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Even though windmills do not produce CO2 or pollution of any kind, untouched forested areas such as the proposed land is not the place for them. Wildlife will be harmed, scenery will be ruined and tourists will choose to stay at home instead of traveling to those lakes and areas. Kenneth Carswell, Bracebridge
Beauty and wilderness are essential to the Ontario environment -- indeed, to the Ontario soul. It isn't NIMBYism to take pride in our collective resources and to try to protect them. There are many windy spots in this province that are also beloved for their beauty; any development in such places must be done with the greatest of care or not at all. The Ottawa Citizen
There are so many already developed places in ontario that we should be using for wind farms. If we want to be "green" we need to make sacrifices, but destroying pristine habitat is NOT an ethical sacrifice. Why can't we use already clear cut land? or try other energies that will not be an invasive as wind. Let's not let wind energy become a money maker for some and an environmental concern for others and loss of a home for many animals. Katherine Peterson
Why would anyone want to destroy such a beautiful part of Ontario adjacent to Algonquin Park? Our family has owned land on McCauley Lake since 1950 and who would have thought some ill conceived plan would rear it's ugly head to FOREVER change this pristine wilderness area and turn it into an industrial zone. Shame on those who seek to thrust this plan into this area for financial gain and political green points. Shame on the Government of Ontario. Ken Gfeller, McCauley Lake
Please take into account the importance of a buffer-zone between large industrial projects and national parks. European countries have had significantly more experience with wind farm projects, and I suggest learning from their mistakes. A 10-20km buffer needed to ensure minimal industrial impact on national parks. Geoffrey Dailey, Colorado, USA
The decision to build a wind farm in this area is too important to make a hasty decision. It will change the landscape and environment forever. So often public policy is made emotionally, before all of the consequences of the decision are fully understood. Please honour the township's moratorium so that when a decision is made, it is the correct decision. Al Couper, McCauley Lake
Big business is big business whether they wear "green" hats or not. I have been going to the cottage my grandfather built in 1946 (and I now own) every year since before I was born (I am 47 years old), but would not come again if the turbines are built. Denise Preller, Aylen Lake Cottager from Illinois
Although I completely agree with the development and enhancement of renewable energy sources, I do not feel that any area surrounding an area as pristine as Algonquin Park should undergo any further destruction at the hands of humans. It is important that we rely more heavily on renewable energy resources such as solar and wind energy, but the threat to an area such as that proposed is not worth the risk. Steve Holland, Alqonquin Park enthusiast from Windsor Ontario
My family visits Algonquin Park at least twice/year. I'm almost in tears each time we have to go home. I totally support renewable energy but surely there has got to be a better place to put these than right beside a protected home for endangered wildlife. Donna Hunter, Brantford
Industrial wind turbines are a necessary alternative to electrical generation using fossil fuels and uranium, but they should not be sited near Algonquin Park, a precious international resource. John Scarlett, Rossie New York
Despoil the Algonquin Park area? Why not deface the Mona Lisa while you're at it? Wayne Wegner
Just imagine the devastation to even access the sites. Just to get the pieces to the site would require extensive road and bridge repairs. Imagine the size of the cranes required to lift the 100-tonne sections into place. Joe Florent - South Alqonquin Township Councillor
Like you, we are fair-minded, tax-paying, concerned citizens who do want to see cleaner, greener, energy sources that are kinder to our planet. It is precisely because we care so much about our planet that we applaud our municipal government for passing its moratorium on wind energy development. Based on all we have read, pro and con, we do not believe that wind turbine development in this location, given existing environmental considerations, is the right answer for a cleaner, greener future. Donna Gage, McCauley Lake
Each wind energy proposal should rise and fall on its own merits, free of the “get ’er done” mentality that follows government largesse and without the tunnel vision view that says “green is good” no matter what the long-term impact. Doug Gloin, Barry's Bay This Week
The citizens of this area are proud of the council of South Algonquin. Its decision showed courage and insight into a complicated, important issue and councillors should be commended for their courage and foresight. Lou Eyamie, Save Our Skylines
We wouldn’t advocate paving over productive farmland in Southern Ontario, nor would we support logging in Toronto’s city parks. Industrial wind turbines may have their place, but they don’t belong in the forested countryside of Central Ontario. Gord Benner and Joyce Chyrski
By imposing a 10-year moratorium on wind turbine approvals, South Algonquin Township did the right thing at the right time. In 10 years, next-generation solar panels will have made the entire debate obsolete and McCauley Lake will still be providing tourism income for township residents. We can only hope that other local politicians have as much courage and foresight. Doug De La Matter
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