The Federal Aviation Administration has reopened a public comment period regarding impacts to aviation from a $300-million Scout Clean Energy Nimbus Wind Farm proposed close to County Roads 905 and 920 near Green Forest.
An FAA notice for wind turbine 37 states the 698-ft.-tall structure would be located at a side elevation of 2,004 feet.
“The structure above exceeds obstruction standards. To determine its effect upon the safe and efficient use of navigable airspace by aircraft and on the operation of air navigation facilities, the FAA is conducting an aeronautical study under the provisions of 49 U.S.C., Section 44718 and, if applicable, Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 77,” the FAA notice states. “In the study, consideration will be given to all facts relevant to the effect of the structure on existing and planned airspace use, air navigation facilities, airports, aircraft operations, procedures and minimum flight altitudes, and the air traffic control system. Interested persons are invited to participate in the aeronautical study by submitting comments to the above FAA address or through the electronic notification system. To be eligible for consideration, comments must be relevant to the effect the structure would have on aviation, must provide sufficient detail to permit a clear understanding, must contain the aeronautical study number printed in the upper righthand corner of this notice, and must be received on or before 06/05/2024.”
There are similar notices for the other turbines proposed for the wind farm.
For further assistance, the FAA office can be contacted at (847) 294-5576 or by sending an email to Wayne.Reynolds@faa.gov.
This is the second time for public comments to be solicited for the project. A local opponent of Nimbus, George Caudle, received information from a Freedom of Information Act request to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the earlier proposal regarding wind turbine #3 that states, “Initial findings of this study indicate that the structure as described exceeds obstruction standards and/or would have an adverse physical or electromagnetic interference effect upon navigable airspace or air navigation facilities. Pending resolution of the issues described below, the structure is presumed to be a hazard to air navigation.
“To pursue a favorable determination at the originally submitted height, further study would be necessary. Further study may include distribution to the public for comment and may extend the study period up to 120 days. The outcome cannot be predicted prior to public circularization. If you would like the FAA to conduct further study, you must make the request within 60 days from the date of issuance of this letter.”
Local Nimbus opponent Caroline Rogers said while the project has been reconfigured, there are still major concerns about how the tower would impact aviation, particularly for small plane pilots who fly by sight instead of using instruments.
“The proposed 46 turbines are between 9 to 13 nautical miles west of the Boone County Airport. The 698′-ft. tall height will affect approach, departure and a circling approach area,” Rogers wrote in an email giving people information on how to comment. “These turbines would also increase the missed approach. The proposed wind farm would extend into airspace normally used for visual flight rules, resulting in adverse effects. The Cassville, Mo., airport is also affected. In a December 2023 FAA document, it was shown that seven airports, including Berryville, would be affected.”
Rogers encouraged people to comment only on aeronautic issues and not other concerns about the turbines. She recommended the following steps to comment.
Go to oeaaa.faa.gov.
- Begin by completing the “new User Registration” from the left menu bar.
- Login to your portal page and select the link, “View Circularized Cases” from the left menu bar.
- In the box, select: Obstruction Evaluation and Arkansas.
- Click on the only case available: 2022-WTW-9639-OE.
- Click on the blue link: Add comments”.
- For further information, on the same page, click on the “circularization” PDF.
- FAA Help Desk: 202-580-7500.