From the country mouse
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
I used to be a “city mouse,” but am now happily ensconced in my rural habitat - loving every minute of my close proximity to nature. I have a deep belief that, as a rural resident of this fair county, I have the awesome duty to be the best steward of the environment that I can possibly be. Hence this letter to you.
Rural Nova Scotia is experiencing a threatening reality right now and some of us are really fighting for our right to the quality of life we deserve. It all has to do with the government’s fixation on an alternate source of clean energy called wind power. When I approach people in the urban areas and ask what they think of wind power and wind turbines, the general reaction is supportive of reducing our dependency on fossil fuels and going to a clean energy. We in the country also support the need to find alternate sources of energy. Unfortunately, this is about as far as it goes. No one seems to be aware of words like “setback,” “flicker,” “seismic vibration,” “sleep deprivation,” “noise” and other words to describe health impacts on humans. As a steward of the environment, I believe we must speak for the wildlife also.
We in the rural communities are doing our homework and we need to talk to you!
When I stop to think of how closely knit our two communities are, it gives me hope that you may get on board and learn about our struggles.
Here are some examples of our interwoven relationship. Where do you think the fresh produce comes from for all the farmers’ markets, fresh eggs and sides of beef and pork, milk for your cereal, cream for your coffee and butter for your new potatoes, the split hardwood for your fireplaces and wood stoves, the sheep and llamas that provide wool for your knitters and weavers, those beautiful vistas of orchards in full bloom, fruit-laden vineyards, pristine trails, campgrounds, fishing boats and wharves, seafood restaurants, cheese houses, rock-strewn beaches, bed and breakfast establishments?
Where do you think these large-scale wind turbine industrial sites are being developed? The land is designated “Agricultural” or “Rural Residential” or “Forest” and what happens is landowners lease portions of their land to wind developers to erect 450-foot industrial turbines. Because it is not financially viable to go farther afield, the developer’s want them to be built as near as they can to connect to the grid and avoid building roads to the industrial sites. The setback in the 2011 large-scale wind turbine bylaw states 700 metres is a safe distance. We in the rural parts of the county are not “NIMBYS”. We do know, however, 700 metres are not far enough to keep us from harm’s way.
Thankfully, our municipal council had the wisdom on July 3 to acknowledge that their 2011 enacted bylaw was inadequate and voted 10-1 to rescind it. This means that no proposals for large-scale wind turbine industrial facilities will be accepted in Kings County until a thorough review and re-writing of the bylaw is completed.
Please be part of the challenge to impart knowledge to our elected representatives both at the municipal and provincial levels. This means reading the scientific data, the peer-reviewed reports, the global insights on wind inefficiency, the ongoing struggles of rural communities in Ontario and elsewhere. If reading is not “your thing,” then give one of your country cousins a call. Learn about how the democratic process can work if everyone stands together in solidarity. We need you. We need your voice, we need your participation and we need your understanding and care. Nancy Denton-Peck
Black River Road