View of wind farm would intrude on Gorge hikers

[Martell]

A National Park Service official says a proposed wind farm just outside the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area would intrude on the experience of hikers.

http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ss ... ntrud.html

I wondered if the hikers agreed?

[anna in boots]

I don't know, Dan, but you could fuel ten power plants with the venom spewed forth by the citizens in the Comments section below.

anna in boots

[Martell]

Yeah, I highly recommend ignoring the comments on any Oregonlive article. They don't seem to do much moderation.

[Jane]

Here's some more info/comments from the FS and Friends of the Gorge:

http://www.gorgefriends.org/Whistling.R ... ingpts.pdf

http://www.gorgefriends.org/Comment%20L ... dge_09.pdf

[chameleon]

I think it sounds great. Afterall, its not actually "inside" the Gorge. In addition, it's a postive step forward in moving toward a healthy planet and away from fossil fuels. Afterall, they were(are)considering putting a monstrous gambling casino in the very heart of the gorge, which would draw pollution, environmental damage, etc... I know that would be "seen" from many, many gorge trails.

Personally I applaud the idea of positioning a wind "plant" near the gorge. Why not make steps to both preserve wild areas (within the gorge) and promote a healthy planet with whatever developments occur nearby? While I strongly oppose environmentally damaging development anywhere close to this area (such as the casino), this (the wind turbine) idea is very progressive and positive for the region as a whole. Too bad they didn't consider it before they built the dams and "disappeared" Cellilo and the rich Native American petroglyph region.

The comments are pretty funny actually. The article doesn't even site a single hiker being opposed to the project, just a tourism manager of some sort. Their responses demonstrate more of their "biases" toward outdoorsman than justifiable critique. Goes to show the power of propaganda - its easy to get people to spout off against others, if you give them an ounce of dubious ammunition.

-Zach

[anna in boots]

Of all the energy projects out there today, the big, sleek windmills are kinda cool looking. I'll look at the good side of it and anticipate interesting photographs.

Anna

[weathercrazy]

I would rather see windmills in the distance, than not even being able to see the hills in which the rest upon do to pollution from fossil fuels!

And I agree, they can be very photogenic!

[Stevefromdodge]

I was on Hood River Mountain today and boy was there a lot of unprocessed electricity going to waste!!

[anna in boots]

I was on Hood River Mountain today and boy was there a lot of unprocessed electricity going to waste!!

Hahaha! What a great new catch phrase for wind. I'm gonna use that here on the forum in your honor, Steve.

Anna

[BaileyBoy]

I agree with the other comments posted here, it wasn't a hiker who made any statement but the Park Service. And I also agree that wind in this area is the way to go until and unless some better alternatives show up.