[pct-l] Wind farms crossing PCT at Cameron Canyon and Kelso Valley near Tehachapi, CA.

[treerings at gmail.com]

I disagree.

Would you rather have a coal-burning power plant on the trail? or even
within 30 miles of the trail? This is a classic NIMBY (not in my backyard)
situation. Take a look at the latest atmospheric carbon dioxide levels:
http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/. Now take a look at the
atmospheric carbon dioxide levels over the last 800,000 years:
http://www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/cmb/images/indicators/800k-year-co2-concentration.gif.
 These are reconstructed from ice cores. Not only is atmospheric carbon
dioxide WAY above anything seen in the last 1 million years, the projected
increase if we continue on a business as usual path is staggering. We NEED
carbon-free energy such as wind to address this problem.

Measured temperature is increasing fast as a result of this greenhouse gas
carbon dioxide increase:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=48574&src=imgrss.

Most of the old foxtail and lodgepole pine forests we see on the higher
portions of the JMT will be the last generation. Earth's temperature is
warming fast and they will be replaced by low-elevation species. Pika,
marmot and the like will have a tough time of it as suitable habitat
migrates upslope.

We enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world thanks to
cheap oil looted from indigenous people's land in Peru, Ecuador, and
 Mexico for a long time (thank you Chevron, thank you Texaco). We export
the environmental "pain" so we can have a "pristine" experience. It's a
little hypocritical when you think about it. There's a LINK between
lifestyle and the environment. A wind farm is infinitely more
environmentally and aesthetically benign than an petroleum extraction
operation. There's simply no comparison.

I don't like wind turbines on the the trail either, or solar farms in
desert tortoise habitat. Wind turbines kill far more bats than birds,
something like a 40:1 ratio. These problems are minuscule compared to the
alternative of a destabilizing climate system.

Treerings



On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 3:47 PM, Penny Melko <pmelko at ximatek.com> wrote:

> Hello fellow hikers,
>
> This is my first posting to the group. I hope this is appropriate to
> broadcast because the topic is critical to hikers.
>
> Those of us living near Tehachapi are experiencing the total destruction of
> the mountain ranges that traverse the Pacific Crest Trail by wind turbines.
> Two wind turbine projects were approved 2 weeks ago where turbines will
> cross the trail south of the 58 freeway.  The 3rd place is near Jawbone
> Canyon and Kelso Valley where 116 turbines were approved within 1 1/2 miles
> of the trail. More wind projects are planned or approved!
>
> Is it possible for hikers to have their cameras and a gps system at hand to
> photograph raptors like red tail hawks, Bald and Golden eagles and
> California Condors on the trails? The encounters should be reported to
> Ventura Fish and Game (see info below). Condors are tagged and have
> transmitters that capture the location of the birds every hour. The photos,
> and or the tag number with the coordinates can be verified by the agency.
> Zero "takes" of endangered species are not approved by the federal
> permitting agency. This may be the only legal way to stop the decimation of
> the trail and habitats.
>
> Dave Hacker, Staff Environmental Scientist. Region 4 Renewable Energy
> Projects. California Department of Fish and Game, 3196 South Higuera St.,
> Suite A. San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, 805.594.6152, dhacker at dfg.ca.gov
>
> The hikers would be the most logical people to spot the birds. I have
> personally seen 2 Calif condors in Pine Canyon and 2 hikers saw a Bald
> eagle
> so we know they live and forage along the trail.
>
> I am a resident of Sand Canyon, which is located one exit west Cameron
> Canyon at the 58 freeway. I'll be happy to provide any information you
> require. We have been fighting the wind farms in every community here for 2
> years and every bit of supporting data is critical.
>
> Sent By: Penny Melko, pmelko at ximatek.com
>
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