DC3, a grassroots group of concerned citizens, is asking the Dickinson County Planning & Zoning Board (P & Z) to update the wind turbine ordinance for the county and the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors (BOS) to put a moratorium on new wind farm applications until the ordinance can be updated. The health and well-being of the citizens of Dickinson County are in jeopardy under the current code enacted in 2009. The new turbines are nearly 200 ft taller than the turbines of 2009 and have much more powerful generators; the current setback of 1200 ft should be extended to meet the new standard of 2640ft. The health effects from the noise, shadow, flicker, and EMF were unknown in 2009 and must be addressed in an updated ordinance.
The P & Z has shown a lack of urgency in this matter. DC3 has provided them with an updated ordinance template and asked them to update the ordinance to current standards by increasing the setbacks and addressing decibel levels, flicker, and shadow. The P & Z Board promised they would put together a committee to address the issue, and no such committee has been formed.
DC3 asked the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors (BOS) to pass a 3-year moratorium on wind turbine projects in Dickinson County to allow time for the county ordinance to be updated; if an updated ordinance is adopted sooner, the moratorium can be lifted.
Contact the Dickinson County Supervisors and ask them to put a moratorium on wind farm applications, as Sioux County has, until an updated ordinance can be reviewed, discussed, and approved following public input.
Barb Clayton
Spirit Lake, IA
