After reviewing several reports concerning the advantages and disadvantages of offshore wind turbine projects and receiving a great deal of input from constituents, I have concluded that the wind park poses too great a risk to the marine environment when compared to possible benefits, and is not a good investment of time, money or biological resources in the effort to satisfy Long Island's need for electrical supply and energy.

A portion of a recent analysis of offshore wind farms by the Assateague Coastal Trust, Inc. and it reads as follows:

The conversion of wind energy to electrical energy in the near-shore marine environment (less than 20 miles from shore), presents several potential risks and impacts to the marine ecosystem. The vessels, and transmission cables will also impact the environment. Wind, and the waves and currents it generates are important to the marine ecosystem just as the movement of water is important to a river's ecosystem. Windmills would reduce wind energy and associated water movements.

Water quality around and downstream of the towers will be impacted by the proposed projects. During construction of the towers, the ocean bottom will be disturbed, resulting in excess turbidity in the bottom waters, and siltation. The construction process will also doubtless result in a substantial

and inadvertently, into the water. Following construction, the turbines will be sources of oil, grease, heavy metals, and other materials. The boats that will service the turbines on a daily basis represent further sources of disturbance, debris, trash and pollutants for the water.

In addition to serious environmental concerns, I also has strong reservation about the managerial ability of LIPA to effectively oversee the construction of the wind turbines.

The writer is the Suffolk County Legislator in the 11th district