On Saturday October 21, 2006, I took a prowl in my neighborhood to document the existing beauty and quality of life that we enjoy nestled here on western foothills of the Eastern Continental Divide. The following are photographs taken that day. Maple Valley Road and Goodtown Road parallel the ridge. These photos were taken on and off Goodtown Road. Perhaps next time I'll walk out my front door and turn right and show the neighborhood on Maple Valley Rd. The photos will load slowly if you have a dialup connection, but be patient, please read the text. There is no trick photography. Exposure adjusted with Paint Shop Pro v7.

The Harry Hillegas Farm:

Rural landowners must depend on wells for their water. Strip mining routinely disrupts the groundwater. Federal and State regulations have required these companies to take responsibility for their actions, restore the surface contours and drill new wells for nearby property owners who have lost water. There are no such protective regulations placed on the wind industry, yet.

Strip miners are required to control surface erosion by directing muddy rain run-off into sediment ponds which can often be used for recreation after the mines are reclaimed. The mining industry works with landowners to this end. The wind industry has demonstrated no similar interest in assuaging the effects of their activities on those who will be affected by their actions. Regulations are needed.

It was erected without adequate environmental impact studies. In the few years after the erection, over a thousand bats were killed each year. What was the owners of the turbines response? Their response was to ban Bat Conservation International from continued research, thereby preventing any further documentation of the slaughter of these very useful and important animals. Similar findings were observed in the migration patterns of golden eagles over this ridge which declined by 33% after erection of the Meyersdale Facility. Canada prohibits industrial wind turbines on ridge tops to protect migrating birds, and neighboring counties have enacted similar siting regulations. Somerset County has no siting regulations to protect migratory paths or scenic views. How can one call a technology green when the instrument is covered in blood?

Here's a much better idea. Conserve energy. There are many ways to do it. Replace you incandescent bulbs with small florescents. It demonstrates the use of a mature technology, unlike windpower which cannot pay for itself with out the misguided attempts by the leaders of this country to look green, while their hands are dirtied with oil profits. America should learn from the European experience.