CARTHAGE — Protecting Mount Blue State Park and Webb Lake is at the forefront for Chris O'Neil, chairman of Friends of Maine Mountains.
The group filed an appeal with the Maine Bureau of Environmental Protection last week opposing Patriot Renewables LLC's wind project in Carthage.
The Quincy, Mass., firm doing business as Saddleback Ridge Wind LLC, has proposed construction of a $65 million, 32-megawatt project for the Carthage site. The project calls for 12 turbines to be built on Saddleback Ridge.
Friends of Maine Mountains' attorney, Rufus Brown, says there are many reasons for the appeal, including noise impact and negative visual impact.
Brown is upset over the possibility that the Department of Conservation and the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands accepted benefits from the company.
Brown claims the Saddleback Ridge Project permit refers to a $60,000 payment to Parks and Lands and that he has an email from the DOC assistant deputy director saying, "DOC would be happy to accept any contributions from the developer for land protection efforts in this area."
"It is evident that there are discrepancies between state policies and the actions of state agencies," Brown said.
O'Neil said the DEP granted approval to the permit without having a public hearing.
"It's very apparent that there were many mistakes made along the way, prior to DEP's issuance of this permit," he said. "Mainers were disenfranchised. Due process went unheeded when a public hearing was denied."
In a letter to Brown, James Brooks, acting commissioner for the DEP, wrote, "Your request has been considered carefully; however, much of the information you have submitted has been considered by the department in previous applications and to the extent you have submitted new information I find that it is not sufficient to warrant a public hearing."
Mount Blue State Park and Webb Lake are also reasons for the appeal. The lake and park are in close proximity to the wind project.
Mount Blue State Park is Maine's largest state park, encompassing approximately 8,000 acres in two sections separated by Webb Lake. Trail enthusiasts, anglers and campers enjoy this region through warm-weather months. Snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and ice-skaters take advantage of the area in winter, according to the park's website.
"I invite anyone to take a ride around the circumference of the park" O'Neil said. "I defy them to classify Mount Blue State Park and Webb Lake as anything less than a Maine Treasure."
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Maine’s greatest asset is our
Maine’s greatest asset is our “Quality of Place”. Our natural resources and our pristine environment are what bring people to our state from around the world. Maine’s tourism brings in BILLIONS of dollars to this state—to every sector. And these billions of dollars are not subsidized by American tax-payers. Tourists rent motel rooms, stay in B&B’s or stop in at L.L. Bean for camping supplies and then rent a campsite in one of our state parks—one of which is Mt. Blue. While here, they fill up their cars with gas and buy soda and pizza and beer at our convenience stores. They go sight-seeing and purchase souvenirs in our gift shops, or collectibles in our antique stores. They eat in our restaurants. Buy fresh vegetables at our farm stands. Visit our sugar shacks and purchase maple syrup. They ski at Sugarloaf and Saddleback, which employ hundreds of Mainers. And while they are driving around enjoying the wonders of this state, they often see “For Sale” signs on our real estate. And they think, “Wow… maybe WE could own a piece of this heaven!” And often, they do exactly that. They buy a year-round or vacation home--which spurs the real estate market; helping brokers, attorneys, appraisers, bankers, building inspectors, mortgage companies, surveyors and home owners.
It is a wondrous, self-supporting industry. This symbiotic relationship is founded on our natural resources. We have the market cornered for nature-based tourism, east of the Mississippi. We have the only remaining dark night sky. No light pollution. We have segments of the Appalachian Trail (and other trails) where one can actually still view wilderness without development. We can actually hear snow falling. We can hear snow falling! That is a gift. Mainers benefit from this special place and these rare qualities, and it is essential to our soul. We give up many things to live in the country, and we give it up willingly—because the trade-off is worth it. More than worth it.
Industrial wind’s paltry benefits do not come close to offsetting the enormous negative environmental, health and financial impacts these developments will cause. Our energy policy has to change at the state level, and funding policies have to change at the federal level. In the meantime, BEP has the opportunity to do what so many Mainers are already doing. People like those 100+ folks who stood up to speak at the Dixfield 'meeting' (because a public hearing was denied) and who drove from all across Maine on a rainy winter night just to make their voices heard.
In May 2011, Department of Conservation Commissioner William Beardsley stated that his Department “would not be the recipient of any tangible benefits from wind power projects”. And yet, the Saddleback Ridge Wind permit refers to a $60,000.00 payment from the applicant to Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL), and an email from the Assistant Deputy Director stating “DOC would be happy to accept any contributions from the developer for land protection efforts in this area.”
It is evident that there are discrepancies between State policies and the actions of State agencies. These 'tangible benefits' are nothing more than state-sanctioned bribes... a policy promoted and supported by the Baldacci administration. It is hoped that the current administration and the Commissioner of the Dept. of Conservation will hold the state (and wind developers) to higher moral standards.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond.The Candy Man has arrived .
The Candy Man has arrived . Hip. Hip hooray for us in Carthage, Dixfield and Canton. Candy for you, Ms. Community Economic Director. TIFs are so beautiful when you have dollars coming your way. Candy for landowners, knowing little about industrial turbines, but a lot about a personal income boost. Candy to construction workers, the best love affairs with a job is in the money.
You see, these are what four people had to convey to us, March 10,2011 in Dixfield at the DEP public meeting regarding Saddleback Wind LLC application. Four people, for the project.
To the other thirty or so people who had the courage to speak so eloquently and, yes, passionately , against the placement of these towers, it was as if you don’t count. The DEP, unbelievably, approved this project.
Why did Mr. Cassida of the DEP and moderator of this contest quit the DEP shortly afterward ?
Why did the DEP approved this project, knowing the allowable sounds from all wind projects in this state will be lowered in the upcoming legislature ? This project won’t be allowed under new sound rules.
Did you get some candy from the Candy Man ? Like tossing peanuts to lead the elephant. Just look at what is in the Candy Man’s jar. Millions of dollars, which means millions of new and bigger electric bills. The Candy Man’s going price for electricity…….$97.60 per megawatt. On top of that, a free gift from government subsidy…………$53.00 per megawatt. The legitimate market price for wind power, if you really wanted to buy it…….$60.00 per megawatt. All these prices exceed the price of $37.00 per megawatt as recently purchased by market bids. If you use electricity, you will pay more because of wind. All the candy in the world will not stop this.
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Would you like to respond? Login or create a new account. You'll need to verify your account before you can respond."In a letter to Brown, James
"In a letter to Brown, James Brooks, acting commissioner for the DEP, wrote, "Your request has been considered carefully; however, much of the information you have submitted has been considered by the department in previous applications and to the extent you have submitted new information I find that it is not sufficient to warrant a public hearing.""
Translation: The citizens of Maine no longer have any voice in protecting their environment. This "screw you" attitude is not only unconstitutional, but it casts a very poor light on the DEP. If LURC is under such scrutiny, it won't be long before every rug in Augusta gets lifted up and looked under. When did bribery become legal in the political process?
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