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Your Address Date Magalie Roman Salas, Secretary
Reference P1864 Dear Ms Salas: For over 30 years my family and I have enjoyed canoeing, fishing, hunting and camping along the reservoirs, rivers and streams of the Bond Falls Project watershed. I was shocked and dismayed to recently learn of plans by the Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) to sell off lands surrounding the Bond Falls Flowage and Victoria Reservoir for extensive development. After reading the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) dated December 2001, I submitted comments in support of relicensing. No where within the DEIS was there any mention of planned residential development of UPPCO lands surrounding these flowages. In fact, on page 172 was the statement "…because UPPCO does not propose significant development near the reservoirs, the continued operation of the reservoirs would not affect gray wolf usage of surrounding Ottawa National Forest." I feel strongly that if the developments now planned and being implemented by UPPCO and WPS were included in the 2001 DEIS, its conclusions and recommendations would have been far different. I know for certain that I would not have supported relicensing if UPPCO's current plans were known. In addition to the developer's plans for non-project lands, UPPCO and Naterra are also planning activities (conveyances) within the project boundaries. These are to my mind NOT "consistent with the purposes of protecting and enhancing the scenic, recreational and other environmental values of the project" (Article 442, Order Approving Settlement & Issuing New License, 08/20/03). I believe no Commission approval should be granted until a new Environmental Assessment is conducted and public comment allowed and considered. I believe other alternatives (such as possible USFS or State land acquisition or purchase by a conservation organization) be thoroughly explored before consideration is given for any conveyance of any non-project use of project lands. Sincerely, Signature |