Development of the wind farm at Mount Miller : Main report (final version)

Energie Eolienne du Mont Miller Inc. is a joint venture comprised of 3Ci Inc. and Northland Power Inc. which intends to develop a wind farm at Mount Miller near Murdochville, Quebec. The proposed wind turbine array includes 36 turbines for a total capacity of 54 megawatts (MW). The cost of the project has been estimated at $90 million. A contract has already been signed with Hydro-Quebec to buy the electricity. Integration studies are progressing well. This document contains the environmental impact study report, along with a general description of the environment and an explanation of the proposed project. The various impacts of the proposed project were examined, both from an environmental and a socio-economic perspective. It was determined that any residual negative impacts are not substantial. The visual impacts are considered to be negligible in two of the three strategic observation areas, and are considered moderate in the third. Although noise will increase very slightly in the inhabited neighbourhood of Murdochville, it will remain within the prescribed limits. According to studies conducted in Europe and the United States, birds are not likely to be distressed. 3 refs., 40 tabs., 19 figs