As recent as January 2009 the nesting pair of Golden Eagles was confirmed along the route of the Sunrise Powerlink…. see
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/cleveland/projects/projects/seasonal-closures/
More evidence that SDG&E, Sempra, and the CPUC are involved in a cover-up:
East County Magazine Article: Two electrical experts confirm Clark’s contention that SDG&E installations are dangerous, can ignite fires; SDG&E insists its lines are safe.
I am saddened to find myself in a country where it is considered “low impact” to rob a community of its open spaces, scenic corridors, healthy homes, fire safety, and then …… on top of that…. knowingly cause the mortality of a dwindling species… Golden Eagles. I think “low impact” only considers the corporate profit, and not the public interest. The following is taken directly from the final EIR. See link for the full document. See page 131 of on this link http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/environment/info/aspen/sunrise/feir/D02%20Biology.pdf
The golden eagle is very sensitive to human activity, especially in the vicinity of its nesting area(s), and even distant construction activity (or maintenance activity; see Section D.2.16, Impact B-12) could cause abandonment of a nest, subsequent reproductive failure, and continuing decline of the species. These impacts would be significant according to Significance Criteria 1.e., 1.f., 1.g, and 1.h. Significance Criterion 1.e. states that the Proposed Project would have a substantial adverse effect on the breeding success of the golden eagle. Significance Criterion 1.f. states that the Proposed Project would directly or indirectly cause the mortality of a special status species. Significance Criterion 1.g. states that the Proposed Project would result in the abandonment of migratory bird nests and/or eggs. Significance Criterion 1.h. states that the Proposed Project would take golden eagles, eagle eggs, or any part of an eagle. Human activity within 4,000 feet of nest site is considered significant and not mitigable to less than significant levels (Class I)
All it takes for evil to pervail is for good men and women to stand by and do nothing. TAKE ACTION TODAY.
Some of the best coverage of the El Monte Valley and Lakeside resident protest meetings can be found in East County Magazine. Here is the opening paragraph:
“We do not need this line to meet San Diego County’s energy needs now or in the future,” Dianne Jacob, chair of the County Board of Supervisors, told a crowd of 200 to 300 Lakeside residents at a February 25th community meeting on Sunrise Powerlink. She accused the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) of ignoring fire safety warnings raised in an Environmental Impact Report (EIR), which concluded that the line was rated “the highest fire risk possible” and that “fire risk could not be mitigated.” Jacob added, “Follow the money…Some public officials supported the line even before there was an EIR report. Their votes were bought, in my opinion.”
Powerlink in the News