To the best of my knowledge, this is the first proposal by any company to site wind turbines on the Kittatinny Ridge or Blue Mountain ...As an ornithologist involved in raptor migrations and hawk watching along the Kittatinny Ridge or Blue Mountain, and author of several books, I am unconditionally opposed to the installation of all wind turbines on this internationally famous, and vitally important, raptor migration corridor.

Regarding the July 25 story about Blue Mountain Ski Area atop the Kittatinny Ridge in Northampton and Carbon counties seeking permission from Lower Towamensing Township to install towers to measure the wind prior to installing wind turbines:

According to the article, the township planning commission ''responded enthusiastically'' to the proposal and is recommending that permission be granted. The township does not have an ordinance pertaining to the use of wind turbines.

To the best of my knowledge, this is the first proposal by any company to site wind turbines on the Kittatinny Ridge or Blue Mountain, which extends for 250 miles across part of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The ridge is known to ornithologists as the Kittatinny-Shawangunk Ridge and Corridor. From 10,000 to 25,000 migrating raptors (eagles, hawks, falcons, and vultures) annually migrate along the ridge, as well as large numbers of songbirds, bats, and insects such as dragonflies and monarch butterflies.

As an ornithologist involved in raptor migrations and hawk watching along the Kittatinny Ridge or Blue Mountain, and author of several books, I am unconditionally opposed to the installation of all wind turbines on this internationally famous, and vitally important, raptor migration corridor. I call on the Lower Towamensing planning commission to reject this proposal. And, I call on the entire ornithological and hawk-watching community to oppose all proposals for construction of wind energy facilities on the Kittatinny Ridge.

Web link: http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion/letters/all-a.65...