Dear VA-Birders,
The following is a public announcement for a meeting on a topic that may
impact VA birds and VA birding. Do not start a debate on wind power on
VA-Bird.
Thank you in advance.
Paul Mocko
Co-owner, VA-Bird listserv
Posted for Brenda Tekin and Patti Reum:
The State Corporation Commission will be holding public hearings in
Monterey on March 13 and March 14 on the proposed construction of wind
turbines along the Allegheny Mountain near Hightown just west of Monterey.
(Details below)
For those of you unfamiliar with the proposed site for the wind turbines, I
can tell you this from personal observation, it overlooks Blue Grass Valley,
the area with heaviest concentration of Golden Eagle in the county and the
Commonwealth of Virginia!
Brenda Tekin
Charlottesville, VA
The following communication sent by Patti Reum:
This project is at the state permitting level now, and if allowed, it will
be built and may allow proliferation of wind turbines on many ridges in the
county and state. Interested people should either speak at the public
meeting or submit a letter (snail mail or electronically) I am including
details on how to submit letters and speak.
Speech and/or letter should address how the person uses this area (i.e.
birding, natural history study) and should stress the importance of the area
as a unique natural area (northern boreal red spruce forest), bird habitat,
endangered species habitat (eagles, Northern flying squirrel), special
protected Tier III waters (Laurel Fork watershed). Should also mention how
the person uses the area and if they visit seasonally and repeatedly (year
after year). Could mention specific species, such as golden-winged
warblers, wintering golden eagles,etc. Might want to mention the economic
importance of birding and ecotourism to the county and state (birders spend
money at restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, lodging facilities,
etc.) If birder specifically use Rt. 601 and Bear Mountain Farm (on the
State Birding and Wildlife Trail) that should be included. Thanks for your
help. Please pass this information on to anyone you might think would be
concerned about turbines lining the ridges of Highland County. Bat and bird
kills have been well-documented.
The State Corporation Commission has scheduled public hearings on March 13
at 1:30pm and 6:30 pm and March 14 at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm at the Elementary
School gym in Monterey, Virginia to consider the proposal by Highland New
Wind Development for a commercial wind utility on Allegheny Mountain.
Participating as a citizen: Citizens wishing to comment should arrive 15
minutes early to sign in. Speakers will be sworn in and allowed to make
statements in order to the hearing examiner. There is no limit on time of
speech and number of speakers. Speakers may be asked to clarify their
statements.
Those who cannot attend may submit comments in writing or through the SCC
web site electronically. THE DEADLINE IS MARCH 13! Letters should be
mailed to: Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, Document Control
Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, VA 23218-2118. Refer to case number
PUE-2005-00101.
To submit letters electronically, visit the SCC web site:
www.scc.virginia.gov/caseinfo.htm. Click on the "Public Notices: link, find
the Highland New Wind Development case list, and then click the "Submit
Comments" button. You will be required to give your name and address.
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