Unacceptable Scenic Impact of Bowers Mountain Project

As a seasonal resident of the Grand Lakes region, I obviously have an interest in the impact of these wind power projects on my general enjoyment, but I'll also concede that my interest doesn't trump those of year round residents. The cost/benefits of each project and the Maine wind power movement as a whole needs to factor in the economic impact on Maine residents in the areas of jobs, electricity costs, taxes, etc. These are significant factors and have been documented to some degree, although not very thoroughly, based on what I've been able to uncover so far.

At the same time though, it's also pretty obvious that the interests of Maine residents and seasonal residents such as myself are to some degree intertwined. Does anyone in the Grand Lakes region think that there isn't a significant economic value to the presence of a fairly large seasonal resident population? Is there evidence that this population is steadily growing and that's perceived to be a generally good thing for the local economy? Again, I won't argue that a job as caretaker of vacation properties is better than that of maintenance engineer of a wind farm, but if you consider our broader impact on the consumption of local goods and services, you can't say that we "flatlanders" aren't a significant contributor to the economy of the region.

In the 2008 report of the governor's task force on wind energy, the following is mentioned with regard to approval criteria for such projects: Other factors to consider are the scenic character of the landscape in which the project is located, the expectations of users of the scenic resource, and how significantly the public’s use and enjoyment of the resource would be adversely impacted by the presence of the project. I think I can speak for others like myself who were first attracted to the Grand Lakes region by the unique scenic character and outdoor recreational possibilities. I bought my property here even though it is a four and a half hour drive from my year round residence in New Hampshire. This area offered the remote beauty and the unspoiled natural resources that meant so much to me and my family. Since we first came here, I've seen a steady influx of people like myself into the area and have concluded that this growth has been beneficial to residents of the region.

I simply can't imagine that I would have made this decision if, when I first drove East on Route 6 looking for Lakeville, I found myself staring at a row of wind turbines cranking away on Bowers Mountain. Just wouldn't have happened. What I CAN imagine, is if I someday have to look up from my boat on Duck Lake and see those turbines dominating the landscape, I may begin thinking whether this area still has the essential scenic quality that I first fell in love with.

I think some folks in Augusta need to carefully consider what they may be doing. Sometimes, when you're doing a cost/benefit analysis, you need to look beyond the superficial factors and try to understand what may be more fundamentally important. Yes, Maine needs cheaper and cleaner energy, but is achieving that goal worth sacrificing what may be at the very heart and soul of Maine's most valued and treasured uniqueness? A wind farm on Bowers Mountain is just so obviously a case of bad analysis which absolutely shouldn't be allowed to lead to a disastrous decision.

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Comment by K Campbell on April 11, 2010 at 2:48pm
Eloquently put, Duck Laker. We of the Partnership for the Preservation of the Downeast Lakes Watershed are in line with you and are fighting Bowers any way we can.
Visit our website: www.ppdlw.org and join our e-mail list if you haven't yet.
Comment by Joanne Moore on April 11, 2010 at 12:46pm
Ha ha ha, Lame Duck Lake. Quack, quack! Good one, Long Islander.
Comment by alice mckay barnett on April 11, 2010 at 8:17am
i wish the natives could help turn back time but we know how the big government treats them.
is there a treaty to be renewed soon? hopefully if maine indians work as they did on Passamaquoddy land act they can demand the waterways and land as it was at signing of treaty (pre-european 1400)
Comment by Long Islander on April 11, 2010 at 7:50am
Let's all chip in and buy the governor a camp on Lame Duck Lake.
Comment by Dan McKay on April 11, 2010 at 6:23am
We, the people of Maine, devoting much energy, time, money and sacrifice, striving to harmonize our activities with the influences of nature, sometimes overlook our re-emerged jewel. Forty years ago, we junked our rivers, spoiled our air and poisoned our soils. By unanimous effort, commitment and vision, and fortified with mother nature's own cleansing strength, a better Maine , a beautiful Maine has re-appeared.
Your good words, Duck Lake, are reaffirming. We are all partners, unwilling to trade in noble achievements for wasteful endeavors.
Comment by Brad Blake on April 10, 2010 at 10:56pm
I grew up in Lincoln and spent many great times in the rolling ridges, lakes, streams and barrens of this part of northeastern Maine---what is rapidly becoming the State of "FirstWindiana". While much of the focus is on Maine's magnificent mountains stretching from the Mahoosucs to Katahdin, it seems that every ridge in northeastern Maine from the hinterlands of Hancock and Washington Counties up to the very doorstep of Katahdin has met towers. Its much more than Bowers Mt, folks! Its the entire region!

For those of you not familiar, the Grand Lakes of eastern Maine is one of the greatest lake regions in the United States and remains nearly pristine. In addition to the Grand Lakes are hundreds of jewels like Duck Lake and Nicatous. The Duck Lake link is: http://www.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/doc/parksearch/search_name.pl?s... This is a Maine Public Reserved Land parcel. We bought it with our taxpayer dollars through bond issues because it was worthy of conservation. Not only will Bowers Mt. affect this parcel, but Passadumkeag Mt. looms even closer and has a Met Tower owned by Noble Environmental. If there is a wind company with a worse track record than First Wind, it is Noble. Near Duck Lake is Nicatous. Link: http://www9.informe.org/lmf/projects/project_detail.php?project=1559. Here's a unique project that also involves bonded taxpayer money from the Fund for Land for Maine's Future and other sources. An exerpt: The centerpiece of this property is 5,100-acre Nicatous Lake, widely considered to be one of Maine’s most beautiful water bodies with its pristine sand beaches, intricate coves and 98 islands. It lies along an historic Penobscot River Indian canoe trail (now the Eastern Maine Canoe Trail) and is the hub for paddling routes down the Union, Narraguagus and West Machias rivers.

Nicatous is one of the top five loon-nesting lakes in Maine, and has three bald eagle nesting sites. There are six deer-wintering areas in the area and ample range for species such a bobcat and black bear.

In any other state, a place with that description would be a state park! Here in Maine, it is in an expedited wind permitting zone. The turbines on Passadumkeag Mt. will loom over Nicatous just 3-5 miles away. Nicatous is on the east side of Passadumkeag Mt., so it will be on the noisy side with the prevailing wind. These projects will all be under LURC jurisdiction and LURC will surely permit the devastation of some of the most beautiful parts of Maine.
Comment by Joanne Moore on April 10, 2010 at 7:30pm
The sad part, Duck Laker, is that even with the sacrifice of Maine's most valued and treasured uniqueness, Maine will not have cheaper and cleaner energy. It will all be shipped out of state. We lose both ways. Maine is an exporter of energy. We don't use all that we produce. And if we are forced to pay for the new transmission lines that will be needed for this excess wind energy, electricity bills could be doubled or tripled. The people behind this disastrous drive for wind power stand to make millions of dollars, our Governor John Baldacci, ex governor Angus King and a few others will destroy our state to enrich themselves. We have corruption, lies, and bribed local authorities to contend with as well. And a media who are afraid of losing ad dollars to some very powerful Maine companies. And an environmental community of dunderheads. What we need is for people like yourself to write letters to our editors and tell them just why you come to Maine and why you may think twice about doing so if Maine continues the devastation of our environment. Tourism is Maine's largest industry. We stand to lose our friends from away if this policy continues. And that would be very sad, too. Thank you for being here and saying what needs to be said.
Comment by Dan McKay on April 10, 2010 at 3:29pm
Not to worry, Duck Laker, another site, another fight for the CTFWP.
Comment by Harrison Roper on April 10, 2010 at 3:13pm
Thank you, Duck Laker - you hae said it very well.
Harrison Roper - Houlton/Danforth

 

Maine as Third World Country:

CMP Transmission Rate Skyrockets 19.6% Due to Wind Power

 

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Maine Center For Public Interest Reporting – Three Part Series: A CRITICAL LOOK AT MAINE’S WIND ACT

******** IF LINKS BELOW DON'T WORK, GOOGLE THEM*********

(excerpts) From Part 1 – On Maine’s Wind Law “Once the committee passed the wind energy bill on to the full House and Senate, lawmakers there didn’t even debate it. They passed it unanimously and with no discussion. House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, a Democrat from North Haven, says legislators probably didn’t know how many turbines would be constructed in Maine if the law’s goals were met." . – Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting, August 2010 https://www.pinetreewatchdog.org/wind-power-bandwagon-hits-bumps-in-the-road-3/From Part 2 – On Wind and Oil Yet using wind energy doesn’t lower dependence on imported foreign oil. That’s because the majority of imported oil in Maine is used for heating and transportation. And switching our dependence from foreign oil to Maine-produced electricity isn’t likely to happen very soon, says Bartlett. “Right now, people can’t switch to electric cars and heating – if they did, we’d be in trouble.” So was one of the fundamental premises of the task force false, or at least misleading?" https://www.pinetreewatchdog.org/wind-swept-task-force-set-the-rules/From Part 3 – On Wind-Required New Transmission Lines Finally, the building of enormous, high-voltage transmission lines that the regional electricity system operator says are required to move substantial amounts of wind power to markets south of Maine was never even discussed by the task force – an omission that Mills said will come to haunt the state.“If you try to put 2,500 or 3,000 megawatts in northern or eastern Maine – oh, my god, try to build the transmission!” said Mills. “It’s not just the towers, it’s the lines – that’s when I begin to think that the goal is a little farfetched.” https://www.pinetreewatchdog.org/flaws-in-bill-like-skating-with-dull-skates/

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Hannah Pingree on the Maine expedited wind law

Hannah Pingree - Director of Maine's Office of Innovation and the Future

"Once the committee passed the wind energy bill on to the full House and Senate, lawmakers there didn’t even debate it. They passed it unanimously and with no discussion. House Majority Leader Hannah Pingree, a Democrat from North Haven, says legislators probably didn’t know how many turbines would be constructed in Maine."

https://pinetreewatch.org/wind-power-bandwagon-hits-bumps-in-the-road-3/

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