Rebecca Weeks More Comments to SEC on Northern Pass

WEEKS LANCASTER TRUST COMMENTS BEFORE THE

NH SITE EVALUATION COMMITTEE

RE: NORTHERN PASS TRANSMISSION LLC PROPOSAL, DOCKET NO. 2015-06

Rebecca Weeks Sherrill More, Ph.D.

March 14, 2016

Plymouth State University Welcome Center, Holderness, New Hampshire

I am Rebecca W. S. More, speaking on behalf of the Weeks Lancaster Trust in Lancaster

NH, regarding the proposal of the Northern Pass Transmission LLC to lay TWO (2) new Above-

Ground Power lines through over 150 miles of New Hampshire's historic and cultural

Landscape.

Many here in NH know how devastated the White Mountains region looked before the

Weeks Act of 1911. Timber Companies, protected by the State, destroyed property, industry and

tourism. The New England Homestead depicted them as "The Boa Constrictor of the

Mountains", crushing the long-term well being of people for the short-term profits of a few. The

reclamation of forest lands and habitats has been slow and incremental. Neither the Northern nor

Southern sections of the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF) would exist today with the

Weeks Act's goal to establish Federal Forest Reserves. The Weeks Act was a collaborative,

grass-roots effort, based on comprehensive studies and supported by a wide consortium of

people. For many here in NH, there is a new serpent in the White Mountains - this time bearing

the face of the Northern Pass.

Sadly, Weeks State Park, given to the State in 1941 by my grandfather, Sinclair Weeks,

and his sister Katherine Davidge, directly overlooks this proposed transmission line. They gave

the Mt. Prospect site to the State as a reminder of the purpose and benefits of the Weeks Act, as

well as for recreation for all. Thousands of visitors come from around the world to enjoy its

extraordinary panoramic views from Mt. Monadnock near the Canadian Border to Mt.

Moosilauke on the southwestern boundary of the White Mountain National Forest. From Mt.

Washington, itself, Weeks State Park and Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge are easily visible. People

come to enjoy the fragile historic and cultural landscape that so many worked so hard to restore

and conserve for future generations - not to see a double line of 90 - 120' Power Transmission

Lines.

Not least, the documents submitted by Northern Pass in their Application regarding the

Visual Impact of this proposal on Weeks Sate Park are inaccurate, inconsistent and misleading.

Just one example will suffice: the submitted materials state that only eight (8) towers would be

visible from the Park, however, in fact, the number is approximately two-hundred and nineteen

(219). Therefore, any assessment of Unreasonable Adverse Impact in based on false information.

I hope that the SEC, acting on behalf of the people of NH, will subject these materials to critical

review and assessment by independent experts. If the Weeks State Park materials are inaccurate,

inconsistent and misleading, then undoubtedly those Filed by the Applicant are also erroneous

for other areas.

The stakes for the long-term future of the State is very high. My extended family and the

entire State and Nation are beneficiaries of the foresight of my great-grandfather John Wingate

Weeks and his many colleagues in NH and the US. Congress. Your careful review and

assessment will affect the long-term well being of the state's assets: its environment, inhabitants

and historic and cultural landscapes from pre-history to the present.

Thank you.