Opinion: Champlain power line will be an environmental disaster

For years we have thought of Lake Champlain as our treasurer. Pat Leahy boasted of the appropriations he acquired to benefit the health of the lake. We built the ECHO Center to educate the public to maintain the health of the lake. Fish and Wildlife and the Water Quality Division have viewed the lake with respect and concern.
The Lake Champlain Committee has imposed regulations on agriculture (usually very expensive rules), to which agriculture has complied for the health of our treasurer. The undeveloped shores and mountains have attracted visitors from all over the worlds.
On a more mundane note, the lake has brought Vermont millions of dollars of out-of-state money. The Lake Champlain International Fishing Derby, the bass tournaments, the northern and southern marinas, and the peripheral businesses along the lake generate significant amounts of revenue to the state.
Not one word has been mentioned to educate the public as to the latest hideous plan for our treasurer. Electricity is going to be brought from Canada, through the bottom of Lake Champlain, over the Champlain locks, and down the Hudson River to New York. What kind of environmental disaster will this create, now and for years to come, let alone the disturbance of historical artifacts, and loss of revenue for businesses, and the state, and the potential for future disasters.
Not one public meeting has been held … no opinions have been asked of people, or towns, or those concerned about the environment … nothing.
Pat Ullom
Orwell
 

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