The Pacolet Area Conservancy adopted a resolution last week opposing the construction of transmission lines and towers across the Foothills region. The full text of the resolution is below:

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) was founded in 1989, and has permanently preserved more than 8,600 acres of lands in Polk County, North Carolina and surrounding areas;

WHEREAS, the mission of PAC is “to protect and conserve natural resources in the Foothills of North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina, with emphasis on lands and waterways with scenic, ecological or agricultural significance in the North Pacolet and Green River watersheds;”

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors and staff of PAC are deeply concerned with the high power electric transmission lines and associated towers that Duke Energy proposes to install in our area.  The same will impact the beauty and natural resources of the region as well as the quality of life of its residents.  We are equally concerned with the negative consequences for the economic health of the area that we serve that is unique in the Carolinas, and largely dependent on environmental and agricultural tourism;

WHEREAS, PAC had made legally binding commitments to the owners who have placed their properties under conservation easements with our land trust.  We monitor those properties annually and are obligated to defend the conservation values of the same in order to insure that they are protected and that the purposes, terms and restrictions of the easements are respected.

THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT:

The Board and staff of the Pacolet Area Conservancy objects to and opposes the installation of high power transmission lines and associated towers in and across Polk County, North Carolina; Spartanburg County, South Carolina; and Greenville County, South Carolina.

Signed August 27, 2015
By Barbara S. Strickland, Board President
Mary A. Walter, Executive Director

 

–Submitted by Mary A. Walter