Let Nature Areas Stay Nature Areas

Here’s an update on the 66’ right of way corridor from the wind farm project in Gulliver’s Cove. The original proposal was to go straight up route 217 to the substation in Marshalltown (just outside Digby, Nova Scotia). For a number of reasons, including a striking lack of signatories, this route failed. With no announcements what- so- ever, Nova Scotia Power (Emera) immediately started collecting lease agreements for an alternative route. To keep public awareness to a minimum, the lease signers were told not to tell anyone. Fortunately, due to my work on the executive committee of the St. Mary’s Bay Marsh Body and a number of supporters of the Toymaker’s Marsh Wildlife Area, I learned that the alternative route was to end up going right next to the marsh and through the Wildlife Area.

Two days ago I met with Ken Meade from Emera to verify the rumors. He showed me a map of the new approach and the rumors were true. From Gulliver’s Cove, the route comes off the mountain and heads toward route 217. It then heads east along the south side of 217 to the community pasture land owned by the Farm Loan Board and Leased to the Digby Community Pasture Association. Why the FLB would do this, thus lowering the value of this property, I have no idea. What is their mandate? The corridor then crosses the community pasture land and enters marshland under the auspices of the Marsh Body and owned by a member of the Marsh Body. After traveling south for quite a distance, it then runs next to the Wildlife Area and turns to the east, toward the Middle Cross road. After crossing the road it wanders south and east to approximately the Old Poor Farm. Then it crosses route one and and heads toward Digby on the south side of the road. From there the substation is very close.

No doubt this route is a wish list for Emera. They do not have all the signatures yet. It saddens me to think of the damage this corridor is doing in our community before it’s even built. When one neighbor signs this lease, he can choose to decrease the value of his land in exchange for a short term financial gain. Every signer has neighbors who are affected by this corridor. They have no say in this process. Their views are destroyed, poison sprays cross their land and their land values will decreased. As a result of the corridor, four wheelers and dirt bikes will flood the area at all hours of the day and night There are no setbacks for these corridors and they can be placed right behind your garage!

For those thinking about signing, please consider the following issues. Don’t be deceived; these leases (I’m told) last forever. Even though the poles are wood now, they will be steel towers later. Are you also giving them permission to spray dangerous chemicals to control plant growth? Don’t forget that previous signers of leases under Skypower, had liens placed on their deeds after Skypower went belly-up! Be careful what you sign. Two people I know signed generic lease agreements that did not specify where the corridor would go on their land. One had a verbal agreement allowing the corridor to pass through the back of his property. Imagine his surprise a week later when Emera’s map showed it going right between his house and the neighbors! I’m not certain that such a lease agreement is legal. You may be able to change your mind even if you’ve signed one.

One might ask what protection we have over this process. Are marshlands not protected? What about the environmental assessments of these projects? Well, friends, it’s time to bow our heads. First, the Marshland Conservation Act that protects marshland behind dykes from non-agricultural purposes, exempts roads and power-lines ! Second, the environmental assessment of the original wind farm project was approved and the size of the line is too small at this stage of the project ( 69 KVA ) to trigger a new assessment.

One more thing: In PEI the government forced a wind farm company to put these lines underground. Why? Because they had a negative impact on local communities and tourism! Sincerely, Warren Paton, (638-3025} Owner: Toymaker’s Marsh Wildlife Area.