FYI...Deb

-----Original Message-----
From: Cindy Cook [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 10:33 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: ANR Lands Wind Policy Development Process

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Interested Parties

FROM: Wibs McLain, ANR Secretary

DATE: February 20, 2004

SUBJ: ANR to Hold Public Meetings on Use of State Lands For Wind Energy

The topic of wind energy development in Vermont has generated 
considerable public interest and attention as of late. Of special 
interest to the Agency is whether wind energy development represents an 
appropriate use of state-owned lands under its jurisdiction and 
management. This is an important public policy question requiring a 
fair-minded and open public dialogue.

Presently, there is a moratorium on wind energy development on state 
land until the Agency establishes public policy regarding such use. The 
Agency is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for the public

to both learn about and provide input on the issue of wind energy 
development on state lands. Information provided on the reverse of this 
memo provides a summary of the Agency's public outreach and involvement 
process as it relates to this policy development effort.

As noted in this information, the Agency will be holding a series of 
public meetings from mid-to-late March in various locations across the 
state to hear from residents on this public policy issue. I invite and 
encourage you to attend one of the meetings, if you can, and let us know

what you think. You may also email comments or questions to 
[log in to unmask]

Thank you for your interest in Vermont State Lands!

enc.

P.S. Additional information will soon be posted on the web at 
www.vermontwindpolicy.org.
_________________________________

AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES' PROCESS FOR DEVELOPING A POLICY REGARDING 
WIND POWER ON ANR LANDS
FEBRUARY 2004

PUBLIC MEETING SCHEDULE
Mo. 3/15 6:30-7pm open house; 7-9pm meeting Springfield High School

Tu. 3/16 6:30-7pm open house; 7-9pm meeting Montpelier Vermont College

Th. 3/18 6:30-7pm open house; 7-9pm meeting Jay Firehall

Sa. 3/20 9:30-10am open house; 10-12pm meeting Killington Cortina Inn

Mo. 3/22 6:30-7pm open house; 7-9pm meeting South Burlington High School

Tu. 3/23 6:30-7pm open house; 7-9pm meeting Bennington Middle School

Th. 3/25 6:30-7pm open house; 7-9pm meeting Hancock Town Hall

Sa. 3/27 9:30-10am open house; 10-12pm meeting St. Johnsbury Purina 
Ralston Bldg


FOR MORE INFO: WWW.VERMONTWINDPOLICY.ORG

BACKGROUND
Vermont's best lands for wind energy development are found along its 
mountains and ridgelines between 2500' to 3500' in elevation. Many of 
these sites are located on state land under the jurisdiction of the 
Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) and its departments. These lands were 
acquired for conservation and recreation purposes and are a prominent 
part of Vermont's landscape. Recently, ANR has been approached with 
proposals to develop wind energy development projects on state lands. 
ANR's policy regarding the uses of state lands was adopted in 1999, 
before proposals had been made to develop wind power on state land, 
therefore the policy does not address the possibility of wind power 
development.

In the fall of 2002, the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation of 
ANR was approached by a wind energy developer who asked for 
authorization to place two temporary wind measurement towers on Kirby 
Mountain in Victory State Forest in the towns of Victory and Kirby. ANR 
received a considerable amount of public comment about this proposal. As

a result of these comments, the Agency established a moratorium on wind 
energy proposals (including wind measurement towers) for state lands 
until it establishes a policy regarding the use of state lands for wind 
power development.


ANR WIND ENERGY WORK GROUP
In the spring of 2003, ANR established a work group to help guide its 
wind power policy development process. The work group is composed of 
representatives from the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, 
Department of Fish and Wildlife, Department of Environmental 
Conservation, ANR Planning Office, Department of Public Service, and 
Agency of Transportation, and is chaired by State Lands Director Mike 
Fraysier. The work group is actively seeking public input before it 
developsa draft wind power policy.

PUBLIC OUTREACH MATERIALS
The Agency is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for the 
public to become informed and provide input on the issue of wind energy 
development on state lands. ANR has hired Cindy Cook of Adamant Accord 
to design and implement a process for involving the public in the policy

development process. The work group is currently overseeing the 
development of outreach materials-including fact sheets, flyers, maps, 
and an interactive website-to help inform and educate the public on 
various aspects of wind energy in Vermont and the potential role of 
state lands in wind energy development.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

PUBLIC MEETINGS
ANR will hold a series of public meetings across the state in mid to 
late March 2004. Each meeting will begin with a half hour informal open 
house, at which ANR staff will be available to discuss issues related to

ANR lands and possible wind power development. The formal meeting will 
begin with a presentation regarding ANR lands and its process for 
developing a policy regarding wind power development on ANR lands. The 
public will then be asked to make suggestions regarding what the work 
group should take into consideration as it develops a draft wind power 
policy.

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO COMMENT
The Wind Work Group is actively seeking public input. Please submit your

initial comments by March 31, 2004, so that the work group can consider 
them before it develops a draft policy. The public will have a second 
opportunity to comment, once ANR has developed a draft policy. There are

a number of ways to comment:

    * Attend one or more of the Work Group's Public Meetings
    * E-mail us at [log in to unmask]
    * Comment on website: www.vermontwindpolicy.org
    * Call Mike Fraysier, 802-241-3682 or Cindy Cook, Adamant Accord,
      802-223-1330
    * Mail comments to:

    Michael Fraysier, ANR Lands Director
    Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation
    103 South Main St., 10 South
    Waterbury, VT 05671-0607

    Or

    Cindy Cook
    Adamant Accord, Inc.
    PO Box 2
    Adamant, VT 05640


For more information call or email:

Mike Fraysier 802-241-3682 [log in to unmask]
<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Or
Cindy Cook 892-223-1330 [log in to unmask]

POLICY DEVELOPMENT PROCESS TIMELINE
Last Half of February: Make info materials available to the public; 
Public meetings announced
Second Half of March '04: Hold public meetings and continued 
opportunities for input via email, phone, and US Mail
Early April '04: Written summary of public input
Mid April '04: ANR issues draft policy for public review
Second Half of May '04: Public comment period
June '04: Based on comments, ANR revises draft policy
July '04: Secretary considers adoption of ANR policy