Donegal groups warn council about to break EU laws

Nine community and environmental groups across the county have contacted members of Donegal County Council in a last ditch plea for them to reject proposals due to come before them today that would allow wind turbines within a kilometre of Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Natura 2000 sites,

The groups Graffy Environmental Group, Gweebarra Conservation Group, Finn Valley Wind Action, Glenties Windfarm Information Group, Inishowen Wind Energy Awareness, Federation of Irish Salmon & Sea Trout Anglers, Glenties Pylons Information Group, Donegal Alternative To Pylons and Coiste Timpeallacht Gaoth Beara wrote to councillors yesterday (Sunday) asking them to thrown out any such proposals.

In their e-mail to all members, the groups did not hold back on their concerns.

"We understand that the councillors are discussing a Variation to the County Development Plan and understand the council planners are proposing to change EU Law by suggesting councillors allow industrial wind turbines within a kilometre of Special Areas of Conservation and Natura 2000 sites.

"This is illegal under the EU Habitats and Water Framework Directives and will put both the public and the council much expense in litigation!

"We would like to draw your attention to Dr Alun Evans' (Queen's University Belfast) and his colleagues work on the health implications of industrial wind turbines.

"In his recent editorial in the Journal of Environmental Disease No. 6 (2021) entitled 'Big Noises: Tobacco and Wind' the comparison is made between the tobacco and wind industries knowing but choosing not to publicise the health implications of their respective industries.

See https://iowaclimate.org/2022/01/21/when-did-they-know-industrial-wind-on-the-health-firing-line-2/

"Our wild Donegal landscapes must be preserved, not dug up to accommodate energy requirements in Dublin. The council will soon have to draw up a 30x30 plan as proposed by the government wherein each county will have to preserve and enhance 30% of its land mass.

"We cannot allow the destruction of the county in the midst of a global climate emergency and biodiversity crisis. There is huge concern for human health, the landscape, tourism and the environmental impacts which these monstrosities bring with them."

Their letter states that Donegal has done more than its fair share in relation to industrial wind turbines with over 300 turbines adding "and lest we forget the unfolding disaster that is Meenbog".

"There should be no turbines on peat bogs, in conifer forests or on our precious hills. These are extremely valuable carbon sinks and are part of who we are, inspiring our culture and way of life.

"We need the land more than the electricity.

There should be no turbines in the five freshwater pearl river basins in the county."

Their letter also points out that the Gweebarra Rift Valley must be stated as unsuitable for industrial wind turbines.

"It is a unique geographical and geological feature and predominately peat and granite. It naturally borders Glenveagh National Park and contains numerous biodiversity rich SACs. The Gweebarra River is a Natura 2000 River and no industrial developments should occur within 5km of such a designation.

"A distance of 1.5km from any dwelling or public building is a minimum acceptable distance given the health implications of industrial wind turbines."

They point out that Laois County Council have just voted for a minimum 1.5km distance.
See https://laoisnationalist.ie/2022/01/29/laois-councillors-stand-their-ground-in-opposition-to-windfarm-distances/

"We urge the council to adopt the principles enshrined in the EU Health Directive, the World Health Organisation's recommendations on industrial wind turbines and human health which demands that the Precautionary Principle applies.

"Given the council recently voted to adopt the Rights of Nature principles we also urge you to adopt the Aarhus Convention which affords the public the right to participate in decision making in environmental matters."

The groups' e-mail ends with a plea that councillors will will see to these points being included in the proposals that will go out to public consultation.