Power at Any Cost?

Tampa Electric Company plans to clearcut wetlands with bald eagle nest for high voltage transmission corridor in Hillsborough County, Florida.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• wetlands
• environment
• bald eagles
• TECO
• Tampa Electric Company
• high voltage transmission lines
• EMF

[spanky267]

I sympathize with your plight to an extent. I lived in Seffner. I have been all around the Diamond Hill area. But this seems more about N.I.M.B.Y., Not In My Back Yard than anything else. I heard you on WMNF today. And it seems that your concerns are aimed at people who live in Diamond Hill and on the acreage in that area. I looked at the corridor maps. Where is the concern for the folks in Somerset of S.R. 60? What about the farmers along 60 in east Hillsborough?

[JoyIng1]

I focused primarily on the wetlands and forest, but as Susan said on the radio, the idea is to make people aware and get them involved for their own causes (their OWN back yards). I encourage you to bring other issues to the table and show TECO that they need a better process to involve the public. I try to speak for the environment because it can't speak for itself. Perhaps you can represent some of those issues you mentioned and fill in missed pieces. Thanks for caring enough to comment.

[JoyIng1]

The Governor's office is responding via email that we should use the civil court system, contact local municipalities, and contact the Department of Environmental Protection. The people responding don't seem to know that this is in the hands of DOAH (Division of Administrative Hearings) and will end up at the Governor's office. Please remind them of that when you write, call, or email. Thanks!

[SandyCea]

I live in Mango, off of M.L.K. I have seen two Bald Eagles in my area and I don't doubt that those are the ones. It brought tears to my eyes to watch your video and think about what TECO might do to them. I grew up in the Seffner area. Over the years I've seen alot of natural land disappear. I wish all of us luck in this battle. I have E-mailed your video to alot of people and will encourage them to call Gov. Crist. Thank you for your effort to save the Eagles. Your Neighbor Sandy

[JoyIng1]

Thanks, Sandy! I appreciate your help and hope that the Governor will listen. As I keep telling people, once the land is gone - it's gone! We have to try to preserve at least some of it. It's not about being some radical neo-hippie, it's about maintaining what we all need to survive on this planet....

[sweeteaglet]

Yes, this is a beautiful area but the part we are so concerned about has been designated a Regionally Significant Natural Resource by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council in their Strategic Report of 2005. In this area it is our last forest for wildlife, it is a designated wetland and without it this entire area would flood. It would mean the clear cutting of thousands of hardwood and coniferous trees. This area also has historic and archaelogical significance.

[spanky267]

Joy. I don't understand. You say on the vid that you understand the need for the power lines to be run. It also sounds like you don't oppose the lines actually being run, but rather where they are run. Where could TECO run these lines from Polk to Hillsborough that would make you happy? I don't see that they have alot of options. I'd prefer that they didnt run them through wetlands also. But some of the areas they are running don't seem to be that bad except from an asthetic point of view.

[sweeteaglet]

The families affected in the Somerset subdivision, the farmers on 60 and the families in Thonotosassa and Valrico areas are all areas we are concerned about. Very few had adequate notice if any at all to voice their opinion at the public hearing and were never given the opportunity to become part of the actual hearing. We are highly concerned for their legal rights and their health and safety with an extremely high voltage power line ( 230,000 volts). TECO follow the lead of Progress Energy!

[sweeteaglet]

This area is a forested wetland with thousands of trees and a vast amount of wildlife. This route also goes in peoples' back yards, through high density population areas and through at least one schoolyard that I am aware of. In fact it is adjacent to my home and children so it is a wrong choice on many levels.

[misternogood]

07 Nissan Altima 35MPG highway. Don't try me.

Real mental migidtry is suggesting that a wetlands is worth civil progress. Remember that you lobbied so hard to save a swamp when you have powerlines through your backyard and above your children's school.

[heavy914]

Misternogood,

judging by your comments, I bet you drive an SUV and live in a gated community. Furthermore, I bet your idea of old Florida is Cracker Barrel on a Saturday night. Two stars for your mental midgetry.