December 4, 2009

Kathleen Kilpatrick, Director
Virginia Department of Historic Resources
2801 Kensington Avenue
Richmond, VA 23221

RE: Highland New Wind Development, LLC
SCC Case No. PUE-2005-00101

Dear Ms. Kilpatrick:

Thank you for officially stating in your November 17, 2009 letter to Highland New Wind Development that the company’s proposed wind turbines will have an adverse effect on Camp Allegheny Battlefield. It was gratifying to read the Department of Historic Resources’ concerns about safeguarding the integrity of this special place and preserving the experience of where, why and how the battle took place.

Regarding your recommendation that DHR, HNWD and affected stakeholders develop mitigation strategies to address the wind utility’s impact on this historic resource, I would like to make two comments.

First, I respectfully request that concerned citizens of both Highland and Pocahontas Counties be included as affected stakeholders in discussions of mitigation strategies and in the development of a Memorandum of Agreement. Citizens devoted to the preservation of Camp Allegheny deserve a place at the table just as certainly as professional preservationists. Indeed, I believe that the best possible outcome is more likely assured through citizen involvement.

Second, I ask that you not consider monetary compensation by the developer as an effective mitigation strategy.

West Virginia State Historic Preservation Officer, Susan Pierce, recently entered into an MOA with Pinnacle Wind Force whereby Pinnacle will compensate for adverse impact to 18 historic sites in Mineral County, WV, by providing $10,000 to a historic foundation to be established by the wind developer. Such compensation does absolutely nothing, as a practical matter, to mitigate the adverse impact of 40-story structures on 18 historic sites. By the same token, there is no amount of money that can restore or replace the loss of integrity to Camp Allegheny’s setting and feeling should HNWD’s wind turbines be erected as proposed.

Thank you for your consideration. I very much appreciate your continued efforts in this matter. If there is any way I may be of assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Dawn Baldwin Barrett

cc: Joel Peck, Clerk, State Corporation Commission
Martin Saffer, President, Pocahontas County Commission
Jim Zoia, Committee on Natural Resources, US House of Representatives

Brightside Acres needs your support in the ongoing efforts to protect historic Camp Allegheny.  You can reach them here.