Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Advocacy, Agencies, Access => Topic started by: 400out on May 16, 2014, 06:26:32 PM

Title: Wind mills in the umatilla national forest
Post by: 400out on May 16, 2014, 06:26:32 PM: :hello: :hello: friends! Sorry I've been lost for some time now but thought I would poke my head for a minute to share this story I heard the other day!!! Hope it hasn't been posted already if so I appologize! The BBM will like to get in on fighting this one!!!!

http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Are-wind-farms-on-the-way-for-our-local-national-forests-257422881.html (http://www.keprtv.com/news/local/Are-wind-farms-on-the-way-for-our-local-national-forests-257422881.html)
Title: Re: Wind mills in the umatilla national forest
Post by: washelkhunter on May 16, 2014, 06:57:19 PM: These wind turbines are a blight upon the landscape. Not only are they monstrously ugly view spoilers they are mega blenders of our airborne wildlife. I simply cant imagine they would be allowed on NF lands.
Title: Re: Wind mills in the umatilla national forest
Post by: Bob33 on May 16, 2014, 07:00:17 PM: http://eeredevapps2.nrel.gov/wind/windexchange/pdfs/public_lands/2005/assessing_renewable_energy_potential.pdf (http://eeredevapps2.nrel.gov/wind/windexchange/pdfs/public_lands/2005/assessing_renewable_energy_potential.pdf)
Title: Re: Wind mills in the umatilla national forest
Post by: fair-chase on May 16, 2014, 07:07:09 PM: My blood pressure just hit an all time high. :bash:

Thanks for the info 400, I wasn't aware of this. :tup:

Found a few more links for everyone...

USFS Press Release (http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3796787.pdf)

Draft Plan and Environment Impact (http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/wallowa-whitman/landmanagement/planning/?cid=stelprd3792957)

Public Comments (https://cara.ecosystem-management.org/Public/CommentInput?Project=31195) *REMINDER: COMMENTS WILL BE VIEWABLE BY THE PUBLIC* Mostly directed at myself as it's hard find the appropriate (non profane) words that express exactly how I feel about this. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Wind mills in the umatilla national forest
Post by: bigtex on May 16, 2014, 10:17:38 PM: Wind mill and solar panel fields are popping up allover BLM lands, especially in Southern California. Big difference in my opinion though; USFS (forested land) vs BLM (sand or sage brush)
Title: Re: Wind mills in the umatilla national forest
Post by: huntrights on May 17, 2014, 09:59:59 AM: :twocents:

Wind and solar energy development is likely to be more common as time goes on. Here are some thoughts:

1)   Areas where wind and solar farms are constructed will most likely greatly restrict or prohibit public access. If we are losing public access in these areas, perhaps there is additional leverage to open public access to areas that may be considered good for hunting, fishing, and other outdoor sports; that is, STOP the road closures/destruction and imposing other onerous access restrictions.

2)   Use income from these renewable energy sources placed on public land to help pay for state and national parks, public access roads and road maintenance, etc. The bottom line is the public should benefit, not just the developers, energy companies, and other involved individuals (i.e. possibly some unethical people in political circles and their families or business connections).

3)   Wind farms do have an impact on airborne wildlife (literally); this is an issue that should be brought up.

4)   If the proposed land to be used for these renewable energy sources has other users (i.e. free range cattle ranching), how will their loss be compensated?