Redington Recommendation is Illegal, Say Conservation Groups

Intervenors call on land-use commissioners to reject wind-power proposal

FALMOUTH, Maine, January 18, 2007--A recommendation from staff of the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission (LURC) to approve a controversial wind-power project sited in a protected natural area is against Maine law and conflicts with a longstanding comprehensive plan for the region, according to four regional and state organizations.

Maine Audubon, the Appalachian Mountain Club, Maine Appalachian Trail Club, and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy called today for LURC commissioners to reject LURC staff’s 116-page recommendation to approve a 30-turbine wind-power project proposed by Maine Mountain Power, LLC, a joint venture of California- and Maine-based companies. The four organizations formally intervened this summer in public hearings on the proposal to build the project on Redington Mountain.

“We believe that when LURC’s commissioners review the recommendation, they will find page after page of it astounding,” said Jenn Burns, staff attorney and advocate for Maine Audubon. “Not only does it directly conflict with the commission’s legal obligations, it is a clear sell-out of core LURC principles the commissioners have championed steadily in comprehensive planning.”

Maine law requires LURC to insure that development within its jurisdiction is consistent with its Comprehensive Land Use Plan and relevant legal standards.

Burns said the staff recommendation “is written in such a broad and deferential way to the developer” that the precedent it would create would make it difficult for LURC to reject almost any development proposal.

“This recommendation reflects a flawed process—not the thoughtful and unbiased consideration of the LURC we know,” said Dr. David Field of the Maine Appalachian Trail Club. “It’s hard to understand why some facts and bits of testimony are included in the recommendation, while equally important evidence is omitted. For as long as I’ve watched and admired LURC in action, I’ve not seen anything quite like this.”

The Redington wind-power project is controversial because of where it is sited—along the ridge lines of the Redington Pond Range and the Black Nubble Mountain in the Western High Mountains.

• Thirty 400-foot spinning turbines, power lines, and 11 miles of road at high elevations are proposed in the heart of one of Maine’s wildest mountain regions.
• The project lies within 10 miles of 10 of Maine’s 14 peaks above 4,000 feet in elevation are in the impact zone.
• Two of Maine’s rare species depend on the mountain habitat.
• More migrating birds pass through the area than at any site in the Northeast proposed for wind power projects. Wind-power projects sited in migratory pathways have killed birds and bats by the thousands.
• The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a recognized national treasure that is part of the National Park system, lies barely a mile away from the site. The project would be the most dominant man-made feature along the 32 miles of trail from Saddleback to Sugarloaf—one of the wildest and most spectacular stretches of the entire Appalachian Trail.
  

The developer bought Redington Mountain more than 10 years ago, and has since then met repeatedly with scientists who advised that the site’s exemplary natural features make it unsuitable for development.

“By recommending approval of a wind-power project in an area as exceptional as this one, LURC staff is essentially setting a precedent that gives a free pass, regardless of environmental impacts, to a range of projects seeking approval in zoned protected areas,” said Dr. David Publicover, senior staff scientist for the Appalachian Mountain Club.

Permitting this project will set the bar so low that all mountains in Maine outside of those currently protected under public ownership will effectively be deemed suitable for wind-power development. If on the other hand the commissioners believe that some mountain areas are of sufficient ecological, scenic, and recreational value that they should retain their protective zoning, then Redington is the place to make that clear.

The four organizations recognize that wind power is a source of renewable energy that can be a tool to reduce air pollution and global warming. Yet there are other wind-power projects in New England—and many more in planning stages—that would not create the damaging impacts of this project.

“It’s unfortunate that some have presented a false choice—saying that unless Redington is approved, Maine can’t develop other wind-power projects or address global warming,” said Jody Jones, Maine Audubon wildlife ecologist. “Saying ‘no’ to a wind power project in one of the best mountain resource areas outside of Baxter and the Bigelows is not the same as saying ‘no’ to all wind projects in Maine. “The fact is, if LURC denies this project, it can approve Maine wind-power projects that are sited in the right places.”

The organizations have not decided whether they will appeal LURC’s decision, should the commissioners approve the project. “It would be premature for us to make that decision,” Burns said. “We are confident that LURC’s commissioners will do the right and responsible thing, and say “No” to this damaging project.

CONTACTS
Maine Audubon

Elyse Tipton, (207) 781-2330, ext. 229

Appalachian Mountain Club

Dr. David Publicover, (603) 466-2721, ext. 200; (603) 986-3374 (cell)

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

J.T. Horn, (603) 795-4935, ext. 102; (603) 359-7020 (cell)

Maine Appalachian Trail Club

Dr. David Field: (207) 862-3674; (207) 852-7644 (cell)

MAINE AUDUBON works to conserve Maine's wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people of all ages in education, conservation, and action. With a 160-year history, Maine Audubon today is affiliated with Audubon’s national organization and has seven local chapters in the state. Support for Maine Audubon comes from 11,000 member households and donors, including individuals, foundations and corporations.

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB, founded in 1876, is the oldest conservation and recreation organization in the United States. With 90,000 members in the Northeast and beyond, the nonprofit AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment and wise use of the mountains, rivers and trails of the Appalachian region. For information on AMC's wind power siting research, see: www.outdoors.org/conservation.

THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY, www.appalachiantrail.org, is a volunteer-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation of the 2,175-mile Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a 250,000-acre greenway extending from Maine to Georgia. Our mission is to ensure that future generations will enjoy the clean air and water, scenic vistas, wildlife and opportunities for recreation and renewal along the entire trail corridor.

THE MAINE APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB is a volunteer nonprofit corporation that manages 267 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Maine, including its facilities and corridor.

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