Thank you so much for the continued coverage of the Scout/Nimbus wind farm project. And thanks to the opponents for sticking with their research as they try to get questions answered and safeguards put in place.
Wouldn’t it seem appropriate by now that an Arkansas permitting process be enacted? Then, the questions would be answered, like those raised by Richard Williams in his recent letter, and others that many have raised.
The process could set forth what the project really covers, who would benefit by how much money, how a fire suppression system might work, how the geology would work and how those whose wells were contaminated might be assisted.
The process would make it clear how much forested land would be removed for roads, turbines and transmission lines, who would benefit from the energy produced, how aviation might be impacted and what compensation, if any, neighboring farms and residences might expect. We might better understand the acceptable “taking” levels for eagles and bats.
We would learn who would be here to manage the day-to-day operation, blade and turbine upkeep and other issues. We would know who to call if a problem arises. We would know who would dismantle the project at the end of its life.
As it stands, we just have public officials saying it’s a private business, and only the leaseholders and Scout/Nimbus are involved. Isn’t the issue much greater than this? And, if the majority of the Carroll County Quorum Court doesn’t want to watch out for the overall public interest, surely the state legislature should. They intervened in the crypto situation, so why not here?
Once the beautifully forested Natural State lands south of Green Forest are drilled, plowed and planted with turbines and transmission lines, they can’t be restored.
Kate McCarty