This letter was sent to the DNR with a vote against the proposal to install wind turbines on state-owned land.
I am a lifelong Maryland resident living in beautiful Garrett County for 25+ years. Seeing what has happened where I work in Somerset County, Pa., I fear that the energy companies will not be satisfied until the entire Appalachian mountain range is topped with wind turbines.
I am appalled that the DNR would even consider this, but the governor has already taken heli-tours with the wind energy execs and DNR to choose appropriate sites in the state. I thought the DNR would protect our land, not endorse exploiting it. The heritage program that our county commissioners announced must be very short-lived for them to allow this process to begin at all. They made a mistake already with approving turbines on Backbone Mountain.
I notice that the most consistent wind areas in the state–the Eastern Shore and bay areas–are not considered. We are working to save the bay; let’s also save our mountaintops! State land is for preservation of nature and should not have large-scale destruction of trees, land, and habitat. Wind turbines are inefficient monstrosities that do not use green energy for the production, delivery, and installation. Noise pollution is detrimental, causing sleep deprivation to nearby residents; they are visually obnoxious; and in the event of technical failure or closure of the energy company, there is no guarantee that the land will be returned to its original state. No one has studied the long-term effects of sound waves or ground vibration or EMFs on wildlife or human health. State land with turbines will be less accessible for hiking, riding, camping, hunting, or any other recreational use. We would be destroying instead of preserving 400 acres+ of trees that contribute far more to the environment if left alone to maintain top soil and prevent erosion, clean our air, and provide homes for wildlife, than the benefit of producing, installing, maintaining, and trying to collect energy from each turbine– not to mention roads and transmissions lines which will destroy more habitat. It will be an industrial and developmental nightmare.
Using state-owned lands to further benefit erergy corporations who already get perks from Maryland paid for with hard-earned tax money is just throwing salt in our wounds.
Please contact the DNR and vote NO to wind turbines.
Theresa Hannibal
Accident
17 January 2008
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2008/01/17/throwing-salt-in-our-wounds/