by: Friends of Bidwell Park
Friends of Bidwell Park appreciate the opportunity to comment on the proposed TANC-Transmission Line Project during the public scoping period that is part of the CEQA process.
…we sincerely hope that the Central segment option will not have to cross Upper Bidwell Park, as that would be just another degrading impact on the already threatened natural setting.
We recognize the growing demand for sustainable energy sources, and so support development of necessary infrastructure, including transmission lines, to upgrade the energy grid and connect alternative, sustainable energy sources (solar, geothermal and wind) with their users.
We also recognize that more can be done to outfit solar and wind-energy facilities in localities where the energy is actually used. More can be done to encourage homeowners, business owners and public institutions to install solar panels, and where possible, wind-powered generators so that such long- distance transmission lines are not so important.
In the meantime, we encourage TANC to weigh the overall benefits against private property and environmental concerns for each of the proposed routes, and choose the one with the greatest benefit and the least significant overall impacts.
Naturally, we do not want another transmission line crossing Upper Bidwell Park, and sincerely hope that a different route be chosen for the Central cegment. The existing transmission line that crosses the Canyon of Big Chico Creek is one of the most significant features that degrade the aesthetic, viewshed, and wild-land recreation resources offered by Upper Bidwell Park. There is no way to mitigate the additional degradation and impacts that would result from another major utility corridor.
However, we also recognize that Upper Bidwell Park is just one very small segment (approximately 4,220 linear feet) of the more than 600 miles of corridor being considered. As such, the Upper Bidwell Park segment is just one more important concern among the many thousands of issues and concerns that such a large and complex project entails. We do not envy the planners' job.
One of our concerns about choosing the Sacramento Valley route over the Upper Bidwell Park route however, is potential death and injury to raptors, sandhill cranes and waterfowl that migrate along the critical Pacific Flyway. Death and injury to avian species resulting from collisions with wires and towers, particularly during periods of dense fog, could represent a significant impact to the diminished migratory avian populations that seasonally travel north-south along the route. Although there are plenty of environmental concerns associated with the Cascade/Sierra foothills, the density of migratory avian species is much less along the foothill reach, as compared with the valley bottom.
We appreciate the complexity of the situation, and hope that the project proponents are able to choose a route that provides the greatest benefit to the most communities and people, with the least significant associated impacts to private property owners, public lands and the environment.
Again, we sincerely hope that the Central segment option will not have to cross Upper Bidwell Park, as that would be just another degrading impact on the already threatened natural setting. It would significantly affect the aesthetics and wilderness recreation experience.
Thank you again for the opportunity to comment on your project.
Friends of Bidwell Park