STEPHENS LAW OFFICE, PLLC 235 High Street #518 Monongahela Building Morgantown, West Virginia 26505 (304) 680-4055 [email protected] Bradley MI. Stephens, Attorney March 17,2009 Sandra Squire, Executive Secretary Public Service Commission 201 Brooks Street P.Q. Box 812 Charleston, W 25323 Re: Case No. 08-2105-E-CS; AES New Creek, LLC Dear Nls. Squire: Please find enclosed for filing in the above referenced matter an original and twelve double-sided copies of "Allegheny Front Alliance's Viewpoint Descriptions for May 1,2009 Commission View of AES New Creek Project and Vicinity; which should be considered, for the purposes of the Commission's consideration, as an alternate "Exhibit A" to the "Joint Proposal for the Commission View of the New Creek Mountain Project Area," which is being filed today by counsel for AES New Creek. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for your assistance in this regard. dley W. Stepheu Enclosure cc: All parties of record Allegheny Front Alliance’s Viewpoint Descriptions for Mav 1,2009 Commission View of AES New Creek LLC Proiect and Vicini@ The viewing tour begins at the Kimble’s General Store in Scherr and then proceeds west on State Route 42/93 to Viewpoint 1. Viewpoint 1. A residence off Route 42/93 on the road leading to Mount Storm The view looking east is from an elevation of approximately 1,870 feet and provides a clear elevated view of New Creek Mountain on the western side of the ridge. To the south is the crest of Greenland Gap. Moving north is AES’s southernmost met tower, and the first turbine would be located approximately 1,500 feet north of that point. In addition, the first turbine would be one mile north of the southernmost of the nearby 500-kV transmission lines, a distance requested by Greenland Lodge to provide an adequate buffer from the Greenland Gap preservation area. Parts of Corridor H can also be seen, and the AES access road would leave Corridor H and travel from left to right up the mountain to a point where the northern transmission line crosses the ridge. From this viewpoint, the first turbine is just over two miles away. Driving Route to Viewpoint 2 After descending SR 42/93, we will turn left on SR 93 and head generally north. County Road (CR 1) begins at Scherr and continues east towards Greenland Gap, running along Patterson Creek. At Scherr, New Creek Mountain is prominent to the east. Here, the famed 800-foot Oriskany Sandstone cliffs surrounding the mountain can be seen. Leaving Scherr, farms and residences can be seen along SR 93. The proposed project site is visible from the fields skirting the left side of the road. Approximately three miles on the left is the Oakdale Church of the Brethren (CR 42-2, Oakdale Road). New Creek Mountain is visible on the east (right) side of the road. SR 93 gradually ascends Walker Ridge to an elevation of 2068 feet, approximately 0.6 mile from the Oakdale Church. Viewpoint 2. Near Walker Ridge On the right side of SR 93 is Walker Ridge Road (CR-1). The pulloff at this location provides an expansive view from southeast to northeast of New Creek Mountain’s ridgeline. Driving Route to Viewpoint 3 Continue on SR 93 (north), ascend Walker Ridge and then de CR 42-2 (Oakdale Road). Turn left, travel west approximate 0.5 mil Nearby is a gated residential community. Viewpoint 3. New Creek Lake and Site 14 off Qakdale Road and New Creek Lake, a major fishing attraction, lies at an elevation of approximately 1670 feet. Looking northeast from approximately the center of the dam provides a partial view of New Creek Mountah and the northernmost AES met tower, which is located in Mineral County. The proposed location of the northemost turbines, which would be located in Grant County, is approximately 1,700 feet south of the met tower. Driving Route to Viewpoint 4 Return to SR 93, turn left and descend the mountain on SR 93 (north). The road offers a continuous wooded vista, with Walker Ridge visible to the west and New Creek Mountain to the east. Because the fall foliage is so striking here, this route becomes a primary tourist draw as the colors emerge. SR 93 leaves Grant County and enters ineral County. At the county line, looking west (left) the Allegheny Front is visible. New Creek Mountain remains on the right side (east). The northernmost turbine would be located less than one mile from SR 93 and the county line. SR 93 passes through Laurel Dale, home to a restored gristmill and prime camping spots, just over one mile from the closest proposed turbine. At the junction of SR 93 and US 50 is the community of Claysville. From Claysville, the nearest turbine would be situated approximately four miles away. Viewpoint 4. Log Cabin and Church at Claysville Claysville is home to a restored log cabin, as well as the Claysville U&ed Methodist Church. After the congregation organized in 1849, the church was constructed in 1850 from lumber cut at a water-powered sawmill. The interior of the church features hand-finished chestnut seats. In addition to a place of worship, the building has been used as a ~~mm~nitybuilding and a school. The building is in excellent preserved condition and is eligible for the National Register of Historical Places. A state road marker identifies the area. From the adjacent cemetery and the church, New Creek Mountain is visible looking south to southeast. Dolls Gap is also visible. Driving Route to Viewpoint 5 From Claysville Church, proceed on US 50 west to the top of the Allegheny Front. This is the highest point on US 50 in Mineral County. Viewpoint 5. Skyline and Saddle Mountain The summit of US 50, at over 2800 feet in elevation and known as “Skyline,” affords a sweeping panorama of New Creek Mountain, and beyond into Virginia. Here, 2 the West Virginia Division of Highways maintains a large, paved public viewing area, which is very popular with tourists and bird watchers. Driving Route to Keyser for Lunch Leave Skyline, proceed east on US 50, return to Claysville Junction and turn left onto SR 93 - US 50, following New Creek Valley into Keyser. Denny’s appears on the right. Driving Route to Viewpoint 4 The route to Viewpoint 6 is south on Route 220, east on Route 50 and then south on Knobley Road (CR-9), also known as Ridgeville. Travel from Ridgeville on Knobley Road southwest to the Antioch community (approximately 2.2 miles). At Antioch, turn ri&t onto Grayson Gap Road (CR-6-1). Follow road signs to (CR-6-1) left (south) following Penneroil Road to the Nancy Hanks birthplace memorial. Return by the same route to the Antioch community to Knobley Road (approximately 1.4 miles). Drive south on Knobley Road (CR-9) and cross into Grant County (CR-9 turn to County Road 3). Proceeding along Knobley Road, we will pass cemeteries, old farmhouses, and the Thorn Run Inn, a bed and breakfast built in 1871. Magnificent views of the mountains and farms are abundant along the road. Viewpoint 6. rest of New Creek ountain, inacludin location of AES Meteorological Tower (designated 8784)) This location affords a view west to the Allegheny Fore, a popular hiking destination. The view will then traverse along the ridge top along portions of the Project. Driving Route to Viewpoint 7 After descending New Creek Mountain, the drive proceeds south on Knobley Road, where there breaks in the hobs provide a spectacular views of New Greek Mountain. Continue through the town of Martin and then left on Belle Babb Lane. This route runs parallel with the 500 kV transmission lines. Belle Babb Lane (CR-2) goes past a public fishing area and a dam before joining Patterson Creek Road CR-5. Turn right on Patterson Creek Road CR-5 and drive south 1.7 miles to Medley. Viewpoint 7. Medley Located on Patterson Creek Road is the community of Medley, which is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historical Places. The sloping ridge and valley renders New Creek Mountain highly visible to the west and northwest. 3 Driving Route to Viewpoint 8 Drive south on Patterson Creek Road approximately 1.8 miles. Because of the height of New Creek Mountain and the gradual slope to the east, Patterson Creek Road presents a continuous view of New Creek Mountain. Turn right (west) to CR 3-3 road to Falls. Continue west to Greenland Gap. Viewpoint 8. Greenland Gap CR-3-3 traverses the Greenland Gap, a unique geological area with sheer rock outcroppings. The Nature Conservancy maintains and preserves 250 acres of land here. Several hiking trails lead the mountain summit. Canada yew and red elderberry are found along the streams mingthrough the Gap. (Time permitting, and at the Commission’s discretion, the Commission and the parties may stop at an available roadside area here. Otherwise, ahis viewpoint will be treated as a “rolling viewpoint.”) Driving Route for Return to Sclherr The return to Schen is via Belle Babb Lane, Knobley Road and then east on Greenland Gap Road. This route passes though Greenland Gap and provides an opportunity to see the construction progress of Conidor Pi. 4 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I, Bradley W. Stephens, certifl that on the 17th day of March, 2009, I served the foregoing “Allegheny Front Alliance's Viewpoint Descriptions for May 1,2009 Commission View of AES New Creek Project and Vicinity” by mailing the same, by First Class United States Mail, to the following: Christopher L.