PARISHVILLE -- The Parishville Town Board unanimously approve a resolution opposing wind farm development in proximity to Fort Drum.

Avangrid Renewable’s North Ridge Wind Farm calls for about 40 500-foot wind towers to be built in Hopkinton and Parishville.

The Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization says it does not support industrial wind turbines in the region, including the proposed wind farm in St. Lawrence County, due to their potential impacts on the operational readiness of Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division.

FDRLO’s position statement reflects its concerns and the potential negative impacts that could result in the North Country if Fort Drum's ability to meet the requirements of national defense are diminished.

The resolution says: “WHERAS, protecting the North Country’s airspace is vital to Fort Drum’s future as the Army is continually evaluating the effectiveness of its training installations; and

“WHERAS, wind farm development can be an important initiative to pursue as it offers an alternative green source of energy that is pollution free and generated at the source, and while we recognize the benefits of wind farm development, we simply do not want the strategic location of Fort Drum and their mission readiness capability to be diminished; and

“WHERAS, the major economic engine of the North Country and largest single site employer, the economic vitality of the region and thousands of jobs depend on its continued relevance to the Army mission; and

“WHERAS, protecting and enhancing Fort Drum, home to the 10th Mountain Division, is of utmost priority to the Town of Parishville;

“NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Board of the Town of Parishville opposes the industrial wind projects being evaluated by New York State’s Article 10 Siting Board and the Public Service Commission in the immediate proximity to Fort Drum to ensure the national security and continued readiness for future training missions.”