We, the undersigned residents of York Township, Ohio and the surrounding communities, stand in strong opposition to the proposed wind turbine development near Clyde, OH. While we support efforts to promote renewable energy, the unique risks posed by this project to our region’s environment, wildlife, and geological stability are far too significant to be ignored. The consequences of proceeding with this project without proper consideration of these factors are simply unacceptable.

 

Key Concerns:

1. Geological Instability: Sinkholes, Underground River Systems, and Caverns

York Township, Ohio and its neighboring communities sit atop a volatile network of sinkholes, underground rivers, and caverns. This fragile system is a ticking time bomb, susceptible to collapse with the slightest disturbance. Residents have experienced sinkholes opening and refilling without warning for years, and deep excavation for wind turbine foundations threatens to set off catastrophic shifts in the land.

In 2008, York Township, OH and neighboring communities experienced severe flooding which serves as a glaring reminder of the dangers this area faces. In the aftermath of natural gas drilling, the region suffered unprecedented flooding, with water levels rising as high as 18 feet. This flood engulfed homes, farmland, and roads across the area, with some places taking years to dry out. Many residential homes wells were destroyed, and entire sections of York Township, once believed to be immune to flooding, were submerged. To this day, parts of York Township are still recovering from that disaster. Allowing another invasive project like this, with deep excavations that threaten underground water channels and increase water table levels, is a gamble we cannot afford to take.

If this project moves forward, we risk a repeat of the 2008 flooding disaster—possibly on an even larger scale. Construction in areas known for Karst topography could worsen flooding, contaminate our water supply, and lead to an irreversible collapse of the underground river systems that sustain our land.

2. Wildlife Threats: Endangered Species and Migratory Animals

York Township is home to one of the largest populations of American Bald Eagle breeding pairs and endangered brown bats in the state of Ohio. The reckless installation of wind turbines places these species in immediate peril. The collision risks for bald eagles and migratory birds are undeniable, and we refuse to stand by as these majestic creatures are slaughtered by the very turbines meant to "save the environment." The threat to our wildlife is a gross oversight that reveals the true recklessness of this project.

The endangered Brown bats are vital for controlling agricultural pests, face an even more gruesome fate called barotrauma. Barotrauma is what occurs when bats fly into fast-moving wind turbines areas that cause a rapid change in high and low pressure. This rapid change of pressure causes bats’ lungs and other organs to be damaged, internal bleeding and damage to their inner ear. There are also concerns for blunt force trauma and death if the bats fly directly into the wind turbine. These deaths will not only devastate the local bat population but also result in uncontrollable insect infestations, damaging crops and further destabilizing the ecosystem.

Additionally, being only 8 miles from Lake Erie, this region lies in the heart of a critical migratory corridor for many species of birds. These turbines are a death sentence for these migratory birds, whose flight paths will be thrown off by the massive structures. We cannot afford to turn our back on the biodiversity of this region for a project that benefits no one locally.

 

3. Impact on Farmland and Long-Term Environmental Costs  

Our community depends on its farmland, which will be severely disrupted by this project. The installation of wind turbines will cause soil compaction, making it difficult to farm the land productively. Additionally, the shadow flicker and noise pollution from the turbines will negatively affect both wildlife and livestock, leading to poor health and reduced agricultural output.

Even worse, these turbines are built from materials that are non-recyclable. When they reach the end of their short operational lifespan, we’ll be left with hulking, useless wreckage—just another environmental hazard created in the name of “green energy.” The long-term environmental costs of this project far outweigh any short-term benefits.

 

Our Request:

We demand that the corporation behind this project work with the community to find a less invasive solution. We are not opposed to renewable energy, but we are vehemently against sacrificing the safety, stability, and future of our land, water, and wildlife for a reckless project that threatens everything we have worked to protect.

We call on local authorities, state agencies, and the project developers to halt this project immediately and engage with the community to find a solution that does not jeopardize our way of life. Our land is not a testing ground for ill-conceived, destructive developments, and we will fight tooth and nail to protect it.