Wind turbine hearing adjourned to October

The Environmental Review Tribunal Hearing on the Ostrander Point wind project set to continue Sept 23-25 has been adjourned.

“Due to ongoing disclosure issues related to Ministry of Natural Resources documents, the hearing has been adjourned for the second time,” said Myrna Wood, president of the Prince Edward County Field Naturalists.

The new date for resumption of the hearing is expected to be Oct. 27-28 and 30.

“PECFN’s lawyer Eric Gillespie said that it is a big step forward in learning what the MNR experts thought about the development of this site,” said Wood. “He has been able to read some of Joe Crowley’s documents which show the degree to which the habitat of several Species at Risk was discussed. There are many more documents to read. He has also requested disclosure from Gilead Power.

Admission by Crowley, an MNR senior manager that his initial advice was not to allow a permit to “kill, harm and harass” the Whip-poor-will and Blanding’s turtle at Ostrander Point halted the third day of Environmental Review Tribunal proceedings Friday, Sept. 4 in Demorestville.

Crowley, a species at risk expert herpetologist with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, was on the stand to provide a statement and answer questions about the effectiveness of various mitigation measures proposed by industrial wind turbine developer Gilead Power to protect the endangered species Blanding’s turtle on the County’s south shore – the site of Gilead’s nine-turbine project.

Following much legal discussion, the tribunal’s two-person panel, lawyers Robert Wright and Heather Gibbs, issued a ruling that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry witnesses produce all papers and electronic correspondence to date relating to roads and Blanding’s turtle and the renewable energy approved project and site.

“PECFN is disappointed at yet another adjournment in our ongoing fight to protect the PEC South Shore. However, we feel that we are beginning to get to the bottom of why and how this important natural site was threatened with destruction. We welcome full disclosure no matter how long it takes.”

Meanwhile, the ERT for the wpd White Pines 27-turbine project on private property in South Marysburgh and Athol and south shore, has been delayed to Nov. 2 in Wellington.

Citizens who believe the south shore is the wrong location for industrial wind turbines are are gathering for a  “Too Big, Too Close, Too Many Rally” Sunday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Milford Fairgrounds.