What You Can Do to Oppose Wind Power Near The Columbia Gorge Scenic Area
1. For the Whistling Ridge project, call, email, or write to:
Governor Chris Gregoire
Office of the Governor
PO Box 40002
Olympia, WA 98504-0002
Call Governor Gregoire's Office: 360-902-4111
TTY/TDD users should contact the Washington Relay Service at 711 or
1-800-833-6388.
Fax Governor Gregoire: 360-753-4110
This link takes you to the project website.
Tell Governor Gregoire that Whistling Ridge is an inappropriate project located too close to the Columbia Gorge. In a forested location, it will kill birds and bats including the spotted owl and bald eagles. Mention that ten years ago there were no turbines visible anywhere in the Gorge. Today, you can see them from Dog Mountain, Columbia Hills natural area preserve, and McCall Point. Whistling Ridge will triple the number of sites in the Gorge with turbine views. If it's built, more projects will follow and the logical conclusion is that ten years from now it will be difficult to go anywhere in the Columbia Gorge and not see wind turbines. Is this the future we want? The amount of land that needs to be protected to preserve views in the Gorge is minuscule compared to what's available in Washington for wind power. It is a wise investment in the area's future for tourism and recreational development to protect it from the damage wind power would cause. We can have renewable energy and natural beauty; we just have to be responsible about where wind power is located.
Oregon residents can comment; emphasize that you spend money in Washington for park fees and recreation and have a right to comment on projects that would affect your enjoyment there. Also stress that all wind power projects need to include the entire Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area in visual impact simulation mapping so we know the number of turbines that will be visible from key viewing areas.
2. Contact the Columbia River Gorge Commission by email at this link or in writing at:
Columbia River Gorge Commission
PO Box 730
1 Town & Country Square
57 NE Wauna Avenue
White Salmon, WA 98672
ph: 509-493-3323 fax: 509-493-2229
Let the Commission know that you care about preserving scenic beauty in the Gorge and that they aren't doing enough to protect views from impacts beyond the Scenic Area boundary.
3. If you are a PGE power customer and have a wind power option on your utility bill, call PGE customer service at 503-228-6322 or 800-542-8818 and tell them you want it discontinued until the turbines affecting the view from Dog Mountain are relocated.
4. Contact your elected officials and tell them we need stronger regulations on scenic impacts beyond the boundaries of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
5. Contact the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council and tell them that all wind power projects need to include the entire Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area in visual impact simulation mapping so we know the number of turbines that will be visible from key viewing areas. Also let them know the Golden Hills II/II and Nook Wind projects are in the sightline from Dog Mountain and must not be approved. Their contact information is:
Oregon Department of Energy
625 Marion St. NE
Salem, OR 97301-3737
Phone: 503-378-4040
Phone: 800-221-8035
Fax: 503-373-7806
