Current plans call for improvements to an existing access road from Route 120 on the west side of the ridge and two extensions to reach Partridge Peak and Flathead Mountain. Once the roads have reached the ridgeline... plans call for continuation along the ridge to connect all the 21-25 turbine locations. A new "collector" transmission line from the ridge just south of Flathead Mountain will run down the slope in a southeasterly direction to meet the existing transmission corridor that runs from Frye to Rangeley.
Studies of birds, bats and other wildlife in the area were conducted in the summer and fall of 2007; these will be supplemented by further studies in the spring of 2008. Studies of the visual impacts on the towns and specific historic, archaeological and architectural resources are underway. These and other specific studies required by Maine's Department of Environmental Protection should be completed in the summer 2008 for submission of a complete application for a DEP permit in the fall of 2008. We expect that DEP will hold public hearings in or near Roxbury to hear local opinions on the proposed project.
Interconnection studies required for interconnection to the electrical grid are underway. We are consulting with Central Maine Power, which owns the electric transmission facilities in the area, and ISO New England, which manages the entire electricity grid for the region, regarding points of interconnection and the new sub-stations, transmission lines, and associated equipment that will be required to connect.
Record Hill Wind has proposed changes to the Roxbury land use ordinance, in order to allow consideration of the wind project. These proposed changes will be considered by the town's planning board this summer, and then be submitted to a special town vote in September 2008.