Could Maine’s solar boom threaten its wild brook trout?

By V. Paul Reynolds

We hear a lot, rightfully so, about industrial pollution of our rivers and streams in Maine, but there is little mention of another form of pollution, at least in my eyes: visual pollution.

So called “green energy,” despite its social status and acceptability, is not a free ride, even if it is lauded as renewable energy. There are attendant costs.

For example, there is a stretch of one of Maine’s heretofore scenic byways near Beddington on Route 9 that is festooned with solar wind mills. Apparently those of us who like long unspoiled views of Maine’s vaunted wilderness and find the big churning white power blades visually offensive, are in a minority. There is scant public outcry.

It could be worse, however. Take a drive on Interstate 80 East and West of Cheyenne, Wyoming. The High Plains are mushroomed with solar wind towers as far as the eye can see.  These dreadful dystopian devices have altered forever the look and feel of the iconic West. Clint Eastwood would not fit in.

In my view, Maine’s ever increasing presence of solar farms also represent a form of visual pollution not unlike what has happened in the legendary High Plains. And it is not getting any better. According to David Trahan, the executive director of the Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM), the state’s environmental groups are in wholehearted support of a massive wind tower project in Aroostook County called the Aroostook Renewable Gateway Project. This project, says Trahan, will comprise 179 wind towers in the County!

Trahan raises an even more concerning issue about the potential negative impact of large solar farms on Maine’s precious trout fishery. Solar panels generate enormous heat, enough to cook your breakfast on. What we do know is that water run off from these solar panels can actually raise ambient water temperatures of streams and ponds near these solar farms. Since little research has been done in this area, we just don’t know how impactful these heat islands are on our trout waters.

What we do know is that water run off from these solar developments is 11 times faster than water run off from undisturbed wildlands! SAM introduced a bill that would have required the state to monitor air and water temperatures around these solar farms. The bill was defeated.

The clock is running. There is a proposal to erect a 5,000 acre solar array in Hersey, just north of Patten. Just imagine. This wilderness solar array will stretch over one quarter of an entire township.

All of this is important because Maine is the only state with extensive intact populations of wild, self reproducing book trout in lakes and ponds. Additionally, Maine is the last true stronghold for stream dwelling populations of wild brook trout, and the vast majority of this important habitat is exactly where this new solar development is planned.

Trahan has been told by DIF&W and the Department of Environmental Protection that there are no plans to study this issue.

This is unacceptable. Maine’s trout fishery is just too unique and indispensable to gamble with its integrity.

The author is editor of the Northwoods Sporting Journal. He is also a Maine Guide and host of a weekly radio program “Maine Outdoors” heard Sundays at 7 p.m. on The Voice of Maine News-Talk Network. He has authored three books. Online purchase information is available at www.sportingjournal.com, Outdoor Books.