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Hooper · 03-21-2004, 11:35 AM

I take issue with some comments that those who are opposed to the wind farm are, among other things, rich and powerful waterfront property owners concerned about their real estate values. I am a hard working Cape Codder who routinely puts in 50, 60 and 70 hour weeks to continue to live on Cape Cod where I was born over thirty years ago. I am neither monitarily wealthy, nor powerful.

First, I wish that those opposed would plainly state their reasons for opposition, whatever they may be. Loss of real estate value is a legitimate concern if you are the owner of the property. Would you allow a wind farm across the street from your home.... honestly? I doubt it, because your single largest assest would suffer financially and there is nothing wrong with that IMHO! Others, just don't want to see these things when they go to the beach, fine. I don't have a problem with opposition simply for that reason. But say it like it is. Don't use things like a faliure to lower local electricty costs to make an opposition arguement when your real issue is with your view. Call it like it is.

Second, you will most certainly be able to see these turbines from shore. The Horseshoe Shoals area begins about 5 miles south of the Centerville/Osterville/Hyannisport coastline. To say that you won't be able to see these structures is simply not true.

Bass River Beach in South Yarmouth is exactly 5 nm from Bishop and Clerk Light which is to the southwest of the beach. This is about the same distance from shore as where the northernmost turbines would begin to be located on the Horseshoe. For comparison, Bishop Light is 45ft high according to the US Coast Guard Light List. It is highly visible to the naked eye when standing on the beach at sea level. Extremely visible! At only 45ft high it is about 372 ft SHORTER than these proposed turbines will be in hieght. PLUS, they have proposed 130 of these over a 24 square mile area! 130 wind turbines, 417 feet high, five miles offshore won't be visible? C'Mon, be real.... Cape Wind has a test tower which is about twelve miles from Bass River. I couldn't find data on the height of this structure, but it has to be 200' at a minimum. And yes, that is visible too. Admittedly, it is not easy to see, but my point is, even at twelve miles in distance it can be seen with the naked eye.

Please, don't tell those who live on Cape Cod, who were born and raised here, what is good for us when many of those commenting on this thread live out of state, not just off cape. Why do so many of you wait hours in traffic to vacation here? To see our wind farm???? I don' think so!

Third, I will certainly admit that structure is great for fish habitats. Years ago cement filled tires were dumped outside of the Bass River to form a fish reef. It is a great spot to do some bottom fishing, or trolling for bass & blues. But, I believe that there is a larger loss when these turbines are built. Horseshoe Shoals, and Nantucket Sound will be forever changed from the amazing beauty that it now holds. And folks, the fishing is already great there, it is its' own natural structure.

Having said all of this, I am still not certain that I am opposed to the farm! I haven't learned everything yet, or at least enough to make a truly informed decision. But, some of these comments on this thread needed to be addressed. I despise our country's dependence on foreign oil and I would love to see the US develop natural, clean energy resources! But, c'mon. Nantucket Sound is an incredibly unique and special spot. I fish there at least once a week in season. But, larger than my own personal concerns is that once changed, it cannot be restored to its' natural state. I know the Sound can be a windy place, but there are lots of windy places in this country, and I am sure many would embrace a project that could provide jobs and tax revenues.

On this project, I think right now, I have to come down on the side of caution and say that more research should be conducted and more locations should be explored. Unfortunately, I have seen in the past when projects, whether they are shopping centers, strip malls, fast food joints, or outfall pipes in Boston Harbor are awful hard to stop once the money has been invested to get the train rolling. I don't see how this project can be stopped from becoming a reality.

Finally, I am not a member of Save Our Sound, nor of the Cape Wind project. I am not a member of Greenpeace or any other environmental group. I am just one man, with one opinion. I do not speak for anyone other than myself.

If any of you are interested in both sides of the story:

http://www.saveoursound.org/

http://www.capewind.org/index.php

Thanks, Hooper

03-21-2004, 11:35 AM	#29
Hooper Southsider iTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bass River, Mass. Posts: 1,226	The Horseshoe is special I take issue with some comments that those who are opposed to the wind farm are, among other things, rich and powerful waterfront property owners concerned about their real estate values. I am a hard working Cape Codder who routinely puts in 50, 60 and 70 hour weeks to continue to live on Cape Cod where I was born over thirty years ago. I am neither monitarily wealthy, nor powerful. First, I wish that those opposed would plainly state their reasons for opposition, whatever they may be. Loss of real estate value is a legitimate concern if you are the owner of the property. Would you allow a wind farm across the street from your home.... honestly? I doubt it, because your single largest assest would suffer financially and there is nothing wrong with that IMHO! Others, just don't want to see these things when they go to the beach, fine. I don't have a problem with opposition simply for that reason. But say it like it is. Don't use things like a faliure to lower local electricty costs to make an opposition arguement when your real issue is with your view. Call it like it is. Second, you will most certainly be able to see these turbines from shore. The Horseshoe Shoals area begins about 5 miles south of the Centerville/Osterville/Hyannisport coastline. To say that you won't be able to see these structures is simply not true. Bass River Beach in South Yarmouth is exactly 5 nm from Bishop and Clerk Light which is to the southwest of the beach. This is about the same distance from shore as where the northernmost turbines would begin to be located on the Horseshoe. For comparison, Bishop Light is 45ft high according to the US Coast Guard Light List. It is highly visible to the naked eye when standing on the beach at sea level. Extremely visible! At only 45ft high it is about 372 ft SHORTER than these proposed turbines will be in hieght. PLUS, they have proposed 130 of these over a 24 square mile area! 130 wind turbines, 417 feet high, five miles offshore won't be visible? C'Mon, be real.... Cape Wind has a test tower which is about twelve miles from Bass River. I couldn't find data on the height of this structure, but it has to be 200' at a minimum. And yes, that is visible too. Admittedly, it is not easy to see, but my point is, even at twelve miles in distance it can be seen with the naked eye. Please, don't tell those who live on Cape Cod, who were born and raised here, what is good for us when many of those commenting on this thread live out of state, not just off cape. Why do so many of you wait hours in traffic to vacation here? To see our wind farm???? I don' think so! Third, I will certainly admit that structure is great for fish habitats. Years ago cement filled tires were dumped outside of the Bass River to form a fish reef. It is a great spot to do some bottom fishing, or trolling for bass & blues. But, I believe that there is a larger loss when these turbines are built. Horseshoe Shoals, and Nantucket Sound will be forever changed from the amazing beauty that it now holds. And folks, the fishing is already great there, it is its' own natural structure. Having said all of this, I am still not certain that I am opposed to the farm! I haven't learned everything yet, or at least enough to make a truly informed decision. But, some of these comments on this thread needed to be addressed. I despise our country's dependence on foreign oil and I would love to see the US develop natural, clean energy resources! But, c'mon. Nantucket Sound is an incredibly unique and special spot. I fish there at least once a week in season. But, larger than my own personal concerns is that once changed, it cannot be restored to its' natural state. I know the Sound can be a windy place, but there are lots of windy places in this country, and I am sure many would embrace a project that could provide jobs and tax revenues. On this project, I think right now, I have to come down on the side of caution and say that more research should be conducted and more locations should be explored. Unfortunately, I have seen in the past when projects, whether they are shopping centers, strip malls, fast food joints, or outfall pipes in Boston Harbor are awful hard to stop once the money has been invested to get the train rolling. I don't see how this project can be stopped from becoming a reality. Finally, I am not a member of Save Our Sound, nor of the Cape Wind project. I am not a member of Greenpeace or any other environmental group. I am just one man, with one opinion. I do not speak for anyone other than myself. If any of you are interested in both sides of the story: http://www.saveoursound.org/ http://www.capewind.org/index.php Thanks, Hooper Last edited by Hooper; 03-21-2004 at 11:39 AM..