Who would have guessed learning about frogs would pertain to installing equipment on a construction job? The area surrounding the Moraine Sands Wind Farm project lies within the habitat of the Illinois chorus frog that is protected under an Illinois Endangered and Threatened Species program. This frog is listed as a threatened species by the State of Illinois as its population has declined due to the loss of its essential habitat. The wind farm’s construction activities have the potential to harm the frogs when they are residing in their underground burrows and during their breeding season. Moraine Sands was committed to providing compensatory mitigation to the Illinois IDNR for both temporary and permanent impacts on the species and applied for an Incidental Take Authorization with the IDNR. All construction workers and anyone entering the site (including our IT staff) were required to pass environmental awareness training that included identifying the Illinois chorus frog and understanding avoidance and minimization measures to protect the species. The project’s comprehensive approach to protecting the Illinois chorus frog and the involvement of various stakeholders, including worker training and on-site monitoring, demonstrates a commitment to environmental conservation and compliance with regulations.

The Moraine Sands project is an expansion of the 30,000 acre Glacier Sands Wind Farm comprised of 39 turbines. The project will bring more benefits from the natural resource of wind power to the county.

We want to extend a special thanks to all who came together to make the wind farm project successful despite the extra challenges that come with being eight hours from our home base in St. Paul, MN. It took a complete team effort and everyone rose to the occasion delivering nearly 30,000 yards without a single quality or safety issue!