Mr. Colvin informed the Council that DEC has communicated to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers its view that a full environmental impact statement should be undertaken of the offshore wind energy facility currently proposed for the waters off Jones Beach State Park.  The National Marine Fisheries Service has also taken the same stance.  Councilor Doxsee described what he saw as some of the negative aspects of this project:  40 monopiles, each 20’ in diameter, which will be driven 150’ into the sea floor; transmission cables that will have dialectic gel oozing toxic substances; 40 fog horns blaring when it’s hazy, etc.  He strongly supports the views expressed in DEC’s letter to the US Army Corps of Engineers and wants the Council to also demand an environmental impact statement for the project.  Mr. Doxsee thinks that an analysis should be prepared of the overall benefits to Long Island of this project in the form of increased energy supplies as against the cost and detriment to the coast and marine resources.  Councilor McBride made the motion that the Council support the Department of Environmental Conservation’s letter to the Corps of Engineers on this project.  This motion was adopted by a vote of 13 in favor; 0 opposed; 0 abstentions.

 

Page last modified Tuesday, November 8, 2005 by George E. Carroll