|
Alpine has their say regarding Sunrise Powerlink
By Lori Bledsoe
The Alpine Sun
ALPINE — On Wednesday evening, June 23,
Over 400 concerned citizens showed up at a town hall meeting
choreographed by Supervisor Dianne Jacob. This meeting, held at
the Alpine Community Center, allowed Alpine citizens, along with
any other San Diego County Resident to have their say regarding
SDG&E's plans to build the Sunrise Powerlink, dissecting the
Cleveland National Forest, and undermining Alpine and
neighboring communities.
At this meeting, San Diego County of Public Works, Ken
Brazell, Leann Carmicheal, Protect Our Communities Attorney
Steve Volker, and Protect our Communities board member Bill
Powers were present for comment. SDG&E officials were not
present.
Up until this point, SDG&E has been working steadily to
communicate their opinions regarding what they feel would be a
small inconvenience for Alpine.
Reiterating time and time again that they are working
with our schools to schedule construction times that will not
impede educational calendars, as well as only working in small
areas at a time on Alpine Boulevard to lessen traffic
congestion. Also, SDG&E has said that by burying the lines, or
undergrounding them, the EMF is shielded, though they have not
guaranteed complete shielding.
Alpine and the Backcountry has many concerns about this
line coming through their open area and not so open area.
With the plan of cutting through Cleveland National
Forest to install metal towers and power transmission lines, the
forestry service actually has the last say about the foreboding
construction.
William Metz, the forestry supervisor, announced last month that
he would have to review public comment and statements before he
is able to give the final go ahead. Many county constituents
have contacted him, with their views and opposition.
But as the final step, Supervisor Dianne Jacob asked Metz to
hold a town meeting. However, Metz opted not to do this, so
Jacob held one for him, video taping the proceedings. Also on
site was a stenographer who recorded over 100 pages of comment
that was shipped off to Metz.
Among the commenters who were allowed two minutes to
say their peace, Dianne Jacob said that after six years of
fighting this action, she had hopes that the forestry service
would stop it.
Many implored Metz to seriously consider not only what
this will do to the forest views, but to the fauna and flora, as
well as the people who live there. Many sited the golden eagles,
the bald eagles, the hawks, and owls that will be impacted.
With eloquence and educated candor Alpine and the rest
of the county imparted their views and Jacob delivered it to
William Metz for his visual perview. As of the writing of this
article, one week later on Wednesday, June 30, the forestry
department had not released any statement regarding their final
decision.
 E-mail
Christy Scott
|
