SITING A WIND PROJECT - Wind Resource Assessment: A Practical Guide to Developing a Wind Project - page 32

of particular cultural, environmental, historical, religious, or other significance may
trigger other permitting hurdles.
In some countries, local authorities (e.g., town governments) exert considerable
control over the use of both public and private lands within their jurisdictions, inde-
pendent of national and provincial agencies. Some localities may simply require
notification prior to installation of tall structures on private land. Others may require
a Professional Engineering (PE) stamp on structure drawings and anchoring sys-
tem designs and a detailed explanation of how the tower will be decommissioned
(removed) at the end of the monitoring period. Since tilt-up towers usually fall in the
category of temporary structures, it is often easier to obtain permits for them than for
fixed towers.
3.6 LAND LEASE AGREEMENTS
Once a potential monitoring site is identified, the developer typically enters into an
agreement with the landowner (or whatever entity controls the land) to gain access
to the property for the duration of the monitoring program and to secure rights to the
land should the project go forward.
This agreement often takes the form of an option. The option period typically lasts
3-5 years to allow sufficient time for the developer to install the mast and evaluate
the wind resource. Before the term is over, the developer has the choice of exercising
the option to lease the land for a wind project, requesting an extension, or letting the
option expire. In this way, both the landowner's and developer's interests are protected
during the option period. The developer is assured that the land will be available if
the project goes forward, without having to purchase it or lease it for a long period
in case it does not. The landowner is assured that if the project is not built, he or she
will be able to offer the land to another developer or put it to another use.
During the option period, the developer usually pays a fee to the landowner for the
right to place wind monitoring equipment on the site and sometimes to compensate for
lost income and construction- or service-related disruptions. The compensation varies
widely depending on local custom, the wind resource, the length of the option period,
the desirability of the land for wind development, and the income or opportunities
that may be lost from alternative uses.
Example terms include, but are not limited to, the following:
Area Leased . The lease should clearly state where the meteorological towers can
be located and the total area they will occupy. Any required setbacks from
residences and property lines should be stated.
Access . The developer should be able to access the monitoring equipment to retrieve
data and carry out repairs and maintenance in a timely fashion, with appropriate
notice given to the landowner.