Page 350 - Fluid Power Engineering

310 Chapter Fourteen

permit from several departments of transportation that have
jurisdictions over different roads on the route to the site.
For example, the state and local departments of transporta-
tion must approve transportation, improvements to existing
roads, and building of access roads.
2. Wildlife permit. This is a general category that may contain
a variety of specific permits depending on jurisdictions. In
the United States, migratory birds and endangered species-
related permits are obtained from the federal agency, US Fish
and Wildlife; state-specific wildlife resources are managed by
the Department of Natural Resources of individual states.
3. Aviation permit. Since turbines are tall structures, aviation au-
thorities regulate construction to ensure that these structures
are not an obstruction to airspace and have no adverse impact
on the radar systems that monitor airspace.
4. Radar and electromagnetic interference. Agencies that operate
radars include Weather Service, Homeland Security, and De-
partment of Defense. Consulting with these agencies to obtain
clearances (not necessarily permits) will ensure that there are
no objections.
5. Cultural resources. If the site has archeological, architectural,
and traditional cultural resources, then a permit will be re-
quired. In the United States, the Advisory Council of Histor-
ical Preservation and the State Historic Preservation Offices
review the impact on cultural resources. Consultation with
these agencies is required to determine the existence of cul-
tural resources.
6. Land use permit. In the United States, if the wind project is on
government-owned land, accesses federally owned transmis-
sion lines, or receives federal grants, then one of the impacted
federal agencies must perform an environmental impact
study. The outcome is either: Categorical exclusion, envi-
ronmental assessment, or environmental impact statement.
Some states have developed model zoning ordinances for
wind projects. These ordinances are used as-is or as guide-
lines by the local county or district. At the local county level,
a conditional-use or special-use permit will be required to
build a wind project.
7. Construction permit. Building permits are often required at the
local county level to demonstrate that construction will ad-
here to building and engineering codes and standards.
8. Water and wetlands. Permits will be required when construct-
ing in: (i) Areas that are in proximity to water bodies that
are used for drinking water and navigation; (ii) designated