Voices on Bowers Mt. Wind project: Downeast Lakes Watershed

Maine Citizens Overwhelmingly Say “NO!” to First Wind’s Bowers Mountain Industrial Wind Proposal

In one of the most hotly disputed industrial wind development proposals to come before Maine’s Land Use Regulation Commission, citizens of this state spoke out in opposition to the Bowers project by a margin of 9:1.

Champlain Wind LLC, one of the many limited liability subsidiaries of First Wind of Boston, is proposing to build a grid-scale wind facility on Bowers Mountain in Carroll Plantation and Dill Hill in Kossuth Township.  The proposed development would site 22 wind turbines, each approaching 500 feet tall, on a ridge overlooking the Downeast Lakes Watershed.

Based on LURC’s Wild Land Lakes Assessment study of over 1,500 lakes, this watershed has the highest concentration of Class 1A and 1B rated lakes in the state. In order to achieve that rating a lake had to exhibit “outstanding values of statewide significance.”  There are at least six lakes in this watershed that have a “1A” rating, three that have a “1B” rating and numerous others that are rated as a “2”.

During the application process, Maine citizens requested and were granted a public hearing.  An astonishing 379 citizens gave oral or written testimony about this project.  Three hundred thirty-seven (345) or 91% of those testifying were opposed to First Wind’s Bowers Mountain project.

Due to concerns that such massive industrialization would seriously damage the area’s extraordinary scenic value; more than two dozen professional guides and many of the local sporting camp owners took precious time away from their businesses during peak tourist season to come to Lincoln to testify in person.  Three prominent organizations, representing nearly 1,000 Maine business owners who are familiar with the watershed, publicly came out against the Bowers project:

* The Maine Professional Guides Association, 900 strong, which has representatives on committees such as Tourism, Conservation, Land Access, Landowners Relations, River Trust and others, voted unanimously to oppose the Bowers project.

* The Maine Sporting Camp Association, which represents more than 50 sporting camp owners.

* The Grand Lake Stream Guides Association, representing 50 full-time professional guides who make their livelihood on the Downeast Lakes Watershed, voted unanimously to oppose the Bowers project.

Says Gary Campbell of the Partnership for the Preservation of the Downeast Lakes Watershed (PPDLW): "The siting of First Wind's proposed Bowers Wind project runs contrary to what makes Maine, Maine. This project would impact the    magnificent Downeast Lakes region, an area with a long history of    protection by both the legislature and locals. The region's economy is uniquely dependent on its ability to provide visitors with a remote, wilderness experience. Seeing 27 turbines, each the size of    a 42-story building, punctuate the horizon will make that impossible. This region's renowned culture of traditional Maine sporting camps and professional guides, would be lost forever."

And PPDLW's president, Kevin Gural, states:  "The Downeast Lakes watershed from West Grand Lake and Grand Lake Stream to the south, to Pleasant, Scraggly, and Shaw lakes at the north comprise one of Maine's few remaining easily accessible large watersheds that retains it's mostly undeveloped shoreline, wilderness character, and scenic splendor.  The opposition to the Bowers wind project has been steadfast, above board, and unprecedented in size and scope.  It includes a large group of property owners, and recreational users of this resource, but more importantly, it includes those who make their living and are the primary employers in the watershed.  The lodges, sporting camps, guides, and support businesses have all spoken passionately and often against this development application .  The Maine Sporting Camp Association, the Maine Professional Guides Association and the Grand Lake Stream Guides Association have all published posiiton statements against these poorly sited industrial wind projects.  Recreational tourism, whether it be fishing, hiking, canoe and kayak tripping, wildlife photography, or other outdoor pursuits, have been the lifeblood of this historic sportsmen's Mecca for well over a hundred years.  The very basic foundation of the area's businesses is at risk here. 

"In reviewing the testimonies of the 379 individuals and business men and women who testified on this application, 345 or 91% were adamantly AGAINST permitting this project.  We have faith that the LURC Commissioners will follow their mission statement and their CLUP (Comprehensive Land Use Plan) to vote unanimously to deny this development application.  In doing so, they will send a strong message to these wind project developers that Gov. Baldacci's Expedited Wind Permitting Law is meant to afford them a faster permitting process, but is not intended to circumvent LURC's or D.E.P.'s duties as stewards of our Maine's most valuable resource - it's "Quality of Place"."

Maine citizens have spoken up in opposition to the Bowers wind project.   It is our hope that the Maine Land Use Regulation Commission will deny First Wind/Champlain Wind's permit application on Wednesday, October 19, 2011.  Please come to the Waterfront Event Center, 8 Prince Street, Lincoln, Maine at 11:00 a.m. to show your support for the local residents, business owners and tourists who oppose the Bowers industrial wind development in the Downeast Lakes Watershed.