Misty IV

Great post, Tom. Lots of thoughts and ideas. Well written!

Has Been, I understand your views here, as we do need to somehow focus on alternative power and energy ideas. I am in no way opposed to windfarms to generate power. I actually was amazed at the farm in Lowville when I drove up to see it for the first time. There is a set of windmills on top of a hill in Bear Creek, PA, able to be seen from the Northeast Extension, which I look forward to seeing every time I make my 5 hour drive to and from the lake. These farms are in areas which do not affect normal day to day activities. The proposed windfarms for Lake Ontario WILL affect our fishery and the sport we have all come to enjoy. The issue with these farms isn't having them in the water, but WHERE they plan to install them. The preliminary proposal is for them to be installed in the 150 FOW area - prime fishing areas during the season. Do you think we will be allowed to fish anywhere near these turbines? No way! It will be just like the 9-Mile Point nuke plant was after 9/11 - restricted zones. What about the power transmission lines? The lines will have to be run underwater. Downrigger balls often track very close to the bottom of the lake where these lines will be run. Just in Mexico Bay alone, they are proposing 560 of these turbines. That is like taking the entire Lowville farm and putting it in the water where hundreds of thousands of boats troll during the fishing season. Think about the annual fishing derbies and tournaments on the lake and how they will be affected. On another aspect of this, as a property owner along Mexico Bay, I know how far out 150 FOW is from shore. I have been coming to the lake and enjoying my time there since I was a child. My family has always had property along the shores of Mexico Bay. 6 years ago, I had the opportunity to purchase a waterfront home along Mexico Bay. I have come to enjoy the sunsets, the peace and quiet and the serenity the view offers. I refuse to look out over the water, just offshore, and see an entire farm of windmills spinning. No way! Property values will go down, people will sell their homes, taxes will go up (already proven in other areas as valid consequences of windfarms offshore near homes). As I said above, I am not against windfarms to help generate power. I am against having them installed where I will see them ALL the time when I look out over the water and where myself and thousands of other avid fishermen spend their lazy days of summer. If this project goes through, we may as well all sell our boats, because we will not be able to use them anymore where we use them now. You may tell us to just move to another location to fish, but when you are talking about 560 turbines in one area alone, where do you go? Another thought on these turbines. I have found out that the power generated by these turbines will NOT be used to power the area they inhabit. All power will be transferred downstate. I have an issue with that. If downstate needs more power and windfarms are the answer, there are plenty of places downstate to put windfarms, such as on top of mountains or uninhabited hills. Ok, I'm done...for now.

Ok, here is the latest from my end. Everyone needs to listen up! I have received countless Emails the past few days regarding this "project" from representatives from Oswego County. They are all aware of this proposed windfarm, and the majority appears to be opposed to this going through. Jefferson County has already started the process to adopt a resolution which will be sent to the PSC should this project be given the go-ahead. It has been suggested that Oswego County do the same. Nothing has been mentioned about the other Counties that may be affected by these proposed windfarms. Below is a section of an email I received from an Oswego County representative: ****************************************************** With regard to the impact of the sportfishing industry on the Oswego County economy, I believe that I have as good or better understanding of that than most people and work nearly every day to help support and promote it. If there where to be a proposal for Lake Ontario that met with opposition from that group we would certainly be behind them 100%. To date, not one person working in that sector has expressed an opinion to me on this issue so if there is some opposition to the concept of an offshore wind farm that you are aware of, please ask those people to contact me. Email is fine but signed letters are better as they can later be introduced as evidence of support or opposition in the officially established public processes for projects like this. I hope you will continue to keep me apprized of your interest and concerns and I look forward to working with you and others on this or any project as we work together to grow and protect the Oswego County economy. Dave ************************************************************ This email was from Mr. David Turner, the Director for the Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning. That being said, he is waiting to hear from us and needs our input and thoughts in order to have any ground to stand on when this project is presented. While this email came from an Oswego County representative, Mr. Turner seems very open to hearing from anyone who is concerned, for whatever reason, with this windfarm going through. Even if you do not fish in Oswego County, write to the address below with your concerns and displeasure. Mr. Turner said he will accept either emails or letters, however, he said he will have more evidence of opposition if he has letters to show. So, long story short, get those fingers typing or your hands writing soon! Do it while we have his attention and is still willing to listen! His contact info is as follows: David R. Turner, Director Oswego County Department of Community Development, Tourism and Planning 46 E. Bridge Street Oswego, NY 13126 Ph. (315) 349-8292 Fax (315) 349-8279 [email protected]

I just received an Email from my neighbor at the lakehouse, who, in turn, has been in touch with the Oswego County legislator, Mr. Shawn Doyle. Shawn is well aware of this proposed windfarm project and has already begun the necessary actions to prevent this from going through. For those of you who either live in Oswego County or fish in Oswego County, we need to contact Shawn, as well as the state and local representatives and express our feelings about this. In addition, Jefferson County has already established a site for their end of this "project". Visit jeffersonleaningleft.blogspot.com and read what they are doing. If I get anymore info, I will post it here.

We definitely need to keep an eye on this. 560 turbines alone in Mexico Bay - that's almost like putting the entire wind farm in Lowville out in the water. I have a good friend who is monitoring this, as well. He has a lot of contacts in Oswego County and is getting some updates on this. I'll post whatever he uncovers regarding this.