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Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton

Draft – Project Description Report

Prepared by:

Prepared for:


Project Description Report

Prepared by: M.K. Ince and Associates Ltd.

Prepared for: Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton LP

December 10, 2012


Project Description Report

Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton Draft – Project Description Report

M.K. Ince and Associates Ltd. i December 10, 2012

Table of Contents 1 PROJECT OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................................................... 2

1.1 REGULATORY AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ....................................................................................................... 2 1.2 CONTACT INFORMATION .................................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 REQUIRED AUTHORIZATIONS ............................................................................................................................... 3

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................................................. 4

2.1 PROJECT STRUCTURES & TURBINE TECHNOLOGIES ................................................................................................... 4 2.2 PROJECT LOCATION ........................................................................................................................................... 5 2.3 PROJECT ACTIVITIES ........................................................................................................................................... 8

2.3.1 Planning ................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.3.2 Construction ............................................................................................................................................. 8 2.3.3 Operation and Maintenance .................................................................................................................. 10 2.3.4 Decommissioning ................................................................................................................................... 11

3 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ........................................................................................................ 12

3.1 ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE RESOURCES ....................................................................................... 12 3.2 AIR ............................................................................................................................................................... 12 3.3 PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ............................................................................................................................. 12 3.4 WATER BODIES............................................................................................................................................... 14 3.5 LAND USE ...................................................................................................................................................... 15 3.6 BIRDS ........................................................................................................................................................... 15 3.7 BATS ............................................................................................................................................................ 16 3.8 NATURAL HERITAGE FEATURES AND SIGNIFICANT WILDLIFE..................................................................................... 17

4 CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................................... 17

5 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................ 18

Table of Tables

Table 1-1 Ontario Regulation 359/09 Project Description Report Requirements ......................................................... 2

Table 1-2 Municipal and Conservation Authority Permits / Approvals ......................................................................... 3

Table 1-3 Provincial Permits / Approvals ....................................................................................................................... 3

Table 1-4 Federal Permits / Approvals .......................................................................................................................... 4

Table of Figures

Figure 2-1 Project Overview Map .................................................................................................................................. 6

Figure 2-2 Project Location Map ................................................................................................................................... 7


M.K. Ince and Associates Ltd. 2 December 10, 2012

1 PROJECT OVERVIEW

Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton LP proposes to build Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton, a 10 MW Class

4 Wind Energy Generation Facility, on privately-owned agricultural lands within the Township of

Alnwick/Haldimand of Northumberland County, Ontario. It will consist of five REpower MM92 wind

turbines of 2 MW each (or similarly appropriate technology). A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) has

been acquired for the project under Ontario’s Feed-In Tariff (FIT) Program.

Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton will generate clean, renewable energy for the local grid and feed excess

electricity into the Hydro One grid. This energy will displace energy produced by traditional methods

which often produce greenhouse gases, air pollution, and toxic wastes in the Province of Ontario. This

will greatly contribute to the preservation of the natural environment.

The proposal includes the construction, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of this wind

energy project and its associated access roads, substation, distribution lines and poles, and other

infrastructure.

1.1 Regulatory and Reporting Requirements

The Green Energy and Green Economy Act, passed in the Province of Ontario in 2009, mandates a

Renewable Energy Approval (REA) process under the Environmental Protection Act, Ontario Regulation

359/09 for specified classes of renewable energy projects. The Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton project is

subject to this process, which will evaluate the project’s environmental and community impacts and

mitigate or avoid them where necessary. M.K. Ince & Associates prepared this Project Description Report

(PDR) to meet the requirements of Ontario Regulation 359/09 and provide a brief overview of the

proposed project to stakeholders.

The reporting requirements set out by O.Reg 359/09 are summarized with reference to specific sections of

the Project Description Report in Table 1-1.This checklist should be used for reference purposes only

and should not replace a full reading of the report.

Table 1-1 Ontario Regulation 359/09 Project Description Report Requirements

Required Documentation Requirement Met Location in Report

1. Any energy sources to be used to generate electricity at

the renewable energy generation facility

Yes Section 1

2. The facilities, equipment or technology that will be used

to convert the renewable energy source or any other

energy source to electricity

Yes Section 2.1

3. If applicable, the class of the renewable energy

generation facility

Yes Section 1

4. The activities that will be engaged in as part of the

renewable energy project.

Yes Section 2.3

5. The name plate capacity of the renewable energy

generation facility

Yes Section 1

6. The ownership of the land on which the project location

is to be situated

Yes Section 2.2



7. Any negative environmental effects that may result

from engaging in the project

Yes Section 3

8. An unbound, well marked, legible and reproducible

map that is an appropriate size to fit on a 215 millimeter

by 280 millimeter page, showing the project location

and the land within 300 metres of the project location.

Yes Section 2.2

1.2 Contact Information

The proponent of the Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton project is Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton LP.

M.K. Ince and Associates Ltd. (MKI) is providing consulting services for the project.

Contact information is as follows:

Ingo Stuckmann

Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton LP

Zero Emission People

346 Waverley Street

Ottawa, ON K2P 0W5

Tel: 613-827-7605

[email protected]

Katie Meyer-Beck

M.K. Ince and Associates Ltd.

11 Cross St.,

Dundas, ON, L9H 2R3

Tel: 905-628-0077

Fax: 905-628-1329

[email protected]

1.3 Required Authorizations

The project will require permits from Federal, Provincial, and Municipal governments. The list below

covers the key permits and approvals required to construct Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton.

Table 1-2 Municipal and Conservation Authority Permits / Approvals

Permit Responsible Agency Info

Building Permit Township of

Alnwick/Haldimand

Ontario Building Code compliance

Work Permits Lower Trent Conservation

Authority

Work permits for constructing road

and electrical cabling water crossings

Road right of way

agreement

Township of

Alnwick/Haldimand

Required for running electrical cabling

in or under existing road rights of way

Entrance permit Township of

Alnwick/Haldimand

For new road entrances

Table 1-3 Provincial Permits / Approvals


Renewable Energy

Approval

Ministry of Environment,

Ministry of Natural

Resources

Project approval, environmental

impact assessment



Connection Agreement Hydro One Networks Inc.,

IESO

Process requirements for project grid

connection

Transportation Permit Ministry of Transportation Highway road traffic and safety

Generator’s License Ontario Energy Board Interconnection to provincial grid

Table 1-4 Federal Permits / Approvals


Navigational Clearances Transport Canada, NAV Canada Radar, navigational lighting,

blade markings, aeronautical

clearance

2 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

2.1 Project Structures & Turbine Technologies

Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy of surface winds into electrical energy in the form of electricity.

There are four major components of a wind turbine: the blades, the shaft, the generator, and the tower,

which supports the first three. As the wind travels across the turbine blades, a lift force – similar to that

which allows airplanes to fly – causes the blades to turn. The turbine blades rotate the shaft, which is

connected to either a direct drive generator or an induction generator, thus producing electricity.

As currently envisioned, the wind turbine proposed for the Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton is the

REPower MM92. This turbine has three (3) fibreglass blades equipped with lightning arrestors. This

model has a total swept area of 6720 m². The rotor diameter is 92.5 m and the hub height will be 100.0 m,

for a maximum total height of 146.25 m above grade. Each tower will be conical, made of steel and be

approximately 5 m in diameter at the base. During operation, the blades rotate clockwise at speeds

between 7.8 and 15 rpm (revolutions per minute). The blades of the MM92 are pitch-controlled and are

designed to cut out when wind speeds exceed 24.0 m/s (86 km/h). The manufacturer’s specifications of

the REPower MM92 wind turbine are included in the Wind Turbine Specifications Report in the final

REA submission.

The base of each turbine will be a poured concrete foundation with reinforcing steel bars. The foundation

will contain a mounting ring to which the base of the tower will be attached. The foundation

specifications will depend on the results of a geotechnical investigation of the proposed wind farm

location.

Transformers will be installed either adjacent to or within the base of each turbine tower and will step up

the voltage from the generator voltage to a higher intermediate voltage for connection to the internal

project substation and collector system. The substation of the wind park will house metering,

communication equipment, control devices, and a transformer which will step up the voltage to 44 kV to

match the local distribution lines. A 44 kV line will connect from the substation to the point of common

coupling with Hydro One’s distribution system. Any necessary upgrades to the existing distribution

system will be carried out by Hydro One.



2.2 Project Location

The facility is proposed on privately owned agricultural lands in the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand,

Ontario. All turbines are located within the area bounded by Noble Road to the north, Bevan Ridge Road

to the south, Wilson Drive to the west, and Speechley Road to the east. Electrical cabling within

municipal road easements will also be constructed. An overview of the project location is illustrated in

Figure 2-1.

The Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton project location is an area encompassing all facility components

including the following:

• turbine foundations and towers

• the bladeswept area,

• crane pads and turbine component laydown areas,

• access/construction roads,

• electrical cabling, and

• the substation.

Figure 2-2 depicts the above mentioned project components and also identifies the boundaries of the

project location.



Figure 2-1 Project Overview Map



Figure 2-2 Project Location Map



2.3 Project Activities

2.3.1 Planning

The initial stages of the project development process involved various studies to plan, assess and

appropriately design the proposed Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton. Project planning activities included

the following.

Consultation with stakeholders, including the public, planning and permitting authorities, representatives

of the municipalities, aboriginal groups, provincial and federal agencies, and other relevant parties was

undertaken as per O.Reg. 359/09. The first of two public meetings has been scheduled for

January 9th, 2013 at the Alnwick Civic Centre. A final public meeting is planned for later that year.

The Renewable Energy Approval process has been carried out by M.K. Ince and Associates Ltd., which

has provided consulting services to conduct the necessary environmental studies and prepare the

Renewable Energy Approval Application documents as per Ontario Regulation 359/09. Preparation of

reporting for these environmental studies is currently underway and will be made available to the public

90 days prior to the final open house.

The results of the planning studies are available in the final REA reports that have been made public at

the proponent's website: www.zeroemissionpeople.com.

2.3.2 Construction

The construction phase of the Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton project is planned for the second half of

2013 and is expected to take approximately four months to complete.

Turbine construction will be undertaken in stages which are described in detail in the Construction Plan

Report to be submitted as part of the REA Application. The construction activities involved in the Clean

Breeze Wind Park Grafton project are outlined below:

Surveying and siting to mark the turbine locations, boundaries of foundation excavation, road and cabling

routes, etc.

Site clearing to remove vegetation at the locations of proposed infrastructure. The facility was designed to

remain on agricultural land and avoid wooded areas to the extent possible.

Construction of non-paved gravel surface roads will be undertaken to allow access to each individual

wind turbine site and will involve the excavation and grading of topsoil, deposition of aggregate and

gravel materials, and further grading and compaction as necessary. Roads have been designed to follow

existing pathways, where possible, and be located to minimize the impact on current land uses.

Construction of a road water crossing will be undertaken at one location across an intermittent stream. An

existing farm land will be upgraded, which will involve the removal of the existing culvert and

replacement with a cylindrical corrugated steel culvert and construction of the road bed above.

Construction of the culvert itself will take place when the stream bed is dry if possible. If this is not

practical, stream flow will be temporarily diverted around the area where the culvert is being placed. The

method of de-watering the construction area will be according to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’



(DFO) Operational Statement for Isolated Stream Crossing. All other construction details will be

finalized with consultation between the DFO and the Lower Trent Conservation Authority.

Construction of crane pads and laydown areas will be undertaken. A ‘pad’ area of approximately

25 m x 45 m adjacent to each turbine location will be excavated, graded and constructed using an

aggregate base with a gravel surface in order to support the weight of heavy machinery. Rotor laydown

areas will be graded where necessary and will not require aggregate or gravel.

Construction of concrete turbine foundations reinforced by steel rebar will be undertaken approximately

two to four weeks prior to turbine erection to allow for curing. Foundation design, including the

foundation type and dimensions, will be finalized based on the results of the geotechnical surveys at the

turbine locations. De-watering of the foundation pits may be required during periods of significant

rainfall.

Delivery of equipment such as cranes, and turbine components will be accomplished with oversized

trucks on public roadways after obtaining the necessary permits from the Ministry of Transportation.

Turbine assembly and installation will be accomplished using two large cranes supported on the pad area

adjacent to each turbine site. The rotor will be assembled on the ground and raised during a time with

calm winds and is highly weather dependent. Alternatively, the hub will be installed into the nacelle and

then each blade will be lifted individually by the cranes.

Transformer installation and electrical works will involve the installation of the transformer on the

concrete pad adjacent to the base of each turbine tower, or within the tower if possible. An electrical

connection will also be made between the transformers and the turbine nacelles with cabling routed

underground through the foundation. Cabling for the project internal electrical collector system will also

be buried and in the location where cabling is required to cross a water course, cabling will be buried

within the constructed road shoulder if possible. Otherwise, directional drilling (or similar technology

such as punch and bore) will be used. At locations where the tapline is required to cross a pipeline,

cabling will be installed in hand-dug trenches to avoid disturbance to the utility, in other locations,

trenches will be dug using an excavator or plough.

Substation construction will involve the construction of a concrete foundation which will include a large

reservoir to be filled with aggregate/gravel, allowing for any oil accidentally spilled from the transformers

to be captured within the interstitial space between the aggregate. Rebar, concrete formwork and

substation equipment will be assembled and installed. The cabling of the substation will be connected to

the buried cabling of the project collector system and the adjacent outgoing overhead distribution line to

connect to the Hydro One network. Connection from the substation to the distribution grid will be carried

out via a 44 kV line which will connect to Hydro One’s existing distribution network. Any necessary

upgrades to existing distribution system infrastructure will be carried out by Hydro One.

The substation of the wind park will house metering, communication equipment, control devices, and a

step up transformer. The substation will require an area of approximately 45 m x 45 m and will be fenced

to prevent unauthorized access.

Water Taking is only anticipated in the event that rainfall accumulates in excavated areas and does not

drain rapidly enough for construction activities to continue in a timely manner. Any other water required

for construction activities, such as for dust control, will be brought in from off site.

Turbine Commissioning will involve a series of tests that will be performed on the wind turbine to

confirm protection system functionality and compatibility with the electricity grid.



Waste Disposal during construction will include the separation of waste, to be placed in disposal bins

which will be removed and disposed of by a licensed waste removal contractor.

Removal of Crane Pads will take place at the end of the construction phase, if requested by the

landowner. Aggregate and gravel will be excavated and removed from site. Topsoil that was previously

stockpiled on site will be used to backfill the excavated areas.

Site Rehabilitation upon commissioning of the turbines will restore portions of agricultural lands

temporarily disturbed through construction by grading, repairing tile drainage where necessary,

re-applying topsoil, and de-compacting soil where necessary. Non-agricultural areas will have topsoil re-

applied; they will be re-graded with due consideration to natural drainage patterns and seeded with non-

invasive native grasses and herbaceous plants.

2.3.3 Operation and Maintenance

Following the construction phase, the Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton project is expected to be

operational by the second quarter of 2014. The operation phase is expected to be carried out continuously

over the anticipated project life of 20 years in accordance with the project’s FIT Contract. Further details

regarding project activities throughout the operational phase of the facility are included in the Design and

Operations Report in the REA submission for the project and are summarized below.

Wind turbine operation on a day-to-day basis requires almost no human intervention. Dedicated

supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems will be used to capture real-time turbine

feedback and monitor outputs. When winds are sufficient, the turbine blades will rotate at a speed of 7.8

to 15.0 rpm (revolutions per minute). The turbines will not operate in cases of mechanical breakdown,

extreme weather conditions and during maintenance.

Wind farm maintenance will involve regular inspection and maintenance, including routine oil changes,

motor maintenance and lubricant and fluid replacement. Periodically, major components of the wind

turbines such as blades or generators may require replacement, which may require reconstruction of the

crane pads.

Environmental monitoring of environmental impacts will take place post-construction to assess any

project-related impacts to the environment. Complete descriptions of monitoring plans are provided in the

Environmental Effects Monitoring Plan contained in the Design and Operations Report.

Waste management at the facility will involve the collection of waste materials including oils, solvents,

lubricants and physical parts that will be brought off-site and disposed of according to relevant

regulations.

Noise and air emissions during the operation of the turbines will consist solely of noise, largely composed

of aerodynamic noise associated with the passing of air over the rotating blades of the turbine as well as

some mechanical noise emitting from the rotating parts of the turbine. Further details pertaining to noise

emission from the turbines and nearby receptors are described in the Design and Operations Report

included in the final REA submission. No other air emissions will be generated by the operation of this

wind energy facility.

Water taking and stormwater management activities will be limited as no water taking, sewage

management, or biomass equipment processes will occur at the facility during the operations phase of the

project. The only stormwater management during the operations phase of the project will be related to



any ongoing post-construction erosion and sedimentation controls, discussed in the Environmental Effects

Monitoring Plan contained in the Design and Operations Report.

2.3.4 Decommissioning

The Feed-in Tariff (FIT) contract awarded to the Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton project has a 20-year

term beginning from the Commercial Operation Date (i.e. the date upon which the turbines are

commercially operational). At the conclusion of this term, the decision will be made whether to continue

operating the facility – conducting maintenance and upgrades as necessary and selling the electricity

through a new power purchase agreement or through the spot market – or to decommission the wind park

entirely.

Regardless of any decisions to extend the life of the project, decommissioning will eventually be

necessary. Detailed information regarding decommissioning activities is provided in the

Decommissioning Plan Report included in the final REA submission. The activities planned in the

decommissioning phase of the Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton project include the following.

Site clearing and preparation will involve the removal of vegetation from road corridors, crane pads or at

turbine sites as required. Any vegetation cleared from the site requiring off-site disposal will be taken to

local waste disposal facilities.

Road and crane pad construction/modification will take place as necessary and may involve the

excavation of topsoil, clearing grading and the possible use of geotextile and/or aggregate material

depending on local geotechnical conditions.

Removal of turbines and ancillary equipment will involve the disassembly of the turbines on site.

Transformers at the base of the turbines will be disconnected and drained. The turbine parts will be

removed, then reused, refurbished or recycled where possible. Oil will be disposed of according to

relevant regulations. Turbine foundations will be broken up and removed to a depth of approximately 1

m. This activity will take approximately two months.

Removal of roads and electrical infrastructure will involve the excavation of installed gravel and

aggregate, the removal of any overhead cabling and poles, as well as the removal all substation equipment

from the site. The substation foundation will be removed to a depth of approximately 1 m. The material

removed will be reused and recycled if possible or disposed of at appropriate waste facilities. The

excavated areas will be filled with soil from on site. Underground cabling will be left in place and only

the ends will be removed as excavating cabling often causes greater environmental disruption than

leaving the cables in place. Culverts associated with water crossings will be left in place. This applies to

private landowners for crossings on private land as well as municipalities for culverts at road entrances.

Site rehabilitation and waste management will involve remediation and re-vegetation of disturbed land.

Topsoil stripped during decommissioning will be re-applied. Agricultural areas will be returned to

agricultural use. All damaged tile drains will be fixed. Re-vegetation will use native non-invasive grasses

and herbaceous plants. This activity will take approximately two weeks.



3 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

3.1 Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Resources

Archaeological Resources may be uncovered or damaged by equipment during construction, major

maintenance or decommissioning activities. However, pre-construction Stage 1 and Stage 2

Archaeological Assessments identified no archaeological resources and thus the risk of damage to

archaeological resources resulting from Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton is considered to be low. In the

event that archeological resources are uncovered during any phase of the project, work will be stopped

and Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS) and First Nations officials will be notified.

Cultural Heritage Resources can potentially be impacted by development. Specifically, wind turbines can

create shadows that alter the appearance of heritage resources; change the surrounding environment or

context of a heritage site; or obstruct significant views. A pre-construction assessment identified eight

built resources as being of heritage value. In addition, two cultural heritage landscapes were identified

within the Study Area. Potential visual impacts to one property (BHR 6) were identified. The study

recommended that visual simulations of the proposed turbines be prepared to illustrate their relationship

with the farmhouse. It was further recommended that the proponent work with the Township and their

Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee to ensure that the cultural heritage values of the structure are

conserved. These mitigation measures are currently in progress and are being conducted as recommended

in order to mitigate impacts of the proposed project to the extent possible.

3.2 Air

Dust and Odour may result from construction and decommissioning activities, particularly site clearing

and grading. During operation, use of gravel roads by maintenance workers during dry periods has the

potential to create dust similar to any other gravel or dirt path in the vicinity. This effect is anticipated to

be minor in terms of impact and limited in geographic and temporal extent.

Noise emissions above levels typical in a rural area may result from the operation of construction

equipment; however, noise receptors are not expected to be significantly affected due to the limited nature

of construction, maintenance and decommissioning activities. During operation, the turbines will create

noise, largely composed of aerodynamic noise associated with the passing of air over the rotating blades

of the turbine as well as some mechanical noise emitting from the rotating parts of the turbine. Local

residents may experience an increase in noise levels in proximity to the turbines during turbine operation.

Predictive noise modeling has been conducted to assess turbine-related sound levels at nearby receptors

under worst-case conditions and has identified that the project is in compliance with the Ontario Ministry

of Environment’s Noise Guidelines for Wind Farms (October 2008). These guidelines mandate a limit of

40 dBA at the nearest noise receptors, so no significant impacts are anticipated. Further detail related to

the project-related noise and mitigation measures is provided in the Design and Operations Report and

Noise Impact Assessment.

3.3 Public Health and Safety

Impacts to public health and safety from the Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton project are expected to be

minimal. Detailed assessments of potential health and safety impacts were conducted and included the

following.



Fires could unexpectedly result from the construction, operation, or decommissioning of the project.

Alternatively, it is possible that a fire started off-site could spread into the project area. In the unlikely

event of fire, appropriate mitigation measures and contingency measure have been prepared to manage

the risk of fire.

Construction activities pose a potential risk of injury to members of the general public if they were to

come on site, due to the presence of heavy machinery and construction equipment. However, the

implementation of mitigation measures to inform the public and limit unauthorized access is anticipated

to minimize this risk. These are detailed in the Construction Plan Report and the Design and Operations

Report.

Ice Throw is a potential negative project-related impact to public health and safety. With appropriate

mitigation measures including turbine setbacks from residences, installation of signage, automatic

monitoring of ice accretion throughout turbine operation, and a required manual re-start of the turbines

the risk of ice throw affecting the public is anticipated to be minimal.

Blade Failure resulting in blade throw is a potential result of turbine operation. However, the risk of blade

failure is very low and, with regular maintenance, no impacts are anticipated.

Aeronautical Safety is a potential issue due to the height of the turbines. Appropriate lighting of turbines

as determined through consultation with Transport Canada is anticipated to mitigate the project’s impact

to aeronautical safety.

Shadow Flicker assessments completed in the pre-construction stage of the project have determined that

potential shadow flicker resulting from the project occurs at a frequency below 2.5 Hz and is thus

considered a potential nuisance impact, as opposed to a health impact.

Human Health impacts have occasionally been reported by people living near wind turbine generators and

include: nausea/vertigo, headaches, dizziness, anxiety, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), tinnitus (ringing in

the ears), and sleep deprivation resulting in mood disorders and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms

are not experienced by all local residents, but have recently been reported by a small number of

individuals. A pre-construction desktop analysis of peer-reviewed literature discussing the impacts of

wind turbines to human health indicated that risks to human health are not anticipated to result directly

from properly-sited wind turbines. One recent literature review states: "To date, no peer reviewed articles

demonstrate a direct causal link between people living in proximity to modern wind turbines, the noise

they emit and resulting physiological health effects. If anything, reported health effects are likely

attributed to a number of environmental stressors that result in an annoyed/stressed state in a segment of

the population" (Knopper and Ollson, 2011). The project has been designed in accordance with all

applicable Ontario regulations and as such is not expected to cause impacts to human health. Further

details related to the potential for human health risks are included in the Design and Operations Report.

Electro-Magnetic Radiation and extremely low frequency electric fields will be generated by the

distribution lines, transformer station, and generators at the Project. As the strength of these fields is

similar to that resulting from existing infrastructure, and decrease quickly with distance, no significant

ELF fields are expected to impact nearby land users.

Further details pertaining to project-related impacts and mitigation measures are included in the Design

and Operations Report as part of the final REA submission.



3.4 Water Bodies

As part of the REA process, identification and assessment of water bodies in or within 120 m of the

project location was undertaken through a records review and site investigations. These studies identified

ten water bodies within 120 m of the project location, one of which will be crossed by a project road and

electrical cabling.

Potential project-related impacts to water bodies include the following.

Spills and leaks of petroleum, oil and lubricants may result in their accidental and uncontrolled release

which could lead to adverse effects on terrestrial, aquatic and marine habitat and species, soil,

groundwater quality and human health and safety. However, the implementation of appropriate mitigation

and contingency measures, which are fully described in the Design and Operations Report, are expected

to minimize these risks.

Impacts due to erosion and sedimentation from clearing, grading, excavating and potential soil and root

compaction during construction, major maintenance activities and decommissioning, may result in

changes to stormwater patterns. This may increase erosion and concomitant impacts to nearby wetlands

and water bodies, including reduced water quality, sedimentation, and impacts to aquatic organisms and

habitat. The implementation of appropriate mitigation, monitoring and contingency measures is expected

to minimize these risks. These measures are described within the Construction Plan Report and Design

and Operations Report.

Impacts to fish and fish habitat are possible from the activities associated with the construction of water

crossings by cabling and roads. Fish and fish habitat have the potential to be harmed by spills and leaks,

and erosion and sedimentation. Additional potential impacts specific to the construction of water

crossings include disturbance to riparian vegetation and disturbance of the banks and streambed during

the construction process, all of which could result in disturbance or damage to fish or fish habitat.

Appropriate mitigation, monitoring and contingency measures have been prepared in the Design and

Operations Report, and residual impacts are anticipated to be minimal.

Impacts as a result of frac out may occur from directional drilling (or similar technology such as punch

and bore) at surface water crossings. Mitigation measures and careful monitoring of the water courses

during construction activities are anticipated to minimize these risks.

Impacts from products for snow removal may result from excessive salt or sand use which may cause

saline runoff that could impact local groundwater or contribute to sediment-laden runoff that may cause

blockages in drainage structures. With the implementation of appropriate mitigation measures (described

in the Design and Operations Report), these impacts are expected to be minimal.

Impacts from water takings may occur if de-watering is required in excavated areas. Water takings are

only anticipated in the event that rainfall accumulates in excavated areas and does not drain rapidly

enough for construction activities to continue in a timely manner. In these cases pumps will be used to

remove rainwater from the excavated areas. The water will be pumped from pits into the adjacent fields,

and will include filtration of silt as necessary. It is possible that more than 50,000 L/day of water will

need to be removed. No negative impacts are anticipated from the removal of the rainfall from excavated

areas as the excavated areas are well removed from existing water courses and surface water flows will

therefore not be impacted. De-watering is not anticipated to impact ground water as excavation is not

anticipated to reach the water table.

Further details pertaining to project-related impacts and mitigation measures are included in the Design

and Operations Report as part of the final REA submission.



3.5 Land Use

Land within the study area of Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton is zoned as a combination of mostly

agricultural and some environmentally protected areas under the Township of Alnwick/Haldimand.

Approximately half of the project area also falls within the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan

(ORMCP) area designated as “Countryside Area”. Certain natural features were addressed and evaluated

following guidance specific to the ORMCP.

Potential impacts to current land use are discussed in greater detail in the Construction Plan Report and

Design and Operations Report which include the following considerations:

Traffic volume and size may be affected by construction traffic that may inconvenience local residents.

However, minimal impacts to provincial and local infrastructure are anticipated as increases to traffic

volume will be limited in extent and duration.

Impacts due to change of land use may result because project infrastructure will be located almost entirely

on agricultural areas which will remove a limited amount of agricultural area from production. Clearing

of wooded areas may potentially impact harvesting of wood or other forest products from the wooded

areas. The project turbines and related infrastructure have been sited to minimize disturbance to existing

land use. Thus, impact due to change of land use are anticipated to be minimal.

Waste, if improperly disposed of can be unsightly and cause human safety and health concerns and has

the potential to contaminate soils, surface- and groundwater if the waste is toxic. Mitigation and

contingency measures have been prepared to ensure that waste from the facility is managed such that the

potential for adverse impacts is reduced. These are further detailed in the Construction Plan Report,

Design and Operations Report, and Decommissioning Plan Report.

Telecommunications may be impacted by the tower and blades of wind turbines. Pre-construction

assessments of these impacts and consultation with relevant stakeholders have been undertaken as per

RABC/CanWEA Guidelines. Minor impacts to over-the-air television broadcast reception are possible,

and will be mitigated if necessary on a case-by-case basis. No other impacts to communications

infrastructure are anticipated at the time of this assessment.

Visual landscapes in the local area will be impacted, as the wind farm will be a highly visible feature from

some vantage points. Lighting has been designed to ensure that the fewest turbines are lit in accordance

with Transport Canada guidelines to minimize light pollution at night. Additional impacts related to

potential visual impacts on a specific built heritage feature are discussed above under the Cultural

Heritage section.

The Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton project is not anticipated to have significant negative residual

impacts on land use and resources in the project area. Details regarding appropriate mitigation measures

are provided in the Design and Operations Report.

3.6 Birds

Mortality surveys at wind facilities in North America suggest that bird mortality is occurring as a result of

interactions with turbines. A review of post-construction monitoring studies at 46 wind farms across the

United States found that most wind farms reported fewer than 4 bird fatalities per megawatt per year

(NWCC, 2010). Most fatalities noted occurred during bird migration periods though were highly varied

regionally (NWCC, 2010). Mortality data from the MNR suggests that operational wind farms in Ontario



average roughly 2.5 bird deaths per turbine per year (OMNR, 2011b). A full description monitoring plans

and mitigation measures is provided in the Environmental Effects Monitoring Plan contained in the

Design and Operations Report.

Disturbance during the construction and decommissioning phases due to the presence of humans and

machinery and the associated noise will likely cause birds to avoid areas under construction. Breeding

behaviour has the potential to be impacted. Although it is expected that many resident birds will become

habituated to the wind turbines, there may be some behavioural impacts during operation. Avoidance of

the wind farm may result in habitat fragmentation for some species. A full description monitoring plans

and mitigation measures is provided in the Environmental Effects Monitoring Plan contained in the

Design and Operations Report.

Habitat loss during the construction phase due to the clearing of vegetated areas may occur. Breeding bird

habitat may be impacted, however clearing will be avoided during the breeding season (May to July) to

the greatest extent practicable. If any tree clearing is to be conducted during breeding season a biologist

will search the area to be cleared and if any active nests are found in the area they will be staked off and

avoided until breeding activities have ceased.

Pre-construction site investigations in the project study area conducted as part of the Natural Heritage

Assessment identified no significant bird habitat. The project study area, which consists primarily of

previously-disturbed agricultural lands with low value for bird species, is not sensitive habitat, nor is it a

major migration route for birds. Impacts of the wind farm on birds are thus expected to be low.

Impacts and mitigation measures including a post-construction monitoring program are fully described in

the Construction Plan Report and in relevant sections of the Design and Operations Report including the

Environmental Effects Monitoring Plan.

3.7 Bats

Mortality of bats as a result of direct collision or barotrauma is a potential negative impact of wind turbine

facilities. Bats are less equipped to avoid turbine blades because their navigational systems depend on

echolocation which detects objects in their flight path.

A review of post-construction monitoring studies at 46 wind farms across the United States found most

wind farms reported fewer than 10 bat fatalities per megawatt per year (NWCC, 2010). Most mortality

occurred during bat migration periods, although this pattern showed high regional variability (NWCC,

2010). Data from the MNR suggests that operational wind farms in Ontario average roughly 4-14 bat

deaths, per year per turbine (OMNR, 2011a).

Disturbance to bats during the construction phase due to the presence of humans and machinery will

likely cause bats to avoid the areas under construction and thus has the potential to impact breeding

behaviour. For some species habitat fragmentation due to the presence of turbine and access roads may

impact behaviour.

Habitat loss during the construction phase due to the clearing of vegetated areas may occur. No bat

maternity roosts or hibernacula were identified during pre-construction. Cleared areas have been

minimized to the extent possible.

Impacts and mitigation measures including a post-construction monitoring program are fully described in

the Construction Plan Report and in relevant sections of the Design and Operations Report including the

Natural Heritage Environmental Effects Monitoring Plan.



3.8 Natural Heritage Features and Significant Wildlife

Pre-construction assessment of natural heritage features and significant wildlife involved records reviews

and site visits to ascertain the presence of natural heritage features on site. The results of the Natural

Heritage Assessment identified the following significant features in or within 120 m of the project

location:

• 1 woodland

• 1 wetland

• 1 amphibian breeding habitat

• 3 seepage areas

• 1 habitat for a species of special concern

As a part of the NHA and REA processes, potential project impacts on significant natural heritage

features were identified and are summarized briefly below:

• Potential for contamination of soils from spills and leaks

• Potential for localized changes in soil moisture and structure

• Potential for erosion and/or sedimentation

• Potential for disturbance of wildlife using wooded areas and wetland habitats

• Loss of a small portion of amphibian breeding habitat and potential for increased edge effects

The potential impacts to natural heritage features listed above are not expected to result in significant

residual impacts as mitigation measures and monitoring plans have been prepared as appropriate and are

detailed in the Natural Heritage Environmental Impact Assessment and the Natural Heritage

Environmental Effects Monitoring Plan contained in the Design and Operations Report.

4 CONCLUSION

The Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton project, proposed by Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton LP, will

have a nameplate capacity of 10 MW, consisting of five REpower MM92 wind turbine generators of

2 MW capacity. The project will be constructed on privately-owned agricultural lands in the Township of

Alnwick/Haldimand of Northumberland County, Ontario. The Clean Breeze Wind Park Grafton has

received a contract under Ontario’s Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program. This wind energy project is subject to

the Renewable Energy Approval (REA) process per Ontario Regulation 359/09 under the Environmental

Protection Act. Environmental studies carried out under the REA process will ensure that the Clean

Breeze Wind Park Grafton produces clean, emissions-free electricity while minimizing negative

environmental effects.



5 REFERENCES

Ministry of Natural Resources, 2011. Bat and Bat Habitats: Guidelines for Wind Power Projects.

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@mnr/@renewable/documents/document/st

dprod_088155.pdf

Ministry of Natural Resources, 2011. Bird and Bird Habitats: Guidelines for Wind Power Projects.

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/groups/lr/@mnr/@renewable/documents/document/st

dprod_071273.pdf

Knopper, L., Ollson, C. (2011). Health effects and wind turbines: A review of the literature.

Environmental Health 10: 1-10.

National Wind Coordinating Collaborative (NWCC). Wind Turbine Interactions with Birds, Bats, and

their Habitats: A Summary of Research Results and Priority Questions Spring 2010.

http://www.nationalwind.org

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, 2002. Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan.

http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=1779

Renewable Energy Approvals Under Part V.0.1 of the Act, Ontario Regulation 359/09 made under the

Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter E.19.

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