HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2016 (37) Resolution No. 37 (2016)
�
, ��, UNTy RESOLUTION REGARDING THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
OF WIND TURBINE ENERGY SYSTEMS IN ST. CROIX
COUNTY
1 WHEREAS, on July 7, 2016 the Highland Wind Farm in the town of Forest was
2 approved by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin; and
3
4 WHEREAS, the approved wind farm will consist of 44 wind turbines and is expected to
5 generate enough energy to power 35,000 homes; and
6
7 WHEREAS, since as early as March of 2012, the Health and Human Services Board has
8 heard concerns from St. Croix County residents regarding health impacts related to wind turbine
9 energy systems, some of which include sleeplessness, noise, exhaustion, headache,head and ear
10 pressure and anxiety; and
11
12 WHEREAS, wind farms are located across the state of Wisconsin with residents
13 reporting similar health problems; and
14
15 WHEREAS, one conclusion of the Wisconsin Wind Siting Council in the Wind Turbine
16 Siting-Health Review and Wind Siting Policy update completed in 2014 stated that although
17 there are several publications arguing that noise from wind turbines directly causes adverse
18 health effects in humans, based upon the peer reviewed literature,it appears at this time that
19 there is insufficient data to validate this scientific conclusion; and
20
21 WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Wind Siting Council Minority Response strongly
22 recommends acoustic and epidemiological studies be carried out, especially in Wisconsin where
23 there are existing complaints of sleep disturbances, headaches, nausea, tinnitus or much worse
24 related to existing wind energy systems. These studies should include measuring and analyzing
25 the nature and effects of infrasound and low frequency noise; and
26
27 WHEREAS, it is probable that when the Highland Wind Farm project is operational,
28 similar complaints from residents from the town of Forest may occur; and
29
30 WHEREAS, on July 19, 2016, the Health and Human Services Board passed a motion to
31 adopt the Public Health position statement pertaining to the wind turbine energy systems and
32 directed this be placed in a resolution for consideration by the County Board of Supervisors.
33
34 THEREFORE, be it resolved that the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors adopts the
35 following public health position statement:
36
37 • Issues surrounding wind turbine energy systems should not be addressed one local
38 health department at a time.
39 • An updated position statement from the current State Health Officer should be
40 completed with direction and support provided to all local health departments.
41 • The State of Wisconsin should fund and complete a Health Impact Assessment on the
42 effect of wind turbine energy systems. This impact study should address wind turbine
43 energy siting recommendations. In addition, this non-biased health impact study
44 should include areas within the state that have existing wind turbine energy systems
45 to determine why some individuals are impacted.
46 • The Wisconsin Division of Public Health should develop a"fact sheet"with
47 information pertaining to wind turbine energy systems and health impact. This
48 should be followed by presentations from Division of Public Health staff in counties
49 where requested.
50 • The Wisconsin Division of Public Health should review current human health hazard
51 statute and determine if updates to this statute are necessary to address new and/or
52 emerging health issues.
53 • The Wisconsin Division of Public Health should identify baseline health assessment
54 recommendations for individuals to voluntarily consider with their physician to assist
55 individuals that may be impacted by future placement of industrial wind turbines. St.
56 Croix County Public Health may assist individuals in interpreting these
57 recommendations.
58
59 THEREFORE, be it further resolved that the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors
60 directs the County Clerk to forward this resolution to the office of the Governor, Assembly
61 Members and Senators representing St. Croix County, County Public Health Departments,
62 Wisconsin Counties Association, Department of Health Services Secretary, and the State Health
63 Officer
Legal—Fiscal—Administrative Approvals:
Legal Note:
Fiscal Impact: None
c ote Cox, Corpora cpm ,ounsel4/20)1.6
d
Abert Mit et, lrtcrr ::'"2011.7
sur rp_6,County Ac1mdni;tr,1ior W4/2016
08/09/16 Health & Human Services Board APPROVED
......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ..........
RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Paulette Anderson, Supervisor
SECONDER: Bob Long, Supervisor
AYES: Logelin, Babbitt, Coulter, Long, Kiesler, Anderson, Leibfried, Rasmussen
ABSENT: Lisa Ramsay
Vote Confirmation.
rM�toplie a�rrtt, : rr�,;car /9/201
SL Croix County Board of Supervisors Action:
Roll Call -Vote Requirement— Majority of Supervisors Present
......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ......... ..................
RESULT: ADOPTED AS AMENDED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Ron Kiesler, Supervisor
SECONDER: Scott Nelson, Supervisor
AYES: Sicard, Ring, Babbitt, Coulter, Sjoberg, Long, Bergren, Nelson, Berke, Ostness,
Larson, Hansen, Kiesler, Brinkman, Anderson, Achterhof, Leibfried, Peavey
ABSENT: David Peterson
This Resolution was Adopted as Amended by the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors on September 6,2016
Cindy Campbell, County Clerk