Sterling Belliveau, the new NDP Environment Minister, has approved 17 of the proposed 20 turbines of the Digby Wind Power Project for the villages of Rossway, Gulliver's Cove and Waterford on Digby Neck, with conditions. For more information, see http://www.gov.ns.ca/nse/ea/digby.wind.sky.power.asp.
Nova Scotia Environment Department (NSE) appears to be satisfied with a 1000 metre setback from homes, though there remain homes in Gulliver's Cove within that distance of approved turbines.
Until more research on the health effects of wind turbines on humans living nearby is completed by third party researchers, we believe setbacks of at least 2.4 kilometres should be used as a precaution against any ill effects among residents of the host communities. This is in accordance with preliminary studies done by non-affiliated doctors as well as anecdotal evidence from residents who live near wind farms around the world.
NSE has joined the proponent in ignoring concerns from community members about possible effects on eco-tourism, migratory birds and bats, property values, impact of the transport of machinery and equipment on public roads, impact of new access roads, collector lines and transmission lines, impact of construction activity on residents (including blasting for foundations), full cost-benefit accounting of GHGs, and general fragmentation of the landscape.
We're very disappointed to learn that our new NDP government seems to be behaving the same way as our previous Conservative government when it comes to listening to the people.
If you sent a submission to NSE on this project, thank you! We will continue to fight this project.
Nora T. Peach
Judith Peach
Waterford, Digby Neck
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
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