Lake aesthetics ignored
Bangor Daily News, bangordailynews.com 10 January 2012
I enjoyed John Holyoke’s column about his time at Munsungan Lake and with Jim Carter. Mr. Carter’s comment that visitors come to his remote camp for the “aesthetics” struck a chord as I read Phyllis Goodine’s letter to the editor about the Department of Environmental Protection process and whether it works for corporations or residents. That is a valid concern, considering the Oakfield wind projects are too close to the 1A- and B-rated lakes in Island Falls.
Lakes with that high rating have state and national significance and deserve the eight-mile buffer the DEP seems to be ignoring. The developer paid a scenic consultant to declare the impact was “not unreasonable,” a safe way to ensure continued employment, but a great disservice to residents and the many others who come to the area for the scenic quality of place those lakes offer.
With the testimony of guides from the Downeast Lakes region, and many hundreds of letters protesting wind sprawl near the Island Falls lakes, it would seem prudent for the DEP and Legislature to revisit the wind turbine plague before it spreads any further. I suspect the late Jim Carter would agree.
Mike DiCenso
Lincoln
URL to article: https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2012/01/12/lake-aesthetics-ignored/