Weary, Redington, & Windmills in the news

[TJ aka Teej]

Point and counterpoint to the windmills on Redington debate in
Maine's largest newspaper, the Portland Press Herald.
[Bob Cummings is better known on WB as Weary]

Beauty of trail rightly protected
By Bob Cummings
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/vi...211voices.html
"Congratulations to the Land Use Regulation Commission for upholding the rule of law in its rejection of the proposed wind energy complex on Redington and Black Nubble mountains."
[complete story at link]

Throwing Kibby Mountain under the bus
MaineToday.com, ME - Feb 14, 2007

http://outdoors.mainetoday.com/trailhead/009094.html

In “Beauty of trail rightly protected,” conservationist Bob Cummings applauds LURC for their recent decision to reject the wind power project proposed for the Redington Mountains near the Appalachian Trail.

Ditto that, Bob.

It was the right idea in the wrong location. Tall towers, whirring turbines, lights, access roads and transmission lines have no place in the fragile alpine environment of our high western mountains.

Wind power has a place in our energy future on a small scale, but locating it in acceptable areas has plagued many efforts. Mars Hill in Aroostook County is one example of a wind project judged acceptable to the local people, and is now a reality. Other acceptable areas might include our blueberry barrens, farmlands, mountains and ridges with existing development, and offshore along the coast.

I am curious, however, as to why the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (of which I am a member) so strongly opposed the Redington wind project, but has apparently voted NOT to oppose a similar project slated for Kibby Mountain, a peak off to the northwest in Kibby Township.

“Members recognized, rightly, that there is a difference between an in-your-face industrial development on ridges abutting the trail corridor, and proposals involving distant ridges,” writes Cummings.

Whoa.

So, just because Kibby Mountain is not located near the Appalachian Trail corridor, is a wind project there any less damaging to the alpine environment--that precious area generally above 2,700'--of that mountain?
[complete story at link]

[Jack Tarlin]

This is interesting stuff, thanx for sending it along.

I also agree with what Weary had to say.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Great job, Weary!

[icemanat95]

Great article Weary.

[Papa Bear]

...

Throwing Kibby Mountain under the bus
MaineToday.com, ME - Feb 14, 2007

http://outdoors.mainetoday.com/trailhead/009094.html

...
I am curious, however, as to why the Maine Appalachian Trail Club (of which I am a member) so strongly opposed the Redington wind project, but has apparently voted NOT to oppose a similar project slated for Kibby Mountain, a peak off to the northwest in Kibby Township.

“Members recognized, rightly, that there is a difference between an in-your-face industrial development on ridges abutting the trail corridor, and proposals involving distant ridges,” writes Cummings.

Whoa.

So, just because Kibby Mountain is not located near the Appalachian Trail corridor, is a wind project there any less damaging to the alpine environment--that precious area generally above 2,700'--of that mountain?
[complete story at link]

The gentleman from Maine Today has a rather loose idea of an alpine environment. 2700' ?? Thats pretty much in the middle of the boreal forest zone. Kibby is 3654' and is still well below anything you would call a delicate alpine environment. The area around Kibby has been and continues to be heavily logged. Clear cuts abound within 1-5 miles of the peak although the summit has not been cut for some years. I'm guessing the writer has never been there.

Don't get me wrong, It's a beautiful remote area near Kibby but basically it's logging country and is already industrialized. I think Bob's comments are right on.

I'm guessing that next to no one on this board (except Onestep ) or in the Maine ATC considers this prime hiking territory. The only folks I know who go there are those pursueing the New England 3000' peaks.

Here's a shot of the summit: Kibby summit

And here's a shot looking north from the summit. Pretty, but hardly a delicate alpine environment: Looking north

I'm glad the LURT didn't just say "NOT HERE!" but rather "NOT HERE, but THERE!". We need wind power and we have to start somewhere.

[weary]

Kibby is a delightful little mountain and I applaud those who seek to protect it. The Maine Appalachian Trail Club, however, is not one to lead or even to participate in that effort.

Our only mission is protect the Appalachian Trail and the side trails leading to the Appalachian Trail.

I and other members certainly have private views about Kibby, and about numerous other impacts on the wild areas of Maine. But as a club, KIbby is well outside our domain.

AMC, which unlike MATC, has concerns about all the mountains of the northeast, has developed siting criteria for wind power. I don't know how Kibby ranks.

There are also several private groups and land trusts concerned with Maine's Western Mountains and Boundary Mountains, some of which will be opposing development on Kibby, I'm sure.

Weary

[Papa Bear]

I agree with Weary about Kibby. But just to emphasize what I was saying about the logging in the area, here are two more photos I took last summer:

Kibby Mountain from Baudrey Road over a clear cut section

Clear cuts in the valley west of Kibby

The second shot is illustrative of the area. There is just no area around there that has not been cut. The valley in the photo leads over to the boundary ridge.

Lovely area, yes. But already industrialized, yes.

Weary is also undoubtedly right that there will be objections. It's hard to say it's a NIMBY reaction though, since that township (Skinner Twp) has exactly zero full time residents.

[DavidNH]

Weary (Jack Cummings)..I also want to thank you for passing on those aritcles. You really nailed it. It isn't so much the technology but the proposed location and I agree with your views!

DavidNH

[peakbagger]

Is the Kibby range the location of the Kennetech project that was partially permitted about 20 years ago? I seem to remember that there were negotiations with various environmental groups on a project in that general area that led to them to not opposing the project. It was a viable project until Kennetech went bankrupt. I seem to remember the biggest impact was the transmission line right of way to tie into a grid.

[WalkinHome]

Hi PapaBear, If memory serves (I am sure Weary will correct me if I am wrong LOL) the 2700', 2750' mark is where different rules and laws kick in that guide the Land Use Regulatory Commission here in Maine.

[rickb]

Weary (Jack Cummings)..

I think in greek mythology a Centaur was half man and half horse.

My guess is that a "Jack Cummings" would be something similar.

Perhaps half "Bob Cunmmings" and half "Jack Tarlin"?

In any case it would surely be a formidable beast, no matter which one was able to do the talking.

[Papa Bear]

Hi PapaBear, If memory serves (I am sure Weary will correct me if I am wrong LOL) the 2700', 2750' mark is where different rules and laws kick in that guide the Land Use Regulatory Commission here in Maine.

Thanks, that's interesting. Of course the good news is what happened in re Redington and the fact that Weary, one of our own, and the MATC had a hand in the process. Thanks again Weary and MATC.

But Kibby and the other possible sites mentioned in the news article:

Mars Hill in Aroostook County is one example of a wind project judged acceptable to the local people, and is now a reality. Other acceptable areas might include our blueberry barrens, farmlands, mountains and ridges with existing development, and offshore along the coast

are where presumably the next step - for me an important one - will focus on.

There is irony when the writer mentions Mars Hill as being supported by local people - Kibby doesn't have local people! And as for "mountains and ridges with existing development"? Look at this photo (from Goggle Maps):

Kibby Aerial Photo

The little green pointer is Kibby. How's that for existing development? No, that's not someone's garden. That's what is called a "working forest", about 200 square miles of it.

[rickb]

Some of the locals near Mars Hill felt they were lied to.

The following appeared on Boston.com:

Headline: An idyll lost in turbines' humming
Date: February 17, 2007

http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2007/02/17/an_idyll_lost_in_turbines_humming?p1=email_to_a_fr iend