WASHINGTON The landmark U.S. law to fight water pollution will now apply only to bodies of water large enough for boats to use, and their adjacent wetlands, and will not automatically protect streams, the U.S. government said on Tuesday.

Environmental groups said they fear the new policy will muddy the purpose of the federal Clean Water Act and put many smaller bodies of water at risk. Democrats in Congress have introduced legislation mandating protection of creeks, estuaries and other watersheds.

I have obtained a copy of Bethany's "final" wind report. You can download it at http://www.effierover.com/downloads/ReportFinal.pdf

Don't know at this time if the town will offer it on their website (they usually do) or what the general reaction is.

Some water points, from the July 21st UPC Wind meeting. Following are the facts presented by Chris Swartley, as taken down in my notes. Some additional comments are from my own research, conducted separately. As noted.

- Water Cooling -

Yes, turbines use water to cool the generators / engines / whatever, however, they do not suck water out of the ground to do it. Water cooling is a completely closed system, requiring no additional water once it has been manufactured. Turbines in operation do not require additional water.