I just received the following email (I am on their distribution):
Puget Sound Energy’s Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility re-opened for public access on April 1, 2010. Hunting and recreation is allowed on the wind facility property 7 days per week from April 1 through November 30; gates along the Beacon Ridge Road open 2 hours before sunrise until 2 hours after sunset. While this land is open to hunting and other recreational activities such as hiking, bird watching, or horseback riding – special rules are in place to ensure the safety of hunters, local residents, wind project employees and equipment. Please take a moment to review the 2010 hunting/access information below:
Hunting/Recreation WITHIN Wind Farm Boundary – Permit Required
Written permission is required to access the wind facility property for hunting and recreation. Rules for hunting and recreation WITHIN the wind farm boundary are spelled out in the Access Permission Agreement you must sign and carry with you at all times. These rules are enforced by state game agents.
You may register for a permit on-line at
www.pse.com/WildHorsePermits are also available at the Renewable Energy Center (visitor center) located on Whiskey Dick Mtn at the wind farm. The Renewable Energy Center is open 7 days per week from 9:00am to 5:30pm and can be reached by calling 509-964-7815.
Driving THRU Wind Farm – No Permit Required
The Beacon Ridge Road is open for public transit thru the wind farm to access other areas of the Quilomene surrounding the wind farm. Thru access is allowed 7 days per week from April 1 through November 30; 2 hours before sunrise until 2 hours after sunset. Written permission is NOT required for THRU ACCESS on the Beacon Ridge Road. Gates close 2 hours after sunset with a free exit from the north. A map of the site is attached to this email.
Please be aware that access may be restricted at any time due to severe weather conditions (snow, icing, freezing fog, etc...) or for other conditions that may affect public safety. You'll need to follow a few important rules while traveling thru the wind farm on the Beacon Ridge Road:
1. The speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted. This is strictly enforced to ensure the safety of site personnel, visitors, and wildlife.
2. Operation of off-road vehicles (ORVs) or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) is NOT allowed anywhere on-site, including the Beacon Ridge Rd.
3. No stopping on Beacon Ridge Road
4. No vehicle access allowed on turbine string roads. These roads are gated and are for maintenance personnel only.
5. No driving off-road.
Please note: During the Spike Elk Hunt (Oct 30- Nov 7) Beacon Ridge Road will be open 24 hours per day with increased security to accommodate hunters during this busy season.
Site Closure
The wind farm is closed for hunting and recreation from December 1 through March 31.
December Access – NEW!
New this year, PSE is allowing thru access on the Beacon Ridge Road from Dec 1 through Dec 22 upon special request and by written permission only. No hunting or recreation is allowed on the wind facility property during this time; only thru access is allowed. To register for thru access from Dec 1 through Dec 22 you must contact the Wild Horse office at 509-964-7813 or email jennifer.diaz@pse.com.
To help assure continued access to and thru the wind farm, please report any violations of rules or laws to the Kittitas County Sheriff's Office at 509-925-8534 or to WDFW Wildlife Enforcement at 509-899-1656. If an emergency, please dial 911. We appreciate your help in reporting any violators so that these access privileges may be preserved.
For additional information log on to
www.pse.com/WildHorse.
Thank you!
Jennifer Diaz
Hunting Program Manager
Wild Horse Wind Facility
25901 Vantage Hwy, Ellensburg, WA 98926
509-964-7813 tel | 509-899-1107 cell
www.PSE.com
