Letter from Rob Thomas

I wanted to alert your Lewis & Clark Chapter to the proposed construction of a 500kV power line by Northwestern Energy to run down the Beaverhead River and through the Camp Fortunate area. These 1' diameter high-voltage lines will be strung on towers that are up to 180 feet tall! They plan to place 6 per mile, and they will run right along the Lewis and Clark Path along the Beaverhead River, impacting sites like Clark's Lookout and Rattlesnake Cliffs. Attached is a schematic of the towers, a map showing the routes and a list of concerns from the folks in the Whitehall area (another Lewis and Clark route that will be impacted). I would appreciate it if you could distribute this to your membership, and if they are inclined, to write to the paper (especially the Missoulian) expressing their concerns. 

Just one last bit of helpful information regarding the proposed Mountain States Transmission Intertie (MSTI) project and my personal plea (from the depth of my heart) to write a short letter to the newspapers if you are even mildly concerned about the impacts of this 500kV line on our community. From ranching to recreation, our economy and well being in Dillon are tied to landscape. Here are just some of the things to think about if this project happens:

1. The towers are at least 140 feet tall (the Statue of Liberty is 111 feet tall from heal to head!).

2. There will be between 4 and 6 towers per mile and at least some of them will have strobe lights!

 

3. The main line runs down and crosses the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Red Rock Rivers (see attached map).

 

4. Additional lines are proposed to run down the Jefferson and Ruby Rivers, intersecting in Dillon (see attached map)!

 

5. Negative economic impacts to ranching and farming, the fishing industry, real estate, tourism, geology camps and UMW recruiting.

 

6. Decreased property values for all of us.

 

7. Increased risk of disease associated with the electromagnetic radiation.

 

8. Increased power rates (i.e., bigger bills for you and me).

9. Not one volt of this power is available to Montanan's.

10. They say it is a line for wind power, yet Montana does not have 500kV of wind power available (e.g., NWE is building a natural gas plant right now in Anaconda).

11. Negative impacts to wildlife and wildlife corridors, increased noxious weed problems and unparalleled habitat destruction.

This is not a done deal. You can do something about it! The most important thing we can do is write letters to the newspapers (contact information attached) and the Beaverhead County Commissioners (who are in support, even though county commissioners from Jefferson and Silver Bow Counties are not). It will make a difference. 

Please, please, please act now before it is too late. Thanks for considering.

Rob Thomas - Dillon, MT