Comments to the Ministry of the Environment by APPEC members
Many people from Prince Edward County have directed comments to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) on the planned wpd White Pines Project. These are only a few of the written comments submitted to MOECC last spring. APPEC members wanted to be clear to the Ontario government that they do not want monstrous industrial sized wind turbines in areas that need heritage and environmental protection. Concerns over health and the economy persist as more evidence becomes available on the harm to people’s lives. Please read these comments from your neighbours and friends along the South Shore that have expressed their concern and are willing to stand-up and be vocal as part of the Alliance to Protect Prince Edward County. APPEC thanks you.
From Gord Currier: We wish to register our strong objection to the application by White Pines Wind Project (WPD) for a Renewable Energy Approval (REA).
We own the single family home directly north across the road from Mount Tabor. From this vantage point our view of this cultural and Designated Heritage historical building, constructed in 1865-67, will be totally overwhelmed by the monstrous scale of one of the proposed industrial size WPD wind turbines. Read the full letter by clicking here …
From Sophia DeFrancesca, Visual Artist: Being a newcomer to Milford, I have many concerns about the proposed White Pines Wind Project that is currently in the approval process.
When I first looked out on to the beautiful vista of the town from my new home, I just could not believe that our government would defy their own laws, and ever allow this picturesque heritage sight to be blighted by industrial wind turbines. From my perspective, this place is paradise! It’s peaceful and serene, with quaint homes, and lovely nature all around. I don’t take for granted at all the breath taking views from my vantage point. This is an incredibly gorgeous place in this world, there’s no doubt about it! As a visual artist who understands aesthetics, I’m not ashamed to say that certainly, I do not underestimate what could be lost. Some may consider this kind of concern frivolous, but I’m sure they said the same thing when they tore down so many of our heritage buildings in Toronto in the name of progress. It was a travesty, and there’s no changing that now. Read the full letter by clicking here …
From Franco DeFrancesca: The prospect of having the White Pines Wind Power industrial wind turbine development in South Marysburgh/Milford would be devastating and disastrous. As a recent owner of a property in Milford, and after researching the many issues resulting from Industrial Wind Power Development, I cannot believe that the knowledge and concerns of people from the region and all over the word are not being taken into consideration. Read the full letter by clicking here …
From Jim McPherson: … Because I live in the neighbourhood of Prince Edward County where this project would be located, I have followed its development with great concern, and I have attended all “public information events” sponsored by the proponent.
This proposed project was recently posted to the Environmental Registry as a proposal that is “deemed complete”. I respectfully submit to you that this proposal is incomplete. The proponent has failed to meet many basic criteria of your own Ministry of the Environment, and has even failed to adhere to the advice that OMAF gives to Ontario farmers on its web site. The proponent has also failed to recognize and respond to assurances that have been publicly announced by Premier Wynne, and to the basic citizen guarantees in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Read the full letter by clicking here …
From Bryan and Kate Muir: Our home, “Prince Edward County” is made up of good people, fantastic wild life and birds, with unique countryside, different from other areas of Ontario. I am very proud to tell anyone where I live and what Prince Edward County has to offer.
Wind turbines do not belong in Prince Edward County!
Read the full letter by clicking here …
From Inge and Caspar Radden: As residents of Prince Edward County we object to installations of White Pines turbines that will obstruct familiar views from many places, e.g., driving or walking Old Milford Road and Scott’s Mill Road above the Mill Pond, playing sports on the grounds, attending the fair or participating in the Easter parade and other events, where we always make professional pictures and send them all over the world. Read the full letter by clicking here …
Posted in Economy, Environment, Health, Heritage Edit
Amherst Island Heritage House Tour Saturday September 27 between 10 and 4
Acclaimed by Heritage Canada The National Trust, Amherst Island’s historic houses and Irish stone fences are set in a landscape that has remained unchanged over the past 100 years. Take a tranquil ferry ride to visit old stone houses, restored farms and quaint village cottages, and enjoy a homemade farm lunch at the Lodge on Amherst Island.
This is a fund raiser for the Association to Protect Amherst Island. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day of the event and costs $40.00. To purchase tickets and find out more about this event please visit the Association to Protect Amherst Island web site – click here.
Round trip tickets for the ferry cost $9 per car, so we suggest that friends come in one car! A bicycle ticket is $1.50. The ferry leaves the mainland every hour on the half hour and from the Island every hour on the hour. For example, to arrive at the Island in time for 10 a.m., take the 9:30 ferry from Millhaven. We will be waiting for you with a nice cup of tea or coffee.
The starting point and information centre is minutes from the Island ferry dock at the Lodge on Amherst Island. The Lodge will be open throughout the day for lunch, refreshments, directions, and a chance to relax and wander the shores of Stella Bay.
Mount Tabor – Winter 2014
Open Letter to Protect Mount Tabor and the Panoramic View
May 2, 2014APPEC is encouraging you to add your name to the attached open letter to the Ministry of the Environment’s Agatha Garcia-Wright, copied to Premier Kathleen Wynne and Minister Michael Chan. The letter is an appeal to protect Mount Tabor and the panoramic view of Milford from the negative visual impacts of Turbines T01 to T06.
Bruce Dowdell and Liz Driver hope to gather as many signatures as possible by next Wed, May 7, for submission to the EBR by Thurs, May 8.
If you are happy to have your name added to the letter, please send an email ASAP to Liz Driver at liz.driver@sympatico.ca with the following information:
Name + how you would like to be represented, e.g., name and address and/or local business or affiliation with local community organization.
wpd has not made a single adjustment to its project to reduce negative impacts on the County’s cultural heritage – This is unreasonable and unacceptable. The MOE should require wpd to remove the offending turbines from around Milford, to protect Mount Tabor and the village. We hope that this letter, endorsed by many community members, will persuade the MOE to require wpd to make changes.
Posted in Heritage, Uncategorized EditSUBMITTING COMMENTS on wpd’s White Pines Wind Project by MAY 10, 2014!
May 1, 2014APPEC has put together a list of comments related to the revised wpd White Pines Project Heritage Assessment, the Heritage Interconnection Line and the Natural Heritage Assessment (NHA) reports. The Comments are being posted here to help concerned PEC residents raise their own comments and to submit them to the Ministry of the Environment (MOE). Our hope is that more people will submit comments by mail or email to express your concerns with the wpd White Pines Project in South Marysburgh and Athol stating the impact this project will have on our heritage, our homes and our natural environment. These are important things that APPEC members and supporters love and need to protect.
For your review, the APPEC Comments can be reviewed at these links: Heritage Assessment Comments , Heritage Interconnection Line Comments and Natural Heritage Assessment Comments. Any additional insights from these comments that you may have can be submitted to MOE at the postal or email address below.
Additionally, APPEC has put together a spreadsheet of all the resident buildings along the Interconnection Line where wpd will be laying power lines underground. Some wpd construction will occur within as little as 10 meters of buildings. A wpd report warns that damage due to vibration may occur for properties inside 40 meters from the excavation / construction. The 40 meters is a mitigation but is not being applied consistently as many of the buildings are within the 40 meters. Also it is not clear what solutions there are if the vibration level exceeds the maximum recommended or who is responsible to satisfactorily repair any damages.
As far as APPEC is aware, no wpd notification or agreements have been made with County residents. It might be worth your time to review the Structures along wpd Interconnection Line document and raise a comment if your home or buildings might be impacted by wpd construction along the interconnection / transmission lines.
APPEC has retained council to appeal to the Ontario Energy Board (OEB), Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of the Environment related to the transmission lines. By reviewing this document, you may have comments that you would like to submit, or inform friends that may be impacted to allow them to raise comments to the ministry (see mailing information below).
The deadline for submission of comments is May 10, 2014. Comments can be submitted by letter or email to the person noted below.
Ramona Afante Senior Project Evaluator Ministry of the Environment Operations Division Environmental Approvals Branch 2 St. Clair Avenue West, Floor 12A Toronto, Ontario M4V 1L5OR submit your comment by email to ramona.afante@ontario.ca
Important – Be sure to include < EBR 012-1279 > in the subject line of your email or letter.
Posted in Environment, Heritage, Ontario Energy Board, Uncategorized EditHelp Protect Mount Tabor and …
Mount Tabor – Winter 2014
Mount Tabor and its steeple are the focal point of the panoramic view that greets every resident and visitor as they approach the Village of Milford from the Old Milford Road. This iconic view of church and village is at risk from the White Pines Wind Project.
Almost 30 years ago, on 28 January 1986, Warden J.H. Walmsley signed By-law No. 1677 to protect the following special qualities of Milford’s Mount Tabor United Church:
“Highly picturesque on its height above the Mill Pond, and a reminder of the importance of the church in the Township, Mount Tabor’s steeple is the emblem and focal point of Milford. This building incorporates elements of gothic, classical, and Italianate styles in an admirably well-proportioned design. It remains virtually unspoiled since its construction in 1865, the very model of a community meeting hall.”
Six proposed turbines will be directly in the views of Mount Tabor and from Mount Tabor’s grounds. For up to 40 years, Turbines 1 to 6 will cause long-term harm to Milford’s picturesque landmark and community gathering place. The public has until May 10 to send comments to the Environmental Registry. This is your opportunity to explain why the protection of Mount Tabor is important to you, your family, the village and County visitors.
Continue reading to Protect Mount Tabor …
Posted in Heritage, Uncategorized Edit
Alliance to Protect Prince Edward County 