To appreciate the nature for the recent publicity concerning the wind farm on Shaffer Mountain, a brief history of Windber Area Authority (WAA) and its water services and supply will be helpful for WAA customers to understand the nature of the controversy.
Since 1970, WAA has been providing water and sewer service to Richland Twp., Scalp Level Boro, Paint Boro, Windber Boro and Ogle Twp. WAA’s water supply is in the same area as the proposed Shaffer Mountain wind farm development. About 20 years ago, WAA replaced the water dam on Shade Creek with a well system to ensure a virtually constant source of water unaffected by surface conditions. Today water is supplied by 7 wells which produce one million gallons per day. Despite drought conditions in the region, the water supply was virtually unaffected even in a county-wide drought declaration.
To protect its water supply WAA purchased additional land in 1989 from Berwind Corporation. As part of the purchase agreement, WAA was granted rights by Berwind Corporation in which it agreed not to develop land in the watershed that would materially degrade WAA’s water supply. Under this agreement, WAA has the right to impose conditions on the development to ensure protection of the water supply. Development, not posing a threat, can occur. WAA has no such agreement with other property owners in the watershed.
Berwind and other property owners leased land to Gamesa. Some of Gamesa’s proposed development activity is on land covered by WAA’s well protection agreements. Gamesa submitted preliminary plans in December, 2006. WAA referred the plans to James Casselberry, the professional geologist who designed and supervised the installation of the water well system. Mr. Casselberry reviewed the plans and determined that since the development activities would be occurring on the surface, they did not pose a threat to the water wells, so long as certain precautions were taken. WAA notified Gamesa and Berwind of its list of conditions, which included submission of the final plans after Gamesa had completed all necessary permitting activities for its proposed development. WAA received no objections from Gamesa within the 45-day period allowed in the water well protection agreement, so the conditions became final.
Opponents to the project have appealed to municipal bodies in the area, including WAA, to “stop” it, and they have encouraged WAA customers to “demand” that WAA “stop” the Gamesa development. Many of these municipalities, including WAA, have passed motions opposing wind development on Shaffer Mountain. Local governments can only exercise those powers granted to them by Pennsylvania law, so WAA does not have the power or right to “stop” the development. It does have the power to enforce its contract with Berwind.
To date, the opponents of the Gamesa project have offered no professional expertise to contradict the conclusions of Mr. Casselberry, the professional geologist, that the project will not threaten WAA’s deep well water supply if Gamesa complies with conditions set forth by WAA.
WAA will not make a final decision to approve or disapprove the Gamesa project pending a review of the project by the Somerset Conservation District, DEP & EPA, agencies that do have jurisdiction over the surface water issues.
WAA has not authorized, nor paid for, any billboards, direct mailing letters, or newspaper display advertisements. The WAA is not affiliated or connected with any of the groups opposing the development or the companies proposing it.
We will enforce our agreement with Berwind and hold Gamesa to the conditions we set in January.
Further information can be obtained at the WAA office or by calling 467-5574.