To the editor:
I have contacted the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to express my concern about the possible construction of wind turbines in the area of Pleasant Pond and Mattawamkeag Lake. My family has lived in Island Falls for generations and have long enjoyed the pristine beauty of these two bodies of water.
I grew up on Pleasant Pond and spent many hours swimming, boating, fishing and hunting around these lakes. I currently own a lot on the south shore of Pleasant Pond so it appears that I will not only be affected by the noise pollution from the Oakfield Wind Farm, my view of the hills on the north side of Pleasant Pond will be forever changed by this project. If you have ever been on Pleasant Pond in the fall of the year, nothing compares to beauty of the brilliant reds and oranges of the hardwood leaves and the green of the pines, unless it is the tranquility of sitting on the shore, watching the stars on a crystal clear night and listening to the loons call.
An aerial view of Pleasant Pond will show that all development is on the west side of the pond. This is because two thirds of the shore frontage is owned by a single family who wanted the land kept forever wild. This has protected the lake from over development and the quality of the water.
I am not a tree hugger. I believe that we, as a nation, need to solve our dependence on foreign oil and investigate all forms of energy alternatives. Part of that quest must be the consideration of our quality of life and the impact on our environment.
Island Falls is a shadow of the town I grew up in 45 years ago. The largest employers today are probably Maine Public Service Co., the local bank and grocery store. If these wind projects are allowed to be completed, the impact on tourism will be significant. Three small Island Falls companies — Vacationland Estates Resort, Birch Point Camp Ground and Va Jo Wa Golf Course — depend on tourist dollars. They attract visitors from all over the United States to this area, year-around. Vacationland Estates is a time share, so the number of people who have made an investment in this location is greatly increased. Do you suppose that they made that financial decision based on the possibility that a wind farm would soon be located on a near by hill?
I am a resident of Maine and recently received a $600 bill to fill my fuel tank. I understand that the energy created by this proposed wind farm is going to be shipped out of state. Energy costs have always been higher in Maine for lots of reasons. Now we are destroying one of the last sources of income for Aroostook County in order to supply energy for the “Flat Landers”!
There must be other hills in Maine, not adjacent to where people live and recreate that are better suited for these developments. What is happening to the proposed wind farm in the Gulf of Maine, what about northwestern Maine? I know — they are not near Interstate 95 and the cost of construction will greatly increase.
Please decide in favor of the quality of Maine life and protect our environment.
V. Jeffrey Webb
Readfield
