Melissa Granville's List: Kiowa County

To identify potential environmental fatal flaws, John Deere subjected the southwest site to a general environmental review and made preliminary contacts with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS),Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) and the Kansas State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). The site environmental review covered the following topics:

• General environmental setting

• Wetlands

• Threatened and endangered species

• National Register of Historic Places within 5 miles of the site

• Public recreation areas within 5 miles of the site

• Federal Aviation Administration regulated airports within 5 miles of the site and potential

concerns with long range radar

• Federal Communication Commission registered towers within 5 miles of the site

The following list provides a summary of the mitigation measures that are anticipated by John Deere.

1. Erosion control measures, including the use of best management practices (BMPs), would be employed for all areas planned for soil disturbance.

2. Any topsoil removed in the construction of the new units and support facilities and structures would be used as onsite fill or spread for areas not paved or occupied by structures.

3. To the extent practicable and feasible, areas disturbed by construction activities would be revegetated to minimize potential impacts to existing habitat.

4. Construction and operation activities that impact stormwater drainage would comply with the NPDES Permit for Storm Water Discharge from Construction Activities, and all applicable BMPs identified in the SWPPP would be implemented and maintained during construction and operation of the wind farm.

5. Should any previously unknown historic/prehistoric sites or artifacts be encountered during construction, all land altering activities at that location will be suspended until such time that the RUS and the SHPO are notified and appropriate measures taken to assure compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act and any associated legislation

6. The majority of construction activities will be scheduled from 6:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. in order to minimize the potential noise impacts to surrounding residences

The current land use for the city of Greensburg includes developed land (residential and commercial), street, highway, and railroad rights-of-way, agricultural lands, and the public city dump. The city of Greensburg’s land use and zoning regulations are administered and enforced by the Mayor and City Council.

FEMA-1699-DR-KS – Kiowa County Commons Draft Environmental Assessment

12 FEMA activated the Long-Term Community Recovery program, which integrated assistance from the State of Kansas and federal agencies focused on the community’s long-term recovery goals after the tornado. The program provides coordination of resources and planning services in support of the area’s

recovery effort. This Long-Term Community Recovery Plan process expresses the Greensburg and Kiowa County community vision for recovery in the aftermath of the tornado. This Recovery Plan was the result of an intensive 12-week process involving many meetings and discussions among the citizens, civic groups, business owners, local, state, and federal officials, and the long-term recovery planning team. A

total of four community meetings were held to gain input and feedback on plan ideas and concepts. Attendance at these public meetings averaged 400 people. The Draft Recovery Plan was presented to the community at a public meeting on August 2, 2007. Approximately 350 people attended the meeting and were able to review the draft, discuss issues, and provide input through discussion and posting notes

on the plan boards. Projects receiving the most comments and highest priority from the attendees and Public Square stakeholders included:

• Rebuild City and County Buildings

• Rebuild Schools and Expand Educational Opportunities in Kiowa County

• Develop Affordable and Diverse Housing Opportunities

• Rebuild Medical and Emergency Service Facilities

The way a community chooses to rebuild following a disaster impacts not only those who construct and repair in the months and years after the event, but those who will live in the community for generations to come. Decisions made today and in the near future can influence rebuilding in a way that takes advantage of technology and traditional design to reduce the cost of living and makes the most of the assets of the community. Greensburg and Kiowa County have the unique opportunity to rebuild in a way that will not only replace the parts of the community that were destroyed but will look at the real impact of that rebuilding on the community and the environment. Sustainable or “green” development creates livable, inspirational, and enduring places where the quality of life and the long-term quality of the community will be enhanced

rather than depleted. When developing and redeveloping Greensburg and Kiowa County in a sustainable manner, it is important to look at the environmental, social and economic aspects of the community from a holistic perspective.