AMC: Northern Pass Could Impact 95,000 Acres in NH

The proposed Northern Pass electric transmission line project would have a significant visual impact on such resources of state and national significance as Franconia Notch State Park, Pawtuckaway State Park, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the White Mountain National Forest, according to a visual impact analysis released Sept. 26 by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC).


Visual impacts could severely affect the North Country's most valuable asset—its scenery—and its importance in drawing tourists to the region. Tourism spending is a critical economic driver in the region.

The analysis also revealed that the widening of an existing 120-mile transmission corridor up to 410 feet, and construction of additional towers up to 135 feet, could visually impact 95,000 acres in New Hampshire, including 3,000 acres in the White Mountain National Forest and six scenic outlooks and a trail crossing along the Appalachian Trail.
To read more, visit the AMC's website here.

Campaign to Block Northern Pass Surges Past $300K

More than 330 donors have contributed $310,000 to date toward the Trees Not Towers campaign to block the intended route of the proposed Northern Pass transmission line and towers. The Forest Society needs to raise $2.5 million by Oct. 31 in order to acquire conservation easements that would interrupt the route Northern Pass is attempting to find through northern New Hampshire.

Owl's Nest to Host Trees Not Towers Golf Tourney

Owl's Nest Golf Course in Campton, NH, is organizing a scramble golf tournament on Friday, Oct. 12 to raise money for the Forest Society's Trees Not Towers campaign to thwart Northern Pass.


For more information about the tournament, including sponsorships as well as participation, visit the Owl's Nest website or by calling -888-OWL-NEST (888-695-6378).

NH Author Donates Proceeds of Books Sales to Trees Not Towers

For every paperback version of Loon Cove sold from August 30 through October 31, 2012, author Pamela Lord will donate $7.00 to the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests in support of te Trees Not Towers campaign to thwart Northern Pass. Visit Lord's website for details. To read more about Pamela Lord and her book, visit www.forestsociety.org

Trees Not Towers Reaches Quarter Million Mark

The Forest Society reached an early milestone in its campaign to raise $2.5 million by October 31, 2012 for conservation easements on 1800 acres in Coos County by raising the first quarter of a million dollars. Paula Tracy's story in the Union Leader newspaper can be read here.

"It's interesting to note that two-thirds of the donations have come from south of the White Mountains," said Susanne Kibler-Hacker, VP of Development for the Forest Society. "People are clearly understanding that the best way to stop Hydro Quebec and Northeast Utilities from erecting towers and powerlines in Deerfield or Concord or Canterbury or Plymouth--anywhere along the proposed 180-mile route--is to thwart their effort to establish a right-of-way through Coos County in the north. That's what Trees Not Towers is about."

Donations can be made online here or by calling the Forest Society at 603-224-9945.

$50,000 Grant for Trees Not Towers!

Today, the Trees Not Towers Campaign surged past the $200,000 mark when we recieved a $50,000 grant from the The Thomas W. Haas Fund of the NH Charitable Foundation. This is a fabulous show of support!" said Jane Difley, President/Forester, "and we are deeply grateful. Receiving this major grant so early in the campaign is a great confidence builder. If everyone who opposes Northern Pass gives something now, we will easily meet our goal and stop this scar on our landscape."

Donations can be made online here or by calling the Forest Society at 603-224-9945.

Trees Not Towers Campaign Off and Running

The Forest Society's Trees Not Towers campaign to block the proposed 180-mile Northern Pass HighVoltage power line is off to a fast start with $154,000 raised in the first two weeks.

"These are donations that have come across the transom without us having actually solicited anyone yet," said Susanne Kibler-Hacker, VP of Development for the Forest Society. "It's interesting to note that two-thirds of the gifts have come from donors who live south of the White Mountains."

The powerline proposal, which if built would see more than 1,100 towers and associated powerline carved through some of New Hampshire's most scenic landscape. The Forest Society is raising $2.5 million to put conservation easements on 1800 acres that interrupt the route that Northern Pass had hoped to take through Coos County.

To see maps of the intended route, click here.