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LET'S BURY THOSE LINES!! Please Dear Grand County Resident, We are about to see 3' wide by 105' tall metal towers with 4 rails and 8 reflective wires running from the Granby (Farr) Pumping Plant, located by Lake Granby, to Windy Gap. As we travel from Granby to Grand Lake or Hot Sulphur Springs we will have our beautiful mountains and valleys marred with wires and towers equivalent to 12 story buildings for the next 50 years. Residents of Vail and Aspen would not tolerate the construction of such obtrusive poles and why should we? The proposal by Western Area Power Authority (WAPA) is not
acceptable to residents or tourists who vacation here. We live
in a tranquil area with inherent quiet mountain charm. The proposed
towers will emit a constant "noise" and be very visible,
especially now that we are losing all of our tall trees to beetle
kill, which provided cover for much of the existing single circuit,
69kV, 50' wood pole, H-frame design. The 100' wide area of undercut
will increase our exposure to fire and chemical spraying for
weed control. Living near or under such lines presents many unfavorable outcomes for residents and tourists views, noise, radio and TV interference, and exposure to EMFs. Pilots face higher risk for accidents. Hawks, eagles and other migrating birds will be impacted. Herds of 100+ elk and moose will have their migratory route, along the proposed route, disrupted. With more and more development, this is their only path. Ranchers have reported that after transmission lines were run, cows died at a higher rate. And when our ranchers become frustrated with the 138kV transmission lines and sell out, we lose the pleasurable vistas their lands provide every day. Google searches on the internet reveal that state governors
and communities throughout the United States are vehemently opposing
138kV transmission lines; unlawful "takings" are being
settled out of court. Unsightly lines are banned near schools
because of the increased incidence of brain tumors and cancer.
While WAPA distributes literature stating the level of EMFs produced
by 138kV are safe, there are numerous websites with contrary
opinions. At this time it is simply unknown how much exposure
is safe. If we really need these powerful, 138kV lines to replace
the existing 69kV lines, the solution is to bury them. A study
conducted by the State of Rhode Island indicated that at a distance
of as little as 25 feet, putting transmission lines underground
reduces EMF exposure by more than 99%. Expert Harry Orton, Orton
Consulting Engineers International Ltd., indicates underground
lines are safer, preserve scenic beauty and are close in cost
over the long term. The trend is for new subdivisions, like Legacy Park, Orvis Shorefox, and Grand Elk to bury lines, providing pleasant views without obstruc-tions. Our goal should be to remove lines, not increase them. We, our children and grandchildren will be looking at the obsolete technology for 50 years, while more progressive communities will not. WAPA has produced little evidence to convince us that there is a real need to double the power for our 6750 or so local users. What is apparent from the location of the line leading directly to the Granby Pumping Station is that the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District needs more power to pump water out of the county for East Slope development. The water in Windy Gap reservoir belongs to the East Slope. In 2003 they submitted plans to improve, or "firm" their water reliability by requesting additional reservoirs with capacity of 100,000 acre-feet and 30,000 acre-feet of water. It is hard to believe there is no connection between these projects. Now we see polluted lakes. The East Slope folks are the beneficiaries. It is only fair they fund burying the lines. WAPA's estimate is $10 million for overhead versus $40 million for burial. Assuming a life cycle of 40 to 50 years, the life cycle cost to bury the lines would amount to less than $1 million a year. For the one million East Slopers who receive our water, this would amount to a surcharge of $1 a year. Besides, they like to vacation here too! Alternatives presented by WAPA at the August 30, 2007, meeting now include undergrounding of lines below Lake Granby (from Rainbow Bay to the Granby Pumping Plant Switchyard) and inside the Windy Gap Water Tunnel (from Lake Granby to the Windy Gap Substation). Another alternative to the 105' towers is replacing the cable in the Adams Tunnel. For information presented at the meeting go to www.wapa.gov/transmission/infragranby.htm-Display Boards, Meeting-August 30. We have an excellent opportunity to improve our environment, not destroy it. Please: Attend the Public Meeting on Tuesday, September 11, 7:00pm, Community Room of the Granby Library to discuss the proposed transmission lines. Send the enclosed Environmental Impact Study (EIS) form (or compose your own) to WAPA by September 17, preferably by certified mail: Mr. Rodney Jones, Suzanne Gerhart, September 7, 2007 gerhart@rkymtnhi.com PUBLIC COMMENT FORM FOR THE GRANBY PUMPING PLANT- WINDY GAP TRANSMISSION LINE PROJECT Check the issues regarding the use of 138kV lines on 105'
towers that are of concern to you: Other special issues, circumstances, or factors about my land
not addressed: Your comments concerning the project: ______________________________________
Name ____________________________________ Email ____________________ ___Please add me to the mailing list ___ Send or Email a copy
of the Granby Pumping Please submit comments before September 17, 2007 to: US Mail: |