March 18, 2007

To: Richard Fristik

USDA Rural Development

1400 Independence Avenue S.W. Room 2237

Washington, D.C , 20250-1571

.

From: Andree Deligdisch, C-27 Appendix L, Vol. II, 2/2007 , L 68

 

Subject: Final Environmental Impact Statement, Proposed Highwood Power Plant in Cascade County, MT.,(Salem site).

 

This is a commentary on the section Cultural Resources, Appendix L, - CUL- 1000; and specifically L 274, L-275, L-276 re: proposed mitigation of the adverse effects of the proposed Highwood Power Plant (Salem site) on the National Historic Landmark.

 

 

1. Yes, it is true that the WHOLE Lewis and Clark Portage Route is NOT currently in the

National Historic Landmark. Is that a good reason not to protect what is now in the NHL ???

A reminder: Malmstrom Air Force Base was build in the 1940's when historic preservation was not a priority to the nation. Times have changed. We Americans are much more conservation minded now, and rightly so.

 

2. The current proposed site of the Highwood Power Plant is now immediately adjacent to the National Historic Landmark How can one @ mitigate A a huge 360 feet emission stack and the adjacent buildings in a flat, rural and empty landscape?

Put up a 12 foot fence??? It is laughable !!!

 

Plant trees around the site? I have lived in Montana for more than 50 years. Our growing season is 3 2 -4 months at best. It takes ten years for a tree to begin to look like a tree.

At present it is proposed to plant Rocky Mountain junipers around the site. These are native to Montana and are hardy and wind resistant. However, they grow very slowly. Even were they to use faster growing poplars, by the time trees are full grown the plant would be obsolete, and either way, trees cannot possibly hide the Highwood Power Plant.

 

3. The proposed windmills are ON the National Historic Landmark. These can hardly be hidden.

 

My conclusion is: you cannot A mitigate@ the sight of this proposed plant. It will sit as a blot on the landscape, no matter what you do to hide or screen it.

It is unacceptable to place the Highwood Power Plant on the proposed location.

 

Thank you,

 

Andree Deligdisch