PUBLIC URGED TO SPEAK OUT ON WIND TURBINE IMPACTS AT TORREY WIND SCOPING MEETING AUG. 23 IN BOULEVARD

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By Miriam Raftery

August 11, 2018 (Boulevard) -- Terra-Gen's proposed Torrey Wind project (with up to 30 giant turbines each up to 586 tall and 4.2 megawatts) in Boulevard is moving through the planning process quickly. Boulevard Planning Group Chair Donna Tisdale is asking all who have concerns or information to share on impacts of wind turbines to come to a public scoping meeting  August 23 at 6 p.m. in the new Cal-Fire/County Fire Station at 40080 Ribbonwood Road, Boulevard.

“These turbines could be twice as powerful and about 100 feet taller than the Tule Wind turbines installed on public recreation land next door,” says Tisdale. “Bigger turbines can churn out much more noise and low frequency vibrations and potential electrical pollution over greater distances that can trigger psychical and emotional stress and the body's fight or flight instinct in people and animals. Turbines have reportedly been deemed nuisances in some legal and administrative proceedings around the world, with some families abandoning their homes and other homes bought out by developers over noise impacts and related litigation.”



The project location is the old Big Country Ranch at the north end of Ribbonwood Road and will potentially impact families, pets, and livestock in the Ribbonwood Road area and on the Campo and Manzanita Reservations. Terra-Gen currently operates 25 renewable energy projects, mostly in California, with over 1,051 megawatts of generating capacity, according to the company website.

Tisdale urges the public to “speak out with any concerns or any personal knowledge you may have of turbine noise impacts, health impacts, local wildlife,cultural, and groundwater resources or other related issues. These projects use millions of gallons of water for construction.”

This meeting and public comments will help decide what issues should be included in the project environmental impact studies.

The County's scoping letter includes the Boulevard Planning Group's initial 26-page comment letter with current concerns and other project information.

The scoping letter will also be on the Boulevard Planning Group's Sept 6th agenda for public comment and a vote.  Planning Group meetings are held at 7 p.m. at the Backcountry Resource Center in the modular behind the old Boulevard Fire Station.

“Please don't sit by and do nothing,” Tisdale urges. “Share this with friends and family who care about the Boulevard area and the people and resources that will be impacted by this and any related projects, including another wind turbine project reportedly pending on adjacent local tribal lands that may use the Torrey Wind substation/switchyard  to connect to the Sunrise Powerlink.”


Questions and comments can be directed to the County project manager : Bronwyn Brown; 858-495-5516; bronwyn.brown@sdcounty.ca.gov .  Comments on the Notice of Preparation must be received no later than Sept.10, 2018 at 4 p.m.

View the County’s notice of preparation for an environmental impact report:  https://www.sandiegocounty.gov//content/sdc/pds/ceqa/TorreyWindNOP.html.

View the NOP legal ad here: 

https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/dam/sdc/pds/ceqa/TorreyWind/TWNOP/Legal%20Ad%20NOP%20Torrey%20Wind%208-9-18.pdf

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Comments

Prepare for more

The Trump administration (aka POTUS) is continuing it's reversal of what president Obama did to procure more designated wilderness areas for the public. Including new offshore oil drilling despite the known high risks. This is being done for special interest groups such as the oil and gas industry with power and money to lubricate the 'system' for their own benefits. Could 'recreation' be a distant memory, or something people read about in a history book? Stories around a campfire while making 'Smore's, fishing, camping, hiking, backpacking, all gone? It would be very sad indeed. I spent many a day (and night) exploring the California wilderness as a young man, and have fond thoughts accompanied with learned survival skills. How many young people do y'all know that have never had the pleasure of being one with nature?

Destroying the Peace

Cottonwood Campground in McCain Valley used to be a remote peaceful place to camp, hike and enjoy nature  Not any more!   It was originally designated as a Conservation Area because of it's natural resources and wildlife, but was conveniently reclassified as a Recreation Area AFTER the Sunrise Powerlink was allowed to be built.   Are the surrounding Wilderness Areas also at risk of being downgraded to accomodate the wind industry's relentless taking of our public lands?   VERY sad!