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facilities, and the balance of the Site will remain unaffected. Elevations at the Site and its • drainage characteristics will be unchanged. There will be no lighting at the turbine except to the extent a light on the blade tips or at the top of the turbine nacelle is required by the Federal Aviation Administration. No signage is planned. No curb and gutter is required. Parcels surrounding the Site include pasture and the gravel mine to the south and east; cultivated fields to the north and east; and a single-family residence on a parcel immediately west of the Site. The residence is approximately 500 feet due west of the turbine. See Appendix A-2. C. Other Environmental Impacts Several other issues are commonly raised when wind turbines are sited, each of which has been extensively studied and each of which is addressed below. 1. Noise. Turbines create noise during operation. The Vestas V-47 does not create any problematic tones. In addition, with an adequate setback from receptors, as here, no perceptible increase in noise should occur beyond the Site. The turbine is expected to operate within all applicable Minnesota Pollution Control Agency noise regulations. 2. View. The turbine will be visible from a considerable distance. The height of the tower and turbine at the hub of the turbine rotors will be about feet. The • rotor diameter, the diameter of the area swept by the turbine's three blades, is about 154 feet. While the tower, turbine and blades will be painted relatively unobtrusive colors, the facility will be visible. Public perceptions of such turbines often conflict. Some persons do not appreciate the view; others appreciate what the turbine represents. In any event, there is a limit to the mitigation opportunities for addressing this issue. 3. Wildlife. There has been a considerable amount of research with respect to the tendency of wind turbines to increase mortality among birds who collide with the turbines. Studies have been conducted worldwide at a large number of wind facilities. In Minnesota, an extensive five-year study of turbines and their effect on bird populations was recently concluded, focusing on the Buffalo Ridge area in Lincoln and Pipestone Counties which currently contains over 300 turbines. In that area, with a large resident bird population and significant migration activity, it was concluded that no significant increase in avian mortality had occurred. In a more densely populated area such as that surrounding the Site, a similar result is expected. No other wildlife should be affected. 4. Emissions. There are no emissions, releases or discharges from normal operation and maintenance activities. 5. Decommissioning. The power purchase agreement with NSP has a scheduled • term of 30 years, ending by approximately December 31, 2030. At that time, • 3