In a project known as the Susquehanna to Roseland
Transmission Line, PSE&G and PP&L are proposing to expand their
transmission powerline right-of-way across the Delaware River, through the Wild
and Scenic Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and across the Appalachian Trail. The proposed powerlines include towers
twice as tall as the tree line. The Susquehanna to Roseland Transmission Line
will negatively impact Visitor Experience in such historic and scenic areas as
the New Jersey section of the Appalachian
Trail, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and the view sheds in
the Pocono Mountains, the New Jersey Highlands and the Upper Delaware
River. The views seen from
throughout the Park, along the River and the Appalachian
Trail are priceless.
Background
During the summer of 2009, Rock the Earth friend and supporting artist, Tim Carbone of the outstanding Americana rock band Railroad Earth, told us about another proposed energy corridor that would impact three of America’s most special places – the New Jersey Highlands, the Wild and Scenic Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and the world renowned Appalachian National Scenic Trail.
The New Jersey Highlands are part of the great sweep of the Appalachians that shadows the East Coast from Maine to Georgia. The region contains nearly 860,000 acres of forested ridges, rolling farmlands, diverse recreation, abundant wildlife and historic treasures. The proposed powerlines include towers twice as tall as the tree line and two and a half times the size of powerlines currently existing in the area. For an excellent video about the issue, GO HERE.
Update
The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing to conduct an
environmental impact study to document the impact these powerlines will have on
the natural resources and on VISITOR EXPERIENCE and is currently soliciting
comments. Your input is needed so the
NPS understands how important our National Parks are to you, your children and
grand children.
Please consider sending a comment letter before March 12, 2010 to:
National Park Service
Attention: DEWA PPL EIS Planning Team
Denver Service Center—Planning
P.O. Box 25287,
Denver, CO 80225
Please reference 75 FR 3486 (Susquehanna to Roseland Transmission Line) and make the following points in your letter:
· The Susquehanna to Roseland Transmission Line is not reasonably necessary for the service, convenience and welfare of the public.
· There are reasonable, practicable, permanent and reliable alternative routes that would have less adverse impact upon the environment. One possible route, which the Applicants have dismissed, is to run the transmission lines along Route 80 highway.
· The Susquenhanna to Roseland Transmission Line will negatively impact Visitor Experience in such historic and scenic areas as the New Jersey section of the Appalachian Trail, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and the view sheds in the Pocono Mountains, the New Jersey Highlands and the Upper Delaware River. The views seen from throughout the Park, along the River and the Appalachian Trail are priceless. PSE&G and PPL should not be allowed to degrade our "park experience" for their private gain.
· The impacts of constructing go far beyond the right-of-way, including the creation of new roads, fragmenting wildlife habitat and forests and giving invasive plants a greater foot-hold in our public lands.
· Federal lands on the East Coast are rare. Congressional legislation was required to create the National Recreation Ares and we should respect the few federally protected lands we have.
· The population of the region has boomed. There are not that many places remaining to see wildlife and to experience the kind of tranquility one has in this river valley.
Links
Rock the Earth Scoping Comments -- Comment Letter of March 10, 2010 to National Park Service