To the Editor:
Every time a marine mammal winds up on a beach should be a reminder to all of us that these creatures are limited in their survival capabilities. Many rely on their sonar system to guide them on their pelagic journeys.
Unfortunately for them, their sonars don’t provide much information about manmade objects, such as ships’ propellers. As these systems were developed long before man’s arrival on the planet, the sea creatures simply fall victim to the dangers they have no way of foreseeing.
I would also state the fact that many a snorkeler or swimmer not visible to a boater has lost their life to a propeller. Fortunately for me, I’ve seen photographs of this – not a pretty sight!
I’ve resided in South Dennis since 1978. I’ve been involved with public and private entities in Cape May County where each sector relies on the other for its very existence. Government provides public safety, education, transportation network, and numerous other services and the private sector provides the tax revenue. All is interconnected, with tourism being the mainstream of all revenue and employment.
So far, with a lot of public pressure, we’ve kept big offshore oil drilling off our coastline. That’s a good thing in my mind. Now, we have a huge corporation – Orsted – wanting to construct a long, concrete curtain of offshore, colossal wind turbines. This is a bad thing in my mind. This is a case where the bad far outweighs the potential good.
If constructed as planned, we will wind up with slaughtered sea birds, disoriented sea mammals dead on beaches, and all manner of seafaring people caught in sudden squalls. These are the easily foreseeable consequences.
Here, in Cape May County, we pride ourselves on our hospitality and civility. We have a Veterans Cemetery, a memorial to fisherman lost at sea, and individual memorials honoring those who sacrificed their very lives. When was the last time you went into a Wawa and the person in front of you held the door for you and you did the same for someone else? I would say always.
Being that way makes us all happy – it isn’t just habit or duty. That good general reputation is a huge factor for vacationers when they determine where to go.
I am more than ecstatic that a political battle has heated up. I would like to see complete unity in this battle, as I firmly believe the future heart and soul and purpose of Cape May County is at stake.
I haven’t met anyone in favor of this wind farm project, and I believe a word like “catastrophic” is appropriate. For me, it’s beyond conscience.
Like some public boards, the Board of Public Utilities is not elected by we the people in general elections. If this board is a major factor in jamming this project down our throats, well, then it is time for the state Legislature to act on our behalf and abolish the board. Utility regulation does not require such a board – it could become a state department, like so much else, e.g., the DEP, and therefore accountable to elected officials and us.
Kudos to the Herald for keeping us informed!
JAMES PAUL JR.
Dennis Township
