a) Contact resource agencies (Table 1), property-owners and other stakeholders early to identify potentially sensitive land uses and issues. Ensure that all the stakeholders fully understand the entire project in order to address and resolve potential land use issues.

b) Look at all the land use relationships and objectives for an entire wind resource area. Land use concerns are specific to different regions of South Dakota thus early scoping and planning is crucial to reducing potentially incompatible uses. Contact appropriate experts (Table 2) and resource agencies to research and evaluate the issues prior to selecting a specific site within the respective region.

c) Careful consideration should be given to the impact of wind power projects in areas that are unique/rare in South Dakota, such as the Coteau des Prairies, Missouri River, and Prairie Pothole regions (Figure 1), particularly in areas that are relatively unfragmented. Special care should be given to avoid damage to unfragmented landscapes and high quality remnants in wetland and prairie ecosystems (e.g., tall grass, mixed grass, and short grass prairie). If possible, wind energy development should be located on already altered landscapes, such as cultivated or developed lands. An undeveloped buffer adjacent to intact prairies is also desirable.

d) Consider the potential impacts of both wind and non-wind (e.g., roads, transmission lines, substations) project development in the wind resource area before development projects are proposed, and develop a plan for the area that avoids or minimizes land use conflicts. Design the project site layout to limit the use of the land, consolidate necessary infrastructure requirements wherever possible, and evaluate current transmission lines and market access.

e) Learn the rules that govern where and how a wind project may be developed in the project area. Become aware of potential conflicts between lease provisions and permitting agency (e.g., The Public Utilities Commission and/or local governments) conditions for project development.

a) Consider the biological setting early in project evaluation and planning. Use biological and environmental experts to conduct a preliminary biological reconnaissance of the likely site area. Communicate with personnel from wildlife agencies (e.g., South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks (SDGFP), U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U. S. Geological Survey, and Natural Resources Conservation Service; Table 1) and universities (e.g., South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, Dakota State University, Black Hills State University, and Northern State University; Table 2). If a proposed turbine site has a large potential for biological conflicts and an alternate site is eventually deemed appropriate, the time and expense of detailed wind resource evaluation work may be lost.

b) Contact the local resource management agency (e.g., local South Dakota Conservation District and SDGFP regional office, Appendix A) early in the planning process to determine if there are any resources of special concern in the area under consideration.

c) Involve local environmental/natural resources groups (e.g., South Dakota Wildlife Federation, local chapters of Audubon Society, local chapters of The Wildlife Society, Isaak Walton League, The Nature Conservancy, South Dakota Bat Working Group, Ducks Unlimited, United Sportsmen for South Dakotans; Table 3) as soon as practicable. Early involvement of these organizations may provide additional resource information as well as minimize potential conflicts.

d) Avoid unnecessary ecological impacts of wind power development through proper planning. Examine landscape levels of key wildlife habitats, migration corridors, staging/concentration area, and breeding/brood-rearing areas to help develop general siting strategies. Situate turbines so they do not interfere with important wildlife movement corridors and staging areas.

e) Avoid large, intact areas of native vegetation. Sites where native vegetation is scarce or absent will have substantially fewer biological resource concerns.

f) Careful review should be given to sites with legally protected wildlife (e.g., state or federal threatened or endangered species, migratory birds) present or potentially present. Recognize that other declining or vulnerable species (not legally protected) may also be present. Investigate wildlife issues associated with each potential wind energy site and determine the apparent impacts of each potential wind energy site on species of concern.

g) Avoid lattice-designed towers or other designs providing perches for avian predators. Avoid placing perches of any sort on the nacelles of turbines. Address potential adverse affects of turbine warning lights on migrating birds and bats. Minimize effects of meteorological towers when investigating wind energy potential by using tubular monopoles rather than lattice structures with guy wires and lighting systems, which could represent a hazard to birds.

h) Bury power lines and/or place turbines near existing transmission lines and substations, where possible. Infrastructure should be able to withstand periodic burning of vegetation, where prescribed burns are practiced. Minimize number of roads and fences.

i) Mitigate for habitat loss in areas where there is ecological damage in the siting of a wind power facility. Appropriate actions include but are not limited to ecological restoration, long-term management agreements, conservation easements, or fee title acquisitions to protect lands with similar or higher ecological quality as that of the wind power site.

j) Consider possible cumulative regional impacts from multiple wind energy projects when conducting environmental assessments and making mitigation decisions. Evaluation of these impacts could result in significant changes to project plans.

k) Consider turbine designs (e.g., wind turbines with tubular monopoles rather than lattice structures with guy wires) or deterrents, which minimize potential impacts on flying animals such as birds and bats.

l) Consider timing of construction and maintenance activities (including mowing) to minimize impacts on native flora (plants) and fauna (animals), including ground-nesting birds. Avoid construction and maintenance activities during breeding season (April to July) and, if possible, during migration (April – June and August – October).

m) Develop a stringent plan for preventing the introduction or establishment of non-native/invasive flora (plants) in disturbed areas and establishing the financial means to do so the length of the wind power project/site.

a) Design projects with adequate setbacks from dwelling units, especially where the dwelling unit is in a relatively less windy or quieter location than the turbine(s). Recognize that residents who object to noise created by wind energy may replace residents who support wind systems. Efforts should be made to place the turbines in disturbed areas (e.g., croplands) as stated above.

b) Avoid locating marginally noisy turbines in projects with nearby residences. In areas with critical acoustic levels, e.g., nearby residences or natural surroundings, consider taking efforts to prevent problems by upgrading turbines with sound reduction technology.

a) Consider visual impact of wind power projects when siting turbines. Evaluate the impact of siting turbines on the quality of the surrounding landscape, especially in areas where aesthetic qualities and/or neighboring properties might be affected. Prepare and use visual simulations and/or viewshed analyses to provide information to landowners, the general public, and other key stakeholders to identify potential impacts to visual resources from wind power developments.

b) Educate all stakeholders about what to expect from a wind project. Prepare to make impact tradeoffs and coordinate planning efforts in all jurisdictions and with all stakeholders.

c) Listen to the communities and stakeholders in all project phases and be prepared to adapt design to minimize industrial characteristics and structures and minimize visual exposure from sensitive areas.

d) Minimize the need for developed roads or cut and fill techniques. Consider possibilities and benefits of using roadless project designs or designs relying on current roads, especially in remote or sensitive visual areas.

a) Prepare and implement a public education program to discuss the benefits and tradeoffs involved in wind generation.

b) Provide objective information or access to objective information that allows interested parties to make informed decisions. Decision making by all stakeholders is enhanced through accurate and comprehensive information sharing and opportunities for communication between stakeholders. Invite public input in regards to wind power projects through public meetings and public forums.

a) Minimize the footprint of the project and evaluate alternative turbine pad and access road siting and layouts. Minimize improved roads and construction staging areas and avoid sensitive habitats (e.g., native prairies and wetlands).

b) Preferably conduct construction and maintenance of wind power sites when the ground is frozen or when soils are dry and the native vegetation is dormant. Conduct ongoing operation and maintenance activities, as practical, by using light conveyances in order to minimize habitat disturbance and the need for improved roads.

c) Whenever possible, avoid road construction on steep slopes.

d) When selecting the appropriate erosion control measures, be aware that although some measures may require greater initial expense, significant savings will occur over the life of the project in reduced maintenance and replacement costs. Furthermore, a well-developed erosion and sediment control plan may also reduce regulatory delays in approving and monitoring the project.

e) Use certified weed-free seed of local ecotypes of native vegetation when reseeding disturbed areas and consider revegetation re-growth and cover. Consider animal and plant compositions when determining the frequency and timing of mowing near turbines.

a) Consider safety setback distances from wind turbines and habitable dwellings, public highways, and property lines when evaluating specific parcels for development. Setbacks should provide adequate spacing from falling ice, blown turbine parts, and major structural failure, which can mitigate siting issues.

b) Design facilities and turbine pads to prevent or avoid public and worker safety problems. Consider the benefits of underground wiring between turbines and project substation.

a) Identify and avoid potentially sensitive cultural, historical, or pre-historical resources and involve all stakeholders early on.

b) Consult with the South Dakota State Historical Society (Table 1) and other qualified professional specialists familiar with cultural and fossil resources in the project development area.

c) Some sensitive resources and sites may be confidential to Native Americans. Respect this confidentiality and work closely with tribal representatives to protect these resources by avoiding disruption to these sites.

d) Design project site layout to avoid sensitive resources, if possible.

f) Allow adequate time in the project schedule for data and specimen recovery, mapping, analysis, and reporting.

a) Identify any community services, costs, and infrastructure that may be affected by a project and work to involve all stakeholders in solving any conflicts and designing mitigation plans. Work with all the concerned stakeholders to develop appropriate mitigation for unavoidable impacts and monitor compliance to ensure the measures are implemented. Attempt to avoid or minimize potential impacts on community services, costs, and infrastructure.

b) House Bill 1235, passed during Legislative Session 2003, is an act to provide for the taxation of wind energy property in South Dakota, encouraging developers to build in South Dakota yet help local communities. As any changes to the property tax rate are considered, local taxing jurisdictions should seek to recover only those costs directly associated with services to the wind development to avoid discouraging new wind projects. Involve local communities in economic plan and work to be good neighbors.

c) Recognize that some districts, counties, and/or cities do not have an established zoning and/or permitting process applicable to wind power development. Do not exploit this fact rather work with appropriate local officials to establish reasonable parameters and make the process as clear to the public as possible.

d) Use local contractors and providers for supplies, services, and equipment, when possible, during the construction and operation phases of the project.

e) Acknowledge that there may not be specific needs by local communities for electricity generated by the proposed wind power project, therefore substantive public benefits should be provided beyond hosting the renewable energy facility.

f) Provide information to all stakeholders in regards to future project expansions to ensure all stakeholders have precise information. Recognize that developers may not be fully informed about future expansions and stakeholders may have issues and concerns that are dependent on the project scale.

g) Expanded projects may involve impacts not specifically addressed during the initial project. Anticipate and make provisions for future site decommissioning and restoration.

a) Ensure that construction wastes are collected from all wind power sites and disposed of at a licensed facility. Waste disposal practices should not be different in wind power from those required at other power plants or repair facilities.

b) Anticipate fluid leaks and avoid hazardous leaks by using non-hazardous fluids. Design a Hazardous Materials Waste Plan to address avoidance, handling, disposal, and cleanup, when necessary.

c) Conduct turbine maintenance facilities and major turbine repairs off-site.

a) Address air quality issues potentially associated with construction and operation of the wind generation project. Mitigate any impacts during sensitive operations so the overall impact is relatively small and temporary.