStandard
SCADA SupervisoryControlandDataAcquisition
SSURGO SoilSurveyGeographic
USACE U.S.ArmyCorpsofEngineers
USDA U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture
USFWS U.S.FishandWildlifeService
USGS U.S.GeologicSurvey
WCWRPC WestCentralWisconsinRegionalPlanningCommission
WisDOT WisconsinDepartmentofTransportation
WDNR WisconsinDepartmentofNaturalResources
WHS WisconsinStateHistoricalPreservationSociety
WPA WaterfowlProductionArea
WPDES WisconsinPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem
WRAPP WaterResourceApplicationforProjectPermits
WTG WindTurbineGenerator
WWI WisconsinWetlandInventory

Page1
1.0PROJECTDESCRIPTIONANDOVERVIEW
HighlandWindFarm,LLC("HWF")submitsthisApplicationforaCertificateofPublicConvenienceand
Necessity(CPCN)inaccordancewithWis.Stat.196.491(3)andWis.AdminCodePSC111.53tothe
PublicServiceCommissionofWisconsin("PSC"or"Commission").
1
Theapplicationwaspreparedin
considerationoftheguidanceprovidedbythePSCsApplicationFilingRequirementsforWindEnergy
ProjectsinWisconsin,Version4.5,May,2008andVersion5,January,2010("FilingRequirements")and
consultationswiththePSCandWisconsinDepartmentofNaturalResources("WDNR")staffs.
2
EEWisseekingaCPCNandallotherapprovalsandauthorizationsrequiredtoconstruct,installoperate
andmaintainawindgeneratingfacilityofapproximately102.5megawatts("MW")insize,knownasthe
HighlandWindFarm("HighlandWind"or"Project")tobelocatedintheTownshipsofForestandCylon
inSt.CroixCounty,Wisconsin.TheProjectisdesignedtocomplywiththeCommissionswindsiting
rulesinproposedWis.Admin.CodePSC128.
1.1GENERALPROJECTLOCATIONANDDESCRIPTION
1.1.1PROJECTLOCATION
TheproposedProjectislocatedinwesternWisconsininthenortheastcornerofSt.CroixCounty.The
facilitiesarepredominantlylocatedintheTownofForest,withtheexceptionofthesubstationand
associatedtransmissiontobeconstructedontheeasternedgeoftheTownofCylon.
1.1.2PROJECTMAPS
TwofiguresareprovidedinAppendixA,depictingthegeneralProjectlocationandamoredetailedmap
ofproposedProjectfacilities.Adetailed,largescalemapbookoftheProjectareaincludingProject
facilities,transmission,hydrology,wetlandsandotherbasemapinformation(Fig1.13)islocatedin
AppendixB.
Figure1.11ProjectLocation
Figure1.12ProjectFacilities
Figure1.13ProjectFacilitiesandEnvironmentMapbook
1.1.3PROJECTINFORMATION
TheProjectwillbe102.5MW.TheProjectstudyareaboundaryincludesapproximately26,500acresof
land.Approximately6,200acresareunderleasewithlandownersandavailablefordevelopment,
beforeconsiderationofsitingrestrictions.TheProjectboundary,asshowninFigure1.11(AppendixA)
wasdrawntakingintoconsiderationthefollowing:
1
HWFismanagedbyEEWServices,LLC("EEW").
2
NumberinginthisapplicationisconsistentwithnumberingintheFilingRequirements.

Page2
LocationofProjectfacilities(turbines,accessroads,substation,operationsand
maintenance)
Projectpropertiesundercontract
Publicroadsutilizedforconstructionandmaintenance
Approximatezoneofshadowandsoundimpactsofturbines
Ascurrentlyproposed,theProjectconsistsof41windturbines("WTG"or"turbine")witharated
capacityofapproximately102.5MW.Atotalof52possibleturbinesiteshavebeenidentified,with41
designatedaspreferredand11asalternatesites.Theproposedsitesandtheevaluationprocessare
describedindetailinSection1.5below.
HWFpossessessignedlandowneragreementsfortheparcelscurrentlyproposedtohostturbines
(primaryandalternate),accessroads,substation,operationsandmaintenance("O&M")building,
laydownyard,meteorological("Met")towers,transformers,junctionboxesandthecollectionsystem.
TheProjectwillrequirepermitsfromlocal,countyandstatedepartmentsoftransportationtoallow
partialplacementofthecollectionsysteminpublicroadrightofways("ROW").HWFisintheprocess
ofpurchasingfiveacresoflandonwhichthesubstationwillbelocated.Thecurrentownershave
executedanoptionagreementtosellthelandforthesubstationtoHWF.
1.2OWNERSHIPANDOPERATINGENTITY
TheProjectfacilitiesandallnecessarylandowneragreementseitherareorwillbeownedbyHWF.
1.3PROJECTNEED/PURPOSE
1.3.11.3.5NotApplicabletoIndependentPowerProducers
1.3.6ENERGYAGREEMENTS
Atthetimeofthisapplication,HWFhashadcommunicationwithseveralutilitiesandinvestors.While
discussionsareongoing,thereisnopowerpurchaseagreementinplace.HWFexpectstosellthepower
producedbytheProjecttooneormorepublic,municipalorcooperativelyownedutilities.Ifanyutility
isinterestedinowningtheProject,HWFwouldconsiderdevelopingandthensellingtheProjecttoa
utilityorotherpurchaser.
1.4ALTERNATIVES
EEW,asaprivatedeveloper,iscontinuallyseekingandevaluatingprospectiveareasforwindenergy
developmentinWisconsinandtheMidwest.Section1.4.2describestheprocessusedtoevaluateand
prioritizepotentialareasfordevelopment.

Page3
1.4.1SUPPLYALTERNATIVESNotApplicabletoIndependentPowerProducers
1.4.2PROJECTAREASELECTION
EEWisadeveloperofsmalltomediumsized(5150MW)utilityscalewindfarms.Itseekswind
developmentopportunitiesthroughoutWisconsinandtheMidwest.AsaWisconsincompany,owned
byWisconsinresidents,EEWpreferstodevelopwithin,orincloseproximityto,theStateofWisconsin.
ThisisinpartduetoadesiretoassistWisconsinutilitieswithmeetingtheirRenewablePortfolio
Standard(RPS)goals,butalsobecauseofitsprincipals'personalcommitmenttodevelopjob
opportunitieswithintheregionandhelpdecreasethestatesdependenceoncarbonbasedfuels.
TheprocessthatEEWfollowsinfindingandevaluatingpotentialprojectsitesvaries;however,the
elementsdescribedbelowarefundamentaltotheprocess.
PhaseI
Thefirstphaseofassessmenteliminatesareasofpoorwindresourceorothersitingflawsasdescribed
below.
Windresourcesufficientwindmustbeconsistentlypresenttodrivethelargewindturbine
rotorsandmakeaprojectprofitable.
Transmissionavailabilitynearbyelectrictransmissioninfrastructureisnecessaryto
connectaprojecttothepowergrid.Aprojectsubstationandadditionaltransmissionlines
areoftennecessary,howeverthecostrequiredtoconnectaprojecttothegridincreases
withthedistanceoverwhichprojectspecifictransmissionmustbebuilt.
PopulationdensityLargeopenareasarenecessaryforwindfarmsinadditiontosufficient
distancesbetweentheturbinesandhomes,airportsandothersensitivecommunity
resources.Cities,suburbsandareasofactiveresidentialdevelopmentareeliminatedinthe
firstphaseofthesearchforaneventualprojectsite.
PhaseII
ThesecondphaseofassessmentisamorefocusedevaluationofareasidentifiedasfeasibleinPhaseI.
Landuselargetractsofopenlandmustbeavailabletosupporttheresponsiblesitingof
largewindturbines.Agriculturallandisideallysuitedforwindfarms,duetothesizeof
mostfarmfieldsandtheabilityoffarmerstocontinueutilizingthelandforagricultural
purposesafteraprojectisdeveloped.
BrownfieldsBrownfieldsitesareconsidered,ifthesitemeetsthecriterianotedinthe
PhaseIrequirements.NoacceptablebrownfieldshavebeenfoundbyEEWatthistime.
CommunityEEWpreferscommunitiesthatareacceptingofrenewableenergyprojects.
RegardingtheHighlandWindProjectlocation,theTownofForestComprehensivePlan

Page4
stateswithintheirUtilitiesandCommunityFacilitiesGoal,ObjectivesandStrategiesthat
TheTownwillbeopentoallforms(of)renewableenergyprojects,includingwind,solar
andbioenergy.
3
PotentialhostlandownersProspectivelandownersarevisitedtogaugeinterestinhosting
projectfacilities.
EnvironmentalconcernsDesktopreviewsareperformedtoassesstheareas
environmentalresourcesandpotentialimpactsonsensitivehabitats,suchaswetlandsand
woodlands.
FederalAviationAdministration(FAA),militaryandradarinterferencePreliminarysiting
toolsprovidedbytheFAAareutilizedtodeterminesiteacceptability.
DetailedwindresourceassessmentMettowersareerectedtoassesswindresourcesata
micrositinglevel.
ConstructabilityTopography(elevationandslope),aswellassoilsandsubsurfacegeology
arereviewedatadesktoplevel.Detailedfieldanalysesareperformedlaterinthe
developmentprocess.
RoadinfrastructureHighwaysandroadswithintheproposedprojectareaarereviewedfor
compatibilitywithlargeconstructionvehiclesanddeliverytrucks.Mainhighwaysfeeding
intotheareafrommajorportsorrailsarealsoconsideredfordeliveryofturbine
components.
PhaseIII
ThefinalphaseofpreliminarysiteassessmentoftenoverlapswiththetasksoutlinedinPhaseII.Land
ownercommitmentsaresigned.Resourceassessments,feasibility,suitabilityandenvironmental
reviewsareperformedinthefield.TheseactivitiesarediscussedindetailinSection1.5below.
ITEM1.02
4
1.4.2.1.3PROVIDEALISTOFALLPROJECTAREASREVIEWEDWITHWEIGHTEDSCORESFOREACHSITING
CHARACTERISTICUSEDINANALYSIS:
EEWprospectsandrespondstoinquiriestodevelopadditionalwindenergyprojectsasanormalpartof
thecompanysbusinessprocess.FouradditionalprojectareaswereunderconsiderationbyEEWatthe
timethatHWFwasinitiated.ThesesitesandtheirweightedscoresareshowninAppendixD.These
additionalprojectswerelocatedinEastCentralWisconsin,CentralWisconsinandWestCentralIllinois.
3
TownofForestComprehensivePlan20092030;AdoptedDecember08,2009.AsofthedateofthisApplication,therehas
beennoamendmenttotheTownofForestComprehensivePlan.
4
ItemreferencesaretoitemsidentifiedasincompleteinPSCcorrespondencedatedJanuary17,2012(PSC
ReferenceNo.158314)

Page5
AllprojectsthatareadvancedbyEEWareinitiallyevaluatedbasedon:
Theproposedprojectareawindresource.
Accesstopermittedeasementsonlargelandparcelstoenableplacementofturbines.
Accesstopowerlinestoconveythegeneratedpower.
Interconnectionprocessanddeliverabilityconfidence.
Aconstructabilityreview
Eachofthesefactorsareresearched,discussed,andweighedbeforeadditionalworkisdonetofurther
developanindividualsite.Thewindspeedisdeterminedfromwindresourcemapsandeachofthe
additionalitems2through5aresubjectivelyweightedona"0"(donotproceed)toa"5"(most
favorable)scale.Generalprojectscoresarecalculatedbyfactoringtogetherwindspeedssquaredand
multiplyingbythe"0"to"5"rankingforeachoftheotherlineitems2through5.
ITEM1.031.4.2.2PROVIDEANARRATIVEDESCRIBINGWHYTHEPROPOSEDPROJECTAREAWASCHOSEN:
TheProjectislocatedintheTownofForestforanumberofreasons.TheProjectareahasagoodwind
resourceandisproximatetonecessarytransmissionlines.TheTownofForestalsohasthelowest
populationdensityinSt.CroixCounty.Additionallythetownandmanyofitsresidentswerehighly
supportiveoftheProject.Finally,theProjectareascoreshighforconstructability.
1.5TURBINESITESELECTION
1.5.1INDIVIDUALFACTORSORCHARACTERISTICSUSEDTOSELECTTURBINESITES
HWF,alongwithitsconsultantStantec
5
evaluatedeachoftheparticipatinglandownerspropertiesfor
turbinesitingpotential.(Forpurposesofevaluation,a"participatinglandowner"isonethatreceives
financialcompensationforallowinguseoftheirlandfortheProject.)Theevaluationprocesswas
performedwiththeuseofaGeographicInformationSystem("GIS")allowingtheconsiderationand
iterativeanalysisofmanyfactors.Thisprocessincluded,butwasnotlimitedto,thefollowing:
Landownercontrolafterobtainingfinalleasesandagreements,theProjectfootprintwas
establishedandapreliminaryassessmentofpossiblesitesbasedonwindresourcewas
performed.
NonparticipatinglandownersetbacksSetbacksfromnonparticipatinghomesand
propertieswereestablishedandmapped.Setbackdistancesusedtositeturbinesare
summarizedinSection1.5.3.
5
FormerlyBonestroo

Page6
OthersetbacksSetbacksfrompublicROWs,utilitiesandsensitivecommunityresources,
suchaschurches,schoolsandnursinghomeswereestablishedandmapped.
Adesignstandardof600feetfromnoninhabitedbuildings(barns,sheds,etc.)wasused.
UnavailableorrestrictedlandManagedandpubliclands,conservancies,landunder
contractssuchasConservationReserveProgram("CRP"),ManagedForestLawand
FarmlandPreservationAgreements("FPA")werereviewedandconsideredforrestrictions.
AirportlocationsAirports,airstripsandrunwayswereassessedtoverifysufficient
distancesexistedfromrunwaystoProjectfacilities.
Environmentalreviewadesktopenvironmentalreviewwasperformedtoidentify
preliminaryturbinelocationswhichwouldminimizeimpacts.Otherenvironmental
assessmentswereinitiatedorcontinued;suchassensitivehabitatassessmentandavian/bat
surveys.
ShadowflickerandnoiseShadowandnoiseanalyseswereperformed;turbinelocations
wereadjustedtominimizeimpactsbasedonthemodelresults.Thesitesselectedmeeta
50dBAstandard.
MicrowavepathsApreliminarycommunicationstudywascompletedin2007andupdated
in2010;resultswereusedtoavoidinterferencewithmicrowavepaths.
Constructability,craneandcollectionConstructionrestrictionsduetofactorssuchas
slopesandsoilswereconsidered.Constructionefficiencyandcostswerealsoevaluated.
Cranemovementandtheabilitytonetworkthecollectionsystembetweenturbinesites
wereadditionalconsiderations.
WindresourceProposedwindturbinesweresitedinwhatthedesignersdeterminedas
thebestavailablelocationwithinthechosenparcels.Thoughwindresourceisanimportant
consideration,oftenthebestsiteforcapturingthemaximumwindenergyisnotavailable
duetothesetbacks,restrictionsandpotentialenvironmentalimpactspreviouslydiscussed.
Theinterferenceofwindwithintheturbinearrayfromotherturbines(waking)isalso
considered.
TopographyandlandusewithintheProjectfootprintandindividualsiteswerebothfactors
insiteselection.
LandownerpreferencesPotentiallocationsofturbinesandaccessroadswerediscussed
withhostinglandownersandtheirconcernsandpreferenceswereconsideredinthe
preliminarydesign.Uponcompletionofthelayoutdesignsubmittedinthisapplication,
eachlandownerwaspresentedwithamapdisplayingthedesignonanaerialphotographof
theparticipantspropertyfortheirapproval.HWFreservestherighttomakeminorchanges
inthefieldtoaccommodateunforeseencircumstances.Anysuchminorchangesshalltake

Page7
intoaccountthebasicpremiseofsetbacks,soundandshadowconsiderationsthatwere
usedinmodelingthecurrentProjectlayout.
ThestepsdescribedabovewereoftenrepeatedinaniterativeprocesstoarriveataProjectdesignthat
minimizedimpactstotheenvironmentandlandownerswhilemaximizingtheefficiencyoftheProject.
ThefinalProjectdesignconsistsof52totalturbinesites;41primary(orpreferred)sitesand11alternate
sites.Thealternatesitesareallviableandbuildablelocations;howevertheyoftenrepresentadditional
impactstotheenvironment,lowerenergyproductionestimatesorhigherconstructioncosts.The
alternatesiteswillbeutilized,shouldthepermittingprocessorPSCreviewrevealthatoneormoreof
theprimarysitesisunacceptable,orifcircumstancesarisepriortoconstructionthatprohibittheuseof
aprimarylocation.Revisionstotheturbinelayoutdesignmayalsorequirerevisionsincableroutes,
accessroads,crosscountrycraneroutes,andpossiblyslightshiftsinotherturbinelocationstominimize
wakeeffects.Thesechangesmayrequirerevisionsinconstructionpermitsalreadysubmittedand/or
obtained.
1.5.2INFORMATIONONHOWTURBINESITECHARACTERISTICSANDTYPEOFTURBINESCHOSENFACTOREDINTOTHE
SELECTIONOFFINALTURBINESITES
HWFisconsideringturbinesmanufacturedbyNordexandSiemens,duetothecharacteristicsdiscussed
inSection2.2below.TheNordexN100,NordexN117,SiemensSWT2.3113,orsimilarmodel,allows
theProjecttoobtainmaximumpowergenerationwhileminimizingimpactstolandownersandnatural
resources.
Inadditiontothenumerousfactorsdiscussedabove,aconsiderationindesigningtheProjectwasHWFs
goaltoretainthelocalagriculturalfeeloftheregionbydispersingturbinesites,ratherthan
concentratingthemwithinasmallarea.Thechoiceofa2.5MWturbineaidedinthisdesign;allowing
41turbinestodeliverupto102.5MWofgenerationversus,forexample,681.5MWturbinesrequired
foranequalamountofgeneration.
1.5.3TURBINESETBACKDISTANCES
TheproposedprimaryandalternativeturbinesitesfortheProjectwerechosenconservativelyusingthe
designcriteriaoutlinedinSections1.5.1and1.5.2.Thesecriteriaincludedthesetbackdistances
determinedbythemostrecentPSCwindfarmapproval(WeEnergiesGlacierHillsWindPark)andare
consistentwiththesetbacksproposedintheDecember,2010revisionofproposedWis.Admin.Code
PSC128.TheProjectdoesnotrequireanyeasementsfromnonparticipatinglandownersto
accommodatethesetbacksutilized.ThesetbacksaresummarizedinTable1.51below.

Page8
Table 1.5-1 Design Setbacks
SetbackDescription SetbackDistance*
Nonparticipating,OccupiedCommunityBuildings(schools,
churcheshospitalsorpubliclibraries)
1,250feet
NonparticipatingResidences 1,250feet
ParticipatingResidences 600feet
NonparticipatingPropertyLines 1.1xtipheight(550feet)
ParticipatingPropertyLines 0feet
PublicRoadROW 1.1xtipheight(550feet)
OverheadCommunicationandElectricalLines(notincludinglines
toindividualhousesoroutbuildings)
1.1xtipheight(550feet)
OverheadUtilityServiceLines(linestoindividualhousesor
outbuildings)
0feet
*Distanceisconsideredfromcenterpointofturbinetower.
TipHeightisconsideredthetotalheightoftheturbine,measuredtothehighestpointofthe
bladetip.
ITEM1.051.5.3.3DESCRIBETHESTATUSOFEASEMENTAGREEMENTS:
Identifyallturbinesites,proposedandalternate,forwhichaneasementagreementhasbeen
signed:
All52turbinesitesareshownonFigure1.12(AppendixA)(41proposed/11alternate).Eachof
the52siteshavefullyexecutedeasementagreementsinplacewiththecurrentlandowners.Microsited
locationsofprimaryandalternateturbinesiteshavealsobeensignedoffbyhostlandowners.
Identifyturbinesiteswhereeasementagreementshavenotbeensignedandprovideashort
descriptionofstatusofnegotiations:
None.
Item1.06Describethestatusofeasementagreementsforprojectfacilitiesotherthantheturbine
sites:
AdditionalagreementsfortheO&MBuilding(lease)andsubstation(purchaseagreement)havebeen
negotiatedandexecutedwiththehostlandowners.

Page9
ITEM1.041.5.3.4IDENTIFYANYSITESWHERESETBACKWAIVERSARENEEDEDORHAVEBEENEXECUTED:
NosetbackwaiversarerequiredfortheProject.HWF'sproposedturbinelayoutdoesrequireone(1)
overhangeasement.ThatsiteistheNortheastQuarteroftheSoutheastQuarter(NESE)ofSection
22,Township31North,Range15West,TownofForest,St.CroixCounty,Wisconsin.Theoverhang
easementhasbeenfullyexecutedwiththepropertyownerintheformofaFirstAmendmenttoWind
EnergyLeaseandEasementAgreement.HWFalsohasanexecutedWindEnergyLeaseandEasement
Agreementwiththeapplicablepropertyowner.
1.6COST
1.6.11.6.6NotApplicabletoIndependentPowerProducers
1.7MISOANDPROJECTLIFESPAN
1.7.1MISOMARKET
HWFhasappliedtotheMidwestIndependentServiceOperator("MISO")forinterconnectiontothe
electrictransmissiongrid.AsanintermittentresourcetheProjectisasanenergyresourceonlyatthis
time.HWFmayconsideraratioofenergyresourceversusnetworkresourcedependinguponthe
queuereforminprocessandtheoptionsthatbecomeavailableastheplanningprocessreaches
conclusion.
InNovember,2010HWFfiledanapplicationforgeneratorinterconnectionwithMISO.Thisinitial
applicationfora97.5MWprojectisknownasqueuepositionJ177.TheFeasibilityStudyPhaseforJ177
hasbeencompletedanditiscurrentlyintheSystemPlanningandAnalysis(SPA)phase.Itisanticipated,
thatJ177willbeabletomovetotheDefinitivePlanningPhase("DPP")duringthefirsthalfof2012.The
J177FeasibilityStudyisincludedinAppendixC.
ThisinitialMISOapplicationfor97.5MWreliedupontheWindDevelopmentAgreementResolutionthat
EEWhadenteredintowiththeTownofForestonApril10,2008.Basedondevelopmentswiththe
TownofForest,HWFchosetoincreasethesizeoftheProjectinordertousetheCPCNprocessunder
Chapter196oftheWisconsinstatutes.InJune,2011HWFfiledanincrementalincreaseof5MWtoits
initialJ177generatorinterconnectionapplication.The5MWincrementalincreasetotheProjectsizeis
nowknownintheMISOqueueasJ221.TheFeasibilityStudyPhaseforJ221hasbeencompletedand
advancedtotheDPP.J221isnowparkedwaitingforthenextDPPcycle.ItisanticipatedthatJ177will
completetheSPAphaseandbeconsideredalongwithJ221duringtheDPPcyclebeginninginMarch
2012.TheJ221FeasibilityStudyisincludedinAppendixC.
Item1.07AppendixCoftheapplicationappearstoincludesummariesofthestatusoftheMISO
interconnectionrequestsfortheproject,butdoesnotincludecopiesofthereports:
HWFspecificallyrequestedtheMISOresultsforthevariousphasesoftheMISOQueuethatprojects
J221/J177havegonethrough,orarecurrentlyin.TheonlythingthatMISOhasprovidedtousisthelink
tothepublicgeneratorinterconnectionapplicationqueue.Tablesummariesofthestudiescanbefound

Page10
inAppendixCandupdatescanbeviewedontheMISOQueue:
https://www.midwestiso.org/planning/generatorinterconnection/pages/interconnectionqueue.aspx.
Clickon:QueueProjectsCompleteList(xls)toviewHWFatJ177andJ221withinaMicrosoftExcel
document.HWFwillfurnishcopiesofanynewMISOstudyresultstothePSCstaffastheyarereceived.
1.7.2ESTIMATEOFEXPECTEDPROJECTLIFESPAN
ThedesignlifefortheProjectisapproximately30years.Allleaseagreementshavebeennegotiatedto
allowforthattermofoperation.HWFunderstandsthatthevalueofawindfarmliesinitsoperation,
andlookstoapremiumlevelofoperationandmaintenanceservicethroughoutitslife.Atthispremium
levelofmaintenanceHWFexpectsthattheoperatingconditionoftheturbinesin30yearswillbethe
sameasitisinthefirstyearofoperation.Basedupontheneedsofthemarketplace,thecommunity,
thelandowners,andHWF,itisanticipatedtherewillbeanopportunitytoextendtheProjectlifebeyond
30years.
1.7.3FACILITYDECOMMISSIONING
UponterminationoftheProject,facilitieswillberemovedandlandrestoredtopreconstruction(or
equivalent)conditionasoutlinedintheagreementssignedbyparticipatinglandownersandHWF.The
facilitiestoberemovedincludetheturbinetowersandfoundations(tofourfeetbelowgrade).Access
roadswillbeleftinplaceatlandownersrequestorremovedandlandrestoredtooriginalorequivalent
condition.Undergroundcollectioncableswillbecutoffandleftinplace.TheO&Mbuildingwillbeleft
forthelandownersuse.Typicalrestorationactivitiesincludeplacementoffillwithsoilssimilartothe
surroundingarea,gradingtonearbylandcontoursandplantingwithappropriatevegetation.
ITEM1.081.7.3.1PROVIDEANESTIMATEOFTHECOSTOFANDSOURCEOFFUNDINGFORDECOMMISSIONING
ThedecommissioningestimatefortheProjectcanbefoundinAppendixF.Baseduponthisestimate
therewillbenodecommissioningcost.Rather,decommissioningwillresultinadditionalrevenuefor
theProject.However,HWFwillhonortheoriginaldecommissioningplanagreedtowiththeTownof
Forest,asstatedinthe2008agreementandconfirmedinthe2010agreement(AppendixX).Thiswill
resultinthepostingofaletterofcreditwiththetownintheamountof$391,000.00.
1.8REQUIREDPERMITSANDAPPROVALS
1.8.1APPROVALSANDPERMITS
Table1.81summarizesthepermitsandapprovaltypesthatarerequiredatthefederal,stateandlocal
levelfortheProject.HWFisincontactwiththelocaltownshipsandwillupdatethelistifadditional
requirementsareidentified.Thenecessarypermitsandapprovalswillbeobtainedbeforecommencing
constructionactivities.

Page11
Table 1.8-1 Permits, Notices, Consultations and Approvals
Agency InterestorPermit Contact

Application/
NoticeDate
Status
Federal
FederalAviation
Administration
Impactsonaviation
Michel
Blaich/Angelique
M.Lestrad
(718)5532611
Various
52NoHazard
Determinations
receivedSee
AppendixS
U.S.FishandWildlife
Service
MigratoryBird
TreatyActand
EndangeredSpecies
Act
JillUtep
(920)8661734
Various
Inprocess;has
reviewed
documentsand
visitedsite
U.S.ArmyCorpsof
Engineers
ImpactofProject
construction
activitieson
waterwaysand
wetlands
DanielMunson
(651)2905191
12/12/2011
FiledwithWDNR
WetlandWater
Quality
Certification
Application
NationalOceanicand
Atmospheric
Administration
(NOAA)
NexRAD
Tobecompleted
withComsearch
Study
SeeNTIAno
concernslistedin
response
National
Telecommunications
andInformation
Administration(NTIA)
Departmentof
Commerce
DetermineifProject
willimpactFederal
Government
communicationlinks
EdwardM.
Davison
(202)4821164
8/24/2011
Responsereceived
Noconcerns
fromFederal
agenciesatthis
time(see
AppendixU)
State
PublicService
Commission
CPCNfor
constructionoflarge
energygeneration
facility
JimLepinski
(608)2660478
12/16/2011
Pending
Completion
DepartmentofNatural
Resources
WetlandWater
QualityCertification
BenCallan
(608)2663524
12/12/2011 Pending
DepartmentofNatural
Resources
WaterResources
Applicationfor
ProjectPermit
TimRyan
(608)2665239
12/12/2011 Pending
DepartmentofNatural
Resources
Endangered
ResourcesReview
(ERR)andIncidental
Take(IT)Permit(if
needed)
ShariKoslowsky
(608)2614382
Various
ReceivedSee
AppendixO
WisconsinState
HistoricalSociety
(WHS)
ProtectionofWHS
listedhistorical
properties
ShermanBanker
(608)2646507
WHSwillreview
afterCPCN
submission
StateHistoricalSociety
TribalPreservation
Culturaland
archaeological
resources
VariousTribes 10/10/2011
Response
ReceivedSee
AppendixQ

Page12
Agency InterestorPermit Contact
Application/
NoticeDate
Status
Departmentof
Transportation
Highstructure
permit(turbines)
GaryDikkers/Scott
Brummond
(608)2675018
(608)2661745
Various
PermitsReceived
SeeAppendixS
Departmentof
Transportation
Heavyandoversized
loadpermits
WisDOTTransport
PermitUnit(608)
2667320
Contingentupon
CPCNapproval
Departmentof
Transportation
Utilities
undergroundin
statehighwayROW
TammyRicksecker
(715)8363905
Contingentupon
CPCNapproval
Departmentof
Transportation
Drivewaypermits
foraccessroadson
statehighways
TammyRicksecker
(715)8363905
Contingentupon
CPCNapproval
Departmentof
Commerce/St.Croix
County
SanitaryPermitfor
PrivateOnsite
Wastewater
TreatmentSystem
(POWTS)(O&M)
Safetyand
BuildingsDivision
(608)2663151
PamQuinn(St
Croix)
(715)3864742
Contingentupon
CPCNapproval
Local
St.CroixCounty
HighwayDepartment
Heavyandoversized
loadpermits
JeffDurkee
(715)7962227
Various
Contingentupon
CPCNapproval
St.CroixCounty
HighwayDepartment
Utilities
undergroundin
countyroadROW
JeffDurkee
(715)7962227
Various
Contingentupon
CPCNapproval
St.CroixCounty
HighwayDepartment
Drivewaypermits
foraccessroadson
countyroads
JeffDurkee
(715)7962227
Contingentupon
CPCNapproval
(SeeAppendixT)
TownofForest
Utilities
undergroundin
townroadROWs
RickSteinberger
(715)2654845
SeeSection13
TownofForest
Drivewaypermits
foraccessroadson
townroads
RickSteinberger
(715)2654845
Issuedon
2/10/2010
SeeAppendixT
TownofCylon DrivewayPermit
RandyZemke
(715)2695599
Contingentupon
CPCNapproval
St.CroixCounty/
TownofCylon
LandDivision
(substation)
AlexBlackburn
(715)3864684
Contingentupon
CPCNapproval
TownofCylon
BuildingPermit
(substation)
RandyZemke
(715)2695599
Contingentupon
CPCNapproval
TownofForest
BuildingPermits
(turbines,O&M)
RickSteinberger
(715)2654845
Issued
2/14/2011
SeeSection13
andAppendixT
TownofForest
WindDevelopment
Agreement
TownBoard
Executed
8/12/2010
SeeSection13
andAppendixX

Page13
ITEM1.091.8.2CORRESPONDENCEWITHPERMITTINGAGENCIESVERIFYTHATCOPIESOFALLOFFICIAL
CORRESPONDENCEWITHSTATE,FEDERAL,ANDLOCALGOVERNMENTAGENCIESHAVEBEENPROVIDEDINTHE
APPLICATION.
HWFhasverifiedthatcopiesofallcorrespondencewithapplicableagenciesareprovidedwithinthe
relatedAppendicesandtherevisedDataDVD.HWFwillcontinuetoprovidecopiesofagency
correspondencetothePSC,followingsubmittalofthisapplication.
2.0TECHNICALDESCRIPTIONOFTURBINESANDTURBINESITES
2.1ESTIMATEDWINDSPEEDSANDENERGYPRODUCTION
TheconfidentialreportSiteWindAnalysisoftheHighlandWindFarm(AWSStudy)canbefoundin
AppendixD.
2.1.1WINDSPEEDSANDSOURCEOFWINDSPEEDDATAUSEDINANALYSIS
ThelocationsofthetwoProjectmeteorological("met")towersaredisplayedonFigure1.12(Appendix
A).MetTower1waserectedinMay,2008andhascollecteddatafromthattimetothepresent.Met
Tower2waserectedinFebruary,2011,andhasbeencollectingdatafromthattime.Datacollected
fromthetowershasbeenaccumulatedandconfirmedbyPioneerWindWorks,LLC,aWisconsin
companyandfurtheranalyzedbyAWS.EstimatedwindspeedsfortheProjectcanbefoundintheAWS
Study(AppendixD).
2.1.2WINDROSES(MONTHLYANDANNUAL)
Awindroseisagraphicalrepresentationofthefrequencyandstrengthofthewindfromdifferent
directions.ThewindrosesfromtheProjectareamonitoringgatheredfromMay2008topresent
demonstratevariableprevailingwinds.TheconfidentialgraphsandanalysesareavailableintheAWS
Study(AppendixD).
2.1.3GROSSANDNETCAPACITYFACTOR
GrossandnetcapacityfactorswerecalculatedforeachturbinewithintheProjectfootprintandthefull
Project.ThegrossandnetcapacityfactorsfortheProject,alongwiththemethodologyused,canbe
foundintheAWSStudy(AppendixD).
2.1.4ESTIMATEDENERGYPRODUCTIONOFPROJECT
GrossandnetenergyproductionestimatesfortheProjectcanbefoundintheAWSStudy(AppendixD).
2.2TURBINETYPEANDTURBINECHARACTERISTICS
2.2.1MANUFACTURERANDMODELOFTURBINESUNDERCONSIDERATION
HWFisplanningonutilizingtheNordexN100,NordexN117,SiemensSWT2.3113,orasimilarmodelof
turbinefortheProject.Theseturbinesareallupwind,threebladed,horizontalaxisturbinesmounted

Page14
onatubularsteeltower.HWFisconsideringthesedesigns(bladelengthandtowerheightdifferences)
allwithatotalmaximumtipheightofapproximately500feet.Thedetailedtechnicalattributesofthe
turbinesarepresentedinSections2.2.4and2.2.5below.
2.2.2TURBINEDELIVERYDATE
HWFexpectstoscheduledeliveryoftheturbinesbeforeorwithinthefirstquarterof2013,tosupport
anonlinedatetargetoffourthquarter,2013.Theconsiderationofthemultipleturbinedesignsallows
flexibilityinturbinepurchaseanddeliverydates.
2.2.3TOTALNUMBEROFTURBINESREQUIREDFORPROJECT
TheProjectisdesignedfor41windturbineswithgeneratingcapacityequalto102.5MW.Asdescribed
inTableat2.21thefinalturbineselectioncouldvaryfromalow2.3MWperturbinetoahighof2.5
MWperturbine.ThefullProjectnameplatecapacity(102.5MW)canbeachievedwith41turbinesites
usinga2.5MWturbine.However,ifthefinalselectionisa2.3or2.4MWmachineadditionalsites
wouldberequiredtoreachthefullcapacityoftheProject.Iftheselectionis2.4MWmachines42sites
wouldberequested,similarlyiftheselectionwerea2.3MWmachine,upto44siteswouldberequired.
TheinitialsitingfortheProjectallowedforasmanyas57turbinelocations.Severalofthosesiteswere
eliminatedbasedonenvironmentalorotherconcernsleaving52qualitysitesforturbinestobesituated
on.Regardlessofthesizeoftheturbineselectedelevenalternativesitesaresufficienttomeetthe
Commissions25percentstandardforalternativesites.
Table2.21TurbineModelandNameplateCapacity
TurbineModel
NameplateCapacity
perTurbine(MW)
RequiredNumberof
Turbines
ProjectNameplate
Capacity(MW)
NordexN100/100 2.5 41 102.5
NordexN117/91 2.4 42 100.8
SiemensSWT2.3113 2.3 44 101.2
2.2.4TECHNICALCHARACTERISTICSOFTURBINES
TheNordexN100,NordexN117andSiemensSWT2.3113turbineshavedesigndifferencesinblade
lengthandtowerheight.Table2.22summarizesthetechnicalcharacteristicsofthepreferredmodels
fortheProject.AdditionaltechnicalinformationfortheseturbinescanbefoundinAppendixE.
Item1.60HWFhasspecifiedandrequiredtheuseofcoldweatherpackagesonallturbinesbeing
consideredfortheProject.Thespecificavailabilityofacoldweatherpackagewasrequiredfora
turbinetobeconsideredfortheProject

Page15
Table 2.2-2 Technical Characteristics of Turbine Models Considered
TurbineCharacteristic
Nordex
N100/100
NordexN117/91
Siemens
SWT2.3113
RatedPower(MW) 2.5 2.4 2.3
HubHeight(m)/(ft) 100/328 91/299 95/312
BladeLength(m)/(ft) 49/161 57/187 55/180
SweptArea(sq.m)/(sq.ft) 7,823/84,206 10,751/115,723 10,023/107,887
TotalHeight(m)/(ft) 150/493 149.5/491 151.5/497
CutinSpeed
(m/s)/(mph)
3/6.7 3/6.7 3/6.7
CutoutSpeed
(m/s)/(mph)
20/44.7 20/44.7 25/56
VariableSpeed(rpm) 7.513.2 613 9.614.8
RatedWindSpeed
(m/s)/(mph)
12/26.8 11/24.6 12.5/28
PowerCurveAvailable* Yes Yes Yes
*PowercurvesforthethreeturbinemodelsareprovidedinAppendixE.
2.2.5TECHNICALCHARACTERISTICSOFTURBINETOWERS
TheNordexN100,NordexN117andSiemensSWT2.3113allsitatopatubularsteeltower.Thetower
isdeliveredas45sectionsconsistingofbase,mid(s)andtopsections.Thetotalassembledtower
heightfortheturbinesconsideredvariesbymodel,rangingfrom91to100meters.Thetowermaybea
sitespecificdesignbythemanufacturertoaccommodateatotaltipheightupto500feetincludingrotor
length.Table2.23isalistingoftowercharacteristicforthethreeturbinedesignsbeingconsidered.
Thetowersectionsareprefabricatedandpaintedatthefactory,arrivingonsitereadytoassemble.The
diameteratthebaseofthetowerisapproximately13feet,taperingslightlytoanapproximate10foot
diameteratthetop.

Page16
Table 2.2-3 Technical Characteristics of Turbine Towers Considered
TowerCharacteristic
Nordex
N100/100
Nordex
N117/91
Siemens
SWT2.3113
Type
Tubular
monopole
Tubular
monopole
Tubular
monopole
Material Steel Steel Steel
NumberofSections 5 5 5
2.2.6DRAWINGSOFTURBINESINCLUDINGTURBINEPADANDTRANSFORMER
Figure2.21providesascaleddrawingoftheNordexN100windturbine*.
Figure 2.2-1 Turbine Drawing Including Pad and Transformer

*Thetwoadditionalpreferredturbinemodelsaresimilarindesign(rangesofrotordiameter,huband
tipheightshownondrawing).SeeTable2.22andAppendixEforadditionaltechnicalinformationon
turbines.

Page17
2.3CONSTRUCTIONEQUIPMENTANDDELIVERYVEHICLES
2.3.1TYPESOFCONSTRUCTIONEQUIPMENTANDDELIVERYVEHICLES
Constructionequipmentwillincludethefollowing:graders,bulldozers,excavators,cranes,concrete
pumps,forklifts,trailers,plows,trenchersanddirectionalboringrigs.Itisanticipatedthatmost
equipmentwillbeinitiallydeliveredtotheProjectlaydownyardlocatedneartheproposedO&M
building.Equipmentwillbetransportedfromthelaydownyardtotheappropriateconstructionsite,as
needed.
Additionaldeliveriesofconstructionmaterialsandcomponentswillbemadedirectlytotheconstruction
sites.Thematerialsanddeliveryvehiclesincludethefollowing:
Culvertsectionsandroadfabric(flatbedsemis)
Roadaggregate(enddump,sidedumpandbellydumptrucks)
Reinforcedsteelforfoundation,anchorboltsandpadmounttransformers(flatbedsemis)
Readymixedconcrete(traditionalreadymixtrucks)
Turbinecomponentsandmainsubstationmaintransformer(heavy/oversizeloadtractortrailers)
Fiberopticspools,electricalcableandelectricalconductors(lowboyorflatbedsemis)
2.3.2GROSSVEHICLEWEIGHTFORALLVEHICLESUSINGLOCALROADS
Table2.31summarizestheapproximategrossweightofthevariousconstructionvehicles.
Table 2.3-1 Approximate Gross Vehicle Weight
DeliveryVehicle LoadedWeight(lbs) UnloadedWeight(lbs)
AggregateTruck(quadaxle) 73,000 35,000
ConcreteTruck 73,000 35,000(approx.10yards)
LowboySemiTruck 100,000 50,000
ComponentDeliveryVehicles 330,000(12peraxle) 180,000
2.3.3VEHICLESFORTURBINE,TOWER,BLADEANDCRANEDELIVERY
Turbinecomponentdeliveryvehiclesarespecificallydesignedtocarrythesizeandloadsofthetower
sections,blades,nacellesandhubs.Table2.32andFigure2.31illustratethevarioustransportation
vehicleconfigurationsthatwillbeutilizedtotransportthecomponentstotheturbinesites.

Page18
Transportationvehicletypesaretobespecifiedaccordingtothemanufacturersrecommendations
basedonfinalturbineselectionandsitedetailforeachturbine.Maximumoverallvehiclelengthranges
arepresentedinTable2.32.Therangesgivenreflectthevariouslengthsoftowersectionsandblades
fortheNordexN100,NordexN117andSiemensSWT2.3113turbines.
Ingeneral,thecomponentdeliveryvehiclesandtrailershavebecomesignificantlymaneuverableto
improvemobilityandobstacleavoidancethroughuseofmechanismstosteerandelevateorlower
workingloadsasneeded.
AdditionaldeliveryinformationiscontainedinatechnicalreporttitledNordex:Transport,Access
RoadsandCraneRequirementslocatedinAppendixF.
Table 2.3-2 Delivery Vehicle Configurations
TruckType
Maximum
Overall
Vehicle
Length(ft)
Turning
Radius
(ft)
Minimum
Ground
Clearance
(in)
Maximum
Slope
Tolerance
(%)
TowerSection
Delivery
144to
180
150 6 10
BladeDelivery
196to
222
150 20 12
TurbineNacelleDelivery
115 150 6 10
Lowboy(typical)
85 100 6 12
Flatbed(typical)
85 100 20 12

Page19
Figure2.31StraightRouteTurbineComponentClearanceProfile
2.3.4CRANESTYPESANDUSES
HWFwillutilizeseveraltypesofconstructioncranesfortheinstallationanderectionoftheProject
facilities.Thelargestcranesusedforturbineassemblywillarriveonsiteviamultipleflatbedsemitrailer
loadsandrequire25daystoassemble,dependingoncranetype.Preferredmovementbetween
turbinesitesforthelargestcranesistowalkthecranefromsitetositeinlieuofdisassemblingand
transportingandthenreassemblingateachturbinesite.ThisisdiscussedindetailinSection2.4.4.
Cranewalksaresometimesimpracticalduetoobstacles,sensitiveresourcesorexcessiveslope.Cranes
maythenbepartiallyorfullydisassembled,transportedascomponentsbysemiflatbedloads,and
reassembled.
Onaprojectofthissizetherewilltypicallybe1to2mainerectioncrawlerlatticeboomcranescapable
ofliftingthesizeandheightrequirementfortheproposedturbinetypes.Theremayalsobeupto3
mediumsizedcrawlerlatticeboomcranesusedforoffloadingcomponentsandperformingsome
erectionfunctions.Dependingonthefinalconstructionreviewsandoperationalneeds,theProjectmay

Page20
includeselfpropelledallterrainandroughterraincranestosupportalltheoperationsattheturbine
sitesandatthevariouslaydownareasoftheProject.
Projectcraneswillrangefrom60tonto600tonliftcapacityandwillofferboomlengthsandreaches
thatrangefromapproximately75feettoover400feet.GeneraltechnicaldataisofferedinTable2.33
foranticipatedprojectcranes.
Table2.33TypicalCraneCapacityandTechnicalData
Crane type
Weight
(tons)
Lift
Rating
(tons)
Transport
Loads
(# loads)
Assemble
Time
(days) On site Mobility
Largelatticeboom
crawler
650 600 35 25
Cranewalkor
flatbedsemi
Mediumlattice
boomcrawler
300 200300 6to10 12
Cranewalkor
flatbedsemi
Supportlattice
boomcrawler
200 100200 3to5 12
Cranewalkor
flatbedsemi
AllTerrain
telescopicboom
200 100200
Self
propelled
1 Selfpropelled
RoughTerrain
telescopicboom
50 6090 2 1 Selfpropelled
Largeconstructioncranesaredelivereddisassembledandassembledonsite.Thelargeerectioncranes
requireapproximately35loadsofvaryingweightsanddimensions.Severalsmallersupportcranes
consistingofonly2to3transportationloadsareusedtooffloadandassemblethelargemainerection
crane.Thenumberandsizeofcraneswillvaryslightlyoneachsitebasedonsiteconstructionspaceand
accessibility.Whenpartiallydisassemblingthelargeerectioncranetomovefromonesitetoanother,
thenumberofloadsmaychangeduetotheefficiencieswithmovingthecranesshortdistancesandat
lowspeeds.
Item1.102.3.4CraneandCranehardstandinginformation:
HWFdidreceiveapprovalfromNordextoreleasethepreviouslyconfidentialNordex:Transportation,
AccessRoadsandCraneRequirementsdocumentincludedinAppendixF.Pleaseseepages1618of
thatdocumentfortheNordexhardstandinginformation.Thecraneconfigurationisaconfidentialitem
thatisproprietarytotheerectioncontractor.AcopyoftheManitowoc18,000specificationswas
alreadyprovided.AwindjibwilllikelybeusedfortheProject.Atypical/genericcranepaddrawingcan
befoundinAppendixF.
2.3.5ROADSANDINFRASTRUCTURE
Stantecperformedapreliminaryreviewoftheregionalroads,bridgesandintersectionswithinthe
Projectfootprintaswellaspossibleroutingtotheturbinesites.Stantecalsocompileddataonpublic

Page21
infrastructurefromtheWisDOTsWisconsinInformationSystemforLocalRoads("WISLR")andHighway
StructuresInventorySystem("HSIS")toevaluatethesuitabilityoftheinfrastructuretosupportexpected
constructiontraffic.
Atintersectionsalongthepossiblerouteforturbineconstructionactivities,datawascollectedto
determinetheconfigurationincludingthemeasurementoftheturningradiifromshoulderpointto
shoulderpoint.Additionally,roadwaygeometrics,typeofroadwaysurfacesattheintersections,
approximateditchinslopes,andculvertsintheintersectionareawerelogged.
StantecsReportRoads,InfrastructureandTransportationforthePreliminaryRoadInfrastructureStudy
canbefoundinAppendixG(StantecRoadStudy).
Thearearoadsareprimarilyasphaltpavement,coldmixasphaltsurface,orgravel.Theroadsservethe
areafarmindustrytrafficandlocalvehicletraffic.Noroadsarepostedforweightrestrictionsinthe
area,exceptforonebridgepostingon210thAvenue.The"noposting"ofroadssuggeststhatthelocal
roadsystemhassufficientloadbearingcapacityandwidthtosupporttheneedsoftheProject,however
eachpossiblerouteconsideredfordeliveryandtransportationofconstructionmaterialswillbe
evaluatedindividuallyforpotentialmitigationrequirementspriortoconstruction.Todeterminethe
subsurfaceloadbearingcapacitiesoflocalroads,testingprocessessuchasgroundpenetratingradaror
fallingweightdeflectometermaybeused.
Ingeneral,haulvehiclesthathaveaxleandwheelloadssimilartostandardhighwayvehicleswillnot
haveanadverseeffectonbridgesandstructuresthathavebeendesignedformodernhighwayloadings.
ThiswouldapplytoTrunkHighwaysandothermajorroadwaysthathavebeendesignedforand
routinelycarrythistypeoftraffic.Also,thiswouldapplytominorroadswithnewerstructuresdesigned
inaccordancewithcurrentcodes.Minorroadswitholderandsmallerstructureswouldrequire
investigationandevaluationofindividualstructures.Apreliminaryunderstandingofthelocalroadsand
bridgeswithintheProjectareaispresentedintheStantecRoadStudy.
2.3.5.1METHODSTOBEUSEDTOHANDLEHEAVYORLARGELOADSONLOCALROADS
TheStantecRoadStudyidentifiesroadsthatshouldbeavoidedtoreducethepossibilityoffailureor
damage.Bridgesorculvertswithloadrestrictionswillsimilarlybeavoidedorimprovedtosupport
constructionneeds.Theimpactofthetransportofheavyloadswillbemitigatedbyutilizingvehicles
whichmeettheratingsfortheequipmenttransported.Thefollowingmeasuresmaybetaken
dependingontimeandlocation,tofacilitatethemovementofconstructionequipmentandheavyloads:
Appropriatehaulvehiclesutilizedforspecificloads;
Distributionofweightloadoverappropriatetruck/trailerlengthsandaxlestoreducedamageto
roadsbyspreadingweightoverlargersurfaceareas;
Theuseofwoodmatsandsteelplatestocoverroadsatcranecrossingsandprovideprotection
fromoutriggerpads;
Constructionoftemporaryturnlanesandenlargingturningradiiatintersectionstoensure
vehiclesareabletosafelymaneuverpredeterminedroutes;

Page22
Improvementofpublicroadsatpointsofintersectwithturbineaccessroads,including
temporaryturnlanesandshoulderimprovements,wherenecessary;
Appropriatehaulvehiclesutilizedforspecificloadsduringthewinterseasonwhenfrozensoil
conditionsallowforheavierloads.
2.3.5.2PROBABLEROUTESFORDELIVERYOFHEAVY/OVERSIZEDEQUIPMENTANDMATERIALS
TurbinecomponentswillapproachtheProjectareaviaUSHighway(USH)63andStateHighway(STH)64
inSt.CroixCounty.FromUSH63andSTH64,accesstotheturbinesiteswillrequiretravelonthe
countyandlocalroadwaysystems.Finalroutesforheavyhaulsorequipmenthavenotbeenchosenat
thistime.TheinitialphaseoftheStantecRoadStudyconsistedofapreliminaryinspectionofroads,
bridgesandintersectionswithintheProjectarea,toassistindeterminingthefinalroutes.FiguresA1
andA2oftheStantecRoadStudy(AppendixG)providesummariesoftheroadratings,bridgesand
intersectionswithintheProjectarea.Thisinformationwillbeutilizedindefiningroutesthatminimize
impactstothecountyandlocalroadwaysystem,whilealsomeetingProjectobjectives.
2.3.5.3POTENTIALFORROADDAMAGEANDCOMPENSATIONFORSUCHDAMAGE
Priortocommencementofconstruction,asurveyofcountyandlocalroadconditionswithintheProject
boundarywillbeperformed.Roadswillbevideotapedbothbeforeandafterconstruction,and
assessedbyanindependentconsultantacceptabletoHWF,St.CroixCountyandtheTownshipsofCylon
andForest.
DirectdamageresultingfromtheProjecttrafficloadswillberepairedandreturnedtoconditions
mutuallyagreeduponbytheaffectedjurisdictions,nottoexceedpreconstructionconditionsas
determinedbythepreconstructionsurvey.Alternatively,HWFandtheaffectedjurisdictionsmayagree
onarateofcompensationdirectlycausedbyandrelatedtotheProjecttraffic.
DeliveriestoProjectsiteswillbecompliantwithstatutoryheavyhaulaxleloadingrequirements.
2.3.5.4PROBABLELOCATIONSOFROADMODIFICATIONSTOACCOMMODATEDELIVERIES
ThepreliminaryassessmentoftheintersectiongeometrywithintheProjectareaindicatedthatmost
turningradiiarenotsufficienttoaccommodatelongwheelbasetransportvehicles.
Toaccommodatedeliveryofoversizeloads,theintersectionswillrequiremodificationssuchas
temporarilyenlargingtheturnradius.Theprocesswillincludegradingandbaseconstruction,
bituminous,andculvertextensionwhererequired.Dependingontheextentofthenecessarygrading,
temporaryeasementsmayberequiredforgradingthatextendsoutoftheROW.Figure2.32
demonstratesatypicalexistingroadintersectionwithintheProjectarea,andtheapproximate
enlargementneededtoaccommodatetheturbinedeliveryvehicles.

Page23
Figure2.32IntersectionwithInsideTurningRadiusImprovement
Graded Width
Maintained Roadway (Grav. or Bit)
6
6
'

R
O
W
Gravel or Grass shoulder
Measured radius to
graded PI of Roadway
Ditch area 3' to 4' depth (Typ.)
North
East
West
South
92' inside turning radius for blade truck
111.17' inside turning radius for nacelle
80' inside turning radius for tower trucks
ROW encroachment
Visualinspectionofthelocalroadsidentifiedculverts(bridgeslessthan20'inroadwaylength)thatwill
requirefurtherevaluationtodeterminetheloadcapacityofthestructure.Theevaluationprocessof
thesestructureswilltakeplaceoncefinaldeliveryroutesaredeterminedforequipmentandmaterials.
Structuresthatwillnotsupportexpectedconstructiontrafficwillbeimprovedorreplacedpriorto
construction.HWFwillensuretheselectedtransportationcarrierhassignificantexperienceandagood
safetyrecord.
2.3.5.5ESTIMATETREEPRUNINGORREMOVAL
Treesalongequipmentdeliveryroutesmayrequireadditionalpruningtoaccommodatethelargeloads.
Routeswillbesurveyedpriortodeliveriesandareasrequiringattentionwillbeprunedaccordingto
acceptedtreeandshrubtrimmingpractices.Trimmingorclearingoftreesonparticipatinglandowners
propertytoaccommodateequipmentdeliveryisdiscussedandagreeduponpriortoconstruction.This
responsibilitywillbepartofthescopeofthebalanceofplantcontract.
2.3.5.6ELECTRICDISTRIBUTIONINTERRUPTION
Theinterruptionofelectricalserviceduetoconstructionactivitieswillbeminimizedasmuchas
possible.Localoverheaddistributionlinesmayneedtobetemporarilydisconnected,relocatedor
buriedtoaccommodateequipmentdeliveryorpassageofthecranesalongcraneroutes.
Disconnectionofalinetoallowpassageofthecrosscountrycranewouldbeapproximately30minutes
induration.Ininstanceswherelinesaretemporarilyrelocatedorburied(linedrop),thetemporaryline
wouldbepreinstalledresultinginashortdisconnecttimeasthecurrentisrerouted.

Page24
Theinterruptionofserviceduetothepassageofdeliverytrucksandequipmentunderneathlowhanging
distributionlinescanoftenbemitigatedbymanuallyraisingthelineastheequipmentpasses
underneath.Ifthisisnotpossibleandthelinecannotbedropped,ashortinterruptionofservicemay
result.Nolinedropsareanticipatedatthistime.Figure1.13(AppendixA)identifiespowerpole
locationsincloseproximitytoaccessroadentranceswherelinedropsoralternativeproceduresmaybe
needed.
Interruptionswillbescheduledinadvancetoreduceinconveniencetolocalresidentsandbusinesses.
HWF,oritsauthorizedProjectpartners,willcommunicatewiththelocalutilitiesanddesignatedtown
officialstocoordinateunavoidableinterruptionstoserviceandnotifyimpactedlocalresidents.
2.3.6CONSTRUCTIONTRAFFIC
TheProjectisinaruralareaandthusgeneraltrafficcongestionwillbelimited.Duringtheroadbuilding
andimprovementphases,littletonointerferencewithlocaltrafficpatternswillbeaffected.Atnotime
duringtheroadbuildingandimprovementphasesareanyclosurestostate,countyorlocaltownroads
anticipated.
DuringthefoundationbuildingphasesoftheProjecttherewillbelargetrucksdeliveringconcrete
materialstoeachturbinesite.Thetotalnumberoftruckswilldependonthefinaldesignofthe
foundationsbutcouldbebetweenthirtyfiveandseventyfivetruckloadsperturbinesite.Theloads
willbespacedoutin5to10minuteintervals(approximate),sothattrafficcongestionwillbelimited.
Alloftheaccessroadentrancesandsiteshavebeensurveyedforsafetyandefficiencyforconstruction,
alongwithconsiderationforreducingandlimitingtheamountoflocaltrafficpatternimpacted.
Theerectionphasesoftheworkwillrequirelargerandoversizedloadstomaneuverthroughoutthe
site.Theloadswillrequireslowermovingtruckstomaneuverthroughcornersandwillhaveleadand
followsafetyvehiclestoalerttrafficinalldirections.Insomeinstances,theremaybeaseveralminute
delayinordertosafelynavigatesomeoftheintersectionsandcorners.PleaseseetheStantecRoad
StudyforamoredetaileddiscussionofthecurrentintersectionswithintheProjectboundaryand
anticipatedimprovements.
FiguresA1andA2(AppendixG)showthelocationsofturbinesitesandtheroadspotentiallyaffected.
Untiltheroadsaresurveyedforpreconstructionconditionsandpermitsappliedforthespecificlocation
ofaffectedroadwayswillnotbefinalized.
Otherthanfoundationphasesforconcretetransportation,mostoftheworkandtransportation
disturbanceswilloccurduringlowvolumeandoffpeaktimes.Tomaximizetheworkconditions,the
foundationconstructionphaseswillstartintheearlyhoursofthedayandgothroughmorningpeak
times.SeetheStantecRoadStudyforamoredetaileddiscussionoftrafficroutesandimpacts.

Page25
2.4OTHERPROJECTFACILITIES
2.4.1TURBINESITEFOUNDATION
HWFengagedRenewableResourceConsultants,LLC("RRC")toperformpreliminarysoilboringsand
prepareapreliminarytechnicalreport(GeotechnicalReport).ThecompleteGeotechnicalReportcan
befoundinAppendixN.BasedonthereportsfindingsandtheTurbinemodelsbeingcontemplatedby
HWF,RRChassuggestedaPreliminaryFoundationDesignforthepurposeofthisapplication.This
spreadfootingdesigncontemplatestheconditionsfoundatvarioussamplingpointswithintheProject
boundary.However,thefinaldesigncanonlybeprovidedaftersoilboringsaretakenfromeachspecific
siteandfinalselectionoftheProjectTurbine.
Atthebeginningoftheexcavationprocesstopsoilwillbestrippedandstockpiledforreclamation.
Approximately3000yards(lesshowevermuchtopsoilisremoved)willbeexcavatedforthefoundation
construction.Afterthefoundationhasbeencompletedandpassedtesting,thepreviouslyremoved
soilswillbebackfilledontopofthespreadfootingasindicatedonsheetS3ofthePreliminary
FoundationDesign(AppendixE).Excesssoils,ifpresent,willbeutilizedordisposedofinamanner
consistentwiththemethodsoutlinedintheWDNRHighlandWindWetlandWaterQualityPermit
Application.Thesemethodsmayinclude:
Placementatthediscretionofthelandownertobenefitagriculturaloperations;
Placementtobenefitanyotherparticipatinglandownerneeds;
Placementforthebenefitofthetownornonparticipatingresidence;
RemainingsoilswillbedisposedofbyHWF.
TheestimatedmaterialrequirementsarelistedonsheetS1ofthePreliminaryFoundationDesign
(AppendixE).Alloftheinformationprovidedatthistimeissubjecttochangebasedonspecificsite
conditions.
TheanchoringmechanismisanticipatedtobeasindicatedintheNordexAnchorBoltCageDesignfound
intheN100TechnicalDescription(AppendixE).
ITEM1.112.4.1TURBINESITEFOUNDATIONINFORMATION
NonconfidentialTurbinesitefoundationinformationcanbefoundinAppendixE.
2.4.2TURBINESITECONSTRUCTIONAREA
Thestagingofatypicalturbinesiteconstructionareacanbefoundonpage17oftheNordex:Transport,
AccessRoadsandCraneRequirements(AppendixF).Thefiguredepictsatypicalturbineconstruction
siteforasimilarturbinemodel.Eachturbineconstructionsitelayoutwillbeindividuallymodifiedto
accountfortopography,soils,environmentalconcernsorotheruniquefeatures.

Page26
Inadditiontotheindicatedlaydownareaateachsite,theProjectwillalsohavea20acrelaydownyard
adjacenttotheO&Mbuilding.CrewswillbeexpectedtoparktheirpersonalvehiclesattheO&M
buildingandlaydownyardandwillbeshuttledtotheindividualturbinesitesincompanyvehicles.
ITEM1.122.4.2.4PROVIDEASCALEDRAWINGSHOWINGGENERALCONSTRUCTIONSETUPANDMATERIALLAYDOWN
FORTURBINESITES:
NordexhasagreedtoreleasetheformerlyconfidentialGeneralConstructionSetupandMaterial
Laydowndrawing(Figure2.41).ItisprovidedbelowandinAppendixF.
Figure2.41GeneralConstructionSetupandMaterialLaydown

2.4.3ACCESSROADS
Accesstoturbinesitesisprovidedbygravelroadsextendingfromapublicroadtotheturbinelocation.
Accessroadsutilizeexistingfarmroadsanddrivewayswherepracticable.Thetotallengthofaccess
roadsforthe41primaryturbinesisapproximately11.5milesascurrentlydesigned.Thelengthofthe
alternateaccessroads,totalsapproximatelythreemiles;however,alternateturbineswouldbechosen
individuallytoreplaceprimaryturbines,thusthetotallengthwoulddependonthefinalwindfarm
design.
Theaccessroadconstructionsequencewillincludeinitialremovaloftopsoil(storedforrestorationupon
completion),compactionoftheroadsubgrade,placementofgeotextilefabricandfinishedapplication
andgradingofan812inchdepthofcrushedgravel.Thefinishedroadswillbeatgradewiththe

Page27
surroundinglandandblendwiththecontourswheneverpracticable.Theroadswillbe16feetwideand
widenatthebaseoftheturbinetoaccommodatetheerectioncrane.Theaccessroadsandcranepads
willremaininplaceduringthelifeoftheProject.
Duringconstructionthetemporaryimpactfromsomeaccessroadsmaybegreaterthan16feet,ifthe
roadrunsconcurrentwithaproposedcranepath.Inthesecasesthetemporaryimpact(clearingand
compactionofground)willbeapproximately40feettoaccommodatetheoversizedcrane.Additionally,
temporaryturningradiimaybeconstructedwhereroadscontainrightanglesortightturns.These
turningradiuses,alongwithturnradiiatentrancesfrompublicroads,willberestoreduponcompletion
ofaccessroadconstruction.
Topsoilremovedduringaccessroadsconstructionwillbestockpiledforrestorationoftemporaryimpact
areasafterconstructioniscomplete.Nofencesorgatesarecontemplatedfortheaccessroad
entrances.Accesstoturbinetowersislimitedbylockeddoorsonthetowerbase.
AmapoftheprimaryandalternateaccessroadlocationscanbefoundinAppendixA.Temporary
accessroadfeatures,suchasturningradiicanbefoundwithinAppendixB.Ashapefileofaccessroad
featuresisprovidedontheDataDVDfiledwiththisapplication.
ITEM1.132.4.3PROVIDEANONCONFIDENTIALVERSIONOFTHEACCESSROADINFORMATION;
NordexhasagreedtoreleasepreviouslyconfidentialinformationregardingNordex:Transportation,
AccessRoadandCraneRequirements.ThedocumentcanbefoundinAppendixF.Theconfiguration
ofProjectaccessroadsisshownonFigure1.12(AppendixA).
2.4.4CRANEPATHS
Theerectionofthelargewindturbinesrequiresspecializederectioncrawlerlatticeboomcranesthat
mayextendtoover400feet.Duetothetimeandexpenseofdisassemblingandreassemblingthe
largecranes,theyaregenerallywalkedcrosscountryfromoneturbinelocationtoanother,whenever
possible.Becauseofthesize,thelargestcranescannotutilizepublicroads,thoughaccessroads
(expandedinwidth)areusedwheneverpracticable.
Cranepathsareroughly40feetwide,andpreparedbyremovinglargevegetation.Temporarywetland
impactsduetotherouteofthecraneareidentifiedandapplicablepermitsappliedfor.Nogradingof
soilsoccursduringtheuseofcranepaths.Temporarymattingmaybeusedifsoftspotsorsoil
conditionsareidentifiedthatareunabletosupportthecranes.Farmfieldsmaybecompactedbythe
weightofthecraneandaredecompacteduponcompletion.Publicroadsareprotectedwithtemporary
mattingorotherappropriatematerials.
Cranecrosscountryrouteswerereviewedforsensitiveresources,steepslopesorotherfeaturesthat
wouldlimitthemovementofthecranes.AmapofproposedcraneroutesfortheProjectisincludedin
AppendixA.LargerscalefiguresareprovidedwithintheAppendixBMapbook.Ashapefileofproposed
craneroutesisalsoprovidedontheDataDVDfiledwiththisapplication.

Page28
ITEM1.142.4.4.2PROVIDEADESCRIPTIONOFMATERIALSTOBEUSEDANDMETHODSFORCONSTRUCTIONOFCRANE
PATHS:
Atthistimeconstructingroadsforcranepathsisnotanticipated.Naturalfoliage(grassandcrops)are
goodbasesforstabilization.Leavingthenaturalfoliageinplacelessenstheenvironmentalimpactas
comparedtostrippingandaddinggravel.Inareasspecifiedbytheoperatorandequipment
superintendentwoodconstructionmatswillbeusedforstabilization.Inplaceswherethecranepaths
crosswetlandsandwaterways,temporaryconstructionmatswillbeusedasdescribedwithinthe
WetlandWaterQualityPermitApplication("WWQPA")(AppendixR).
ITEM1.152.4.4.3PROVIDECRANEPATHWIDTHSANDDEPTHS:
Asnotedabovecranepathsareapproximately40feetwide.Atypical/genericcranepathdrawingcan
befoundinAppendixF.Sinceactualcranepathswillnotbeconstructedthereisnodepthexceptfor
specialmatswhichareapproximately812inchesthick.
ITEM1.162.4.4.4DISCUSSWHENANDHOWCRANEPATHSWOULDBEREMOVEDANDLANDRECOVERED:
Crosscountrycraneroutesdonotneedtoberemovedbutwillberestoredtopreconstruction
conditions.Compactedsoilwillbedecompactedusinga1218deepchiselplow,backfilledwithtopsoil
andthesurfacewillberestoredtooriginalcondition.HWFiscommittedtorestoringdisturbedlandsto
preconstructionstatusregardlessoftypeofdisturbanceasisrequiredbyprovisionsinouragreements
withthelandowners.
2.4.5GENERALCONSTRUCTIONAREAS
2.4.5.1PROJECTSTAGINGAREASANDLAYDOWNYARD
Individualtemporaryconstructionareasareplannedateachturbinesitetostagetheturbinepiecesfor
erection.Uplandagriculturalareasareidentifiedforthispurpose.Theareaswillbecompactedif
necessaryanddecompacteduponcompletionofconstructionforfutureagriculturaluse.SeeSection
2.4.2foradescriptionandafiguredepictingthetypicallayoutoftheseareas.
Inadditiontotheindividualturbinestagingareas,ageneral,temporaryconstructionlaydownyardis
locatedattheO&Mbuildingsite.Thetemporarylaydownyardwillbeapproximately20acresinsize
andconsistofagraveledsurface.Thelaydownyardwillserveseveralpurposesincluding:
ParkingofHWFandcontractortrailers.UponcompletionofthepermanentO&Mbuilding,
HWFwillutilizetheofficespaceasneededwhenoverseeingtheoperationsand
maintenanceaspectsofthepark.TheprimaryoccupantoftheO&Mbuildingwillbethe
operationandmaintenancecontractor.
Employeeandcontractorparkingforpersonalvehicles
Temporarystorageofturbinecomponentsandequipment.
Temporarystorageofotherconstructionmaterialsasneeded.

Page29
Materialstorageatthelaydownyardwillbeacombinationofopenairstorage,storagein
containers,storageintrailers,andstorageintheO&Mbuildingitself.
Uponcompletionofconstruction,thelaydownyardwillberestoredforagriculturalusebyremovingthe
aggregate,decompactingthelandandrestoringthetopsoil.
ThepermanentO&Mbuildingwillbelocatedonapproximately2.5acres,withaparkingareafor
employeeandvisitoruse.Theparkinglotisanticipatedtobeapproximately50x100feetinsize.
2.4.5.2HAZARDOUSCHEMICALS,SPILLCONTAINMENTANDCLEANUPMEASURES
Hazardouschemicalsincludingfuelforvehicles,paintsandlubricantswillbestoredonsiteduringthe
constructionperiod.Gasolineanddieselfuelwillbestoredinindividualtanks.Refuelingofthevehicles
willbecontractedwithalocalfueldeliveryservicetobecompletedintheeveninghours.Other
hazardouschemicalsonsitewillbestoredintrailerseitheratturbinelocationsortheO&MBuilding,
onceconstructed.Table2.41(AppendixH)listschemicalsanticipatedtobeonsiteduringthe
constructioncycle.Table2.42(AppendixH)providesalistofchemicalsthatareanticipatedtobeon
siteduringtheoperationofthewindfarm.
HWFwillrequirethataSpillPrevention,ContainmentandCountermeasures(SPCC)Planbeprovidedby
thecontractorawardedtheconstructioncontractfortheProject.TheSPCCPlanwilloutlinethe
proceduresandpreventativemeasurethatwillbefollowedthroughouttheconstructionperiod.HWF
andallofitscontractorswillberequiredtocomplywiththeplan.AtaminimumtheSPCCPlanwill
identifythefollowing:
Typicalfuels,chemicals,lubricantsandpaintstobeusedorstoredintheProjectarea.
Methodsandlocationofstorage.
Locationsdesignatedforlubricationandrefueling(i.e.outsideofsensitiveresourceareas).
Preventivemeasurestobeusedtominimizepotentialimpacts.
Mitigationmethodstobeemployed,shouldaspilloccur.
Locationofconstructionspillkits(gloves,brooms,absorbents,barriermaterials,etc.).
Emergencynotificationproceduresandforms.
Contactinformationforindividualsrequiringnotificationifaspillshouldoccur.
TheSPCCPlanwillbekeptonsiteduringconstructionandwillmeetallEPArequirements.TheSPCC
Plan,becauseofitsspecificity,willbewrittenbythebalanceofplantcontractorpriortothe
commencementofconstruction.

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ITEM1.172.4.6TRANSMISSIONINTERCONNECTION
TheProjectwillbeinterconnectedtothetransmissiongridviaa161kVlineownedbyXcelEnergy.The
lineislocatedapproximatelyonemilewestoftheForest/CylonTownboundary,immediatelywestof
theproposedsubstationlocation.SeeSection1.7.1forthecurrentstatusoftheMISOinterconnection
process.
TheoutputoftheMISOstudieswilldeterminethedesigndetailsforthesubstation.SeeFigure2.42
(AppendixC)fora1linedrawingoftheproposedinterconnectionwiththeexisting161kVsystem.HWF
hashadtwoinformalmeetingswithXcelEnergyregardingtheProjectandtheproposedconnectionto
itstransmissionline.HWFneedstobetterunderstandthesystemimpactsandrelatedcoststomove
theconversationsforward.
HWFanticipatesthatadditionalpolestructureswillneedtobeaddedtobothsidesof250
th
Streetto
connectthesubstationtotheexisting161kVtransmissionline.Thepolestructureontheeastsideofthe
roadwillfallwithintheproposedsubstationfootprint.Thelandtobeimpactedwithinthesubstation
footprintiscurrentlyutilizedasagriculturalcropland.Autilitypolecurrentlyexistsonthewestsideof
250
th
Streetthatmaybeused,dependingonthefinalinterconnectiondesign.Ifanewstructureis
necessary,itwillbeconstructedwithinthecurrentroadandutilityROW.Theproposedlocationis
currentlydisturbedactiveROW,however,thelandcoverimmediatelytothewestappearstobe
wetland,basedonareviewofaerialimages,WWIdataandhydricsoils.Uponreceiptofthefinal
substationandinterconnectiondesign,ifanewutilitypoleisnecessaryonthewestsideof250
th
Street,
theextentoftheconstructionimpactandaccuratelocationofthewetlandwillbeassessedand
permitted,asneeded.
2.4.7COLLECTORCIRCUITS
ThecollectionsystemfortheProjectwillbebrokenintofourseparatecircuits.Eachofthefourcircuits
willcarryapproximately25percentofthegeneratingcapacityoftheProject.Thevoltageofthe
collectionsystemwillbe34kV.Theentirerouteisplannedasanundergroundsystem.Thefourcircuits
maybecollectedatonepointinthenorthwesternquadrantoftheProjectanddeliveredtothe
substationthroughonehomerun';orascurrentlycontemplated,thefourcollectorcircuitswilltravelto
thesubstationandeachcircuitwillbeconnectedtoitsowngroundingtransformeratthatpoint.
Thecurrentconfigurationforthecollectionsystemcontainsapproximately57milesofcable;though
therearenumerousareaswheremultiplecircuitssharetheroute.Anexampleofthissharingisthe
finalapproximately4.5milesofthesystemwherethefourcircuitsmeetandproceedtowardthe
substation.Asmentionedinthepreviousparagraph,thissectionofthesystemmaybecollectedintoa
homerun.Ataminimum,thefourcableswillsharethesamerouteandthusminimizeimpactstothe
environment.
Installationofthecollectionsystemwillbebyuseofavibratoryplowortrenchingmethodinupland
areas.Thevibratoryplowdirectlyimpactsanareaapproximately68incheswide,thoughthetracking
systemisapproximately8feetwide.Thereisminimalimpactonthelandduetothetrackingsystem.
Thecollectionsystemwillbeburiedatadepthof42inches.Undergroundhorizontaldirectionaldrilling

Page31
("HDD")willbeutilizedinenvironmentallysensitiveareas,suchaswetlandsandwaterways,toavoid
impactstotheseresources.Thealuminumconductorcableusedwillvaryinsize.Themajorityofthe
cablewillbe4/0AWG,thoughsomeoftherunsmaybeaslargeas1250MCM.Thesemediumvoltage
cableswillbeVLFhipottested.HWFhashadnumerousdiscussionswiththehostlandownersand
understandsthattherearenodraintilesinthisarea.
Item1.184.2ProvideGISshapefileforthetransmissionlineandstructurelocations;
ThetransmissionlineisindicatedontheProjectmaps.GISfilesofthetransmissionlinehavebeen
provided.AGISfileofpowerpolelocationswithinonehalfmileofthesubstationisprovidedinthe
revisedDataDVD.Anumberofpolelocationswereestimatedbyspanlengthduetotreecoveron
currentaerialimages.Structurelocationsassociatedwiththesubstationwillbeprovidedwhenthe
outputofthecompleteelectricalengineeringbecomesavailable.
ITEM1.192.4.7.3PROVIDEADESCRIPTIONOFTHETRANSFORMERTYPE,LOCATION,ANDPHYSICALSIZEOF
TRANSFORMERPADATEACHTURBINESITE:
Thepadmounttransformertypewillvarydependingontheinterconnectionagreementandfinal
turbineselection.Thelocationofthepadmounttransformerwilltypicallybewithin1020feetofeach
turbinebase.Thesizeofthepadwillvary;howevertheapproximatesizeisabout10x10.The
transformerwithinthesubstationwillvarydependingontheinterconnectionagreementandutility
requirements.Finalengineeringhasnotbeenperformedtoestimateordeterminethespecifics.
2.4.8CONSTRUCTIONSITELIGHTING
ItisexpectedthatattheO&Mbuildinglightingwillbeinstalledeitheronpole(s)oronthebuildingto
provideadequatelightforsafetyandsecurity.Thepreferredmethodofconstructionwillbeduring
daylighthoursintheeventthatsitelightingisneededtoaccommodatesafeworkingconditionsfor
constructionportablelightingandgeneratorswillbeusedasneeded.
ITEM1.202.4.8.2PROVIDECOPIESOFANYLOCALORDINANCESRELATINGTOLIGHTINGTHATCOULDAPPLY:
Thereisnocountyortownshiplightingordinance.However,afterspeakingwiththeSt.CroixCounty
zoningcodeadministrator,theconditionalusepermitforthesubstationmayrequiretypicalpermit
conditionsiflightingisneededsuchasalllightingmustfacedownwardtolessentheimpactto
adjacentlandowners.TheonlylightingthatHWFcurrentlycontemplatesontheturbinesisthatwhichis
directedbytheFAA.
6
TheTownofForestaswellastheTownofCylonhavenolightingrequirements.
6
TheTownofForesthasrecentlycreatedaWindEnergySystemsLicensingOrdinanceandonpage28itdescribes
lightingofwindturbines.However,thisordinanceisnotapplicabletotheProjectasitwaspassedafterthe
ProjectreceivedallrequiredTownofForestapprovalsandwillbepreemptedbystatestatuteiftheCommission
issuestherequestedCPCN.NeverthelessacopyoftheordinancecanbefoundinAppendixP.

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2.5SUBSTATION
2.5.1DRAWINGORDIAGRAMOFTHESUBSTATION
SubstationlayoutfigurescanbefoundinAppendixJ.
Figure2.51SubstationLocationAerialImage
Figure2.52SubstationLocationandPropertyUSGSTopoquad
Figure2.53SubstationImpactAreawithElevationContours
Figure2.51displaystheproposedlayoutforthesubstationoverlayingacurrentaerialimageandparcel
boundaries.Theapproximatedimensionsoftheproposedconstructionareasaregivenonthedrawing.
Additionally,a1linedrawingoftheproposedinterconnectionwiththeexisting161kVsystemis
providedinAppendixC.
ITEM1.212.5.1INDICATETHEACTUALSIZEOFTHESUBSTATIONORSUBSTATIONADDITIONINSQUAREFEET,THE
DIMENSIONSOFTHEPROPOSEDSUBSTATIONFACILITIES,ANDTHEORIENTATIONOFTHESUBSTATIONWITHINTHE
PROPERTYPARCEL:
Figures2.51and2.52havebeenrevisedtoincludethesquarefootageandacreageoftheproposed
substationimpactarea.Figure2.53hasbeenaddedtoprovidealargescalemapoftheproposed
substationareawithdimensionsandcontoursofelevationassurveyedinJanuary,2012.
2.5.2PLATANDTOPOGRAPHICMAPSLOCATIONOFTHESUBSTATION
Figure2.52(AppendixJ)providesaUSGSTopographicMapalongwiththegenerallocationofthe
substation.Parcelinformation(currentlandowner,parcelIDnumber)fromtheSt.CroixCountyLand
InformationDepartmentisshownonthefigure.
2.5.3SIZEOFTHELANDPURCHASEREQUIREDANDORIENTATIONOFSUBSTATIONWITHINTHEPARCEL
Theproposedsubstationsitewillbelocatedonaparcelapproximatelyfiveacresinsize.SeeFigures
2.51and2.52(AppendixJ)fortheapproximateorientationofthesubstationontheproperty.
2.5.4CURRENTLANDOWNERSHIPANDCONTROLOFPROPERTY
ThelanddesignatedforthesubstationiscurrentlyownedbyWayneC.andBeverlyA.Alvermann.The
AlvermannshaveexecutedanoptionagreementtosellthelandforthesubstationtoHWF.
ITEM1.222.5.5REQUIREDSUBSTATIONFACILITIES
AonelinedrawingforthesubstationinterconnectioncanbefoundinAppendixC.Thisdrawingwas
preparedfor,andispartof,theinterconnectionagreementwithMISO.AsdescribedinSection2.4.6,
theoutputoftheDefinitivePlanningPhasestudieswilldeterminethedesigndetailsforthesubstation.
Interconnectionfacilitieswillnotbefinalizeduntilexecutionofaninterconnectionagreementwith
MISO.

Page33
2.5.6NEWSUBSTATION
AsthesubstationfortheProjectwillbenewlyconstructed,theproposedlocationsofthepowerlines
enteringandleavingthesubstationandthelocationoftheaccessroadareshownonthedesign
drawingsandlayoutFigures2.51and2.52(AppendixJ).
2.5.7MODIFICATIONSTOEXISTINGSUBSTATIONS
NotapplicabletoHighlandWind.
2.5.7CONSTRUCTIONPROCEDURES
ThetimelinefortheconstructionofthesubstationisdependentontheoutputoftheMISOstudies.The
newtariffforMISOhasbeensubmittedtoFERCasofthedateofthisapplication.Itisanticipatedthat
FERCwillruleonthenewtariffbyMarch2012.OncetherulinghastakenplaceMISOwillprovideanew
calendarwhichwouldserveasaguidelineforthetimingoftheseactivities.
Theconstructionsequenceforthesubstationisasfollows:
1. Installerosioncontrolmeasuresforentrancedrivetoplannedareaforsubstation
2. Installsafetyfenceapproximately10feetbeyondtheconstructionboundaries
3. Installconstructionerosioncontrolmeasuresincludingsiltfence,strawbalebarriersandriprap
4. Constructstormwaterrunoffbasinifrequired
5. Beginearthworkoperationsandgradethesubstationtoroughgrade
6. Installconcretefoundations
7. Installgroundgridandbelowgradeconduits
8. Finishgradingthesubstationareaandinstallcrushedstoneyardsurface
9. Installandgroundpermanentsubstationfencing
10. Installsteelstructures,substationequipmentandcontrolbuilding
11. Installpowerandcontrolcableandterminatecables
12. Testandcommissionallequipmentandrelays
13. Connectthesubstationtothetransmissionsystemandenergize
14. Completepermanentstabilizationandremovetemporaryerosioncontrolmeasures.

Page34
2.6OPERATIONSANDMAINTENANCEBUILDING
2.6.1PURPOSEANDUSEOFTHEPROPOSEDO&MBUILDING
ThecompletedProjectwillincludeanoperationsandmaintenance(O&M)building.Thisbuildingis
plannedtohaveofficespaces,aconferenceroomforpresentations,kitchen,separatelockerareasfor
menandwomen,SupervisoryControlandDataAcquisition(SCADA)room,storageandserviceareaas
wellasanoutdoorcoveredstoragearea.Deliverieswillbemadetothefacilityfromtimetotimeby
mailortruck.TheO&Mbuildingwillbeconstructedpriortocommercialoperation.
2.6.2NUMBEROFFULLTIMEEMPLOYEESWORKINGATTHEFACILITY
Itisexpectedthat6to8fulltimefactorytrainedwindfarmoperatorswillbeemployedfortheongoing
operationandmaintenanceoftheProject.Thesefutureemployeeswillbeinvolvedinthe
commissioningphaseoftheProjectsoastobecompletelyfamiliarwithallaspectsoftheProjectasthey
graduallytakeoverthedaytodayresponsibilitiesofoperatingandmaintainingthewindfarm.
Additionaltrainedsupportstaffwillbebroughtinfromtimetotimetofulfillspecificneedsasthey
occur.
Inadditiontothosedirectemployeesisexpectedthatotherswilllikelybeengagedassubcontractlabor
intheareasofsnowremoval,landscapemaintenance,accessroadmaintenance,etc.Thesepositions
willbefilledfromthesurroundinglocalcommunitywhenfeasible,giventherequirementsofthe
necessaryskillsetsinvolved.
2.6.3SIZEOFPROPERTYNEEDED
ThesizeofthepropertyneededfortheO&Mbuildingwithparkinglotisapproximately2.5acres.
ITEM1.262.6.4BUILDINGANDBUILDINGFOOTPRINT
ScaleddrawingsoftheO&MbuildingandparcelsareprovidedinAppendixH.
Figure2.61O&MBuildingandLaydownYard(LayoutandPropertyInformation)
Drawing2.62O&MBuildingDraftFloorPlan
Thebuildingwillbe93feetinlengthand70feetinwidthwithanoutdoorroofextensionnearthe
garagearea.Theoutdoorextensionisdesignedtobe16feetby45feet.Thebuildingwillhavean
overallheightofapproximately1822feet.Itwillbeametalframedstructure,constructedonanat
gradeslab.AsmorespecificdesigndetailsanddrawingsoftheO&Mbuildingbecomeavailabletheywill
beprovidedtothePSCstaff.
TheO&MbuildinglocationwithintheProjectareaisshownonFigure1.12(AppendixA)andFigure
1.13(AppendixB).
2.6.5LIGHTINGANDSECURITYPLANFORO&MPROPERTY
TheO&Mbuildingwillhavesecuritylightingateachentrancetothebuildingalongwithapotentialyard
lightthatwouldpointdowntominimizeeffectstonearbyresidences.Accesstothebuildingwillbewith

Page35
acardkeysystemenablingonlyapprovedpersonneltoenterthebuildingwhennotoccupied.
Additionally,intrusiondetectionandelectronicsurveillancewillbeprovidedtomakesurethesiteis
secure.TheclosestresidenttotheO&Mbuildingisaparticipatinglandownerwhosehomeis
approximately500feetawayfromthebuilding.
2.6.6OTHERFACILITIESNEEDED
OtherfacilityservicesrequiredfortheO&Mbuildingareelectric,naturalgas(ifavailable),telecom
services,andpotablewater.Awellwillbedrilledtosupplywatertothefacility.Aprivatesepticsystem
willberequired.Duringconstructionandoperation,dischargesfromtheO&Mbuildingwillbetothe
buildingssepticsystem.
Runofffromtheparkingareaduringconstructionandoperationwillbedirectedtoexistingculvertsas
requiredbypermits.Atthistime,aretentionbasinisnotanticipatedfortheO&Mbuilding/parkinglot
area.Theparkinglotwillbeapproximately50feetx100feetandcontainalimitednumberofparking
stalls.
3.0DEVELOPMENT,APPROVAL,ENGINEERING,AND
CONSTRUCTIONPROCESSANDSEQUENCE
3.1CONSTRUCTIONSEQUENCE
ApreliminaryconstructionscheduleiscontainedinAppendixF.Thestartandfinishdateswillbe
adjustedtoaccommodatethetimingoftheCPCNapprovalandMISOstudies.
Thecriticalpathitemsinclude:
1. AccessRoad&CranePadConstruction
2. FoundationExcavation
3. Rebar&AnchorBoltAssembly
4. FoundationConcretePour
5. TowerErection
6. SubstationEnergization
7. MechanicalCompletion
8. Commissioning
Thetasksthatcanstart(subjecttooverallschedulerequirements)includethesubstationengineering
andconstruction,electricalcollectionsystem,O&Mbuildingandpadmounttransformerinstallation.

Page36
3.1.1CONSTRUCTIONSCHEDULE
TheconstructionschedulecontainedinAppendixFissubjecttochangebaseduponpermitapprovals,
turbinedeliveryandavailabilityandothereventsbeyondthescopeandcontrolofHWF.Becauseof
theseuncertaintiesHWFwouldaskthattheCommissionapproveatwoyearperiodforthe
commencementofconstructionuponapprovaloftheCPCN.
3.1.2STAGINGANDCONSTRUCTIONSEQUENCE
TheconstructionphaseoftheProjectbeganwiththeonsiteconstructabilityreviewswhichwere
performedbyMichelsCorporationandStantecinthefourthquarterof2010.Theinitialconstructability
reviewshavebeenrevisitedtotakeintoaccountthechangesnecessaryforthecurrentCPCN
application.
ActualconstructionwillbeginwithpreparationofthelaydownyardandtheconstructionoftheO&M
building.Thelaydownyardtopsoilwillbestrippedandstockpiledforrestorationandreclamationofthe
yardaftertheconstructionphaseoftheProjectiscompleted.Afterremovingtopsoilthelaydownyard
willbegraveledandgraded.Temporaryofficetrailerswillbemovedtothegraveledportionoftheyard.
TheO&Mbuildingwillbeconstructedcompletewithwell,septic,andelectricalservice.Once
completedtheO&Mbuildingwillserveasaportionoftheconstructionofficesforthedevelopmentof
theProject.AftertheProjectiscommissionedtheO&Mbuildingwillfunctionforthepurposesitis
named.
Assoonasispracticable,andpossiblyevenconcurrentwithO&Mbuildingconstruction,thefollowing
constructionsequencewillbeginonthebalanceoftheProject.
Accessroadstotheturbinelocationswillbesurveyedandstakedforconstruction
Turbinelocationswillbesurveyedandstaked.
SiltfencingwillbeinstalledasrequiredbyDNRpermitsandpursuanttobestmanagement
practices.
Collectionsystemwillbegintobeinstalledbymeansofvibratoryplow,directionaldrilling,and
trenchingasrequiredtomeetcommissioningandgenerationschedules.
Topsoilwillbestrippedfromaccessroadsandturbinefoundationareas.Spoilswillbestock
piledforrestoration.
Geotextilefabricwillbeplacedfortheaccessroadsubgradestostabilizetheroadsforuse.
Accessroadsgraveledandgradedasperthesiteplan.
Turbinefoundationswillbeexcavated.
Excavatedsoilswillbeseparated(topsoilfromfill)andstockpiledsoastominimizeerosionand
runoff.
Reinforcingsteelandanchorboltcageswillbedeliveredtotheindividualturbinelocations,so
theanchorboltcagescancommenceassembly.
Reinforcingsteelwillbecut,formed,placedandtiedasperthefoundationplan.

Page37
Concretemudmatswillbepouredontheexcavatedturbinefoundationtocreateastablework
surface.
Theinitialgroundingwillbelaidonandbondedtothereinforcingsteel.
Anchorboltcagewillbeassembledandsetonreinforcingsteelbasegrid.
Thebalanceofthefoundationreinforcingsteelwillbecutformedandplacedtyingintheanchor
boltcage.
Additionalelectricalgroundingwillbelaidonandbondedtotheanchorboltcageand
reinforcingsteel.
Conduitswillbeplacedfromthepadmounttransformerlocationadjacenttotheturbine,down
toatrenchintheexcavatedareatothecenteroftheturbinelocationandthenupabovegrade
(theseconduitswillallowtheconductorsfromtheturbinetothepadmounttransformerto
passthroughtheanchorboltcagewithoutcreatinganyadverseimpacttothestructural
integrityoftheanchorboltcage).
Concreteconveyorwillbemovedtothefoundationarea.Thepreferredconcreteconveyorwill
beonemanufacturedinWisconsin(Putzmeister).
Concretewillbedeliveredtoeachindividualturbinesite,movedinplacebyconveyor,and
vibrated.Multiplesourcesofconcretefromportablebatchorreadymixplantswillbeusedto
pourthefoundationbasesandpedestals.Concretewillbesampledbeforeandaftertransport
tositeforthirdpartytestingasperengineeredfoundationprotocolandASTMstandards.
Electricalgroundingisplacedoverconcretefoundationandbondedtopreviouslayersof
grounding.
Aftertherequiredcuringandmonitoring,thefoundationisbackfilledinliftsandcompactedas
perengineeredfoundationandgeotechnicalspecifications.Aswithallotheraspectsofthe
foundationathirdpartyinspectormeasures,tests,andverifiescompliancewiththeengineers
foundationplan.
Whenbackfill,compaction,andgradingarecomplete,gravelisplacedaroundtheturbinebase
andgraded.
Padmounttransformerbaseisdeliveredtosite,positionedoverturbineconduitsandcollection
cables,andaconcretebaseisformedandpouredforthetransformer.
Cranepadisbuiltupinliftsandcompactedaspermanufacturerandorfoundationengineer
specifications.Onceagainthirdpartyoversightverifiescompliance.
Turbinetowerbaseflangeisinstalledtoanchorboltstuds,leveled,andgrouted.
Componentsaredeliveredandstagedasperstagingplan.Preferencewillbegiventotowers,
towerinternals,manufacturedinWisconsin,ormanufacturedwithWisconsinmade
components.
Cranes,forklifts,platformlifts,specializedfixtures,anderectionequipmentaremovedtothe
site.

Page38
Theconverterboxismountedtotheturbinefoundation.Preferencewillbegiventoconverters
madeinWisconsin.
Thebasesectionofthetowerisliftedbythecrane,placedovertheconverterbox,securedto
theanchorboltcage,andtorquedortensioned.
Theintermediateandtoptowersectionsareindividuallyliftedbythemainerectioncrane,
positionedovertheprevioussection,securedinplacewithbolts,andtorqueasper
manufacturerspecifications.
Thenacelleisliftedbythecrane,placedontopofthetower,boltedtothetower,andtorqued
permanufacturerspecifications.
Thedrivetrainisliftedbythecraneandinstalledinthenacelle.Insomecasesthedrivetraincan
beinstalledonthegroundandliftedincombinationwiththenacelle.
Thebladesareassembledtothehubtocreatetherotorassembly.
Therotorassemblyisliftedbythecranesandsecuredtothedrivetrain.
Thepadmounttransformerissetinplace.
Cablingandconnectionsarecompletedinthetransformerbase,andthroughthetowertothe
generatorinthenacelle.
Ifthesubstationiscomplete,connectedtothegrid,andthecollectionsystem,thecablestothe
padmounttransformercanbeenergizedandthecommissioningoftheturbinecanbegin.
Thecranesandothererectionequipmentmoveontothenextsite.
Thecranepathisthendecompacted.
Topsoilisplacedandfinishgraded.
ExcesssoilsarerelocatedaspertheneedsofbothlandownersandHWFintheProjectarea.
Areasaregradedtonearbylandcontoursandplantedwithappropriatevegetationin
concurrencewithWDNRrequirements.
ITEM1.233.1.2THEDISCUSSIONINSECTION3.1.2OFTHEAPPLICATIONAPPEARSTOINDICATETHATCONSTRUCTION
HASCOMMENCED.IFCONSTRUCTIONHASBEGUN,PROVIDEANARRATIVEDESCRIBINGTHELOCATION,THETYPEOF
CONSTRUCTIONACTIVITIESANDTHEDATETHATCONSTRUCTIONCOMMENCED:
InSection3.1.2thereferencethatconstructionhasbegun,referstoanonsitemeetingwithMichels
CorporationandStantecevaluatingeachprimaryandalternateturbinelocation.Thisonsitemeeting
andreviewidentifiedthatatthiscurrenttimenoissuesofconstructabilitywereseenoridentified.
CommencementofactualphysicalconstructionoftheProjecthasnotcommencedandwillnotuntilall
permitsandapprovalsarereceived.
Alsodescribehowanyconstructionactivitiesconductedtodatearereflectedintheprojectschedule
providedasAppendixF:TheProjectscheduleinAppendixFwillbeadjustedtoaccommodatethe
timingoftheCPCNapprovalandMISOstudies.

Page39
3.1.3ESTIMATEOFTIMEREQUIREDTOCOMPLETECONSTRUCTIONATATYPICALTURBINESITE
Theactualtimeneededtoerectaturbinecanbeaslittleastwodays;however,thetimeneededfor
constructionateachsitemayrequireuptoseveralmonths.Skilledcrewsfromdifferentdisciplineswill
bescheduledastheprocessdictates.Sometaskswillbeperformedinaserialprocess,suchasthe
excavationpriortothefoundationplacement.Someofthesetaskscanbeaparallelprocess.For
example,thecollectionsystemmaybeinstalledconcurrentwiththeaccessroadandfoundation
excavation.Uponcompletionofthefoundationpour,approximately28dayswillberequiredforthe
curingoftheconcrete(withouthighearlystrengthconcrete)beforeturbineerectioncanbegin.Aswith
anyconstructionprocess,weatherdelayscausevariabilitytocontemplatedschedulesandtimelines.
Windturbineerectionfacestheadditionalchallengeofwindydays,whichaddstotheschedule
variability.Naturally,notwositesareidenticalandtheuniqueattributesofeachturbinelocationmay
reduceorincreasetheactualtimerequiredforthatparticularsite.
Givenalloftheaforementionedconsiderationsthefollowingisofferedasanaveragetimelineforeach
turbinesite:
Accessroadandcollectionsystem5days
Excavation,mudmat,bottommatrebar,anchorboltcage,uppermatrebar,forming,andcuring
45days(thiscanbereducedbyusinghighearlystrengthconcretetoachievetherequired
concretestrengthsin7days)
Pourconcrete1day
Backfill,compact,grade,cranepad3days
Erectturbine2days
Electricallywireeachturbine2days
Decompactionandsiterestoration2days
Theabovetimelinedoesnotconsiderthetimerequiredtomovethemainerectioncranesfromsiteto
site.Thismaytakefromonetofourdaysdependingontheclustersofavailableturbinesandpotential
routesbetweenthem.
DuetothenumberofturbinesitesforthisProjecttherewillbegapsintimewhenthereisnoparticular
activityataparticularturbinesite.Therefore,thetimetocompleteconstructionwillvarydependingon
thegapintimebetweenthedifferentactivities.

Page40
3.2WORKFORCE
3.2.1INFORMATIONONWORFORCESIZEANDSKILLSREQUIREDFORPLANTCONSTRUCTIONANDOPERATION
Thesizeoftheconstructionworkforcewillfluctuatebasedonweatherandthegeneralneedsofthe
Project.Itisanticipatedthattheaverageworkdaywouldhostapproximately100skilledworkersonsite
forthedurationoftheProjectconstructionphase.PreferencewillnotonlybegiventoWisconsinbased
contractors,buttoskilledworkersfromWisconsinaswell.TheconstructionoftheProjectwillrequire
skilled,trained,andexperienceworkersfromthefollowingdisciplines;
craneoperators
operatingengineers/equipmentoperators
electricians
masons
steelworkers/ironworkers
communicationsspecialists
truckdrivers
projectmanagement
civilengineers
electricalengineers
structuralengineers
laborers
AftercommissioningtheProjectwillrequireanongoingO&Mstaffof6to8factorytrainedtechnicians.
Itisexpectedthatadditionaljobswouldbecreatedtoaccommodateservices,suchassnowplowing,
landscapemaintenance,andProjectaccessroadmaintenance.
Thelistsprovidedabove,suggesttheindividualswhowillbedirectlyinvolvedwiththeconstructionand
ongoingactivitiesofthewindfarm.Theydonottakeintoaccountotherancillaryjobsandlocalsupport
positionsthatwillbecreatedinareassuchasfoodservice,housing/lodging,hospitality,fuel,fuel
delivery,sanitation,gravel,asphalt,roadrepairandotherresourcerequirements.
3.2.1ESTIMATEOFEXPECTEDWORKFORCEFROMLOCALSOURCES
ThejobsreferredtoinSection3.2.1willbefilledfirstbytheexistingstaffofthefirmsinvolved.
AdditionalassistanceneededwouldbehiredfromsourcesasclosetotheProjectsiteaspossible,given
therequirementsofthenecessaryskillsetsinvolved.
4.0PROJECTMAPSANDPHOTOSIMULATIONS
OrthorectifiedaerialphotographywasacquiredbySt.CroixCountyinspringof2010.Ithasbeen
providedonaDataDVDwithotherProjectdigitaldata.Inaddition,2010aerialimageryacquiredbythe

Page41
U.S.DepartmentofAgriculture("USDA")NationalAgricultureImageryProgram("NAIP")hasalsobeen
providedforSt.Croix,Dunn,PolkandBaronCounties,providingacontextoftheareawithintenmilesof
theProject.Coordinatesystems,datasourcesandfilenamesareprovidedinthetechnicalsummary
documentoftheGISDataDVDfiledwiththisapplication.
Item1.01GeneralInstructionsProvide*PMFformatfilesforallGISmapssubmittedaspartofthe
application:
Acompletesetof*.PMFfilescorrespondingtoGISmapshasbeenprovidedontherevisedDataDVD
withthissubmission.Iffigureshavechangedinresponsetoitemslistedintheincompletenessreviewa
*.PMFfilecorrespondingtothemostrecentfigureisprovided.Additionally,GISshapefilesor
geodatabasefilesofthemostrecentdataareincludedontherevisedDataDVD.
4.1GENERALPROJECTMAPS
InadditiontotheProjectmapspreviouslydescribed,andprovidedinAppendicesAandB,mapsofthe
ProjectandsurroundingregionareprovidedinAppendixKwiththeexceptionofFigure4.11,foundin
AppendixLOversizedMaps.ThegeneralProjectmapsincludethefollowing:
Figure4.11ProjectArea(10Mile)
Figure4.12TopographicMapbook
Figure4.13WisconsinWetlandInventory(WWI)andField/AerialDelineatedWetlandsMapbook
Figure4.14LandOwnershipMapbook
Figure4.15PublicLandswithin2Miles
Figure4.16FloodInsuranceRate(FIRM)Maps
Figure4.17SoilSurvey
Figure4.18GeologyandBedrock
ITEM1.304.1PROVIDEPRINTEDCOPIESOFAPPENDIXL:
CopieshavebeenhanddeliveredtothePSCW/WDNR/DATCP.
4.1.1PROJECTAREAMAPS
TheProjectareaandthesurroundingtenmilesareshowninFigure4.11(AppendixL).Projectfacilities
includingproposedturbinesites,accessroads,collectionsystem,newsubstation,O&Mbuilding,
laydownyardandcranepathsaredisplayedonthemaps.Basemapandsensitivesitedataincludes:
Municipalities
Roadsandhighways
Railroads
Transmissionlines(10miles)anddistributionlines(2miles)

Page42
Gaspipelines(2miles)
Licensedchildcarefacilities
Healthcarefacilities
Cemeteries
Airportsandregisteredprivateairstrips
Publicandrecreationallands
Majorriversandlakes
4.1.2TOPOGRAPHICMAPS
Figure4.12(AppendixK)providestheProjectboundary,turbinesites,accessroadsandcollection
systemwithaUSGeologicSurvey(USGS)7.5MinuteTopoquadbackgroundatascaleof1:24,000.The
figureextentisatatwomileminimumfromtheProjectsboundary.
ITEM1.27PROVIDEMAPSSHOWINGTHEFOLLOWING:
Industrial/commercialfacilitiesoutto1.0milefromprojectareaboundary
Hospitalsorotherhealthcarefacilitiesoutto1.0milefromprojectareaboundary.
Severalsourcesofinformationhavebeenutilizedinanattempttoidentifycommercialandindustrial
facilitieswithinonemileoftheProjectboundary.Thesesourcesincludeparcelownershipinformation,
internetsearchesandfacilitylicensingdata.Figure4.22hasbeenmodifiedtoincludeindustrialand
commercialfacilitiesthatweredeterminedtobewithinonemileoftheProjectboundary.A
conservativeapproachwasused,thuspointsmaybeindicatedonpropertieswherepossiblefacilities
exist,buthavenotbeenconfirmed.Farmingoperationsidentifiedasincorporatedorlimitedliability
corporationshavebeenincludedasindustrial/commercialfacilities.AGISfileandsummarytableof
informationhasbeenprovidedontherevisedDataDVD.
NohospitalsorhealthcarefacilitieshavebeenidentifiedwithinonemileoftheProjectboundary,thus
noGISfilehasbeenprovided.
4.1.3NATURALRESOURCESANDLANDUSE/OWNERSHIPMAPS
4.1.3.1WETLANDMAPS
Figure4.13(AppendixK)isamapbookoftheProjectareaand2milesbeyond.Itillustratesthe
WisconsinWetlandInventory(WWI)dataacquiredfromtheWisconsinDNR,whereavailableandfield
oraerialdelineatedwetlands.Themappingextentoffielddelineatedwetlandsisonlywithinthe
Projectboundarynearareasconsideredforfacilities.Propertiesownedbynonparticipatingland
ownerswerenotaccessible,andthusnotdelineatedinthefield.Becauseofthisrestriction,actual
wetlandsmaycontinuebeyondedgesofmappedfeaturesontolandthatwillnotbeimpactedbythe
Project.

Page43
AdditionaldetailonfielddelineatedwetlandsandwaterwayscanbefoundwithinAppendixRwherea
largescalemapbookoftheProjectarea,facilities,wetlandsandwaterwaysisprovided(AttachmentC)
onacurrentaerialbackground.
4.1.3.2LANDOWNERSHIPMAPS
Figure4.14(AppendixK)providesamapbookoftheProjectareadisplayingpropertyownership
informationalongwithProjectfacilities.Parcelownershipinformationincludesthelandownername,
parcelboundary,roadsandmunicipalities.TheProjectfacilitiesincludeturbines,accessroads,
collectionsystem,cranepaths,substation,O&Mbuildingandlaydownyard.
DigitalparcelownershipinformationwasacquiredinJuly,2011fromSt.CroixandDunnCountyLand
InformationOfficesandiscurrentasofthattime.ParcelattributedatawasenhancedtotrackProject
participation.Theenhanceddataset,withattributesdocumentedbyHWF,isprovidedontheGISData
DVDfiledwiththisapplication.
ITEM1.314.1.3.3PUBLICLANDS
Figure4.15(AppendixK)mapspubliclandswithintwomilesoftheProjectboundary.Thedata
representedincludes:
National,StateandCountyForests(ifany)
Parks
Trails
OthermanagedlandsasidentifiedthroughWisconsinDNR,USFishandWildlife(USFWS)
andUSGSGapAnalysisdata.
4.1.3.3PROVIDEAREVISEDFIGURE4.15WITHPUBLICLANDSCLEARLYLABELED:
ArevisedFigure4.15hasbeenprovidedwithpubliclandslabeledbyownerormanagingagency.Lands
identifiedasownedbytowns,counties,stateorfederalagencieshavebeenmappedandlabeled.
4.1.3.4FLOODINSURANCERATE(FIRM)MAPS
Figure4.16(AppendixK)providesamapoftheDigitalFIRMS(DFIRMS)acquiredfromtheFederal
EmergencyManagementAgency(FEMA)website.Theextentofdataacquirediswithinonehalfmileof
theProject.
4.1.3.5SOILSURVEYMAPS
Figure4.17(AppendixK)displayssoilinformationacquiredfromtheUSDANaturalResources
ConservationService(NRCS)SoilSurveyGeographic(SSURGO)Database.Theextentofthedatais
withintheimmediateProjectarea.

Page44
4.1.3.6BEDROCKGEOLOGYMAPS
TheProjectareasubsurfacewastestedforconstructionsuitabilityinthespringof2011.Resultsofthe
testarediscussedinSection5.1.2andtheGeotechnicalReport(AppendixN).Figure4.18(AppendixK)
presentsthebedrockgeologicalinformationgatheredfortheProjectarea.Theinformationisfrom
state/regionalscalestudiesandcannotbeusedforindividualturbinesiting.
ITEM1.434.1.3.6THELEGENDANDMAPDONOTSEEMCONSISTENTFORBEDROCKBETWEEN100AND50FEET
ANDBEDROCK>50FEETVERIFYWHETHERTHISMAPAPPEARSASINTENDED.IFNOT,PROVIDEAREPLACEMENTMAP
ANDDESCRIPTIONOFTHECHANGESVERSUSTHEORIGINAL;
ThelegendandmapdataforFigure4.18GeologyandBedrockhadanerrorinthelegenddescribingthe
colorschemeforBedrockbetween100and50feetversusBedrock>50feet.Theerrorhasbeen
correctedandareplacementfigureisprovidedontherevisedDataDVD.
Item1.244.1.4.1Provideamapshowingthefollowing:thelocation,dimensionsinfeetandacres
andlayoutofanynewsubstation/thelocationofpowerlines/showparceldata;
Asinformationbecomesavailablefromelectricalengineering,MISO,andutilitydirectionHWFwill
forwardonanyandallinformationtoPSCstaff.Amapoftheproposedsubstationimpactareais
providedinFigure2.53(AppendixJ).Itincludesparcelinformation,dimensionsandcontoursof
elevation.
ITEM1.494.1.8.1IDENTIFYRADIOANDMICROWAVETOWERS,ANDANYNEXRADORDOPPLERWEATHERRADAR
INSTALLATIONSONAMAP,ANDSHOWTHERESULTSOFTHELINEOFSITEANALYSIS.INCLUDECOMMUNICATIONSAND
NEXRADORDOPPLERINSTALLATIONSWITHINA150MILERADIUSOFTHEPROJECT;
HWFcontractedwithComsearchtopreparetheWindPowerGeoPlannerCommunicationTowerStudy
in2011.ThestudycanbefoundinAppendixU.HWFcontractedwithComsearchtopreparetheWind
PowerGeoPlannerDopplerandNEXRADRadarSystemin2012toencompassa250kmradius(greater
than150miles)oftheProject;italsocanbefoundinAppendixU.
4.2COMMUNITYMAPS
MapsrepresentingnearbycommunityresourcesareprovidedinAppendixK.Datawasacquiredwithin
onehalfmileoftheProjectSite.Thefiguresinclude:
Figure4.21Zoning
Figure4.22SensitiveSites
Additionaldetailanddatasourceinformationisdescribedinthefollowingsections.
4.2.1ZONINGMAPS
DigitalzoningdatawasacquiredfromtheSt.CroixandDunnCountyPlanningandZoningDepartments.
TheTownsofForest(St.CroixCounty)andNewHaven(DunnCounty)donothavegeneralizedzoning.
TheareawithinonehalfmileintheTownsofCylon,GlenwoodandEmerald(St.CroixCounty)and

Page45
Tiffany(DunnCounty)arepredominantlyzonedAgriculturalorAgriculturalResidential.Figure4.21
(AppendixK)displaysthezoninginformationacquiredwithinonehalfmileoftheProject.
4.2.2SENSITIVESITES
SensitivecommunityresourceswereresearchedandarepresentedonFigure4.22inAppendixK.The
sitesincludepublicschools,churches,cemeteries,licensedchildcarefacilities,hospitals,nursinghomes
andrecreationalparks.
4.3PHOTOSIMULATION
Photosimulationsareanimportantphaseintheprevisualizationofamoderndaywindfarmproject.
Theyprovideamuchneededglimpseintohowdesignswillultimatelyimpactexistingsurroundings.
HWFengagedStantectoperformaphotosimulationontheproposedlayoutoftheProject.
TheinitialimagesofvarioussiteswithintheProjectboundarywereobtainedinSeptember,2011.The
camerausedinallphotosimulationisafullsizedCCDdigitalcamerawithafixed50mmlens.A50mm
lensmostcloselyreproducesthewayahumaneyeseestheworldandprovidesthemost"fair"visual
representationofthesite.Thecameraisplacedonatripodandmadelevelbyusingabubblelevelbuilt
intothetripod.Thecameraisrotatedandleveledwitheachphototosupportthecreationofa
panoramicviewfromeachlocation.
A3dimensional(3D)modeloftheexistingProjectareatopographywasgeneratedwithproposed
turbinesitelocationsoverlaid.Thesitephotosarethenusedtogeneratearenderingoftheexisting
conditionsandaproposedvisualizationaftertheturbinesareerected.Individualimagesandpanoramic
viewsofbothbeforeandafter(rendered)landscapesarepresentedinAppendixM.
5.0NATURALANDCOMMUNITYRESOURCES,DESCRIPTION
ANDPOTENTIALIMPACTS
5.1SITEGEOLOGY
5.1.1GEOLOGYOFTHEPROJECTAREA
St.CroixCountyliesneartheintersectionoftheSuperiorUplandandCentralLowlandPhysiographic
ProvincesoftheUnitedStates.TheProjectarealiesinaglaciatedareaofgroundmoraine,with
unconsolidateddepositsofsand,clay,gravelandboulders.Theunderlyingbedrocksurfacerangesin
elevationfromapproximately1000to1,200feet.BedrockmaterialsfromthePrairieduChienGroup
andAncellGroupoftheOrdovicianPeriodandbedrockfromtheCambrian,undividedGroupofthe
CambrianPeriodunderliethesurfacetill.ThebedrockmaterialsoftheperiodsconsistofDolomitewith
somesandstoneandshale,Orthoquartziticsandstonewithminorlimestone,shaleandconglomerate,
andSandstonewithsomedolomiteandshale.Ingeneral,thedepthtobedrockintheProjectareais
approximately50feetbelowthelandsurface,rangingfrom5feettoover100feet.

Page46
BaseduponreviewoftheLexiconofPleistoceneStratigraphicUnitsofWisconsin(Syversonetal,2011)
andBedrockGeologicMapofWisconsin,(Mudreyetal,1982)CopperFallsandRiverFallsFormation
weremappedwithintheProjectboundary.ThePoskinMemberoftheCopperFallsFormationislocated
alongthenorthwesternportionofthesite,whilethePrairieFarmMemberoftheRiverFallsFormation
islocatedalongthesoutheasternportionofthesite.ThePoskinMemberandPrairieFarmMemberare
comprisedoftillmaterials.TillofthePoskinMemberisslightlygravellytogravellysandyloam.
ThePoskinMembertilltypicallyoverliessandandgravel.TillofthePoskinMemberisverythick,
rangingfrom3to164feet(averagethicknessof49feet).TillofthePrairieFarmMemberisunbedded
andcontainsslightlygravellytogravellysandyloamwithsomeslightlygravellytogravellyloamysand.
ThePrairieFarmMembertillrangesfrom7to33feetinthickness.Sandstonebedrockunderliesthetill
ofthePrairieFarmMemberandPoskinMemberinareaswherethetillisshallow.
Groundwateravailabilityintheareaisgenerallygood,asalargesandstoneaquiferunderliesallofSt.
CroixCounty.Contaminationofgroundwaterfromconstructionactivitiesisnotaconcern,duetothe
depthofunconsolidatedmaterialsprotectingthebedrockfromimpacts.
TheCottageGroveandHastingfaultsaremappedwestoftheProjectsite.Thesefaultsareconsidered
inactiveandtherefore,hazardsassociatedwithfaultrupturesareconsideredlowfortheProjectsite.
References(Section5.1.1)
Syverson,K.M.,L.Clayton,J.W.Attig,andD.M.Mickelson,Eds.,2011.LexiconofPleistoceneStratigraphicUnits
ofWisconsin.WisconsinGeologicalandNaturalHistorySurveyTechnicalReport1.
Mudrey,M.G.Jr.,B.A.BrownandJ.K.Greenburg.1982.BedrockGeologicMapofWisconsin.UnitedStates
GeologicalSurvey.
5.1.2GEOTECHNICALREPORTONSOILCONDITIONS
HWFhiredRRCtoperformapreliminarysubsurfaceexplorationandgeotechnicalengineering
evaluationfortheProject.Thepurposeoftheinvestigationandreportwastoexploresubsurface
conditions,conductfieldandlaboratorytestingtocharacterizethesubsurfacesoilsandbedrock
propertiesandtoprovidepreliminarygeotechnicalengineeringparametersforthedesignand
constructionofturbinefoundations.
Thepreliminarygeotechnicalinvestigationwasperformedoneightrepresentative,proposedturbine
sitesinMay,2011.Asummaryispresentedhere.Thefullpreliminarygeotechnicalreportwithboring
logscanbefoundinAppendixN.
5.1.2.1SUMMARYOFGEOTECHNICALREPORT
ThepreliminarysubsurfaceexplorationoftheProjectareaincludedthedrillingofeightsubsurface
boringsatproposedturbinesitesWTG1,9,12,23,31,34,42&44.Theboringswereadvancedto
depthsintherangeof33to55feetbelowexistinggrade.Thefieldboringlogs,soilandbedrock
sampleswerereviewedbytheprojectengineer.Finalboringlogsincludemodificationsbasedonlab
samplesandinterpretationsoffieldinformation.

Page47
SummaryofBoringResults
Basedontheboringdata,nativesoilsintheareagenerallyconsistofsandwithvaryingamountsofclay,
silt,gravelandcobbles.Sandysoilsvariedfromloosetoverydenseinrelativedensity.Siltandclaysoils
withvaryingamountsofsand,gravel,cobblesandboulderswerealsoencounteredinsomeborings.
Limestoneandsandstonebedrockwereencounteredintwoboringsatdepthsofapproximately23to40
feetbelowexistinggrade.Thesandstonebedrockwasweathered.Thelimestonevariedfrommedium
hardtohardinhardness.Boththelimestoneandsandstoneencounteredwereverypoortopoorrock
quality.Thesedescriptionsaregeneralizedanddepthrangesareapproximate.
GroundwaterwasencounteredinboringsatWTG1and44atdepthsrangingfromapproximately19to
33feet.Groundwaterwasnotencounteredattheremainingboringstothefulldepthofexploration.
Thesefieldobservationsrepresentshorttermconditionsandarenotanaccurateevaluationof
groundwaterlevel.Thegroundwaterlevelatthetimeofconstructionwilldependoncurrentand
precedingclimaticandhydrologicconditions.Itisnotanticipatedthatgroundwaterwillpresentmajor
constructiondifficulties.Groundwaterseepageorsurfacerunoffthataccumulatesinthefoundation
excavationsduringconstructionwillberemovedsoastonotadverselyaffectthequalityofthebearing
surface.Postconstructiongradingwillestablishproperdrainagesoastomaintainthelongterm
stabilityofthestructure.
PreliminaryGeotechnicalandFoundationRecommendations
Thesitesinvestigatedfortheproposedturbinesappearedsuitablefortheproposedconstruction.In
general,turbinefoundationsbearatadepthofabout8to9feetbelowexistingsitegrade.Basedupon
theLogsofBoringdrilledatthe8preselectedturbinesites,suitablefoundationbearingconditions
wereencounteredatmajorityoftheturbinesites.However,looseand/orsoftunsuitablefoundation
bearingconditionsmaybeencounteredatsometurbinelocations.Unsuitablefoundationbearingsoils
willrequiremodificationand/orreplacementpriortoconstruction.
Becausenotallturbinesitesweredrilledaspartofthispreliminarystudy,sitespecificmodification
and/ormitigationmeasurescannotbedeterminedfortheremainingturbinelocations.However,based
uponinformationforboringsdrilledaspartofthisstudy,itappearsthatthemajorityofturbinesiteswill
notrequireextensivemitigationmeasures.Geotechnicalexplorationsoftheremainingturbineswillbe
performedandconsideredinthefinalfoundationdesign.
Theuseofgravityfoundationsystemsforsupportoftheturbinesisconsideredacceptable.Anoverall
factorofsafetyof3alongwithaninclinationfactorof0.36andcorrectionsforeccentricityandsize
wereusedinthebearingcapacityanalysis.PleaseseeAppendixNformoredetailedpreliminary
geotechnicalandfoundationrecommendations.
5.1.2.2DEPTHTOBEDROCK
Baseduponareviewofthesurfaceandbedrockgeologyofthearea(Section5.1.1),andinformation
gatheredduringthepreliminarygeotechnicalreview,thepredominantdepthtobedrockwithinthe

Page48
Projectareashouldbegreaterthantheproposedconstructionactivities.Theconstructionactivities
includeturbinefoundationexcavationsapproximately15feetdeep,collectionsystemtrenchesat
approximately4feetindepthandothershallowexcavationsforaccessroads,laydownyardandan
O&Mbuildingslabfoundation.
Duringthecourseofconstruction,shallowbedrockmaybeencounteredrequiringlimiteddrillingor
blasting.Iffracturedrockisfoundduringfoundationexcavations,penetrationtogroundwaterwillbe
avoidedbyutilizingconcretemudmats,orasimilarsystem,tosealthesurface.Thoughnotanticipated,
thepresenceofbedrockandneedforblastingduringconstructionwillbemanagedbytheuseofproper
techniquesandmitigationmethods.Utilizingthesemethods,constructiononbedrock,willnotlikely
impactprivatewellsinthearea.
5.2TOPOGRAPHY
5.2.1GENERALTOPOGRAPHYOFTHEPROJECTAREA
ThesurfacetopographyoftheProjectareaispredominantlygentlyrollinghillsandplains,reflectingthe
underlyingbedrockandglacialgroundmorainedeposits.Thesurfacefeatureswereformedfrom
depositionanderosionduringperiodsofglaciation.Theelevationrangesfrom1000to1300feetabove
sealevel.ThehighestknownelevationwithintheProjectboundaryisapproximately1310feetandis
locatedinthesouthwestquarterofthenorthwestquarterofSection26,Township31N,Range15Win
thesoutheastquadrantoftheProjectnearwindturbinegenerator(WTG)49.Northernandwestern
portionsoftheProjectareaaregenerallymoregentlyslopinginnature,withgreatertopographic
variationexistinginthesouthandeast.
5.2.2EXPECTEDCHANGESTOSITETOPOGRAPHYDUETOGRADINGACTIVITIES.
ThetopographyoftheProjectareawillbetemporarilyalteredbyconstructionactivities.Gradingofthe
surfaceforaccessroads,excavationforfoundationsandtrenchingforthecollectionsystemwillprovide
themostvisiblechangesduringconstruction.Temporarysoilstockpileswillalsobepresent.Upon
completionofactivities,thetemporarilyimpactedareaswillbereturnedtotheirpreconstruction
topography.Areasimmediatelysurroundingeachturbinewillbegradedwithaslightslope,awayfrom
centertofacilitatewaterrunoff.Thegradedareawillbeblendedintothesurroundingtopography,
consistentwithapprovedWDNRpracticesandoutlinedintheHighlandWindFarmWaterQuality
CertificateApplication(AppendixRAttachmentsA,GandH).Accessroadswillbeconstructedasclose
toexistinggradeaspossible;restoringpreexistinghydrologicflowpatternsandallowingfarm
equipmenttoeasilycross.
5.3LANDCOVER
TheProjectlieswithinafarmbasedcommunity.Thelandcoverisdominatedbyagriculturalcropsand
pasturegrassesforgrazinganimals.Areasnotutilizedforfarmingactivitiesconsistofwoodsand
wetlands.Therearelimitedareasofsurfaceminingtoextracttheunderlyingsandandgraveldeposits.
Figure5.31(AppendixK)providesanoverviewofthelandcoverexistingwithintheProjectarea.

Page49
5.3.1VEGETATIVECOMMUNITIESINTHEPROJECTAREA
ThevegetativecommunitiesintheProjectareaaredominatedbyactivelytilledagriculturalcrops.Non
agriculturaluplandsarevegetatedbywoodlandsandgrassyswales.Wetlandareasareoftencropped
otherwisetheycontainplantssuchasReedCanaryGrass,BullThistleandotherwettolerant.Table5.3
1summarizesthecommunitytypesandpredominantvegetationwithintheProjectarea.
Table 5.3-1 Vegetative Communities in Project Area
Community DominantVegetation
Agricultural
RowCrops Corn,Soy
Hay/Pasture/Oldfields Hay,wheat,alfalfa
Other Fallowlandwithgrassandweedyplants.
NonagriculturalUpland
Prairie/Grasslands Nonepresent
UplandWoods Oak,mapleandpinetrees
Wetlands
WoodedWetlands Ash,elm,boxelder
Marshes ReedCanaryGrass,cattailsandsedges
Bogs Nonepresent
Fens Nonepresent
5.3.2ACRESOFLANDCOVERCATEGORIESINPROJECTAREA
LandwithintheProjectareawassplitintothelandcovertypeslistedinTable5.32.Theacreage
associatedwitheachlandcovertypeisalsolistedinthetable.ThelandcoverGISdatasetwascreated
bycombiningseveralGISdatalayersformultiplesourcesincluding:
WDNRHydrology
WDNRWetland(WWI)
RoadROW(St.CroixCounty)
Parcelslessthan10acres(assumedresidential)(St.CroixCounty)
Digitaldelineationsofforests,farmbuildings,cropsandpastureland(Stantec).

Page50
Table 5.3-2 Land Cover in Project Area
LandCoverClassification Acres
Agricultural 17,605
RowCrops 6,600
Hay/Pasture/Oldfields 10,330
Other 675
NonagriculturalUpland 6,550
Prairie/Grasslands 0
UplandWoods 6550
WetlandsandWater 1,260
WoodedWetlands 620
Marshes 525
Bogs 0
Fens 0
Water 115
DevelopedLand 1,135
Residential 350
Commercial/Industrial(includesRoadROW) 785
TotalProjectAcreage 26,550
5.3.3LANDCOVERIMPACTS
ITEM1.335.3.3THECPCNAPPLICATIONAPPEARSTOLIMITTHEDEFINITIONOFTEMPORARYDISTURBANCETO
REMOVALORGRADINGOFSOILS.VEGETATIONCLEARINGANDTREETRIMMINGADJACENTTOCRANEANDOTHERACCESS
PATHS,LAYDOWN(I.E.,STAGING)AREAS,TEMPORARYACCESSROUTESAREALLTEMPORARYDISTURBANCEANDSHOULD
BECONSIDERED.REASSESSANDRECALCULATETHEESTIMATESTOINCLUDETHEFULLRANGEOFTEMPORARY
DISTURBANCE.
Temporarydisturbanceandimpactsduringconstructionhavebeenreassessedandthefollowingimpact
typeshavebeenaddedorchanged:
vegetationclearedforthepassageofcranes(fieldbreaks)
agriculturallandsusedfortemporarylaydownofturbinecomponents
vibratoryplowpassagethroughvariouslandcovertypes
Table5.33hasbeenupdatedtoincludethesetemporaryimpacts.
Item1.345.3.3.1TheturbinesandcranepadlandcoverimpactacreslistedinTable5.33includea
footnotethatstatesthe[t]emporaryturbineimpactsdonotincludetheturbinecomponentstaging

Page51
areas(soilswillnotberemovedorgraded).SimilarstatementsaremadeinthetextinSection5.3.3.1
onpage46.Agriculturalcropandhay/pasturelandswillbeusedfortheseactivities.Giventhehilly
topographyofthisprojectarea,verifywhetheranygrading/levelingoflaydownareaswouldbedone
atanyoftheturbinesites.
HWFhasreviewedelevationcontoursandaerialimagesoftheturbinesitesandverifiedthatsufficient
areaexistswithinagriculturallandneareachturbineappropriateforcomponentlaydownandstaging.
Thoughnogradingisanticipated,ifduringconstruction,minorlevelingorgradingoffarmlandis
unavoidable,thelandwillberestoredtothenaturalcontourofthepreconstructionlandasoutlinedin
theWWQPA(AppendixR).Additionally,thecranepadisintendedtobeawideningoftheaccessroad
asitapproachesthewindtowerwherepractical.Thecranepadareawillbeapproximately60feetwide
and80100feetlong,withdepthvaryingdependingonsoilconditions.SeeAppendixF.
ThelandcoveranalysisdescribedinSection5.3.2alongwithdesktopandfieldnotesofimpactedland
wereusedtocalculatetheacreageofimpactsduetoconstructionofProjectfacilities.Temporary
versuspermanentimpactsarelisted.Pleasenotethattheareasofimpactareoftenlessenedbythe
overlapofconstructioncorridors(e.g.craneswillutilizeaccessroads,resultingina24ftwideimpact
ratherthana40ftwideimpactinareasnotcoincidentwithaccessroads).

Page52
Table 5.3-3 Land Cover Impacts in Acres
Turbines
w/CranePads
Collection
System
AccessRoads
CraneRoutes
(Paths)+
Substation
O&M
Building/
Laydown
LandCover
Classification
Temp Perm Temp Perm Temp Perm Temp Perm Temp Perm Temp Perm
Agricultural
RowCrops 36.5 4.2 1.5 0.5 13.6 19.5 0.5 2.0 20.0 0.2
Hay/Pasture/
Oldfields
17.5 1.8 0.5 6.6 10.6 0.3
Other* 1.0 0.2 .5 1.2 0.9
NonagriculturalUpland
Prairie/Grassland
UplandWoods
0.3

Wetlands
Wooded
Wetlands

Marshes/Water 0.16 0.25
Bogs
Fens
DevelopedLand
Residential
Comm/Indust
(includesROW)
8.0 4.0 0.5 0.4 0.1
*LandCoverClassificationOtherincludeslandinCRPProgramthatwillberemovedpriortoconstruction,as
required
+Temporaryimpactsforcranepathsinagriculturallandsarelistedduetothepossibleneedtodecompactsoils
aftercranepassage.Noadditionalsoildisturbanceorgradingisneededforcranepassage.

Page53
ITEM1.325.3.1DESCRIBEWHATISREFERREDTOINTHECATEGORYMARSHES/WATER(I.E.WHETHERANYRIVERS,
PONDS,WATERWAYS,ETCAREINCLUDED);
ThecategoryMarshesandWaterinTable5.33LandCoverImpactsincludes:
landsidentifiedaswetlandsinWWIorthroughdesktopresearchorfieldsurvey
areasidentifiedaswater(streamsandponds)intheWDNR24kHydrodatasetorthrough
desktopresearchorfieldsurvey.
5.3.3.1TURBINEPADS
Gradingofareasneareachturbinelocation,movementofequipmentandconstructionofthe
foundationwillresultinapproximately0.5acresofimpacttoagriculturalland.Ofthe0.5acres,
approximately0.35acreswillbetemporaryimpactsand0.15acrespermanentimpact.Additionally,
approximately0.75to1.0acresoflandwillbedisturbedforthestagingofturbinebladesandother
largecomponents.Thisapproximately1.0acreareawillnotbegraded,norwillsoilberemoved.
Compactedareasthatmayoccurduetothemovementofequipmentwillbedecompactedas
constructioniscompleted.Constructionactivitiesandtheareaofimpactwillgenerallybecenteredon
theturbinelocation;however,flexibilityexistsinstagingtheturbinecomponents,stockpilingsoilsand
finalplacementofthecranepad.Temporaryimpactswillbelimitedtoagriculturaluplandstothe
extentpracticable.Nearbywaterwaysandwetlandboundarieswillbeflaggedandavoided.Best
managementpractices(BMPs)willbeemployedtoprotectwetlandsandwaterwaysnearthe
constructionareas.SeeAttachmentEinAppendixRforadditionaldetailandpresentationoferosion
controldevices.Thetotaltemporaryprojectwideimpacttoagriculturallandsattheturbinesiteswill
beapproximately55acresincludingtheareausedtostageturbinecomponentsthatwillnotbegraded
orhavesoilremoved.
The0.15acreofpermanentimpactateachturbinesitewillincludetheturbinefoundation,agraveled
areaapproximately15feetwidesurroundingtheturbineandapermanentcranepad.Allfoundations
andpadsareproposedinagriculturaluplands.ThetotalpermanentProjectwideimpacttoagricultural
landattheturbinesiteswillbeapproximately6.2acres.
5.3.3.2COLLECTORCIRCUITS
Thecollectionsystemwillbeinstalledutilizingvibratoryplow(trenching)anddirectionalboremethods.
Thetemporarydisturbanceoftheplowequipmentisan8footwidecorridorcenteredonthecollection
line.Thismethodwillbeusedinuplandareas,anddecompactedwherenecessaryuponcompletionof
installation.Themajorityofthecollectionsystemrouteisplannedforagriculturalfieldsandroadright
ofways.Whenwetlandcrossingscannotbeavoided,ahorizontaldirectionalboringmethodwillbe
usedtoeliminateimpacts.Themethodologyoftheboringandplacementofborepitsinuplandareasis
discussedintheWWQPA(seeAppendixR).
Item1.355.3.3.2Todetermineareasonableworstcasescenario,estimatehowmuchadditional
wetlanddisturbancewouldoccurifwetlandscannotbeboredforinstallationofthecollectorcircuit.
Michels,asthepreferredcontractor,hasindicatedthattheydonotanticipateanyproblemswithHDD
boringunderwetlandsandwaterways.Forthisreason,thesesensitiveareashavenotbeenfield

Page54
delineatedforexactboundariesnorpermittedforimpacts.Ifdirectionalboringcouldnotbeusedthe
estimatedareaofwetlandimpactthatwouldrequirepermittingisapproximately0.95acres.This
assumesaneighttotenfootwidepathforthevibratoryplowtopassthroughthewetland.Ifthis
methodwerenecessary,permitswouldbeacquiredfromtheWDNR/ACOEpriortoconstructionand
wetlandswouldberestoreduponcompletionofconstruction.
Item1.365.3.3.2Thecollectorcircuitsdiscussionstatesthatsomewoodlotswouldhavethecollector
circuitinstalledbyHDDunderthewoods,avoidingunnecessaryimpacts.ForeachareawhereHDD
wouldbeused,provideanestimate[of]whatwoodlandclearing[wouldbe]necessaryifHDDisnot
feasibleatthesites.
Thecollectionsystemdesignavoidswoodlotswherepracticable.Twowoodedareaswereidentifiedfor
HDDboring.Ifthesewoodlotscouldnotbedirectionallybored,theclearingnecessaryforcollectionline
installationislessthan0.03acres.
Item1.375.3.3.2Thecollectorcircuitsdiscussionalsonotesthatmajorityofthecollectionsystem
routeisplannedforagriculturalfieldsandroadrightsofway.Thetemporaryimpactsnotedforthe
collectorsinTable5.33includesentriesonlyfortemporaryimpactstoagriculturallands,andno
impactsarenotedforComm/IndustincludesROWlands.Provideasummaryoftheamountsof
collectorcircuitsthatwouldbeconstructedinsideofexistingROW,andtheamountsthatwouldbe
constructedoutsideof,butadjacenttoexistingROW.Also,provideasummaryoftheimpactstothe
variouslandcovertypes,mostnotablywoodlands,forcollectorcircuitsconstructedbothinsideand
outsideofexistingROW.Inaddition,providealandcovertypesummaryassumingthatallcollector
circuitswouldneedtobeconstructedoutsidetheexistingROW.
Table5.32hasbeencorrectedtoreflectthedistributionoflandcoverimpactsbetweenagricultural
landandroadROW.
Thelandcoveranalysisdoesnotconsidersmallpatchesoftreesasforestorwoodlands,andthusare
notincludedaswoodlandimpacts.Anyclearingoftreesorothervegetationhasbeenincludedin
temporaryimpacts.
Asindicatedinourmap(Fig.1.12ProjectFacilities,AppendixA),thecollectioncircuitsareintendedto
runintheROW.Thecollectionsystembetweentheroadrightofwayandtheturbinesitefollowsaccess
roads,soastominimizeimpactstotheland.Forcartographicclarity,thecollectionsystemmayappear
tofalloutsidetheROWinareasofmultiplecircuits.Ananalysisoflandcovertypeassumingthatall
collectorswouldneedtobeconstructedoutsideoftheexistingROWhasnotbeenperformed,asHWF
intendsandhasplannedtorunintheROW.
Thecollectionsystemwillneedtocrosslinearlyalignedwoodedareas,suchasfieldbreaks.Theseareas
maybetemporarilyclearedtoallowequipmentpassage.Largewoodedareashavebeenavoidedinthe
collectionsystemplanningwheneverpossible.Ifwoodlotscannotbepracticablyavoided,the
horizontaldirectionalboringmethodologywillbeemployedtoavoidunnecessaryimpacts.Theseareas
areshownintheProjectMapbookprovidedinAttachmentCofAppendixR.

Page55
Thetotaltemporaryimpactassociatedwiththecollectionsystemisapproximately10.5acres.Itis
brokendownbylandcovertypeinTable5.33above.
5.3.3.3ACCESSROADS
Themajorityofaccessroadimpactswillbetouplandagriculturalland.Unavoidableimpactsto
wetlandsandwaterwayshavebeenminimizedtoextentpracticable.PleaserefertoAppendixRfor
detailsregardingtheminimalimpactstowetlandsandwaterways.Accessroadwidthwillbe16feet
wide,unlessparallelingacraneroute,wherethetemporarilywidthwillbe40feet.Temporaryturning
radiiwillbeconstructedatthejunctionofaccessroadsandpublicroadsorinfieldswhereturnsare
necessary.Theseradiiwillberemoveduponcompletionofconstruction.
Thetotalpermanentimpactduetoaccessroadconstructionwillbeapproximately22acres.Temporary
constructionimpactsduetoturningradiiinthefieldandatpublicroadswillbeapproximately4.5acres.
TemporaryimpactsduetowideningofroadsforcranepathshavebeenincludedinSection5.3.3.4.See
Table5.33aboveforabreakdownoflandcovertypesaffectedbyaccessroadconstruction.
5.3.3.4CRANEPATHS
Thecrosscountrymovementofcranesbetweenturbinesiteswillresultintemporaryimpactstoland.
Themajorityoflandaffectedisagriculturaluplands,thoughsomefarmed(only)wetlandareasand
waterwaysmayalsobeimpacted.ThewetlandandwaterwaycrossingsarediscussedinAttachmentF
ofAppendixR.Uplandvegetationremovalwillbelimitedtosmallorlinearfeatures,suchasfield
breaks.
Uplandareascompactedforcranerouteswillbedecompactedandrestoredtopreconstruction
conditions.Fieldbreaksorotherlimitedareasofvegetationremovalwillbeallowedtonaturallyre
vegetate.Thetotalareaofimpactwillbeapproximately32acresasbrokendowninTable5.33.
5.3.3.5SUBSTATION
Theproposedsubstationwillimpactapproximately2.5acresofagriculturalland.Afiveacreparcelof
landwillbepurchasedbyHWFtoconstructthefacility.Nowetlandorwaterwayimpactsare
anticipatedonthesubstationsite.
5.3.3.6O&MBUILDINGANDLAYDOWNYARD
TheO&Mbuilding,parkinglotandtemporaryequipmentlaydownyardwillbuiltonlandleasedfroma
participatinglandowner.Theimpactswillbeprimarilytoagriculturaluplands.TheO&Mbuildingand
parkinglotwillcausepermanentimpactstoapproximatelyonehalfacreofland.Theequipment
parkingandlaydownyardwillbegradedandgraveledforuseduringtheconstructionperiod.Upon
completiontheareawillberestoredtopreconstructionconditionandmadeavailableforfarming
activity.Thetemporaryimpacttoagriculturallandwillbeapproximately20acres.

Page56
5.4WILDLIFE
5.4.1EXISTINGWILDLIFERESOURCESANDESTIMATEEXPECTEDIMPACTSTOPLANTANDANIMALHABITATSAND
POPULATIONS
HWFcontractedwithDavidDrakeattheUWMadisontoevaluateandstudytheTownofForestfor
winddevelopment.Severalsitevisitshadbeenmadebythecontractorintheearlyspringandsummer
seasonstoassessthehabitatsofanimalsandplants.SeeAppendixOforasummaryofDr.Drakes
findings(DrakeReport)onwildliferesourcesandhabitatsintheProjectarea.
ITEM1.385.4.1THEBALDEAGLEISBRIEFLYDISCUSSEDINAPPENDIXOANDISIDENTIFIEDASPROTECTEDUNDERTHE
FEDERALBALDANDGOLDENEAGLEPROTECTIONACT.PROVIDEINFORMATIONREGARDINGCONSULTATIONWITH
USFWS.
HWFisconsultingwiththeUSFWSregardingpotentialimpactstoBaldEaglesandwhetheranincidental
takepermitunderthefederalBaldandGoldenEagleProtectionActwouldbeappropriate.HWFhas
providedUSFWSwithitsaviansurveyresultsfor2011.HWFhasalsoagreedtocontinueitsbirdsurvey
pointscountsthroughspring2012andconductaneaglenestsearchintheProjectareainMarch.HWF
willcontinuetocoordinatewiththeUSFWSandtheWDNRtoevaluatepotentialBaldEagleimpactsand
willupdatePSCstaffastheevaluationprogresses.
ProvidethepreconstructionbirdandbatdatacollectedatthesitefromtheMaystartdatethrough
theautumnsurveyperiod.
AnupdatedAppendixOisprovidedthatincludesthebirdandbatsurveydatacollectedthroughtheend
of2011.
ITEM1.395.4.1PRECONSTRUCTIONBIRD/BATSURVEYPLANS,ADETAILEDDESCRIPTIONOFTHESURVEYANDACOUSTIC
MONITORINGMETHODOLOGIESANDDOCUMENTATIONASAPPROVEDBYTHEWDNRPRIORTOSTARTOFTHESURVEY.
Preconstructionbird/batsurveyplansandmethodologieshavebeendiscussedwiththeWDNRandare
describedintheupdatedAppendixO.
PostConstructionBirdandBatSurveyPlans;
HWFhashadgeneraldiscussionswiththeWDNRregardingpostconstructionplansforbirdandbat
surveysandhasagreedthatsurveyswillbecompletedduringoneyearofoperationofthewindfarm.
Thesesurveyswillincludemortality,batacoustics,andeaglesurveys.HWFwillworkwiththeWDNR
andreviewtheproposedplansandagreetothesurveysbeforethesurveysbegin.HWFwillroutinely
updatethesurveyworkcompletedintheSpringandFallreportsandwillsendanycommunicationonto
thePSCstafffordocumentation.

Page57
Discussionofthepotentialimpactstotheprojectmighthaveonresidentandmigratingbat
populations;
HWFrecorded93%ofallbatpassesatthe2mlevelcomparedtothe60mlevel,andrecordedbatsat
the2mlevelthroughoutthemajorityofthetimetheAnabatswereactive.Wedidnotrecordthefirst
batonthe60mmicrophoneuntilthesecondweekofAugust.Whilebatsexperiencegreaterturbine
causedmortalitythanbirds(Kunzetal.2007),itisencouragingthatmostofthebatsrecordedflew
belowthesweptarea,suggestingthatpostconstructionmortalitytobatsmaybereduced.Although
batsrecordedatthe60mmicrophonelevelwouldbewithinthesweptarea,thenumberofbatpasses
wererelativelylowwithonlyonepeakofactivity.However,the60mmicrophonemostlikelycaptured
migratingbatsandthatwasthereasonnobatswererecordeduntilthesecondweekofAugust.
Migratorybatsaretypicallythespeciesmostcommonlykilledbyturbines(Kunzetal.2007).
Morelowfrequencybats(57%)wererecordedatbothmicrophonelevelsthanhighfrequencybats.
Thisispossiblyduetotherebeingmorelowfrequencybatsinthearea.Morelikely,however,isthat
lowfrequencysoundstravelfurtherdistanceandarelessdistorted,thereforelowfrequencybatsare
recordedatagreaterproportionthanhighfrequencybats.
Item1.40Adiscussionofanyknownbathibernaculawithin10milesofprojectarea.Includea
discussionregardingwhatresourceswerecheckedtodevelopalistofhibernacula;
HWFdidhavediscussionswiththeWDNRregardinganypotentialbathibernaculawithinStCroix
County.TheWDNRhasnotedatthistimethereisonelocationofahibernaculaapproximately9miles
fromtheProjectboundary
Item1.40Ifpostconstructionbird/batmortalityrequiresmitigation,discusstheformsofmitigation
availablefortheproposedwindturbinemodelsiftheydifferinfunctionalities.Includeitemssuchas
adjustmentofthecutinspeed,andotherformsofmitigation;
HWFhasorwillimplementthefollowingmeasuresthatshouldhelpdecreasepotentialimpactsto
birds/batsresultingfromtheProject:
*Constructturbinesincultivatedagriculturelands,andnotplacingturbine(s)inwoodlotsor
wetlands.
*Avoidlocatingturbinesinknownlocalbirdmigratorypathwaysorinareaswherebirdsare
highlyconcentrated.
*Configureturbinelocationstoavoidareasorfeaturesoflandscapeknowntoattractraptors.
*Avoidfragmentinglarge,contiguoustractsofwildlifehabitat.Wherepractical,placeturbines
onlandalreadyalteredorcultivated,andawayfromareasofintactandhealthynativehabitats.Ifnot
practical,selectfragmentedordegradedhabitatsoverrelativelyintactareas.
*ProvidingbathousestostatelandwhereidentifiedhibernaculainCountyarelocatedto
encouragerepopulationofspecies.

Page58
Additionalmitigationmeasuresmayincludeturbine(s)thathaveoptionsofoperationalcontroland
couldbemodifiedorprogrammedforcutinspeedsifwarranted.Turbineoptionsunderconsideration
byHWFwillbeabletobeprogrammed.
HWFrecognizesthattheimpactofwindprojectsonbatsaswellaspotentialminimizationand
mitigationmeasuresaredynamicandHWFiswillingtocontinuetoworkwiththeWDNRandUSFWSon
theseissues.
ITEM1.415.4.1FORBLANDINGSTURTLEINDICATEINAPPENDIXOTHATAFTERFINALPROJECTDESIGNANDPRIORTO
CONSTRUCTIONAVOIDANCEMEASURESWILLBEDEFINEDFORAREASOFPOTENTIALLYSUITABLEOROCCUPIEDHABITAT
THATMAYOVERLAPWITHTEMPORARYORPERMANENTDISTURBANCE.THESEMEASURESWILLBEDEVELOPEDBASEDON
CONSULTATIONWITHWDNR;
ThefollowingwordinghasbeenaddedtothePlantandAnimalHabitatsSectionoftheExistingWildlife
ResourceReviewinAppendixO;
UpondeterminationofafinalProjectdesign,andpriortoconstruction,HWFwillconsultwiththeWDNR
toidentifypotentialareasofsuitableoroccupiedhabitatforBlandingsturtlesthatmayoverlapwith
proposedconstructionsites.Areasofbothtemporarydisturbanceandpermanentimpactwillbe
considered.HWF,alongwithWDNR,willdevelopmeasuresofavoidance(e.g.exclusionaryfencing
duringactiveperiods,etc)thathavebeensuccessfullyusedonotherenergyconstructionprojectsin
Wisconsin.
5.4.2AVIANANDBATPRECONSTRUCTIONSURVEYS
HWFmetwiththeWDNRseveraltimesoverthecourseof2010.InJanuary,2011additionalmeetings
wereconductedaswellasconferencecallswiththeWDNRtounderstandwhatinformationwouldbe
necessarytoprovideforacompletesurvey.InMarch,2011bothpartiescametoagreementonthesite
surveysfortheProjectandamapwasprovidedwithlocationsfordocumentation.Timingofthesurveys
willlastonecalendaryearfromthestartdateofsitesurveys.ThroughoutthisprocessHWFcontinues
tohavefrequentcallswiththeWDNRtomakesureallquestionsandconcernsareaddressed.Afull
reportdiscussingtheresultsofthesurveyswillbesubmitteduponcompletion.SeetheDrakeReport
(AppendixO)forallsurveydatacollectedtodateaswellasadescriptionofsurveyprocedures.
5.5PUBLICLANDS
VariousdatasourceswereresearchedtoidentifypubliclandswithintenmilesoftheProjectboundary.
Wildlifeareas,fisheries,parksandtraildataweregatheredfromsourcesincludingstateandfederal
agencies,countywebsites,Esriandotherpubliclyavailabledatasources.
Table5.51(AppendixO)liststheinformationacquiredregardingStateandFederalpubliclandswithin
tenmilesoftheProjectarea.Managementinformationisalsoprovided.Countyforestsarealsolisted
inTable5.51.
Table5.52(AppendixO)listslocalparksandrecreationalareaswithinatenmileradius.

Page59
Inadditiontopubliclandslistedintable5.51,therearevariousprivatepropertiesenrolledinstateland
managementprograms(suchasManagedForestLawandForestCropLaw).Theseprogramsmayallow
publicaccessforactivitiessuchashuntingandfishing.Theseprivateproperties,asidentifiedbythe
WDNRintheirManagedLandsdatabase,havebeenmappedforconsiderationwithintheProjectarea.
AGISfileoflandsobtainedfromtheWDNR,withintwomilesoftheProjectboundary,isincludedwith
thissubmission.
ITEM1.425.5.1PROVIDEALISTINGANDGISSHAPEFILEOFSTATEANDFEDERALPROPERTIES,ANDCOUNTYPARKS
WITHIN10MILESOFTHEPROJECTAREA;
AlistingoffederalandstatepropertiesandcountyparkswithintenmilesoftheProjectareawas
providedintheoriginalapplication.GISfilesareprovidedontherevisedDataDVD.Areplacement
figurefor4.15PublicLandswithinTwoMileshasalsobeenprovided,withpubliclandslabeled.
5.6LOCALZONING
HWFidentifiedlocalgovernmentswithinatwomileradiusoftheProjectandacquiredtheapplicable
zoningordinances.Thelocalgovernmentswithinatwomileradiusinclude:
St.CroixCounty
o TownsofForest,Cylon,EmeraldandGlenwood
DunnCounty
o TownsofNewHavenandTiffany
PolkCounty
o TownsofBlackBrookandClearLake
BarronCounty
o TownofVanceCreek
ProjectfacilitieswillbelocatedintheTownsofForestandCylon(withinSt.CroixCounty).TheTownsof
EmeraldandGlenwoodinSt.CroixCountyandtheTownsofNewHavenandTiffanyinDunnCountyare
touchedbytheProjectboundary,butdonotincludeProjectfacilities.Zoningordinancesavailablefor
theabovelistedgovernmentswerereviewedforzoningauthorityoverdevelopmentoftheProject.
Table5.61summarizesthepotentiallyapplicablecodesorordinances.

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Table 5.6-1 Applicable Zoning Ordinances
Government Topic CodeReference
St.CroixCounty/TownofCylon LandDivisionOrdinance
Section5Standardsfor
SubdividingLand
DunnCounty NoneApplicable
PolkCounty NoneApplicable
BarronCounty NoneApplicable
TownofForest
WindEnergySystem
LicensingOrdinance
Notapplicable*
TownofCylon DrivewayOrdinance
Section4Requirements
Section5Standards
*TheOrdinancewaspassedandadoptedonAugust11,2011;afterthedateonwhichHWFhad
receivedallapplicabletownpermits.
5.6.1COPIESOFZONINGORDINANCES
TherelevantsectionsofthezoningordinanceslistedinTable5.61areprovidedinAppendixP.
5.6.2ZONINGCHANGESNEEDEDFORTHEPROJECT
OnAugust11,2011theTownBoardoftheTownofForestadoptedOrdinanceNo.20113entitledWind
EnergySystemsLicensingOrdinance(WindOrdinance).
7
SinceHWFhasreceivedallnecessarypermits
8
andapprovalsfromtheTownofForestpriortotheadoptionoftheWindOrdinance,ithasnoimpacton
andisnotapplicabletotheProject.SeeSection13.Thesubstationandfeedintransmissionlinesare
locatedintheTownofCylonwithinpropertiescurrentlyzonedasagricultural.Propertiesrequiring
zoningchangesincludethefollowing.
SubstationProperty:
Thesubstationarea,currentlyunderanoptionforpurchasewillbezonedthroughSt.CroixCounty.A
rezoningofthepropertywillbedonebyHWFtoAGresidentialalongwithaspecialexemptionpermit.
ThedrivewayleadingintothesubstationwillbeundertheapplicableTownofCylondrivewayordinance.
7
TheconditionsimposedonwindprojectsintheWindOrdinanceeffectivelyactasamoratoriumforsuchprojectsintheTown
ofForest(e.g.setbackfromnonparticipatingresidenceofonemile"oradistancethatmeetsthesoundrequirementsof[the]
ordinance,whicheverisgreater.").
8
HWFwillneedtoprocureministerialpermitsforthetwoadditionalturbinesaddedtotheProject(e.g.buildinganddriveway
permits).

Page61
O&MFacilityandLaydownYard:
TheTownofForestcurrentlyhasnozoningrequirements,thuszoningchangesarenotapplicablein
regardstotheO&Mfacilityorthetemporarylaydownyard.Abuildingpermitwillberequiredfromthe
TownofForest.Thebuildingfootprintdoesnotrequirealanddivision.
WindTurbines:
TheconstructionanderectionofthewindturbinesdonotrequireanyzoningchangesbytheTownof
ForestorSt.CroixCounty.
5.6.3ZONINGCHANGESREQUESTED
Atthistime,nozoningchangeshavebeenrequested.
5.7LANDUSEPLANS
ThelanduseanddevelopmentplansforthelocalgovernmentswithintheProjectareaandatwomile
radius,aslistedinSection5.6,wereacquired,ifavailable.Theplanswerereviewedtoidentifypossible
conflictswiththedevelopmentofawindfarm.Thereviewfoundthatcontrarytolimitationsbeing
placedonwinddevelopment,theareasneartheHighlandWindFarmstatethattheywillpositively
encouragerenewableenergydevelopmentwithintheirjurisdiction.Infact,theTownofForest
ComprehensivePlanstates:Objective5(Adoptrenewableenergypoliciesandpracticesaspartofa
strategytomeetfutureenergyneeds.)andStrategy#4(TheTownwillbeopentoallformsrenewable
energyprojects,includingwind,solarandbioenergy.)
9
TheWestCentralWisconsinRegionalPlanning
Commission(WCWRPC),whichservesSt.CroixCountyandtheareasurroundingtheProject,adopteda
RegionalComprehensivePlanonSeptember9,2010.Asummarylistofthedocumentsreviewedand
linkstothedocumentwebsitescanbefoundinTable5.71(AppendixP).Additionallymapsofthe
existingandplannedfuturelandusefortheTownofForestareprovidedinAppendixP.
5.8ARCHAEOLOGICALANDHISTORICRESOURCES
ITEM1.445.8HISTORICALANDARCHEOLOGICAL
NonconfidentialhistoricalandarcheologicalinformationcanbefoundinAppendixQ.
5.8.1HISTORICANDARCHAEOLOGICALSITESPOTENTIALLYAFFECTED
HWFanditsconsultant,MidwestArchaeologicalConsultants(SturgeonBay,Wisconsin),performeda
PhaseIAarcheologicalreview.TheassessmentincludesareviewoftheWisconsinStateHistorical
PreservationSociety(WHS)databasetoidentifyiftheProjectwillpotentiallyaffectanypreviously
recordedhistoricproperties.AfullreportonthearchaeologicalfindingscanbefoundinAppendixQ.
9
ThecurrentTownBoard'sattempttorescindtheProject'spermitsandagreements(SeeSection13)standsinstarkcontrastto
theTown'sadoptedcomprehensiveplan.

Page62
TheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesdatabasewasalsosearched.Itlistsnohistoricsiteswithinten
milesoftheProjectboundary.
TheWHSWisconsinArchitectureandHistoryInventory(AHI)DatabasewasreviewedbyStantecfor
listingswithinonemileoftheProjectboundary.SeeAppendixQforthefullreviewincludingasummary
tableandmaps.
5.8.2ARCHAEOLOGICALSITELOCATIONSINWHICHCONSTRUCTIONWOULDOCCUR
ThearchaeologicalreviewrevealedelevensiteswithinonemileoftheProject.Twositesfallwithin
1000feetofProjectconstructionorarelocatedwithinthesamequarterquartersectionasconstruction
activities(SC0117andBSC0023):
SiteSC0117isprehistoriclithicscatterlocatedapproximately950feetfromProjectfacilities
withinagaspipelineROW.ItislocatedwithinthesamequarterquartersectionasWTG15
SiteBSC0023isaHistoricEuroAmericancemeterycurrentlyassociatedwithImmanuel
LutheranChurchon210thAve.Itislocatedonchurchpropertyonanoppositesideofa
publicroadfromconstructionactivities.
AdditionaldetailincludingquarterquartersectionlistingsandmapscanbefoundintheTable5.81and
MidwestArchaeologicalReport(AppendixQ).IncasesofhistoriccemeteriesadjacenttoroadROWs,
collectionsystemconstructionwillberoutedtotheoppositesideoftheroad.
TheStantecAHIReview(AppendixQ)listshistoricalarchitecturalsiteswithinonemileoftheProject
boundary.ThesourceofthisdataisdiscussedinSection5.8.3.Theexactlocationofthesesitesis
generallynotknown,norarethesitesgivenanyspecialstatusorprotection.Utilizingthelocational
informationavailablefromWHS,severalofthestructuresmaybelocatedinquarterquartersections
wherecollectionsystemconstructionwilloccur(withinroadROWs).TheseincludeAHISiteIDs23755,
23757,23759and23761(twohouses,anindustrialbuildingandachurch,respectively).Seethetable
withintheAHIreview(AppendixQ)forquarterquartersectionlistings.
5.8.3ARCHAEOLOGICALORHISTORICALRESOURCES
ThePhaseIAarchaeologicalreviewincludedaliteraturesearchoftheWHSdatabaseforpreviously
recordedhistoricproperties.Thesearchrevealedthattherearesixpreviouslyrecordedarchaeological
sitesandthreehistoriccemeterieswithinanapproximateonemileradiusofthepotential52wind
turbinelocations.Thereisonesmallarchaeologicalsurveywithinaonemileradiusoftheproposed
Projectarea.Therearenopotentialdirectimpactstothepropertiesastheydonotlaywithinthearea
ofpotentialeffect(APE)asdefinedintheMidwestArchaeologicalReport(AppendixQ).
HistoricandarchitecturalsiteslistedintheWisconsinAHIDatabasewerereviewed.Thedatabaseis
housedintheWHSandmaintainedbytheSocietysDivisionofHistoricPreservation.Itisacollectionof
informationonhistoricbuildings,structuresandsitesthroughoutWisconsin,andinclusioninthe

Page63
databasedoesnotinferanyspecialstatusorprotection.
10
Somestructuresmaynolongerexist.There
are12siteswithinonemileoftheProjectboundaryincludingfivehouses,twobarns,threechurches,
oneformerschoolhouseandoneformerindustrialbuilding.TheyaresummarizedwithintheAHI
Review(AppendixQ).NoimpactonhistoricalarchitecturalsitesisanticipatedfromtheProject.
TheNationalRegisterofHistoricPlacesdatabasedidnotlistanyhistoricsiteswithintenmilesofthe
Projectboundary.
HWFinformedTribalentitiesoftheproposedProjectinSeptember,2011.PleaseseeAppendixQfora
listingoftheTribescontacted,asampleofthecorrespondencesent,andresponsestodate.
5.9ERREVIEWENDANGERED,THREATENED,ANDSPECIALCONCERNSPECIESANDCOMMUNITIES
HWFworkedwiththeWDNROfficeofEnergytoobtainanEndangeredResources(ER)reviewforthe
Projectandsurroundingarea.ThisreviewincludesasearchoftheNaturalHeritageInventory(NHI)
databaseandconsultationwithFishandWildlifeServices(FWS).PleaseseeAppendixOfora
confidentialcopyoftheERreportprovidedbytheWDNR.
6.0WATERWAY/WETLANDPERMITTINGACTIVITIES
HWFretainedtheservicesofStantectoassistinthedesignandpermittingoftheProject.Aninitialdesk
topenvironmentalreviewwascompletedinthesummerof2010andtheresultswereusedtoadjustthe
sitingofthepreliminaryProjectfacilities.Stanteccompletedafieldsurveyofwetlandsandwaterways
ateachoftheproposedturbinesitesandaccessroadsinthefallof2010.Additionalfieldsurveyswere
performedinspringandsummerof2011toaccommodatechangesindesignandadditionalturbine
sitesthatbringtheProjectto102.5.Theinformationgatheredwasusedtopreparetheappropriate
Wetland/WaterQualityCertification(WWQC)andErosionControlPermitsrequiredoftheWDNRand
USArmyCorpsofEngineers(USACE).Detailedinformationonwetlandandwaterwaylocationsandthe
methodologyusedfortheProjectisfoundinthemostrecentpermitpackage,assubmittedon
December12,2011totheWDNRandUSACE(AppendixRAttachmentsGandH).
Nosensitivewetlands,stateorfederallylistedwaterways,troutstreams,fisheries,wildernessareas,
recreationalareasorothersensitiveresourcesofstateorfederalconcernareimpactedbyconstruction
activities.Nosurfacewatersidentifiedasoutstandingorexceptionalresources(Ch.NR102,Wis.Adm.
Code.)areimpacted.
Table6.01WetlandandWaterwayImpacts(AppendixRAttachmentsIandJ)liststhewetlandsand
waterwaysimpactedalongwiththeinformationrequestedintheFilingRequirementssampleTable1.
10
WisconsinHistoricalSocietyhttp://www.wisconsinhistory.org/ahi/

Page64
6.1WATERWAYPERMITTINGACTIVITY
Basedondesktopandfieldreview,itwasdeterminedthattheProjectcouldnotbebuiltwithoutsome
limitedimpactsonwaterways.Accessroadsandcranepathsweredesignedtominimizeimpactsto
waterways.Intermittentstreamscrosssixparticipatingpropertiescausinglimitedaccesstothe
associatedturbinesites.Theaccessroadsmustcrosseachstreamtoreachturbinelocationsthat
complywiththevarioussetbackrequirements.InformationpertainingtotheGeneralPermit
ApplicationforthenecessaryculvertscanbefoundinAttachmentBofAppendixR.
CranepathscrosssevenintermittentstreamswithintheProjectarea.Thewaterwayscanbecrossed
utilizingtemporaryclearspanbridges("TCSBs")thatareremovedaftercranepassage.Theinformation
pertainingtothesevenTCSBpermitsrequiredcanbefoundinAttachmentFofAppendixR.Table1
withinAttachmentBofAppendixRlistsanticipatedpermanentandtemporarywaterwayimpacts
associatedwiththeconstructionactivities.
6.2WETLANDS
InitialdesktopsurveysutilizingWisconsinWetlandInventory(WWI)dataandcoloredhighresolution
aerialimageryidentifiedwetlandsandareasofconcernwithintheProjectarea.Stantecthenperformed
fieldsurveysoftheproposedturbinesitesandaccessroadlocationsinthethirdquarterof2010inorder
toconfirmwetlandlocationsandredesignfacilitysitestominimizewaterwayandwetlandimpacts.
Changesweremadetonumerousturbineandaccessroaddesignstoavoidorminimizeimpactstothese
resources.
WetlanddelineationswerecompletedinaccordancewiththeJanuary1987TechnicalReportY871
entitled,CorpsofEngineersWetlandDelineationManualforareastobetemporarilyorpermanently
impactedbyconstructionactivities.Additionalsurveyswereperformedinthespringandsummerof
2011toaccommodateturbineadditionsandchangestotheProjectdesign.TheDecember,2011
revisedWWQCpermitapplicationisprovidedinAttachmentsGandHofAppendixR.Table6.01
(AppendixRAttachmentsIandJ)listspermanentandtemporarywetlandimpactsidentifiedwith
uniquewetlandidentifiers.AttachmentDtoAppendixRprovidestheWetlandDelineationReportand
associatedanalyses,figuresanddataforms.
6.3MAPPINGWETLANDSANDWATERWAYCROSSINGS
WetlandandwaterwaymapsareprovidedinAppendixR.Theseincludeamapbookwithapagefor
eachtownsectiongridcontainingconstructionactivitieswithintheProjectarea(AttachmentC,
AppendixR).ThisfiguredisplaysProjectfacilities,WWIdata,delineatedwetlands,streamsandponds
(perWisconsin24kHydrographyDatabase),elevationcontours,hydricsoils,TCSBs,wetlandand
waterwaycrossingsandotheractivitiesrelatedtotheChapter30permit.Thefiguresareshownwitha
2010coloredaerialbackgroundforreference.Additionallargescalefiguresareincludedwithin
correspondingattachmentstoAppendixRthatprovidetheinformationspecifiedwithinthepermitting
requirements.

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6.4WATERWAY/WETLANDCONSTRUCTIONMETHODS
ThefinalproposeddesignfortheHighlandWindFarmtakesintoaccountdelineatedwetland
boundariesandminimizesimpactstotheextentpracticable.Noturbinesarelocatedinwetlandsor
waterways.Accessroadsweredesignedtotakeadvantageofexistingfarmlaneswhenpracticable.
Newroadsareplacedsuchthatpermanentimpactstothewetlandsareminimized.Thewetlandsthat
willbeimpactedaspartofthisProjectaretypicallypastureland,manmadeagriculturaldrainage
ditchesandwindrows,orfarmedwetlands.Thepasturelandandagriculturalditchesaredominatedby
invasiveandweedyspecies(Reedcanarygrass,Canadathistle,Kentuckybluegrass,boxelder).The
farmedwetlandsaregenerallydominatedbyplantedcrops(i.e.alfalfa,soyorcorn).
Permanentaccessroadsinwetlandswillutilizeametalcorrugatedculverttomaintainwetlandflowand
hydrology.Siltfenceswillbeutilizedtoprotectnearbywetlandsandwaterwaysduringconstructionof
theProject.Theplacementoffillforturningradiiwilloccurpriortocomponentdelivery.Theseturning
radiiwillremaininplaceapproximately30daysandthenwillberemovedandrestored.Geotextile
fabricwillbelaidonthegroundsurfacepriortoinstallingthecleangravelradiustobetterenable
removal.
TCSBswillbeutilizedtoallowcranepassageoverwaterways.Thestructureswillbeconstructedusing
woodenconstructionmats.Amatwillbelaidparalleltothechanneloneachbankfollowedbytwo
matslaidperpendiculartothechannel.Ifarampontothebridgeisneeded,woodlogsorsimilar
materialswillbeused.Nooffsitefillwillbeusedfortheconstructionofaccessramps.Thebridgewill
beanchoredeithertothegroundoranearbytreeusingsteelcablestopreventthetransportofthe
bridgedownstreamduringfloodflows.AplanandprofiledrawingofthetypicalTCSBconstructionis
presentedinAttachmentFtoAppendixR.
Temporaryimpactstowetlandsduetocranepassagewilloccuronsevenroutes.Theseimpactsaredue
totheplacementofconstructionmattingorotherapprovedmethods(e.g.workinginfrozen
conditions)inthewetlands.Thesetemporaryimpactswillremaininplaceapproximately14daysand
willthenberemoved.Alltemporaryimpactswillbecompletedinaccordancewithbestmanagement
practices.MapsshowingthetemporaryimpactstothesewetlandscanbefoundintheWWQC
Application(AttachmentAofAppendixR).
Thecollectionsystemwillbeinstalledinuplandareathroughtheuseofavibratoryplowortrenching.
HDDwillbeutilizedwhencollectionlinesencounterwaterwaysorwetlands,thusavoidingimpacts.The
boreentryandexitpits,approximately8feetby20feet,willbelocatedinuplandareas.Siltfenceor
similarerosioncontroldeviceswillbelocatedbetweenthedisturbanceandnearby
wetlands/waterways.Associatedtemporarysoilstockpileswillbelocatedinuplandareas.Adequate
suppliesofcontainmentmaterialswillbekeptatHDDboresitestobeusedintheeventofan
inadvertentreleaseofdrillingmud("fracout").Writtensitespecificcontingencyplansforafracout
eventwillbedevelopedandkeptattheProjectsite.Detailsoftheproposedborepitlocationsand
associatederosioncontrolcanbefoundintheProjectMapbookinAttachmentCtoAppendixR.Proper
erosioncontroldevicesintheformofsiltfence,strawbales,surfaceroughnessandtemporaryseeding
willbeusedtostabilizedisturbedareasnearwetlandsduringconstructionandfollowingthecompletion

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ofthework.Monitoringofdisturbedareaswilloccuruntiltheseareashavestabilizedto70%vegetative
cover.Originalgroundsurfaceelevationswillberestoredfollowingconstructionandnativesoilprofiles
willbemaintainedtotheextentpracticable.Locationoferosioncontroldevicesareshownin
AttachmentEofAppendixR.
6.5EROSIONCONTROLANDSTORMWATERMANAGEMENTPLAN
HWFhaspreparedandsubmittedaWaterResourceApplicationforProjectPermits(WRAPP)tothe
WDNRinaccordancewithNR216(formerlyknownasaNoticeofIntent).Theapplicationincludesasite
specificErosionControlandStormWaterManagementPlan(Plan).ThePlanincludestechnical
drawingsanddescriptionsoftheBestManagementPractices(BMPs)thatwillbefollowedincompliance
withWDNRtechnicalstandards.PleaseseeAttachmentsA,GandHtoAppendixRforacopyofthe
applicationsubmittedinDecember,2011.ThePlanwillalsobeprovidedtoSt.CroixCountyforreview
andcompliancewithitsShorelandZoningrequirements.
6.6MATERIALSMANAGEMENTPLAN
ConstructionmaterialsfortheProjectwillbehandledinaccordancewiththemethodologyoutlined
withinthisdocumentandtheWDNRWWQCandWRAPPpermitapplication.Acopyofthisapplication
isincludedinAttachmentsA,GandHtoAppendixR.
6.6.1HAULROUTES
ThemainhaulrouteforconstructionmaterialswillbeintotheProjectareaonSTH64andCTHPtothe
laydownyard.Materialstoberouteddirectlytoindividualturbinesiteswillbedeterminedupon
selectionofafinalconstructioncontractorandturbinedeliverycontractor.Haulroutes,construction
laydownandstagingareasarediscussedinSections2.3.5and2.3.6,2.4.5andtheStantecRoadStudy
(AppendixG).ItisnotanticipatedthatcontaminatedmaterialswillbefoundduringProject
construction.Intheunlikelyeventthatcontaminatedmaterialsarediscoveredtheywillbehandledina
mannercompliantwithstateandlocalregulations.
6.6.2STOCKPILEAREAS
ConstructionmaterialstockpileswillbelocatedattheconstructionlaydownyardasdiscussedinSection
2.4.5.1.Soilsstrippedorremovedduetogradingandexcavationwillbeseparatedintotopsoilsand
subsoilsandstoredinuplandareasonly.Subsoilswillbestockpilednearturbinesitesandusedas
backfilluponcompletionoffoundationpours.Topsoilswillbeusedduringthereclamationprocessfor
disturbedareasnearturbinesandaccessroads.SeeSections2.4.1and2.4.2foradiscussionofturbine
foundationconstructionandthehandlingofremovedsoils.
Sedimentcontrolmeasureswillbeinplacepriortoanyremovaloftopsoilorgradingworkandwillbe
maintaineduntilthepotentialforerosionhasstabilized.Stormwateranderosioncontrolmeasures
alongwithdrawingsofproposedBMPsareprovidedintheWRAPP(AppendixRAttachmentE).

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6.6.3EQUIPMENTSTAGINGAREAS
Equipmentwillbestagedfromthetemporarylaydownyardandindividualturbinestagingareasas
discussedinSection2.4.5.
SpillcontrolkitswillbekeptattheProjectlaydownyardandwithinconstructionvehicles.HWFwill
acquireanSPCCPlanfromthecontractorawardedtheconstructioncontract.TheSPCCPlanwilloutline
theproceduresandpreventativemeasuresthatwillbefollowedthroughouttheconstructionperiod.
6.6.4FIELDSCREENINGPROTOCOLFORCONTAMINANTTESTING
HWFwillnotifyafirmexperiencedintheanalysisandtreatmentofsuchmaterialsifcontaminatedsoils
ormaterialsareencounteredduringconstruction.Thesuspectedmaterialswillbetested,treatedand
disposedofaccordingtotheproperprotocolforthesituationencounteredandthecorresponding
statutoryrequirements.TheWDNRwillbecontactedasrequiredunderstatestatutes.
6.6.5ESTIMATEDTYPES,CONCENTRATIONSANDVOLUMESOFCONTAMINATEDMATERIALS
TheProjectarealanduseispredominantlyagricultural.Farmownerswillstorehazardousmaterials
suchasfuelsandchemicalsontheirproperties.Thesematerialsarestoredwithinfarmbuildingssuchas
barnsandsheds,andwillnotbedisturbedduringProjectconstruction.Otherthanthematerialsutilized
intheagriculturaloperationsHWFisnotawareofanyhazardousmaterialsonparticipatingProject
properties.
6.6.6METHODFORDEWATERINGOFEXCAVATEDMATERIALS
Ifconditionswarrantduringconstruction,dewateringatturbinelocationsmayoccur.Thecontractor
willconstructandmaintainalldewateringBMPsnecessarytocomplywithdischargerequirements
containedinlocalorstatepermits,ordinances,andrules.Thecontractorwillconsultwiththeengineer
beforeconstructingadewateringdevice.
Excavatedmaterialswillbestoredinuplandareasawayfromwetlandsandwaterways.Thedewatering
ofexcavatedmaterialswillemploytheuseoffiltrationanderosioncontroldevices,suchasstrawbales
andgeotextiles.Thesemethodswillcontrolthereleaseofwatercontainingsedimentfromstockpiles
andgradedareas.Waterwillbereleasedintouplandareasonlyandpreventedfromdirectlyentering
wetlandsorwaterways.
6.6.7ESTIMATEDVOLUMESOFINCHANNELANDUPLANDEXCAVATEDMATERIALS
Excavationofmaterialsinwetlandsandwaterwayswillbeminimizedtotheextentpracticable.No
wetlandsorwaterwayswillbeimpactedbycollectionsysteminstallation,duetotheuseofHDD
methods.Nowetlandsorwaterwayswillbeimpactedbyturbineconstruction.Theconstructionof
permanentaccessroadswillpermanentlyimpactsixintermittentstreamsasdescribedinAttachmentB
ofAppendixR.Thetotalareatobeexcavatedfromwaterwaysfortheinstallationofaccessroad
culvertsisapproximately550cubicfeet(20cubicyards).Thematerialremovedwillbeutilizedas
backfillwithintheconstructionsiteordisposedofasdiscussedinSection2.4.1ofthisapplication.

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Excavationwithineightwetlandswillbenecessaryfortheinstallationofaccessroads.Thematerial
removedhasbeenminimizedbycrossingwetlandsatnarrowpoints.Manyofthewetlandstobe
impactedarecurrentlybeingfarmedorusedaspastureland;thusthesoilsremovedwillbeagricultural
topandsubsoils.Thevolumeofmaterialtobeexcavatedwillvarywiththedepthoftopsoiland
overburdenpresentaboveastablesubstrata.Theestimatedremovaltoadepthoftwofeetresultsin
approximately12,000cubicfeet(450cubicyards)ofexcavatedmaterial.Thematerialsremovedwillbe
utilizedordisposedofasdiscussedinSection2.4.1ofthisapplication.
Uplandexcavationofapproximately11.5milesofaccessroadswillresultinapproximately55,000cubic
yardsofremovedmaterials.Theexcavationofturbinefoundationsiteswillresultinapproximately
3,000cubicyardsperturbineor123,000cubicyardsforthe41turbinesites.Theturbinesareall
locatedinuplandareas.
6.6.8ESTIMATEDVOLUMESANDLOCATIONOFREUSEDINCHANNELANDUPLANDEXCAVATEDMATERIALS
HWFanticipatesthatthemajorityofmaterialexcavatedduringconstructionwillbeusedasbackfillat
turbinesitesorduringconstructionofaccessroadsandcranepads.Topsoilwillbestockpiledseparately
fromsubsoilsandutilizedinthereclamationofareasafterconstructioniscompleted.
TheProjectcollectionsystemwillbeinstalledusingavibratoryplowortrenchingmethodinupland
areas.Theprocesscausesminimalimpacttothesoils;allmaterialswillbereplacedasbackfillintothe
opening.BorepitsexcavatedfortheentranceandexitoftheHDDcomponentswillbeplacedinupland
areas.Atypicalborepitisapproximately8feetby20feet.Approximately1600cubicfeet(60cubic
yards)ofmaterialmaybeexcavatedforeachpit.Materialsremovedfromborepitswillbeusedas
backfillofthepituponcompletionofthebore.
6.6.9OFFSITEDISPOSALPLANSFORCONTAMINATEDORNONCONTAMINATEDMATERIALS
HWFanticipatesthatthemajorityofmaterialexcavatedduringconstructionwillbeusedasbackfill
duringconstruction.Materialnotreusedintheconstructionprocesswillbedisposedofinuplandareas
asdiscussedinSection2.4.1.Ifcontaminatedmaterialsareencountered,theywillbedisposedofina
mannercompliantwithstateandlocalregulations.
6.7DEWATERINGPLAN
Dewateringactivitiesmaybenecessaryduringtheexcavationofturbinefoundationsanddiggingof
directionaldrillborepits.Waterpumpedduringtheseactivitieswillbedischargedintoupland
vegetatedareas.Thecontractorawardedtheconstructioncontractwillcomplywiththestandardsand
methodologiesaspresentedintheWDNRTechnicalStandard1061.
6.7.1DEWATERING/DIVERSIONOFFLOW
Pumpingofwaterduringconstructionofturbinefoundationsanddrillborepitswillbedischargedinto
uplandvegetatedareas.Thegeneralguidelinesthatwillbefollowedduringthesedewateringactivities
areasfollows:

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Floatswillbeplacedonpumpintakes
Dischargeswillbedirectedtouplandvegetatedareas
Soilsinthevicinityofthedischargepointwillbeassessedbeforedischarge
Dischargeoutletswillbeprotectedfromscouring
Topographybetweenthedischargepointandthenearestreceivingwaterswillbeevaluated
forerosionpotential
Nowaterwillbedischargedtokarstfeatures,wetlandsorwaterways
Settlingorfiltrationdevicesmayinclude
o settlingbasinsortanks
o filterbags
o strawbalesorgravelbagstructures
ConstructionofProjectaccessroadswillimpactsixintermittentstreamsasidentifiedduringdesktop
reviewsandfieldsurveys.Fieldobservationsnotedminimalstandingwaterand/orminorflow
associatedwiththefeatures.Constructionofculvertswithintheseaccessroadsmayrequiretemporary
diversionofflowdependingontheseasonoftheyearinwhichtheconstructioniscompleted.Weather
forecastswillbemonitoredinadvanceoftheseactivities,andconstructionpostponediflargerainor
melteventsarepredicted.
AdvanceddewateringtechniquesarenotanticipatedtobenecessaryduringconstructionoftheProject.
ThecontractorwillconstructandmaintainalldewateringBMPsnecessarytocomplywiththedischarge
requirementscontainedinlocalorstatepermits,ordinances,andrules.Thecontractorwillconsultwith
theProjectengineerbeforeconstructingadewateringdevice.
6.7.2DOWNSTREAMIMPACTMINIMIZATION
NodownstreamimpactstowaterwaysareexpectedduringProjectconstruction.AsnotedinSection
6.7.1alldewateringdischargeswillbemadetovegetateduplandareas.Waterwayswithplanned
culvertinstallationscarryminimalflowandwillbemonitoredsothatconstructionactivitiesarenot
performedduringhighflowevents.
6.7.3ANALYSISOFPOSSIBLESYSTEMOVERLOADSCENARIOS
Asoverloadscenariosarenotanticipatedduetothelimitedflowofwaterwaysnearconstructionsites,
nooverloadanalyseswereperformed.Ifheavyrainfallormelteventsarepredicted,waterwayswillbe
monitoredforpossiblenearoroverflowconditions.Intheeventthatoverflowconditionsarelikely,
constructionactivitiesneartheaffectedwaterwaywillbepostponed.

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6.7.4IMPACTSOFSYSTEMOVERLOADONCONSTRUCTIONACTIVITIESANDWATERQUALITY
HWFanditscontractorswillinstallerosioncontroldevicesandemployBMPsasdescribedinthe
StormwaterandErosionControlPlan(AttachmentEofAppendixR).Thesedeviceswillbeproperly
maintained,deterringsedimentflowintowetlandsandwaterwaysnearconstructionsites.
Constructionactivitieswillbepostponedduringextremerainevents,thoughnaturaloverflow
conditionsmaystillresultinsedimentflowfrompriorconstructionactivities.Inanefforttominimize
impacts,sedimentcontroldeviceswillbeinspectedweeklyforintegrity,andalsofollowingprecipitation
eventsproducing0.5inchesormoreofrainfallwithina24hourperiodasoutlinedinWDNRTechnical
Standards.
6.7.5WATERDISCHARGELOCATIONS
Waterdischargingmaybenecessaryatturbinefoundationsitesandborepitlocations.Asthese
facilitiesareinstalledinuplandlocations,dischargeswillbemadetonearbyuplandvegetatedareas.No
dischargeswillbemadedirectlytowetlandsorwaterways;areasbetweendischargelocationsand
sensitiveresourceswillbeassessedforinfiltrationcapabilities.
DevicesanticipatedtobeutilizedincludethoselistedinSection6.7.1.Advancedsedimenttrapping
practicesarenotanticipated;however,ifneededthedeviceswillcomplywithWDNRTechnical
StandardsandbeapprovedbytheProjectengineer.
6.7.6DETAILSOFABACKUPSYSTEM
Theprimarydewateringdevicewillbeagaspoweredpumpingsystem.Backupswillincludeadditional
gaspoweredpumpswhichwillbestoredonsiteattheProjectlaydownyard.
6.7.7HIGHFLOWPLAN
DuetothetopographyoftheProjectsiteandthelowpercentageofimperviousarea,floodingevents
arenotanticipated.Intheeventofheavyrainfall,constructionactivitieswillbepostponed.Noturbines
orborepitsarelocatedinfloodplains.Soilandmaterialstockpileswillbelocatedinuplandareasaway
frommappedfloodplains.Intheunlikelyeventofstorageareasbeinginundatedwithfloodwaters,the
materialswillberelocatedbytruckviapublicroadstoanappropriatealternativesitewithintheProject
boundary.
Novehiclesorconstructionequipmentwillbestoredwithinfloodconveyancechannels.Intheeventof
highprecipitationorahighflowperiod,equipmentwillbekeptoutofpossiblefloodconveyance
channelsandstoredattheProjectlaydownyard.
6.7.8CONTAMINATEDWATER
DuetotheagriculturalnatureoftheProjectarea,contaminatedwaterisnotexpectedtobe
encountered.Ifconstructionoragriculturalactivitiescauseaspillofhazardousfuelsorifunexpected
contaminationisencounteredtheproceduresoutlinedintheProjectSPCCPlanwillbefollowed.See

Page71
Section2.4.5.2foradiscussionoftheSPCCPlan.Contaminatedwaterand/orsoilswillbedisposedofin
amannercompliantwithstateandlocalregulations.
AdequatesuppliesofcontainmentmaterialswillbekeptatHDDboresitestobeusedifafracoutevent
occurs.Writtensitespecificcontingencyplansforafracouteventwillbedevelopedandkeptatthe
Projectsite.
7.0AGRICULTURALIMPACTS
7.1INFORMATIONONONGOINGFARMINGACTIVITIESINCONSTRUCTIONAREAS
TheProjectisbeingconstructedpredominantlyonagriculturallands.Theconstructionactivitieswillbe
performedinamannertominimizedisruptionofconcurrentfarmingactivitytotheextentpracticable.
Agriculturallandthatistemporarilyimpactedwillberestoredtopreconstructioncondition.Farmland
thatiscompactedbyheavyloads,suchascranepathswillbedecompactedinaccordancewithBMPs
foragriculturallands.Topsoilstrippedfromconstructionareaswillbestockpiledandusedtorestore
impactedlandstoagriculturalproductivity.
7.1.1CURRENTCROPPINGPATTERNS
CropspredominantlygrownwithintheProjectboundaryincludecorn,soybean,hay,oats,alfalfaand
wheat.Cropsaregenerallyrotatedaccordingtoagriculturalpracticesforthearea.Spatialcropping
patternsgenerallyfollowthecontoursoftheland,withplowlinesperpendiculartoslope.Thesitingof
turbinesandassociatedaccessroadswasperformedwiththeintentofminimizinginconvenienceto
farmingactivitiestotheextentpracticable.Accessroadsareoftenlocatedalonganexistingfarmroad
oralongfieldedges,providingmoreconvenientandreliableaccesstodistantfields.Thefinallocation
offacilitiestakesintoconsiderationenvironmentalandlandownerconcernswithfinalapprovalbythe
hostinglandowner.
7.1.2LOCATIONOFDRAINAGETILEORIRRIGATIONSYSTEMS
TheSt.CroixCountyFarmServiceAgency("FSA")officeinBaldwin,Wisconsinwascontactedregarding
thelocationofdraintileswithintheProjectboundary.Publishedmapsoftileswerenotavailableasof
September21,2011.Individuallandownerswereconsultedtogatherrelevantdraintileinformation;
responsesdidnotidentifyanyknowndraintilelocations.Asfinalconstructionactivitiesarepresented
tolandowners,additionaldraintileinformationwillberequestedandrecorded.Knowndraintile
locationsinconstructionareaswillbeflaggedandavoidedtotheextentpracticable.Tilesdetermined
tobedamagedbyconstructionactivitywillberepaired.Communicationwiththeparticipating
landownerswillbemaintainedtoensuretheirsatisfaction.
7.1.3FARMLANDPRESERVATIONAGREEMENTSFORPROPOSEDSITES
FarmlandPreservationAgreements("FPA")existfortwolandownershostingProjectfacilities.Several
conversations,oneasrecentasOctober21,2011,againconfirmedstepsneededtowithdrawlandfrom
theFPA.Ofthetwolandownersthatcurrentlyhaveagreements,oneoftheagreementswillexpireat

Page72
theendof2011andtheotherin2014.Beforeconstructionbegins,HWFwillcontacttheseindividuals
wellinadvancetoseewhatstepsneedtobetakentoremovetheremainingagreementsandwillfollow
thestepsnecessarytocompletetheprocess.
St.CroixCountymaintainsaFarmlandPreservationPlanthatissettoexpireinDecember,2011.The
countyisintheprocessofdevelopinganewplanthatwillbeincorporatedintotheComprehensivePlan
fortheCounty.ThegoalistodevelopanintegratedAgriculturalandFarmlandPreservationPlanthat
meetstheStatesrequirementsforcertification.
SourcesofInformation:
http://datcp.wi.gov/Programs/Agricultural_Resource_Management/index.aspx
http://www.co.saintcroix.wi.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={BED77BFDEA74421F87E0
08E7115EB1AC}
7.1.4CONSERVATIONRESERVEPROGRAMLANDSINSIDETHEPROJECTBOUNDARY
Duetoprivacyconcerns,theUSDAdoesnotreleasethenamesofparticipantsintheCRPprogram.
Informationcanbereleasedforindividualpropertieswithwrittenpermissionbythelandowner.HWF
requestedCRPparticipationinformationfromtheparticipatinglandownersinvolvedintheProjectand
understandsthatthereareseveralpropertiesthathavetheseagreementsinplace.Informationhas
beenreceivedregardingthestepsnecessarytoremovepropertyfromCRP.HWFwillensureall
applicablepropertiesareremovedfromCRPpriortoconstruction,ifrequired.
ITEM1.457.1.4PROVIDEAGISSHAPEFILESHOWINGTHELOCATIONSOFPROPERTIESENROLLEDINTHECRP;
DuetoprivacyconcernsCRPinformationisreleasedbytheUSDAonlyattherequestoflandowners;
thuslocationsofCRPlandwithintheProjectboundaryhavebeenlimitedtoparticipatinglandsonly.GIS
filesareprovidedontherevisedDataDVDforfour(4)propertiesthatcontainCRPlandnear
constructionactivities.Estimatedextentsofthelandwithintheprogramhavebeenmappedusing
communicationswiththeUSDAandlandowners.
8.0AIRPORTSANDLANDINGSTRIPS
HWFresearchedmultiplesourcesofaviationinformationtodeterminethelocationofpublicandprivate
airportsandairstripswithinatenmileradiusoftheProjectboundary.Additionally,attemptswere
madetodetermineiflocallandownersutilizedcropdustingserviceswithintheProjectboundary.
8.1PUBLICAIRPORTS
TheFederalAviationAdministration("FAA")website
11
wassearchedforregisteredairportlistingsof
publicairportsneartheProjectSite.Additionally,theWisconsinDepartmentofTransportation
12
11
FAAhttp://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_safety/airportdata_5010/

Page73
("WisDOT")andseveralprivatesourcesofairport/airstripinformation,suchasEsri
13
andAirNAV
14
were
searched.AccordingtothesourceslistedtherearenopublicairportswithintheProjectboundary.The
publicairportswithin10milesoftheProjectincludethefollowing:
AmeryMunicipalAirport(FAALocationIDAHH)
BoycevilleMunicipalAirport(FAALocationID3T3)
TheAmeryMunicipalAirportisapproximatelysixmilesfromtheProjectboundaryintheCityofAmery,
PolkCounty,Wisconsin.Theairportservesthepublicwithoneasphaltrunway4000feetinlength,
trendingnorth/south.Thedistancefromtheendoftherunwaytothenearestturbine(WTG12)is
approximately47,800feet.
TheBoycevilleMunicipalAirportisapproximately7.5milesfromtheProjectboundaryintheVillageof
Boyceville,DunnCounty,Wisconsin.Theairportservesthepublicwithoneasphaltrunway3299feetin
length,trendingeast/west(40/220).Thedistancefromtheendoftherunwaytothenearestturbine
(WTG12)isapproximately46,500feet.
Therearenopublicairportswithin10,000or20,000feetofanyproposedturbinesite.
Airportswithina10mileradiusoftheProjectaredisplayedonFigure4.11(AppendixL).AShapefileof
theairportdataacquiredisprovidedontheDataDVD,filedwiththisapplication.
8.2PRIVATEAIRPORTS/GRASSLANDINGSTRIPS
TheFAA,WisDOTandsourceslistedinSection8.1weresearchedforlistingsofprivateairportsand
airstripswithintwomilesoftheProject.Therearenoregisteredprivateairportsorairstripslisted
withintheProjectboundary.
Inadditiontoresearchingtheabovedefinedofficiallistingsofairportsandairstrips,anattemptwas
madetoidentifysingle,privatelyowned,grassairstripsthatmaybeusedforlocalflyingenthusiastsor
cropdusters.Websitesusedbysmallaircraftoperatorsweresearchedforpossiblelocationsnearthe
Project
15
.Additionally,theareawithintheProjectboundaryandsurroundingtwomileswerestudiedon
currenthighresolutionaerialphotographsinanattempttoidentifyfieldbasedareasfortakeoffsand
landings.OnepossiblegrassairstripintheTownofClearLakeapproximatelyonemilenorthofthe
ProjectboundarywasidentifiedthroughaWisDOTPolkCountyMap.Theareawasobservedusing
currentaerialphotographyandnolandingstripcouldbeidentified.Theairstripisnotregisteredwith
12
WisDOThttp://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/air/airportdirectory.htm
13
Esrihttp://www.esri.com/data/freedata/index.html
14
AirNav,LLC.http://www.airnav.com/airports/
15
GlobalAirhttp://www.globalair.com/airport/Airports_in_Wisconsin.aspx;GreatCircleMapperhttp://www.gcmap.com/.

Page74
theFAAorWisDOT.AssumingthelocationtobenearthesymbolonthePolkCountymap,thenearest
turbine(WTG4)isapproximately11,400feetfromthepossiblelandingarea.
AvisiblesearchoftheProjectareaandsurroundingtwomileradiusutilizing2010aerialimagery
identifiedonepossiblegrasslandingstripintheTownofGlenwood,NEofSection3,Township30N
Range15W.ItisnotregisteredwiththeFAAorWisDOT,norlistedonthewebsitessearchedforprivate
airfields.Thenearestturbine(WTG45)isapproximatelyonemilenortheastthesite.
ITEM1.468.2.4DESCRIBEANYMITIGATIONMEASURESTHATWOULDBEUSEDTOADDRESSPRIVATEAIRPORTOR
AIRSTRIPIMPACTS;
HWFhasreviewedFAAandWisDOTlistingsforregisteredairportsandairstripsandfoundnonewithin
theProjectboundary.Visualanddesktopresearchhasalsobeencompletedinanattempttoidentify
anyunlicensedairstripsthatexistedpriortothisapplication.If,despitetheseefforts,anunregistered
privateairstripcurrentlyexistswithintheProjectboundaryandwasinactiveoperationpriortothe
erectionofHWFsmettowers,HWFwillperformananalysistodeterminepossibleturbineimpacts.The
analysiswillincludemappingtheapproachzonesandconesofascentanddescentfromtheedgesofthe
airstrip.HWFwillmakeagoodfaithattempttomitigatetheimpacts.
8.3COMMERCIALAVIATION
Therearenoknown,registeredcommercialairservicesoperatingwithintheProjectboundary.Inquiries
tolocalfarmersconcerningcropdustingoperatorsinthearearevealedthatcropdustingisnota
preferredmethodofcropapplicationinthearea.Nolandownerswereidentifiedthatusecropdusting
serviceswithintheProjectarea.
TheWisconsinDepartmentofAgriculture,TradeandConsumerProtection("DATCP")andWDNR
websitesweresearchedforaerialapplicationinformation.TheGypsyMothcontrolprogramsdonotlist
St.CroixCountyasacurrenttreatmentorquarantinearea.Heavydieoffsduetodiseaseandspraying
effortshavereducedeggmassesandgypsymothactivity.Decreasesin2012sprayingeffortsare
anticipated.
16
NootheraerialapplicationprogramssponsoredbyDATCP,WDNRorSt.CroixCounty
werelocatedinthesearch.
8.4FEDERALAVIATIONADMINISTRATION
TheFAAregulatesobstructionstonavigableairspace(14CFR77.13(a)).RegulationsstatethattheFAA
Administratormustbenotifiedofanystructurewhose:(1)heightexceeds200feetabovegroundlevel
or(2)exceedsanimaginarysurfaceextending20,000ft(3.79miles)fromthenearestairportrunwayat
aslopeof100:1(horizontal:vertical).Ifthestructureiswithin10,000ft(1.89miles)ofanairportwhose
longestrunwaydoesnotexceed3,200ft,theslopeisreducedto50:1.Asallturbinesunder
considerationfortheProjectexceed200feetabovethegroundsurface,FAAnotificationisrequired.
16
WDNRhttp://dnr.wi.gov/news/DNRNews_article_Lookup.asp?id=1878.

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ITEM1.478.4IDENTIFYTHEPROVIDEROFAIRAMBULANCESERVICESWITHINTHEPROJECTAREA.
ALSODESCRIBEANYPLANNEDMITIGATIONMEASURESTHATWOULDBEUSEDTOENSURESAFEUSE
OFTHOSESERVICESAFTERCONSTRUCTION:
HWFreachedouttoseveralsurroundingcommunitiesEMSservicestofurtherunderstandservicesthat
areprovidedtothepublic.ItisHWFsintentthatwhentheProjectbeginsconstructionthrough
commissioningthatitwillnotinterruptmedicalservicesandsupporttothearea.HWFhasalready
receivedFAAapprovalforeachofthespecifiedwindturbinesandtheywillbemarkedwithlightingthat
hasbeenapprovedandspecified.ItisalsotheintentofHWFtopersonallyvisitandcreatesafelanding
siteswithlocalEMSservicesbeforeconstructionbeginsastheyareprofessionalsthatknowthearea
andbestplace(s)fortransferofpatientifneededtoanairambulance.Fromourresearchatthetimeof
thisapplicationAirAmbulancebyAirTek/Lifelink/andNorthAirareservicesthatareavailable.
8.4.1COPIESOFALLFAADETERMINATIONSOFHAZARD/NOHAZARD
HWFsubmittedFAAnotificationsfor46turbinelocationsinSeptember2010.InSeptember,2011,32
additionaland/orrevisednotificationsweresubmittedandfouroftheoriginal46turbineswere
abandoned.InNovember,2011onealternateturbinesitewasabandonedandreplacedwithanew
alternatesite.ThefinalcountofturbinesitessubmittedtotheFAAis52inlocationsdescribedinthis
application.Copiesofthefinaldeterminationsforthefinal52turbinesareincludedinAppendixS.
8.4.2STATUSOFFAADETERMINATIONS
HWFhasreceivednohazarddeterminationsforallofthe52proposedturbinesites.Copiesofthe
determinationlettersareincludedinAppendixS.
8.4.3OBSTRUCTIONMARKINGANDLIGHTINGREQUIREDBYFAA
TheFAAhasdeterminedtheturbineswithinthearraythatrequirewhitepaintandsynchronizedred
lights.SeeFigure8.41withinAppendixSforasummaryoftheFAAacceptedlightingscheme.
8.5WISCONSINDEPARTMENTOFTRANSPORTATIONHIGHSTRUCTUREPERMITS
UponreceiptofthenohazarddeterminationsfromtheFAA,WisDOTreviewstheinformationto
determinetheneedforTallStructurePermitsfromtheBureauofAeronautics(Wis.Stat.114.135;Wis.
AdminCodeTrans56).
8.5.1TURBINESITESREQUIRINGWISDOTHIGHSTRUCTUREPERMITS
All52proposedprimaryandalternateturbinesitesfortheProjectrequireaWisDOTPermittoErectTall
Structures.HWFprovidedinformationtoWisDOTinSeptember,2010andNovember,2011forthe
currentProjectturbineslocations.

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8.5.2PERMITSTATUSANDCONDITIONSFOREACHTURBINESITEREQUIRINGHIGHSTRUCTUREPERMITS
AsofDecember,2011HWFhasreceivedtheTallStructurePermitsfromWisDOTforallProjectturbines
atthelocationsproposedwithinthisapplication.CopiesofthepermitsareincludedinAppendixS
withintheWisDOTPermitApplicationSection.
9.0EMF
HWFcontractedwithRaaschEngineersandArchitectsofGreenBay,Wisconsintoperformananalysisof
theestimatedmagneticprofileoftheproposedcollectorsystemfortheProject.Thisanalysiswastobe
performedperthePSCWrequirements,asdetailedinSection9.1(9.1.19.1.4)oftheFiling
Requirements.
Resultsoftheanalysisaresummarizedhere;acopyofthecompleteEMFStudybyRaaschisprovidedin
AppendixI.
9.1ESTIMATEOFMAGNETICPROFILECREATEDBYCOLLECTORCIRCUITS
TrenchesthattookfeedsfrommoreturbinesshowedhigherEMFlevels.Also,maximumEMFlevels
werefoundatornearthecenterlineofthetrench.Asfarastheelectricfieldstrengthisconcerned,
maximumswereseenatfourfeetoneithersideofthetrenchcenterline.Themaximumsrangedfrom
0.569kV/meterforthesingleturbinetrenchesto1.154kV/meterforthe41turbinetrench(MAIN1).
Themaximumelectricfieldvalueswereverynarrowinrange;by25feetfromthetrenchcenterline,
electricfieldstrengthwasbelow0.112kV/meterandby100feetfromthetrench,electricfield
strengthwas0.005kV/meterorless.Bywayofcomparison,thetypicalelectricblanketgivesoff0.250
kV/meter.
Magneticfieldstrengthmaximumswereseenattrenchcenterlinesandrangedfrom0.200milliGauss
(mG)forthesingleturbinetrenchesto389.83mGforthe41turbinetrench.Again,thehighest
magneticfieldlevelswerefoundinverynarrowranges;by25feetfromthetrenchcenterlines,magnetic
fieldstrengthwasbelow29mGandby100feetfromtrenchcenterlines,magneticfieldstrengthwas
below2mG.Bywayofcomparison,thetypicalmicrowavegivesoff60mGandhairdryerscangiveoff
upto700mG.
PleaseseeAppendixIforacopyofthecompleteanalysis,reportandprofiles.
10.0LINEOFSIGHTANDBROADCASTCOMMUNICATIONS
10.1MICROWAVECOMMUNICATIONS
HWFcontractedwithComsearchtoprepareaWindPowerGeoPlannerTMLicensedMicrowaveReport
thatincludesallofSt.CroixCounty,Wisconsin.Thereportidentifies54totalmicrowavepathswithin
thecounty,noneofwhichintersectwiththeProjectsturbinelocations.Thisreportcanbefoundinits
entiretyinAppendixU.

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ITEM1.4810.1.2LISTTHEPOTENTIALIMPACTSANDMITIGATIONMEASURESTHATWOULDBEUSEDTOCORRECT
MICROWAVECOMMUNICATIONINTERFERENCEINBOTHTHEDESIGNANDPOSTCONSTRUCTIONPHASESOFTHEPROJECT:
HWFcontractedwithComsearchtoprepareaWindPowerGeoPlannerTMLicensedMicrowaveReport
thatincludesallofSt.CroixCounty,Wisconsin.Thereportidentifies54totalmicrowavepathswithin
thecounty,noneofwhichintersectwiththeProjectsturbinelocations(AppendixU).HWFasked
Comsearchtoprovidefurtherconfirmationthattherewouldbenoimpactsbetweenanyofourmapped
towerlocationsandanymicrowavebeampaths.PleaseseetheirletterandmapinAppendixU.Please
noteaccordingtotheirletter,nomitigationmeasuresarenecessarybecausetherearenopotential
obstructions.Theimpactwindturbinescancreateistheinterruptionofthebeampathcreatedbythe
rotatingbladesoftheturbine.Intheunlikelyeventsuchimpactsoccurthefollowingaretypical
mitigationtechniques:1)Adjusttheheightoftheantennaeateitherorbothendsofthebeampath,or
2)Increasethediameteroftheaffectedbeampathantennae.HWFwillworkwithownersofanaffected
pathfoundtobetheresultofturbinerotorsintersectingamicrowavebeampath.
ITEM1.5010.3.1DESCRIBEWHETHERTHEPROPOSEDDEVELOPMENTISLIKELYTOINTERFEREWITHANYOFTHE
FOLLOWINGDOPPLERWEATHERRADARINSTALLATION;
NationalWeatherServiceWSR88DNEXRADDopplerradarnetworkinstallationswithin150miles
250kilometersoftheprojectboundary.
DopplerradarinstallationsoperatedbybroadcasttelevisionstationswithFederalCommunications
Commissionauthorizedserviceareasthatcompletelyorpartiallyincludetheprojectarea;
PleaseseeSection4.1.8.1andAppendixUforComsearchstudiesandanalyses.
10.2TELEVISIONINTERFERENCE
AnonsiteTelevision("TV")BroadcastOffAirReceptionMeasurementwasperformedbyComsearchfor
theProjectduringtheperiodofAugust2224,2011atfourteentestsitelocations.TheW47CODTV
towerwasalsoauditedduetoitsproximitytotheAreaofInterest("AOI").
ThepurposeofthesemeasurementswastoidentifyanddocumentOffAirTVreception(TVchannel)in
thearea.ThesemeasurementsestablishtheconditionsforthereceptionofeachOffAirTVchannelby
determiningeachTVchannelsignalstrengthreceptionlevelandbyevaluatingthevideoandaudio
qualityateachselectedtestsite.Thepurposeofthereportistodocumenttheresultsofthese
measurements.Theanalysisinthereportisbaseduponthefollowing:
VideoQualityRating
CodeofFederalRegulationsTitle47,Part73,Section73.685
Televisionchannels
Typeofreception:analoganddigital
MeasuredCenterline

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ThereportstitledTVBroadcastOffAirReceptionMeasurementReportandOffAirTVReportcanbe
foundinAppendixU.
AftercommercialoperationanyTVinterferencereportswillbeinvestigated.Anyreportsdeterminedto
becausedbytheinstallationofwindturbineswillbemitigatedsoastoprovidethesamelevelof
coveragepriortotheinstallationofthewindturbinefacility.Mitigationmethodsmayinclude:
InstallationofahighgainTVantennaonatowerwithrotorsandpreamplifiertoboostthe
receivedsignallevel(atindividualhomes);
Ifcabletelevisionexists,providecablehookupstohomesaffected;
Installationofacablesystemtoprovidehookupstohomesaffected;
InstallationofawirelessTVdistributionsystem,toprovideTVchannelstoclustersofhomes
affected;
ProvidebasicsatelliteTVreceptionservicetohomesaffected;and
Provideasatelliteheadendreceptionpointwithacabledistributionsystemtoaclusterof
homesneartheheadend.
10.3OTHERCOMMUNICATIONSSYSTEMS
HWFalsocontractedwithComsearchtoconductaRadioAstronomyReport.Theresultsfoundthatno
radioastronomycoordinationzonesintersecttheAOI.ThefullRadioAstronomyReportcanbefoundin
AppendixU.
HWFalsocontractedComsearchtodoaCommunicationTowerStudy.Thestudyidentifiedonetower
structureintheProjectarea.Basedonthesearch,thetowerislocated876meters(2,874feet)fromthe
closestproposedturbine.Atthisdistancethecellularservicesonthetowershouldnotbeimpacted.
ThefullCommunicationTowerStudyReportcanbefoundinAppendixU.
HWFalsocontractedComsearchtodoaMobilePhoneCarrierReport.Communicationsinthemobile
phonecarrierbandsaretypicallynotaffectedbythepresenceofwindturbines.Asstatedinthereport,
HWFdoesnotanticipateanysignificantharmfuleffecttothemobilephoneservices.Inregardtothe
VerizontowerlocatedinsidetheProjectboundary,fromanobstructionstandpoint,nosetbackdistance
isrequiredotherthanphysicalclearanceoftheblades.ThefullMobilePhoneCarrierReportcanbe
foundinAppendixU.
Finally,ComsearchcontactedtheNationalTelecommunicationsandInformationAdministration
("NTIA")whointurnnotifiedfederalagenciesrepresentedintheInterdepartmentRadioAdvisory
CommitteeofplansfortheProject.Aftera45dayperiodofreview,nofederalagenciesidentified
concernsregardingtheblockageofradiofrequencytransmissions.Acopyofthecommunicationwith
theNTIAisincludedinAppendixU.

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ITEM1.5110.4.1.4DESCRIBEMITIGATIONMEASURESTHATWOULDBEUSEDSHOULDCELLULARCOMMUNICATIONS,
RADIOBROADCAST,ORWIRELESSINTERNETINTERFERENCEOCCURDURINGPROJECTOPERATION;
Thethreecategoriesoftelecommunicationsarecellularcommunications,radiobroadcastandwireless
internet.Cellularcommunicationsincludesmobilephoneservicesinthecellularfrequencyband(800
MHz),PersonalCommunicationServicesband(PCS)(1900MHz)andtheAdvancedWirelessServices
band(AWS)(1700/2100MHz).RadiobroadcastincludesAMandFMstationbroadcasts.Wireless
internetincludesdataandvideosystemsinthe900,2400,2500,3650and5800MHzbands.
CellularTelephone:Mitigationforlostmobiletelephonecoveragecanbeachievedthrough
optimizationoftheclosestbasestationtotheareasufferingthelostcoverage.Optimizationmay
includeincreasingthegainofthebasestationantennasorincreasingtransmitterpower.Addingcell
sitesoreventheturbinetowertoserviceastheplatformforanewcellorrepeatersite.
BroadcastRadioCoverage:ThebestmitigationforavoidingdegradationtoAMandFM
broadcaststationscoverageistoensurethatnowindturbinesareconstructedwithin0.8kilometersof
anAMstationsomnidirectionalantenna,within3.2kilometersofanAMstationsdirectionalantenna
orwithin4.0kilometersofanFMstationantenna.AlloftheseconditionshavebeenmetfortheHWF
ProjectbasedontheFCCdatabasesearch.
WirelessInternet:Mitigationmaybenecessaryforwirelessinternetsubscribersthathavea
windturbinedirectlyintheirsignalpathcausingattenuationofthesignal.Tomitigateanyofthese
effects,thesubscriberscanmovetheirdirectionalantennasothatanunobstructedpathtotheoriginal
basestation,oralternatebasestation,isobtained.Insomecases,especiallyifthereisonlyonebase
station,thewirelessinternetprovidermayhavetoconstructadditionalbasestationsforthose
residencesorbusinessesthathavelostservice.HWFwouldworkwithsuchproviderstofindapractical
solutionthatresolvesachallengefoundtobethedirectresultofawindturbine(s).
HWFwilldoapreandpostbaselineevaluationofcellserviceintheimmediateareaperComsearch
'standardprotocol.
11.0NOISE
Soundandvibrationaregeneratedbywindturbinesduringnormaloperationduetomechanical
movementsandrotatingblades.Soundfromtherotormovementisoftendescribedasaswooshing"
noise.Mechanicalnoisefromturbinesisgenerallyassociatedwitholdermodelsandhasbeennearly
eliminatedinmodernmachines.Sounddiminisheswithdistancefromthesourceandisalsoreducedby
barriers,suchasgroundsurfaces,shrubs,treesandbuildings.Environmentalfactorsandthestateof
theatmospherealsoeffecthowsoundtravelsanddiminishes.
HWFresearchedthemarketplaceforturbinemodelswithlowsoundemissions;specifically,thosethat
takeadvantageofthelatesttechnologyintheWisconsinwindspeedclass.Itwasdeterminedthat
thesecharacteristicswouldfitfavorablywithinthecommunityandthesurroundingagricultural

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environment.Thesitingprocessthenbuiltontheturbinedesignconsiderationsbymodelingturbine
locationsthatrespecta50dBAsoundlevel.
11.1EXISTINGNOISEMEASUREMENTSANDPROJECTEDNOISEIMPACTSFROMPROJECT
HWFcontractedwithHankardEnvironmentalandStantectostudytheexistingsoundlevelswithinthe
Projectboundaryandprovideprojectionsofthesoundimpactonresidentsfromtheproposedwind
turbines.ThestudieswereperformedundertheguidanceofthePSC;applyingthestandardsand
proceduresoutlinedinthePSCdocumentMeasurementProtocolforSoundandVibrationAssessment
ofProposedandExistingElectricPowerPlants(PSC2008b).Resultsofthestudiesaresummarized
below;theactualreportscanbefoundinAppendixV.
HankardEnvironmentalhasover20yearsofexperienceinconductingambientsoundsurveysforpower
generationfacilities,includingsixwindturbineprojects.Soundlevelmeasurementswereconductedat
sixlocationsshowninFigure11.11(below).Themeasurementlocationswereselectedtobe
representativeoftheresidenceslocatedclosesttotheproposedturbines.Measurementsweretakenat
locationsthatwillbegenerallydownwindoftheproposedturbines,andatlocationsthatweresetback
fromthenearestroadwayinamannersimilartonearbyresidences.Eachmeasurementlocationwas
visitedeighttimesoverthecourseofatwoweekperiodinlateJuneearlyJuly,2011.Levelswere
measuredfor10minutesduringeachvisit.Measurementswereconductedduringthedifferenttimesof
dayspecifiedbyPSCguidelines,andundervariousgroundwindconditions.
AsummaryofthemeasurementresultsisshowninFigure11.11.ThelevelsshownaretheAweighted
(dBA)L90,whichisadescriptorcommonlyusedtodefineambientsoundlevelconditions.TheA
weightingnetworkisdesignedtoapproximatetheresponseofthehumanhearingsystemtonoiseat
levelslessthan55dBA.L90meansbackgroundsound,definedoveracontinuoustenminuteperiodto
betheaveragesoundlevelduringthequietestonecontinuousminuteofthetenminutes.Theterm
referstosoundthatisnormallypresentatleast90percentofthetime.AverageL90soundlevels
rangedfrom29to34dBAacrosstheentirestudyarea.Thisrangeisrelativelynarrow,andresultsfrom
thefactthatnaturalsourcesofsound,suchaswindandbirds,oftendominatetheaudiblelandscape.
Other,moreintermittent,sourcesofsoundfoundintheareaincludetraffic(bothdistantandlocal),
farmingactivity(tractors,fans).Thelowestlevelswereobservedoncalmquiteevenings,whilethe
louderlevelsaregenerallyrelatedtodaytimetraffic.
TwocontinuouslyoperatingmonitorsplacedatMP2andMP3measuredarangeofsoundlevelssimilar
tothatoftheattendedmeasurementsdiscussedabove.Thelowestsoundlevelsoccurredintheearly
morninghours,andgenerallyrangedfrom20to25dBA.Duringthedaytime,soundlevelsgenerally
rangedfrom30to40dBA,withoccasionallevelsfrom40to50dBA.Additionally,meteorological
conditionswerecontinuouslymeasuredandrecordedatMP2duringthesurvey.Measuredparameters
includewindspeedanddirection,temperature,andrelativehumidity.Thesoundstudiescanbefound
inAppendixV.

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Figure 11.1-1 Measured Sound Levels (L
90
, dBA)
HWFcontractedwithStantectomodelturbinenoiseatfullproductionusingthemanufacturerspower
curvesfortheNordexN100andN117turbinesandtheSiemens2.3turbinemodelusingWindPro,an
industryacceptedsoftwareapplicationthattakesintoconsiderationturbinesoundoutputand
attenuationofsoundbetweenthesourceandreceptors.Themodelpredictsthatthesoundleveldueto
turbinesattheoutsideofnonparticipatingresidentsintheProjectareadoesnotexceed50dBA.The
modelresultsindicatethatthereareresidencesthatmayexperiencesoundlevelsbetween45and50
dBAfromoneofthethreepreferredturbinemodelsbeingconsidered.Stantecalsomodeledthe
expectedsoundatthemonitoringpointlocationsdescribedintheHankardstudy(Figure11.11).
SummarytablesandresultsoftheStantecstudycanbefoundinAppendixV.
Item1.5511.0Table1ofAppendixV[sic]liststhenonparticipatingresidencesthatmodelingshows
predictedsoundlevelsexceeding45dBA.Followingthattableisthesoundlevelmodelingresults.
Theresultsshowapredictedsoundlevelfor401NPof45.5dBA,yetthatresidenceisnotlistedin
Table1.ReconcilethisdiscrepancyandverifythatTable1accuratelylistsallotherresidencesthat
wouldexceed45dBA.
Soundmodelingwasperformedforthreeoftheconsideredturbinemodels.Themodelingwas
performedusingaconservativeapproachwithnoattenuationofsoundduetovegetation.Usingthese
parameters,thepredictedsoundlevelsdonotexceed50dBAatanynonparticipatingresidence.The

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modelindicatesanumberofresidencesthatmayexceedthe45dBAsoundlevel;however,the
mitigationeffectofvegetationduringthesummermonthswilllikelydiminishthesoundtolessthan45
dBA.Acorrectedlistofnonparticipatingresidences(includinglandowner401NP)thatexceed45dBA
usingtheconservativenovegetationmodelscenarioisprovided.SeeSections11.4and11.5fora
discussionofmitigationmethodsthatwillbeemployedshouldsoundlevelsexceeding45dBAoccur
duringsummereveninghours.ThecorrectedtablecanbefoundinAppendixV
11.2COPIESOFANYLOCALNOISEORDINANCE
St.CroixCountycurrentlyhasnonoiseordinancesineffect.TheTownofForestrecentlypassedthe
WindOrdinancediscussedinSection5.6.2.TheWindOrdinancedoescontainnoisestandards.As
notedpreviously,theForestWindOrdinanceisnotapplicabletotheProject.HWFiscommittedto
limitingthenoiseatnonparticipatingresidencesto50dBA.
11.3TURBINEMANUFACTURERSDESCRIPTIONOFNOISEATTENUATINGMETHODS
Theturbinesstudiedhavehadgradualreductionsinthewarrantedsoundsignatureduetofinetuningof
operationsinceinitialinstallments.Theselectionofmaterialsformanufactureofnacellesandblades
hasevolvedtothequietestknownmaterialsatthistime.
ReferencesforSection11:
Colby,D.W.,RDobie,G.Leventhall,D.Lipscomb,R.McCunney,MSeilo,BSondergaard(2009).Wind
TurbineSoundandHealthEffectsAnExpertPanelReview,December2009
DeGagne,D.,A.Lewis,C.May.EvaluationofWindTurbineNoise,PreparedforAlbertaEnergyand
UtilitiesBoard,Calgary,AB.
PSCApplicationFilingRequirementsforWindEnergyProjectsinWisconsin(2008a).Version4.5.Public
ServiceCommissionofWisconsinandWisconsinDept.ofNaturalResources,Dept.ofAgriculture,
Trade,andConsumerProtection,andWisconsinDepartmentofTransportation,August2008.
PSC(2008b).MeasurementProtocolforSoundandVibrationAssessmentofProposedandExisting
ElectricPowerPlants,PublicServiceCommissionofWisconsin,November,2008.
ITEM1.5211.4DESCRIBEHOWNOISECOMPLAINTSWILLBEHANDLEDAFTERCONSTRUCTIONIS
COMPLETE:
AllcomplaintsconcerningconstructionoroperationoftheProject,includingnoise,willbeaddressedas
follows:
Citizensmaycommunicateanycomplaintthrough:
1. Acallinsystemwillbeinplacewherecitizenscanleaveavoicemail.Voicemailswillbe
checkeddaily;or
2. Awebsitewillbeestablishedwherecitizenscanloganycomplaintorconcern.

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HWFwillinvestigateanycomplaintsorconcernsexpeditiouslyand,ifnecessary,performanynecessary
mitigation.IntheeventthepersonlodgingthecomplaintisdissatisfiedwithHWF's
investigation/mitigation,he/shemayappealtoacomplaintcommitteecomposedofanequalnumberof
participatingandnonparticipatinglandowners.
ITEM1.5311.5DISCUSSANYMITIGATIONMEASURESTHATWOULDBEUSEDTOADDRESSNOISE
COMPLAINTSDURINGTHEOPERATIONOFTHEPROJECT:
HWFplanstoperformapostconstructionnoiseassessmentperPSCprotocol.Intheeventmitigationis
necessarymeasurestobetakenmayincludeinstallinginsulationorsounddeadeningmaterialinthe
offendingwindturbine(s),installinglandscaping,insulation,andsounddeadeningmaterial(s)atthe
residence;orchangingtheoperationofthewindturbine(s)toreducenoiseoutput.
Item1.54AppendixVProvideArcGISshapefilesfortheanticipatedsoundlevelcontoursforeachof
theturbinemodelsunderconsiderationfortheproject;
GISfilescorrespondingtothesoundlevelcontoursforeachoftheturbinemodelsunderconsideration
areprovidedontherevisedDataDVD.
12.0SHADOWFLICKER
12.1SHADOWFLICKERATATYPICALWINDTURBINESITE
Shadowflickeroccursduetothepositionofaturbinesrotorbladesinrelationtothesun.Itdoesnot
occurduringcloudyperiodsornighttime,anddiminisheswithdistanceofthereceptor(residence)from
theturbine.Theamountofshadowimpactonaresidenceisafunctionofnumerousfactorsincluding
positionanddistancefromturbines.AsseenonFigure12.11belowareastothenortheast,northwest,
southeastandsouthwestofaturbinehavegreaterpotentialforimpactatthelatitudeoftheProject.
Shadowflickercanbemodeledbytakingintoaccounttheattributesofthewindturbine,thepositionof
theturbinesandreceptors,typicalclimaticconditionsandthepositionofthesuninthesky.Shadow
flickerpotentialwasmodeledfortheProjectbyStantec,usingWindPro,anindustryacceptedsoftware
applicationthattakestheabovefactorsintoaccount.Thesoftwarecalculatespotentialshadowflicker
atanygiventimeofdaythroughoutacalendaryear.TheinformationprovidedbytheWindPromodel
wasusedtositetheturbinesinamannertominimizepotentialimpacttononparticipatinglandowners
andplanmitigationifneeded.AcopyoftheShadowFlickerStudyisincludedinAppendixW.The
reportincludesresultsforthepredicted,cumulativeshadowimpacthoursperyearwithintheProject
areaforthethreetopturbinechoices(NordexN100,NordexN117andSiemensSWT2.3113).The
modelpredictsthat11nonparticipatingresidencesmayexperienceshadowontheirhomesgreater
than30hoursperyearfromoneofthethreepreferredturbinemodels.Asummarytableisprovidedin
AppendixW.

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Item1.56AppendixWProvideArcGISshapefilesfortheanticipatedhoursofshadowflickerfor
bothasingleturbineandfortheproposedproject;
GISfilescorrespondingtotheshadowcontoursforeachoftheturbinemodelsunderconsiderationare
providedontherevisedDataDVD.FilesforbothasingleturbineandtheproposedProjectasawhole
areincluded.
Figure12.11showsatypicalturbine(NordexN100WTG9)withintheProjectarea.Theshading
representsareasofpotentialshadowflickerinhoursperyear.Theresulttakesintoconsiderationthe
reductionofsunhoursduetocloudcover,directionofbladesandoperationaldowntime.Thegreen
circleinthefigurerepresentsthe1250footsetbackdistanceusedasaminimumdistancetositea
turbinefromanonparticipatingresidence.Inthisexample,ahomewithintheareashadedlightblue
areawouldhaveanestimatedshadowimpactoflessthan25hoursperyear;withinthelightyellow,the
shadowimpactwouldbelessthan50hoursperyear;withintheorange,theimpactwouldbelessthan
100hoursperyearandwithinthered,theimpactmaybegreaterthan100hoursperyear.

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Figure 12.1-1 Shadow Hours from a Typical Turbine
12.2MITIGATIONAVAILABLETOREDUCESHADOWFLICKER
ThelocationofeachturbineanditssurroundingswereanalyzedduringtheProjectplanningprocessin
ordertominimizeshadowimpactonnonparticipatingresidencesandcommunitybuildings.Shadow
impactimposedbyindividualturbinesandturbinesinaggregatewereconsideredduringthedesign
phase.
Ifmitigationofshadowimpactisnecessary,HWFwillworkwiththeresidenttoprovideanacceptable
solution.Blockingvegetation;shadesandblindsonwindows;andultimatelycurtailmentofturbine
operationalhoursareeffectivetoolsformitigation.

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12.3INQUIRIESORCOMPLAINTS
HWFhassharedshadowpotentialanalysisresultsatpublicmeetingsheldneartheProjectsite.
ResidentswithconcernscancontactHWF,andreviewtheshadowmodel,anddiscusstheresults.
Additionalanalysismaybeperformed,expandingtheevaluationtoconsiderotherfactors;suchas
topographyofsurroundingland,orientationofthehomeandwindows,existingbarriers(treesand
buildings)andnumberofturbineseffectingtheresidence.
Detailedinformationavailablefordiscussionincludesanindividualshadowpotentialfiguresimilarto
Figure12.11andabreakdownofthetotalshadowpotentialhourseachyear.Thebreakdownincludes:
Month,dayandtimeofpotentialimpact
Durationofimpactinminutes
Graphicalcalendarsummarydisplayingtimeofdayandmonthofimpactforeachturbine
Mitigatingfactors
ComplaintsconcerningshadowflickerwillbehandledviathecomplaintprocedurediscussedinSection
11.4.
13.0LOCALGOVERNMENTIMPACTS
13.1JOINTDEVELOPMENTANDOTHERAGREEMENTS
TheturbinearrayfortheProjectissituatedentirelywithintheTownofForestinSt.CroixCounty,
Wisconsin.Whiledesktopstudiestounderstandtheareawindresourcesbeganin2004,thefirstactual
scoutingtriptookplaceinNovember,2007.
InJanuary,2008theProjectdevelopersattendedaTownBoardmeetingintheTownofForesttomake
theirpresenceandintentionsknowntothecommunity.Throughoutthefirstquarterof2008,EEW
workedwiththeTownBoardandPlanCommissioninaseriesofpubliclynoticedmeetings,todevelop
theWindDevelopmentAgreementResolution(200801).Thepurposeoftheresolutionwastocreatea
setofguidelinesthatEEWcouldrelyontodeveloptheProject.ActionbytheTownBoardonthewind
resolutionwasscheduledfortheannualmeetinginAprilinhopesthatagreaterrepresentationofthe
communitywouldbepresent.AttheApril10,2008annualmeetingtheWindDevelopmentAgreement
Resolution(AppendixX)wasapprovedbytheactionoftheTownBoardoftheTownofForest.
InMay,2008thefirsttowerwaserected.InJuly,2009HWFwascreatedandtheProjectsonamed.
Aftersufficientwinddatawascollected,AWSTruepowerwasengagedtodotheinitialmicrositingfor
theProject.AdditionalmicrositingwasperformedbyStantecandapreliminaryturbinelayoutwas
presentedatatownmeetinginAugust,2010.AtameetingonAugust12,2010theResolutionofTown
ofForestBoardofSupervisors(AuthorizingHighlandWindFarmDevelopmentAgreement)(AppendixX)
wasvotedonandpassed(20)andtheWindDevelopmentAgreementwasexecutedbytheForestTown

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BoardandHWF.OnFebruary10,2011DrivewayPermitswereissuebytheTown.OnFebruary14th,
2011theTownissued40BuildingPermitsoneforeachTurbineandthemettower.
ArecallelectiononFebruary15,2011broughtanewTownBoardthatwassworninonFebruary18th,
2011.LessthanonemonthlateronMarch17th,2011thenewboardattemptedtorescindtheWind
DevelopmentAgreementResolution(200801),ResolutionofTownofForestBoardofSupervisors
(AuthorizingHighlandWindFarmDevelopmentAgreement),WindDevelopmentAgreement,Town
DrivewayPermits,andtheBuildingPermits.OnMay18,2011HWFfiledaNoticeofClaimandClaim
withtheTownofForestputtingthetownonnoticeofpotentiallegalclaimssurroundingtheattempted
rescissionofagreementsandpermitsfortheProject.OnAugust11,2011theTownofForestTown
BoardpassedtheWindOrdinancepreviouslydescribed.HWFconsidersitsagreementswiththeTown
ofForestandpermitsissuedfortheProjectbytheTowntobeinfullforceandeffect.Notwithstanding
HWFslegalrightspursuanttotheNoticeofClaim,issuanceofaCPCNfortheProjectpursuanttostate
statuteswillpreempttheWindOrdinancepursuanttoWis.Stat.196.491(3)(i).
17
AppendixXcontainscopiesoftheLocalAgreementsandResolutionsobtainedbyHWFfromJanuary
2008throughthedateofthisapplication.LegalcorrespondenceisalsoincludedinAppendixX.The
documentsincludethefollowing:
WindDevelopmentAgreementResolution(200801)
ResolutionofTownOfForestBoardOfSupervisors(AuthorizingHighlandWindFarm
DevelopmentAgreement)
WindDevelopmentAgreement
LegalCorrespondence
TownBoardResolutionsAttemptingtoRescindPermitsandAgreements
ITEM1.5713.1DESCRIBEWHETHERANYPORTIONSOFTHETOWNOFFORESTWINDDEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENTDATEDAUGUST12,2010WOULDBEHONORED:
HWFintendstoadheretothetermsandconditionsoftheAugust12,2010agreementinitsentirety
withtheexceptionofprovisionsconcerningpaymentstothetownwhichwillbepursuanttothe
WisconsinSharedRevenuePlanthatcanbeseenonTable13.21.
ITEM1.5813.2PROVIDEDOCUMENTATIONFORANYPUBLICMEETINGSHELDINTHEPROJECTAREA
PRIORTOAUGUST12,2010.
EEWmadeitsfirsttriptotheProjectareainNovember,2007,withafollowuptripannouncingour
presencetotheForestTownBoardonJanuary10,2008.AdditionalmeetingswiththeForestTown
PlanCommissionandForestTownBoardoccurredandallmeetingswereproperlynoticedinthelocal
paperandattheForestTownHall.DateslistedbelowaretimesthatEEWmadevariouspresentations
attheForestTownHall:
17
BasedontheexistenceofthepreemptionstatuteHWFhasdecidedtoforegothefilingofalawsuitagainstthe
TownofForest.

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1. January10,2008
2. February7,2008
3. March6,2008
4. March13,2008
5. April3,2008
6. April10,2008
7. March11,2010
8. August12,2010
MeetingminutesforthesevariousmeetingscanbefoundinAppendixZ.
13.2INFRASTRUCTUREANDSERVICEIMPROVEMENTS
13.2.1LOCALGOVERNMENTINFRASTRUCTUREREQUIRED
NeitherthepastnorpresentTownBoardsinForesthavesuggestedanyinfrastructureorfacility
improvementsneededfortheconstructionoroperationoftheProject.Itisexpectedthatsometurning
radiiwillneedtobetemporarilychangedforoversizeddeliveries.Whensuchchangesarenecessary,
HWFwillfollowgoodconstructionpractices;strippingtopsoilandstockpilingforuse,layingdownof
roadfelt,delivering/grading/compactingstonetoaccommodatedeliveriesandultimatelyrestoresuch
areastopreconstructionconditions.SeeSection2.3.5andAppendixGforadditionaldetailon
infrastructureimprovements.HWFwillcoordinatethevideotapingofroadsbefore,during,andatthe
conclusionofconstructionorofanymajormaintenanceevent.ThisvideowillassistHWF,St.Croix
CountyandtheTownofForestinaccuratelyassessinganypossibledamagetocountyandtownroads.
Anysuchdamagewillberepairedtoatleastoriginalcondition.
13.2.2EFFECTSOFPROPOSEDPROJECTONCITY/VILLAGE/TOWNAND/ORCOUNTYBUDGETS
HWFdoesnotanticipateanybudgetimpactstotheTownofForestduringtheconstructioncycleother
thanlegalcostsintheeventthattheTownofForestchoosesnottohonoritsagreementsandissued
permits.
13.2.3ESTIMATEOFREVENUETOLOCALCOMMUNITY
Staterevenuesharingisfundedbypowercompaniesthroughlicensefees(grossreceiptstax).Shared
revenuepaymentsaretiedtotheMWcapacityofpowerplants.Ifthepowerplantislocatedinacityor
village,themunicipalityreceivesanannualpaymentequaltotwothirdsoftheplantsMWcapacity
multipliedby$2,000.Thecountyreceivesanannualpaymentequaltoonethirdoftheplantscapacity
multipliedby$2,000.Thetwothird/onethirdrelationshipisreversedifthepowerplantisbuiltina
town(ratherthanacityorvillage).Theannualpaymentmaynotexceedthemunicipalityspopulation
multipliedby$300orthecountyspopulationmultipliedby$100.Sharedrevenuepaymentsarenot
distributedduringconstruction;thepaymentsbeginaftertheplantisoperational.Underthecurrent
formula,thepaymentswouldcontinueatthesameleveluntilthefacilityisdecommissioned.

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Asarenewableenergyinstallationthereisalsoa$1,000pernameplateMWannualincentivepayment
tothetownandthecounty.
Table 13.2-1 Total Estimated Annual Payments To Affected County And
Towns
SHAREDREVENUEUTILITYPAYMENTS
(FormulaprovidedbytheWisconsinDepartmentofRevenueandBasedon102.5MWinstallednameplatecapacity)
TownofForestBasePayment:
$2,000.00perMWperyearx102.5MWx1/3=$68,333.33peryear
StCroixCountyBasePayment:
$2,000.00perMWperyearx102.5MWx2/3=$136,666.67peryear
TotalBasePaymenttoTownandCounty:
$205,000.00peryear
TownofForestIncentivePayment:
$1,000.00perMWperyearx102.5MW=$102,500.00peryear
StCroixCountyIncentivePayment:
$1,000.00perMWperyearx102.5MW=$102,000.00peryear
TotalIncentivePaymenttoTownandCounty:
$205,000.00peryear
TotalSharedRevenueUtilityPaymentstoTownofForestandStCroixCountyforturbinesinstalled:
$410,000.00peryear
Inadditiontothepaymentstothetownandcountylistedabovetheownerofthesubstationwillalsomakethe
followingpaymentstoStCroixCountyandTheTownofCylonforthesubstationlocated
there,basedontheAnnualNetBookValueasfollows:
TownofCylon0.003xNetBookValue
StCroixCounty0.006xNetBookValue
13.2.4OTHERBENEFITSTOTHECOMMUNITY
BenefitstothecommunityandsurroundingareaincludethepossiblehiringofProjectconstruction,
commissioning,operationsandmaintenancestaffasdiscussedinSection3.2.Additionaljobswouldbe
createdtoaccommodateservices,suchassnowplowing,landscapemaintenance,andProjectaccess
roadmaintenance.OthereconomicbenefitsnotdirectlycontrolledbyHWFincludeancillaryjobsand
localsupportpositionsinareassuchasfoodservice,housing/lodging,hospitality,fuel,fueldelivery,
sanitation,gravel,asphalt,roadrepairandotherresourcerequirements.
14.0LANDOWNERSAFFECTEDANDPUBLICOUTREACH
14.1LISTS
AlistofpropertyownersandresidentswithintheProjectboundaryisprovidedinAppendixY.Alistof
schoolsandothergovernmentownedbuildingsisalsoprovidedinAppendixY.
ThefollowingcommunitiesarelocatedwithintheProjectarea,andthusmaybedirectlyaffectedby
Projectactivities.Thecommunityname,clerkandphonenumberareprovidedintable14.11.Excel

Page90
spreadsheetscontaininglandownerlists,publicpropertyandclerksofaffectedmunicipalitiesare
includedintheDataDVDprovidedtothePSC.
ITEM1.5914.1PROVIDEASEPARATEALPHABETIZEDLIST(NAMESANDADDRESSESINMSEXCELFOR
EACHOFTHEGROUPSDESCRIBEDBELOW:
Propertyownersandresidentswithintheprojectboundary,andaseparatelistofproperty
ownersandresidentsfromtheprojectboundaryouttoadistanceof1.0mile.
Publicproperty,suchasschoolsorothergovernmentland.
Clerksofcities,villages,townships,counties,andRegionalPlanningCommissionsdirectly
affected.
Themainpubliclibraryineachcountyinwhichtheprojectistobelocated.Alsoincludepublic
librariesneartheprojectarea.
AnMSExcelspreadsheethasbeenprovidedontherevisedDataDVDthatincludesthefollowing
separatetables:
PropertyOwnersandresidentswithintheProjectboundary
PropertyOwnersandresidentswithinonemileoftheProjectboundary
Publicproperty,suchasschoolsorothergovernmentlandwithinonemileoftheProject
boundary
Clerksofcities,villages,townships,countiesandRegionalPlanningCommissions(RPCs)directly
affected
PubliclibrariesneartheProjectincludingHudsonPublicLibrary,NewRichmondPublicLibrary,Clear
LakePublicLibrary,GlenwoodCityPublicLibrary,BoycevillePublicLibrary,AmeryPublicLibraryand
DeerParkPublicLibrary.
Table14.11ClerksofMunicipalitiesDirectlyAffected
Municipality ClerkName PhoneNumber
StCroixCounty CindyCampbell (715)3864610
TownofForest JenniferAnderson (715)6889032
Cylon BrendaKaczmarski (715)2695592
Glenwood AmyBarstad (715)2654352
DunnCo. MarilynHoyt (715)2321677
TownofNewHaven DianeDuerst (715)6432088

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14.2PUBLICOUTREACH
Throughoutdevelopmentoftheproject,HWFhastakenamultifacetedapproachtomaintaining
communicationwiththepublic.Theseapproachesinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
PublicMeetingsheldattheForestTownHall
Writtenmailingstoparticipatingandnonparticipatingresidences
DVDmailingtoallresidencesintheForestTownship
Localnewspapers
Oneononecommunicationwithlandownersandarearesidences
Websiteupdates
HWFNewslettersmailedtoresidentsintheTownshipofForest
CopiesofthepublicoutreachmailingsareincludedinAppendixZ.
14.3PLANSANDSCHEDULESFORMAINTAININGCOMMUNICATIONWITHTHEPUBLIC
ThroughoutthefinaldesignandconstructionoftheProject,HWFplanstocontinuetocommunicate
withlocalresidents.ThisincludesPublicMeetings,mailingsandannouncementsinlocalnewspapers,
oneononecommunicationandwebsiteupdates.Uponcompletionofconstructioncommunicationwill
bemaintainedbythefulltimestaffattheO&Mbuilding,aswellastheownersormanagersofHWF.
14.4LOCALMEDIAINFORMEDABOUTTHEPROJECT
HWFhasutilizedseverallocalmediaoutletstodisseminateProjectinformationandupcomingevents.
Includedarethefollowing:
NewRichmondNews
GlenwoodTribunePress
Thesesamelocalnewspapers(NewRichmondandGlenwoodCity)havereportedonProject
developmentssinceitsinception.
HWFwillcontinuetoutilizetheseoutletsasonemethodofnotifyingthelocalcommunityofplanned
events.

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Highland Wind Farm February 28, 2012

Highland Wind Farm February 28, 2012

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