Regarding the Saddleback Ski Area Solar Project
We encourage the owners of the Saddleback Ski Area (Arctaris Impact Fund) to move the location of its proposed grid-scale solar power generating facility to a location that would not impact the views from the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) on Saddleback Mountain. At just over three miles away, the proposed 35-acre solar array would become the dominant feature on the landscape view looking north from the A.T.
Other than Katahdin, Saddleback offers the longest open ridge walk along the A.T. in Maine and about 1.5 miles of this section would have frequent views of the solar development. Given the facility’s high contrast and reflective panels tilted towards the mountain, the array would draw visitors eyes towards them and create a negative impact on what is now a natural view of lakes, forests and mountains.
Saddleback Ski’s stated objectives to move off fossil fuel and source with 100% solar electricity are admirable. We believe Saddleback Ski can reduce its carbon footprint and lower its electricity costs through a less impactful alternative:
The Maine Appalachian Trail Club (MATC) and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) hold the position that development must be balanced against the recreational, scenic, natural and cultural resources of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). As stewards of the A.T. in Maine, part of MATC’s mission is to preserve the scenic integrity and minimize development impacts adjacent to the A.T.
Both the ATC and MATC support Saddleback Ski moving to 100% solar-sourced electricity and encourage them to seek alternatives that would have less impact on the views for the visitors to the Appalachian Trail and Saddleback Mountain.
