Bulldozing into the County

Top: Trees giving way to industrial wind turbines on Royal Road despite the fact the developer has not yet had its project approved. Above: Access road to proposed industrial wind turbine is marked out from Murphy Road near Milford. PHOTOS: CHERYL REED

Worried neighbours report that land clearing has begun, making way for industrial wind factory in South Marysburgh

The Prince Edward County Field Naturalists are reporting that work to clear and construct road work in preparation of an industrial wind factory in South Marysburh is already underway.

The project consists of 29 industrial wind turbines to be located on private land in South Marysburgh and Athol. It is being developed by wpd Canada although it has not yet advised the community about its plans. A meeting is set for March 22 between 5:30 and 8 p.m at Prince Edward Collegiate Institute in Picton.

This premature road construction before any public consultation has taken place is abhorrent,” said Cheryl Reed of the PECFN. “Does wpd think that the citizens of Prince Edward County are just going to sit idly by while the South important bird area is attacked in this fashion?”

The White Pines project, as wpd Canada calls its industrial wind factory, covers an area reaching from Milford to the north, Lighthall Road to the West, Lake Ontario and east to within a few kilometres of the Prince Edward Point Natural Wildlife Area.

The company advised there will be no formal presentation but rather a series of display panels. Company officials and consultants will be on hand to answer questions one-on-one.

Henri Garand, chair of APPEC (Alliance to Protect Prince Edward County) deplores the use of this format, saying the developer should stand up and answer the many questions this community is asking about this project.

Garand says wpd Canada must bring senior management to address company policies, a medical professional to address health concerns, an acoustics expert to address noise issue, a real estate professional to answer questions about property value as well as professional biologists who have expert knowledge about migratory birds and understand the impact this project could have on wildlife in this region.