Letters to the Editor
Zoning Changes are Needed
Dear Editor:
More industrial wind towers will be constructed in Columbia County. The questions really are: How many? And, where?
If we cherish our scenic vistas and corridors, then let's zone to protect them. If we value each other, we must zone to protect each other.
In an attempt to define regions where wind towers could be placed, at the request of Friends of Scenic Columbia County (FSCC), a meeting was held on July 2, 2007 with a representative from Renewable Energy Systems and from Columbia County. To start, about 75% of the known wind source area was supported for tower construction by the FSCC. Repeated additional meeting requests by FSCC have all been refused.
Columbia County is currently dominated by the wind energy industry. This became apparent when landowners appealed a decision of the Board of Adjustment for violating county procedures. The appeal in Walla Walla Superior Court was argued not by the county attorney, but by Alexander Mackie, appearing on behalf of Pacificorp. (Judge Donald W. Schacht acknowledged that the county did not follow all of its own procedures, but in his judgment, no law was violated and there was not sufficient cause to require an Environmental Impact Statement for the Dayton Project.)
Without new zoning regulations, wind towers are permitted on any land now zoned agricultural. This was made very clear by Mackie when he announced in court on August 31, 2007, that the county has stated it "will allow wind towers on all ridges on all ag land in Columbia County".
Wind energy projects effectively impose permanent unapproved land use zones. Once wind towers are constructed, little residential construction will occur nearby, and endangered and threatened species will be permanently driven from the zone of noisy spinning wind towers.
The Conditional Use Permit process failed to protect residents in the Tucannon River valley. Quality of life deterioration and loss of property value concerns caused by intrusive noise and visual pollution have been steadily documented to Columbia County.
A total ban on wind turbines has never been proposed by the FSCC. There are, however, other issues to consider. Fire in turbines is a valid concern. There are additional fire suppression systems that have been ignored. Serious health issues associated with shadow flicker, strobing lights and noise are well documented on the internet. Zoning is the only means currently available to protect the public vision for Columbia County.
Jim Peterson, Dayton
The CUP Process Works Well
Dear Editor:
Months ago, I shared with the community my views on allowing the wind turbine industry to become part of a diverse economy in Columbia County. At the time I professed my belief that the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process, a procedural method used in community planning, is a valid means of directing the Wind Turbine Industry as it proposes developments in the County. Since that time I have attended meetings, listened to opinions (pro and con), spent time on the internet, talked with planners, written letters, driven among the already-in-place wind turbines in the middle of the night, visited turbines on calm and windy days, been yelled at, intimidated, lied to, and have borrowed a decibel meter to understand what 50 decibels of volume means. Finally, I have witnessed how powerful the CUP process can be as it holds developers accountable to their commitments.
The CUP process invites public discussion on every issue of concern for developments and places the developers in a position of providing information and committing to prescribed directions for environmental concerns, sound and vision issues. Public involvement is what will make the process work. There has not been an issue raised in the last six months that cannot be addressed through the CUP process. I still support the Conditional Use Process and have full trust that elected and appointed citizens will listen to all sides of issues and seek reasonable solutions to concerns raised.
I would suggest that citizens who have concerns do some of their own research on pros and cons of wind energy. Turbines are simply machines that produce clean, renewable energy. They bring with them change to a community; of great importance is recognizing that this change can be managed for positive results. I suggest that you talk with the Columbia County Planning Department to see how you can be involved in making reasonable planning decisions.
Bob Hutchens, Dayton
CFED: Who We Are
Dear Editor:
The Citizens for Economic Diversity in Columbia County has been active in recent planning and visioning sessions for our community. Some people view our group as simply a faction in the debate over wind energy developments in our county. Granted, we are pro-wind energy development as part of a diversified economy, but we cling to a broader concern for our community economy than just turbines. We fully recognize the importance of other contributing elements to our economy and have respect for those entities. Compatibility of different aspects of our community should revolve around the actual effect that one has on another, not just on personal preferences or dislikes.
We are searching for those who feel that objectivity is important in making decisions, beginning with a respect for appointed and elected officials. We will continue to support methods such as the Conditional Use Permit process that promotes and allows for public discussion of pros and cons of any development, and sets reasonable standards for community and individual safety.
If you would like to become part of our group, you may call any of the members listed below or send a brief request for information to: Citizens for Economic Diversity, 216 1/2 Johnson Hollow Road, Dayton, WA 99328.
Jennie Dickinson, Craig
George, Norm Passmore,
Jim Kime, Ken Graham,
Bob Hutchens, Cecil
Bramhall, Darcy Linklater,
Terri James, Claude
Brodhead, Deb Hays
Dayton
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