Inspector reports no real problems

MONTEREY —Highland building official Jim Whitelaw has conducted four more inspections of the Highland New Wind Development construction, and filed Erosion and Sediment site reports on his findings. The four September reports all indicate Whitelaw found no problems on the site. His notes are as follows:

• Sept. 3 — Mark Chambers (of the Department of Conservation and Recreation) was on site. "He recommended a temporary slope drain to protect the fill below the substation pad until the grass is fully established," Whitelaw said.

• Sept. 10 — Whitelaw noted there had been ¾ inches of rain on Sept. 9. He said, "The fill slope below the substation pad has a little more erosion with sediment going into the ditch leading to the sediment pond, but not a lot. The temporary slope drains are being installed right now. No other problems were visible on site."

• Sept. 22 —Whitelaw noted .1 inch of rain, and said, "Grass is coming along at sediment ponids, road bank and substation fill bank. No problems with erosion visible. Excavation has begun at tower pads 5R, 6R and 7R and the road connecting these. Excavation is approximately 2,000 feet long and approximately 10 to 12 acres (my estimate). All perimeter controls (silt fence) is installed OK. A sediment pond is installed below 5R but is not yet seeded and mulched. A sediment pond is being installed below pad 7R. The slight rain this morning stopped construction for today. No visible erosion anywhere at the pad sites."

• Sept. 28 — Whitelaw noted about 2.5 inches of rain over the weekend. He said, "Red Oak entry/substation site: no significant erosion; only slight erosion of the bank above the substation sediment trap (into the trap). Neither of the two sediment traps are filled to the overflow level yet. Pads 5, 6, 7 sites: No significant erosion against the perimeter controls (silt fence). The two sediment traps here have very little water in them." — Anne Adams