RESOLUTION #4 of April 25th,2005
Resolution in Support of the Proposal For the Adirondack Wind Energy Park
Whereas, The Warren County Soil and Water Conservation District
Board concerns itself with maters relating to maintaining and conserving the
quality of Water and Soil Resources in Warren County.
Airborne pollutants from the burning of fossil fuels for electric power
generation have damaged and continue to damage these resources.
Power plant emissions contain chemical components that result in Acid Rain and
contribute toxic mercury compounds to the environment.
Acid rain is damaging Sugar Maples and Red Spruce trees in Warren County. Soil
acidity increases have produced less favorable and less fertile growing conditions
for vegetation which helps prevent soil erosion. It has affected the acidity of
Warren County lakes and ponds to the extent that some can no longer maintain
their traditional aquatic life forms and eco-systems.
Airborne Mercury compounds settle to earth and enter the food chain. Advisories
regarding human consumption limits for mercury contaminated fish have been
issued and made necessary by reliance on mercury containing coal as fuel for
some electric generating plants.
Using alternative means of generating electric power, and in particular
capturing wind energy, is a practical and economic method for reducing the
amount of damage caused by burning fossil fuels.
Wind Energy facilities can be constructed and operated without contributing
unduly to any further environmental damage while contributing significantly to
the reduction of further air pollution. Impacts on water and soil resources are
minimal when good construction practices are followed.
The particulars of the proposed Adirondack Wind Energy Park site offer an
opportunity to construct a beneficial facility with an extraordinarily low
environmental cost as a result of the existing power line and road network
already present at the site. These items of existing infrastructure make the
environmental balance sheet particular to this project especially favorable.
Therefore be it resolved:
The Board of Directors of the Warren County Soil and Water Conservation
District endorse with enthusiasm the proposal for Adirondack Wind Energy Park.
We Join and commend the Warren County Board of Supervisors and Warren County
town government boards who have done likewise.
And further:
We recommend favorable regard and support for this project concept to the
citizens of Warren County and its elected officials and to the appropriate
elected government officials and representatives of the State of New York and
its regulatory agencies having jurisdictional involvement.
That a copy of this resolution be sent to those elected officials of Warren
County and New York State and to the Boards and Administrators of New York
State regulatory agencies.
Ayes: Six (6)
Nays: None