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2013 SEP 19 PM 3: 22
2570 Ponds Shore Drive Cape Vincent, NY 13618 September 16, 2013 Hon. Jeffrey Cohen Acting Secretary to the Commission New York State Public Service Commission 3 Empire State Plaza Albany, NY 12223

Re: Case No : 12-F-0410 / Cape Vincent Wind Farm

Dear Acting Secretary Cohen, Enclosed is a copy of the survey sent to our home by Trieste Associates of Saratoga Springs, NY and my responses, because they express my opinions concerning the proposed wind farm, which I believe would destroy many of the views of great value to me in Cape Vincent. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Virginia Brown

VISUAL CHARACTERISTICS SURVEY

1.

What scenic vistas or places do you feel are the most beautiful in the Town of Cape Vincent (including the Village of Cape Vincent)? Please describe the following below: I) locatIOn
and overall view, 2) specific elements that define the character oftbe vIew, and 3) the most
memorable elements of the landscape. If additional space is needed, please use the attached
sheet. For example, view oj/he St. Lawrence RiverJrom the Village ojCape Vincent public
boatlallnch 011 NY Route 12E. The visible water, islands, and passing boats define the view

and are the most memorable elements oj this landscape.

Looking out our front window on Ponds Shore Drive in the Town of Cape Vincent we see Lake Ontario between Fox and Grenadier Islands, gorgeous sunsets, flocks of diving and surface ducks, swans, Canadian geese, song birds, great blue herons, and islands free of man-made wind turbines with dangerous spinning blades and annoying blinking red lights. Driving along County Route 6 toward the Village of Cape Vincent we enjoy open fields of wildflowers such as Queen Anne's Lace, Chicory, purple asters, and goldenrod; farms with growing crops, and grasslands where deer, horses, and cows graze peacefully; and horizons free of skyscrapers or other tall edifices such as 124497' wind turbines. In the winter the snowmobile and cross-country skiing trails found along County Route 6 near Snug Harbor and Mud Bay and out in the surrounding fields are safe from pieces of ice being flung off wind turbine blades. Continuing toward the Village of Cape Vincent on County Route 6, the Wolfe Island wind turbines come into view, especially ugly at night with their many red lights blinking in unison. Over the Town of Cape Vincent's Stony Point Road and Wilson Road which are toward Lake Ontario from County Route 6, ospreys, eagles, and flocks of birds are still able to fly unmolested by such dangers as wind turbine blades. Turning east off County Route 6, and travelling down Deerlick Road toward NYS Route 12E there are spool-shaped bales of hay scattered over the field on the right that are pleasing to the eyes and heart. Turning east off NYS Route12E onto Favret Road I see woods along the horizon with trees that are beautiful in the fall especially and not obscured by any huge wind turbines. The interesting cloud formations on the horizons are not spoiled by huge blades. Such true beauty created by God refreshes our souls. At the intersection of Favret Road, Mason Road and Dezengremel Road there are fields that in the spring are host to huge flocks of white Snow Geese with blacktipped wings, who thrill their viewers when they take off into the sky as a flock. At the end of Dezengremel Road,

turning left onto Burnt Rock Road there are more beautiful open fields of wildflowers and trees where hikers enjoy looking for birds, owls, and animals, some rare or threatened. The most memorable element of each of these places is the unspoiled beauty of God's creation. At the end of County Route 6, out at the Tibbett's Point Lighthouse are wonderful sunset views, now partially ruined by the wind turbine blades and blinking red lights.

2.

What scenic vistas or places do you feel are most beautiful in the Town of Lyme (including the Village of Chaumont)? Please describe the following below: 1) location and overall view, 2) specific elements that define the character of the view, and 3) the most memorable elements of the landscape. If additional space is needed, please use the attached sheet. For example, view of the Chaumont Bay from the NY Route 12 bridge over the Chaumont River.

The visible water, surrounding landforms, and passing boats define the view. The most memorable elements ofthis landscape is the reflection of the afternoon sun on the water and land..
Three Mile Bay's water and sky at sunrise unmarred by tall wind turbine silhouettes; the view described well in your example above from NY Route 12E Bridge; The Chaumont Barrens (pointed to by a sign on NY 12E just past the Nice and Easy gas station in the Village of Chaumont travelling from Watertown) has unique geology, rare flowers and insects such as Luna moths along its nature trail. Also in the Town of Lyme near Ashland Road is the Ashland Wildlife Management Area. Next to NYS 12E, toward Lake Ontario in the more populated area ofThree Mile Bay is a 175 year old church still in use.

3.

What point(s) of NY Route 12E do you find most scenic in the Towns of Cape Vincent and Lyme? Please describe the following below: 1) location and overall view, 2) specific elements that defme the character of the view, and 3) the most memorable elements of the landscape. If additional space is needed , please use the attached sheet.

Travelling toward the Village of Cape Vincent from the Town of Lyme, on either side of the scenic Seaway Trail, NYS 12E, are scenic farms and fields with cows and goats grazing, crops growing, and the blue waters of Lake Ontario on a sunny day. In Cape Vincent on Broadway Street, travelling toward Clayton, are historic buildings and beautiful tall trees on both sides of NY 12E, the old stone home on the left, the United Methodist Church of Cape Vincent on the right, the DEC building with aquariums, the well-kept sunken garden house, and the old coal docks area on the left by the St. Lawrence River, graveyards on the right Side away from the river, then more

well-kept dairy farms, Carleton Island in the St. Lawrence River and the river itself with ships and boat traffic from far-away and near places. These are all memorable sights along the Seaway Trail, and we are thankful that there are no wind turbines sticking up all over the place on the surrounding land the way they are on Wolfe Island.

4.

Are there other points on local roadways or waterways that you consider scenic or
memorable? Please describe the following below: I) location and overall view, 2) specific
elements that defme the character of the view, and 3) the most memorable elements of the
landscape. If additional space is needed, please use the attached sheet.
On Bedford Corners Road, near where Booth Drive enters on the Ontario Lake side of Bedford Corners Road is a
small stream and wooded area where deer and birds come to share their beauty and songs.
There are also historic buildings and graveyards that are interesting along County Route 4 as it comes east from NYS
12E. A beautiful barn and farm are on the right side of Route 4 just before it turns left toward the Hamlet of Rosiere.
The Rosiere Church on the left as County Route 4 goes toward Clayton is also a lovely historic sight. Along County
Route 4, the open fields, tall pine trees and woods on both sides travelling toward Clayton are also very scenic.

5.

What historic, cultural, recreational or environmental resources have a uniquely attractive

setting in the Towns of Cape Vincent and Lyme? If additional space is needed, please use the
attached sheet.

~---- --- -

Tibbett's Point Lighthouse, DEC building, churches, Carleton Island, inland snowmobile trails, tennis courts, lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, historic homes, and good schools are some in the Town of Cape Vincent. The Chaumont Barrens, churches, good schools, historic homes, Three Mile Bay, the Chaumont River, and hiking trails are some in the Town of Lyme. All the places previously mentioned in responses to questions 1-4 are also special to the area.

6.

How would you describe the boundaries of the Golden Crescent? If additional space is
needed, please use the attached sheet.
As described by DIVE 1000Islands.com, "the northeastern region of Lake Ontario, an archipelago of islands

stretching from Stony Point, NY to Prince Edward County, Ontario." It extends to the Thousand Islands according to Wikipedia.

7.

"''hat scenic vistas or places do you feel are the most beautiful within the Golden Crescent" Please describe the following below: 1) location and overall view, 2) specific elements thaI define the character of the view, and 3) the most memorable elements of the landscape. If additional space is needed, please use the attached sheet.

- --- --

To me the view of lake Ontario with its islands, water, and sky, especially at sunset in the Town of Cape Vincent and the views surrounding the Seaway Trail, free of wind turbines are the most beautiful. The pristine, unspoiled beauty is what is especially valuable to me, and why I hope wind turbines will not ruin the area.

S, P lease identify the top three activities you undertake while in the Towns of Cape Vincent and

Lyme?

--L

Driving Running Hiking Bicyling

Fishing
Hunting
Bird watching
Workine: outdoors-
Other. Please describe below, if additional space is needed, use the attached sheet.

- L Walking

Living is the activity done in both( eating, breathing, working indoors and outdoors)

'

9. Please identify tbe top three categories that are of value to you. _ _ _D istant views
River views
./ Open meadows
~__Woodlands
_ _ _Culrural fearures
_ _ _Villages
v Working farmland - crops and pasrurelands _ _ _Views along a roadway. Road name and type (e.g. , main road [Route 12E] or local road [Tibbetts Point Road])? ~~~~~~_ __ _ _ _Community gateways ,/ St. Lawrence Seaway Trail (NYS Route 12E) _ _ _Other. Please describe below. If additional space is needed , use attached sheet.
~--

10. How does the Wolfe Island Wind Farm affect your recreational enjoyment of the St. Lawrence River or Lake Ontario? Prior to the project going operational (choose one): o I was looking forward to seeing the rurbines. o I did not give much thought to the rurbines.
iii' I tbought the rurbines would be problematic.
Now o o o that the project is operational, during the daytime (choose one): I choose to visit this section of river, in part, to view the rurbines. I do not give the rurbines much thought. I wish the rurbines were not visible, but I continue to visit this portion of the river. Iir" I seek out places for waterfront recreation where rurbines are not visible. Please describe location below. If additional space is needed, please use the attached sheet.

Now that the project is operational , during the nighttime (choose one): o I do not notice the lights. o I notice the lights, but do not mind them.
13' I do not like the lights.
II. Information regarding survey respondent (choose one):
~__First-time ~__Repeat

tourist (including recreationalist) to the area. Visiting from where?

tourist (includingrecreationalist) to the area. Visiting from where?

~__Seasonal

v- Year round res ident of the Towns of Cape Vincent or Lyme.

resident of the Towns of Cape Vincent of Lyme.

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