July 21, 2020
New York

Council to oppose turbines on lake

Jo Ward, City Editor | The Observer | Jul 21, 2020 | www.observertoday.com

The Dunkirk Common Council is expected to announce its opposition to the construction of wind turbine farms on city-owned property along Lake Erie.

The resolution will be put forth by First Ward Councilman Don Williams, Third Ward Councilman James Stoyle and Fourth Ward Councilwoman Nancy Nichols. The council cites that upon information and belief, the construction of these turbines on Lake Erie waters could impact fishing waters through the destruction of spawning grounds and the release of pollutants into the waters as well as physical barriers to fishing vessels.

The council also cites certain studies that show negative impact on migratory birds, causing deaths to birds that make a home along the lake.

Council’s resolution comes days after Concerned Citizens For Rural Preservation came out with a statement that over the weekend that noted turbines pose “tremendous risks’ to the Great Lakes.

“Offshore industrial wind turbines will need to be massive in order to be cost competitive because they are incredibly expensive to install,” Save (Lake) Ontario Shores Vice President Kate Kremer said. “Lake Erie and Lake Ontario are less than 60 miles wide making proximity to the shoreline closer to shore than ocean-based turbines. Lakes Erie and Ontario are the smallest and already the most stressed of the five Great Lakes from decades of industrial runoff and other uses along their shores.

“Stirring up legacy pollutants that are in the sediment of the lakes is an environmental disaster in the making. The lakes need restoration, not additional stresses.”

Also tonight, the paralegal position that was passed unanimously by the council at the July 7 meeting was vetoed by Mayor Wilfred Rosas on several grounds including that the “responsibility for negotiation of all employee contracts” is not the council’s and the council worked with the unions to work out this contract and not the mayor. Also cited is the upcoming deficit due to COVID-19 and the conflict of interest as the paralegal assists the city attorney who is therefore involved in all elements of contract negotiations and grievances.

The council, which approved the resolution by a 5-0 vote, can override the veto citing that the position must comply with all appropriate civil service laws, rules and regulations.

The Dunkirk Common Council will meet tonight at 5:30 p.m. but is closed to the public. It can be viewed on the Dunkirk Public Access channel and YouTube.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2020/07/21/council-to-oppose-turbines-on-lake/