Editor’s note: Dan Witt writes that he has contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Sierra Club with his concerns about a solar farm near Cheyenne Bottoms. He said he plans to contact local, state and national representatives this week. His letter to the Sierra Club was submitted as to the Great Bend Tribune’s Public Forum.

Dear Sierra Club:

We need your help in protecting the Cheyenne Bottoms, Whooping Cranes, Black Rails, and all the migratory birds in the Central Flyway. A large Spanish company (Acciona Energy based in Madrid with offices in Chicago) leased up several thousand acres exactly on the south edge of the Cheyenne Bottoms. They are planning a solar array with 15-foot tall rotating panels. This is directly in the Central Flyway and will affect lots of migrations.

Audubon has already presented a strong letter of opposition to this site. I am aware that Audubon supports solar as a general concept, but this location is so detrimental to the migration. I expect letters from Ducks Unlimited and Nature Conservancy that have a large presence in this area. Rob Penner is the Conservancy contact. Jason Wagner is the manager of the Cheyenne Bottoms for Wildlife/Parks.  

The Barton County Commissioners apparently have final say in this situation. They are all good people and I attended the last meeting with most voicing strong opposition to this project. They are not comfortable dealing with a huge sophisticated company like Acciona (with 40,000 employees worldwide) and need all the support we can muster.  

Please consider a visit or letter of opposition to this project. It will hurt the birds, tourism and the sanctity of a pristine marsh if it is allowed to progress.

 Thank you for your attention.

Dan Witt

Hoisington