Letter: Site wind farm away from Mississippi River

To the Editor:

Are we really that blind?

I am writing as a concerned citizen who lives along the Mississippi River. I am for increasing the number of wind farms for sustainable power. I am not for allowing New Era Wind to have its location in an area that would affect the eagle population.

I was appalled when I recently heard that the proposed farm in Goodhue County would kill approximately 15 eagles a year. While living along the Mississippi River gives us a nice population of bald eagles, we have to realize that once you leave the area, there are not a significant number of eagles.

If you have lived around the area your whole life, maybe you are not aware or have just become used to the number of eagles. Relocating from an area where I had seen only one eagle in 10 years, I am mortified that this is even a consideration.

The eagles that choose to live in other areas of the state initially come from around the Mississippi River area. Therefore killing of 15 eagles will adversely affect the rest of the state’s eagle population.

I fully am for wind farms, but I am not for having a wind farm so close to the main population of eagles that consequently supply the rest of the states eagle population.

Are we really so blind to the fact that making New Era Wind Farms locate its business just out of harm’s way for the eagles will be a win-win situation for the Wind Farm and for the future generations eagle population?

Please consider just having that farm located out of the area that would affect the United States’ most distinguished bird.

Kim Peterson

Bay City

Tags: opinion, letters