TABLE MOUNTAIN WIND GENERATING

FACILITYGoodsprings Field Office

October 30th 2009

Original Proposal

250 “Small” (250ft tall) wind towers Total height including blades approx. 350ft

Associated Facilities Transmission Lines Substation Maintenance facility Roads Man-camp (Construction Phase – 2yrs)

Within both VRM II & III Approved Off Color – Not reflective white

Revised Proposal

88 “Large” (410ft tall) Wind towers Total height approx. 600ft including blades

Reduced footprint within the same proposal area.

Same associated facilities Additional road widening to accommodate

transport of larger towers All towers located within VRM Class III Color – FAA Approved Reflective White

N

Critical Issues

Cultural Resources National Historical Trail Historic Mining District Various undisclosed Native American Interests

Biological Resources Desert Tortoise Migratory Bird Corridor Bighorn Sheep

Recreation Public Access to Tabletop Mountain

VRM

VRM – Key Observation Point

Town of Goodsprings, NV Population 230 People Limited facilities/tourist infrastructure Important Cultural Resources Views of project area limited by

foreground topography Visible stumbling resident /visitor was

drunk with blurred vision Angle of observation below project area

Key Observation Point

Western Vista

Southern Vista

Visual Contrast Rating

Characteristic Landscape Steep faced escarpment trailing to lower

elevations; dominate horizontal and diagonal lines; grey with hues of brown/tan/buff; smooth texture with minor undulations

Vegetation nondescript from KOP; grey/greens hues on the landscape

Structures – Met. Tower – week vertical line, non-describe color or text at viewing distance

Visual Contrast Rating

Proposed Action No Degree of Contrast with Land Form and

Vegetation anticipated Degree of Contrast with Structural Elements

Form: Strong Line: Strong Color: Moderate Texture: Moderate

Project does not meet VRM Class III

Suggested Design Features

In order to meet VRM Class III the elements of Form and Line in the structures needs modification:

Location Move 6 towers back off ridge line that are visible from

KOP. Relocated project or eliminate the 6 most eastern

towers from the project. Utilize smaller towers to replace the 6 within

view Color – Potentially using white/grey to reduce

strength of line and form contrast Simulations to verify by Proponent

Suggested Design Features

Beyond the KOP the following design modifications are suggested:

Relocate the substation, transmission lines and associated facilities from the VRM Class II area or conceal behind topography if possible

Potentially color associated facility structures to blend within the landscape

Install experimental FAA Radar (OCAS) to eliminate need for continuous lighting and need for white reflective color

Conclusion

Modified proposal caused confusion but eliminated project from VRM II

Many issues beyond VRM present in the Landscape