Power line route still unknown

My name is Geoffrey Peckham. I own land and a home along Cummins Hill Road as well as the small business I started two decades ago, Clarion Safety Systems, LLC, located on Old Milford Road in Milford. I attended the public information session on Feb. 16 put on by the National Park Service (NPS) regarding plans for a new power line to serve New Jersey, a line that could potentially cross Route 209 and the Delaware River near Cummins Hill Road. Many of you joined me in 2008 in protesting against the possible selection of “Route A,” one of three routes then being considered for this new 500-kv power line by PPL Electric Utilities. “Route B,” which passes through the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and is on the same land now occupied by an existing 230-kv power transmission line, was ultimately selected by regulators in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Today, 18 months later, the National Park Service has begun its own review of the utilities’ plans and it has put all of the options, including Route A, back on the table. Simply, there is no good solution here. No one wants a power line of this size. Expansion of the line, even on an existing right of way in the case of Route B, will have adverse impacts to park land and park visitors. Towers for the new line, according to the Park Service, will be up to 200 feet tall. But let us also realize that the net environmental harm of Route A would be far greater than the currently selected Route B. Miles and miles of right-of-way, much of it pristine forest land, would have to be acquired and cleared. A new power line crossing of the Delaware River would be needed, as well as a new crossing of the Appalachian Trail. Crossing along the Route A path would occur within yards of nesting bald eagles as the line crosses right next to the Kittatinny canoe campground on Routes 6/209, then across the Delaware River to Montague, NJ. And Route A, where it intersects with the Delaware, remains within the protected river area, though at its far northern end. The adverse impacts to scenic resources, viewsheds, wildlife and natural resources would be extensive if Route A is ultimately selected. I urge all of you to immediately register your comments with the National Park Service. Links outlining “how to comment” can be found at NoRouteA.com or at the Facebook group No Route A. All comments must be registered by the NPS by March 5, so time is of the essence. Comments may also be registered by phone at this NPS comment line: 570.426.2491. Geoffrey Peckham Milford