Comment ID: 210808 As a…

Comment ID: 210808

As a life long resident of Chatham-Kent, I have recently found my home and farm lands to be included, against my approval, into an area proclaimed as the Otter Creek Wind Farm. Our health, our home and our livelihood depends on a steady source of clear and uncontaminated water that is provided by wells from an abundant aquifer in a geological formation known as Kettle Point Shale. Recent wind farm developments in the former Dover Township and current construction in the North Kent site have shown a possible connection to almost immediate problems with area wells. These wells have experienced serious changes in flow and quality to the point that some are no longer useable or require expensive remedies. These wells are situated over the same Kettle Point Shale that the Otter Creek Wind Farm will be potentially disturbing with its pile driving and construction. The mammoth 640 foot structures that they wish to construct will require significantly more disturbance into the bedrock and aquifer. Geologists describe the Kettle Point Shale as a unique formation, known to naturally contain an assortment of heavy metals that are harmless if undisturbed. It is my understanding that no study has been conducted on the effects of wind turbine construction and operation on a formation of this type. Both the developer and the municipality (which may be an investor) have denied the financial responsibility of remedial action. Property owners have been forced to pay for expensive water testing, that the developer has acknowledged will not be recognized by them if there is a future problem. No contingency plan is in place by either the developer or the municipality to supply an immediate and ample supply of water if wells become unusable. A case of bottled water will not operate a home let alone a farm business. Ontario is fortunate to currently have an excess in electrical generation capacity. Often during peak demand periods, most of the hundreds of turbines in Chatham-Kent are shut down as the power is not needed. This would suggest that we have an opportunity to do the research required to understand the potential effects of this project on the aquifer that our lives and livelihoods depend on. Taking this time to collect scientific data can only be beneficial to all of the people of Ontario. It is with this in mind that I ask the MOECC to deny final approval of this project until a time that significant scientific data can be collected and analyzed. The aquifer that has supplied us with plentiful and pure water for many generations requires the protection of the MOECC. Sacrificing an important and irreplaceable natural resource in the development of wind energy does not enhance our environment. Our homes, our livelihoods and our health are dependent on you and your intervention. Thank you for your consideration.