FYI, keep in mind that "public land" includes state waters. This is not just a
western MD mountaintop energy development issue. In MD, state waters
include the Chesapeake Bay (MD portion) and Atlantic Ocean out to the 3-mile
line. The Feds (US Minerals Management Service; FERC; and DOE) are also in
a similar comment-gathering mode, for nearly the same purpose -
offshore "alternative" energy development. However, the Feds concern is
expanded to all forms of alternative energy development (wind, hydrokinetic,
solar, and more). Regardless, it is "public domain" any where out there
whether its state or federal waters (to the US EEZ line at 200 miles), and
private corporations are in it for private gain, using public resources to
achieve their profit.
To learn about some current "big picture" windpower considerations and
potential impacts to wildlife offshore, try looking at MMS' hot off the press
Draft EIS on the Cape Wind Energy Project (a Cape Cod, MA project), at
http://www.mms.gov/offshore/RenewableEnergy/CapeWind.htm. Though it's
an offshore proposal, there are many issues similar to an onshore wind
development proposal, including the issue that it is proposed in the public
domain. It was just released (1/18/08), and there's a substantial amount of
information on potential impacts to birds of many types (search for "avifauna").
I intend to let DNR know that their scope of analysis needs to include all of
MD's public domain, and any potential resource impacts and related mitigation
should be carefully and equitably considered whether it is from onshore or
offshore energy development.
Jeff Shenot
Croom MD |