Hans Daatselaar remarks to the Cohocton Planning Board

The Statue of Liberty represents the triumph for democratic society over tyranny and corruption. As a New York Harbor tugboat pilot I am almost always in the presence of this great American symbol of freedom and democracy. But lately it's the site of this beautiful statue that reminds me of the failed democratic system of government in my hometown and the distressing divisions among residents of this community 300 miles away. I moved to Cohocton in 2004 after building my dream house high atop Dutch Hill. Construction started in January and by September the log cabin and barn were finished and my new 1/2 acre pond was slowly filling. Years of financial planning were finally paying off and 1 couldn't have been more proud of my accomplishment. I chose Cohocton for the same reasons most people would, the beautiful unspoiled view sheds, the friendly small town atmosphere and those unbelievably silent star filled night skies.

About three years ago an international company called UPC Wind quietly and stealthily slipped into Cohocton and began work on what could be the largest industrial wind turbine project in this region. After years of clandestinely working behind the scenes with town officials and a small group of landholders, the project that has bitterly divided this town was announced to the public in April 2006. The news came in the form of a "we're going to make good neighbors" letter from UPC's Chris Swartley. About this time my neighbor approached me with evert more good news, he had signed a lease agreement with UPC and Dutch Hill was about to be transformed into an industrial electrical generating facility with the addition of 16, 420ft. noise producing, sun shadow flickering, ice throwing, strobe lighted, property value reducing "GOOD NEIGHBORS", the goliath C96 turbine. These monsters will be the biggest in the country with the closest sited 1,500 feet from my house. I was also told in no uncertain terms that nothing could prevent this project from being built so just accept it. My initial reaction was pretty muted and right in line with what the supporters of this project expected. What really energized me was the nasty attitude some of the leaseholders took when I, a non-native, had the audacity to question the conduct of their town government and the placement of turbines in a residential setting. One leaseholder steadfastly insists he can do whatever he wants with his land no matter what the impact on nearby residents or the environment. Bully ing and provocative statements like this were all the incentive I needed to begin researching the wind industry. The more I learned the more outraged and outspoken I've become.

Town officials have a duty to ensure the safety and well-being of all its residents and yet the Cohocton regime is actively promoting UPC and the industrialization of our town. There are ethical questions concerning a town board that has rejected a petition with 215 signatures representing about a quarter of the total number of Cohocton voters asking the board to declare a six month moratorium on wind projects. Board members with close family ties to leaseholders, a senior councilman who has written articles for Yes! Wind Cohocton supporting this project and the chairman of the Planning Board admitting that he is "just doing what he is told". This fascist Cohocton regime will not even open the decision-making process to a referendum of the electorate whereby residents of the town can vote to either permit or prohibit industrial wind turbines.

Wind energy is "green" for those leaseholders who have bought into this scheme with financial gain but what about Ihe rest of us who have serious reservations about an industry that hedges the truth and answers to no-one. Cohocton Wind Mill Law #2 requires a 520ft. turbine setback from non-participating landowner's property lines plus a 1500ft. turbine setback from private dwellings. This law as written, opens up some serious legal issues concerning property rights when the 1500ft. danger zone overshadows private property. In other words private zoned land is being overlapped with an industrial influence. About 3 acres of my land will fall inside the 1500ft. danger zone from turbine # 1. Essentially 1 have lost my building rights to those 3 acres since no dwelling is allowed inside this zone. Even if I could build inside the danger zone, would an insurance company write a policy on a structure inside the danger zone? Will a bank gram a mortgage underthese conditions? There are dozens of non-participating property owners who will be adversely affected by this law! The 1500ft. setback to a dwelling is much too close for a 420ft. turbine and will create serious quality of life, health and safety issues.

Let me be perfectly clear, this project as it is proposed will be less profitable and most likely would be cancelled if the setback distances are increased. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Dutch Hill is available online and at the Town Hall. This voluminous report is incredibly one-sided in UPC's favor; the benefits are repeatedly overstated while the adverse impacts are repeatedly downplayed. And why not. after all UPC selected and p this report. Excessive health-damaging sound levels are one of the \ and dirtiest secrets. How can an engineering firm evaluate the soun which is extremely important for determining increased noise levels is still on the drawing board? Not a problem if you work for UPC, smaller rotor and hope the results are close! (Refer to DEIS 3.7.2. accurate and comprehensive noise analysis on a functioning commen relying on data from a smaller experimental turbine the entire DI critically flawed. This inaccuracy will lead to serious errors in delii turbine sighting. Shadow flicker is theresult of the rotor blades chopp moving shadows. The DEIS report only assumes shadow flicker is window. The consultant has totally ignored shadow flicker on a resi the effects of these large shadows will be impossible to ignore. Car five homes atop Dutch Hill, including mine, will be exposed to thisi per day 180 daysayear.(RefertoDEIS Appendix!,attachment 1-Of True wind for a moderate icing location, the maximum achievable conservatively considered to be approximately 1150ft."(Refer to [ consider Cohocton to be a heavy icing location where 1150ft. coulc safety, "Another potential public safety concern is the possibility o or a rotor blade dropping or being thrown from the nacelle." (Refei aesthetic, "The greatest impact occurs when the turbines areclose to t In such views, the turbines become focal points and begin to alter th (Refer to DEIS page 110) On property value, "The handful ofprei homes located in the project area or view shed, which would deriv views, may be impacted." (Refer to DEIS page 20 Cushman & Wakel on a house blighted by noise pollution.

My attitude towards the wind industry has hardened considerably af Wind Farm in Pennsylvania. When I first saw this group of 400ft. tu and out of place they are with the natural setting. These things absolul and look as if they belong in the movie War of the Worlds. And the totally prepared me for the unnatural thrashing and whooshing soi Nobody should be forced to live within one mile of these things.

To all Cohocton residents who may fear retribution from relatives or opinion on this proposed project, the time has come to stand up and project time table for fear of an 18 month statewide moratorium on April 26 there will be a public hearing on the special use permit state environmental quality review process is incomplete. Thi lasting negative impact on our small community for decades. We, as to be critical of an industry where survival depends on governmei depreciation allowances. This industry exaggerates the benefits ai admits that its turbines effective full rated capacity factor is only 1 to the unpredictability of wind. Wind farms will only be a supplemen at mitigating climate change. Wind power has almost no relation tc is produced by burning oil. These machines are enormous, the lil comprehend unless you have actually stood underneath them. Th from foundation base to torch. Add another 115ft. to the top ol the colossal height of the C96 turbine that will dominate our Town Board in their infinite wisdom set the maximum allowal no limit set on total number of turbines allowed. The current [ these leviathans to be erected all over Cohocton.

You have to ask yourself, if the proponents assertions that this proj then what will Cohocton look like years from now? Would anybodywillingly move to an industrial wind turbine town? Will the last person to leave the town of UPC please turn off the lights.

Sincerelv,
Hans Daatselaar

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