Great Bend just had a monster storm that took down power lines and trees and spread debris over most of the city in the process of damaging almost every roof in town. I got some pictures of the impressive damage. 

I immediately thought of the damage to the Bottoms if a three-mile stretch of solar panels were on the edge of the marsh and this event occurred. It would have put glass shards and toxic debris over a huge portion of the marsh. If hail can ruin a roof, I suspect that a solar panel doesn’t have a chance. It could potentially close down the marsh to all activity. A serious weather event like this is a major concern for the management of the Bottoms.

We are entering a very interesting phase of the process in dealing with the solar panel project by Acciona. I am certain that this company did not know about the Cheyenne Bottoms, endangered species, flyways, and the danger these panels pose to the very survival of the marsh as we know it. They admitted up front that they had no experience with these situations. 

They are honorable people. When the resistance started with the petition against this project that included about 1,300 signatures, followed by television and radio interviews, letters to the editor of almost every major newspaper in Kansas and elsewhere, and many letters to the governor and KDWP officials from citizens across the state and elsewhere, it became obvious to Acciona that there was trouble. 

The county commissioners placed a moratorium on any construction with a six-mile perimeter around the Bottoms until the first of the year. I only saw one letter in favor of this project in this location and answered it as carefully as possible. 

I couldn’t count the letters of opposition. Some very eloquent and smart people have made many salient comments. Thanks to all of you for your dedication and expertise. Your voices have been heard.

I don’t think Barton County can afford this project in this location. The value of the Bottoms cannot be calculated. There are too many things that can’t be priced or given a dollar value. 

The Bottoms and this marsh provide a food source and sustenance for the endangered species, the citizens of Kansas, and migrating birds of the world. Barton County can’t accept ANY risk to that marsh without a guarantee of perfect repair of ANY damage from any project. 

You can’t kill Whooping cranes and not cover their cost and the fine for doing it. You can’t set a huge array of solar panels that will be spread over most of the marsh when (not if) the tornado, hail storm, or straight wind weather event occurs. Any permit issued should have a firm, binding legal insurance policy in place to restore every wetland and flyway to its normal pristine state as determined by the Department of Wildlife and Parks who manage the marsh before any construction can begin. 

It probably should also include reimbursement to the county and business community associated with marsh activities that would be harmed by the Bottoms being shut down for cleaning—and who knows how long that process might entail. The Ducks Unlimited document outlines most of that financial profile for the county. 

Every wetland and special area that could be impacted by wind or solar projects should have these requirements in place. It should not be easy or cheap to do a project that would damage the environment or affect the birds in their flight patterns and migration or eliminate the joy of birders and hunters in this beautiful place. There are too many other places where these projects pose no threat to the birds or the people who honor and use this marsh. Put these projects in those locations. We hope they stay in Barton County. 

It just can’t be cheap or easy to kill whooping cranes. This is no different from any other potentially dangerous project that requires adequate insurance protection to proceed. That is good business practice. 

Let’s just make sure that if damage occurs, it will be managed by a pre-existing insurance policy that is current and adequate for the task and guaranteed for the life of the project. And don’t forget – it can happen more than once. Every third- and fourth-grade school child in Barton County goes through this marsh via the Wetlands Education Center. If the marsh is toxic or dangerous – our children lose a huge educational opportunity. If it isn’t safe for hunters and birders to be in the marsh we have lost our focus and purpose. 

The kids and birds and the concerned public depend on us to make them safe in our marsh. It is OUR responsibility – let’s don’t let them down. I am grateful to our County Commissioners and our Zoning/Planning Committee – I’m just learning how daunting your jobs are. Thank you for your service!

Doctor Dan Witt is a retired physician and nature enthusiast. He can be reached at danwitt01@gmail.com.