if you think this e-mail should be seen by more people, please send it on. a grass roots organization needs the fullest participation.
let vinyarders decide (a grass roots organization formed to improve the state’s Oceans Act and draft Oceans Plan)
how surprised and even shocked were you to realize the state planned to have only one commercial wind farm for the whole state and planned to place it off nomans land and cuttyhunk?
how did you then feel when you discovered that it was planned for 166 wind turbines each 50 stories high with enough lights to be visible to navigation at night (visible for over 30 miles) and able to generate enough electricity for 200,000 homes?
did it bother you that nantucket was bypassed for this city of wind turbines because state people thought they had birds that needed to be protected and the federal bird sanctuary of nomans land with the same birds didn’t need such protection?
how do you feel about the fact that our martha’s vineyard commission wouldn’t have final authority over applications to build in vineyard waters, but such decisions would be made by a politically-appointed state siting board?
did you know that any comments on the state plan must be submitted by november 23rd of this year and that the state intends to finalize this deeply-flawed plan by the end of 2009?
does it bother you that this plan, so potentially destructive for the vineyard, was promulgated with virtually no input from those with specialized knowledge about the impact on the vineyard?
federal law requires any proposed federal action that affects the wampanoag be discussed with them. there has been no consultation by the state planners with the wampanoag. are you satisfied with that?
never has a plan with more destructive potential for a small fragile area been promulgated with less input from those most directly affected.
maybe you thought it didn’t affect you. maybe you thought there was nothing you could do about it. well it does and there is.
in a rare show of unanimity, our all island selectmen have determined to go to see governor patrick to express their concern.
come and learn more and join others who are concerned as we discuss what to do and how to do it.
PLEASE ATTEND AN OPEN COMMUNITY MEETING TO BE HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20TH AT 7:00 PM AT THE CHILMARK COMMUNITY CENTER AND HEAR FROM OUR ELECTED LEADERSHIP, THE MARTHA'S VINEYARD COMMISSION, LOCAL BIRD EXPERTS, PERSONS KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT LOCAL FISHERIES AND POSSIBLE ECONOMIC IMPACT. refreshments will be served.
andy goldman
chilmark
508 645-9840
Monday, October 19, 2009
Oct 15, 2009 The Martha's Vineyard Times Letters to the Editor
The Martha's Vineyard Times
Letters to the Editor
Published: October 15, 2009
Strategy for wind
To the Editor:
After the recent hearing, and learning what others are doing and thinking regarding the state plan to locate at Nomans Land, already designated by the federal government as a bird sanctuary, and Cuttyhunk, up to 166 turbines over 450 feet high, generating enough electricity to power more than 200,000 homes, the following thoughts occur.
While I am concerned - even terrified - about global warming and strongly believe that alternative energy sources to fossil fuels must be generated, I want to be able to support and be guided by scientific and economic based strategies, to evaluate the relative viability of renewable alternatives, including wind.
Maybe I was asleep at the switch, but it seems to me that the state plan to site these large commercial wind farms solely in our front yard appeared out of nowhere like a summer storm. Oh yes, I was aware of the Cape Wind project, but not the latest state plan.
I first want to applaud the governor and his staff for placing this critically important issue front and center. Notwithstanding, it seems to me that in many ways both the Oceans Act and the proposed sitings require improvement.
In the case of the act, it needs to be amended to assure that criteria of concern to us are included, including vistas and economic impact, and, of vital concern, that the Martha's Vineyard Commission must have final approval, with appeals from its determinations going to the courts, not to a politically appointed siting board.
In the case of the proposed plan, in order to inspire confidence, there must be meaningful consultation with the Wampanoag tribe, and local Vineyard concerns, including Vineyard bird experts, local fishing interests, as well as analyses of the project's environmental and economic impacts. No plan that exempts Nantucket as a possible site because of its birds and then targets the federal wildlife preserve of Nomans Land for such a purpose can be credible. The latest delay in the Cape Wind project for failure to consult with the Wampanoag tribe shows the importance of not missing this vital step.
Our neighboring states, Maine and Rhode Island, have gone about these issues differently. Maine has set up a legislative energy task force to study and report back, and Rhode Island is conducting a two-year study with the Oceanography Department of the University of Rhode Island to identify the best locations. We, on the other hand, have gone directly to the creation of comprehensive ocean management legislation. Perhaps our plan would have more buy-in had it been preceded by comprehensive study similar to Maine and Rhode Island before going directly to this legislation.
What to do about it? Let Vineyarders decide.
It is critical to require turbines to be located where most propitious, following consultation with the Wampanoag and following a process that inspires confidence because of its inclusionary and broad-gauged criteria that not only optimizes the utility of the wind farm, but minimizes the collateral damage to the environment, fish, birds, vistas, adverse economic impact, etc.
It is also critical to require any state plan that affects the Vineyard to obtain approval of the Martha's Vineyard Commission and that any appeals go to the courts.
In order to achieve these objectives, it will be necessary to organize and act in concert - something Vineyarders don't always do well - but is vital here.
While many groups and individuals have already spoken out, I have felt the need for the existence of overarching entity to make sure that all relevant expertise necessary for Vineyarders to participate meaningfully at the table is available.
All concerned who agree with the thrust of this appeal are cordially invited to attend a meeting to be held at the Chilmark Community Center, at 7 pm, Tuesday, October 20.
At that time, a proper organization can be created; goals, strategies and tactics can be discussed and, with sufficient support, implemented.
Andy Goldman
Chilmark
Letters to the Editor
Published: October 15, 2009
Strategy for wind
To the Editor:
After the recent hearing, and learning what others are doing and thinking regarding the state plan to locate at Nomans Land, already designated by the federal government as a bird sanctuary, and Cuttyhunk, up to 166 turbines over 450 feet high, generating enough electricity to power more than 200,000 homes, the following thoughts occur.
While I am concerned - even terrified - about global warming and strongly believe that alternative energy sources to fossil fuels must be generated, I want to be able to support and be guided by scientific and economic based strategies, to evaluate the relative viability of renewable alternatives, including wind.
Maybe I was asleep at the switch, but it seems to me that the state plan to site these large commercial wind farms solely in our front yard appeared out of nowhere like a summer storm. Oh yes, I was aware of the Cape Wind project, but not the latest state plan.
I first want to applaud the governor and his staff for placing this critically important issue front and center. Notwithstanding, it seems to me that in many ways both the Oceans Act and the proposed sitings require improvement.
In the case of the act, it needs to be amended to assure that criteria of concern to us are included, including vistas and economic impact, and, of vital concern, that the Martha's Vineyard Commission must have final approval, with appeals from its determinations going to the courts, not to a politically appointed siting board.
In the case of the proposed plan, in order to inspire confidence, there must be meaningful consultation with the Wampanoag tribe, and local Vineyard concerns, including Vineyard bird experts, local fishing interests, as well as analyses of the project's environmental and economic impacts. No plan that exempts Nantucket as a possible site because of its birds and then targets the federal wildlife preserve of Nomans Land for such a purpose can be credible. The latest delay in the Cape Wind project for failure to consult with the Wampanoag tribe shows the importance of not missing this vital step.
Our neighboring states, Maine and Rhode Island, have gone about these issues differently. Maine has set up a legislative energy task force to study and report back, and Rhode Island is conducting a two-year study with the Oceanography Department of the University of Rhode Island to identify the best locations. We, on the other hand, have gone directly to the creation of comprehensive ocean management legislation. Perhaps our plan would have more buy-in had it been preceded by comprehensive study similar to Maine and Rhode Island before going directly to this legislation.
What to do about it? Let Vineyarders decide.
It is critical to require turbines to be located where most propitious, following consultation with the Wampanoag and following a process that inspires confidence because of its inclusionary and broad-gauged criteria that not only optimizes the utility of the wind farm, but minimizes the collateral damage to the environment, fish, birds, vistas, adverse economic impact, etc.
It is also critical to require any state plan that affects the Vineyard to obtain approval of the Martha's Vineyard Commission and that any appeals go to the courts.
In order to achieve these objectives, it will be necessary to organize and act in concert - something Vineyarders don't always do well - but is vital here.
While many groups and individuals have already spoken out, I have felt the need for the existence of overarching entity to make sure that all relevant expertise necessary for Vineyarders to participate meaningfully at the table is available.
All concerned who agree with the thrust of this appeal are cordially invited to attend a meeting to be held at the Chilmark Community Center, at 7 pm, Tuesday, October 20.
At that time, a proper organization can be created; goals, strategies and tactics can be discussed and, with sufficient support, implemented.
Andy Goldman
Chilmark
Thursday, October 15, 2009
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